Swimming Aids

Abstract

The embodiments relate to a swimming aid in the form of an inflatable rash vest or rash guard, the rash guard including neckline, a front section and a back section which collectively substantially cover a person's torso. The front section and/or back section of the garment consists of an outer layer, and an inner layer. The inner layer is connected to the outer layer using a non-permeable barrier to the outer layer such that the inner layer forms a partially sealed chamber in the form of an inverted pocket.

Claims

1. A garment including a neckline, a front section and a back section which collectively substantially cover a person's torso, said front section and/or back section of the garment consisting of: an outer layer, and an inner layer, the inner layer connected using a non-permeable barrier to the outer layer such that the inner layer forms a partially sealed chamber in the form of an inverted pocket.

2. The garment as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inner layer is connected to at least a portion of the outer layer of the front section of the garment.

3. The garment as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inner layer is connected to at least a portion of the outer layer of the front section and at least a portion of the outer layer of the back section of the garment.

4. The garment as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inner layer is substantially the same shape as at least an upper half of the outer layer covering a person's torso.

5. The garment as claimed in claim 1, wherein the front section outer layer of the garment is made from resilient fabric.

6. The garment as claimed in claim 1, wherein the outer layer is capable of retaining between about 0.5-9 liters of trapped air within the inverted pocket.

7. The garment as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fabric is a sun protection fabric having an ultra-violet protection factor (UPF) rating of 15 or higher.

8. The garment of claim 1, wherein the non-permeable barrier is formed using continuous or unbroken fabric welding.

9. The garment as claimed in claim 1, wherein the garment includes side seams, shoulder seams and a neckline, the inner layer being sealed to the front section of the outer layer at or near to the side seams, shoulder seams and neckline using a non-permeable barrier.

10. The garment as claimed in claim 1, wherein the garment includes side seams, shoulder seams and a neckline, the inner layer being sealed to the front section and back section of the outer layer at or near to the side seams and neckline using a non-permeable barrier.

11. The garment as claimed claim 10, wherein the inner layer extends from the neckline to substantially at least half the distance between the neckline and a bottom edge of the outer layer of the front section or back section of the garment.

12. The garment of claim 10, wherein the inner layer is sealed to the back section of the outer layer across the back of the garment from a first side seam to a second side seam.

13. The garment of claim 2, wherein the garment includes one or more gripping means along the bottom edge of the outer layer of the front section of the garment.

14. The garment of claim 2, wherein the garment includes one or more weighting means along the bottom edge of the outer layer of the front section of the garment.

15. The garment as claimed in claim 1, wherein the garment includes an electronic location device.

16. The garment as claimed in claim 1, wherein the garment includes conductive fibres throughout at least a portion of the garment.

17. The garment as claimed in claim 1, wherein the garment is fitted with at least one inflation means.

18. The garment as claimed in claim 17, wherein the inflation means includes a one-way valve, two-way valve and/or a blow tube.

19. The garment of claim 18, wherein the inflation means includes a mouthpiece and a flexible tube.

20. The garment as claimed in claim 19, wherein the inflation means is mounted within the inner layer of the garment.

21. A method of enabling a person to float in the water comprising the steps of: wearing a garment having a front section and a back section which collectively substantially cover a person's torso, said front section having an outer layer, and an inner layer, the inner layer connected using a non-permeable barrier to the outer layer such that the inner layer forms a partially sealed chamber in the form of an inverted pocket; introducing air into the partially sealed chamber, whereby the inflated partially sealed chamber enables the person to float on or above water without exertion.

22. A wearable flotation device for a human comprising: front and back sections which collectively substantially cover a human torso; a partially sealed chamber in the form of an inverted pocket formed in at least one section, the sealed chamber comprising an outer layer, and an inner layer, the inner layer connected to the outer layer using a non-permeable barrier, whereby when air is introduced to the partially sealed chamber, the chamber inflates and enables the wearer to maintain buoyancy.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0053] Further aspects of the embodiments described herein will become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanied drawings in which:

[0054] FIG. 1 is a front view of the garment in a preferred embodiment; and

[0055] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the garment in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0056] The embodiments described in the current application relate to a swimming aid in the form of a garment. In one embodiment the garment is in the form of a fitting T shirt or vest similar to those currently marketed as rash vests or rash guard that are worn under wetsuits, or as a recreational swimmer for adults and children that are worn as a fashion item that covers a significant area of the body for further sun protection. The garment is designed to capture air in the inbuilt pocket(s), providing buoyancy or floatation for the wearer when the wearer is in the water.

