Abstract:
An infant flotation device for use in a marine environment comprises a body, having an outer surface defining a recessed area configured to receive an infant, and a hollow chamber opposed with the outer surface of the body and surrounded by the body. The body also defines a pivot mount that can extend into the cavity in juxtaposition with the outer surface. The infant flotation device further includes a swingable weight comprising a first end having an attachment mount pivotally received by the pivot mount for pivotal movement with respect to the body, and a second end having a weight thereon. The swingable weight can provide the infant flotation device with self-righting movement and stability.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention generally relates to an infant flotation device for use in a marine environment. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Flotation devices for adults and children in a marine environment typically take the form of a life preserver or jacket that is worn by the user for the purpose of maintaining the user at the surface of the water in the event that the user falls into the water. This type of life preserver does not work well for small children or infants weighing approximately 20 pounds or less. Infants and children weighing less than 20 pounds are likely to be unable to maintain an erect position and keep their head above the water when using this type of life preserver. The smallest life preserver approved by the United States Coast Guard is only rated for children over 20-22 pounds. 
     Several types of devices have been invented for use as flotation devices for infants and children weighing approximately 20 pounds or less. These devices are typically modified infant carrier or automotive safety seats that secure the passenger within the seat using one or more straps or harnesses, as is known in the art. 
     One type of seat relies on parts made from a buoyant material such as foam. For example, the devices disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,008,281 and U.S. Patent Application No. 2005/0101202 consist of a flotation enhancing structure made from buoyant material, such as foam, that can be attached to an existing infant carrier or safety seat. U.S. Pat. No. 6,589,089 and WO0202398 both disclose seats having one or more parts made from or filled with buoyant foam. These types of seats all rely on the relative placement of buoyant material to maintain the seat and the passenger in an upright position in the water such that the passenger&#39;s head is above water. 
     Another type of seat incorporates a stationary ballast or weight into the seat to provide self-righting movement and stability to the device. For example, the seats disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,725,253, 5,514,020, 6,296,305, 6,863,017, 6,715,830 and 6,702,380 include a carrier seat or safety seat modified with flotation material attached to the frame of the seat or hollow plastic housing to provide buoyancy. A stationary ballast weight can be situated below the seat&#39;s center of gravity to maintain the seat in an upright position in combination with the placement of buoyant material. 
     Yet another type of seat includes a ballast cavity that can be filled with a ballast material such as sand or water to provide stability to the seat. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,036,563 discloses a floating chair comprising a hollow body member to provide buoyancy and a separate hollow chamber that can be filled by the user with sand or water. U.S. Pat. No. 6,482,060 discloses an infant safety seat having parts made from buoyant material and ballast ports in the base of the seat. When the seat enters the water, water enters an empty space through the ballast ports. The ballast water provides stability to the seat in the water and maintains the seat in an upright position. 
     Flotation seats that incorporate the use of a ballast weight or chamber provide stability to the seat in the water and help to maintain the seat in an upright position in the water. Some seats, such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,296,305 and 6,482,060 incorporate a feature, such as a handle or canopy, in addition to the ballast weight into the seat to induce the seat to move into an upright position in the water if the seat enters the water such that the seat is not in an upright position. However, these seats rely on stationary ballast weights and features which may affect the rate at which the seat moves into an upright position in the water depending on manner in which the seat enters the water. The rate at which the seat enters an upright position in the water is critical as exposure of the passenger&#39;s airways to water leading to lack of oxygen or drowning may occur if the seat is maintained in a non-upright position for some length of time. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to one embodiment of the invention, an infant flotation device for use in a marine environment comprises a body, having an outer surface defining a recessed area configured to receive an infant, and a hollow chamber opposed with the outer surface of the body, the body surrounding the hollow chamber. The body can define a pivot mount that can extend into the hollow chamber in juxtaposition with the outer surface. The infant flotation device further includes a swingable weight comprising a first end having an attachment mount pivotally received by the pivot mount for pivotal and lateral movement with respect to the body, and a second end having a weight thereon, wherein when the infant flotation device is inverted in a body of water, the swingable weight pivots to an off center position, which causes the infant flotation device to right itself as the swingable weight moves laterally toward a centered area of the infant flotation device. 
