WO2003105957A2

WO2003105957A2 - A multi-chambered personal survival device and an orally inflated, flush mounted, hybrid bladder

Info

Publication number: WO2003105957A2
Application number: PCT/US2003/018851
Authority: WO
Inventors: William L. Courtney
Original assignee: Courtney William L
Priority date: 2002-06-01
Filing date: 2003-06-16
Publication date: 2003-12-24
Also published as: US20040033739A1; AU2003247534A1; WO2003105957A3; AU2003247534A8

Abstract

An orally inflated, flush mounted, bladder; configured, supported and protected by the external fabric shell of the underlying inherently buoyant pfd. The fabric shell of the foam PFD can be extended and cut to distribute and allocate the orally inflated buoyant moments to augment the buoyancy deficits of the specific underlying foam PFD design in order to create improved corrective turning, head angle, mandibular support and freeboard. The fabric shell while shaping the bladder, bears the strain of the oversized inflated bladder protecting the bladder film and seams from rupture. The internal orally inflated hybrid bladder is protected by the external fabric shell and or foam layer from UV radiation, abrasion and puncture allowing use of films or thin films as well as UL approved fabric supported laminates for construction of the hybrid bladder. An expiratory pump converts the released bladder into a self-bailing life raft.

Description

A MULTI-CHAMBERED PERSONAL SURVIVAL DEVICE

AND AN ORALLY INFLATED. FLUSH MOUNTED,

HYBRID BLADDER

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to personal survival and safety devices, and more particularly to a multi-chambered personal survival device and to an orally inflated, flush mounted, hybrid bladder; configured, supported and protected by the external fabric shell of an underlying inherently buoyant personal flotation device ("PFD") for cost effective and improved performance.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Safety Of Life At Sea (SOLAS) insists on oral inflation as a back up in the event of technologic or maintenance failures of compressed gas inflation systems. Pulmonary pressures particularly as available in the panicked water entry victim are not up to the challenge of overcoming the resistance of adhesive seals or residual adhesion from partially effective seal barriers as in evidence in every single sided barrier in practice today. While classic life saving equipment is pressure tested prior to shipping which would mechanically overcome the residual adhesion that arises from single sided barriers, it is conceived of that the single use Mylar life raft disclosed by the present invention may be allowed to circumvent that practice in which case there is need for valve passageway barrier that is not constrained by residual adhesion from the manufacturing process. Classic construction of life saving inflatables relies upon unacceptably heavy and bulky laminated fabric. The fixtures required to introduce pressurized gas and secure its retention are rigid, bulky as well as heavy, all characteristics that oppose comfort and compliance. A personal life raft is of no value use unless it is being carried on the person at the unpredictable moment of sudden water entry. Thus there remains the need for improvement in inflatable thin film valve technology when applied to life saving apparatus responsible for Safety Of Life At Sea. Thin films primary drawback is that once punctured there is no supporting fabric to stop the tearing and the break in the integument crosses the bladder wall unopposed. While thicker fabric frequent weld lines textured surfaces and a modicum of scrim all can serve to offset the films deficiencies redundancy will be critical to acceptance by the life saving community.

All products in current practice rely upon a small protuberance at the edge of the buoyant balloon that is flexes to either one side or the other. The stresses of converting the planar circular film pattern into a three dimensional sphere creates deformation about the entire perimeter but the tension is most marked where the valve stem passes into the bladder body. The flexion of the bladder protrusion into the stem is so strong that it pops when moved manually side to side once the balloon is fully inflated, seemingly contributing to the "substantially sealed" performance of the thin film valve. Given the incomplete nature of our understanding of all the factors associated with improving the substantial component of the self sealing valve it has been recommended entertaining all historical elements in addition to the introduction of adhesive valves and passageway restrictions in pursuit of improved sealing. The current embodiments of the hybrid life jacket have met with very limited acceptance or market penetration. All current commercial Safety Of Life At Sea ("SOLAS") class life jackets are inherently buoyant foam PFDs. At the other end of the spectrum the most frequently purchased recreational boaters PFDs are Type II yoke collar style vests selling for less that $5.00 and are also constructed solely from foam. Only a few recreational sailors have been willing to purchase the $100 to $300 inflatable PFDs. The most innovative hybrids have recently been approved for children and find acceptance with safety conscious parents who can afford the product. It is to be noted that it is illegal to sell an inflatable life jacket to a child because of continued concerns about reliability. The value of the child's hybrid PFD is that it combines the corrective turning ability of an inflatable with the reliability of maintenance free foam. The construction of the new child's hybrid like other hybrid PFDs employs the external application of an inflatable PFD onto an existing foam PFD. The external attachment of an inflatable PFD onto a foam PFD results in a hybrid PFD that compounds the negative features of both products; it is more bulky than the foam PFD and more costly than the inflatable PFD. The placement of a two inch thick inflatable on top of a 3 inch thick Type II or 4 inch thick Type I makes a product that historically was not worn because it was not comfortable markedly less comfortable. The inflatable PFD, which is currently priced outside of the general market, is made all the more expensive by the additional costs required for the materials and construction of the underlying foam PFD

Cost is the real world factor determining PFD selection. Despite the current wide range of products available from Type I Offshore Foam to Water Activated Inflatables for adults and Water Activated Hybrids for children, there remain millions of the $4.99 foam Type II PFDs purchased every year. The cost and stowability of the Type IIs, not its performance, are the primary determiners. Further the Type II meets state carriage requirements as well as the growing requirements that children below the age of 12 wear their life jacket not just carry it aboard ship. Finally, current regulatory reviews of PFDs include the foam and inflatable classes of life jackets, while the hybrid PFDs have been excluded because of its insignificant presence in the market place.

Thus, there remains a great need to bring the airway protective torque of inflatables into the low end PFD market in the form of a film hybrid PFD that remains small enough to be carried and worn while priced to aggressively compete with the extremely low cost Type II foam PFD.

It is, therefore, to the effective resolution of the aforementioned problems and shortcomings of the prior art that the present invention is directed. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a multi-chambered personal survival device ("PSD"). Freed of weight constraints, a self-sealing valve can be comprised of heavier linear low density polyethylene. The flexion closure is enhanced, not by narrowing of the valve passageway, but by interrupting or notching the amount of welded material outside the passageway. "Substantially sealed", as defined in U.S. Patent No. 4,077,538 and reiterated herein, is sufficient particularly if the chamber in question includes the means for oral topping off the volume/pressure. The use of an inflation probe to deliver the helium for buoyant balloons and the mechanization of assembly have shunned the self-sealing valve that co-terminates at the valve inlet end. Co-termination is desirable when the inlet opening is held open by a rigid or semi-rigid stent or splint off sufficient strength to achieve a seal by compression of the inflator's lips. A small section of weldable tubing can seal the valve and bladder stem walls to the rigid inlet orifice. Co-termination of the inlet end of the self-sealing valve requires bilateral weldable wings. Rather than a tab, the complexity of the project disclosed is eased by longitudinal wings that prevent the thin film valve from slipping from position during assembly prior to sealing. One scalable inlet orifice can be inserted through a trimable guide section of the film valve then entrapped in place by sealing the valve around the rigid or semi-rigid orifice. If the orifice is sized to facilitate high rates of flow of gas then a deflation tube can be passed through the rigid inlet orifice to establish a passageway for the gas to exit during deflation. The barrier means between the upper and lower portions of the thin film valve can be improved by the application of barrier means to both sides of the valve. While current materials are sufficient for land use, air splints and bedpans products developed for oral inflation in an emergency at sea need to be built upon passageways to facilitate quick inflation, such as where the construction relies upon multiple valves in series as herein disclosed.

The prevent invention takes advantage of a linear series of flush valve inlets, which by default lack the classic inlet protuberance. There is sufficient deformation upon conversion of planar fabric into three-dimensional objects that sufficient flexion is produced to maintain a "substantially sealed" bladder without glue, narrowings or protuberances.

The rapid inflation of multiple chambers by way of a single low pressure high flow hydrostatic or torque pump is advanced by inclusion of a wide bore thin film self-sealing valve. The additional weight of the valve may compromise it's substantial seal, but its position is relegated to the primary manifold chamber and the rapid high volume air passage can sustain minors inefficiencies in the self sealing valve.

The present invention provides an assemblage of bladders structurally distinct but functionally interrelated only during concurrent initial inflation. This matrix of serial and parallel bladders can be initially inflated from a single source. However, if a puncture occurs, the bladders can be maintained by alternative individual valving thereby providing a level of reassurance through redundancy. Given the benefits of thin films the disclosed combined life jacket/life raft has a dual floor of sufficient displacement to allow the lower floor to be self- bailing.

Due to the enormous savings in packed volume and weight achieved by thin films, survival at sea is extended from the minutes provided to those enduring immersion in hypothermic waters. The survivor not only exits the water but can avoid complicating wind chill losses by including a multi-chambered inflatable survival suit to insulate and redirect radiant heat losses which relies upon structurally air passable or freely openable, without resistance, inlet orifice sufficient to sustain the compressive forces of oral inflation. Manifold inflation chambers allows single source inflation to be redistributed to multiple structurally distinct chambers guarding against complete loss in the event of puncture. The use of small compressed gas to inflate a corrective turning bladder mandates adapting current inflators to the conditions required by thin film bladders. Restrictor valves reduce the pressure and rate of inflation so as to not rupture the thin film bladder. The rapid inflation characteristic of supported fabric produces frost and dry ice within and on the supported fabric bladder. The freezing of the thin film introduces a deleterious brittleness in the thin film valve and bladder body. The restriction can occur in the inflator, inflator manifold or by way of in line restriction valves. Further if the inflator manifold is to be directly attached the sealable flange needs to be oversized finely feathered about the edge and constructed for polyethylene. Alternatively, the inflator manifold flange can be constructed from a sewable plastic allowing remote attachment to garment of other non-gas holding fabric so that the forces generated by jerking the detonation lanyard are absorbed by the sewn mounting rather than the thin film structure.

The thin film bladder as a strictly oral bladder can be incorporated beneath or upon the shell inherently buoyant personal flotation device. When deployed, the additional torque is sufficient to supply reliable corrective turning. Due to the extremely small foot print of a thin film life jacket it is predicted that every garment worn at sea will include a thin film bladder furthering not only compliance but water safety and survival.

"Mylar" is an axial polyester that is not sealable for the purpose proposed, but because of its mirrored metalized surface. Mylar balloons because of their appearance acquired the name. The external deposition of metal can be quickly washed and abraded off the thin film in a survival situation. Since the inflating gas is preferably nitrogen, carbon dioxide, oxygen and water vapor the metal is not required for gas retention, as it is in the helium balloon where the molecule is so small it passes through thin films that are not coated with dye or metal. The deposition of the visual and thermally reflective metal between the nylon layer and the linear low density polyethylene layer protects the reflective properties essential in facilitating search and rescue. Improved thin film valves capable of being operated by both low-pressure high-flow oral inflation are provided and sustain the rigors of extremely high pressure compressed gas inflation all within a watery environment. A matrix of serial and parallel bladders allows the life raft and exposure suit to inflate as a unit yet the product can sustain not just a single puncture but tolerate multiple bladder failures before catastrophic failure occurs which could lead to life threatening loss of buoyancy or thermal protection

Thus, the present invention provides a multi-chambered personal survival device. Matrix of primary and secondary, low profile, high strength, oral and mechanically inflated self-sealing valves allows ultra-light fabric to be formed into a functionally integrated yet structurally distinct multi-chambered personal survival device. Optionally a source of compressed gas is released through a restriction valve to inflate a thin film bladder or enclosed or attached supported fabric bladder supplying initial airway protective corrective turning action for the unconscious victim. The conscious victim can then use a hydrostatic pump to inflate the additional serial and parallel chambers converting their life jacket into a puncture resistant life raft. If any bladders sustains a puncture voiding the centralized inflation system each chamber can be orally topped off to compensate for any losses incurred through the substantially self-sealing valves.

