GB191417701A - Improvements in and relating to Inflatable Boats, Rafts and the like. - Google Patents

Abstract

17,701. Smith, D. J. July 27. Collapsible boats. - Relates to boats of the type in which acetylene supplied by a generator containing calcium carbide is employed to distend or inflate them when immersed in water. The boat is provided with a collapsible frame, a flexible receptacle or envelope, and a gasgenerator so arranged that the distension of the envelope expands the frame and so opens out the boat or raft. Fig. 5 shows a boat which has two flexible skins O<1>, O<2> forming a gas receptacle O<3>, a collapsible frame comprising longitudinal members M<1> .. M<4>, pivoted at their ends to the member M, and an acetylene or like gas-generator A<6>. The boat may have a light cover O<4> for keeping out water. A suitable gas - generator, Fig. 2, has a wateradmission recess D with holes E covered by a non-return flap valve F. A perforated receptacle J for carbide or the like is held in place by a gas-tight cover G secured by a nut H and bolt I. The generator, if not embodied in the boat, has an outlet tube K for connexion to the boat &c. by a flexible tube, and is fitted with a gas-tight cover B when not in use. A modified water-admission valve, Fig. 4, consists of a disk F pressed on its seat by a light spring F<4> and having a stem F<2> slidable in a guide F<3>. The Provisional Specification states also that the frame of a collapsible boat, which may be single-skinned, may be expanded by means of piston-rods working in cylinders connected to the gas-generator.