AU2018226376A1 - Water Safety Device - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract A water safety device (10) including a body (24) comprising a U-shaped 5 inflatable member (16) having adjacent first and second end portions (26, 27), wherein the first and second end portions (26, 27) define a narrowed neck portion (35) of the inflatable member (16) when the inflatable member is in a deflated state and move towards each other to an overlapped state when inflated to close the neck portion (35) and engage an inner edge (50) of the 10 body (24) against a neck of the wearer. 27 -24 16 Fig 6

Description

“Water Safety Device”

Field of the Invention [001] The present invention relates to a water safety device.

Background to the Invention [002] Each year, there are many swimmers who drown in the ocean. Inexperienced or weak swimmers can easily be caught by changing ocean conditions and drowning often occurs quickly, before there is time for rescue. Many flotation devices have been proposed to reduce the likelihood of such drownings, however these are often not worn, for a variety of reasons.

[003] The present invention relates to a safety device to be worn when swimming to provide buoyancy in the event of an emergency. The device is aimed at being comfortable and unobtrusive when worn and simple and effective in operation. The device provides buoyancy to a wearer in a simple device which can be quickly secured to the body. The construction of the water safety device is such that it can be quickly secured to the body without the need for straps or other attachments and will keep the head of the wearer above the surface of the water until such time as they can receive assistance.

Summary of the Invention [004] According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a water safety device including a body comprising a U-shaped inflatable member having adjacent first and second end portions, wherein the first and second end portions define a narrowed neck portion of the inflatable member when the inflatable member is in a deflated state and move towards each

2018226376 03 Sep 2018 other to an overlapped state when inflated to close the neck portion and engage an inner edge of the body against a neck of the wearer.

[005] Preferably the body is formed from a first flexible wall and a second flexible wall bonded together around the edges thereof to form a peripheral seam, the first and second flexible walls each being formed from a U-shaped portion of a flexible sheet material.

[006] Preferably the first and second end portions each include an aperture for receiving finger to be used for moving the first and second end portions apart in the inflated state.

[007] Preferably flexible tabs are provided on opposite sides of the recess extending outwardly from an outer edge of the body and the apertures are provided on the flexible tabs.

[008] Preferably flexible tabs comprise outwardly extending portions of the peripheral seam.

[009] In a preferred embodiment, a flexible band is provided for securing around the arm of wearer, the inflatable member being stored in a cover on the band in a deflated state.

[010] Preferably the cover member comprises a pocket secured to an outer surface of the band defining a chamber such that the inflatable member is secured within the chamber in a deflated state.

[011] Preferably the pocket is secured to the band such that application of force to the inside of the pocket caused by inflation of the inflatable member causes at least a portion of the pocket to disengage from the band.

[012] In a preferred embodiment, the inflatable member includes a gas vessel connected to the inflatable member such that the gas vessel can release stored compressed gas to the interior of the inflatable member to inflate the inflatable member.

2018226376 03 Sep 2018 [013] Preferably a cord is provided such that the cord may be grasped and pulled to release compressed gas to inflate the inflatable member.

Brief Description of the Drawings [014] The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the following drawings in which:

[015] Figure 1 is an upper perspective view of a water safety device in accordance with the present invention prior to deployment of the inflatable member;

[016] Figure 2 is a view of the water safety device of Figure 1 with the inflatable device deployed;

[017] Figure 3a is a top view of the inflatable member in a deflated state;

[018] Figure 3b is an upper perspective view of the inflatable member in an inflated state;

[019] Figure 4a is a view of the inflatable member in an inflated state;

[020] Figure 4b is a view of the inflatable member expanded for engagement with the neck of a wearer;

[021] Figure 5 is a front view showing the inflatable member in use on a person; and [022] Figure 6 is a view showing the inflatable member in use on a person in the water;

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments [023] Referring to the Figures, there is shown a water safety device 10 comprising an inflatable member 16 to be secured within a flexible band 12 in a deflated state.

