Abstract:
The flotation device includes an inflatable bladder, inflation means, activation means for the inflation means and is self-contained. Preferably, a plurality of flotation bladders which are inflatable by the user, a third party or automatically are used. A closure system prevents accidental inflation of the inflation means. The devices provides buoyancy to personnel and associated equipment.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     The present application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/524,061, filed Nov. 24, 2003. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The invention is generally related to buoyancy device. More particularly, the invention is directed to a high capacity buoyancy device capable of providing buoyancy to individuals and substantial amounts of equipment.  
         [0004]     2. Description of Related Art  
         [0005]     Buoyancy devices are well known in the prior art, particularly in the form of waist-mounted life belts or life preservers which are typically mounted around the wearer&#39;s neck and over their shoulders. These devices are inflated manually or by CO 2  cartridges and provide buoyancy for an individual.  
         [0006]     Numerous life belts exist. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,394,866 describes a personal flotation device which is filled using a single gas cartridge and worn in a waist belt and inflated as needed. U.S. Pat. No. 6,231,411 describes a device for providing fashionable flotation support by placing air chambers into a belt for inflation and individual buoyancy. U.S. Pat. No. 6,179,677 shows a belt for use in water activities which has a manually inflatable bladder and at least one waterproof storage pocket are built. U.S. Pat. No. 6,106,348 describes a flotation device worn around a belt having a nozzle with a geometric design which overcomes the problems introduced by using a gas cartridge and the cold gas vented from the cartridge. U.S. Pat. No. 5,954,556 describes a flotation belt with multiple bladders which can be independently inflated by gas cartridges. The bladders are integral with the belt and remain around the wearer&#39;s waist. U.S. Pat. No. 5,839,932 describes a belt mounted water rescue device having pockets to hold different water rescue aids such as an inflatable belt, rescue tow line and other rescue tools as desired. The bladder can be inflated manually or by gas cartridges. Other examples of belt-type buoyancy devices are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,702,279; U.S. Pat. No. 5,466,179; U.S. Pat. No. 5,456,623; U.S. Pat. No. 5,453,033; U.S. Pat. No. 5,393,254; U.S. Pat. No. 5,382,184; U.S. Pat. No. 5,368,512; U.S. Pat. No. 5,022,879; U.S. Pat. No. 4,842,562; U.S. Pat. No. 4,379,705; U.S. Pat. No. 4,360,351; U.S. Pat. No. 2,452,475; and U.S. Pat. No. 1,833,614;  
         [0007]     U.S. Pat. No. 6,676,467 describes an airbag for swimmers. The device is intended to provide flotation for an individual and is filled by the wearer manually, an electrical pump or compressed gas. The air bag is worn around the waist or chest, under a swimsuit.  
         [0008]     U.S. Pat. No. 6,659,689 describes a complex flotation device which provides buoyancy and rescue assistance. This device is specifically designed to support a person and a 35 lb pack. It includes an inflatable neck collar and a front positioned inflatable element. The device may also include body armor, a releasable inflatable raft, and/or a second bladder. The bladder(s) may be inflated by gas cartridges or manually.  
         [0009]     U.S. Pat. No. 4,560,356 describes a flotation system. The system is a container which includes an inflatable flotation device. Opening the top flap of the container causes activation of a gas cartridge, inflation of the device and release of the device from the container. The container is connected to a wearer by a means such as a belt strap or the container can be connected to a boat or other water vehicle. In addition to the flotation device, the container may include water rescue devices such as an inflatable marker (also automatically inflated by opening the container flap) or other signal devices.  
