GB2365823A

GB2365823A - An inflatable article and enclosure

Info

Publication number: GB2365823A
Application number: GB0020090A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paul Richards
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-08-15
Filing date: 2000-08-15
Publication date: 2002-02-27
Also published as: WO2002014143A1; AU2001279942A1; GB0020090D0

Abstract

An inflatable article 1 having an inflatable chamber (5, Fig 1) with a gas inlet 9 is removably positioned in an enclosure 11 such that the inlet is accessible from the exterior of the enclosure. The inflatable article may comprise a life-jacket or life-raft, while the enclosure may be a rigid casing with an automatically releasable lid 15 secured to the casing with a catch 19 and a spring loaded hinge 17. The inflatable article may be filled with sufficient gas for normal operation of the inflatable article outside of the enclosure, while the article is confined within the enclosure, by compressing the gas. On release of the catch the article expands as it exits the enclosure (Fig 3) due to the expansion of the previously compressed gas.

Description

2365823 P501267GB An Inflatable Article & Enclosure This invention relates

to an inflatable article and enclosure. The invention also relates to a method of operating an inflatable article and enclosure.

Inflatable articles find many applications. Inflatable furniture e.g. beds and amichairs are becoming increasingly popular due to the fact they are relatively cheap and lightweight. Inflatable articles are also utilised as buoyancy aids, e.g. as life-jackets or life-rafts. As a further example, the applicant's UK patent no, 2171963 describes an 10 inflatable-type sailboard which is lightweight and easy to transport.

An inflatable article is characterised in that it comprises a flexible air-tight chamber which may be filled with a gas. In use, as the amount of gas being pumped into the chamber increases, the chamber inflates, thereafter causing the inflatable article to 15 perform its particular function. In this sense, the term 'inflate' refers to the expansion of the chamber due to the amount of gas being inputted.

Some inflatable articles, particularly some forms of buoyancy aid, are arranged such that they are self-inflating. This can be particularly important in the case of life-saving 20 buoyancy aids, since the chamber can be inflated very quickly and efficiently and without the user having to breathe into the device. Such self-inflating inflatable articles are conventionally in the form of a non-inflated inflatable article having a gas cylinder attached thereto by means of a manifold. The inflatable article and gas cylinder are usually enclosed within a container, such as a bag or plastic case, which protects the 25 article from environmental damage. In use, the inflatable article is removed from the container, and an operating head of the gas cylinder is activated to inflate the chamber within the article.

This conventional inflatable article, which incorporates a gas cylinder, has the 30 disadvantage that the gas cylinder is quite heavy and bulky, requiring a significant amount of space to be provided within the container. Each time the gas cylinder is 2 used, a new cylinder has to be provided if the inflatable article is to be used again, which can be inconvenient and expensive. Furthermore, since the gas stored in the cylinder is compressed to a high differential pressure, transportation of such an inflatable article can be difficult. Many countries classify compressed gas cylinders as 5 dangerous goods, and so special shipping and transportation requirements have to be complied with. This can result in inconvenience and high expense.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an inflatable article and enclosure, the inflatable article having an inflatable chamber and an inlet for 10 inputting a gas into the inflatable chamber, the inflatable article being removably located within the enclosure, wherein, when the article is positioned inside the enclosure, the inlet extends from the inflatable chamber to a position adjacent to the exterior of the enclosure.

15 Accordingly, an inflatable article is provided whereby the chamber within may be filled with a gas whilst the article is stored within the enclosure. No separate gas cylinder is required, since the chamber of the article itself is used to hold the gas. Accordingly the overall assembly is lightweight and may be produced with less expense, Since the article can be supplied and transported with no gas in the chamber, no transportation 20 difficulties or costs are encountered, and special safety measures need not be employed.

The inflatable chamber may be filled with gas using a conventional foot pump, or air line, at the place of intended use.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an inflatable 25 article and enclosure, the inflatable article being removably located within the enclosure and comprising an inflatable chamber containing a predetermined quantity of gas capable of substantially inflating the chamber to its operating state.

In this aspect of the invention, the inflatable chamber of the article is provided, already 30 storing a predetermined quantity of gas therein. Since this predetennined quantity is sufficient to substantially inflate the chamber to its operating state in free space, i.e.

when removed from the enclosure, the inflatable article is ready for use. Since the 3 enclosure may (and typically will be) of a greater volume than the volume of a conventional gas cylinder, the pressure of the gas held within the enclosure is less than that held in the cylinder. Furthermore, the device will be less expensive and lightweight. It will be appreciated that 'operating state' refers to the state whereby the 5 degree of inflation is sufficient for the device to operate correctly. In the case of a buoyancy aid, for example, the quantity of gas stored in the chamber should be sufficient for the article to keep a body buoyant.