[0057] Garment 100 is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. In a preferred form, the garment is made from a 83% nylon 17% Lycra® fabric.

[0058] In preferred embodiments the embodiments described herein are manufactured using a six panel construction as would be understood by a person skilled in the art. However, a standard 4 panel or other construction may also be used at the discretion of the designer. The six panel construction is preferred as it increases mobility which is particularly important when swimming or performing other water based activities.

[0059] Sewn seams 130 in garment 100 use flat lock stitching to provide strength and durability, as well as comfort to the wearer.

[0060] Garment 100 includes an inner inverted pocket 110 that is not visible externally. Lower edge 120 of pocket 110 as shown by dotted line is unsealed across the torso of garment 100, and the remaining edges 125 of pocket 110 shown with a solid line are sealed using water impermeable fabric welding to the front outer fabric layer 140.

[0061] Lower edge 120 may be located at any level across the lower half of the torso as indicated by arrow A.

[0062] In alternative embodiments inverted pocket 110 may be extended to cover a portion of the rear of the garment as indicated by the dotted line 180 in FIG. 2.

[0063] Preferably, inverted pocket edges 125 are sealed to outer front layer 140 using a fabric welding technique. The two layers of fabric are sealed together using heat and pressure to apply a thermoplastic coating between the fabric layers. Typical thermoplastic coatings that may be used include polyvinylchloride (PVC), polyurethane (PU) polythene fabric (PE) and polypropylene (PP).

[0064] Once welded together the seals are both air and water resistant, enabling air trapped within the inverted pocket 110 to be held in place, providing floatation to the wearer of the garment.

[0065] In use, garment 100 is designed to be worn when recreational swimming or performing other water sports. If the wearer finds themselves in a situation where they need extra buoyancy, inverted pocket 110 can be used to cup and capture and retain air in the front of garment 100. To capture air, the wearer simply pulls edge 160 of garment 100 up and away from their body, cupping the fabric above and then onto the water surface capturing 0.9-9.0 litres of air. The wearer may cup and capture as many times as they like or as is necessary to ensure a sufficient amount of air is captured to support them afloat.

[0066] The dynamics of each capture means the captured air immediately moves upwards into storage within inverted pocket 110 and is retained in place. The air cannot escape due to the fabric welded seams 125 around the circumference of pocket 110.

[0067] When the wearer exits the water, the seal of edge 160 and the water's surface is broken, air pocket 110 will immediately deflate back to its original shape.

[0068] Alternatively, if the wearer wishes to remain in the water and wants to deflate air pocket 110, this can be achieved by the wearer lying horizontally on their back at the water surface and raising edge 160 above the water surface, thereby breaking the seal between edge 160 and the water surface. Alternatively the wearer can rotate forward and dive under the water, in effect inverting air pocket 110. The air will immediately rise out of pocket 110, deflating it instantly and returning the garment to its original shape.

[0069] It is envisaged that the wearer may remain in the water for an extended period of time, for example 24 hours or more and the inverted pocket 110 can be topped up as many times as desired or needed using the cup and capture technique.

[0070] In further embodiments the garment includes one or more gripping means along the bottom edge of the outer layer of the front section of the garment. The gripping means may be in the form of thicker fabric, a band or ridge either sewn directly into the garment, for example within the seam, or connected to the garment by adhesive, welding, doming or other known attachment techniques suitable for the material used. In one embodiment individual gripping portions such as plastic may be included and placed separately on each side of the lower edge as a gripping means for each of the left and right hands. This feature enables the user to easily grasp the correct layer of fabric in order to scoop the pocket to capture air and inflate the garment.

[0071] This also addresses the difficulty of separating the two layers of wet fabric should the garment be formed with the inner inverted pocket substantially the same size as the front of the garment. The user can easily find the gripping means located on the outer layer of the garment, then lift this correct layer to capture air within the pocket.

[0072] In still further embodiments the garment includes a weighted portion at or near the bottom edge of the outer layer of the front section of the garment. The weighted portion may be incorporated within the gripping means, which may themselves be weighted, or separate from the gripping means. The weighted portion acts to help keep the outer layer of the garment against the user's body to help retain air when floating on their back. As would be clear to a person skilled in the art, this weighted portion should only be of a weight that helps retain wet fabric in position, and should not be so heavy as to be detrimental to a user's floatation. The weighted portion preferably has a total weight of between 10-300 grams, which may change depending on the size of the garment and the wearer.

