NO344826B1

NO344826B1 - Personal flotation device

Info

Publication number: NO344826B1
Application number: NO20172041A
Authority: NO
Inventors: Mats Berg Behring; Erik Berg Behring
Original assignee: Mats Berg Behring; Erik Berg Behring
Priority date: 2017-12-22
Filing date: 2017-12-22
Publication date: 2020-05-11
Also published as: NO20172041A1

Description

TITLE: Personal flotation device

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a personal flotation device for wearing around a person’s waist as a belt. The flotation device comprises a gas tight bladder attached to the belt and a means for self-inflation in connection with the bladder and a trigger mechanism in connection with the inflation means.

Background of the invention

Self-inflating personal flotation devices are often seen in the form of a vest where the float element is behind the person’s neck and on each side in front of the person’s torso. The float elements are fastened with a harness to be worn around the waist and attached to the float element behind the neck, in order to obtain a vest that is attached to the body until the harness is released. Often the vest also comprises a crotch band for ensuring that the vest maintains its position on the body when in water. Most self-inflating vests uses a CO2 cartridge for inflating the vest that is activated by the user pulling a cord that triggers a valve or similar to open the CO2 cartridge. Automatic trigger mechanisms are also known, and a well known solution is a salt bobbin connected to the CO2 cartridge, that will rapidly and immediately dissolve when in water, allowing a pin to release and open the CO2 cartridge.

It is often required to wear a personal flotation device in boats or when performing other water activities. Having a vest on the upper part of the body may cause difficulties during some activities where such vest may come in conflict with equipment or may reduce mobility. For example during fishing activities where the user will want to have the torso and shoulder free for fishing rod movements.

Likewise, it may come in conflict in military operations where the user may wear body armour or other equipment. Sailor’s activities include working with ropes and even climbing the mast, paddlers do not wish to restrict movement of the upper body and arms. For people engaged in activities where it is necessary to direct attention upwards, having a floater in the neck may be uncomfortable and unfit ergonomically. The disadvantages mentioned above may result in that people who should wear a life vest, ends up not wearing it, and may involve a great risk.

Several attempts have been made to provide life vests that are not in the way in water sports or other water activities. Most of these rely on the user actually putting on the vest after falling into the water, as the inflatable vest is attached only by a rope to a belt or similar to be worn by the user. If the person falling over board is injured or unconscious, or even panicking, he may not be able to put on the life vest. Falling over board will come as a surprise, the water may be cold, and if a person is not trained for theses situations, which most people are not, it is not easy to react quickly and put on the life vest.

Other solutions provides a belt that is inflated as a ring around the waist, however, such solutions are not intended to provide a stable floating position of the person in water.

Mustang Survival (https://www.mustangsurvival.com/en_US/products/flotation/inflatable-pfds/inflatablebelt-pack-pfd-62533113824.html) provides a personal flotation device in the form of a belt pack where a bladder is packed inside a pocket on the belt strap. It fits around the waist like a belt, having the pocket in front of the user’s waist and fastened with a traditional buckle, and is not inflated until the user actively pulls the inflation cord. When pulling the cord, the vest inflates and is attached to the belt by a string or a rope. The user must grab the vest and pull it over the head.

US4626221A shows a self-inflating vest that comprises a belt with a pocket containing a double humped bladder that is inflatable by an automatic inflating device. The belt is provided with fastening portions allowing its extension when the bladder is inflated. The purpose of this vest is to hold the user’s head out of the water level. The user pulls a cord to trigger inflation of the bladder, which then projects form the pocket. Due to the buoyancy of the bladder and the extension function of the belt, the bladder rises form waist level up to under the armpits. The two humps of the bladder rest under the persons chin and nape of the neck respectively, holding the head out of water.

PECI Flotation (http://www.tacfloat.com/products/detachable-modularflotation-system) provides a detachable modular flotation system that can be worn together with a body armour or an equipment vest or belt. The flotation device comprises two independent and separate units, one left and one right, each comprising a flotation bladder, an inflation system, a pouch for holding the bladder, and a trigger mechanism. Each bladder deploys under the arm if the user, resulting in a lifted position in water compared to the solution shown by US4626221A and Mustang Survival. This results in increased mobility in water by having the arms free over water, and less part of the body in water resulting in less cooling of the body.

However, the solution requires two separate inflation systems, thus requiring two CO2 cartridges and two trigger mechanisms. This adds extra weight and takes place on a belt that is to be worn for long periods and maybe during heavy activities.