The present invention also provides an orally inflated, flush mounted, hybrid bladder; configured, supported and protected by the external fabric shell of an underlying inherently buoyant personal flotation device ("PFD") for cost effective and improved performance. Thin and unsupported plastic films are air retentive and when combined with oral inflation supply cost effective buoyant force sufficient to augment the airway protective turning of the inherently buoyant PFD. The air retentive bladder is protected within the fabric shell of the foam PFD if not between layers of foam. At minimal cost the fabric shell is judiciously enlarged to allocate the hybrids buoyant force as required to complement a particular foam design.

Behind the head a 30-degree wedge of fabric allows the hybrid bladder to elevate the head into the optimal position for monitoring the horizon for search and rescue efforts. That same head angle achieved by the sculpted cephalic pillow positions the nasopharanygeal passage such that it is less vulnerable to splashed water which could then pass into the lungs. The inflatable mandibular arms cross the midline and support the chin and head in the axis of rotation promoting airway protective corrective turning. The inflatable mandibular arms can adjust to a wide variety of neck diameters and by closing off the midline prevent the head from sliding down where the massive ballast of the head shifts the center of ballast and buoyancy creating a stable face down position.

The thoracic bladder is sculpted by the fabric shell to locate the buoyant moment high on the chest of the low displacement foam PFD where the inflatable component most strongly contributes torque to the corrective turning action. The inclusion of a fabric sculpted chamber within a high displacement foam PFD allows the hybrid bladder to be located further down on the vest where the bladder is completely submerged when the victim is vertical in the water column. The fully submerged the hybrid bladder contributes its full force to lifting the victim out of the water, a position from which the conscious victim can more easily scan the horizon for search and rescue efforts. Should the conscious victim become unconscious secondary to mounting hypothermia the hybrid inflatable despite its lower positioning is sized to assure that it successfully complements the already considerable toque supplied by the high displacement Off shore or SOLAS PFD in order to achieve reliable corrective turning.

Given that the fabric shell of the foam PFD which shapes the hybrid bladder also supports and protects that bladder the air retentive fabric of the internal hybrid can therefore be reduced to an absolute minimum. Oversized hybrid bladders of unsupported films and even thin films such as linear low density polyethylene laminates of biaxial nylon, when contained by an external shell allows the strain of inflation to be transferred to the heavy duty fabric shell currently used to house the foam PFD. Thus the external fabric shell not only determines the shape and distribution of the buoyant moments of the hybrid bladder incoφorated within the foam PFD but the fabric shell also protects the bladder from ultraviolet radiation, abrasion and puncture. Functions previously performed by the heavy- duty laminated fabrics exclusively approved for the manufacture of inflatable PFDs.

While oral inflation of the fabric shell configured and protected hybrid bladder can be augmented by manual or water activated compressed gas inflation, oral inflation must not be relegated to simply a back up means of inflation. If the wearer is conscious enough to don a PFD, able to engage and securely adjust the chest strap buckle, then that individual is also capable of placing 1 to 2 breaths within the orally inflated hybrid bladder. 1.5 breaths are sufficient to double the displacement of the Type II PFD, converting its airway protective corrective turning performance from dismal to incomparable. While the most cost effective sculpting fabric shell is one that is cut from the same orange fabric, use of a contrasting color will indicate to the Captain that the individual is wearing not only a PFD that meets minimum carriage requirements but one that upon inflation provides enhanced airway protection.

Real world advantage is acquired when the internal hybrid is added to an existing foam PFD without requesting an upgrade of that PFDs rating. When the film bladder is simply included as an extra, the new hybrid PFD can be quickly re-assessed to assure that the hybrid bladder does not adversely impact the pre-existing foam PFD performance rating. As long as one does not request that the enhanced hybrid performance be included in a new rating, such a hybrid PFD can be made quickly available. The process of having a new hybrid evaluated as a convertible PFD, a PFD that upon inflation converts from a lower to a higher level of airway protection is both very expensive and would take many years to complete. Oral inflation not only circumvents the considerable initial cost of the radio frequency welded compressed gas manifold, manual or water activated inflator, and CO2 cylinder it minimizes the costs and fears of failed maintenance. Some estimates run as high as 50% of inflatable PFDs develop performance problems within 6 months due to loosened cylinders, spent cylinders, strangulated inflator lanyards and re-packing problems. One recently released water activated inflator commands $42.00 just to re-arm the compressed gas inflator, an amount sufficient to buy 8 of the most frequently sold Type II foam PFDs.

The film bladder, sculpted and protected by the fabric shell can now supply the row boat user with the same level of airway protective turning currently available in the transoceanic sailor's high displacement inflatable PFD at a cost well within their budget. In many waters of the world, airway protection only provides 30 to 60 minutes of survival. If water safety and survival times in excess of one hour are desired then the victim must use their first half an hour after entry for developing and executing a water extrication strategy before hypothermia creates unconsciousness then fatal arrhythmia. The disclosed expiratory pump allows the thin film hybrid bladder, which has been released, from the victim's PFD to be converted in the time available into a self-bailing Life Raft. Once out of the water the same pump uses exhaled air to inflate a thin film survivor suit with or without and integrated PFD. Finally the heat contained in the victim's exhalation is channeled through their survivor suit to recapture the expired heat to assist in supporting the victim's core temperature. The short handed sailor may opt for the heavier closure means which would allow the suit to removed in the heat of the day and worn at night in recognition of the protracted course of events that often precede rescue. While the commercial carrier may opt for the reduced bulk and cost of a closure means that is sufficient for limited use anticipating focused search and rescue efforts leading to relatively rapid recovery.

Prevention is always the best solution in issues of water safety and survival and the disclosed water activated air horn is sure to secure the attention of anyone within ear shot of the sudden onset of an in-water emergency. The disclosed dual actuated air horn can replace the current manually activated air horn but can also be attached to the garment or tossed in the direction of a man overboard victim to mark the spot as the vessel makes to come about in a heavy seaway.

Thus, the present invention provides an orally inflated, flush mounted, hybrid bladder; configured, supported and protected by the external fabric shell of the underlying inherently buoyant pfd for cost effective improved performance. The fabric shell of the foam PFD can be extended and cut to distribute and allocate the orally inflated buoyant moments to augment the buoyancy deficits of the specific underlying foam PFD design in order to create improved corrective turning, head angle, mandibular support and freeboard. The fabric shell while shaping the bladder, bears the strain of the oversized inflated bladder protecting the bladder film and seams from rupture. The internal orally inflated hybrid bladder is protected by the external fabric shell and or foam layer from UV radiation, abrasion and puncture allowing use of films or thin films as well as UL approved fabric supported laminates for construction of the hybrid bladder. An expiratory pump converts the released hybrid bladder into a self- bailing life raft. The same pump then inflates the survivor suit before being used to extract heat from exhaled air to assist in sustaining the victim's core temperature.

With the present invention ultralight Linear Low Density PolyEthylene ("LLDPE") is adapted for use in survival gear by inclusion of rigid orifice inlet allowing oral inflation, enhanced barrier protection and flush mounted thin film valve inlet orifice allow sequential inflation of branching multiple chambers while maintaining substantial sealing. Inteφosed laminated barriers block propagative tares from spreading between chambers. Perforation in the inferior barriers allows self bailing. An external fabric shell shapes and protects the internal hybrid bladder as a life jacket to assist initial immersion. The hybrid bladder can then be released and converted into a life raft by an expiratory, integrated hydrostatic pump or by compressed gas creating a timely water exit strategy. Thus, the invention provides, amongst other novel embodiments (1) a Dual Puφose

Bladder sequentially functions first as a Life Jacket then upon release a Life Raft, (2) an external fabric functionally configures a massively oversized primary internal bladder into a low volume life jacket bladder, which also protects and supports ultra-light bladder, (3) a rigid orifice inlet of thin film valve supports labial compression allowing oral inflation: (4) an alternate Flush Mounted Thin Film Valve used in internal construction to allow sequential inflation of branching bladders, and (5) rip stop barriers to thin film progagative tares, which converts the lighter-than-air usage of LLDPE into heavy but more durable multi-chambered life raft.

It is also a primary objective of the invention to use cost effective ultra-light weight fabrics or films for construction of an orally inflated internal hybrid bladder which is protected, supported and shaped by the foam PFD's external fabric shell.

It is further an object of the invention to include an inflatable bladder within an inherently buoyant PFD without increasing the size of the foam PFD.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an external fabric shell shaped cephalic pillow supporting the head at a 30-degree angle to the water's surface.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a external fabric shell shaped midline crossing mandibular arm(s).

It is a further object of the invention to provide an external fabric shell shaped bilateral cervical support and self-adjusting PFD neck opening. It is a further object of the invention to provide a external fabric shell shaped thoracic bladder that sizes and positions the hybrid's buoyant moment to supply torque sufficient to augment the torque supplied by the underlying foam PFD and thereby achieve reliable corrective turning leading to airway protection.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a external fabric shell shaped hybrid bladder to provide improved vertical freeboard. It is a further object of the invention to provide an external fabric shell released hybrid bladder than can then be converted into a personal life raft to exit the water.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a external fabric shell released hybrid bladder than can be converted into a personal life raft with self bailing floor that is attached at both bow and stern.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an adaptable expiratory pump that can be used to inflate the life raft, then survivor suit then be used to extract heat from victim's exhaled breath prior to its release into the environment.

It is a further object of the invention to provide all marine garments encircling the torso with a posterior vent or check valve to allow for the escape of garment entrapped air.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a manual and water activated air horn.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are explanatory and are not restrictive of the invention. The accompanying drawings, which are incoφorated in and constitute part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the present invention and together with the general description, serve to explain principles of the present invention.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combination of elements, and arrangement of parts that will be exemplified in the description set forth hereinafter. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a lateral view illustrating deployment of a multi-chambered thin film personal survival device including a hybrid PFD chamber with the personal life raft as well as inflation of the full body thermal protective thin film survival suit.

Figure 2 is a superior view illustrating the layout plan for the self-bailing Personal

Survival Device ("PSD") showing the relationship between the 16 gm bow tube used to supply corrective turn for the unconscious. The conscious victim can then the displacement provided by their life jacket to exit the water into their personal life raft. The semi-rigid inlet orifice lets the survivor orally inflate the various thin film chambers that comprise the PSD. Figure 3 is a frontal view illustrating the use of remote compressed gas inflation of the thin film life jacket integrated into a garment.

Figure 4 is a frontal and side view illustrating an inherently buoyant PFD incoφorating an over sized thin film bladder beneath the fabric covering of their foam life jacket. Oral inflation is sufficient to dramatically improve their corrective turning and free board performance.

Figure 5 is a lateral view illustrating the details of the remote CO2 manifold: including a restrictor valve to decrease the strain of 800 psi on the thin film bladder, the use of a sewable manifold flange and an indicator system to assure that on replacement the thin film bladder is correctly re-installed.

Figure 6 is a frontal view illustrating a chest strap mounted thin film bladder capable of converting a flotation device into an airway protective life jacket. It can be supplied with new equipment or used to update fielded PFDs.

Figure 7 is a frontal view illustrating a more inferior mounting of the hybrid PFD bladder. In this position the bladder is submerged when floating upright in the water column providing a high degree of displacement and improving vertical free board. Stowed on one arm with the inflation tube traveling beneath the fabric cover, the bladder unfolds and crosses the midline on pressurized inflation.

Figure 8 is a frontal view illustrating a PFD integrating both the personal survival devices, i.e. Life Jacket and Life Raft as well as the full body immersion suit.

Figure 9 is a frontal and side view illustrating an extremely low profile inflatable life jacket and throwable water activated rescue device. To minimize cost and size 16 grams can inflate the thoracic bladder and the cervical bladder can be orally inflated. Universally mounted and pneumatically released, providing a preferred life jacket for the individual who has until now refused to be burdened with wearing traditional PFDs.

Figure 10 is a lateral view illustrating a universally sized, orally inflated, thin film air splint. The lower drawing is a superior view illustrating a thin film bed pan utilizing a rigid inlet orifice allowing air tight reversible connection to pressurized gas. The thin film bedpan can be protected by an over pressure relief valve. Perforated paper can absorb perspiration yet separates upon inflation of the bed pan. Figure 11 is a lateral view illustrating an inflatable bladder contoured by a fabric shell that is continuous with the fabric shell encasing the foam life jacket. The underlying bladder is configured by the outer fabric shell to provide ideal head angle, midline closure, chin support and thoracic turning. Oral inflation upon donning converts a low displacement foam buoyant aid into a hybrid life jacket capable of reliable airway protection.

