LIFE JACKET INCLUDING SAFETY FLAG ASSEMBLY

Abstract

A safety flag assembly for a life jacket includes a signaling device including a pole and a flag coupled to a first end of the pole and a pouch defining an opening providing access to an interior pocket of the pouch, the interior pocket sized to receive the signaling device therein. The safety flag assembly further includes a clip configured to attach the pouch to a back panel of the life jacket. When the pouch is attached to the life jacket and the signaling device is received within the pouch, a second end of the pole is accessible to a user wearing the life jacket to facilitate the user removing the signaling device from the pouch

Description

BACKGROUND

The field of the disclosure related generally to life jackets, life vests, or personal floatation devices with added visibility features.

Personal flotation devices are lifesaving tools. In many jurisdictions, federal and state laws require that occupants on board a boat have access to a life jacket and/or that children of a certain age must wear a life jacket. Further, some boaters engage in water sports such as tubing, wakeboarding, wake surfing, jet skiing or waterskiing, where life jackets are either required or strongly recommended.

People participating in water sports often fall into the water, requiring the boat to circle around to pick the person up. This introduces an additional risk of being struck by any boats that may be in the area if the boats are unaware of a person in the water. While the person is in the water, waiting to be picked up, it is important that they be wearing a life jacket for their safety, but it is also important for the person to be able to be seen by any boats in the area to ensure that they are not unintentionally hit by any boat traffic in the area. Accordingly, a need exists for devices that facilitate increasing the visibility of a person who is in a body of water to alert others in the vicinity of the person's presence and status. Moreover, there is a need to provide such devices as readily accessible to the person in the event of an emergency (e.g., in the event that the person falls off of a watercraft or is otherwise floating in a body of water with potential hazards nearby).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

In one aspect, a safety flag assembly for a life jacket is provided. The safety flag assembly includes a signaling device including a pole and a flag coupled to a first end of the pole and a pouch defining an opening providing access to an interior pocket of the pouch, the interior pocket sized to receive the signaling device therein. The safety flag assembly further includes a clip configured to attach the pouch to a back panel of the life jacket. When the pouch is attached to the life jacket and the signaling device is received within the pouch, a second end of the pole is accessible to a user wearing the life jacket to facilitate the user removing the signaling device from the pouch.

In another aspect, a life jacket is provided. The life jacket includes at least one buoyant panel and a safety flag assembly connected to the at least one buoyant panel. The safety flag assembly includes a signaling device including a pole and a flag coupled to a first end of the pole and a pouch defining an opening providing access to an interior pocket of the pouch, the interior pocket sized to receive the signaling device therein. The safety flag assembly further includes a clip configured to attach the pouch to a back panel of the life jacket. When the pouch is attached to the life jacket and the signaling device is received within the pouch, a second end of the pole is accessible to a user wearing the life jacket to facilitate the user removing the signaling device from the pouch.

In yet another aspect, a life jacket is provided. The life jacket includes at least one buoyant panel and a safety flag assembly connected to the at least one buoyant panel. The safety flag assembly includes a signaling device including a pole and a flag coupled to a first end of the pole and a pouch fixedly attached to the at least one buoyant panel, the pouch defines an opening providing access to an interior pocket. The interior pocket is sized to receive the signaling device therein. A second end of the pole is accessible to a user wearing the life jacket to facilitate the user removing the signaling device from the pouch.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A-IC depict an example life jacket including a safety flag assembly connected to the life jacket.

FIG. 2 is a detailed view of the clip used to connect the safety flag assembly to the life jacket.

FIG. 3 is a detailed view of a flag of the safety flag assembly which may be selectively raised by a user to provide added visibility.

FIGS. 4A and 4B depict a view of the user in the water utilizing the flag to indicate their location and provide added visibility.

FIGS. 5A-5C depict another example embodiment in which the safety flag assembly is sewn into the life jacket.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Examples are described with respect to life jackets, life vests, or personal floatation devices with added visibility features. For example, a safety flag assembly is provided. In some examples, the safety flag assembly may be attached to any standard life jacket. The safety flag assembly may be removably attached to a life jacket using clips, straps, Velcro, or any other suitable means. The safety flag assembly includes a pouch which houses a flag that may be removed from the pouch by a user and selectively raised by the user. The user may raise the flag to signal their location to alert boats to their presence in the water. In some embodiments, the pouch may be mechanically attached and substantially irremovable from the life jacket (e.g., permanently sewn into the life jacket).

FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C depict an example life jacket 100 with a safety flag assembly 152 connected to the life jacket 100. In the example embodiment, the life jacket 100 is worn by a user engaging in water activities.

The life jacket 100 includes a left panel 102, a right panel 104, a back panel 106, and at least one strap 108. Left panel 102 and right panel 104 may also be known as front panels. Left panel 102, right panel 104, and back panel 106 are constructed from a water resistant or waterproof material, such as polyester, and are each stuffed with a buoyant material, such as foam. The left panel 102 is sewn, or otherwise attached, to the back panel 106 along a left seam 110. Similarly, the right panel is sewn, or otherwise attached, to the back panel 106 along a right seam 112. The left and right panels 102, 104 are also sewn, or otherwise attached, to the back panel along at top seam 113. In some embodiments, left panel 102, right panel 104 and back panel 106 may all be formed as one continuous piece. In the example, each of the panels 102, 104, 106, include a buoyant material having a density less than the density of water, such that the life jacket 100 provides buoyancy to a wearer in a water environment to prevent or restrict the wearer from sinking.

A left arm opening 114 is defined between the left panel 102 and the back panel 106, and a right arm opening 116 is defined between the right panel 104 and the back panel 106. In the example embodiment two straps 108 are shown, each strap 108 including a coupler 118. The coupler 118 may be any buckle, snap, clasp, or clip which secures the strap 108 in place when worn by the user. The coupler 118 may further include an adjuster 120 to allow for tightening the strap 108 as needed to provide a proper fit for the user. The user inserts their left arm through the left arm opening 114 and their right arm through the right arm opening 116 and secures the coupler 118. The user further uses the adjuster 120 to tighten the straps 108 until the life jacket 100 provides a snug fit.

The safety flag assembly 152 includes a clip 154, a pouch 156, and a signaling device 158. In the example embodiment, the clip 154 secures the safety flag assembly 152 to the back panel 106 of the life jacket 100. In other embodiments, the clip 154 may secure the safety flag assembly 152 at other locations on the life jacket 100. One clip 154 is shown in the example embodiment, however, in other embodiments, any number of clips 154 may be used to suitably secure the safety flag assembly 152 to the life jacket 100. The clip 154 is an alligator-type clip. In other embodiments, any type of clip, fastener, clamp, or clasp suitable to secure the safety flag assembly 152 to the life jacket 100 may be implemented as this clip 154. In other embodiments, the safety flag assembly 152 may be attached to the life jacket 100 with cinch straps, velcro straps, or any other coupling features.

In FIG. 1B, the pouch 156 is shown completely assembled, including a front section 160. In FIG. 1C, the front section 160 of the pouch 156 is omitted to reveal an interior 162, also referred to herein as an “interior pocket”, of the pouch 156 for clarity. In FIG. 1C, a back section 164 of the pouch 156 is placed flush against the back panel 106 of the life jacket 100. The pouch further includes an access flap 163 and an opening 165 located on the access flap 163, as seen in FIG. 1A. When the safety flag assembly 152 is secured to the life jacket 100, the access flap extends onto an upper portion of one of the front panels 102, 104 of the life jacket 100. When the life jacket 100 is worn by a user, the access flap 163 and the opening 165 are proximate the user's shoulder. The pouch 156 defines the interior 162 wherein the signaling device 158 is inserted through the opening 165. The pouch 156 includes the front section 160 and the back section 164 which may be two separate pieces which are sewn, connected, bonded, sealed, or otherwise secured together. In other examples, the front and back sections 160, 164 may be formed from one single piece. The pouch 156, including the front section 160 and the back section 164, may be formed from a fabric material including, but not limited to plastic, nylon or mesh. The pouch 156 may be any shape suitable for storing the signaling device 158 when not in use. The signaling device 158 is made of a sufficiently flexible material to conform to the shape of the pouch 156.

