System for Ultraviolet Protection and Flotation

Abstract

A system to provide at least partial ultraviolet protection and at least partial buoyancy is provided. The system may include a suit and a flotation vest. The suit may have an integrated first connector and may be configured to at least partially cover a user's torso region and a portion of the user's appendages. The flotation vest may have at least one mating connector to detachably connect the suit and the vest when the integrated first connector and the mating connector are engaged with one another.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system to provide ultraviolet (UV) protection and partial buoyancy comprising:
 a suit comprising an integrated first connector and configured to at least partially cover and provide UV protection to a user's torso region and a portion the user's appendages; and   a flotation vest comprising a buoyant material and a mating connector configured to detachably connect the suit and vest when the integrated first connector and the mating connector are engaged with one another.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the integrated first connector is disposed at a waist portion on a front side of the suit. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2  further comprising a second integrated connector disposed at the waist portion on a back side of the suit. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first integrated connector and the mating connector are interlocking components of a snap-release buckle. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the flotation vest further comprises a front portion and a back portion that are connected to one another by a first pair of restraints each oriented to wrap over one of the user's shoulders. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the flotation vest further comprises a front portion and a back portion that are connected to one another by a second pair of restraints each oriented to wrap around one of the user's side regions. 
     
     
         7 . An outdoor activity suit comprising:
 a waist portion sized to extend about a waist region of a user;   a belt buckle region upon the waist portion;   a first connector integrated with the waist portion at the belt buckle region;   a rear central region opposite the belt buckle region; and   a second connector integrated with the waist portion at the rear central region, wherein the suit is sized to at least partially cover and provide UV protection to a user's torso region and a portion of the user's appendages, and wherein the connectors are sized to engage with mating connectors of a flotation vest to secure the flotation vest to the suit.   
     
     
         8 . The suit of  claim 7 , wherein the first connector, the second connector, and the mating connectors are arranged with one another for connection as a belt buckle assembly. 
     
     
         9 . The suit of  claim 7 , wherein the suit is sized and of a material to at least partially protect a user from UV exposure when mounted thereupon. 
     
     
         10 . The suit of  claim 7  further comprising a front side defining a surface area sized for placement of a logo or message. 
     
     
         11 . The suit of  claim 7  further comprising a rear side defining a surface area sized for placement of a logo or message. 
     
     
         12 . The suit of  claim 7  further comprising a sleeve portion and a leg portion sized to cover a portion of the user's appendages. 
     
     
         13 . The suit of  claim 7 , wherein the suit is made of one of cotton, nylon, lycra, elastane, polyester, or neoprene. 
     
     
         14 . A flotation vest comprising:
 a front portion;   a back portion secured to the front portion by a pair of shoulder restraints each sized to wrap around a user's shoulders and a second pair of side restraints each sized to wrap around one of the user's side regions;   a first connector mounted to the front portion; and   a second connector mounted to the back portion,   wherein the connectors are oriented on the vest to engage with corresponding connectors of a separate swim suit.   
     
     
         15 . The vest of  claim 14 , wherein the vest is made of a material having at least partial buoyancy characteristics. 
     
     
         16 . The vest of  claim 14 , wherein the front portion defines one or more flotation compartments. 
     
     
         17 . The vest of  claim 16 , wherein the one or more flotation compartments are stylized as muscles. 
     
     
         18 . The vest of  claim 16 , wherein the one or more flotation compartments are selectively inflatable. 
     
     
         19 . The vest of  claim 16 , wherein the one or more flotation compartments are sized to receive buoyant materials. 
     
     
         20 . The vest of  claim 14 , wherein the vest is stylized as a character.