Figure 12 is a frontal view illustrating an eccentric over sized bladder with sufficient additional planar bladder to allow three-dimensional expansion upon inflation. The neck is unusually wide to allow sufficient material for the formation of the midline crossing mandibular bladder. The additional midline bladder material expands upon inflation to fill out the sculpted fabric shell.

Figure 13 is a series of frontal views illustrating a coverless life jacket that in which a complementary fabric lock is welded directly to the face of the life jacket bladder allowing clean, attractive low profile stowage. The fabric must be laminated on both sides to allow direct attachment of the closure means a feature which concurrently confers significantly improved protection from UV, salt, chemicals, petroleum products and abrasion.

Figure 14 top drawing is a frontal view illustrating a personal survival device in which the hybrid chamber can be released from the foam jacket to become a personal life raft. The upper hybrid bladder remains with the foam PFD where it continues to supply the requisite 30-degree head angle lateral cervical and mandibular support while inflating the raft and while in the raft. The lower left drawing, a lateral view, illustrates the superior positioning of the hybrid bladder when combined with a low lift foam PFD. The lower right drawing, also a lateral view illustrates the inferior positioning of the hybrid bladder on the high lift foam PFD that allows improved vertical freeboard.

Figure 15 top two drawings are end views illustrating the incoφoration of coated film within the thin film valve to create a zero resistance barrier. The third drawing is a lateral view illustrating a fused barrier wall and lower valve wall extending beyond the upper fused barrier and valve walls allowing easy insertion of the rigid inlet orifice. The lowest drawing is a superior view illustrating a flared extension of the self sealing valve only a half of which is sealed allowing quick identification of the valve lumen for orifice insertion. Figure 16 is a frontal view illustrating a single use life jacket storage system that incoφorates a plastic weldable fabric hook for attaching to inside bathing suits or clothing and grommet and lanyard as an alternate securing means. Huge oversized grips allow tearing open the life jacket with cold numb hands.

Figure 17 is a frontal view illustrating a self-closing life jacket. The opening just allows the head to pass then a mandibular bridge that crosses the front upon inflation reduces the size of the neck opening so the head can not released until deflated.

Figure 18 is a superior view of a common SOLAS class foam PFD modified to include separating life raft. The second cephalo-mandibular cradling bladder has been extended to incoφorate bilateral stabilizing outriggers and a tightly applied low profile posterior buoyant pad for improved face up positioning. Inferior/superior fabric sculpting creates powerful midline torque in order to offset the addition of posterior buoyancy.

Figure 19 is a series of lateral views illustrating an expiratory pump for passive inflation of a thin film personal life raft. A pneumatic strut prevents the fabric inflation tube from kinking. A reversible mounting means allows the same pump to first inflate the life raft, then survival suit and final extract the warmth of expired air before it is expelled into the environment.

Figure 20 is a frontal view illustrating a short term disposable two part, four layer thin film survival suit. A primary manifold inflates a series of longitudinal tubes of thermal reflective film. Once inflated convective and conductive losses are restricted then exhaled air is circulated through a loop to assist heating the exterior before being expelled. A drawstring allows a one size fits all hood to accommodate a large range of head sizes.

Figure 21 is a superior view illustrating the range of PFD fabric shell sculpting required to configure internal inflatable bladder to supply reliable airway protection. The upper drawing is the highest rated foam PFD, the lower drawing the lowest rated foam PFD to be tested and approved. Figure 22 the upper drawing is a posterior view illustrating a marine garment with covered vent or check as is required to release entrapped air as is required in order for the buoyancy of the life jacket to provide corrective turning. The lower lateral view illustrates garment entrapped air over powering the corrective turning torque of a PFD sufficient for clothes that pass entrapped air. Figure 23 is a frontal view illustrating an extended use thin film survival suit with integrated life jacket. Eccentric lobe enhances corrective turning torque needed with inflatable suits. Reversible valves allow inflation when cold and deflation during hot days. Heavy-duty closure means tolerates removing and re-donning survival suit daily in anticipation of extended use at sea prior to rescue.

Figure 24 upper are superior views illustrating low cost disposable life rafts. The upper drawing is a single chamber raft. The lower drawing is of a three-chambered raft that relies upon 5 valves. Two of the valves allow independent oral inflation in the event the central section of the floor is punctured which disables the primary manifold / inflation system.

Figure 25 is a lateral view illustrating a combined manual and water activated air horn. A water sensitive sugar wafer compresses a spring driven compression pin during installation of the compressed gas cylinder. Upon exposure to water the wafer falls apart and the spring pushes an outer sleeve against the pneumatic valve releasing compressed gas to vibrate air horn membrane. A traditional inner rod connects the manual button with the same valve. Figure 26 is a lateral view illustrating a personal survival garment integrating an orally inflated dedicated PFD in fluid communication with a closely applied posterior inflatable pad with central opening to allow venting or garment entrapped air. The initial chamber is a water activated compress gas inflated fabric tube within or serving as the keel of the personal life raft which can be manually released to supply a water egress means.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

An inflatable comprised of one or more bladders that serves sequentially as a life jacket and then a life raft is generally indicated at 1 in Figure 1. A water compatible thin film valve 2 is variously modified. An air passable or freely openable, without resistance, semi- rigid or rigid inlet orifice 3 can be included for thin film valve 2 to allow lip compression to create a compression seal without collapsing the film valve inlet. Chamber 4 can be fully inflated to function pressure by a 16 gram water activated CO2 inflator 10. When attached to the thorax of the victim, chamber 4 serves as a corrective turning life jacket. Chamber 4 can be removed to latter serve as the bow tube of the personal life raft for allowing exit from hypothermic waters. Mounting of inflator 10 on bladder 4 can be accomplished by a strain dispersing enlarged flange 11. Alternatively, a traditional laminated fabric bladder 5 without modification of current fixtures is able to directly bear the 800 psi of pressurized inflation. Chamber 5 can be enclosed on the thin film raft to become the stern tube of the personal life raft. Chamber 6 functions as a manifold distributing the air gathered by hydrostatic or torque collector 30 to the various other chambers in series and parallel that comprise the thin film life raft. Chamber 6 also functions as a lower floor that bends at 7 to turn into the upper floor whose service is indicated at 8 in Figure 1. The dual floor supplies sufficient buoyancy to provide a self bailing raft where shipped water can exit via scuppers 9 located at the lower levels of the vertical sidewall chambers 12. Vertical welds 13 connect the sidewalls to the bow and stern tubes converting the two layer fabric into a functional three dimensional life raft. Inhalation flapper valve and expiratory inflation means 14 allows expiratory gas to facilitate inflation and thermal conservation. Adjustable strap 15 aids in keeping expiratory inflation and thermal recycling mouthpiece 14 in place even if the hands are numb. A secondary manifold 16 distributes inflation gas to the structurally distinct chambers 17 comprising either the cephalic pillow or full hood as indicated. The larger bladder 5 can be sized to be inflated by either a 25 or 38 gram CO2 18. Other CO2 capacity cartridges can also be used and are considered within the scope of the invention. An over pressure relief valve 19 allows the smaller chamber to supply corrective turning to larger chamber 5 and in addition can inflate the cephalic pillows 17. Oral inflation means 20 down stream from the over pressure relief valve 19 allows oral inflation of the cephalic pillow 17 to achieve additional freeboard. The chest of the exposure suit is comprised of structural distinct chambers 21 and arms by chambers 22. The series of chambers in the arm are supplied by an oral inflation of wrist manifold 23 that itself does not sustain pressurized operation. Thermally protective mitt 24 is inflated through rigid inlet orifice thin film self sealing valve 25. Similarly, the exposure pants are comprised of structurally distinct chambers 26. Windsock/air collector 30 passes air through oversized high flow inline thin film self sealing valve. Optional existing mechanical crimps can augment the substantial seal. Indicator 28 informs the victim if the pump is twisted between the collector and life raft impeding rapid flow. Foot strap 29 allows the base of the collector to be secured while using the collector as a torque pump within the craft. In water use, hydrostatic collector 30 is facilitated by four finger grip 31 for use by numb hands. Adjustable wrist strap 32 helps keep numb hands and limbs employed in completing inflation in order to exit the water. Locking foot stirrup and lanyard 33 allows the inflated collector 30 to be pressurized while the operator assists inflation of the raft.

A weld line 34 between the chambers of the raft or survival suit. Welded seam 34 is provided between the upper and lower layers. When fused the two layers become a single double thickness layer. Like an oversized thread woven into rip stop fabric such a structural element not only converts a single bladder into multiple bladders but blocks the progression of propagative tares. Preventing a single tear from spreading beyond the point of initial puncture and thereby protecting the remaining bladders from loss of pressure and the life raft from failure. In Figure 2 the layout of the life raft in two dimensions 50 is demonstrated. Port side chamber 51 receives pressurized air from primary manifold 6 in line from collector 30. In addition to buoyant support ,thermal protection chamber 51 inflates a series of side wall bladders 52 through flush mounted thin wall valves 56. Around the primary manifold chamber 6 is reinforcement means 53 that limits tears that arise from use of tear initiation clip 54 used to access the rigidified low profile pneumatically actuated self sealing valves 55. The planar mattress indicated at 50 is convert to self bailing raft by first sealing the weldable inner face 57 to inner face 58 flexing the dual stern tubes about imaginary line 59. External to that closure weldable stern tube surface 60 can be sealed to side wall tube 61. Similarly the polyethylene face of the forward side wall section 62 and bow tube are sealed vertical to the plane of the floor creating a raft out of a mattress. At the opposite end of the primary manifold are a series of orally inflatable thin film valve 63. The stern-floor flexure line 64 provides the additional flotation along the floor to allow the introduction of the self-bailing feature. The superior views of thin film valve illustrates the bilateral wings 65 that arise from welding the upper and lower layers of the thin film valve. A flared assembly guide 66 at the valve inlet end 75 helps in inserting rigid inlet orifice 3 into the valve. The orifice insertion is located by stop 67 in the thin film wing locator weld 65. Dual barriers 68 create a valve passageway 69 with residual adhesion seen in single sided barriers allowing unimpeded progression of air towards the valve outlet 70.

The thin film valve body can be sealed 71 around rigid orifice 7 locking it in place. A polyethylene orifice can be directly welded rather than entrapped. The assembly portion 72, with its flared assistance 66, after facilitating installation of orifice 3 can be trimmed away after sealing. Valve stem includes the overlay of the bladder layer 73, which is continuous with the bladder wall 74. As the thin film valves are moved into pressurized non-buoyant applications, valve flexion break point 76 allows the valve to increase in strength while still operating as a self-sealing valve. Figure 3 illustrates a garment integrate thin film life jacket 102 in which a sewable inflator flange 90 mounts a manual actuated inflator 91 with restrictor valve 92 in the inflator, manifold, or in line to the thin film bladder or traditional bladder. Manual activation lanyard 73 opens the bladder cover 94 before inflation begins. For optimal utility of garment based inflatables, the container can be shallow 95 such that the bladder is forced out and away during inflation. Polyethylene - Nylon - Polyethylene film 96 allows welding to both faces and consequently hook and loop manufactured from or laminated with polyethylene 97 can be directly sealed to the bladder 98 at and/or through baffle 99. Closure of the garment based midline can be achieved by alligator jaws 100 lined with polyethylene hook 101.

In figure 4 a yoke collar style PFD with oversized internal thin film bladder 111 is illustrated. When inflated, chamber 112 contributes to the displacement. As an alternative to a thin film valve an over sized polyethylene right angle connector flange 113 with a finely feathered edge 114 allowing use of a familiar oral inflation valve 115 can be provided.

Figure 5 shows a remote CO2 manifold adapter 120 that can have a sewable flange 121 attached to the body of the manifold 122 adapted with threads 123 for mounting traditional inflators. A restriction valve 124 can be set to achieve any particular flow through tubing 125 to the life jacket bladder. Restriction orifice 124 converts the 800-psi compressed gas to more manageable pressure and flow 127. The shaφ barbed coupler 133 requires that the tube be cut off in order to be removed. If the thin film bladder needs replacement an indicator means on the barbed coupler allows assessment of reassembly. Red barb 128 shows if opaque band 130 is incompletely installed 131. When tubing 125 is pushed fully into place then the green barb 129 shows correct positioning 132.

