A backpack including a body including a first enclosure defining a first compartment and an opening, an inflatable balloon positioned within the compartment, a zipper, a balloon inflation system, and an actuator. The first enclosure includes at least a first restricting element. The zipper includes first and second fastener tapes attached to the enclosure at the opening. The zipper includes at least a first targeted zipper separation location aligned with the first restricting element. The balloon inflation system is coupled to the body and the inflatable balloon. The actuator is operably coupled to the balloon inflation system, such that upon actuation of the inflation system with the zipper in a closed position, the first restricting element concentrates a zipper separation force in a direction generally perpendicular to an engagement line of the zipper to separate the first and second fastener tapes of the zipper at the first targeted zipper location.

An inflatable device is provided, and contains a body and a mouth. The mouth is positionable in an open position and a sealed position. The body includes a flexible body wall that defines an interior volume. The body defines at least one air flow path from the mouth through the interior volume. The air flow path has an air flow path axis and has a cross-sectional area. The body further includes at least one structural member that applies a force on the flexible body wall transversely outward from the axis so as to urge the flexible body wall towards a transversely expanded state. The body is movable between an axially collapsed state and an axially open state along at least a portion of the air flow path and is urged towards the axially expanded state by a force applied by at least one of: the at least one structural member, and air flow into the body through the mouth when the mouth is held in the open position.

An inflatable device is provided, and contains a body and a mouth. The mouth is positionable in an open position and a sealed position. The body includes a flexible body wall that defines an interior volume. The body defines at least one air flow path from the mouth through the interior volume. The air flow path has an air flow path axis and has a cross-sectional area. The body further includes at least one structural member that applies a force on the flexible body wall transversely outward from the axis so as to urge the flexible body wall towards a transversely expanded state. The body is movable between an axially collapsed state and an axially open state along at least a portion of the air flow path and is urged towards the axially expanded state by a force applied by at least one of: the at least one structural member, and air flow into the body through the mouth when the mouth is held in the open position.

A vent valve for a buoyancy control device (“BCD”) suitable for divers, where the valve may be opened by any combination of over-pressure, manual pressure relief or a powered means, where a force to a valve plug is applied by means of a spring that is constrained to prevent entirely lateral and angular movement but in which movement of the plug in the axis of the seat is unconstrained. An automatic buoyancy control device suitable for free-swimming divers, providing the functions that may include a controlled ascent rate, controlled descent rates, the imposition of a maximum depth limit, the facility to hold a set depth and to follow a dive profile or decompression profile. The device, control process and subsystems provide a high safe failure fraction.

Horseshoe life buoy (10) for water rescue comprising a horseshoe shaped body lighter than water and between the two ends (7, 8) thereof a curved inner cavity (6) is provided which is sufficiently large to receive a subject (5) to be rescued, and for the receiving of an end of a rescue rope (3) held by a subject (4) carrying out the rescue to the horseshoe life buoy (10) an attachment means is provided, wherein the attachment means is a strap (12) mechanically connected with the body of the horseshoe life buoy (10), which is arranged at the very front of the horseshoe life buoy (10) symmetrically to the center of the body at the outer edge opposite to the inner cavity (6).

This application relates to inflatable flotation devices that support an infant, and having first, second and third inflatable members. The first member has an outer and an inner perimeter and a first and second diameters at first and second end portions. The second member is at least partially within the inner perimeter of the first member. At least a portion of the upper surface of the second member is recessed with respect to an upper surface of the first member. The third member has an inner perimeter disposed about at least a portion of the outer perimeter of the first member. The third member has a maximum height, when inflated, that is less than the maximum height of the first member, at least a portion of the inner perimeter of the third member being spaced apart from the outer perimeter of the first member.

This application relates to inflatable flotation devices that support an infant, and having first, second and third inflatable members. The first member has an outer and an inner perimeter and a first and second diameters at first and second end portions. The second member is at least partially within the inner perimeter of the first member. At least a portion of the upper surface of the second member is recessed with respect to an upper surface of the first member. The third member has an inner perimeter disposed about at least a portion of the outer perimeter of the first member. The third member has a maximum height, when inflated, that is less than the maximum height of the first member, at least a portion of the inner perimeter of the third member being spaced apart from the outer perimeter of the first member.

A modular backpack system includes a personal floatation harness having an automatic inflator mechanism and pack attachment features; and a plurality of pack modules selectively attachable to the pack attachment features to form a floatation-enhanced backpack. Each one of the plurality of pack modules may further include a different arrangement for accommodating accessories. For example, the different arrangements may include arrangements having different compartments. Other arrangements may have different attachment features. The different attachment features may include different lash points. The backpack module may be one taken from the list of: a pack adapted for kayaking with a waterproof compartment and lash points for ready access to accessories; a pack adapted for sailing with waterproof and non-waterproof compartments; a pack adapted for hiking with multiple compartments for tools and supplies; and a pack adapted for everyday carry (EDC) having multiple quick-access compartments for carrying everyday tools.

This application relates to inflatable flotation devices that support an infant, and having first, second and third inflatable members. The first member has an outer and an inner perimeter and a first and second diameters at first and second end portions. The second member is at least partially within the inner perimeter of the first member. At least a portion of the upper surface of the second member is recessed with respect to an upper surface of the first member. The third member has an inner perimeter disposed about at least a portion of the outer perimeter of the first member. The third member has a maximum height, when inflated, that is less than the maximum height of the first member, at least a portion of the inner perimeter of the third member being spaced apart from the outer perimeter of the first member.

This application relates to inflatable flotation devices that support an infant, and having first, second and third inflatable members. The first member has an outer and an inner perimeter and a first and second diameters at first and second end portions. The second member is at least partially within the inner perimeter of the first member. At least a portion of the upper surface of the second member is recessed with respect to an upper surface of the first member. The third member has an inner perimeter disposed about at least a portion of the outer perimeter of the first member. The third member has a maximum height, when inflated, that is less than the maximum height of the first member, at least a portion of the inner perimeter of the third member being spaced apart from the outer perimeter of the first member.