GB2561903A

GB2561903A - Lifejacket

Info

Publication number: GB2561903A
Application number: GB1706812.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Yeats Gordon John; Brown Elizabeth; Alan Oliver Paul
Original assignee: Survitec Group Ltd
Current assignee: Survitec Group Ltd
Priority date: 2017-04-28
Filing date: 2017-04-28
Publication date: 2018-10-31
Also published as: GB201706812D0; WO2018197718A1

Abstract

An inflatable lifejacket 21 includes a trunk portion 23 for overlying a wearer's chest and configured to substantially increase in volume upon inflation by application of a fluid, and a neck portion 25 for supporting a wearer's neck and configured to substantially increase in volume upon inflation by application of the fluid. The trunk portion and the neck portion are connected by at least one connecting portion 27 for overlying a wearer's shoulder and arranged to allow passage of the fluid there through and configured to substantially maintain its volume upon application of the fluid. There is further disclosed an inflatable lifejacket in which the trunk portion overlies both the users torso at the front and at the sides. There is further disclosed a lifejacket which can achieve multiple different buoyancy states. There is further disclosed a lifejacket incorporating a manual oral nozzle positioned so as to allow a rescuer to further inflate the jacket. There is further disclosed a lifejacket which can be selectably configured to be deployed manually or automatically upon contact with the water. There is further disclosed a lifejacket incorporating an armoured element to protect the user.

Description

(54) Title of the Invention: Lifejacket Abstract Title: Inflatable lifejacket (57) An inflatable lifejacket 21 includes a trunk portion 23 for overlying a wearer's chest and configured to substantially increase in volume upon inflation by application of a fluid, and a neck portion 25 for supporting a wearer's neck and configured to substantially increase in volume upon inflation by application of the fluid. The trunk portion and the neck portion are connected by at least one connecting portion 27 for overlying a wearer's shoulder and arranged to allow passage of the fluid there through and configured to substantially maintain its volume upon application of the fluid. There is further disclosed an inflatable lifejacket in which the trunk portion overlies both the users torso at the front and at the sides. There is further disclosed a lifejacket which can achieve multiple different buoyancy states. There is further disclosed a lifejacket incorporating a manual oral nozzle positioned so as to allow a rescuer to further inflate the jacket. There is further disclosed a lifejacket which can be selectably configured to be deployed manually or automatically upon contact with the water. There is further disclosed a lifejacket incorporating an armoured element to protect the user.

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Lifejacket

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an inflatable lifejacket.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

A known inflatable lifejacket 1, such as that shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3 has a single inflatable chamber 3 that overlies the wearer's chest and shoulders, and extends behind the wearer's neck. An opening 5 is provided to allow the wearer's head to pass through the lifejacket 1 during donning and doffing.

The shoulder part 7 of the chamber 3 that overlies the shoulders substantially increases in volume upon inflation by application of inflating fluid, to generally the same degree as the rest of the chamber 3. The inflated shoulder part 7 makes swimming difficult, restricts the wearer's view and makes it difficult for the wearer to shoulder a firearm (which is often useful for military personnel and the like).

The HOM (Height of Mouth) is an important consideration for lifejacket. HOM is vital in achieving survival and the height of the mouth from the water surface has to be a minimum of 120 mm to comply with current regulated standards.

The FPA (Face Plane Angle) is further important consideration for lifejacket. If the FPA is too shallow (e.g. less than 25°) then waves can wash over the mouth and cause choking (dry drowning) and if it is too steep then the subject cannot breathe properly.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the known chamber 3 is attached to the wearer's torso by a strap 9 so that the buoyancy of the chamber 3 lifts the torso of the wearer towards the surface of the water 11. However, as the torso part 13 of the chamber 3 sits on the front of the wearer's torso the HOM A can be lower than what is ideal and the field of vision B is obscured. The FPA is also lower than what is ideal.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an inflatable lifejacket including:

a trunk portion for overlying a wearer's chest and configured to substantially increase in volume upon inflation by application of a fluid, and a neck portion for supporting a wearer's neck and configured to substantially increase in volume upon inflation by application of the fluid, wherein the trunk portion and the neck portion are connected by at least one connecting portion for overlying a wearer's shoulder, arranged to allow passage of the fluid therethrough, and configured to substantially maintain its volume upon application of the fluid.

As the connecting portion substantially maintains its volume upon application of the fluid, this may make swimming easier and may increase the wearer's field of view.

The connecting portion may be arranged such that, in use, the wearer can shoulder a firearm substantially unrestricted by the connection portion.

