Safety Jacket

Abstract

A safety jacket ( 10 ) comprising a buoyant vest ( 12 ) including a front portion ( 16 ) to be located adjacent the chest of a wearer and a rear portion ( 18 ) to be located adjacent the back of the wearer. A rod support is provided comprising a support member ( 32 ) pivotally connected to a lower edge of the front portion ( 16 ) having an aperture ( 34 ) for receiving an end of a fishing rod.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . A safety jacket comprising:
 a buoyant vest including a front portion to be located adjacent the chest of a wearer and a rear portion to be located adjacent the back of the wearer; and   a rod support comprising a support member pivotally connected to a lower edge of the front portion having an aperture for receiving an end of a fishing rod.   
     
     
         19 . The safety jacket in accordance with  claim 18 , wherein the support member comprises a member having an upper edge which is pivotally secured to a lower edge of the front portion of the safety jacket and a lower edge shaped such that the support member tapers inwardly towards opposed ends thereof. 
     
     
         20 . The safety jacket in accordance with  claim 19 , wherein the front portion includes a buoyant layer of material. 
     
     
         21 . The safety jacket in accordance with  claim 18 , wherein the support member comprises a buoyant foam lined with sheet material on opposed sides and includes a support plate secured to a front surface thereof, the support plate including the aperture. 
     
     
         22 . The safety jacket in accordance with  claim 21 , wherein the support plate is connected to a first rear support member located on a rear side of the support member by pegs extending through holes in the support member. 
     
     
         23 . The safety jacket in accordance with  claim 18 , wherein the front portion of the safety jacket includes a working surface comprising a tray pivotally secured to the front portion adjacent the lower edge thereof. 
     
     
         24 . The safety jacket in accordance with  claim 23 , wherein the tray is pivotable between a closed position in which the tray is located within a cavity provided in the front portion and an open position in which the tray extends outwardly from the front portion. 
     
     
         25 . The safety jacket in accordance with  claim 24 , wherein a tray housing is provided within a recess in the front portion, the tray housing defining the cavity into which the tray is received. 
     
     
         26 . The safety jacket in accordance with  claim 25 , wherein a tray light is mounted within the cavity of the tray housing and is directed outwardly to light the upper surface of the tray when in the open position. 
     
     
         27 . The safety jacket in accordance with  claim 25 , wherein a second rear support member is provided on a rear side of the buoyant layer of the front portion connected to the tray housing by pegs passing through holes in the buoyant layer. 
     
     
         28 . The safety jacket in accordance with  claim 23 , wherein the tray includes a first edge pivotally secured adjacent a lower side of the cavity and an arcuate second edge such that the second edge is located remote from the front portion of the safety jacket when the tray is in the open position. 
     
     
         29 . The safety jacket in accordance with  claim 28 , wherein the tray is provided with a latch such that the tray may be secured in the closed position when not in use and released to the open position by operation of the latch. 
     
     
         30 . The safety jacket in accordance with  claim 18 , wherein a hood is provided having a transparent shield to be positioned across an opening thereof to protect the face of the wearer against spray or waves. 
     
     
         31 . The safety jacket in accordance with  claim 18 , wherein a storage compartment is provided comprising a waterproof envelope provided within a pocket secured to the front portion of the safety jacket. 
     
     
         32 . The safety jacket in accordance with  claim 18 , wherein a safety light is provided on the safety jacket, the safety light being activated by a water sensor. 
     
     
         33 . The safety jacket in accordance with  claim 18 , wherein a light emitter is provided to emit light outwardly from the front portion of the safety jacket. 
     
     
         34 . The safety jacket in accordance with  claim 18 , wherein one or more loops are provided secured to the rear portion, the loops each comprising a metallic shackle. 
     
     
         35 . The safety jacket in accordance with  claim 18 , wherein the front portion includes a buoyant layer of material.