Franklin A Turner

US Patent:

7351126, Apr 1, 2008

Filed:

Nov 21, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/283373

Inventors:

Franklin A. Turner - Sacramento CA, US

International Classification:

B63C 9/08
B63C 9/15

US Classification:

441103, 441 92

Abstract:

The invention is directed to a wetsuit/floatation device which advantageously provides a combination wetsuit/flotation device integral with the wet suit so that a user can maintain unrestricted movement during water-sport activities and have the option of gaining instant buoyancy during times of dangerous water conditions. The invention can be made in a number of embodiments, with one being a vest which can be worn over a person's skin or over another wetsuit. The vest has an inflatable bladder extending from two chest panels around the back of the user's neck, with a valve connected to a removable CO2 canister which is triggered by a pull cord/handle extending outside of the wetsuit. The vest also has an inflation adjustment valve located near the neck by which a user can orally inflate or adjustably deflate the vest.