Low Profile Tactical Inflatable Flotation Device

Abstract

An inflatable life preserver uses a novel packing method with a lightweight inflatable film that allows it to integrate with equipment so that it is not noticeable to the user in the uninflated condition and does not impede the user's operations. In the uninflated state, the bladder is folded and rolled in a way that minimizes the device footprint. The device can be attached to a MOLLE vest or other garment. In the inflated condition, the inflatable bladder material is unsupported and is constrained to provide buoyancy distribution to turn a user face-up at the water line.

1 . A personal flotation, device configured to be worn on a user's torso, the torso having a front, the personal flotation device comprising:
 a bladder having a uninflated condition, the bladder being inflatable from the uninflated condition into an inflated condition;   an actuatable inflator for inflating the bladder; and   a cover for enclosing and protecting the bladder when the bladder is in the uninflated condition, the cover having a generally U-shaped configuration including a collar section extending around a back of a neck of the user and two lobes extending from the collar section down the front of the user's torso when the user is wearing the personal flotation device on the user's torso;   the bladder having a generally U-shaped configuration including a collar section extending around the back of the users neck and two lobes extending from the collar section down the front of the user's torso when the user is wearing the personal flotation device on the user's torso, the bladder lobes when in the uninflated condition being, enclosed in the cover lobes, the bladder lobes inflating out of the cover lobes upon inflation of the bladder;   each bladder lobe when inflated having a length that is substantially greater than the length of the cover lobe.   
     
     
         2 . A personal flotation device as set forth in  claim 1  wherein each bladder lobe unfolds and inflates past the cover lobe terminal end portion when the bladder is inflated. 
     
     
         3 . A personal flotation device as set forth in  claim 2  wherein each bladder lobe includes an intermediate section extending from the bladder collar section and an end section extending from the intermediate section, the cover lobe having a terminal end portion, the end section of the bladder lobe being folded along a main fold line to overlie the intermediate section when the bladder is in the uninflated condition and stored in the cover, the bladder lobe unfolding and the end section inflating away from the intermediate section and the collar section of the bladder and past the terminal end portion of the cover lobe when the bladder is inflated. 
     
     
         4 . A personal flotation device as set forth in  claim 3  wherein the bladder lobe extends along a lobe axis from the bladder collar section through the intermediate section and the end section to a terminal end section of the bladder lobe, the bladder lobe unfolding along the main fold line which extends transverse to the bladder lobe axis when the bladder is inflated. 
     
     
         5 . A personal flotation device as set forth in  claim 4  wherein the bladder lobe is folded in a sequence of steps including folding the bladder end section first laterally along a fold line extending in a direction generally parallel to the axis, then folding the bladder lobe along the main fold line so that, the bladder end section overlies the intermediate section, then folding or rolling the bladder lobe laterally to a finished size in which it will fit within the cover lobe when the cover lobe is zipped closed. 
     
     
         6 . A personal flotation device as set forth in  claim 1 , further including a sternum strap connecting the first and second cover lobes and the first and second bladder lobes adjacent to the terminal end portions of the cover lobes, and wherein the sternum strap has a releasable connection, located between the two cover lobes, to enable doffing and donning of the personal flotation device. 
     
     
         7 . A personal flotation device as set forth in  claim 6  wherein during use of the personal flotation device in the water to support a user in the water, the bladder inflates to provide sufficient force to support the user's head out of the water in a face up orientation. 
     
     
         8 . A personal flotation device as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the bladder is made from polyurethane that has a thickness of about 6 mils, an ultimate tensile strength of at least about 11,700 psi, an ultimate elongation of at least about 583%, and a weight of about 165 g/m 2 . 
     
     
         9 . A personal flotation device as set forth in  claim 1  including a plurality of fabric connector elements that connect the bladder with the cover at spaced locations including a first connector element at the collar section and a second connector element at the terminal end portion of the cover lobe. 
     
     
         10 . A personal flotation device that is configured to be worn on a user's torso, the torso, having a front, the personal flotation device comprising:
 a bladder having an uninflated condition, the bladder being inflatable from the uninflated condition into an inflated condition;   an actuatable inflator for inflating the bladder; and   a cover enclosing the bladder when the bladder is in the uninflated condition the cover having a generally U-shaped configuration including a collar section extending around a back of a neck of the user and two cover lobes extending from the collar section down the front of the user's torso when the personal flotation device is on the user's torso, the cover lobes having terminal end portions;   the bladder having two inflatable lobes that when in the uninflated condition are enclosed in the cover lobes, the bladder lobes having portions that inflate out past the terminal end portions of the collar lobes when the bladder is inflated;   the bladder being made from a polyurethane material having a weight in the range of about 150 g/m 2  to about 200 g/m 2 ; and   the personal flotation device also comprising at least three fabric connectors secured to the bladder and interconnecting the bladder and the cover;   including a first fabric connector at the collar portion of the personal flotation device that encircles the collar section of the bladder and that connects the collar section of the bladder to the collar section of the cover;   a second fabric connector at the terminal end portion of the left cover lobe that connects the left bladder lobe to the terminal end portion of the left cover lobe; and   a third fabric connector at the terminal end portion of the right cover lobe that connects the right bladder lobe to the terminal end portion of the right cover lobe.   
     
     
         11 . A personal flotation device as set forth in  claim 10  wherein the personal flotation device includes a sternum strap that extends between and interconnects the second and third fabric connectors to limit separation of the bladder lobes from each other and from the user's torso when the bladder is inflated. 
     
     
         12 . A personal flotation device as set forth in  claim 10  further including two chest straps, one each being connected to and extending from the terminal end portion of a respective cover lobe for interconnection with a garment worn by the user, and also two back straps that are connected to and extend from the collar section of the cover for interconnection with said garment. 
     
     
         13 . A personal flotation device as set forth in  claim 10  wherein each bladder lobe includes an intermediate section extending from the bladder collar section and an end section extending from the intermediate section, the end section of the bladder lobe being folded to overlie the intermediate section when the bladder is in the uninflated condition and stored in the cover, the bladder lobe unfolding and the end section inflating away from the intermediate section and away from the collar section of the bladder and past the terminal end portion of the cover lobe when the bladder is inflated.