WO2017184195A1

WO2017184195A1 - Wearable flotation device

Info

Publication number: WO2017184195A1
Application number: PCT/US2016/055190
Authority: WO
Inventors: Doug Anderson; Jason Anderson
Original assignee: Doug Anderson; Jason Anderson
Priority date: 2016-04-21
Filing date: 2016-10-03
Publication date: 2017-10-26

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a life-saving flotation wearable for aquatic use which is attached around the waist of the wearer's body and is neither bulky nor uncomfortable. The invention is to provide a means for wearers to relax in the water and enjoy a beverage without the restrictions of a normal life vest. Further, the life-saving flotation wearable for aquatic use is formed of a body of the wearable, a means for securing the wearable to the wearer's body, a means for fastening the wearable to the wearer's body and a plurality of collapsible chambers on the body.

Description

WEARABLE FLOTATION DEVICE

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Non-Provisional Patent

Application No. 15/134,908 filed on April 21, 2016, which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

FIELD

[0002] The present invention relates to the field of safety devices that may be worn by men and women with or as articles of clothing, and more particularly to a flotation device that is designed to rest around the torso and under the arms of the user while remaining anchored at the waist. BACKGROUND

[0003] It is known to provide a life jacket, vest or similar garment with an inflatable bladder or balloon to provide the wearer with buoyancy when he falls into water. In most garments there are opposed flaps or similar which are held closed when the bladder is deflated but which separate on inflation of the bladder to provide an increase in volume of the garment to house the inflated bladder. The flap portions are held together by a zip system such as a burstable zip system. Zips cannot cope with flap portions that are not straight and burst zips cannot easily be reused. VELCRO can be used alone or with a zip, but only for a short length. It is one object of this invention to provide a garment having such an expandable portion and which will cope with irregularities in the wall of the garment and have other advantages.

[0004] Conventionally, life jackets are known in the prior art. More specifically, life jackets heretofore devised and utilized are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations; notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.

[0005] Further, most of the prior art do not provide the facility for its use in the water that provides flotation assistance to the user. A large proportion of personal flotation devices in use today are designed to be separate from a person's bathing suit. Some are made of bulky flotation materials, while others must be inflated by one's breath or by an external pump. Still others incorporate compressed air canisters. Many of these devices, while providing a large amount of flotation support, are bulky and too unwieldy to carry while performing basic tasks or engaging in water sports.

[0006] Few of the existing vests are illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. US8357020B2, U.S. Pat. No. US US6511357B1 and U.S. Pat. No. US8727825B2.

[0007] U.S. Pat. No. US8357020B2 to Hansbro Jason shows a life jacket includes a hood and a hydration pack. The hood may be neoprene protecting the head from the water. The hydration pack may be insulated. The hydration pack may include a flow tube with a filter providing clean water to the user. The life jacket may include waterproof insulated pockets protecting contents therein.

[0008] U.S. Pat. No. US US6511357B1 to Dan Williams, shows a life jacket comprises a back panel defining a first flotation pocket and adapted to lie adjacent a wearer's back and a front panel defining a second flotation pocket, the front panel being connected with the back panel and adapted to lie adjacent the wearer's front. A pocket member is hingedly attached to and supported from the front panel and is adapted to contain and retain emergency accessories. The pocket member includes a relatively stiff plate member having an inner surface facing toward the front panel when the pocket member is closed and an outer surface facing away from the front panel when the pocket member is closed. The pocket member includes a third flotation pocket that is defined by two layers of a flexible material. Flotation material is located in the first, second and third flotation pockets. At least one fastener for releasably retaining the pocket member in juxtaposition against the front panel, thereby defining at least one pocket between the at least one pocket member and the front panel is provided.

[0009] U.S. Pat. No. US8727825B2 to Oscar Gonzales shows a life jacket for aquatic use with a back part and plurality of front parts, which can be connected with each other by means of a fastener, wherein the life jacket is built of a plurality of layers, is intended to improve the survival potential of its carrier in an emergency situation specifically in cold waters. Therefore, it is proposed according to the invention that at or near at the interior side a layer is provided, which includes a latent-heat storage material, in which an exothermic reaction takes place upon activation by a provided activation unit. The layer containing the latent-heat storage material is subdivided into a plurality of chambers in the back part and in the front parts, which are connected directly with each other or are connected to one another via connecting channels. Further the life jacket has short arms, which cover the shoulders and extend into the upper arm area. Layer continues into the shoulder area and upper arm area.

[0010] While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not disclose a life-saving flotation wearable for aquatic use which is attached around the waist of the wearer's body and is neither bulky nor uncomfortable. The invention is to provide a means for wearers to relax in the water and enjoy a beverage without the restrictions of a normal life-vest.

SUMMARY

[0011] The primary objective of the invention is to provide a life-saving flotation wearable for aquatic use which is attached around the waist of the wearer's body and is neither bulky nor uncomfortable. The invention is to provide a means for wearers to relax in the water and enjoy a beverage without the restrictions of a normal life vest.

[0012] In one objective of the invention the life-saving flotation wearable for aquatic use is formed of a body of the wearable, a means for securing the wearable to the wearer's body, a means for fastening the wearable to the wearer's body and a plurality of collapsible chambers on the body.

[0013] In another obj ective of the invention the body of the life-saving flotation wearable for aquatic use comprises of an aperture defined on the upper part of the wearable adapted to receive a torso part of the wearer's body and a plurality of aperture defined on the two lower corner of the wearable to receive the pair of limbs of the wearer's body.

