EP0224426B1

EP0224426B1 - Personal life saving apparatus from dilated p. v. c. of a closed cell

Info

Publication number: EP0224426B1
Application number: EP86600001A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Ioannis Panagiotou
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1985-11-15
Filing date: 1986-11-14
Publication date: 1990-06-20
Anticipated expiration: 2006-11-14
Also published as: EP0224426A1; DE3672119D1; GR852773B

Description

The invention relates to a life ring device consisting of two separate compact floating pieces of semi- circular cross-section, which at one end, on the rear, are mutually connected between them by a rope, thus forming a link (coupling), a joint, one piece opposite the other. By opening them it is easy to pass them over the head where they are placed between the head and the shoulder on the neck.
At the other end, the front one, each piece bears an individual band well fitted thereon, and after the fitting the belt has a length of about 0,35 centimeters. We approach the two pieces to each other and with their band we tie them in the front, where we have the collar on the neck.
Life ring devices comprising two independent semicircular sections are known from GB-4884 (A.D.1912) and FR-A-447213.
The life ring pertaining to the invention as defined in claim 1 provides advantageously extra buoyancy in the front part due to the varying diameter of the ring sections.
Joined, the two semicircular pieces have an ex- temal diameter of 360 millimeters, the same pieces leave an internal empty space for the neck of about 130 millimeters. On each semicircular piece in the interior up and below the sides, I have welded a soft foam rubber for the best fitting and softer contact of the life belt on the body of the user, on the chin, the neck and shoulder, and it does not absorb water. The diameter of the body of these two pieces from the center to the rear is 100 millimeters while from the center to the front part, chin, its diameter is 125 millimeters. Also from the center of the life belt to the rear part the distance is 165 millimeters namely 100+65, while from the center to the front part at the chin the distance is 195 millimeters namely 130 + 65.
In the sea these three additional slight differences at the front part of the life belt multiply the volume of the P.V.C. under the chin, whereupon the chin will force the head of the user backwards and by such inclination the respiratory organs are elevated from the sea water.
The weight of the life belt is 650-750 grams while its lifting power is 7500-8500 grams.
This life belt does not require a special maintenance or any other preparation before its use (e.g. inflation). This life belt is so simple and so easy to use that it can be worn from any side and by any person and can be worn and tied easily.
All the foregoing will ensure the life of the user at sea.
The said invention with the cast material P.V.C., its special design, its position on the neck, its neat construction, the lightness of the material, the small volume, the simplicity, the easiness and direct use constribute to the attainment of its object and render it a complete life preserver. It is the only life preserver in the appropriate position of the body, the neck, which in fact after any conditions in the sea holds firmly the body of the user in the surface while the difference of the thickness in the front part, chin, forces the head and the respiratory organs of the user to be always outside of the water. In addition the user has his hands free as also the legs and the whole body and so may freely make any imposed movement for his safety.
It is simple, easy and of direct use, of a neat construction, great security, small volume and great lightness. It has been proved unsinkable and imperishable. With such life belt on the neck, drowning is excluded.
In addition to the above the life belt has the following special advantages:

- The P.V.C. life belt does not absorb any water and therefore its lifting capacity is not reduced.
- It is not affected by products of petroleum and other chemicals and consequently does not wear out.
- It is not altered owing to weather conditions exceeding 100 degrees Celsium.
- It resists fully to the attraction of pressure and is immune to any kind of decay due to the lapse of time or if out of use for a long time.

From the experiments made it was proved that is does not need the stuff of the waistcoat, nor the band through the limbs.

4. - Explanation of Drawing:

1.- Compact, semi-circular bulk.
2.- Foamy Elastic.
3 and 4.- Holes for the passing of the rope.
5.- Inner space of the neck.
6 and 7.- Joints for the connecting with the rope.
8.- Coupling of the two (2) bulks round the neck with a piece of rope.

Claims

1. Life ring device worn as a collar around the neck, made from expanded polyvinyl chloride (P.V.C.) of a closed cell hive type structure, comprising two independent semicircular sections (1) hinged together both at a rear and at a front connecting point via suitable connection means (3, 4, 6, 7) so as to form a circular life ring with an interior aperture (5) of a diameter such as to enclose the neck of the user whilst being less than the diameter of the head of the user, characterized in that the two said rigid sections (1) are of a varying diameter, this diameter starting from a minimum at the said rear connection point to a maximum at the said front connection point, where such difference in the life ring's diameter (thickness) results to a slight, desirable raising of the user's chin and a corresponding backward inclination of his head and maintenance of his respiratory organs above sea level.

2. Life ring device worn as a collar around the neck, as claimed in above claim 1, further comprising a circumferential covering (2)-of the said interior aperture (5) extending on either side of both the top and bottom surface of the life ring, made from a soft foamy elastic material, to ensure a comfortable contact of the neck, chin and shoulders of the user with the hard P.V.C. material of construction of the life ring.

3. Life ring device worn as a collar around the neck, as claimed in above claim 1, further comprising a pair of ribbons, where one first ribbon extends from the said rear connection point (6, 7) of the two semicircular sections (1) of the life ring and one second ribbon extends from the said front connection point (3, 4) of the same, where the said first ribbon runs downwards along the back, under the legs and upwards along the chest of the user whereat it is suitably connected to the said second ribbon, thereby ensuring the stablest mounting of the said life ring device onto the shoulders of the user.