US20090075537A1

US20090075537A1 - Whitewater ankle floatation safety device

Info

Publication number: US20090075537A1
Application number: US12/008,373
Authority: US
Inventors: James F. Devers
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-09-18
Filing date: 2008-01-10
Publication date: 2009-03-19

Abstract

An assembly, preferably for use near the ankle, preferably made, at least in part, of a soft buoyant flexible material is disclosed. The assembly has two basic forms. The first basic form is a band that wraps around the user's lower leg above the user's ankle joint above, or in one embodiment, on the user's foot gear. This form of the assembly has a mechanism for holding the assembly on the leg of the user. The other basic form is one that incorporates the assembly into or on a boot, sock, wet or dry suit, pants or similar device at a location that wraps the assembly around the user's lower leg when in use. The assembly helps move the user's lower leg toward the surface of the water and hold it on the surface of the water to help prevent foot entrapment with rocks, trees or other objects in the water and also helps to prevent the foot or leg from being injured due to contact with underwater and river-surface objects. The assembly has particular value as a safety floatation device for whitewater boating in all its forms and for swimming in strong currents or in rapids. A variation of the assembly may be used as a safety device for traversing or ice-skating on a body of ice.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of, and incorporates in by reference in its entirety, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/994,264, filed Sep. 18, 2007.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention
This invention relates to devices used in watersports and more particularly to devices used as an aid to persons engaged in whitewater rafting, canoeing, kayaking and similar activities.
2. Prior Art
Foot entrapment is one of the most dangerous and usually fatal situations that can occur whenever anyone unintentionally swims in a river (e.g., when a boat flips while whitewater rafting). Also, as described below, river guides sometimes have their patrons engage in “intentional” swims in “swimmer's-rapids.” These “intentional” swims occur where river guides set up safety positions and allow boaters to practice the swimmer's-position in easier class rapids. In addition, there are times when river guides allow their whitewater rafting clients to ‘slip-out’ that is, swim, play and just float alongside the boat to stay cool and to enjoy the river environment. No matter how a person gets tossed into a rapid and ends up in the river current, a Personal Floatation Device, PFD, also known as a life vest, becomes that person's best friend and almost immediately lifts the person's upper body toward the surface of the water. Naturally, in this position the feet trail below in the water.
The stomach-up (back-down) float swimmer's-position is often the safest way to navigate in a river or rapids. This position is: back reclining, eyes facing downstream, feet up in front, toes of footwear visible on the surface and arms out to the sides for stability and to scull or to move across the current. This swimmer's-position provides an immediate defensive swim configuration where the swimmer floats stomach-up with the feet pointing downstream to cushion and to push off from obstacles. Also, the swimmer can see what lies ahead while steering with his or her arms in the river current until reaching safer conditions. However, there are safety situations and times when the normal back-up/stomach-down swimmer's-position is preferable for self-rescue. Still, in this position it is imperative that the feet remain topside (i.e., elevated near the surface) to reduce drag and to continue to avoid foot entrapments and injuries to the feet and lower body due to collision with underwater objects.
If a swimmer moves out of or is moved out of either swimmer's-position, the swimmer's foot can move downward where it is susceptible to being trapped in engagement with underwater rocks, trees or debris. If foot entrapment occurs, the lower body remains anchored and the river current can easily force the entire upper body to continue in the downstream direction, to submerge (even if wearing a PDF) and often to result in drowning. The avoidance of a delay of even a fraction of a second in initiating the lifting and the subsequent maintaining of elevated feet is crucial for survival while in a river current.
It is because of these facts that every responsible whitewater safety briefing emphasizes the necessity for a capsized boater to immediately assume a “swimmer's-position” for most survival cases. That is, it is taught that it is critical for a person cast into the water to get his or her feet up as quickly as possible in order to avoid getting a foot entangled with underwater rocks, trees or debris. Thus, there is a critical need to safely and instantaneously initiate ascending feet in the water. A fraction of a second delay in initiating such action could make a literal difference between life and death. Furthermore, the unintentional lowering of one's feet while continuing in the river rapid or current, if for only a moment, could also result in injury or death from underwater obstructions and entrapments.
Water leg-exercise floatation devices do not address these problems. One of the major disadvantages of water leg-exercise floatation devices is their concentration on resistance to leg movement in a relatively calm body of water. While adequate and useful for muscular aerobics, these devices are not useful for river safety where only a pre-calculated amount and placement of buoyancy is needed to allow for more unrestricted foot and leg movements and not to inhibit movement through the water in order to produce an exercise benefit.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,671,507 to Huttner discloses a one-size-fits-all inflatable exercise device that requires varying the position of the devices. Moreover, Huttner's patent is a cylindrical and dual-chambered member that is arbitrarily inflated and slipped over the bare foot which means an inconvenient removal and replacement of other foot gear such as river shoes or sandals. Furthermore, that bulky device includes a cord member which presents an added danger to foot entrapment with underwater or river-surface debris. Both the seamless cylinder and attachment mechanism do not permit rapid release of the floatation device in the case of a river emergency.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,804,326 to Lennon is focused on a very specific swimming instruction floatation problem of a non-life vest user that may require additional sleeves of seamless cylindrical devices placed over one another and also fitted over the bare foot for buoyancy trial fittings. This adds to its bulkiness and tightness which may affect blood circulation or ankle movement for some river users. Furthermore, the axial length, as illustrated in Lennon's FIG. 1, covers too much ankle/foot joint area so that movement of that joint may be reduced. Also, Lennon's device requires a complexity of slits and slots for stretching over shoeless feet and heals. As a result, Lennon's device is an impractical device for river-boating conditions.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,858,913 to Stuart is another non-river exercising aid with strap components. This device also requires inconvenient trial buoyancy adjustments. It uses multiple large planar, rigid and bulky “outwardly disposed” upright surfaces that again cover too much ankle/foot joint area so that movement of that joint is reduced.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,936,804 to Dowdeswell also relates to water recreation, relaxation, therapy and maintenance tasks in calm waters. The Dowdeswell invention includes non-inflatable buoyancy aids that are too easily moveable and bulky. Dowdeswell correctly points out the disadvantages of other life rings and cuffs with attaching ropes. His circular devices are glued into shape and allow some slippage that would not be suitable in a rough whitewater environment.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,342,031 to Vaughan includes “gaiters” that are meant to be used during exercising in deep calm water and for therapy with the user in a generally vertical orientation. Like the devices shown in the above mentioned patents, this device is meant to be slipped over the bare foot which is not convenient or appropriate for whitewater boating.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,052,346 to Childress discloses two lower leg protectors with fins and straps. This equipment is meant specifically for extreme whitewater enjoyment by intentional and more experienced river swimmers. The feet protectors are constructed of a molded rigid plastic back that is not suitable for the typical whitewater boater who is wearing other river gear such as river shoes or sandals. Its uneven and high amount of buoyancy distribution may disproportionately favor one swimmer's-position over the other. Furthermore, these rigid feet protectors are not practical for in-boat activities and leg/foot positioning during paddling. More importantly, the initial moments of an unintentional swimmer from a flipped boat are safer without plastic rims and strap forming cavities that may hook to underwater or river-surface objects or debris.
Perhaps for good reasons in the above mentioned and other patents, there are no obvious intentions or pretenses for their use as a safety device against leg injuries and foot entrapments for river-boaters in a wild river current. Consequently, there remains a need for a safe, non-snagging, automatic, portable and preferably non-inflatable anklet assembly floatation device that is simple and effective, easily assembled and easily fitted on and operated by a user that automatically and instantly reduces the risks of swimmers' leg injuries and foot entrapments. In addition, there is a need for such a floatation device that is uncomplicated, anatomically correct (i.e., does not limit the movement of joints near the device) and that can be utilized by life vest users of all ages, weights and sizes to maintain an almost horizontal stomach-up or stomach-down swimmer's-position.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An assembly, preferably for use near the ankle, preferably made, at least in part, of a soft buoyant flexible material is disclosed. The buoyant material is preferably enclosed in a pouch-like compartment that has a convenient attachment mechanism that allows the entire device to be wrapped snugly around a user's lower leg preferably above the ankle. The anklet assembly has two basic forms. The first basic form is a band that wraps around the user's lower leg above the user's ankle above foot wear such as a river shoe, sandal, sneaker, or around the upper ankle portion of an existing river boot or sock. This stand alone form of the anklet assembly may also be worn under or over a pant-leg material. This form of the anklet assembly has a mechanism for securely holding the anklet assembly on the leg of the user.
The other basic form is the built-in form that incorporates the anklet assembly into a boot, sock, wet or dry suit, pant or that of any safe river-gear (suitable for whitewater-boating and similar river activities) that wraps the anklet assembly around the user's lower leg when in use. Either form of the anklet assembly helps to move the user's lower leg toward the surface of the water and then to hold the user's lower leg on the surface of the water to help prevent foot entrapment with rocks, trees or other objects in the water. It also helps to protect or prevent the foot or leg from being injured due to contact with underwater and river-surface objects. The anklet assembly has particular value as a safety floatation device for whitewater boating in all its forms and for swimming in strong river currents or in rapids.
Accordingly, several objects and advantages of the present invention in one or more embodiments of the invention are to provide a floatation device that:

- (a) is adapted to a user's anatomy particularly the user's extremities.
- (b) helps to prevent injuries to lower-body joints, muscles and ligaments due to contact with underwater and river-surface objects.
- (c) reduces the risks of foot entrapment with underwater objects.
- (d) does not unduly restrict movements of the user.
- (e) can be used in conjunction with other gear such as river shoes, booties, sandals, sneakers, socks, wet-socks, wet suits, dry suits or other usual whitewater gear and with ankle support devices.
- (f) automatically works to raise and protect the user's appendage to which it is attached without the user having to activate any mechanism or take additional action.
- (g) is entirely portable.
- (h) is easily stored.
- (i) is readily put on and taken off at anytime and anywhere.
- (j) can be massed produced in an automated and economical manner.
- (k) is readily affordable to the public.
- (l) can be manufactured in a stand-alone form.
- (m) can easily be incorporated into river gear that already covers or is located near the ankle area.
- (n) is easily adjustable.
- (o) has a quick and reliable attaching and detaching capability.
- (p) is rapidly released in the case of a river emergency.
- (q) is rugged enough to hold together in the river environment.
- (r) is easily worn with just about any typical whitewater participant's attire.
- (s) provides the benefit in use of increasing the user's chances of achieving a safe outcome in a situation where the user ends up in a rapid and river current.

Not all of these objects need be present in a single embodiment. Instead, a particular embodiment may have one or more of these objects. These and other objects of the invention will be clear from the following detailed description of the invention in connection with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described hereafter in detail with particular reference to the drawings. All Figures are drawn for ease of explanation of the basic teachings of the present invention. Throughout this description, like elements, in whatever embodiment described, refer to common elements wherever referred to and referenced by the same reference number. The characteristics, attributes, functions, interrelations ascribed to a particular element in one location apply to that element when referred to by the same reference number in another location unless specifically stated otherwise. In addition, the exact dimensions and dimensional proportions to conform to specific force, weight, strength and similar requirements will be within the skill of the art after the following description has been read and understood.

FIG. 1 is a perspective side view of an embodiment of the ankle assembly floatation device of the present invention secured about the lower leg of a user wearing additional low-type foot gear.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective side view of another embodiment of the ankle assembly floatation device of the present invention secured about the lower leg portion of a user wearing a high-type foot gear.

