Hybrid personal flotation device system

Abstract

A hybrid personal flotation device system may be used for water-based activities to provide flotation to the user in various types of emergency situations. The system includes an inflatable bladder that is packed in an envelope in a deflated state. The packed device can be stowed in a lower body garment, attached to a belt, or used as a throwable flotation device. The user can deploy the bladder by activating an inflation system to inflate the bladder while wearing the garment, wearing the belt, or when used as a throwable. When the bladder inflates, it is designed to deploy into a position in which the bladder extends around the back of the wearer and under the wearer's arms to a front side of the wearer's body. Harness straps may then be connected to secure the flotation device to the wearer's body. When fully donned by the user, the majority of gas contained within the inflated bladder is located on the front side of the user's body.

Description

PATENT 1169.4-100HYBRID PERSONAL FLOTATION DEVICE SYSTEMFIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to an inflatable personal flotation device, or PFD. The present disclosure further relates to an inflatable PFD that may be stowed within a lower body garment, combined with a belt, or used as a throwable PFD.BACKGROUND

[0002] There are many types of inflatable personal flotation devices, or PFDs, commonly known and commercially available. Some commonly known PFDs, which are worn and defined as Type I, II, III, or Type V devices according to regulatory bodies in the United States, may take the form of life vests or jackets (a sleeveless vest inflated and donned around the neck) or as life belts in the form of a buoyant belt or belt-mounted device. Furthermore, there are wearable variations of these devices that are integrated into clothing or belts, which aim to provide a more comfortable and versatile solution to existing Type I, II, III, or Type V designs. Other embodiments of PFDs are of a throwable type, which are not typically worn and are considered Type IV devices according to U.S. regulatory bodies. A common problem across all PFD types and configurations is the actual wearing of the devices at the appropriate time. It is unfortunately commonplace for PFDs to not be donned andready for use on the wearer’s body when such devices should be worn, which may be a result of physical discomfort, complicated donning procedures, or other concerns, such as apprehension regarding visual aesthetics of the devices. In fact, PFD wear rates are extremely low across nearly all categories, including open motorboats, sailboats, and paddlecraft. PFD wear rates have remained low despite decades of outreach programs, by both government and private entities, intended to increase awareness about the importance of wearing a PFD while engaged in boating and other water-based activities. Although regulations require all marine vessels to have PFDs onboard, such regulations are not always followed by vessel occupants.

[0003] Regarding both inflatable and wearable types of PFD designs, a set of common traits exists. First, these inflatable devices displace a minimum volume of fluid generating a specific amount of buoyant force according to Archimedes principle, thus ensuring adequate flotation and keeping the wearer afloat. Buoyant force is usually notated in Newtons (N) or pounds of force (Ibf). Typical for worn PFD systems from low to high levels of buoyant force, a Level 50 provides a minimum of 50 N of buoyant force, a Level 70 provides a minimum of 70 N of buoyant force, a Level 100 provides a minimum of 100 N of buoyant force, a Level 150 provides a minimum of 150 N of buoyant force, and a Level 275 provides a minimum of 275 N of buoyant force. As a result, most common inflatable PFDs provide a buoyant force ranging from 50 N to 275 N for Type I, II, III, and Type V devices. Secondly, existing solutions (in their ready-to-use configurations) are predominantly placed over the wearer’s body and applicable clothing, typically in a forward-facing, chest-mounted position or about the front side of the wearer’s waist.Thirdly, most existing Type I, II, III, and Type V PFDs make common use of the wearer’s neck as an anchor point for the PFD system. This anchor point positions most of the buoyancy of the PFD on the front-facing and upper portions of the wearer’s body. In vest-style devices, a section of the inflatable bladder typically wraps around the neck of the wearer. In belt-style devices, a front-positioned bladder typically has a strap placed around the wearer’s neck after inflation. Further, most neck-anchored PFDs are intended to be self-righting, meaning that such devices are configured so that the head and face of the wearer is pointed upward and away from the water at a prescribed angle and distance, which is a valuable safety feature for unconscious or exhausted wearers.

[0004] While many existing inflatable PFDs possess the common traits above, such devices also have significant drawbacks. First, to be useful in the case of emergency, a wearable PFD must be donned. The donning of commonly available Type I, II, III, and V PFDs while already in the water is extremely difficult. With regards to devices worn over the body and clothing, there is a potential cause for discomfort during wear due to heat retention around, or abrasion to, the areas of the wearer’s body that the PFD interacts with while donned. As these devices are prominently placed over the body and clothing, the PFD itself often encumbers the wearer during their chosen activities and limits their range of motion. With upper body donned systems, which form the basis for many commonly used airtight chamber or bladder designs of this PFD type, the devices themselves are worn on the upper body (predominantly on the chest) with a portion enveloping the neck of the wearer and are often the source of heat retention or chafing. For belt-type devices,the sizable device must be donned around the waist of the wearer, limiting options of belt mounted gear such as multitools, knives, and other equipment as the device occupies the space over and around a conventional garment belt. Furthermore, by nature of their design, most chest-worn and belt-stored PFD devices are generally not considered to be aesthetically pleasing and thus may not be visually desirable by potential wearers, which may result in limited wear or use of such devices. An option currently available and in use, which partially addresses some of these drawbacks, are PFDs which are integrated with garments worn on the body. These garment- integrated solutions address the comfort, style, and encumbrance issues encountered by traditional approaches, yet introduce additional drawbacks. For integrated upper body garment devices, the garment and device must always be worn for the device to be considered donned and in compliance with regulations. For integrated lower body garments, these devices often require doffing of the combined garment and PFD for the PFD element to be donned, potentially adding steps, complexity, and time to the donning process in an emergency situation.

[0005] With regards to the commonality of a neck-based anchor point, many of the drawbacks inherent to existing devices and solutions become readily apparent. The position of the PFD required to obtain regulatory approval requires that the wearer’s head be placed at a prescribed angle from and distance above the surface of the water. Such PFDs are not generally made to allow the wearer to move about efficiently in the water. In ideal conditions, this may not cause a problem. However, in the event self-rescue does become necessary, the ability to easily see any potential means of rescue, the ability to visually recognize the direction that tides may becarrying the wearer, and the ability to swim are hindered by the face-up, reclined position caused by the PFD system when deployed. As a result, any wearer of a self- righting PFD in common use must exert extra energy to gain a better view of their surroundings or make use of sideways or back-oriented swimming strokes to move in the water, which may result in increased energy expenditure and loss of situational and directional awareness.

[0006] Regarding inflatable Type IV throwable PFD devices, there are far fewer options than the non-inflatable devices commonly available. In such inflatable Type IV devices, the air chamber or bladder designs of the throwable device do not always serve as a wearable device. As a result, the self-righting nature of these devices is either limited or non-existent. In some throwable PFD devices, inflation of the device may be automatically activated when the device contacts water upon the device being thrown to a person in the water, which may help the person stay afloat while awaiting rescue. However, such a device does not provide the securing mechanisms of a wearable Type III or V device, thus requiring the user to remain conscious and in constant contact with the device to benefit from the provided buoyancy. In addition, such devices cannot substitute for the legally required wearable PFD (Type I, II, III, or V) each person on board recreational vessels over 16 feet in length must have according to U.S. regulatory bodies.SUMMARY

[0007] A hybrid inflatable personal flotation device, or PFD, and a method of using the PFD for personal flotation are provided. The inflatable PFD does not require donning around the neck of the wearer before or after inflation for use as a life-saving device and may be integrated with a lower body garment, combined with a belt, or used as a throwable PFD. When inflated, the PFD has forward-biased buoyancy characteristics common to self-righting PFD systems. When stowed in a deflated state, the inflatable PFD has a small, non-obtrusive profile that allows the wearer full range of motion and locomotion both in and out of the water. The PFD can be rapidly deployed either by a user manually pulling a lanyard, which activates an inflation system, or the PFD can be deployed rapidly upon entering the water by utilizing an automatic inflation system. The inflation system may include compressed gas systems utilizing compressed carbon dioxide, nitrogen, air, or other suitable gases, chemical systems utilizing exothermic chemical reactions, electrolysis of water, or decomposing chemical compounds, hydrostatic activation systems, oral inflation tubes, or hybrid inflation systems that can include any combination of suitable inflation mechanisms. Once inflated, the PFD requires few secondary steps to securely fasten the device to the wearer’s body.

[0008] In one aspect, a hybrid personal flotation device system comprises an inflatable PFD integrated with a lower body garment. A flotation device is coupled to the garment, which is configured to be worn on the user’s lower body and comprises two leg portions configured to at least partially cover the legs of the user when the garment is being worn. The garment may be a pair of shorts or trousers.Alternatively, the garment may comprise a pair of waders, a pair of overalls, or a skirt. The system may further comprise a belt having a buckle configured to removably fasten opposing ends of the belt to each other to secure the garment to the user’s lower body. The flotation device may be attached to the belt by one or more catch straps each attached to the flotation device at a first end of the catch strap and attached to the belt at an opposing second end of the catch strap. The garment may comprise a plurality of belt loops so that the belt can pass through each of the belt loops to secure the garment to the user’s lower body. The garment further comprises a closable pocket disposed on a rear side of the garment such that the pocket is disposed on a rear side of the user’s lower body when the garment is being worn.

[0009] The flotation device comprises an inflatable bladder and an inflation system configured to inflate the bladder upon activation. The inflation system can include compressed gas systems, chemical inflation systems, manual systems, automatic systems, oral systems, and hybrid systems. The flotation device is configured to convert between a first stage donned configuration and a second stage donned configuration. In the first stage donned configuration, the garment is worn on the user’s lower body with the bladder stowed within the pocket in a deflated state. In the second stage donned configuration, the bladder is harnessed to the user’s upper body in an inflated state to provide flotation for the user. The flotation device is configured to rapidly convert from the first stage donned configuration into a deployed configuration immediately upon activation of the inflation system to inflate the bladder. As the bladder rapidly inflates into the deployed configuration, the expanding bladder causes the pocket to open, and the bladder then deploys into aposition in which the bladder extends around a rear side of the user’s torso in a position under the user’s arms to a front side of the user’s torso. The bladder comprises two opposing bladder portions that each extend from the rear side of the user’s torso to the front side of the user’s torso after deployment, and the bladder may be harnessed to the user’s upper body by securely attaching harness straps that are attached to the opposing bladder portions. Harnessing the bladder to the user’s upper body completes the conversion from the first stage donned configuration into the second stage donned configuration in which the PFD is fully donned. When the flotation device is deployed, the garment may remain in a state of being worn on the user’s lower body, and the inflated bladder may remain secured to the garment by the catch straps that are secured to the belt. Opposing front portions of the bladder disposed on a front side of the user’s torso may each have a generally bulbous shape that expands the volume of the bladder on the front side of the user’s body, which provides the forward-biased buoyancy characteristics that allow for a self-righting PFD system.

[0010] The bladder may comprise a rear portion and two opposing side portions that each connect the rear portion to each of the two opposing front portions. The rear portion, front portions, and side portions are all in fluid communication with each other to provide a single inflation chamber that extends around the user’s torso from the rear side to the front side of the user’s body. The bladder may be folded in a pattern when the bladder is stowed within the pocket in the deflated state. When folded, each of the side portions of the bladder may be folded on a rear side of the rear portion relative to the user’s body, and each of the front portions may be foldedon a front side of the rear portion. This folding pattern results in a generally flat deflated bladder that is configured to auto-position itself into the proper position under the user’s arms upon deployment of the bladder by activating the inflation system to inflate the bladder.

[0011] In another aspect, a flotation device may be attached to a belt by one or more catch straps. The flotation device comprises an inflatable bladder and an inflation system configured to inflate the bladder. The inflatable bladder is configured to convert between a stowed configuration in which the bladder is stowed within an envelope in a deflated state and a donned configuration in which the bladder is harnessed to a user’s upper body in an inflated state. The belt is configured to be worn around the user’s waist with the envelope that holds the deflated bladder hanging downward from the belt so that the envelope is disposed substantially below the belt when the belt is being worn around the user’s waist. The bladder is also disposed substantially on a rear side of the user’s body when the bladder is stowed within the envelope in the deflated state before deployment. The belt may be donned at any time as a PFD and may be worn outside of any lower or upper body garments being worn by the user. The bladder may be deployed by activating the inflation system, which causes the bladder to rapidly deploy into a position in which the inflated bladder extends around a rear side of the user’s torso in a position under the user’s arms to a front side of the user’s torso to provide buoyancy to the user while the user wears the belt.

[0012] In another aspect, a throwable flotation device may comprise a buoyant envelope designed to float on a water surface and an inflatable bladder including aninflation system configured to inflate the bladder. The bladder is configured to convert between a stowed configuration in which the bladder is stowed within the envelope in a deflated state and a donned configuration in which the bladder is harnessed to a user’s upper body in an inflated state. The envelope may have inherent buoyancy so that the envelope floats on the surface of the water with the bladder stowed within the envelope in the deflated state. The envelope may be optionally attached to the bladder. The throwable flotation device may be thrown to an individual who is in the water and requires assistance. The individual may then retrieve the floating envelope and don the bladder around the user’s torso and under the user’s arms either before or after inflation. The flotation device may be used to provide buoyancy for the individual until assistance may be provided.

