Safety swimsuit with floats made of polymer fibres enclosing a gas

Abstract

One-piece safety swimsuit 1, extending from at least the crotch up to the top of the shoulders and comprising buoyancy elements 2, 7 configured to keep a user of the swimsuit 1 above water from the shoulders, each buoyancy element 2, 7 comprising several sheets stacked on top of each other, each sheet being from 1.05 mm to 1.50 mm thick, preferably from 1.10 mm to 1.30 mm thick, even more preferably 1.20 mm thick, said sheets being composed of polymer fibres enclosing a volume of a gas that is greater than the volume of the polymer.

Claims

1. One-piece safety swimsuit (1), extending from at least the crotch up to the top of the shoulders and comprising: a main swimsuit part (1), and buoyancy elements (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 21, 23) each arranged on a portion of the main swimsuit part (1) and configured to keep a user of the swimsuit (1) above water from the shoulders, each buoyancy element (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 21, 23) comprising several sheets (13) stacked on top of each other, each sheet (13) being from 1.05 mm to 1.50 mm thick, preferably from 1.10 mm to 1.30 mm thick, even more preferably 1.20 mm thick, said sheets (13) being composed of polymer fibres (15) enclosing a volume of a gas (17) that is greater than the volume of the polymer.

2. Swimsuit (1) according to claim 1, wherein the polymer is an ethylene polymer, preferably an ethylene homopolymer, and even more preferably low-density polyethylene.

3. Swimsuit (1) according to claim 1, wherein the gas (17) is air or natural gas.

4. Swimsuit (1) according to claim 1, the swimsuit (1) being configured to be worn by a child, wherein the buoyancy elements (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) each comprise from four to fifteen sheets (13), the swimsuit (1) comprising at least: a buoyancy element (7) extending on a front side of the swimsuit (1), and configured to cover the top part of the child's body, and comprising from fourteen to fifteen sheets (13), and a buoyancy element (3) extending on a rear side of the swimsuit (1), and configured to cover an area extending from the child's pelvis up to the top of the shoulders, and comprising from seven to ten sheets (13).

5. Swimsuit (1) according to claim 4, configured to be worn by a child weighing between 13 and 19 kg, the swimsuit (1) further comprising: a buoyancy element (2) extending on a front side of the swimsuit (1), and configured to cover a child's waistline, and comprising four sheets (13), a buoyancy element (4) extending on a rear side of the swimsuit (1), and configured to cover the child's waistline, and comprising seven or eight sheets (13).

6. Swimsuit (1) according to claim 5, configured to be worn by a child weighing between 13 and 15 kg, the swimsuit (1) further comprising a buoyancy element (5) extending on a rear side of the swimsuit (1), and configured to cover an area of the child's biceps, and comprising twelve sheets (13).

7. Swimsuit according to claim 5, configured to be worn by a child weighing between 15 and 19 kg, the swimsuit further comprising a buoyancy element (6) extending on a rear side of the swimsuit (1), and configured to cover the child's nape, and comprising four sheets (13).

8. Swimsuit (1) according to claim 4, configured to be worn by a child weighing between 19 and 21 kg, the swimsuit further comprising a buoyancy element (6) extending on a rear side of the swimsuit, and configured to cover the child's nape, and comprising four sheets.

9. Swimsuit (1) according to claim 1, the swimsuit being configured to be worn by an adult, wherein the buoyancy elements (21, 23) comprise from six to ten sheets (13), and comprising: a buoyancy element (21) extending on a front side of the swimsuit (1), and configured to cover an area extending between the pelvis and chest of the adult's body, and comprising from nine to ten sheets (13), a buoyancy element (23) extending on a rear side of the swimsuit, and configured to cover an area extending between the pelvis and the shoulder line of the adult, and comprising six sheets (13).

10. Swimsuit (1) according to claim 2, the swimsuit being configured to be worn by an adult, wherein the buoyancy elements (21, 23) comprise from six to ten sheets (13), and comprising: a buoyancy element (21) extending on a front side of the swimsuit (1), and configured to cover an area extending between the pelvis and chest of the adult's body, and comprising from nine to ten sheets (13), a buoyancy element (23) extending on a rear side of the swimsuit, and configured to cover an area extending between the pelvis and the shoulder line of the adult, and comprising six sheets (13).

11. Swimsuit (1) according to claim 3, the swimsuit being configured to be worn by an adult, wherein the buoyancy elements (21, 23) comprise from six to ten sheets (13), and comprising: a buoyancy element (21) extending on a front side of the swimsuit (1), and configured to cover an area extending between the pelvis and chest of the adult's body, and comprising from nine to ten sheets (13), a buoyancy element (23) extending on a rear side of the swimsuit, and configured to cover an area extending between the pelvis and the shoulder line of the adult, and comprising six sheets (13).

