GB2610703A

GB2610703A - A safety device

Info

Publication number: GB2610703A
Application number: GB2210758.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Esdaile Peter
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2021-07-26
Filing date: 2022-07-22
Publication date: 2023-03-15
Also published as: GB202110737D0; GB202210758D0

Abstract

A safety device 99 comprising a container 3 adapted to be attached to a safety jacket or watercraft, a gas pathway 2, an inflation mechanism 4, 6, 8 and 9, an inflatable signal 1 and a pressure reducing valve 7 located in a gas flow path between the inflation mechanism and the inflatable signal. The inflatable signal is arranged to be displaced from and elevated above the safety jacket or watercraft. The container is adapted to contain the signal in a first position, and the inflation mechanism is adapted either automatically in response to detection of water or in response to manual activation by a user to supply a gas along the gas pathway and thereby move the signal into a second position such that the signal is displaced from and elevated above the safety jacket or watercraft and attached thereto via the gas pathway.

Description

A SAFETY DEVICE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a safety device, in particular a device for providing safety when on water; more particularly but not exclusively for sailors at risk of going overboard at sea.

BACKGROUND

Many people enjoy being on open water, for example sailing, kayaking or similar.

However, and particularly in large expanses of water such as the sea, it can be hazardous. For example if a person falls overboard it can be difficult for rescuers to locate the person.

Safety devices such as life jackets and buoyancy aids are known. However, conventional safety devices may not be visible in certain conditions, for example, in bad weather or amongst large waves.

It would be desirable to be able to provide an improved safety device

SUMMARY

According to a first aspect there is provided a safety device comprising a container adapted to be attached to a safety jacket or watercraft, a gas pathway, an inflation mechanism, an inflatable signal, and a pressure reducing valve located in a gas flow path between the inflation mechanism and the inflatable signal, wherein the container is adapted to contain the signal in a first position, and the inflation mechanism is adapted to supply a gas along the gas pathway to move the signal into a second position such that the signal is displaced from and elevated above the safety jacket or watercraft and attached thereto via the gas pathway.

The provision of a safety device adapted to be attached to a safety jacket or watercraft and that comprises an inflatable signal and a corresponding inflation mechanism allows the safety device to be activated and the signal elevated above the user in the case of an accident such as the watercraft capsizing or a user falling overboard thereby providing a signal as to where the user is so that others may be enabled to locate and retrieve the user.

Configuring the gas pathway both as a means for providing gas to the signal and as a tether for the inflatable signal when it is inflated, allows the inflatable signal to be inflated and elevated without a requirement for a separate release mechanism for releasing it from the inflation mechanism once inflated. It also allows the inflation to be performed over an elongated time period, thereby reducing the chances of the inflatable signal rupturing in response to a sudden pressure increase, or the too rapid expansion of the gas causing the temperature to drop unduly and the gas to liquify. This may be aided and controlled by a pressure reducing valve that controls the pressure difference between the inflation mechanism and the inflatable signal and to thereby the speed at which the inflatable signal is inflated.

In some embodiments, the gas pathway and signal are formed from a same material. One potential problem of using the gas pathway as the tether is that it may be unduly heavy and provide a downward force on the inflatable signal. Forming it of the same material as the inflatable signal helps address this. It also allows, in some embodiments, for the gas pathway and signal to be formed as an integral one-piece unit. This may help reduce the costs of manufacture and make the device more robust.

In some embodiments, the material comprises a low density plastic, preferably a polyethylene foil.

In some embodiments, the gas pathway comprises a conduit.

In some embodiments, the pressure reducing valve is configured to control fluid flow between the inflation mechanism and the safety device.

In some embodiments, the pressure reducing valve comprises a flow restrictor.

As noted previously it may be desirable to impede the inflatable signal from inflating too fast, and a flow restrictor that restricts flow and impedes the flow rate from rising too high may help to slow particularly the initial flow rate of gas where the pressure difference between the inflation mechanism and the uninflated signal is at its highest.

In some embodiments the container comprises a pocket configured to be attached to a jacket. In this way the device may be attached to a jacket, such as a life jacket bought independently to increase safety of the jacket.

In some embodiments, at least part of the inflation mechanism is removably attached to the device In some embodiments, at least part of the inflation mechanism comprises a refillable inflation reservoir. Such a reservoir may be envisaged to comprise a propellant, for example, In some embodiments, the inflation mechanism is configured to supply a lighter than air io gas to the inflatable signal.

Providing at least a part of the inflation mechanism that is removably attached to the device, allows it to be maintained, replaced or refilled as required over time or use.

In some embodiments the signal comprises reflective material at least in part. This may increase likelihood of the user being seen or improve visibility.

In some embodiments the inflation mechanism is configured for manual activation. In some embodiments, the manual activation comprises a pull cord configured to activate the inflation mechanism and raise the signal for rescue. In this way the user is able to activate the inflation mechanism when desired and/or in case of failure of an automatic mechanism.

In some embodiments the inflation mechanism is configured for automatic activation.

