Inflatable flotation device
AssigneeBb-C Technologies Inc.
InventorSebastien Richard
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An inflatable flotation device including two panels extending from a body an inflatable bladder. The two panels and the body may be closed to enclose the inflatable bladder with the two panels attached to each other using magnets. When the inflatable bladder is inflated, the magnets separate from each other and the two panels open up to expose the inflatable bladder and allow further inflation.
Claims16
An inflatable flotation device wearable by an intended user, comprising:
- a body;
- a mounting system operatively coupled to the body for mounting the inflatable flotation device to the intended user;
- an inflatable bladder mounted to the body and configurable between a deflated configuration and an inflated configuration;
- an inflation system for selectively inflating the bladder from the deflated configuration to the inflated configuration, the inflation system including a cartridge containing a compressed fluid and a valve between the bladder and the cartridge, the valve being selectively openable to allow the compressed fluid to flow from the cartridge to the bladder;
- first and second panels defining respectively first and second free edges, the first and second panels extending from the body from opposite the first and second free edges, the body extending between the first and second panels, the first and second panels being configurable between a closed configuration and an open configuration, wherein, in the closed configuration, the first and second panels overlap each other adjacent the first and second free edges and the first and second panels and the body together define a cavity, the inflatable bladder being enclosed in the deflated configuration within the cavity, and, in the open configuration, the first and second panels are detached from each other at the first and second free edges with the first and second free edges spaced apart from each other so that the inflatable bladder is exposed;
- an attachment system including a first magnet and a second magnet mounted respectively to the first and second panels respectively at the first and second free edges, the first and second magnets being positioned so that in the closed configuration, the first and second magnets are substantially in register with each other and face each other with opposite polarities to attach the first and second panels to each other so that a predetermined force is required to detach the first and second panels from each other to achieve the open configuration.
A method of operating an inflatable flotation device, the inflatable flotation device including an inflatable bladder and first and second panels extending from a body provided therebetween, the first and second panels defining respectively first and second free edges opposed to the body, the first and second panels being provided with respectively first and second magnets at respectively the first and second free edges, the method comprising:
- (a) closing the first and second panels with the first and second panels overlapping each other at the first and second free edges so that the first and second panels and body enclose the inflatable bladder deflated and so that the first and second magnets attract each other;
- and
- (b) after step (a), inflating the inflatable bladder until the inflatable bladder abuts against the first and second panels;
- (c) after step (b), continuing inflation the inflatable bladder to cause the first and second magnets to move away from each other to open the first and second panels to expose the inflatable bladder and allow further inflation of the inflatable bladder.
An inflatable flotation device wearable by an intended user and usable with an inflation system able to selectively provide a pressurized fluid, the inflatable flotation device comprising:
- a body;
- a mounting system operatively coupled to the body for mounting the inflatable flotation device to the intended user;
- an inflatable bladder mounted to the body and configurable between a deflated configuration and an inflated configuration, the inflatable bladder being adapted to receive the pressurized fluid from the inflation system to change from the deflated configuration to the inflated configuration;
- first and second panels defining respectively first and second free edges, the first and second panels extending from the body from opposite the first and second free edges, the body extending between the first and second panels, the first and second panels being configurable between a closed configuration and an open configuration, wherein, in the closed configuration, the first and second panels overlap each other adjacent the first and second free edges and the first and second panels and the body together define a cavity, the inflatable bladder being enclosed in the deflated configuration within the cavity, and, in the open configuration, the first and second panels are detached from each other at the first and second free edges with the first and second free edges spaced apart from each other so that the inflatable bladder is exposed;
- an attachment system including a first magnet and a second magnet mounted respectively to the first and second panels respectively at the first and second free edges, the first and second magnets being positioned so that in the closed configuration, the first and second magnets are substantially in register with each other and face each other with opposite polarities to attach the first and second panels to each other so that a predetermined force is required to detach the first and second panels from each other to achieve the open configuration.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.