Flotation system

Abstract

A flotation system includes a crotch support and a vest. The crotch support includes a central body, a first pad, a second pad, and first and second elastic bands extending from the first pad. The vest includes a lower torso support and an upper torso stabilization system. The lower torso support can include a flexible body, first and second flanks extending from the flexible body, and torso grip attached to one of the first and second flanks. The stabilization system can include first and second arms, each having a proximal end extending from the lower torso support, and a distal end. A male or female component of linking system is attached to the lower torso support proximate to the torso grip, and a female or male component is attached to the crotch support. Each of the central body, pads, flexible body, and arms can include a buoyant body.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A flotation system, the flotation system comprising:
 a crotch support including:
 a central body, 
 a first pad, 
 a second pad, 
 a first elastic band extending from the first pad, and 
 a second elastic band extending from the first band in an opposite direction of the first elastic band; 
   a vest including:
 a lower torso support configured to attach to the first pad and the second pad, the lower torso support including:
 a flexible body, 
 a first flank extending from a first side of the flexible body, 
 a second flank extending from a second side of the flexible body and configured to be attached to the first flank, and 
 a torso grip attached to a top edge of lower torso support, the torso grip being accessible for gripping in an attachment configuration of the first and second flanks, and 
 
 a first arm and a second arm, each of the first arm and the second arm having a proximal end extending from a top edge of the lower torso support; and 
   at least one linking system including a male component and a female component, one of a male component and a female component attached to the lower torso support proximate to the torso grip, and an other of the male component and female component attached to the crotch support,   wherein the male and female components of the at least one linking system are configured to engage to reinforce an attachment between the first pad and the lower torso support.   
     
     
         2 . The flotation system of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the first elastic band and the second elastic band are configured to wrap around the lower torso support and such that a compressive force is applied along a circumference defined by a torso of a user, and   wherein the at least one linking system is configured to substantially maintain a position of the crotch support relative to the lower torso support, and a magnitude and vector of the compressive force in response to force being applied to the torso grip in a direction away from the user.   
     
     
         3 . The flotation system of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the buoyant body in each of the first arm and the second arm extends from a respective proximal end to a respective distal end.   
     
     
         4 . The flotation system of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the first pad of the crotch support is configured to attach to the flexible body of the vest,   wherein the second pad is configured to attach to at least one of the first flank attachment segment and the second flank attachment segment.   
     
     
         5 . The flotation system of  claim 4 ,
 wherein the male component and the torso grip are attached to a top edge of the lower torso support in an area of the first flank,   wherein the male component is attached to the top edge in a location between connection points of the top edge and ends of the torso grip, and   wherein the female component is attached to a pad grip of the second pad.   
     
     
         6 . The flotation system of  claim 5 ,
 wherein the at least one linking system is a first linking system, the male component is a first male component, and the female component is a first female component,   wherein the flotation device further comprises a second linking system including:
 one of a second male component and a second female component attached to the flexible body of the lower torso support, and 
 an other of the second male component and the second female component attached to the second pad of the crotch support. 
   
     
     
         7 . The flotation system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 wherein the at least one linking system is a first linking system, the male component is a first male component, and the female component is a first female component,   wherein the flotation device further comprises a pair second linking systems, each linking system including:
 a second male component attached to an exterior surface of the lower torso support proximate to a respective side of the flexible body, 
 a second female component attached to the exterior proximate to a respect one of the first flank and the second flank, and 
 at least one loop with a free end operative to change a distance between fixed ends of the second male and female components and modify a general compressive force applied on the user by just the lower torso support. 
   
     
     
         8 . The flotation system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a cross-strap system including a first cross-strap and a second cross-strap,   wherein the at least one linking system is a first linking system, the male component is a first male component, and the female component is a first female component,   wherein the flotation device further comprises a pair second linking systems, each second linking system configured to attach a respective one of the first and second cross-strap to the lower torso support such that first and second cross-straps define an X-shaped configuration.   
     
     
         9 . The flotation system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a cross-connector attached to the first arm and the second arm in corresponding locations; and   a cross-grip attached to the cross-connector.   
     
     
         10 . The flotation system of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a first spread adjustor system attached to the first and second arms proximate to the distal ends; and   a second spread adjustor system attached to the first and second arms proximate to the cross-arm connector.   
     
     
         11 . The flotation system of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 wherein each of the first and second spread adjustor systems is defined by respective linking system including a male component attached to one of the first and second arms and a female component attached to an other of the first and second arms.   
     
