Versatile expansion device

Abstract

An expansion device, for use for flotation and as a headrest, is formed of flexible corrugated tubing capable of contracting into a compact size for storage, and said tubing capable of expanding for application about the body of the wearer, the expandable tubing including end caps capable of hermetic sealing to seal the interior of the expansion device when used for floatation. The end caps that have an eyelet provided there through, for the application of strapping, when the expansion device is applied to the body of the wearer when used as a flotation support. The expandable tubing is made of polymer, and can include a spiral wire integrated in one of the apex or valley of one tubing to reinforce the expandable tubing during repeated application.

1 . An expandable device for use for floatation, including an expandable corrugated tube like member, which can be contracted into a smaller dimension, but expanded for use in application as a flotation device about either the neck or the waist of its wearer, said expansion device having a pair of ends, each end capable of being sealed so as to furnish a hermetic seal for the expansion device when expanded and prepared for usage and application, whereby the expansion device may be applied about the person, for application as a flotation device as required. 
     
     
         2 . The flotation device of  claim 1  wherein said ends of the floatation device are sealed, to provide for a hermetic seal within the interior of said device. 
     
     
         3 . The flotation device of  claim 2  wherein the end seals include a pair of sleeves, one sleeve being of lesser diameter than the other, and wherein said pair of end sleeves may telescopically slide one within the other, to hermetically seal the ends of the expansion device during its usage for flotation purposes. 
     
     
         4 . The flotation device of  claim 2  wherein each end of said flotation device has an end cap, hermetically sealed to said end of said flotation device, and an upstanding sleeve, said sleeve having a aperture there through, and a plug for placement within said aperture to hermetically seal the interior of the flotation device during its usage. 
     
     
         5 . The flotation device of  claim 2  and including an end cap, said end cap being hermetically sealed to said end of the expansion tubing, said end cap having an upstanding eyelet, said eyelet having an aperture provided there through for the application of strapping to provide for securement of the flotation device to the wearer, during usage and application. 
     
     
         6 . The flotation device of  claim 1 , wherein said expandable corrugated tubing includes reinforcement means, said reinforcement means comprising a wire integrated into the structure of the expansion device at one of its apex or valley to reinforce the structure of the expansion device when expanded and contracted during usage. 
     
     
         7 . The expansion device of  claim 6  wherein the expansion device is used for flotation purposes. 
     
     
         8 . The expansion device of  claim 6  wherein the expansion device is used as a headrest. 
     
     
         9 . An expansion device, formed of corrugated tubing, said corrugated tubing capable of being contracted into a compact form for storage, and said corrugated tubing capable of being expanded, and wrapped about the neck of the wearer to function as a neck brace while resting. 
     
     
         10 . The expansion device of  claim 9  wherein each end of said expansion device has an end cap, hermetically sealed to said end of said flotation device, and an upstanding sleeve, said sleeve having a aperture there through, and a plug for placement within said aperture to hermetically seal the interior of the expansion device during its usage.