Claims
- 1. A variably configured inflatable personal flotation device, comprising:
an inflatable bladder having an elongated substantially cylindrical shape in an unrestricted inflated state; and means for inflating the inflatable bladder. wherein once inflated the bladder can be in an unrestricted elongated configuration to serve a marker or restricted and configured to serve as a thoracic personal flotation device by aiding in corrective turning of a user's head out of the water, as a yoke collar personal flotation by providing buoyancy behind the user's head to increase freeboard or as a life ring to generate increased vertical freeboard.
- 2. The variably configured inflatable personal flotation device of claim 1 wherein said inflatable bladder includes a first inflatable chamber and a second inflatable chamber and said means for inflating includes a first inflator in communication with said first inflatable chamber and a second inflator in communication with said second inflatable chamber.
- 3. The variably configured inflatable personal flotation device of claim 2 wherein said first inflator is an oral inflator/deflator and said second inflator is a compressed gas inflation assembly.
- 4. The variably configured inflatable personal flotation device of claim 3 wherein said compressed gas inflation assembly is water activated.
- 5. The variably configured inflatable personal flotation device of claim 1 further including means for removably attaching the inflatable bladder to a garment.
- 6. The variably configured inflatable personal flotation device of claim 1 further including an adjustable connection assembly attached to said inflatable bladder; wherein said adjustable connection assembly comprising:
a first portion of a connector attached approximate to a first end of said inflatable bladder; an adjustable strap attached approximate to a second opposite end of said inflatable bladder; and a second portion of the connector attached to the adjustable strap, said second portion of the connector mating with first portion of the connector.
- 7. The variably configured inflatable personal flotation device of claim 1 further including a reversible mating assembly for connecting a first portion of the inflatable bladder to a second portion of the inflatable bladder.
- 8. The variably configured inflatable personal flotation device of claim 7 wherein said reversible mating assembly includes a first zipper track disposed along a first external edge portion and a second zipper track disposed along a second external edge portion, wherein the first zipper track and the second zipper track are retained together by an attached pull zipper.
- 9. The variably configured inflatable personal flotation device of claim 8 wherein the location of said first zipper track and said second zipper track cause a first end of said inflatable bladder and a second end of said inflatable bladder to expand outward when said inflatable bladder is inflated.
- 10. The variably configured inflatable personal flotation device of claim 6 further comprising a reversible mating assembly which includes a first zipper track disposed along a first external edge portion and a second zipper track disposed along a second external edge portion, wherein the first zipper track and the second zipper track are retained together by an attached pull zipper.
- 11. The variably configured inflatable personal flotation device of claim 1 further comprising:
a plurality of loops disposed along a side edge portion beginning approximate to one end of said inflatable bladder; and a fastener attached approximate to the opposite end of said inflatable bladder for attachment to one of said plurality of loops.
- 12. The variably configured inflatable personal flotation device of claim 1 further comprising a light assembly including a light member attached approximate to one end of the inflatable bladder.
- 13. The variably configured inflatable personal flotation device of claim 1 further comprising an audio assembly attached to the inflatable bladder.
- 14. The variably configured inflatable personal flotation device of claim 1 further comprising means for attaching a ballast member to said inflatable bladder.
- 15. The variably configured inflatable personal flotation device of claim 5 wherein said garment is a buoyancy compensator, fishing bib, wader, jacket, wetsuit or swimsuit.
Parent Case Info
[0001] This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Application Serial No. 60/439,766, filed Jan. 13, 2003 and U.S. Application Serial No. 60/423,279, filed Nov. 1, 2002, both of which are incorporated by reference.
Provisional Applications (2)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
|
60439766 |
Jan 2003 |
US |
|
60423279 |
Nov 2002 |
US |