Variably configured inflatable personal flotation device also serving as an emergency distress marker
First Claim
1. A variably configured inflatable personal flotation device, comprising:
- an inflatable bladder having an elongated substantially cylindrical shape in an unrestricted inflated state; and
means for inflating the inflatable bladder. wherein once inflated the bladder can be in an unrestricted elongated configuration to serve a marker or restricted and configured to serve as a thoracic personal flotation device by aiding in corrective turning of a user'"'"'s head out of the water, as a yoke collar personal flotation by providing buoyancy behind the user'"'"'s head to increase freeboard or as a life ring to generate increased vertical freeboard.
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Abstract
A pleomorphic inflatable device that first helps the victim through the need for corrective turning during water entry by placing buoyancy high on the chest optimizing corrective turning. After the victim is stabilized face up the bladder then can be reconfigured to provide incremental improvements in freeboard and surface positioning. The bladder can be removed and converted into a distress marker to signal a rescuer and mark the victim'"'"'s location. The buoyancy of the marker can also be converted into a fully submerged bladder providing optimal freeboard to assist scanning for other vessels while enhancing lateral stability that supports a Heat Escape Lessening Posture position. If the seaway is growing increasingly rough the bladder can be reconfigured to once again prioritize corrective turning over vertical freeboard.
51 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A variably configured inflatable personal flotation device, comprising:
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an inflatable bladder having an elongated substantially cylindrical shape in an unrestricted inflated state; and
means for inflating the inflatable bladder. wherein once inflated the bladder can be in an unrestricted elongated configuration to serve a marker or restricted and configured to serve as a thoracic personal flotation device by aiding in corrective turning of a user'"'"'s head out of the water, as a yoke collar personal flotation by providing buoyancy behind the user'"'"'s head to increase freeboard or as a life ring to generate increased vertical freeboard. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification