PERSONAL FLOTATION DEVICE

Background of the Invention

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to a personal flotation device and more particularly to a personal flotation device having armbands.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Swimmers armbands are typically inflatable vinyl film chambers donned by sliding the armbands over a child's upper arms. Most of the designs for armbands are one size fits all. Adjustments can be accomplished by varying the amount of air inside of each chamber in each armband. The armbands have no retention system to keep the armband secured in place other than the friction created by the inflated air pressure around the arms of the child. Such armbands are prone to come off unexpectedly during a child's normal water activity such as when jumping in the water with arms over the head of the child. Also, the armbands are susceptible to easily being removed when the child exits the water to go to the restroom, for example. Then, when returning to the water, the child may unknowingly trade identical armbands with another child who may not have them sized properly. Loose fits may go unnoticed until accidental removal occurs.

Also, the inflatable material (vinyl film) can be punctured when bit by the wearer causing an air leak that results in loss of internal pressure, decreased friction retention and catastrophic loss of buoyancy.

Inflatable armbands typically have sufficient buoyancy to keep a child's head above water as long as the child keeps both arms down so as to submerge a significant portion of the armbands. However, when one or both of the arms are raised upward, the armbands may come out of the water to an extent that decreases stability, buoyancy and consequently freeboard. Respiration will be impeded if the child's mouth and nose are submerged.

Typical U.S. Coast Guard approved Type III personal flotation devices wrap flotation material in various configurations around the torso of the wearer. Only float coat styles provide sleeves with flotation around the arms, but such coat styles are unsuitable for summer wear or recreational swimming. A Type III vest, without sleeves, will maintain a conscious wearer in a vertical or backward position in the water, but will not usually turn an unconscious wearer face up. A wearer may become unconscious from hypothermia, for example, if rescue is delayed. Waves may then cause the head to fall forward. Since head movement changes the center of gravity substantially for a person in the water, proximity of the flotation material to

the center of gravity of the wearer can make the device unstable. Forward or sideways movement of the head can shift the center of gravity sufficiently to roll the wearer face down. The present invention addresses the problems associated with the prior art devices and provides for a personal flotation device with a retention member for operatively connecting armband flotation pads about the wearer.

Summary of the Invention

In one embodiment the invention is a personal flotation device for use by wearer. The personal flotation device includes a torso flotation pad. A right armband flotation pad is operatively connected to the torso flotation pad and has a right opening for receiving a right arm of a wearer. A left armband flotation pad is operatively connected to the torso flotation pad and has a left opening for receiving a left arm of a wearer.

In another embodiment, the invention is a personal flotation device for use by a wearer. The flotation device includes a torso securing member. A right armband flotation pad is operatively connected to the torso securing member, and has a right opening for receiving a right arm of a wearer. A left armband flotation pad is operatively connected to the torso securing member and has a left opening for receiving a left arm of the wearer. The armband flotation pads each having a varying thickness, the armband flotation pads being thicker on the outside of a wearer's arm than on a wearer's underarm.

In another embodiment the invention is a personal flotation device for use by a child. The flotation device includes a torso flotation pad constructed from a closed cell foam, the torso flotation pad having first end and a second end and the torso flotation pad has a plurality of planar torso flotation pads that, when folded into an arcuate shape, form a torso flotation pad of tapering thickness. The torso flotation pad has a first end and a second end. An attachment member has a first part operatively connected to the first end and a second part operatively connected to the second end. The first part is adapted and configured to be releasably attached to the second part, wherein the torso flotation pad is securable around the child's torso. A right armband flotation pad is constructed from closed cell foam, the right armband flotation pad is operatively connected to the torso flotation pad, and has a right opening for receiving a right arm of a child. A left armband flotation pad is constructed from closed cell foam. The left armband flotation pad is operatively connected to the torso flotation pad, and has a left opening for receiving a left arm of a child. The armband flotation pads each having a varying thickness, the armband flotation pads being thicker on the outside of the child's arm than on a child's underarm. The torso flotation pad and the armband flotation pads having a fabric

cover. The fabric is used to form a retention member to operatively connect the torso flotation pad to the armband flotation pads.

Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is a perspective view of a child wearing a personal flotation device according to the principles of the present invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the personal flotation device shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a layout showing the flotation pads incorporated in the personal flotation device shown in Figure 1 ;

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the personal flotation device shown in Figure 1.

Detailed Description of a Preferred Embodiment Referring to the drawing, wherein like numerals represent like parts throughout the several views, there is generally disclosed at 10 a personal flotation device. In Figure 1, the personal flotation device 10 is shown being worn by a child. The personal flotation device 10 includes a torso flotation pad assembly 20, a right armband flotation pad assembly 30 and a left armband flotation pad assembly 40.

The torso flotation pad assembly includes a torso flotation pad 21. The torso flotation pad 21 is sized and configured to have an enlarged area 21a that is positioned proximate the upper front torso of the wearer and a more elongate first end 21b and elongate second end 21c that wrap around the back of the wearer. The torso flotation pad 21 may be constructed of any suitable material such as a closed cell foam, such as a low density polyethylene foam. In addition, the torso flotation pad 21 may be a single pad, or, as shown in Figure 4, the torso flotation pad 21 may include multiple layers such as five layers 22-26 that are all similarly sized. The torso flotation pad 21 may be wrapped with a fabric, or other cover material, such as polyester. It is understood that other suitable coverings may also be used and alternately the torso flotation pad 21 may not be covered. If the torso flotation pad 21 is made up of multiple layers 22-26, the layers 22-26 are enclosed and held in place inside of the fabric cover 27. Then, when bent around the wearer's torso, the torso flotation pad 21 will have a varying thickness. This varying thickness will be described in more detail with respect to the armband flotation assemblies 30, 40. The layers 22-26 may be secured to each other or alternately just held in place by the fabric cover 27. A first strap 28 is secured to the fabric cover 27 by suitable means such as stitching, proximate the first end 21b. A second strap 29 is secured by

suitable means to the fabric 27, by suitable means such as stitching, proximate the second end 21c. A buckle 50, well known in the art, includes a receiving member 51 and an insertion member 52 having three prongs. The insertion member 52 is inserted into the receiving member 51 and forms a buckle 50. It is of course understood that other suitable means of securing the first strap 28 to the second strap 29 may be utilized. The strap is adjustable by adjusting the strap 29 in the insertion member 52. The torso flotation pad 21 is one example of a torso securing member and, while preferred, it is recognized other torso securing members, such as a shirt, or shirt and shorts member (like a fabric wetsuit) may be used.

A right armband flotation assembly 30 includes a right armband flotation pad 31. The right armband flotation pad 31 may be constructed from any suitable material, such as a closed cell foam, similar to the torso flotation pad 21. In addition, the right armband flotation pad 31 may be a single pad, or as shown in Figure 4, the right armband flotation pad 31 may include multiple layers such as six layers 32-37 that are all similarly sized. While shown as six layers 32-37, it is understood that the number of layers may vary and that the number of layers may vary depending on foam thickness. For example, seven layers may be used with nominal ¹ A" foam. The right armband flotation pad 31 may be wrapped with fabric, or other cover material, similar to the torso flotation pad 21. It is understood that other suitable coverings may also be used and alternately the right armband flotation pad 31 may not be covered. If not covered, the pad 31 would be either a single pad or the layers secured to each other. If the right armband flotation pad 31 is made up of multiple layers 32-37, the layers 32-37 are enclosed and held in place inside of the fabric 38 and the layers are not adhered to adjacent layers. When the layers 32-37 are formed in a circle, the right armband flotation pad 31 will have a varying thickness. When the fabric is joined to enclose the layers 32-37, the layers 32-37 are held in position by the fabric 38. As can be seen in Figure 4, the ends of layer 37 will be retained adjacent each other. Then each layer, as one progresses outward, is further and further away from its end. This creates a right armband flotation pad 31 that has a varying thickness and is thicker on the outside of the arm than on the inside, proximate the underarm of the wearer. This provides for better movement of the arm of the wearer. The opening 30a, through which the arm is inserted, is generally circular, but the center of the opening 30a is eccentric from the center of the right armband flotation assembly 30. The layers 32-37 may be secured to each other or alternately just held in place by the fabric cover 38.

