Patent ID: 6837764
Filing Date: 2005-01-04
Classification: B63C

Abstract:
1. A flotation collar comprising: an outer protective cover; an environmentally sealed cover; multiple inflatable flotation cells, wherein the multiple inflatable flotation cells include a first flotation cell and a second flotation cell, wherein the second floatation cell is mounted behind the first flotation cell and is substantially offset from the first flotation cell in a plan view such that a front wall of the second flotation cell extends laterally beyond a periphery of the first flotation cell, the front wall being only partially covered by the first flotation cell; and means for inflating the multiple flotation cells, wherein a wearer is maintained in a substantially face up position in a body of liquid when the multiple flotation cells are inflated, wherein the wearer continues to be maintained in a substantially face up position if one of the multiple flotation cells fails to inflate or becomes deflated, and wherein the first and second flotation cells are separated by a common wall, the common wall forms only a part of the front wall of the second flotation cell and only a part of a rear wall of the first flotation cell.