US20100323569A1

US20100323569A1 - Water Safety Airbag Structure

Info

Publication number: US20100323569A1
Application number: US12/189,182
Authority: US
Inventors: Ying-Yi LEE
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-08-10
Filing date: 2008-08-10
Publication date: 2010-12-23

Abstract

The present invention relates to an improved water safety airbag structure, which includes a case, a bag and a holding receptacle, and the bag provided with the holding receptacle is retained within the case. The bag and the holding receptacle are respectively filled with a powdered chemical and an acidic chemical liquid. When the user is in difficulties during activities on the water, oppositely directed external forces can be applied to the bag and two sides of the holding receptacle, thereby causing the powdered chemical and acidic chemical liquid within the bag and the holding receptacle to mix and produce a large amount of gas to inflate the bag, thus achieving the effectiveness to save the life of the person in difficulties on the water.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(a) Field of the Invention
The present invention provides a water safety structure, and more particularly provides an improved structure for a water safety airbag which is convenient to carry and enables rapid inflation.
(b) Description of the Prior Art
Water activities are some of the most important sports activities in the life of people, especially in modern society, where water activities are clearly considerably popular and universal recreational activities. Because the majority of water activities are suitable for male, female, old and young, thus, great importance is placed on safety by everybody, and close attention is paid to the use of life saving devices and dependence thereon in water activities currently familiar to everyone.
However, life saving devices on the general market (such as: life jackets, life buoys, rubber dinghies, and the like) are all provided with buoyancy to enable the person in difficulties to climb onto the life saving device to avoid being submerged in the water and thus prevent loss of life. However, a common life saving device must be first filled with gas before use thereof, or an object having a density less than that of water can be used to produce a buoyancy effect and achieve the effectiveness to save a person. Moreover, because of the oversize of such life saving devices, which makes them inconvenient to carry, thus, the majority of water sport enthusiasts when participating in activities on the water choose not to carry any life saving devices in order to avoid ruining the spirit of the water activities. Furthermore, when participating in more specialized water activities (such as: diving, surfing, sailing, and the like), then it is not possible to carry any life saving device. Hence, it can be seen that the life saving devices being sold on the current market are unable to meet actual requirements, and clearly have shortcomings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention provides an improved structure for is a water safety airbag which is convenient to carry and enables rapid inflation.
A primary objective of the present invention lies in: a case, a bag and a holding receptacle, in which the case is defined with a holding space and assembled from a first holding member and a second holding member. The first holding member and the second holding member are individually assembled from a first module and a second module. Moreover, a plurality of protruding portions extend from a circumferential edge of one side of each of the first modules, and a plurality of groove portions extend from a circumferential edge of one side of each of the second modules corresponding to the protruding portions. Furthermore, the first holding member and the second holding member are provided with a first fixing portion and a second fixing portion respectively. A butt joining portion provided with a plurality of clamping portions extends from a side edge of the first fixing portion, and a joining portion provided with a plurality of clasping portions extends from a side edge of the second fixing portion corresponding to the position of the butt joining portion. Accordingly, the holding space can retain the bag provided with the holding receptacle, and the bag can be filled with a first chemical and retain the holding receptacle filled with a second chemical. Because a fragile portion provided with protective coverings is circumferentially located on the central position of the holding receptacle, thus, the holding receptacle can be completely broken at the fragile portion when flexurally fractured thereat. Furthermore, a retaining ring, which enables a fixing rope to be tied thereto, is located at one end of the bag and connected to the case. When the user is in difficulties during activities on the water, oppositely directed external forces can be respectively applied to the two sides of the first holding member and the second holding member, at which time the bag within the holding space is also subjected to external forces and flexurally deforms, further causing the holding receptacle within the bag to be subjected to external forces and completely break at the fragile portion thereof, thereby enabling an acidic chemical liquid within the holding receptacle to come in contact with a powdered chemical within the bag and cause a chemical reaction, producing a gas that causes the bag to inflate, and thus achieving the effectiveness to save the life of the person in difficulties on the water.
Another objective of the present invention lies in: according to what has been described above, because of its small size, the user is able to easily tie the present invention to any position on the body using a securing belt, thereby enabling the user to conveniently carry the water safety airbag when participating in activities on the water, while providing the effectiveness to rapidly inflate the bag.
Yet another objective of the present invention lies in: because the bag is retained within the frangible case, thus, the chemicals within the bag can be mixed by a mere flexural breaking operation to achieve rapid inflation of the bag. Accordingly, there is no need for any additional tool while achieving the effectiveness to inflate the bag.
To enable a further understanding of said objectives and the technological methods of the invention herein, a brief description of the drawings is provided below followed by a detailed description of the preferred embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an assembled elevational view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows an exploded elevational view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a first cross-sectional operational schematic view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows a second cross-sectional operational schematic view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows a third schematic view depicting an operating state of the preferred embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 shows a fourth schematic view depicting an operating state of the preferred embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 shows a schematic view depicting an operating state of the preferred embodiment according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, which show an assembled elevational view and an exploded elevational view respectively of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and it can be clearly seen from the drawings that the present invention is an improved water safety airbag structure, wherein a water safety airbag 1 comprises a case 10, a bag 11 and a holding receptacle 12, in which the case 10 is defined with a holding space 101 and assembled from a first holding member 13 and a second holding member 14. The first holding member 13 and the second holding member 14 are individually assembled from