Abstract:
An inflatable personal flotation device that is reversible and comparatively easily to put on and secure even under difficult conditions. The device can be donned and worn with either side to the front. The personal flotation device of the present invention uses a harness rather than a belt to secure the device in place on the user. The harness preferably also includes a keeper configured to locate the strap always within reach of the user once the device is slipped over the user&#39;s head to make it easier to buckle the harness to secure the device. The reversible nature of the invention allows the user to don the device without having to contemplate which way the device should be oriented.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The invention relates generally to a personal flotation device, and more particularly, to a reversible inflatable personal flotation device.  
         BACKGROUND  
         [0002]    The personal flotation device of the present invention was developed in an effort to provide a high performance user friendly reversible inflatable personal flotation device. Many conventional wearable flotation devices work well if they are worn at all times. Many of these same devices, however, are hard to put on and even harder to secure properly, particularly in an emergency. The inflatable flotation device shown and described in the Steger patent, U.S. Pat. No. 5,911,612, illustrates some of the problems with conventional U-shaped inflatable and foam personal flotation devices. The Steger device includes a U-shaped buoyancy chamber that extends from a right side chest portion, along a collar portion around behind the user&#39;s head, to a left side chest portion. The device is donned by slipping the collar portion over and behind the user&#39;s head and secured with a waist belt. Such devices also usually include a tie or buckle that hold the chest portions together. The Steger device, like other conventional U-shaped devices, can only be worn in one orientation—they are not reversible—and a loose hanging waist belt must be grasped and handed around behind the user&#39;s mid-section and buckled in front. Donning such a device in an emergency, while in the water or in the dark or under any combination of these conditions may be very difficult.  
         SUMMARY  
         [0003]    Accordingly, the present invention is directed to an inflatable personal flotation device that is reversible and comparatively easily to put on and secure even under difficult conditions. The device can be donned and worn with either side to the front. The personal flotation device of the present invention uses a harness rather than a belt to secure the device in place on the user. The harness preferably also includes a keeper configured to locate the strap always within reach of the user once the device is slipped over the user&#39;s head to make it easier to buckle the harness to secure the device. The reversible nature of the invention allows the user to don the device without having to contemplate which way the device should be oriented. This feature can save time in an emergency situation and the user will have less opportunity to panic. Also, if visibility is a problem, the user can still put the device on without worrying about the correct orientation.  
           [0004]    In one embodiment of the invention, the harness includes a first strap fastened at one end to the collar of the inflatable bladder and a second strap operatively connected to the first strap at a point generally between the user&#39;s shoulder blades when the device is being worn and the bladder is uninflated. The second strap extends from the bottom of the chest portion of the bladder up to the first strap and back down to the bottom of the chest portion of the bladder. In one preferred version of this embodiment, the first strap is fastened to the collar of the bladder at a location that lies substantially on a centerline that divides the torso of the user into left and right sides and both straps are fastened to the bladder at locations generally within a plane that extends through the edge perimeter of the bladder.  
           [0005]    In one embodiment, the inflator used to inflate the bladder includes two cartridges of compressed gas disposed on opposite sides of the bladder. A user operated cartridge firing mechanism is operatively coupled between each cartridge and the bladder. The firing mechanisms are operable between a first position in which gas is retained in the cartridge and a second position in which gas is expelled from the cartridge into the bladder. A grab handle is coupled to each firing mechanism for activating the firing mechanism to move from the first position to the second position. Each grab handle is located adjacent to the bladder generally in a plane that extends through the edge perimeter of the bladder so that the grab handles are in the same location without regard to the orientation of the device on the user.  
           [0006]    In one embodiment of the invention, the bladder includes a flexible joint between the collar and the adjoining chest portions of the bladder. The collar moves back and forth when the device is inflated between a first position in which the joint flexes in a first direction and the collar tilts to one side and a second position in which the joint flexes in a second direction and collar tilts to the other side. In one preferred version of this embodiment, the joint is formed by a localized narrow region across the bladder at the transition between the collar and chest portions of the bladder. The localized narrow region is formed, for example, by comparatively small rounded indentations in the outside perimeter of the bladder.  
