Abstract:
A flotation aid which has an inflation unit comprising an inflatable bladder and a gas container assembly including a capsule containing a compressed gas for inflating the bladder and having a valve through which gas may be released into the bladder, the gas container assembly being located substantially within the bladder and actuating means actuable externally of the bladder for actuating the valve to allow release of gas from the capsule into the bladder to inflate the bladder. In one form, the inflation unit is housed within a two-part longitudinally split casing, the parts of the casing being interconnected but being separated upon and by inflation of the bladder to release the bladder. In another form, the floatation aid is incorporated in pants or other article of clothing being located in a pocket and secured to the pants or article of clothing.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This invention relates to a flotation aid and in particular to a personal flotation aid which may used to assist a person to float in water. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     There have been in the past a number of occurrences of drownings in surf conditions where swimmers or bathers may be inexperienced in such conditions and/or are swimming or bathing in an area which is not patrolled by lifeguards or lifesavers. Drownings also often occur as a result of boating accidents. There is thus a need for an aid which will assist persons including children in these situations and in particular which will support a person in the water at least temporarily. 
     A number of different forms of personal flotation aid are currently available. These can be in the configuration of a life jacket or vest which is worn by a user who is partaking in a pastime where water safety is a requirement. Such pastimes include water skiing, and boating including sailing. The currently available life jackets or vests however are generally bulky and restrict movement. Further life jackets or vests are not useful where a person requires a temporary floatation aid when swimming or bathing. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention aims to provide to provide a personal flotation aid which is relatively compact, which may be relatively easily actuated and which may be simply and effectively worn or carried by a person to assist the person to float in water and therefore reduce the risks of drowning. The flotation aid of the invention is particularly suited for use by a person swimming or engaging in watersports or similar activities but may also be used in other situations. The present invention in another aspect aims to provide an article of clothing typically shorts which incorporate the flotation aid. Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description. 
     The present invention thus provides in one preferred aspect a flotation aid comprising an inflation unit having: 
     an inflatable bladder; 
     a gas container assembly including a gas container containing a compressed gas for inflating said bladder, said gas container including valve means at one end through which a gas may be released into said bladder, said gas container assembly being located at least substantially within said bladder, said gas container assembly further including an actuator adjacent said one end of said container, said actuator being actuable externally of said bladder and moving longitudinally of said container when actuated to cause said valve means to move to an open position, said actuator cooperating with said gas container when actuated to maintain said valve means in said open position to allow release of gas from said gas container into said bladder to inflate said bladder. 
     Preferably the gas container comprises a gas capsule or canister and the valve means is provided at one end of the gas capsule or canister. Preferably the bladder has a mouth which is sealed directly or indirectly to the gas capsule or canister. Preferably a gas capsule holder or base member is provided at the other end of the gas capsule or canister. Preferably the capsule holder or base member includes a hollow cup-shaped portion in which the capsule or canister seats. Preferably the capsule or canister is frictionally and sealingly engaged with the capsule holder. 
     Preferably the capsule holder or base member includes a stem and the mouth of the bladder is sealed to the stem. Preferably clamp means are suitably provided for clamping and sealing the mouth of the bladder to the stem. The clamp means may comprise an annular clamp such as a hose-type clamp. The bladder may also be sealed adjacent its mouth to the holder by any suitable adhesive. 
     Suitably the capsule includes an annular collar adjacent the valve means and the actuator is slidable over the collar when actuated. Preferably the actuator is frictionally engaged with the collar. Preferably the actuator includes an actuating member which when depressed causes the valve means to open. The valve means may comprise a valve member suitably a hollow valve member which extends from the gas capsule and the valve member is adapted to cooperate with the actuating member of the actuator. Preferably depression of the actuating member causes movement of the valve member and opening of the valve means. 
     The actuator suitably includes a stop member adapted to cooperate with the collar when the actuator is actuated to maintain the actuator in an actuated position. Preferably the stop member is adapted to locate on a lower or underside of the collar to maintain the actuator in an actuated position. The actuator suitably includes a body having a wall which surrounds the collar preferably being frictionally engaged therewith and the stop member is provided on the inside of the wall and is forced from a position on the upper side of the collar to a position on the lower side of the collar when the actuator is actuated. The body suitably comprises a hollow cup-shaped body and the wall of the body comprises a cylindrical or annular side wall which surrounds and is frictionally engaged with the collar. The stop member suitably comprises an annular or part annular rib which in the unactuated position is located on the upper side of the capsule collar. Preferably when the actuator is actuated by depression of the actuating member, the annular or part annular rib is forced downwardly past the collar to locate on the lower or underside of the capsule collar to maintain the actuator in an actuated position. 