A left armband flotation assembly 40 includes a left armband flotation pad 41. The left armband flotation pad 41 may be constructed from any suitable material, such as a closed cell foam, similar to the torso flotation pad 21. In addition, the left armband flotation pad 41 may

be a single pad, or as shown in Figure 4, the left armband flotation pad 41 may include multiple layers such as six layers 42-47 that are all similarly sized. While shown as six layers 42-47, it is understood that the number of layers may vary and that the number of layers may vary depending on foam thickness. For example, seven layers may be used with nominal ¹ A" foam. The left armband flotation pad 41 may be wrapped with fabric, or other cover material, similar to the torso flotation pad 21. It is understood that other suitable coverings may also be used and alternately the left armband flotation pad 41 may not be covered. If not covered, the pad 41 would be either a single pad or the layers secured to each other. If the left armband flotation pad 41 is made up of multiple layers 42-47, the layers 42-47 are enclosed and held in place inside of the fabric 48 and the layers are not adhered to adjacent layers. When the layers 42-47 are formed in a circle, the left armband flotation pad 41 will have a varying thickness. When the fabric is joined to enclose the layers 42-47, the layers 42-47 are held in position by fabric 48. As can be seen in Figure 4, the ends of layer 47 will be retained adjacent each other. Then each layer, as one progresses outward, is further and further away from its end. This creates a left armband flotation pad 41 that has a varying thickness and is thicker on the outside of the arm than on the inside, proximate the underarm of the wearer. This provides for better movement of the arm of the wearer. The opening 40a, through which the arm is inserted, is generally circular, but the center of the opening 40a is eccentric from the center of the left armband flotation assembly 40. The layers 42-47 may be secured to each other or alternately just held in place by the fabric cover 48.

The fabric 38 is sewn to the fabric 27, by suitable means such as stitching 60. Likewise, the fabric 48 is sewn to the fabric 27 by suitable means such as stitching 70. The stitching 60 and 70 is proximate the top portion of the torso flotation pad 21 as the torso flotation pad 21 transitions from the enlarged area 21a to either the first end 21b or second end 21c. This will position the armband flotation assemblies 30, 40 in the proper position as will be described more fully hereafter.

In operation, the child places his right arm through the opening 30a in the right armband flotation assembly 30 and his left arm through the opening 40a in the left armband flotation assembly 40. This places the enlarged area 21a proximate the upper portion of the torso of the child. An adult may then secure the receiving member 51 into the insertion member 52 and the strap 29 may be sized for proper tension around the child. This places the buckle 50 in the back of the child, thereby making it more difficult for the child to release the buckle 50. The tapered configuration, especially in the armband flotation assemblies 30, 40 allow for enhanced freedom of movement of the child's arms as the thinner section is located

under each arm. The torso flotation pad 20 provides buoyancy to the child even when the arms are raised. Locating the flotation around the upper arms of the child, away from the center of gravity of the child maintains stability and maximizes freeboard so the head movements are less likely to result in unwanted face down positions. The tethering provided by the stitching 60 and 70 places the armband flotation assemblies 30, 40 high up on the arms of the child and the tethering is proximate or above the armpits of the wearer.

It is understood that the torso flotation pad 21 can utilize various shapes and closure systems for more or less body coverage. Further, the armband flotation assemblies 30, 40 can be constructed with alternative materials and shapes of buoyant material. The above specification, examples and data provide a complete description of the manufacture and use of the composition of the invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended.