Buoys – rafts – and aquatic devices – Water rescue or life protecting apparatus
Patent
1997-01-15
1998-07-07
Avila, Stephen
Buoys, rafts, and aquatic devices
Water rescue or life protecting apparatus
441 85, 441 94, B63C 900
Patent
active
057759669
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
DESCRIPTION
The patent of invention proposed in this specification relates to a LIFE-SAVING DEVICE WITH LAUNCHER which substantially improves the state of the art over what was known and used heretofore.
Briefly speaking, this patent of invention concentrates on an automatically inflatable pliable life-saving device complete with a second device enabling the lifebelt as such to be launched over a substantial distance.
There are substantial hazards involved in the practising of water sports, ascribable to either the recklessness of whose who practise such sports, poor weather conditions, the state of the sea or any other contingency which may result in an accident. If an accident should ensue, clearly placing the casualty's life at stake, prompt action is vital and requires having means of guaranteed or assured effectiveness. Teams of specialised lifeguards are now regularly available at beaches and similar areas, but the means they have are still limited and sometimes ineffective. For instance, lifebelts cannot be used in heavy seas and with a strong head wind, for they cannot be placed within reach of the casualty.
This patent of invention proposes solving such problems specifically by means of an automatically inflatable, reusable, rechargeable, compact small pliable lifebelt.
This lifebelt consists of two main distinct parts which altogether make up a global life-saving system: the life-saving float as such and the device that enables it to be launched over a substantial distance.
The lifebelt, i.e. the float as such, is made of a rubber or similar structure, and is provided on its underside with a small box or container having a gas tank, which gas is released and flows until the lifebelt is inflated.
The lifebelt may be manually or automatically inflated. In the first case, it is sufficient to turn and push the lever attached to the container all the way in order to set a chain mechanism going to release the gas. In the second case, especially applicable wherever the lifebelt cannot be placed within reach of the casualty upon a simple thrust of the hand, a launcher is also used which is connected to the lifebelt through a coupling system.
For an easier understanding of the invention herein set forth a number of drawings are attached by way of example which should at no event to be construed in a limiting or restrictive manner.
FIG. 1.--A plan view of the Life-Saving Device.
FIG. 2.--A partial plan view of the activated Life-Saving Device.
FIG. 3.--A view of the inflated Life-Saving Device.
FIG. 4.--A partial plan view of the launching gun.
FIG. 5.--A cross-section of the launcher.
As noted hereinabove, two distinct parts may be made to stand out in the Life-Saving Device, namely the lifebelt as such and the ingress and inflating system. As shown in FIG. 1, the ingress and inflating system consists of a small strong cylindrical metallic box (1) traversed crosswise by a cut-off cock (2) the top end of which has a sealing rubber duct (3), a rubber washer (4), a thick thread (5) and a final lid-like top (7) also supported on a rubber washer (6) that is larger than the previous washer albeit slightly less so than the lid. The bottom of said cut-off cock (2) has a rubber membrane (8) with its ends perfectly stuck to the base of the box with a hole in the middle for the cut-off cock (2) to be inserted and then left solidly attached, albeit with mobility and elastic capacity, these two elements, namely the membrane (8) and the cut-off cock (2), in this part of the item, having an appearance that resembles the outer base of a car gear change lever. Another piece of sealing rubber (9) likewise tube-shaped and with a large angle-shaped notching or rebate is provided below this area. A stop mark (10) is then provided followed by a rubber stop (11) which will fit tightly and snugly within the angle rebate aforesaid of the sealing rubber (9). The outer part is the base or lever (12) of the cut-off cock (2), made of a metallic or impact-resisting material. The ends of the cut-off cock 2) have distinct and important
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patent: 1585695 (1926-05-01), Schroeder
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patent: 3693202 (1972-09-01), Ohtani
patent: 3886612 (1975-06-01), Schnirel et al.
patent: 4799906 (1989-01-01), Perkins
Bautista Real Josep Antoni
Soriano Colomina Rosa Maria
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