Splash-resistant automatically inflatable flotation device

A personal flotation device comprising:

• an inflatable bladder that can be worn about a wearer's torso and comprising
• an inflatable front section that is positioned over the wearer's chest and comprising front right and left panels that come together in a parallel and spaced apart configuration to form a longitudinally expandable union over the wearer's sternum, the front right and left panels having a lower concave shape along a bottom edge thereof consistent with a lower edge of the wearer's ribcage, and
• an inflatable rear section comprising a rear panel that is positioned behind the wearer's neck when worn;
• a gas container coupled to the inflatable bladder to inflate the inflatable bladder when gas is discharged therefrom;
• a water sensor coupled to the inflatable bladder and in operable communication with the gas container so that the inflatable bladder is inflated by the gas container when the water sensor becomes wet;
• and
• a housing positioned along the inflatable rear section, including a cover made of water impermeable material defining a chamber in which the water sensor and gas container are located, the cover preventing water from contacting the gas container and the water sensor until water that enters the chamber through one or more openings in the housing and rises in the chamber to contact the water sensor.

A personal flotation device comprising:

• a housing comprising a base member and a cover coupled together to define a chamber located therebetween, the cover being at least partially removable from the base member to provide access to the chamber;
• an inflator device positioned within the chamber and comprising a gas container, and a water sensor coupled to the gas container that causes gas to discharge from the gas container when the water sensor becomes wet, with the water sensor and the gas container being located completely within the chamber;
• a port formed through the base member in gas flow communication with the gas container;
• one or more openings in the housing offset from the inflator device for allowing water to enter the housing when the housing is dipped in water but also preventing splashed water from wetting the water sensor;
• an inflatable bladder attached to the housing, wearable about a body of a wearer, and in gas flow communication with the port to receive gas discharged from the gas container.