EP0223321A2 - Life saving device - Google Patents
Life saving device Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0223321A2 EP0223321A2 EP86301408A EP86301408A EP0223321A2 EP 0223321 A2 EP0223321 A2 EP 0223321A2 EP 86301408 A EP86301408 A EP 86301408A EP 86301408 A EP86301408 A EP 86301408A EP 0223321 A2 EP0223321 A2 EP 0223321A2
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- life saving
- saving device
- inflatable body
- release
- confined space
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- 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
- B63C9/13—Life-buoys, e.g. rings; Life-belts, jackets, suits, or the like attachable to body member, e.g. arm, neck, head or waist
- B63C9/15—Life-buoys, e.g. rings; Life-belts, jackets, suits, or the like attachable to body member, e.g. arm, neck, head or waist having gas-filled compartments
- B63C9/155—Life-buoys, e.g. rings; Life-belts, jackets, suits, or the like attachable to body member, e.g. arm, neck, head or waist having gas-filled compartments inflatable
-
- 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
- B63C9/13—Life-buoys, e.g. rings; Life-belts, jackets, suits, or the like attachable to body member, e.g. arm, neck, head or waist
- B63C2009/131—Life-buoys, e.g. rings; Life-belts, jackets, suits, or the like attachable to body member, e.g. arm, neck, head or waist specially adapted for being attachable to a single arm or wrist
Definitions
- This invention relates to a life saving device for saving a person from drowning.
- a life saving device includes an inflatable body enclosed in a confined space and being in communication with fluid under pressure, and confining means adapted to be located on the wrist or other part of the body and being releasable, release of the confining means causing release of the fluid into the inflatable body.
- the inflatable body is in the form of an elongated member which is easily grasped and which can be located by the swimmer under the armpits for floatable support in the water.
- the inflatable body may be attached to the confined space by a line so that on release of the confining means the inflatable body is not carried away.
- the device may be not much larger than a wrist watch and the confining means may be a lid formation hinged to a base member.
- the inflatable body may be folded into as small a volume as possible and be connected to a container of compressed fluid, the folded inflatable body and the container being located between the base member and the lid formation.
- the fluid under pressure is a microcylinder of gas included in the inflatable body and adapted to release its contents on opening the confined space when required.
- the inflatable body is preferably made from very thin and lightweight and strong material and is preferably a laminate which may include at least one layer of a strong nylon.
- a pressure switch may be provided which is actuated by a predetermined depth of water and which causes the release of the inflatable body. This is particularly useful for a person who, for example, falls overboard into the sea. At the predetermined depth (which may be about 1 metre) the inflatable body will be released.
- a one way valve may be additionally or substitutively provided, the valve being actuated by the first contact with the surface of the water in the pool.
- the device may be incorporated in the arm of a wet suit or other item of swimming apparel.
- a deflated folded mattress member is also provided and it may be attached to the device of the invention.
- the swimmer, once supported by the inflatable body is able to inflate the mattress at his leisure for a more permanent and substantial life saving body.
- a life saving device 10 comprises a hemispherical container 12, in which is housed an elongate inflatable body 14.
- the container 12 has a base 16 in the form of a housing having air under pressure.
- An inlet 18 having a valve is located on the outside face of the container 12 while the inside face has an outlet 20 also provided with a valve.
- the valve for the outlet 20 is connected to a catch mechanism 22.
- a cover 24 in the form of a hollow dome-shaped body is hingedly connected to the base 16.
- the inflatable body 14 is in the form of a sausage and in the position seen in Figure 1 is stored in the deflated condition.
- the body is connected to the air pressure housing through the outlet 20.
- a length of string 26 connects the body 14 to the container 12.
- the housing 12 has a wrist band 28 connected at its base.
- the life saving device 10 is fixed on the wrist of a swimmer.
- the catch mechanism 22 is manually released. This allows the cover 24 to spring to the open position and simultaneously air from the base 16 is released into the body 14 which immediately inflates and is separated in the fully inflated state from the outlet 20, when inflation is complete.