         [0010]     Therefore, there is need for a buoyancy device which is capable of providing buoyancy to individuals as well as the equipment they may need to carry, often substantial in weight. Further, there is a need for a compact, portable, lightweight, reusable device which includes redundant safety measures and which does not interfere with normal movement.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0011]     The present invention addresses these needs by providing a flotation device for a user or inanimate object. The device includes an air impermeable bladder constructed from a durable, water-resistant material such as welded nylon. The bladder is inflated by, preferably a compressed air cartridge and/or an oral inflation means. The bladder and inflation device is enclosed in a container. The container is also constructed from a water-resistant material such as nylon. The container is preferably closed by a loop, grommet and pin system. The pin is further preferably designed to actuate the compressed air cartridge such that releasing the pin simultaneously opens the container and actuates the compressed air cartridge. In the preferred embodiment, a handle releasably attached to the container actuates both the compressed air cartridge and release of the closure means. The handle can be attached to the container by hook and loop fastener, snaps or other easily released means. The container further includes an attachment device, such as a loop, for attaching the container to the user or inanimate object. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]     A more complete description of the subject matter of the present invention and the advantages thereof, can be achieved by the reference to the following detailed description by which reference is made to the accompanying drawings in which:  
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the present invention in the open configuration;  
         [0014]      FIG. 2   a  is a front view of the bladder portion of the preferred embodiment of the present invention in the open configuration;  
         [0015]      FIG. 2   b  is a front view of the container portion of the preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0016]      FIG. 3   a  is a front view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention in the closed configuration;  
         [0017]      FIG. 3   b  is a side view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention in the closed configuration; and  
         [0018]      FIG. 3   c  is a rear view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention in the closed configuration. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0019]     The following detailed description is of the best presently contemplated modes of carrying out the invention. This description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating general principles of embodiments of the invention.  
         [0020]     Referring to  FIGS. 1 through 3 , the preferred embodiment of a flotation device  20  in accordance with the present invention is illustrated. Flotation device  20  consists of an inflatable bladder  22 , at least one inflation means  24 , 26 , activation means  28  for activating the inflation means, a container  30  and an attachment means  32  for attaching the device to a person and/or equipment.  
         [0021]     The inflatable bladder  22  is made from a durable, air impermeable material which is preferably resistant to either fresh or salt water damage. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the bladder  22  is made from 200-denier nylon which is welded into the bladder shape.  
         [0022]     The bladder  22  includes one or more inflation means  24 , 26 . Preferably, one inflation means is a 38 gram CO 2  cartridge  24  which can be activated by the wearer or by another person. The bladder  22  can also include a manual inflation means such as an oral inflation tube  26 . The inflation means  26  is preferably activated by means of a handle  28  which is releasably connected to a container  30  (described in detail below).  
         [0023]     The bladder  22  and inflation means  24 , 26  are stored within a container  30 . The container  30  is made from a durable, water resistant material such as nylon. The container  30  is securely attached to the bladder  22 . In a particularly preferred embodiment, the container  30  is secured around the bladder  22  and inflation means  24 , 26  by means of loops  34  which are fed through grommets  36 . A pin  38  is extended through the loops  34  as they extend through the grommets  36 . In this particularly preferred embodiment, the pin  38  is connected to the handle  28  such that pulling the handle  28  to activate the CO 2  cartridge  24  simultaneously pulls the pin  38  to release the loops  34  from the grommets  36 , thus allowing the container  30  to open such that the bladder  22  can inflate.  
         [0024]     The handle  28  is connected to the container  30  in a manner which allows for quick and easy removal. For example, snaps or hook and loop fastener can be used.  
         [0025]     The flotation device  20  can be attached to the wearer or equipment by any satisfactory means. In a preferred embodiment, the container  30  includes a loop  32  through which a belt or other item can be threaded. If desired, the container  30  can be structurally strengthened at the attachment point for the loop  32 .  
         [0026]     The preferred method of use by an individual is to secure two flotation devices  20 , preferably one on the left and one on the right. If needed for flotation, the handle  28  is grasped and pulled to simultaneously activate the CO 2  cartridge  24  and open the container  30 . Due to the easily accessible placement of the handle  28 , the handle  28  can be activated by a person not wearing the device to provide buoyancy for a person unable to activate the device himself or for an inanimate object. In the preferred orientation, one on either side of the wearer&#39;s body, this flotation device  20  does not interfere with normal activity, whether deployed or not. In its preferred embodiment, the flotation device  20  will raise 370 lbs from a depth of 33 feet in less than 10 seconds.  
         [0027]     The flotation device is reusable by deflating the bladder  22  and replacing it into the container  30 . If necessary, the CO2 cartridge  24  is replaced. The container  30  is then reclosed using the preferred loop  34  and grommet  36  system and secured with the pin  38 . The handle  28  is reattached to the container  30  resulting in a compact, easily transportable, lightweight, high capacity flotation device  20 .  
         [0028]     Many improvements, modifications, and additions will be apparent to the skilled artisan without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as described herein and defined in the following claims.