FIG. 4 is a perspective back view of another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In order that the invention may be clearly understood and readily carried into effect, preferred and other embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only and not to limit the invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings. The anklet assembly floatation device of the present invention is shown in the drawings generally labeled 10.
A preferred embodiment of the floatation device 10 is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. In this embodiment of the invention, the floatation device 10 is essentially a band that wraps around the user's lower leg 12 just slightly above the ankle joint 14. As can be seen in FIG. 2, the floatation device 10 includes a core 16 encased within a pouch 18 having an inside surface 20 and an outside surface 22. The pouch 18 also has an outer end 24 and inner end 26 that overlap at an attachment mechanism 28 when the floatation device 10 is in place on the user's lower leg 12.
The material of the core 16 is preferably a material that is buoyant in water. In addition, the material of core 16 is preferably soft and flexible. Examples of such material for the core 16 include, but are not limited to, closed cell water impermeable lightweight foam or materials having voids or pockets including materials having voids or pockets containing gases or vapors. However, in an alternate embodiment of the floatation device 10, the core 16 is not itself buoyant but provides a framework for which to give shape and form to the buoyant pouch 18. However, any material that has the desired characteristics of being buoyant or being able to give shape and form to a pouch 18, or both, may be used for core 16.
In one embodiment of the floatation device 10, the material for core 16 is one continuous piece (i.e., formed as a single unit). However, in another embodiment of the floatation device 10, the material for core 16 may be one or more pieces including a collection of pellets or pieces each having the desired characteristic of being buoyant in water and more preferably also being soft and flexible. Further, in this other embodiment of the floatation device 10, each of the multiple pieces of the core 16 may be separated on or within the floatation device 10 from other pieces of the core 16.
The amount of material in the core 16 varies with the weight or size of the user. For example, for a large user, more buoyant material for core 16 would be used than for use with a small user such as a child. However, there should not be used so much buoyant material in core 16 to overpower the swimmer's desired leg movements or interfere with normal movement when out of the water.
Pouch 18 is preferably made of a suitable material that encases the core 16. Because the outside surface 22 of the pouch 18 may come into contact with many objects in use, including objects in the water as well as being scraped or scuffed in normal activities associated with boating, at least the outside surface 22 is preferably made of a rugged, durable material that can stand up to such contact, scraping or scuffing without compromising the core 16 as such is well understood in the art, particularly in connection with the material of PDF devices. Alternately, the material of the outside surface 22 can be made by layering material or by adding additional sections of material at anticipated or actual wear spots. Further, the outside surface 22 can itself be made of a buoyant material in a continuous piece or of a plurality of buoyant particles or through providing voids including voids incorporating trapped gases or vapors in the material. The outside surface 22 may also include a fashion touch of various patterns, colors, designs, styles, trademarks, logos, etc.
The inside surface 20 of the pouch 18 may come into contact with the user's leg. As a result, at least the inside surface 20 is preferably made of a material that will not irritate the user's leg in use. In a preferred embodiment of the floatation device 10, both the inside surface 20 and outside surface 22 are made of the same material, preferably one that is comfortably flexible and soft.
A benefit of having either the core 16 or pouch 18 or both made of a soft, flexible material is that such material provides padding for the user's leg particularly near the ankle joint 14. In this way, when the user is in the water and traveling downstream with the water current, the floatation device 10 not only keeps the user's lower legs up but also adds some protection to the user's lower leg to help avoid injury due to contact with rocks, trees, debris and the like in the water that the user's legs might encounter.
The function of the pouch 18 is to contain the core 16 and to provide a platform for connecting the outer end 24 and inner end 26 as will be described hereafter. As described above, in a preferred embodiment of the floatation device 10 the outer end 24 and inner end 26 of the pouch 18 overlap each other at attachment mechanism 28. Where the material of the core 16 and pouch 18 are flexible, it is desirable that the outer end 24 and inner end 26 be attached to each other to hold the floatation device 10 on the user's lower leg 12. A preferred way to hold the outer end 24 and inner end 26 together is by a hook and loop fastener such as that sold under the trade name VELCRO. Where such a hook and loop fastening system is used, the hooks 30 are attached to the inside surface 20 of the outer end 24 and the loops 32 attached to outside surface 22 of the inner end 26 or vice versa (i.e., the loops 32 are attached to the inside surface 20 of the outer end 24 and the hooks 30 attached to outside surface 22 of the inner end 26).
Attachment mechanism 28 preferably holds the outer end 24 and inner end 26 close to the main body of the floatation device 10 to not snag on or be caught by underwater or river-surface objects or debris. In addition, it may be desirable to taper the outer end 24 and inner end 26 (i.e., to round the ends to a point) to provide less surface area to snag on or be caught by underwater or river-surface debris or other objects. Further, it may be desirable to make the outer end 24 and inner end 26 thinner in thickness than the other material of the core 16 or pouch 18 or combination of both so that when the outer end 24 and inner end 26 are overlapped, the two pieces of the outer end 24 and inner end 26 add up to about the same thickness as the rest of the floatation device 10. Thus, the thickness of the floatation device 10 is substantially constant all the way around the user's leg. Finally, the attachment mechanism 28 should preferably hold the floatation device 10 snugly to the user's lower leg 12. In the embodiments of the floatation device 10 having an attachment mechanism 28, the attachment mechanism 28 also preferably permits the rapid release of the floatation device 10 in the case of a river emergency.
