WO2015024067A1

WO2015024067A1 - Flotation device

Info

Publication number: WO2015024067A1
Application number: PCT/AU2014/000839
Authority: WO
Inventors: Nicholas Robert BYRNE
Original assignee: Performance Flotation Developments (Aust) Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2013-08-23
Filing date: 2014-08-25
Publication date: 2015-02-26

Abstract

A flotation device including: a buoyant material; and apertures located within the buoyant material, wherein one or more apertures are orientated to enable the buoyant material to be elastically expanded in at least one direction. The buoyant material is preferably in the form of a vest.

Description

FLOTATION DEVICE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to a flotation device, in particular, the invention relates, but is not limited, to a personal flotation device for use in water sport activities.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

[0002] Reference to background art herein is not to be construed as an admission that such art constitutes common general knowledge in Australia or elsewhere.

[0003] Personal flotation devices need to adhere to design standards to be sold to members of the public (e.g. ISO 12402-5, AS 4758 or the standard relevant to a region). As part of these design standards, a personal flotation device must provide a certain amount of buoyancy. Typically, to achieve the required buoyancy, thick blocks of buoyant material (i.e. 40mm or greater) are sewn into the front and back of a garment. This typical design has a number of disadvantages.

[0004] The thick blocks of buoyant material are bulky, and therefore, hinder the performance of users in activities such as swimming, paddling and wakeboarding. Furthermore, as the thick blocks of buoyant material are typically sown into various areas of the garment, edges are created between the blocks of buoyant material. These edges may catch and restrict a user's movement during an activity. For example, a rower may be hindered if his or her oar catches an edge of the buoyant material.

[0005] Moreover, parts of the personal flotation device {i.e. the front and back) are typically connected together with buckles. This allows the garment to be put on and taken off easily by the user. However, it also allows parts of the flotation device to move relative to each other, creates catch points and can be uncomfortable in certain positions like lying on the stomach or leaning forward. For example, the front portion may move relative to the back portion of the flotation device. This relative movement is uncomfortable for users and may restrict their movement hindering their performance. To overcome this relative movement, users may over tighten the buckles to allow the personal flotation device to fit more firmiy on their torso. However, a disadvantage of this over tightening is that the user's chest and breathing is restricted, which may affect their performance.

[0006] Alternatively, parts of the garment may be connected together with zips. A disadvantage of using zips however, is that the flotation device may not firmly fit around a user's torso. This may hinder their performance by, for example, creating further drag through the water, A user may wear a smaller flotation device to overcome this loose fit; although, this can again restrict the user's chest and breathing hindering their performance.

[0007] Moreover, general bulkiness, awkwardness and discomfort of foam personai flotation devices is one of the chief reasons observed for people recreating, competing or working on water not to wear a personal flotation device, thus ieading to situations where people who become distressed, tired, unconscious in water to not have any flotation aid at all until recovery attempts can be made.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0008] It is an aim of this invention to provide a personal flotation device which overcomes or ameliorates one or more of the disadvantages or problems described above, or which at least provides a useful alternative.

[0009] Other preferred objects of the present invention wi!l become apparent from the following description. SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0010] In one form, although not necessarily the only or broadest form, the invention resides in a flotation device, the flotation device including: a buoyant material; and

one or more apertures located within the buoyant material;

wherein the one or more apertures are orientated to enable the buoyant material to be elasticaliy expanded in at least one direction.

[0011] Normally, the one or more apertures change from a first shape to a second shape when the buoyant material is elasticaliy expanded in the at least one direction. Typically, the second shape is further elongated in the at least one direction compared to the first shape. That is, normally complementary side walls of the aperture are further from an axial axis of the aperture in the second position compared to first position when the buoyant material is elasticaliy expended.

[0012] Preferably, the one or more apertures elasticaliy expand substantially in one direction. Preferably, the one direction is circumferentially around a user's torso. Preferably, when the one or more apertures are in the second shape, they form a web-like structure.

[0013] Typically, the flotation device includes a pattern of apertures. Preferably, a number of the one or more apertures follow adjacent paths along the flotation device in the pattern, Even more preferably, the one or more apertures following a first path is staggered with respect to the one or more apertures following an adjacent path to the first path.

[0014] Normally, the apertures extend completely through the buoyant material. Alternatively, the apertures extend partially through the buoyant material. Preferably, the apertures are in the form of slits.

[0015] Preferably, the buoyant material is in the form of a vest. Typically, the vest includes a front portion and a back portion. Preferably, the front portion and the back portion are fixed together. Alternatively, or additionally, the front and back portion are releasably connected together. For example, the front portion and the back portion may be connected together by a zip and/or a buckle. In a further embodiment, the front portion and/or the back portion may include a releasable connection whilst the front and back portions are fixed together.