[024] The flexible band 12 comprises an elongate portion of material suitable for wear against the skin of a person. The band 12 may, for example,

2018226376 03 Sep 2018 comprise an elongate portion of neoprene. The band 12 may be wrapped and secured around the upper arm of the wearer by suitable means. The band 12 may include portions of hook and loop fastener material adjacent opposed ends such that the band 12 may be wrapped around the arm and ends secured together in a known manner.

[025] The water safety device 10 includes a cover member 18 secured to an outer surface of the band 12. The cover member 18 is provided to secure the inflatable member 16 against the outer surface of the band 12 when the inflatable member 16 is in a deflated state.

[026] The cover member 18 in the embodiment shown comprises a pocket 19 releasably secured to an outer surface of the band 12. The pocket 19 may be formed of the same material as the band 12, such as neoprene. The pocket 19 defines a chamber between the pocket 19 and the band 12 when the pocket 19 is secured to the outer surface of the band 12. The inflatable member 16 is secured within the chamber in a deflated state.

[027] The pocket 19 is secured to the band 12 such that application of force to the inside of the pocket caused by inflation of the inflatable member 16 causes at least a portion of the pocket 19 to disengage from the band 12. Inflation of the inflatable member 16 may therefore open the pocket 19 to allow release of the inflatable member 16.

[028] The inflatable member 16 includes a gas vessel 14. The gas vessel 14 is connected to the inflatable member 16 such that the gas vessel 14 can release stored compressed gas to the interior of the inflatable member 16 to inflate the inflatable member 16. The gas vessel 14 comprises a canister 30 connected to a surface of the inflatable member 16 having a trigger mechanism to cause release of the compressed gas. The trigger mechanism comprises a pin connected to a cord 36. The cord 36 is provided to extend outwardly from the pocket 19 in use, such that the cord 36 may be grasped and pulled to release compressed gas to inflate the inflatable member 16.

[029] The inflatable member 16 comprises a body 24 which may folded flat in the deflated state. The body 24 is U-shaped such that the body 24 includes a

2018226376 03 Sep 2018 first end portion 26 and a second end portion 27. The first and second end portions 26 and 27 are located adjacent each other when the body 24 is in a flattened deflated state or the inflated state.

[030] The body 24 is formed from a first flexible wall 28 and a second flexible wall 29 bonded together around the edges thereof to form a peripheral seam 54 by suitable means, such as an adhesive. The first and second flexible walls 28 and 29 are formed from U-shaped portions of a suitable flexible sheet of material and sealed around the edges thereof to create the interior of the inflatable member 16 which may be filled with gas to expand the inflatable member 16.

[031] When the body 24 is in the deflated state, an inner edge 50 ofthe body 24 defines a recess 32 into which the neck of the user will be received. In the deflated state, the recess 32 comprises a circular central portion 34 and a narrowed neck portion 35 (as can be seen in Figure 3a). The narrowed neck portion 35 is open when the inflatable member 16 is in the deflated state.

[032] The first and second flexible walls 28 and 29 of the body 24 are shaped and connected such that as the interior of the body 24 is filled with gas, and the first and second walls 28 and 29 therefore move away from each other, the narrowed neck portion 35 is drawn close. As can be seen in Figure 3, the neck portion 35 closes such that the end portions 26 and 27 overlap when the body 24 is inflated.

[033] The end portions 26 and 27 are provided with flexible tabs 38 on sides thereof generally opposite the recess 32 such that the tabs 38 extend outwardly from an outer edge 52 of the body 24. The tabs 38 include apertures 40 therein and, in the embodiment shown, comprise outwardly extending portions of the peripheral seam 54. The apertures 40 are provided such that the end portions 26 and 27 can be engaged by placing fingers through the apertures 40 and then pulled apart. The closed off neck portion 35 of the recess 32 can therefore be opened when the body 24 is in the inflated state (as seen in Figure 4b). The inflatable member 16 can therefore be placed around the neck of the wearer. On release of the body 24, the first and

2018226376 03 Sep 2018 second end portions 26 and 27 will move back together toward the overlapped position.

