Stabilizing Cap for Personal Flotation Device

Abstract

A personal flotation device includes a shell and an inflatable bladder inside the shell. An inflator inside the shell is connected in fluid communication with the bladder for, when actuated, directing fluid under pressure into the bladder to inflate the bladder. A stabilizing cap on the shell maintains the inflator in a desired position inside the shell and helps to protect the inflator against damage. In one embodiment, the shell has a window, the inflator has an inflator status indicator, and the stabilizing cap maintains the inflator in a position inside the shell in which the inflator status indicator is visible through the window.

1 . A personal flotation device comprising:
 a shell having a window;   an inflatable bladder inside the shell;   an inflator inside the shell and connected in fluid communication with the bladder for, when actuated, directing fluid under pressure into the bladder to inflate the bladder, the inflator having an inflator status indicator; and   a stabilizing cap on the shell for maintaining the inflator in a position inside the shell in which the inflator status indicator is visible through the window.   
     
     
         2 . A personal flotation device as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the stabilizing cap has a generally circular configuration centered on an axis and includes a radially extending portion that is secured to the inside of the shell and an axially extending portion that engages a portion of the inflator with an interference fit. 
     
     
         3 . A device as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the stabilizing cap is a part that is made separately from the shell and thereafter fixed to the shell and that grips a portion of the inflator to maintain the inflator position. 
     
     
         4 . A device as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the stabilizing cap circumscribes the window and aligns the inflator portion in the window. 
     
     
         5 . A personal flotation device as set forth in  claim 4  wherein the stabilizing cap has a generally circular configuration centered on an axis, the window is circular, and the stabilizing cap circumscribes the window and aligns the inflator portion in the window. 
     
     
         6 . A personal flotation device as set forth in  claim 5  wherein the inflator portion is releasably plugged into the stabilizing cap and the stabilizing cap grips the inflator portion. 
     
     
         7 . A personal flotation device as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the inflator is releasably plugged into the stabilizing cap and the stabilizing cap grips the inflator portion. 
     
     
         8 . A personal flotation device comprising:
 a shell having a window;   an inflatable bladder inside the shell;   an inflator inside the shell and connected in fluid communication with the bladder for, when actuated, directing fluid under pressure into the bladder to inflate the bladder;   the inflator having an inflator status indicator; and   means on the shell and adjacent to the window for maintaining the inflator status indicator visible through the window.   
     
     
         9 . A device as set forth in  claim 8  wherein the means for maintaining comprises a flange on the shell that projects inwardly from the shell and that circumscribes the window and engages the inflator. 
     
     
         10 . A personal flotation device as set forth in  claim 8  wherein the means for maintaining comprises a gripper into which a portion of the inflator is releasably plugged. 
     
     
         11 . A personal flotation device comprising:
 a flexible fabric shell;   a stabilizing element that is secured to the fabric shell and that projects inward from the fabric shell; and   an inflator that is releasably engaged with the stabilizing element to maintain the inflator in position inside the shell.   
     
     
         12 . A personal flotation device as set forth in  claim 11  wherein the stabilizing element is more rigid than the flexible fabric shell. 
     
     
         13 . A personal flotation device as set forth in  claim 12  wherein the stabilizing element has a chamber into which a portion of the inflator is releasably plugged. 
     
     
         14 . A personal inflation device as set forth in  claim 12  wherein the inflator portion is an inflator cap and the stabilizing element is a stabilizing cap that is made separately from the shell and thereafter fixed to the shell and that grips the inflator cap to maintain the inflator position.