Figure 6 shows a yoke collar PFD with a slip-on hybrid bladderHO. Chest strap 141 is held onto the PFD by chest strap retainer 142 and adjusted and secured by connector 143. When stowed the thin film bladder can be stowed along the chest strap 144 displaying the face down icon 145. When opened the face up icon 146 is complemented by brilliant contrasting color 147 to indicate conversion in performance. The top side view of Figure 6 shows a heavy gauge self-sealing valve sufficient for direct installation of the orifice. If the orifice is polyethylene it can be a straight cylinder 149. At the neck where the high strength valve meets the bladder a seal 150 can tie the bladder into a single product. If the rear wall of the bladder is folded back it exposes the polyethylene layer 151 for sealing with a continuation of the front film 152 which weld together to form sleeve 153 for chest strap 141. An alternative mounting sleeve 156 shows the rear layer preferably coated on both sides 96 with polyethylene to allow the sleeve to be directly welded to the bladder.

Figure 7 shows a yoke collar PFD with its thin film or traditional fabric bladder folded on the lower aspect of one arm 160. An internal retainer sleeve 161 allows the inflation tube to exit at 162. The inflation tube inserts into rear of the bladder 163. The top of the folded state is at 164. As the bladder unfolds it crosses the midline upon pressurized inflation.

Figure 8 shows a yoke style PFD with stowed PSD which incoφorates a single 16, 25 or 38 gram chamber Hybrid chamber that can be released and converted into a life raft 180. Cylinder sizing sleeve 181 allows a match between cylinder and thin film chamber. The PFD can also carry a multi-chambered thin film survival suit. Once the hybrid chamber has been released the life raft can be released at strap 183.

Figure 9 shows a dual chambered thin film life jacket 190. Oral inflation of the cephalo-cervical bladder 191 to improve freeboard allows use of all 16 grams of CO2 for the corrective turning bladder 192. As also shown, a universal mount 194 and pneumatic release means 193 allows water activation of thin film life jacket 190. A hermetically sealed life jacket 195 can enclose a mechanically assembled and fixed cylinder inflator combination. Oversized welds 198 allows the numb hands to operate the tear point 54. Thermal protective coating 197 protects the hands of the operator. Figure 10 discloses a thin film orally inflated splint 200 in which the rigidified inlet orifice 3 allows oral inflation relying upon the thin film valve 2. An inflatable bedpan 201 can be provided in which the rigidified orifice can be a reversible receptacle 202 for connection to a regulated source of pressurized gas 204 through valve 203 to thin film valve 2. Over pressure relief valve 206 protects the thin film bedpan 201. Perforated paper 205 covers the bedpan 201 absorbing perspiration; perforated paper 205 can separate upon inflation. Some of the features and advantages of the present invention shown in Figures 1-10 include, but are not limited to the following: (1) One or more bladders that serve as both life jacket and life raft; (2) Two or more chambered product capable of providing airway protective bladders of varying size; (3) Combined use of laminated fabrics for pressurized inflation with thin film raft; (4) Self-sealing thin film valve with rigidified inlet orifice; (5) Self-sealing thin film valve with bilateral locator wings; (6) Self-sealing thin film valve with notched flexion initiator; (7) Self-sealing thin film valve with barrier means on both top and bottom portions of the valve; (8) Self-sealing thin film valve with flared assembly guide; (9) Self sealing thin film valve fused with weldable rigidified inlet orifice; (10) Self-sealing thin film valve with orifice stop; (11) Self-sealing thin film valve that can be sealed to entrap rigid orifice; (12) Self-sealing thin film valve leading from an inflated chamber into a deflated chamber; (13) Self sealing thin film valve leading from an inflated chamber into a deflated chamber opened by the pneumatic force in the first inflated chamber; (14) Self sealing thin film valve mounted in series between chambers; (15) Flush mounted thin film valve pneumatically opened self sealing thin film valve; (16) Concave mounted thin film valve leading from a zone of high pressure to a zone of lower pressure; (17) Over sized self sealing thin film valve for low pressure high flow applications; (18) Use of two or more self-sealing thin film valves; (19) Use of polyurethane self-sealing thin film valve or valves in laminated fabric bladder construction; (20) Two layer planar sealed raft converted into a self-bailing raft; (21) Hydrostatic pump with marker identifying twisting in delivery line; (22) Hydrostatic pump with locking wrist straps; (23) Expiratory inflation pump for life raft and survival suit; (24) Adjustable retaining means to secure expiratory pump and thermal recovery system; (25) Expiratory thermal recovery system for survival suit; (26) Pressurized corrective turning bladder connected allowing over pressure bypass inflation or oral inflation; (27) Polyethylene flange for CO2 manifold; (28) Linear raft floor welded back upon itself to create freeboard needed for self-bailing raft; (29) Combined serial and parallel use of thin film valves to allow functional unified inflation of structurally distinct; (30) chambers; (31) CO2 manifold with sewable flange; (32) Manual CO2 inflator activation lanyard that opens thin film storage means before piercing compressed gas cylinder; (33) Garment integrated thin film PFD with self-sealing thin film valve; (34) Over sized thin film PFD bladder contained within inherently buoyant PFD cover; (35) Over sized thin film PFD bladder contained within inherently buoyant PFD cover inflated by polyethylene welded oral inflator; (36) Remote manifold adapter with sewable flange; (37) Remote manifold adapter with shaφ barbed coupler; (38) Remote manifold adapter with color indicator of correct or incorrect assembly; (39) Remote manifold adapter with restrictor sufficient for thin film bladders; (40) PFD chest strap mounted thin film bladder; (41) PFD chest strap mounted thin film yoke collar style inflatable bladder; (42) Chest strap mounted thin film bladder stowed in container integrated into life jacket design; (43) Chest strap mounted thin film bladder mounted on chest strap as retro fit to fielded PFDs; (44) Chest strap mounted thin film bladder with icon indicating PFD does not supply corrective turning; (45) Chest strap mounted thin film bladder opens on deployment displaying icon of face up flotation; (46) Chest strap mounted thin film bladder opens up to display brilliant contrasting color indicating conversion of PFD performance; (47) Thin film bladder constructed with chest strap sleeve constructed from continuations of the bladders thin film; (48) Thin film bladder constructed with chest strap sleeve constructed from use of thin film coated on both sides with polyethylene allowing sleeve to be welded directly to rear wall; (49) Thin film integrated chest strap sleeve, which compresses chest strap upon inflation; (50) Thin film, vinyl or supported polyurethane fabric bladder or secondary break away PFD stowed on exterior of inherently buoyant PFD; (51) Thin film, vinyl or supported polyurethane fabric bladder or secondary break away PFD stowed on exterior of inherently buoyant PFD that extends across the midline upon inflation; (52) Bladder stowed on PFD with internal inflator; (53) Bladder stowed on PFD with internal inflator contained within a sleeve; (54) Bladder stowed on PFD with internal inflator contained within a sleeve exiting in the vicinity of the user's mouth; (55) Combined hybrid bladder PFD and life raft stored on face of inherently buoyant PFD; (56) Combined hybrid bladder PFD and life raft stored inside of inherently buoyant PFD; (57) Combined hybrid bladder PFD and life raft stored on face of inflatable PFD or cover; (58) Combined hybrid bladder PFD and life raft stored on face of immersion suit; (59) Combined hybrid bladder PFD and life raft stored on or in garment; (60) Combined hybrid bladder PFD and life raft stored as a throwable device; (61) Combined hybrid bladder PFD and life raft stored as a water activated throwable device; (62) Thin film PFD single orally inflated chamber; (63) Thin film PFD single compressed gas inflated chamber; (64) Thin film PFD with compressed gas inflated chamber and orally inflated chamber; (65) Thin film PFD within sealed container; (66) Thin film PFD within sealed container with clip cut to initiate tearing open; (67) Thin film PFD within sealed container with clip cut to initiate tearing open and oversized margins to allow purchase by cold hands; (68) Thin film PFD with single use inflator; (69) Thin film PFD with single use inflator hermetically sealed from the elements; (70) Thin film PFD with water activated inflator and universal mounting such as pin, snap, Velcro, ties, zipper, etc.; (71) Two or more thin film PFDs packaged with one or more compressed gas inflator assemblies; (72) Thin film with or without metalized coating on or in film used with rigidified inlet orifice of thin film valve for constructing orally inflated splint; (73) Rigidified inlet orifice of thin film valve embodying coupler for connecting pressurized air to bladder; (74) Rigidified inlet orifice of thin film valve embodying coupler for connecting pressurized air to bladder said bladder protected from rupture by over pressure relief valve; (75) Bedpan with twist lock coupling built into inlet orifice allowing connection to pressurized air at bedside or from portable pump; (76) Thin film bedpan with thin film self sealing valve with twist lock coupling to reusable manual valve for inflating bedpan, reusable over pressure relief valve; (77) Thin film valve with rigid inlet orifice being tubing or coupler for operation of chamber; and (78) Bedpan with perforated paper cover that absorbs perspiration yet tears open on inflation.

Index to Reference Numerals for Drawings 1 Inflatable bladder serving first as life jacket the life raft

2 Self sealing valve

3 Semi-rigid or rigid inlet orifice stent

4 16-gram hybrid PFD chamber and potentially converted to bow tube

5 Supported fabric bladder contained within then film chamber 6 Lower floor and primary manifold distributing air to floor chambers

7 Flexion of lower floor back to upper floor

8 Level of upper self-bailing floor

9 Self-bailing scuppers

10 Water activated restricted compressed gas inflator 11 Oversized polyethylene CO2 manifold

12 Structurally distinct functional connected side wall chambers 13 Vertical welds converting two layer mattress into three dimensional raft

14 Expiratory inflator means

15 Adjustable strap for securing expiratory inflator

16 Thermally protective hood manifold 17 Structurally distinct chamber in hood

18 25 or 38 gm CO2 source for stern tube

19 0.75 psi over pressure relief valve

20 Oral inflation for cephalic support creating freeboard

21 Structurally distinct chamber in chest of jacket 22 Structurally distinct chamber in arm of jacket

23 Non-pressurized orally inflated distribution chamber

24 Mitt chamber

25 Oral inflation self-sealing valve

26 Structurally distinct chamber in pants 27 Oversize self-sealing valve at inlet to primary manifold chamber

28 Indicator of presence of twists in hydrostatic supply line

29 Foot strap for use of collector as in raft torque pump

30 Hydrostatic or torque collector

31 Four finger grip and stiffener for collector 32 Adjustable wrist lock

33 Adjustable foot lanyard

34 Rip stop weld line

50 Layout for 11 chambered self-bailing life raft

51 Floor tube as secondary manifold chamber for the port side wall chambers 52 Structurally distinct parallel side wall bladders inflated orally or as third chamber in functional series from hydrostatic pump 30 or second chamber from floor tube 51.

53 Tape as mechanical reinforcement of primary manifold 6.

54 Tear seal initiation site in the event rupture requires oral inflation of floor valves 55

55 Low profile orifice stent in pneumatically actuated self-sealing valve 56 Flush mounted self-sealing third valve in series 57 Sealable inner face of lower layer of raft stem tube with upper layer trimmed away allowing second stem tube to be sealed to first stem tube.

58 Sealable inner face of lower layer of raft stem tube with upper layer trimmed away allowing first stern tube to be sealed to second stem tube 59 Indicates flexion line where first layer of self bailing floors turns over on top of itself.

60 Sealable inner face of lower layer of raft stem tube with upper layer trimmed away forming vertical three dimensional welds.

