US3390409A - Lifesaving buoy - Google Patents

Lifesaving buoy Download PDF

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Publication number
US3390409A
US3390409A US486762A US48676265A US3390409A US 3390409 A US3390409 A US 3390409A US 486762 A US486762 A US 486762A US 48676265 A US48676265 A US 48676265A US 3390409 A US3390409 A US 3390409A
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United States
Prior art keywords
buoy
sphere
actuated
water
lifesaving
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Expired - Lifetime
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US486762A
Inventor
Murnane Edward Lawrence
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Hydro Space Corp
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Hydro Space Corp
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Publication date
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Priority to US486762A priority Critical patent/US3390409A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3390409A publication Critical patent/US3390409A/en
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Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63C—LAUNCHING, HAULING-OUT, OR DRY-DOCKING OF VESSELS; LIFE-SAVING IN WATER; EQUIPMENT FOR DWELLING OR WORKING UNDER WATER; MEANS FOR SALVAGING OR SEARCHING FOR UNDERWATER OBJECTS
    • B63C9/00—Life-saving in water
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63C—LAUNCHING, HAULING-OUT, OR DRY-DOCKING OF VESSELS; LIFE-SAVING IN WATER; EQUIPMENT FOR DWELLING OR WORKING UNDER WATER; MEANS FOR SALVAGING OR SEARCHING FOR UNDERWATER OBJECTS
    • B63C9/00—Life-saving in water
    • B63C9/08—Life-buoys, e.g. rings; Life-belts, jackets, suits, or the like
    • B63C9/20—Life-buoys, e.g. rings; Life-belts, jackets, suits, or the like characterised by signalling means, e.g. lights
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B2201/00—Signalling devices
    • B63B2201/04—Illuminating
    • B63B2201/08—Electric light
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B2201/00—Signalling devices
    • B63B2201/12—Reflecting means

Definitions

  • ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A double-walled inflatable transparent sphere having an internal self-erecting radar reflector which is brilliantly colored for external visibility, an externally visible flasher operated by a salt water-actuated battery, and means for inflating the sphere.
  • the invention is a versatile lifesaving detection buoy constructed as a large five foot double bladder, heavy gauge transparent plastic balloon actuated orally or by C0 which when inflated automatically positions brilliant reflective orange foil which serves as a visual aid and a radar reflector for search and rescue aircraft.
  • a small flashing strobe light primarily for night search operations, is housed in the top portion and is actuated by a salt water battery which also serves as a weight to keep the buoy positioned properly. Provisions are made for a lighter than air gas chamber so that a survivor may elect to actuate a cylinder that would cause the buoy to rise, thus aflording greater radar reflective range, or raising the buoy above a low overcast.
  • the buoy can be used as an easily discernible distress vehicle to transmit distress messages to nearby land by utilizing an on-shore breeze.
  • the buoy can be attached to the survivor by: (a) an arm strap, (b) a six foot heavy nylon line with a clip or (c) a light fifty foot nylon line for lighter than air operation.
  • the double bladder is diagrammatically indicated by two circles.
  • the flashing strobe light of any Well known manufacture is connected by an insulated electrical wire a to water actuated battery 5.
  • the brilliant orange foil radar reflector 2 is a series of 90 angles formed of flexible, articulated panels as shown attached to the inner bladder and are self erecting on inflation of the buoy.
  • a clip 3b permits attaching the buoy to person, raft or vessel.
  • the inflation chamber 4 houses a C0 cylinder actuated by a ring and short line 4b. Provision is made for a lighter than air gas at 4a.
  • the Water actuated battery 5 is actuated when water soluble plug 5b dissolves in the water.
  • Lanyard 5c is a light 50 foot nylon line with a hook clip 5d used when the buoy is permitted to go aloft.
  • the plastic utility handle 6 can be used to support a man in the Water.
  • oral inflation can be accomplished at the oral inflation valve 7.
  • the buoy may be used on land or in the Water as visual aid, electronic radar reflector, and for buoyancy. The only requirement of the distressed person is to actuate the CO cylinder by pulling a ring.
  • an inflatable double walled clear plastic sphere incorporating an internal self-erecting foil covered radar reflector brilliantly colored for day detection, and a salt water actuated flashing light for night time detection.
  • the embodiment of the invention illustrated and described is of relatively simple, economical construction capable of being folded into a relatively compact package, but quickly and easily deployed in an emergency by inflation.
  • modified forms of the invention will occur to those skilled in the art, such modified forms being deemed to fall within the scope of the following claim.
  • a rescue buoy comprising the combination of:

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
  • Audible And Visible Signals (AREA)

Description

y 1968 E. 1.. MURNANE 3,390,409
LIFESAVING BUOY Filed Sept. 1-3. 1965 United States Patent 3,390,409 LIFESAVING BUOY Edward Lawrence Murnane, Belmont, Califl, assignor to Hydro-Space Corporation, Providence, R.I., a corporation of Rhode Island Filed Sept. 13, 1965, Ser. No. 486,762 1 Claim. (Cl. 9-8.3)
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A double-walled inflatable transparent sphere having an internal self-erecting radar reflector which is brilliantly colored for external visibility, an externally visible flasher operated by a salt water-actuated battery, and means for inflating the sphere.
The invention is a versatile lifesaving detection buoy constructed as a large five foot double bladder, heavy gauge transparent plastic balloon actuated orally or by C0 which when inflated automatically positions brilliant reflective orange foil which serves as a visual aid and a radar reflector for search and rescue aircraft. A small flashing strobe light, primarily for night search operations, is housed in the top portion and is actuated by a salt water battery which also serves as a weight to keep the buoy positioned properly. Provisions are made for a lighter than air gas chamber so that a survivor may elect to actuate a cylinder that would cause the buoy to rise, thus aflording greater radar reflective range, or raising the buoy above a low overcast. The buoy can be used as an easily discernible distress vehicle to transmit distress messages to nearby land by utilizing an on-shore breeze. The buoy can be attached to the survivor by: (a) an arm strap, (b) a six foot heavy nylon line with a clip or (c) a light fifty foot nylon line for lighter than air operation.
In the general view shown in the single figure of the drawing the double bladder is diagrammatically indicated by two circles. The flashing strobe light of any Well known manufacture is connected by an insulated electrical wire a to water actuated battery 5. The brilliant orange foil radar reflector 2 is a series of 90 angles formed of flexible, articulated panels as shown attached to the inner bladder and are self erecting on inflation of the buoy. At support point plastic shackle 3, a six foot nylon lanyard 3a attaches. A clip 3b permits attaching the buoy to person, raft or vessel. The inflation chamber 4 houses a C0 cylinder actuated by a ring and short line 4b. Provision is made for a lighter than air gas at 4a. The Water actuated battery 5 is actuated when water soluble plug 5b dissolves in the water. Lanyard 5c is a light 50 foot nylon line with a hook clip 5d used when the buoy is permitted to go aloft. The plastic utility handle 6 can be used to support a man in the Water. In the event deflation occurs, oral inflation can be accomplished at the oral inflation valve 7. Thus the buoy may be used on land or in the Water as visual aid, electronic radar reflector, and for buoyancy. The only requirement of the distressed person is to actuate the CO cylinder by pulling a ring.
Thus there is shown an inflatable double walled clear plastic sphere incorporating an internal self-erecting foil covered radar reflector brilliantly colored for day detection, and a salt water actuated flashing light for night time detection. It will be readily appreciated that the embodiment of the invention illustrated and described is of relatively simple, economical construction capable of being folded into a relatively compact package, but quickly and easily deployed in an emergency by inflation. It will further be appreciated that modified forms of the invention will occur to those skilled in the art, such modified forms being deemed to fall within the scope of the following claim.
I claim:
1. A rescue buoy comprising the combination of:
(a) a double walled inflatable transparent sphere comprising concentrically spaced apart inner and outer walls,
(b) a flexible, self-erecting, foil covered, radar reflector coated with a brilliant colored pigment internally mounted with the innermost wall of said sphere and attached thereto,
(c) a flashing light mounted within the sphere and adjacent to the interior wall of said sphere near the top portion thereof,
(d) a saltwater actuated battery, electrically connected to said flashing light and suspended from the bottom of said sphere including water soluble plug means which permit activation of said battery upon dissolution of said plug and,
(e) means for inflating said double walled sphere.
References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS FERGUS S. MIDDLETON, Primary Examiner.
MILTON BUCHLER, Examiner.
T. MAJOR, Assistant Examiner.
US486762A 1965-09-13 1965-09-13 Lifesaving buoy Expired - Lifetime US3390409A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US486762A US3390409A (en) 1965-09-13 1965-09-13 Lifesaving buoy

