Buoyancy Adjustable Swim Vest with Removable Pads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current swim training solutions, such as inflatable water wings and traditional life vests, restrict arm movement and provide inadequate buoyancy adjustment for effective swimming instruction, while relying on trainers may not ensure proper supervision.
Innovation Solution
A buoyancy-adjustable swim training vest with a sleeveless neoprene garment featuring removable buoyant pads and adjustable strap and pocket systems, allowing for customizable buoyancy and free movement of arms and legs, utilizing hook and loop assemblies for secure attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional life vest is used, then buoyancy is provided, but arm movement is limited and the vest is too buoyant for effective swimming training
Solution Approach 1:
The vest is divided into modular components: a wearable garment portion and removable buoyant pad members. This segmentation allows the buoyancy to be adjusted independently from the garment, enabling the vest to provide sufficient flotation while allowing full range of motion for arm movements during swimming training.
Solution Approach 2:
The buoyancy of the vest is made dynamic and adjustable through removable buoyant pad members that can be added or removed based on the swimmer's skill level and needs. This dynamic adjustment allows the vest to transition from providing high buoyancy for beginners to lower buoyancy for more advanced swimmers, while maintaining freedom of movement throughout.
2Reliability
If inflatable water wings are used, then arm movement is obstructed, but they provide some flotation
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the flotation function into removable buoyant pad members rather than integrating it into the garment structure, the design allows full arm movement freedom while providing necessary flotation. The pads can be positioned strategically to provide buoyancy without restricting the natural movement of the arms and legs.
Solution Approach 2:
The buoyancy parameter can be changed by adjusting the number and position of removable buoyant pad members. This allows optimization of flotation to match the swimmer's needs while maintaining unrestricted movement, unlike fixed inflatable wings that permanently obstruct arm motion.
3Reliability
If a trainer monitors children, then supervision is provided, but it fails if the monitor is not suitably prepared
Solution Approach 1:
The vest incorporates self-service safety features including a floating collar that automatically surfaces the child's face in water, eliminating the need for constant trainer intervention. This self-rescuing capability ensures safety and enables effective training regardless of the trainer's preparation level, as the vest independently provides both flotation and emergency surface support.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the vest is made adjustable for various sizes, then it accommodates different users, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vest uses segmented design with removable buoyant pad members that can be independently adjusted, rather than requiring complex adjustable straps or elastic components throughout the entire garment. This modular approach simplifies the overall adjustment mechanism while maintaining versatility across different user sizes and body types.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The vest provides adjustable flotation to enhance swimming skills and safety by allowing for increased buoyancy as needed, accommodating various user sizes and ensuring unobstructed movement, while also offering insulation in cold water.
Implementation Method 1
A buoyant pad member is an insert that may be made from neoprene, a polymer foam, a polystyrene, an air bladder or bubble assembly, or other buoyant material.
Implementation Method 2
The sleeveless garment member further comprising substantially a neoprene fabric (or polymer-neoprene fabric blend, but not limited to such)
Data Source
AI summary
A buoyancy-adjustable swim training vest for a user has a polymer-neoprene fabric formed garment member designed to substantially circumscribe the user's torso from neck to waist. A lower front of the vest has a front cover coupled to the vest and is vertically liftable. A back portion has a right side and a left side elastic wing members extending from a lower back portion designed to wrap frontward around the user's torso and detachably couple by respective hook and loop assemblies to each other, the vest, and the front cover, all coupled beneath the cover. An at least one polymer strap may be coupled detachably and adjustably by a latch to a buckle disposed on a lower edge of the front of the vest. At least one substantially sealable back pocket is disposed on an outer surface of the lower back portion of the vest designed to hold removable buoyant pads.