WO2016126960A1

WO2016126960A1 - Inflatable swimwear

Info

Publication number: WO2016126960A1
Application number: PCT/US2016/016595
Authority: WO
Inventors: Yaw Yuan Hsu; Kun Chao Hsu
Original assignee: Intex Recreation Corp.
Priority date: 2015-02-04
Filing date: 2016-02-04
Publication date: 2016-08-11

Abstract

An inflatable swimwear product is disclosed including a main body, a left armlet coupled to the main body, and a right armlet coupled to the main body. The inflatable swimwear product may buoyantly support a user's upper body in water and permit the user's lower body to sink in water, thereby allowing the user to safely practice swimming.

Description

INFLATABLE SWIMWEAR CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Design Patent Application No.

29/534,371, filed July 28, 2015, and also claims priority to Chinese Application Serial No. 201530033551.3, filed February 4, 2015, and Chinese Application Serial No. 201520143300.5, filed March 13, 2015, the disclosures of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0002] The present disclosure relates to an inflatable swimwear product and to a method for using the same.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE [0003] Buoyant devices, such as life vests, rafts, inner tubes, and other floats, are used to support a user in water. However, for a practicing swimmer, such devices may provide too much buoyancy and prevent the user from sinking into the water.

SUMMARY

[0004] The present disclosure provides an inflatable swimwear product including a main body, a left armlet coupled to the main body, and a right armlet coupled to the main body. The inflatable swimwear product may buoyantly support a user's upper body in water and permit the user's lower body to sink in water, thereby allowing the user to safely practice swimming.

[0005] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, an inflatable swimwear product is disclosed that is configured to buoyantly support a user in water, the inflatable swimwear product including: a main body forming a first inflatable air chamber with a first inflation valve, the main body including a collar portion configured to support the user's head; a left armlet coupled to a left side of the main body, the left armlet forming a second inflatable air chamber with a second inflation valve; and a right armlet coupled to a right side of the main body, the right armlet forming a third inflatable air chamber with a third inflation valve.

[0006] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, an inflatable swimwear product is disclosed that is configured to buoyantly support a user in water, the inflatable swimwear product including: an inflatable main body including a collar portion that defines a collar opening, the collar opening being adjustable between a relatively large size to receive the user's head and a relatively small size to wrap around the user's neck; an inflatable left armlet coupled to a left side of the main body; and an inflatable right armlet coupled to a right side of the main body.

[0007] According to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, an infl atable swimwear product is disclosed that is configured to buoyantly support a user in water, the inflatable swimwear product including: an inflatable main body including a collar portion configured to support the user's head and a chest portion configured to support the user's chest, wherein the collar portion is in fluid communication with the chest portion; an inflatable left armlet coupled to a left side of the main body; and an inflatable right armlet coupled to a right side of the main body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this disclosure, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention itself will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0009] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an inflatable swimwear product of the present disclosure; [0010] FIG. 2 is an assembled perspective view of the inflatable swimwear product of

FIG. 1; [0011] FIG . 3 is a cross-sectional view of the inflatable swimwear product taken along line A-A of FIG. 2; and

[0012] FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the inflatable swimwear product of FIG. 2; [0013] FIG. 5 is a rear elevational view of the inflatable swimwear product of FIG. 2; [0014] FIG. 6 is a left side elevational view of the inflatable swimwear product of FIG. 2;

[0015] FIG. 7 is a right side elevational view of the inflatable swimwear product of FIG. 2;

[0016] FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the inflatable swimwear product of FIG. 2;

[0017] FIG. 9 is a bottom plan view of the inflatable swimwear product of FIG. 2; and [0018] FIG. 10 is a front elevational view of the inflatable swimwear product being worn by a user.

[0019] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplifications set out herein illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] Referring initially to FIGS. 1 and 2, an inflatable swimwear product is disclosed including a main body 1 , a left armlet 2 coupled to the main body 1 , and a right armlet 3 coupled to the main body 1. The inflatable swimwear product may buoyantly support a user's upper body in water and permit the user's lower body to sink in water, thereby allowing the user (e.g., a child) to safely practice swimming.