[0013] It should be understood that the summary above is provided to introduce in simplified form a selection of concepts that are further described in the detailed description. It is not meant to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, the scope of which is defined uniquely by the claims that follow the detailed description. Furthermore, the claimed subject matter is not limited to implementations that solve any disadvantages noted above or in any part of this disclosure.DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSThese and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:Fig. 1 shows a front perspective view of a garment with an inflatable flotation device integrated with the garment in accordance with the present disclosure.Fig. 2 shows a rear perspective view of a garment with an inflatable flotation device integrated with the garment in accordance with the present disclosure.Fig. 3 shows a rear view of a garment with an inflatable flotation device integrated with the garment in accordance with the present disclosure.Fig. 4 shows a rear view of a garment with an open rear pocket for an inflatable flotation device in accordance with the present disclosure.Fig. 5 shows a rear view of a garment with an inflatable flotation device integrated with the garment in accordance with the present disclosure.Fig. 5A shows a detailed view of a portion of the garment shown in Fig. 5.Fig. 5B shows an alternative embodiment showing a rear view of a garment with an inflatable flotation device integrated with the garment in accordance with the present disclosure.Fig. 5C shows a detailed view of a portion of the garment shown in Fig. 5B.Fig. 6 shows a front perspective view of a garment with a deployed inflatable flotation device integrated with the garment in accordance with the present disclosure.Fig. 7 shows a rear perspective view of a garment with a deployed inflatable flotation device integrated with the garment in accordance with the present disclosure.Fig. 8 shows a side view of a garment with a deployed inflatable flotation device integrated with the garment in accordance with the present disclosure.Fig. 9 shows a front view of a garment with a deployed inflatable flotation device integrated with the garment being used for flotation in accordance with the present disclosure.Fig. 10 shows a top plan view of an inflatable bladder in a deflated state in accordance with the present disclosure.Fig. 10A shows a detailed view of a portion of the bladder shown in Fig. 10.Fig. 11 shows a top plan view of an inflatable bladder in a deflated state with features for inflating and harnessing the bladder in accordance with the present disclosure. Fig. 12 shows a front view of an inflatable bladder in a deflated state in accordance with the present disclosure.Fig. 13 shows a rear view of an inflatable bladder in a deflated state in accordance with the present disclosure.Fig. 14 shows a bottom plan view of an inflatable bladder in a deflated state in accordance with the present disclosure.Fig. 15 shows a top perspective view of an inflatable bladder in a deflated state in accordance with the present disclosure.Fig. 15A shows a detailed view of a portion of the bladder shown in Fig. 15.Fig. 15B shows a top perspective view of an alternative embodiment of an inflatable bladder in a deflated state with a belt in accordance with the present disclosure.Fig. 15C shows a detailed view of a portion of the belt shown in Fig. 15B.Fig. 16 shows a bottom perspective view of an inflatable bladder in a deflated state inaccordance with the present disclosure.Fig. 16A shows a detailed view of a portion of the bladder shown in Fig. 16.Fig. 17 shows a top plan view of an inflatable bladder in an inflated state in accordance with the present disclosure.Fig. 18 shows a front view of an inflatable bladder in an inflated state in accordance with the present disclosure.Fig. 19 shows a rear view of an inflatable bladder in an inflated state in accordance with the present disclosure.Fig. 20 shows a bottom plan view of an inflatable bladder in an inflated state in accordance with the present disclosure.Fig. 21 shows a top perspective view of an inflatable bladder in an inflated state in accordance with the present disclosure.Fig. 22 shows a bottom perspective view of an inflatable bladder in an inflated state in accordance with the present disclosure.Fig. 23 shows a top view of a deflated bladder in a state of being folded into a stowed configuration in accordance with the present disclosure.Fig. 24 shows a top view of a deflated bladder in a state of being folded into a stowed configuration in accordance with the present disclosure.Fig. 25 shows a top view of a deflated bladder in a state of being folded into a stowed configuration in accordance with the present disclosure.Fig. 26 shows a bottom view of a deflated bladder in a state of being folded into a stowed configuration in accordance with the present disclosure.Fig. 27 shows a top view of a deflated bladder in a state of being folded into a stowedconfiguration in accordance with the present disclosure.Fig. 28 shows a bottom view of a deflated bladder in a state of being folded into a stowed configuration in accordance with the present disclosure.Fig. 29 shows a top view of a deflated bladder in a state of being folded into a stowed configuration in accordance with the present disclosure.Fig. 30 shows a bottom view of a deflated bladder in a state of being folded into a stowed configuration in accordance with the present disclosure.Fig. 31 shows a top view of a deflated bladder in a state of being folded into a stowed configuration in accordance with the present disclosure.Fig. 32 shows a bottom view of a deflated bladder in a state of being folded into a stowed configuration in accordance with the present disclosure.Fig. 33 shows a top view of a deflated bladder in a state of being folded into a stowed configuration in accordance with the present disclosure.Fig. 34 shows a bottom view of a deflated bladder in a state of being folded into a stowed configuration in accordance with the present disclosure.Fig. 35 shows a side view of a deflated bladder in a state of being folded into a stowed configuration in accordance with the present disclosure.Fig. 35A shows a detailed view of a portion of the bladder shown in Fig. 35.Fig. 35B shows a detailed view of a portion of the bladder shown in Fig. 35.Fig. 36 shows a rear view of an envelope holding a deflated bladder in a folded state in accordance with the present disclosure.Fig. 37 shows a front view of an envelope holding a deflated bladder in a folded state in accordance with the present disclosure.Fig. 38 shows a rear view of an envelope holding a deflated bladder in a folded state with the bladder shown in hidden lines in accordance with the present disclosure. Fig. 39 shows a front view of an envelope holding a deflated bladder in a folded state with the bladder shown in hidden lines in accordance with the present disclosure. Fig. 40 shows a side view of an envelope holding a deflated bladder in a folded state in accordance with the present disclosure.Fig. 41 shows a side view of an envelope holding a deflated bladder in a folded state with the bladder shown in hidden lines in accordance with the present disclosure. Fig. 42 shows a perspective view of an envelope holding a deflated bladder in a folded state with the bladder shown in hidden lines in accordance with the present disclosure. Fig. 43 shows a rear view of an envelope holding a deflated bladder attached to a belt by catch straps in accordance with the present disclosure.Fig. 43A shows a detailed view of a portion of the belt and catch strap shown in Fig.43Fig. 43B shows an alternative embodiment showing a rear view of an envelope holding a deflated bladder attached to a belt by catch straps in accordance with the present disclosure.Fig. 43C shows a detailed view of a portion of the belt shown in Fig. 43B.Fig. 44 shows a rear view of an envelope and a deflated bladder attached to a belt by catch straps in accordance with the present disclosure.Fig. 45 shows a rear view of an envelope and a bladder attached to a belt by catch straps with the bladder in a state of being deployed in accordance with the present disclosure.Fig. 46 shows a perspective view of an inflated bladder attached to a belt by catch straps with the bladder in a deployed configuration in accordance with the present disclosure.Fig. 47 shows a partial view of a garment with an inflatable flotation device integrated with the garment in accordance with the present disclosure.Fig. 48 shows a partial view of a false belt loop of a garment in accordance with the present disclosure.Fig. 49 shows a partial view of a false belt loop of a garment with a catch strap attached to the garment in accordance with the present disclosure.Fig. 50 shows a partial detailed view of a garment in accordance with the present disclosure.Fig. 51 shows a partial perspective detailed view of a garment in accordance with the present disclosure.Fig. 52 shows a partial perspective detailed view of a garment with a catch strap attached to the garment in accordance with the present disclosure.Fig. 53 shows a partial detailed view of a garment with a catch strap attached to the garment in accordance with the present disclosure.Fig. 54 shows a partial cross-sectional view of a garment with a catch strap attached to the garment in accordance with the present disclosure as viewed along line A-A. Fig. 55 shows a rear perspective view of a garment in the form of a pair of trousers with an inflatable flotation device integrated with the garment in accordance with the present disclosure.Fig. 56 shows a front perspective view of a garment in the form of a pair of waderswith an inflatable flotation device integrated with the garment in accordance with the present disclosure.Fig. 57 shows a rear perspective view of a garment in the form of a pair of waders with an inflatable flotation device integrated with the garment in accordance with the present disclosure.Fig. 58 shows a front perspective view of a garment in the form of a pair of overalls with an inflatable flotation device integrated with the garment in accordance with the present disclosure.Figs. 59-64 show a garment in the form of a skirt with an inflatable flotation device integrated with the garment in accordance with the present disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] The present disclosure provides a hybrid inflatable personal flotation device system and a method of using the PFD system for personal flotation in accordance with the independent claims. Preferred embodiments of the claimed invention are reflected in the dependent claims. The claimed invention can be better understood in view of the embodiments described and illustrated in the present disclosure. In general, the present disclosure reflects preferred embodiments of the invention. The attentive reader will note, however, that some aspects of the disclosed embodiments extend beyond the scope of the claims. To the respect that the disclosed embodiments indeed extend beyond the scope of the claims, the disclosed embodiments are to be considered supplementary background information and do not constitute definitions of the invention per se.

[0015] In the Summary above and in this Detailed Description, and the claims below, and in the accompanying drawings, reference is made to particular features, including method steps, of the invention as claimed. In the present disclosure, many features are described as being optional, e g. through the use of the verb “may” or the use of parentheses. For the sake of brevity and legibility, the present disclosure does not explicitly recite each and every permutation that may be obtained by choosing from the set of optional features. However, the present disclosure is to be interpreted as explicitly disclosing all such permutations. For example, a system described as having three optional features may be embodied in seven different ways, namely with just one of the three possible features, with any two of the three possible features, or with all three of the three possible features. It is to be understood that the disclosure in this specification includes all possible combinations of such particular features. For example, where a particular feature is disclosed in the context of a particular aspect or embodiment, or a particular claim, that feature can also be used, to the extent possible, in combination with / or in the context of other particular aspects or embodiments, and generally in the invention as claimed.

[0016] The term “comprises” and grammatical equivalents thereof are used herein to mean that other components, steps, etc. are optionally present. For example, a system “comprising” components A, B, and C can contain only components A, B, and C, or can contain not only components A, B, and C, but also one or more other components.

[0017] Where reference is made herein to a method comprising two or more defined steps, the defined steps can be carried out in any order or simultaneously(except where the context excludes that possibility), and the method can include one or more other steps which are carried out before any of the defined steps, between two of the defined steps, or after all the defined steps (except where the context excludes that possibility).

[0018] A hybrid inflatable personal flotation device (PFD) system and a method of using the PFD system for personal flotation are provided. The PFD system comprises an inflatable bladder 100 that does not require donning around the neck of the wearer 500 before or after inflation for use as a life-saving device. The system comprises a flotation device 160 that may be integrated with a lower body garment 300, combined with a belt 204, or used as a throwable PFD. Figs. 1-9 illustrate a garment configuration 400A in which the flotation device 160 is integrated with a garment 300 configured to be worn on a user’s lower body. Figs. 43-46 illustrate a belt configuration 400B in which the flotation device 160 is combined with a belt 204. When inflated, the bladder 100 has forward-biased buoyancy characteristics common to self-righting PFD systems. When stowed in a deflated state, the inflatable PFD has a small, non-obtrusive profile that allows the wearer full range of motion and locomotion through the water. The PFD can be deployed rapidly upon activation and requires few secondary steps to securely fasten the device 160 to the wearer’s body 500.

[0019] In one aspect, as shown in Figs. 1-9 and 47-54, a garment configuration 400A of the PFD system comprises a garment 300 and a flotation device 160 coupled to the garment 300 so that the flotation device 160 may remain secured to the garment 300 throughout all stages of use. The garment 300 is configured to be worn on theuser’s lower body and generally comprises two leg portions configured to at least partially cover the legs 502 of the user 500 when the garment 300 is being worn. The garment 300 may include a waistband 301 designed to fit around the user’s waist when the garment is being worn. As best seen in Figs. 1 and 2, the garment 300 may also comprise front and rear panels, which may include a left front panel 302a, a right front panel 302b, a left rear panel 303a, and a right rear panel 303b, each of which may cover portions of the user’s legs 502. The garment 300 may comprise a pair of shorts. Alternatively, as shown in Figs. 55-64, the garment 300 may comprise a pair of trousers, a pair of waders, a pair of overalls, or a skirt. Front panels 302a and 302b may optionally include one or more utility or storage pockets 304 disposed generally on a front side of the garment 300. The garment 300 may also optionally include a loop 310 configured for removably attaching a lanyard for an emergency cut-off switch designed to disable an engine of a marine vessel in an emergency in which the operator of the vessel is thrown away from the switch while wearing the garment 300 with the lanyard attached to the loop 310.

