BUOYANT ANTI-HYPOTHERMIA APPARATUS

Abstract

A personal flotation device capable of providing buoyancy and preventing hypothermia and death caused by loss of body heat by supporting the individual's entire body out of the water. Special design features increase the ease of use to ensure successful deployment and boarding, even among injured, weak, and/or physically exhausted individuals. This personal flotation device is small and compact, so that it may be used in a prophylactic manner from low-risk to high-risk applications.

Claims

1. A method of using a flotation device, comprising: inflating the flotation device; boarding the flotation device by passing through an ingress opening in a support portion of the flotation device to at least substantially support a user's body on a surface of the support portion of the flotation device; moving a flap from an open position to a closed position to at least substantially cover the ingress opening.

2. The method of using the flotation device of claim 1, further comprising moving the flap from the closed position to the open position before passing through the ingress opening in the support portion of the flotation device.

3. The method of using the flotation device of claim 1, further comprising reversibly securing the flap in the closed position using a zipper, a hook and loop system, snaps, buttons, or other fasteners.

4. The method of using the flotation device of claim 1, further comprising positioning the flotation device on the surface of a body of water before boarding the flotation device.

5. The method of using the flotation device of claim 1, wherein the flotation device is configured to support one user substantially or completely out of contact with a surface of water in an operable state.

6. The method of using the flotation device of claim 1, wherein the support portion is coupled with an inflatable bladder portion.

7. The method of using the flotation device of claim 6, wherein at least the bladder portion is constructed from a high-strength material having a thickness of no greater than 8 mils.

8. The method of using the flotation device of claim 6, wherein at least the bladder portion is constructed from a high-strength material with a tensile strength of at least 23 lbs. per square inch.

9. The method of using the flotation device of claim 1, wherein inflating the flotation device comprises activating an automatic deployment mechanism to inflate at least a portion of the flotation device.

10. The method of using the flotation device of claim 9, wherein activating an automatic deployment mechanism comprises discharging a compressed gas cartridge.

11. The method of using the flotation device of claim 9, wherein inflating the flotation device further comprises orally inflating at least a portion of the flotation device.

12. The method of using the flotation device of claim 1, wherein the support portion is inflatable.

13. The method of using the flotation device of claim 1, wherein the flotation device comprises a belt or a strap configured to secure the device to an individual and further comprising decoupling the flotation device from the user's body before inflating the flotation device.

14. A method of using a flotation device, comprising: inflating at least a portion of the flotation device, the flotation device having an inflatable bladder member and a support member having an elongated shape terminating in end portions, the support member being circumscribed by the bladder member, boarding the flotation device by passing through an ingress opening in the support portion to at least substantially support a user's body on a surface of the support portion of the flotation device; and moving a flap element from an open position to a closed position to at least substantially cover the ingress opening, wherein an end portion of the flap element is adjacent to an end portion of the support portion of the flotation device.

15. The method of using the flotation device of claim 14, wherein moving the flap element from the open position to the closed position comprises deflecting or unrolling the flap element.

16. The method of using the flotation device of claim 14, further comprising selectively securing a distal portion of the flap element to a perimeter of the opening using a zipper, a hook and loop system, snaps, buttons, or other fasteners.

17. The method of using the flotation device of claim 14, wherein the flotation device comprises a belt or a strap configured to secure the device to an individual and further comprising decoupling the flotation device from the user's body before inflating the flotation device.

18. A method of using a flotation device, comprising: pulling a pull cord to inflate the flotation device from a compact state to an expanded state; boarding the flotation device by passing through an ingress opening in a floor portion of the flotation device to at least substantially support a user's body on a surface of the support portion of the flotation device; and securing the ingress opening in a closed state.

