LOW PROFILE FLOTATION COLLAR

Abstract: A safety and life-preserving flotation collar intended for use by aircraft and shipboard personnel in an emergency that leaves the personnel in the water. The flotation collar has a fabric shell (13) housing two automatically inflatable, independent, symmetric flotation cells (11, 12); two oral inflators (14) and mechanical inflators (17) mounted on the fabric shell (13); and a face shield (31) stowed in the fabric shell (13). The flotation collar may be worn with an auxiliary belt (26) or with a survival vest.

Description: LOW PROFILE FLOTAΗON COLLAR BACKGROUND Field of the Invention The present invention relates to personnel flotation devices, i.e., Ufe preservers, and, more specifically, to flotation collars. Background ofthe Invention Military and federal regulations require the availability of Ufe preservers on board ships and aircraft for use in the event of a water crash, ditching, ejection, or other event over water or in water. Those who depend on Ufe preservers for survival require highly functional equipment. However, flotation coUars prior to the present invention have generaUy provided only a limited number of Ufe-saving features. Typical prior art flotation collars have serious drawbacks in their construction and in their range of available features. For example, U.S. Patent Nos.1,385,581; 2,210,809; and 5,421,760 disclose flotation devices having several independent ccnnpartments, such that if one ofthe compartments fail, the apparatus will stuT support the weight of the wearer. However, in those devices, support is provided from the neck up only. This forces the wearer to bob face forward in the water in an extreme vertical position. Swimming, especiaUy for any distance, is difficult and exhausting. Fυathermore, some prior art devices provide only unstable support if one of the air ∞mpartments fail. In this event, it may be difficult for the wearer to keep his head squarely above water. Also, with many of the prior art devices, when water surges at the user, it is channeled between the inflated lobes ofthe flotation device directly into the wearer's nose and mouth. Yet another problem with some prior inventions is that they are not compatible with typical military equipment including seating restraint harnesses, head gear, survival vests, and auxiUary belts due to weight and volume. A personal flotation device should be comfortable to wear on a continuous basis, in or out of the water; be compatible with other typical survival gear; be quickly and easily put on and removed; provide immediate support through redundant inflation components; provide easy-to-use manual inflation components; provide continued and stable support should one ofthe flotation ceUs fail to operate; and provide a shape and component parts that will prevent water from surging at the user's nose and mouth. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is a personal flotation device for use by aircraft and shipboard personnel in the event of an emergency. It is in an integrated system of components that are constructed and assembled to provide the user with an extremely efficient, complete, and functional Ufe-saving flotation collar. It includes (1) two manually or automatically inflatable, independent, and syrnmetric flotation ceUs instaUed within a fabric sheU; (2) two oral inflators; (3) a face shield housed in the fabric shell; and (4) an exterior protective cover. The flotation coUar may be used with a survival vest, or with an auxihary belt. Because the two flotation ceUs are completely independent, if one cell fails, the other can support the user with his/her head elevated, with his/her face out of the water. Because the ceUs are symmetric, only one ceU can support the user in a relatively comfortable attitude, should the other cell fail. Putting on and using the flotation coUar is quick and simple, as shown by the following instructions: 1. The user attaches the collar front and rear fasteners to the mating front and rear fasteners of his survival vest or auxiUary belt. The user then dons the assembled system. 2. Once the user has donned the system, he fastens the coUar chest strap. 3. After clearing the submerging vehicle or upon entering the water, the user pulls one or both of the beaded activation handles located on the exterior protective cover to initiate inflation. If one or both inflation cells do not inflate, the user inflates the cells via the oral inflator(s). 4. The user adjusts the front straps to the desired comfort level. 5. The user deploys the face shield by pulling either release tab located adjacent to the user's helmet. Once the shield is released from its stowage pouch, the user pulls it up and over his helmet, and secures it to the forward area ofthe flotation shell by hook and pile (e.g., Velcro™) fasteners. The user may discard or release the face shield respectively by: (a) Grasping the rear area of the shield and pulling up shaφly with either or both hands, then releasing the front attachment to completely detach it from the sheU, or (b) Releasing the front attachments only and pulling the shield back over the helmet for retention and later use. The present invention will continue to function properly and provide stable support if one of the flotation ceUs fails. It orients the user's face upward in the water, and elevates his head and upper torso out ofthe water. It supports the user's upper torso as