WO2004007275A2 - Variable displacement, external fabric cover and gusset-configured, hybrid life jacket with releaseable or nonreleasable bladder - Google Patents

Abstract

A type III personal flotation device (PFD) (1) is provided modified to include a midline external-fabric gusset-configured hybrid bladder to allow functional conversion into a life jacket. Lengthwise mechanical closure (7) allows the width of the midline gusset to be adjusted to provide the appropriate amount of inflatable hybrid as dictated by the season, demands or amount of clothing. A two layer midline gusset is patterned to provide four distinct improvements in function; cephalic support for improved freeboard, lateral cervical bladders to limit side to side swing of the head and neck, midline closure and mandibular splint to prevent anterior swings and sufficient thoracic bladder to supply corrective turning. Paddlers Type III also includes an axillary gusset to reduce PFD ride up. Configuring gusset release means tailored to the means of inflation and intended water activity is also provided.

Description

VARIABLE DISPLACEMENT, EXTERNAL FABRIC COVER AND GUSSET- CONFIGURED, HYBRID LIFE JACKET WITH RELEASEABLE OR NONRELEASABLE BLADDER

This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Application No. 60/395,235, filed July 11, 2002, which the full disclosure of the priority application is incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates generally to life jackets and more particularly to an external FABRIC SHELL gusset-configured, Type IIII hybrid life jacket.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In response to the sinking of the Titanic the international community called the first SOLAS or Safety Of Life At Sea Convention. The International Maritime Organization or IMO has sponsored the regulations of the SOLAS class of life jackets, the highest standard in the world. In the US the SOLAS class is a furtherance of the standards held for our highest standards the United States Coast Guard ("USCG") Type I Off Shore. By way of comparison the USCG inflatable Type I Offshore Life Jackets is almost universally inflated by a 38 gram CO2 generating roughly 35 to 40 lbs. of displacement while the SOLAS class inflatable requires complete redundancy. That is two inflatable chambers, two oral inflators, two compressed gas cylinders and two compressed gas inflators.

Given the current international spate of approval withdrawals and product recalls, there was an urgent solicitation for prototypes addressing the issue of corrective turning. The recent SOLAS wave tank workshop held in Europe to address failure to turn, revealed that despite the IMO requirement for airway protective turning within 5 seconds, very few products presented, not even the proposed CG 2000 or Coast Guard 2000 reference vest, were capable of providing reliable corrective turning on face first entry.

It remains a firmly held belief that the victim would not be able to pull on the compressed gas lanyard yet alone locate and effectuate oral inflation. In recognition of this inflatables are not recommended for those who cannot swim despite inflatables unequalled capacity for airway protective corrective turning. Until my co-pending patent applications, the idea of oral inflation being a working option was frowned upon by the industry. The oral inflation tube was only present as a 'back up' option.

There are currently only two manufactures of laminated fabric approved by Underwriters Laboratories ("UL") for inclusion in inflatable life jackets. The driving fear behind allowing inflatables to be initially approved by the USCG was reliability and durability. Current life jacket bladders have to be fully inflated or 0.6 psi before the compressed gas cylinder is detonated. In other words the chamber has to be able to withstand double inflation. As a separate test the chamber has to be inflated to 8 psi or higher for military specifications. Consequently the fabrics are constructed from a woven nylon fabric laminated with polyurethane for air retention and radio frequency weldability. By design this fabric is quite strong, stiff and expensive and is found in all previous hybrid and inflatable PFDs.

In my co-pending patent applications orally inflated 100 Newtons hybrid bladders were added within previously approved SOLAS class Life Jackets. The oral doubling of the life jackets displacement holds promise of fulfilling international and federal regulations regarding timely airway protection for the distressed or unconscious water entry victim. The advantage of oral inflation is the use of unsupported films or thin film to make the air retentive bladder.

The film hybrid which is configured, supported and protected by the foam personal flotation devices' ("PFDs") external fabric shell separates the air retentive function from the allocation and distribution of that displacement about the vest, allowing it to uniquely meet diverse and occasionally contradictory demands placed upon jacket performance. Stability in the face up position creates resistance to being turned from a face up onto a face down position. However once face down those same minor buoyant moments that contribute to create strong face up stability, oppose efforts responsible for corrective turning. While buoyant torque does not distinguish between correct and incorrect turning an unconscious victim' s life depends on that distinction. On being unstable when face down and yet stable when face up.