[0016] Preferably, the one or more apertures are located in an area that extends from at or near the connection between the front and back portions towards the lower middle portions of the front and back portions, respectively. For example, the one or more paths in the pattern of apertures extend from at or near arm openings in the vest towards a bottom edge of the front and back portions, respectively.

[0017] Preferably, the buoyant material is a closed cell foam. Typically, but obviously not limited to, the buoyant material is Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) Nitrile. Alternatively, or additionally, the buoyant material is ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) or any other suitable buoyant material (i.e. polyethylene-PE or PVC (GAIA)).

[0018] Preferably, the flotation device includes a cover. Normally, the cover substantially covers the buoyant material. Preferably, the cover is attached to the buoyant material Even more preferably, the attachment of the cover to the buoyant material allows features to be formed in the buoyant material. For example, the attachment of the cover to the buoyant material preferably forms a plurality of ridges along the front portion of the flotation device. Preferably, the cover is made from a synthetic material. Preferably, the cover is made from knitted polyester/spandex, ny!on/spandex (Lycra®), neoprene or any other suitable stretching material.

[0019] In another form the invention resides in a buoyant material, the buoyant material including: apertures extending through the buoyant material to enable the buoyant material to be elasticaily expanded in at least one direction.

[0020] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] By way of example only, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein:

[0022] Figure 1 is a front view of a flotation device according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a rear view of the flotation device illustrated in Figure

1 ;

Figure 3 is a side view of the flotation device illustrated in Figure

1 ;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the flotation device illustrated in

Figure 1 ;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the flotation device illustrated in Figure 1 on a user;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the flotation device illustrated in Figure 1 on a user, which tncludes a cover;

Figure 7 illustrated a perspective view of a flotation according to another embodiment of the invention;

Figure 8 illustrates a perspective view of a buoyant material according to another form of the invention; and

Figure 9 illustrates a perspective view of the buoyant material illustrated in Figure 8 in an elasticaily expanded state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Figures 1 to 4 illustrates a flotation device 10, according to an embodiment of the present invention. This flotation device 10 is in the form of a personal flotation device. The flotation device 10 includes one or more apertures in the form of apertures 20 in a buoyant material 30. in this embodiment, the buoyant material 30 is in the form of Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) Nitrile. The apertures 20 extend completely through the buoyant material 30. However, the apertures 20 may extend partially through the buoyant materia! 30 depending on the stiffness required in a particular area of the buoyant materia! 30.

[0024] The apertures 20 are in the form of slits. The s!its extend substantia!ly along the flotation device 10. The slits are either a straight line or two straight lines joined at an angle. It would be appreciated by a person skilled in the art however, that the slits may take a variety of designs including being curved, zigzagged and so forth. Similarly, the apertures 20 may take a variety of other shapes including a circle, slot, rectangle and so forth.

[0025] The buoyant material 30 is in the form of a vest. The vest includes a front portion 40 and a rear portion 50. The front portion 40 is fixed to the rear portion 50. However, as will be discussed below, the front portion 40 and the back portion 50 may be releasably connected to each other.

[0026] The vest in this embodiment also includes a neck opening 60 and two arm openings 62, The si2e of the neck opening 60 and/or the arm openings 62 may be varied. For example, the neck opening 60 may be larger where a user is required to tilt their head back to larger degree in a particular sport, or to avoid catching or impeding a safety helmet or other safety equipment. [0027] The front portion 40 and back portion 50 include a pattern of apertures 20. in this embodiment, a number of apertures 20 extend along a series of individual paths in the pattern. In the front portion 40, the paths extend from the tower portion of the arm openings 62 towards a bottom edge of the front portion 40. Accordingly, when worn by a user 2 (see figure 5), the pattern along the front portion 40 substantially covers the lower left and right regions of the user's 2 torso. The pattern does not extend substantially over the umbilical region of the user 2 in this embodiment. However, it would be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that apertures 20 may be located in a number of locations to allow the flotation device 10 to conform to a user's 2 body shape. For example, if the user 2 had a iarge umbilical region, the apertures 20 may extend completely across the front portion 40. In this embodiment however, the umbilical region is not sfit to reduce stretch and prevent the user 2 possibly catching the end of an oar in this region during surf boat racing, which can result in the user 2 being lifted out of the boat by the oar when it digs into the water.

[0028] Similar to the front portion 40, the paths along the back portion 50 extend from the lower portion of the arm openings 62 towards a bottom edge of the back portion 50. Additionally, the pattern also extends across the lower middle region of the back portion 50.

