GB2384463A

GB2384463A - Inflation device for lifejackets

Info

Publication number: GB2384463A
Application number: GB0201737A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Perrins
Original assignee: United Moulders Ltd
Current assignee: United Moulders Ltd
Priority date: 2002-01-25
Filing date: 2002-01-25
Publication date: 2003-07-30
Also published as: GB0201737D0; WO2003062047A1

Abstract

A system for inflating an inflatable volume comprises an inlet connected to the inflatable volume, a removably attachable inflator 22 having a cavity 24 capable of receiving a gas canister 26, an actuating mechanism 31 capable of puncturing the canister to release the gas, a flow path and an outlet 30. When connected to the inflatable volume the inflator on operation of the actuating mechanism allows gas to flow from the canister to the inflatable volume. Removal of the inflator is only effected by a user manually applying at least two separate movements to the inflator, which may be applied simultaneously or sequentially, thus preventing accidental release of the system from the inflatable volume.

Description

INFLATION DEVICE FOR LIFEJACKETS This invention relates to inflation devices for lifejackets, in particular, to the connection means of the inflation device by which it is attached to the lifejacket.

An inflatable lifejacket generally includes an inflation device in which a gas canister is fitted. The inflation device includes some piercing means which punctures the diaphragm of the gas cylinder to release the gas, which is directed into the lifejacket to inflate it. The piercing means may be actuated by the lifejacket user pulling upon a lanyard, or automatically on contact with water, or by either method.

The inflation device typically includes a male threaded gas outlet, which is screwed into a corresponding threaded female inlet attached to the life jacket. Another method of attaching an inflation device to an inflatable device is shown in WO 0015492, where an inlet nozzle includes a male threaded member having a solid shaft is introduced to a through bore in the valve block of the inflator, the inlet nozzle being secured by a threaded cap engaging on the other side of the valve block.

Such threaded components must be fitted with care to prevent the inflator unscrewing and coming loose. The tight screwing of threaded components is inconvenient both during the fitting and the removal of the inflator.

It is an object of this invention to provide an inflation device which is convenient and safe to fit and remove.

According to the present invention, there is provided a life preserving system for inflating an inflatable volume, the system including an inlet connected to the inflatable volume, and a removably attachable inflator, the inflator comprising a cavity capable of receiving a gas canister, an actuating mechanism capable of puncturing the canister to release the gas, a flow path and an outlet, such that when the inflator is attached to the inflatable volume, operation of the actuating mechanism results in gas flowing from the gas canister, through the inflator's flow path and outlet, through the inflatable volume's inlet, and into the inflatable volume, characterised in that removal of the inflator is only effected by a user manually applying at least two separate movements performed upon the inflator.

Preferably the forces or actions must be applied simultaneously.

Alternatively, the forces or actions could be required to be applied sequentially.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a life preserving system for inflating an inflatable volume, the system including an inlet connected to the inflatable volume, and a removably attachable inflator, the inflator comprising a cavity capable of receiving a gas canister, an actuating mechanism capable of puncturing the canister to release the gas, a flow path and an outlet, such that when the inflator is attached to the inflatable volume, operation of the actuating mechanism results in gas flowing from the gas canister, through the inflator's flow path and outlet, through the inflatable volume's inlet, and

into the inflatable volume, characterised in that the inflator includes a release element and a retaining element, the retaining element and the release element having co-operating surfaces which are biased to engage, but disengageable upon operation to overcome the bias, the release element and the inlet having co-operating surfaces which interfere so as to prevent the inflator's removal when the retaining element and release element are engaged, and which do not interfere when the retaining element and release element are disengaged.

Preferably the inlet includes a radially extending saddle portion, and the release member is radially constrained by the retaining member when the release member and retaining member are engaged so as to interfere with the saddle portion, and that the release member is unconstrained and free to flex radially outwards when the release member and retaining member are disengaged so as to clear the saddle portion. The release element may include an extending portion that protrudes between the inflator and the inlet, and manipulation of this extending portion overcomes the bias to disengage the release element from the retaining element.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a life preserving system for inflating an inflatable volume, the system including an inlet connected to the inflatable volume, and a removably attachable inflator, the inflator comprising a cavity capable of receiving a gas canister, an actuating mechanism capable of puncturing the canister to release the gas, a flow path and an outlet, such that when the inflator is attached to the inflatable volume, operation of the actuating mechanism results in gas flowing from the gas canister, through the inflator's flow path and outlet, through the inflatable volume's inlet, and into the inflatable volume, characterised in that the inflator includes a

holding member which moveable from a first position to a second position relative to the outlet.