Former body angle is another conflicted requirement. A certain body angle was required to improve scanning of the horizon but that same position resulted in increased vertical travel (i.e. airway submerged plunging in a seaway as recently demonstrated in wave tank testing). It has been very recently decided that in the open ocean the body should be held parallel to the water's surface. As requirements continue to evolve the dual walled inflatable hybrid disclosed in my co-pending patent application will be beneficial in order to concurrently achieve divergent body and head angles, face up stability and face down instability and while quickly turning the unconscious flaccid victim.

It is important to note that hybrids were the first approved use of inflatables, hedging the concerns regarding purely inflatable life jackets with the presence _of a core of inherently buoyant material. Europe's experience and the promise of compliance finally brought USCG Approval to the purely inflatable life jacket and the additional cost and bulk of the foam hybrid was finally eliminated.

While the high performance inflatable at a cost of hundreds of dollars provides the transoceanic sailor with a product that can be worn, the cost to re-arm for a single use exceeds the cost to buy enough USCG Tested & Approved life jackets for a family of eight. The solution to the SOLAS foam life jacket and the USCG Type I Offshore life jacket was simply applied to the $4.99 Type II Near Shore PFD as previously disclosed in my copending patent application. All three products are boxy shaped blocks of foam and simply lateral and or superior extensions of the foam fabric shell in the thoracic area directed the inflatable buoyant force to achieve corrective turning. Unfortunately all three life jackets, the SOLAS, Type I and Type II all suffer from the ignominious fate of looking like huge cereal boxes strapped to the wearers chest. Consequently unless the boat is sinking they are not worn.

Unlike cruise liners, rowboats and canoes sink quickly with no time to locate and don the life jacket and then queue up at the life raft. Speedboats or personal watercraft with their high-speed impact result in some of the quickest routes to inadvertent water entry. The USCG Type III PFD was designed to be worn, to be attractive, to be cool physically and socially. Once airway protection was officially divested from the product an attractive wearable product could be designed. The Type Ill's increased overall compliance offset its reduction in airway protection, and has contributed to the significant reduction in annual boating fatalities over the last ten years. However, my current invention disclosed herein is directed at the average of 65 people who continue to drown each year while wearing life jackets.

Sportsman currently buy a single Type III for four season use. Yet clearly the needs differ in accordance with protective garments worn based on wind and temperature. A 100 Newton Type III buoyant aid for use during a summer day in protected waters differs from displacement needs -when fishing alone or with a friend at night off shore or when heavily dressed sitting in a blind for hours at time in the middle of winter in a pond duck hunting. Displacement is not simply a "more is better" proposition. In the over 200 Newtons class displacement can adversely impact such survival activities as swimming or entering a life raft. The PFD that can support a bathing suit may not be sufficient for the individual wearing heavy insulated boots, overalls and coats. Thus there remains a need for an attractive, comfortable, wearable Type III flotation aid with improved face plane, cephalic support, lateral cervical stabilization, mandibular blocking and midline closure, with improved body angle as well as airway protection at a cost that can be affordable for the young parent out rowing or fishing with their child. There also exist a need for a vest the can be adjusted to provide 100 Newtons, 200 Newtons or 300 Newtons as environmentally determined, or some other desired amount of Newtons.

It is, therefore, to the effective resolution of the aforementioned problems and shortcomings of the prior art that the present invention is directed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The Type III buoyant aid is generally a low profile, low displacement vest style buoyant aid lacking the superior thoracic wall of the SOLAS or the sidewalls of the Type I and Type II.

The inclusion of an ultralight weight polyurethane coated nylon, vinyl film of Linear Low Density Polyethylene Thin Film hybrid bladder within the Type III PFD is easiest to locate along existing midline seams. For non-removable bladders if the bladder is attached along the medial seam, upon inflation its displacement is located, secured and directed by its attachment to the external fabric cover, which assists in configuring the final inflated shape. For the removable bladder an inner sleeve complements the external fabric gusset. The internal sleeve and external gusset define the inflated shape responsible for locating the buoyant force so that it supplies both corrective turning and face up stability.

Blow open ventral gussets would complicate current constructions. Regardless of the gussets location it can preferably be considerably larger that the bladder associated with the 150 Newton SOLAS foam life jackets. The Type III gusseted hybrid can preferably be capable of converting a 50-75 Newton buoyant aid into a 200 to 300 Newton Life Jacket. The two layer inverted gusset is configured to contour the air retentive bladder to provide all of the structures required to distinguish a flotation aid from a life jacket. Provided also is a cephalic support to provide freeboard, lateral cervical support to prevent the head from dropping off to the side where it creates the airway submerging side high position, mandibular support to align the mass of the head in the axis of rotation, and a thoracic bladder of sufficient size to generate the torque required roll the unconscious victim off their face into an airway protected position.