[0073] Inverted pocket 110 may alternatively or additionally be inflated by use of inflation means 150.

[0074] Inflation means 150 is located at the centre front of the garment 100 on the inner fabric of pocket 110, approximately 30-90 mm below the neckline of the garment 100. The inflation means is substantially concealed within the fabric so it is not obvious externally that the garment 100 is safety apparatus.

[0075] Preferably inflation means 150, consists of an approximate 6mm diameter PVC mouthpiece substantially one inch long at point 150 on garment 100, with a fabric tube of approximately 6 mm diameter extending from the mouthpiece at 150 to a level just slightly above edge 120.

[0076] In possible variations the mouthpiece may include a one way or two-way valve, and the fabric inflation tube may be made for a variety of other materials such as silicon or other plastic polymers. Preferably the inflation tube is formed from a flexible material such that when not in use, it remains largely unseen from the outside of the garment.

[0077] Preferably the valve/blow tube 150 as described above will be sealed in position within the fabric of inner pocket 110 using the fabric welding technique described above. In use, the wearer of garment 100 blows air directly into the said mouthpiece at 150. The valve/blow tube allows air to automatically and without restriction pass through the one inch long PVC type mouthpiece and then into the fabric tube vertically downwards to enter inner pocket 110 just above edge 120, where the air is retained within pocket 110.

[0078] Inflation means 150 can be used for inflation of inverted pocket 110 when the wearers head is above the water surface by blowing one or two regular breath directly into the 150 mouthpiece. Alternatively, if the wearer's head is under the water at any depth, any air in the wearer's mouth or lungs may be blown similarly into the 150 mouthpiece. One good mouthful of air even at a depth of approximately 2 metres or even deeper will be passed into 150 mouthpiece and down the fabric tube to above edge level 120 where the air will enter the inverted pocket 110 and the wearer will rise to the surface of the water automatically.

[0079] Should any wearer find themselves deep in the water with half air and half water in their mouth, then when the wearer blows into inflation means 150 both water and air pass through the 150 mouthpiece and vertically down the fabric tube to the level above edge 120. The air pocket 110 will retain the air (and the wearer will rise) and the water component just enters the sea/lake as the lower edge 120 of the inverted pocket 110 is open to the sea.

[0080] As above mentioned when a sole rescuer swims out to for example three swimmers in distress, if one of those swimmers were already underwater then the sole rescuer may dive down and blow one good lung full of air into 150 valve/blow tube to enable the swimmer to return to the surface and be attended to.

[0081] Inflation means 150 can be used to inflate air pocket 110 entirely, or to add additional air or top up inverted pocket 110 that has been partly inflated by the cupping and capturing the outer pocket above the water surface.

[0082] When not in the inflated position, the garment looks like any other fashionable swimming vest or rash top. Colourful and patterned to the eye. This makes the product particularly appealing to the younger generation and adults alike who may reject the wearing of safety devices because of the perceived negative “safety image” the traditional swimming aids portray.

[0083] The product is easy to use, with both young children and adults able to easily stretch the fabric of the garment to capture air into inverted pocket 110 or blow into the valve/blow tube. This makes the product attractive to a wide market such as young people wearing the garment 100 purely for swimming, to those undertaking more strenuous and potentially dangerous water activities.

[0084] The wearer of the garment may inflate and deflate the inner pocket an unlimited number of times over a prolonged period. This may occur when the wearer simply needs a rest, or when the wearer is in distress for example.

[0085] The secondary inflation in the form of the valve/blow tube provides a back-up safety means if the wearer is unable to stretch the fabric to capture air. Alternatively, the concealed valve/blow tube may provide the primary means of inflation when the front of the garment 100 is purposely made of less or non-elastic fabric.

[0086] Suitable valves/fabric blow tubes as herein described are inexpensive to manufacture.

[0087] The embodiments described herein broadly consist of the part, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification application, individually or collectively, in any or all combinations of two or more of said parts, elements or features.

[0088] Where in the foregoing description reference has been made to integers or components having known equivalents thereof, those integers are herein incorporated as if individually set forth.

[0089] Aspects of the embodiments described herein have been described by way of example only and it should be appreciated there may be modifications, combinations, permutations and additions thereto without departing from the scope thereof.