Abstract:
The present invention relates to a flotation device which can be brought into use during an emergency to assist somebody to stay afloat in water. A flotation device can be carried by a person undertaking water sports. It includes a carrier carrying a float, and the float itself. The carrier is in the form or a pouch or holder which can be attached to the arm or leg of the swimmer. The float is normally in a deflated, non-buoyant state held by the carrier. When the swimmer wishes to bring the float into use, he pulls it out of the carrier and inflates it.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates to a flotation device and in particular to a device that can be readily inflated by a user in an emergency.  
         BACKGROUND ART  
         [0002]    Flotation devices are often used to improve the buoyancy of persons that engage in activities that might result in that person inadvertently entering the water. For example, buoyancy vests are often worn by sailors while sailing so as to ensure that they have sufficient buoyancy should they inadvertently find themselves in the water. Devices such as life rings are also a common sight on larger vessels and are adapted to be thrown to persons in the water to provide that person with sufficient buoyancy.  
           [0003]    Despite the availability of buoyancy vests, drowning rates for persons engaged in water activities are still unacceptably high. Most instances of drowning occur when the person was not wearing a buoyancy vest. This is unsurprising as for many water activities, the wearing of any buoyancy device is too great an inconvenience to the wearer. For example, for a person wishing to bodysurf in a shorebreak, the wearing of a buoyancy vest is unacceptable.  
           [0004]    Other buoyancy aids are available. These include aids to assist a person who is not a competent swimmer or who is learning to swim. Such aids include inflatable arm bands. Again, such aids can be an impediment to the enjoyment of water activities and are generally spurned by competent swimmers.  
         DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION  
         [0005]    In accordance with a first aspect, the present invention provides a flotation device, comprising a flotation means and a carrier member for the flotation means, the carrier member being attachable to the body of the wearer and being arranged to retain the flotation means in a non-buoyant state, the flotation means being transferable to a buoyant state when required.  
           [0006]    Preferably, the carrier member and flotation means are separate bodies. In the preferred embodiment the carrier member is a pouch or holder and the flotation means is an inflatable body.  
           [0007]    Preferably, the pouch is made out of soft, flexible material and includes walls forming a receptacle for receiving the flotation means in its non-buoyant state. The pouch includes a flap having a fastening means enabling it to close and open the pouch. The fact that the pouch is soft and flexible renders it easy and comfortable for a user to wear.  
           [0008]    The present invention preferably provides a device that can be worn by users engaged in water sports where the wearing of a normal buoyancy vest is not possible or undesirable, and which can be brought into use only when required by its wearer. In particular, the device is preferably intended for use by a person involved in water sports where the water sport requires that the person gets in to the water in the normal course of the sport eg. swimming, surfing.  
           [0009]    Preferably, the flotation device is relatively unobtrusive when the flotation means is in the non-buoyant state. The flotation device is preferably small enough to be attached to and carried by a single limb of the user. The user can therefore preferably swim, at least when the flotation means is in the non-buoyant state, with relatively little obstruction.  
           [0010]    The carrier member preferably includes attachment means arranged to attach the flotation device to an arm (upper arm, wrist or forearm) or leg of the user. The attachment means may attach to a swimming costume of the user e.g. swimming trunks. Alternatively, the attachment means may be arranged to attach the device to the waist of the user.  
           [0011]    Preferably, a connecting means is provided to connect the carrier member to the flotation means, preferably even when the flotation means is in the buoyant state and is in use.  
           [0012]    Preferably, the flotation means is arranged so that it can be reusable. In a preferred embodiment, the users themselves can inflate the flotation means (e.g. by filling it with air by blowing via a valve) and can deflate the flotation means (via the valve) and return it to the carrier member.  
           [0013]    In one embodiment, the flotation means comprises a resiliently flexible chamber fillable with a fluid of lower density than water. In a preferred embodiment, the chamber is air-tight and can be filled with air to so bring it to its buoyant state when required. The chamber can be formed from a polymeric or elastomeric material. The chamber is preferably expandable to a size such that it provides sufficient buoyancy to support an average size adult on the surface of the water. It will be appreciated that different chamber sizes could be utilised in the device depending on the size of the person to be supported by the device. For example, if the device is adapted to be used by a child, the chamber could be smaller than that used in a device adapted to be used by an adult. The air can be provided by a user providing a supply of air at an appropriate pressure to a valve mounted in a wall of the chamber. The user might provide the supply of air by blowing through the valve into the chamber. The valve can be one-way valve that in normal use prevents escape of air from within the chamber.  