The variety of structures that underlie these functions requires an elaborate gusset preferably constructed from two layers of fabric. The upper and lower medial faces are closed along their contoured edge and the straight edge is sewn to the vertical medial seam of the Type III vest. The interior faces of the medial edge mount the particular water sport specific closure means. A midline mechanical closure allows the size of the gusset to be variable in accordance with the seasonal requirements for displacement. For summer use, a fishing or boating vest can suffice with the addition of approximately 100 Newtons of hybrid inflation. For winter time use, heavily garbed - duck hunter would require approximately 300 Newtons for corrective turning and adequate free board as the heavy clothing -becomes soddened with entrapped water.

The orally-inflated low-cost small boaters vest can preferably utilize a gusset closure release force in the range of expired pulmonary pressures genetically produced by the population at large, approximately 0.25 psi, or a manual rip cord release means freeing the gusset to expand upon inflation A nonswimmer can elect to inflate the bladder upon donning so that they are not required to participate in the conversion of their buoyant aid into a life jacket in the midst of cold shock that seriously complicates the first 3-5 minutes of water entry.

While a canoe paddler's Type III might acceptably convert performance based on an orally inflated hybrid, the white water paddler is more likely to invest in very rapid compressed gas inflation. Due to the significant risk of the white water paddlers being trapped underwater compressed gas inflation their configured hybrid is best restricted to manual operation/activation. Only the wearer can determine when they are free and clear from entrapping overhead environments at which point they can safely detonate their compressed gas inflation means for rapid conversion of their low profile buoyant air into high displacement life jacket. For the white water paddler the cost of compressed gas inflation is worth considering. The use of approximately 800 psi to open the configuring fabric-shell gusset closure in the paddler's Type III vest allows inclusion of a more rigorous closure means. Ideally the gusset release can be mechanically tied to the compressed gas detonation maneuver. The paddler's mechanically locked gusset closure means reduces the chances of the gusset opening in response to the twisting and turning and roll overs associated with white water paddling.

The paddler's vigorous use of their arms necessitates large arm openings. However these same large arm openings severely compromise the protection provided by their PFD. Accordingly, bilateral axillary gussets deployed by the same oral or compressed gas source can significantly reduce PFD ride up. The high-speed boater does not intend to get wet; if they do they will quite likely require water-activated conversion of their buoyant aid into a life jacket with corrective turning. Thus, the gusset release mechanism is preferably not mechanically locked, as desired for the white water paddler, but can be preferably pneumatically actuated. For the high speed boater the Type III automatic water-activated inflator supplies not only the conversion displacement to the hybrid bladder but also first initiates the deployment of the medial gusset.

The three-strap ski vest is the most challenging design due to its predictable submersion yet exposure to high-speed impact. Manual inflation gives the quickest conversion of the Type III buoyant aid into life jacket. The encircling straps can be split with the lowest on the outside and the upper two beneath the hybrid bladder.

For the PFD with a releasable bladder an inner sleeve limits the inward expansion of the hybrid bladder while the configuring gusset expands outward under pneumatic pressure to shape the bladder to provide posterior, lateral and anterior support for the head while placing a high torque moment in the thoracic area.

Accordingly it is the primary object of the invention to provide a Type III PFD with a multi-faceted midline gusset capable of converting a buoyant aid into a life jacket.

It is another object of the invention to supply a configured two-layer midline structure to create a thoracic bladder capable of providing the torque required for corrective turning.

It is a further object of the invention to supply a configured two-layer midline structure to create a mandibular support to align the head in the axis of rotation by preventing anterior flexion of the neck.

It is an even further object of the invention to supply a configured two-layer midline structure to create lateral cervical support to prevent the head and neck from falling to either side of the midline axis.

It is still another object of the invention to supply a configured two-layer midline structure to create cephalic pillow to increase the distance from the water surface to the entrance of the victim's airway.

It is still a further object of the invention to provide a variable volume hybrid bladder.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide incremental increases in displacement. It is yet a further object of the invention to provide approximately 100 Newtons of low profile inherent buoyancy. A second hundred Newtons of inflatable buoyancy to convert the low profile buoyant aid into a life jacket for the non-swimmer upon donning for the proficient swimmer after water entry. A second 100 Newtons of inflatable displacement is available for a total of 300 Newtons of hybrid buoyancy for an in water emergency during winter.

It is another object of the invention to supply a configured two-layer midline structure to create an axillary pillow to prevent ride up as measured by notified bodies i.e. preventing the victim from sinking down inside their Type III PFD.

It is another object of the invention to a supply gusset closure system specific configure the expansible buoyant chamber to compensate for the specific deficiencies of a particular foam buoyant aid.