well as the user's head, thus making swimming easier. The present invention is compatible with current miUtary helmets, restraint harnesses, survival equipment, and vests. It also provides a place for the user to rest his arms. It is compact and Ughtweight and thus can be worn comfortably on a continuous basis. It can be easily removed and replaced in-flight by a seated wearer, providing missiontask flexibiUty. It can be used with an auxiUary belt alone (i.e., without a survival vest) which provides the wearer with additional mobiUty and comfort during shipboard operations. Accordingly, it is the object of the present invention to provide a superior means for the user to survive a water ditching or crash emergency, falling overboard, ejection, or other in-water emergency. It is another object of the present invention to provide redundancy in inflation by interconnecting the manual inflation handles so that the user can activate both flotation ceUs by pulling either handle. It is another object of the present invention to provide a flotation device that can be easily and quickly put on and taken off It is another object of the present invention to provide a flotation device that is compatible with typical miUtary gear including helmets, survival vests, and auxiUary belts. It is another object of the present invention to provide the user with stable support in the water in the event that one of the flotation cells fail. It is another object of the present invention to provide a device that is comfortable enough to be worn continuously and remains comfortable when deployed in an emergency situation. It is another object of the present invention to provide a flotation device that provides a component for deflecting water from the user's nose and mouth. It is also an object of the present invention to provide a flotation device that, through its outer shape, allows free rotation of the user's neck and head DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure la is a schematic diagram of the fabric shell within which the symmetric flotation ceUs ofthe present invention are installed. Figures lb and lc are schematic diagrams ofthe first and second symmetric flotation cells, respectively. Figure Id is a schematic diagram of a side view of the first and second flotation cells in the fabric sheU. Figure le is a schematic diagram of protective coUar 21. Figure 2a is a schematic diagram of a frontal view of the flotation coUar before deployment. Figure 2b is a schematic diagram of an auxiliary belt that can be used with the flotation coUar. Figure 2c is a schematic diagram of a frontal view of the undeployed flotation coUar attached to the auxiUary belt, shown as it would be worn by the user. Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a user in water deploying the flotation coUar by pulling the beaded handles. Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a frontal view of a user in water after deployment, with the flotation coUar fully inflated. Figure 5 is a side view of a user in water wearing the deployed flotation coUar and resting his arms on the front straps. Figure 6 is a frontal view of a user wearing an undeployed flotation coUar over a survival vest. Figure 7 is a side view of a user wearing an undeployed flotation coUar over a survival vest. Figure 8 is a back view of a user wearing an undeployed flotation coUar over a survival vest. Figure 9 is a side view of a user wearing an inflated flotation coUar in water. The user is shown reaching back to begin deploying the face shield Figure 10 is a side view of a user wearing an inflated flotation collar in water. The user is shown pulling the tabs on the face shield forward. Figure 11 is a side view of a user wearing an inflated flotation coUar in water, showing the face shield fully deployed and attached to the front of the coUar. The user is shown resting his arms in the front straps. Figure 12 is a side view of a user wearing an inflated flotation coUar in water. The user is releasing the face shield to gain access to the survival vest Ufting ring. nT AϊI Fn DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The primary components of the flotation coUar are an outer protective cover, a fabric sheU, two inflatable flotation ceUs, two oral inflators, two mechanical inflators, a harness system, an integrated face shield, and, optionally, automatic water- sensing actuators. As shown in Figures la-Id, the present invention comprises two mechanically, automatically or oraUy inflated flotation ceUs 11 and 12, which are installed in a fabric shell 13. Flotation ceUs 11 and 12 are totaUy independent of each other, i.e., there is no fluid connection between the two ceUs. If one ofthe ceUs fails, the other cell will continue to support the user. Figures la-lc also show oral inflators 14 in flotation cells 11 and 12, valve adaptor 15 which connects the flotation ceUs to the COj inflation mechanism, access port 16 in fabric sheU 13 for the oral inflators, C0 2 inflation mechanism and cylinders 17, stowage pouch 18 for the face shield, and zippered access to fabric sheU 13 (for installation of flotation ceUs 11 and 12), rear hold-down straps 22, beaded handles 24, front hold-down straps 25, and face shield hold down tabs 34. Figure Id is a side view showing flotation ceUs 11 and 12 inside fabric shell 13. As shown in Figure 2a, protective coUar 21 is secured to the user by rear hold-down adjustable straps 22, chest