Floatation aid having two inflatable tubular parts branching off from one inflatable tubular part

Abstract

A flotation aid having an inflatable first tubular part 1 , an inflatable second tubular part 2 , and an inflatable third tubular part 3 . An attachment arrangement 7, 8 enables an end portion of each of the second and third tubular parts to be releasably secured to the first tubular part. When the flotation aid is inflated and in use the first tubular part is able to extend from the front of the torso of a person directly downwards so that an inflated portion of the first tubular part passes, as one piece, between the person's legs. From there it extends directly up the rear of the person and inflated portions of the second and third tubular parts are extend from the back of the person up and over respective shoulders of the person to the front of the torso. The flotation aid is formed so that when it is in normal use, fully inflated and worn by a person in as indicated, in a body of water, the person is held in a substantially upright orientation with his or her head out of the water.

1 . A flotation aid having an inflatable first tubular part, an inflatable second tubular part branching off the first tubular part, and an inflatable third tubular part also branching off the first tubular part;
 an attachment arrangement which enables an end portion of each of the second and third tubular parts to be releasably secured to the first tubular part;   the flotation aid being formed so that when it is inflated and in use the first tubular part is able to extend from the front of the torso of a person directly downwards so that an inflated portion of the first tubular part passes, as one piece, between the person's legs in contact with the person's crutch, and from there extends directly up the rear of the person, as one piece, and wherein inflated portions of the second and third tubular parts are able, at the same time, to extend from the back of the person up and over respective shoulders of the person to the front of the torso and releasably attach to the first tubular part by way of the attachment arrangement at a position at the front part of the person's torso;   the flotation aid being formed such that when it is in normal use, fully inflated and worn by a person as indicated in this claim above in a body of water significantly too deep for the person to stand in, the person is held in a substantially upright orientation with his or her head out of the water.   
   
   
       2 . A flotation aid according to  claim 1 , formed so that it is substantially open sided. 
   
   
       3 . A flotation aid according to  claim 1 , wherein the first tubular part comprises first and second tubular compartments which are joined by a seam and, after a point where the seam terminates, diverge into the second and third tubular parts. 
   
   
       4 . A flotation aid according to  claim 3 , wherein the first and second tubular compartments are not open to one another. 
   
   
       5 . A flotation aid according to  claim 1 , wherein the first tubular part is open to the second and third tubular parts. 
   
   
       6 . A flotation aid according to  claim 3 , having a strap extending from the second tubular part to the third tubular part to protect the seam from tearing. 
   
   
       7 . (canceled) 
   
   
       8 . A flotation aid having an inflatable first tubular part, an inflatable second tubular part branching off the first tubular part, and an inflatable third tubular part also branching off the first tubular part;
 an attachment arrangement which enables an end portion of each of the second and third tubular parts to be releasably secured to the first tubular part;   the flotation aid being formed so that when it is inflated and in use the first tubular part is able to extend from the front of the torso of a person directly downwards so that an inflated portion of the first tubular part passes, as one piece, between the person's legs in contact with the person's crutch, and from there extends directly up the rear of the person, as one piece, and wherein inflated portions of the second and third tubular parts are able, at the same time, to extend from the back of the person up and over respective shoulders of the person to the front of the torso and releasably attach to the first tubular part by way of the attachment arrangement at a position at the front part of the person's torso;   the flotation aid being formed such that when it is in normal use, fully inflated and worn by a person as indicated in this claim above in a body of water significantly too deep for the person to stand in, the person is held in a substantially upright orientation with his or her head out of the water;   the flotation aid being substantially open sided and the first tubular part comprising first and second tubular components which are joined by a seam and, after a point where the seam terminates, diverge into the second and third tubular parts.   
   
   
       9 . A flotation aid according to  claim 8 , wherein the first and second tubular compartments are not open to one another. 
   
   
       10 . A flotation aid according to  claim 8 , wherein the first tubular part is open to the second and third tubular parts. 
   
   
       11 . A flotation aid according to  claim 8 , wherein the first and second tubular compartments are not open to one another, and the first tubular part is open to the second and third tubular parts. 
   
   
       12 . A flotation aid according to  claim 8 , wherein there is a strap extending from the second tubular part to the third tubular part to protect the seam from tearing.