[0020] The garment configuration 400A of the PFD system may further comprise a belt 204 having a buckle 322 configured to removably fasten opposing ends of the belt 204 to each other to secure the garment 300 to the user’s lower body, as best seen in Fig. 1. The buckle 322 may be a side release buckle comprising a male member and a female member configured to interlock with each other to secure the opposing ends of the belt 204 to each other. Alternatively, the buckle 322 may comprise other types of fastening elements, including, but not limited to, other types of buckles, clasps, clips, snap fasteners, hook and loop fasteners, latches, bolt snaps, hook-and-eye closures, carabiners, or any other types of fasteners suitable for quickly attaching straps to each other and detaching straps from each other.

[0021] The flotation device 160 may be attached to the belt 204 by at least one catch strap 123, and preferably by a plurality of catch straps 123. As best seen in Fig.5, the flotation device 160 may preferably include two catch straps 123 for attachment to the belt 204. Each catch strap 123 may be attached to the flotation device 160 at a first end of the catch strap 123 and attached to the belt 204 at an opposing second end of the catch strap 123 to secure the bladder 100 to the belt 204, which may then be used to secure the flotation device 160 and garment 300 to the user 500.Alternatively, the second end of each catch strap 123 may be attached directly to a component of the garment 300 to secure the bladder 100 to the garment 300. As best seen in Figs. 1-4, the garment 300 may comprise a plurality of belt loops 306, 307 so that the belt 204 can pass through each of the belt loops 306, 307 to secure the garment 300 to the user’s lower body. The garment 300 further comprises a closable pocket 308 disposed on a rear side of the garment 300 such that the pocket 308 is disposed on a rear side of the user’s lower body when the garment 300 is being worn. Fig. 2 illustrates the pocket 308 in a closed position, and Figs. 3 and 4 illustrate the pocket 308 in an open position.

[0022] The flotation device 160 comprises an inflatable bladder 100 that can be inflated to provide flotation for the wearer 500. The flotation device 160 and inflatable bladder 100 are configured to convert between a first stage donned configuration in which the bladder 100 is in a stowed configuration and a second stage donned configuration in which the bladder 100 is in a deployed configuration.In the first stage donned configuration, as best seen in Fig. 2, the garment 300 is donned on the wearer’s lower body, and the bladder 100 is stowed within the pocket 308 in a deflated state, which is the stowed configuration. In the second stage donned configuration, as shown in Figs. 6-9, the bladder 100 is in the deployed configuration in which the bladder 100 has been deployed by inflation of the bladder 100, and the bladder 100 is also harnessed to the user’s upper body in an inflated state to provide flotation for the user 500, which completes the second stage donning of the flotation device 160.

[0023] The flotation device 160 further comprises an inflation system 104 configured to inflate the bladder 100 upon activation of the inflation system 104 to provide flotation. The inflation system 104 may be an automatic system, a manual system, or an auto-manual system. As best seen in Fig. 10, the inflation system 104 preferably includes a gas cartridge 105 that is configured to inflate the bladder 100 upon activation of the gas cartridge 105 to release gas from the cartridge 105 into the bladder 100. The gas contained within the cartridge 105 may be compressed carbon dioxide, nitrogen, air, or any other suitable compressed gas. The gas cartridge 105 may be manually activated by the user 500 pulling an activation lanyard 106 to release the compressed gas from the pressurized cartridge 105 into the bladder 100 to immediately and rapidly inflate the bladder 100. The gas cartridge 105 may include a trigger mechanism that punctures the cartridge 105 when the activation lanyard 106 is pulled by the user 500, thereby releasing the gas into the bladder 100. The lanyard 106 may have a small handle to facilitate manual pulling of the lanyard 106 for activation. The gas cartridge 105 may include a charge tab indicator pin 107 that isconfigured to provide a visual indication of whether the cartridge 105 is full or needs to be replaced. The flotation device 160 preferably further comprises an oral inflation tube 108 to provide multiple mechanisms of inflation for redundancy. The oral inflation tube 108 is configured to allow the user 500 to inflate the bladder 100 by exhaling or blowing into the tube 108. The inflation tube 108 may include an internal one-way valve to allow gas to enter the bladder 100 but not to flow out of the bladder 100 so that pressure may be maintained once the bladder 100 is inflated. The inflation tube 108 may be used for inflation in the event that the gas cartridge 105 fails. Alternatively, the inflation system 104 may include other suitable types of inflation mechanisms, including, but not limited to, hydrostatic activation systems, chemical inflation systems, which may utilize exothermic chemical reactions, electrolysis of water, or decomposing chemical compounds, or hybrid inflation systems that can include any combination of manual and automatic inflation systems. For instance, the inflation system 104 may be an automatic inflation system configured to inflate the bladder 100 automatically upon the system 104 coming into contact with water. In this case, the inflation system 104 may comprise a water-soluble component, such as salt tablets, that triggers a pin to puncture the cartridge 105 when the component dissolves due to contact with water. Automatic inflation systems are preferably configured to activate within five seconds of immersion in water and to fully inflate to design buoyancy within ten seconds of immersion.Manual inflation systems, such as a compressed gas cartridge 105 activated by pulling a lanyard 106, are preferably configured to fully inflate to design buoyancy within five seconds of activation.

[0024] The flotation device 160 is configured to rapidly convert (within five seconds) from the first stage donned configuration into the deployed configuration upon activation of the inflation system 104 to inflate the bladder 100, at which point the bladder 100 may be harnessed to the user’s upper body to fully don the flotation device 160 in the second stage donned configuration. As the bladder 100 rapidly inflates, the expanding bladder 100 causes the pocket 308 to open automatically, as best seen in Fig. 5. As the bladder 100 expands after activation of the inflation system 104 to inflate the bladder 100, the flotation device 160 is configured to autoposition the inflated bladder 100 into a proper deployed position in which the bladder 100 extends around a rear side of the user’s torso 506 in a position under the user’s arms 504 to a front side of the user’s torso 506, as best seen in Fig. 8. The bladder 100 comprises two opposing bladder portions that each extend from the rear side of the user’s torso to the front side of the user’s torso. The opposing bladder portions include two opposing front portions 112 that are each disposed on the front side of the user’s torso 506 after deployment, as best seen in Figs. 6 and 9. Once in the deployed configuration, the bladder 100 may be harnessed to the user’s upper body by securely attaching harness straps 119 that are attached to the opposing bladder portions of the bladder 100 to convert the flotation device 160 into the second stage donned configuration. When the flotation device 160 is deployed, the garment 300 may remain in a state of being worn on the user’s lower body, and the inflated bladder 100 may remain secured to the garment 300 by the catch straps 123 that are secured to the belt 204, as best seen in Figs. 7 and 8. The opposing front portions 112 of the bladder 100 may each have a generally bulbous shape that expands the volume of the bladder100 on the front side of the user’s body, which provides the forward-biased buoyancy characteristics that allow for a self-righting PFD system.

[0025] Figs. 10-22 show the bladder 100 of the flotation device 160. Figs. 10-16 show the bladder 100 in a deflated state 100A, and Figs. 17-22 show the bladder 100 in an inflated state 100B. Fig. 10 shows the bladder 100 with the oral inflation tube 108 and the compressed gas cartridge 105 operatively attached to the bladder 100, and Figs. 11-22 illustrate the bladder 100 with additional features, including the catch straps 123 and harness straps 119 attached to the bladder 100. As best seen in Fig.10, the bladder 100 may comprise a rear portion 110 and two opposing side portions 111 that each connect the rear portion 110 to each of the two opposing front portions 112. The rear portion 110, front portions 112, and side portions 111 are all in fluid communication with each other to provide a single inflation chamber 101 that extends around the user’s torso 506 from the rear side to the front side of the user’s body when deployed. The lines shown in Fig. 10 subdividing portions of the deflated bladder 100 may generally delineate the different portions of the bladder 100. When deployed in the second stage donned configuration, as shown in Figs. 6-9, the rear portion 110 is generally disposed on a rear side of the wearer’s torso 506 behind the wearer’s back, and the side portions 111 are generally disposed along the wearer’s sides and under the wearer’s arms 504. In the second stage donned configuration, each of the two opposing front portions 112 is generally disposed on a front side of the wearer’s torso 506. As seen in Fig. 10, each of the front portions 112 may be further subdivided to include a wing portion 113, as delineated by fold lines 116a and 116b shown in Fig. 11. Each wing portion 113 extends the bladder 100 from thewearer’s side toward the center of the wearer’s torso 506 on the front side of the wearer’s torso 506.

[0026] The bladder 100 may be folded in a pattern when the bladder 100 is stowed within the pocket 308 in the deflated state. When folded, each of the side portions 111 of the bladder 100 may be folded on a rear side of the rear portion 110 relative to the user’s body 506, and each of the front portions 112 may be folded on a front side of the rear portion 110, as best seen in Fig. 35 and in detailed views shown in Figs. 35A and 35B. This folding pattern results in a generally flat deflated bladder 100 that is configured to auto-position itself into the proper position under the user’s arms 504 when the inflation system 104 is activated to inflate the bladder 100.

[0027] Figs. 11 and 14-16 show fold lines indicated by dashed lines in locations along which the bladder 100 may be folded when in the deflated state 100A to place the bladder 100 within the pocket 308 in the stowed configuration for autodeployment into the correct position partially surrounding the wearer’ s torso 506 under the wearer’s arms 504. The bladder 100 may be made of a pliable plastic or rubber material, and the inflation chamber 101 may be formed by welding a top layer of the material to a bottom layer of the material around a perimeter of overlapping layers. As best seen in Fig. 10, a weld seam 102 may thus extend around the perimeter of the bladder 100, and a portion of seam allowance material 103 may extend around the perimeter of the weld seam 102. The seam allowance material 103 may have fold notches 109 at appropriate locations to facilitate folding of the bladder 100 for placement into the stowed configuration and to alleviate stress at key points upon deployment. Figs. 10A and 11A show detailed views of the weld seam 102,seam allowance material 103, and one of the fold notches 109 and fold lines 116a.

[0028] Figs. 23-34 show the deflated bladder 100 in states of being folded for placement into the stowed configuration. As best seen in Figs. 11 and 14-16, the bladder 100 may have rear fold lines 114a (left side) and 114b (right side) delineating the rear portion 110 of the bladder 100 from the side portions 111. The bladder 100 may also have side fold lines 115a and 115b, which form a fold line within the side portions 111, and wing fold lines 116a and 116b, which generally delineate the wing portions 113 of each front portion 112 from the remainder of the front portion 112.The bladder 100 may also have bulb fold lines 117a and 117b for folds located within the front portions 112, which are generally bulbous in shape.

[0029] To fold the bladder 100 for placement into the stowed configuration, as shown in Fig. 23, a folding method may start by folding the right rear fold line 114b toward a rear side of the rear portion 110 relative to the wearer 500 when the deflated bladder 100 is stowed within the pocket 308, which is disposed on the rear side of the wearer 500 when the garment 300 is donned. As indicated in Fig. 35, which shows the folded bladder 100 with straps and inflation devices removed to more clearly show the fold configuration, arrow 150 indicates a direction facing toward a rear side of the wearer 500, and arrow 152 indicates a direction facing toward a front side of the wearer 500. Because the bladder 100 is disposed on the rear side of the wearer 500 when in the folded and stowed configuration, portions of the bladder 100 facing toward front-facing direction 152 also generally face toward the back side of the wearer 500. Next, as shown in Fig. 24, the right side fold line 115b may be folded toward a rear side of the rear portion 110. As shown in Fig. 25, the right wing foldline 116b may then be folded toward a front side of the rear portion 110 so that the right wing portion 113 is positioned on the front side of the remaining portion of the front portion 112 to which the wing portion 113 is attached, as shown in Fig. 26, which shows the same fold configuration shown in Fig. 25 from an opposing side of the bladder 100. Next, as shown in Fig. 27, the right bulb fold line 117b may be folded toward a front side of the rear portion 110 so that the right front portion 112 is positioned on the front side of the rear portion 110 of the bladder 100, as shown in Fig. 28, which shows the same fold configuration shown in Fig. 27 from an opposing side of the bladder 100. In the fold configuration as shown in Figs. 27 and 28, a portion of the right front portion 112, including a portion of the right wing portion 113, may be positioned on the rear side of the rear portion 110 of the bladder 100, but a larger portion of the right front portion 112 extending from fold line 117b to a terminal end of the right front portion 112 is positioned on the front side of the rear portion 110, as best seen in Fig. 28. As best seen in Fig. 27, this fold configuration allows the gas cartridge 105 to be disposed on a rear side 150 of the folded bladder 100, which allows access to the gas cartridge 105 from the rear side 150 of the garment 300.

