FR2723562A1 - FLOATING RESERVOIR AND SEAT EQUIPPED WITH THIS MACHINE. - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a floating rescue craft. The device (6) of the invention comprises a closed fabric envelope (7, 11) enclosing at least one buoyancy element and comprising means (10a, 10b) on two opposite edges thereof for releasable attachment. of said machine on a frame (4, 3) of the seat (1). The invention applies in particular to cushions, life jackets and jackets.

Description

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  The present invention relates to a floating life-saving device, such as a cushion, a life jacket or lifejacket, and a seat equipped with this machine, especially for floating constructions. All boats are expected to carry floating life-saving equipment in quantities that may vary depending on the body of water on which the boat is intended to navigate. These floating life-saving appliances may take the form of an expanded polystyrene cushion covered with a plastic envelope, a crown buoy or

  horse, a bra or a vest for example.

  The number of life-saving appliances on board a boat can be very high and even exceed, according to the standards in force, the maximum capacity of passengers of the boat. Safety standards also require that these life-saving appliances are immediately accessible to passengers and that passengers can seize them without exerting any effort. This results in a problem of storage and congestion of these life-saving appliances on the deck and in the cabins of the boat. Life-saving appliances are usually placed under the seats, on shelves or in chests on the deck of the boat. The number of life-saving appliances that a safe can hold is however limited to meet the requirements

immediate access to these.

  In addition, the boat seats are generally uncomfortable, especially on the deck of the boat, for

  allow easy maintenance and washing of these.

  Seats are usually made of hard materials to withstand possible weather at sea and possible

depredations by passengers.

  The present invention therefore aims to eliminate the aforementioned drawbacks and to provide a floating rescue craft that is compact, easily storable on a boat, quickly accessible and that can be easily adapted to a seat to ensure a better

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  passenger comfort and without risk of damage to

the rescue craft.

  For this purpose, the subject of the present invention is a floating life-saving apparatus, such as a cushion, life jacket or lifejacket, comprising a closed fabric envelope, preferably waterproof, enclosing at least one buoyancy element, such as synthetic foam or cork balls, characterized in that said envelope comprises means on two opposite edges thereof for

  the releasable attachment of said machine on a seat frame.

  According to another characteristic of the invention, the machine comprises a plurality of buoyancy elements enclosed in one or more pockets formed inside the envelope, for example by sewing or heat sealing the two opposite faces of the envelope , in the manner of a padding, the lines of separation between the pockets or the game between the buoyancy elements enclosed in the same pocket allowing a bending of the envelope without putting in

  constrains the buoyancy elements.

  For example, when the buoyancy elements are synthetic foam blocks, the latter may be arranged adjacent to each other in two perpendicular directions in order to allow the envelope to curvature along these two directions without damaging them. buoyancy elements that are usually

made of a fragile material.

  According to another characteristic of the invention, in at least a given part of the surface of the envelope, the

  pockets are formed from one of the faces thereof.

  It can be provided in particular that the envelope has a load-bearing face that is stronger than its opposite face which

serves to form said pockets.

  In the case where the machine is a lifejacket, the aforementioned attachment means are formed on two opposite side edges of the envelope and from the parts

  lower and upper thereof.

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  In this case, the aforementioned pockets can be formed on one side of the envelope in the said lower part and

  on the opposite side in said upper part.

  In the case where the machine is a lifejacket, the pockets are formed in the front and around the collar of the vest, the aforementioned fastening means being formed on the

  lower and upper edges of the two front of the vest.

  According to a first embodiment of the invention, the attachment means comprise at least one cover integral with a face of said casing and open at one end to receive a portion of said seat frame. Said cover can extend for example between the two opposite edges of the envelope, which allows to receive a U-shaped frame. This cover is advantageously formed on the face of

  the envelope opposite to that forming the aforementioned pockets.

  Alternatively, the attachment means comprise at least two sleeve-shaped covers integral respectively with the two opposite edges of the casing and intended to receive an elongated bar of the seat frame. According to another embodiment of the invention, the attachment means comprise on each of the two opposite edges of the envelope a succession of rings or the like

  to receive an elongated bar of the seat frame.