19. The method of using the flotation device of claim 18, wherein the flotation device comprises a belt or a strap configured to secure the device to an individual and further comprising decoupling the flotation device from the user's body before inflating the flotation device.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

[0041] The accompanying drawings illustrate various exemplary implementations and are part of the specification. The illustrated implementations are proffered for purposes of example, not for purposes of limitation. Illustrated elements will be designated by numbers. Once designated, an element will be identified by the identical number throughout. Illustrated in the accompanying drawing(s) is at least one of the best mode embodiments of the present disclosure. In such drawing(s):

[0042] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the presently described apparatus, illustrated featuring a semi-detachable flap covering an ingress orifice, the semi-detachable flap illustrated in the closed orientation;

[0043] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the presently described apparatus illustrated featuring a semi-detachable flap covering an ingress orifice, the semi-detachable flap illustrated in the open orientation;

[0044] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the presently described apparatus illustrated featuring a semi-detachable flap covering an ingress orifice, the semi-detachable flap illustrated in the open and rolled orientation;

[0045] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the presently described apparatus illustrated in the pre-deployment orientation;

[0046] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment featuring a semi-detachable slit in the inflatable floor and a gunwale break at one end of the apparatus formed by two terminal ends of the air bladder which firmly abut each other.

[0047] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the same embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5 with the semi-detachable slit in the open orientation thereby allowing the terminal ends of the air bladder to be separated, forming an opening for easy boarding. Once the individual has boarded, the slit can be reclosed, thereby reorienting the terminal ends tightly adjacent to each other again;

[0048] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the presently disclosed apparatus, featuring the semi-detachable flap in the open, rolled, and tethered orientation for easy boarding.

[0049] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the presently disclosed apparatus, featuring the semi-detachable flap in the open, rolled, and tethered orientation for easy boarding, illustrating the apparatus bending at the air bladder segments.

[0050] FIG. 9 is a side exploded view of an exemplary embodiment of the presently described apparatus illustrated fully deployed, featuring an optional protective canopy. The canopy in the illustration is affixed with snaps but other means of affixing the canopy are possible as well;

[0051] FIG. 10 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of the presently described apparatus illustrated fully deployed, featuring a protective canopy and without an inflatable floor;

[0052] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the presently described apparatus, illustrated featuring a semi-detachable flap covering an ingress orifice; the semi-detachable flap illustrated in FIG. 11 is located in a different position than it is in FIG. 1. This is included to demonstrate that the ingress orifice and semi-detachable flap may be oriented differently in different embodiments;

[0053] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the presently described apparatus, featuring a semi-detachable flap covering an ingress orifice, the semi-detachable flap is illustrated in the open and rolled orientation with an exemplar individual boarding the apparatus included for scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT

[0054] The above described drawing figures illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the joint apparatus and its method of use in at least one of its preferred, best mode embodiments, which is further defined in detail in the following description. Those having ordinary skill in the art may be able to make alterations and modifications to what is described herein, without departing from its spirit and scope of the disclosure. Therefore, it must be understood that what is illustrated is set forth only for the purposes of example and that it should not be taken as a limitation in the scope of the present apparatus and method of use.

[0055] Described now in detail is a lightweight and compact personal flotation device that is capable of both providing buoyancy and reducing loss of personal thermal energy.

[0056] FIG. 1 depicts the presently disclosed apparatus 100 in a fully deployed orientation featuring a semi-detachable flap 110 in the attached orientation covering the ingress orifice 145. The apparatus is automatically inflated when an individual pulls a pull cord 120. The illustrated embodiment shows a compressed gas cartridge 140 as the source of the inflation gas. Other embodiments can use other sources of inflation gas.

[0057] FIG. 1 also shows a plurality of self-inflation valves 130. These valves can be used to restore inflation if the apparatus slowly becomes deflated because of damage. In some embodiments self-inflation may be the primary mode of inflation for the inflatable floor 135, with automatic inflation only being available for the primary air bladder 125.

