GB2354487A - Water craft having longitudinal inflatable airbags - Google Patents

Abstract

A water craft has longitudinal inflatable air bags (2, Fig 1) mounted along both sides of the hull of said water craft. The bags may be fixed to an existing hull or set in a recess (12, Fig 3) formed into a new hull. Inflation apparatus for the bags may include gas reservoirs (16, Fig 4) feeding pressure and supply regulation apparatus, which in turn feeds a gas supply tube 8, to inflate the bags through non-return valves 9. The air bags may be protected by a rubber housing 5, releasable along a key way 11, on inflation of inflatable chambers 6. The chambers may be inflated manually, in response to a hydrostatic activation, or in response to a remote signal.

Description

2354487

Page I of 2 DESCRIPTION

INFLATABLE BOAT RAFr The invention relates to an inflatable saftey device that saves the yacht / boat (vessel) and crew in the event of sinking or swamping.

This would give the crew a far greater chance of sinvival than currently available by abandoning the vessel in a separate liferaft, by preventing the vessel from sinking which would allow the crew to make good temporary repairs, bail the water out and continue the voyage, or wait for assistance and be towed to port. Thus not only saving the crew but the vessel as well.

The devise can be installed on existing yachts / boats (vessels) or be built in at manufacture.

The device would consist of inflatable tubes stored inside and attached to a flexible rubber housing which would be attached by mechanical (bolts) or chemical means (adhesive) or a combination of both, or be built into the vessel. A pressurised gas supply reservoir, manifolds, valves and connection pipes / tubes would supply pressurised gas to the inflatable tubes The inflatable tubes would run the length of the vessel on both the port and the starboard side of the vessel. The diameter of the tubes would be determined by the displacement and length of the vessel. Each tube would have multiple chambers that would be inflated from the pressurised gas reservoirs via manifolds, valves and the gas supply pipes / tubes. The gas supply pipes / tubes would run parallel to the inflation tubes with ports positioned to supply the gas to each individual chamber. Non return valves are fitted to each port. The inflatable tubes are either inflated manually or automatically using a hydrostatic device in the event that the vessel is sinking, swamped or in danger of being so. The chambers would have over pressure relief valves to prevent damage from over inflation or atmospheric changes. The total lift of the tubes would be greater than the displacement of the vessel, thus enabling the vessel to remain afloat in the event that one or more chambers are damaged.

Multiple inflation control points could be installed connected by wiring to an electric valve at the gas reservoir in addition to the hydrostatic valve and the hand valve so as to be able to inflate the multiple chamber tubes remotely from various positions in or outside the vessel. A hand operated back up air pump would also be fitted to enable manual top up of air if necessary. The gas resevoir manifolds and activation valves could be stowed in any place convenient and connected to the inflatable tubes by a flexible hose.

Page 2 of 2 The preferred examples of the invention will now be described with reference to the following drawings in which:

FIGURE I Shows a view of a vessel with the Inflatable Boat Raft stored in its housing and ready for use (1), tube with chambers inflated (2) and providing bouancy to the flooded vessel, whilst fitted in its approximate position on the sides of the vessel in relation to the gunnel (3) and the waterline (4).

FIGURE 2 Shows a cut away view of a preferred example of an external rubber housing of an Inflatable Boat Raft (5) containing the inflatable tube with chambers (6) bonded to the back of the rubber housing (7). The gas supply tube (8) would be bonded to the inside of the housing with non return valves (9) in each chamber. An example is given of approximate position of fastening bolts (10). A method of securing the rubber housing flap with a key way (11) is shown that would release as the tube inflated.

FIGURE 3 Shows a cut away view of a preferred example of a built in version of the housing of an Inflatable Boat Raft (12) contaiming the inflatable tube with chambers (6) bonded to the back of the rigid housing (7). The gas supply tube (8) would be bonded to the inside of the housing with non return valves (9) in each chamber. The flap cover (14) would be attached to the top of the housing by screws or adhesive or both, secured by a keyway at the bottom (11) that would release from the side of the vessel (15) as the tubes inflated.

( The material used for the rigid housing would be the same as, or similar to the material used in manufacture of the vessel for example; fiberglass, metal or other) FIGURE 4 Shows an example of fitting the remote assembly consisting of the pressurised gas resivoir/ resivoirs (16) (one, two, or more) with manifold / pressure regulator (17) hand inflation pump (18) hand valve (19) and or hydrostatic valve (20) and or electric valve (2 1) (remote operated) which are connected to gas supply manifold (22) which is connected to gas supply tubes (8) via flexible hosing (23) in a convenient locker. ( This example shows how the lazaret locker of a yacht could be used, however the above assembly could be configured anyway and fitted anywhere convenient in the vessel)

Claims (4)

1. Page I of I CLAIMS

   HqFLATABLE BOAT RAFT 1) An inflatable device for the prevention of loss of life, property and the vessel in the event of sinking or swamping.
2. 2) An inflatable device as in claim I that can be fitted to existing vessels.
3. 3) An inflatable device as in claim I & 2 that can be built in at manufacture of vessels.
4. 4) An inflatable device as in claim 1, 2 & 3 with multiple chambers that can be inflated manually or automatically as required.