Abstract:
A location indicating attachment assembly for a personal flotation lifejacket includes a brightly colored, broad, flat, pliant covering formed with attachment straps to secure the covering with respect to an exterior outer surface of a back of the personal flotation life jacket. A brightly colored, broad, elongate, pliant flag is secured to the covering and extends outwardly with respect to the covering and the exterior outer surface of the back of the personal flotation life jacket, and cooperates with the covering to improve the ability of onlookers to visually identify a user wearing the personal flotation lifejacket during aquatic recreational activity, such as boating, waterskiing, or the like, and who may be floating in a body of water.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to personal flotation lifejackets and, more particularly, to a personal location indicating attachment assembly used in conjunction with a personal flotation lifejacket to provide onlookers with improved visibility of a user wearing the personal flotation lifejacket. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Recreational and professional activities bring people in contact with water everyday. Safety on and near the water is an issue for the weekend sail boater as well as for military and rescue personnel. Flotation devices are an important part of water safety. Full-body, industrial survival suits and simple water ski belts are two extremes in the family of personal flotation devices available. 
         [0003]    Although they differ tremendously in the amount of protection, the goal of all safety apparel is survival. Life vests and life jackets are technically known as PFDs, short for personal flotation devices. They are designed to keep an individual afloat in the water in the event of an emergency and are considered life-saving equipment. The main function of a PFD is to keep a person on the water&#39;s surface in a relatively upright position to allow the person to breathe and not have to tread water to stay afloat. United States Coast Guard regulations require a boat to carry at least one Coast Guard approved PFD per person, including one for each person water skiing. 
         [0004]    There are five categories of Coast Guard-approved personal flotation devices. Each of the five categories provide different flotation and body positioning specifications. Types I and II PFDs are full- and half-length vests designed to turn an unconscious person from a face-down position to a vertical or slightly head-back position floating in the water. These vests are usually big and bulky. A type IH PFD, most commonly used in recreational activities, is also a buoyant vest or jacket. This type is designed to keep a conscious person afloat in a vertical or slightly head-back position. This type comes in many styles and is the most comfortable. A further difference in the I, II, and III types is that the specific degree of buoyancy required increases from type III to type I. Throwable devices such as a ring buoy or the buoyant cushion typically used by boaters as a cushion for sitting are considered Type IV. Type V PFDs are special-purpose devices for aircraft pilots who fly over water, rafters, and ferryboat pilots. 
         [0005]    A problem with PFDs, particularly type IH PFDs used in recreational activities, is that a user afloat in the water while wearing a PFD is not easily visually identifiable and are often hit by boats and other forms of personal water craft, and are difficult to visually locate by searchers, whether by air from airplanes or helicopters or from rescue boats on the water. Accordingly, what is needed is a personal location indicating attachment for a PFD that greatly improves the visibility of a user wearing the PFD both in and out of the water, and that does not impede the function and use of the PFD. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    According to the principle of the invention, a location indicating attachment assembly for a personal flotation lifejacket includes a brightly colored, broad, flat, pliant covering including opposed inner and outer faces, opposed upper and lower ends, and opposed first and second sides extending between the opposed upper and lower ends. The upper end of the covering has a first intermediate section and opposed first and second shoulder sections formed on either side of the first intermediate section proximate to the first and second sides, respectively, of the covering, and the lower end of the covering has a second intermediate section and opposed first and second hip sections formed on either side of the second intermediate section proximate to the first and second sides, respectively, of the covering. A strap is attached to each of the first and second shoulder sections and the first and second hip sections. Each of the straps has an inner end attached to the covering and an opposed outer end. An engagement assembly is formed between the covering and the outer end of each of the straps. The engagement assemblies are operable to configure the straps between open positions with respect to the covering and closed positions with respect to the covering forming engagement loops to secure a personal flotation lifejacket, including a back having an exterior outer surface, to hold and retain the covering to the back of the personal flotation lifejacket with the inner face of the covering facing the exterior outer surface of the back of the personal flotation lifejacket. A brightly colored, broad, elongate, pliant flag has a inner end secured to the covering at a substantially intermediate location with respect to the opposed upper and lower ends and the opposed first and second sides, and which extends outwardly from the outer face of the covering to an opposed outer end. The engagement assemblies are each a hook and loop fastener including an element thereof formed in the covering and a complementing element thereof formed in the outer end of the respective strap. The covering has a length extending from the upper end to the lower end, and the inner end of the flag is elongate and extends along substantially the entire length of the covering from the upper end to the lower end at an intermediate position with respect to the opposed first and second sides of the covering. In an alternate embodiment, the covering has a width extending from the first side to the second side, and the inner end of the flag is elongate and extends along substantially the entire width of the covering from the first side to the second side at an intermediate position with respect to the opposed upper and lower ends of the covering. In one embodiment, the inner end of the flag is secured to the covering with stitching. In an alternate embodiment, the inner end of the flag is secured to the covering with a fastener assembly formed between the covering and the inner end of the flag. In a preferred embodiment, the fastener assembly formed between the covering and the flag is a hook and loop fastener including an element thereof formed in the covering and a complementing element thereof formed in the inner end of the flag. 