  The present invention also relates to a seat, such as a stool, deckchair or jump seat, comprising a seat frame and intended in particular for floating constructions, characterized in that the floating lifeboat defined above is hooked on the seat frame by means of the aforementioned releasable hooking means, so that one of the faces of the envelope forms the seat and / or the backrest of the seat and respectively serve as a bearing surface and / or support for a user , the buoyancy elements being suspended from the face opposite to

said bearing surface.

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  In the case of a folding seat, the hooking means of the vest or the lifejacket are threaded onto the free ends of the seat frame and / or backrest, so that in the folded seat position , the hooking means can freely slide on the frame, and unfolded seat position, the attachment means are

retained on the seat frame.

  In the particular case of a folding stool, the attachment means are threaded on armrest frames which project upwards in the unfolded position, the envelope extending between the two frames

side armrest.

  In another particular case the seat of the invention is a folding chair, such as a lounger or a jump seat, and the attachment means are threaded on frames for example U-shaped forming the seat frames and

  folder, the envelope extending between these frames.

  In the case of the folding seat, it is possible to provide a means of elastic return of the seat frame towards the backrest frame, when it is fixedly mounted on a support structure and when the seat frame is mounted. hinged on the latter, the elastic return means being provided

at the hinge.

  The invention will be better understood and other purposes, features, details and advantages thereof

  will appear more clearly in the explanatory description

  which will follow of several particular embodiments, currently preferred of the invention, given solely by way of illustrative and nonlimiting examples, with reference to the attached schematic drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a partial and perspective view two folding seats according to the invention mounted on a fixed support structure, respectively in the raised and unfolded seating position, and whose frame is equipped with a lifejacket according to the invention; FIG. 2 is a partial view in perspective of the folding seat in the raised sitting position of FIG. 1;

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  following arrow II, but showing an alternative embodiment of the lifejacket of the invention; FIG. 3 is a side view of the folding seat in the unfolded seat position of FIG. 1, but including another variant embodiment of the lifejacket of the invention; - Figure 4 is a perspective view of a deckchair according to the invention, the frame is equipped with a lifejacket according to the invention; - Figure 5 shows schematically a person equipped with the lifejacket of the invention, after having taken off the jump seat in the raised position of Figure 1; - Figure 6 is a partial view in perspective of an alternative embodiment of the jump seat of the invention in unfolded seat position and whose frame is equipped with a lifejacket according to the invention; - Figure 7 is a perspective view of a folding stool according to the invention, in unfolded position and whose frame is equipped with the lifejacket of Figure 6; - Figure 8 is an exploded perspective view of another stool frame according to the invention to be equipped with a rescue cushion according to the invention; and FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of yet another stool frame according to the invention to be equipped with another embodiment of the invention.

  rescue cushion of the invention.

  According to the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3, the seat 1 of the invention is mounted on a fixed support structure 2 secured for example a P bridge

of boat (not shown).

  The seat 1 comprises a backrest frame 3 secured to a transverse bar 2a connected to the ground by uprights 2b, and a seat frame 4 hingedly mounted at 5 on the crossbar 2a, which makes it possible to make the seat 4 folding in the manner of a folding seat. The seat frame 4 comprises a generally U-shaped frame.

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  The backrest frame 3 consists of a U-shaped frame 3a which projects upwards and of two bent armrests 3b which extend in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the transverse bar 2a and which connect the frame 3a to this one. The articulation 5 of the seat frame 4 may comprise an elastic return means (not shown) of the seat portion 4 towards its raised or folded position, so as to limit the space requirement of the seats 1 when a passenger or a

  user does not sit on these seats.

  A life jacket 6 according to the invention is mounted on the frames 3 and 4 of the seat 1 in order to constitute

  the seat and backrest parts of this seat.

  The bra 6 is made of a main fabric sheet 7 of substantially rectangular shape which is pierced substantially at two thirds of its height with a circular opening 8 for the passage of the head 9a of a

user 9 (see Figure 5).

