An auxillary floatation device and a floatation device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a floatation device for encumbered people carrying equipment such as military personnel and offshore workers. Ideally, the floatation device includes an auxiliary floatation device for encumbered users that can be used with a primary lifejacket worn by a user. The auxiliary floatation device includes a buoyancy portion that, in 5 use, can be attached to the legs of the user, and the orientation of the torso of the user is controlled by the buoyancy force provided by the buoyancy portion and, in turn, effect the distance between the mouth of a user and waterline, which is referred to as the “freeboard”.

1 - 27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . An auxiliary floatation device that can be used with a primary lifejacket worn by a user, the auxiliary floatation device includes a buoyancy portion that, in use, can be attached to the legs of the user, and the orientation of the torso of the user is controlled by the buoyancy force provided by the buoyancy portion and, in turn, effect the distance between the mouth of a user and waterline (the “freeboard”). 
     
     
         29 . The auxiliary floatation device according to  claim 28 , wherein the buoyancy force of the auxiliary device is, when in use, the result of the device being fully submerged. 
     
     
         30 . The auxiliary floatation device according to  claim 29 , wherein the buoyancy force of the auxiliary floatation device controls the orientation of the torso of the user to automatically orientate into a reclined position in the water, and in this position the user's back is directed downward and the face of the user is directed upward, and, when the user is in the reclined position in the water, the longitudinal axis of the torso of the user is in the range of 30 to 60 degrees to a horizontal waterline, measured in a forward direction of the user. 
     
     
         31 . The auxiliary floatation device according to  claim 28 , wherein the buoyancy portion has a single buoyancy element only that extends across the buttock or pelvic region of the user and the device has a harness that includes leg straps that extend about each leg of the user for attaching the device to the user. 
     
     
         32 . The auxiliary floatation device according to  claim 28 , wherein the buoyancy portion includes two buoyancy elements, and one of the buoyancy elements is attached to each thigh of the user, and suitably to each thigh of the user. 
     
     
         33 . The auxiliary floatation device according to  claim 32 , wherein the auxiliary floatation device includes thigh straps that extend about the thighs of the user, and the thigh straps are removably connected to the buoyancy portion of the auxiliary floatation device using a quick attachment and release system. 
     
     
         34 . The auxiliary floatation device according to  claim 32 , wherein the device includes a harness having a waist strap that, when in use, extends about the waist of the user and two legs straps extending from the waist strap, when in use, the leg straps extend about each leg of the user. 
     
     
         35 . The auxiliary floatation device according to  claim 28 , wherein the buoyancy portion has a buoyancy force up to 100 N. 
     
     
         36 . The auxiliary floatation device according to  claim 28 , wherein by increasing the buoyancy force the user can adjust their orientation into a more reclined position. 
     
     
         37 . The auxiliary floatation device according to  claim 28 , wherein by reducing the buoyancy force the user can adjust their orientation into a more upright position. 
     
     
         38 . The auxiliary floatation device according to  claim 28 , wherein the buoyancy portion includes at least one inflatable bladder, and the user can control the buoyancy force by increasing the degree of inflation of the bladder. 
     
     
         39 . The auxiliary floatation device according to  claim 38 , wherein the auxiliary floatation device includes an oral inflation assembly that is arranged to allow a user wearing the auxiliary device to inflate at least one of the bladders by blowing from their mouth, and thereby the oral inflation assembly includes a hose and a one way valve that allows a person to blow into the hose to inflate the or each bladder, and the user can adjust the buoyancy force of the auxiliary floatation device by changing the degree to which the bladder(s) are inflated, and in turn, control the orientation of the torso of the user and improve the mouth freeboard. 
     
     
         40 . The auxiliary floatation device according to  claim 38 , wherein the floatation device has a vent that the user can open and close to reduce the degree to which the bladder(s) is inflated. 
     
     
         41 . The auxiliary floatation device according to  claim 38 , wherein the hose is a self-retracting the hose that is arranged in a coil formation, that can be pulled out to an extended form and auto-retract into a coiled retracted form. 
     
     
         42 . The auxiliary floatation device according to  claim 38 , wherein the auxiliary floatation device includes a pressurised gas cylinder that is arranged to inflate the or each bladder, and the user can control the degree to which the or each bladder is inflated by controlling gas flow from the cylinder into the or each bladder and, in turn, enable the buoyancy force of the lower buoyancy to be adjusted to control the orientation of the torso of the user, and the device includes an ON/OFF valve for controlling the gas flow into the bladders, and a release bleed valve to control the flow of gas from the bladders. 
     
     
         43 . The auxiliary floatation device according to  claim 38 , wherein the device includes at least one openable housing for containing at least one of the inflatable bladders in a compact configuration for storage while deflated. 
     
     
         44 . The auxiliary floatation device according to  claim 38 , wherein the auxiliary device includes two openable housings, one of the housings from each bladder. 
     
     
         45 . The auxiliary floatation device according to  claim 38 , wherein each housing is attached to the thigh straps. 
     
     
         46 . The auxiliary floatation device according to  claim 38 , wherein the or each housing has a length in the range of 10 to 15 cm, a width in the range of 8 to 12 cm and height in the range of 5 to 10 cm, such that the or each bladder in a deflated condition can be stored in the housings and so that the auxiliary floatation device does not to interfere with normal military operations. 
     
     
         47 . A floatation device for encumbered users including:
 a harness having a waist strap that extends about the waist of a user and at least one thigh strap that extends about a leg of a user below the buttock of the user;   an upper abdominal buoyancy portion that is attached to the waist strap of the harness; and   a lower buoyancy portion that is attachable to the thigh strap;   wherein the orientation of the body of the user in the water is able to be controlled by the buoyancy force provided by the lower buoyancy portion and, in turn, effect the freeboard.   
     
     
         48 . The floatation device according to  claim 47 , wherein the lower buoyancy portion is the auxiliary floatation device that can be used with a primary lifejacket worn by a user, the auxiliary floatation device includes a buoyancy portion that, in use, can be attached to the legs of the user, and the orientation of the torso of the user is controlled by the buoyancy force provided by the buoyancy portion and, in turn, effect the distance between the mouth of a user and waterline (the “freeboard”). 
     
     
         49 . The flotation device according to  claim 47 , wherein the harness does not have a crotch strap.