12. Swimsuit (1) according to claim 2, wherein the gas (17) is air or natural gas.

13. Swimsuit (1) according to claim 2, the swimsuit (1) being configured to be worn by a child, wherein the buoyancy elements (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) each comprise from four to fifteen sheets (13), the swimsuit (1) comprising at least: a buoyancy element (7) extending on a front side of the swimsuit (1), and configured to cover the top part of the child's body, and comprising from fourteen to fifteen sheets (13), and a buoyancy element (3) extending on a rear side of the swimsuit (1), and configured to cover an area extending from the child's pelvis up to the top of the shoulders, and comprising from seven to ten sheets (13).

14. Swimsuit (1) according to claim 3, the swimsuit (1) being configured to be worn by a child, wherein the buoyancy elements (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) each comprise from four to fifteen sheets (13), the swimsuit (1) comprising at least: a buoyancy element (7) extending on a front side of the swimsuit (1), and configured to cover the top part of the child's body, and comprising from fourteen to fifteen sheets (13), and a buoyancy element (3) extending on a rear side of the swimsuit (1), and configured to cover an area extending from the child's pelvis up to the top of the shoulders, and comprising from seven to ten sheets (13).

15. Swimsuit (1) according to claim 12, the swimsuit (1) being configured to be worn by a child, wherein the buoyancy elements (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) each comprise from four to fifteen sheets (13), the swimsuit (1) comprising at least: a buoyancy element (7) extending on a front side of the swimsuit (1), and configured to cover the top part of the child's body, and comprising from fourteen to fifteen sheets (13), and a buoyancy element (3) extending on a rear side of the swimsuit (1), and configured to cover an area extending from the child's pelvis up to the top of the shoulders, and comprising from seven to ten sheets (13).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0048] The invention will be better understood on reading the following description, given solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0049] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a swimsuit according to a first embodiment of the invention;

[0050] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the swimsuit of FIG. 1;

[0051] FIG. 3 is an exploded front perspective view of a part of a buoyancy element for the swimsuit of FIG. 1;

[0052] FIG. 4 is a detail view of a sheet of the buoyancy element shown on FIG. 3;

[0053] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a polymer fibre forming the sheet shown on FIG. 4;

[0054] FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of a swimsuit according to a second embodiment of the invention;

[0055] FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of the swimsuit of FIG. 6;

[0056] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a floating mattress according to one embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0057] FIGS. 1 and 2 show a safety swimsuit according to a first embodiment of the invention, designated by the general reference 1. The safety swimsuit 1 is of the one-piece type, extending from at least the crotch up to the top of the shoulders. The swimsuit 1 comprises a main swimsuit part and buoyancy elements each arranged on a portion of the main swimsuit part. The main part gives the swimsuit its general shape. Consequently, the main part is also designated by reference 1 on the figures. The swimsuit 1 may comprise different buoyancy elements depending on the weight of the child. The location of the buoyancy elements on the swimsuit 1 is identified by references 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. The buoyancy elements 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 are configured to keep a user, not shown, wearing the swimsuit 1, above water from the shoulders. The buoyancy elements 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 extend on an internal surface of a front or rear side of the main part 1 of the swimsuit 1.

[0058] As shown on FIG. 3, which illustrates a part of the buoyancy element 2 of FIG. 1, a buoyancy element according to the invention comprises several sheets 13 stacked and stitched on top of each other. In the example shown on FIG. 3, the buoyancy element 2 comprises eight sheets 13. The other buoyancy elements 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 also comprise several sheets 13 stacked and stitched on top of each other. Each sheet 13 is between 1.05 mm and 1.50 mm thick. Preferably, each sheet is 1.20 mm thick.

[0059] As shown on FIG. 4, the sheets 13 consist of polymer fibres 15. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of one of these fibres 15. These fibres 15 enclose a volume of a gas 17 that is greater than the volume of the polymer. The gas is present in the polymer in the form of microbubbles.

[0060] In the example shown on FIGS. 1 and 2, the polymer is a low-density polyethylene and the gas 17 is natural gas.

[0061] The swimsuit 1 shown on FIGS. 1 and 2 is configured to be worn by a child. The buoyancy elements 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 comprise from four to fifteen sheets 13, and each one is described below.

[0062] The buoyancy element 7 extends on a front side of the swimsuit 1, it is configured to cover the top part of the child's body and comprises from fourteen to fifteen sheets 13. Being distributed over the entire top part of the body, the buoyancy element 7 allows the child's body to be positioned horizontally to learn how to swim.

[0063] The buoyancy element 3 extends on a rear side of the swimsuit 1, and it is configured to cover an area extending from the child's pelvis up to the top of the shoulders; it comprises from seven to ten sheets 13.