  The lower and upper ends of the fabric sheet 7 are folded respectively on the so-called inner face and the so-called outer face of the brassiere 6 to form respectively a lower cover 10a and a cover

upper 10b.

  In the sense of the present invention, the inner face of the brassiere 6 is the face which is intended to be directly in contact with the user who sits on the seat 1 and the outer face of the brassiere 6 is the opposite face to the

internal face.

  The covers 10a and 10b are respectively closed at their lower and upper ends and open at their upper and lower ends so as to receive respectively the seat frames 4 and 3a of the backrest.

seat 1.

  The seat frames 4 and 3a seat slide, in the raised seat position, respectively in the covers

  10a and 10b and come to stall in the bottom of these covers.

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  FIG. 1 shows that a plurality of closed pockets 11 are formed, in the lower part of the main fabric sheet 7, on the outer face of the brace 6, and in the upper part of the fabric sheet 7, on the inner face of the brace 6. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the pockets 11 are in the form of hollow, "swollen" blocks, and regularly arranged in columns and rows, in two perpendicular directions, one of which, for example, may be substantially parallel to the axis of the

crossbar 2a.

  In the lower and upper portion of the main fabric sheet 7, the two groups of pockets 11 may be formed from another fabric sheet which is attached to the main fabric sheet 7, for example by sewing or heat sealing. along the lines of separation 12 shown in broken lines on the

figure 1.

  The separation lines 12 form a grid on one side of the main sheet 7 and the pockets 11 form

  somehow a padding on the opposite side of this-

  this. The set of pockets 11 thus forms with the main fabric sheet 7 a closed envelope which can be made for example of nylon, plastic or material

  textile coated with an impermeable layer.

  For example, it can be provided that the main fabric sheet 7 is stronger than the fabric sheet forming the pockets 11 to form a supporting structure for supporting a passenger in the seat portion of the seat. The pockets 11 enclose buoyancy elements (not shown) which may be in any form, for example blocks of synthetic foam, such as polyethylene or polystyrene, or cork balls

or the like.

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  These buoyancy elements are generally fragile and we must therefore avoid any constraints on these

  the last ones that could damage them.

  For this purpose, it is essential that in the lower part of the braid 6, the pockets 11 are fixed on the outer face of the bra 6, so that the buoyancy elements enclosed in these pockets are suspended under the seat part seat and therefore not put in compression by the weight of the passenger sitting on that seat

sitting part.

  The force exerted by the weight of the passenger is offset by the tensioning of the main fabric sheet 7 and the covers 10a and 10b which cling to the frame of the seat. It is also important that the buoyancy elements do not undergo bending stresses and a plurality of pockets 11 arranged in rows and columns are provided for this purpose so as to allow a curvature of the main fabric sheet 7 in two perpendicular directions. , which allows the main fabric sheet 7 to adapt to the rear portion of the passenger without causing bending stresses in the buoyancy elements. In the upper part of the bra 6, the pockets 11 are formed from the inner face thereof, but

  of course we could predict them on the outer face.

  The buoyancy elements are arranged in rows and columns in this upper part to also allow a curvature of the seat back part 1

  without damaging these buoyancy elements.

  The buoyancy elements can be directly in contact with the back of the passenger because the compressive force is much less important than in the

sitting part.

  The arrangement of the pockets 11 in the upper part of the bra 6, as shown in the drawings, makes it possible to

  best protect the buoyancy elements.

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  Indeed, in raised seat position, the buoyancy elements of the back portion are covered by the seat portion 4 which is raised against the back portion 3, and unfolded seat position, the back of the passenger pressing against these buoyancy elements prevents any

degradation of these.

  Of course, the covers 10a and 10b, the pockets 11 and the main fabric sheet 7 can be formed from the same piece of fabric or from pieces

separated.

  The number of pockets 11 as well as their row and / or column arrangement may vary in a manner

  whatever and best suited to the seat to be equipped.