[0030] As shown in Figs. 29-34, this process may be repeated on the right side of the bladder 100 by folding the right rear fold line 114a, the right side fold line 115a, the right wing fold line 116a, and the right bulb fold line 117a in the same order to obtain the final folded configuration shown in Figs. 33 and 34. As best seen in Fig.33, this fold configuration also allows the inflation tube 108 to be disposed on a rear side 150 of the folded bladder 100 along with the gas cartridge 105. This foldconfiguration allows the two front portions 112 to automatically move in a forward direction 152 as the bladder 100 expands during inflation so that the inflated bladder 100 auto-deploys into the proper deployed configuration relative to the wearer’s torso 506 and under the wearer’s arms 504, as shown in Figs. 6-9. Deployment of the bladder 100 into this deployed configuration may be initiated simply by the user 500 pulling the activation lanyard 106 to activate the gas cartridge 105. Once the inflated bladder 100 is disposed in the proper position relative to the wearer’ s torso 506, the wearer 500 may then attach the harness straps 119 to each other to fully harness the bladder 100 to the user’s upper body in the second stage donned configuration. Thus, the flotation device 160 may be fully donned and harnessed with a minimal number of steps required by the user 500 and without the need for removing or adjusting the garment 300 in any way.

[0031] The pocket 308 is preferably disposed on an exterior side of the rear side of the garment 300 so that the bladder 100 can be packed into the pocket 308 and also deployed from the exterior of the garment 300. To facilitate closing the pocket 308 while also allowing the pocket 308 to automatically open whenever the flotation device 160 is deployed, the pocket 308 preferably has fasteners disposed along a peripheral edge of the pocket 308. The pocket 308 is preferably sewn onto the garment 300 at a lower end of the pocket 308, and the fasteners are preferably disposed along opposing side edges and an upper edge of the pocket 308. The fasteners are preferably hook and loop fasteners but may include other types of fasteners suitable for allowing the pocket 308 to automatically open, such as snap fasteners or magnetic fasteners. For instance, as best seen in Figs. 4 and 8, a strip ofhook fasteners 311 may be attached to the garment 300 in locations configured to removably secure the upper and side peripheral edges of the pocket 308 to the garment 300. Corresponding loop fasteners 312 may also be attached to peripheral edges of the interior of the material forming the pocket 308 for removably securing the pocket 308 in the closed position. Thus, the hook and loop fasteners 311 and 312 are configured to retain the pocket 308 in a closed position, as shown in Fig. 2, when the bladder 100 is stowed within the pocket 308 in the stowed configuration. The hook and loop fasteners 311 and 312 are designed to keep the pocket 308 closed during normal use but to open automatically due to the force of the bladder 100 expanding when the inflation system 104 is activated to inflate the bladder 100.

[0032] The garment 300 preferably further comprises a flap 309 disposed along the upper edge of the pocket 308. The flap 309 of material may hang down over and cover the upper edge of the pocket 308. The flap 309 may be attached to the garment 300 by an attachment strip 320 that is sewn onto the rear panels 303a and 303b of the garment 300, as shown in Fig. 54. If the wearer 500 dives into the water, the flap 309 may prevent or minimize any amount of water that may flow into the interior of the pocket 308 or cause fasteners 311 and 312 to unintentionally separate. If water does enter the pocket 308, the pocket 308 preferably has small drain openings 305 positioned near the lower end of the pocket 308, as best seen in Fig. 4, to allow the water to drain from the interior of the pocket 308.

[0033] The PFD system preferably further comprises an envelope 201, which may be made of a different material than a material of the bladder 100 and of a different material of the garment 300. In this case, the bladder 100 may be disposedwithin the envelope 201 when the flotation device 160 is in the stowed configuration, and the envelope 201 may be contained within the pocket 308 when the bladder 100 is stowed within the pocket 308 in the stowed configuration. Alternatively, the bladder 100 may be stowed directly within the pocket 308 in the stowed configuration without the envelope 201. Figs. 36-44 show the envelope 201 with the bladder 100 in the folded configuration, and Fig. 45 shows the bladder 100 expanded from the envelope 201. The envelope 201 is preferably made of a material that is abrasion resistant, puncture resistant, and ultraviolet (UV) light resistant to protect the bladder 100 during storage and maintain the condition of the bladder 100 for later use. The use of the envelope 201 also allows the bladder 100 to be removed from the garment 300 by removing the envelope 201 from the pocket 308 with the bladder 100 packed inside the envelope 201, which allows the bladder 100 to be removed from the garment 300 for washing the garment 300 without the need for unpacking and repacking the folded bladder 100 in the pocket 308. Thus, the envelope 201 serves to secure the bladder 100 in a packed configuration within the envelope 201 regardless of whether the envelope 201 is contained within the pocket 308 or removed from the pocket 308.

[0034] To allow the bladder 100 to inflate and properly deploy, both the pocket 308 and the envelope 201 contained therein are preferably configured to open automatically upon deployment of the bladder 100. To facilitate closing the envelope 201 while also allowing the envelope 201 to automatically open whenever the flotation device 160 is deployed, the envelope 201 preferably has fasteners 203 disposed along a peripheral edge of the envelope 201. The fasteners are preferablyhook and loop fasteners but may include other types of fasteners suitable for allowing the envelope 201 to automatically open, such as snap fasteners or magnetic fasteners. The hook and loop fasteners 203 are configured to retain the envelope 201 in a closed position with the bladder 100 disposed within the envelope 201 when the envelope 201 and bladder 100 are stowed within the pocket 308 in the stowed configuration. The envelope 201 may comprise two opposing layers of material, including a front face 201a and a rear face 201b, and the hook and loop fasteners 203 may be disposed along the peripheral edge along three sides of the opposing layers 201a and 201b. For instance, as best seen in Fig. 44, the front face 201a may have strips of hook fasteners 203a attached along three sides of the front face 201a, and the rear face 201b may have strips of corresponding loop fasteners 203b attached along three sides of the rear face 201b to secure the two faces 201a and 201b to each other to close the envelope 201. Each of the faces 201a and 201b may optionally be attached to the bladder 100 along a strip of material 205 that is sewn or otherwise attached to the seam allowance material 103 along the rear portion 110 of the bladder 100, as best seen in Fig. 45, or may be sewn or otherwise attached to a portion of the catch straps 123, which are sewn or otherwise attached to the seam allowance material 103 along the front-facing edge of the rear portion 110 of the bladder. These optional attachment points allow the envelope 201 to remain attached to the flotation device 160 when the bladder 100 is deployed.

[0035] When in the stowed configuration, the bladder 100 may be contained entirely within the envelope 201, but certain components of the inflation device 160 that are attached to the bladder 100 may preferably extend outside of the envelope201. For instance, the activation lanyard 106, the catch straps 123, and a pair of opposing grab straps 118 may each extend outside the envelope 201, as best seen in Figs. 36 and 42. The activation lanyard 106 is preferably accessible from the exterior of the garment 300 so that the user 500 can quickly and easily deploy the flotation device 160. The opposing grab straps 118 allow for deployment of the flotation device 160 in case of failure of the gas cartridge 105, in which case the user 500 can pull each of the grab straps 118 in opposite directions to manually remove the folded bladder 100 from both the envelope 201 and the pocket 308. The user 500 may then inflate the bladder 100 using the inflation tube 108. For this reason, the grab straps 118 are preferably also accessible from the exterior of the garment 300 so that the user 500 can quickly and easily access the grab straps 118 to deploy the flotation device 160 when needed. As best seen in Figs. 11 and 15, the grab straps 118 may be attached to the front portions 112 of the bladder 100 on the same side of the bladder 100 as the gas cartridge 105 and inflation tube 108. Each of the grab straps 118 may be sewn or otherwise attached to the seam allowance material 103 on an interior side of each front portion 112 of the bladder 100 and may extend along fold lines 116a and 116b on an opposite side of the fold line 116a / b from the wing portion 113 to a point just beyond fold lines 117a and 117b, as best seen in Fig. 11. Using the folding method described herein, the distal end of each grab strap 118 attached to the bladder 100 and disposed in this position will generally extend outside of the perimeter of the folded bladder 100 so that the grab straps 118 are accessible to be pulled to manually deploy the bladder 100. As best seen in Fig. 2, the grab straps 118 may also extend outside of the pocket 308 disposed on the rear side of the garment 300. To this end,the strip of hook and loop fastener 312 attached to the pocket 308 may have corresponding breaks 324 at the locations at which the grab straps 118 pass adjacent to fastener 311 to extend outside the pocket 308, as best seen in Figs. 3 and 4. The hook and loop fasteners 203 of the envelope 201 may also have corresponding breaks at the locations at which the grab straps 118 extend outside the envelope 201, As best seen in Fig. 15, the distal end of each grab strap 118 may have a loop so that the user 500 can easily grab and pull each of the grab straps 118.

[0036] As best seen in Figs. 11 and 15, the bladder 100 comprises at least one catch strap 123 and preferably comprises two catch straps 123, which may each be attached to an interior side of the rear portion 110 of the bladder 100. When the flotation device 160 is integrated with the garment 300 for use, the first end of each catch strap 123 is preferably attached to the rear portion 110 of the bladder 100, and the second end of each catch strap 123 is preferably attached to the belt 204. As best seen in Figs. 15A and 16A, the second end of each catch strap 123 may have a catch loop 124 through which the belt 204 can pass to attach the catch strap 123 to the belt 204, as best seen in Figs. 5 and 43-45. When the garment 300 is donned, the belt 204 also passes through each of the plurality of belt loops 306, 307. Preferably, as best seen in Fig. 47, a first portion of the plurality of belt loops comprises permanent belt loops 306, and a second portion of the plurality of belt loops comprises false belt loops 307. The permanent belt loops 306 may be permanently attached to the garment 300 by sewing or otherwise permanently attaching both ends of each loop 306 to the garment 300. As shown in Figs. 48 and 49, one end of each of the false belt loops 307 may be sewn or otherwise attached to the garment 300 at the waistband301, and an opposing end of the false belt loop 307 is configured to removably attach to the garment 300 using one or more fasteners. To allow removable attachment of each false belt loop 307 to the garment 300, the garment 300 may have fasteners 316 attached to the waistband 301 and to an interior side of each false belt loop 307. For instance, press-fit snap fasteners 316 may be utilized, as best seen in Fig. 48. In this case, each false belt loop 307 may include a pair of female fastener components 316a attached to the false belt loop 307, and a corresponding pair of male fastener components 316b may be attached to the waistband 301.

[0037] Each of the belt loops 306 and 307 and each of the catch loops 124 of the catch straps 123 are sized to allow the belt 204 to pass through each respective one of the loops. To allow the catch loops 124 to be positioned in a location in which it is easy for the user 500 to pass the belt 204 through the catch loops 124 when donning and securing the garment 300, each of the catch straps 123 may preferably be configured to removably attach to the garment 300 in a position in which the catch loop 124 of each catch strap 123 is positioned within a respective one of the false belt loops 307. Once a catch loop 124 is attached to the garment 300 within one of the false belt loops 307, the user 500 can pass the belt 204 through the catch loop 124, which simultaneously passes the belt 204 through the false belt loop 307 in which the catch loop 124 is disposed. To facilitate removable attachment of each catch strap 124 to the waistband 301 in a position under each false belt loop 307, one or more fasteners may be utilized. For instance, press-fit snap fasteners may be utilized. In this case, each catch strap 123 may have a female fastener component 125 attached to a front side of the catch loop 124, as shown in Figs. 16A, 37, 39, 40, and 41. Acorresponding male fastener component 318 may be attached to the waistband 301 under each false belt loop 307, as shown in Figs. 48, 50, and 51. Male and female fastener components 318 and 125 may be removably secured to each other to secure the catch loop 124 to the waistband 301, as best seen in Fig. 49. Once secured, the false belt loop 307 may then be secured to the garment 300 by removably securing fastener components 316a and 316b to each other. To provide a more secure attachment of each catch loop 124 to the waistband 301, hook and loop fasteners may be used in addition to snap fasteners 318 and 125. As best seen in Fig. 48, a piece of loop fastener material 319 may be attached to the waistband 301 and disposed around snap fastener 318. As shown in Figs. 37 and 39, a piece of hook fastener material 127 may be attached to a front side of each catch strap 123 and disposed around snap fastener 125. Thus, when snap fasteners 318 and 125 are secured together, hook and loop fasteners 319 and 127 will also become secured together to more securely attach the catch loops 124 to the waistband 301.