straps 23, and front hold-down adjustable straps 25. The straps force the inflated sheU to conform closely to the user's torso. This elevates the user's head further out of the water, reduces the water drag, and stabilizes the user, allowing the user to swim forward more easily. Front hold-down adjustable straps 25 extend over each side ofthe inflated sheU and also provide a means for the user to rest his arms while awaiting rescue. Front straps 25 secure the inflation sheU within the exterior protective cover during normal use, and ensure that the inflation sheU emerges from the cover in the proper sequence during inflation. Beaded handles 24 are used to activate pneumatic inflation actuators, which inflate the flotation ceUs by releasing gas from, e.g., carbon dioxide cylinders, mounted on the user's front left and right sides, when beaded handles 24 are pulled In addition, the user can manually activate both flotation cells via a single beaded handle. This is an important feature, since the user may be incapacitated in either hand or arm This manuaUy redundant inflation activation is achieved by a "Y" bridle and lanyard arrangement that interconnects both beaded handles and pneurnatic actuators. On the back ofthe uninflated coUar are two adjustable back straps 22, attached to the collar. These attach to the back of the user's survival vest or belt. The back straps also help control the shape of the inflated sheU and elevate the head and upper torso further out of the water. Figure 2b shows auxiUary belt 26, which is used when the user is not wearing a survival vest. Connectors 27 and 28 are used to securely connect back straps 22 and front straps 25, respectively, to the auxiUary belt. Figure 2c shows a user wearing the flotation coUar with an auxiUary belt. Figures 3-5 demonstrate the use of the present invention. In Figure 3, the user is pulling on the beaded handles to start inflation. In Figure 4, the flotation coUar has been fuUy inflated Figure 5 shows the user resting his arms on the front straps, with his head elevated out of the water by the flotation coUar. Figures 6 to 8 show a user wearing the present invention with a survival vest. The individual flotation ceUs are constructed from syrnmetric patterns that permit ease of repair or interchangabiUty. They are made of polyurethane-coated nylon. Installation into the fabric sheU is accompUshed via zippered access for each cell. The zippered access is located on the top surface ofthe fabric shell. Once the coUar is inflated, the two carbon dioxide cylinders are exposed on the front of the flotation collar. After rescue or after a standard mainteneance test, they can be discarded by unscrewing them from the actuators. Also visible are two oral inflators, one on each side of the front of the coUar near the user's mouth. As can be seen from Figure 5, the shape ofthe inflated sheU reduces the surge of water into the user's nose and mouth. A preferred erribodiment of the present invention includes a face shield to allow the user to breathe and see in wind-driven water spray conditions. As shown in Figures 9-12, the user releases the face shield and puUs it over his head for protection after inflation of the flotation coUar. Inflation of the sheU reveals a pocket on the top of the back ofthe coUar directly behind the user's head. This pocket, which is secured with Velcro® tabs, stores an adjustable, clear, flexible face shield 31 attached to a stretchable fabric 32. Two release tabs 33 are provided for access by either hand to deploy the face shield over the head. Once pulled over the head, the face shield is secured to tabs 34 near each ofthe front straps 25 on the lower portion of the inflated shell. The stretchable fabric a- ommodates large and small helmets. The user can detach and discard the shield at any time, as shown in Figure 12. In Figure 12, the user is releasing the face shield from behind the user's helmet, so that he or she can gain access to the survival vest's tiffing ring (not shown). If the user is wearing a head protection device, the shape ofthe inflated sheU provides a contoured cradle to permit the free rotation of the user's head and neck. Typical dimensions for the flotation collar are a length of 18 inches and a maximum width of 15 inches. The exterior protective collar is made of, e.g., an aramide fiber such as Nσmex®. A releasable zipper runs the length of the outer edge of the collar and secures the fabric sheU, made of nylon, within the exterior protective cover. Automatic salt water-sensing actuators may be used with the present invention. The water sensing actuators provide the advantage of protection for the user who is unconscious, wounded, or in other ways incapable of pulling the beaded actuator handles or using the oral inflation actuators. Water sensing actuators are small electronic devices that are co-located with the COj inflation cylinder. When salt water enters a chamber, a sensor within the actuator causes a circuit to be closed, activating the mechanism used to pierce the C0 2 cylinder. The foregoing disclosure ofthe preferred embodiment of the invention has been presented for the purposes of iUustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many variations and modifications of the embodiment described herein wiU be obvious to one of ordinary skiU in the art in Ught of the above The scope of the invention is to be defined only by the claims appended hereto.