     According to another embodiment of the invention, the swingable weight can rotate with respect to the body through a range of motion greater than 0 degrees and less than 360 degrees. 
     In still another embodiment of the invention, when the flotation device is sitting in a body of water in an upright position, the swingable weight can fall to a downward position to balance the flotation device in the body of water and keeps at least a head of an infant located in the recessed area from being submerged in the body of water. When the flotation device is sent into a body of water in a capsized position, the swingable weight can pivot, at least assisted by gravity, toward the body of water. This movement can cause the flotation device to rotate in the body of water toward an upright position and position at least a head of an infant located in the recessed area out of the water. 
     According to yet another embodiment, the pivot mount can be located on a longitudinal medial axis of the body. The pivot mount can also be located on an axis of the body passing through a center of mass of the body. The pivot mount can additionally be located on an axis of the body passing through a center of mass of the body with an infant located in the recessed area. 
     According to still another embodiment of the invention, the body can have at least one leg positioned adjacent a first and second end of the body along a longitudinal axis of the body for positioning the recessed area in a generally inclined position. The body can also include at least one safety restraint adapted to secure the infant to the recessed area. 
     In another embodiment of the invention, a padded material can be mounted within the recessed area to enhance the comfort of an infant placed in the recessed area. The padded material can also be formed of a buoyant material to enhance the buoyancy of the body. 
     According to another embodiment of the invention, the body with the attached swingable weight can have a minimum buoyancy of 7 pounds. 
     According to yet another embodiment of the invention, the second end of the swingable weight can be attached to the attachment mount of the first end by a rigid member. The weight on the second end of the swingable weight can be a solid member. The weight on the second end of the swingable weight can also be filled with a ballast material. 
     According to another embodiment of the invention, when the flotation device enters a body of water in a generally upside down position, whereby the recessed area is facing the water, the swingable weight can rotate to one side of the flotation device. The movement of the weight can shift the center of gravity of the flotation device away from an axis of rotation of the flotation device. The movement of the swingable weight can provide momentum to the flotation device to rotate about its axis of rotation to a position in which the center of gravity of the flotation device is located below the axis of rotation. This can provide a self-righting movement to the body and move the body to an upright position. 
     According to yet another embodiment of the invention, an infant flotation device for use in a marine environment comprises a body, having an outer surface defining a recessed area configured to receive an infant, and a hollow chamber opposed with the outer surface of the body, the body surrounding the hollow chamber. At least one moveable weight can be located within the hollow chamber, wherein when the infant flotation device is inverted in a body of water, the at least one moveable weight moves to an off center position, which causes the infant flotation device to right itself as the at least one moveable weight moves laterally toward a centered area of the infant flotation device. 
     According to another embodiment of the invention, the hollow chamber can have a generally arcuate configuration, which extends from the body to its greatest extent along a longitudinal axis of the body. 
     According to still another embodiment, the at least one moveable weight can travel along the hollow chamber toward a downward position to provide a rotational force to the body to return the body to an upright position. The at least one moveable weight can be a solid member. The at least one moveable weight can also be filled with a ballast material. 
     According to another embodiment, when the flotation device enters a body of water in a generally upside down position whereby the recessed area is facing the water, the at least one moveable weight can move to one side of the flotation device, wherein the movement of the at least one moveable weight shifts the center of gravity of the flotation device away from an axis of rotation of the flotation device. The movement of the at least one moveable weight provides momentum to the flotation device to rotate about its axis of rotation to a position in which the center of gravity of the flotation device is located below the axis of rotation, thus providing a self-righting movement to the body and moving the body to an upright position. The infant flotation device can further comprise a buoyant material located between the outer surface of the body and the hollow chamber. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the drawings: 
         FIGS. 1 and 2  are perspective views of an infant flotation device according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-section of the infant flotation device of  FIG. 2  along the lines II-II. 
