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Personal Flotation Device

a technology of personal flotation which is applied in the field can solve the problems of unwieldy wear, difficult visual identification of the location of the device, and the state of the art of personal flotation device and water safety device, and achieve the effect of improving visibility

Inactive Publication Date: 2022-09-08
BURDETT JAMES
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes devices and methods to make it easier for people in water wearing flotation devices to see. The technical effect is improved visibility for people in water.

Problems solved by technology

Personal flotation devices can be composed of buoyant chambers that are filled with foam or other buoyant materials, but these devices can be unwieldy to wear, resulting in some people choosing not to wear them.
But some fundamental problems remain with the state of the art in personal flotation devices and water safety devices.
When a person has fallen overboard from a watercraft, even if they are wearing a personal flotation device, identifying their location visually is often very difficult.
Location marking devices deployed overboard suffer from this lag between the person falling into the water and the alarm being given.
Additionally, in adverse circumstances, such as rough water due to river rapids, currents, swells, or strong winds, a person in the water may be hidden from the sight of even a diligent crew member.
Further, location marking devices are not tethered to the person in the water and frequently the two drift apart, misleading the searchers still on the vessel.

Method used

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Examples

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Embodiment Construction

[0019]Illustrated in FIG. 1 is an example embodiment of a personal flotation device in accordance with this invention. The example personal flotation device 100 is shown in an uninflated state. The device 100 comprises a first chamber 110, a second chamber 120, an inflation means 130, a cover flap 140 for chamber 120 and strap assembly 150.

[0020]Chamber 110 provides buoyant support for the person wearing the device when inflated. In embodiments, chamber 110 may be roughly U-shaped where the head of the person wearing device 100 rests on the back of the U-shape when it is inflated. In other embodiments, chamber 110 may be vest-shaped with chamber 110 extending all the way around the torso of the person wearing device 100, not shown. Many gas-impermeable materials are well known for use in inflatable personal flotation devices, such as nylon or polyester fabrics coated on one or both sides with thermoplastic polyurethane. Chamber 110 may be constructed of any gas impermeable material ...

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Abstract

A personal flotation device and method are disclosed to provide improved visibility for a person wearing the device in the water. The device is composed of a complex inflatable manifold including an extension that, when inflated, projects above the water's surface. The extension may also include a light and may also include a flag.

Description

BACKGROUND[0001]Personal flotation devices are well known and even required in many places for people who are enjoying time on the water, whether it be on the ocean or on lakes or rivers. The purpose of requiring a personal flotation device is to prevent drownings by ensuring that the person wearing the device will be supported at the surface of the water.[0002]Personal flotation devices can be composed of buoyant chambers that are filled with foam or other buoyant materials, but these devices can be unwieldy to wear, resulting in some people choosing not to wear them. Personal flotation devices can also be composed of deflated buoyant chambers that are filled with gas when required. Typically, such a device also includes an inflation means, such as a container of compressed gas. The compressed gas may be released into the personal flotation device after a manual action, such as pulling a cord. A safer version of such a device includes a mechanism that will automatically release the...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): B63C9/20B63C9/125
CPCB63C9/20B63C9/1255B63C2009/007B63C2009/0047
Inventor BURDETT, JAMES
Owner BURDETT JAMES
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