         [0007]    According to the principle of the invention, a combination location indicating attachment assembly and personal flotation lifejacket includes a personal flotation lifejacket, which includes a top and an opposed bottom, opposed sides, and a back, having an exterior outer surface, extending between the top and the opposed bottom and between the opposed sides. A brightly colored, broad, flat, pliant covering includes opposed inner and outer faces, opposed upper and lower ends, and opposed first and second sides extending between the opposed upper and lower ends. The upper end of the covering has a first intermediate section and opposed first and second shoulder sections formed on either side of the first intermediate section proximate to the first and second sides, respectively, of the covering, and the lower end of the covering has a second intermediate section and opposed first and second hip sections formed on either side of the second intermediate section proximate to the first and second sides, respectively, of the covering. A strap is attached to each of the first and second shoulder sections and the first and second hip sections. Each of the straps has an inner end attached to the covering and an opposed outer end. An engagement assembly is formed between the covering and the outer end of each of the straps. The engagement assemblies are operable to configure the straps between open positions with respect to the covering and closed positions with respect to the covering forming engagement loops loopingly securing the personal flotation lifejacket at the top and the bottom of the personal flotation lifejacket holding and retaining the covering to the back of the personal flotation lifejacket with the inner face of the covering facing the exterior outer surface of the back of the personal flotation lifejacket and the covering extending between the top and bottom and the opposed sides of the personal flotation device. A brightly colored, broad, elongate, pliant flag has a inner end secured to the covering at a substantially intermediate location with respect to the opposed upper and lower ends and the opposed first and second sides, and which extends outwardly with respect to the outer face of the covering and the exterior outer surface of the back of the personal flotation lifejacket to an opposed outer end. In a preferred embodiment, the engagement assemblies are each a hook and loop fastener including an element thereof formed in the covering and a complementing element thereof formed in the outer end of the respective strap. In a particular embodiment, the covering has a length extending from the upper end to the lower end, and the inner end of the flag is elongate and extends along substantially the entire length of the covering from the upper end to the lower end at an intermediate position with respect to the opposed first and second sides of the covering. In an alternate embodiment, the covering has a width extending from the first side to the second side, and the inner end of the flag is elongate and extends along substantially the entire width of the covering from the first side to the second side at an intermediate position with respect to the opposed upper and lower ends of the covering. In a preferred embodiment, the inner end of the flag is secured to the covering with stitching. In an alternate embodiment, the inner end of the flag is secured to the covering with a fastener assembly formed between the covering and the inner end of the flag. The fastener assembly formed between the covering and the flag is a hook and loop fastener including an element thereof formed in the covering and a complementing element thereof formed in the inner end of the flag. In one embodiment the covering has a first width extending from the first side to the second side of the covering, the back having a second width extending between the sides of the personal flotation lifejacket, and the first width is substantially coextensive with respect to the second width. In another embodiment, the covering has a first length extending from the first side to the second side of the covering, the back has a second length extending between the top and bottom of the personal flotation lifejacket, and the first length is substantially coextensive with respect to the second length. 