[0021] The main body 1 includes an inner sheet 11 and an outer sheet 12. The inner sheet 11 and the outer sheet 12 may be constructed of plastic, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), or another suitable material. The inner sheet 11 is coupled to the outer sheet 12 along a perimeter seam 15 to define a first inflatable air chamber 14 therebetween. The perimeter seam 15 may be formed by various coupling techniques, such as heat welding (i.e., melting), frequency welding, adhering, or sewing, for example. The first air chamber 14 includes a first inflation valve 141 that may be opened and closed to selectively inflate and deflate the first air chamber 14. [0022] The upper-middle part of the main body 1 includes a ring-shaped collar portion

13. The rest of the main body 1 (not including the collar portion 13) may be referred to herein as a chest portion 10. In an exemplary embodiment, the main body 1 includes a single air chamber 14 that extends across both the chest portion 10 and the collar portion 13, such that the chest portion 10 and the collar portion 13 are in fluid communication with each other. [0023] The collar portion 13 of the main body 1 defines an upper opening 131 that is sized to receive a user's neck. Beneath the upper opening 131 , the main body 1 also defines a lower opening 132. The upper opening 131 becomes progressively narrower from top to bottom, and the lower opening 132 becomes progressively wider from top to bottom. Between the upper opening 131 and the lower opening 132, the collar portion 13 of the main body 1 includes left and right extensions 133 that project inwardly and cooperate to narrow the upper opening 131 and the lower opening 132.

[0024] The spacing between the extensions 133 of the main body 1 is adjustable. When the swimwear product is not being worn by the user, as shown in FIG. 2, the extensions 133 may be biased together to create little or no space therebetween. In this arrangement, the upper opening 131 may be relatively small in size and partially or entirely separated from the lower opening 132. When the swimwear product is being placed over the user's head, the extensions 133 may be forced apart to create more space therebetween. In this arrangement, the upper opening 131 may communicate with the lower opening 132, thereby effectively enlarging the upper opening 131 to receive the user's head. When the swdmwear product moves past the user's head and onto the user's neck, as shown in FIG. 10, the extensions 133 may return together as much as possible to wrap snugly around the user's neck.

[0025] To improve user comfort, an inner fabric or cloth sheet 16 may be coupled to the main body 1, specifically the inner sheet 11 of the main body 1. The fabric sheet 16 may be constructed of cotton or another suitable material, which may be more comfortable against the user's skin than the plastic inner sheet 11. In an exemplary embodiment, the fabric sheet 16 is sewn to the perimeter seam 15 of the main body 1. In another exemplary embodiment, the fabric sheet 16 is adhered to the inner sheet 1 1 of the main body 1. Also, as shown in FIG. 3, a fabric or cloth border 17 may be wrapped around the unfinished edges of the inner sheet 11, the outer sheet 12, and/or the fabric sheet 16 to provide smooth, finished edges on the main body 1. Like the fabric sheet 16, the fabric border 17 may be coupled to the main body 1 by sewing, adhering, or another suitable coupling technique.

[0026] The main body 1 also includes a fastening mechanism 18. The illustrative fastening mechanism 18 includes a male buckle portion 181 (i.e., pins) coupled to a first strap 182 and a female buckle portion 183 (i.e., box) coupled to a second strap 184. Other suitable fastening mechanisms include hook and loop fasteners (e.g., Velcro), buttons, snaps, and latches, for example. In an exemplary embodiment, the straps 182, 184, are sewn to opposing sides of the main body 1 along the perimeter seam 15. In another embodiment, the straps 182, 184, are inserted through holes in the main body 1, as shown in FIG. 5. The fastening mechanism 18 may be located behind the user's back.

[0027] The left armlet 2 includes an inner sheet 21 and an outer sheet 22, which may be constructed of plastic, such as PVC, or another suitable material. The left armlet 2 may define a triangular-shaped opening sized to receive the user's arm, as shown in FIG. 6. The inner sheet 21 is coupled to the outer sheet 22 along a perimeter seam 24 to define a second inflatable air chamber 23 therebetween. The perimeter seam 24 may be formed by various coupling techniques, such as heat welding (i.e., melting), frequency welding, adhering, or sewing, for example. The second air chamber 23 includes a second inflation valve 231 that may be opened and closed to selectively inflate and deflate the second air chamber 23. [0028] Similar to the left armlet 2, the right armlet 3 includes an inner sheet 31 and an outer sheet 32, which may be constructed of plastic, such as PVC, or another suitable material. The right armlet 3 may define a triangular-shaped opening sized to receive the user's arm, as shown in FIG. 7. The inner sheet 31 is coupled to the outer sheet 32 along a perimeter seam 34 to define a third inflatable air chamber 33 therebetween. The perimeter seam 34 may be formed by various coupling techniques, such as heat welding (i.e., melting), frequency welding, adhering, or sewing, for example. The third air chamber 33 includes a third inflation valve 331 that may be opened and closed to selectively inflate and deflate the third air chamber 33.

