BACKGROUND ART The necessity for some form of flotation device is apparent from the many recent occurrences of drownings particularly in surf conditions where swimmers or bathers may be inexperienced in such conditions and/or are swimming or bathing in an area which is not patrolled by lifeguards or lifesavers. A number of different forms of personal flotation device are currently available usually in the configuration of a life jacket or vest which is worn by a user who is partaking in a pastime where water safety is a requirement. Such pastimes include water skiing, and boating including sailing. The currently available life jackets or vests however are generally bulky and restrict movement. Further life jackets or vests are not useful where a person requires a temporary floatation device when swimming or bathing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention aims to provide a flotation device which is relatively compact and may be simply and effectively worn or carried by a user to provide protection against drowning. Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description.

The present invention thus provides in one aspect, a personal flotation device comprising : an inflatable envelope; a gas capsule for containing a compressed gas for inflating said inflatable envelope, a container for said gas capsule. means for sealing said envelope to said container; and actuating means associated with said container and operable to cause said capsule to be pierced to supply gas to said inflatable envelope to inflate said envelope to provide buoyancy to a user in water.

A piercing member is suitably associated with the container for piercing the capsule to permit escape of gas therefrom into the envelope. The capsule, as is conventional, suitably includes a pierceable section at cne end which may be pierced by the piercing member. The capsule may comprise a capsule of compressed carbon dioxide, nitrogen or any other suitable gas. The container may be

In one part or may comprise a number of parts which may be threadably interconnected or disconnected to allow placement of the capsule therein.

Suitably the actuating means is operable to move the piercing member relative to the capsule to effect piercing thereof. The actuating means may be provided with the piercing member such that when actuated, the piercing member pierces the pierceable section of the capsule. The actuating means may comprise an actuating member threadably engaged with one end of the capsule container, the other end of which is closed, and the actuating member suitably has an actuating lever or arm to facilitate rotation of the actuating member. Rotation of the actuating member causes through the thread relationship the piercing member to be advanced to engage and penetrate the pierceable section of the capsule. The piercing member is preferably hollow and the actuating member includes at least one passage communicating with the piercing member through which gas can escape into the envelope. The actuating member may alternatively or additionally include a further passage or opening communicating with the piercing member or region around the piercing member for enhancing escape of gas from the capsule into the envelope for more rapid inflation of the envelope and to prevent icing up in the event that the capsule is not fully penetrated.

In an alternative arrangement, the actuating means may be operable to move the capsule towards the piercing member. The actuating means in this form may again be threadably engaged with the container such that rotation thereof in one direction relative to the container will move the capsule towards the piercing member.

The envelope suitably includes a mouth which is sealed to the capsule container and which may extend around the closed end of the container opposite the actuating member. The mouth may be clamped to that end of the container by a screw clamp. The envelope however may be attached to the container by any suitable arrangement such as by an O-ring or clamping ring which peripherally clamps the mouth of the envelope around the container and suitably locates in a groove therein.

Alternatively or additionally, adhesive means may be used for securing the mouth of the envelope to the container. For added security, a pair of envelopes may be provided one located within the other.

The inflatable envelope may be formed of any suitable thin flexible or pliable material substantially impervious to the gas of the capsule and may comprise an expandable balloon. Typically, the envelope may be formed of plastics material,

such as a thin vinyl material or of a latex rubber. Preferably the envelope comprises a balloon which elastically expands with expansion of the gas when released from the capsule. The envelope of course may be of any shape or configuration.

The inflatable envelope, capsule and container containing the capsule may be arranged within a bag which may be releasably attached to or mounted on a belt which is arranged to be secured around the user's waist. The bag may include buckles or other connectors such as quick release snap connectors for connection to opposite ends of a belt passed in use about a user's waist or alternatively the bag may be clipped onto a belt by suitable clips or fasteners. In a further arrangement, the bag may include a loop or loops through which a belt may be passed for attachment to the user. The bag is suitably also attached to the container and preferably to the end of the container opposite the actuating member by a clamping screw. The bag typically may be formed of any fabric suitably a synthetic fabric such as neoprene. The bag may be of generally tubular form and closed by panels at each end. One panel may be clamped by the clamping screw to the container. The other panel may be radially slit or provided with an opening through which the envelope may expand. Alternatively or additionally, the bag may include a flap at one end which in the inactive position is folded into the remainder of the bag and which, when the envelope is inflated, is unfolded outwardly.