         [0008]    According to the principle of the invention, a combination location indicating attachment assembly and personal flotation lifejacket includes a personal flotation lifejacket, which includes a top and an opposed bottom, opposed sides, a back, having an exterior outer surface, extending between the top and the opposed bottom and between the opposed sides, opposed shoulder straps formed at the top, and securement belts formed at the bottom. A brightly colored, broad, flat, pliant covering includes opposed inner and outer faces, opposed upper and lower ends, and opposed first and second sides extending between the opposed upper and lower ends. The upper end of the covering has a first intermediate section and opposed first and second shoulder sections formed on either side of the first intermediate section proximate to the first and second sides, respectively, of the covering, and the lower end of the covering has a second intermediate section and opposed first and second hip sections formed on either side of the second intermediate section proximate to the first and second sides, respectively, of the covering. A strap is attached to each of the first and second shoulder sections and the first and second hip sections. Each of the straps has an inner end attached to the covering and an opposed outer end. An engagement assembly is formed between the covering and the outer end of each of the straps. The engagement assemblies are operable to configure the straps between open positions with respect to the covering and closed positions with respect to the covering forming engagement loops loopingly securing the shoulder straps and the securement belts of the personal flotation lifejacket holding and retaining the covering to the back of the personal flotation lifejacket with the inner face of the covering facing the exterior outer surface of the back of the personal flotation lifejacket and the covering extending between the top and bottom and the opposed sides of the personal flotation device. A brightly colored, broad, elongate, pliant flag has a inner end secured to the covering at a substantially intermediate location with respect to the opposed upper and lower ends and the opposed first and second sides, and which extends outwardly with respect to the outer face of the covering and the exterior outer surface of the back of the personal flotation lifejacket to an opposed outer end. In a preferred embodiment, the engagement assemblies are each a hook and loop fastener including an element thereof formed in the covering and a complementing element thereof formed in the outer end of the respective strap. In a particular embodiment, the covering has a length extending from the upper end to the lower end, and the inner end of the flag is elongate and extends along substantially the entire length of the covering from the upper end to the lower end at an intermediate position with respect to the opposed first and second sides of the covering. In another embodiment, the covering has a width extending from the first side to the second side, and the inner end of the flag is elongate and extends along substantially the entire width of the covering from the first side to the second side at an intermediate position with respect to the opposed upper and lower ends of the covering. In one embodiment, the flag is secured to the covering with stitching. In another embodiment, the inner end of the flag is secured to the covering with a fastener assembly formed between the covering and the inner end of the flag. The fastener assembly formed between the covering and the flag is preferably a hook and loop fastener including an element thereof formed in the covering and a complementing element thereof formed in the inner end of the flag. The covering has a first width extending from the first side to the second side of the covering, the back has a second width extending between the sides of the personal flotation lifejacket, and the first width is substantially coextensive with respect to the second width. In an alternate embodiment, the covering has a first length extending from the first side to the second side of the covering, the back has a second length extending between the top and bottom of the personal flotation lifejacket, and the first length is substantially coextensive with respect to the second length. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    Referring to the drawings: 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  is front elevation of a personal location indicator assembly constructed and arranged in accordance with the principle of the invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a rear elevation view of the personal location indicator assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a front elevation view of the personal location indicator assembly of  FIG. 1  show as it would appear with straps formed in a covering of the personal location indicator assembly in closed positions forming engagement or attachment loops; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a front elevation view of the personal location indicator assembly of  FIG. 1  shown as it would appear attached to a personal flotation device forming a combination personal indicator and personal flotation device assembly; 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a user waterskiing and shown wearing the combination personal indicator and personal flotation device assembly of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is a side elevation view of a user afloat in water while wearing the combination personal indicator and personal flotation device assembly of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is a front elevation view of a personal location indicator assembly constructed and arranged in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the invention, the personal location indicator assembly including a covering, a flag and a fastener assembly formed between the flag and the covering, and the flag is shown detached with respect to the covering; 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  is a side elevation view of the personal location indicator assembly of  FIG. 1  shown with the fastener assembly securing the flag to the covering; 
           [0018]      FIG. 9  is a front elevation view of a personal location indicator assembly constructed and arranged in accordance with yet another alternate embodiment of the invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 10  is a side elevation view of a user afloat in water while wearing a combination personal indicator and personal flotation device assembly that includes the personal location indicator assembly of  FIG. 9 ; and 
           [0020]      FIG. 11  is a front elevation view of a personal location indicator assembly constructed and arranged in accordance with yet a further alternate embodiment of the invention, the personal location indicator assembly including a covering, a flag and a fastener assembly formed between the flag and the covering, and the flag is shown detached with respect to the covering. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0021]    Turning now to the drawings, in which like reference characters indicate corresponding elements throughout the several views, attention is first directed to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , in which there is seen a personal location indicator assembly  20  constructed and arranged in accordance with the principle of the invention including a broad, flat, pliant covering  21  including an inner face  22  (shown only in  FIG. 2 ), an opposed outer face  23  (shown only in  FIG. 1 ), opposed upper and lower ends  24  and  25 , and opposed sides  26  and  27  extending between upper end  24  and opposed lower end  25 . Upper end  24  of covering  21  has a an intermediate section  30  and opposed shoulders or shoulder sections  31  and  32  formed on either side of intermediate section  30  proximate to sides  26  and  27 , respectively, of covering  21 . Lower end  25  of covering  21  has, in turn, an intermediate section  40  and opposed hips or hip sections  41  and  42  formed on either side of intermediate portion  40  proximate to sides  26  and  27 , respectively, of covering  21 . 