[0029] To improve user comfort, inner fabric or cloth sheets 25, 35 may be coupled to the respective armlets 2, 3, specifically the inner sheets 21, 31, of the respective armlets 2, 3. The fabric sheets 25, 35, may be constructed of cotton or another suitable material, which may be more comfortable against the user's skin than the plastic inner sheets 21, 31. In an exemplary embodiment, the fabric sheets 25, 35, are sewn to the perimeter seams 24, 34, of the respective armlets 2, 3. In another exemplary embodiment, the fabric sheets 25, 35, are adhered to the inner sheets 21, 31, of the respective armlets 2, 3. Also, fabric or cloth borders 26, 36, may be wrapped around the unfinished edges of the inner sheets 21, 31, the outer sheets 22, 32, and/or the fabric sheets 25, 35, to provide smooth, finished edges on the respective armlets 2, 3. Like the fabric sheets 25, 35, the fabric borders 26, 36 may be coupled to the respective armlets 2, 3, by sewing, adhering, or another suitable coupling technique. [0030] Each armlet 2, 3 may be coupled to the main body 1 via a flexible intermediate fabric or cloth band 4. Each fabric band 4 may be constructed of cotton or another suitable material. In an exemplary embodiment, each fabric band 4 is sewn to the perimeter seam 15 of the main body 1 and the perimeter seam 24, 34, of the respective armlet 2, 3. The flexible nature of the fabric bands 4 allows the user to move the arml ets 2, 3, relative to the main body 1 while still ensuring that the armlets 2, 3, remain attached to the main body 1. The armlets 2, 3, may be positioned between the upper-most edge of the main body 1 and the lower-most edge of the main body 1. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 4, the armlets 2, 3, are generally centered between the upper-most edge of the main body 1 and the lower-most edge of the main body 1 with the upper-most edges of the armlets 2, 3, being generally aligned with the upper opening 131 in the main body 1, and the lower-most edges of the armlets 2, 3, being generally aligned with the lower opening 132 in the main body 1.

[0031] The illustrative swimwear product has three or more separate air chambers, specifically the first air chamber 14 of the main body 1, the second air chamber 23 of the left armlet 2, and the third air chamber 33 of the right armlet 3. The illustrative swimwear product may be inflated by performing the following steps, in any order:

1) The main body 1 is inflated by opening the first inflation valve 141 and filling the first air chamber 14 with air. 2) The left armlet 2 is inflated by opening the second inflation valve 231 and filling the second air chamber 23 with air.

3) The right armlet 3 is inflated by opening the third inflation valve 331 and filling the third air chamber 33 with air.

[0032] In use, the inflated swimwear product is placed upon the user' s upper body, as shown in FIG. 10. The user passes his head through the collar portion 13 of the main body 1 and his arms through the armlets 2, 3, until the chest portion 10 of the main body 1 rests against his chest. The act of passing his head through the collar portion 13 may be performed by passing his head through the first opening 131 and, if necessary, the second opening 132 as the extensions 133 separate to effectively enlarge or combine the openings 131, 132. Additionally, the user's arms are surrounded by the armlets 2, 3. The inflated swimwear product may be maintained in this position by securing the fastening mechanism 18 behind the user's back.

[0033] Finally, the user may safely enter the water with the inflated swimwear product buoyantly supporting his upper body, including his upper torso, head, and arms. At the same time, the inflated swimwear product may allow the user's lower torso and legs to sink and also allow the user to have freedom of movement, thereby allowing the user to practice swimming.

[0034] The chest portion 10 of the main body 1 may buoyantly support the user's chest in the water. The height of the chest portion 10 (measured downwardly from the extensions 133 of the collar portion 13 in FIG. 4, for example) may be sufficiently tall to support the user's chest and sufficiently short to allow the user's lower torso and legs to sink. For example, the chest portion 10 may terminate at or near the base of the user's sternum before reaching the base of the user's rib cage or the user's navel. In embodiments designed for children, for example, the height of the chest portion 10 may be about 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 inches. These dimensions may be modified to accommodate other users, including adults. [0035] The collar portion 13 of the main body 1 may buoyantly support the user's head in the water. In the use configuration of FIG. 10, the user' s head may force the collar portion 13 downward and rearward to a bent position. By contrast, in the non-use configuration of FIG. 2, the collar portion 13 may be in an upright position. Also, except for the gap (if any) between the front extensions 133, the user's neck is substantially surrounded by the collar portion 13 of the main body 1 in the use configuration of FIG. 10. When the user is floating or swimming on his back, the rearward collar portion 13 that wraps rearwardly behind the user's neck may serve as a pillow by supporting the user's head safely above the water. Also, when the user is floating or swimming on his stomach, the forward collar portion 13 (including the front extensions 133) may serve as a chin rest by supporting the user's face safely above the water. The height of the collar portion 13 (measured upwardly from the extensions 133 in FIG. 4, for example) should be sufficiently large to wrap around the user's neck and behind the user's head. In certain embodiments, the height of the collar portion 13 is the same as the height of the chest portion 10, or up to about 25, 50, or 75 percent greater than the height of the chest portion 10, for example. [0036] The armlets 2, 3, may surround and buoyantly support the user' s upper arms in the water. However, as discussed above, the user may still be free to move his arms relative to the main body 1. In certain embodiments, the height of the armlets 2, 3, may be the same as or similar to the height of the chest portion 10 of the m ain body 1 , for example. In other embodiments, the height of the armlets 2, 3, may be about 50 percent less than the height of the entire main body 1, for example.