It is another object of the invention to a supply gusset closure and release system specific for oral inflation (i.e. low psi closure release).

It is another object of the invention to a supply gusset closure and release system specific for automatic deployment high-pressure compressed gas release.

It is another object of the invention to supply a locking gusset closure system requiring manual release prior to or concurrent with manual detonation of compressed gas inflation of the gusset configured hybrid bladder.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are explanatory and are not restrictive of the invention. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the present invention and together with the general description, serve to explain principles of the present invention.

These and other important objects, advantages, and features of the invention will become clear as this description proceeds.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combination of elements, and arrangement of parts that will be exemplified in the description set forth hereinafter. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a frontal view of a variable volume Type III PFD illustrating modification to include midline gusset with numerous design elements that allow the external fabric shell of the foam PFD to configure the internal hybrid bladder constructed from film, thin film or traditional approved fabric in order to support the head, align the neck, splint the chin and create a corrective turning thoracic bladder. The volume of the gusset can be reduced mechanically to vary the size of the deployment allowing the same Type III PFD for various purposes, including but not limited to a 100 Newton Aid, 200 Newton Life Jacket for fishing, 300 Newton jacket for heavily garbed winter duck hunting, etc.

Figure 2 is a frontal view of paddlers Type III PFD illustrating the comparison between inflated versus deflated. The large arm openings required for paddling are reduced by an axillary gusset deployed when the oversized internal bladder is inflated. The large neck opening with its lack of head and neck support and control is replaced upon inflation of the hybrid bladder which is functionally configured as it deploys into and fills out external fabric of the multi-faceted medial gusset.

Figure 3 is a frontal view illustrating a two layer pattern of the Type III medial gusset which is stowed inverted within the low profile vest until everted (i.e. pushed out, flipped over, etc.) by oral or compressed gas pneumatic pressure. The strength of the gusset closure means is a function of the manual ripcord release, oral pneumatic force or compressed gas pneumatic pressure available for opening and the intended application of the vest.

Figure 4 is a frontal view illustrating the following three gusset release means: (1) an orally inflated low psi gusset closure, (2) a locking manually initiated closure means, and (3) an automatic high-pressure pneumatic gusset closure means

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In Figure 1 a Type III PFD 2 is provided and further includes a primary medial gusset 3 which upon release of a reversible gusset closure means 5 allows approximately

100 Newton hybrid displacement to fill the over sized inner bladder 12. The final displacement can be varied by operation of a reversible mechanical closure means 7. Pulling on a zipper pull 6 accesses secondary medial gusset 4, which releases additional outer fabric shell 10 to first expand then configure under pressure approximately 200 Newtons of displacement. The hybrid bladder 12 is attached inferiorly to the fabric outer shell at 11 to prevent its sliding or floating from position. Also depicted are two encircling chest straps 14 and 16 that are located beneath the hybrid bladder and one encircling chest strap is above the outer fabric shell 17. The encircling chest straps are locked and adjusted at buckle 13. The neck opening 18 in the Type III PFD 2 is reduced as the lateral cervical position of gusset 19 expands. With continued inflation the cephalic gusset 20 emerges and expands supporting the head. Upon inflation by valve 8 the thoracic portion of the gusset 21 swells to provide the torque required to supply air protective corrective turning.

In Figure 2 a paddlers Type III PFD is shown deflated 40 as compared to inflated 41 separated by imaginary centerline 44. The cephalic pillow 42 provides support and creates freeboard while the hybrid collar 43 reduces that original over sized neck opening 18. While the paddlers arm opening is useful while paddling it allows either the low volume deflated PFD 40 or the hybrid PFD 41 to ride up the chest. The inverted axillary gusset 45 under pressure from the over sized bladder 46 opens the axillary gusset closure means 48 everting the gusset 49 thereby filling the arm hole in the PFD and preventing ride up. Even when inflated the bladder remains in a state of partial inflation 47 such that the strain is transferred to the strong outer fabric shell. The inverted medial gusset 50 is hidden from view in its deflated state yet under pneumatic pressure everts 51 to support the head, neck, and chin and creates the high torque thoracic bladder. The white water paddlers Type III PFD can benefit from a source of compressed gas 52 and a manual inflator 53 actuated by pulling on handle 54.

Figure 3 is a schematic pattern 70 for a configuring medial gusset overlaid upon a typical Type III PFD 2. The two layer medial gusset 70 can be sealed or sewn about lateral perimeter 71. A midline crossing mandibular shelf 9, lateral cervical support 19, cephalic pillow 42 and thoracic bladder 21 are the four primary structural elements fused into the Type III bladder-configuring gusset 70.