[0038] Alternatively, as shown in Figs. 5B, 15B, and 43B, the second end of each catch strap 123 may be sewn to the belt 204 or otherwise permanently attached to the belt 204 in a fixed position on the belt 204 to attach the catch strap 123 to the belt 204. Fig. 5A shows a detailed view of a catch loop 124 attaching each catch strap 123 to the belt 204, and Figs. 5C and 15C each show a detailed view of the catch straps 123 sewn to the belt 204 with visible stitches. In this embodiment, false belt loops 307 may still be utilized to cover portions of the belt 204 at locations where a catch strap 123 is attached to the belt 204, and a single large false belt loop 307 may be utilized to cover two catch straps 123 being attached to the belt 204, as shown inFig. 5B. In this embodiment, the garment 300 preferably does not include a permanent belt loop 306 positioned between false belt loops 307 on the rear side of the garment 300, and opposing ends of the belt 204 may be inserted through one or more permanent belt loops 306 on opposing sides of the garment 300 from the rear of the garment toward the front of the garment 300.

[0039] The belt 204 is configured to extend around the user’s waist when the garment 300 is being worn on the user’s lower body. When the garment 300 is being worn, the pocket 308 is preferably disposed in a position in which the pocket 308 is substantially below the belt 204 relative to a vertical height of the user 500, and preferably entirely below the belt 204, as best seen in Figs. 2 and 3. In addition, the bladder 100 is preferably disposed substantially on a dorsal side of a mid-coronal plane 126 dissecting the user’s body 506 when the bladder 100 is stowed within the pocket 308 in the deflated state, and preferably entirely on a dorsal side of the midcoronal plane 126 dissecting the user’s body 506. Figs. 8 and 17 show the approximate location of the mid-coronal plane relative to the wearer’s body and the inflated bladder 100, respectively, as represented by dashed line 126. When the envelope 201 is installed within the pocket 308 with the folded bladder 100 inside the envelope 201, the catch straps 123 extend in an upward direction from the pocket 308 to the belt 204 to which the catch straps 123 are attached. To allow the flap 309 to effectively cover the upper edge of the pocket 308, the flap 309 preferably has slots 317 extending through the flap 309. Each of the slots 317 is sized to allow one of the catch straps 123 to extend upwardly from the bladder 100 and pass through each slot 317 to attach each catch loop 124 to the waistband 301 and to the belt 204, as shownin Figs. 48-54. When the bladder 100 deploys, the inflated bladder 100 will float to the surface of the water, and the catch straps 123 will then extend upwardly from the belt 204 to the inflated bladder 100 through the slots 117, as best seen in Fig. 8.

[0040] To use the garment configuration 400A of the PFD device for both emergency flotation and for normal garment use, the bladder 100 may first be folded in the manner described herein and then installed within the envelope 201. The envelope 201 may then be closed using hook and loop fasteners 203 with the activation lanyard 106, catch straps 123, and grab straps 118 extending outside of the envelope 201. The envelope 201 may then be installed within the pocket 308 of the garment 300 also with the activation lanyard 106, catch straps 123, and grab straps 118 extending outside of the pocket 308 so that these components are readily accessible to the wearer 500 from the exterior of the garment 300. The pocket 308 may then be closed using hook and loop fasteners 311 and 312. The catch loops 124 may then be removably secured to the waistband 301, and the false belt loops 307 may then also be removably secured to the waistband 301 to cover each of the catch loops 124 to complete the integration of the PFD 160 with the garment 300. To ensure that the activation lanyard 106 is retained in a location for access by the wearer 500 throughout use of the PFD device in the garment configuration 400A, the garment 300 preferably comprises a lanyard securing mechanism 314. The lanyard securing mechanism may comprise a small strap 314 through which the lanyard 106 extends, as best seen in Fig. 3. Alternatively, the lanyard securing mechanism 314 may comprise a magnetic closure or any other suitable mechanism that retains the lanyard 106 and also allows the lanyard 106 to be pulled to activate the gas cartridge105 to inflate the bladder 100.

[0041] Before each use, the status of the gas cartridge 105 should be checked to ensure that the gas cartridge 105 is ready for use in case of emergency. To allow the user 500 to quickly and easily check the status of the cartridge 105, the pocket 308 preferably has a transparent window 313 disposed in a location corresponding to the location of the gas cartridge 105 when the bladder 100 is installed in the stowed configuration, as best seen in Fig. 2. In addition, if the bladder 100 is installed within the envelope 201, the envelope 201 preferably also has a transparent window 202 disposed in a position to align with window 313 when the envelope 201 is installed within the pocket 308. Transparent windows 202 and 313 allow the user 500 to visually inspect the inflation system 104 from the exterior of the garment 300 without the need for opening the pocket 308 or the envelope 201. The user 500 may then observe the charge tab indicator pin 107 to determine whether the gas cartridge 105 is full or needs to be replaced. As shown in Fig. 4, the garment 300 may optionally include an additional transparent window 315 disposed on the rear side of the garment 300 in a position in which the window 315 is located within the interior of the pocket 308 when the pocket 308 is closed. This window 315 may allow a user to view instructions for using the flotation device 160 through the window 315 from an interior of the garment 300 when the garment 300 is not being worn. The instructions may be printed on or attached to the exterior of the envelope 201 in a position in which the instructions are visible through the window 315 when the envelope 201 is installed within the pocket 308.

[0042] Once the flotation device 160 is fully installed within the pocket 308, thegarment 300 may be donned by the user 500 in the same manner as any other lower body garment, such as a pair of shorts or trousers. The user 500 may then don the belt 204 by inserting the belt 204 through all of the belt loops 306 and 307, as well as through the catch loops 124 to secure the flotation device 160 to the garment 300, and then by using the buckle 322 to secure the belt 204 around the user’s waist. This completes the donning of the first stage donning configuration. The garment 300 with integrated flotation device 160 may then be worn for activities in the same manner as any other similar type of lower body garment. If an emergency situation occurs, the flotation device 160 may then be converted from the first stage donned configuration into the deployed configuration by manually pulling the lanyard 106 to activate the gas cartridge 105 to inflate the bladder 100, thereby causing the flotation device 160 to rapidly deploy the bladder 100 into a position in which the bladder 100 extends around the wearer’s back and under the wearer’s arms 504 to the front side of the wearer’s torso 506. Once the front portions 112 of the inflated bladder 100 are in front of the wearer’s chest, a chest harness 120 attached to the bladder 100 may be used to then harness the bladder 100 to the user’s upper body. The harness 120 preferably comprises a side release buckle comprising a female fastener member 120a and a male fastener member 120b configured to interlock with each other to secure the harness 120, which secures the bladder 100 around the wearer’s torso 506.Figs. 17-22 illustrate the fully inflated bladder 100 with the harness 120 secured. Fastener members 120a and 120b may be attached to distal ends of the harness straps 119. A proximal end of each harness strap 119 may be attached to each side portion 111 of the bladder 100. Each harness strap 119 may then slidably extend through aharness anchor loop 122 that is attached to the front portion 112 of the bladder 100, and preferably to the wing portion 113, as best seen in Figs. 15 and 16. The harness anchor loops 122 provide a second adjustable connection point for each of the harness straps 119 to more effectively harness the bladder 100 to the wearer’s upper body. Each harness strap 119 preferably also has adjustment tabs 121 that provide an excess length of strap to allow slidable adjustment of the length of the harness straps 119 for different individual users.

[0043] Once the inflated bladder 100 is disposed around the wearer’ s torso 506 and under the wearer’s arms 504 and the harness 120 is secured, the garment 300 and flotation device 160 are then fully donned to provide flotation and are thus in the second stage donned configuration. Thus, the PFD 160 may be fully donned with as few as two steps: manually pulling the activation lanyard 106 to inflate and deploy the bladder 100, and then securing the harness 120 once the bladder 100 is inflated in the deployed configuration. The donning process allows the garment 300 to remain in a state of being worn on the wearer’s lower body during use of the flotation device 160 and thus does not require the wearer 500 to remove or adjust the garment 300 in any way. To allow the flotation device 160 to provide self-righting flotation, the front portions 112 of the bladder 100 may be sized to contain at least 50% of a total volume of gas contained within the entire bladder 100 on a front side of a mid-coronal plane 126 dissecting the wearer’s body and the inflated bladder 100 worn around the wearer’s torso 506, as best seen in Fig. 8. The bladder 100 is preferably configured to contain a volume of gas in a range of about 60-80% of the total volume within the entire bladder 100 on the front side of the mid-coronal plane 126, and morepreferably a volume of approximately 70% of the total volume of gas within the bladder 100 on the front side of the mid-coronal plane 126. To hold a larger volume of gas on the front side of the wearer, the front portions 112 of the bladder 100 preferably have a bulbous shape having a greater thickness than the rear portion 110 and side portions 111 of the bladder 100, as best seen in Fig. 6. This bladder configuration positions most of the buoyancy of the bladder 100 on the front-facing and upper portions of the wearer’s body, which allows the present PFD 160 to be self- righting. The present PFD 160 keeps the head and face of the wearer 500 in a position pointed upward and away from the water at an angle of no more than 30 degrees from vertical and at a distance from the water that protects the wearer 500 from drowning.

[0044] Alternatively, as shown in Figs. 55-64, the garment 300 may comprise a pair of trousers, a pair of waders, a pair of overalls, or a skirt. Fig. 55 illustrates the garment 300 in the form a pair of trousers. In this case, the front and rear panels 302 and 303 may extend downward to further cover the legs 502 of the wearer 500 to a greater extent, but all other features of the garment 300, flotation device 160, and other components may remain identical whether the garment 300 is a pair of short or a pair of trousers. Figs. 56 and 57 illustrate a front side and a rear side, respectively, of the garment 300 in the form a pair of waders. In this case, the front and rear panels 302 and 303 of the garment 300 extend downward over portions of the wearer’s legs 502 and are integrated with a pair of boots 323 so that a waterproof seal is formed between the boots and panels 302a, 302b, 303a, and 303b. The waders preferably also include a torso covering 325 integrated with the garment 300 so that a waterproofseal is formed at the waistband 301 to form a continuous waterproof garment 300 extending from the boots upward to the wearer’s torso 506, and preferably up to the wearer’s chest. The waders may include a pair of shoulder straps 326 that extend over the wearer’s shoulders and connect front and rear panels of the torso covering 325 to retain the torso covering 325 in a proper position for covering the wearer’s torso. Other components of the garment 300 and floatation device 160 may remain the same. Waders are commonly used for some water-based activities, such as wade fishing, for which the use of an integrated flotation device 160 may be beneficial. Fig. 58 illustrates the garment 300 in the form a pair of overalls, which are sometimes referred to as a bib or bib covering. In this case, the overalls generally have the same features as the waders except that the overalls do not include boots that are integrated with the garment 300.

[0045] Figs. 59-64 illustrate the garment 300 in the form a skirt. The skirt garment 300 may comprise an undergarment portion similar to a pair of shorts, including front panels 302a, 302b and rear panels 303a, 303b. The skirt may further comprise a plurality of skirt flaps 327, and preferably at least a front flap 327a and a rear flap 327b, attached to the panels 302 and 303 near the waistband 301 so that the skirt flaps 327 hang downward and generally cover most of the panels 302, 303 for aesthetic design purposes. Figs. 59 and 61 show front and rear views, respectively, of the skirt garment 300, and Figs. 60 and 62 show front and rear views, respectively, of the undergarment portion with the skirt flaps 327 removed to show features of the packed bladder 100 in a deflated state 100A. The front flap 327a may be sewn to the waistband 301 on the front side of the garment 300, and the rear flap 327b may beattached to an attachment strip 320 that is sewn to the waistband 301 or rear panels 303a and 303b. When the garment 300 is in the form of a skirt, the rear skirt flap 327b may function as flap 309 that covers the upper edge of the pocket 308 to prevent water from inadvertently flowing into the pocket 308.

[0046] As best seen in Fig. 63, the skirt flaps 327 may include fasteners 330 and 332 disposed along peripheral edges of the flaps 327. Fasteners 330 may be attached to the front skirt flap 327a, and fasteners 332 may be attached to the rear skirt flap 327b. The fasteners 330 and 332 may be removably attached to each other when the garment 300 is donned to provide the appearance of a skirt extending continuously around the wearer’s waist and to cover portions of the garment 300 under the skirt flaps 327. The fasteners 330 and 332 are preferably corresponding hook and loop fasteners but may include other types of fasteners suitable for allowing the skirt flaps 327a and 327b to automatically disconnect from each other due to the force of the bladder 100 expanding when the inflation system 104 is activated to inflate the bladder 100. As shown in Fig. 64, the skirt garment 300 may comprise a single false belt loop 307 that covers more than one catch strap 123 for aesthetic design purposes. The false belt loop 307 may be removably secured to the skirt garment 300 by utilizing fastener components 316a and 316b, which may be compatible press-fit snap fasteners 316 or another type of fastener that allows the false belt loop 307 to automatically disconnect from the garment when the bladder 100 inflates.

