Personal Flotation Device

Abstract

A personal flotation device and method are disclosed to provide improved visibility for a person wearing the device in the water. The device is composed of a complex inflatable manifold including an extension that, when inflated, projects above the water's surface. The extension may also include a light and may also include a flag.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A personal flotation device comprising:
 a bladder with a first chamber and a second chamber wherein the first chamber is configured to support a person wearing the device in the water and the second chamber is configured to project substantially above the water.   
     
     
         2 . The personal flotation device of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a means to inflate at least the first and second chambers of the bladder. 
 
     
     
         3 . The personal flotation device of  claim 2  wherein the inflation means is activated by immersing the personal flotation device in water. 
     
     
         4 . The personal flotation device of  claim 2  wherein the inflation means is activated by a manual action. 
     
     
         5 . The personal flotation device of  claim 1  wherein the second chamber comprises an elongated tube closed at the end farthest from the first chamber with a cross-shaped cross-section. 
     
     
         6 . The personal flotation device of  claim 1  wherein the second chamber comprises an elongated tube closed at the end farthest from the first chamber with internal stiffeners. 
     
     
         7 . The personal flotation device of  claim 1  wherein the second chamber comprises an elongated tube closed at the end farthest from the first chamber. 
     
     
         8 . The personal flotation device of  claim 1  further comprising a light-emitting device associated with the second chamber configured to be visible above the surface of the water when the personal flotation device is inflated. 
     
     
         9 . The personal flotation device of  claim 1  further comprising a high visibility flag associated with the second chamber configured to be visible above the surface of the water when the personal flotation device is inflated. 
     
     
         10 . An inflatable water safety device comprising:
 a single inflatable manifold; and   an inflation means connected to the manifold operable to inflate the manifold;   wherein the manifold further comprises:   a vest-shaped bladder; and   a tube-shaped bladder closed on one end wherein the closed end of the tube-shaped bladder extends substantially above the water when inflated.   
     
     
         11 . The inflatable water safety device of  claim 10  wherein the inflation means inflates both bladders of the manifold after the inflatable water safety device is immersed in water. 
     
     
         12 . The inflatable water safety device of  claim 10  wherein the inflation means inflates both bladders of the manifold after a manual action. 
     
     
         13 . The inflatable water safety device of  claim 10  additionally comprising a high visibility flag attached to the tube-shaped bladder. 
     
     
         14 . The inflatable water safety device of  claim 10  additionally comprising a light-emitting device associated with the tube-shaped bladder. 
     
     
         15 . The inflatable water safety device of  claim 14  wherein the light-emitting device is activated upon immersion of the manifold in water. 
     
     
         16 . The inflatable water safety device of  claim 14  wherein the light-emitting device is activated by a manual action. 
     
     
         17 . A method of deploying a personal flotation device comprising a multipart bladder and an inflation means to improve visibility of the wearer, the method comprising:
 inflating the multi-part bladder; wherein one part of said bladder supports the wearer at the surface of the water; and   a second part of said bladder deploys above and roughly perpendicular to the surface of the water.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the personal flotation device also comprises a light-emitting device attached to the second part of the bladder, the method further comprising:
 activating the light-emitting device when the inflation means has inflated the multi-part bladder. 
 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , the method further comprising:
 inflating the multi-part bladder after the personal flotation device is immersed in water.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , the method further comprising:
 inflating the multi-part bladder after a manual action.