           [0007]    The foregoing summary is not intended to be an inclusive list of all aspects and features of the invention nor should any limitation on the scope of the invention be implied from this summary. The summary is provided in accordance with the requirements of 37 C.F.R. §1.73 and the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure (MPEP) 608.01(d) merely to apprise the public of the nature of the invention. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]    [0008]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the personal flotation device of the present invention with the inflatable bladder inflated.  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 2 is an elevation view of the personal flotation device of FIG. 1 uninflated showing the inflatable bladder pulled out of the cover.  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 3 is an elevation view of the personal flotation device of FIG. 1 uninflated showing the inflatable bladder enclosed within the cover and the harness unsecured.  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 4 is an elevation view of the personal flotation device of FIG. 3 donned by a user.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 5 is an elevation view of the personal flotation device of FIG. 1 uninflated showing the inflatable bladder enclosed within the cover and the harness secured.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 6 is an elevation view of the personal flotation device of FIG. 5 donned by a user showing the harness secured.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIGS. 7A and 7B are a side elevation views of the personal flotation device of FIG. 1. FIG. 7A shows the collar tilted back to the left. FIG. 7B shows the collar tilted back to the right.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of the personal flotation device of FIG. 1 on a user.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 9 is an elevation view of an inflatable bladder used in one embodiment of the invention.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 10 is a detail view of a harness used in one embodiment of the invention.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 11 is a side view of the strap of FIG. 10. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0019]    [0019]FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate some of the primary features of the presently preferred embodiment of the invention. In FIG. 1, personal flotation device  10  is inflated. In FIG. 2, personal flotation device  10  is uninflated but pulled out from the cover so the buoyancy bladder  12  is visible. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, device  10  includes a generally U-shaped inflatable buoyancy bladder  12 , cover  14  and harness  16 . Strips of reflective material  18  are typically affixed to the outside of bladder  12 . If necessary or desirable for the conditions under which it is expected the device will be used, blinking lights, transmitters and other safety features may be incorporated into device  10 .  
         [0020]    Bladder  12  is shown in more detail in FIG. 9. Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and  9 , bladder  12  includes a collar  20  and an adjoining chest portion  22 . Collar  20  fits around and behind the user&#39;s head and neck when device  10  is being worn. Chest portion  22  extends down from collar  20  generally over the user&#39;s chest and mid-section when device  10  is being worn. In this embodiment, chest portion  22  consists of two separate side panels  24  and  26  that form the legs of the U-shaped bladder  12 . Other configurations are possible, however. For example, the chest portion of bladder  12  could be constructed as a single chamber extending fully across the width of the bladder. Alternatively, a generally ring shaped bladder might be used in which the chest side panels are connected through a buoyancy chamber disposed opposite the collar along the bottom of the bladder. Also, although separate chambers could be used for collar  20  and one or both chest panels  24  and  26 , a single chamber is preferred so that only one inflator is needed to inflate all of bladder  12 .  
         [0021]    Both sides of bladder  12  are substantially identical. That is to say, the functional features of bladder  12  are the same across both sides.  
         [0022]    Referring specifically to FIG. 9, the inside perimeter  28  of collar  20  and the inside perimeter  30  of the top of chest panels  24 ,  26  define an opening  32 . When bladder  12  is uninflated, the user can slip her head through opening  32  to don device  10 . When bladder  12  is inflated, opening  32  narrows to fit more closely around the user&#39;s neck. To facilitate attaching other components to bladder  12 , a flange  33  is formed at least at any such attachment points around bladder  12 . For ease of construction, flange  33  is formed all around bladder  12  as shown in FIG. 9. Inflatable bladders like bladder  12  are usually formed by overlaying two layers of air tight materials and then sealing the materials together in the desired size and shape. This seal is often formed by heat sealing the materials together. Flange  33  can be formed simply by leaving a bit of extra material outside the seal when excess material is cut from the bladder.  
