GB2260950A

GB2260950A - Lifejacket

Info

Publication number: GB2260950A
Application number: GB9123252A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Simon Davey-Evans
Original assignee: Crewsaver Ltd
Current assignee: Crewsaver Ltd
Priority date: 1991-11-01
Filing date: 1991-11-01
Publication date: 1993-05-05
Anticipated expiration: 2011-11-01
Also published as: GB2260950B; GB9123252D0

Abstract

A lifejacket 10 comprising two lobes 18, 20 interconnected by a neck portion 22 has attached to the lobe 18 along the lines 34 and 35 a generally triangular panel 36 of flexible material. The panel 36 and mirror-image panel 38 are each attached so as to form a full pocket, and together constitute a double flap valve which is closed by pressure of water trying to enter the lower end of the tunnel between the lobes 18, 20, and which is opened by the pressure of any water in the upper end of the tunnel to allow it to escape. <IMAGE>

Description

IMPROVEMENTS RELATING TO PERSONAL BUOYANCY This invention relates to personal buoyancy and particularly, but not exclusively, to life jackets in which the buoyancy is largely provided by two inflatable lobes disposed one down each side of the wearer's chest.

The inflated lobes define, together with the wearer's chest, a passage having an enlarged mouth at its lower end such that when the wearer is floating in the water supported by the life jacket and with his head higher than his feet, water tends to surge up the passage and drench the wearer's face, which is not only unpleasant but potentially dangerous. With the greater buoyancy lifejackets now becoming popular the above problem is exacerbated because the passage between the lobes is wider, and a greater volume of water can reach the wearer's face.

According to the present invention there is provided a lifejacket in which the buoyancy is at least partly provided by two buoyant portions disposed one down each side of the wearer's chest, and which define together with the wearer's chest a passage through which water may reach the wearer's face, the life jacket being provided with baffle means extending between said portions to close said passage.

Preferably the baffle means is provided with valve means to allow water in said passages to escape through the end thereof remote from the wearer's face.

Although the baffle means may be constituted by one or more layers of perforate material, the valve means and baffle means are more preferably together constituted by a flap-type valve. Conveniently the flap valve is formed by two flexible membranes arranged to be closed together by an increase in water pressure at said remote end of the passage.

Although the invention may be carried out in a variety of ways one particular embodiment thereof will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Figure I is a front elevation of a lifejacket according to the invention in the uninflated condition; Figure IIA is a similar view of the inflated jacket; Figure IIB is a rear view partly broken away of the inflated jacket; Figure III is a bottom view of the inflated jacket; Figure IV is a plan view of a flap blank; Figure V is a detail perspective view of the flaps in the closed condition; and, Figure VI is a similar view of the flaps in the open condition.

As seen in Fig. I the lifejacket 10 in the inflated condition is indistinguishable from a conventional inflatable jacket and comprises a harness 12 to which are attached an inflator ]4 (see Fig. 2) contained in the folded, uninflated condition by a cover 16 which is secured by fastenings which disengage on inflation.

As shown in Figs. IIA and IIB the inflator 14 comprises two lobes 18,20 interconnected by a neck portion 22: also shown in Figs. IIA are other, conventional parts of the lifejacket 10: a lifting becket 24, mouth tube 26, reflective tape 28, a cover 30 for an inflation device, and an operating cord 32 therebelow.

As shown in Figs. lIB and III the lobe 18 has attached thereto the edge AB, where indicated by the line 34, and the edge BC, where indicated by the line 35, of a generally triangular panel 36 of flexible material.

It will be seen that the panels 36,38 are each attached so as to form a full pocket, and that the two panels 36,38 together constitute a double flap valve which is closed by pressure of water trying to enter the lower end of the tunnel between the lobes 18,20 as indicated by the bifurcated arrow 40 in Fig. V, and which is opened by the pressure of any water in the upper end of the tunnel to allow it to escape as indicated by the single arrow 42 in Fig. VI.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A lifejacket in which the buoyancy is at least partly provided by two buoyant portions disposed one down each side of the wearer's chest, and which define together with the wearer's chest a passage through which water may reach the wearer's face, the life jacket being provided with baffle means located between said portions for closing said passage.

2. A lifejacket as claimed in claim 1 and including valve means to allow water in said passage to escape through the end thereof remote from the wearer's face.

3. A lifejacket as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which the baffle means are constituted by one or more layers of perforate material.

4. A lifejacket as claimed in claims 1 and 2, in which the baffle means and valve means are together constituted by a flap-type valve.

5. A lifejacket as claimed in claim 4, in which the flap valve is formed by two flexible membranes arranged to be closed together by an increase in water pressure at said remote end of the passage.

6. A lifejacket as claimed in claim 1 and substantially as hereinbefore described.

7. A lifejacket substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

8. The features hereinbefore described, or their equivalents, in any novel, patentable selection.