61 Sealable inner face of lower layer of raft side wall. Upper layer trimmed away to form vertical three-dimensional welds. 62 Lower raft layer welds bow tube and forward side wall tube back onto it self

63 Alternate oral self sealing inflation valve for floor and combined floor and secondary manifold tubes

64 Indicates where second stem tube flexes forward to become the upper raft floor

65 Coterminous valve inlet's bilateral longitudinal assembly guide and valve locator wings. 66 Flared assembly guide for inlet orifice stent

67 Stop welded into inlet end of self-sealing valve to align the rigid or semi-rigid inlet orifice

68 Barrier means on both top and bottom layers of self-sealing valve

69 Unobstructed valve passage way

70 Valve outlet 71 Valve inlet film and bladder film seal to entrap inlet orifice stent

72 Flared assembly guide removed after installation of inlet orifice

73 Stem film

74 Bladder wall film

75 Valve inlet 76 Valve flexion break point

90 Garment mounted sewable inflator manifold flange

91 Manual Compressed gas inflator with restrictor

92 Gas flow restriction at inflator, manifold within conduit to bladder

93 Manual activation of inflator lanyard first initiates opening of film bladder cover before piercing compressed gas seal

94 Bladder container cover flared open. 95 Low volume bladder container forces inflating bladder out from the garment as it inflates

96 Polyethylene - Nylon -Polyethylene film allowing welding to both faces

97 Hook and loop manufactured from or laminated by polyethylene

98 Polyethylene loop sealed to bladder wall 99 Through baffle accepting pressurized sealing of loop to bladder

100 Alligator jaws cross midline and engage opposite bladder

101 Weldable polyethylene hook lining alligator jaws

102 Garment integrated self-closing film Life Jacket

110 Yoke Collar style PFD with internal thin film bladder 111 Oversized inner bladder oral and or compressed gas inflated.

112 Displacement generated by thin film bladder

113 Oversized polyethylene right angle connector flange

114 Finely feathered edge of heat sealed connector

115 Traditional oral inflation valve 120 Remote CO2 manifold adapter including restriction valve and permanent barbed connector for replaceable film bladder.

121 Sewable or weldable flange for mounting remote inflator

122 Body of manifold adapter

123 Threaded coupler for securing inflator 124 Restrictor orifice

125 Tubing leading to life jacket bladder

126 800 psi of compressed CO2 driving rapid flow

127 Reduced flow rate in proportion to orifice size

128 Red indicator barb exposed 129 Green indicator barb exposed

130 Opaque cover applied to tip of life jacket inflation hose

131 Incompletely attached tubing indicated by exposed red portion of connector

132 Completely attached life jacket inflation tubing indicated by exposed green portion of connector 133 Permanent shaφ barbed coupler

140 Yoke Collar style PFD with slip on hybrid bladder upgrading PFD Type performance 141 Chest Strap

142 Chest strap retainer

143 Chest adjustable secure connector

144 Low profile hybrid bladder mounted on chest strap 145 Face down flotation icon when bladder stowed

146 Face up flotation when bladder deployed

147 Brilliant contrasting indicator of conversion from flotation device to life jacket

148 Heavy gauge self-sealing valve sufficient to support the semi-rigid or rigid inlet orifice

149 Polyethylene straight cylindrical sealable fittament 150 Seal joining high strength self-sealing valve with bladder walls

151 Rear wall of bladder folded back exposing the low density polyethylene for welding

152 Front wall continuing around behind the bladder exposing its inner layer of sealable low density polyethylene for welding retaining sleeve

153 Welded sleeve 154 Welds creating chest strap sleeve

155 Film with single weldable surface

156 Alternative chest strap mounting sleeve, compresses and secures bladder position upon inflation

160 Thin film, vinyl or polyurethane bladder stored in folded configuration at base of one ventral arm of yoke collar style PFD

161 Inflation tube retainer sleeve within PFD cover

162 Sleeve exit through PFD cover in area of mouth

163 Rear inflation tube attachment to bladder

164 Top of folded and stored hybrid bladder 165 Bladder unfolds and extends across midline upon pressurized inflation

180 Stowed PSD includes 16, 25 or 38 gram chamber converting PFD into Life Jacket and Life Raft

181 Cylinder sizing sleeve

182 Thin film inflatable survival suit 183 Life Raft release means

190 Dual chambered thin film Life Jacket 191 Orally inflated cephalo-cervical bladder for creation of optimal freeboard

192 Compressed gas inflated corrective turning thoracic bladder

193 Pneumatically released cover

194 Universal mounting means 195 Hermetically sealed single used film life jacket

196 Mechanically assembled and fixed cylinder inflator means

197 Thermal protective grip stabilize mechanical actuation

198 Oversized weld to manipulate tearing open

200 Orally inflated thin film air splint, universal shape expands to accommodate arm or leg fracture or injuries.

201 Thin film bed pan

202 Twist lock or leur lock coupling glued or heat sealed to this film bladder. Reversibly connects disposable bedpan to reusable inflation system

203 Manual valve accessing pressurized air from wall connection or pump. 204 Source of pressurized air

205 Perforated paper covering absorbing perspiration opens upon inflation of bedpan

206 0.75 psi over pressure relief valve protects thin film bladder from rupture

Additional embodiments for the present invention begin at Figure 11, where Figure 11 demonstrates the use of the fabric shell 2a to sculpt the contained air retentive bladder la such that it complements the specific deficiencies of the underlying inherently buoyant foam 19a. Mandated head angle 3a is set to protect the airway from splash and improve line of site. The angle of the side panel in the area of the head 5a sets the outer limit of the expansion of bladder 4a so as to achieve the required approximately 30 degree head angle. The fabric shell on either side of the neck 7a sculpts the cervical component of the bladder 6a to provide lateral splinting for a head and neck lacking muscular support. The fabric beneath the mandible 9a restricts and directs the expansion of the mandibular portion of the bladder 8a responsible for closing the midline opening and support the chin and flaccid neck. The exterior fabric shell of the foam PFD is extended in the area of the mid to upper thorax 10a in order to allow yet limit the expansion of the corrective turning component of the enclosed bladder I la. Fabric shell 12a enclosing the layers of foam 19a, can be of a high visibility color, such as but not limited to, orange, and can give way to a shaφly contrasting color fabric 13a required to configure the integrated inflatable la in order to alert responsible parties that the parties buoyant air has been converted into an airway protective life jacket. Further the fabric shell responsible for sculpting the inner bladder la could be constructed from lightweight fabric 14a to facilitate its stowage. For a cost driven design the sculpting panel can be a continuation of the same fabric enclosing the foam 19a. While a manual release means of the sculpting fabric shell is possible a complementary release means 15a and 16a are set to be operated pneumatic pressures within the general public range of approximately 0.5 to approximately 1.0 psi. Inflation deflation valve 17a connected through 18a to the bladder la allows easy and rapid inflation and deflation as dictated during various phases of in water survival. Air retentive bladder la in addition to the protection afforded by the constraining fabric shell 2a can be placed beneath a layer of foam 20a for additional protection in certain designs. Chest strap 21a can be placed on top of the fabric shell 2a covering bladder la or passed through a sleeve 22a beneath the bladder la. An optional compressed gas manifold 23 a allows mounting of manual or water activated compressed gas inflation means if desired or required. Retainer strap 24a keeps the foam layers in tight configuration if hybrid bladder la is released from fabric shell 2a.

In figure 12 air retentive bladder la can be eccentrically shaped bladder 40a facilitating the expansion necessary during inflation in order to fill out, pressurize and rigidity the sculpting fabric shell. The bilateral midline crossing arms 41a can be provided with an elongated neck opening 45a in the horizontal axis to allow sufficient fabric to create the cross over arms 41a. An over sized cephalic pillow 42a allows the expansion required to lift the head to an approximately 30-degree angle. The torque required for corrective turning is generated by lateral extension 43 a and medial extension 47a. On inflation these components shrink laterally and rise up in the midline until they encounter and conform to the outer fabric shell, which ultimately determines the location and size of buoyant moments attached to the unconscious victim. If the air bladder la is not over sized due to cost restraints bladder la can be attached medially to the fabric shell at 48a to locate the inflatable buoyant moment along the midline. The super imposed outline of the right half of the foam PFD 49a and left half 50a highlight the amount of additional fabric inteφosed along the midline 51a which is needed to create the bilateral cross over arms 41a and supply the air retentive fabric consumed on conversion from a planar envelope into a three dimensional shape. The PFD outline 49a, 50a also helps to visualize the additional lateral bladder area required to fill out the sculpting outer fabric shell. Frequent use of the inflatable component of the hybrid PFD benefits from selection of heavier supported fabrics, which in turn reduce bulk by configuring the inner bladder as shown in figure 12. If for single use and/or cost constraints, a thin film bladder can be selected. A simple over sized bladder creates little bulk or cost and in fact may be stronger because of the simpler curved perimeter which upon pressurizing the outer fabric shell transfers the strain from the sealed seams to the outer stronger fabric shell. A simple sew tab 52a locate along the inferior edge allows the hybrid bladder to be secured to the fabric shell preventing its sliding from position prior to inflation. Figure 14 is a dual bladder hybrid life jacket in which the ventral bladder 70a first supplies the additional torque required for corrective turning then is released to become a life raft. A non-releasable bladder 71a positions, elevates and cradles the flaccid unconscious head and neck. The routine inclusion of a life raft within the life jacket relies upon the use of thin films for storage reasons. An extended semi-rigid or rigid inlet orifice 72a first is inserted into an extended self sealing valve inlet 73 a for ease of assemble before entering into the thin film bladder's stem 74a. A zero resistance barrier 75a allows oral pressures in the range of approximately 0.5 to dissect through the valve barrier 75a in order to reach to the outlet end of the valve 76a thereby able to inflate the bladder 70a. Dust cap 77a protects extended semirigid orifice 72a. The commercial SOLAS life jacket worn by the unfamiliar cruise passenger would benefit from a low strength release system such a hook and loop set to release at approximately 0.25 psi. Alternatively, professional staff may prefer a high strength manual release means 78a to prevent inadvertent deployment during routine chores. Compressed gas source 94a sized by mounting means 95a can be accessed through a reduced piercing inflator 96a to slow rate of inflation reducing strain upon thin film bladder 70a. Both PFDs, 83a and 86a can employ a secondary high strength life raft release means 79a to prevent the fabric shell cover from being inadvertently blown open by a panicked victim hyperventilating into combined hybrid bladder/life raft 70a. Manual grip 80a is attached to the complementary securing means 81a such as, but not limited to, a fabric hook or zipper. The other half of the securing system 82a such as fabric loop or zipper secures the life raft -hybrid bladder 70a within the corrective turning fabric shell 10a. The lower drawings in figure 14 compare the positioning of the buoyant moment on a low displacement PFD 83a versus a high displacement PFD 86a. For the lightweight PFD 83a, bladder 84a can be of the same size and can be located higher on the chest. A lightweight crew PFD 83a is easier to swim, assist, and for making repeated entry and exits from the life raft. The frontal bulk 84a can be quickly reduced by deflation valve 17a facilitating raft entry. Subsequently, buoyant moment 84a can be quickly restored in preparation for entering the water or for their own personal assistance. Repeated inflation and deflation benefits from a higher strength biaxial nylon layer in the thin film 85a or traditional supported fabric bladder. A durable traditional inflation and deflation valve 17a connects to the bladder 85a via flexible connector 93a connecting semi-rigid or rigid thin film inlet adapter 91a sealed 92a to bladder la. Deployment of the bladder 85a can be achieved by actuating low-pressure oral release means 15a and 16a. Alternative high strength manual fabric lock 78a is manually released.

The bulkier high displacement foam PFD 86a is generally used only once and in reality the vast majority of SOLAS Life Jackets never enter the water. For such PFDs the predominance of the inflatable bladder 88a can be located lower on a higher displacement foam PFD 86a where buoyant moment 87a is fully submerged when vertical in the water column conferring improved vertical free board, comfort and visibility. The female reversible locking buckle 97a is secured to the PFD fabric shell while the adjustable male locking buckle 98a slides along chest strap 21a which can be held roughly in position by guide retainer strap 99a and drawn through chest strap sleeve 21a beneath the thin film hybrid bladder 88a. In the top drawing of Figure 15 a zero resistance barrier seal means 75a relies upon a metalized inner layer 110a vaporized onto an upper and lower weldable thin film barrier layer 109a. Barrier film layer 109a seals to both the upper layer 101a of the self-sealing valve and the lower layer 102a. The second drawing is an end on view of a zero resistance seal barrier showing the relationship between the zero resistance barrier 110a which is attached to sealable layer 109a fused with upper self-sealing valve layer 101a and lower self-sealing valve layer 102a. The bilateral flanges 112a are formed from the fusion of the upper self sealing valve layer 101a and lower layer 102a. These flanges can be used to mount the valve prior to closure of the bladder. The third drawing is a lateral view of the same zero resistance self sealing valve in which lower layer of the metalized 110a barrier and supporting sealable thin film layer 109a extends beyond the upper layer of both the zero resistance barrier seal 110a & 109a and upper layer of the self sealing thin film valve 101a. This overlap 113a identifies inlet opening 107a facilitating insertion of the semi-rigid inlet orifice.