In this way the inflation mechanism may activate automatically, for example, upon recognition of certain conditions, such as immersion in water. In some embodiments, the device includes a salt water trigger as found on known life jackets.

In some embodiments, the automatic trigger includes a screw on trigger that could be replaced once used.

In some embodiments the device comprises a whistle.

In some embodiments the device comprises a light source. This may increase the likelihood of the user being seen or improve visibility.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a safety jacket comprising a safety device according to a first aspect.

In some embodiments, the container comprises a pocket in the safety jacket.

In some embodiments, the safety jacket is inflatable.

A third aspect provides a method of indicating a position of a person or watercraft in water, the method comprising: mounting an inflatable signal within a container; to attaching the container to a safety jacket or watercraft; attaching an inflation mechanism to the safety jacket or watercraft and providing a gas pathway between the inflation mechanism and the inflatable signal; and activating the inflation mechanism such that gas flows from the inflation mechanism to the inflatable signal, causing the inflatable signal to inflate and move from a position within the container to an elevated position above the safety jacket or watercraft and attached thereto via the gas pathway.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises attaching a pressure reducing valve to the safety jacket or watercraft such that on activation of the inflation mechanism gas flows from the inflation mechanism through the pressure reducing valve to the inflatable signal.

Further particular and preferred aspects are set out in the accompanying independent and dependent claims. Features of the dependent claims may be combined with features of the independent claims as appropriate, and in combinations other than those explicitly set out in the claims.

Where an apparatus feature is described as being operable to provide a function, it will be appreciated that this includes an apparatus feature which provides that function or which is adapted or configured to provide that function.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAVVINGS

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described further, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a view of an embodiment of the device according to the present invention with the signal shown inflated and elevated; Figure 2 shows a reverse view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1, with cord pulled and the device in the second position; Figure 3 shows an exploded view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1; and Figure 4 shows a view of the device attached to a lifejacket.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

With reference to the figures 1 to 3 there is shown an embodiment of the device 99 generally comprising a container 3 for attaching to a safety jacket or in some cases a watercraft, a gas pathway 2, an inflation mechanism 4, 8, 9, 6, and an inflatable signal 1, wherein the signal is arranged to be displaced from and elevated above the safety jacket, and the container 3 is adapted to contain the signal, and the inflation mechanism is adapted to supply gas along the gas pathway to the signal.

In particular with reference to the pictured embodiment the embodiment comprises a pocket or pouch container 3, which is adapted to be hung on a belt or attached to an independently provided life or safety jacket.

The pouch container comprises a top opening, covered with a flap (not shown), which flap is arranged to close using releasable mechanisms such as hook and loop portions such as Velcro (RTM).

The gas pathway is a tube 2, for example made of a lightweight polyethylene foil.

Due to the way a person floats in the water whilst wearing a life jacket, the device is preferably mounted in use to the front of a jacket which will allow for ease of use whilst in the water. In embodiments, straps on the rear of the container allow attachment to the front of a jacket.

The signal 1 is shaped to help keep it afloat. It is between 20 and 40 cm in length roughly 30 centimetres. The tube is 2 to 3 metres in length. The signal shape illustrated is an elongated balloon with fins for stability in cross winds.

The inflation mechanism may be based on components used for self-inflating life jackets. The inflation mechanism comprises in this embodiment a manual activation mechanism 8, 9, which comprises a pull release tag 9 attached to a cord 8. The inflation mechanism further comprises a removable gas canister reservoir. When the 5 tag 9 is pulled cord 8 extends and the reservoir 4 is punctured and gas from the canister 4 fills the signal 1 with lighter than air gas flowing via the pressure reducer valve 7, causing the signal 1 to elevate. The tube 2 is stored with the signal 1 in a collapsed state, within the container pouch. The cord 8 has a toggle 9 for ease of use and is kept coiled in the first position.

In some embodiments, the user removes the signal from the pouch and throws it away from them before inflating to prevent tangling. In other embodiments, the signal is automatically deployed from the first position to the second position when the tag is io pulled to puncture the reservoir.

The signal 1 is a portable, foldable and deployable balloon to aid in visibility of people in the water, containable in the first position within a small pouch and featuring manual release and/or automatic release mechanisms, wherein the device can be re-used with replaceable lighter than air gas canister reservoirs 4.

The tubing may be stored in the pouch before use with the deflated balloon such that it can be unravelled easily to ensure effective deployment of the balloon.

The gas canister reservoir 4 and trigger mechanism 8, 9 are contained within the pouch for easier access. The pouch is waxed or waterproofed canvas and features loops (not shown) on its rear face allowing it to be attached easily to a life vest or jacket. In this embodiment in addition to the manual activation mechanism there is also an automatic trigger mechanism 6 (described later), this is also mounted within the container.

The inflation mechanism is based on auto-inflate life jackets to ensure training on deployment remains the same and the embodiment is intuitive to use, wherein the mechanism is similar to a component normally used for the inflation of life jackets.

Sourced lighter than air gas cylinder reservoirs are used to inflate the balloon signal and screw into the mechanism and are replaceable, allowing the embodiment to be reused repeatedly.