It will be appreciated that references to 'enclosure' are intended to cover all types of 10 device used to protect the inflatable article from external damage, e. g. wear and tear. Accordingly, the enclosure may be a rigid case, such as a plastic waterproof case, or it may be a simple mesh cage. A bag or sack may even comprise a suitable enclosure.

Preferably, the enclosure (in both aspects of the invention) is arranged to restrict full 15 inflation of the inflatable chamber to its operating state. In other words, the enclosure is arranged, e.g. by means of suitable dimensions, to prevent the chamber from fully expanding. This is not to be confused with the issue of whether or not the amount of gas within the chamber is sufficient to cause the chamber to expand when removed from the enclosure. Accordingly, the gas stored within the chamber may be 20 pressurized.

The enclosure may comprise a release mechanism for allowing removal of the inflatable article. The enclosure may comprise a casing with a releasable lid, wherein the lid securably retains the inflatable article within the casing. The lid may be secured to the 25 casing by means of a spring hinge and catch, the lid being opened by the spring-loaded hinge when the catch is released.

By providing a pressure indicator, it is possible to monitor the pressure of any gas within the inflatable chamber. This is particularly useful in the case of the device 30 defined in the first aspect of the invention, since a user inputting gas into the channel can safely check that the right pressure level is achieved.

As mentioned previously, the inflatable article may comprise a buoyancy aid, such as a life-jacket, life-raft, or some other form of buoyant lifesaving equipment. Since, in use, the inflatable article may be fitted with gas already stored within the inflatable chamber, in the event of an emergency, all that is required of the user is for the 5 inflatable article to be removed from the enclosure. In this case, the enclosure may be provided with means for attaching the enclosure to a water-based vehicle, such as a boat, so that the enclosure is correctly and safely fitted and ready for operation.

The inflatable article and enclosure may fiarther comprise means for automatically 10 deploying the inflatable article from its enclosure, when the release mechanism is operated.

Methods of operating the inflatable article and enclosure according to the first and second aspects of the present invention are detailed in the appended claims.

The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure I is a perspective view of a non-inflated inflatable raft constructed in accordance 20 with the invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the raft shown in Figure 1, and an enclosure cylinder for holding the raft; 25 Figure 3 is a perspective view of the inflatable raft and the enclosure cylinder as shown in Figure 2, the raft being in an inflated state; and Figure 4 is a perspective view of an inflatable life-saving rescue raft.

30 Referring to the drawings, Figure I shows an inflatable raft 1 in a non-inflated state. The raft I comprises an outer skin 3 and a generally toroidal inflatable chamber 5. A flexible base portion 7 is provided at the bottom of the hole defined by the toroidal part of the raft 1, a waterproof seal being formed at the join between the outer skin surface 3, and the base portion 7. A one-way valve 9 is provided to allow gas, in this case air, to be inputted into the chamber 5. The raft I may be used as an item of leisure equipment, or as a life-saving buoyancy aid, 5 with the base portion 7 being designed to support a human passenger.

Referring to Figure 2, the raft I is shown being placed within a cylindrical enclosure 11. The enclosure I I comprises a storage section 13 and a lid 15. The lid 15 is attached to the storage section 13 by means of a spring-loaded hinge 17. A releasable catch 19 is 10 provided on the opposite side of the lid 15 to the hinge 17 so that, when the catch is released, the lid will automatically spring open. The raft I is placed within the enclosure 11 in a substantially non-inflated state, and so is relatively small and flexible. As the raft 1 is placed within the enclosure 11, the one-way valve 9 of the raft I is passed through a hole 21 in the enclosure wall so that the free end of the valve 9 is 15 accessible from the outside of the enclosure. Once the raft 1 is within the enclosure 11, the lid 15 is closed, and the catch 19 engaged so as to clamp the lid to the storage section 13.

A tell-tale pressure indicator (not shown) is provided on the outside of the enclosure 11 20 for giving a visual indication of the pressure of any air within the chamber 5 of the raft I.

As will be explained in detail below, the dimensions of the enclosure 11 are arranged so as to restrict inflation of the raft 1 to its operating condition, i.e. to the minimum 25 inflated, or expanded state, required for the raft to operate properly as a buoyancy aid.

