Life preserver device

An improved life preserver device, said device comprising, in combination:

• (a) a container having a central storage space and an openable lid covering an opening in said container providing access to said space;
• (b) an inflatable, body contoured gas bag releasably connected by connector means to the interior of said container, folded in said storage space and deployable through said opening when said lid is opened, said bag when inflated having;
• (i) an upper portion defining an opening adapted to receive a human head;
• (ii) and a lower contoured portion connected to said upper portion and including a thickened end wall and spaced sides adapted to abut and receive the front and sides of a person for water flotation purposes, said bag, when maintained by said container in a vehicle and inflated, also serving as a crash barrier;
• (c) means connected to said bag for releasably securing said bag, when inflated, to a person as a flotation preserver;
• and
• (d) means for inflating and deflating said bag,
• (e) wherein said gas bag when inflated and still connected to said container faces in a first direction and acts as a crash barrier and wherein said inflated bag when disconnected from said container is reversible for donning by a person for use as a water flotation life preserver,
• (f) wherein said device includes a gas pressure source and gas pressure relief means connected to said bag and wherein said means for releasably securing said inflated bag to a person as a life preserver comprises at least one strap and releasable strap-anchoring means,
• (g) wherein said bag when deflated is coiled in said storage space and is deployable therefrom by gravity, and wherein said container is adapted to be secured in the back of a vehicle seat with said lid facing rearwardly, for access by a passenger behind said seat,
• (h) wherein said upper portions of said inflated bag is horizontal and wherein said lower portion of said inflated bag is generally vertical,
• (i) wherein said bag includes two contoured mating sections readily separable from each other when said bag is inflated, said sections being disposed in generally abutting front-to-rear alignment, the first of said sections having said upper and lower portions and useable as a water flotation life preserver, as well as crash barrier, the second of said section cooperating with said first section to act as a crash barrier.

An improved life preserver device adapted for use on an aircraft, said device comprising:

• (a) a shock absorbing member adapted to be interposed between a passenger and the back of a chair diposed in front of the passenger to brake forward movement of the person's body during a crash of the airplane;
• (b) releasable interconnection means securing said shock absorbing member to said chair,
• (c) said shock absorbing member having an opening therein adapted to receive a human head and further having a portion thereof contoured to receive a portion of a human body, and
• (d) means associated with said member to attach said member to the passenger so as to act as a life preserver when said interconnection means are released.

An improved life preserver device, said device comprising, in combination:

• (a) a chair having an upwardly extending back portion;
• (b) said back portion including a container having a central storage space and an openable lid covering an opening in said container providing access to said space;
• (c) an inflatable, body contoured gas bag folded in said storage space and deployable through said opening when said lid is opened,
• (d) connection means for releasably securing said gas bag to said back portion, said bag when inflated having;
• (i) an upper portion defining an opening adapted to receive a human head;
• (ii) and a lower contoured portion connected to said upper portion and including a thickened end wall and spaced sides adapted to abut and receive the front and sides of a person for water flotation purposes, after disconnecting said bag from said back portion said bag, when secured to said back portion in a vehicle and inflated, then serving as a crash barrier;
• (e) whereby release of said interconnection means enables a person to use said gas bag as a flotation preserver;
• and
• (f) means for selectively inflating and deflating said bag,
• (g) wherein said bag includes two contoured mating sections readily separable from each other when said bag is inflated, said sections being disposed in generally abutting front-to-rear alignment, the first of said sections having said upper and lower portions and useable as a water flotation life preserver, as well as crash barrier, the second of said section cooperating with said first section to act as a crash barrier.