The connecting portion may have an inflated diameter of less than 30mm, preferably 8mm,

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an inflatable lifejacket including a trunk portion for overlying a wearer's torso at the front, wherein the trunk portion is configured to further overly the wearer's torso at the sides.

Such an arrangement may advantageously increase the height of mouth (HOM) and/or increase the unobscured field of vision when the lifejacket is inflated and the wearer is lying faceup in water.

The trunk portion may be substantially U-shaped.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an inflatable lifejacket configured to have a first, full, buoyancy state and a second, reduced, buoyancy state.

The second, reduced buoyancy, state may provide flotation for tactical, operational swimming use. The first, full, buoyancy state may provide a full survival mode.

The lifejacket may include wearer-selectable means operable to selectively inflate the lifejacket to provide the first buoyancy state or the second buoyancy state.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an inflatable lifejacket including a trunk portion for overlying a wearer's chest a neck portion for supporting a wearer's neck, wherein the neck portion includes a manual oral inflation nozzle located behind the head of the wearer in use, e.g., positioned for allowing manual oral inflation by a rescuer .

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a lifejacket including an outer inflatable trunk portion for overlying a wearer's torso and an inner armour part, the inner armour part being configured to lie on one side against the wearer's torso in use, with the inflatable trunk portion being mounted on the other side.

The inner armour part may be located on the wearer's torso in use by a releasable securing mechanism and the arrangement is such that the location of the inner armour part on the wearer's torso does not alter upon inflation of the inflatable trunk portion.

The releasable securing mechanism may include a weareroperable release activation member that is arranged to be accessible to the wearer when the inflatable trunk portion is in an inflated and an uninflated state.

The lifejacket may include one or more high visibility regions configured to be selectively revealable. For example, the high visibility regions may be concealed by a flap that is secured by a releasable fastener.

An inflatable part of the lifejacket may comprise two or more separate inflatable sections. The sections may be in the trunk portion and/or the neck portion

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the present invention an embodiment will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure	1	shows a front	elevation of	a known lifejacket;
Figure	2	shows a side	elevation of	a known lifejacket worn	by
a user	in	water;
Figure	3	a bottom plan	view of a known lifejacket, showing	the

position and shape of the lifejacket in relation to the body of the wearer;

Figure 4 shows a front elevation of a lifejacket in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 5 shows a side elevation of the lifejacket in accordance with the embodiment when the wearer is in water;

Figure 6 shows a side view similar to that of Figure 5, illustrating additional equipment mounted at the user's neck;

Figure 7 shows a side elevation similar to that of Figures 4 and 5, showing the wearer shouldering a riffle;

Figure 8 shows a bottom plan view of a lifejacket in accordance with an embodiment in which a baffle is provided in the inflation chamber and also the showing the position of an armour plate; and

Figure	9	shows a	bottom plan	view	of a lifejacket	in
accordance	with an	embodiment of	the	invention showing	an
elastic	cover over	the inflatable	parts	and a position of	an

armour plate.

In the drawings, like elements are generally designated with the same reference sign.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

Referring initially to Figures 4 and 5, there is shown a lifejacket 21 according to an embodiment of the invention. The lifejacket 21 comprises a trunk portion 23 for overlying a wearer's chest and a neck portion 25 for supporting a wearer's neck. The trunk portion 23 and the neck portion 25 are connected by, e.g., two connecting portions 27, one of which overlies each of the wearer's shoulders. In an alternative arrangement one, tree or more connecting portions 27 may be provided.

The lifejacket 21 is rendered buoyant in use by inflation.

The trunk portion 23 comprises an inflatable chamber and is configured to substantially increase in volume upon inflation by application of a fluid. The neck portion 25 comprises an inflatable chamber and is also configured to substantially increase in volume upon inflation by application of the fluid. The connecting portions 27 allow passage of the fluid therethrough and are configured to substantially maintain their volume upon application of the fluid.

Various attachments may be made to lifejacket 21. For example, the trunk portion 23 may have attached to it a light, location device or beacon 28.

The connecting portions 27 may each be formed of a tube of inelastic material that extends from the trunk portion 23 to the neck portion 25. Alternatively, the connecting portions 27 may be integrally formed with either or both of the trunk portion 23 and the neck portion 25. The connecting portions 27 allow inflation fluid to pass between the trunk portion 23 and the neck portion 25 so that both may be inflated from a single inflation source.

