GB2386348A

GB2386348A - Buoyant life-saving device

Info

Publication number: GB2386348A
Application number: GB0207225A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Joseph Paul Busuttil
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-03-27
Filing date: 2002-03-27
Publication date: 2003-09-17
Anticipated expiration: 2022-03-27
Also published as: GB0207225D0; GB2386348B

Abstract

A buoyant life-saving device comprises a framework formed from elongate sections of flexible buoyant material. The framework is formed as at least two rings of different sizes arranged concentrically and linked by eight joining pieces that extend radially from the centre of the device. During use the device spreads out over the surface of the water allowing persons to be rescued to climb onto it. The buoyant material is of the type that remains buoyant even if damaged. The device may be stored in a folded condition, only opening up and spreading out when it impacts the surface of the water in which it is deployed.

Description

1 2386348

bESCRIP=ON OCTOBUS

Extended lifebouy, which can be used to save one or more human beings in most types of waters. Its circular flat construction allows the survivors to lay flat on the Octobus thereby reducing the risk of shock, heart attack and hypothermia. The Octobus covers a minimum area of 38 square feet. Octobus can be deployed from air, sea or land, opening outwards when making impact with the water. The Octobus consists of inner and outer rings shown on the drawing, which holds the eight bouyant cross pieces like points in a compass, even if the Octobus is damaged, because it is made from high memory and bouyant materials it will still retain its bouyancy.

K TO DRAWINGS

EBA 207225.4

Page One Figures two and four | Figure eight - Brain Control| Figure five - Upper Holding Rings Figure five a) - Lower rings Page Two Figure eightt Figure eight - central areaAt| Figures two, five and five a) Example; Central area can carry flashing beacon not shown on drawings Page Three Figures four and two - Detail section end of spine with clips Figure two Section cute,- skin, ur.d er,d of spine 3' Page Four Figure two - Bouyant outer skin y' jl Figure four - clips 7 I Page Five Figure eight - Brain Central Area plus measurements Figure five - Upper holding ring eight sections Figure five a) - Lower Holding ring two sections Figure two Spine and thicker outer skin

Page Six Figure two - Spine' Figure four - Clips() Page Seven \cigure two - end of spine71, Figure four - clip on end of spine Page Eight Figure two - spine only no outer covering! Figure five - Upper Holding ring with covering '' Figure five a) - spine only no outer covering Page Nine Figure six - survivors Figure two - Spine ERA and outer skin Page Ten Figure seven - Sea Anchor Container:) '.

Page Eleven Figure four - end of spine and clips Figure two - Spine only Figure two and five - spine with outer skin{ 17 Figure eight - central area Figure seven - sea anchor

Claims

CLAIMS This invention relates to the extendable lifebouy This invention, an extendable lifebouy is different from the conventional lifebouy because of the greater area that it covers when deployed, it opens out with an umbrella action laying flat on the surface of the water - covering an approximate area of 38 square feet, enabling one or more survivors to lay flat on the invention close to the surface of water improving their chances of survival by reducing risks (SEE ABSTRACT). Also because of its close proximity to the surface of the water this enables it to ride sea swells and waves without capsizing or sinking, to operate in adverse and storm conditions. This invention is constructed from bouyant sections to which can be added a variety of survival aids: e.g. flashing lights, radio beacons, high visibility colouring, flares, drinking water, hypothermic gloves and socks, first aid equipment and shark repellent. More than one lifebouy can be linked together to Cover a greater area enabling it to carry more À..-.. f:Ji. f. '. Survivors in event of a major sea/water disaster e.g. the sinking of a passenger ferry where other survival aids are not available or not put into action. Its cheapness makes it ideal for large scale production. (Third World Countries) Each of these extendable lifebouy inventions is stored in a cylindrical basket. The basket acts as a sea anchor, Q rope is attached to the centre of the bout and stored in the bottom of the basket. The bout is released from the basket by either a quick release mechanism or thrown, opening out on f impact with the water. It is important that the bout aid is made from high A/Lenory bouyant materials so it opens each time It is deployed. The aid is intended to be re- useable. This bouyancy aid can also be deployed by air, land or sea and even if damaged will stil I be usable against other air filled bouyancy aids. . -. g CLAIMS Reference: OCTOBUS 6 Application number: GB 0207225.4 ERA -Extendable Bouyancy Aid This invention relates to increasing the effective area of water covered by a lifebouy. Lifebouys with a line attached to a position of safety are commonly situated on land or afloat in positions of danger to swimmers or Nan overboard. The accuracy of the throw to a swimmer or of men overboard in difficulty is of crucial importance since a narrow miss will abort that attempt at rescue. According to the present invention the chance of a miss can be reduced by the radial extension of bouyant Novembers from the bout covering a greater area than conventional lifebouys. This is activated by the act of throwing and on impact with the water. The bout contacting the water or means to provide the sense effect.

1. Extendable bouyancy aid, which can be used to save one or more human beings in most types of waters.

Its circular flat construction allows the survivors to lay flat on the EBA (Figure 1), thereby reducing the risk of shock and heart attack. The EBA covers a minimum area of 3.53 square Petrel; it is brightly coloured necking it visible in poor lighting conditions.

EBA can be deployed from air, sea or land, opening outwards when making impact with the water. The EBA consists of inner and outer rings shown on the drawings, which holds the eight bouyant cross pieces like points in a compass; even if the EBA is damaged, because it is made bouyant materials it will still retain its bouyancy.

2. The whole of the EBA is stored in a container Figure 7, with free flood holes to ensure that its Main body submerges on contacting the water thereby acting as a sea anchor for the EBA to minimise drifting away from survivors where deployed. On each end of the eight points of the EBA there is a ring fitted with Q double clip, which means that the EBA can be linked up to another EBA, thereby increasing the surface area for survivors to hold on to.

Dependant Claim

3. The main bouyant cross pieces are also capable of carrying equipment mentioned in the description

(Figure 3) and a flashing light attached to the centre as can be other electronic life saving aids such as radio beacons.