In the lowest drawing in Figure 25 a flared portion 105a of the thin film valve extends beyond the bladder stem 74a. The inner portion of the extended flared gaping inlet portion of the self sealing thin film valve 100a has seal edges 104a. The outer portion can preferably not be sealed 103a to allow easy entrance into valve inlet 107a. With a zero resistance barrier 75a air passes freely through passageway 108a and out of the valve outlet 76a into chamber defined by bladder wall 106a.

Figure 17 is a self closing, strapless self adjusting life jacket 120a in which a central opening 121a is large enough to pass the head while a self-closing mandibular collar 122a upon inflation reduces the diameter of the opening so the head cannot pass back through.

The upper drawing demonstrates a flush mounted 125a self-sealing check valve 124a placed in the inter-bladder wall 126a between the circular bladder 129a and the mandibular collar 122a. A tab of the lower layer of fabric 127a presents the sealable surface to a complementary tab on the mandibular collar 128a, which are sealed together at weld 132a. The dead space between the circular bladder 129a and mandibular collar 122a is radiused 130a to distribute the strain. The mandibular collar 122a is also radiused at 131a to distribute the strain of inflation. When the PFD is first removed and deflated 133a the opening is at its widest diameter 134a. Once the PFD is inflated 135a the opening is at its smallest 136a entrapping the head until deflated. The neck collar 129a and mandibular collar 122a can be in fluid communication as indicated at 137a rather than having a check valve 124a placed between the two chambers.

Figure 16 is a hermetically sealed 157a ultra-light weight compact single use PFD 151a. The thin film bladder 150a has a self sealing valve inlet 107a held open by rigid or semi-rigid inlet orifice 90a fused with the bladder stem 74a. An over sized finger grip 152a allows partial notch 153a to be torn open. Polyethylene weldable VELCRO fastener 154a stiffens the oversized side grip 158a allowing cold numbs hands to access the deflated PFD 150a. The integrated VELCRO fastener 154a can be used to attach the deflated PFD 151a onto the inside of the bathing suit. Opening or grommet 155a allows lanyard 156a to be used to attach the single use PFD to many sites. Figure 13 is a coverless inflatable PFD 171a that relies upon the use of fabric or film that allows welding to both sides 172a. Weldable interlocking fabric hook and loop 173a allows the bladder itself to serve as it's own low-cost low-profile storage system. Used as a hybrid, the bladder can be attached to the foam cover along midline excess fabric 175a. Used as a stand alone coverless PFD 177a, a standard harness 178a allows it to be attached to the wearer. As a retrofit the coverless PFD 171a can be retrofitted to an existing foam PFD by use of a three-point attachment means 176a. As a hybrid inflatable it can be strictly orally inflated through valve 17a connected to bladder through stem 18a. A midline crossing inflatable mandibular splint 174a limits the chances that the neck will dissect between the front bladders.

Figure 18 is a superior view of an off shore dual chamber personal survival device with enhanced face up flotation 190a. The keel tube of the raft 191a is inflated to function as the inflatable hybrid PFD bladder. The hybrid chamber 191a is shaped by a semi-circular extension of the fabric shell 192a to focus the buoyant moment of the combined hybrid bladder/life raft bladder along the centerline 200a. The ventral foam block, though initially constructed from layers, can be fused into one solid block of inherently buoyant foam 193a. The same construction can be used with the cephalic foam means 194a. The secondary cephalic chamber 71a is configured by the cephalic shell 5a to provide correct head angle and improved freeboard the distance from the water's surface. The foam fabric shell continues around the back 199a where it forms a sleeve 195a containing small diameter tightly applied posterior buoyant means 198a. The various cells are in fluid communication 196a so that the posterior buoyant means 198a is inflated off of the cephalic chamber 71a by way of gas passing through the stabilizing outrigger 197a.

Figure 19 depicts a survivor inflating an enveloping thin film raft 211a released from its sculpted fabric shell 225a with an expiratory pump 210a. The survival victim is still wearing their PFD, which is providing mandibular support through mandibular bladder 8a and cephalic support 4a while PFD is attached to the victim with chest strap 21a. Compressed gas means 213a initially inflates keel 212a that initially served as the hybrid bladder when incoφorated within the foam PFD. Once released the hybrid chamber converts to the rafts keel 212a unfolding the raft in preparation for expiratory inflation. Air is inspired through inhalation check valve 217a in mask 214a held on to the head by adjustable strap 219a. An inflatable splint 215a is pressurized by blowing through the rigidified inlet orifice 90a in self- sealing thin film valve 89a. Pneumatic splint 215a helps keep fabric or film inflation tube 224a from twisting and kinking during process of inflation. The expiratory pump 210a connects to a variety of bladders by way of reversible locking connector 218a. A wide bore high flow self sealing thin film valve 220a entraps expired air within raft 221a, survival suit 222a or heat exchanger 223a.

Figure 20 is a survivor suit designed for relatively short-term use anticipating quick recovery. The lightweight low profile midline closure means 252a is an inexpensive limited- cycle closure means such as wateφroof tape. The front half of the survivor suit 241a can be welded to the rear half of the survivor suit 242a at side seam 243a. The oversized hood 244a is part of the rear half of the survivor suit 242a and has a draw string closure system 245 a to accommodate a wide variety of head sizes. The left front quarter panel is inflated by connecting the expiratory pump to locking disconnect 250a which allows exhaled air to pass through a series of self sealing thin film valves 89a inflating a matrix of chambers in series chamber 255a to chamber 253a and in parallel chambers 254a. A puncture of one of the parallel chambers 254a will not affect the air retentive ability any of the other parallel chambers. A puncture of the down stream chamber 253a in series with the primary manifold chamber 255a will result in loss of air retention of the up stream chamber 255a. The expiratory pump can be attached to locking disconnect 246a as the expired breath passes through heat exchanger tube 247a and loops back at 248a before being expelled at exhalation port 25 la some of the heat is transferred to the garment 300a.

Figure 21 compares the configuration of the hybrid chamber needed to supply corrective turning to foam PFDs of differing displacements. In the lower drawing the low displacement buoyant aid 83a requires a larger inflatable component in order to achieve airway protection. Fabric sidewalls 271a elevate the superior semi-circular extensions of fabric shell indicated above imaginary line 273a. The combined walls created the high volume inflatable hybrid 270a required to supply sufficient torque for corrective turning. In the upper drawing the large ventral block of foam 193a only requires a small amount of sculpted inflatable 192a to achieve corrective turning. The upper drawing in Figure 22 shows the back of any marine garment 281a which can entrap air 288a as shown in the lower drawing. Air trapping 288a is aggravated by gaπnent belt 284a or PFD chest strap 21a. The unconscious victim's airway 287a is submerged beneath the water's surface 286a and stabilized in that position by the force of entrapped bubble 288a. The size and therefore power of the entrapped bubble 288a over powers the corrective turning torque of the largest ventral buoyant moments 193a found on current PFDs. The posterior cephalic moment 194a does not contribute its displacement to corrective turning. The upper drawing indicates a garment integrated venting system 280a such as vent or check valve 282a in the rear of the shirt or jacket 281a. The check valve 282a allows entrapped bubble 288a to escape. Vent 282a is protected from rain or splash by cover 283a. Garment collar 285a is included to help orient the observer as to location of the marine garment venting system 280a.

Figure 23 is of an extended use thin film life jacket combined with survival suit 300a. The combined inflation and deflation valve 301a inflates the thoracic bladder and then the longitudinal tubes that ran down the arms and legs 306a. The thoracic corrective turning bladder 303 a has an eccentric arm 304a to help initiate the corrective turn. A heavy-duty reversible closure means 302a allows the suit do be removed during sunny daytimes yet re- donned at night.

The upper drawing in Figure 24 is of a single large bore self-sealing valve 311a thin film raft 314a in which all chambers are in fluid communication 316a. The upper floor has bow attachment tabs 312a that seal at 313a so that the upper floor is secured within the raft. The lower drawing is of a 5-valve raft 315a in which there are three chambers, which can be inflated from the windsock 317a. In the event that the floor is punctured two of the self- sealing check valves have inlet orifice stents 90a allowing oral inflation. There is an increment cost to raft 310a in direct proportion to the number of valve included in the design. In Figure 25 as the compressed gas cylinder 331a is threaded into the air hom 333a a water sensitive wafer 326a pushes against the wafer engaging plunger 325a resting on a spring compression plate 324a that compresses spring 323a keeping plunger sleeve 328a from contacting compression actuated gas valve 329a. Manual button 321a and it is connected push button rod 322a which travels within the plunger sleeve 328a can be actuated separately for manual operation of the air hom 333a. When thrown in the water the wafer 326a deteriorates allowing the plunger 325a to be driven down under the force of the compressed spring 323a thereby compressing the gas valve and sounding the air hom 333a. The propellant 332a converts to gas as it travels up the drawtube 330a when the valve is opened either manually or upon water contact. The orienting ballast 334a keeps the air horn 320a above the water's surface 286a. A visual indicator 335a on the threads of cylinder 33 la shows red when the cylinder is not sufficiently installed to allow compressed gas operation. Yellow threads indicate that the device is manual operation only. When only green thread show then the cylinder is in water activated or manual mode of operation. Note that the manual push button 321a has a longer travel than the wafer engaging plunger 325a this allows manual operation of the air ho 333a independent of the water operation mode. If the air hom 333a is inadvertently water activated the cylinder 331a can be back away moving the air hom 333a into a manual only mode of operation. If the compressed gas cylinder 331a is spent, oral operation of the air hom 333a is achieved by forcefully exhaling through check valve 336a incorporated within the body of the air hom 333a for emergency signaling puφoses.

Figure 26 is a water safety and survival garment 350a integrating redundant inflatable PFDs, 70a and 351a, a posterior buoyant support means 198a, a releasable personal life raft 70a within a vented marine garment 282a. The keel of the thin film life raft or an incoφorated laminated fabric tube 191a is inflated upon contact with the water by means of water activated compressed gas means 213a. The inflated bladder 70a is configured by fabric outer shell 352a to shape the inflatable keels to provide corrective turning torque for airway protection. The victim can inflate the posterior buoyant pad 198a, which is in fluid communication 196a with the dedicated PFD chamber 351a orally or manually by compress gas. Once over the shock of initial entry the victim can pull on handle 354a which pulls lanyard 355a through guide tube 356a to release life raft/life jacket cover closure means 353a allowing blow apart closure means 358a to open cover 352a releasing life raft 70a. The airway protective operation of chamber 70a is timely because garment entrapped air is vented through the posterior check valve or vent 282a protected from the environment by cover 283a allowing the corrective turning torque of bladder 70a to operate unimpeded.