[0029] In both the pattern that extends along the front portion 40 and the back portion 50, the apertures 20 along one path are staggered with respect to the apertures 20' along an adjacent path. This staggered pattern is similar to the pattern found in brickwork where a stretcher bond is used. More specifically, if a projection of one aperture 20 following a first path is taken across the flotation device 10, it will partly overlap one or more apertures 20' following an adjacent path to the first path. This general overlap feature is repeated across the pattern of apertures 20. Accordingly, when the buoyant material 30 is stretched, as discussed below, the pattern of apertures 20 form a web-like structure. [0030] Figure 5 illustrates the flotation device 10 in use on a user 2. The buoyant materia! 30 substantially covers the user's 2 torso. The apertures 20 have al!owed the buoyant material 30 to e!asttcally expanded around the user's 2 torso. As such, the apertures 20 have changed from a first shape to a second shape. That is, the apertures 20 have elongated in a direction around the user's 2 torso as the buoyant material 30 has been stretched. As the apertures 20 elongate_s complementary side walls of the aperture 20 move apart from an axial axis of the aperture 20, the axial axis being substantially perpendicular to the direction of expansion for each aperture 20. Accordingly, in their second shape, the apertures 20 are substantially oculiform or diamond shaped in this embodiment.

[0031] Furthermore, it would also be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that when the user 2 takes off the flotation device 10, the apertures 20 will close and the buoyant material 30 will substantially return to it's original shape shown in figures 1 to 4.

[0032] Figure 6 illustrates a further embodiment of the flotation device in the form of flotation device 10 including a cover 70. The cover 70 is connected to the buoyant material 30 via sewing parts of the cover 70 to the buoyant material 30. The cover 70 can form features in the buoyant material 30. in this embodiment, ridges 72 are formed from the attachment of the cover 70 to the buoyant material 30. The cover 70 also includes a lower elastic region 74.

[0033] Figure 7 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a flotation device 110. This alternative flotation device 110 includes similar features as flotation device 10, and as such, like numbering applies. However, the attachment between the front portion 140 and the rear portion 150 in this embodiment includes a releasable connection 180 in the form of a zip. It would be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that the front and rear portion 140,150 may also be releasably connected together via other means such as a buckle. Furthermore, it would also be appreciated that in a further embodiment that one or both of the front portion 40 and the rear portion 50 may be fixed to each other whilst either of the front and/or rear portions 40, 50 include a releasable connection 180. For example, a releasabfe connection 180 may extend along the middle of the front portion 40, whilst the front and back portions 40, 50 are fixed to each other. In a further form, the releasable connection 180 may also extend partly along the front and/or back portion 40, 50, which would make the flotation device 110 easier to put on and take off as a portion of the flotation device 110 (i.e. typically the bottom portion) can open up.

[0034] Figure 8 illustrates a further embodiment of the invention in the form of buoyant material 200. The buoyant material 200 includes a plurality of apertures 220. Similar to the flotation device 10, 110, a pattern of apertures 220 in the form of a staggered design extends across the buoyant material 200. Figure 9 illustrates that the buoyant material 200 in an expanded state. That is, the buoyant material 200 has been elastically expanded in one direction. This elastic expansion is possible due to the orientation of the apertures 220 in this embodiment.

[0035] As the buoyant material 30, 130 is adapted to substantially cover the torso of the user's body 2, the thickness of the buoyant material 30, 130 is reduced relative to other personal flotation devices in production. Typically, the buoyant material 30, 130 is around 15mm in thickness, although any suitable thickness may be applied. Accordingly, the flotation device 10, 110 has less material bulk, improving the performance of the user 2.

[0036] The apertures 20, 120 in this embodiment allow the buoyant material 30, 130 to elastically expand and firmly fit around the user's 2 torso. This has a number of advantages. For example, disassociation between parts of the flotation device 10, 110 is substantially prevented. This improves the comfort of the flotation device 10, 110 and prevents the flotation device 10, 110 possibly restricting the movement of the user 2. Furthermore, a substantially even distribution of buoyancy is formed around the user 2 when in use, providing further stability in the water. Moreover, the apertures 20, 120 also allow a user 2 to comfortably breathe in the flotation device 10, 1 10 as there is no substantial restriction on their chest.