     The actuating member may project from the hollow cup-shaped body. The actuating member preferably is hollow to receive the valve member. The actuating member suitably extends longitudinally of the capsule and is arranged coaxially with the cylindrical or annular wall of the hollow cup-shaped body. Preferably the cup-shaped body and/or actuating member is provided with one or more apertures to allow release of gas passing through the open valve means into the bladder. Preferably the cup-shaped body includes an end wall from which the cylindrical or annular wall extends and the end wall may include the one or more apertures. 
     Suitably the gas from the capsule issues as a liquid and upon expansion cools to cause the actuator body to contract and frictionally lock onto the collar to assist in maintaining the actuator in the actuated position and the valve open. 
     In one embodiment, the inflation unit is located within an external casing and is adapted to be actuated externally of the casing. Preferably the casing is a two part longitudinally split casing. Preferably the two parts of the casing are normally interconnected but may be at least partially separated upon and by inflation of the bladder. Any form of interconnection means may be provided between the casing parts for this purpose such as a “snap” interconnection means or complementary ribs and grooves in the respective parts. 
     One of the parts of the casing may allow for external actuation of the actuating means. Preferably the one part of the casing includes a flexible portion which allows for actuation of the actuator. Preferably the one part of the casing is formed of a flexible material such as a rubber or a similar synthetic material and comprises a push button. Preferably the one part of the casing is formed of a flexible material such as rubber and the push button is provided at one end of the casing and is suitably integrally formed with the one part of the casing. Preferably the push button is aligned with the actuating member. Preferably the other part of the casing is formed of a rigid material such as metal or stiff plastics. Preferably the casing parts are formed in a moulding process. 
     The inflatable bladder may be formed of any suitable thin flexible or pliable material substantially impervious to the propellant or gas. Typically, the bladder may be formed of plastics material, such as a thin vinyl material, a latex rubber, or neoprene. Preferably the bladder elastically expands with expansion of the gas when released from the chamber. The bladder of course may be of any shape or configuration. 
     Preferably a strap or lanyard is secured to the gas container assembly. The strap or lanyard may be secured to the gas container assembly by the hose-type clamp as referred to above. The strap or lanyard suitably extends into one end of the casing for connection to the gas container. Preferably the casing includes one or more slots suitably in the respective casing parts through which the strap or lanyard passes. The strap or lanyard may be worn around the neck or as a belt around the waist of a user. The strap or lanyard may be an elastic strap or lanyard so as to absorb shock upon inflation of the bladder. The one part of the casing may additionally be formed or moulded with a slot or slit for receipt of a belt therethrough to enable the aid to be worn on the belt around the waist. 
     In another aspect, the inflation unit is used in association with a pair of pants or other article of clothing, the pair of pants or other article of clothing having a pocket for receipt of the inflation unit of the flotation aid and means are provided to releasably attach the inflation unit of the flotation aid to the pants or article of clothing. Preferably the pocket is located internally of the article of clothing, in the case of pants adjacent a waist band thereof and the pocket opens externally of the pants to receive the inflation unit with the actuator thereof adjacent the waist band. Preferably the attaching means comprises an elongated attaching means such as a strap or strip of material secured to the waist band and the inflation unit. Preferably the strap or strip is releasably attached to the waist band by means of a releasable fastener such as a shackle. The waist band may be provided with a loop of material to which the shackle may be connected. 
     Preferably the inflation unit is received within a pouch which is located in the pocket. The pouch encompasses and holds the inflation unit prior to actuation thereof. Preferably the pouch includes a top flap to close the pouch and maintain the inflation unit therein. Preferably when the inflation unit is actuated, the top flap is forced open by the inflating bladder to allow release of the bladder from the pouch. Preferably the top flap is normally secured in a closed position by a releasable fastener such as hook and loop or touch and grip material for example of the type known under the trade mark Velcro. Preferably the elongated attaching means extends into the pouch and suitably through an opening or slit in the rear of the pouch for attachment to the inflation unit through the pouch. Thus release of the shackle holding the strap or other elongated securing means to the waist band allows release of the pouch containing the inflation unit from the pocket for replacement purposes. 