The connecting portions 27 may be significantly narrower than the corresponding shoulder parts of a known lifejacket inflation chamber, such as that shown in Figures 1 to 3, which overly the shoulders of a wearer when inflated. According to the embodiment, the shoulder area of the wearer is substantially free of obstruction whether the lifejacket 21 is inflated or uninflated. The connecting portions 27 may have a diameter of 30mm or less. A diameter of 8mm is suitable, although smaller diameters are also possible.

Compared to a known lifejacket inflation chamber, such as that shown in Figures 1 to 3, the size and location of the connecting portions 27 reduces or eliminates restrictions to movements of the wearer's head (including when wearing a helmet) and arms. Additionally, the size and location of the connecting portions 27 provide little or no impediment the wearer effectively shouldering a riffle and in water and having a full field of fire from parallel to the water surface to vertically overhead.

The lifejacket 21 is provided with a manual oral inflation tube 29 with a non-return valve. The manual oral inflation tube 29 is positioned on the trunk portion 23 so that it can be easily reached by the wearer's mouth. This allows the wearer to manually inflate the lifejacket 21 if required.

The lifejacket 21 is further provided with two inflators 31, although only one (or more than two) may be provided. Inflators 31 are each fed by a gas cylinder (not shown) , such as a pressurised CO₂ cylinder, for inflating the lifejacket 21. The inflators 31 may be manually activated by the wearer (e.g. by the wearer operating a beaded handle to release the CO₂ gas) or automatically activated, for example, when they come into contact with water. The inflators 31 may detect when they contact water and automatically trigger operation of the associated gas cylinder to inflate the lifejacket 21. The inflators 31 may be positioned on the trunk portion 23. The inflators 31 may include means for disabling automatic mode. This can be advantageous when there is a risk that the inflators 31 will be exposed to moisture or water but when it would be undesirable for the lifejacket 21 to inflate.

The inflators 31 may be positioned on the trunk portion 23 so that they are in the waist area of the wearer. This is advantageous if the inflators 31 are automatic, as the waist will usually come into contact with water when the wearer falls into the sea, for example, before the upper body of the wearer.

An over-pressure relief valve 33 is provided on the lifejacket 21, for example on the trunk 23. This valve 33 operates at a predetermined maximum inflation pressure. When that pressure is exceeded in the lifejacket 21 the excess pressure is released to prevent over-inflation of the lifejacket 21.

In addition to the manual oral inflation tube 29 for use by the wearer of the lifejacket 21, a further manual oral inflation tube 35 may be provided in the neck portion 25, positioned behind the wearer's head in use. The additional inflation tube 35 also includes a non-return valve. The additional inflation tube 35 allows a rescuer to manually inflate the wearer's lifejacket 21 when located behind the wearer, such as when in the chin tow, cross chest tow or head tow rescuing position. The additional inflation tube 35 may be concealed within a cover and released by pulling a tab (not shown). The additional inflation tube 35 is not readily accessible by the wearer of the lifejacket 21.

To assist in making the wearer easily visible to rescuers, the lifejacket 21 may be provided with one or more high visibility and/or reflective panels 37 located on the trunk portion 23 and/or the neck portion 25. The panel (s) 37 may be concealed by a flap that is attached by Velcro®, press studs or other releasable attachment means. This is advantageous as, in some circumstances, the wearer of the lifejacket 21 may wish to conceal their presence, for example, in covert military operations .

The lifejacket 21 may include a waist or chest strap 39 for holding the lifejacket 21 against the wearer's body.

The lifejacket trunk portion 23, neck portion 25 and connecting portions 27 may be incorporated into a harness, an exoskeleton system, a ballistic protection vest, a jacket or the like.

An armour panel 41, as shown in Figure 4 and also in Figures 8 and 9 may be incorporated into the lifejacket 21. The armour panel 41 is mounted on the interior side of the lifejacket 21, facing the wearer's body. The lifejacket 21 is configured, for example, by appropriate straps, such as strap 39 to mount the panel 41 firmly against the body of the wearer to ensure ballistic protection is maintained at the required areas of the wearer's body. A rapid release system for the lifejacket

21, and the incorporated armour panel 41, is provided to allow removal of the lifejacket 21 and panel 41 if required.

Further, the rapid release system is configured so that it can easily be operated irrespective of whether the lifejacket 21 is in an inflated or uninflated state.

According to an important feature of the embodiment, the armour panel 41 is mounted on the interior side of the lifejacket 21, with the inflatable trunk portion 23 mounted on the exterior side of the lifejacket 21. The arrangement is such that the position of the panel 41 relative to the wearer's body does not change when the lifejacket 21 changes from an inflated state to an uninflated state (and vice versa). This is a significant advantage, as the risk of injury to the wearer is reduced by the correct and consistent location of the armour panel 41 relative to the wearer's body.