JP 2004196002 A and JP 2005053342 relate to an inflatable vest having an air chamber equipped with two arm-shaped parts inserted under the armpits of the person applicable and a coupling part to couple one-side ends of the arm-shaped parts when the device is inflated and a belt to be put on the waist of the person located at the ends of the arm-shaped parts or near the ends.

US 9371119 B2 relates to a personal flotation device that includes a primary bladder that is shaped to extend about a waist of a user. The personal flotation device also includes a secondary bladder that is in fluid communication with the primary bladder and is shaped to extend upwardly from the waist across a stomach of the user. The personal flotation device also includes a tertiary bladder that is in fluid communication with the secondary bladder and is shaped to is adapted to across the front of a chest of the user.

The existing solutions for self-inflating personal flotation devices that attempts to provide a smaller, more comfortable and convenient device in uninflated state have not been able to show a solution that provides flotation for persons that may be unconscious, injured or otherwise inhibited from actively putting on the device, and that at the same time provides a stable floating position in water.

Thus, there is a need for an improved self-inflating personal flotation device that overcomes one or more of the disadvantages described above, maintaining the user in an upright position when being in the sea.

Summary of the invention

The present invention seeks to provide an improved self-inflating personal flotation device with increased safety for wearing on the body. It is also an object to provide a flotation device with increased mobility and comfort in uninflated state and still maintain the required floating stability in an upright position when in sea. Further it is an object to provide a personal flotation device that is not in hindrance when performing activities in or close to water, such as sailing, paddling, climbing etc. More specifically, it is an object to increase safety by having a self-inflating flotation device that deploys into correct wearing position, not requiring the user to actively put it on after falling in water. It is also an object to increase safety by providing a stable floating position in water and by having a lifted floating position keeping not only the head, but also the neck and upper part of shoulders out of water, thus giving the person better mobility, sight, and less cooling of the body. Furthermore, it is an object to provide a personal flotation device that comfortably can be worn around the waist.

The invention is based on designing the flotation device so that it can be worn around the waist as a belt, avoiding having portions of the device behind or around the neck and on the torso when uninflated. The flotation device, and especially the shape of the bladder, is designed specifically to achieve the objects as described above. Further it is based on known solutions for self-inflation and trigger mechanisms.

The objects of the invention are achieved by a personal floating device as further defined by the independent claims, while embodiments, modifications and alternatives are defined by the dependent claims.

According to the invention the personal flotation device is in the form of a belt pack to be worn around the waist, comprising means for self-inflation and a trigger mechanism. The bladder, when inflated, is a continuous body extending along a section of the belt and attached to the belt in such a way that it at least follows the shape of the belt when the belt is arranged around a body, i.e. curving around the body. No prior art solutions are able to provide a self-inflating flotation device to be worn as a belt and that provides a continuous inflatable bladder ensuring a stable floating position in water without the user having to actively put on the vest after inflation.

Thus, in a first aspect, the invention relates to a personal flotation device for attachment around a person’s waist comprising a belt with free ends and with a fastening means, such as a buckle, for attaching the free ends of the belt, a gas tight bladder attached to the belt, a self-inflation device, such as a CO2 cartridge, connected to the bladder, and a trigger mechanism connected to the self-inflation device. The bladder is a continuous body arranged along a section of the belt and comprising a centre part, intended to go behind the users back, and two side wings, shaped and configured to go under each of the user’s arms, the side wings being in fluid communication with the centre part. The bottom side of each side wing is attached to the belt so that it follows the shape of the belt when the belt is arranged around a body. The centre part is formed with a lobe extending upwards from the belt providing an inflatable section extending from the lower and/or middle part of the back and towards the upper part of the back of the user. Only one inflation system is required, hence reducing and easing maintenance and avoiding the risk that only one out of two inflation systems are not working resulting in an instable floating position. If the device is equipped only with manual trigger mechanism, it simplifies the inflation procedure as it is only required to pull one trigger cord, which is an advantage in life threatening and stressful situations. It also contributes to a reduced size and weight of the belt and allowing for the inflation means to be placed comfortably behind the back. Due to the shape and arrangement of the bladder it provides a stable floating position of the person in the water keeping the head, neck and upper part of shoulders above water level. The belt ensures that the gas filled bladder, when inflated and in water, will be formed around the torso, and that it is positioned around the waist. This ensures that the buoyancy effect acts from a point of the body that is positioned above the centre of gravity of the body, resulting in a stable position.

