Tactical flotation support system

• US 7,335,078 B2
• Filed: 11/24/2004
• Issued: 02/26/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/24/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: PECI Flotation LLC
• Original Assignee: DK Solutions, Ltd.
• Inventors: Kent, David G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Olson; Lars A.
• Application Number:
  US10/997,294
• Publication Number:
  US 20050118906A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,189 Days
• Field of Search: 441/88, 441/80, 441/92, 441/108, 441/96, 405/185, 405/186
• US Class Current: 441/92
• CPC Class Codes: B63C 9/08 Life-buoys, e.g. rings; Life-belts, jackets, suits, or the like non-sinkable swimsuits, drawers or trunks A41D7/001 ; equipment for swimming A63B, e.g. swimming aids other than life-buoys or life-belts A63B31/00, teaching frames for swimming, swimming boards A63B69/14

Abstract

The flotation device includes an inflatable bladder, inflation means, activation means for the inflation means and is self-contained. Preferably, a plurality of flotation bladders which are inflatable by the user, a third party or automatically are used. A closure system prevents accidental inflation of the inflation means. The devices provides buoyancy to personnel and associated equipment.

Claims

1. A flotation device for a user or inanimate object, comprising:

an air impermeable bladder;

at least one inflation means for inflating the bladder;

a container attached to the bladder wherein the container is designed to hold the bladder and the at least one inflation means;

a closure means for closing the container, wherein the closure means comprises;

at least one loop;

at least one grommet through which the at least one loop may extend; and

a retaining means for temporarily retaining the at least one loop extended through the at least one grommet;

an actuation means for releasing the closure means; and

an attachment means for attaching the container to the user or inanimate object.

2. The device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the bladder is constructed from a durable, water-resistant material.

3. The device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the bladder is constructed from nylon.

4. The device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the bladder is constructed from welded nylon.

5. The device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the at least one inflation means is selected from the group consisting of a compressed air cartridge and an oral inflation unit.

6. The device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the at least one inflation means is a compressed air cartridge which is actuated by the actuation means.

7. The device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the container is constructed from a durable, water-resistant material.

8. The device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the container is constructed from nylon.

9. The device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the retaining means is a pin which is actuated by the actuation means.

10. The device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the actuation means is a handle.

11. A flotation device for a user or inanimate object, comprising:

an air impermeable bladder constructed from welded nylon;

a compressed air cartridge for inflating the bladder;

a container attached to the bladder wherein the container is designed to hold the bladder and the compressed air cartridge, the container further comprising;

a. at least one loop; and

b. at least one grommet through which the at least one loop may extend and be temporarily retained;

an actuation pin for releasing the loop from the grommet and for actuating the compressed air cartridge; and

an attachment means for attaching the container to the user or inanimate object.

12. The device as set forth in claim 11 further comprising an oral inflation unit for inflating the bladder.

13. A method for providing buoyancy to a user or inanimate object, comprising:

providing an air impermeable bladder, which bladder includes at least one inflation means;

securing the bladder to a container;

placing the bladder and the at least one inflation means within the container;

closing the container by means of a closure device, wherein the closure device comprises;

at least one loop;

at least one grommet through which the at least one loop may extend; and

a retaining means for temporarily retaining the at least one loop extended through the at least one grommet;

attaching the container to the user or inanimate object; and

releasing the closure device to allow inflation of the bladder.

14. The method as set forth in claim 13 wherein the at least one inflation means is selected from the group consisting of a compressed air cartridge and an oral inflation unit.

15. The method as set forth in claim 13 wherein the retaining means is a closure device pin which is actuated by the actuation means.

16. The method as set forth in claim 15 wherein the at least one inflation means is a compressed air cartridge which is actuated by releasing the closure device pin.