In an alternative arrangement, the actuating means may comprises a cam or lever actuator which when pulled or pushed will effect piercing of the capsule. The actuator may carry or support the piercing member such that when pulled or pushed, the piercing member will be moved towards the capsule until the piercing member penetrates the pierceable section of the capsule. Alternatively, the actuator when pulled or pushed may move the capsule towards the piercing member. The actuator may be attached to a flap of the bag such that pulling of the flap will move the actuator causing piercing of the capsule. The lever or cam actuator in these embodiments may be pivotally or hingedly mounted on the container and operation of the lever actuator can occur by means of the user grasping the container and lever actuator in one hand and pushing the lever actuator towards the container.

The present invention in a further aspect provides a personal flotation device comprising: an inflatable envelope, said envelope having a mouth; a gas capsule for containing a compressed gas for inflating said inflatable

envelope, a tubular container for said gas capsule, means for peripherally clamping said mouth of said envelope to said container; a piercing member for piercing said capsule; and an actuating member carrying said piercing member and threadably engaged with said container whereby rotation of said actuating member relative to said container advances said piercing member into engagement with said capsule to pierce said capsule to supply gas to said inflatable envelope to inflate said envelope to provide buoyancy to a user in water.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In order that the invention may be more readily understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention and wherein: Fig. 1 illustrates the device of the present invention in an inoperative attitude ; Fig. 2 illustrates in part sectional view the device of Fig. l prior to inflation; Fig. 3 illustrates in enlarged sectional view the device of Fig. 1 partially inflated; Fig. 4 illustrates the manner of use of the device of the invention with the envelope inflated; Figs. 5 illustrates in sectional view one end of the device showing an alternative arrangement for sealing the envelope to the container; Fig. 6 illustrate a modified form of bag for the device of Fig. 5 or Fig.

3; Fig. 7 illustrates in perspective view a further embodiment of the device of the invention; Fig. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of the device of Fig. 7; and Fig. 9 illustrates in partly disassembly view the container of the device incorporating in this instance an extension sleeve.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to the drawings and firstly to Figs. 1 and 2, there is illustrated a personal flotation device 10 according to the present invention including a bag 11 formed of lightweight fabric. The bag 11 has a generally tubular body 12 closed by a

flap 13 at one end which is folded into the body in the closed attitude of the bag 11.

The body 12 of the bag 11 includes a loop or loops 14 for receipt of a belt 15 (shown in dotted outline) for attachment around the waist of a user.

As shown more clearly in Fig. 2, the bag 11 contains an inflatable envelope 17 which is preferably formed of a lightweight impervious material suitably vinyl or plastics and which substantially surrounds a hollow cylindrical capsule container 18 suitably formed of plastics or lightweight metal. The mouth 19 of the envelope 17 surrounds and is sealed against the outer wall of the container 18 by virtue of the elasticity of the material of the envelope 17. The mouth 19 however may also extend around the end of the container 18 to be clamped to the container 18 by a screw 20 threaded into the end of the container 18 and associated washer 21. The screw 20 may also clamp the end of the bag 11 opposite to the flap 13 to the container 18 via a washer if necessary (see Fig. 3). When the screw 20 is threaded into the container 18, it seats on a shoulder to seal the end of the container 18 to prevent escape of gas therefrom.

Provided at the opposite end of the container 18 is an actuator 22 for actuating the device 10. The internal cavity of the container 18 which is of generally cylindrical form is of a size to contain a compressed gas capsule 23 as shown more clearly in Fig. 3. The actuator 22 is in threaded engagement with the end of the container 18 and includes a radially extending lever or arm 24. The actuator 22 includes a hollow piercing member 25 which communicates with a passage 26 opening into the envelope 17 through the end of the actuator 22. The lever 24 may also include an auxiliary passage 27 communicating with the piercing member 25.

In use and as shown in Fig. 4, the device 10 is attached to a belt 15 which for example may be passed through the loop 14 and around the waist of a user 28. The user 28 may then wear the device 10 whilst swimming and the device 10, because of its size and location, will provide little impediment to swimming or movement of the user 28. If the user 28 however is in difficulty, he or she may simply rotate the lever 24 relative to the container 18 to urge the actuator 22 inwardly so that the piercing member 25 penetrates the pierceable end 29 of the capsule 23 to permit the gas in the capsule 22 to escape through the passages 26 and 27 into the envelope 17 to effect inflation thereof.

As the envelope 17 is inflated, the flap 13 of the bag] 2 will be forced open allowing the envelope 17 to inflate. The envelope 17 will thus be inflated at the front of the user 28 who may with one or both hands hold the inflated en/elope 17 against the body so as

to receive buoyant support until rescued or he or she is able to make their own way to safety.