Although a hook and loop fastening system has been described as being a preferred way to attach the outer end 24 and inner end 26 at attachment mechanism 28, other well known methods of connection may be used instead. For example, and not intended to limit the ways of connecting that will occur to those skilled in the art, the outer end 24 and inner end 26 could be connected by a needle and eye fastener such as is commonly used in clothing belts, grommet and swivel pin, snap-together mechanism such as the releasable clasps used on backpack straps and cinch clasps of the type commonly used to allow adjustment of the length of the shoulder straps on backpacks or similar devices while at the same time preventing such backpack shoulder straps from changing their longitudinal dimensions once tension is applied to the backpack shoulder straps. Other connecting means will occur to those skilled in the art and are intended to be included in the present invention.
In another alternate embodiment of the floatation device 10, either the core 16 or pouch 18 or both may be made of a semi-rigid material or a material that has a shape memory such as shape memory plastics or malleable metals such as nitenol although any material having shape memory may be used. In this embodiment of the floatation device 10, the floatation device 10 is formed in a configuration that allows the floatation device 10 to wrap around the user's lower leg 12 and to be retained in place by the shaped memory of the floatation device 10. In this embodiment, the floatation device 10 would have to be flexible enough to allow the floatation device 10 to be opened and wrapped around the user's lower leg 12 but rigid enough in its relaxed configuration to be retained in place on the user's lower leg 12 by the shape memory aspect of the material of the floatation device 10.
In a further alternate embodiment of the floatation device 10, the core 16 and pouch 18 may be made of a stretchable material such as a stretchable plastic, elastic or foam. In one variant of this embodiment, the floatation device 10 may be made in the shape of a doughnut having an inner diameter preferably equal to or slightly smaller or larger than the diameter of the user's lower leg 12 above the ankle joint 14. With this embodiment of the floatation device 10, the user stretches the floatation device 10 so that the user's foot passes through the center opening on the floatation device 10. Once the floatation device 10 is in the desired location, the user releases the floatation device 10 so that the floatation device 10 assumes its non-stretched configuration. Because the inner diameter of the floatation device 10 is approximately the same as the outer diameter of the user's lower leg 12, when the floatation device 10 is released, it will be held in place on the user's lower leg 12.
Although FIG. 1 shows the floatation device 10 attached around a user's bare lower leg 12, as shown in FIG. 3 the floatation device 10 may be attached around a user's lower leg 12 above the user's ankle joint 14 on the outside of or embedded into and as part of a piece of foot gear 34 such as a river bootie or sock. In addition, as shown in FIG. 4, the floatation device 10 may also be attached around a user's lower leg 12 on the outside of or embedded into a wet or dry suit 36 or any safe river-gear (suitable for whitewater-boating and similar river activities) that extends down or covers the leg. Further, the floatation device 10 may be worn under or over a pant-leg material or similar device material.
Where the floatation device 10 is embedded into a piece of foot gear 34, wet or dry suit 36 or the material of a pant-leg or similar leg covering device or material, the pouch 18 is a compartment that is made a part of the material of the foot gear 34, wet or dry suit 36, pant-leg or similar device or of material that is placed on the surface of the foot gear 34, wet or dry suit 36 or pant-leg or similar device material. The core 16 is placed either permanently or removably in the pouch 18 or formed with and of the material of the foot gear 34, wet or dry suit 36, pant-leg or similar device material. As shown in FIG. 3's exploded view of resilient possibilities for attaching the core 16 to a piece of foot gear 34, junction 38 represents sewn stitches, tiny exposed hook-and-loop fastener material or simply the end of a small bulge that forms where the core 16 is placed in the pouch 18 on the piece of foot gear 34, wet or dry suit 36, pant-leg or similar material. In all of these embodiments of the floatation device 10, the core 16 preferably rests slightly above the ankle joint 14 and is located so that it does not interfere with the zipper 40 or any attachment mechanism of the foot gear 34, wet or dry suit 36, pant-leg or similar device material.
The built-in forms of the floatation device 10, such as is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, are applied simply to any type of river bootie, wet-sock, lower pant-leg or river leg-gear that has a compartment to contain the core 16 so that the core 16 is built into the portion of the fabric that wraps around the user's lower leg 12 near the ankle joint 14. Like the stand-alone form of the floatation device 10, the amount of padding in the core 16 varies, of course, depending on the weight or size of the user.
Although the embodiment of the floatation device 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 show the core 16 and the pouch 18 being separate pieces, it is also within the scope of the invention in all the embodiments disclosed herein for the core 16 and pouch 18 to be combined into a single piece of material. In this embodiment of the floatation device 10, there will still be an inside surface 20 and an outside surface 22 and the floatation device 10 may include any of the ways described herein to hold the floatation device 10 on the user's lower leg 12 or be embedded into or on the foot gear 34, wet or dry suit 36, pant-leg or similar device material.
The floatation device 10 in all the embodiments is preferably placed on the user's lower leg 12 above the user's ankle joint 14. In the embodiments of the floatation device 10 having an attachment mechanism 28, the attachment mechanism 28 of the floatation device 10 can be placed facing any direction that the user wishes, such as facing to the front, back or sides of the ankle. By placing the floatation device 10 around the user's lower leg 12 above the ankle joint 14, the floatation device 10 does not interfere with or limit the movement or range of motion of the ankle joint 14.
Also, by placing the floatation device 10 on the user's lower leg 12 above the ankle joint 14, the user may, in some embodiments of the floatation device 10, wear any low foot gear 34 such as a river shoe, sneaker, sandal, etc. (FIG. 1) without interfering with the floatation device 10 and without the floatation device 10 interfering with the low foot gear 34. Of course, the floatation device 10 described above in connection with being placed on a user's lower leg 12 may also be used on the user's other leg as well. In fact, the preferred use of the floatation device 10 is that a floatation device 10 is placed on the lower leg 12 of each of a user's legs.
Although the floatation device 10 is primarily intended to be placed on the user's lower leg 12 above the ankle joint 14, in the alternative or in addition to placing a floatation device 10 in such a location, one or more floatation devices 10 may be placed at other locations on the user's leg such as surrounding the foot, locations on the leg above the ankle joint 14 or on the wrists or arms of a user.