     
         12 . The flotation system of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a strap connector including a head and a pair of sub-straps extending from the head;   wherein the head is defined by one of a second male component and a second female component of a second linking system; and   wherein an other of the second male component and the second female component attached to the second pad proximate to the other of the male component and female component of the at least one linking system that is attached to the crotch support   
     
     
         13 . A vest providing a flotation device, the vest comprising:
 a lower torso support including:
 a flexible body, 
 a first flank extending from a first transition region on a first side of the flexible body, the first flank having a first flank attachment segment, 
 a second flank extending from a second transition region on a second side of the flexible body, the second flank having a second flank attachment segment configured to attach to the first flank attachment segment, 
 a plurality of grips extending from a top edge to a bottom edge of the lower torso support, and 
   a first arm and a second arm, each of the first arm and the second arm having:
 a proximal end extending from the top edge of the lower torso support, 
 a distal end, and 
 an extension extending from the distal end and including a first male component of a respective first linking system configured to engage a first female component attached to the lower torso support proximate to a respective one of the first transition region and the second transition region, 
 wherein each of the flexible body, the first arm, and the second arm includes a respective buoyant body. 
   
     
     
         14 . The vest of  claim 13 ,
 wherein the buoyant body in each of the first arm and the second arm extends from a respective proximal end to a respective distal end.   
     
     
         15 . The vest of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 a torso grip attached to a top edge of the lower torso support in the region of the second flank;   one of a second male component and a second female component of second linking system attached to the top edge proximate to center of the flexible body;   one of a third male component and a third female component of a third linking system attached to the top edge in the region of the second flank.   
     
     
         16 . The vest of  claim 15 ,
 wherein the one of the third male component and the third female component is attached to the top edge in a location between connection points of the top edge and ends of the torso grip.   
     
     
         17 . The vest of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 a cross-strap system including a first cross-strap secured to the first arm and a second cross-strap secured to the second arm; and   a pair second linking systems, each second linking system including
 a second male component provided on a respective one of the first cross-strap and the second cross-strap, and 
 a second female component attached to the lower torso support proximate to a respective one of the first transition region and the second transition region, 
   
     
     
         18 . The vest of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 a first spread adjustor system attached to the first and second arms proximate to the distal ends; and   a second spread adjustor system attached to the first and second arms proximate to the cross-arm connector,   wherein each of the first and second spread adjustor systems is defined by a respective linking system including a male component attached to one of the first and second arms and a female component attached to an other of the first and second arms.   
     
     
         19 . A method of guiding an activity of a user in an aquatic environment, the method comprising:
 wrapping a lower torso support around a lower torso of the user;   attaching an attachment segment of a first flank of the lower torso support to an attachment segment of the second flank;   positioning a first arm attached to a flexible body of the lower torso support over a first shoulder of the user and engaging a first male component of a first linking system provided on the first arm to a first female component attached to the lower torso support on side of a center of the flexible body including the first arm;   positioning a second arm attached to the flexible body support over a second shoulder of the user and engaging a second male component of a second linking system provided on the second arm to a second female component attached to the lower torso support on side of a center of the flexible body including the second arm;   attaching a first pad of a crotch support to the flexible body and attaching a second pad of the crotch support to one of the first flank and the second flank such that central body of the crotch support extends between legs of the user;   wrapping a first elastic band attached to the first pad around the user and attaching first elastic band to one of the second pad, the first flank, and the second flank;   wrapping a second elastic band attached to the first pad around the user in an opposite direction as the first elastic band and attaching the second elastic band to one of the second pad, the second flank, the first flank, and the first elastic band;   engaging a fourth male component a fourth linking system attached the top edge of the lower torso support to fourth female component attached to second pad of the crotch support;   guiding the user into the aquatic environment using a torso grip attached to the top edge of the lower torso support,   wherein the lower torso support applies a moderate compressive force to a region of the user including a lower torso, and   wherein the first and second elastic bands exert an inwardly directed radial compressive force on a buoyant body provided in at least the flexible body.   
     
     
         20 . The method of guiding of  claim 19 , the method further comprising:
 engaging a fifth male component of a fifth linking system attached to the first arm with a fifth female component attached to the second arm; and   pulling a free end of a loop of at least one of the fifth male component and the fifth female component and adjusting a spread between the first arm and the second arm. gripping at least one of a body grip and a flank grip provided on the lower torso support; and