         [0023]    Joints  34  and  36  are formed in bladder  12  at the transition areas  38  between collar  20  and chest panels  24 ,  26  respectively. As seen by comparing FIGS. 7A and 7B, joints  34  and  36  allow collar  20  to tilt back one way or the other to accommodate the orientation in which device  10  is worn. Tilting collar  20  back places more of the bladder in the water behind the user&#39;s head which, in turn, holds the head further above the water. In the embodiment of bladder  12  shown in the Figures, joints  34  and  36  are formed by narrowing bladder  12  at transition areas  38 . This is accomplished, for example, by indenting the perimeter of bladder  12 . Comparatively small rounded indentations  40  are preferred to help maintain the strength of the bladder&#39;s sealed perimeter and to minimize the adverse effects overpressurizing bladder  12 . The narrowed transition area creates a comparatively weak line across the fabric structure of bladder  12 . This weak line acts as a joint to allow collar  20  to be tilted to one side or the other relative to chest panels  34  and  36 .  
         [0024]    When bladder  12  is not inflated, it is packed into and enclosed within cover  14  as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5. Referring to FIGS.  1 - 3 , cover  14  is also generally U-shaped to enclose the uninflated bladder  12 . Cover  14  includes a collar portion  42  and a chest portion  44 . Collar portion  42  encloses bladder collar  20  and fits around and behind the user&#39;s head and neck when device  10  is being worn. Chest portion  44  encloses bladder chest panels  24  and  26  and extends down from collar portion  42  generally over the user&#39;s chest and mid-section when device  10  is being worn. As shown in FIG. 3, in this version of cover  14 , chest portion  44  is split in to discrete panels only about half way down from collar portion  42 . From that point to the bottom, cover  14  is a single panel or pocket that encloses both bladder chest panels  24  and  26 . This configuration of cover  14  facilitates the release of bladder  12  as it inflates. The single pocket feature at the bottom of cover  14  affords a more robust attachment for harness  16 , as discussed below.  
         [0025]    Bladder  12  is secured to cover  14  at inside collar perimeter  28  and at the bottom of each chest panel  24 ,  26 . It is desirable to minimize the points at which bladder  12  is secured to cover  14  so as not to impede the inflation and proper positioning of bladder  12  as it pops out of cover  14 . Bladder flange  33  is sewn to cover  14  at three locations around the inside collar perimeter  28  as indicated by reference number  45  in the Figures. As shown in FIG. 2, bladder flange  33  is secured to cover  14  at the bottom of each chest panel  24 ,  26  through a short connector strap  47 . The ends of strap  47  are sewn to flange  33  at the bottom of each chest panel  24 ,  26 . The center of strap  47  is sewn into a base strap  46 . Base strap  46  is sewn into both sides of cover  14  as indicated by the upper box X stitching shown in FIG. 2. In this way, the bottom of bladder chest portion  22  is secured to cover  14  while allowing each chest panel  24 ,  26  to inflate and expand out of cover  14  into the proper position.  
         [0026]    Referring still to FIGS.  1 - 3 , cover  14  defines an enclosure or pocket  48  (seen in FIG. 3) that holds the uninflated bladder  12 . Pocket  48  is defined by the area between the two fabric panels  50  and  52  that comprise cover  14 . (Panels  50  and  52  are also identified in FIGS. 7A and 7B.) The inside perimeter of panels  50  and  52  are sewn or otherwise permanently fastened together. If panels  50  and  52  are formed as an integral unit from a single piece of fabric, then the inside perimeter may be formed by simply folding the single piece of fabric. The outside perimeter of panels  50  and  52  are closed around the uninflated bladder  12  using hook and loop fastener strips  54  of material that adhere to one another when pressed together. Such material is commercially available under the name Velcro®. Other suitable releasable closures may be used. If Velcro® or a similar material is used, it is desirable to arrange the closure strips  54  facing one another as shown in FIGS. 3 and 8, rather than overlapping one another, to reduce the force necessary to separate the strips and allow the inflating bladder  12  to pop out of cover  14 .  
