GB2268387A

GB2268387A - Floatation device

Info

Publication number: GB2268387A
Application number: GB9214164A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Evan Devonald Winston Phillips
Original assignee: Cosalt International Ltd
Current assignee: Cosalt International Ltd
Priority date: 1992-07-02
Filing date: 1992-07-02
Publication date: 1994-01-12
Also published as: GB9214164D0

Abstract

The device comprises a body harness or braces adapted for attachment to a pair of trousers and whose structure incorporates an inflatable flotation bladder. The harness may form part of a pair of overalls having a bib 10 which covers adjusting straps or fastenings 24 of the overalls to prevent snagging. The bib may include fastenings, e.g. "Velcro" (RTM) patches 18, 20, burstable upon inflation of the flotation device. The flotation bladder (26, Fig. 6) is preferably of inverted "U" shape, extending over the wearers chest and around the neck. When deflated the flotation bladder may be housed in a protective (28) having burstable fastenings (30, 32, Figs. 3 to 5). <IMAGE>

Description

FLOTATION DEVICE This invention relates to a flotation device for wear by mariners and other persons working near water, particularly but not exclusively fishermen or pleasure craft users, working on board or sailing in conditions under which they are liable to go overboard.

The invention makes possible the provision of a buoyancy aid or lifejacket for constant wear under such conditions which does not impede movement or action but includes a constantly available flotation bladder of an otherwise known standard kind.

Our British Patent No. 1540924 relates to a flotation safety garment providing such a flotation bladder but which suffers from various drawbacks. In wet weather the usual dress for fisherman, other mariners and persons working near water is a waterproof "bib and braces" overall trousers, over which is worn a waterproof smock or other over garment. In fine weather the smock is dispensed with. The flotation garment of GB 1540924 is not ideal for wear in conjunction with a smock as it comprises a somewhat bulky halter which passes over the wearer's head to cover the chest and shoulders. Additionally, in hot weather the halter can become uncomfortable.

There is known a compact inflatable lifejacket that is suitable for wear beneath a smock and which does not impede movement of the wearer; such lifejackets are worn with a harness attached around the chest or with a more comprehensive harness including crotch straps, allowing the harness to be attached to a lanyard. However, the frequency of their use by fishermen and other mariners is less than is desirable due to the inconvenience of having to don the harness in addition to other clothing. The straps and fastenings of a lifejacket also present a hazard in that they can easily become fouled in fishing nets or other equipment.

The present invention aims to provide a constantly available flotation device that is no less convenient to wear than conventional bib and braces overalls.

Accordingly the flotation device of the invention comprises a body harness or braces adapted for attachment to a pair of trousers and whose structure incorporates an inflatable flotation bladder. The harness or braces may form part of a pair of overalls or it may be worn with or attached to a separate pair of conventional trousers, waterproof or otherwise. The harness or braces forms a support for the overalls or trousers and at the same time may be securely retained on the wearer's body by virtue of its attachment to the trousers. Preferably the flotation bladder is- contained in an elongate pocket formed in a strap of the harness or braces, the pocket including a longitudinal opening held closed by fastening means, openable to allow the bladder to expand from the pocket.The bladder and its associated strap may be U-shaped, extending up one side of the wearer's chest, around his neck and down the other side of his chest. Alternatively the bladder may form a closed loop around the wearer's neck. The chest straps of the harness or braces may include fasteners for securing to a bib, rupturable to release the bib, permitting inflation of the bladder. The bib may cover adjusting straps or fastenings of the harness or braces in use.

The invention is described below by way of example and with reference to the drawings in which: Fig. 1 shows a bib and braces overall incorporating a flotation device in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; the bib being in its raised position; Fig. 2 shows the overall of Fig. 1 with the bib lowered; Fig. 3 is a schematic side view of the overall of Fig. 1 as worn by a user; Fig. 4 is a front view corresponding to Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 but with the bib lowered; Fig. 6 is a side view of the overall of Fig. 1 as worn by a user, showing the flotation device inflated.