FIG. 2 is a detailed view of the clip 154 used to secure the safety flag assembly 152 to the life jacket 100. In the example embodiment, the clip 154 includes a hinge 170 which allows the user to pinch a first end 172 of the clip 154 in order to cause a first lever 174 of the clip to rotate and separate a second lever (not shown). The second lever is integrated into, or otherwise attached to the pouch 156. The separation allows for insertion of the life jacket 100 between the pouch 156 and the lever 174. When the user subsequently releases the first end 172, the clip 154 applies a clamping force between the first lever 174 and the second lever, thereby securing the safety flag assembly 152 to the life jacket 100. Lever 174 includes an interior edge 176 which further includes a plurality of retaining features 178, which help retain the clip 154 securely on the life jacket 100. In the example embodiment, the retaining features 178 are formed as teeth which help to prevent the clip 154 from sliding off the life jacket 100. In other embodiments, the retaining features may be any suitable shape which allows the clip 154 to remain in place.

FIG. 3 is a detailed view of the signaling device 158 which may be raised by the user to provide added visibility. The signaling device 158 includes a gripping feature 180, a pole 182, and a flag 184.

In the example embodiment, the pole 182 is configured to transition between a stored configuration, as shown in FIG. 1C, and a deployed configuration, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4B. In the stored configuration, the pole 182 is at least one of partially bent or collapsed such that the pole 182 may be received within the pouch 156, with the gripping feature 180 externally accessible to a user. In the deployed configuration, the pole 182 is in an at least partially rigid and straightened state for raising the flag 184 above a head of the user.

In the example embodiment, the pole 182 is made of a flexible material, which enables the pole 182 to be transitioned between the stored configuration and the deployed configuration. The flexibility of pole 182 allows the pole 182 to conform to the shape of pouch 156 while the signaling device 158 is in a stored configuration. The pole 182 returns to a straightened state when removed from the pouch 156. In some embodiments, the pole 182 includes a flexible buoyant material body with a spine structure, such as an internal wire frame (not shown) positioned within the material body that allows for the pole 182 to be bent within the pouch 156 and return to the straightened state when it is removed from the pouch 156. In the example embodiment, the pole 182 is flexible along substantially an entire length of the pole 182 (i.e., extending from the gripping feature 180 to the flag 184). In other embodiments, the pole 182 includes a first section proximate the gripping device 158 that has a flexible body, allowing the pole 182 to bent over a shoulder section (i.e., proximate top seam 113) of the life jacket 100, and a second rigid body section extending between the first section and the flag 184.

The pole 182 extends a suitable length between the first and second ends 186, 188 such that, when the signaling device 158 is raised by the user, the flag 184 is located a suitable vertical distance above the user to increase visibility of the user over potential obstacles that may otherwise prevent the user from being seen by boaters in the area.

In some embodiments, the pole 182 may include a telescoping sections (not shown) which allows the pole 182 to expand and give the user added visibility. In some such embodiments, the pole 182 may be formed of a rigid material and is telescopingly collapsed to be received within the pouch 156 and extended when removed from the pouch 156. In embodiments where the pole 182 includes a first flexible section proximate the gripping device 158, the second section extending between the first section and the flag 184 may include the telescoping sections, allowing the signaling device 158, when collapsed, to be slid into the pouch 156 with the first flexible section of the pole 182 being bent over the shoulder of the life jacket 100 to position the gripping device 158 at a front side of the life jacket 100, as shown in FIG. 1A.

In the example embodiment, the gripping feature 180 is a spherical shape, which allows the user to easily grip the signaling device 158. In other embodiments, the gripping feature 180 may be any shape which enables the user to grip the signaling device 158. The gripping feature 180 further enables the user to remove the signaling device 158 from the safety flag assembly 152 and to raise the signaling device 158. The gripping feature 180 may be made of a buoyant material to allow the signaling device 158 to float in water in the event that it is dropped by the user. The gripping feature 180 is connected to a first end 186 of the pole 182, and the flag 184 is attached to a second end 188 of the pole.