For reuse, the container 18 (and capsule 23) and envelope 17 may be simply discarded and those components replaced whilst the bag 11 is retained.

Many different arrangements may be provided for actuating the device 10 and for allowing release of gas from the capsule 23 into the envelope 17. For example, a cam or lever type actuator pivotally mounted on the container 18 may be used. The end of the actuator may carry the piercing member 25 and may be actuated by pulling, pushing or alternatively, the lever may be attached to a strap or flap which is part of or attached to the bag 11 such that when the strap or flap is pulled, the piercing member carried by the lever actuator is urged into contact with the capsule 23 to penetrate the capsule 23 and allow release of gas.

The envelope whilst shown as of a balloon shape may be of any other shape or configuration. The preferred gas stored in the capsule is preferably compressed carbon dioxide but other gases may be employed. Any suitable means may be provided for releasably securing the device 10 to the user 28. Such means may comprise buckles, clips or other fasteners or alternatively, the bag 13 of the device may be permanently attached to the belt. Of course, the device 10 may be simply hand carried for use in other situations for example where sailing or boating or attached to another part of the body.

In the embodiment of Fig. 5, in which like components to the components of the embodiment of Figs. 1 to 3 have been given like numerals, the container 18 is provided with an annular groove 30 to accept an O-ring 31 which serves to sealingly clamp the mouth 19 of the envelope/s 17 to the container 18. Of course in this arrangement it is not necessary for the mouth 19 to extend around the end of the container 18.

For further security also, the loop 14 as shown in Fig. 6 may be provided with an extended tag 32 which includes an end 33 which extends around the end of the container 18 and which is apertured so that the screw 20 can clamp the end 33 and thus the tag 32 and loop 14 positively to the end of the container 18.

Fig. 7 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the device according to the invention of similar construction to that of Fig. 5 and accordingly like components have been given like numerals. The device in this instance includes a generally tubular bag 34 formed in this instance of neoprene and having a longitudinally extending zipper

35 in its side panel, loops 36 fc r receipt of a belt or strap for attachment to a user and circular end panels 37 and 38, he panel 37 being provided with a radial extending slit 39. The panel 38 is clamped to the end of the container 18 for the gas capsule 23 by means of a clamp screw 20.

The container 18 in this case is divided into two parts 40 and 41 (see also Fig. 9), the part 40 having an internal thread 42 and the part 41 having an external co- operable thread 43. The parts 40 and 41 are unscrewed and detached for allowing easy insertion of the capsule 23 with the parts 40 and 41 being engaged and screwed together when the capsule 23 is in position. If desired, an adhesive may be applied to the threads 42 and/or 43 to secure and seal the container parts 40 and 41 substantially permanently together. The container part 41 includes an annular recess 44 to accept an O-ring 45 to clamp and seal the mouth 19 of the envelope or balloon 17 in position around the outer peripheral surface of the container part 41. The mouth 19 of the envelope or balloon 17 may also be adhered to the outer surfaces of the container part 41 and 40 by suitable adhesives. The container part 40 also includes an externally threaded spigot portion 46 at its free end for threaded engagement by an internally threaded cap 47 having a central aperture 48 terminating in a piercing member 49 which may be formed as an insert within the cap 47. The cap 47 has an extended actuating arm 50 for effecting rotation of the cap 47 and an aperture 51 is formed in the cap 47 communicating with the region around the piercing member 49 and allowing for greater escape of gas into the envelope or balloon 17.

The device shown in Firs. 7 and 8 operates in a similar manner to the embodiments of Figs. 1 to 5 with the cap 47 being rotated by the arm 50 when required to advance the piercing member 49 and cause it to pierce the end of the capsule 23 allowing the gas in the capsule 23 to escape through the apertures 48 and 51 to inflate the envelope or balloon 17 shown partly inflated in dotted outline. As the balloon inflates and expands, it will force itself out through the slit 39 in the end of the bag 34.

For accommodating larger size capsules, a sleeve 52 may be interposed between the container parts 40 and 41 as shown in Fig. 9. This provides increased length for the container 18 and is suitable where the balloon 17 is larger or where greater inflation is required for example for supporting heavier weights.

The device is suitably mounted on the belt of a user however it may be attached to the user in any manner or alternatively, the user may simply carry the device for use where required. The container parts 18 and cap 47 are suitably formed of

plastics materials but may be formed of metal or other materials such as glass reinforced plastics.

Whilst the above has been given by way of illustrative embodiment of the invention, all such variations and modifications thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.