Preferably the outlet may be engaged with the inlet while the holding member is a first position, and the holding member moved to a second position in which it engages with the inlet so that the outlet cannot be disengaged from the inlet, movement of the holding member from the second position to the first position requiring an addition manipulation action.

Preferably the inlet includes a bend, and that the holding member is rotates from the first position to the second position about an axis substantially perpendicular to the outlet. Preferably the holding member includes an recess that engages upon a pawl in the second position.

An inflation device according to the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure I is a perspective sectional view of an inflator and inlet; Figures 2 to 5 are longitudinal sectional views of an inflator and inlet in different stages of fitting; Figure 6 is a perspective sectional view of another embodiment of the inflator and inlet; Figure 7 is a perspective cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the inflator and inlet;

Figures 8 and 9 are perspective partial sectional views of an inflator and insert in open and closed positions respectively; Referring to figure 1, the invention provides an inflation device for inflating an inflatable article such as a lifejacket (not shown). The inflation device includes a main body 22 which has a cavity 24 at its forward end to receive the neck of a gas capsule 26, an outlet port 30, and a further cavity 28, at its rear end, in which is situated the actuating mechanism 31 which cause a knife 29 to be urged into the top of the gas capsule, puncturing the gas capsule 26 and causing it to release the gas with which the inflatable article will be inflated. The operation of the actuation mechanism 31 illustrated is described in GB 2341350, although other actuation mechanisms and gas generation devices may be utilised with the present invention with suitable adaptations.

The main body includes a tubular outlet port 30 which is in communication with the top of the gas capsule 26, and a connection member 60 and connection collar 40, which assist in attaching and detaching the inflator to the life jacket. The life jacket (or other inflatable device) includes a manifold inlet or'd post'35, which comprises a generally tubular shaft 36 and a flange 37 extending radially outwardly at one end (the base of the d post) of the shaft 36. The bore of the shaft 36 communicates with the volume to be inflated. The flange 37 is attached to the fabric of the life jacket (for example by plastic welding. ) The outer diameter of the outlet port 30 is somewhat smaller than the bore of the d post 35, so that the outlet port 30 penetrates the shaft 36 at the end opposite the flange 37 (the tip of the d post 35). The outlet port 30 may include an

o-ring 31 on its outer diameter to ensure that the bores of the outlet port 30 and d post 35 are sealed from the outside environment.

The tubular portion of the d post 35 is shaped at its tip to include a thickened portion 32. The increased diameter continues at the tip for some distance down the shaft 36, whereupon the outer diameter of the shaft decreases at a constant rate to form a shoulder 39, and then the outer diameter of the shaft then remains approximately constant until it widens at the base to strengthen the flange 37. The extreme tip of the shaft 36 is rounded.

The connection collar 40 comprises a generally cylindrical portion 41, and a radially extending flanged portion 42 at the base of the cylindrical portion 41, so that an angled region 43 is formed where the cylindrical portion 41 meets the flanged portion 43. The top of the cylindrical portion 41 (i. e. opposite from the base) includes a shaped detent 45. The detent extends inwardly to provide an upward facing surface 47 having a gradient corresponding to that of the gradient on the shaft of the d post at 39. A downward facing surface 48 is provided on the underside of the detent. The detent also extends outwardly from the cylinder 41, so that an overhang 49 is created. The connection collar 40 is resilient such that the cylindrical portion 41 may flex to increase and decrease the diameter of the detent 45. To this end, the cylinder, and some part of the flange, may be split by longitudinal notches 52. When no forces are acting on it, the cylindrical portion 41 tapers inwards somewhat from the base to the top. A spring 44 is located in the connection member, coaxially with the outlet 30 and connection collar 40, which is in a state of compression and presses down upon the upper surface of the detent 45 of the connection collar. The connection collar is thus biased downwards.

The connection member 60 is either integrally formed with the main body of the inflator 22, or may be manufactured as a separate part and joined to the inflator thereafter. Part 50 of the connection member extends coaxially with the outlet port 30 to form a cavity, and includes a generally inwardly tapering frusto-conical portion 54. This frusto conical portion 54 forms an opening that extends somewhat below the outlet port 30, and leaves a radial gap between the outlet port and the edge of the opening.

The inside edge of the opening of the frusto-conical portion 54 includes a horizontal ledge 56 facing upwards.