         [0022]    Covering  21  is formed of a pliant, rugged and tear-resistant material, such as woven nylon or other like or similar pliant, strong, rugged and tear-resistant material or combination of materials. Covering  21  is made of a single piece of material, but in alternate embodiments may be made as an assembly of two or more pieces of material bonded together, such as by sewing, adhesive, heat bonding, or the like. Covering  21  is also brightly colored, and is preferably bright orange, but may, in alternate embodiments, be bright yellow, bright orange or other bright, easily seen color or combination of colors. 
         [0023]    Shoulder straps  34  and  35  are attached to shoulder sections  31  and  32 , respectively, of covering  21 , and hip straps  44  and  45  are attached to hip sections  41  and  42 , respectively, of covering  21 . Straps  34 ,  35 ,  44 , and  45  are formed of a pliant, rugged and tear resistant material, such as woven nylon or other like or similar pliant, strong, rugged and tear-resistant material or combination of materials. 
         [0024]    Strap  34  has an inner end  34 A secured or otherwise attached to shoulder section  31  as shown in  FIG. 2 , and extends outwardly therefrom to an opposed outer end  34 B illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . In this particular example, inner end  34 A of strap  34  is applied to inner face  22  of covering  21  at shoulder section  31 , and is secured to covering  21  with sewing indicated by stitching  50  in  FIG. 2 , although adhesive, heat bonding, or other fastening technique may be used to secure inner end  34 A of strap  34  in place to covering  21 . An engagement assembly is formed between covering  21  and outer end  34 B of strap  34 , which is operable to configure strap  34  between an open position with respect to shoulder section  31  of covering  21  as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  extending outwardly from shoulder section  31  of covering  21 , and a closed position with respect to shoulder section  31  of covering  21  as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4  forming an attachment or engagement loop denoted at  51  at shoulder section  31  of covering  21 . The engagement assembly formed between covering  21  and outer end  34 A of strap is, as shown in  FIG. 1 , a hook and loop fastener, such as the type founder under the trademark Velcro, including an element  54  thereof formed in covering  21  at shoulder section  31 , and a complementing element  55  thereof formed in outer end  34 B of strap  31 . In this example, element  54  is applied to outer face  23  of covering  21  at shoulder section  31 . To form loop  51  denoted in  FIG. 3 , outer end  54 B is looped about toward shoulder section  31  and complementing element  55  is applied to element  54  securing outer end  34 B of strap  34  to shoulder section  31  of covering  21  forming loop  51 . To open strap  34  from this closed position shown in  FIG. 3 , outer end  34 B need only be forcibly pulled away from shoulder section  31  to detach complementing element  55  formed in outer end  34 B of strap  34  from element  54  formed in shoulder section  31  of covering  21  thereby moving strap  34  back to the open position illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2  extending outwardly from covering  21 . As a matter of example, element  54  is the loop portion of the hook and loop fastener and element  55  is the corresponding hook portion of the hook and loop fastener, and this can be reversed if so desired. 
         [0025]    Strap  35  has an inner end  35 A secured or otherwise attached to shoulder section  32  as shown in  FIG. 2 , and extends outwardly therefrom to an opposed outer end  35 B illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . In this particular example, inner end  35 A of strap  35  is applied to inner face  22  of covering  21  at shoulder section  32 , and is secured to covering  21  with sewing indicated by stitching  60  in  FIG. 2 , although adhesive, heat bonding, or other fastening technique may be used to secure inner end  35 A of strap  35  in place to covering  21 . An engagement assembly is formed between covering  21  and outer end  35 B of strap  35 , which is operable to configure strap  35  between an open position with respect to shoulder section  32  of covering  21  as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  extending outwardly from shoulder section  32  of covering  21 , and a closed position with respect to shoulder section  32  of covering  21  as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4  forming an attachment or engagement loop denoted at  61  at shoulder section  32  of covering  21 . The engagement assembly formed between covering  21  and outer end  35 A of strap is, as shown in  FIG. 1 , a hook and loop fastener, such as the type founder under the trademark Velcro, including an element  64  thereof formed in covering  21  at shoulder section  32 , and a complementing element  65  thereof formed in outer end  35 B of strap  32 . In this example, element  64  is applied to outer face  23  of covering  21  at shoulder section  32 . To form loop  61  denoted in  FIG. 3 , outer end  64 B is looped about toward shoulder section  32  and complementing element  65  is applied to element  64  securing outer end  35 B of strap  35  to shoulder section  32  of covering  21  forming loop  61 . To open strap  35  from this closed position shown in  FIG. 3 , outer end  35 B need only be forcibly pulled away from shoulder section  32  to detach complementing element  65  formed in outer end  35 B of strap  35  from element  64  formed in shoulder section  32  of covering  21  thereby moving strap  35  back to the open position illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2  extending outwardly from covering  21 . As a matter of example, element  64  is the loop portion of the hook and loop fastener and element  65  is the corresponding hook portion of the hook and loop fastener, and this can be reversed if so desired. 