           [0014]    In another embodiment, the device can include a chamber filling means. The chamber filling means can comprise a gas supply means mounted with respect to the chamber. The gas supply means can include a tank of compressed gas having a regulator. On activation of the gas supply means, an appropriate amount of gas can be bled from the tank by the regulator into the chamber. Activation can be controlled by an activation means mounted within or outside the chamber.  
           [0015]    The chamber, when not in use, is stored in the device in a collapsed state. The chamber in one embodiment can have a plurality of folds to allow the chamber to be collapsed and so occupy a minimum possible volume. In one embodiment, the chamber can have a plurality of parallel folds so allowing the chamber to concertina when changing from its collapsed state to its expanded buoyant state and vice versa.  
           [0016]    The carrier member can be mounted to the waist of a user. In another embodiment, the carrier member can be mountable to a limb of a user, such as a leg or arm. The attachment means can comprise two resiliently flexible flaps adapted to each at least partially surround the limb, with one flap having an engagement means able to engage with a complementary engagement means on the other flap. In one embodiment, the engagement means can comprise a tape having a plurality of small hooks while the complementary engagement means comprise a tape having a fibre pile that is engagable by the hooks.. An example of such an engagement means is commonly referred to as “velcro” and will be referred to by this name hereafter. The flaps may also include a buckle to provide firmer holding.  
           [0017]    When in a collapsed state and not in use, in one embodiment the flotation means is preferably held in place on the carrier member by a holding means. The holding means can comprise a flap that is movable about a hinge between an open and a closed position. In its closed position, the flap can at least partially surround the flotation means. Once the flap is brought to its open position, the flotation means can preferably be readily pulled away from the attachment member. The holding means preferably has a velcro layer that complements a velcro layer on the carrier member so ensuring that the flap is held firmly when in its closed position. Where the device incorporates the holding means and a gas supply means, the gas supply means can be activated simply by movement of the flap to its open position.  
           [0018]    In a preferred embodiment, the carrier member includes a pouch within which the flotation means can be retained in its non-buoyant state. Where the flotation means comprises a resiliently flexible chamber, it may be folded, in its non-buoyant state, and inserted into the pouch. Preferably the pouch includes drainage means to allow water entering the pouch to drain out. Preferably, a tag is provided which extends outwardly of the pouch which can be manipulated by a user to remove the flotation means from the pouch in the event of use being required. Preferably, the pouch has a flap which covers the pouch opening.  
           [0019]    Preferably, the tag is attached to the flotation means so that when the tag is pulled the flotation means is pulled out of the carrier member.  
           [0020]    Where there is a connecting means, the connecting means can comprise a cord formed of a suitable material, such as a fibre, a polymeric material, or an elastomeric material. The cord is preferably permanently mounted at one end to one end of the flotation means and at its other end to the carrier member. The cord is preferably of a sufficient length such that when the device is in use, the flotation means can float on the surface of the water, despite the attachment member being mounted to the arm or the leg of a user.  
           [0021]    The flotation means, when inflated, is preferably substantially cylindrical in shape and can be held between the chest and under arms of a user in order to assist buoyancy..  
           [0022]    Preferably, the flotation means is also provided with an alarm device, which enables the user to give an alarm. In a preferred embodiment, the alarm is a whistle.  
           [0023]    In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a flotation means being arranged to be retained in a non-buoyant state in a carrier member, the carrier member being attachable to the body of the wearer, and the flotation means being transferable to a buoyant state when required.  
           [0024]    Preferably, the carrier member may have any or all of the features of the carrier member referred to above in relation to the first aspect of the invention.  
           [0025]    Preferably, the flotation means may have any or all of the features of the flotation means referred to above in relation to the first aspect of the invention.  
           [0026]    In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a carrier member for a flotation means, the carrier member being attachable to the body of the wearer and being arranged to retain the flotation means in a non-buoyant state, wherein the flotation means is transferable to a buoyant state when required.  
           [0027]    The carrier member may have any or all of the features of the carrier member referred to above in relation to the first aspect of the present invention.  
