Buoys – rafts – and aquatic devices – Water rescue or life protecting apparatus – Personal flotation device
Patent
1998-06-22
2000-05-16
Morano, S. Joseph
Buoys, rafts, and aquatic devices
Water rescue or life protecting apparatus
Personal flotation device
441114, 441117, 441119, B63C 908
Patent
active
060629290
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The present invention relates to a vest-like flotation garment comprising a buoyant work vest and a flotation unit attached to the work vest in order to enhance the buoyancy of the work vest, said work vest comprising a wear-resistant surface layer and inner lining, between which is arranged at least one elastic and shape-permanent flotation body, and the flotation unit comprising one or more flotation members arranged on the front part of the work vest and extending around the neck section thereof.
The invention primarily relates to buoyant ballistic body-protection vests or so-called bulletproof vests, but is also intended for use in work vests for, for example, bridge-builders and seamen and to function as a sailing vest.
Work vests and sailing vests are flotation aids only and exist in a number of designs, all of which have different types of flotation devices sewn into them or applied to them. Their purpose is to make drowning more difficult and to make it easier for a conscious wearer to get out of the water. To achieve protection against drowning in a state of unconsciousness, a life-saving jacket or a flotation garment which correctly turns the wearer face-up and maintains the face out of the water is required. The disadvantage of the life-saving jacket is that it is relatively bulky and large, with the result that the wearer's range of movement becomes restricted, making it difficult to perform physical work. The range of movement becomes limited if a life-saving jacket is worn on top of a work vest, making certain operations impossible. When it is necessary to choose between a work vest and a life-saving jacket, situations arise where, for example, a ballistic body-protection vest cannot be used in place of a life-saving jacket and vice versa. From a practical point of view, it may also be the case that only one garment can be carried along or handled during a sea voyage, which, of course, impedes the individual's ability to adjust the anti-drowning or body-protection devices correctly to the varying conditions which occur.
A flotation garment, consisting of a work vest or a sailing vest with flotation blocks and an outer vest having a neck-collar and attached to said first vest, between which an inflatable bladder is provided, is known from U.S. Pat. No. 4,097,947. When the flotation garment is used as a sailing vest, the bladder is empty and contained between the vests in order to make the flotation garment relatively pliable. However, when the flotation garment is to be used as a life-saving jacket, the bladder is inflated and edge portions of the outer vest are detached from the sailing vest in order not to impede the expansion of the bladder. The outer vest cannot be removed from the inner vest, which reduces the pliability of the work vest and makes it too warm when the wearer is working. Furthermore, there is always a risk that the bladder may be punctured by sharp objects or projectiles if it is used a bulletproof vest, resulting in the loss of its function as a life-saving jacket. Finally, the inner as well as the outer vest are divided in the area along the symmetry line of the front panels, which means that this area is particularly exposed to damage. The preamble of the main claim is based upon this patent specification.
The object of the present invention is to overcome the above-mentioned drawbacks and to provide a flotation garment which on the one hand functions well as a work vest which is able to keep the wearer afloat and on the other hand can function as a life-saving jacket.
A further object of the invention is to provide a flotation garment whose function is not jeopardised by penetrating objects.
Yet another object is to provide a ballistic body-protection vest in the form of a flotation garment.
According to the invention, these objects are achieved by a flotation garment according to the opening paragraph, characterised in that the flotation unit is detachably fixed to the work vest with the aid of a first fastening means, one member of which is arranged at the neck secti
REFERENCES:
patent: 2521205 (1950-09-01), David
patent: 3345657 (1967-10-01), Peeler et al.
patent: 4097947 (1978-07-01), Kiefer
patent: 4655718 (1987-04-01), Kycuys
patent: 4673366 (1987-06-01), Hawkins
patent: 5060314 (1991-10-01), Lewis
patent: 5152706 (1992-10-01), Fister
patent: 5326297 (1994-07-01), Loughlin
patent: 5459874 (1995-10-01), Meredith
patent: 5584737 (1996-12-01), Luhtala
Buffers AB
Morano S. Joseph
Muldoon Patrick Craig
LandOfFree
Float garment does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Float garment, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Float garment will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-254076