     Preferably a closure flap closes the pocket, the closure flap being openable to provide access to the pouch to allow for actuation of the inflation unit. The closure flap is suitably releasably secured in a closed position closing access to the pocket. The releasable securing means may comprise a releasable fastener such as hook and loop or touch and grip material for example of the type know under the trade mark Velcro 
     When the closure flap of the pocket is opened, the actuating member may be depressed through the pouch to release gas from the gas capsule into the bladder to inflate the bladder with inflation thereof causing it to be forced out of the pouch and the pocket. At the same time the inflation unit with attached bladder will remain connected to the pair of pants or other article of clothing through the elongated attaching means or strap to provide buoyant support to the wearer of the pants. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In order that the invention may be more readily understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention and wherein: 
         FIGS. 1 to 3  are different perspective views of a personal flotation aid according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a front view of the aid of  FIGS. 1 to 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a top view of the aid of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a side view of the aid of  FIGS. 1 to 3 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a bottom view of the aid of  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a sectional view along line X-X of  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIGS. 9 and 10  are side views of the respective casing parts of the aid; 
         FIG. 11  is a sectional view of the aid along line Y-Y of  FIG. 4  with attached lanyard; 
         FIG. 12  is a side view of the gas canister assembly of the aid; 
         FIG. 12A  illustrates the top of the gas canister assembly of  FIG. 12  after actuation of the actuator of the gas canister assembly; 
         FIG. 13  is a side view of the inflation unit of the aid comprising a bladder and gas canister assembly; 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of the inflation unit; 
         FIG. 15  is a partly cut away side view of the aid; 
         FIG. 16  illustrates the aid of  FIG. 15  during actuation; 
         FIG. 17  illustrates an article of clothing in the form of pair of shorts incorporating the inflation unit of the invention; 
         FIG. 18  illustrates in enlarged elevational view, a pocket attached to the shorts containing the inflation unit located within a holding pouch; 
         FIG. 19  illustrates in enlarged cut-away view the pocket containing the holding pouch and inflation unit; and 
         FIG. 20  illustrates the inflation unit, the inflating bladder and pouch attached to the shorts after actuation of the inflation unit. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to the drawings and firstly to  FIG. 1 to 10 , there is illustrated a personal flotation aid  10  according to an embodiment of the present invention which includes an elongated casing  11  which is longitudinally split into two opposing parts comprising a rigid part  12  and a flexible part  13  and which when engaged with each other define a hollow space therebetween to normally enclose an inflation unit  14  (see  FIGS. 10 to 14 ). The two parts  12  and  13  are adapted to be interconnected as shown in  FIG. 15  by lugs or pins  15  and  16  at opposite ends of and on opposite sides of the casing part  12  which are adapted to locate in complementary recesses or slots  17  and  18  at the opposite ends of and on opposite sides of the casing part  13 . The connection between the lugs  15  and recess  17  provides a more permanent snap-fit connection between the two casing parts  12  and  13  than the connection between the lugs  16  and recesses  18  for a purpose which will be described further below. This is achieved in the described embodiment by having the lugs  15  as shown of headed or domed form to locate in the complementary recesses  18  which are of re-entrant form. 
     The flexible casing part  13  additionally includes an integrally formed domed disc-shaped member  19  at the end of the casing  11  adjacent the recesses  17  which defines a push-button for actuation of the aid  10 . Additionally each part  12  and  13  is provided at the opposite end of the casing  11  that is the end adjacent the lugs  16  with curved slots  20  and  21  respectively which are adapted to receive respective ends of a looped lanyard or strap  22 . (see  FIGS. 2 and 11 ). Opposite mating longitudinally extending edges of the two parts  12  and  13  may be provided with complementary elongated ribs  12 ′ and grooves  13 ′ respectively to locate one part  12  relative to the other part  13  in the assembled position of the two parts  12  and  13 . 
     The inflation unit  14  as shown in  FIGS. 12 and 13  includes a goblet-shaped base member  23  which has a hollow cup-shaped part  24  which is adapted to receive the base of a gas canister  25 , the gas canister  25  being frictionally and sealingly engaged within the hollow part  24 . The base member  23  additionally includes a rod-like stem  26  and an end flange  27 , the end flange  27  being provided with arcuate slots  28  similar to the slots  20  and  21  in the casing parts  12  and  13  and adapted to be aligned therewith. The gas canister  25  is of a know type and includes a spring loaded normally closed valve  29  having a spring-loaded hollow outlet valve actuating tube  30  projecting therefrom which when pressed into the canister  25  allows the release of gas from the canister  25  through the tube  30 . The canister  25  additionally includes an annular collar  31  adjacent the valve  29 . 