a first module 102 and a second module 103. Moreover, a plurality of protruding portions 1021 extend from a circumferential edge of one side of each of the first modules 102, and a plurality of groove portions 1031 extend from a circumferential edge of one side of each of the second modules 103 corresponding to the protruding portions 1021. Furthermore, the first holding member 13 and the second holding member 14 are provided with a first fixing portion 131 and a second fixing portion 141 respectively. A butt joining portion 1311 provided with a plurality of clamping portions 1312 extends from a side edge of the first fixing portion 131, and a joining portion 1411 provided with a plurality of clasping portions 1412 extends from a side edge of the second fixing portion 141 corresponding to the position of the butt joining portion 1311. Accordingly, the holding space 101 can retain the bag 11 provided with the holding receptacle 12, and the bag 11 can be filled with a first chemical 110 (such as: a powdered chemical) and retain the holding receptacle 12 filled with a second chemical 120 (such as: an acidic chemical liquid) (as depicted in FIG. 3). Because a fragile portion 121 provided with protective coverings 2 is circumferentially located on the central position of the holding receptacle 12, and because inner walls of a central kinked position of the fragile portion 121 are more frail compared to the other portions, thus, the holding receptacle 12 can be completely broken at the fragile portion 121 when snapped thereat. Furthermore, a retaining ring 111, which enables a fixing rope 3 to be tied thereto, is located at one end of the bag 11 and connected to the case 10.
According to the aforementioned structure and constructional design, circumstances during operational use of the present invention are described hereinafter. Referring together to FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, which show the exploded elevational view, first and second cross-sectional operational schematic views and a third schematic view depicting operating state respectively of the preferred embodiment according to the present invention, and it can be clearly seen from the drawings that the case 10 is defined with the holding space 101 and assembled from the first holding member 13 and the second holding member 14. Moreover, the case 10 is fastened together using the aforementioned plurality of protruding portions 1021 extending from the first module 102 and the groove portions 1031 of the second module 103 (as depicted in FIG. 2), as well as the butt joining portion 1311 provided with the clamping portions 1312 and extending from the side edge of the first fixing portion 131 and the joining portion 1411 provided with the clasping portions 1412 and extending from the side edge of the second fixing portion 141 corresponding to the position of the butt joining portion 1311, thereby securing the bag 11 within the case 10. Accordingly, overall structure of the water safety airbag 1 is substantially reduced, thus facilitating carrying by a user. In addition, speed of assembly is increased during processing and assembly by operating personnel, thereby substantially increasing shipment speed.
According to what has been described above. Because the case 10 is defined with the holding space 101, and the bag 11 provided with the holding receptacle 12 is retained within the holding space 101, thus, when the user wants to inflate the bag 11, oppositely directed external forces are applied to the first holding member 13 and the second holding member 14, whereupon the aforementioned butt joining portion 1311 and the joining portion 1411 extending from the first fixing portion 131 and the second fixing portion respectively butt against the bag 11, at which time the bag 11 is subjected to external forces and flexurally deforms; furthermore, because positions on the bag 11 butted against by the butt joining portion 1311 and the joining portion 1411 correspond with the fragile portion 121 of the holding receptacle 12, thus, the fragile portion 121 is also subjected to the downward pressing forces of the butt joining portion 1311 and the joining portion 1411, thereby causing the holding receptacle 12 to break at the frailer wall area of the fragile portion 121. The fracture produces fragments (not shown in the drawings) when the holding receptacle 12 breaks, but because the fragile portion 121 is fitted with the protective coverings 2, thus, the fragments are blocked within the protective coverings 2, thereby preventing the fragments from lacerating the bag 11 and causing air to leak out. Moreover, because sharp corners of the periphery of the case 10 all assume an arc form, thus, when the bag 11 is inflated, there is no need to worry about the bag 11 being punctured by the peripheral acute angles of the case 10.
Furthermore, when the holding receptacle 12 breaks, then the second chemical 120 (such as: an acidic chemical liquid) within the holding receptacle 12 flows out, at which time the first chemical 110 (such as: a powdered chemical) within the bag 11 comes in contact with the second chemical 120 and causes a chemical reaction. As a result of the chemical reaction, a large amount of gas is produced, and because the bag 11 is an enclosed space, thus, the gas remains completely within the bag 11, thereby causing the bag 11 to inflate. Moreover, when the bag 11 inflates, the case 10 is simultaneously subjected to an outward pushing force from the inside, thereby causing the case 10 to open and exposing the bag 11. Accordingly, a user is able to use the buoyancy of the inflated bag 11 to save himself/herself or achieve the effectiveness to save others when in difficulties during activities on the water.
Referring to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, which show a fourth schematic view depicting operating state and a schematic view depicting operating state respectively of the preferred embodiment according to the present invention, and it can be clearly seen from the drawings that the retaining ring 111, which enables the fixing rope 3 to be tied thereto, is located at one end of the bag 11 and connected to the case 10.
In addition, a fixing base 104, which enables a securing belt 4 to be tied thereto, is located on the surface of case 10. Hence, because of its small size, the user is able to easily tie the present invention to any position on the body (such as: the waist) using the securing belt 4, thereby enabling the user to conveniently carry the water safety airbag 1 during activities on the water, while providing the effectiveness to rapidly inflate the bag 11.
Hence, referring to all the drawings, compared to the prior art, the following advantages exist when using the present invention:
1. Because of its small size, the user is able to easily tie the present invention to any position on the body using the securing belt 4, thereby enabling the user to conveniently carry the water safety airbag 1 when participating in activities on the water, while providing the effectiveness to rapidly inflate the bag 11.
2. Because the bag 11 is retained within the frangible case 10, thus, the chemicals within the bag 11 can be mixed by a mere flexural breaking operation to achieve rapid inflation of the bag 11. Accordingly, there is no need for any additional tool while achieving the effectiveness to inflate the bag 11.
3. The substantial reduction in size of the overall structure enables convenient carrying by a user. In addition, speed of assembly is increased during processing and assembly by operating personnel, thereby substantially increasing shipment speed.
It is of course to be understood that the embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the principles of the invention and that a wide variety of modifications thereto may be effected by persons skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A water safety airbag structure, comprising:

a case, the case is defined with a holding space and assembled from a first holding member and a second holding member;

a bag, the bag is retained within the holding space, and the bag is filled with a first chemical; and

a holding receptacle, the holding receptacle is retained within the bag, a fragile portion is circumferentially located on the central position of the holding receptacle, and the holding receptacle is filled with a second chemical.

2. The water safety airbag structure according to claim 1, wherein the first holding member is assembled from a first module and a second module, and the second holding member is separately assembled from a first module and a second module identical to the modules composing the first holding member.

3. The water safety airbag structure according to claim 2, wherein a plurality of protruding portions extend from a circumferential edge of one side of each of the first modules.

4. The water safety airbag structure according to claim 2, wherein a plurality of groove portions extend from a circumferential edge of one side of each of the second modules corresponding to the protruding portions.

5. The water safety airbag structure according to claim 1, wherein a retaining ring, which enables a fixing rope to be tied thereto, is located at one end of the bag.

6. The water safety airbag structure according to claim 1, wherein the fragile portion is fitted with two protective coverings.

7. The water safety airbag structure according to claim 1, wherein the first chemical is a powdered chemical.

8. The water safety airbag structure according to claim 1, wherein the second chemical is an acidic chemical liquid.

9. A water safety airbag structure, comprising:

a first fixing portion, the first fixing portion is located at one end of the first holding member;

a second fixing portion, the second fixing portion is located at one end of the second holding member corresponding to the first fixing portion and interconnected therewith;

10. The water safety airbag structure according to claim 9, wherein the first holding member is assembled from a first module and a second module, and the second holding member is separately assembled from a first module and a second module identical to the modules composing the first holding member.

11. The water safety airbag structure according to claim 10, wherein a plurality of protruding portions extend from a circumferential edge of one side of each of the first modules.

12. The water safety airbag structure according to claim 10, wherein a plurality of groove portions extend from a circumferential edge of one side of each of the second modules corresponding to the protruding portions.

13. The water safety airbag structure according to claim 9, wherein a butt joining portion extends from a side edge of the first fixing portion.

14. The water safety airbag structure according to claim 13, wherein a plurality of clamping portions are formed on a side of the butt joining portion.

15. The water safety airbag structure according to claim 9, wherein a joining portion extends from a side edge of the second fixing portion corresponding to the butt joining portion.

16. The water safety airbag structure according to claim 15, wherein a plurality of clasping portions are formed on a side of the joining portion.

17. The water safety airbag structure according to claim 9, wherein a to retaining ring, which enables a fixing rope to be tied thereto, is located at one end of the bag.

18. The water safety airbag structure according to claim 9, wherein the fragile portion is fitted with two protective coverings.

19. The water safety airbag structure according to claim 9, wherein the first chemical is a powdered chemical.

20. The water safety airbag structure according to claim 9, wherein the second chemical is an acidic chemical liquid.