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Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US486762A US3390409A (en) 1965-09-13 1965-09-13 Lifesaving buoy

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US3390409A true US3390409A (en) 1968-07-02

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Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0240468A2 (en) * 1986-03-04 1987-10-07 Franco Capanna A device for locating, rescue and recovery of people and/or objects
US5454742A (en) * 1993-11-30 1995-10-03 Robertson; James H. Radar reflective buoy and method of manufacturing the same
WO1999041143A1 (en) * 1998-02-11 1999-08-19 Nicholas Christie Life saving apparatus
US20110104967A1 (en) * 2006-02-02 2011-05-05 Peter Jeffrey Flotation Device
US20140368373A1 (en) * 2011-12-20 2014-12-18 Sadar 3D, Inc. Scanners, targets, and methods for surveying

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2463517A (en) * 1945-06-30 1949-03-08 Chromak Leon Air-borne corner reflector
US2619303A (en) * 1949-06-11 1952-11-25 Martin Harry Martin Signal buoy balloon
US2629115A (en) * 1949-11-30 1953-02-24 William H Sutphin Life raft
US3292172A (en) * 1963-04-13 1966-12-13 Horino Masao Watertight signal lamp
US3329981A (en) * 1965-06-22 1967-07-11 Joseph A Orsino Signalling buoy

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2463517A (en) * 1945-06-30 1949-03-08 Chromak Leon Air-borne corner reflector
US2619303A (en) * 1949-06-11 1952-11-25 Martin Harry Martin Signal buoy balloon
US2629115A (en) * 1949-11-30 1953-02-24 William H Sutphin Life raft
US3292172A (en) * 1963-04-13 1966-12-13 Horino Masao Watertight signal lamp
US3329981A (en) * 1965-06-22 1967-07-11 Joseph A Orsino Signalling buoy

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0240468A2 (en) * 1986-03-04 1987-10-07 Franco Capanna A device for locating, rescue and recovery of people and/or objects
EP0240468A3 (en) * 1986-03-04 1988-09-21 Franco Capanna A device for locating, rescue and recovery of people and/or objects
US5454742A (en) * 1993-11-30 1995-10-03 Robertson; James H. Radar reflective buoy and method of manufacturing the same
WO1999041143A1 (en) * 1998-02-11 1999-08-19 Nicholas Christie Life saving apparatus
US20110104967A1 (en) * 2006-02-02 2011-05-05 Peter Jeffrey Flotation Device
EP2420437A1 (en) * 2006-02-02 2012-02-22 Seatriever International Holdings Limited Flotation device comprising an illumination device
US8430704B2 (en) 2006-02-02 2013-04-30 Seatriever International Holdings Limited Flotation device
US20140368373A1 (en) * 2011-12-20 2014-12-18 Sadar 3D, Inc. Scanners, targets, and methods for surveying

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