         [0026]    Strap  44  has an inner end  44 A secured or otherwise attached to hip section  41  as shown in  FIG. 2 , and extends outwardly therefrom to an opposed outer end  44 B illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . In this particular example, inner end  44 A of strap  44  is applied to inner face  22  of covering  21  at hip section  41 , and is secured to covering  21  with sewing indicated by stitching  70  in  FIG. 2 , although adhesive, heat bonding, or other fastening technique may be used to secure inner end  44 A of strap  44  in place to covering  21 . An engagement assembly is formed between covering  21  and outer end  44 B of strap  44 , which is operable to configure strap  44  between an open position with respect to hip section  41  of covering  21  as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  extending outwardly from hip section  41  of covering  21 , and a closed position with respect to hip section  41  of covering  21  as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4  forming an attachment or engagement loop denoted at  71  at hip section  41  of covering  21 . The engagement assembly formed between covering  21  and outer end  44 A of strap is, as shown in  FIG. 1 , a hook and loop fastener, such as the type founder under the trademark Velcro, including an element  74  thereof formed in covering  21  at hip section  41 , and a complementing element  75  thereof formed in outer end  44 B of strap  41 . In this example, element  74  is applied to outer face  23  of covering  21  at hip section  41 . To form loop  71  denoted in  FIG. 3 , outer end  74 B is looped about toward hip section  41  and complementing element  75  is applied to element  74  securing outer end  44 B of strap  44  to hip section  41  of covering  21  forming loop  71 . To open strap  44  from this closed position shown in  FIG. 3 , outer end  44 B need only be forcibly pulled away from hip section  41  to detach complementing element  75  formed in outer end  44 B of strap  44  from element  74  formed in hip section  41  of covering  21  thereby moving strap  44  back to the open position illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2  extending outwardly from covering  21 . As a matter of example, element  74  is the loop portion of the hook and loop fastener and element  75  is the corresponding hook portion of the hook and loop fastener, and this can be reversed if so desired. 
         [0027]    Strap  45  has an inner end  45 A secured or otherwise attached to hip section  42  as shown in  FIG. 2 , and extends outwardly therefrom to an opposed outer end  45 B illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . In this particular example, inner end  45 A of strap  45  is applied to inner face  22  of covering  21  at hip section  42 , and is secured to covering  21  with sewing indicated by stitching  80  in  FIG. 2 , although adhesive, heat bonding, or other fastening technique may be used to secure inner end  45 A of strap  45  in place to covering  21 . An engagement assembly is formed between covering  21  and outer end  45 B of strap  45 , which is operable to configure strap  45  between an open position with respect to hip section  42  of covering  21  as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  extending outwardly from hip section  42  of covering  21 , and a closed position with respect to hip section  42  of covering  21  as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4  forming an attachment or engagement loop denoted at  81  at hip section  42  of covering  21 . The engagement assembly formed between covering  21  and outer end  45 A of strap is, as shown in  FIG. 1 , a hook and loop fastener, such as the type founder under the trademark Velcro, including an element  84  thereof formed in covering  21  at hip section  42 , and a complementing element  85  thereof formed in outer end  45 B of strap  42 . In this example, element  84  is applied to outer face  23  of covering  21  at hip section  42 . To form loop  81  denoted in  FIG. 3 , outer end  84 B is looped about toward hip section  42  and complementing element  85  is applied to element  84  securing outer end  45 B of strap  45  to hip section  42  of covering  21  forming loop  81 . To open strap  45  from this closed position shown in  FIG. 3 , outer end  45 B need only be forcibly pulled away from hip section  42  to detach complementing element  85  formed in outer end  45 B of strap  45  from element  84  formed in hip section  42  of covering  21  thereby moving strap  45  back to the open position illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2  extending outwardly from covering  21 . As a matter of example, element  84  is the loop portion of the hook and loop fastener and element  85  is the corresponding hook portion of the hook and loop fastener, and this can be reversed if so desired. 