         [0027]    The components used to secure device  10  on the user will now be described with reference to FIGS.  3 - 6  and  10 - 11 . FIGS. 3 and 4 show device  10  donned by the user but not secured. FIGS. 5 and 6 show device  10  donned and secured. FIGS.  10 - 11  are detail views of the harness and fastening components of device  10 . Unlike conventional personal flotation devices that use a waist belt, the present invention uses a harness  16  to secure device  10  on the user. Harness  16  includes a first center strap  60  and a second cross strap  62 . Center strap  60  is sewn or otherwise attached to flange  33  on the outside perimeter of bladder collar  20  at or near the centerline that divides the torso of the user into left and right sides. (This centerline is shown on FIG. 9.) Although center strap  60  does not have to be attached precisely at the centerline, it should be close enough to secure device  10  in the proper position on the user when harness  16  is fastened and pulled tight. Other configurations for the attachment of center strap  60  are possible. For example, the top portion of center strap  60  might be split into two straps attached to collar  20  on either side of the centerline. Such a Y shaped configuration functions in the same manner to secure device  10  in the proper position on the user when harness  16  is fastened and pulled tight.  
         [0028]    A loop  64  is formed at the loose end of center strap  60 . Although the exact length of center strap  60  is not critical, if it is too short, cross strap  62  will tend to ride up into the user&#39;s arm pits. Testing suggests that harness  16  will function best if it is long enough that, when hanging loose, it extends down into the area between the users shoulder blades. For most adult size personal flotation devices, therefore, center strap  60  should be 8″-12″ long.  
         [0029]    Cross strap  62  slides through loop  64  in center strap  60 . Each end  66  and  68  of cross strap  62  is fastened or fastenable to the bottom of bladder  12 . In the embodiment shown in the Figures, the first end  66  of cross strap  62  is fastened to the bottom of bladder  12  with a conventional buckle  70 . Buckle  70  allows the user to lengthen and shorten cross strap  62  and thereby tighten and loosen device  10 . The second end  68  of cross strap  62  is fitted with a hoop  72  that, in combination with clip  74 , allows the user to fasten second end  68  to the bottom of bladder  12 . A keeper  76  is sewn into or otherwise affixed to cross strap  62  below loop  64  in center strap  60 . “Below” in this context refers to a flow from the first end  66  of cross strap  62  to the second end  68  of cross strap  62 . Keeper  76  is positioned to keep a loose hanging second end  68  within easy reach of the user when the user puts on device  10 . For most adult size personal flotation devices, therefore, keeper  76  should be positioned 12″-18″ inches from second end  68  of cross strap  62 . If webbing is used for cross strap  62 , keeper  76  may be conveniently formed by making an S fold in the webbing material at the desired location and then sewing the fold down with, for example, box X stitching as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11.  
         [0030]    Straps  60  and  62  are referred to collectively as harness  16  for convenience to describe the general position of the straps on the user. Harness  16  preferably is formed from discrete straps  60  and  62  as shown in the Figures. Alternatively, harness  16  might be constructed as a single strap in which case straps  60  and  62  would be portions of an integral unit. Other configurations of harness  16  are also possible.  
         [0031]    For added strength and ease of manufacture, buckle  70  and clip  74  are not attached directly to the bottom of bladder  12 . Rather, they are attached indirectly to bladder  12  through a heavy base strap  46  that is sewn into cover  14  and attached to bladder  12  through connector strap  47 . As described above, the ends of connector strap  47  are sewn to flange  33  at the bottom of each bladder chest panel  24 ,  26  and the center of strap  47  is sewn into a base strap  46 . In this way, all of the connections to the bottom of bladder  12  are made through base strap  46  at a common position that lies substantially on the centerline that divides the torso of the user into left and right sides and generally within the plane that extends through the edge perimeter of bladder  12 .  
