Patent Publication Number: US-9849948-B2

Title: Personal flotation assembly with protective shell

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/147,074 filed on Apr. 14, 2015, entitled. The above identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to flotation devices and life preservers. More specifically, the present invention relates to a flotation device that provides an occupant shell that protects that occupant from the open water when adrift for long periods of time. 
     Emergency flotation devices save lives. These devices assist flotation of a user when in open water, and are commonly found on boats, planes, and other vessels that cross bodies of water. If forced to abandon the vessel, such flotation devices can help a user float for long periods and prevent drowning. Common flotation devices include ring buoys, life jackets, and other personal flotation devices. A user can rely on the buoyancy of the flotation device, reducing effort required to tread water or remain afloat. 
     However, most flotation devices are suited for emergency situations and are not ideal for long-term, open water use. In the event a user must abandon a vessel and enter the open water, a small inflatable craft or boat is more desirable. However, this is not always available. As a consequence, the user relies on the personal flotation device and is otherwise exposed to the open water. Over time, the user can encounter sea life, including carnivorous fish, jelly fish, and sharks. Therefore, a need exists for an improved emergency floatation device that protects the user floating in the water over long periods. 
     The present invention provides a personal flotation device that is sized for personal use and suited for long-term use in open waters. In particular, the present invention provides a ring-shaped flotation device with an open interior that assists a user floating in water. Along the lower end of the flotation device is a biased shell assembly that extends outward when deployed. The shell extends downward and provides an enclosed interior volume that supports the floating user. The shell is resilient and protective of the user. Furthermore, the shell is permeable, whereby the interior of the shell is filled with water. Therefore, the user can float within the ring and the shell for long periods, whereby the shell separates the user from the open water to prevent biting or stinging from open water threats. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The following summary is intended solely for the benefit of the reader and is not intended to be limiting in any way. The present invention provides a new personal flotation assembly that can be utilized for assisting a user float in open water and protecting the user while in use. 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved personal flotation assembly that has all of the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a personal flotation assembly that provides a buoyant flotation device that floats on the surface of the water, and a protective shell that extends downward from the flotation device that shrouds the user&#39;s body in the water. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a personal flotation assembly that comprises a flotation device having an annular body that surrounds a user in the water, and an open interior that is sized to receive the user within the interior of the flotation device. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a personal flotation assembly whereby the flotation device comprising a buoyant structure that is adapted to receive the user therethrough. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a personal flotation assembly that comprises a protective shell secured to a lower portion of the flotation device. The protective shell has a perimeter sidewall and a lower surface forming an open interior. Furthermore, the protective shell has an open upper disposed below the open interior of the flotation device. The protective shell is adapted to receive the user within its interior volume and shroud the user from the open water while allowing water to penetrate therethrough such that the user floats within the shell interior. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a personal flotation assembly whereby the protective shell is collapsible against the flotation device and expandable therefrom. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a personal flotation assembly whereby a spiral expansion spring is disposed within the sidewall of the protective shell. The spiral expansion spring has a coiled structure, an extended length, and an open interior. In the compressed state, the spiral expansion spring is compressed towards the lower portion of the flotation device. In the extended state, the spiral expansion spring is extends downward from the lower portion of the flotation device, whereby the extended length of the compressed state is less than the extended length of the extended state. When extended, the spring expands the sidewalls of the protective shell for a user to enter the interior thereof. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a personal flotation assembly whereby the sidewall of the protective shell is a flexible structure and the spiral expansion spring is disposed therein. The flexible structure of the sidewall therefore expands and contracts with the spiral expansion spring. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a personal flotation assembly whereby the open interior of the flotation device being sized to receive a user therein. Moreover, the extended length of the protective shell may be sized when in the extended state to receive a user therein at least up to the chest of the user. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a personal flotation assembly whereby the spiral expansion spring further comprises a fiberglass coil spring affixed to the sidewall of the protective shell. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a personal flotation assembly whereby the spiral expansion spring further comprises a metal coil spring affixed to the sidewall of the protective shell. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a personal flotation assembly whereby the spiral expansion spring is disposed within a sheath that extends around and is affixed to the sidewall of the protective shell. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a personal flotation assembly whereby the sidewall and lower surface of the protective shell are water permeable. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a personal flotation assembly whereby the sidewall and lower surface of the protective shell are comprised of a resilient material that is resistant to puncture and tearing. In one embodiment, the material further comprises a Kevlar layer. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a personal flotation assembly whereby the sidewall and lower surface of the protective shell may further comprise one or more mesh layers that are water permeable. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a personal flotation assembly whereby the flotation device further comprises an annular body or ring buoy. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a personal flotation assembly whereby the protective shell further comprises a cylindrical shape. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a personal flotation assembly whereby the flotation device further comprises strobe light. 
     Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout. 
         FIG. 1  shows a view of the personal flotation assembly of the present invention in a working state. 
         FIG. 2  shows a cut-away view of one embodiment of the personal flotation assembly of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  shows another view of the personal flotation assembly in a working state. 
         FIG. 4  shows a view of the personal flotation assembly in a collapsed state, whereby the protective shell is compressed against the flotation device. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the personal flotation assembly of the present invention. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for providing a personal flotation device to a user while protecting the user from the open water by shrouding his or her body in the water with a protective shell. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 3 , there are shown views of the personal flotation assembly of the present invention in a working state. The assembly comprises a flotation device  50  and a protective shell  100  extending therefrom. The assembly is adapted to be utilized in emergency situations or in situations when the user is in the water  200  and requires flotation assistance. The flotation device  50  is a buoyant structure with an opening interior  52  that is sized to receive a user therein. The size of the flotation device  50  may be specific to individual users or have different sizes, but is designed for supporting a human user within the interior  52  thereof. 
     The flotation device  50  may comprise different shapes and be have different materials that give the device  50  its buoyant properties. In one embodiment, the flotation device is an annular ring  57  that is adapted to surround a user within its open interior  52 . The annular ring  57  may be similar to a ring buoy, or alternatively have a rounded interior shape and an outer sidewall  51  that extends outward in different shapes (i.e. a large square shape with a rounded hole, etc.). In any embodiment, the user floats within the interior  52  of the flotation device  50  and can rest his or her arms over the top of the device  50  to remain afloat for long periods. 
     Extending below the flotation device is a protective shell  100 . The protective shell  100  is secured to a lower portion  58  of the flotation device  50  and extends downward therefrom. The protective shell  100  comprises an open upper  112  disposed below the open interior  52  of the flotation device  50 , whereby the shell  50  forms an enclosure that surrounds the floating user supported by the flotation device  50 . In particular, the protective shell  100  has a perimeter sidewall  111  and a lower surface  110  forming an enclosed interior with an open upper. The open upper is disposed below the open interior  52  of the flotation device  50  such that a user when entering the flotation device interior  52 , enters into the interior of the protective shell  100 . 
     The protective shell  100  is one that expands when the assembly is deployed, and collapses against the flotation device  50  when the assembly is stowed. To expand the shell  100 , a spiral expansion spring  105  is disposed within the sidewall  111  thereof that biases the shell  100  into an expanded state. The spiral expansion spring  105  has a coiled structure that extends along or through the sidewall  111  of the shell  100  and expands the shell  100  into its expanded state when the assembly is deployed. The spring  105  has an extended length and an open interior. The open interior is coextensive with the open interior of the shell  100 , such that the diameter of the spring  105  is equal to the diameter of the shell  100  and the spring  105  is disposed against or within the sidewall  111 . 
     To allow the spiral expansion spring  105  to expand the shell  100 , the sidewall  111  of the protective shell  100  comprising a flexible structure. The spring  105  furthermore has a compressed state and an extended state. When in the compressed state, the spiral expansion spring  105  is compressed towards the lower portion  58  of the flotation device  50  and the flexible sidewall  111  is condensed thereagainst. When the spring  105  is in an extended state, the spiral expansion spring  105  extends downward from the lower portion  58  of the flotation device  50  such that the sidewalls  111  are expanded and the shell  100  provides an open interior sized to receive a floating user therein. Thus, the extended length of the spring  105  in its compressed state is substantially less than the extended length of the spring  105  in its extended state. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , there is shown a cut-away view of the flotation assembly of the present invention in a deployed state. The assembly comprises a flotation device  50  and a protective shell  100  that extends therefrom. The shell  100  has an upper end  112  that is connected to the lower portion of the flotation device  50 . The expansion spring  105  is one that spirals around the rounded sidewall  111  of the shell and extends from the upper end  112  to the lower end  110  thereof. In one embodiment, the spiral spring  105  is disposed within the sidewall  111 . In other embodiments, the spring  105  is disposed along the outer surface or interior surface of the shell sidewall  111 . In any embodiment, the spring  105  is preferably connected to the sidewall  111  along its length such that the spring  105  expands the flexible sidewall  11  of the shell when the spring expands to its deployed state. 