The shape of the side wings of the bladder comprises a concave region at its upper side being aligned with each of the arms of the user, forming a more or less U-shape when inflated, and where the end portion of the side wings has a lobe curving upwards. This shape provides reduced buoyancy on each side of the body and increased buoyancy in the front, to prevent tilting forwards when a user is floating in water. It also allows for better mobility of the arms in water, so that the user can use the arms to swim or steer in a desired direction for example. The bladder may be fixedly attached to the belt in multiple places or continuously along a section of at least the side parts of the belt. The outer most attachment points may be arranged so that each side wing has a free end portion. This ensures that when the device is inflated and in use in water, the end portions of the side wings will extend forward from under the arms, instead of curving around the front of the torso.

The bladder may comprise one or more internal inflatable chambers, wherein the chambers are connected via a tube or a gas communicating duct for free passing of gas between the chambers. Furthermore, it may comprise three inflatable chambers, of which one chamber is part of the centre part of the bladder, and the two other chambers are part of the side wings. The side chambers may at the bottom be attached close to the belt by attachment points while the back chamber may have a void between its bottom part and the belt resulting in a lifted buoyancy point in the back region. This feature contributes to a more stable floating position preventing tilting face forward and at the same time providing increased buoyancy behind the back. The self-inflation device may be arranged on the centre part of the bladder, intended to be positioned behind the users back. This is typically a cylinder filled with compressed gas and in connection with a trigger mechanism such as a salt cartridge. Since the centre part of the bladder is in fluid communication with the side wings, only one inflation means is required to fill the entire bladder, and it can be conveniently placed behind the users back for increased comfort. The flotation device may comprise an automatic trigger mechanism and/or a manual trigger mechanism, in case of having both, the trigger mechanism may serve as a backup in case of malfunction of the automatic trigger mechanism. In some occasions or for certain uses, one may not want to have automatic triggering when in water, and only a manual trigger mechanism is arranged on the flotation device, or a cap can be installed to prevent water from dissolving the salt bobbin, hence disabling the automatic trigger mechanism.

The flotation device may comprise a pocket of durable fabric for housing and protecting the bladder when idle. The bladder with the inflation device may be packed inside the pocket when uninflated to avoid getting damaged from sharp edges or wear and tear. The pocket also holds the bladder and the inflation system contained to the belt. The pocket may comprise means for releasing the bladder from the pocket when being inflated, for example if the pocket is a folded piece of fabric closed at the adjoining edges by a quick release mechanism such as hook and loop or magnets. The bladder then gets released automatically when it is inflated.

Description of the drawings

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following diagrams wherein:

Fig. 1 shows schematically a view of an embodiment of the invention in an unpacked, folded out, but not yet inflated condition;

Fig. 2 shows schematically an illustration of a person wearing the invention in uninflated condition from three views;

Fig. 3 shows schematically an illustration of a person wearing the invention in inflated condition from three views; and

Fig. 4 shows schematically an illustration of a person wearing the invention in inflated condition in water from three views;

Detailed description of embodiments of the invention

Fig. 1 shows schematically a view of an embodiment of the personal flotation device 10 in unpacked, uninflated and folded out condition. A bladder 20 is attached to a belt 30 by attachment points 80. The bladder 20 is unpacked showing its shape comprising three inflation zones; a centre part 23 and two side wings 21, 22. The inflation zones are connected via ducts 24 or transitional zones, also intended to be inflated, adding to the buoyancy. For the sake of clarity, the fabric forming the pocket for the bladder in the idle position is not shown in the Figure. In this embodiment, the centre part, intended to go behind the users back, comprises a lobe extending upwards, while the side wings, intended to go under each arm and in front of the body of the user, have a concave shape resulting in a curve upwards going towards the end section of the wing. This shape of the bladder ensures that extra buoyancy is provided in front of and behind the user compared to a tube shaped bladder with near constant transverse cross section, and it ensures a stable floating position. The curved shape of the side wings is not a requirement for the invention to work, and in a simpler form, the side wings may for example be rectangular in shape without being curved upwards. In another embodiment, the side wings may also comprise a lobe each instead of being curved upwards towards the free end.

