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EP0531403A1 - Bouee aidant a l'apprentissage de la natation - Google Patents

Bouee aidant a l'apprentissage de la natation

Info

Publication number
EP0531403A1
EP0531403A1 EP19910910438 EP91910438A EP0531403A1 EP 0531403 A1 EP0531403 A1 EP 0531403A1 EP 19910910438 EP19910910438 EP 19910910438 EP 91910438 A EP91910438 A EP 91910438A EP 0531403 A1 EP0531403 A1 EP 0531403A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
buoyancy aid
user
elongate
aid according
limbs
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
EP19910910438
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
David James Gibbs
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of EP0531403A1 publication Critical patent/EP0531403A1/fr
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63C—LAUNCHING, HAULING-OUT, OR DRY-DOCKING OF VESSELS; LIFE-SAVING IN WATER; EQUIPMENT FOR DWELLING OR WORKING UNDER WATER; MEANS FOR SALVAGING OR SEARCHING FOR UNDERWATER OBJECTS
    • B63C9/00—Life-saving in water
    • B63C9/08—Life-buoys, e.g. rings; Life-belts, jackets, suits, or the like
    • B63C9/11—Life-buoys, e.g. rings; Life-belts, jackets, suits, or the like covering the torso, e.g. harnesses
    • B63C9/125—Life-buoys, e.g. rings; Life-belts, jackets, suits, or the like covering the torso, e.g. harnesses having gas-filled compartments
    • B63C9/1255—Life-buoys, e.g. rings; Life-belts, jackets, suits, or the like covering the torso, e.g. harnesses having gas-filled compartments inflatable

