Abstract:
A buoyancy harness for connecting a rider to a water sport apparatus, including sailboards, boats, and boating accessories, the harness comprised a body portion, a fastener, and a connector. The body portion may take the form of a waist or seat harness that is configured to encircle at least a portion of the lower abdomen of the rider and possibly a portion of the pelvic region. At least a portion of the body portion is comprised of at least one layer of buoyant material. The body portion may also include a water permeable material that permits trapped water to pass through the harness. The fastener is operably connected to the body portion and is configured to secure the body portion to at least a portion of the rider. The connector is also operably connected to the body portion and is configured for operable attachment to the water sport apparatus.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention pertains to a harness for attachment to a water sport apparatus, such as a sailboard, sailboat, kite, boat, or boating accessory. More specifically, the present invention pertains to a buoyant seat or waist harness that may be directly or indirectly attached to a water sport apparatus which covers at least a portion of the participant&#39;s, hereinafter referred to as rider, lower abdomen region. The present invention provides some buoyancy in the event that the rider falls into the water or in the event of an emergency.  
         [0002]     Over the years, water-based sports, and particularly sailboarding, including windsurfing and kiteboarding, have steadily increased in popularity. Unlike surfing, sailboarding sports are not dependent on large waves for excitement. Instead, sailboarding sports rely on the power of the wind to propel the rider along or above the water, thereby allowing those not conveniently located near a sea or ride-able waves to participate in board-based water sports. Sailboarding apparatuses typically rely on sails and kites to capture and harness the power of the wind.  
         [0003]     One type of sailboarding apparatus is a windsurfer. Windsurfers are typically comprised of a board, mast, mastfoot, boom, and sail. A rider standing atop the board typically holds onto the boom, which is connected to the mast at one end and the sail at the other end, and which allows the rider to tip and turn the mast about the mastfoot. The manipulation of the mast assists in the rider&#39;s ability to control and steer the direction of travel. Riders often wear a harness that directly or indirectly connects to the boom or other parts of the rig. By attaching the harness to the windsurfer, the rider may lessen the load on his or her arms that is created when holding onto the boom or rig, thereby reducing fatigue that a rider may experience when holding onto the boom or rig for relatively long periods of time. Further, by relying on the harness to maintain a connection between the rider and the windsurfer, the rider is able to use more of his or her overall weight to balance the forces that are asserted against the windsurfer.  
         [0004]     With kiteboarding, the mast and boom are eliminated. Instead, sails or kites are typically connected to a bar that is both held by the rider and which is also connected to the rider&#39;s harness. When attempting to control the direction of travel, the kiteboard rider may pull on the bar to tug the lines that are connected to the kite, and thus manipulate the position of the kite, while also relying on the secure connection between the harness and the bar to balance his or her weight along the board.  
         [0005]     A variety of harnesses for sailboarding and boating activities are available. These harnesses can be broken down into three main categories, namely, jacket harnesses, waist harnesses, and seat harnesses. Jacket harnesses may be similar to life jackets or life preservers in that the jacket harness fits around the neck, shoulders, and chest of the rider and may also function as a floatation device. Waist and seat harnesses generally cover at least a portion of the lower abdomen of the rider. Seat harnesses and some waist harnesses may also cover a portion the rider&#39;s buttock region. Seat harnesses typically include thigh straps that are not commonly found on waist harnesses. However, some waist harnesses do not extend as far, if at all, below the waist of the rider, or do not cover any portion of the rider&#39;s buttock region.  
         [0006]     Although each type of harness has its own advantages and disadvantages, waist and seat harnesses are generally considered more comfortable, offer relatively good back support while maintaining a low profile, and enable the rider to use all of his or her body weight in balancing and maneuvering the specific board-based apparatus. Thus, most participants in sailboarding activities prefer to wear seat or waist harnesses rather than jacket harnesses. However, unlike jacket harnesses, non-inflatable waist or seat harnesses do not assist in keeping a rider afloat in water.  
