CA1271093A

CA1271093A - Life ring

Info

Publication number: CA1271093A
Application number: CA000586936A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Raffy Panossian
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1988-12-22
Filing date: 1988-12-22
Publication date: 1990-07-03

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A hollow seamless flotation device having spaced loops of rope known as grab lines which extend the ends of which extend through tubular passages molded in the hollow body. A recess in an inner side face of the body adjacent each tubular passage and which also includes a blind hole , receives a knot on the end of the rope and the end of the rope is received in the blind hole to provide further resistance to pulling the knot through the tubular passage.

Description

~27~09~

This invention relates to hollow flotation devices and more particulary to a buoyant safety device adapted to have a grab line detachably secured thereto.

Flotation devices known as ring life buoys or life rings are provided on boats, wharfs or beside swimming pools.
These life rings have loops known as grab lines at spaced intervals around the periphery which can be grabbed by a person in the water. Since such devices may be subjected to weathering and stress it is important that they be rugged and dependable.
Accordingly the life rings and the attached grab lines must pass strict official tests such as Coast Guard certification tests.

A common problem with life rings is that the grab lines or the fastening of these lines to the ring is susceptible to deterioration, damage or malfunction. Maximum force which can be applied to the grab line without damage or longitudinal dis-placement of the line is one of the tests to be met for official approval.

Examples of prior art attempts to resolve the problem of attaching grab lines include U.S. Patent No 3,032,789. J.S.
Fedorowicz which discloses a grab line loops passin3 through the body of the ring and passing around an insert forced into a recess in the ring and U.S. Patent No. 3,594,836 to James H.
Robertson which discloses a strapless ring buoy having loops coated with heat reactive adhesive bonded to polystyrene within ,,, 1~7~093 the body of the molded ring. U.S. Patent No. 3,~50,754 to J.H.
LeBlanc and U.S. Patent No. 3,445,868 to L.P. Frieder also show embedded line securing means.

It will be appreciated that it would be preferable to provide a life ring grab line which can be readily replaced if worn or damaged which cannot be accidentally disconnected or displaced.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a life ring having a recess therein to receive and secure the ends of a grab line.

A further object is the provision of an inexpensive grab line attaching means which enables the grab line to be replaced when necessary.

Accordingly the present invention provides a hollow seamless flotation device having an attached grab line. The device comprising a hollow body adapted to be filled with foamed plastic, a pair of tubular passages extending through the body interconnected at their ends on one side of the body by a recess larger than the tubular passage and provided with a blind hole adjacent each tubular passage so that a knot on the line extending through the passage will be received in and frictionally retained in the recess and an end of the line associated with the knot will be received in an adjacent blind hole.

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1271~93 In the drawings which show a preferred embodiment of the invention Figure 1 is a top plan view of a life ring in accordance with this invention Figure 2 is a cross sectional view of a portion of the life ring of Fig~re 1 Figure 3 is a cross sectional view taken along the line 3 - 3 of Figure 1 and Figur 4 is a sectional view of an alternative grab line.

Referring now in detail to the drawings a flotation device in the form of a life ring 10 has a hollow body 12 adapted to be filled with suitable foamed plastic material 14. The hollow body is preferably molded as by a technique known as slush molding and comprises a suitable plastic such as high density polyethylene.

Pairs of tubular passages 20 extend through the ring 10 at intervals. Four pairs of passages 20 are shown however the number may vary according to the size and purpose for which the floatation device intended. Each of the tubular passages 20 has an interconnects with a recess 22 on an inner side of said ring 10. me recess 22 is larger than the tubular passage 20 to accommodate a knot 24 formed in a grab line 26. A blind hole 28 in the recess 20 is provided adjacent each of the tubular passages 20 to receive an end 30 of the grab line 26.

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~7~093 m e grab line knots 24 shown in Figure 1 are of a type ccmmonly known as a figure eight knot. However, other configur-ations are possible such as that shown at 32 in Figure 4, wherein the end 30 o$ the line 26 is passed through strands of the line 26 to form a loop 34. m e end 30 of the line 26 extends into the blind hole 28 in the recess 22.

It will be noted that the recess is slightly narrower opening in cross section and thereby frictionally engages a knot 24 or 32 forced into the recess. Preventing inward movement of the grab line 26 is one of the requirements of an acceptable life ring 10 ensuring that loops 26 will be readily accessible at all times.

Another consideration is the ability of the grab line attaching method to resist being pulled out. In this regard attention is drawn to the converging tubular passages 20 adapted to change the direction of the force applied to the grab line 26 so that a straight pull will be less likely to occur thus reducing strain on the knot 24. Due to the provision of the blind hole 28 to receive the end 30 there is further resistance to pulling the knot 24 or loop 32 through the tubular passage 20.

,' ' ! :, :, 1~710~t~3 _ 5 This resistance of the knot 24 or loop 32 to undoing is due in part to the knot 24 or loop 32 being further from the end ~30 of the line 26. Providing more secure attaching means in this manner is necessary to comply with Coast Guard or other safety regulations which may apply.

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Claims

I claim

1. A hollow seamless flotation device having an attached grab line, said device comprising: a hollow body, a pair of tubular passages extending through the body interconnected at their ends on one side face of said body by a recess larger than said tubular passage and provided with a blind hole adjacent each tubular passage so that a knot on line extending through said passage will be received in and fricitonally retained in said recess and an end of said line associated with said knot will be received in an adjacent blind hole.

2. A seamless flotation device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said hollow body is filled with foamed plastic.

3. A seamless flotation device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said flotation device is a ring.

4. A hollow seamless flotation device as claimed in any one of claims 1,2 or 3 molded of polyethylene.

5. A hollow seamless flotation device as claimed in any one of claims 1 ,2 or 3 molded of high density polyethylene by slush molding.