In some embodiments, a connector (not shown) attaches the signaling device 158 to the life jacket 100. The connector may include a cord (e.g., a rope or string cord, a flexible spring cord, etc.) or any other suitable connector. In such embodiments, the connector attached to the pole 182 and/or the gripping feature 158 at a first end and is further attached to one of the panels 102, 104, 106 of the life jacket 100 and/or to the pouch 156 at a second end of the connector. In such embodiments, the connector secures the signaling device 158 on the life jacket to prevent the signaling device 158 from being separated from the life jacket 100 in the water or otherwise lost during regular use, while having a sufficient length to provide slack for a user to raise the signaling device 158 over their head when wearing the jacket 100.

The flag 184 may be made from a durable fabric including, but not limited to vinyl, polyester, nylon etc. The flag 184 is preferably a bright, highly visible color, so as to be immediately recognizable by any boaters in the area. The signaling device 158 may further include additional features which aid in notifying boaters in the vicinity of the user's presence in the water. In one embodiment, the signaling device 158 may include a siren, whistle, horn, or other audible indicator. In other embodiments, the signaling device 158 may include a beacon or light to provide increased visibility.

FIGS. 4A and 4B depict a user 190 in the water. In FIG. 4A, the user 190 is in the water, and signaling device 158 is stowed in the safety flag assembly 152. The gripping feature 180 is at shoulder level of the user 190. The user 190 may desire to signal their boat, or other boats in the area, to draw attention to their location in the water.

FIG. 4B depicts the user 190 in the water utilizing the signaling device 158 to indicate their location and provide added visibility. When the user 190 falls into the water, they simply reach their arm across their body to grab the gripping feature 180, which is at shoulder height when the signaling device 158 is sheathed in the safety flag assembly 152. The user 190 is able to use the gripping feature 180 to pull the signaling device 158 from the safety flag assembly 152 and use the signaling device to alert boaters in the area to their location. In some embodiments, an attachment feature, such as a string, rope, or tether, may attach the signaling device 158 to the safety flag assembly 152, so that the user will not be able to lose the signaling device 158 if it is inadvertently dropped.

FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C depict an embodiment a life jacket 200 wherein a flag pocket 202 is fixedly attached to a front panel 204 and back panel 206 of the life jacket 200. Life jacket 200 is substantially similar to life jacket 100, except that, unlike the life jacket 100, the life jacket 200 includes a safety flag assembly made partially integral with the life jacket 200. In the example embodiment, the pocket 202 is sewn to the front panel 204 and back panel 206, though in other embodiments the pocket 202 may be fixedly attached to the panels of the life jacket 200 in any suitable manner (e.g., an adhesive, a fastener, etc.). In some embodiments, the pocket 202 is unitarily formed with at least one of the front panel and the back panel 206.

In FIG. 5B, the life jacket 200, including the flag pocket 202, is shown completely assembled, including a front flap 208. In FIG. 5C, the front flap 208 of the flag pocket 202 is omitted to reveal an interior 210 of the flag pocket 202 for clarity.

Referring to FIG. 5C, the interior 210 of the flag pocket 202 is formed by the back panel 206 of the life jacket 200 and the front flap 208. An opening 212 of the flag pocket 202 is shown in FIG. 5A. The signaling device 158 is inserted into the flag pocket through the opening 212. The flag pocket 202 may be formed from a fabric material including, but not limited to plastic, nylon or mesh. The flag pocket 202 may be any shape suitable for storing the signaling device 158 when not in use. The signaling device 158 is made of a sufficiently flexible material to conform to the shape of the flag pocket 202.

As used herein, the terms “about,” “substantially,” “essentially” and “approximately” when used in conjunction with ranges of dimensions, concentrations, temperatures or other physical or chemical properties or characteristics is meant to cover variations that may exist in the upper and/or lower limits of the ranges of the properties or characteristics, including, for example, variations resulting from rounding, measurement methodology or other statistical variation.

When introducing elements of the present disclosure or the embodiment(s) thereof, the articles “a,” “an,” “the,” and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising,” “including,” “containing,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. The use of terms indicating a particular orientation (e.g., “top,” “bottom,” “side,” etc.) is for convenience of description and does not require any particular orientation of the item described.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims.

