FR2780022A1 - PNEUMATIC CRAFT, ESPECIALLY LIFE RAFT - Google Patents

Abstract

Inflatable boat, in particular liferaft, defined by at least one peripheral inflatable buoyancy tube (3) surrounding a bottom (2) and to the outside of which a halyard (4) is fixed, characterized in that the halyard (4) approximately closely at least partially surrounds the periphery of the inflatable tube (3) and in that at least one accessory (6, 15, 19) of the boat is detachably secured to the halyard by means of 'releasable hooking.

Description

Inflatable boat, in particular liferaft.

  The present invention relates to improvements made to inflatable boats defined by at least one inflatable peripheral buoyancy ring which surrounds a bottom and outside of which a halyard is fixed. The invention relates more particularly, although not exclusively, to life rafts intended for equipping pleasure craft or, more generally, ships carrying only a reduced number of people and are not hardly spreading from the ribs. Under these conditions, liferafts, when they have to be used, do not need to present equipment and technical qualities as advanced as liferafts intended for the high seas since in principle their

  period of use should be short.

  In such a context, the current liferafts-

  Lely known have characteristics far exceeding the needs to be satisfied in the case of coastal navigation, and there is today a demand for liferafts better suited to the real needs of small navigation and less expensive than those manufactured

nowadays.

  The main object of the present invention is therefore

  purpose of meeting this expectation and proposing a boat

  pneumatic tion such as a liferaft whose structure has been simplified and therefore made cheaper to manufacture, while being capable of ensuring

  satisfactory functions expected.

  To this end, a pneumatic boat as mentioned in the preamble, being arranged in accordance with the invention, is characterized in that the halyard surrounds

  approximately at least partially close to the periphery

  laughs of the inflatable tube and in that at least one accessory of the boat can be secured to the halyard so

  removable via release hooking means

  wheat. Such an arrangement has many advantages

  leading to a significant reduction in the cost of fabrica-

tion of boats.

  Indeed, inflatable boats such as liferafts are traditionally equipped with a halyard forming a handrail intended to be grasped by people swimming around the boat. Such a halyard

  is therefore already present on the boat and it does not constitute

  not kill an additional organ to add to the boat

  for the implementation of the invention.

  However, to implement the invention effectively, care must be taken to ensure that the halyard does not

  either not fix it too loosely on the tube in the present

  both a very pronounced curvature between two supports

  consecutive as is often the case in small craft

  pneumatic conditions such as liferafts known to date. It is therefore advisable to ensure that the halyard approximately approximately surrounds the periphery of the inflatable tube, therefore with a slight curvature between two

  successive deletions, without it being necessary or desired-

  ble that the halyard tightens the inflatable tube closely.

  Thus, the attachment of accessories to the halyard may have a certain clearance which, however, if it is kept within certain limits, does not constitute a

  major drawback, having regard moreover to the type of access

evening thus fixed.

  This eliminates the fixing operations of

  the accessory (or its support) directly on the boat

  tion (inflatable tube or bottom) by a welding or gluing process, operations which require handling and the implementation of a machine, and which are therefore long and costly. Also in this case, the accessories are

  permanently attached to the boat and their location

cannot be changed.

  On the contrary, by implementing the provisions of the invention, the accessory can be put in place or removed at will, and its location can be freely

chosen or modified.

  The invention can be applied to many accessories.

res of the boat.

  It is in this way, in particular and in a significant way, stabilizing water bags situated, in position

  functional, below the level of the bottom of the boat

  tion. In the context of the invention, said water pocket is constituted in an independent form of the boat and is an aforementioned accessory of the boat and this water pocket is provided with attachment means suitable for authorizing its removable attachment to the halyard so as to be positioned

  below the level of the bottom of the boat.

  Thanks to this arrangement, a significant drawback of previous boats of the type considered is eliminated, in which the water bags are permanently attached to the bottom of the boat and hang permanently beneath it. In this case, the joining of the water bags at the bottom of the boat requires a specific step in the manufacturing process, which lengthens it and increases the cost (welding, bonding, ...). In addition, the number of pockets

  is determined once and for all during the design

  tion of the boat and can no longer be modified later.

  Rement: there is therefore no way to adapt this number according to the wishes of the user, especially during navigation to meet specific requirements. Finally,

  the presence of filled water bags hanging under the boat

  cation can be a gene under certain circumstances

  these, for example when the boat is towed especially during rescue when it is a life raft. On the contrary, thanks to the provisions of the invention, the water bags become accessories independent of the boat itself. Their number, their structure, their shape and their mounting location are left to the free choice of the user who can adapt these parameters according to the requirements of the moment. In particular, the number of submerged water bags can be modified according to the navigation conditions encountered (currents, wind force and direction). In addition, when towing the boat, the water bags can be raised, which

  reduces boat drag and makes towing easier

  ge. Advantageously, the attachment means of the water bag (which is preferably ballasted) comprise at least one flexible link (cordage, cord, ...) hookable in particular by a knot to the halyard. The water bag thus becomes a simple accessory, the immersion position of which can be adjusted below the level of the bottom so as to provide the

  better conditions for stabilizing the boat.

  Furthermore, when the boat has a shelter (in general consisting of a canvas often supported by a hoop), this canvas is, on part of the periphery of its lower edge, secured (welding, bonding, ...) to the rod buoyancy. Again, this assembly process lengthens the manufacturing time and increases the cost of production. To avoid this drawback and reduce the cost, provision is made, in accordance with the invention, for the shelter fabric to be secured in a releasable manner to the aforementioned halyard by means of attachment means, which may include at least one link flexible (rope, cords, ...) secured to the halyard. For example, it can be multiple laces attached to the lower edge of the shelter canvas and individually tied around the halyard; it can also be a cord or the like passing through eyelets of the lower edge of the shelter cover and wrapped around the halyard; or even hooks secured to the lower edge of the shelter cover and

suitable for hooking the halyard.

  Likewise, it is usual for the inflation gas reservoir (in general a cylindrical metal bottle) to be supported in a canvas cradle welded laterally to the inflatable buoyancy tube. Again, the joining operation (welding, bonding, ...) of this fabric forming a cradle lengthens the time and the manufacturing cost. To overcome this drawback, it is provided in accordance with the invention that the inflation fluid reservoir is retained in a flexible case and that the case is provided with means for hooking to the halyard made up of at least two eyelets

crossed by the halyard.

  In addition, it is advantageous to provide that the halyard is secured at least one hooking member for a towing line, preferably two hooking members for towing lines separated from one another, in particular by being located opposite two successive angles of the inflatable buoyancy rod when the boat has a closed polygonal outline (for example square, rectangular or hexagonal). Preferably, the attachment member is a flexible collar, forming

handle, integral with the halyard.

  An arrangement as stated above has the advantage that the tensile force, which is exerted on the halyard, is distributed over the entire periphery of the inflatable buoyancy rod which is surrounded by the halyard, and it is the entire flange which is mechanically stressed during towing. On the contrary, in a traditional boat in which the fastening member is fixed

  directly on the tube, it is solicited punctually-

  and there is a risk of local tearing of the fabric. So that the halyard can correctly assume the multiple support function which is assigned to it within the framework of the invention, it will be understood that it is desirable that the halyard does not hang freely in a succession of arcs between its support points on the buoyancy tube as is common on traditional inflatable boats, but that it substantially matches the longitudinal periphery of the inflatable tube in order to constitute a sufficiently fastening member

stable.

  It will also be noted that, when the buoyancy rod consists of several superimposed tubular chambers, it is preferable that the halyard is not fixed to the lower tubular chamber. This gives better stability to the boat both with regard to the attachment of the water bags and towing conditions, and it provides a better seal for the

mounting of the shelter canvas.

  The invention will be better understood on reading the

  detailed description which follows of certain embodiments

  tion given only as nonlimiting examples.

  In this description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings.

  in which: - Figure 1 is a schematic top view of a liferaft arranged in accordance with the invention; - Figure 2 is a top view of the raft of Figure 1; - Figure 3 is a side view of the raft of Figures 1 and 2; and - Figures 4 to 6 show, in partial side view, alternative arrangements of the raft of Figures 1 to

3.

  In the following description, we will refer more

  especially with the example of a life raft, which represents

  feels the preferred field of application of the provisions of the invention, it being understood however that the invention is not limited to this only field and can find application

  in other types of inflatable boats.

  Referring first to Figures 1 to 3, a liferaft 1 comprises a bottom 2, consisting of a

  canvas stretched inside a peripheral inflatable tube

  buoyancy 3. In the example shown, the flange 3 has a quadrangular polygonal contour (here substantially

  square) and consists of two superposed inflatable chambers

  sies, namely a lower chamber 3i and a chamber

superior 3s.

  The general arrangement of the raft 1 is not direct-

  ment concerned by the invention and can be any. A halyard or lashing 4 is fixed by supports on at least part of the external periphery of the buoyancy rod 3; in the example shown, it surrounds the entire strand 3. In the current case where the strand 3 is made up of several superimposed chambers, the halyard 4 is fixed on the outer periphery of the lower chamber 3i as illustrated in the figures, c is to say as close as possible

  the level of the center of gravity of the boat.

  In addition, the halyard 4 closely follows the longitudinal contour of the inflatable tube 3 (in this case the lower chamber 3i), without it however being necessary for it to be clamped against the wall of said chamber or for it to grip the latter, so that it can properly ensure the function of the fixing member which is assigned to it in the context of the invention, as explained below, while continuing to be capable of ensuring its function of a gripping organ for people

finding it in water.

  The water pockets 6 provided to equip the invention are produced in an independent form from the raft 1 and are presented as simple canvas bowls 7 which can be ballasted and provided with a hooking means 8 such as a flexible link (rope , cord, ...) which is fixable on the halyard in any desirable way: it is possible to provide for this purpose a clamp, a hook or other similar member; however, the simplest and most economical is to make a knot 9 with the flexible link on the halyard 4, which

  also has the advantage of being able to adjust without diffi-

  cultivated the immersion depth of the water bag 6 as illustrated in FIG. 2. In addition, thanks to this arrangement the

  water bags can be arranged in any number desired

  ble and in any desirable location on the periphery of the boat, this number and these locations can also be changed at will during navigation. In particular, the water bags can be reassembled at will whenever necessary, in particular

  when the boat is towed.

  In the same way, other accessories of the boat

  cation can be detachably attached to the halyard.

  This is particularly the case with the shelter of the raft of

  survival made of a flexible fabric 10 supported centrally-

  ment by an arch 11 which can be of the inflatable type. This canvas 10 can be provided, on its lower edge, with hooking means 12 allowing its removable attachment to the halyard 4. The hooking means 12 can be of any type.

  type suitable for the intended use.

  In Figure 3, the attachment means 12a are multiple and are constituted by laces secured to the

  edge of the canvas and knotted around the halyard 4.

  In FIG. 4, the attachment means 12b are constituted by hooks integral with the fabric and

hooked around the halyard 4.

  In FIG. 5, the attachment means 12c comprise

  a cord 13 wound in a helix and passing alternately-

  lie around the halyard 4 and through eyelets 14 of the

edge of the canvas 10.

  This is also the case with the inflation fluid reservoir 15 (FIGS. 1 and 2) which is retained in a flexible case 16, in particular made of canvas, which has means for hooking the halyard above or laterally. In the example illustrated, the hooking means consist of a skirt 17 provided with two eyelets 18 through which

the halyard 4 is engaged.

  This is also the case for one or more hooking members 19 for towing moorings in the form of handles, and which can be secured by means of attachment to the halyard 4. Interestingly, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 and in Figure 6 which shows this detail on a larger scale, the member or each member 19 is constituted by a flexible collar, forming a handle, obtained by knotting a cord or a rope; in this case, a simple means of attachment to the halyard 4 consists in

  tie this rope or cord directly on the halyard.