         [0028]    Referencing  FIG. 1 , assembly  20  is formed with a broad, elongate, pliant flag  90 , which has a inner end  91  secured to covering  21  at a substantially intermediate location with respect to opposed upper and lower ends  24  and  25  and opposed sides  26  and  27 , and which extends outwardly from outer face  23  of covering  21  to an opposed outer end  92 . Flag  90  is formed of a pliant, rugged and tear-resistant material, such as nylon or other like or similar pliant, strong, rugged and tear-resistant material or combination of materials. Flag  90  is made of a single piece of material, and in alternate embodiments be made as an assembly of two or more pieces of material bonded together, such as by sewing, adhesive, heat bonding, or the like. Flag  90  is also brightly colored, and is preferably bright orange, but may, in alternate embodiments, be bright yellow, bright orange or other bright, easily seen color or combination of colors. In the present embodiment, flag  90  is vertically oriented and inner end  91  of flag  90  is elongate and is vertically oriented such that inner end  91  extends along substantially the entire length of covering  21  vertically from upper end  24  of covering  21  at intermediate section  30  to lower end  25  of covering  21  at intermediate section  40  and at intermediate position with respect to opposed sides  26  and  27  of covering  21  as clearly illustrated in  FIG. 1 . In this particular example, inner end  91  of flag  90  is applied to outer face  23  of covering  21  as shown in  FIG. 1 , and is secured to outer face  23  of covering  21  with sewing indicated by stitching  93 , although adhesive, heat bonding, or other fastening technique may be used to secure inner end  91  of flag  90  in place to covering  21 . Also, flag  90  may be integrally formed with covering  21  if so desired so as to form an extension of covering  21 . 
         [0029]    Assembly  20  is used in conjunction with a personal flotation device (PFD) illustrated in  FIG. 4 , which is provided in the form of a buoyant vest or lifejacket  100  of type IH PFD, which, as explained previously, is most commonly used in recreational activities and which is designed to keep a conscious person  101  wearing lifejacket  100  as shown in  FIG. 6  afloat in water in a vertical or slightly head-back position. As seen in  FIG. 4 , personal flotation lifejacket  100  has a top  110  and an opposed bottom  111 , opposed sides  112  and  113 , a back  114 , having an exterior outer surface  115 , extending between top  110  and opposed bottom  111  and between opposed sides  112  and  113 , opposed shoulder straps  116  and  117  formed at top  110 , and securement belts  118  formed at bottom  111  used to enwrap person  101  wearing lifejacket  100  in the well-known and customary manner to secure lifejacket  100  to person  101 . Lifejacket  100  and the use thereof are entirely conventional and notoriously well known and will not be described in further detail as such details will readily occur to the skilled artisan. Although lifejacket  100  as disclosed has two securement belts  118 , it can have less or more depending on specific needs, and this is common in the art. 
         [0030]    The application of assembly  20  in conjunction with lifejacket  100  is shown in  FIG. 4 , and the combination of assembly  20  and lifejacket  100  forms a personal location indicating lifejacket assembly, in accordance with the principle of the invention. To apply assembly  20  to lifejacket  100 , assembly  20  is taken up and inner face  22  of covering  21  is set across exterior outer surface  115  and is substantially centered across back  114  between top  110  and bottom  111  and between sides  112  and  113  of lifejacket  110 . Properly addressed on exterior outer surface  115  of back  114 , upper end  24  is located proximate to top  110  and shoulder sections  31  and  32  are located proximate to shoulder straps  116  and  117 , and covering  21  extends downwardly therefrom to lower end  25  directed toward securement belts  118  and bottom  111 , side  26  of covering  21  is located proximate to side  112  of lifejacket  100 , and side  27  of covering  21  is located proximate to side  113  of lifejacket  100 . So secure assembly  20  in place to lifejacket  100 , strap  34  is looped around shoulder strap  116  and is closed forming loop  51  loopingly securing shoulder strap  116 , strap  35  is looped around shoulder strap  117  and is closed forming loop  61  loopingly securing shoulder strap  117 , strap  44  is looped around securement belts  118  and is closed forming loop  71  loopingly securing securement belts  118 , and strap  45  is looped around securement belts  118  and is closed forming loop  81  loopingly securing securement belts  118 . Although loops  71  and  81  are formed around both securement belts  118 , loops  71  and  81  can each be formed around just one of securement belts  118  if desired. With assembly  20  so secured in place along exterior outer surface  115  of back  114 , flag  90  extends outwardly from outer face  23  of covering  21  and exterior outer surface  115  of back  114 , and the brightly colored characteristics of covering  21  and flag  90 , in addition to flag  90  projecting outwardly and away from back  114  of lifejacket  110 , greatly improves the overall visibility of lifejacket  100  and thus of person  101  wearing lifejacket  100  with assembly  20  attached thereto as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , in accordance with the principle of the invention. Flag  90  is a prominent feature of assembly  20 , which is dictated not only by its size with respect to covering  21 , but also its bright color as herein specifically disclosed, and when flag  90  waves behind a person wearing lifejacket  100  with assembly  20  attached is notoriously visible by onlookers. In fact, flag  90  has an overall length from inner end  91  to outer end  92  that is approximately double the length of covering from upper end  24  to lower end  25 . 
