Abstract:
A personal flotation system for allowing a user to float in the water. The personal flotation system includes a plurality of flotation devices designed to individually support both the body and the head while the user is in the water.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to personal flotation systems and more particularly pertains to a new personal flotation system for allowing a user to float in the water. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     The use of personal flotation systems is known in the prior art. More specifically, personal flotation systems heretofore devised and utilized are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements. 
     Known prior art includes U.S. Pat. No. 5,725,404; U.S. Pat. No. 5,324,221; U.S. Pat. No. 5,090,695; U.S. Pat. No. 5,088,723; U.S. Pat. No. 3,771,181; and U.S. Pat. No. Des. 390,618. 
     While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not disclose a new personal flotation system. The inventive device includes a plurality of flotation devices designed to individually support both the body and the head while the user is in the water. 
     In these respects, the personal flotation system according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of allowing a user to float in the water. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of personal flotation systems now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new personal flotation system construction wherein the same can be utilized for allowing a user to float in the water. 
     The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater-detail, is to provide a new personal flotation system apparatus and method which has many of the advantages of the personal flotation systems mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new personal flotation system which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art personal flotation systems, either alone or in any combination thereof. 
     To attain this, the present invention generally comprises a plurality of flotation devices designed to individually support both the body and the head while the user is in the water. 
     There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
     In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being, practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way. 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new personal flotation system apparatus and method which has many of the advantages of the personal flotation systems mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new personal flotation system which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art personal flotation systems, either alone or in any combination thereof. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a new personal flotation system which may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new personal flotation system which is of a durable and reliable construction. 
     An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new personal flotation system which is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such personal flotation system economically available to the buying public. 
     Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new personal flotation system which provides in the apparatuses and methods of the prior art some of the advantages thereof, while simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages normally associated therewith. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new personal flotation system for allowing a user to float in the water. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new personal flotation system which includes a plurality of flotation devices designed to individually support both the body and the head while the user is in the water. 
     Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new personal flotation system that is compact and light. 
     Even still another object of the present invention is to provide a new personal flotation-system that is versatile, lending itself to be used by both adults and youths. 
     These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description marks reference to the annexed drawings wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a new personal flotation system in use according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a schematic top view of the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the present invention. 
     FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of the neck member of the present invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 4 thereof, a new personal flotation system embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral  10  will be described. 
     As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 4, the personal flotation system  10  generally comprises a body member  12  comprises a buoyant material  14  such that the body member  12  is designed for floating in water  16 . An upper surface  18  of the body member  12  is designed for supporting a portion of a body of the user when the body member  12  and the user are in water  16 . 
     A neck member  20  comprises the buoyant material  14  such that the neck member  20  is designed for floating in water  16 . A top surface  22  of the neck member  20  is designed for supporting a head and neck of the user when the neck member  20  and the user are in water  16 . 
     The body member  12  has an aperture  24  extending between the top surface  22  and a bottom surface  26 . The aperture  24  of the body member  12  is designed for permitting a portion of the body of the user to extend through the aperture  24  for supporting, the body of the user in water  16 . 
     The aperture  24  of the body member  12  is substantially centrally positioned in the body member  12 . The body member  12  is designed for evenly supporting the portion of the body of the user contacting the top surface  22  of the body member  12  when the body member  12  and the user are in water  16 . 
     The neck member  20  has a perimeter wall  34  that is positionable within the aperture  24  of the body member  12 . The upper surface  18  of the neck member  20  is coplanar with the top surface  22  of the body member  12  for minimizing occupied space of the neck member  20  and the body member  12  when the neck member and the body member  12  are stored. 
     A support member  28  comprises the buoyant material  14  such that the support member  28  is designed for floating in water  16 . The support member  28  is designed for supporting a portion of a body of a youth. 
     The support member  28  has a peripheral wall  30 . The peripheral wall  30  of the support member  28  is positionable within the aperture  24  of the body member  12  such that the support member  28  is substantially coplanar with the body member  12  for minimizing occupied space of the support member  28  and the body member  12  when the neck member  20  and the body member  12  are stored. 
     The support member  28  has a bore  32  extending through the support member  28 . The bore  32  of the support member  28  is designed for permitting the portion of the body of the youth to extend through the support member  28  for supporting the body of the youth in water  16 . 
     The neck member  20  has a perimeter wall  34 . The perimeter wall  34  of the neck member  20  is positionable within the bore  32  of the support member  28  such that the neck member  20  is substantially coplanar with the support member  28  and the body member  12  for minimizing occupied space of the neck member  20 , the support member  28 , and the body member  12  when the members are stored. 
     The neck member  20  has an orifice  36  extending through the neck member  20 . The orifice  36  of the neck member  20  is designed for permitting a portion of the neck and head of the user to extend through the neck member  20  for preventing pressure points between the neck member  20  and the neck and head of the user. 
     The buoyant material  14  of the neck member  20  is flexible such that the neck member  20  is bendable for positioning the orifice  36  of the neck member  20  comfortably under the neck of the user. 
     The support member  28  has a bore  32  extending through the support member  28 . The bore  32  of the support member  28  is designed for permitting the portion of the body of the youth to extend through the bore  32  of the support member  28  for supporting the body of the youth in water  16 . 
     As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided. 
     With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
     Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.