Buoys – rafts – and aquatic devices – Water rescue or life protecting apparatus – For use over ice
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-19
2001-02-20
Morano, S. Joseph (Department: 3617)
Buoys, rafts, and aquatic devices
Water rescue or life protecting apparatus
For use over ice
Reexamination Certificate
active
06190222
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a rescue device, particularly to an inflatable rescue ramp for use on thin ice or similar unfirm surfaces.
2. Description of the Related Art
In the related art, it is known that boat rescues of persons or animals in distress can take too much time over a body of water and be even slower over thin ice, increasing the jeopardy and discomfort of such a victim, when, due to problems such as hypothermia, seconds count.
A search of the prior art did not disclose any patents that read directly on the claims of the instant invention; however, U.S. Pat. No. 4,990,114, issued in the name of LeBlanc, Jr. provides an inflatable rescue ramp that forms a lowermost bow element. However, such bow provides and impediment to ingress, making such a ramp difficult for the rescue victim to ascend.
There is, therefore, a need and market for a rescue ramp that is hinged, allowing the lowermost portion to descend into the water toward the rescue victim, as well as provide means for aiding such a victim in exiting the water without forming an impediment to the rescuers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Therefore, it is an object of the invention to indicate a device of the type disclosed above which avoids the disadvantages inherent in the state of the art. In particular, the device is to be portable, inflatable, and easy to ascend in a manner that allows rescuer's or the rescued to easily extricate themselves from danger.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved thin ice rescue ladder.
It is a feature of the present invention to provide an improved thin ice rescue ladder that includes a support rope to assist in absent.
Briefly described according to one embodiment of the present invention, an inflatable rescue ramp is provided having a pair of spaced inflatable tubes, a flexible web there-between, defining a passageway between said tubes. Within the passageway is mounted a rope ladder element that lies flat against the flexible web. At the lowermost portion is a downwardly angled apron that allows the ramp to descend into a water to allow easy access to and ascent of the ramp.
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patent: 4079953 (1978-03-01), Howarth, Jr.
patent: 4179764 (1979-12-01), Lindblade
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patent: 4990114 (1991-02-01), LeBlanc, Jr.
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patent: 5427557 (1995-06-01), Lunden, Sr.
patent: 5624292 (1997-04-01), Wiseman, Jr.
patent: 5807153 (1998-09-01), Allen et al.
patent: 5888111 (1999-03-01), Walker
Gugliotta John D.
Morano S. Joseph
Muldoon Patrick Craig
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