Self-inflating swim aid

Abstract

A self-inflating swimming aid comprises a flotation member having a core of open cell foam closely encompassed in a waterproof casing of impermeable plastic. An inflation valve allows fluid communication with the foam core through the cover. The device is inflated by opening the valve so that the foam core may assume its expanded shape, and is deflated by compressing the foam core to force the air out of the flotation member through the valve. Once the flotation member is deflated to a desirable size and shape, the valve may be closed and the device may be folded or rolled up for storage.

What I claim is: 
     
         1 . An inflatable, buoyant swim aid comprising:
 a core element of open cell foam having a compressed and an expanded state;   an impermeable, flexible casing enclosing said core element; and   a valve affixed to said casing and communicating with said open cell foam allowing the flow of air into and out of said casing to selectively expand and contract the core element.   
     
     
         2 . The swimming aid of  claim 1  wherein the swim aid includes a pocket therein, said flexible casing being held in said pocket and said inflation valve projecting outwardly through an aperture in said device. 
     
     
         3 . An inflatable flotation vest comprising:
 a body portion formed in the shape of a vest;   a core element of open cell foam having a compressed and an expanded state;   an impermeable, flexible casing enclosing said core element; and   a valve in communication with said core element to allow selective expansion and contraction of the core element by allowing air into said casing to expand the core element, and to allow air to be expelled from the casing in order to contract the core element.