In figure 4 the nature of some of the configuring gusset releases of the present invention with the intended application of the particular Type III Hybrid Life Jacket are compared and contrasted. The orally inflated Type III Hybrid 80 has a low gusset release pressure 81 of approximately .25 psi. The manual compressed gas white water paddlers type III hybrid 82 has a mechanical lock 83 the can be released simultaneously with pulling on inflator handle 54 in order for compressed cylinder 52 to be pierced by inflator 53. Once the manual closure lock 83 is released, blow apart zipper closure 84 opens with out strangulation of the expanding internal gusset 70. The third drawing is of an automatic water activated Type III Hybrid Life Jacket 85 with a pneumatically operated gusset closure means 86. The water activated bobbin 87 results in the conversion of the Type III buoyant aid into a Life Jacket upon impact with the water.

The gussets 70 can be comprised of additional outer wall fabric tucked within the body of the PFD. The additional wall material can be folded back upon itself creating a wedge shaped fabric space within the body of the PFD. The fold of fabric can be secured to itself by closure means 5 such as hook and loop fasteners (VELCRO) or a blow-apart zipper. Without a gusset closure the outer fabric wall would be presented as a very loose floppy fabric cover. When the gusset closure means 5 is secured, the fabric cover has a snug appearance.

A simple gusset such as one found on a SOLAS, Type I or Type II square PFD can be a simple extension of a the existing vertical outer fabric wall. The excess fabric is simply tucked inside beneath the top layer, along side the sidewall or between the layers of foam where the excess fabric required for expansion is stored until the inflatable bladder begins to swell during inflation.

As the hybrid bladder is inflated, the additional shell fabric, which was stored within the fold of the gusset, is consumed or used to cover the expanding bladder. If the bladder is sized to remain larger than its outer fabric shell at some point the shell begins to tense under the mounting pressure of the inner bladders attempt to continue to expand. With increasing inflation the outer fabric wall bears an increasing amount of strain. The gusset has now been completely transformed from a fold of excess fabric into a pressurized fabric outer cover whose exact shape is determined by the design of the gusset.

It is only when the outer shell becomes pressurized that the final configuration becomes first evident. Then with continued pressurization the gusset and shell configure the inner bladder into a semi-rigid three-dimensional shape. The over size air retentive bladder converts the fabric shell in the ultimate functional form that determines exactly how much buoyant force will be located exactly where upon the body of the victim. It is the distribution and allocation of the hybrid's displacement that occurs as the unformed folded gusset is first filled then converted by the mounting pressure applied by the oversized film bladder to achieve the final three dimensional configuration. It is the tense inflated form that achieves the various design goals i.e. firm enough to hold the head up in a 30-degree position or keep the head back by splinting the mandible. Vessels are required by law to carry a PFD for every person aboard. Since the Captain cannot anticipate the needs of every passenger in the past the captain often purchased a set of adult and possibly a couple of children's PFDs. While the Type III with its reduced amount of inherent buoyancy has gone a long way towards encouraging the boater to wear the PFD continuously they are of primary value to row boaters in calm warm water in which rescue will occur very quickly. If a guest comes aboard who is not a good swimmer the minimal buoyancy and failure to self-right can be corrected by the wearer inflating the hybrid component upon donning. The person who has suffered near drowning experiences is not embarrassed by the increased bulk of the inflated hybrid. The near drowning victim is enjoyment is increased by sense of security and knowing that in the event of an emergency they will not have to figure out how to inflate their life jacket while floundering in water over their head. The proficient water skier/swimmer requires a low profile well secured device in the event they hit the water at 4-50 miles per hour. While the deployed hybrid would be ripped from their body the use of a manually activated compressed gas inflation allows them to quickly convert their buoyant aid which is incapable of airway protection into a life jacket which is designed to protect their airway if they are unable to do so. While a sportsman may buy one expensive attractive well-built Type III PFD the cost of a single product generally means they must select between a cool PFD for fishing in the heat of summer, occasional water skiing and a vest for duck hunting in the fall. The 300 lb inherently buoyant PFD would be unbearable in summer and the cost of CO2 cylinders to inflate a 300 lb hybrid routinely would exceed many water enthusiast' budget. An incrementally designed hybrid would allow the low profile 70-100 Newton PFD to be worn continuously while fishing in the heat of a midsummer's day. A 16-gram CO2 could convert their buoyant aid in the event they twist their ankle on impact while water skiing. Latter that Fall an the $1.00 16 gm CO2 can be replaced by and $18.00 38 gm CO2 cylinder can be installed in the inflator and a secondary gusset opened so that on deployment the 200 lb hybrid would be available for rapid compressed gas deployment in the event their punt turns over while duck hunting and they fall into the water wearing heavy coats and pants. A visiting friend stops in who nearly drowned several times next spring as closes the secondary gusset while orally inflating the primary gusset creating a 200 Newton hybrid giving the friend a sense of security that will increase their enjoyment while on the water.