Like auto-inflate life jackets, a removable sprung water trigger allows automatic activation if a person is to fall into water.

The balloon measures roughly 30 centimetres in length and would be made from a reflective lightweight foil to help reflect search lights at night. It features a shape to help stabilise it in crosswinds and prevent it from being pushed back down into the sea.

For manual activation, the pull cord is used to activate the mechanism and automatically inflate the balloon signal.

The pull cord is coiled and held in an elastic band which keeps the coiled string out of the way and helps prevent accidental activation. Pulling on the cord breaks a safety to clip and activates the inflation process. The clip indicates if a device has been used or not, and whether it needs to be replaced.

The gas canister reservoir 4 screws into the inflation mechanism. Once triggered, a sprung needle punctures the gas canister reservoir 4, releasing the gas and inflating the balloon 1. The gas canister reservoir 4 can be unscrewed and replaced for re-use of the embodiment.

Automatic activation is also provided in this embodiment and comprises a screw on trigger system 6 comprising a spring and water tablet. On contact with water, the tablet breaks, releasing the spring and pushing a needle into the gas canister reservoir 4.

When overboard and in the water a person can rely on the auto-inflate option, or they can use the manual option, the manual option allows a user precise and immediate deployment. For manual activation after removing the signal from the pouch a user can safely pull on the cord, activating the inflation system.

For automatic activation, for example where the user is unconscious, the pouch hook and loop portions may be pushed apart and the signal 1 released as the signal inflates.

The signal 1 rises to a height of roughly 2 to 3 metres, the length of the gas pathway 2.

The signal 1 may be reflective to help visibility in low light or dark situations and to reflect radar signals.

Figure 4 schematically shows how the device of an embodiment might be mounted to the belt of a life jacket.

Although illustrative embodiments of the invention have been disclosed in detail herein, with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is understood that the invention is not limited to the precise embodiment and that various changes and modifications can be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

CLAIMS1 A safety device comprising: a container adapted to be attached to a safety jacket or watercraft; a gas pathway; an inflation mechanism; an inflatable signal; and a pressure reducing valve located in a gas flow path between the inflation mechanism and the inflatable signal; wherein to the container is adapted to contain the signal in a first position, and the inflation mechanism is adapted to supply a gas along the gas pathway to move the signal into a second position such that the signal is displaced from and elevated above the safety jacket or watercraft and attached thereto via the gas pathway.
2. A safety device according to claim 1 wherein the gas pathway and signal are formed from a same material.
3. A safety device according to claim 2, wherein the gas pathway and signal are formed as an integral one piece unit.
4. A safety device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the material comprises a low density plastic.
5. A safety device according to claim 3, wherein the low density plastic comprises a polyethylene foil.
6. A safety device according to any preceding claim, wherein the gas pathway comprises a conduit.
7. A safety device according to any preceding claim, wherein the pressure reducing valve is configured to control fluid flow between the inflation mechanism and the safety device.
8. A safety device according to any preceding claim, wherein the pressure reducing valve comprises a flow restrictor.
9. A safety device according to claim 1 wherein the container comprises a pocket configured to be attached to the safety jacket.
10. A safety device according to any preceding claim wherein at least a part of the inflation mechanism is removably attached to the device.
11. A safety device according to any preceding claim wherein at least part of the inflation mechanism comprises a refillable inflation reservoir.
12. A safety device according to any preceding claim, wherein the inflation mechanism is configured to supply a lighter than air gas to the inflatable signal.
13. A safety device according to any preceding claim wherein the signal comprises reflective material.
14. A safety device according to any preceding claim wherein the inflation mechanism is configured for manual activation.
15. A safety device according to any preceding claim wherein the inflation mechanism is configured for automatic activation.
16. A safety device according to any preceding claim the device further comprising at least one of a whistle and a light source.
17. A safety device according to any preceding claim wherein the signal comprises a form configured for stability in crosswinds and for impeding the signal from being pushed down.
18. A safety device according to claim 17, the signal comprising a substantially oval shape and comprising fin type protrusions extending from different circumferential positions towards one end of the oval shape.
19. A safety jacket comprising a safety device according to any preceding claim.
20. A safety jacket according to claim 19, wherein the container comprises a pocket in the safety jacket.
21. A safety jacket according to claim 19 or 20, wherein the safety jacket is inflatable.
22. A method of indicating a position of a person or watercraft in water, the method comprising: mounting an inflatable signal within a container; io attaching the container to a safety jacket or watercraft; attaching an inflation mechanism to the safety jacket or watercraft and providing a gas pathway between the inflation mechanism and the inflatable signal; and activating the inflation mechanism such that gas flows from the inflation mechanism to the inflatable signal, causing the inflatable signal to inflate and move from a position within the container to an elevated position above the safety jacket or watercraft and attached thereto via the gas pathway.
23. A method according to claim 22, further comprising attaching a pressure reducing valve to the safety jacket or watercraft such that on activation of the inflation mechanism gas flows from the inflation mechanism through the pressure reducing valve to the inflatable signal.