  However, of course, if desired, it is possible to secure a rigid metal handle to the halyard. In the common case where the raft is shaped

  polygonal, in particular square as illustrated, it is advantageous

  geux that each member 19 is attached to the halyard 4 in a corner of the raft; preferably two organs 9 are

  arranged in two successive angles of the raft.

  Thanks to this arrangement, the forces which can be exerted on the fastening member 19 are not applied punctually to the inflatable tube 3 and do not risk

  to cause a local tearing of the material thereof.

  On the contrary, the efforts are taken up by all of the halyard which surrounds the inflatable tube 3 and which drives

this one as a whole.

  Of course, other accessories of the boat can be secured, under the same conditions, to the halyard. The arrangements according to the invention allow, taking advantage of the presence of the halyard on the outer periphery of the inflatable tube, to make it play an additional function as a hooking member for various accessories, which can then be designed, manufactured and installed as independent components of the raft itself. This results in a significant simplification in the manufacture of the raft and a lowering

  significant of its cost price. It also results

  ment, for the user, greater ease of implementation, in particular allowing him to better adapt the

  raft under specific operating conditions.

Claims (13)

  1. Inflatable boat, including raft   survival, defined by at least one peripheral inflated tube   buoyancy tube (3) surrounding a bottom (2) and outside   laughter with a halyard attached (4),   characterized in that the halyard (4) surrounds approximately-   close at least partially the periphery of the inflatable tube (3) and in that at least one accessory (6, 15, 19) of the boat is securely attached to the halyard   removable via release hooking means   wheat. 2. A boat according to claim 1, said boat being equipped with at least one water pocket.   stabilizer (6) located in the functional position,   below the level of its bottom (2), characterized in that said water pocket (6) is constituted   independent of the boat and is an acces-   aforementioned evening of the boat and in that this water pocket is provided with attachment means (8) suitable for authorizing its removable attachment to the halyard (4) so that said pocket is positioned below the level of the bottom of the boat.   3. Boat according to claim 2, character-   in that the attachment means comprise at least   a flexible link (8) secured to the water pocket and hanging ble (9) to the halyard (4).   4. Boat according to any one of the claims   previous tions, comprising a shelter (10) constituting the aforementioned accessory, characterized in that the shelter (10) comprises a flexible fabric whose lower edge covers, peripherally at least partially, the inflated tube (3) and is secured so releasable to the halyard by   the intermediary of said attachment means (12).   5. Boat according to claim 4, character-   se in that the hooking means are multiple and include laces (12a) fixed to the lower edge of the 1l   shelter canvas and ties around the halyard (4).   6. A boat according to claim 4, charac-   sée in that the attachment means comprise a cord (13) or the like passing through eyelets (14) of the lower edge of the shelter fabric (10) and wound around the halyard (4).   7. A boat according to claim 4, charac-   in that the attachment means comprise hooks   chets (12b) integral with the lower edge of the shelter fabric   (10) and suitable for hooking the halyard (4).   8. Boat according to any one of the claims   above, comprising a reservoir (15) of inflation fluid retained in a flexible case (16) constituting the above-mentioned accessory, characterized in that the means   for attaching the flexible case (16) to the halyard (4) comprising   at least two eyelets (18) provided in the case and crossed by the halyard.   9. Boat according to any one of the claims   previous cations, characterized in that at the halyard (4) is secured at least one hooking member (19) for   a towing line, which constitutes the above-mentioned accesso re.   10. Boat according to claim 9, character-   risée in that the halyard (4) is provided with two members   hooking (19) spaced from each other.   11. Boat according to claim 10, having a closed polygonal contour, characterized in that the two attachment members (19) are located substantially opposite   from two successive angles of the outline of the boat.   12. Craft according to any of the claims   cations 9 to 11, characterized in that the attachment member (19) is a flexible collar, forming a handle, integral with the halyard.   13. Boat according to any one of the claims   previous cations, in which the buoyancy rod (3) consists of at least two superimposed tubular chambers (3s, 3i), characterized in that the halyard (4) is fixed to the external longitudinal periphery of the   lower chamber (3i) of the inflatable tube. j