  For example, there is shown in FIG. 2 a plurality of elongated pockets 11 arranged transversely with respect to the brassiere 6 and extending from one edge to the other of the latter, so as to allow a curvature of the main sheet 7 in one direction

  longitudinal without damaging the buoyancy elements.

  It is also possible to provide, as represented in FIG. 3, pockets 11 at the right of the cover 10a on the face

  opposite of the main leaf 7.

  The covers 10a and 10b may extend over a variable length of the frames 4 and 3a respectively, this length being determined to ensure optimum hold on the seat frame and a power of the sheet of

main fabric 7.

  FIG. 3 schematically shows a footrest 13 fixed to the above-mentioned bridge P and padding 14 on the top of the armrests 3b of the seat 1 for a better

passenger comfort.

  Also shown in Figure 3 in outline

  mixed, the seat position raised.

  The pockets 11 can extend over the entire height of the main sheet 7, as shown in FIG. 3, or extend only in the upper and lower parts.

  of this, as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

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  There is shown in Figure 4, a folding chair 101, such as a deckchair, which is equipped with the bra

rescue 6 above.

  The lounger 101 consists of two substantially rectangular frames 103 and 104 which are hinged at and which serve at the top of the latter respectively of backrest and seat frames, and at the bottom of

  these feet for the folding chair 101.

  The frames 103 and 104 have curved ends in the upper part in order to define, in unfolded chair position, a substantially vertical backrest frame and

  a substantially horizontal seat frame.

  In FIG. 4, the lower cover 10a is formed on the outer face of the braid 6, contrary to the

  bonnets illustrated in Figures 1 to 3.

  It can be seen in FIG. 5 that the buoyancy elements enclosed in the pockets 11 of the upper part of the bra 6 come under the head 9a of a user 9 to lift it out of the water, whereas the buoyancy elements arranged in the lower part of the bra 6 are pressed against the front face of the

passenger 9.

  A cord 15 is tied around the passenger's waist 9

  and grips the lower part of the bra 6.

  It can be seen from FIG. 5 that the cover 10 a does not interfere with the use of the bra 6 for the rescue of

the user 9.

  Of course, it is possible to alternatively mount the brassiere 6 upside down, that is to say with the upper part 10b hooked on the seat frame 4 and the lower part.

  hung on the backrest frame 3a.

  According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, a seat 51 according to the invention is equipped with a

lifejacket 106.

  The seat 51 forms a folding seat similar to the aforementioned seat 1, with the exception of the backrest frame 3 which does not

does not include an armrest.

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  Note further that the backrest frame 3 and the seat frame 4 respectively comprise a recess 3c and 4a intended to receive the means

  securing the lifejacket 106.

  The lifejacket 106 has a generally rectangular or trapezoidal main fabric sheet 107, the central portion of which forms the back of the vest and whose

  end portions 107a form the front of the latter.

  The front 107a are intended to be folded over the

  a user's chest and connected by a button-

buttonhole 116 or the like.

  Two openings 108 are pierced in the main fabric sheet 107, substantially at the junction area of the front with the back, for the passage of the arms 9b

a user 9.

  One or more pockets lllb are formed around the neck 107b of the waistcoat 106, to provide the lifting function of

the head 9a of the user 9.

  The portion of neck lllb can bend without damaging the buoyancy elements contained therein thanks to the clearance between the different blocks of synthetic foam, in the case of a single pocket, or thanks to

  lines of separation between the pockets enclosing these blocks.

  Covers 110 are provided at the level of the front 107a of the lifejacket 106, and are open towards the back portion of the vest to receive the backrest frames 3 and

seat 4 of the seat 51.

  At the right of these covers 110, on the opposite side of the front 107a, are formed one or more pockets llla

  containing buoyancy elements.

  In a similar manner to the brace 6, the bags llla can be arranged in rows and columns to allow a flexion of the lifejacket 106 following two

perpendicular directions.

  FIG. 7 represents a folding stool 201 according to the invention consisting of two frames substantially

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  rectangular and identical which are articulated in 205 to

make the stool folding.