The armour panel 41 may be a hard and/or soft armour panel and may provide ballistic protection. More than one armour panel may be provided.

The armour panel(s) may be fitted to an exoskeleton system (or similar support structure). The inflatable parts - the trunk part 23 and the neck part 25 - and the connecting parts 27 may be detachable from the exoskeleton system so that they can be replaced when necessary.

As shown particularly in Figures 8 and 9, the trunk portion 23 of the lifejacket 21 is substantially U-shaped and covers the wearer's torso at the front, and also overlies the wearer's torso at each side. The trunk portion 23 may adopt the U-shape by means of webs 43 glued or sewn into the material of the trunk portion 23 to pull the trunk portion 23 into the required U-shape. If the webs 43 are sewn into the material of the trunk portion 23, it is preferable for the inflatable chamber of the trunk portion 23 to be contained within a separate fluid-tight outer chamber, so that the holes created during sewing to not allow the escape of fluid.

Figures 1, 2 and 3 show a known lifejacket 1 which is mounted only to the front of the wearer's torso.

As can be seen by a comparison of a known lifejacket when deployed in water, as shown in Figure 3, and a lifejacket according to the embodiment when deployed in water, as best shown in Figure 5, the body-hugging arrangement of the embodiment increases the buoyancy of the lifejacket 21, thereby raising the height of mouth (HOM) A of the wearer. The arrangement also provides a desired floatation angle as well as mouth freeboard and effective self-righting if the wearer is unconscious. With the body-hugging arrangement of the embodiment, the HOM may be 160mm, the trunk angle may be 30 degrees below the horizontal water surface. The face plane angle (FPA) may be 50 degrees above the horizontal water surface .

Further, because portions of the trunk portion 23 extend around the wearer's sides and are immersed (as indicated by cross-hatching in Figure 5) , equivalent buoyancy can be provided with a smaller proportion of the trunk portion 23 being provided at the front of the wearer's torso. This improves the field of vision B of the wearer. The U-shape provides much less of a hindrance to the wearer when swimming, engaging in combat or boarding a vessel.

The inflation of the lifejacket 21 may advantageously be staged, so that it has a first, full, buoyancy state and a second, reduced, buoyancy state. The second, reduced, buoyancy state may be activated by using the manual oral inflation tube 29 and partially inflating the lifejacket 21, or by activating one of the two inflators 31. For example, the one of the inflators 31 may provide fluid from the associated pressurised carbon dioxide cylinder with a 33gram capacity to provide up to 190 Newton of buoyancy. This partial inflation of a lifejacket 21 is optimal for tactical, operational swimming use .

To activate the first, full, inflation mode, the lifejacket 21 may be further inflated using the manual oral inflation tube 29, or activating both of the two inflators 31. The second inflator may be substantially identical to the first inflator and provide pressurised fluid from an associated carbon dioxide cylinder with a 33gram capacity. When both of the inflators 31 have been activated, the buoyancy may be in excess of 370 Newtons. In the first, fully, inflated state the lifejacket enters full survival mode. In survival mode, swimming may be more difficult, but the wearer has increased buoyancy which is advantageous for emergency situations such as when the wearer is unconscious or incapacitated.

The first and second inflators 31 may be activated at the same time or separately, so that the lifejacket may initially enter the second, reduced, buoyancy state and subsequently may enter the first, full, buoyancy state.

The pressure-relief valve 33 is advantageous in the event that the lifejacket 21 is inflated using the manual oral inflation tube 29 and then both the inflators 31 are activated. When the pressure in the lifejacket 21 exceeds a predetermined maximum, the pressure-relief valve 33 releases the excess pressure so as not to over-pressure the lifejacket 21.

The arrangement of the lifejacket 21 is such that it provides self-righting for the wearer. For example, should the wearer be unconscious and becomes oriented face down in the water, the arrangement performs self-righting to the face up orientation within three seconds.

The compact dimensions of the connecting portions 27 provide space for neck-mounted equipment 43, such as radio or communications apparatus, breathing devices etc., and also allows the wearer to move their head substantially unhindered even when wearing a helmet. Movement of the wearer's arms is also unhindered compared with conventional arrangements.

As shown in Figure 8, a baffle 13 may be provided that divides the inflatable chamber of the torso portion 23 into two separate sections. Such an arrangement provides redundancy. Should one of the sections become damaged, and therefore deflate, the second section will still provide buoyancy. Such a baffle may also be provided in the neck portion 25. One of the inflators 31 may be configured to inflate the first section, and the other of the inflators 31 may be configured to inflate the second section.