Figure 1 illustrates a pair of overalls comprising a bib 10 attached to the waistband 12 of a pair of trousers 14, as is conventional. However, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention the braces part of the overall has been replaced by a flotation device 16. Device 16 may be a modified form of known compact life jacket, in which the conventional securing harness is omitted. For wear by the user, the flotation device 16 is instead fastened to the trousers 14 of the overall via buckles and adjusting straps 24. For added security, a back strap or straps 22 preferably extend between a nape portion of the flotation device 16 and the trouser waistband 12.

As illustrated, the flotation device is designed to be permanently attached to the trousers 14 and bib 10 to form a complete "bib and braces" overall. However, in other embodiments (not shown) the flotation device 16 may be designed for use in co-operation with a conventional pair of trousers to which it is releasably secured, for example by a waist strap like a conventional trouser belt, or by releasable clasps.

The bib is shown as being releasablv, secured to the

front of the flotation device 16 by "Velcro"tpatches 18, 20.

Other releasable fasteners such as press studs could equally well be used. This enables the bib to be lowered as shown in Figs. 2, 5 and 6, allowing the flotation device to be inflated.

The illustrated flotation device 16 takes the form of an airtight U-shaped inner bladder 26 (Fig. 5) secured to a hardwearing protective cover 28. As is conventional, when not in use the bladder 26 is deflated and folded within the cover 28 which thus forms a protective pocket. The cover 28 is held closed around the limbs of the bladder where they extend down the wearer's chest by longitudinal zip fasteners 30 or other burstable longitudinal fastenings such as

VelcroWAor press studs. Tne nape portlon or the cover 28 is similarly secured around the bladder by a burstable fastening 32.

For inflation the bladder is provided with a compressed gas cylinder 34 (Fig. 6) and an inflation valve 36 manually operated by a lanyard 38 or automatically operated by contact with water. The lanyard 38 is protected from accidental operation by the bib 10 in its raised position. The bib also covers the buckles and adjusting straps 24, preventing entanglement in fishing nets and the like. If the bib is raised when the wearer enters the water the flotation device 16 will, preferably inflate automatically, bursting the

"Velcro"-lbib fastenings 18, 20 as well as the cover fastenings 30, 32. The flotation device 16 may also be provided with a whistle, light or radio-locator 40 and an air top-up valve 42. Items 34, 36, 40 and 42 will normally be housed within the cover 28 when the flotation device is not inflated, with only the lanyard 38 protruding.

Whilst a U-shaped flotation bladder has been described above, other forms for incorporation into a body harness or braces will be apparent. For example the bladder may be a closed loop surrounding the wearer's neck. Instead of having limbs extending almost down to the waistband of the wearer's trousers, the flotation bladder may be provided with shorter limbs fastened to the top of the bib of a pair of bib and braces-type overalls. A closed loop design may also be suitable for this purpose.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A flotation device comprising a body harness or braces adapted for attachment to a pair of trousers and whose structure incorporates an inflatable flotation bladder.

2. A flotation device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the harness or braces forms part of a pair of overalls.

3. A flotation device as claimed in claim 2 wherein the overalls comprise a bib which covers adjusting straps or fastenings of the harness or braces in use.

4. A flotation device as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 which in use is securely retained on the wearer's body by virtue of its attachment to the trousers.

5. A flotation device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the flotation bladder is contained in an elongate pocket formed in a strap of the harness or braces, the pocket including a longitudinal opening held closed by fastening means openable to allow the bladder to expand from the pocket.

6. A flotation device as claimed in claim 5 wherein the bladder and the strap are U-shaped, extending in use up one side of the wearer's chest, around his neck and down the other side of his chest.

7. A flotation device as claimed in claim 6 wherein the strap and bib include co-operating fasteners, releasable to release the bib, permitting inflation of the bladder.

8. A flotation device as claimed in claim 5 wherein the bladder forms a closed loop around the wearer's neck in use.

9. A flotation device substantially as described with reference to or as shown in the drawings.