     An actuator  32  is provided to actuate the valve  29  and allow release of gas from the canister  25 . The actuator  32  comprises a hollow cup-shaped member which locates over the annular collar  31 , the cup shaped member having a cylindrical side wall  33 , an end wall  34  and a hollow actuating member  35  which is in the form of a blind tube projecting centrally from the end wall  35  and coaxially with the side wall  33 . The valve tube  30  extends into the hollow actuating member  34 . An annular rib  33 ′ is also provided on the inner side wall  33  and is normally located above the collar  31 . The end wall  34  of the actuator  32  is provided with one or more apertures  36  therein for passage of gas therethrough. The inner surface of the wall  34  may be in frictional contact with the collar  31  but is slidable axially relative to the collar. 
     An inflatable balloon-like bladder  37  which is preferably formed of a lightweight impervious material suitably vinyl or plastics is provided for inflation by the gas in the canister  25 . The bladder  37  surrounds the gas canister  25  and actuator  32  and has a mouth  38  which is secured to the stem  26  of the base member  23 . The valve actuator  32  is thus located within the bladder  35  and the canister  25  is wholly within the bladder  35 . The mouth  38  of the bladder  37  is secured by means of a hose-type clamp  39  to the stem  26  to seal the mouth  38  to the stem  26 . The mouth  38  of the bladder  37  may also be further sealed to the base member  23  around its periphery by an adhesive. The opposite free ends of the looped lanyard or strap  22  are also secured to the stem  26  by the clamp  39  or an additional clamp, the ends of the lanyard or strap  22  passing when the aid  10  is assembled through the slots  20  and  21  in the casing parts  12  and  13  and the slots  28  in the end flange  29  as is apparent in  FIG. 10 . 
     The bladder  37  is folded about the canister  25  and the assembled inflation unit  14  is located within the casing  11  between the two parts  12  and  13  of the casing  11  which cooperate through the cooperable couplings  15  and  17  and  16  and  18  to retain the inflation unit  14  within the casing  11 . In this position, the actuating member  34  is positioned adjacent the push button  19  at the end of the casing  11  as shown in  FIG. 11 . As the push button  19  is flexible, a force may be applied therethrough and through the bladder  37  to the actuating member  34  to actuate the aid  10  and effect inflation of the bladder  37 . 
     Thus when it is required to inflate the bladder  37 , the actuating member  35  is depressed through the flexible push button  19  which pushes the actuator  32  and wall  33  downwardly causing the annular flange  33 ′ with firm pressure to move downwardly over the collar  31  to locate on the underside of the collar  31  as shown in  FIG. 12A  to maintain the actuator  32  in an actuated position. Downward movement of the actuating member  34  also causes the valve tube  30  to be urged inwardly of the capsule  25  to open the valve  29 . This will cause the release of the compressed gas in a liquid form from the capsule or canister  25  which will pass outwardly through the tube  30  and apertures  36  as indicated by the arrow-headed line Z in  FIG. 12A  into the bladder  37 . As the gas expands, it will rapidly cool and the wall  33  being exposed to the cooling effect of the gas will contract and shrink and further lock onto the flange  31  which will hold the valve tube  30  down and the valve  29  open after actuation. The bladder  37  will thus inflate and as the bladder  37  inflates, the two parts  12  and  13  of the casing  11  will be urged in a hinge like manner away from each other as for example shown in  FIG. 16 . The expanding bladder  37  alternatively may cause full detachment of the two parts  12  and  13 . The bladder  37  will thus be allowed to inflate to its maximum extent determined by the volume of gas contained within the capsule  25  and the inflated bladder  37  can then be used to support a person who may for example be in difficulties whilst swimming. 
     The lanyard  22  may be as illustrated in the form of an endless loop which can be simply worn around the neck of a user so that the flotation aid  10  is suspended from the neck. Alternatively, the lanyard  22  may be formed of an elastic or resilient material such that it may be worn around the waist in the nature of a belt. In this case and when the aid  10  is actuated, the bladder  37  will be inflated at the front or side of the user who may with one or both hands hold the inflated bladder  37  against the body so as to receive buoyant support until rescued or he or she is able to make their own way to safety. The two parts of the lanyard or strap  22  may be joined together such as by sewing so that when worn around the waist, the aid  10  will hang downwardly. The aid  10  may also be positioned underneath the shorts or swimsuit of the wearer. 
     The aid  10  may also for convenience worn on the belt of a person and for this purpose the flexible casing part  12  may be moulded with an elongated slit  40  on one side (see  FIGS. 2 and 3 ) through which a belt  41  may be passed as shown in dotted outline in  FIG. 3 . Alternatively, the aid  10  may simply hang from a belt which is passed through the lanyard or strap  22 . 
     The bladder  37  whilst being described to be of a balloon shape may be of any other shape or configuration. The gas stored in the capsule is preferably R143 propellant gas or alternatively other gases may be employed. 