- a string 26 restrains the body 14 from moving away from the reach of the swimmer who may grip the body 14 for flotation.
- a life saving device 30 is made up of a container 32 connected at its base to a wrist band 34.
- the container 32 is a hollow body having a hinged lid 36 to which is fixed an actuating lever 38. Housed inside the container 32 is a sealed, pressurised gas cylinder 40 enclosed in a deflated body 42. A striker pin 44 is located at the outlet of the gas cylinder 40 and arranged to be moved by the actuating lever 38.
- the deflated body 42 is attached to the container 32 by a piece of string 45.
- the lever 38 actuates the striker pin 44 causing gas in the cylinder 40 to be released to inflate the body 42.
- the cylinder 40 and the striker pin 44 are enclosed inside the inflated body 42.
- the lever 38 may in other embodiments of the invention (not illustrated) be actuated by water pressure or some other suitable means.
- the device of the invention may be incorporated in the sleeve or wrist or other suitable position on a wet suit or other garment.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
- Investigating Strength Of Materials By Application Of Mechanical Stress (AREA)
- Pressure Vessels And Lids Thereof (AREA)
- Emergency Lowering Means (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- This invention relates to a life saving device for saving a person from drowning.
- There are many thousands of drownings every year throughout the world and it is an object of the present invention to provide a simple and inexpensive device which can reduce this number appreciably.
- According to the invention a life saving device includes an inflatable body enclosed in a confined space and being in communication with fluid under pressure, and confining means adapted to be located on the wrist or other part of the body and being releasable, release of the confining means causing release of the fluid into the inflatable body.
- In a preferred form of the invention the inflatable body is in the form of an elongated member which is easily grasped and which can be located by the swimmer under the armpits for floatable support in the water.
- The inflatable body may be attached to the confined space by a line so that on release of the confining means the inflatable body is not carried away.
- The device may be not much larger than a wrist watch and the confining means may be a lid formation hinged to a base member. The inflatable body may be folded into as small a volume as possible and be connected to a container of compressed fluid, the folded inflatable body and the container being located between the base member and the lid formation.
- Preferably the fluid under pressure is a microcylinder of gas included in the inflatable body and adapted to release its contents on opening the confined space when required.
- The inflatable body is preferably made from very thin and lightweight and strong material and is preferably a laminate which may include at least one layer of a strong nylon.
- Further improvements to the invention include means for the release of a dye and also the provision of a microbleeper. In yet another refinement of the invention, a pressure switch may be provided which is actuated by a predetermined depth of water and which causes the release of the inflatable body. This is particularly useful for a person who, for example, falls overboard into the sea. At the predetermined depth (which may be about 1 metre) the inflatable body will be released.
- The arrangement is also useful for toddlers who may be unattended for a time at a private pool. In this respect a one way valve may be additionally or substitutively provided, the valve being actuated by the first contact with the surface of the water in the pool.
- The device may be incorporated in the arm of a wet suit or other item of swimming apparel.
- According to a further aspect of the invention a deflated folded mattress member is also provided and it may be attached to the device of the invention. The swimmer, once supported by the inflatable body is able to inflate the mattress at his leisure for a more permanent and substantial life saving body.
- The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
- Figure 1 is a cross-section of part of one embodiment of a life saving device according to the invention;
- Figure 2 is an isometric view of the life saving device of Figure 1 in an operative state;
- Figure 3 is an isometric view of another embodiment of a life saving device according to the invention;
- Figure 4 is a partial section taken through the device of Figure 3; and
- Figure 5 is a schematic isometric view of the device of Figure 3 in an operative state.
