Combined ballast and signalling device for a personal flotation device

Abstract

A counterweight assembly is provided to enhance heads up surface positioning of a person. The assembly includes a weight/ballast member strategically disposed on a cylinder/tank worn by a diver during a dive. The weight member can be attached by several different embodiments. Preferably, the weight member is attached such that the diver cannot release or adjust the weight member while he or she is diving. The weight member rotates the person to ensure heads up surface positioning in the event the person becomes incapacitated. Also provided are several other water safety and survival devices. Also disclosed is a combined ballast and signaling device preferably neutralized by attachment to an eccentrically buoyant personal flotation device.

1. A combination counterweight assembly and personal flotation device for providing heads up surface positioning of a person, said counterweight assembly  combination comprising:
 a weight membera personal flotation device adapted to be worn by a person; and  
 means for attaching said weight membera weight member adapted for securement to athe personal flotation device, said weight member having no moving parts while secured to the personal flotation device such that all parts of the weight member remain in a fixed non- movable position at all times with respect to the personal flotation device while the personal flotation device is adapted to be worn by the person during the person's underwater travels;  the personal flotation device adapted to be worn by the person;  
 wherein said weight member rotates the person to at least help to ensure heads up surface positioning if the person becomes incapacitated;  
 wherein said weight member is a combined ballast and signaling device; wherein said weight member is secured to said personal flotation device such that it is non- releasable by a person while the personal flotation device is worn by the person.    
 
     
     
       2. The counterweight assembly of  claim 1  wherein said personal flotation device is a life vest. 
     
     
       3. The counterweight assembly of  claim 1   A combination counterweight assembly and personal flotation device for providing heads up surface positioning of a person, said combination comprising: a weight member; a personal flotation device adapted to be worn by a person; and means for attaching said weight member to the personal flotation device, said weight member remains in a single fixed non- movable position with respect to the personal flotation device while the personal flotation device is adapted to be worn by the person during the person's underwater travels; the personal flotation device adapted to be worn by the person; wherein said weight member rotates the person to at least help to ensure heads up surface positioning if the person becomes incapacitated; wherein said weight member is a combined ballast and signaling device; 
 wherein said personal flotation device is eccentrically buoyant and a weight amount of said combined ballast and signaling device are neutralized by a buoyancy of the personal flotation device through the attachment of said personal flotation device.  
 
     
     
       4. The counterweight assembly of  claim 1  wherein said personal flotation device is a buoyancy compensator. 
     
     
       5. The counterweight assembly of  claim 1  wherein said personal flotation device is a life jacket. 
     
     
       6. The counterweight assembly of  claim 1  wherein said personal flotation device is an inflatable garment. 
     
     
       7. The counterweight assembly of  claim 1  wherein said personal flotation device is a garment adapted to be worn by a person in the water. 
     
     
       8. A combination counterweight and personal flotation device for providing heads up surface positioning of a person, said counterweight  combination comprising:
 a personal flotation device adapted to be worn by a person; 
 a weight member adapted for non-releasable attachment to a  the personal flotation device by a person while being worn by the person, said weight member having no moving parts while secured to the personal flotation device such that all parts of the weight member remain in a fixed non- movable position at all times with respect to the personal flotation device while the personal flotation device is worn by the person during the person's underwater travels; said personal flotation device adapted to be worn by a person while the weight member remains secured in a single fixed non-movable position to the personal flotation device;    
   wherein said weight member is secured to said personal flotation device such that it is non - releasable by a person while the personal flotation device is worn by the person;    
 wherein said weight member aids in rotating the person to help ensure heads up surface positioning if the person becomes incapacitated.  
 
     
     
       9. The counterweight assembly of  claim 8  wherein said personal flotation device is a buoyancy compensator. 
     
     
       10. The counterweight assembly of  claim 8  wherein said personal flotation device is a life jacket. 
     
     
       11. The counterweight assembly of  claim 8  wherein said personal flotation device is an inflatable garment. 
     
     
       12. The counterweight assembly of  claim 8  wherein said personal flotation device is a garment adapted to be worn by a person in the water. 
     
     
       13. The counterweight assembly of  claim 8  wherein said personal flotation device is a life vest. 
     
     
       14. A buoyancy compensator comprising:
 a buoyancy compensator body member; and    at least one weight member secured to said buoyancy compensator body member;    wherein said weight member aids in rotating a person wearing said buoyancy compensator body member to ensure heads up surface positioning if the person becomes incapacitated.    
     
     
       15. The buoyancy compensator of  claim 14   A buoyancy compensator comprising: a buoyancy compensator body member adapted to be worn by a person; and at least one weight member secured to said buoyancy compensator body member, said at least one weight member having no moving parts while secured to the buoyancy compensator such that all parts of the at least one weight member remain secured to the buoyancy compensator in a fixed non- movable position at all times with respect to the buoyancy compensator while the buoyancy compensator is worn by the person during the person's underwater travels; wherein said weight member aids in rotating a person wearing said buoyancy compensator body member to help ensure heads up surface positioning if the person becomes incapacitated; 
 wherein said at least one weight member is secured to said buoyancy compensator body member such that it is non-releasable by a person while the buoyancy compensator weight  body member is worn by the person.  
 
     
     
       16. A buoyancy compensator comprising:
 a buoyancy compensator body member adapted to be worn by a person; and  
 at least one weight member secured to said buoyancy compensator body member, said at least one weight member having no moving parts while secured to the buoyancy compensator such that all parts of the at least one weight member remain secured to the buoyancy compensator in a fixed non- movable position at all times with respect to the buoyancy compensator while the buoyancy compensator is worn by the person during the person's underwater travels;    
 wherein said at least one weight member is secured to said buoyancy compensator body member such that it is non-releasable by a person while the buoyancy compensator weight  body member is worn by the person;  
 wherein said weight member aids in rotating the person to help ensure heads up surface positioning if the person becomes incapacitated.