Operation

The floatation device 10 is very much intended to raise whitewater boating enjoyment and safety standards to a higher level. In use with the stand-alone version of the floatation device 10, a floatation device 10 is preferably wrapped around each ankle; just slightly above the ankle joint 14. The user can, if desired, attach, adjust or detach the floatation device 10 by means of its attachment mechanism 28 as described above. In addition, the user may switch, flip or rotate the floatation device 10 around either ankle before attaching so that the attachment mechanism 28 faces in a direction that is comfortable for the user. Because the floatation device 10 is typically and preferably light weight, it will hardly be noticeable to the user when that boater is not in the water.
In use with the version of the floatation device 10 that is embedded into foot gear 34, wet or dry suit 36, pant-leg or similar material, the floatation device 10 is already located in or on the foot gear 34, wet or dry suit 36, pant-leg or similar device material so that it will be located just slightly above the ankle joint 14 when the user puts on the foot gear 34, wet or dry suit 36, pant-leg or similar device material. Again, because the floatation device 10 is typically and preferably light weight, it will hardly be noticeable to the user.
The floatation device 10 in all the embodiments described above provides a floatation device that can be applied quickly and easily before entering the water in conjunction with other gear such as river shoes, booties, sandals, sneakers, socks, wet-socks, wet suits, dry suits, and even with ankle support and prosthetic limb devices.
During whitewater rafting or other similar experiences, it is not uncommon to have “unintentional” swims of varying violence. In this condition, almost always it is extremely difficult if not impossible for the person to be able to get his or her feet up quickly enough while in the rapid or river current.
Also, during numerous “intentional” swims in “swimmer's-rapids” (where river guides set up safety positions and allow boaters to practice the swimmer's-position in easier class rapids), there is usually no problem swimming out to the current and elevating the feet. However, maintaining the swimmer's-position is always difficult upon entering the rapid. The feet normally sink well below the surface; decreasing strength and raising the possibility of foot entrapment and collision with underwater objects particularly while being thrashed-about. In this position, the “swimmer” is susceptible to not only minor mishaps and injuries but also very serious consequences including severe injury and death.
In addition, there are times when river guides allow their whitewater rafting clients to ‘slip-out’ that is, to swim, play and just float alongside the boat to stay cool and to enjoy the river environment. This mostly occurs during the peak rafting season; on very hot summer afternoons and while in calmer sections of the river. Ironically, injuries to collisions with underwater and river-surface objects and foot entrapment literally lurk within a foot to a few feet below them, at times, as they drift downstream. Conscientious guides are constantly reminding these patrons to keep their feet elevated with statements such as “Get'em up; keep'em up”. The wearing of a floatation device 10 along with one's PFD in this activity is somewhat like river-tubing, only without a tube. Besides keeping feet up for safety, with the use of the floatation device 10 there is an added benefit of the river-outfitter's or guide's peace of mind.
When and if a river boater ends up in a rapid and river current, whether intentionally or unintentionally, both the standard PFD and the floatation device 10 will immediately and automatically take effect. The PFD device provides a primary buoyancy for the upper body and combined with the floatation device 10 will cause the fortunate user to end up at the river surface in either a stomach-up or stomach-down swimmer's-position. If a change into the opposite position is desired (e.g. from a stomach-up to a stomach-down swimmer's-position or vice versa), the swimmer can roll over and change direction with the normal use of his or her arms for steering. When a vertical bodily position is safe to get into, the knees of the swimmer may be bent towards the front torso for better leg control before extending the feet carefully away from the swimmer.
The floatation device 10 provides the swimmer with a secondary set of buoyancy for the lower extremities, the feet. As a result, the floatation device 10 automatically raises the user's lower legs 12 without the user having to activate any mechanism or take additional action. If floatation devices 10 are used on the user's wrists or arms in the alternative or in addition to being used on the user's lower legs 12, the floatation device 10 also automatically raises the user's arms without the user having to activate any mechanism or take additional action.