[0058] FIG. 2 shows the semi-detachable flap 110 in the detached orientation thereby starting to expose the ingress orifice 145. Once the semi-detachable flap 110 is in the open orientation, an individual can board the apparatus through the ingress orifice 145. It is important that the ingress orifice 145 is wide enough that the individual can board with his back square to the remaining portion of inflatable flooring 135 because this is the most stable way to board the apparatus 100.

[0059] FIG. 3 shows the semi-detachable flap 110 in the fully open, rolled, and tethered orientation. Some embodiments allow for the semi-detachable flap 110 to be rolled and tethered so that it is fully out of the individual's way when boarding. In some embodiments, the semi-detachable flap 110 may need to be manually inflated after the semi-detachable flap 110 is unrolled and reattached.

[0060] FIG. 4 illustrates and exemplary embodiment of the presently disclosed apparatus 100 in the pre-deployed state. The illustrated embodiment illustrates a small, lightweight, case 150 featuring only a pull cord 120 to activate inflation and a tether 160 to attach the apparatus 100 to an individual performing routine low risk activities near water. In some embodiments the tether 160 is attached to the apparatus 100 rather than the case 150 so that when an individual activates the inflation the apparatus 100 cannot drift or blow away.

[0061] FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate a different embodiment of the apparatus featuring a semi-detachable floor slit 170 and split air bladder 125 with two terminal ends 155 that tightly abut each other, forming a continuous gunwale. When the semi-detachable floor slit 170 is in the open orientation, the terminal ends 155 can be separated forming a space for easy ingress. FIG. 6 illustrates the embodiment in the ingress orientation.

[0062] FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate an additional air bladder segment 180 to increase flexibility and allow for an individual to more easily reach the ingress orifice 145. The air bladder segment 180 adds flexibility so that an individual can lift half of the apparatus 100 while the other half remains horizontal, supported by the water's surface as depicted in FIG. 8.

[0063] FIGS. 9 and 10 feature an optional canopy 190 to further protect an individual from the elements whether it be excessive sun, wind, or rain. The additional protection increases the thermal insulation of the individual and increases the chances of survival until assistance is able to arrive.

[0064] FIG. 11 features an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure 100 featuring the semi-detachable flap 110 in a different location than the illustration in FIG. 1. This illustration is included to emphasize that the semi-detachable flap and ingress orifice can be oriented differently in different embodiments.

[0065] FIG. 12 features an illustration of an exemplar individual boarding the apparatus 100 through the ingress orifice 145.

[0066] The enablements described in detail above are considered novel over the prior art of record and are considered critical to the operation of at least one aspect of the apparatus and its method of use, and to the achievement of the above-described objectives. The words used in this specification to describe the instant embodiments are to be understood not only in the sense of their commonly defined meanings, but to include by special definition in this specification: structure, material, or acts beyond the scope of the commonly defined meanings. Thus, if an element can be understood in the context of this specification as including more than one meaning, then its use must be understood as being generic to all possible meanings supported by the specification and by the word(s) describing the element.

[0067] The definitions of the words or drawing elements described herein are meant to include not only the combination of elements which are literally set forth, but all equivalent structures, materials or acts for performing substantially the same function in substantially the same way to obtain substantially the same result. In this sense it is therefore contemplated that an equivalent substitution of two or more elements may be made for any one of the elements described and its various embodiments, or that a single element may be substituted for two or more elements in a claim.

[0068] Changes from the claimed subject matter as viewed by a person with ordinary skill in the art, now known or later devised, are expressly contemplated as being equivalents within the scope intended and its various embodiments. Therefore, substitutions, now or later known to one with ordinary skill in the art, are defined to be within the scope of the defined elements. This disclosure is thus meant to be understood to include what is specifically illustrated and described above, what is conceptually equivalent, what can be obviously substituted, and also what incorporates the essential ideas.

[0069] The scope of this description is to be interpreted only in conjunction with the appended claims and it is made clear, here, that each named inventor believes that the claimed subject matter is what is intended to be patented.