Some of the advantages, features and/or characteristics of the present invention illustrated in Figures 11-26 include, but are not limited to, the following: (1) Foam Personal Flotation Device with ancillary inflatable buoyant aid bladder contained within the foam PFD fabric shell; (2) Convertible PFD in which the rating of the foam PFD is converted to a higher rating upon inflation of the internal bladder; (3) Inherently buoyant PFD shell serving two functions, containing the foam means and also capable of expanding to contain an inflated component; (4) Foam Personal Flotation Device with bladder whose inflation is limited by the foam PFD fabric shell; (5) Foam Personal Flotation Device with bladder whose buoyant moment is configured by the fabric shell in amount and location to augment the particular deficits of the underlying foam PFD; (6) Foam PFD with one or more internal bladders sculpted by the foam PFD fabric shell; (7) Foam, inflatable or hybrid PFD with integrated life raft; (8) Foam, inflatable or hybrid PFD with integrated thin film life raft; (9) Foam, inflatable or hybrid PFD with integrated thin film life raft, a component of which provides the inflatable displacement necessary to achieve airway corrective turning; (10) Foam, inflatable or hybrid PFD with integrated thin film life raft, which can be released for independent use from the PFD; (11) Foam PFD fabric shell color-coded to indicate level of airway protection; (12) Outer fabric shell of foam PFD traditional orange; (13) Outer fabric shell of converted hybrid device combining traditional orange fabric with shaφly contrasting colored fabric, used to indicate and signal conversion from PFD buoyant aid into airway protective Life Jacket; (14) Conversion of PFD into Life Jacket indicator means visible to both wearer, crew and responsible parties; (15) Release of inflatable fabric shell storage means actuated in response to exhaled air pressure; (16) Release of inflatable fabric shell storage means actuated in response to manual release of closure means; (17) Release of inflatable fabric shell storage means actuated in response to manual release of fabric lock, zipper, snaps or other mechanical closure means; (18) Release of inflatable fabric shell storage means actuated in response to pneumatic pressure release of fabric lock, zipper, snaps or other mechanical closure means; (19) Primary fabric shell contains inherently buoyant means; extension of primary fabric shell configures and sculpts air cell; (20) Primary fabric shell contains inherently buoyant means; extension of primary fabric shell configures and sculpts oversized air cell; (21) primary fabric shell contains inherently buoyant means; extension of primary fabric shell configures and sculpts oversized laminated fabric air cell; (22) Primary fabric shell contains inherently buoyant means; extension of primary fabric shell configures and sculpts oversized vinyl film air cell; (23) Primary fabric shell contains inherently buoyant means; extension of primary fabric shell configures and sculpts oversized thin film air cell; (24) Primary fabric shell contains inherently buoyant means; extension of primary fabric shell configures and sculpts oversized linear low-density polyethylene air cell; (25) Outer fabric shell locates and sizes inflatable buoyant means to complement amount and distribution of inherently buoyant means in order to achieve corrective turning; (26) Outer fabric shell locates and sizes inflatable buoyant means to complement amount and distribution of inherently buoyant means in order to achieve sufficient distance between water's surface and victim airway or horizontal free board; (27) Outer fabric shell locates and sizes inflatable buoyant means to complement amount and distribution of inherently buoyant means in order to achieve midline closure; (28) Secondary shell locates and sizes inflatable buoyant means to complement amount and distribution of inherently buoyant means in order to achieve mandibular support; (29) Outer fabric shell locates and sizes inflatable buoyant means to complement amount and distribution of inherently buoyant means in order to achieve ideal vertical free board; (30) Outer fabric shell configures, supports and protects one or more inflatable bladders; (31) Outer fabric shell configures, supports and protects one or more inflatable bladders which serve initially as the PFD bladder but is then capable of being converted into a personal life raft; (32) Outer fabric shell configures supports and protects one or more inflatable bladders, which are dedicated to functioning as a PFD bladder; (33) Outer fabric shell configures, supports and protects one or more inflatable bladders one of which can be released to become a life raft one of which remains behind as a life jacket; (34) Hybrid PFD with chest strap between foam and inflatable components; (35) Hybrid PFD with foam retainer strap; (36) Hybrid PFD with foam retainer strap that keeps the foam layers tightly bound into a functional unit; (37) Hybrid PFD with foam retainer strap that keeps the foam layers from escaping if the outer fabric cover is opened for release of inflatable bladder/life raft; (38) Hybrid PFD bladder eccentrically sized to include sufficient fabric for creating overlapping mandibular arms; (39) Hybrid PFD bladder over sized to create cephalic pillow; (40) Hybrid PFD bladder over sized to create lateral cervical pillows; (41) Hybrid PFD bladder over sized to create enlarged thoracic turning bladder; (42) Hybrid PFD bladder with midline attachment tabs for securing to outer fabric shell; (43) Hybrid PFD bladder with inferior bilateral attachment tabs for securing bladder to outer fabric shell; (44) Hybrid PFD with two or more bladders, one of which is a non-releasable Cephalo-cervical pillow; (45) Hybrid PFD with two or more bladders, one of which is a releasable thoracic pillow; (46) Hybrid PFD with manually released forward pocket; (47) Hybrid PFD with inflatable bladder oriented high on chest to augment corrective turning of a low displacement PFD; (48) Hybrid PFD with inflatable bladder oriented low on the chest to augment corrective turning while improving vertical freeboard of a high displacement PFD; (49) Hybrid PFD with side mounted chest strap where adjustable portion faces forward; (50) Hybrid PFD with thin film inflatable bladder with extended semi-rigid orifice; (51) Hybrid PFD with thin film inflatable bladder with extended semi-rigid orifice with dust cap protecting self sealing valve; (52) Hybrid PFD with thin film inflatable bladder polyethylene coupler connecting linear low density bladder to flexible tubing; (53) Self sealing valve with zero resistance film mounted barrier fused to thin film valve body; (54) Self sealing valve with zero resistance film mounted barrier with internal metalized coating preventing any residual adhesion during installation; (55) Self sealing valve with zero resistance film mounted barrier with internal dye coating preventing any residual adhesion during installation; (56) Self sealing valve with a portion of the thin film barrier extended beyond the remainder of the thin film barrier; (57) Self sealing valve with a portion of the thin film barrier extended beyond the remainder of the thin film barrier the extended portion fused to the thin film bladder stem; (58) Self sealing valve with the entire thin film barrier extended beyond the thin film bladder stem; (59) Self sealing valve with the entire thin film barrier flaring as it extends beyond the thin film bladder stem; (60) Self sealing valve with the entire thin film barrier flaring as it extends beyond the thin film bladder stem the portion of which is fused closed the second portion of which is open; (61) Self closing inflatable two-part PFD one portion of, which passes the head the second portion of which, reduces the neck opening; (62) Self closing inflatable two part PFD one portion of which passes the head the second portion of which reduces the neck opening the bottom layer of which seals back upon itself; (63) A single-use thin-film self- closing inflatable two part PFD one portion of which passes the head the second portion of which reduces the neck opening the bottom layer of which seals back upon itself; (64) A single-use thin-film self-closing inflatable PFD with two or more structurally distinct chamber one chamber of which passes the head the second chamber which reduces the neck opening the bottom layer of which seals back upon itself; (65) A hermetically sealed cover for a single use PFD in which polyethylene laminated fabric hook defines a broad side grip; (66) A hermetically sealed cover for a single use PFD in which polyethylene laminated fabric hook is perforated for a lanyard for alternate mounting; (67) A coverless inflatable PFD; (68) A coverless inflatable PFD in which laminated fabric hook and loop are directly welded to the bladder wall; (69) A coverless inflatable PFD in which laminated fabric hook and loop are directly welded to the bladder wall and the bladder wall is folded upon itself to create the external cover; (70) A coverless inflatable PFD in which the exterior is laminated conferring Ultra- Violet, abrasion and puncture protection; (71) A coverless inflatable PFD which can be mounted on existing yoke style foam PFDs or used independently; (72) An orally inflated coverless inflatable PFD, which can be mounted on existing yoke style foam PFDs or used independently; (73) An oral and compressed gas inflated coverless inflatable PFD, which can be mounted on existing yoke style foam PFDs or used independently; (74) An orally inflated narrow diameter posterior buoyant pad; (75) An orally inflated narrow diameter posterior buoyant pad in fluid communication with the cephalo-cervical bladder; (76) An orally inflated narrow diameter posterior buoyant pad in fluid communication with the thoracic bladder; (77) An orally inflated narrow diameter posterior buoyant pad in fluid communication with the anterior bladder; (78) A hybrid PFD with inflatable bilateral stabilizing bladders; (79) A hybrid PFD with inflatable bilateral stabilizing bladders in fluid communication with the cephalo-cervical bladder; (80) A hybrid PFD with inflatable bilateral stabilizing bladders in fluid communication with the thoracic bladder; (81) A hybrid PFD with inflatable bilateral stabilizing bladders in fluid communication with the anterior bladder; (82) A hybrid PFD with a semicircular superior extension of the outer fabric shell; (83) A hybrid PFD with a semicircular inferior extension of the outer fabric shell; (84) A hybrid PFD with a semicircular superior and inferior extension of the outer fabric shell; (85) A hybrid PFD in which the releasable thoracic bladder is formed by an inflatable life raft keel/stern/bow; (86) An oro-nasal mask adapted for connection to a fabric tube; (87) An oro- nasal mask adapted for welding or sealing to a fabric tube; (88) An oro-nasal mask adapted for connection to a fabric tube with a super-imposed pneumatically pressurized strut; (89) An oro-nasal mask adapted for connection to a fabric tube fitted with a reversible locking connector allowing connection to life raft, survivor suit and expiratory heat exchanger; (90) An oro-nasal mask adapted for connection to a fabric tube as a direct extension of a life raft; (91) An oro-nasal mask adapted for connection to a fabric tube as a direct extension of a survival suit; (92) An oro-nasal mask adapted for connection to a fabric tube as a direct extension of an expiratory heat exchanger; (93) A hybrid PFD with releasable forward bladder that converts into a life raft utilizing exhaled air to slowly envelop a hypothermic survivor; (94) Single use survivor suit constructed from front and rear halves; (95) Single use survivor suit constructed from front and rear halves with midline tape closure; (96) Single use survivor suit constructed from front and rear halves including one or more heat exchange tubes; (97) Single use survivor suit constructed from front and rear halves with one or more serial and parallel self-sealing thin film valves; (98) Single use survivor suit constructed from front and rear halves including inflatable draw tape secured hood; (99) Extended use survivor suit capable of repeated inflation and deflation; (100) Extended use survivor suit capable of repeated operation of midline closure means; (101) Extended use survivor suit capable of repeated operation of midline zipper, snaps, buttons, ties, buckles, hook and loop, etc.; (102) Thin film survivor suit with integrated thoracic corrective turning PFD bladder; (103) Thin film survivor suit with integrated thoracic corrective turning PFD bladder with eccentric buoyant extension for improved corrective turning ability; (104) Single use thin film survivor suit with integrated thoracic corrective turning PFD bladder; (105) Extended use thin film survivor suit with integrated thoracic corrective turning PFD bladder; (106) Single valve self bailing life raft; (107) Single self sealing thin film valve self bailing life raft; (108) Self bailing life raft with upper floor attached at both stem and bow; (109) Three chambered self- bailing life raft with redundant inflation means allows for puncture of center floor while sustaining both side chambers; (110) Hybrid PFD in which the configuring outer fabric shell includes just superior fabric extension; (111) Hybrid PFD in which the configuring outer fabric shell includes superior and inferior fabric extensions; (1 12) Hybrid PFD in which the configuring outer fabric shell includes superior, inferior and lateral fabric extensions; (113) Hybrid PFD in which the configuring outer fabric shell includes superior, inferior, lateral and super-imposed superior and lateral fabric extensions as dictated by the underlying foam buoyant moments; (114) Hybrid PFD in which the configuring outer fabric shell is capable of expanding upon inflation; (115) Central mid-dorsal vent in air retentive marine garment; (116) Central mid-dorsal vent of ever increasing size in every layer of air retentive marine garments worn; (117) Dorsally vented shirt, windbreaker, pullover and heavy overcoat; (1 18) Central mid-dorsal vent in air retentive marine garment located at the peak of the trapped dorsal bubble; (119) Central mid-dorsal check valve in air retentive marine garment; (120) Central mid-dorsal covered vent or check in air retentive marine garment; (121) Triple actuation air hom; water activated compressed gas, manual compressed gas and oral; (122) Installation of the compressed gas cylinder compresses the water-activated plunger against the water sensitive wafer; (123) Manual button with longer travel than the water activated sleeve; (124) Manual operation independent of water activate operation; (125) Able to deactivate the water activated operation by backing the compressed gas cylinder out of the air hom while retaining manual activation ability; (126) Oral check valve in air hom body allows operation of air hom with spent cylinder; (127) Indicator means informs if state of assembly Red indicates incomplete, yellow indicates manual operation only; green indicates water activated or manual activation possible; (128) Ballast in cylinder orients air hom so that it is out of the water; (129) Dual layer inflatable PFD; (130) Dual layer inflatable PFD with one or more film or thin film bladders configured by an external fabric shell to provide appropriate head angle, mandibular support and thoracic bladder driven corrective; (131) Dual layer inflatable PFD with one or more film or thin film bladders with at least one of the bladders to be only orally inflated; (132) Dual layer inflatable PFD with one or more film or thin film bladders configured by an external fabric shell one of which can separate away to become the personal life raft one of which stays behind to provide heads up flotation; (133) Dual layer inflatable PFD with exterior shell manually opened to allow release of life raft; (134) Garment with dorsal vent, posterior inflatable buoyancy and dual layered dual chambered life jacket; and (135) Garment with dorsal vent, posterior inflatable buoyancy in fluid communication with a ventral chamber. An index of reference numerals includes the following: la Air retentive inner bladder contained within fabric shell of inherently buoyant flotation aid 2a Sculpting lateral fabric shell cut to supply and position additional buoyant force required to remedy the specific deficits of underlying inherently buoyant flotation aid 3a Proscribed head angle required to establish face plane of unconscious floating victim 4a Cephalic inflatable bladder component 5a Sculpting cephalic fabric shell 6a Inflatable lateral cervical bladder component 7a Sculpting lateral cervical fabric shell 8a Inflatable midline closing-mandibular shelf bladder 9a Sculpting mandibular shelf fabric shell 10a Sculpting corrective turning shell 1 la Corrective turning bladder component

