Buoyancy Vest With Segmented Foam Pockets For Wave Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Body surfers face challenges in maintaining control and buoyancy balance while riding waves, as existing equipment lacks effective means to stabilize their position and direction in the water.
Innovation Solution
A buoyancy vest with adjustable foam inserts and a snug, lightweight, and stretchable design that allows users to control their buoyancy by adding or removing foam inserts, providing customizable buoyancy and stability through pockets and materials like neoprene.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a body surfer uses no equipment other than swim fins, then the surfer maintains simplicity and freedom of movement, but the surfer cannot adequately control the stability of his ride and control his buoyancy
Solution Approach 1:
The buoyancy vest is divided into multiple pockets that can independently accommodate different numbers of buoyancy sheets. This segmentation allows the surfer to adjust buoyancy in specific regions (front, back, sides) to achieve optimal balance and control without adding complex integrated systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The vest incorporates removable buoyancy sheets that can be added or taken out based on wave conditions and surfer needs. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the surfer to optimize buoyancy control for different riding scenarios while maintaining a relatively simple base structure.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the swimsuit is made to fit the body closely, then the swimsuit provides good body conformity and reduced drag, but the swimsuit restricts movement and comfort
Solution Approach 1:
The buoyancy vest is constructed from flexible material that conforms to the body's shape while allowing natural movement. The thin film structure provides buoyancy without creating rigid constraints, enabling the surfer to maintain both body conformity and movement freedom simultaneously.
3Force
If buoyancy sheets are inserted in the swimsuit, then the swimsuit provides adequate buoyancy for floating, but the swimsuit causes excessive floating and is not suitable for body surfing
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the buoyancy system into multiple separate pockets with individual buoyancy sheets, the surfer can precisely control the total buoyancy force by adjusting the number of sheets in each pocket. This segmentation enables fine-tuned buoyancy control suitable for body surfing, avoiding excessive floating while maintaining adequate buoyancy.
Solution Approach 2:
The vest allows changing the buoyancy parameter by adding or removing buoyancy sheets from the pockets. This adjustable parameter approach enables the surfer to optimize buoyancy force for different wave conditions and body positions, achieving precise control rather than fixed excessive buoyancy.
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
Enables body surfers to maintain maximum control and balance in the water by regulating buoyancy, allowing for stable rides and directional control, suitable for various wave sizes and conditions.
Implementation Method 1
A buoyancy vest to be worn under a body surfing suit or wetsuit which is able to regulate the buoyancy of the surfer
Data Source
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AI summary
Apparatus for body surfing, and more particularly a body surfing buoyancy vest. The present invention relates to a buoyancy vest to be worn alone or under a body surfing suit or wetsuit which is able to regulate the buoyancy of the surfer to enable them to maintain maximum control and buoyancy balance in the water.