     Of course, the aid  10  may be simply hand carried for use in other situations for example where sailing or boating or attached to another part of the body. In this case, a quick release fastener may be provided to normally hold the bladder in position but which when released will allow rapid bladder inflation. 
     The casing  11  as illustrated in the embodiments is shown to be of a generally tubular configuration however it may be of any shape or configuration. It is preferred however that at least one part  13  of the casing  11  be formed of a flexible material so as to facilitate rapid separation of the casing parts  11  and  12  as in  FIG. 16  and further for easy gripping. Both parts  11  and  12  however may be formed of a rigid or relatively rigid material. 
       FIGS. 17 to 19  illustrates the incorporation of the inflation unit  14  of the aid  10  in an article of clothing comprising in this embodiment a pair of swim or board shorts  42  or other pants or shorts such as wet suit shorts. The shorts  42  are provided with an elongated pocket  43  which as shown in  FIG. 18  is secured such as by sewing to the inside of the upper waist band  44  of the shorts  42  but opening as at  45  to the exterior of the shorts below the waist band  44 . A closing flap  46  of fabric is provided on the outside of the shorts  42  to lie over and close the opening  45  into the pocket  43  whilst the pocket  43  is closed at its lower end  47  on the inside of the shorts  42 . The flap  46  is secured in a closed but releasable position by cooperative hook and loop material  48  or by any other releasable fasteners on the pocket  43  and flap  45 . 
     A loop  49  of strip fabric material is located beneath the closed flap  45  and secured to the waist band  44  such as by sewing. A releasable shackle  50  is passed through the loop  49  to secure the loop  49  to an elongated strip  51  of elastic material. The inflation unit  14  is held within a separate pouch  52  formed of a fabric material which holds the bladder  37  of the inflation unit  14  neatly in position with the inflation unit  14  in an upright position with the actuator  32  uppermost. The pouch  52  is closed by a flap  53  held normally in a closed position by hook and loop material  54  or the like 
     The pouch  52  is provided with a slit or slot  55  on its rear side (see  FIGS. 18 and 20 ) and the strip  51  passes from its connection to the shackle  50  through the slit  55  to be connected at its free end through a ring  56  to an end of the inflation unit  14  via a lanyard  22 ′ similar to the lanyard  22  of  FIG. 10  but of reduced length. The actuator  32  of the inflation unit  14  may be actuated through the flap  53  of the pouch  52  when the pocket flap  46  is opened or the flap  53  may be lifted to depress the actuator  32 . 
     In use, the shorts  42  carrying the inflation unit  14  within the pouch  52  and pocket  43  and are worn in the usual manner however if the wearer requires buoyant support whilst swimming or surfing, the flap  46  can be released by detaching the hook and loop material  48  and the actuator  32  of the inflation unit  14  within the bladder  37  can then be depressed through the pouch flap  53 . This will allow the release of gas from the capsule  25  into the bladder  37  as described above. As the bladder  37  inflates, the expansion thereof will cause the flap  53  of the pouch  52  to be forced open and the inflation unit  14  to be forced out of the pouch  52  with the buoyancy of the inflating bladder  37  causing it to move upwardly in the water in which the bladder  37  is inflating. The bladder  37  will fully inflate at the front of the wearer of the shorts  42  as shown in dotted outline in  FIG. 17  to provide buoyant support to the wearer. The strip  51  of elastic material however will maintain the bladder  37  tethered to the shorts  42  through the shackle  50  and loop of material  49  as shown in  FIG. 20 . The elasticity of the strip  51  will provide a degree of resilience between the bladder  37  and shorts  42 . 
     After use, the expended inflation unit  14  can be detached from the shorts  42  via the shackle  50  and reused by replacement or refilling of the capsule  25  and the shorts  42  may be used without an inflation unit  14  attached. 
     Whilst the inflation unit  14  is described in association with an article of clothing in the form of pants, it may be used in connection with other articles of clothing being located in a pocket of the clothing and being attached to the article of clothing by a strap or strip of material in a similar manner to that described above. For example the article of clothing may comprise a shirt such as a wet shirt or swimming shirt or simply a casual shirt having a pocket in which the inflation unit  14  is located preferably in the described pouch with a strip or strap of material being attached to the inflation unit  14  and to the shirt through a shackle/loop connection as described or by a more permanent connection. 
     The terms “comprising” or “comprises” as used throughout the specification and claims are taken to specify the presence of the stated features, integers and components referred to but not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other feature/s, integer/s, component/s or group thereof. 
     Whilst the above has been given by way of illustrative embodiment of the invention, all such variations and modifications thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.