Abstract:
A floatation device for use by an individual in a body of water, comprising of an upper body covering and two fabric covered inflatable sleeve elements. The upper body covering contains multiple gussets that hide the male or female end of a clasp device. The fabric covered inflatable sleeves contain the opposite end of the clasp device which allow them to be securely fastened to the upper body covering in one or more locations.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to flotation devices for use by individuals in bodies of water, and relates specifically for an improved flotation and sun protection device for use by children in swimming pools and other such bodies of water. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Every year, there are numerous drowning deaths attributed to unattended children in public and private swimming pools and other open bodies of water. There are a variety of flotation devices available for use in pools, such as long tubes of styrofoam (commercially known as “noodles”), full body “life vests”, inflatable rings, inflatable rings in the shape of animals, and inflatable arm bands, among others. 
         [0003]    Currently, the most popular device is a set of “water wings”, also known as “floaties” or “swimmies”. These devices are two inflatable bladders that form a ring around each arm of the user. Once inflated with air, these “water wings” sit high on the user&#39;s arms and keep the user afloat. They are buoyant, so the arm is naturally lifted to the surface, together with the user. They are individually slid onto one or both arms. 
         [0004]    The inflatable bladders are kept on the arms by friction created between the skin and the bladder, or by the natural bend of the elbow, or the force of the arms against the water surface. Essentially, there presently is no safe or consistent method of keeping these arm bladders in place on the arms. 
         [0005]    When worn by children, these devices typically must be put on by an adult—which usually means that at some point the children try to remove them. Anecdotally, children are known to remove one or both water wings as soon as the adult turns their back, creating an unsafe situation. Alternatively, one or both of the water wings can slip off while the child is playing either in or before entering a pool. Apart from being intentionally removed from the arms by the child, the wings may come off accidentally. 
         [0006]    Another danger facing all individuals, be they young or old, is sun exposure. Children are especially susceptible to sunburns and long term overexposure. It has been shown that sun exposure in the first 10 years of life partly determine a persons lifetime potential for skin cancer. 
         [0007]    The most popular method of protecting children from sun exposure is sunscreen. However, even when a broad spectrum sunscreen is applied, it does not offer full protection from the sun. It must be applied 20 minutes before the child goes outside and reapplied frequently. Sweat, dirt and water can all have an impact on the efficacy of the sunscreen. 
         [0008]    Thus, there remains a need to secure inflatable arm band flotation devices on the arms of a user, and in particular on children, to inhibit accidental or unintentional removal of one or both devices and protect the same from sun overexposure. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The present invention relates to an improved flotation device with sun protection. In an embodiment of the invention, a shirt is used, comprising of full percentages or blends of heavyweight natural fibers that have a tight the fabric structure, whether knitted or woven. These include, but are not limited to, cotton, linen and hemp or lightweight synthetics such as polyester, nylon, lycra and/or polypropylene. 
         [0010]    In an embodiment of the invention, the shirt includes a selectively operable clasp assembly on the front and back of each upper arm/shoulder area. The clasps can be hidden from view under fabric or visible on the surface. 
         [0011]    In an embodiment of the invention, the flotation device includes first and second flexible sleeve, torso or chest elements, each including a closed, selectively inflatable region or comprised of foam or another buoyant material. 
         [0012]    In an embodiment of the invention, the front and back sides of the sleeve, torso or chest elements each includes a selectively operable clasp assembly. The inventive device may include a permanent coupling between shirt and one of or both sleeves, torso or chest on the front and or back of each.
   In an embodiment of the invention, the selectively operable clasp on the front and back of each sleeve, torso or chest couple to the selectively operable clasp on the shirt.   In an embodiment of the invention, at least one inflatable region includes a valve assembly selectively operable to allow inflation of at least one inflatable region or no inflatable regions if comprised of foam or another buoyant material.   
 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    The novel features of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. A better understanding of the features and advantages of the present invention will be obtained by reference to the following detailed description that sets forth illustrative embodiments, in which the principles of the invention are utilized, and the accompanying drawings of which: 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a flotation device of the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a flexible sleeve element of the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 3A  is a perspective view of the sleeve of the present invention with the clasp extended; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3B  is a perspective view of the sleeve of the present invention with the clasp retracted; 
           [0020]      FIG. 3C  is a perspective view of the sleeve of the present invention with the clasp retracted; 
           [0021]      FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of a slide release buck type clasp assembly of the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 4B  is a perspective view of a center release buckle type clasp assembly of the present invention; and 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  shows the present invention worn by a user. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0024]    A flotation device that provides improved safety from drowning and from sun exposure for users, in particular for children, is disclosed. In an embodiment of the invention, the device includes two inflatable, foam or other buoyant material sleeves, each of which are worn on the arms, around the torso or chest of the user. The foam or other buoyant material or inflatable sleeves are secured to a shirt using a clasp assembly on the arms/shoulders of the user. This embodiment, and others, are disclosed in further detail below. 
         [0025]      FIG. 1  shows the flotation device  20  of the present invention. As illustrated, the version of the device  20  includes two inflatable sleeves, also may be comprised of foam or another buoyant material  10 , through which a user inserts his/her arms. The sleeves  10  are inflatable bladders made from any commercially available rubber, pliable plastic, synthetic, or other waterproof material or may be non-inflatable and comprised of foam or another buoyant material. In addition to being pliable and waterproof, the material must have sufficient durability to resist punctures or tears that may occur while the sleeve  10  is in its inflated or uninflated state. In a preferred embodiment, the material is a pliable plastic, foam or another buoyant material, covered with a soft, waterproof fabric for maximum comfort. 