The medial seam of a Type III Vest Style Personal Flotation Device is the seam that extends up the midline opening, around the head and neck then back down the other side. If cut open it would separate the front and rear fabric exterior panels that form the jacket that contains the inherently buoyant foam panels within the PFD's external fabric shell.

Sewing an approximately 8" wide fabric strip between the front and rear fabric shells would form the simplest gusset. Other widths can also be chosen and are considered within the scope of the invention. The entire 8" strip which is now a continuation of the external fabric shell is now pushed inside between the front and rear fabric shell until only the original front and rear fabric shell layers are once again in proximity. The 8" strip gusset is now completely inverted within the original fabric shell and hidden from view.

A blow apart closure means such as webbing loop and rip cord means or hook and loop fasteners, coil zipper or special tooth zipper design, can be attached along the seam between the 8" gusset strip and both the front and rear fabric panels. For example along the top seam between the front fabric panel and the top edge of the 8" strip is sewn fabric loop. Along the bottom seam is sewn fabric hook. Once the 8" fabric gusset is invaginated between the front and rear fabric panels the hook and loop are juxtaposed and secure the front and rear panels in a closed position. Similarly if a coil zipper is used, the coil zipper is first primed i.e. opened, then zipped closed securing the front to rear panel. Note regardless of the particular blow apart closure means, the inverted gusset is now stowed inside the vest between the front and rear panels.

The hybrid bladder is also contained with the fabric shell where it is protected. An oversized hybrid bladder on expansion transfers the strain of the pneumatic force onto the stronger external fabric shell, allowing use of a lightweight, inexpensive, bladder fabric containing the final cost to the consumer. Upon inflation of the hybrid chamber, either orally or by compressed gas, the blow apart closure means opens and the inverted gusset formed by the 8" strip expands outward to assume its active everted position under pressure from the expanding internal hybrid bladder. In the active position the gusset not only continues to protect the lightweight fabric hybrid bladder but also now configures or shapes the hybrid bladders buoyant moment about the unconscious victim such that it reliably offsets the deficits of the underlying inherently buoyant Type III foam panels.

To ideally support the head, neck and mandible the design of the gusset connecting the front and rear panels is shaped to place additional expansion beneath the chin to prevent the head from falling forward. Additional expansion is also positioned behind the head to support its weight while less expansion/buoyant moment is needed along the sides to restrict the head from falling off to the side. If compressed gas is used and full and immediate inflation desired, i.e. in order to comply with standards for 5-second corrective turning tests, then the final shape is part determined by sagacious allocation of the limited gas available. Additionally it is noted that the comfort level of the wearer is improved if they are supported but not smothered nor compressed by the collar. Therefore restrictions can also be important in configuring the final inflated shape of the hybrid component of the PFD. The ideal application of the everted gusset, which can be continuous with the external fabric shell to direct the expansion and therefore localized displacement, requires the simple linear gusset be replaced by a carefully designed gusset that takes into the consideration that small changes in diameter affect the internal volume at a rate approaching the cube of the radius. Since the connection of the gusset to the front and rear fabric panels is nearly linear, the final inflated shape quite convoluted the gusset is made from two pieces of fabric that are sewn to one another which is the inner seam when inverted and the outer seam when everted.

Each foam vest has unique deficits that can require that the general principles of a configuring gusset to be individually tailored then extensively tested to confirm that the inflated hybrid life jacket no longer possess negative freeboard i.e. stable face down flotation position that is characteristic of the un-inflated Type III hybrid.

While an over sized bladder the shape of the entire vest allows a single bladder to deploy axillary and cephalo-cervical-thoracic gussets, the bladders large size requires extended oral inflation or large size expensive compressed gas cylinders. Alternatively, an inner sleeve serves to sandwich the hybrid bladder between the inner sleeve and the outwardly expanding gusset. Upon inflation the sleeve forces all the expansion outward where it first opens the primary blow apart closure then allows full eversion of the gusset. As the hybrid bladders expands against the sleeve and gusset the pressure follows a particular shape cut into the gusset placing the buoyant force where its was designed to be located so that both corrective turning and stable face up flotation can be optimized.