12a Traditional orange colored fabric indicating flotation aid

13a Contrasting color of sculpting side panel indicating conversion to life jacket

14a Light weight sculpting fabric shell 15a Expiration actuated sculpting shell release means

16a Complementary expiratory release means

17a Oral Inflation and deflation valve

18a Right angle connector

19a Layers of inherently buoyant foam means 20a Optional layer or thin half layer of foam protecting bladder

21a Chest strap

22a Chest strap sleeve beneath sculpted hybrid PFD bladder

23a CO2 manifold for optional compressed gas manual or water activated inflation of hybrid bladder 24a Foam retainer strap

40a Eccentric shaped oversized bladder

41a Bilateral midline crossing mandibular arm

42a Oversized cephalic pillow

43 a Oversized corrective turning bladder component 44a Oversized lateral cervical bladder

45a Laterally extended neck opening required to construct overlapping mandibular bladders

46a Notch required to create midline crossing bladders

47a Additional corrective turning bladder material

48a Attachment location between sculpted eccentric bladder and midline of fabric shell cover 49a Superimposed outline of right half of inherently buoyant flotation aid

50a Superimposed outline of left half of inherently buoyant flotation aid

51a Amount of additional bladder material added to create midline crossing arms and allow for inflationary expansion

70a Combined hybrid life jacket bladder and life raft bladder 71a Non-releasable separate cephalo-mandibular cradle bladder

72a Extended semi-rigid or rigid self sealing valve inlet orifice 73 a Thin film self-sealing valve extended beyond bladder stem film

74a Bladder stem film continuous with bladder wall film

75a Zero resistance barrier means

76a Outlet of self-sealing valve 77a Dust cap for semi-rigid orifice

78a Manual or high psi compressed gas release means for deploying bladder sculpting fabric shell cover

79a Manual, reversible, high strength securing means regulating release of life raft bladder from the sculpting fabric shell 80a Manual grip for actuating life jacket-life raft bladder release means

81a One half of reversible securing means for jacket-life raft bladder cover: fabric hook, zipper

82a One half of reversible securing means for jacket-life raft bladder cover, fabric loop

83a Low displacement foam component of convertible sculpted hybrid life jacket 84a Predominance of hybrid inflatable contribution located high on thorax when combined with low displacement foam PFD

85a Reusable high strength thin film bladder

86a High displacement foam component of convertible sculpted hybrid life jacket

87a Predominance of hybrid inflatable contribution located lower on high displacement- high torque inherently buoyant foam PFD

88a Thin film hybrid bladder for limited re-use life jacket

89a Self sealing thin film valve

90a Semi-rigid or rigid thin film valve inlet orifice stent

91a Semi-rigid or rigid thin film bladder inlet pneumatic adapter 92a Sealed attachment of adapter to thin film bladder

93 a Flexible plastic connector adapting existing inflation /deflation valve to thin film bladder

94a Compressed gas cylinder

95a Compressed gas cylinder sizing band

96a Reduced size piercing pin inflator restrictor 97a Female locking buckle secured to PFD fabric shell

98a Male buckle adjustable in opposite direction 99a Male buckle retainer and guide

100a Flared, extended and gaping inlet end of self sealing valve

101a Top layer of self sealing valve

102a Bottom layer of self sealing valve 103a Sides of upper and lower layers at the inlet terminus end of self-sealing valve and not closed

104a Sides of upper and lower layers of self-sealing valve are sealed closed before thin film valve enters the bladder stem

105a Flared portion of thin film valve extending beyond bladder stem 106a Bladder body wall

107a Self sealing thin film valve inlet

108a Self sealing thin film valve passageway

109a Upper and lower sealable layer of film, linear low density polyethylene

110a Metalized or dyed inner surface I l ia Open passageway through upper and lower layers of barrier seal

112a Fused bilateral locator flange

113a Inlet extension for locating thin film valve inlet

120a One size self-closing, strapless and self-adjusting life jacket

121a Opening large enough to pass largest head intended to use self-closing life preserver 122a Self closing mandibulo-cervical splint bladder

124a Optional self-sealing inline check valve as drawn

125a Flush mounted self sealing thin film valve

126a Wall separating circular collar bladder component from self closing mandibular splint bladder 27a Sealable lower layer of fabric or film continuous with lower layer of inflatable collar

128a Sealable lower layer of fabric or film continuous with lower layer of mandibular splint

129a Circum-cervical collar bladder

130a Strain distributing radiused dead space

131a Strain distributing gradual radius on mandibular chamber 132a Seal line joining the sealable surface of the back layer of the collar and the back layer of the mandibular splint 133a Wide diameter deflated self-closing life preserver

134a Opening sufficient to pass the head

135a Inflated self-closing life preserver

136a Reduced diameter opening will no longer allow head to pass back through the life preserver until it is deflated

137a Alternative construction where rear collar chamber and forward mandibular chamber are in continuous communication without check valve.

150a Deflated and folded thin film single use life preserver

151a Stowed low profile swimmers life preserver 152a Oversized finger grip for opening

153a Tear initiation notch

154a Weld-able polyethylene Velcro

155a Perforation or grommet for passing various attachment means

156a Lanyard 157a Hermetic seal enclosing single use life jacket

158a Oversized side grip

170a Retrofit coverless hybrid mounted on yoke collar style PFD

171a Coverless life jacket storage system

172a Fabric sealable from both sides, such as a film or supported fabric coated on both sides allowing bladder closure and attachment of fabric locking means directly to bladder of life jacket

173a Weldable interlocking hook and loop

174a Inflatable midline crossing mandibular splint

175a Bladder to foam fabric cover attachment means 176a Three point reversible attachment of coverless Life Jacket to inherently buoyant PFD

177a Stand alone coverless inflatable life jacket

178a Standard inflatable life jacket harness

190a Off shore dual chamber personal survival device with enhanced face up flotation

191a Keel tube of life raft serving as inflatable hybrid life jacket chamber 192a Semicircular superior shell fabric configuring hybrid chamber into optimal three dimensional chamber for reliable corrective turning torque 193 a Solid one-piece ventral thoracic inherently buoyant foam means

194a Posterior cephalic inherently buoyant foam means

195a Back of vest is a fabric sleeve to contain dorsal buoyant pad

196a Fluid communication of single source inflation 197a Bilateral face up stabilizing outrigger chambers

198a Tightly applied inflatable posterior buoyant means

199a Fabric shell continues around thorax as vest

200a Buoyant moment focused along midline axis

210a Expiratory pump 211a Thin film life raft component of personal survival device

212a Compressed gas inflated hybrid PFD bladder transformed into semi-rigid keel unfolding raft

213a Water activated compressed gas

214a Collapsible mask 215a Pneumatic splint for expiratory pump

217a Inhalation check valve

218a Reversible locking connector between expiratory pump and two or more deflated chambers

219a Adjustable tensioning head strap securing expiratory pump to hypothermic survivor 220a Wide bore high flow thin film check valve

221a Primary chamber or manifold of the life raft

222a Primary chamber or manifold of survival suit

223a Exhalation heat exchange chamber/s of survival suit

224a Fabric or film inflation tube 225a Empty sculpted fabric shell

240a Short term use thin film survivor suit

241a Front half of thin film survivor suit

242a Rear half of thin film survivor suit

243a Side seam sealing front and rear halves of suit 244a Hood from rear half of thin film suit

245a Draw string closure 246a Locking disconnect for expiratory heat exchange

247a Expiratory loop extracts heat from exhaled breath

248a Return of expiratory loop

249a Drop shaped termination buttons 250a Locking disconnect to expiratory pump

25 la Port where expired air is finally expelled

252a Light weight, low profile, two part tape, limited re-cycle closure means

253a Down stream chambers in series to manifold

254a Structural chambers in parallel to each other 255a Primary manifold chamber in series with remainder of chambers

270a High volume inflatable hybrid required to convert ultra low displacement buoyant aid into a life jacket

271a Fabric side walls

272a Superior semicircular fabric shell super imposed on top of a straight vertical wall 273a Dashed line indicating perimeter vertical wall component from the superior semicircular fabric extension

280a Vented marine garment

281a Back of any air retentive garment

282a Vent or check valve 283a Vent cover

284a Garment belt

285a Posterior garment collar

286a Surface of the water

287a Unconscious victim floating face down 300a Extended use thin film Life Jacket and survival suit

301a Inflation and deflation valve

302a Heavy-duty reversible closure means

303 a Thoracic corrective turning bladder

304a Eccentric buoyant arm of turning bladder 305a Cephalic pillow

306a Longitudinal insulating tubes 310a Low cost thin film life rafts

311a Large bore thin film valve

312a Bow attachment tabs on upper floor

313a Complementary bow tube attachment site for second floor 314a Single thin film valve raft

315a Three chamber raft with two chambers capable of redundant oral inflation if center section of raft floor is punctured

316a Passageway between chambers allowing fluid communication

317a Windsock, hydrostatic or torque pump 320a Combined water activated and manually activated air hom

321a Traditional manual push button

322a Push button rod

323a Spring

324a Spring compression plate 325a Wafer engaging plunger

326a Water sensitive sugar wafer

327a Sugar wafer rest stop

328a Plunger sleeve

329a Compression actuated compressed gas valve 330a Draw tube

331a Compressed gas cylinder

332a Propellant

333a Air hom

334a Orienting ballast It will be seen that the objects set forth above, and those made apparent from the foregoing description, are efficiently attained and since certain changes may be made in the above construction without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matters contained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be inteφreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A personal flotation device comprising: an external fabric shell; a layer of foam; said external fabric shell and said layer of foam defining an inner area; an internal bladder disposed within the inner area of said external fabric shell; wherein said internal bladder is configured, supported and protected by said external fabric shell.

2. The personal flotation device of claim 1 wherein said internal bladder is orally inflated.

3. The personal flotation device of claim 1 wherein said internal bladder is releasable.

4. The personal flotation device of claim 1 further including a pump for inflating the internal bladder.

5. The personal flotation device of claim 4 wherein said pump is an expiratory pump.

6. The personal flotation device of claim 3 wherein said internal bladder is oversize in volume area with respect to the inner area and an amount of inflation for the internal bladder is restricted by said external fabric shell; wherein when said internal bladder is release from the inner area and no longer restricted by said external fabric shell, said internal bladder can be further inflated to form a life raft.

7. A method for preventing a tear in a bladder of a multi bladder device from spreading beyond a point of initial puncture, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a welded seam between a first layer of material and a second layer of material; (b) fusing the first layer of material with the second layer of material to yield a single double thickness layer, which converts a single bladder into multiple bladders and blocks progression of propagative tears; wherein a tear in the bladder is prevented from spreading beyond a point of initial puncture which protects any remaining bladders from loss of pressure.