         [0026]    The inflatable sleeve  10  may be made from a single bladder, or multiple bladders together or comprised of foam or another buoyant material. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the inflatable sleeve  10  may consist of two separate bladders  15   a,    15   b  which are joined along an end seam, and which have a non-inflatable joiner segment  17  therebetween. Alternatively, the sleeve  10  may include multiple bladders that encircle the user&#39;s arm and which are separately inflatable, or which may be inflated from a single input source. 
         [0027]    As further shown in  FIG. 2 , if not comprised of foam or another buoyant material, the inflatable sleeve  10  includes one or more valve assemblies  16 . Each bladder  15   a,    15   b  may include an integral valve assembly  16 . If the flexible sleeve  10  is made of a single bladder element  15 , then each element would have an integral valve assembly  16 . The valve assembly  16  of the present invention may be of any commercially available type, such as an H1-472, commercially available from Ho Lee Co., Ltd. The valve assembly  16  may be a self-inflating type, a manual inflation type, or others that are generally commercially available. The valve assembly  16  is inserted through the wall of the sleeve element  10  such that it acts as a conduit for air to enter into the bladder  15  for inflation and deflation. The valve assembly  16  may be held in place using waterproof glue, a plastic weld, heat-welding, waterproof tape, or any other such securing means generally commercially available and appropriate for securing the particular type of valve. In a preferred embodiment, the valve is secured using plastic or heat welding. 
         [0028]    The flotation device  20  further includes an elongated, flexible strap assembly  19 . The strap assembly  19  secures the flexible sleeve elements  10  to the shirt and thus the user and substantially inhibits the sleeves  10  from accidentally slipping off of the user&#39;s arms or from around the users torso or chest. When the device  20  is used with children, the strap assembly  19  makes it more difficult for a young child to remove the device  20  without adult assistance. 
         [0029]    The strap assembly  19  includes a strap  13  that of sufficient length to ensure that it goes from the sleeve  10  to the shoulder of a range of users. The strap  13  may be manufactured from a flexible, waterproof material, such as a soft fabric, rubber, plastic, nylon, or other synthetic material. In a preferred embodiment, the strap  13  is made from woven elastic for its properties of having elastic properties and being waterproof. It is preferable that the strap material is elastic or at least partially consists of elastic fibers so that it is capable of returning to its original length after being stretched. With this material, the strap  13  can expand when it is being positioned on the user, then contract snugly from the sleeve to the shoulder region of the user once in position. The length of the strap  13  will depend on the intended user. Thus, the length may be a predetermined length for adult, youth, and child users. 
         [0030]    The flotation device  20  further includes a clasp assembly comprised of a female end  12   a  and male  12   b  end. The shirt  11  will contain the female end  12   a  in one or multiple locations. In the present invention the female end  12   a  is integrated into the shirt in four locations, the front and back of each shoulder/sleeve area. The male end  12   b  is integrated into the strap  13  of the sleeve, torso or chest element  10 . When the user places the sleeve elements on their arms, torso or chest the two ends  12   a / 12   b  are engaged, securing the sleeve element  10  to the shirt  11  which is worn by the user. 
         [0031]    The assembly  12   a / 12   b  is waterproof and selectively operable. Several types of such assemblies  12   a / 12   b  are generally commercially available and may include a plastic slide release buckle, as shown in  FIG. 4A , a plastic center release buckle, as shown in  FIG. 4B . Other forms of clasp assemblies  12   a / 12   b  include Velcro® assemblies, snap assemblies, traditional belt buckle assemblies, or other devices that will secure the two ends of the strap. The clasp assembly  12   a / 12   b  may be positioned in the front and/or the back of the user, depending on the nature of the clasp assembly  12   a / 12   b  and whether it is an adult user or child user of the flotation device  20 . 
         [0032]      FIG. 3A  shows a sleeve element  10  with the strap assembly  13  extended, exposing the male clasp  12   b  and a pull tab  18  for ease of use. A compartment  14  is created in the covering of the sleeve element  10  which can conceal the strap assembly  13  and the male clasp  12   b.    FIG. 3B  shows the strap assembly  13  and male clasp  12   b  retracted and concealed in the compartment  14  with only the pull tab  18  showing.  FIG. 3C  shows an alternative embodiment using the sleeve covering design to create the compartment  14 . 
         [0033]      FIG. 5  shows one embodiment of the flotation device  20  positioned on a child user. In a preferred method of using the flotation device  20 , the user puts on the shirt  11  and inserts his/her arms through each of the flexible sleeve elements  10 , and sliding them all the way up to the users under arms. The strap  13  is extended to the users shoulder in the front and the clasp assembly  12  is then engaged to secure the front of the sleeve  10  element to the shirt. The process is repeated for the clasp assembly  12  on the back of the shirt sleeve. The process is then repeated again for the front and back of the other shirt sleeve, securing both sleeve elements  10  to the user. 
         [0034]    While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described herein, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that such embodiments are provided by way of example only. Numerous variations, changes, and substitutions will now occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the invention. It should be understood that various alternatives to the embodiments of the invention described herein may be employed in practicing the invention. It is intended that the following claims define the scope of the invention and that methods and structures within the scope of these claims and their equivalents be covered thereby.