At a region opposite to the opening of the outlet port 30 and the connection member, the connection member features a depression 58 suitable to accommodate the heel of a thumb. To fit the inflator to a life jacket, the inflator may conveniently be held with the user's thumb on the depression 58 in the connection member. The inflator 22 and d post 35 are shown in a disengaged state in figure 2. The user then pushes the underside of the inflator, were the outlet port 30 opening and connection member 60 opening are situated, onto the d post 35 shaft to engage the outlet port with the d post, as shown in figure 3.

As the inflator 22 is pressed upon the d post 35, the d post bears against the inside of the cylindrical portion 41 of the connection collar 40, the connection collar having moved inside the connection member 60 and compressing the spring 44 until the edge of the frusto-conical portion 54 of the connection member abuts the flange 37 of the connection collar. As the rounded tip of the shaft 36 enters the cylindrical portion 41 of the connection collar 40, the cylindrical portion flexes to accommodate the shaft 36, the tip of the shaft contacting the downward facing surface 48 of

the detent 45 of the connection collar 40. At a certain point, the detent 45 is pushed over the shaft's shoulder 39, and the detent 45 springs radially inward behind the shoulder, 39 as shown in figure 4.

Referring to figure 5, the spring 44 then expands to move the connection collar 40 downwards until the lower surface of the detent 45 abuts the upper surface of the fustro-conical portion of the connection member 60. This completes the fitting of the inflator 22. As the detent 45 of the connection collar 40 springs behind the d post's shoulder 39, an audible click is produced which is felt and heard by the user to assure him the connection is completed.

In order to remove the inflator, as would be necessary for example after the inflator 22 has been activated and the gas canister 26 punctured in order to inflate the life jacket, the user must press downward on the main body of the inflator and simultaneously raise the connection collar, and then pull the entire inflator from the d post. The user may achieve this in the following manner; the user holds the life jacket securely, for example on the ground or on a table top, with one hand (say his left, though of course the hands may be reversed), and grasps the inflator 22 with his other hand (his right). The thumb of the user's right hand presses upon the depression 58 provided by the connection member 60, while the index and middle fingers curve around the connection member, the finger tips positioned either side of the d post 35, pulling upwards on the connection collar 40 on the underside of the flanged portion 42 of the connection collar.

Referring to figure 2, as the user presses downwards upon the connection member 60 and pulls upwards on the connection collar 40, the

ledge 56 of the connection member disengages from the overhang 49 of the connection collar detent, and the flange 42 of the connection collar 40 abuts the frusto-conical portion 54 of the connection member to the position shown in figure 4. When the inflator is raised from the d post 35 with the connection collar 40 and connection member 60 being kept in this relationship by opposing forces, the upward facing surface 47 of the connection collar detent is free to move over the shoulder 39 of the d post to the position shown in figure 3, the top of the cylindrical portion 41 of the connection collar 40 splays out as the connection collar rises (the notched nature of the cylindrical portion facilitating this splaying), until the detent 45 of the connection collar 40 passes the top of the d post 35 and the inflator is detached from the life jacket (restoring the inflator to the detached position shown in figure 2). In this way, the inflator is disengaged; the user may then remove the inflator from the d post inlet by pulling upwards whilst maintaining some opposing pressure on the connection member. An inflator must not be susceptible to being removed accidentally. It will be seen that such opposing pressure is difficult to achieve accidentally, and it is also difficult for the user to remove the inflator while he is wearing it. Without such forces being applied by the user, the connection collar is kept engaging with the fustro-conical part of connection member 60 by spring 44.

A different configuration of inflator is shown in figure 6. Here, the connection member 60, rather than be provided with a depression, has an button surface 60. The frusto-conical portion 54 of the connection member , the d post 35 and the outlet port 30 are all generally as for the previous embodiment. A button insert 65 situated beneath the button surface 70 is generally tubular, with a retaining ledge 62. Referring also to figure 7, the tubular shaft 74 features cutaway portions 75 through which the axial bore

65 of the inflator mechanism passes, the cutaway 75 given sufficient clearance for the button insert's stroke. A spring under the button surface engages the retaining ledge 62, pushing downwards on the button insert.

The lower part of the button insert 65 includes a radially inward facing detent 85, the detent having a upward facing surface 87 and a downward facing surface 88 as shown. The shaft 74 of the button insert 65 includes longitudinal notches (not here visible) which extend from the base of the button insert to somewhat below the button insert's top 72. These slots 82 divide the bottom of the button insert 65 and allow the bottom to be splayed outwards in a manner similar to the notches of the connection collar of the previous embodiment.