Definitions

  • a swimming Buoyancy Aid The invention relates to. swimming buoyancy aids.
  • swimming buoyancy aids There are many different forms of swimming buoyancy aids, particularly for use by children, which incorporate inflatable elements which are strapped on to the user's body.
  • inflatable elements are strapped across the front of the user's chest, or across his back, or around the user's waist.
  • Another common form of buoyancy aid is in the form of a pair of inflatable arm bands which are strapped around the user's upper arms.
  • a swimming buoyancy aid comprising a hollow flexible inflatable device including a generally U-shaped portion which, in use, fits around the back of the neck of the user and has two elongate limbs which extend down the front of the user, there being provided readily releasable retaining means which detachably connect one limb of the U-shaped portion to the other and, in use, extend across and in front of the neck of the user, and elongate connecting means connected to each said elongate limb adjacent the end thereof so that, in use, the ends of the inflatable limbs may pass rearwardly along each side of the user, the elongate connecting means then passing in opposite directions around to the front of the user's body and being connected together to hold the inflatable limbs in place.
  • buoyancy aid being somewhat in the form of an inflatable "scarf"
  • the aid may also leave the user's arms free to perform swimming movements without restriction.
  • Two parts of a readily releasable fastener may be provided on each of said two elongate connecting means respectively, to enable the connecting means to be detachably connected together.
  • Each of said elongate limbs may include an end portion which is sealed off from the rest of the limb, so as to be inflatable independently thereof.
  • Said elongate limbs may extend generally parallel to one another when the aid is lying on a flat surface.
  • the releasable retaining means may comprise a strap part, encircling one limb and connectable, by means of a releasable fastener, to a strap part encircling the other limb.
  • Each strap part may be formed with a closed loop which encircles said limb so as to connect the strap part thereto.
  • the aforesaid elongate connecting means may comprise strap parts, connected adjacent the ends of the two inflatable limbs respectively.
  • the U-shaped portion of the buoyancy aid may be formed from two similar generally U-shaped sheets of air-impermeable material, such as pvc or other plastics, sealed together, for example by heat welding, along at least the entire periphery thereof.
  • the elongate limbs may also be formed from two similar elongate sheets of air-impermeable material, such as pvc or other plastics, sealed together, for example by heat welding, along the periphery thereof.
  • the sheets forming the elongate limbs may be integral with the sheets respectively which form the U-shaped portion. In this case the integral sheets may also be sealed together, across the width of each limb of the U-shape, to provide said end portions.
  • Figure 1 is a front elevation of a swimming buoyancy aid in accordance with the invention
  • Figure 2 is a side elevation of the buoyancy aid of Figure 1
  • Figure 3 is a front view of a person wearing the buoyancy aid
  • Figure 4 is a side view of the person wearing the buoyancy aid
  • Figure 5 is a rear view of the person wearing the buoyancy aid.
  • the buoyancy aid is formed from generally tubular flexible material and is generally U-shaped in configuration.
  • the device comprises a curved portion 10 integral with two generally parallel inner limb portions 11.
  • the curved portion and inner limbs 11 together form one inflation chamber which may be inflated by mouth through a non-return valve 12.
  • Extending from the inner limb portions 11 are end limb portions 13 which are generally parallel to one another as shown in Figure 1.
  • the end limb portions 13 are sealed off from the inner limb portions 11 by heat welds 14 to provide separate inflatable pockets, which may be inflated through individual non-return valves 15.
  • the portions of the buoyancy aid are shown inflated in Figures 1 and 2.
  • the device is manufactured by superimposing two identical U-shaped panels of flexible air-impermeable material such as pvc or other suitable plastics or thermoplastics material. The two panels are sealed together, by heat welding or other suitable means, around their entire peripheries, the peripheral seals being indicated at 16 and 17.
  • the portions 13 and 11 are separated by transverse seals 14 as previously mentioned.
  • the free ends of the end portions 13 of the U- shape have comparatively large areas 18 where the sheets of material are welded together to form flaps.
  • Rigid plastics loops 19 are attached to the flaps 18 and connecting the loops 19 is a connector device 8.
  • the device 8 comprises two straps 20 connected to the loops 19 respectively the ends of which may straps be connected together by a releasable plastics fastening device 21 of well known kind.
  • the straps 20 may be formed from a suitable flexible plastics material. Buckles 21 are provided in each strap 20, in conventional manner, to allow the lengths of the straps to be adjusted.
  • the device 9 includes a loop strap 22 encircling each limb 11 adjacent the curved portion 10 of the U-shape.
  • the two strap portions 22 are detachably connected together by a releasable fastener 24 similar to the fastener 21, the two parts of the fastener 24 being shown separated in Figure 1.
  • FIGS 3 to 5 show the buoyancy aid fitted to a user.
  • the curved portion 10 of the buoyancy aid is placed around and behind the neck of the user, the fastening devices 21 and 24 being undone.
  • the fastening device 24 is then connected so as to pull the inflated limbs 11 together across and in front of the neck of the user in a comfortable position, thus to retain the curved portion 10 of the buoyancy aid in position.
  • the limbs 11 and 13 extend downwardly along the chest of the user and the ends of the portions 13 are then passed outwardly and rearwardly under the arms of the user. Behind the user's back the straps 20 are crossed over and passed forwardly around the sides of the user again, to be fastened together in front, over the tops of the limbs 11 and 13, by means of the fastener 21, as shown.
  • the lengths of the straps 20 are -1 -
  • the buoyancy aid is comfortable to wear and allows complete freedom to the arms so that it does not interfere with the swimming action. Furthermore, the various parts of the buoyancy aid are so located around the body of the user so as to support the user in the water in a balanced natural position where swimming can be safely practised.
  • the inflation valves 12 and 15 are of a well known kind incorporating a non-return valve and a push- in stopper. To inflate each of the three chambers of the buoyancy aid the base of the appropriate valve is pinched and the chamber inflated by blowing. When the required degree of inflation is achieved the stopper is inserted and the whole valve is pushed into the air chamber so as to provide a substantially flush outer surface to the device.
  • valve unit is pulled out, the stopper removed, and the base of the valve pinched to allow air to escape through the non-return valve.
  • valve 12 is shown after insertion of the stopper, but before the valve has been pushed into the air chamber, while the valves 15 are shown pushed into their respective air chambers so as to be flush.
  • the buoyancy aid is primarily intended for people, particularly children, learning to swim and as the user becomes more proficient and more confident in the water, the extent of inflation of the buoyancy aid can be reduced. The user then becomes accustomed to less and less buoyancy until a point is reached where the aid can be dispensed with.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
  • Professional, Industrial, Or Sporting Protective Garments (AREA)
  • Cosmetics (AREA)
  • Acyclic And Carbocyclic Compounds In Medicinal Compositions (AREA)

Abstract

Une bouée aidant à l'apprentissage de la natation comprend un dispositif gonflable, souple et creux, comportant une partie généralement en forme d'U (10) qui s'adapte autour de la nuque de l'utilisateur et est pourvue de deux branches allongées (11, 13) qui se prolongent le long du torse de l'utilisateur. Un élément de retenue (22, 24) aisément détachable relie une branche de la partie en U à l'autre en travers de et devant le cou de l'utilisateur. Des sangles de connexion allongées (20) sont reliées à l'extrémité inférieure de chaque branche allongée (11, 13) et, lors de l'utilisation, les extrémités (13) des branches gonflables passent vers l'arrière le long de chaque côté de l'utilisateur, les sangles (20) étant alors ramenées dans des directions opposées autour du torse de l'utilisateur et étant rattachées au-dessus des branches gonflables pour les retenir en position.
EP19910910438 1990-06-06 1991-06-04 Bouee aidant a l'apprentissage de la natation Ceased EP0531403A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9012620 1990-06-06
GB909012620A GB9012620D0 (en) 1990-06-06 1990-06-06 A swimming buoyancy aid

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0531403A1 true EP0531403A1 (fr) 1993-03-17

Family

ID=10677162

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP19910910438 Ceased EP0531403A1 (fr) 1990-06-06 1991-06-04 Bouee aidant a l'apprentissage de la natation

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0531403A1 (fr)
AU (1) AU7990791A (fr)
GB (2) GB9012620D0 (fr)
WO (1) WO1991018786A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2275026B (en) * 1993-02-11 1996-10-23 Sporting Leisure Ltd Inflatable swim belts
CH686706A8 (de) * 1993-12-03 1996-08-15 Joker Ag Schwimmhilfe.
CA2134990A1 (fr) * 1994-11-03 1996-05-04 Pierre Allard Un ami (phase ii)
DE19617720A1 (de) * 1996-05-03 1997-11-06 Bartosch Spichalski Gerät zur Erhaltung des menschlichen Körpers auf der Wasseroberfläche, insbesondere zur Rettung von ertrinkenden Personen
DE19780686T1 (de) * 1996-07-04 1998-10-01 Cadelec Cc Schwimmhilfe
AU2008289116A1 (en) * 2007-08-16 2009-02-26 The Coleman Company, Inc. Quick detach inflatble lifejacket
US10433649B2 (en) 2017-03-17 2019-10-08 Swimways Corporation Infant float

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR564080A (fr) * 1923-03-19 1923-12-20 Appareil de sauvetage
GB379445A (en) * 1931-06-25 1932-09-01 Harold Lord Improvements in inflatable tubular life-saving or swimming and bathing appliances
GB521960A (en) * 1938-03-14 1940-06-05 Arthur Thomas Ardern An improved buoyancy device
US2950488A (en) * 1956-08-14 1960-08-30 Goodrich Co B F Inflatable flotation vest

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO9118786A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO1991018786A1 (fr) 1991-12-12
AU7990791A (en) 1991-12-31
GB9012620D0 (en) 1990-07-25
GB9112013D0 (en) 1991-07-24
GB2245227B (en) 1994-02-23
GB2245227A (en) 1992-01-02

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 19921207

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): BE DE FR NL

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 19940127

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION HAS BEEN REFUSED

18R Application refused

Effective date: 19940721