  The base 202 of the frames serves as legs for the folding stool 201 while the vertices 203, which are slightly curved upwards, in unfolded stool position, serve as inverted U-shaped armrests on which

  holster covers 110 mentioned above.

  Note that the lifejacket 106 is mounted on the jump seat 51 upside down, compared to the stool

folding 201.

  It is essential, in fact, that the bags 11a are suspended under the seat portion 4, in the case of the jump seat 51, while in the folding stool 201, the pockets 11la can be directly in contact with the user without suffering damage because they only serve

lateral support.

  It can also be seen in FIG. 6 that the pocket or pouches Mlla can be provided, at the level of the backrest frame 3, on the external face of the seat 51, contrary to the modes

  embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 4.

  In all the aforementioned folding seats, it is possible to provide

  of course a stop in unfolded seat position.

  FIGS. 8 and 9 show a life-saving cushion 206 according to the invention, intended to be mounted

  respectively on a stool 251 and 301.

  In FIG. 8, the rescue cushion 206 comprises a fabric envelope 207 which encloses one or more buoyancy blocks 217, for example made of synthetic foam, and a cover 210 fixed on one face of said envelope 207 and open at one end to receive a frame from

stool 251.

  The buoyancy blocks 217 can be housed in the envelope 207 with play, or, alternatively, in pockets

  forming the aforementioned envelope.

  A bead 218 surrounds the rescue cushion 206 by passing through fabric loops 219 secured laterally to

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  this one, said cord 218 allowing users to

hang on to it.

  The frame of the stool 251 is constituted laterally by two C-shaped elements 252 which are connected at their respective free ends by two horizontal branches 253. In FIG. 9, the rescue cushion 206 has in place of the cover 210, two sheaths 220 or two sets of rings 230, for example plastic, fixed on two opposite edges of a face of the casing 207 to receive and

  cling to a frame of the 301 stool.

  We see in Figure 9 that the cord set 218 and

  fabric loops 219 is replaced by handles 221.

  The two sheaths 220 or two sets of rings 230, provided on two opposite edges of the casing 207, perform the same function as the cover 210 above, and can be provided on the bra 6 or the lifejacket 106 mentioned above. such 220 sheaths or such rings 230 at the

  place covers 10a, 10b and 110 respectively.

  The sheath 220 has at least one open end

  intended to receive a bar 302 of the stool 301.

  The stool frame 301 is formed laterally of two C-shaped elements connected by a branch

  horizontal 303 at a corner thereof.

  Of course, the rescue cushion 206 is suspended on the stool frame 251 or 301, via the cover 210, the sleeve 220 or the succession of rings 230, so that the buoyancy elements 217 do not are

not compressed by a user.

  Of course, in all the embodiments of the invention, the life-saving machine can be easily or easily removed or removed without any effort from the seat frame, if necessary.

folded the seat.

  The rescue apparatus of the present invention is advantageously made of a material resistant to

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  weathering and may consist of a cloth coated with a

waterproof coating.

  The buoyancy elements can be made by injection of synthetic foam into a preformed fabric envelope. The synthetic foam blocks can also be placed in an open envelope on one side and form

  pockets by sewing or heat sealing.

  Of course, the rescue craft of the present invention is not limited to manufacturing processes

indicated above.

  Although the invention has been described in connection with several particular embodiments, it is obvious that it is in no way limited and that it can be given many variations and modifications without

  out of his frame or his mind.

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Claims (18)