A self-inflation device 50, such as a CO2 cartridge, is attached to the bladder and connected to the inflation zones. The cartridge 50 is connected to a trigger mechanism such as a salt bobbin 60 that will dissolve when in water and release a pin that punctures the cartridge. The bladder will then immediately and rapidly inflate all the inflation zones 21, 22, 23, and the ducts 24. In one embodiment, the ducts 24 may be replaced by a tube enabling fluid communication between various inflation chambers, but without providing significant buoyancy in this region.

The belt 30 is worn around the waist attaching the two free ends of the belt by use of a buckle 40 or similar fastening means. A mouthpiece 70 for oral inflation is also provided so the user can adjust the amount of gas in the bladder by inflating further or releasing gas. The bladder 20 is made of a gas tight fabric, such as for example a nylon type fabric, and welded together or otherwise attached to create a gas tight pocket preventing gas from exiting, and surrounding water from entering. Materials and techniques are well known from standard self-inflating life vests. Since the bladder is attached to the belt in several places along the belt, it will maintain is position relative to the body when inflated. Thus the side wings 21, 22 will be positioned along the left and right side of the body going from the back to the front of the body and under the arms. The attachment points 80 can be several points along the belt, or continuous, for example by a continuous seam, and it is important that it attaches the bladder to the belt at least on each side, so that the side wings will automatically inflate into a position under the arms of the user. Furthermore, the side wings, 21, 22 will extend to the front side of the person, thus providing buoyancy both on the sides and in the front.

The centre part 23 is in this embodiment lifted compared to the side wings 21, 22, having a near half circle cut-out region below, in order to obtain a more stable floating position that prevents the user from tipping forward with the face towards the water. In water, the person will thus be vertical or tilted slightly backwards. The centre part therefore extends higher than the side wings and ensures that when the person is tilted backwards, due to for example waves or due to his own movements, the buoyancy from the centre part will push the body back into a stable position. In one embodiment, the distance from the belt to the top of the near circular cut-out is 200mm. The distance may be increased or reduced or may have a different shape, depending on the shape of the side wings and the relative difference in volume between the centre part and the side wings.

The purpose of the belt is to provide a fastening means to the body both in uninflated and inflated condition. Attachment points 80 between the belt and the bladder secures that the bladder remains attached to the body, and that the bladder forms a ring shaped buoyancy device when inflated. Thus, the belt can be of any durable fabric, preferably a non-elastic fabric, for example a standard belt strap. The belt 30 can have adjustment means for adjusting the length of the belt to the size of the user’s waist. However, the length of the belt shall remain the same when inflated. It can also have several adjustment points along the belt in order to not interfere with the attachment points.

Fig. 2 shows a sketch of a person wearing the invention in uninflated condition from a front, a back, and a side view representing a view from either side of the person. The flotation device is worn as a belt 30 around the waist and is fastened with a buckle 40 in the front. The belt comprises a bag shaped body or a pocket 31 attached to the belt and made of a durable fabric, such as for example polyester, in which the bladder (not visible in Fig.2) is packed together with the inflation system. The purpose of the pocket 31 is to provide a small space for packing the bladder with its inflation equipment, and to protect the bladder from getting damaged by sharp edges for example. For that purpose, the pocket may be a rectangular piece of fabric that can be folded and closed by for example a hook and loop closing mechanism. When the bladder inflates, the pocket must open to allow the bladder to be released from the pocket, the bladder only being attached to the belt at its bottom. A hook and loop type closing of the pocket may allow for the pocket to open due to the pressure from the gas filled bladder. Other closing mechanisms allowing release of the bladder as a result of increased pressure in the bladder may comprise strings that break when elongated, magnets, or various standard quick release rubber or plastic locks. The flotation device takes almost no more space than a normal belt and is not in the way during sporting activities or during rigging, climbing etc.

Fig. 3 shows a sketch of a person wearing the invention in inflated condition from a front, a back, and a side view representing a view from either side of the person. The bladder is inflated creating a buoyancy section behind the persons back, and two buoyancy sections going from the back, along each side under the arm and to the front. From a side view, one can see that the side sections have a cutaway area creating a u-shape for allowing the arms to be close to the body. The U-shape of the side sections helps ensure a stable position and preventing tilting forward. The CO2 cartridge is conveniently placed on the back chamber 23, not being in the way for the user. The bladder may be provided with reflection details 90 for being easily spotted, as shown in the front view in Fig.3. Such reflection details may also be provided in the back or in several other places visible when in water.