When the inflator is to be fitted to the life jacket, the frusto-conical portion 54 of the connection member 60 is pressed against the d post 35.

The top of the d post 35, having a rounded tip slides into the connection member 60, and the inflator's outlet port 30 slides into the bore of the d post 35. When the tip of the outlet presses against the inward facing detent on the base of the button insert, the base of the button insert splays outwards through the co-operation between the downward facing sloped surface of the inward facing detent, and the rounded tip of the outlet, so that the inward facing detent of the button insert riding over the outlet shoulder 39. When the inward facing detent of the button insert reaches the outlet shoulder, the inward facing detent moves radially inwards due to the resilient nature of the button insert's material, causing an audible click as for the previous embodiment.

It will be seen that when the inflator is subjected to pulling in a direction away from the life jacket, the inward facing detent of the button insert will engage between the d post 35 and the frusto-conical portion 54

of the connection member; as in the last example, the upward facing surface 77 of the button insert detent 85 abutting the d post shoulder 39 and the base of the button insert abutting the ledge 56 of the frusto-conical portion 54.

Referring to figure, the button insert features two radially extending lugs 82,83 that extend through slots 84,85 in the aperture. In order to release the inflator from the life jacket, the user holds the life jacket steady with one hand, and with the other hand presses down upon the button surface with the thumb whilst pulling upwards on the two lugs with the second and third lugs respectively, so that the lugs 82,83 are moved to the top position of the slots 84,85. When the connection member 60 and the button insert detent 85 are spaced by these opposing forces, the base of the button insert is no longer engaged with the ledge 56 of the frusto-conical portion 54 of the connection member, and the upward facing surface 87 of the button insert detent slides over the shoulder 39 of the d post 35, the bottom portion of the button insert flexing radially outwards into the connection member's cavity. After the button insert detent has escaped the d post's shoulder, the inflator may be completely removed. Again, it will be seen that to the two opposing forces necessary to remove the inflator from a life jacket are unlikely to come about except by a deliberate decision to remove the inflator when not wearing the life jacket, the spring 44 depressing the button insert downwards when no outside forces re applied.

Referring to figure, an inflator, as for the previous embodiments, includes a cavity at its forward end to receive the neck of a gas capsule 26, and a further cavity 28, at its rear end, in which is situated the actuating mechanism 31 which cause a knife 29 to be urged along an axial bore through the diaphragm of the gas capsule.

A tubular outlet port 30 is in communication with the axial bore, the outlet port 30 leaving the axially bore laterally. A rotating connection member 90 assists in attaching and detaching the inflator to the life jacket.

The d-post 105 of the life jacket comprises a generally tubular shaft 106 bent into an'L'shape, having a flange 107 extending radially outwardly at one end (the base of the d post) of the shaft 36, and a throat portion 108 at the other end (the top of the d post) to receive the outlet port. The outlet port 30 includes an o-ring 31 on its outer diameter to seal the connection between it and the d post.

The connection member 90 includes a cylindrical body 91 which is rotatably around the axis of the inflator, and an arm having a top 92 and a front 93, the top and front being set at approximately 90 . The connection member is constrained in its axial rotation, between a position where the top 92 of the arm is set at some angle, typically 45 to the outlet 30 (this may be achieved by some abutment between the main body of the inflator and the connection member), and a position where the top of the arm is parallel to the outlet (this being discussed below).

The cylindrical body 91 is generally tubular. The connection member features a tongue 93 formed from the cylindrical body and the arm by two parallel lateral notches 95,96 joined by an axial notch (not here visible), the notches extending through the thickness of the connection member (only one lateral notch is hear visible), so that the tongue 93 may flex along its length with respect to the remainder of the connection member 90. The outlet 30 includes a tooth 100 having a relatively gently sloping side 101 and a vertical side 102, the apex of the tooth being resilient and pressing against the inner surface of the cylindrical body 90

beneath the tongue 93. The tongue includes a window aperture 97 axially aligned with the tooth. Initially the connection member is set at 45 to the outlet.

To attach the inflator 22, the outlet 30 is inserted into the throat portion 108 of the d post, until the tooth and a lug on the opposite side of the outlet engage with the top of the d-post. The arm of the connection member 90 is then rotated towards the outlet. When the top 92 of the arm is parallel with the outlet, it rests upon the upper surface of the bent d post 35. The front of the arm 93 comes down over the angle of the d post 35 to rest against the shaft of the d post extending perpendicularly from the flange. Simultaneously with reaching this position, the apex of the tooth 100 moves past the edge of the window 97, causing the tongue 93, which has been radially displaced by the tooth, to spring radially inwards. The inflator is now fitted to the d post, and the tongue gives an audible click as it springs inwards to inform the user.