[0047] When the garment 300 is in the form of a skirt, the garment 300 may include an integrated belt 329 that is permanently attached to the garment 300 rather than a detachable belt 204 since active-wear skirt designs are typically not worn withdetachable belts. The integrated belt 329 may comprise two opposing belt components attached to opposite sides of the waistband 301 and extending toward the rear side of the garment 300. The two belt components 329 may be removably attached to each other using hook and loop fasteners or similar types of fasteners to form a strap extending across the rear side of the garment 300 along the waistband 301. As best seen in Fig. 64, the integrated belt 329 allows the catch straps 123 to be secured to the garment 300 using catch loops 124 without the need for a separate belt 204. The rear skirt flap 327b may have slots 317 extending through the flap 327b to allow each of the catch straps 123 to extend upwardly from the bladder 100 and pass through each slot 317 to attach each catch loop 124 to the belt 329. The skirt garment 300 may also include an aesthetic panel 328 configured to allow upward or downward adjustment of slots 317 on the rear of the garment 300 to allow for proper storage of the bladder 100 since the skirt may have a high waist pattern that may require adjustment to achieve an aesthetically pleasing appearance and also store the bladder 100 in the correct position relative to the wearer 500.

[0048] In another aspect, as shown in Figs. 43-46, a wearable flotation device 400B may comprise an inflatable bladder 100 that is attached to a belt 204 by at least one catch strap 123 and preferably by a plurality of catch straps 123. One end of each catch strap 123 may be sewn to the belt 204 or otherwise permanently attached to the belt 204 in a fixed position on the belt 204 to attach the catch strap 123 to the belt 204, as best seen in Fig. 43B, or each catch strap 123 may be attached to the belt 204 utilizing a catch loop 124, as best seen in Fig. 43. Fig. 43A shows a detailed view of a catch loop 124 attaching each catch strap 123 to the belt 204, and Fig. 43C shows adetailed view of the catch straps 123 sewn to the belt 204 with visible stitches. The wearable flotation device 400B may be donned at any time as a PFD by donning the belt 204 with the attached inflatable bladder 100. The device 400B may be worn outside of any lower or upper body garments already being worn by the user. The flotation device 400B further comprises an inflation system 104, which preferably comprises a gas cartridge 105. The inflation system 104 is operatively attached to the bladder 100 and configured to inflate the bladder 100 upon activation of the inflation system 104. The inflatable bladder 100 is configured to convert between a stowed configuration in which the bladder 100 is stowed within an envelope 201 in a deflated state and a donned configuration in which the bladder 100 may be harnessed to a user’s upper body in an inflated state. Fig. 43 shows the bladder 100 in the stowed configuration. Figs. 44 and 45 show the bladder 100 in stages of deployment, and Fig. 46 shows the bladder 100 deployed in the donned configuration. The belt 204 is configured to be worn around the user’s waist with the envelope 201 that holds the deflated bladder 100 hanging downward from the belt so that the envelope 201 is disposed substantially below the belt 204 when the belt 204 is being worn around the user’s waist with the bladder 100 in the stowed configuration, and preferably entirely below the belt 204. The bladder 100 is also disposed substantially on a rear side of the user’s body when the bladder 100 is stowed within the envelope 201 in the deflated state before deployment, and preferably entirely on a rear side of the user’s body when the bladder 100 is stowed within the envelope 201. The bladder 100 may be deployed by manually pulling the activation cord 106 to activate the gas cartridge 105, which causes the bladder 100 to rapidly deploy into a position in which theinflated bladder 100 extends around a rear side of the user’s torso in a position under the user’s arms to a front side of the user’s torso 506 to provide buoyancy to the user 500 while the user wears the belt 204. The envelope 201 may optionally have some level of inherent buoyancy so that the envelope 201 may float on a water surface with the deflated bladder 100 stowed within the envelope 201 when the device 400B is not being donned by a user 500. Outside of garment 300, this wearable flotation device 400B may include features previously described herein.

[0049] In another aspect, as shown in Figs. 36-42, a throwable flotation device 400C may comprise a buoyant envelope 201 designed to float on a water surface and an inflatable bladder 100 including an inflation system 104, which preferably comprises a gas cartridge 105. The inflation system 104 is operatively attached to the bladder 100 and configured to inflate the bladder 100 upon activation of the inflation system 104. The bladder 100 is configured to convert between a stowed configuration in which the bladder 100 is stowed within the envelope 201 in a deflated state and a donned configuration in which the bladder 100 may be harnessed to a user’s upper body in an inflated state. The envelope 201 may have inherent buoyancy so that the envelope 201 floats on the surface of the water with the bladder 100 stowed within the envelope 201 in the deflated state. The throwable flotation device 400C may be thrown by one individual to another individual who is in the water and requires assistance. The individual in the water may then retrieve the floating envelope 201 and don the bladder 100 around the user’s torso 506 and under the user’s arms 504 either before or after inflating the bladder 100. The throwable flotation device 400C may be used to provide buoyancy for the individual untilassistance may be provided. Because the throwable flotation device 400C may be used without a garment 300 or a belt 204, the bladder 100 may optionally not include the catch straps 123.

[0050] It will be appreciated that the configurations and methods shown and described herein are illustrative only, and that these specific examples are not to be considered in a limiting sense, because numerous variations are possible. The subject matter of the present disclosure includes all novel and non-obvious combinations and sub-combinations of the various systems and configurations, and other features, functions, and / or properties disclosed herein. It is understood that versions of the invention may come in different forms and embodiments. Additionally, it is understood that one of skill in the art would appreciate these various forms and embodiments as falling within the scope of the invention as disclosed herein.