[0037] Cover 70, 170 is adapted to assist in protecting the buoyant material 30 from environmental factors. For example, the cover 70, 170 adds further UV protection to the buoyant material 30, 130. The interaction between the inside of the flotation device 10, 110 and the users 2 skin is also more comfortable as the cover 70, 170 substantially covers their torso. This may be preferred compared to the interaction between a user's 2 torso and a zip and/or buckle. In addition, the cover 70, 170 improves the aesthetics of the flotation device 10, 110. The ridges 72 also allow the stretch of the cover 70 to be reduced in the umbilical region. As previously mentioned, stretch is reduced in this region of the flotation device 10, 110 to avoid a user 2 possibly catching this region during, for example, surf boat racing.

[0038] The use of the releasable connection 180 between allows the flotation device 110 to be put on and taken off easier by the user 2. However, unlike current products, the use of the apertures 20 allow the flotation device 10, 110 to fit firmly around the user's 2 body whilst not substantially restricting their chest. That said, it will be appreciated that some user's 2 may prefer a flotation device 10 where there is no releasable connection between the front and rear portions 40, 50. For example, a user 2 may be concerned that a releasable connection could fail during a race, and therefore, prefer the front and rear portions 40, 50 to be fixed together. Alternatively, or additionally, the releasable connection may inhibit the suppleness and comfort of the flotation device 10, which reduces the performance of a user 2.

[0039] In this specification, adjectives such as first and second, left and right, top and bottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one element or action from another element or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order. Where the context permits, reference to an integer or a component or step (or the like) is not to be interpreted as being limited to only one of that integer, component, or step, but rather could be one or more of that integer, component, or step etc.

[0040] The above description of various embodiments of the present invention is provided for purposes of description to one of ordinary skill in the related art. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to a single disclosed embodiment. As mentioned above, numerous alternatives and variations to the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art of the above teaching. Accordingly, while some alternative embodiments have been discussed specifically, other embodiments will be apparent or relatively easily developed by those of ordinary skill in the art. The invention is intended to embrace all alternatives, modifications, and variations of the present invention that have been discussed herein, and other embodiments that fall within the spirit and scope of the above described invention.

[0041] For example, in alternative embodiment, it would be appreciated that the apertures 20,120, 220 may be filled with a flexible material and/or a fluid whilst still allowing the buoyant material to be elastically expanded in at least one direction.

[0042] Finally, in this specification, the terms 'comprises', 'comprising', 'includes', Including', or similar terms are intended to mean a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a method, system or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include those elements solely, but may well include other elements not listed.

Claims

The claims defining the invention are as follows:

1. A flotation device including:

a buoyant material; and

one or more apertures located within the buoyant material, wherein the one or more apertures are orientated to enable the buoyant material to be elastically expanded in at least one direction.

2. The floatation device according to claim 1 , wherein the one or more apertures change from a first shape to a second shape when the buoyant material is elastically expanded in the at least one direction, the second shape being further elongated in the at least one direction compared to the first shape.

3. The floatation device according to claims 1 or 2, wherein the one or more apertures form a pattern.

4. The floatation device according to claim 3, wherein the pattern includes a number of the one or more apertures following adjacent paths along the buoyant material.

5. The floatation device according to claim 4, wherein the one or more apertures following a first path is staggered with respect to the one or more apertures following an adjacent path.

6. The floatation device according to any preceding claim, wherein the one or more apertures extend completely through the buoyant material.

7. The floatation device according to any preceding ciaim, wherein the one or more apertures are in the form of slits.

8. The floatation device according to any preceding claim, wherein the buoyant material is in the form of a vest.

9. The floatation device according to claim 8, wherein the vest includes a front portion fixed to a back portion.

10. The f loatation device according to claim 8, wherein the vest includes a front portion releasably connected to a back portion.

11. The floatation device according to claim 10, wherein reieasable connection is in the form of a zip and/or a buckle.

12. The floatation device according to any one of claims 9 to 11 , wherein the one or more apertures are located in an area that extends from at or near the fixed or reieasable connection between the front and back portions towards a lower middle portion of the front and back portions, respectively.

13. The floatation device according to any one of claims 8 to 12, wherein the one or more apertures are located in an area that extends from at or near arm openings in the vest to a bottom edge thereof.

14. The floatation device according to any preceding claim, wherein the buoyant material is a closed ceil foam.

15. The floatation device according to any preceding ciaim, wherein the buoyant material is Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) Nitrite.

16. The floatation device according to any preceding claim, wherein the flotation device includes a cover.

17. The floatation device according to claim 16, wherein the cover substantially covers the buoyant material.

18. The floatation device according to claims 16 or 17, wherein the cover is attached to the buoyant material such that it allows ridges to be formed along the buoyant material.

19. The floatation device according to any one of claims 16 to 18, wherein the cover is made of a synthetic material.

20. A buoyant material including apertures extending through the buoyant material to enable the buoyant material to be elastically expanded in at least one direction.