Fig. 4 shows a sketch of a person wearing the invention in inflated condition in water from a front, a back, and a side view representing a view from either side of the person. The flotation chambers are now higher up on the body due to the buoyancy effect; however the belt may restrict it from further floating upwards until completely under the armpits. It is not necessary for the invention to work that the belt restricts lifting, if the belt is not worn very tight for example, however it is desirable as the person will be lifted higher in the water, as shown in Fig.4. In the figure, the chest, shoulders, neck and head are lifted out of water, which prevents hypothermia, and increases mobility and sight for the user. In addition, the person will be more visible to rescue personnel. The side view in Fig. 4 shows a near vertical position of the user.

The invention can be used as follows: A sailor puts on the flotation device around the waist and closes it with the buckle (Fig.1). If the belt is too loose, it may be tightened with an adjustment device arranged on the belt strap. The sailor is on a sail boat at sea working with ropes and with equipment moving around, such as the boom. Sometimes he may have to climb up the mast for untangling ropes or adjusting equipment. The belt will not be in the way or get entangled with the surrounding equipment. The sailor will have normal mobility as the flotation device is not covering the torso or limiting arm movements. Keeping attention with the mast, sails and other equipment at height is easily done as the flotation device is not lying around the neck. If an accident happens and the sailor falls over board, a salt bobbin will dissolve and allow a firing mechanism to puncture the CO2 cartridge to release the gas into the bladder, filling all chambers in the bladder immediately. Alternatively, if the belt does not have an automatic trigger mechanism, the sailor will pull a cord triggering inflation. The flotation device will now be tucked around the person’s waist, torso and back, lifting the upper part of the body out of the water (Fig.4). If needed, he can further inflate or deflate the bladder by using the mouthpiece 70. He can relax and does not need to swim or move to keep afloat or to prevent tipping over.

Reflective details will ensure that he is visible to other people. The arms are free so that he can try to manoeuvre in a direction or wave the arms for attention. Even with the arms in the air, or for other reasons not leaning on the side chambers, he will still be in a stable position due to the shape of the bladder with its inflatable sections.

Claims

1. A personal flotation device (10) for attachment around a person’s waist comprising a belt (30) with free ends and with a buckle (40) for attaching the free ends of the belt, a gas tight bladder (20) attached to the belt, a self-inflation device (50), such as a CO2 cartridge, for inflating the bladder (20) connected to the belt (30) and a trigger mechanism (60) connected to the self-inflation device (50), the bladder (20) having a centre part (23) configured to go behind the user’s back and two side wings (21,22), extending sideways out from the centre part (23) and intended to go under each of the user’s arms,

characterized in the side wings (21, 22) being in fluid communication with the centre part (23), wherein

- the bottom side of each side wing (21, 22) is attached to the belt (30), - the centre part (23) is formed with a lobe extending upwards from the belt providing an inflatable section extending from the lower and/or middle part of the back and towards the upper part of the back of the user,

- the shape of the side wings (21, 22) of the bladder (20) comprises a concave region at its upper side being aligned with each of the arms of the user, and - the end portion of the side wings has a lobe curving upwards.

2. A personal flotation device according to claim 1, wherein the bladder (20) is attached to the belt (30) in multiple places or continuously along a section of at least the side parts of the belt, the outer most attachment points being arranged so that each side wing (21, 22) has a free end portion.

3. A personal flotation device according to one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the bladder (20) comprises one or more internal inflatable chambers, wherein the chambers are connected via a tube or a gas communicating duct for free passing of gas between the chambers.

4. A personal flotation device according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the bladder comprises three inflatable chambers, of which one chamber is part of the centre part (23) of the bladder, and the two other chambers are part of the side wings (21, 22).

5. A personal flotation device according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the side wings (21, 22) at the bottom are attached close to the belt (30) by attachment points (80) while the centre part (23) has a void between its bottom part and the belt resulting in a lifted buoyancy point in the back region.

6. A personal flotation device according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the selfinflation device (50) is arranged on the centre part of the bladder, intended to be positioned behind the users back.

7. A personal flotation device according to one of claims 1 to 6, comprising an automatic and/or a manual trigger mechanism (60).

8. A personal flotation device according to one of claims 1 to 7, comprising a pocket of durable fabric, and wherein the bladder (20) with the self-inflation device (50) when uninflated is arranged inside the pocket, the pocket comprising means for releasing the bladder from the pocket when inflated.