[034] The water safety device 10 is provided also with a securing cable 42. The securing cable 42 connects the inflatable member 16 to the band 12 (as shown in Figures 2 and 6) to prevent loss of the inflatable member 16 after inflation.

[035] In use, the swimmer wears the water safety device 10 by securing the band 12 around their upper arm. The arrangement allows the water safety device 10 to be worn in a relatively flat configuration around the outer surface of the arm such that the water safety device 10 does not interfere with activity such as swimming. Should the wearer require a buoyancy aid in the event of emergency, the swimmer can grasp and pull the cord 36. Compressed gas is then delivered to the inflatable member 16 which, as it inflates, opens the pocket 19.

[036] The inflatable member 16 then expands to its U-shaped form. The inflatable member 16 may be engaged around the neck by gripping end portions 26 and 27 of the U-shaped body 24 and pulling apart to open the neck portion 35 of the recess 32. Releasing the end portions 26 and 27 will allow the end portions 26 and 27 to move back together, engaging the neck. The shape of the body 24 thereby causes the inflatable member 16 to thereby grip around the neck and remain engaged with the neck of the user without the need for straps or other attachments.

[037] The water safety device 10 may also be provided with a whistle secured within a pouch 44 within the pocket 19. When the inflatable member 16 has been released, the whistle may then be accessed by removal from the pouch 44 and used to attract attention. The whistle may be provided with a cord (not shown) to attach the whistle to the water safety device 10.

[038] It will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the relevant arts that various modifications and improvements may be made to the foregoing

2018226376 03 Sep 2018 embodiments, in addition to those already described, without departing from the basic inventive concepts of the present invention.

Claims (10)

1. The claims defining the invention are as follows:

   1. A water safety device including a body comprising a U-shaped inflatable member having adjacent first and second end portions, wherein the first and second end portions define a narrowed neck portion of the inflatable member when the inflatable member is in a deflated state and move towards

   10 each other to an overlapped state when inflated to close the neck portion and engage an inner edge of the body against a neck of the wearer.
2. 2. A water safety device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the body is formed from a first flexible wall and a second flexible wall bonded together around the edges thereof to form a peripheral seam, the first and second

   15 flexible walls each being formed from a U-shaped portion of a flexible sheet material.
3. 3. A water safety device in accordance with claim 1 or 2, wherein the first and second end portions each include an aperture for receiving finger to be used for moving the first and second end portions apart in the inflated state.

   20
4. 4. A water safety device in accordance with claim 3, wherein flexible tabs are provided on opposite sides of the recess extending outwardly from an outer edge of the body and the apertures are provided on the flexible tabs.
5. 5. A water safety device in accordance with claim 4, wherein flexible tabs comprise outwardly extending portions of the peripheral seam.

   25
6. 6. A water safety device in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein a flexible band is provided for securing around the arm of wearer, the inflatable member being stored in a cover on the band in a deflated state.
7. 7. A water safety device in accordance with claim 6, wherein the cover

   30 member comprises a pocket secured to an outer surface of the band defining

   2018226376 03 Sep 2018 a chamber such that the inflatable member is secured within the chamber in a deflated state.
8. 8. A water safety device in accordance with claim 7, wherein the pocket is secured to the band such that application of force to the inside of the pocket

   5 caused by inflation of the inflatable member causes at least a portion of the pocket to disengage from the band.
9. 9. A water safety device in accordance with claim 8, wherein the inflatable member includes a gas vessel connected to the inflatable member such that the gas vessel can release stored compressed gas to the interior of the
10. 10 inflatable member to inflate the inflatable member.

    10. A water safety device in accordance with claim 9, wherein a cord is provided such that the cord may be grasped and pulled to release compressed gas to inflate the inflatable member.