[0037] After use, the inflated swimwear product is removed from the user' s upper body.

The swimwear product may also be deflated for convenient storage and transport.

[0038] While this invention has been described as having exemplar}' designs, the present invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. An inflatable swimwear product configured to buoyantly support a user in water, the inflatable swimwear product comprising:

a main body forming a first inflatable air chamber with a first inflation valve, the main body including a collar portion configured to support the user's head;

a left armlet coupled to a left side of the main body, the left armlet forming a second inflatable air chamber with a second inflation valve; and

a right armlet coupled to a right side of the main body, the right armlet forming a third inflatable air chamber with a third inflation valve.

2. The inflatable swimwear product of claim 1, wherein the main body further comprises a chest portion configured to support the user's chest.

3. The inflatable swimwear product of claim 2, wherein the first inflatable air chamber spans the collar portion and the chest portion of the main body such that the collar portion and the chest portion are in fluid communication with each other.

4. The inflatable swimwear product of claim 2, wherein a height of the chest portion is about 5 to 10 inches.

5. The inflatable swimwear product of claim 2, wherein a height of the chest portion is less than a height of the collar portion.

6. The inflatable swimwear product of claim 2, wherein a height of the chest portion is similar to a height of each armlet.

7. The inflatable swimwear product of claim 1, wherein the main body includes:

an upper opening defined within the collar portion and configured to receive the user's neck; and a lower opening positioned beneath the upper opening.

8. The inflatable swimwear product of claim 7, wherein the main body has:

a first configuration in which the main body separates the upper opening from the lower opening; and

a second configuration in which the upper opening communicates with the lower opening.

9. The inflatable swimwear product of claim 1, wherein each armlet is generally centered between an upper-most edge of the main body and a lower-most edge of the main body.

10. The inflatable swimwear product of claim 1, wherein the main body is about 2 times taller than each armlet.

11. The inflatable swimwear product of claim 1 , wherein each armlet is coupled to the main body via a flexible material.

12. The inflatable swimwear product of claim 1, wherein each armlet defines a triangular- shaped opening sized to receive the user's arm.

13. The inflatable swimwear product of claim 1, wherein the main body comprises:

an inner plastic sheet;

an outer plastic sheet; and

a fabric sheet coupled to the inner plastic sheet and configured to contact the user's skin; wherein the first inflatable air chamber is formed between the inner plastic sheet and the outer plastic sheet.

14. The inflatable swimwear product of claim 1, further comprising:

a first strap coupled to the left side of the main body;

a second strap coupled to the right side of the main body; and a fastening mechanism configured to selectively couple the first strap to the second strap at a location behind the user's back.

15. An inflatable swimwear product configured to buoyantly support a user in water, the inflatable swimwear product comprising:

an inflatable main body including a collar portion that defines a collar opening, the collar opening being adjustable between a relatively large size to receive the user's head and a relatively small size to wrap around the user's neck;

an inflatable left armlet coupled to a left side of the main body; and

an inflatable right armlet coupled to a right side of the main body.

16. The inflatable swimwear product of claim 15, wherein the main body, the left armlet, and the right armlet are separately inflatable.

17. The inflatable swimwear product of claim 15, wherein the main body further includes a left extension and a right extension, the left and right extensions being moved apart to provide the relatively large size of the collar opening and being moved together to provide the relatively small size of the collar opening.

18. The inflatable swimwear product of claim 15, wherein each armlet is movably coupled to the main body.

19. An inflatable swimwear product configured to buoyantly support a user in water, the inflatable swimwear product comprising:

an inflatable main body including a collar portion configured to support the user' s head and a chest portion configured to support the user's chest, wherein the collar portion is in fluid communication with the chest portion;

an inflatable left armlet coupled to a left side of the main body; and

an inflatable right armlet coupled to a right side of the main body. The inflatable swimwear product of claim 19, wherein:

the main body forms a first inflatable air chamber with a first inflation valve;

the left armlet forms a second inflatable air chamber with a second inflation valve; and the right armlet forms a third inflatable air chamber with a third inflation valve.