GB2126171A

GB2126171A - Inflatable life-raft

Info

Publication number: GB2126171A
Application number: GB08321714A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Bernd Schulze; Horst Fiebiger; Eckhard Schumann
Original assignee: KARL MARX STADT TECH TEXTIL
Current assignee: KARL MARX STADT TECH TEXTIL
Priority date: 1982-08-13
Filing date: 1983-08-12
Publication date: 1984-03-21
Also published as: DE3324914A1; GB2126171B; GB8321714D0; DD231934B1; DE3324914C2

Abstract

The life raft is packed in a rigid, box-shaped container having half shells 1, 2 and is preferably for use on yachts for life-saving purposes in emergencies at sea. A compressed gas bottle 9 is displaceably mounted in a guide 10 on the axis of symmetry of the raft bottom on its lower side, the raft being folded inwardly towards this axis. Inlet valves 14 communicate with the support tubes 7 and 8 with an identical spacing from the release mechanism. Their spacing amounts to 3/4 to 1 1/4 of the width a of the half- shells 1 and 2 of the packing. Upon inflation a frangible closure stop 3 around three sides of the packing opens, and the half shells pivot about a hinge 4. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Inflatable life raft The invention relates to an inflatable life raft, in particular though not exclusively for yachts, of the type having a plurality of superposed support tubes and a self-erecting or manually erectable canopy and packed in a rigid, box-shaped container.

It is known to pack inflatable life rafts in cylindrical or square containers. Whilst cylindrical or barrel-shaped containers are used in deep-sea vessels which have appropriate mountings, life rafts are predominantly packed in box-shaped containers on yachts as a result of onboard storage possibilities and aesthetic reasons.

Up to now the starting point has always basically been, irrespective of the container shape, to roll or fold the raft from one side. The compressed gas cylinder is supported at the end of the bundle parallel to the lower support tube.

In this way a determined position of the centre of gravity is achieved, which should ensure inflation in the correct floating position. However, it is not possible to achieve 100% safety in this way. As a result of the life raft construction with bottom reinforcements described in the Democratic German Republic Patent Specification 131 246, this safety is further increased, as in the case of both possible floating positions the upper reinforcement as a rule folds outwardly. However, the.position of the centre of gravity is not completely clearly defined by the emergency equipment, in particular when the latter, for example in accordance with the wishes of customers, is reduced. In rough seas, it is not possible to completely exclude the possibility of inflation with the life raft floating the wrong way up in this case.In addition people already swimming in the water may be endangered during the inflation process by the compressed gas cylinder fastened to the hatch while the raft is unfolding.

The invention seeks to provide an inflatable life raft packed in a rigid, box-shaped container, which assumes a clear centre of gravity position in the water and unfolds in a safe and defined manner on inflation, only flexible parts being moved, such that a correcting floating position is ensured and danger to persons swimming in the water is reduced during unfolding.

An inflatable life raft according to the invention comprises a plurality of superposed support tubes, a canopy which is self-erecting or manually erected, an inflation medium high-pressure cylinder arranged on an axis of symmetry of the raft bottom on the lower side of the raft bottom and displaceable along the axis of symmetry, the raft being folded symmetrically inwards towards this axis of symmetry and inlet valves communicating with the support tubes on both sides with a substantially identical spacing from a release mechanism on the high-pressure cylinder, the life raft being packed for use in a rigid, boxshaped container.

Preferably, half-shells of the packing container are provided at an edge at which the high pressure cylinder is supported with a non-frangible closure strip and on its other edges with frangible closure strips.

On triggering of the inflation process two gas cushions which support one another are formed at the side of the container opposite from the highpressure cylinder as a result of the symmetrical folding and the position of the connections of the high-pressure hoses with the support tubes. The non-frangible closure strip which connects the half-shells of the container at the edge in the area of the high-pressure cylinder operates in the manner of a hinge-joint, whilst the remaining closure strips having frangible points are broken open. In this way the operational saftey of the inflation process is increased, the mounting of the compressed gas cylinder providing a clear centre of gravity position in the region of the closure strip acting as a hinge-joint.In this way and as a result of the similar symmetrical folding of the life raft, it is possible for the life raft to be inflated only in the correct floating position. The compressed gas cylinder is supported during unfolding on the pivot, as a result of which there is minimal danger to people swimming in the water.

To help understanding of the invention, a specific embodiment thereof will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a life raft of the invention in its packed condition in two possible floating positions, i.e. either way up, Figure 2 is a section along the line A-A of Figure 1, Figure 3 shows the life raft inflated, and Figure 4 shows the bottom of the inflated life raft.

The two half-shells 1 and 2 are connected on three sides by a closure strip 3 having frangible points and on the fourth side by a closure strip 4 without frangible points. In the region of the closure strip 4 the compressed gas cylinder 9 is displaceably disposed on the bottom 1 5 of the life raft, as a result of which a clearly defined centre of gravity position is achieved in this region. The raft is folded inwardly, symmetrically from the compressed gas cylinder 9 disposed on the axis of symmetry. Emergency equipment 13 lies packed inside the life raft adjacent the compressed gas cylinder 9. If the release cord 11 is pulled a valve of the compressed gas cylinder 9 is opened by the release mechanism 12. The inflation medium flows into the support tubes 7 and 8 via highpressure hoses 5 and 6 and via inlet valves 14.

The inlet valves 14 are connected on both sides to the support tubes 7 and 8 with an identical spacing from the release mechanism 12.

Preferably, this spacing amounts to at least 3/4 and at most 1 1/4 of the width a of the packing container. In the area of the inlet valves 14, two gas cushions form in the support tubes 7 and 8 one of top of the other and acting against each other. The closure strips with frangible points 3 break longitudinally and the half-shell 1 or 2 which is on the top flaps open in the manner of a hingejoint. The life raft is then inflated in its correct floating position. As this happens, the compressed gas cylinder 9 is displaced along the axis of symmetry towards the outer edge of the life raft from its cylinder holder 10. The cylinder holder 10 has a U-shaped cross-section and is open at both ends. In the packed condition the compressed gas cylinder 9 assumes the position shown in dashed lines in Figure 4. The compressed gas cylinder 9 is additionally retained in its end position by loose straps which are also connected to the cylinder holder 10.

Claims

1. An inflatable life raft comprising a plurality of superposed support tubes, a canopy which is selferecting or manually erected, an inflation medium high-pressure cylinder arranged on an axis of symmetry of the raft bottom on the lower side of the raft bottom and displaceable along the axis of symmetry, the raft being folded symmetrically inwards towards this axis of symmetry, and inlet valves communicating with the support tubes on both sides with a substantially identical spacing from a release mechanism on the high-pressure cylinder, the life raft being packed for use in a rigid, box-shaped container.

2. An inflatable life raft as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said substantially identical spacing corresponds to at least 3/4 and at most 1 1/4 of the width of half-shells of the packing container.

3. An inflatable life raft as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein half-shells of the packing container are provided at an edge at which the high pressure cylinder is supported with a nonfrangible closure strip and on the other edges with frangible closure strips.

4. An inflatable life raft substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.