GB884243A - Inflatable flotation garment - Google Patents

Abstract

884,243. Inflatable life-jackets. GOODRICH CO., B. F. June 15, 1960, No. 21039/60. Class 77. An inflatable life-jacket comprises superimposed sheets of fluid-impervious flexible material permanently joined to each other at their peripheral margins to provide a number of superimposed independently inflatable chambers with each chamber continuous throughout all the inflatable portions of the garment, which portions comprise a head rest portion, a torso portion at the front of the garment and a collar portion which extends about a neck opening in the garment. The life-jacket comprises a collar portion 21, Fig. 1, having an integral head rest 22 and an integral torso portion 23, all of which are inflatable to maintain the wearer upon his back with the head forwardly and upwardly inclined and the integral collar, head rest and torso portions are formed of three superimposed individual inflatable chambers 33-36, Fig. 6, formed of plies 25-28 which are superimposed, sealed together at their peripheries and reinforced with crotch tapes 29-31. A venting strip 36-38 is mounted within each of the chambers 33-35 respectively, and extend along each side of the collar 21 where it passes over the wearer's shoulders to allow passage of air through the chambers even with the weight of a parachute harness or the like thereon, the harness being maintained in position by straps 40. The torso portion of the garment is of elongated form and divided into lobes 43, 44 which are detachably joined by a slide fastener 45, and a non-inflatable back pack 24 underlies the head rest, to the lower wall of which it is attached to provide a flexible-walled receptacle for articles. The pack has its upper and side walls closable by slide fasteners 60, 61 and its lower end is securable around the waist by a strap 62 engaging buckles on straps 78, 79 on the torso portion, and the lobe 44 has an attaching strap 46 which passes around the waist to engage a buckle 48 on the strap 47. Each chamber 33-36 is separately inflatable, the outer or front chamber 35 being orally inflated through a valved tube 58 and the other chambers by carbon dioxide from cartridges in containers (not shown) which are punctured by means 53 and pull-cords 57, one on each lobe. In a modification, Figs. 12 to 15 (not shown), the torso portion comprises inseparable lobes, the back flap is not hollow nor adapted to receive articles and the attachment means on each of the lobes comprises a strap and buckle arrangement for attachment to the wearer.