The floatation device 10 is meant to be worn along with a PFD because the floatation device 10 both supplements and complements a PFD while the user is in the swimmer's-position. Wearing a pair of floatation devices 10 makes it easier to get into and maintain the swimmer's-position. Swimmers have other major priorities on their minds during their initial moments overboard. Above all, they must consciously think to remain calm in order to get oriented and to time their breaths in any rapids. Immediately, they must make every effort for self-rescue which, as described above, almost always includes getting their feet up and keeping them up. These priorities are made even more difficult in cold water temperatures where the body automatically shuts down the extremities to preserve body heat for the heart and brain; thus leaving the swimmer feeling totally exhausted while gasping for life within the river's forces. The initial, automatic and immediate raising of the swimmer's feet is crucial and every fraction of every second counts. As explained above, when on or near the water's surface and elevated within the changing waterline, the feet are less prone to drag along the upcoming river bottom as lower water levels and obstacles are reached while in the river current and rapids. In addition, lying flat at the water surface (i.e., the more horizontal swimmer's-position) with the head raised also slows body heat loss as compared to the more immersed (vertical) bodily orientation.
Just as a football helmet is counterproductive for a speed-bicyclist or for a river-boater, not just any buoyant device is functionally or properly suitable for attachment to the ankles or for use while attempting to get into the swimmer's-position in any class rapid or river. In fact, most such floatation objects can prove detrimental. For example, very bulky and inflated devices or devices having loose strap attachments can add to the risks of entanglement in serious whitewater.
Consequently, the floatation device 10 should preferably be as streamlined, as convenient and as comfortable as possible and should not restrict ankle and foot movements. The placement and amount of buoyancy must not overpower the swimmer's normal leg movements (kicking, turning, standing) when needed. Even the style of the floatation device 10 should preferably not deter the swimmer from wanting to wear this additional piece of safety gear.
Finally, it is believed that the benefits from the use of the floatation device 10 far exceed any possible detriment in using the floatation device 10. It is clear that just as wearing a PDF will not guarantee safety, the use of the floatation device 10 will not guarantee safety. But, the very act of wearing the floatation device 10 will help increase the user's chances of achieving a safe outcome in a situation where the user ends up in a rapid or river current just as wearing a PDF helps the user increase his or her chances of achieving a safe outcome in similar river situations.
The floatation device 10 described herein is a new and improved type of whitewater boating utility device meeting all of these requirements. As such, the floatation device 10 is used to improve an unintentional or intentional river-swimmer's safety by reducing the risks associated with leg injuries and especially foot entrapment. This floatation device 10 is configured such that any typical whitewater boater wearing a life vest may also wear this floatation device 10 to quickly initiate and to helpfully maintain a feet-up self-rescue swimming position in a rapid and river current. Because the amount of or buoyancy of the material of the core 16 can be provided according to the weight or size of the user, the floatation device 10 can be used by persons of any weight or size. Also, because of the ease in donning the floatation device 10, its unobtrusiveness when not in use and its instantaneous and automatic implementation, the floatation device 10 is extremely useful for people of all ages including children.
In view of the advantages of using a floatation device 10, it is believe that in time, certain countries, states, provinces or agencies may require or recommend that floatation devices 10 to be worn with PFDs on certain rivers or in certain river sections or rapids. In this regard, of course, practice using the floatation device 10 is extremely advantageous and should be stressed and possibly required. That is, it is wise for users of the floatation device 10 to familiarize themselves with the floatation device 10 and its use in safe and controlled settings before possible use of the floatation device 10 in more difficult situations.
In addition, although the floatation device 10 has been specifically described as being particularly useful for whitewater boating, including rafting, kayaking and canoeing, it is believed that the floatation device 10 will find numerous other applications including, but not limited to, river-boarding, swimming (training), snorkeling and calm water aerobics. Further, a floatation device 10 may be donned in addition to or in place of floatation devices 10 at the ankles, legs, arms or wrists for leisurely floating in a lake or pool of water or as a safety device for traversing or ice-skating on a body of ice.
While the above description contains many specifics, these specifics should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as examples of embodiments thereof. As a result, the description contained herein is intended to be illustrative and not exhaustive. Many variations and alternatives of the described device and method will occur to one of ordinary skill in this art. Variations in the form of the component pieces described and shown in the drawings may also be made as will occur to those skilled in the art. Further, although certain embodiments of a floatation device 10 have been described, it is also within the scope of the invention to add other additional components such as a key pouch or pocket. Also, variations in the shape or relative dimensions of the pouch 18 or attachment mechanism 28 will occur to those skilled in the art and still be within the scope of the invention.
All these alternatives and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the attached claims. As stated above, those familiar with the art may recognize other equivalents to the specific embodiments and materials described herein which equivalents are also intended to be encompassed by the claims attached hereto.