         [0031]    The attributes of assembly  90  provide useful benefits. First, when person  101  wearing lifejacket  100  with assembly  20  attached thereto as shown in  FIG. 5  is engaged in a recreational activity, such as waterskiing as shown, the brightly colored attributes of covering  21  and flag  90  improves the ability of onlookers to see person  101  and exercise the appropriate level of caution. Furthermore, during waterskiing and other forms of recreation wind will catch flag  90  and cause it to extend and wave outwardly behind person  101  thereby increasing the overall profile of person  101  further improving the ability of onlookers to see person  101  and exercise the appropriate level of caution. Flag  90  is broad and long and easily seen when waving behind person  101  as seen in  FIG. 5 . Preferably, the length of flag  90  from inner end  91  to outer end  92  is longer that each of the length and the width of covering  21 , which allows it to be easily seen when waving behind person  101 , such as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . Should person  101  wearing lifejacket  100  with assembly  20  attached thereto find himself afloat in a body of water as shown in  FIG. 6 , the brightly colored attributes of covering  21  and flag  90  and the provision of flag  90  extending outwardly into the water increasing the overall profile of person  101  greatly improves the ability of onlookers to see and locate person  100  afloat in the body of water, in accordance with the principle of the invention. Because flag  90  is vertically arranged with respect to covering  21  in assembly  20 , flag  90  extends vertically outward into the water. Flag  90  is elongate and outer end  92  is tapered such that flag  90  has an elongate and general triangular shape. Flag  90  can take on other shapes and forms as may be desired. Although assembly  20  incorporates one flag, more can be used if desired. 
         [0032]    Covering  21  covers a majority of exterior outer surface  115  of back  114 . Covering  21  has a length that extends between upper and lower ends  34  and  35  along the midsection of covering  21  between sides  26  and  27  at intermediate sections  30  and  40 , and covering  21  has a width extending between sides  26  and  27  at an intermediate location with respect to upper and lower ends  24  and  25 . Back  114  of lifejacket  100  has a length that extends between top  110  and bottom  111  along the midsection of back  114  between sides  112  and  113 , and back  114  has a width extending between sides  112  and  113  at an intermediate location with respect to top  110  and bottom  111 . Preferably, as shown in  FIG. 4 , the width of covering  21  is substantially coextensive with respect to the width of back  114 , and the length of covering  21  is substantially coextensive with respect to the length of back  114  extending from top  110  of lifejacket  100  toward bottom  111  of lifejacket  100  proximate to securement belts  118 , and this provides coverage of the majority of exterior outer surface  115  of back  114  by covering  21  and, thus, provides a broad profile of covering  21  with respect to back  114  to provide improved visibility by onlookers. 
