Ships – Boats – boat component – or attachment – Lifeboat
Patent
1995-01-16
1997-08-19
Swinehart, Edwin L.
Ships
Boats, boat component, or attachment
Lifeboat
114362, 114363, B63C 906
Patent
active
056577150
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to a maritime survival capsule, and various features thereof. The capsule is intended for emergency use, such as when a ship is sinking.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
The capsule is shaped like a somewhat elongated egg, i.e. generally elliptical, but with one end larger than the other it is approximately 2.75 m long by 1.2 m diameter (9 feet long by 4 feet diameter) outside. It has an inside shell which is moulded slightly smaller, generally to permit about 3 cm (11/4 inches) of balsa core spacer.
General features observed on the capsule (starting from the smaller end, which is termed the bow) include: functions as a toilet. pounds) of water when the capsule is placed in water. rudder, and a propulsion system. securely in place. the capsule. for control of heat loss, humidity control, air exchange, and cooling. occupants to be submerged and then launched safely from under water, either inadvertently, or intentionally. vessel until the occupants have been boarded, with launching being automatic, through a hydrostatic release, or manually.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 shows the capsule lying on its side, with the bottom visible;
FIG. 2 shows the hatch area, viewed from inside;
FIG. 3 shows the hull liner inverted;
FIG. 4 shows the dagger board fully forward with the blades or flaps closed;
FIG. 5 shows the dagger board with the flaps opening, viewed from behind;
FIG. 6 shows the dagger board with the flaps open, viewed from the front;
FIG. 7 the hatch area, viewed from the inside, with the hatch closing;
FIG. 8 is an external view of the capsule with the hatch removed;
FIG. 9 shows the moulded inner hull shell from the hatch end;
FIG. 10 shows the view in through the hatch;
FIG. 11 shows the seat for the last man in, with the hatch opening above and behind;
FIG. 12 shows the side view of capsule, with its profile and smooth lines;
FIG. 13 shows the dagger board with flaps closed and the starter-water trap, which starts blades or flaps opening on a forward stroke of the operating handle;
FIG. 14 is of the underside of the hull, showing the dagger box, plus four recessed water ballast holes (not drilled) to ballast tanks under the side seating;
FIG. 15 shows the dagger board moulds, showing one flapper blade back and the internal shaft lock;
FIG. 16 shows the inner and outer hull;
FIG. 17 shows the hatch closed;
FIG. 18 shows a person prone in the capsule;
FIG. 19 shows a side view of the capsule with the hatch removed;
FIG. 20 is of the upper mould, showing the balsa core and hatchway;
FIG. 21 is a view of the hull, showing the bonding flange, balsa core, dagger box and two of four water ballast inlets;
FIG. 22 shows the dagger board with flaps fully opened, viewed from behind;
FIG. 23 shows typical cross-seating; and
FIG. 24 shows the hatch entry system, without rubber seals and locking pins are not in place.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
The capsule 1 is shaped like a somewhat elongated egg, and has an inside shell which is moulded slightly smaller. As listed above, principal features of the preferred embodiment of the capsule include: a front end porthole (not illustrated); a front end opening (not illustrated), for the tow line, anchor line, or sea anchor; a chain/rope locker 2, which, when a plastic bag liner is employed, also functions as a toilet; ballast tanks 3 which flood with water when the capsule is placed in water; internal seating and geometry, described below in greater detail; a multi-function deride 4 which functions as a dagger board/keel, a rudder, and a propulsion system; a conventional diaphragm-type bilge pump or pumps (not illustrated); a multi-feature door system 5; a fully circular profile, above and below the normal water line; miscellaneous compartments 6 for stowing supplies; and foam flotation 7.
Some of the more inventive features of the capsule are described in greater detail below. The section numbers correspond to the numbers
REFERENCES:
patent: 1204937 (1916-11-01), Carley
patent: 1300906 (1919-04-01), Whitaker
patent: 2129742 (1938-09-01), Mason
patent: 3896515 (1975-07-01), Otterman
patent: 4365579 (1982-12-01), Perez, Jr.
patent: 4665653 (1987-05-01), Franz et al.
Armstrong R. Craig
Swinehart Edwin L.
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