         [0007]     Because the boards used with sailboarding activities are considered flotation devices, participants in these sports are not required by law to wear separate flotation apparatuses, namely life preserves or flotation jackets. Some boards however, such as those used for kiteboarding, are no larger than a wakeboard, and therefore often do not provide sufficient flotation to help an injured or tired rider stay afloat in the event of an emergency. Yet, because of issues related to comfort, maneuverability, or a general disregard for safety, the majority of participants in sailboarding activities do not wear floatation jackets and continue to wear waist and seat harnesses that are not buoyant.  
         [0008]     Further, because some of these sports, such as kiteboarding, allow riders to ascend thirty feet or more above the water, some manufacturers offer buoyant impact vests. Impact vests are designed to provide some protection from the spectacular falls that often result when riders crash down into the water. However, many riders do not wear impact vests because such vests are cumbersome and thus restrict the upper body movement and maneuverability of the rider. Further, some riders refuse to wear impact vests because the large vests are considered to be unstylish.  
         [0009]     Additionally, while participating in sailboarding and boating activities, riders typically continuously wear seat and waist harnesses for several hours before removing the harness. Because seat and waist harnesses do not include buoyant materials, non-inflatable seat and waist harnesses are often stiff, and thus create pressure points inside the harness that cause rider discomfort, and may result in uncomfortable sores and skin irritation.  
         [0010]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,069,153 discloses a seat harness having a body part that fits around the rider and one or more straps that are swivelably mounted on the body part that may be connected to a boom. Although the harness taught by the U.S. Pat. No. 5,069,153 reference is intended to allow a rider to transfer his or her weight to the boom, and thus relieve strain on the arms, the harness does not also function as a flotation device. Thus, if a rider were in danger in the middle of a body of water, the rider most likely would have to rely on the board for flotation.  
         [0011]     U.S. Pat. No. 4,545,773 discloses a jacket harness for use with sailboards in which the jacket is both buoyant and has a clasp configured for attaching the jacket to a sailboard line. In the event an emergency arises while out on the water, the buoyancy of the jacket provides the rider with an additional safety flotation device, rather than merely having to rely on the board for a safe return to land or to keep the rider afloat until help arrived. Buoyant harness jackets however are typically cumbersome, uncomfortable, and do not allow the rider to use all of his or her body weight in maneuvering the sailboard to the same extent attainable with waist and seat harnesses.  
         [0012]     U.S. Pat. No. 6,036,562 discloses a safety belt that may, through the use of compressed air, be converted into a life preserver that is placed over an individual&#39;s head and about the shoulders and neck. However, the U.S. Pat. No. 6,036,562 reference requires that the user be coherent enough to place the vest around his or her neck and inflate the safety preserve with the compressed air. The U.S. Pat. No. 6,036,562 reference does not disclose a waist or seat harness that may both connect a rider to sailboard apparatus and which may also act as a buoyancy device without requiring that the apparatus be inflated.  
         [0013]     U.S. Pat. No. 6,179,677 discloses a water sport belt that may protect personal items such as credit cards, and which includes an inflatable bladder to provide buoyancy in the event an emergency arises. More specifically, the U.S. Pat. No. 6,179,677 reference discloses the blowing of a sufficient amount of air into an accordion shaped bladder so that the belt may become buoyant. As with the U.S. Pat. No. 6,036,562 reference, the device disclosed in the U.S. Pat. No. 6,179,677 reference requires that the user be coherent enough to inflate the bladder. The U.S. Pat. No. 6,179,677 reference does not disclose a waist or seat harness that connects a rider to a sailboard apparatus and which does not require inflation.  
         [0014]     U.S. Pat. No. 4,047,255 discloses a flotation hiking harness that includes both a jacket and attached waist and seat portions. The front and shoulder sections of the hiking apparatus are configured such that buoyancy is established as high up on the harness as possible, including over the chest, such that a person wearing the hiking harness in the water will be turned to a face-up position. The U.S. Pat. No. 4,047,255 reference does not disclose a waist or seat harness apparatus in which buoyancy is provided through the seat or belt portion of the harness.  