         [0032]    Personal flotation device  10  includes two means for inflating bladder  12 . The primary inflator  80 , shown in FIG. 1, is a conventional compressed gas system. Primary inflator  80  includes a cartridge  82  of compressed gas (typically a CO 2  cartridge), a firing mechanism  84 , lanyard  86  and grab handle  88 . Firing mechanism  84  includes a firing pin and actuator (not shown) that pierces the seal on gas cartridge  82  when the user pulls on lanyard  86  to release gas into bladder  12 . Inflator  80  is located within cover  14  along the inside perimeter near the bottom of chest panel  24 ,  26 . Lanyard  86  runs through a guide  90  near the edge of cover  14  so that grab handle  88  protrudes from cover  14 .  
         [0033]    Preferably, device  10  includes two primary inflators  80 . Each inflator  80  is located adjacent one another but on opposite chest panels  24 ,  26 . Dual inflators  80  provide a back-up in case one fails and also gives the user a grab handle on both sides of device  10 . As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, grab handles  88  protrude from the sides of cover  14  generally within the plane that extends through the edge perimeter of bladder  12 . As with other components of device  10 , this positioning of grab handles  88  contributes to the reversibility of device  10 —the grab handles will always be in the same position without regard to the orientation of device  10  on the user.  
         [0034]    Referring to FIGS. 1, 2,  3  and  5 , blow tubes  92  provide a secondary inflator. Each blow tube  92  is operatively coupled to bladder  12  and includes a valve (not shown) that allows the user to blow air into bladder  12  but prevents air from escaping bladder  12  unless the valve is held open. Two blow tubes are used to support the reversibility of device  10 . Each tube  92  is located on opposite sides of device  10 . Each tube  92  projects up from a chest panel  24 ,  26  on bladder  12  to a position near the mouth of the user when device  10  is being worn.  
         [0035]    Referring to FIGS.  3 - 5 , a large loop  94  is formed by center strap  60  and that portion of cross strap  62  above the intersection between the two straps at loop  64 . The user dons device  10  by placing one arm through the large loop  94  and slipping his head through opening  32  as shown in FIGS.  3 - 4 . The user can then reach back, grasp the loose end  68  of cross strap  62  and fasten hoop  72  into clip  74  as shown in FIGS.  5 - 6 . Device  10  is tightened about the user by pulling end  66  of cross strap  62  through buckle  70 . The positioning of center strap  60  and base strap  46  at the centerline of bladder  12  and within the central plane of bladder  12  allows the user to secure device  10  in the proper position without regard to the orientation of the device. Device  10  is truly reversible. Harness  16  flip flops back and forth from one side of device  10  to the other. Arm loop  94  is always in position for the user to slip his arm through to secure device  10  properly on the user.  
         [0036]    When bladder  12  is inflated, the fabric walls of bladder  12  are taut. Pressuring collar  20  even slightly out of planar alignment with chest panels  24  and  26  allows the tension in the fabric walls of bladder  12  to pull collar  20  over to one side as bladder  12  bends at joints  34  and  36 . Once collar  20  is tilted to one side, the tension in the fabric walls of bladder  12  acts to keep collar  20  tilted to that side. Due to the attachment of center strap  60  high on bladder collar  20 , the inflating bladder  12  tightens harness  16  to better secure device  10  on the user. When the user puts on device  10  and tightens harness  16 , center strap  60  pulls down on collar  20  so that when bladder  12  is inflated, collar  20  will automatically tilt towards the user&#39;s back, bending along joints  34  and  36  as shown in FIG. 8. This feature of the invention increases the “freeboard” of the jacket. Freeboard is the distance the jacket holds the wearer&#39;s face above the water. It has been observed that this feature increases the freeboard of adult size jackets by approximately 17%, from 4.25 inches to 5 inches.  
         [0037]    Although the invention has been shown and described with reference to the foregoing preferred embodiment, various other embodiments of the invention are possible. It is to be understood, therefore, that these and other embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention which is defined in the following claims.