- Referring to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, a
life saving device 10 comprises ahemispherical container 12, in which is housed an elongateinflatable body 14. - The
container 12 has abase 16 in the form of a housing having air under pressure. Aninlet 18 having a valve is located on the outside face of thecontainer 12 while the inside face has anoutlet 20 also provided with a valve. The valve for theoutlet 20 is connected to acatch mechanism 22. A cover 24 in the form of a hollow dome-shaped body is hingedly connected to thebase 16. - The
inflatable body 14 is in the form of a sausage and in the position seen in Figure 1 is stored in the deflated condition. The body is connected to the air pressure housing through theoutlet 20. A length of string 26 connects thebody 14 to thecontainer 12. Thehousing 12 has awrist band 28 connected at its base. - In use of the invention, the
life saving device 10 is fixed on the wrist of a swimmer. When the swimmer realises he is in difficulty in the water thecatch mechanism 22 is manually released. This allows the cover 24 to spring to the open position and simultaneously air from thebase 16 is released into thebody 14 which immediately inflates and is separated in the fully inflated state from theoutlet 20, when inflation is complete. A string 26 restrains thebody 14 from moving away from the reach of the swimmer who may grip thebody 14 for flotation. - Referring to Figures 3 to 5, a life saving device 30 is made up of a
container 32 connected at its base to awrist band 34. - The
container 32 is a hollow body having ahinged lid 36 to which is fixed an actuatinglever 38. Housed inside thecontainer 32 is a sealed, pressurisedgas cylinder 40 enclosed in a deflated body 42. A striker pin 44 is located at the outlet of thegas cylinder 40 and arranged to be moved by the actuatinglever 38. The deflated body 42 is attached to thecontainer 32 by a piece ofstring 45. - In use of the device 30, when the
lid 36 is opened about its hinge, thelever 38 actuates the striker pin 44 causing gas in thecylinder 40 to be released to inflate the body 42. Thecylinder 40 and the striker pin 44 are enclosed inside the inflated body 42. - The
lever 38 may in other embodiments of the invention (not illustrated) be actuated by water pressure or some other suitable means. - The device of the invention may be incorporated in the sleeve or wrist or other suitable position on a wet suit or other garment.
Claims (11)
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
ZA858668 | 1985-11-12 | ||
ZA858668 | 1985-11-12 |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0223321A2 true EP0223321A2 (en) | 1987-05-27 |
EP0223321A3 EP0223321A3 (en) | 1987-10-07 |
Family
ID=25578154
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP86301408A Withdrawn EP0223321A3 (en) | 1985-11-12 | 1986-02-27 | Life saving device |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0223321A3 (en) |
Cited By (13)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5098325A (en) * | 1990-06-04 | 1992-03-24 | Sunyong Kim | Personal, self-contained inflatable flotation apparatus |
WO1992005071A1 (en) * | 1990-09-25 | 1992-04-02 | Kovacs Gyoergy | Self-inflatable water life-saving apparatus |
FR2727380A1 (en) * | 1994-11-30 | 1996-05-31 | Lafargue Alain | Life-saving wrist bracelet used when swimming |
GB2296687A (en) * | 1994-11-25 | 1996-07-10 | Int Safety Prod Ltd | Life jacket stored in a pouch carried by a waist band |
EP0760774A1 (en) * | 1994-05-27 | 1997-03-12 | Flube Pty. Ltd. | Life-saving aid |
WO2002081300A1 (en) * | 2001-04-05 | 2002-10-17 | Wayne Barden | An inflatable buoy |
US6805599B1 (en) * | 2003-11-18 | 2004-10-19 | Ever-Quick Co., Ltd. | Self-operatable inflation device |
ITPD20080232A1 (en) * | 2008-07-31 | 2010-02-01 | Luigi Lucchiari | SELF-INFLATING SMALL LIFE DIMENSION |