Claims

1. A safety flag assembly for a life jacket, the safety flag assembly comprising: a signaling device comprising a pole and a flag coupled to a first end of the pole;a pouch defining an opening providing access to an interior pocket of the pouch, the interior pocket sized to receive the signaling device therein; anda clip configured to attach the pouch to a back panel of the life jacket, wherein, when the pouch is attached to the life jacket and the signaling device is received within the pouch, a second end of the pole is accessible to a user wearing the life jacket to facilitate the user removing the signaling device from the pouch.

2. The safety flag assembly of claim 1, wherein the second end of the pole extends through an opening of an access flap, wherein the access flap extends onto an upper portion of a front panel of the life jacket.

3. The safety flag assembly of claim 2, wherein the signaling device comprises a gripping feature, wherein the gripping feature protrudes through the opening.

4. The safety flag assembly of claim 1, wherein the pole is adjustable between a stowed configuration in which the pole is sized and shaped to facilitate receiving the signaling device within the interior pocket, and a straightened deployed configuration.

5. The safety flag assembly of claim 1, wherein the pole is at least partially constructed from a flexible material to facilitate conforming the pole to a shape of the pouch when in a stored configuration and maintain a straightened configuration when removed from the pouch.

6. The safety flag assembly of claim 5, wherein the pole is telescopingly extendable between a collapsed state when received in the pouch and an extended state when removed from the pouch.

7. The safety flag assembly of claim 5, wherein the flexible material includes a foam outer layer and a flexible spine positioned within the foam outer layer.

8. The safety flag assembly of claim 1, wherein the clip includes a first lever, a second lever, and a hinge, wherein a clamping force secures the safety flag assembly to the life jacket.

9. The safety flag assembly of claim 8, wherein at least one of the first lever or the second lever further includes a plurality of retaining features.

10. A life jacket comprising: at least one buoyant panel; anda safety flag assembly connected to the at least one buoyant panel, the safety flag assembly comprising: a signaling device comprising a pole and a flag coupled to a first end of the pole;a pouch defining an opening providing access to an interior pocket of the pouch, the interior pocket sized to receive the signaling device therein; anda clip configured to attach the pouch to the at least one buoyant panel, wherein, when the pouch is attached to the life jacket and the signaling device is received within the pouch, a second end of the pole is accessible to a user wearing the life jacket to facilitate the user removing the signaling device from the pouch.

11. The life jacket of claim 10, wherein the second end of the pole extends through an opening of an access flap, wherein the access flap extends onto an upper portion of a front panel of the life jacket.

12. The life jacket of claim 11, wherein the signaling device comprises a gripping feature, wherein the gripping feature protrudes through the opening.

13. The life jacket of claim 10, wherein the pole is adjustable between a stowed configuration in which the pole is sized and shaped to facilitate receiving the signaling device within the interior pocket, and a straightened deployed configuration.

14. The life jacket of claim 10, wherein the pole is at least partially constructed from a flexible material to facilitate conforming the pole to a shape of the pouch when in a stored configuration and maintain a straightened configuration when removed from the pouch.

15. The life jacket of claim 14, wherein the pole is telescopingly extendable between a collapsed state when received in the pouch and an extended state when removed from the pouch.

16. The life jacket of claim 14, wherein the flexible material includes a foam outer layer and a flexible spine positioned within the foam outer layer.

17. A life jacket comprising: at least one buoyant panel; anda safety flag assembly connected to the at least one buoyant panel, the safety flag assembly comprising: a signaling device comprising a pole and a flag coupled to a first end of the pole; anda pouch fixedly attached to the at least one buoyant panel, the pouch defining an opening providing access to an interior pocket, the interior pocket sized to receive the signaling device therein, wherein a second end of the pole is accessible to a user wearing the life jacket to facilitate the user removing the signaling device from the pouch.

18. The life jacket of claim 17, wherein the pole is constructed from a flexible material which allows the pole to conform to a shape of the pouch when in a stored configuration, wherein the pole maintains a straightened form when removed from the pouch.

19. The life jacket of claim 17, wherein the pole is adjustable between a stowed configuration in which the pole is sized and shaped to facilitate receiving the signaling device within the interior pocket, and a straightened deployed configuration.

20. The life jacket of claim 17, wherein the pole is at least partially constructed from a flexible material to facilitate conforming the pole to a shape of the pouch when in a stored configuration and maintain a straightened configuration when removed from the pouch.