The enclosure I I is fon-ned from a rigid plastics material. This is advantageous, since one important purpose of the enclosure I I is to protect the raft 1 from general wear and tear, as well as from other types of environmental damage. Since the raft and enclosure 30 assembly (i.e. the combination of the raft 1 in the enclosure 11) may be stored in environments involving water, such as on a boat, the enclosure I I is made waterproof Waterproof seals (not shown) are provided at the join between the storage section 13 6 and the lid 15, and also between the inner circumference of the hole 21 and the valve 9. Accordingly, until the raft I is deployed, no water is allowed to enter the enclosure 11.

Having releasably enclosed the raft I within the enclosure 11, the assembly can be 5 transported (e.g. from the point of sale or manufacture) to its intended place of use, in an easy and efficient manner. The assembly is lightweight, and does not require any special transportation arrangements, such as is the case with assemblies using gas cylinders.

10 At the time when it is required to prepare the assembly for use, for example when the assembly is to be stored on, or fitted to, a boat, all that the user is required to do is to attach an air source to the free end of the valve 9, which is accessible to the exterior of the enclosure 11, and to input, or pump, air into the chamber 5 of the raft 1. The air source could be a simple hand or foot pump, or an air line of the type commonly used 15 for inflating car tyres. As the amount of air being inputted into the chamber 5 increases, the chamber will begin to inflate, or expand. However, due to appropriate dimensioning of the inner surface of the enclosure 11, the inflation of the chamber 5, and so the raft 1, is restricted (although the quantity of air still increases). Accordingly, b I the air in the chamber 5 becomes pressurized. The user will continue to pump air into 20 the chamber 5 until the pressure indicator indicates that an appropriate level of pressurization has been reached. This level of pressurization will be appropriate to the amount of air in the chamber 5 which is necessary to inflate the raft 1, in free space (i.e.

outside of the enclosure 11) to its preferred operating state, in this case, fully inflated.

Once the appropriate quantity of air has been pumped into the chamber 5, the air source 25 is removed, and the one-way valve 9 acts to seal the air within the chamber 5.

Although air within the chamber 5 is pressurized, the dimensions of the enclosure I I are arranged such that the inner volume is much greater than that of a conventional gas cylinder. Accordingly, the pressure of air within the chamber 5 is much less than that 30 of a conventional gas cylinder.

Having stored the required amount of air within the chamber 5, the assembly may be stored at, or attached to, its intended place of use. For example, if the assembly is to be used on a water-based vehicle, such as a boat, the enclosure 11 may be attached by suitable attachment means (not shown) to an appropriate position on the boat. The 5 attachment means might comprise a simple bolting assembly.

Referring to Figure 3, in order to deploy the raft I for use, all that is required is for the user to un-clamp the catch 19 so that the lid 15 is opened by the spring-loaded hinge 17. The raft I may then be removed from the storage section 13, whereafter it will 10 automatically inflate to its operating state due to the expansion of the pressurized air in the chamber 5.

As shown in Figure 3, the enclosure 11 comprises means for automatically deploying the raft 1, when the catch 19 is released. This may comprise a simple spring assembly 15 (not shown) at the base of the enclosure 11 for ejecting the raft 1 once the lid 15 flips open. Alternatively, as illustrated in Figure 3, the expanding effect of the air in the chamber 5 of the raft 1 is utilised so that, when the lid 15 flips open, the chamber 5 begins inflating against the base of the enclosure 11 so that the raft I is ejected, this being indicated by the arrow 23.

The tell-tale indicator provides a useful means of ensuring that the chamber 5 of the raft 1 is at a sufficient air pressure for the raft to operate properly. Accordingly, it is possible to check whether the chamber 5 is faulty or deflating for some reason.

25 In a modification of the set-up procedure described above, air is inputted into the chamber 5 to inflate the raft 1, before the raft I is placed within the enclosure 11. Once inflated to its operating condition, the raft I is forced into the storage section 13 and compressed, whereafter the lid 15 is shut and clamped by the catch 19. As with the first set-up, the air in the chamber 5 will therefore be pressurized. As was also the case with 30 the first set-up, the dimensions of the enclosure I I are arranged such that the air pressure within the enclosure I I is far less than the pressure of gas contained within a conventional gas cylinder. Furthermore, it is not necessary to provide a hole in the 8 body of the enclosure 11. The assembly may be fitted and deployed in the same way as that of the first embodiment.

An example of a more sophisticated raft inflatable article, in this case a life-saving 5 rescue raft, is shown in Figure 4. The life-saving raft 25 comprises a generally rectangular inflatable holding section 27, shown here in an inflated state, the holding section acting as a passenger support. The raft 25 further comprises a sea anchor 29, for stabilizing the raft when it is in the water, the sea anchor including an anchor weight 31 at its bottom end. A light lanyard 33 is provided at the top of the raft 25 for alerting the 10 presence of the raft to nearby rescue services. The light lanyard 33 includes a light 35 at the top of the lanyard, which is powered by a battery 37. A light switch (not shown) is also provided. Means for inflating the raft 25 is provided for by a valve 39 which can be passed through the hole 21 in the enclosure 11 in much the same way as for the valve 9 of the raft I shown in Figures I to 3. A deflation tube 41 is also provided.

15 Finally, a lifting ring 43 is fitted to the light lanyard 33 for enabling retrieval of the raft 25 by the rescue services.

Storage, inflation, and deployment of the raft is effected in the same way as for the raft I shown in Figures I to 3.

Although the above description refers to inflatable rafts, it will be appreciated that any other type of inflatable article could be used, be it an item of inflatable furniture, leisure equipment or a buoyancy device. For example, the applicant's above-mentioned sailboard could be stored within a suitably designed enclosure, and transported for use

25 at a particular location.

9

Claims

1. An inflatable article and enclosure, the inflatable article having an inflatable chamber and an inlet for inputting a gas into the inflatable chamber, the inflatable 5 article being removably located within the enclosure, wherein, when the article is positioned inside the enclosure, the inlet extends from the inflatable chamber to a position accessible from the exterior of the enclosure.

2. An inflatable article and enclosure, the inflatable article being removably 10 located within the enclosure and comprising an inflatable chamber containing a predetermined quantity of gas capable of substantially inflating the chamber to its operating state.

3. An inflatable article and enclosure according to claim 2, wherein the enclosure 15 is arranged to restrict inflation of the inflatable chamber to its operating state.

4. An inflatable article and enclosure according to any preceding claim, wherein the enclosure is arranged to cause gas within the inflatable chamber to be pressurized.

20

5. An inflatable article and enclosure according to any preceding claim, wherein the enclosure is a rigid casing.

6. An inflatable article and enclosure according to any preceding claim, wherein the enclosure comprises a casing having a releasable lid for securably retaining the 25 inflatable article within the casing.

7. An inflatable article and enclosure according to claim 6, wherein the releasable lid is secured to the casing by means of a spring hinge and a catch, the lid being opened by the sphing-loaded hinge when the catch is released.

8. An inflatable article and enclosure according to any preceding claim, wherein the enclosure comprises a release mechanism for allowing deployment of the inflatable article.

5

9. An inflatable article and enclosure according to any preceding claim, further comprising a pressure indicator for indicating the pressure of gas within the inflatable chamber.

10. An inflatable article and enclosure according to any preceding claim, wherein 10 the inflatable article is a buoyancy aid.

11. An inflatable article and enclosure according to claim 10, wherein the inflatable article is a life-jacket, life-raft or other form of buoyant life-saving equipment.

12, An inflatable article and enclosure according to any preceding claim, further comprising means for attaching the enclosure to a water-based vehicle, such as a boat.

13. An inflatable article and enclosure according to any of claims 8 to 12, further 20 comprising means for automatically deploying the inflatable article from its enclosure when the release mechanism is operated.

14. A method of operating an inflatable article and enclosure, the method comprising: providing an inflatable article and enclosure according to claim 1, or any 25 of claims 3 to 13 when dependant on claim 1; inputting a gas into the inflatable chamber of the inflatable article; and opening the enclosure so as to allow removal of the inflatable article.

15. A method of operating an inflatable article and enclosure, the method 30 comprising: providing an inflatable article and enclosure according to claim 2, or any of claims 3 to 13 when dependant on claim 2; and opening the enclosure so as to allow removal of the inflatable article.

16. A method of operating an inflatable article according to claim 14 or claim 15, wherein the inflatable article is automatically deployed from the enclosure.

5

17. A method according to claim 16, wherein the automatic deployment is actuated by the expanding effect of the compressed gas when the enclosure is opened.

18. An inflatable article and enclosure, substantially as hereinbefore shown and described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

19. An method of operating an inflatable article, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.