Patent ID: 6394866
Filing Date: 2002-05-28
Classification: B63C

Abstract:
A 1-step safety belt inflatable into a life vest comprising:a rectangular, oblong or oval-shaped cell flotation device inflatable into a life vest capable of deflation and folding in a compact manner about the waist of a wearer; a compressed gas cartridge coupled with said flotation device; a gas cartridge actuator located on the outside of the belt to help assure proper inflation of the life vest, said actuator having a pin movable to puncture said cartridge to fill said flotation device with compressed gas; means movable between said first and second positions, and connected to said pin for moving said pin to puncture said cartridge when moved to said second position; wherein a portion of said flotation device about the waist of a wearer is temporarily secured in folded, overlapping relationship so as to unfold and expand outwardly under action of the compressed gas which fills it when said means is moved to said second position to puncture said cartridge, thereby increasing the length of said flotation device into a life vest; wherein the sides of said life vest are held together by a neck strap at the top and two similar, overlapping straps at the bottom, said straps secured to each life vest side by box stitches; a belt of a jacket with an adjustable waist strap underlying said flotation device with long Velcro strips that allow the jacket to be easily closed around the folded life vest, and then easily opened to help assure proper inflation of the life vest when the inflator activator lanyard is pulled; said jacket also serving both as an anchor system and as a protective cover for the folded life vest packed inside, and closable to fit about the waist of a wearer, and wherein said belt is closable by clasps fitting the waist of the wearer; and a drawstrap of adjustable length coupled between a point substantially centered along the length of said strap and between opposite ends of said life vest to secure said life vest to said belt when said life vest is inflated.