[0064] The buoyancy element 2 extends on a front side of the swimsuit 1, it is configured to cover the child's waistline, and comprises four sheets 13.

[0065] The buoyancy element 4 extends on a rear side of the swimsuit 1, it is configured to cover the child's waistline, and comprises seven or eight sheets 13. When present, the buoyancy element 4 is superimposed on the buoyancy element 3. The buoyancy element 4 increases the buoyancy of the top of the body.

[0066] The buoyancy element 5 extends on a rear side of the swimsuit 1, it is configured to cover an area of the child's biceps, and comprises twelve sheets 13.

[0067] The buoyancy element 6 extends on a rear side of the swimsuit 1, it is configured to cover the child's nape, and comprises four sheets 13. When present, the buoyancy element 6 is superimposed on the buoyancy element 3. The buoyancy element 6 keeps the head above water.

[0068] The buoyancy elements 2 to 7 are added according to the child's weight, and the number of sheets they contain is also adapted to the child's weight. Thus, the swimsuit 1 shown on FIGS. 1 and 2 comprises at least one buoyancy element 7 comprising fourteen to fifteen sheets 13, and a buoyancy element 3 comprising seven to ten sheets 13.

[0069] The following table shows the buoyancy elements, as well as the number of sheets they comprise, depending on the child's weight:

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Weight 13-15 kg 15-17 kg 17-19 kg 19-21 kg 21-24 kg Element 7 14 sheets 14 sheets  14 sheets  14 sheets  15 sheets Element 2  4 sheets 4 sheets 4 sheets Element 3 10 sheets 7 sheets 7 sheets 7 sheets 10 sheets Element 4  8 sheets 7 sheets 7 sheets Element 5 12 sheets Element 6 4 sheets 4 sheets 4 sheets

[0070] A swimsuit 1, configured to be worn by a child weighing between 13 and 19 kg, further comprises: [0071] a buoyancy element 2 extending on a front side of the swimsuit 1, and configured to cover the child's waistline, and comprising four sheets 13, [0072] a buoyancy element 4 extending on a rear side of the swimsuit 1, and configured to cover the child's waistline, and comprising seven or eight sheets 13.

[0073] A swimsuit 1, configured to be worn by a child weighing between 13 and 15 kg, further comprises a buoyancy element 5 extending on a rear side of the swimsuit 1, and configured to cover an area of the child's biceps, and comprising twelve sheets 13.

[0074] A swimsuit 1, configured to be worn by a child weighing between 15 and 19 kg, further comprises a buoyancy element 6 extending on a rear side of the swimsuit 1, and configured to cover the child's nape, and comprising four sheets 13.

[0075] A swimsuit 1, configured to be worn by a child weighing between 19 and 21 kg, further comprises a buoyancy element 6 extending on a rear side of the swimsuit 1, and configured to cover the child's nape, and comprising four sheets 13.

[0076] FIGS. 6 and 7 show a swimsuit 1 according to a second embodiment of the invention. This swimsuit 1 mainly comprises the characteristics described for the swimsuit 1 shown on FIGS. 1 and 2, but is different in that: [0077] it is configured to be worn by an adult, [0078] it comprises buoyancy elements 21, 23 which comprise from six to ten 1.2 mm thick sheets 13, [0079] the buoyancy element 21 extends on an internal surface of a front side of the swimsuit 1, it is configured to cover an area extending between the pelvis and chest of the adult's body, and comprises from nine to ten sheets 13, and [0080] the buoyancy element 23 extends on an internal surface of a rear side of the swimsuit 1, it is configured to cover an area extending between the pelvis and the shoulder line of the adult, and comprises six sheets 13.

[0081] The following table shows the buoyancy elements used, as well as the number of sheets they comprise, depending on the adult's weight:

TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Weight 46-55 kg 56-65 kg 66-75 kg 76-85 kg Element 21 9 sheets 9 sheets 9 sheets 10 sheets Element 23 6 sheets 6 sheets 6 sheets  6 sheets

[0082] FIG. 8 shows a floating mattress 30, configured to support at least one user on the water, according to one embodiment of the invention. The floating mattress 30 comprises two sheets 13 stacked on top of each other. These sheets 13 are similar in every respect to the sheets 13 described for the swimsuit 1 according to the invention. However, they are different in that they are approximately 5 mm thick. In the embodiment of FIG. 8, the polymer is a low-density polyethylene and the gas 17 is natural gas.

[0083] The invention is not limited to the embodiments described and other embodiments will be clearly apparent to those skilled in the art. In particular, it is possible to use sheets made of another polymer, of suitable density and adapted to manufacture flexible products. In addition, the gas used does not have to be natural gas. For example, air or any gas lighter than air can be used.