The connection member 90 is now constrained from further rotation by the d post 35 on the one hand, and the outlet's tooth 100 on the other, the vertical side of the tooth 102 abutting against the edge of the window on the tongue. The front of the arm is thus constrained resting against the perpendicularly extending d post shaft 35, enduring that the outlet 30 cannot be pulled out of the d post.

To remove the inflator, the user may insert his finger in the axial notch and lift the tongue 93 so that the edge of the window 97 disengages with the vertical side 102 of the tooth 100, thereby allowing the connection member 90 to be rotated away from the outlet 30 and d post 35. As the

front of the arm 93 no longer rests against the perpendicularly extending d post shaft, the outlet may be removed from the bore of the d post 35.

It will be seen that, as for the previous embodiments, the inflator needs two separate actions to be performed by the user in order to remove the inflator, ensuring that the inflator is not removed accidentally. The inflator could be adapted so that removal causes the some irreversible change in the inflator indicating that it has been removed, to ensure that a previously used inflator with an exhausted gas canister cannot be erroneously fitted to a life jacket. For example, referring again to figures 7, 8, the tongue 93 could be configured so that lifting the tongue to release the connection member causes the tongue to fracture and come away from the connection member; the portion of the axial bore revealed by this could feature some legend or colouring indicating that the connection member had been previously used. Ideally, the gas canister 26 should in such a case be affixed to the inflator in such a way that it cannot be removed once the inflator has been activated, for example by. bonding the gas canister in the threaded cavity, so that removal of the gas canister causes the thread to shear so that another gas canister cannot be fitted.

Claims

Claims 1. A life preserving system for inflating an inflatable volume, the system including an inlet connected to the inflatable volume, and a removably attachable inflator, the inflator comprising a cavity capable of receiving a gas canister, an actuating mechanism capable of puncturing the canister to release the gas, a flow path and an outlet, such that when the inflator is attached to the inflatable volume, operation of the actuating mechanism results in gas flowing from the gas canister, through the inflator's flow path and outlet, through the inflatable volume's inlet, and into the inflatable volume, characterised in that removal of the inflator is only effected by a user manually applying at least two separate movements performed upon the inflator.
2. A life preserving system according to claim 1 characterised in that forces or actions must be applied simultaneously.
3. A life preserving system according to claim I characterised in that forces or actions must be applied sequentially.
4. A life preserving system according to any previous claim characterised in that the fitting of the inflator to the inflatable volume is effected in by a user manually applying a single force or action upon the inflator.
5. A life preserving system according to any previous claim characterised in that after removing the inflator from the inflatable volume, the inflator cannot thereafter be re-fitted.

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6. A life preserving system for inflating an inflatable volume, the system including an inlet connected to the inflatable volume, and a removably attachable inflator, the inflator comprising a cavity capable of receiving a gas canister, an actuating mechanism capable of puncturing the canister to release the gas, a flow path and an outlet, such that when the inflator is attached to the inflatable volume, operation of the actuating mechanism results in gas flowing from the gas canister, through the inflator's flow path and outlet, through the inflatable volume's inlet, and into the inflatable volume, characterised in that the inflator includes a release element and a retaining element, the retaining element and the release element having co-operating surfaces which are biased to engage, but disengageable upon operation to overcome the bias, the release element and the inlet having co-operating surfaces which interfere so as to prevent the inflator's removal when the retaining element and release element are engaged, and which do not interfere when the retaining element and release element are disengaged.
7. A life preserving system according to claim 6 characterised in that the inlet includes a radially extending saddle portion, and the release member is radially constrained by the retaining member when the release member and retaining member are engaged so as to interfere with the saddle portion, and that the release member is unconstrained and free to flex radially outwards when the release member and retaining member are disengaged so as to clear the saddle portion.
8. A life preserving system according to claim 7 characterised in that the release element includes an extending portion that protrudes between the inflator and the inlet, and manipulation of this extending portion