     The spiral expansion spring  105  itself may comprise different materials or constructions. In one embodiment, the spiral expansion spring  105  comprises a fiberglass coil spring affixed to the sidewall  111  of the protective shell  105  along the length of the spring  105 . In another embodiment, the spiral expansion spring  105  comprises a metal coil spring affixed to the sidewall  111  of the protective shell  100  along its length. In other embodiments, the spring  105  and sidewall  111  may be disconnected and the spring  105  may be disposed within the interior of the shell  100 , whereby eth spring acts on the base  110  of the shell  100  to expand the shell to its deployed state. In yet another embodiment, the spiral expansion spring  105  is disposed within a sheath that extends around and is affixed to the sidewall  111  of the protective shell  100 . 
     The protective shell  100  is a water permeable structure that is puncture and tear resistant. The shell  100  may comprise a singular layer of material, or may comprise a composite of several layers forming its structure. Preferably, the shell  100  is flexible such that the shell can be condensed against the flotation device  50  and expands therefrom by way of the expansion spring  105 . In one embodiment, the shell sidewall  111  comprises a cylindrical shape and has several layers. Each of the layers is water permeable or has sufficient openings therethrough to allow water to infiltrate the interior of the shell such that the user floats within the interior of the shell while in use. This is so the shell  100  remains below the buoyant flotation device  50  and is not prone to flipping over. If the interior of the shell is submerged and filled with water, the shell  100  will remain below water and below the buoyant flotation device  50 . 
     One embodiment of the multilayer shell comprises one or more layers of para-aramid synthetic fibers  121 , commonly known as Kevlar. The Kevlar layers are resistant to puncture and tearing, and may form portions of the sidewall. The Kevlar layer or layers  121  may further include openings or holes to allow water to flow therethrough, while an outer protective layer  123  protects the Kevlar from water. Alternative or additional layers may comprise resilient mesh layers  122 , such as braided steel mesh or the like. The intent of the shell  100  is to provide a water permeable structure that surrounds the user, while also offering protecting against punch and tearing in the event of a shark attack or contact with other sea life. In this manner, the user is protected from below and from the sides, and can float within the interior of the shell  100  while resting his or her head above water on the flotation device. 
     The extended length of the shell  100  when deployed is preferably sized to receive a human therein up to the user&#39;s chest. This may be several feet in length. It is not desired to claim a specific length or height for the shell, but to describe a shell of several feet in height such that a user can float within the interior of the shell while resting his or her shoulders and arms on the flotation device  50  (see  FIGS. 1 and 3 ). Moreover, the shell  100  preferably has a cylindrical shape. The shape may differ from the preferred shape, however, and may include alternative cross sectional shapes as desired by the user and the manufacturer. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , there is shown a view of the flotation assembly of the present invention in a collapsed state. The protective shell  100  is collapsed against the flotation device  50  such that the extended length of the spring  105  is minimized. This reduces the height of the assembly such that it can be stored in a carry pouch  30  or secured in a condensed state with a strap therearound. In this state, the sidewall  111  of the shell is collapsed against the flotation device  50  such that the lower end of the shell abuts against the open interior  52  of the flotation device  50 . This allows the assembly to be stored in a collapsed state until use is required. 
     In addition to providing a buoyant and protective structure, the assembly may further include locating devices. The locating devices provide a signal to find a user adrift in the ocean. These may include a strobe light  70 , an electronic location device, or similar electronic assembly that assists to visualize the user or locate the user using radio signals. 
     Overall, the floatation assembly is designed to assist a floating a user in a body of water, whereby the user is supported in a generally upright position. The assembly more specifically comprises a floatation device forming a floatation ring with a central opening through which the user can be positioned. The shell extends from the lower end thereof. The floatation device preferably comprises a water buoyant, rigid foamed material such as foamed polystyrene; however, alternative materials and constructions of the flotation device are contemplated. 
     It is submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. 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.