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33. A supplemental river-boating safety floatation device as a method for reducing the risks of river-swimmers' leg injuries and foot entrapment in a river with a strong current or rapids comprising:

a pair of anklet assemblies each including a soft buoyant pad of flexible material to be wrapped safely, securely, and snugly around each upper ankle area of a life vest user;

an encasement device selected from the group consisting of a pouch, a bootie, a sock, and a lower leg-wear fabric, as a means for containing said anklet assembly's said pad to form a panel that covers said ankle area of said user;

a fastener device selected from the group consisting of a zipper, a hook-and-loop, and snap-together mechanisms as a means for safely, securely, and conveniently attaching and detaching said anklet assemblies to said ankle areas of said user;

whereby said pair of anklet assemblies will provide a means for an initial safety lift to each submerged foot of said user.

whereby said lift of said anklet assemblies will provide said user with a means to more quickly obtain elevated feet for a nearly horizontal and surfaced swimming configuration selected from the river topside group of stomach-up and stomach-down swimmer's-positions.

whereby said anklet assemblies will provide said user with a means of utility in maintaining said topside swimmer's-positions almost effortlessly to further avoid most river-underwater leg injuries and foot entrapments.

whereby said anklet assemblies will provide said user with a means to switch said swimmer's-positions, and to turn and to face a different direction without dangerously and unintentionally lowering said feet while continuing to avoid said injuries and entrapments.