The inflatable chamber of the torso portion 23 may be surrounded by an elastic material cover 47, as shown in Figure

9. The elastic material cover 47 controls the shape of the inflatable chamber as it inflates, and expands when the lifejacket 21 enters the first, fully, inflated state.

The inflatable chamber of the neck portion 25 may be surrounded by a similar elastic material cover.

The inflatable chambers may be formed from, for example, a polymer such as polyurethane coated onto a textile material such as nylon or polyester. The neck portion 25 may also be provided with an elastic material cover, similar to that shown and described in relation to the trunk portion 23.

The inflatable chambers are directly inflated, rather than the torso or neck portions themselves.

Although the inflatable chambers may be of generally the same shape as the associated torso 23 and neck 25 portions, the inflatable chambers may be of generally larger size than the associated torso 23 and neck 25 portions. The inflatable chambers may be made of a sufficiently large size so that, when inflated within the associated torso or neck portion, the inflatable chamber fills the internal volume of the associated torso 23 and neck 25 portion without any stretching of the inflatable chamber occurring, and the tension is taken up by the torso or neck portion. If the inflatable chamber is made oversized, the inflatable chamber may be made of an inextensible and/or inelastic material.

It is advantageous for the tension to be taken up by the torso 23 and neck 25 portions as these may be stronger than the inflatable chamber.

As shown in Figure 4, the neck portion 25 may be formed of two separate inflatable chambers that are releasably attached to one another at a coupling joint 51. This facilitates rapid release of the lifejacket 21 when the two sections of the neck portion 25 are decoupled at the coupling joint 51.

The above embodiment is described by way of example. Many variations are possible without departing from the invention.

Claims

An inflatable lifejacket including:

a trunk portion for overlying a wearer's chest and configured to substantially increase in volume upon inflation by application of a fluid, and a neck portion for supporting a wearer's neck and configured to substantially increase in volume upon inflation by application of the fluid, wherein the trunk portion and the neck portion are connected by at least one connecting portion for overlying a wearer's shoulder, arranged to allow passage of the fluid therethrough, and configured to substantially maintain its volume upon application of the fluid.

The lifejacket of claim 1, wherein the connecting portion is arranged such that, in use, the wearer can shoulder a firearm substantially unrestricted by the connection portion.

The lifejacket of claim 1 or 2, wherein the connecting portion has an inflated diameter of less than 30mm, preferably 8mm.

4. An inflatable lifejacket including a trunk portion for overlying a wearer's torso at the front, wherein the trunk portion is configured to further overly the wearer's torso at the sides.

The lifejacket of claim 4, wherein the trunk portion is substantially U-shaped.

An inflatable lifejacket configured to have a first, full, buoyancy state and a second, reduced, buoyancy state .

7. The lifejacket of claim 6, includes wearer-selectable means operable to selectively inflate the lifejacket to provide the first buoyancy state or the second buoyancy state .

8. An inflatable lifejacket including a trunk portion for overlying a wearer's chest a neck portion for supporting a wearer's neck, wherein the neck portion includes a manual oral inflation nozzle located behind the head of the wearer in use and positioned for allowing manual oral inflation by a rescuer.

9. An inflatable lifejacket, wherein the inflation activation can either be manual via beaded handle or automatic on water entry. The inflators can be fitted to be either only automatic or selectively manual and automatic .

10. A lifejacket including an outer inflatable trunk portion for overlying a wearer's torso and an inner armour part, the inner armour part being configured to lie on one side against the wearer's torso in use, with the inflatable trunk portion being mounted on the other side.

11. The lifejacket of claim 10, wherein the inner armour part is located on the wearer's torso in use by a releasable securing mechanism and the arrangement is such that the location of the inner armour part on the wearer's torso does not alter upon inflation of the inflatable trunk portion.

12. The lifejacket of claim 11, wherein the releasable securing mechanism includes a wearer-operable release activation member that is arranged to be accessible to the wearer when the inflatable trunk portion is inflated and uninflated.

13.

5 14.

15.

The lifejacket of any one of the preceding claims, including one or more high visibility regions configured to be selectively revealable.

The lifejacket of any one of the preceding claims, wherein an inflatable part thereof comprises two or more separate inflatable sections.

A lifejacket substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and/or substantially as illustrated in any one of or any combination of Figures 3 to9 of the accompanying drawings ,

Intellectual

Property

Office

Application No: GB1706812.3 Examiner: Chris Bennett