         [0015]     U.S. Pat. No. 4,567,961 discloses a safety belt harness that is tethered to a self-retracting reel for use on boats. The reel, and associated tethering line, allows the rider wearing the harness to move around the boat while still ensuring that the rider remains attached to the boat. In the event that the rider falls into the water, the rider may use the tethering line to pull himself back into the boat. The tethering line may also be connected to an inflatable life belt or harness worn by the rider such that, in the event the tethering line is disengaged, the life belt or harness will automatically inflate. The device disclosed in the U.S. Pat. No. 4,567,961 patent does not teach a waist or seat harness that also acts as a flotation device without the need for inflation.  
         [0016]     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a buoyancy harness for use in water-based activities.  
         [0017]     It is another object of the present invention to provide a buoyant seat or waist harness for use with water sport apparatuses, including boating, sailing, and sailboarding activities, and particularly for use with a windsurfer and kiteboarding.  
         [0018]     It is another object of the present invention to provide a comfortable seat and waist harness that will prevent the development of pressure points inside the harness.  
         [0019]     These and other desirable characteristics of the present invention will become apparent in view of the present specification, including the claims and drawings.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0020]     The present invention pertains to a safety device for water sports and activities. More particularly, the present invention relates to a waist or seat harness for use with water sport apparatuses, including boating, sailing, and sailboarding activities in which the waist or seat harness is buoyant and may operably connect the rider to the water sport apparatus.  
         [0021]     The harness includes a body portion, a fastener, and a connector. The fastener may be configured to secure the body portion to at least a portion of the rider and may assist in operably connecting the harness to the water sport apparatus. The fastener may include at least one strap and at least one clamp, the clamp or clamps preferably being configured to operably maintain the strap or straps in a taut condition. The connector is operably connected to the fastener or to the body portion, and may include a clasp and a bar. The clasp may be configured for direct or indirect attachment to the water sport apparatus, including attachment through the use of lines and straps.  
         [0022]     The body preferably has an outer region, an inner region, an upper region, a mid region, and a lower region. At least a portion of the inner region may include at least one layer of buoyant material, such as, but not limited to, a closed cell foam. Besides providing buoyancy, the layer or layers of buoyant material may also provide padding that prevents the development of pressure points inside the harness and discomfort to the rider. Further, at least a portion of the outer region of the lower region may include a water permeable material configured to allow trapped water to flow through the harness, and thus improve the rider&#39;s comfort while also reducing drag.  
         [0023]     In one embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus is a buoyant seat harness, which may further include a thigh strap or straps. In such an embodiment, the body portion may fit around at least a portion of the lower abdomen and pelvis of the rider. The lower region of the body may also be configured to surround at least a portion of the rider&#39;s buttock.  
         [0024]     In one embodiment of the seat harness, the harness may, when inverted, be configured to be used as a buoyant chest harness. In such an embodiment, the thigh strap may be used as one or more arm straps, thereby assisting in transforming the apparatus into an upper body floatation device. The fastener may also be configured so as to wrap around a portion of the rider&#39;s back region so as to further secure the apparatus to the rider&#39;s body.  
         [0025]     In another embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus is a buoyant waist harness, wherein the body portion encircles at least a portion of the rider&#39;s lower abdomen and lower back region. In the illustrated embodiment, the lower region of the waist harness terminates at approximately the waist of the rider. In such an embodiment, the lower region may cover a minimal, if any, portion of the rider&#39;s buttock region.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0026]      FIG. 1  illustrates a front elevation view of a seat harness in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0027]      FIG. 2  illustrates a side elevation view of a seat harness in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0028]      FIG. 3  illustrates a rear elevation view of a seat harness in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0029]      FIG. 4  illustrates a bottom view of a seat harness in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0030]      FIG. 5  illustrates a cross sectional view of a layer of buoyant material in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0031]      FIG. 6  illustrates a front elevation view of a seat harness in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0032]      FIG. 7  illustrates a side elevation view of a seat harness in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0033]      FIG. 8  illustrates a rear elevation view of a seat harness in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0034]      FIG. 9  illustrates a cross sectional view of two layers of buoyant material and an secondary layer in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0035]      FIG. 10  illustrates a front elevation view of a waist harness in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0036]      FIG. 11  illustrates a side elevation view of a waist harness in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0037]      FIG. 12  illustrates a rear elevation view of a waist harness in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0038]      FIG. 13  illustrates a bottom view of a waist harness in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
       [0039]     The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of certain embodiments of the present invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings, certain embodiments. It should be understood, however, that the present invention is not limited to the arrangements and instrumentalities shown in the attached drawings.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0040]      FIGS. 1, 2 ,  3 , and  4  illustrate one embodiment of the present invention in which the buoyant harness  10  is a seat harness  11 . The seat harness  11  may include a body portion  12 , a fastener  16 , and a connector  18 . The seat harness  11  may also include at least one thigh strap  20 , each thigh strap  20  being configured to wrap around at least a portion of the upper thigh or groin region of the rider.  