[0014] In another objective of the invention, the body of the life-saving flotation wearable for aquatic use provides the securing of the wearable to the wearer's body by a fastening strap and the fastening of the wearable to the wearer's body by the use of a zipper. Furthermore, the fastening strap provides a size adjustment means of the wearable.

[0015] In another objective of the invention, the life-saving flotation wearable for aquatic use has an extra spot to hold beverage providing the wearer with the convenience of not having to fetch beverages at short intervals.

[0016] Furthermore, in another objective of the invention the life-saving flotation wearable for aquatic use is a life jacket is a sleeveless buoyant wearable and is configured to allow an upright floating of a wearer.

[0017] In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

[0018] These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention. [0019] Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the detailed description which follows, and in part will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from that description or recognized by practicing the invention as described herein, including the detailed description which follows, the claims, as well as the appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

[0021] FIG. 1 shows the prospective front view of the life jacket in an embodiment of the present invention in the compact position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that the embodiments may be combined, or that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural and logical changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0023] Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference characters designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the figures, and in particular FIGS. 1 show an embodiment of the life-saving flotation wearable in accordance with the present invention.

[0024] FIG. 1 shows the prospective view of the life-saving flotation wearable in its secured and fastened position, including a body 01 of the wearable, an aperture 02 defined on the upper part of the wearable, a plurality of apertures 03, a fastening strap 04, a zipper 05 and collapsible chambers 06 on the body 01.

[0025] The present invention generally provides the life-saving flotation wearable for a means for wearers to relax in the water and enjoy a beverage without the restrictions of a normal life-vest including: a body 01 of the wearable, an aperture 02 defined on the upper part of the wearable adapted to receive a torso part of the wearer's body, a plurality of apertures 03 defined on the two lower corner of the wearable to receive the pair of limbs of the wearer's body, a fastening strap 04 for securing the wearable to the wearer's body, a zipper 05 for fastening the wearable to the wearer's body and collapsible chambers 06 on the body 01 to provide a holding arrangement for securely housing a portable beverage carrier. [0026] In one embodiment, the present invention provides a life jacket for aquatic use which is attached around the waist of the wearer's body and is neither bulky nor uncomfortable. The invention is to provide a means for wearers to relax in the water and enjoy a beverage without the restrictions of a normal life-vest. The lifesaving flotation wearable for aquatic use is formed of a body 01 of the wearable, a means for securing the wearable to the wearer's body, a means for fastening the wearable to the wearer's body and a plurality of collapsible chambers 06 on the body 01. Moreover, the body 01 of the life-saving flotation wearable for aquatic use comprises of an aperture 02 defined on the upper part of the wearable adapted to receive a torso part of the wearer's body and a plurality of aperture 03 defined on the two lower corner of the wearable to receive the pair of limbs of the wearer's body.

[0027] In one embodiment of the invention, the body of the life-saving flotation wearable for aquatic use provides the securing of the wearable to the wearer's body by a fastening strap 05 and the fastening of the wearable to the wearer's body by the use of a zipper 04. Furthermore, the fastening strap provides a size adjustment means of the wearable. The life-saving flotation wearable for aquatic use has an extra spot to hold beverage providing the wearer with the convenience of not having to fetch beverages at short intervals. Furthermore, the life-saving flotation wearable for aquatic use is a life jacket is a sleeveless buoyant wearable and is configured to allow an upright floating of a wearer. [0028] It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-discussed embodiments may be used in combination with each other. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description.

[0029] While the present invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it should be understood that the embodiments are illustrative and that the scope of the invention is not limited to these embodiments. Many variations, modifications, additions and improvements to the embodiments described above are possible. It is contemplated that these variations, modifications, additions and improvements fall within the scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A life-saving flotation wearable for aquatic use, wearable comprising: a body of the wearable; a means for securing the wearable to the wearer's body; a means for fastening the wearable to the wearer's body; and a plurality of collapsible chambers on the body.

2. A life-saving flotation wearable for aquatic use as set forth in claim 1, wherein the body of the wearable comprises of: an aperture defined on the upper part of the wearable adapted to receive a torso part of the wearer's body; and a plurality of aperture defined on the two lower corner of the wearable to receive the pair of limbs of the wearer's body.

3. A life-saving flotation wearable for aquatic use as set forth in claim 1, wherein the means for securing the wearable to the wearer's body is a fastening strap.

4. A life-saving flotation wearable for aquatic use as set forth in claim 3, wherein the fastening strap provides a size adjustment means of the wearable.

5. A life-saving flotation wearable for aquatic use as set forth in claim 1, wherein the means for fastening the wearable to the wearer's body a zipper.

6. A life-saving flotation wearable for aquatic use as set forth in claim 1, wherein the plurality of collapsible chambers on the body provides a holding arrangement.

7. A life-saving flotation wearable for aquatic use as set forth in claim 6, wherein the holding arrangement provides a space for securely housing a portable beverage carrier.

8. A life-saving flotation wearable for aquatic use as set forth in claim 1, wherein the wearable is buoyant.

9. A life-saving flotation wearable for aquatic use as set forth in claim 1, wherein the wearable is configured as a sleeveless wearable.

10. A life-saving flotation wearable for aquatic use as set forth in claim 1, wherein the wearable is configured to allow an upright floating of a wearer.

11. A life-saving flotation wearable for aquatic use as set forth in claim 1, wherein the wearable is a life jacket.