Buoys – rafts – and aquatic devices – Rafts – With shelter
Patent
1986-09-22
1988-05-31
Peters, Jr., Joseph F.
Buoys, rafts, and aquatic devices
Rafts
With shelter
441 39, 441 40, 114349, 114311, 114138, B63C 904
Patent
active
047477970
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The present invention relates to man overboard retrieval apparatus.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Retrieval of a man overboard from a yacht or other vessel is a severe problem. Various apparatuses exist for assisting in the problem from the conventional circular or horseshoe shaped life buoy to nets and lifting slings for assisting the man back aboard.
There are three specific areas of difficulty in the problem:
Firstly, a man overboard requires support whilst in the water. The colder the water--the severer the weather--and the more difficulty the man has in swimming, the more support the man requires, and the quicker he requires it.
Secondly, sight of a man overboard from a yacht is remarkably easily lost; accordingly the search for the man may take longer than it should and can too easily fail altogether.
Thirdly, once a yacht is alongside a man overboard, lifting him aboard the yacht can require use of a halyard or topping lift, especially in adverse conditions where the man is weakened to the extent that he cannot help himself.
The object of the present invention is to provide man overboard retrieval apparatus which in one apparatus addresses these three problem areas at least.
THE INVENTION
The man overboard retrieval apparatus of the invention comprises: downwardly concave--when floating in a use position--and is of a size to at least partially accommodate the torso of a man; and the sling having one or more man supporting members and a lifting eye to which the supporting member(s) are secured; therefrom for lifting of the man with the supporting member(s) extending down from the eye to liftingly support the man.
The apparatus of the invention alleviates the problem areas: greater size; and other vessel.
The configuration is conveniently given by an inflatable tubular ring with a floor. Preferably it is longer than it is wide to fit a man's torso. Irregular pentagonal shape is convenient, especially with the tube sections at one end apex being of larger diameter than that at the opposite end.
In the preferred embodiment, the sling is detachable from the life buoy on lifting. To provide automatic disposition of the supporting members below the man once he has boarded the life buoy, they are preferably arranged to extend laterally across the upper part of the life buoy. Conveniently three supporting members are provided, one positioned to be drawn up across the man's back at his shoulder blades, the second at his back side and the third behind his knees. Preferably the supporting members are secured in the life buoy by detachably fastening means such as hook and loop fastening strips sold under the Registered trade mark VELCRO. Such arrangement requires no conscious effort on the part of the man to arrange the support members about him nor any buckling of the supporting members.
Preferably the supporting members will be interconnected by woven textile material. Indeed the entire sling--other than the eye--could be of such material.
It is enivsaged that the sling might not be detachable from the buoy but be an integral part of it, but this is not preferred.
Another problem area is that of the man overboard reaching the apparatus. In a high wind, a life buoy can be blown away faster than the man can swim. Accordingly the apparatus is preferably fitted with a ballasted keel which also serves to prevent the life buoy being blown upside down by the wind.
The preferred keel is an invert cone attached to the floor, or tubular ring, and provided with ballast at or below the apex. Where such a cone is of woven fabric, it can be made semi-rigid by providing that it has water ingress apertures adjacent its tip only. Thus it fills with water to the virtual exclusion of air on deployment. To facilitate filling the apertures may be large and provided with non-return valves.
Other rigid, telescopic keels are envisaged.
The keel is preferably augmeted in preventing wind drift by the provision of a sea anchor. Whilst a conventional drogue could be used, its line would be liable to foul propellers. Accordingly the p
REFERENCES:
patent: 4533333 (1985-08-01), Andrew et al.
Peters Jr. Joseph F.
Swinehart Edwin L.
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