         [0033]    As previously discussed, inner end  90  of flag  90  is secured to covering  21  with stitching  93  shown in  FIG. 1 . In another embodiment, a fastener assembly may be used to secure flag  90  in place to allow flag  90  to be removed for repair or cleaning and then reattached, and which also allows flag  90  to be removed and replaced with a new flag should the need arise. To disclose this aspect, attention is now directed to  FIG. 7  which illustrates an alternate embodiment of a personal location indicator assembly  130 . In common with assembly  20 , assembly  130  shares covering  21 , straps  34 ,  35 ,  44 , and  45 , the engagement assemblies formed between straps  34 ,  35 ,  44 , and  45 , and covering  21 , and flag  90 , including inner and outer ends  91  and  92 . In this example, a fastener assembly is formed between covering an inner end  91  of flag  90 , which is operable to detachably secure inner end  91  of flag  90  to covering  21 , and this is the only structural difference between assembly  130  and assembly  20 , in which case the foregoing discussion of assembly  20  applies to assembly  130  in every respect. In assembly  130 , the fastener assembly formed between covering  21  and inner end  91  of flag is a hook and loop fastener, such as the type founder under the trademark Velcro, including an element  131  thereof formed in outer face  23  of covering  21 , a complementing element  132  thereof formed in inner end  91  of flag.  FIG. 8  is a side elevation view of assembly  130  illustrating element  131  formed in covering  21  engaged to complementing element  132  formed in inner end  91  of flag  90  detachably securing inner end  91  of flag  90  to covering  21 . In this example, element  131  is the loop portion of the hook and loop fastener, and complementing element  132  is the corresponding hook section of the hook and loop fastener, and this can be reversed if so desired. Complementing element  132  formed in inner end  91  of flag is elongate and extends along substantially the entire length of inner end  91  of flag  90 , and element  131  formed in covering  21  is substantially coextensive with respect to complementing element  132 . 
         [0034]    In assembly  20 , inner end  91  of flag  90  and flag  90  are vertically arranged with respect to covering  21  such that inner end  91  of flag  90  is vertically oriented extending from upper end  24  of covering  21  to lower end  24  of covering  21 . In an alternate embodiment, flag  90  may be horizontally arranged with respect to covering  21 , and this is illustrated in  FIG. 9  showing another alternate embodiment of a personal location indicator assembly  140 . In common with assembly  20 , assembly  140  shares covering  21 , straps  34 ,  35 ,  44 , and  45 , the engagement assemblies formed between straps  34 ,  35 ,  44 , and  45 , and covering  21 , and flag  90 , including inner end  91  secured or otherwise affixed to covering  21 , such as with stitching  93 , and outer end  92 . In assembly  140 , inner end  91  of flag  90  is secured horizontally and is, in addition to flag  90 , horizontal with respect to covering  21 . In this respect, inner end  91  of flag  90  extends along substantially the entire width of covering  21  from side  26  of covering  21  to side  27  of covering at an intermediate position with respect to opposed upper and lower ends  24  and  25  of covering. The horizontal attachment of inner end  91  of flag  90  to covering  21 , and the associated horizontal orientation of flag  90  with respect to covering  21 , are the the only structural difference between assembly  20  and assembly  140 , in which case the foregoing discussion of assembly  20  applies to assembly  140  in every respect. Should person  101  wearing lifejacket  100  with assembly  140  attached thereto find himself afloat in a body of water as shown in  FIG. 10 , the brightly colored attributes of covering  21  and flag  90  and the provision of flag  90  extending outwardly into the water increasing the overall profile of person  101  greatly improves the ability of onlookers to see and locate person  100  afloat in the body of water, in accordance with the principle of the invention. Because flag  90  is horizontally arranged with respect to covering  21  in assembly  140 , flag  90  extends horizontally outward into the water. 
         [0035]      FIG. 11  illustrates yet a further alternate embodiment of a personal location indicator assembly  150  that, in common with assembly  130 , shares covering  21 , straps  34 ,  35 ,  44 , and  45 , the engagement assemblies formed between straps  34 ,  35 ,  44 , and  45 , and covering  21 , and flag  90 , including inner and outer ends  91  and  92 , and fastener assembly, including element  131  and complementing element  132 , formed between covering an inner end  91  of flag  90 . In assembly  150 , flag  90  horizontally arranged with respect to covering  21  as in assembly  140 . As such, element  131  is formed in outer face  23  of covering  21  and extends horizontally across the width of covering  21  from proximate to side  26  of covering  21  to proximate to side  27  of covering, and complementing element  132  is formed in inner end  91  of flag  90  engages element  131  to secure inner end  91  of flag  90  and flag  90  in a horizontal orientation with respect to covering  21  as discussed in connection with assembly  140 . The operation of the fastener assembly between inner end  91  of flag  90  and covering  21  in assembly  150  is exactly as explained in connection with assembly  130 . 
         [0036]    The present invention is described above with reference to preferred embodiments. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that changes and modifications may be made in the described embodiments without departing from the nature and scope of the present invention. Various changes and modifications to the embodiments herein chosen for purposes of illustration will readily occur to those skilled in the art. To the extent that such modifications and variations do not depart from the spirit of the invention, they are intended to be included within the scope thereof.