Claims: WHAT IS CLAIMED IS: 1. A flotation coUar comprising: (a) two symmetric inflatable flotation ceUs; (b) means for inflating the two symmetric inflatable flotation ceUs; (c) auxiUary means for oraUy inflating the two symmetric inflatable flotation cells; (d) an outer sheU housing the two symmetric inflatable flotation ceUs, said outer sheU having a back-of-the-neck portion, a left front portion and a right front portion; and (e) means for securely attaching the outer shell housing to a user. 2. The flotation coUar of claim 1, further comprising an integrated face shield stowed in a pocket in the back-of-the-neck portion of the outer shell. 3. The flotation coUar of claim 2, wherein the integrated face shield is attached to the outer sheU by a stretchable fabric. 4. The flotation coUar of claim 2, wherein the integrated face shield is detachably attached to the outer sheU. 5. The flotation coUar of claim 2, further comprising puU tabs for releasing the integrated face shield 6. The flotation collar of claim 1, wherein the means for inflating the flotation cells comprises pneumatic inflation actuators. 7. The flotation coUar of claim 6, wherein the means for iflating the flotation ceUs also comprise at least one beaded handle which activates inflation ofthe flotation ceUs when puUed 8. The flotation coUar of claim 7, comprising a left beaded handle and a right beaded handle, and wherein the flotation ceUs can be inflated by pulling the left beaded handle alone, the right beaded handle alone, or both the left and right beaded handles. 9. The flotation collar of claim 1, wherein the means for securely attaching the outer shell housing to the user comprises rear adjustable straps, front adjustable straps, and a chest strap. 10. The flotation collar of claim 9, wherein when the flotation ceUs are inflated, the rear adjustable straps, the front adjustable straps and the chest strap force the inflated coUar to conform closely to the user. 11. The flotation coUar of claim 9, further comprising an auxiUary belt, and means for attaching the front adjustable straps and the rear adjustable straps to the auxiUary belt. 12. The flotation coUar of claim 1, wherein the flotation ceUs are fabricated from polyurethane-coated nylon. 13. The flotation coUar of claim 1, wherein the auxiUary means for oraUy kiflating the two symmetric flotation ceUs are positioned in close proximity to the user's mouth. 14. The flotation coUar of claim 1, wherein the exterior protective cover is fabricated from aramide fibers. 15. The flotation collar of claim 1, further comprising salt water sensing actuators. 16. A flotation safety system comprising: (a) a survival vest; (b) a flotation coUar coπφrising: (i) two symmetric inflatable flotation ceUs; (ii) means for inflating the two symmetric inflatable flotation ceUs; (iii) auxiUary means for orally inflating the two symmetric inflatable flotation ceUs; (iv) an outer sheU housing the two symmetric inflatable flotation ceUs, said outer sheU having a back-of-the-neck portion, a left front portion and a right front portion; and (v) a protective cover housing the fabric shell; and (c) means for attaching the flotation coUar to the survival vest. 17. The flotation safety system of claim 16, further comprising an integrated face shield stowed in a pocket in the back-of-the-neck portion ofthe outer shell. 18. The flotation coUar of claim 16, wherein the means for inflating the flotation ceUs comprises pneumatic inflation actuators. 19. The flotation coUar of claim 16, wherein the flotation ceUs are fabricated from polyurethane-coated nylon. 20. The flotation coUar of claim 16, wherein the exterior protective cover is fabricated from aramide fibers. 