Personal flotation device

Abstract

A personal flotation device in accordance with the present invention is disclosed. The personal flotation device is affixed to person's body using straps, and allows the person to “sit” in the water while swimming. The personal flotation device covers the person's lower torso providing leg and waist openings while allowing the upper torso's arm and neck regions to be exposed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A personal flotation device to be worn by a person, comprising:
 a vest having an inner layer and outer layer of material wherein said inner and outer layers are attached to each other thereby defining a cavity that fits the torso of a person;   said vest defining waist and leg hole openings;   said inner and outer layer combination defining a first fastening means located on a side of said vest wherein said first fastening means is used to secure said inner and outer layers to the person when said vest encircles the torso of the person;   said inner and outer layer combination defining a second fastening means located on an opposite side of said vest wherein said second fastening means is used to secure said inner and outer layers to the person when said vest encircles the torso of the person; wherein   said inner and outer layer combination defines a third fastening means located around the waist of the person wherein said third fastening means is used to both further tighten and secure said inner and outer layers to the person when said vest encircles the torso of the person.   
     
     
         2 . The personal flotation device according to  claim 1 , wherein said outer layer is neoprene. 
     
     
         3 . The personal flotation device according to  claim 1 , wherein said inner layer is a buoyancy material. 
     
     
         4 . The personal flotation device according to  claim 1 , wherein said leg holes are sized to allow the legs of the person to move freely when said inner and outer layers are securely tightened together around the torso of the person. 
     
     
         5 . The personal flotation device according to  claim 1 , wherein said first fastening means located on a side of said vest is a zipper. 
     
     
         6 . The personal flotation device according to  claim 1 , wherein said second fastening means located on said opposite side of said vest is a hole and strap fastener. 
     
     
         7 . The personal flotation device according to  claim 6 , wherein said third fastening means located around the waist of the person is a strap and buckle assembly. 
     
     
         8 . The personal flotation device according to  claim 1 , wherein said inner layer is a flotation material of hydrodynamic foam. 
     
     
         9 . The personal flotation device according to  claim 1 , wherein said inner layer is a flotation material, said material selected from the group: polyurethane, polypropylene, arcel, or other polymers. 
     
     
         10 . A personal flotation device to be worn by a person, comprising:
 a vest having an inner buoyancy layer and an outer layer of neoprene wherein said inner and outer layers are attached to each other thereby defining a cavity that fits the upper torso of a person;   said upper torso of said vest defining waist and leg hole openings and covers the lower torso of the person;   said inner and outer layer combination defining a first fastening means located on a side of said vest wherein said first fastening means is used to secure said inner and outer layers to the person when said vest encircles the upper torso of the person;   said inner and outer layer combination defining a second fastening means located on an opposite side of said first fastening means of said vest wherein said second fastening means is used to secure said inner and outer layers to the person when said vest encircles the upper torso of the person; wherein   said inner and outer layer combination defines a third fastening means located around the waist of the person wherein said third fastening means is used to both further tighten and secure said inner and outer layers to the person when said vest encircles the upper torso of the person and both first and second fastening means have secured and tightened said vest to the person.   
     
     
         11 . The personal flotation device according to  claim 10 , wherein said leg holes are sized to allow the head, arms and legs of the person to move freely when said inner and outer layers are securely tightened together around the torso of the person. 
     
     
         12 . The personal flotation device according to  claim 10 , wherein said first fastening means located on a side of said vest is a zipper. 
     
     
         13 . The personal flotation device according to  claim 10 , wherein said second fastening means located on said opposite side of said vest is a hole and strap fastener. 
     
     
         14 . The personal flotation device according to  claim 10 , wherein said third fastening means located around the waist of the person is a strap and buckle assembly. 
     
     
         15 . The personal flotation device according to  claim 10 , wherein said inner layer is a flotation material of hydrodynamic foam. 
     
     
         16 . The personal flotation device according to  claim 10 , wherein said inner layer is a flotation material, said material selected from the group: polyurethane, polypropylene, arcel, or other polymers. 
     
     
         17 . A personal flotation device to be worn by a person, comprising:
 a vest having an inner layer of hydrodynamic foam and an outer layer of neoprene wherein said inner and outer layers are attached to each other thereby defining a cavity that fits the torso of a person;   said vest defining waist and leg hole openings and covers the lower torso of the person;   said inner and outer layer combination defining a zipper located on a side of said vest wherein said zipper is used to secure said inner and outer layers to the person when said vest encircles the upper torso of the person;   said inner and outer layer combination defining a hole and strap fastener located on an opposite side of said zipper of said vest wherein said a hole and strap fastener is used to secure said inner and outer layers to the person when said vest encircles the upper torso of the person; wherein   said inner and outer layer combination defines a strap and buckle assembly located around the waist of the person wherein said strap and buckle assembly is used to both further tighten and secure said inner and outer layers to the person when said vest encircles the upper torso of the person and said zipper and hole and strap fastener have already been used to secure and tighten said vest to the person.   
     
     
         18 . The personal flotation device according to  claim 10 , wherein said hydrodynamic foam is selected from the group: polyurethane, polypropylene, arcel, or other polymers.