  1. Rescue float craft, such as a life jacket (6), lifejacket (106) or cushion (206), having a closed fabric envelope (7, 11; 107, 111a, 11b; 207) enclosing at least one member buoyancy device (217), characterized in that said envelope comprises means (10a, 10b; 110; 210, 220, 230) on two opposite edges thereof for releasably engaging said machine on a   seat frame (1, 101; 51, 201; 251, 301).   2. Floating lifeboat according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of buoyancy elements (217) enclosed in one or more pockets (11; 111a, 11lb; 207) formed inside the body. envelope, for example by sewing or heat sealing the two opposite sides of the envelope, the lines of separation (12) between the pockets (11) or the clearance between the buoyancy elements (217) enclosed in the same pocket (207) allowing a flexion of the envelope without stressing the elements buoyancy.   3. Floating lifeboat according to claim 2, characterized in that in at least a given portion of the surface of the envelope, the pockets are formed from of one of the faces of it.   4. Floating lifeboat according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the casing has a bearing face (7, 107) stronger than its opposite face which   serves to form said pockets (11, 111a).   5. Floating lifeboat according to any one of   of the preceding claims, characterized in that the   buoyancy elements are synthetic foam blocks (217) disposed adjacent to each other in two perpendicular directions to allow a curvature of   the envelope along these two directions.   6. Floating lifeboat according to any one of   of the preceding claims, characterized in that, in 16 2723562   where the machine is a lifejacket (6), the aforementioned fastening means (10a, 10b) are formed on opposite side edges of the envelope (7) and from the   lower and upper parts thereof.   7. floating rescue apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that the aforementioned pockets (11) are formed on one side of the casing, in said lower part and on the opposite face in said upper part. 8. Floating lifeboat according to any one of   claims 1 to 5, characterized in that in the case   o the machine is a lifejacket (106), the pockets (111a, 111b) are formed in the front (107a) and around the neck (107b) of the vest, the aforementioned attachment means (110) being formed on the lower and upper edges of the two fronts of the vest.   9. Floating lifeboat according to any one of   of the preceding claims, characterized in that the   fastening means comprise at least one cover (10a, 10b; 110; 210, 220) integral with one face of said envelope and open at one end to receive a part of said seat frame.   10. Floating lifeboat according to claim 9, characterized in that said cover (10a, 10b; 110; 210)   extends between the two opposite edges of the envelope.   11. Floating lifeboat according to   Claims 3 and 10, characterized in that the cover   mentioned above is formed on the face of the envelope (7, 107, 207)   opposite to that forming the pockets.   12. Lifesaving equipment according to claim 9, characterized in that the attachment means comprise at least two sleeve-shaped covers (220) integral respectively with the two opposite edges of the casing (207) and intended to receive a elongated bar (302) of the frame seat (301).   13. Rescue craft according to any one of   Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the means 17 2723562   on each of the two opposite edges of the envelope (207), a succession of rings (230), for example made of plastic, for receiving an elongated bar (302) of the seat frame (301).   14. Seat, such as jump seat (1, 51), recliner (101) or stool (201, 251, 301), having a seat frame (3, 4, 103, 104, 203, 253, 302) and floating structures, characterized in that the floating life-saving apparatus conforms to any one of the   previous claims hangs on the frame   seat by means of the aforementioned releasable hooking means, so that one of the faces of the envelope forms the seat and / or the back of the seat and serve respectively as a bearing surface and / or support for a user, the buoyancy elements being subject to   the face opposite to said bearing surface.   15. Seat according to claim 14, characterized in that, in the case of a folding seat (1, 51, 101, 201), the hooking means of the bra (6) or the lifejacket (106). are threaded on the free ends of the seat frame (4, 104, 203) and / or backrest (3, 103), so that in folded seat position, the hooking means can freely slide on armature, and in unfolded seat position, the attachment means are retained on the seat frame.   16. Seat according to claim 15, characterized in that, in the case of a folding stool (201), the hooking means are threaded on armrests armatures (203) which project upwards in the unfolded position. , the envelope (107) extending between the two frames aforementioned armrest.   17. Seat according to claim 15, characterized in that, in the case of a folding chair, such as a folding seat (1, 51) or a lounger (101), the attachment means are threaded onto the frame of seat (4, 104) and the backrest frame (3, 103), the casing (7; 107) extending between these frames. 18 2723562   Seat according to claim 17, characterized in that, in the case of the folding seat (1, 51), the backrest frame (3) is fixedly mounted on a support structure (2) and the seat frame (4) is mounted hinge (5) on the latter, a resilient return means of the seat frame to the backrest frame being provided at the level of the hinge (5).