21. A flotation coUar comprising: (a) a first symmetric inflatable flotation ceU; (b) a second symmetric inflatable flotation ceU having no fluid connection with the first syrnmetric inflatable flotation cell; (b) auxiUary means for orally inflating the first and second syrnmetric inflatable flotation cells; (c) an outer shell housing the first and second symmetric inflatable flotation cells, said outer sheU having a back-of-the-neck portion, a left front portion and a right front portion; and (d) means for securely attaching the outer sheU housing to a user, wherein the first inflatable syrrimetric flotation ceU can support the user's head above water level, and wherein the second inflatable symmetric flotation ceU can support the user's head above water level. 22. The flotation coUar of claim 21, further ccimpiising an integrated face shield stowed in a pocket in the back-of-the-neck portion ofthe outer shell. 23. The flotation coUar of claim 22, wherein the integrated face shield is attached to the outer shell by a stretchable fabric. 24. The flotation collar of claim 22, wherein the integrated face shield is detachably attached to the outer sheU, and further ∞rnprises puU rings for releasing the integrated face shield 25. The flotation collar of claim 21, further comprising pneumatic inflation actuators for inflating the first and second inflatable flotation ceUs. 26. The flotation coUar of claim 25, further comprising at least one beaded handle which activates pneumatic inflation of the first and second syrnmetric flotation cells when puUed 27. The flotation coUar of claim 26, cornprising a left beaded handle and a right beaded handle, and wherein the first and second flotation ceUs can be inflated by pulling the left beaded handle alone, the right beaded handle alone, or both the left and right beaded handles. 28. The flotation collar of claim 21, wherein the flotation ceUs are fabricated from polyiirethane-coated nylon. 29. The flotation coUar of claim 21, wherein the exterior protective cover is fabricated from aramide fibers. 30. The flotation coUar of claim 21, further comprising water actuators. 31. A flotation coUar comprising: (a) a first syrnmetric flotation ceU; (b) a second symmetric flotation ceU fluidly independent of the first symmetric flotation cell; (c) a fabric sheU housing the first and second symmetric flotation ceUs; (d) means for orally and mechanically inflating the first and second symmetric flotation ceUs; and (e) means for securing the fabric sheU to the body of a user, wherein, when a user is in the water supported by the first and second syrnmetric sheUs which are fuUy inflated, the inflated sheUs are shaped so as to reduce any surge of water towards the user's nose and mouth. 32. The flotation coUar of claim 31, wherein the shape of the inflated shell conforms to the body of the user. 33. The flotation coUar of claim 31, wherein the means for mechanicaUy inflating the first and second symmetric flotation cells comprises at least one gas cylinder, wherein the carbon dioxide cylinders are mounted such that they can be easily discarded after inflation of the first and second symmetric flotation cells. 34. The flotation coUar of claim 31, further comprising a face shield stowed in a pouch in the fabric sheU and attached to a stretchable fabric. 35. The flotation coUar of claim 34, wherein the face shield is detachable and discardable. 36. The flotation coUar of claim 34, further comprising tabs on the fabric sheU for securing the face shield in position over the user's face. 37. The flotation coUar of claim 31, wherein the means for inflating the first and second symmetric flotation ceUs is redundant, such that the user can manuaUy activate the inflation means using either hand 38. The flotation collar of claim 31, wherein the means for inflating the first and second symmetric flotation ceUs comprises a water-sensing actuator.

Inventors: BRADLEY GARY F, SHOPE WILLIAM BARRY, BRADLEY, GARY, F., SHOPE, WILLIAM, BARRY
Applicants: SIMULA INC, SIMULA INC.
Application year: 1996
Main classification: B63C9
IPC codes: B63C9