Some of the advantages, characteristics and/or features of the present invention, include, but are not limited to, the following: (1) Multi-faceted midline external fabric gusset configuring internal bladder; (2) Multi-faceted midline gusset configure internal bladder in thin flush mounted vest; (3) PFD gusset that can be adjusted to provide varying diameters which converts into variable displacements; (4) Lateral gusset that can be adjusted to provide varying diameters which converts into variable displacements; (5) Medial gusset that can be adjusted to provide varying diameters which converts into variable displacements; (6) Midfield gusset that can be adjusted to provide varying diameters which converts into variable displacements; (7) Superior gusset that can be adjusted to provide varying diameters which converts into variable displacements; (8) Inferior gusset that can be adjusted to provide varying diameters which converts into variable displacements; (9) Two layer midline gusset supplying inflatable cephalic support; (10) Two layer midline gusset supplying inflatable lateral cervical support; (11) Two layer midline gusset supplying inflatable mandibular support; (12) Two layer midline gusset supplying inflatable midline closure; (13) Two layer midline gusset supplying inflatable thoracic bladder capable of corrective turning; (14) Two layer axillary gusset supplying inflatable axillary support; (15) Two layer gusset closure means variable actuated; (16) Two layer gusset closure means actuated by oral inflation; (17) Two layer gusset closure means actuated by compressed gas inflation; (18) Two layer gusset closure means manually locked and manually released prior or concurrent with inflation; (19) Two layer gusset closure means allowing manual release of hybrid bladder; (20) Gusset with manual release of hybrid bladder for conversion into personal life raft; (21) Type III PFD with encircling straps a portion of which travel between foam and hybrid inflatable; (22) Incremental inflatable displacements; (23) Since every hybrid exists in two states, foam displacement and foam plus bladder, 100 (foam) + 100 (bladder) = 200, the distinction is between 3 or more net buoyancy states or two or more inflatable states, 100+100+100 = 300 Total 100, 200, 300 , the 1-2-3 Type III PFD; (24) Low Volume Continuous use inflated hybrid life jacket, 100 foam + 50 inflatable +100 reserve; (25) High volume / high displacement cold weather life jacket 100+200 =300; (26) With secondary gusset left open and large CO2 cylinder attached, compressed gas inflation supplies not 100 but 200 pounds of hybrid buoyancy over and above the inherent buoyancy; (27) Inner sleeve and gusset configuring tubular structure that shapes inflatable element; (28) While the hybrid bladder could be exactly sized, if over sized the strain of inflation is transferred to the stronger cover material allowing lighter weight fabric to be used and or increased longevity and protection from UV, abrasion. Puncture; (29) Midline attachment of hybrid bladder and or bladder tube keeps buoyant moment from migrating within foam PFD fabric cover; (30) Hybrid bladder releasable from configuring cover and gusset as redundant life jacket; (31) All or some encircling load bearing straps pass beneath hybrid bladder; (32) Axillary gussets; and (33) Axillary gussets inflated by oral, manual, water activated or hydrostatic pressure activated compressed gas means. Index of Reference Numerals

1 Variable displacement hybrid PFD

2 50-100 Newton Type III inherently buoyant foam PFD

3 Primary medial gusset configures first 100 Newton hybrid inflatable displacement

4 Secondary inner medial gusset configures second 100 Newtons of hybrid inflatable displacement

5 Reversible closure means of primary gusset

6 Zipper pull of secondary gusset

7 Mechanical closure means for secondary expansion gusset

8 Oral inflation/deflation valve

9 Everted mandibular gusset extends configuring outer fabric shell

10 Configuring outer fabric shell

11 Inferior attachment of inflatable bladders

12 200+ Newton air retentive full vest hybrid bladder

13 Locking adjustable buckle

14 Upper encircling chest strap passing beneath the deflated hybrid chamber

15 Exterior portion of upper encircling chest strap

16 Middle encircling chest strap passing beneath the deflated hybrid chamber

17 Lower encircling chest strap passing over the top of the external fabric shell

18 Neck opening

19 Lateral cervical gusset

20 Emerging cephalic gusset

21 Exterior fabric shell component of the emerging thoracic corrective turning inflatable hybrid pillow

22 Pneumatically everted medial gusset now beginning to function as a configuring external fabric shell

23 Complementary releasable closure means of primary gusset

40 Paddlers Inherently Buoyant PFD with hybrid deflated

41 Paddler's Hybrid Life Jacket with hybrid inflated

42 Cephalic hybrid pillow

43 Hybrid collar reduced neck opening

44 Midline axis

45 Inverted axillary gusset

46 Over sized deflated hybrid bladder 47 Tension free inflated hybrid bladder

48 Reversible closure means

49 Pneumatically everted axillary gusset extension of external fabric shell

50 Inverted cephalo-cervical-mandibulo-thoracic gusset

51 Pneumatically everted cephalo-cervical-mandibulo-thoracic gusset expanding under pneumatic pressure of hybrid bladder to limits of configuring outer fabric shell