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overcomes the bias to disengage the release element from the retaining element.
9. A life preserving system according to claim 6 characterised in that the release element includes an extending portion that protrudes through the inflator, and manipulation of this extending portion overcomes the bias to disengage the release element from the retaining element.
10. A life preserving system for inflating an inflatable volume, the system including an inlet connected to the inflatable volume, and a removably attachable inflator, the inflator comprising a cavity capable of receiving a gas canister, an actuating mechanism capable of puncturing the canister to release the gas, a flow path and an outlet, such that when the inflator is attached to the inflatable volume, operation of the actuating mechanism results in gas flowing from the gas canister, through the inflator's flow path and outlet, through the inflatable volume's inlet, and into the inflatable volume, characterised in that the inflator includes a holding member which moveable from a first position to a second position relative to the outlet.
11. A life preserving system according to claim 10 characterised in that the outlet may be engaged with the inlet while the holding member is a first position, and the holding member moved to a second position in which it engages with the inlet so that the outlet cannot be disengaged from the inlet, movement of the holding member from the second position to the first position requiring an addition manipulation action.
12. A life preserving system according to claims 10 or 11 characterised in that the inlet includes a bend, and that the holding member is rotates

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from the first position to the second position about an axis substantially perpendicular to the outlet.
13. A life preserving system according to claim 12 characterised in that the holding member includes an recess that engages upon a pawl in the second position.
14. A life preserving system according to claim 13 characterised in that the additional manipulation action includes lifting the recess part of the holding member from the pawl.
15. A life preserving system according to claims 10 to 14 characterised in that the manipulation causes fracture of part of the holding mechanism.

15. A life preserving system according to claims 10 to 14 characterised in that the manipulation causes fracture of part of the holding mechanism.

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Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows

1. A life preserving system for inflating an inflatable volume, the system including an inlet connected to the inflatable volume, and an inflator, the inflator being removably attachable to the inlet from the outside of the inflatable volume, the inflator comprising a cavity capable of receiving a gas canister, an actuating mechanism capable of puncturing the canister to release the gas, a flow path and an outlet, such that when the inflator is attached to the inflatable volume, operation of the actuating mechanism results in gas flowing from the gas canister, through the inflator's flow path and outlet, through the inflatable volume's inlet, and into the inflatable volume, characterised in that removal of the inflator is only effected by a user manually applying at least two separate movements performed upon the inflator.

2. A life preserving system according to claim I characterised in that forces or actions must be applied simultaneously.

3. A life preserving system according to claim I characterised in that forces or actions must be applied sequentially.

4. A life preserving system according to any previous claim characterised in that after removing the inflator from the inflatable volume, the inflator cannot thereafter be re-fitted.

5. A life preserving system according to any previous claim characterised in that the fitting of the inflator to the inflatable volume is

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effected in by a user manually applying a single force or action upon the inflator.

6. A life preserving system according to any previous claim characterised in that the inflator includes a release element and a retaining element, the retaining element and the release element having co-operating surfaces which are biased to engage, but disengageable upon operation to overcome the bias, the release element and the inlet having co-operating surfaces which interfere so as to prevent the inflator's removal when the retaining element and release element are engaged, and which do not interfere when the retaining element and release element are disengaged.

7. A life preserving system according to claim 6 characterised in that the inlet includes a radially extending saddle portion, and the release member is radially constrained by the retaining member when the release member and retaining member are engaged so as to interfere with the saddle portion, and that the release member is unconstrained and free to flex radially outwards when the release member and retaining member are disengaged so as to clear the saddle portion.

8. A life preserving system according to either of claims 6 or 7 characterised in that the release element includes an extending portion that protrudes between the inflator and the inlet, and manipulation of this extending portion overcomes the bias to disengage the release element from the retaining element.

9. A life preserving system according to either of claims 6 or 7 characterised in that the release element includes an extending portion that protrudes through the inflator, and manipulation of this extending portion

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overcomes the bias to disengage the release element from the retaining element.

10. A life preserving system according to any of claims 1 to 4 characterised in that the inflator includes a holding member which is moveable from a first position to a second position relative to the outlet.

11. A life preserving system according to claim 10 characterised in that the outlet may be engaged with the inlet while the holding member is in a first position, and the holding member moved to a second position in which it engages with the inlet so that the outlet cannot be disengaged from the inlet, movement of the holding member from the second position to the first position requiring an additional manipulation action.

12. A life preserving system according to claims 10 or 11 characterised in that the inlet includes a bend, and that the holding member is rotated from the first position to the second position about an axis substantially perpendicular to the outlet.

13. A life preserving system according to claim 12 characterised in that the holding member includes a recess that engages upon a pawl in the second position.

14. A life preserving system according to claim 13 characterised in that the additional manipulation action includes lifting the recess part of the holding member from the pawl.