         FIGS. 4A-4D  illustrate the self-righting motion of the infant flotation device of  FIG. 1  according to an embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an infant flotation device  10  having a seat portion  11  and a housing  12  comprising a ballast chamber  13  and a pair of front and rear support legs  14 ,  15 . A passenger  16  can be an infant or small child weighing less than 20-22 pounds, and can be secured to the seat portion  11  through restraints  17  in the form of a three-point harness. The seat portion  11  can be provided with a cushion or soft material  18  to improve the comfort of the infant  16 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , the seat portion  11  can be provided with restraint apertures  19  for receiving the restraints  17 . The number and position of the restraint apertures  19  are not germane to the invention and can vary depending on the type of restraints  17 . For example, the restraints  17  can be a three-point harness, as illustrated. Alternatively, the restraints  17  can be provided in the form of a five-point harness, such as is used in automotive infant safety seats. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , the housing  12  can include an upper portion  20  located above the ballast chamber  13  and below the seat portion  11 . The upper portion  20  and the seat portion  11  can define a cavity  21  for receiving buoyant material. The buoyant material can be any suitable material such as one or more layers of buoyant foam or air bladders. Alternatively, the buoyant material can be in the form of blown foam that is injected into the cavity  21 . 
     The seat portion  11 , the housing  12  and the front and rear support legs  14 ,  15  can be made from plastic. The housing  12  and the front and rear support legs  14 ,  15  can be integrally formed from a single mold. Alternatively, the seat portion  11 , the housing  12  and the front and rear support legs  14 ,  15  can be formed separately and assembled using mechanical fasteners, such as pins or screws, or non-mechanical fasteners such as an adhesive or by ultra-sonic welding. The seat portion  11  can be secured to the housing  12  using any suitable non-mechanical fastener, such as an adhesive or an ultrasonic weld. 
     The ballast chamber  13  can be provided with one or more apertures  22  irregularly or regularly spaced around the perimeter of the ballast chamber  13  to allow some amount of water to enter the ballast chamber  13 . Alternatively, the ballast chamber  13  can be provided such that is water-tight for preventing or minimizing the amount of water that can enter the ballast chamber  13 . The number and locations of the apertures  22  can be selected to allow the desired level of water to enter the ballast chamber  13  when the flotation device  10  is in the water. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 3 , a swinging ballast member  23  is provided within the ballast chamber  13 . The ballast member  23  comprises a weight  24  connected with a swing arm  26  by a connecting member  28 . The swing arm  26  is pivotally mounted in a mounting aperture  30  located in a first wall  32  of the housing  12  such that the weight  24  can pivot around a horizontal axis that runs between the front and rear support legs  14 ,  15 . Alternatively, the ballast member  23  can be rotatably mounted in a second wall  34  of the housing  12  opposite the first wall  32 . In addition, the swing arm  26  can be rotatably mounted at a first end in the first wall  32  and at a second end opposite the first end in the second wall  34 . 
     The size of the weight  24  and the connecting member  28  are selected such that the weight  24  can freely rotate within the ballast chamber  13  from an angle slightly greater than 90 degrees from the horizontal axis to an angle slight greater than −90 degrees from the horizontal axis as illustrated in dashed lines in  FIG. 3 . 
     The swinging ballast member  23  can be made from plastic or metal. Alternatively, the different parts of the ballast member  23  can be made from different materials. For example, the weight  24 , the swing arm  26  and the connecting arm  28  can be made from plastic. In this case, the weight  24  can comprise a hollow plastic housing filled with a ballast material such as sand or metal shot. Alternatively, the swing arm  26  and the connecting arm  28  can be made from plastic and the weight  24  can comprise a solid metal form. For example, the weight  24  may comprise a solid piece of iron. 