         [0041]     The body portion  12  of the seat harness  11  is comprised of an outer region  60 , an inner region, an upper region  13 , a mid region  14 , and a lower region  15 , and is configured to fit around at least a portion of the lower abdomen and pelvis of the rider. The lower region  15  of the seat harness  11  may be configured to surround at least a portion of the rider&#39;s buttock. The mid region  14  may include arms  21  that are configured to extend across at least a portion of the lower abdomen and/or the frontal waist region of the rider. Although the arms  21 , as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , are shown as being apart from one another, the arms  21  may also be configured for closer proximity, including abutting or overlapping orientations. Further, at least a portion of the upper region  13  of the seat harness  11  may include an elevated region  24  that is oriented to provide back support to the rider.  
         [0042]     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the mid region  14  of the body portion  12  may be operably connected to a belt  22  that assists in securing the seat harness  11  to the rider, the belt  22  being configured to traverse at least a portion of the lower abdomen or waist region of the rider. In the illustrated embodiment of the present invention, the belt  22  may be operably connected to the arms  21 . The belt  22  may be securely fastened in a number of ways, including, but not limited to, through the use of Velcro, clasps, snaps, buttons, buckles, or hooks.  
         [0043]     At least a portion of the outer region  60  of the body portion  12  may be constructed of a water resistant material, including, but not limited to, nylon. Further, at least a portion of the outer region  60  located in proximity to the lower region  15  may include a permeable material, such as, but not limited to, a mesh, that allows accumulated water to flow through the seat harness  11 , thereby improving the comfort of the rider while also reducing drag.  
         [0044]     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the outer region  60  encloses at least a substantial portion of the inner region  62  and may offer some structural support to the materials contained within the inner region  62 . In the illustrated embodiment of the present invention, at least a portion of the inner region  62  includes at least one layer of buoyant material  26 , such as, but not limited to, a closed cell foam. The foam may also add some padding so as to assist in resisting the development of pressure points within the harness  11  that may cause rider discomfort.  
         [0045]     The fastener  16  may be configured to secure the seat harness  11  to the rider and assist in operably attaching the seat harness  11  to the water sport apparatus. As shown in  FIGS. 1, 2 , and  3 , the fastener  16  may include at least one strap  30  and at least one clamp  34 , the strap  30  having a first end  31  and a second end  32 . The clamp  34  may include, but is not limited to, a pivotable locking mechanism, buckle, snap, hook, or clasp. In the illustrated embodiment, the first end  31  of the strap  30  is stitched to the seat harness  11 . Alternatively, a portion of the strap  30  in proximity to the first end  31  may be operably connected to the seat harness  11  via a second clamp. In another embodiment, at least a portion of the strap  30  passes through a loop or buckle such that the first end  31  and second end  32  of the strap  30  may be located in proximity to the same side of the seat harness  11 . In another alternative embodiment, the strap  30  is comprised of two straps  30 , both of which are operably connected to the seat harness  11 . In such an embodiment, at least a portion of both straps  30  engage a clamp  34  so as to operably secure the seat harness  11  about the rider.  
         [0046]     The clamp  34  is configured to operably maintain the desired tautness of the strap  30  about the seat harness  11 , thereby securing the seat harness  11  to the rider. In the illustrated embodiment of the present invention, the second end  32  of the strap  30  is pulled until the strap  30  is taut. Upon the removal of the pulling force, a portion of the strap  30  remains operably engaged with the clamp  34 , thereby retaining the strap  30  in a taut condition.  