           [0028]    The flotation means may have any or all of the features of the flotation means referred to above in relation to the first aspect of the invention. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0029]    Features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments thereof, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which;  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 1 shows a flotation device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention being brought into use by a wearer;  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 2 is a view of the device of FIG. 1 depicted in closed configuration;  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 3 is a view of the device of FIG. 1 depicted in open configuration;  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 4 depicts the device of FIG. 1 from the back, when being worn on the arm of a user;  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 5 illustrates a flotation device in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention being worn on the arm of a user;  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 6 shows the device of FIG. 5 being worn on the leg of a user;  
         [0036]    [0036]FIGS. 7, 8,  9  and  10  illustrate the flotation device of FIG. 5 in various stages as it is brought into use by a user;  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 11 is an illustration showing in more detail the arrangement of the tab in relation to the flotation device, and  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 12 is a front view of the device of FIG. 5 illustrating drainage holes in the carrier member.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0039]    One embodiment of a device according to the present invention is generally depicted as  10  in FIGS.  1  to  3 . In FIG. 1 the device is mounted to the arm  12  of a user  13 .  
         [0040]    The flotation device  10  incorporates a flotation chamber  14  connected by a length of resiliently flexible cord  15  to carrier member  16 . The chamber  14  is formed from an air-tight material and can be filled with air to so bring it from its collapsed state to its buoyant state when required. In the depicted embodiment, the chamber  14  has a one-way valve  17  that allows the user  13  to blow air into the chamber  14  and so bring it to its buoyant state but prevents air escaping from the chamber  14 .  
         [0041]    While not depicted, it will be appreciated that in another embodiment, the device could include a chamber filling device that fills the chamber with gas when desired. In this embodiment, the chamber filling device could include a gas supply means having a tank of compressed gas (e.g. compressed air) and a regulator. On activation of the gas supply means, an appropriate amount of gas would be bled from the tank by the regulator into the chamber  14 . Activation of the filling device might comprise a switch mounted on the device or may occur automatically on withdrawal of the chamber  14  from its storage in the attachment member  16 .  
         [0042]    The chamber  14 , when not in use, is stored in the device in a collapsed state as is depicted in FIGS. 2 and 3. The chamber  14  in the depicted embodiment has a plurality of parallel folds  18  that allow the chamber  14  to be collapsed in a concertina fashion and so occupy a minimum possible volume when not in use (see FIG. 3).  
         [0043]    While the carrier member  16  is shown mounted to an arm  12  in the drawings, it can be mounted to the waist, arm or leg of a user, if desired. The member  16  has two resiliently flexible flaps  19 ,  21  adapted to each at least partially surround the arm  12 . Each flap  19 ,  21  has a strip of velcro  22  that allows the flaps to be releasably engaged together about the arm  12 . A buckle attachment (not shown) may also be included.  
         [0044]    When in a collapsed state and not in use, the chamber  14  is held in place on the carrier member  16  by a flap  23 . The flap  23  is movable about a hinge  24  between a closed position (as depicted in FIG. 2) and an open position (as depicted in FIG. 3). In the closed position, the flap  23  surrounds the chamber  14  and the cord  15 . Once the flap  23  is brought to its open position, the chamber  14  can be readily pulled away from the carrier member  16 . The flap  23  has a velcro layer  25  that can engage a complementary velcro layer  25  on the carrier member  16  so ensuring that the flap  23  is held firmly when in its closed position.  
         [0045]    The cord  15  is preferably permanently mounted at one end to one end  26  of the flotation chamber  14  and at its other end to the carrier member  16  being mounted to the arm  12  of the user  13 .  
         [0046]    The device  10  can be worn by users engaged in water sports where the wearing of a normal buoyancy vest is not possible or undesirable, such as sports where the user, in the normal course of the sport, is immersed in water, such as swimming, surfing and similar sports. By being mounted to the arm or leg, the device  10  is of a sufficiently small size to allow users to engage in all water activities almost without impediment. The device  10  does, however, provide a level of safety to the user should that person unexpectedly get into difficulties in the water.  