     The combination of the buoyant material within the cavity  21  and the swinging ballast member  23  provides a self-righting flotation device  10  capable of keeping an infant&#39;s head above a surface of a body of water. The amount and type of buoyant material within the cavity  21  can be selected to provide the desired amount of buoyancy to the flotation device  10 . The desired amount of buoyancy can be determined based on state and/or federal requirements. For example, the United States Coast Guard requires that an infant or child personal flotation device have a minimum inherent buoyancy of 7 pounds. 
       FIGS. 4A through 4D  illustrate the self-righting movement of the flotation device  10  when it enters a body of water  40  in a capsized position, i.e. any position in which the surface of the seat portion  11  is not in an upright position, according to an embodiment of the invention. If an infant  16  is present in the flotation device  10 , the self-righting movement ensures that the infant&#39;s face is not submerged under the surface of the water  40 . 
     While not intending to be limited by any theory, when the flotation device  10  enters the water in a generally upside-down, capsized position, as illustrated in FIG.  4 A, the weight  24  can pivot on the swing arm  26  to one side of the flotation device  10  as illustrated in  FIG. 4B . The movement of the weight  24  shifts the center of gravity of the flotation device  10  away from the axis of rotation of the flotation device  10 . This movement can provide momentum to the flotation device  10  to rotate about its axis of rotation to a position in which the center of gravity of the flotation device  10  is located below the axis of rotation, as illustrated in  FIGS. 4C and 4D . 
     As the flotation device  10  starts to rotate with respect to the body of water  40  as shown in  FIGS. 4B  though  4 D, water can enter the ballast chamber  13  through the apertures  22  as illustrated by the arrows in  FIG. 4C . As the water enters the ballast chamber  13 , the weight of the water can contribute to the momentum of the flotation device  10  as it moves to an upright position in the body of water  40 . 
     The swinging ballast member  23  can provide the flotation device  10  with the ability to rapidly move into an upright position in a body of water regardless of how the flotation device  10  enters the body of water. It will be understood that the swinging ballast member  23  shown in the example embodiments herein can be any type of moveable weight which travels within the ballast chamber  13  to provide a rotational force to the flotation device  10  to return it to an upright position. In addition, while the ballast member  23  is described as a swinging member attached to the ballast chamber  13  by a swing arm  26 , other examples of the ballast member  23  are contemplated within the scope of this invention. 
     For example, the ballast member  23  can comprise one or more weights positioned within one or more tracks in which the weights can slide or roll toward a downward position, providing a rotational force to the flotation device to return it to an upright position. In another example, the ballast member  23  can comprise one or more freely moving weights, unattached to the ballast chamber  13 , which fall by gravity toward a downward position, providing a rotational force to the flotation device to return it to an upright position. 
     An additional benefit of the swinging ballast member  23  is that the movement of the weight  24  can provide momentum to the flotation device  10  to increase the rate at which it comes to an upright position in the water  40 . The speed at which the flotation device  10  comes to an upright position is important in ensuring that the infant&#39;s face is not submerged under the surface of the water for any significant length of time, which may lead to injury due to lack of oxygen or drowning. The weight  24  also provides stability to the infant flotation device  10  when it is in an upright position. 
     The weight of the water that enters the ballast chamber  13  through the apertures  22  can also contribute to the stability of the infant flotation device when it is in an upright position. The weight  24  and the weight of the water can provide enough weight to maintain the flotation device  10  at a position relative to the surface of the water such that some portions of the seat portion  11  and housing  12  are below the surface of the water while the infant&#39;s head is maintained above the surface of the water. This positioning of the flotation device  10  relative to the surface of the water can minimize the likelihood that the flotation device  10  will capsize while floating the water. 
     While the invention has been specifically described in connection with certain specific embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that this is by way of illustration and not of limitation, and the scope of the appended claims should be construed as broadly as the prior art will permit.