CN105539778A (en) * | 2016-02-25 | 2016-05-04 | 方新良 | Portable water emergency equipment |
EP3020624A1 (en) * | 2014-11-11 | 2016-05-18 | Mu-Hsiang Huang | Life-saving bracelet |
WO2016191821A1 (en) * | 2015-06-02 | 2016-12-08 | Ecocraft Systems Pty Ltd | A self inflating personal safety device |
WO2019102122A1 (en) * | 2017-11-22 | 2019-05-31 | Six Francois | Device for preventing drowning |
CN112973094A (en) * | 2019-12-18 | 2021-06-18 | 中国移动通信集团四川有限公司 | Vital sign monitoring device and system applied to swimmers |
Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3046575A (en) * | 1959-10-15 | 1962-07-31 | Davis & Mcgill Inc | Personal inflatable life guard |
DE1240756B (en) * | 1962-10-08 | 1967-05-18 | Daniel O Davis | Lifeguard |
DE2436892A1 (en) * | 1974-07-31 | 1976-02-19 | Irwin Daniel Prager | Inflatable rescue aid for swimmer - with gas bottle inflated raft in hinged capsule thrown to swimmer |
US4551106A (en) * | 1984-03-21 | 1985-11-05 | Prager Irwin D | Life preserving equipment |
-
1986
- 1986-02-27 EP EP86301408A patent/EP0223321A3/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3046575A (en) * | 1959-10-15 | 1962-07-31 | Davis & Mcgill Inc | Personal inflatable life guard |
DE1240756B (en) * | 1962-10-08 | 1967-05-18 | Daniel O Davis | Lifeguard |
DE2436892A1 (en) * | 1974-07-31 | 1976-02-19 | Irwin Daniel Prager | Inflatable rescue aid for swimmer - with gas bottle inflated raft in hinged capsule thrown to swimmer |
US4551106A (en) * | 1984-03-21 | 1985-11-05 | Prager Irwin D | Life preserving equipment |
Cited By (15)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5098325A (en) * | 1990-06-04 | 1992-03-24 | Sunyong Kim | Personal, self-contained inflatable flotation apparatus |
WO1992005071A1 (en) * | 1990-09-25 | 1992-04-02 | Kovacs Gyoergy | Self-inflatable water life-saving apparatus |
EP0760774A1 (en) * | 1994-05-27 | 1997-03-12 | Flube Pty. Ltd. | Life-saving aid |
EP0760774A4 (en) * | 1994-05-27 | 1997-07-30 | Flube Pty Ltd | Life-saving aid |
GB2296687A (en) * | 1994-11-25 | 1996-07-10 | Int Safety Prod Ltd | Life jacket stored in a pouch carried by a waist band |
FR2727380A1 (en) * | 1994-11-30 | 1996-05-31 | Lafargue Alain | Life-saving wrist bracelet used when swimming |
WO2002081300A1 (en) * | 2001-04-05 | 2002-10-17 | Wayne Barden | An inflatable buoy |
US6899583B2 (en) | 2001-04-05 | 2005-05-31 | Wayne Barden | Inflatable buoy |
US6805599B1 (en) * | 2003-11-18 | 2004-10-19 | Ever-Quick Co., Ltd. | Self-operatable inflation device |
ITPD20080232A1 (en) * | 2008-07-31 | 2010-02-01 | Luigi Lucchiari | SELF-INFLATING SMALL LIFE DIMENSION |
EP3020624A1 (en) * | 2014-11-11 | 2016-05-18 | Mu-Hsiang Huang | Life-saving bracelet |
WO2016191821A1 (en) * | 2015-06-02 | 2016-12-08 | Ecocraft Systems Pty Ltd | A self inflating personal safety device |
CN105539778A (en) * | 2016-02-25 | 2016-05-04 | 方新良 | Portable water emergency equipment |
WO2019102122A1 (en) * | 2017-11-22 | 2019-05-31 | Six Francois | Device for preventing drowning |
CN112973094A (en) * | 2019-12-18 | 2021-06-18 | 中国移动通信集团四川有限公司 | Vital sign monitoring device and system applied to swimmers |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP0223321A3 (en) | 1987-10-07 |
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Legal Events
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PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
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17P | Request for examination filed |
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17Q | First examination report despatched |
Effective date: 19890426 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION HAS BEEN WITHDRAWN |
|
18W | Application withdrawn |
Withdrawal date: 19890803 |
|
R18W | Application withdrawn (corrected) |
Effective date: 19890803 |