         [0047]    In normal use, the user  13  would ensure that the chamber  14  and cord  15  are appropriately stored beneath the flap  23 . The user  13  would then mount the device to their arm  10  by wrapping the flaps  19 ,  21  about their wrist and engaging in the complementary velcro layers  22  together. The user  13  can then enter the water. If they get into difficulty, the user  13  simply has to lift the flap  23  and withdraw the chamber  14 . The chamber  14  can then quickly be filled with air by the user  13  blowing through the one-way valve  17 . The chamber  14  once filled with sufficient air to support the user  13  can then be allowed to float in the water and held by the user  13  until help arrives or the user  13  manages to reach safety. Alternatively to the user having to fill the chamber with air themselves, a compressed air canister arrangement may be utilised to automatically expand the chamber  14  on release from the carrier member  16  (as discussed above).  
         [0048]    Once the user is safe, the device  10  is removed from the arm  12  and, if necessary, the chamber  14  can be deflated and re-stored under flap  23 .  
         [0049]    In another example of its use, the device  10  can in its closed state be readily carried by a person (e.g. a lifeguard) swimming to the aid of another in difficulty. Once the lifeguard reaches the person in difficulty, the device can be mounted to that person&#39;s wrist or leg and the chamber  14  inflated. The lifeguard can then readily tow or swim the person to safety.  
         [0050]    Another embodiment of a flotation device in accordance with the present invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 5 through 10.  
         [0051]    The flotation device  30  of this embodiment comprises a carrier member  31  including a pouch  32  which is arranged to retain the flotation chamber  33  (FIGS. 8 through 10) when the flotation chamber  33  is in the non-buoyant state.  
         [0052]    The pouch  32  can provide a more secure housing for the flotation chamber  33  when it is not in use.  
         [0053]    The carrier member  30  also comprises a flap  34  for covering the pouch  32  opening  35  when the flotation chamber  33  is in the collapsed state. A portion of the walls of the pouch  36  includes a plurality of drainage holes  60  (FIG. 12) to allow water that enters the pouch  32  to drain out. The drainage may be provided by a portion of the walls of the pouch being in the form of a mesh to allow water to drain out. For example, the base portion of the carrier member  30  may be of mesh (as illustrated in FIG. 12).  
         [0054]    The carrier member  31  includes attachment means, in this embodiment being two resiliently flexible flaps  37 ,  38  arranged to at least partially surround the arm or leg of a user, with velcro on the flaps  37 ,  38  to retain the carrier member  31  in position. A buckle arrangement may also be included. An arrangement may also be included to allow the straps to be adjustable for different arm sizes.  
         [0055]    The flotation chamber  33  includes a rip tag  41  which enables it to be easily pulled out of the pouch  32 . In operation, as illustrated in the sequence in FIGS. 6, 7,  8  and  9 , the user first of all pulls on the rip tag  41  pulling the flotation chamber  33  out of the pouch  32 . The flotation chamber  33  is provided with a one-way valve  40  to enable a user to blow into the chamber  33  and inflate it (FIG. 9). The cord  42  acts as a connection means connecting the flotation chamber to the carrier member  30 . At the connection with the carrier member  30  the cord  42  is preferably sewn in the seam of the carrier member  30  in order to secure it.  
         [0056]    When fully inflated, the flotation chamber  33  can be placed between the under arms and chest of a user as illustrated in FIG. 10 to help maintain buoyancy. A whistle  45  is provided to enable the user to sound an alarm.  
         [0057]    When the flotation chamber  33  is no longer required it can be deflated, folded in place back into the pouch  32 . Know that this construction facilitates ease of maintenance and handling of the arrangement. The flotation chamber  33  can at any time be unpacked by the user, washed, and replaced back in to the pouch without requiring any involvement by a product supplier.  
         [0058]    Referring to FIG. 11, the rip tag  41  is shown in more detail. The velcro patch  61  is included on the rip tag to ensure that the position of the rip tag remains static on the carrier member. In FIG. 11 the rip tag is shown with a loop  62  to enable it to be easily grasped by a finger and pulled. The rip tag is attached to the flotation device  33 .  
         [0059]    As an alternative to inflating by blowing through the valve, the flotation chamber may be provided with a gas cylinder for automatic inflation, as discussed above in relation to the first embodiment.  
         [0060]    Note that the carrier means  30  is preferably made from neoprene.  
         [0061]    In the above embodiments, the flotation means is shown as a cylindrical chamber. It need not be a cylindrical chamber, but could be any shape.  
         [0062]    It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.