52 Compressed gas cylinder

53 Manually activated CO2 inflator

54 Manual detonation handle

70 Two layer pattern of the inverted cephalo-cervical-mandibulo-thoracic gusset schematically overlaid on top of foam PFD

71 Sewn or welded seam connecting upper and lower layers of fabric forming gusset

72 Inner sleeve half of tube directs expanding hybrid bladder towards midline converting stowed inverted gusset into deployed everted gusset

73 Releasable hybrid bladder

74 Inherently buoyant ventral foam panel

75 Inherently buoyant posterior foam panel

76 Access means for releasing hybrid bladder from configuring gusset

77 Released hybrid bladder as secondary emergency personal flotation device

78 Single chest strap

80 deflated Type III Gusset Hybrid superimposed on top of Type III inherently buoyant PFD for schematic illustration

81 approximately .25 to approximately .5 psi gusset release

82 Manual compressed gas inflated Type III Gusset Hybrid

83 Mechanical lock of gusset release means

84 Blow apart zipper release means

85 Remote mounted automatic water activated compressed inflated Hybrid Type III Life jacket

86 Compressed gas operated gusset closure means

87 Water activated inflator bobbin

88 Medially secured non-releasable partial vest hybrid inflatable chamber

89 Attachment of hybrid bladder to medial gusset seam

90 Lateral free edge of deflated hybrid chamber 91 Fully everted high displacement thoracic gusset, configuring inflated contained hybrid bladder by limiting extent of its expansion

92 Fully everted cephalic support gusset

93 Compressed midline juncture of high displacement thoracic component of external fabric, shell configured hybrid bladder

94 Deflated/inverted to inflated/ everted midline seam of configuring external fabric shell

95 Curved surface of external shell formed by constraining pressure of inflated hybrid bladder

It will be seen that the objects set forth above, and those made apparent from the foregoing description, are efficiently attained and since certain changes may be made in the above construction without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matters contained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. In particular, inherently buoyant vest style PFDs may be rated as Type I but despite its rating also suffers from the same failure of performance as the Type III when tested under real world conditions and so likewise benefit from the disclosed fabric configured mid-seam mounted or releasable, pneumatically augmented corrective turning and enhanced freeboard and face up stability.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall there between.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A hybrid personal flotation device comprising: a fabric outer shell having a front portion and a rear portion; at least one foam member disposed within said fabric outer shell; a first gusset having a first side and a second side, the first side of said first gusset attached to the front portion of the fabric outer shell and the second side of the gusset attached to the rear portion of the fabric outer shell; a bladder disposed within the fabric outer shell; means for inflating the bladder; and a closure assembly for releasably securing the front portion to the rear portion such that said first gusset is disposed in an inverted position between the front portion and the rear portion of the fabric outer shell.

2. The hybrid personal flotation device of claim 1 wherein inflation of the bladder by said means for inflating causes the securement of the front portion to the rear portion to be released and the inverted gusset to expand outward to assume an active everted position under pressure from expansion of the bladder by said means for inflating.

3. The hybrid personal flotation device of claim 1 wherein said at least one foam member is a first foam member contained within the front portion and a second foam member contained within the rear portion.

4. The hybrid personal flotation device of claim 1 wherein the first gusset is attached to the front portion by sewing approximate to a medial seam location of the front portion and to the rear portion by sewing approximate to a medial seam location of the rear portion.

5. The hybrid personal flotation device of claim 1 wherein the closure assembly comprises a hook and loop fasteners, having either a hook portion or loop portion attached to the front portion and a mating loop portion or hook portion attached to the back portion, wherein in an deflated bladder position, the hook portion and loop portion are connected to each other to connect the front portion to the rear portion.

6. The hybrid personal flotation device of claim 5 wherein when the hook portion and the loop portion are connected the first gusset is in an inverted position within the fabric outer shell and hidden from view.

7. The hybrid personal flotation device of claim 5 wherein in an inflated bladder position, pressure from the bladder expanding causes the connection of the hook portion to the loop portion to break which permits the first gusset to expand outward.

8. The hybrid personal flotation device of claim 1 wherein said means for inflating is an oral inflator in communication with the bladder.

9. The hybrid personal flotation device of claim 1 wherein said means for inflating is a compressed gas assembly in communication with the bladder.

10. The hybrid personal flotation device of claim 9 wherein said compressed gas assembly is manually activated.

11. The hybrid personal flotation device of claim 9 wherein said compressed gas assembly is water activated.