[0051] What is claimed is:1.) A personal flotation device system, comprising:a garment configured to be worn on a user’s lower body, wherein the garment comprises two leg portions configured to at least partially cover legs of the user when the garment is being worn on the user’s lower body; a belt comprising a buckle configured to removably fasten opposing ends of the belt to each other; anda flotation device attached to the belt by at least one catch strap,wherein the garment comprises a plurality of belt loops, wherein the belt isconfigured to pass through each of the plurality of belt loops to secure the garment to the user’s lower body when the garment is being worn on the user’s lower body,wherein the garment comprises a closable pocket disposed on a rear sideof the garment such that the pocket is disposed on a rear side of the user’s lower body when the garment is being worn on the user’s lower body, wherein the flotation device comprises an inflatable bladder, wherein the flotation device is configured to convert between a first stage donned configuration in which the bladder is stowed within the pocket in a deflated state and a second stage donned configuration in which the bladder is harnessed to the user’s upper body in an inflated state,wherein the flotation device further comprises an inflation system configured to inflate the bladder upon activation of the inflation system,wherein the at least one catch strap is attached to the bladder at a first end and attached to the belt at an opposing second end, andwherein the bladder is configured to extend around a rear side of the user’s torso in a position under the user’s arms to a front side of the user’s torso when the flotation device is in the second staged donned configuration.The personal flotation device system of claim 1, wherein the garment comprises a pair of shorts, a pair of trousers, a pair of waders, a pair of overalls, or a skirt. The personal flotation device system of claim 1, wherein the belt is configured to extend around the user’s waist when the garment is being worn on the user’slower body, wherein the pocket is disposed entirely below the belt when the garment is being worn on the user’s lower body.The personal flotation device system of claim 1, wherein the bladder is disposed substantially on a dorsal side of a mid-coronal plane dissecting the user’s body when the bladder is stowed within the pocket in the deflated state.The personal flotation device system of claim 1, wherein the flotation device is configured to deploy into the second stage donned configuration while the garment remains in a state of being worn on the user’s lower body.The personal flotation device system of claim 1, wherein the flotation device is configured to auto-position the bladder in the second stage donned configuration when the flotation device converts from the first stage donned configuration into the second stage donned configuration upon activation of the inflation system. The personal flotation device system of claim 1, wherein the bladder comprises two opposing bladder portions that each extend from the rear side of the user’s torso to the front side of the user’s torso when the flotation device is in the second stage donned configuration, wherein the bladder comprises two harness straps each attached to a respective one of the two opposing bladder portions of the bladder, wherein the harness straps are configured to removably attach to each other to harness the bladder to the user’s upper body when the flotation device is in the second stage donned configuration.The personal flotation device system of claim 1, wherein the bladder is configured to contain greater than 50% of a total volume of gas contained within the bladderon a front side of a mid-coronal plane dissecting the user’s body when the bladder is in the second stage donned configuration.The personal flotation device system of claim 1, wherein the at least one catch strap comprises a plurality of catch straps, wherein a first portion of the plurality of belt loops comprises permanent belt loops, wherein a second portion of the plurality of belt loops comprises false belt loops, wherein one end of each of the false belt loops is configured to removably attach to the garment, wherein the second end of each of the plurality of catch straps has a catch loop, wherein the second end of each of the plurality of catch straps is configured to removably attach to the garment in a position in which the catch loop of each of the plurality of catch straps is positioned within a respective one of the false belt loops, wherein the catch loop of each of the plurality of catch straps is sized to allow the belt to pass through the catch loop.The personal flotation device system of claim 1, wherein the pocket is disposed on an exterior side of the rear side of the garment, wherein the pocket has fasteners disposed along a peripheral edge of the pocket, wherein the fasteners are configured to retain the pocket in a closed position when the bladder is stowed within the pocket in the first stage donned configuration.The personal flotation device system of claim 1, further comprising an envelope, wherein the bladder is disposed within the envelope when the flotation device is in the first stage donned configuration, and wherein the envelope is contained within the pocket when the bladder is stowed within the pocket in the first stage donned configuration.12.) The personal flotation device system of claim 11, wherein the envelope has fasteners disposed along a peripheral edge of the envelope, wherein the fasteners are configured to retain the envelope in a closed position when the bladder is stowed within the pocket in the first stage donned configuration.13.) The personal flotation device system of claim 1, further comprising a pair of opposing grab straps each attached to the bladder, wherein the grab straps are configured to allow deployment of the flotation device into the second stage donned configuration when the grab straps are pulled in opposite directions, and wherein a distal end of each of the grab straps extends outside of the pocket so that the distal end of each of the grab straps is accessible from an exterior of the garment.14.) A personal flotation device system, comprising:a garment configured to be worn on a user’s lower body, wherein the garment comprises two leg portions configured to at least partially cover legs of the user when the garment is being worn on the user’s lower body; and a flotation device coupled to the garment,wherein the garment comprises a closable pocket disposed on a rear side of the garment such that the pocket is disposed on a rear side of the user’s lower body when the garment is being worn on the user’s lower body, wherein the flotation device comprises an inflatable bladder, wherein the flotation device is configured to convert between a first stage donned configuration in which the bladder is stowed within the pocket in a deflated state and asecond stage donned configuration in which the bladder is harnessed to the user’s upper body in an inflated state,wherein the flotation device further comprises an inflation system configured to inflate the bladder upon activation of the inflation system,wherein the bladder is attached to the garment by at least one catch strap, wherein the at least one catch strap is attached to the bladder at a first end and attached to the garment at an opposing second end,wherein the bladder comprises a rear portion and two opposing front portions each connected to the rear portion by a respective one of two opposing side portions, wherein the rear portion, front portions, and side portions are all in fluid communication,wherein the bladder is configured to extend around a rear side of the user’s torso in a position under the user’s arms extending to a front side of the user’s torso when the flotation device is in the second stage donned configuration, wherein the rear portion of the bladder is disposed on the rear side of the user’s torso and the front portions are each disposed on the front side of the user’s torso when the flotation device is in the second stage donned configuration, andwherein the bladder is folded when the bladder is stowed within the pocket in the deflated state, wherein each of the side portions is folded on a rear side of the rear portion, and wherein each of the front portions is folded on a front side of the rear portion.The personal flotation device system of claim 14, wherein the garment comprises a pair of shorts, a pair of trousers, a pair of waders, a pair of overalls, or a skirt.The personal flotation device system of claim 14, wherein the garment is configured to extend around the user’s waist when the garment is being worn on the user’s lower body, wherein the pocket is disposed entirely below the user’s waist when the garment is being worn on the user’s lower body.The personal flotation device system of claim 14, wherein the bladder is disposed substantially on a dorsal side of a mid-coronal plane dissecting the user’s body when the bladder is stowed within the pocket in the deflated state.The personal flotation device system of claim 14, wherein the flotation device is configured to deploy into the second stage donned configuration while the garment remains in a state of being worn on the user’s lower body.The personal flotation device system of claim 14, wherein the flotation device is configured to auto-position the bladder in the second stage donned configuration when the flotation device converts from the first stage donned configuration into the second stage donned configuration upon activation of the inflation system.The personal flotation device system of claim 14, wherein the bladder comprises two harness straps each attached to a respective one of two opposing bladder portions of the bladder that each extend from the rear side of the user’s torso to the front side of the user’s torso when the flotation device is in the second stage donned configuration, wherein the harness straps are configured toremovably attach to each other to harness the bladder to the user’s upper body when the flotation device is in the second stage donned configuration.21.) The personal flotation device system of claim 14, wherein the personal flotation device system further comprises a belt having a buckle configured to removably fasten opposing ends of the belt to each other, wherein the garment comprises a plurality of belt loops, wherein the belt is configured to pass through the plurality of belt loops to secure the garment to the user’s lower body when the garment is being worn on the user’s lower body, wherein the at least one catch strap is attached to the belt.22.) The personal flotation device system of claim 21, wherein the at least one catch strap comprises a plurality of catch straps, wherein a first portion of the plurality of belt loops comprises permanent belt loops, wherein a second portion of the plurality of belt loops comprises false belt loops, wherein one end of each of the false belt loops is configured to removably attach to the garment, wherein the second end of each of the catch straps has a catch loop, wherein the second end of each of the plurality of catch straps is configured to removably attach to the garment in a position in which the catch loop of each of the plurality of catch straps is positioned within a respective one of the false belt loops, wherein the catch loop of each of the plurality of catch straps is sized to allow the belt to pass through the catch loop.23.) The personal flotation device system of claim 14, wherein the front portions of the bladder are sized to contain greater than 50% of a total volume ofgas contained within the bladder on a front side of a mid-coronal plane dissecting the user’s body when the bladder is in the second stage donned configuration.The personal flotation device system of claim 14, wherein the pocket is disposed on an exterior side of the rear side of the garment, wherein the pocket has fasteners disposed along a peripheral edge of the pocket, wherein the fasteners are configured to retain the pocket in a closed position when the bladder is stowed within the pocket in the first stage donned configuration.The personal flotation device system of claim 14, further comprising an envelope, wherein the bladder is disposed within the envelope when the flotation device is in the first stage donned configuration, and wherein the envelope is contained within the pocket when the bladder is stowed within the pocket in the first stage donned configuration.The personal flotation device system of claim 25, wherein the envelope has fasteners disposed along a peripheral edge of the envelope, wherein the fasteners are configured to retain the envelope in a closed position when the bladder is stowed within the pocket in the first stage donned configuration.The personal flotation device system of claim 14, further comprising a pair of opposing grab straps each attached to the bladder, wherein the grab straps are configured to allow deployment of the flotation device into the second stage donned configuration when the grab straps are pulled in opposite directions, and wherein a distal end of each of the grab straps extends outside of the pocket so that the distal end of each of the grab straps is accessible from an exterior of the garment.A method of using a personal flotation device system for flotation, said method comprising the steps of:providing a personal flotation device system, the system comprising:a garment configured to be worn on a user’s lower body, wherein the garment comprises two leg portions configured to at least partially cover legs of the user when the garment is being worn on the user’s lower body;a belt comprising a buckle configured to removably fasten opposing ends of the belt to each other, anda flotation device attached to the belt by at least one catch strap, wherein the garment comprises a plurality of belt loops, wherein the belt is configured to pass through each of the plurality of belt loops to secure the garment to the user’s lower body when the garment is being worn on the user’s lower body,wherein the garment comprises a closable pocket disposed on a rear side of the garment such that the pocket is disposed on a rear side of the user’s lower body when the garment is being worn on the user’s lower body,wherein the flotation device comprises an inflatable bladder, wherein the flotation device is configured to convert between a first stage donned configuration in which the bladder is stowed within the pocket in a deflated state and a second stage donned configurationin which the bladder is harnessed to the user’s upper body in an inflated state,wherein the flotation device further comprises an inflation system configured to inflate the bladder upon activation of the inflation system,wherein the at least one catch strap is attached to the bladder at a first end and attached to the belt at an opposing second end, and wherein the bladder is configured to extend around a rear side of the user’s torso in a position under the user’s arms to a front side of the user’s torso when the flotation device is in the second stage donned configuration;donning the garment on the user’s lower body with the flotation device being in the first stage donned configuration with the bladder stowed within the pocket in the deflated state; andactivating the inflation system to inflate the bladder, thereby causing the flotation device to deploy the bladder into a position in which the bladder extends around the rear side of the user’s torso in a position under the user’s arms to a front side of the user’s torso.The method of claim 28, wherein the bladder comprises two opposing bladder portions that each extend from the rear side of the user’s torso to the front side of the user’s torso when the flotation device is in the second stage donned configuration, wherein the bladder comprises two harness straps each attached to a respective one of the two opposing bladder portions of the bladder, wherein theharness straps are configured to removably attach to each other to harness the bladder to the user’s upper body when the flotation device is in the second stage donned configuration, wherein the method further comprises the step of harnessing the bladder to the user’s upper body by removably attaching the harness straps to each other to fully convert the flotation device from the first stage donned configuration into the second stage donned configuration.A throwable flotation device, comprising:an envelope; andan inflatable bladder configured to convert between a stowed configuration in which the bladder is stowed within the envelope in a deflated state and a donned configuration in which the bladder is harnessed to a user’s upper body in an inflated state,wherein the bladder comprises a rear portion and two opposing front portions each connected to the rear portion by a respective one of two opposing side portions, wherein the rear portion, front portions, and side portions are all in fluid communication,wherein the bladder is configured to extend around a rear side of the user’s torso in a position under the user’s arms extending to a front side of the user’s torso when the bladder is in the donned configuration, wherein the rear portion of the bladder is disposed on the rear side of the user’s torso and the front portions are each disposed on the front side of the user’s torso when the flotation device is in the donned configuration, and wherein the bladder is folded when the bladder is stowed within the envelope inthe deflated state, wherein each of the side portions is folded on a rear side of the rear portion, and wherein each of the front portions is folded on a front side of the rear portion.The throwable flotation device of claim 30, further comprising an inflation system configured to inflate the bladder upon activation of the inflation system, wherein the envelope is designed to float on a water surface with the bladder stowed within the envelope when the bladder is in the deflated state.The throwable flotation device of claim 30, wherein the bladder comprises two harness straps each attached to a respective one two opposing bladder portions of the bladder that each extend from the rear side of the user’s torso to the front side of the user’s torso when the bladder is in the donned configuration, wherein the harness straps are configured to removably attach to each other to harness the bladder to the user’s upper body when the bladder is in the donned configuration.The throwable flotation device of claim 30, wherein the front portions of the bladder are sized to contain greater than 50% of a total volume of gas contained within the bladder on a front side of a mid-coronal plane dissecting the user’s body when the bladder is in the donned configuration.The throwable flotation device of claim 30, further comprising a pair of opposing grab straps each attached to the bladder, wherein the grab straps are configured to allow deployment of the bladder into the donned configuration when the grab straps are pulled in opposite directions, and wherein a distal end ofeach of the grab straps extends outside of the envelope so that the distal end of each of the grab straps is accessible from an exterior of the envelope.A personal flotation device system, comprising:an envelope;an inflatable bladder configured to convert between a stowed configuration in which the bladder is stowed within the envelope in a deflated state and a donned configuration in which the bladder is harnessed to a user’s upper body in an inflated state;a belt comprising a buckle configured to removably fasten opposing ends of the belt to each other;at least one catch strap each attached to the bladder at a first end and attached to the belt at an opposing second end; andan inflation system configured to inflate the bladder upon activation of the inflation system,wherein the belt is configured to be worn around the user’s waist, wherein the envelope is disposed substantially below the belt when the belt is being worn around the user’s waist,wherein the bladder is disposed substantially on a dorsal side of a mid-coronal plane dissecting the user’s body when the bladder is stowed within the envelope in the deflated state,wherein the bladder comprises a rear portion and two opposing front portionseach connected to the rear portion by a respective one of two opposing side portions, wherein the rear portion, front portions, and side portions are all in fluid communication,wherein the bladder is configured to extend around a rear side of the user’s torso in a position under the user’s arms extending to a front side of the user’s torso when the bladder is in the donned configuration, wherein the rear portion of the bladder is disposed on the rear side of the user’s torso and the front portions are each disposed on the front side of the user’s torso when the bladder is in the donned configuration,wherein the bladder is folded when the bladder is stowed within the envelope in the deflated state, wherein each of the side portions is folded on a rear side of the rear portion, and wherein each of the front portions is folded on a front side of the rear portion, andwherein the bladder is configured to contain greater than 50% of a total volume of gas contained within the bladder on a front side of a mid-coronal plane dissecting the user’s body when the bladder is in the donned configuration.36.) The personal flotation device system of claim 35, wherein the envelope has inherent buoyancy and is designed to float on a water surface with the bladder stowed within the envelope when the bladder is in the deflated state.37.) The personal flotation device system of claim 35, wherein the bladder comprises two harness straps each attached to a respective one two opposing bladder portions of the bladder that each extend from the rear side of the user’s torso to the front side of the user’s torso when the bladder is in the donnedconfiguration, wherein the harness straps are configured to removably attach to each other to harness the bladder to the user’s upper body when the bladder is in the donned configuration.The flotation device of claim 35, wherein the envelope has fasteners disposed along a peripheral edge of the envelope, wherein the fasteners are configured to retain the envelope in a closed position when the bladder is stowed within the envelope in the stowed configuration.The flotation device of claim 35, further comprising a pair of opposing grab straps each attached to the bladder, wherein the grab straps are configured to allow deployment of the bladder into the donned configuration when the grab straps are pulled in opposite directions, and wherein a distal end of each of the grab straps extends outside of the envelope so that the distal end of each of the grab straps is accessible from an exterior of the envelope.