         [0047]      FIGS. 1, 2 , and  4  illustrate a seat harness  11  that includes a connector  18 . The connector  18  is configured for both attachment to the seat harness  11  and for operable engagement with a strap or line that is directly or indirectly connected to a water sport apparatus. In the illustrated embodiment of the present invention, the connector  18  includes a bar  40  and a clasp  42 , the bar  40  having a first end  43 , a second end  44 , and a mid section  45 . The clasp  42  may be operably connected to the mid section of the bar  40 . The first and second ends  43 ,  44  may be configured for operable engagement with the mid region  14  of the seat harness  11 . In the illustrated embodiment, the first and second ends  43 ,  44  include slots that are configured for operable engagement with the strap  30 .  
         [0048]     In one embodiment of the present invention, the seat harness  11  may be configured so that, when inverted, the seat harness  11  may be used as a chest harness. In such an embodiment, the thigh strap  20  may be used as an arm strap. The body portion  12  of the seat harness  11  may then be placed about the chest region of the rider. Further, the strap  30  may be of sufficient length to be secured in a taut condition about the back of the rider through the use of the clamp  34 , thereby further assisting in securing the harness  11  about the chest region of the rider.  
         [0049]      FIGS. 6, 7 , and  8  illustrate an alternative embodiment of the present invention in which the body portion  12  of a seat harness  17  further includes a first body  28  and second body  29 , the first body  28  having an outer region  60   a  that includes an inner surface  36  and an outer surface  37 . At least a portion of the inner surface  36  of the first body  28  abuts the body of the rider. The body portion  60   b  of the second body  29  abuts at least a portion of the outer surface  37  and is configured to add structural support to the first body  28 . As shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the body portion  60   b  of the second body  29  may cover a substantial portion of the abutting upper, mid, and lower regions  13 ,  14 ,  15  of the outer surface  37  of the body portion  60   a  of the first body  28 . In an alternative embodiment, the second body  29  encircles only a portion of the upper and/or mid region  13 ,  14  of the first body  28 .  
         [0050]      FIG. 9  illustrates a partial cross sectional view of  FIG. 8 . As shown, the inner region  62   a  of the first body  28  includes a layer of buoyant material  26 , while the inner region  62   b  of the second body  29  includes an secondary layer  27 . The secondary layer  27  may be constructed from a variety of different materials, including a buoyant material, such as, but not limited to, a closed cell foam having a density higher than the material used for the layer of buoyant material  26 . Additionally, the secondary layer  27  preferably provides additional structural support to the layer of buoyant material  26  contained within the first body  28 . Further, the secondary layer  27  may assist in displacing uncomfortable pressure points that may develop within the harness  11  from the operable connection of the harness  11  to a water sport apparatus.  
         [0051]     Although  FIG. 9  illustrates a difference in height between the layer of buoyant material  26  and the secondary layer  27  so as to create a step  52 , the secondary layer  27  may also be configured to have the same general shape and height of the layer of buoyant material  26  so that a step  52  is not present. Further, the layer of buoyant material  26  and the secondary layer  27  may be both positioned within the same inner region  62  and thus enclosed by the same outer region  60 . For example, the partial cross section illustrated by  FIG. 5  may be modified to include an secondary layer  27  that is positioned alongside the layer of buoyant material  26  within the inner region  62 . In such a modified embodiment, the harness  11  does not have to include first and second body  28 ,  29  as illustrated in  FIG. 6 , but may instead have the same general configuration of the harness  11  shown in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0052]     In another embodiment of the present invention, the harness  10  is a buoyant waist harness  50 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 10, 11 ,  12 , and  13 . The waist harness  50  includes a body portion  12 , a fastener  16 , and a connector  18 . In such an embodiment, the waist harness  50  is substantially similar to the seat harness  11  with the exception of the configuration of the lower region  15  of the body portion  12 . In the illustrated embodiment of the present invention, the lower region  15  of the waist harness  50  terminates at approximately the waist of the rider, as shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12 . In such an embodiment, the lower region  15  may cover a minimal, if any, portion of the rider&#39;s buttock region.  
         [0053]     While the invention has been described with reference to certain embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from its scope. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.