Buoys – rafts – and aquatic devices – Water rescue or life protecting apparatus – Lifeline
Reexamination Certificate
2000-09-18
2001-07-10
Swinehart, Ed (Department: 3617)
Buoys, rafts, and aquatic devices
Water rescue or life protecting apparatus
Lifeline
C441S085000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06257942
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The field of the invention generally pertains to rescue equipment, and more particularly to a glow-in-the-dark rescue line throw-bag having a phosphorescent rope line which can be seen through a preferably transparent sidewall of the throw-bag.
In many emergency sea rescue operations, a lifeline or rope is typically thrown out to a person who has fallen overboard into the water. In the past, ordinary rope coiled in a bundle was used in such rescue operations by throwing the coiled bundle in the direction of the fallen passenger. Unfortunately, this method often proved inaccurate as well as failing to achieve a satisfactory distance. Moreover, it is not uncommon for rescue operations to take place during the night or when otherwise little light is available. It is very difficult to see a rope line thrown in such dark conditions, and may lead to the fallen person floundering desperately in search of the thrown rope. It is therefore particularly important in such situations that the rescuee fallen overboard not only see the thrown rope, but where the rope is being thrown judging from the trajectory of the thrown rope bundle.
Various rescue devices have been developed and used in an effort to provide a more efficient and reliable water rescue. For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 2,722,696, a lighted rescue lifeline is shown having a series of illuminated floats placed at intervals along a rescue lifeline. The floats contain lightbulbs which are powered by a conductor passing along the lifeline. This device, however, proves to be complex and expensive to manufacture and produce, requiring a multitude of electrical parts.
Additionally, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,713,033, a line throw-bag is shown having a lengthy rope line loosely stored in a bag having a weight affixed thereto. The bag has straps that are colored for high visibility, but otherwise does not have means for illuminating the bag. The high visibility colored straps would be of little use for sighting the bag during nighttime hours or in low light conditions.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,836,815, an emergency illuminated lifeline is shown having a battery powered light at the far end thereof on a buoyant housing, for the purpose of enhancing visibility. However, because the light source is activated only upon the line being fully extended and upon subsequently jerking the line, it would be of little assistance in sighting the trajectory of the lifeline while in flight.
In summary therefore, it would be beneficial to have a rescue line throw-bag which, under nighttime conditions, a rescuee fallen into the water may easily see not only the rope extended in the water, but also the rope bundle as it is being thrown, i.e., where the trajectory of the throw-bag may be seen in flight.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a rescue line throw-bag for use in day or nighttime water rescue operations, which may be easily viewable by a rescuee by means of observing the thrown trajectory of the rescue line throw-bag as well as the extended rope in the water.
The present invention is for a glow-in-the-dark rescue line throw-bag for use in day or nighttime water rescue operations. The glow-in-the-dark rescue throw-bag comprises a receptacle portion having a see-through sidewall surrounding a rope storage volume. In a preferred embodiment, the see-through sidewall has a cylindrical configuration and is composed of a transparent material. The see-through sidewall extends to a closed end formed by an end wall and has an open end opposite the closed end leading into the rope storage volume. The throw-bag further comprises a phosphorescent rope line having a first end fixedly attached to the receptacle. An elongated body portion of the phosphorescent rope line is loosely stored within the rope storage volume when not in use, and viewable through the see-through sidewall of the receptacle. Finally, a second end of the phosphorescent rope line is adjacently positioned next to the open end for grasping by a user. In this manner, the elongated center portion may be sufficiently charged by a light source to enable it to glow through the see-through sidewall when sufficiently dark. When the rescue throw-bag is thrown, the elongated central portion progressively exits the open end of the receptacle when the user throws the throw-bag forward while holding the second end of the phosphorescent rope line stationary.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2722696 (1955-11-01), Johnson
patent: 3676882 (1972-07-01), Lindqvist
patent: 3972386 (1976-08-01), Hayslip
patent: 4713033 (1987-12-01), Cameron
patent: 4836815 (1989-06-01), Spurgeon
Swinehart Ed
Tak James S.
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