Personal flotation device

Abstract

A personal flotation device ( 10 ) includes a torso flotation pad ( 21 ), right armband flotation pad ( 31 ) and left armband flotation pad ( 41 ). The right armband flotation pad ( 31 ) is operatively connected to the torso flotation pad ( 21 ). The left armband flotation pad ( 41 ) is operatively connected to the torso flotation pad ( 21 ).

1 . A personal flotation device for use by a wearer, comprising:
 (a) a torso flotation pad;   (b) a right armband flotation pad operatively connected to the torso flotation pad, and has a right opening for receiving a right arm of a wearer;   (c) a left armband flotation pad operatively connected to the torso flotation pad and has a left opening for receiving a left arm of the wearer; and   (d) the armband flotation pads each having a plurality of stacked planar flotation pads that, when folded to proximate a circle, form an armband flotation pad of tapering thickness.   
   
   
       2 . The personal flotation device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 (a) the torso flotation pad having a first end and a second end;   (b) an attachment member having a first part operatively connected to the first end and a second part operatively connected to the second end; and   (c) the first part adapted and configured to be releaseably attached to the second part, wherein the torso flotation pad is securable around a wearer's torso.   
   
   
       3 . The personal flotation device of  claim 2 , wherein the attachment member is positioned proximate the wearer's back. 
   
   
       4 . The personal flotation device of  claim 1 , further comprising the torso flotation pad and the armband pads are constructed from closed cell foam. 
   
   
       5 . The personal flotation device of  claim 4 , further comprising the torso flotation pad and armband flotation pads having a fabric cover. 
   
   
       6 . The personal flotation device of  claim 5 , wherein the fabric is used to form a retention member to operatively connect the torso flotation pad to the armband flotation pads. 
   
   
       7 . (canceled) 
   
   
       8 . The personal flotation device of  claim 4 , comprising the torso flotation pad having a plurality of planar torso flotation pads that, when folded into an arcuate shape, form a torso flotation pad of tapering thickness. 
   
   
       9 . The personal flotation device of  claim 1 , wherein the armband flotation pads are, when worn by the wearer, operatively connected to the torso flotation pad at a position above the wearer's armpits. 
   
   
       10 . A personal flotation device for use by a wearer, comprising:
 (a) a torso securing member;   (b) a right armband flotation pad operatively connected to the torso securing member, and has a right opening for receiving a right arm of a wearer;   (c) a left armband flotation pad operatively connected to the torso securing member and has a left opening for receiving a left arm of the wearer; and   (d) the armband flotation pads each having a plurality of stacked planar flotation pads that, when folded to proximate a circle, form an armband flotation pad of tapering thickness, the armband flotation pads being thicker on the outside of a wearer's arm than on a wearer's underarm.   
   
   
       11 . The personal flotation device of  claim 10 , wherein the torso securing member is a torso flotation pad. 
   
   
       12 . The personal flotation device of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 (a) the torso flotation pad having a first end and a second end;   (b) an attachment member having a first part operatively connected to the first end and a second part operatively connected to the second end; and   (c) the first part adapted and configured to be releaseably attached to the second part, wherein the torso flotation pad is securable around a wearer's torso.   
   
   
       13 . The personal flotation device of  claim 12 , wherein the attachment member is positioned proximate the wearer's back. 
   
   
       14 . The personal flotation device of  claim 11 , further comprising the torso flotation pad and the armband pads are constructed from closed cell foam. 
   
   
       15 . The personal flotation device of  claim 14 , further comprising the torso flotation pad and armband flotation pads having a fabric cover. 
   
   
       16 . The personal flotation device of  claim 15 , wherein the fabric is used to form a retention member to operatively connect the torso flotation pad to the armband flotation pads. 
   
   
       17 . (canceled) 
   
   
       18 . The personal flotation device of  claim 14 , comprising the torso flotation pad having a plurality of planar torso flotation pads that, when folded into an arcuate shape, form a torso flotation pad of tapering thickness. 
   
   
       19 . The personal flotation device of  claim 11 , wherein the armband flotation pads are, when worn by the wearer, operatively connected to the torso flotation pad at a position above the wearer's armpits. 
   
   
       20 . A personal flotation device for use by a child, comprising:
 (a) a torso flotation pad constructed from closed cell foam, the torso flotation pad having a first end and a second end and having a plurality of planar torso flotation pads that, when folded into an arcuate shape, form a torso flotation pad of tapering thickness;   (b) an attachment member having a first part operatively connected to the first end and a second part operatively connected to the second end;   (c) the first part adapted and configured to be releaseably attached to the second part, wherein the torso flotation pad is securable around a child's torso, wherein the attachment member is positioned proximate the child's back;   (d) a right armband flotation pad constructed from closed cell foam, the right armband flotation pad operatively connected to the torso flotation pad, and has a right opening for receiving a right arm of a child;   (e) a left armband flotation pad constructed from closed cell foam, the left armband flotation pad operatively connected to the torso flotation pad, and has a left opening for receiving a left arm of a child;   (f) the armband flotation pads each having a varying thickness, the armband flotation pads being thicker on the outside of a child's arm than on a child's underarm;   (g) the armband flotation pads each having a plurality of stacked planar flotation pads that are similarly sized and that, when folded to proximate a circle, form an armband flotation pad of tapering thickness;   (h) the torso flotation pad and armband flotation pads having a fabric cover; and   (i) the fabric is used to form a retention member to operatively connect the torso flotation pad to the armband flotation pads.   
   
   
       21 . (canceled) 
   
   
       22 . The personal flotation device of  claim 20  further comprising the torso flotation pad having a plurality of planar torso flotation pads that, when folded into an arcuate shape, form a torso flotation pad of tapering thickness. 
   
   
       23 . The personal flotation device of  claim 4 , further comprising the armband planar flotation pads are similarly sized. 
   
   
       24 . The personal flotation device of  claim 10 , further comprising the armband planar flotation pads are similarly sized. 
   
   
       25 . An armband for providing buoyancy to a user while in water, the armband comprising:
 (a) an armband flotation pad having a plurality of stacked planar flotation pads, each planar flotation pad being similarly sized; and   (b) a fabric cover for retaining the planar flotation pads which, when the planar flotation pads are folded to proximate a circle, form an armband flotation pad of tapering thickness.   
   
   
       26 . The armband of  claim 24 , further comprising the planar flotation pads are constructed from closed cell foam.