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:1.) A personal flotation device system, comprising:a garment configured to be worn on a user’s lower body, wherein the garment comprises two leg portions configured to at least partially cover legs of the user when the garment is being worn on the user’s lower body;a belt comprising a buckle configured to removably fasten opposing ends of the belt to each other; anda flotation device attached to the belt by at least one catch strap,wherein the garment comprises a plurality of belt loops, wherein the belt is configured to pass through each of the plurality of belt loops to secure the garment to the user’s lower body when the garment is being worn on the user’s lower body,wherein the garment comprises a closable pocket disposed on a rear sideof the garment such that the pocket is disposed on a rear side of the user’s lower body when the garment is being worn on the user’s lower body, wherein the flotation device comprises an inflatable bladder, wherein the flotation device is configured to convert between a first stage donned configuration in which the bladder is stowed within the pocket in a deflated state and a second stage donned configuration in which the bladder is harnessed to the user’s upper body in an inflated state,wherein the flotation device further comprises an inflation system configured to inflate the bladder upon activation of the inflation system,wherein the at least one catch strap is attached to the bladder at a first end and attached to the belt at an opposing second end, andwherein the bladder is configured to extend around a rear side of the user’s torso in a position under the user’s arms to a front side of the user’s torso when the flotation device is in the second staged donned configuration.The personal flotation device system of claim 1, wherein the garment comprises a pair of shorts, a pair of trousers, a pair of waders, a pair of overalls, or a skirt. The personal flotation device system of claim 1, wherein the belt is configured to extend around the user’s waist when the garment is being worn on the user’s lower body, wherein the pocket is disposed entirely below the belt when the garment is being worn on the user’s lower body.The personal flotation device system of claim 1, wherein the bladder is disposed substantially on a dorsal side of a mid-coronal plane dissecting the user’s body when the bladder is stowed within the pocket in the deflated state.The personal flotation device system of claim 1, wherein the flotation device is configured to deploy into the second stage donned configuration while the garment remains in a state of being worn on the user’s lower body.The personal flotation device system of claim 1, wherein the flotation device is configured to auto-position the bladder in the second stage donned configuration when the flotation device converts from the first stage donned configuration into the second stage donned configuration upon activation of the inflation system. The personal flotation device system of claim 1, wherein the bladder comprises two opposing bladder portions that each extend from the rear side of the user’storso to the front side of the user’s torso when the flotation device is in the second stage donned configuration, wherein the bladder comprises two harness straps each attached to a respective one of the two opposing bladder portions of the bladder, wherein the harness straps are configured to removably attach to each other to harness the bladder to the user’s upper body when the flotation device is in the second stage donned configuration.The personal flotation device system of claim 1, wherein the bladder is configured to contain greater than 50% of a total volume of gas contained within the bladder on a front side of a mid-coronal plane dissecting the user’s body when the bladder is in the second stage donned configuration.The personal flotation device system of claim 1, wherein the at least one catch strap comprises a plurality of catch straps, wherein a first portion of the plurality of belt loops comprises permanent belt loops, wherein a second portion of the plurality of belt loops comprises false belt loops, wherein one end of each of the false belt loops is configured to removably attach to the garment, wherein the second end of each of the plurality of catch straps has a catch loop, wherein the second end of each of the plurality of catch straps is configured to removably attach to the garment in a position in which the catch loop of each of the plurality of catch straps is positioned within a respective one of the false belt loops, wherein the catch loop of each of the plurality of catch straps is sized to allow the belt to pass through the catch loop.The personal flotation device system of claim 1, wherein the pocket is disposed on an exterior side of the rear side of the garment, wherein the pockethas fasteners disposed along a peripheral edge of the pocket, wherein the fasteners are configured to retain the pocket in a closed position when the bladder is stowed within the pocket in the first stage donned configuration.11.) The personal flotation device system of claim 1, further comprising an envelope, wherein the bladder is disposed within the envelope when the flotation device is in the first stage donned configuration, and wherein the envelope is contained within the pocket when the bladder is stowed within the pocket in the first stage donned configuration.12.) The personal flotation device system of claim 11, wherein the envelope has fasteners disposed along a peripheral edge of the envelope, wherein the fasteners are configured to retain the envelope in a closed position when the bladder is stowed within the pocket in the first stage donned configuration.13.) The personal flotation device system of claim 1, further comprising a pair of opposing grab straps each attached to the bladder, wherein the grab straps are configured to allow deployment of the flotation device into the second stage donned configuration when the grab straps are pulled in opposite directions, and wherein a distal end of each of the grab straps extends outside of the pocket so that the distal end of each of the grab straps is accessible from an exterior of the garment.14.) A personal flotation device system, comprising:a garment configured to be worn on a user’s lower body, wherein the garment comprises two leg portions configured to at least partially cover legs of the user when the garment is being worn on the user’s lower body; anda flotation device coupled to the garment,wherein the garment comprises a closable pocket disposed on a rear side of the garment such that the pocket is disposed on a rear side of the user’s lower body when the garment is being worn on the user’s lower body, wherein the flotation device comprises an inflatable bladder, wherein the flotation device is configured to convert between a first stage donned configuration in which the bladder is stowed within the pocket in a deflated state and a second stage donned configuration in which the bladder is harnessed to the user’s upper body in an inflated state,wherein the flotation device further comprises an inflation system configured to inflate the bladder upon activation of the inflation system,wherein the bladder is attached to the garment by at least one catch strap, wherein the at least one catch strap is attached to the bladder at a first end and attached to the garment at an opposing second end,wherein the bladder comprises a rear portion and two opposing front portions each connected to the rear portion by a respective one of two opposing side portions, wherein the rear portion, front portions, and side portions are all in fluid communication,wherein the bladder is configured to extend around a rear side of the user’s torso in a position under the user’s arms extending to a front side of the user’s torso when the flotation device is in the second stage donned configuration, wherein the rear portion of the bladder is disposed on the rear side of the user’s torso and the front portions are each disposed on thefront side of the user’s torso when the flotation device is in the second stage donned configuration, andwherein the bladder is folded when the bladder is stowed within the pocket in the deflated state, wherein each of the side portions is folded on a rear side of the rear portion, and wherein each of the front portions is folded on a front side of the rear portion.15.) The personal flotation device system of claim 14, wherein the garment comprises a pair of shorts, a pair of trousers, a pair of waders, a pair of overalls, or a skirt.16.) The personal flotation device system of claim 14, wherein the garment is configured to extend around the user’s waist when the garment is being worn on the user’s lower body, wherein the pocket is disposed entirely below the user’s waist when the garment is being worn on the user’s lower body.17.) The personal flotation device system of claim 14, wherein the bladder is disposed substantially on a dorsal side of a mid-coronal plane dissecting the user’s body when the bladder is stowed within the pocket in the deflated state.18.) The personal flotation device system of claim 14, wherein the flotation device is configured to deploy into the second stage donned configuration while the garment remains in a state of being worn on the user’s lower body.19.) The personal flotation device system of claim 14, wherein the flotation device is configured to auto-position the bladder in the second stage donned configuration when the flotation device converts from the first stage donnedconfiguration into the second stage donned configuration upon activation of the inflation system.20.) The personal flotation device system of claim 14, wherein the bladder comprises two harness straps each attached to a respective one of two opposing bladder portions of the bladder that each extend from the rear side of the user’s torso to the front side of the user’s torso when the flotation device is in the second stage donned configuration, wherein the harness straps are configured to removably attach to each other to harness the bladder to the user’s upper body when the flotation device is in the second stage donned configuration.21.) The personal flotation device system of claim 14, wherein the personal flotation device system further comprises a belt having a buckle configured to removably fasten opposing ends of the belt to each other, wherein the garment comprises a plurality of belt loops, wherein the belt is configured to pass through the plurality of belt loops to secure the garment to the user’s lower body when the garment is being worn on the user’s lower body, wherein the at least one catch strap is attached to the belt.22.) The personal flotation device system of claim 21, wherein the at least one catch strap comprises a plurality of catch straps, wherein a first portion of the plurality of belt loops comprises permanent belt loops, wherein a second portion of the plurality of belt loops comprises false belt loops, wherein one end of each of the false belt loops is configured to removably attach to the garment, wherein the second end of each of the catch straps has a catch loop, wherein the second end of each of the plurality of catch straps is configured to removably attach tothe garment in a position in which the catch loop of each of the plurality of catch straps is positioned within a respective one of the false belt loops, wherein the catch loop of each of the plurality of catch straps is sized to allow the belt to pass through the catch loop.23.) The personal flotation device system of claim 14, wherein the front portions of the bladder are sized to contain greater than 50% of a total volume of gas contained within the bladder on a front side of a mid-coronal plane dissecting the user’s body when the bladder is in the second stage donned configuration. 24.) The personal flotation device system of claim 14, wherein the pocket is disposed on an exterior side of the rear side of the garment, wherein the pocket has fasteners disposed along a peripheral edge of the pocket, wherein the fasteners are configured to retain the pocket in a closed position when the bladder is stowed within the pocket in the first stage donned configuration.25.) The personal flotation device system of claim 14, further comprising an envelope, wherein the bladder is disposed within the envelope when the flotation device is in the first stage donned configuration, and wherein the envelope is contained within the pocket when the bladder is stowed within the pocket in the first stage donned configuration.26.) The personal flotation device system of claim 25, wherein the envelope has fasteners disposed along a peripheral edge of the envelope, wherein the fasteners are configured to retain the envelope in a closed position when the bladder is stowed within the pocket in the first stage donned configuration.The personal flotation device system of claim 14, further comprising a pair of opposing grab straps each attached to the bladder, wherein the grab straps are configured to allow deployment of the flotation device into the second stage donned configuration when the grab straps are pulled in opposite directions, and wherein a distal end of each of the grab straps extends outside of the pocket so that the distal end of each of the grab straps is accessible from an exterior of the garment.A method of using a personal flotation device system for flotation, said method comprising the steps of:providing a personal flotation device system, the system comprising:a garment configured to be worn on a user’s lower body, wherein the garment comprises two leg portions configured to at least partially cover legs of the user when the garment is being worn on the user’s lower body;a belt comprising a buckle configured to removably fasten opposing ends of the belt to each other, anda flotation device attached to the belt by at least one catch strap, wherein the garment comprises a plurality of belt loops, wherein the belt is configured to pass through each of the plurality of belt loops to secure the garment to the user’s lower body when the garment is being worn on the user’s lower body,wherein the garment comprises a closable pocket disposed on a rear sideof the garment such that the pocket is disposed on a rear side of the user’s lower body when the garment is being worn on the user’s lower body,wherein the flotation device comprises an inflatable bladder, wherein the flotation device is configured to convert between a first stage donned configuration in which the bladder is stowed within the pocket in a deflated state and a second stage donned configuration in which the bladder is harnessed to the user’s upper body in an inflated state,wherein the flotation device further comprises an inflation system configured to inflate the bladder upon activation of the inflation system,wherein the at least one catch strap is attached to the bladder at a first end and attached to the belt at an opposing second end, and wherein the bladder is configured to extend around a rear side of the user’s torso in a position under the user’s arms to a front side of the user’s torso when the flotation device is in the second stage donned configuration;donning the garment on the user’s lower body with the flotation device being in the first stage donned configuration with the bladder stowed within the pocket in the deflated state; andactivating the inflation system to inflate the bladder, thereby causing the flotationdevice to deploy the bladder into a position in which the bladder extends around the rear side of the user’s torso in a position under the user’s arms to a front side of the user’s torso.The method of claim 28, wherein the bladder comprises two opposing bladder portions that each extend from the rear side of the user’s torso to the front side of the user’s torso when the flotation device is in the second stage donned configuration, wherein the bladder comprises two harness straps each attached to a respective one of the two opposing bladder portions of the bladder, wherein the harness straps are configured to removably attach to each other to harness the bladder to the user’s upper body when the flotation device is in the second stage donned configuration, wherein the method further comprises the step of harnessing the bladder to the user’s upper body by removably attaching the harness straps to each other to fully convert the flotation device from the first stage donned configuration into the second stage donned configuration.A throwable flotation device, comprising:an envelope; andan inflatable bladder configured to convert between a stowed configuration in which the bladder is stowed within the envelope in a deflated state and a donned configuration in which the bladder is harnessed to a user’s upper body in an inflated state,wherein the bladder comprises a rear portion and two opposing front portionseach connected to the rear portion by a respective one of two opposing side portions, wherein the rear portion, front portions, and side portions are all in fluid communication,wherein the bladder is configured to extend around a rear side of the user’s torso in a position under the user’s arms extending to a front side of the user’s torso when the bladder is in the donned configuration, wherein the rear portion of the bladder is disposed on the rear side of the user’s torso and the front portions are each disposed on the front side of the user’s torso when the flotation device is in the donned configuration, and wherein the bladder is folded when the bladder is stowed within the envelope in the deflated state, wherein each of the side portions is folded on a rear side of the rear portion, and wherein each of the front portions is folded on a front side of the rear portion.The throwable flotation device of claim 30, further comprising an inflation system configured to inflate the bladder upon activation of the inflation system, wherein the envelope is designed to float on a water surface with the bladder stowed within the envelope when the bladder is in the deflated state.The throwable flotation device of claim 30, wherein the bladder comprises two harness straps each attached to a respective one two opposing bladder portions of the bladder that each extend from the rear side of the user’s torso to the front side of the user’s torso when the bladder is in the donned configuration, wherein the harness straps are configured to removably attach to each other toharness the bladder to the user’s upper body when the bladder is in the donned configuration.The throwable flotation device of claim 30, wherein the front portions of the bladder are sized to contain greater than 50% of a total volume of gas contained within the bladder on a front side of a mid-coronal plane dissecting the user’s body when the bladder is in the donned configuration.The throwable flotation device of claim 30, further comprising a pair of opposing grab straps each attached to the bladder, wherein the grab straps are configured to allow deployment of the bladder into the donned configuration when the grab straps are pulled in opposite directions, and wherein a distal end of each of the grab straps extends outside of the envelope so that the distal end of each of the grab straps is accessible from an exterior of the envelope.A personal flotation device system, comprising:an envelope;an inflatable bladder configured to convert between a stowed configuration in which the bladder is stowed within the envelope in a deflated state and a donned configuration in which the bladder is harnessed to a user’s upper body in an inflated state;a belt comprising a buckle configured to removably fasten opposing ends of the belt to each other;at least one catch strap each attached to the bladder at a first end and attached to the belt at an opposing second end; andan inflation system configured to inflate the bladder upon activation of theinflation system,wherein the belt is configured to be worn around the user’s waist, wherein the envelope is disposed substantially below the belt when the belt is being worn around the user’s waist,wherein the bladder is disposed substantially on a dorsal side of a mid-coronal plane dissecting the user’s body when the bladder is stowed within the envelope in the deflated state,wherein the bladder comprises a rear portion and two opposing front portions each connected to the rear portion by a respective one of two opposing side portions, wherein the rear portion, front portions, and side portions are all in fluid communication,wherein the bladder is configured to extend around a rear side of the user’s torso in a position under the user’s arms extending to a front side of the user’s torso when the bladder is in the donned configuration, wherein the rear portion of the bladder is disposed on the rear side of the user’s torso and the front portions are each disposed on the front side of the user’s torso when the bladder is in the donned configuration,wherein the bladder is folded when the bladder is stowed within the envelope in the deflated state, wherein each of the side portions is folded on a rear side of the rear portion, and wherein each of the front portions is folded on a front side of the rear portion, andwherein the bladder is configured to contain greater than 50% of a total volume ofgas contained within the bladder on a front side of a mid-coronal plane dissecting the user’s body when the bladder is in the donned configuration. The personal flotation device system of claim 35, wherein the envelope has inherent buoyancy and is designed to float on a water surface with the bladder stowed within the envelope when the bladder is in the deflated state.The personal flotation device system of claim 35, wherein the bladder comprises two harness straps each attached to a respective one two opposing bladder portions of the bladder that each extend from the rear side of the user’s torso to the front side of the user’s torso when the bladder is in the donned configuration, wherein the harness straps are configured to removably attach to each other to harness the bladder to the user’s upper body when the bladder is in the donned configuration.The flotation device of claim 35, wherein the envelope has fasteners disposed along a peripheral edge of the envelope, wherein the fasteners are configured to retain the envelope in a closed position when the bladder is stowed within the envelope in the stowed configuration.The flotation device of claim 35, further comprising a pair of opposing grab straps each attached to the bladder, wherein the grab straps are configured to allow deployment of the bladder into the donned configuration when the grab straps are pulled in opposite directions, and wherein a distal end of each of the grab straps extends outside of the envelope so that the distal end of each of the grab straps is accessible from an exterior of the envelope.

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