US20150151817A1 - Inflatable liferaft with easy access configuration - Google Patents

Inflatable liferaft with easy access configuration Download PDF

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Publication number
US20150151817A1
US20150151817A1 US14/414,271 US201314414271A US2015151817A1 US 20150151817 A1 US20150151817 A1 US 20150151817A1 US 201314414271 A US201314414271 A US 201314414271A US 2015151817 A1 US2015151817 A1 US 2015151817A1
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
inflatable
liferaft
tube
inflatable liferaft
bend
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US14/414,271
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Gert Smedmann Rasmussen
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Viking Life Saving Equipment AS
Original Assignee
Viking Life Saving Equipment AS
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Viking Life Saving Equipment AS filed Critical Viking Life Saving Equipment AS
Assigned to VIKING LIFE-SAVING EQUIPMENT A/S reassignment VIKING LIFE-SAVING EQUIPMENT A/S ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: RASMUSSEN, GERT SMEDMANN
Publication of US20150151817A1 publication Critical patent/US20150151817A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63C—LAUNCHING, HAULING-OUT, OR DRY-DOCKING OF VESSELS; LIFE-SAVING IN WATER; EQUIPMENT FOR DWELLING OR WORKING UNDER WATER; MEANS FOR SALVAGING OR SEARCHING FOR UNDERWATER OBJECTS
    • B63C9/00—Life-saving in water
    • B63C9/02—Lifeboats, life-rafts or the like, specially adapted for life-saving
    • B63C9/04—Life-rafts
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63C—LAUNCHING, HAULING-OUT, OR DRY-DOCKING OF VESSELS; LIFE-SAVING IN WATER; EQUIPMENT FOR DWELLING OR WORKING UNDER WATER; MEANS FOR SALVAGING OR SEARCHING FOR UNDERWATER OBJECTS
    • B63C9/00—Life-saving in water
    • B63C9/02—Lifeboats, life-rafts or the like, specially adapted for life-saving
    • B63C9/03—Lifeboats, life-rafts or the like, specially adapted for life-saving enclosed
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63C—LAUNCHING, HAULING-OUT, OR DRY-DOCKING OF VESSELS; LIFE-SAVING IN WATER; EQUIPMENT FOR DWELLING OR WORKING UNDER WATER; MEANS FOR SALVAGING OR SEARCHING FOR UNDERWATER OBJECTS
    • B63C9/00—Life-saving in water
    • B63C9/02—Lifeboats, life-rafts or the like, specially adapted for life-saving
    • B63C9/04—Life-rafts
    • B63C2009/042—Life-rafts inflatable
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63C—LAUNCHING, HAULING-OUT, OR DRY-DOCKING OF VESSELS; LIFE-SAVING IN WATER; EQUIPMENT FOR DWELLING OR WORKING UNDER WATER; MEANS FOR SALVAGING OR SEARCHING FOR UNDERWATER OBJECTS
    • B63C9/00—Life-saving in water
    • B63C9/02—Lifeboats, life-rafts or the like, specially adapted for life-saving
    • B63C9/04—Life-rafts
    • B63C2009/048—Reversible open life-rafts

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an inflatable liferaft comprising an inflatable floatation tube defining a lower circumferential rim of the inflatable liferaft, an inflatable barrier tube defining an upper circumferential rim of the inflatable liferaft, the inflatable barrier tube being arranged substantially on top of the inflatable flotation tube and defining a protected area for containing passengers, and a flooring element provided between the inflatable flotation tube and the inflatable barrier tube, thereby defining a bottom of the inflatable floatable unit.
  • the invention relates to an evacuation system comprising two or more inflatable liferafts.
  • people on the vessel have to be evacuated to the inflatable liferafts positioned on the face on the sea along the side of the vessel.
  • People may be evacuated to the inflatable liferaft using various disembarkment means, such as slides or chutes, extending from the deck of the vessel to the inflatable liferafts or to an adjacent evacuation platform.
  • either the number of slides or chutes may be increased, or the capacity of fewer slides or chutes may be improved.
  • Many slides or chutes scattered all over the vessel may provide the disadvantage of ineffective use due to a lack of coordination and incorrect use.
  • the evacuation procedure may be easier to coordinate, and trained personnel may secure safe and fast evacuation.
  • an increasing number of inflatable liferafts is often deployed end to end, extending from the side of the vessel.
  • the multitude of rafts is grouped together, and one common evacuation means or group of evacuation means may be used to evacuate people to the group of inflatable liferafts.
  • An inflatable liferaft is known from e.g. DE 29600433 U1.
  • the evacuated people When arriving at the inflatable liferaft situated closest to the vessel, the evacuated people have to be distributed into the other inflatable liferafts.
  • the design of the rafts prevents safe and fast evacuation.
  • people When people have to cross one inflatable liferaft to enter the next, they have to scale the rims of both inflatable liferafts, which constitutes considerable obstacles in relation to height as well as width. To remedy this, a piece of cloth is sometimes stretched across the rims to provide a walking path. However, using such walking paths still requires considerable physical strength. Further, scaling the rims of the inflatable liferafts slows down the speed of evacuation, providing room for optimisation.
  • an inflatable liferaft comprising:
  • an inflatable floatation tube defining a lower circumferential rim of the inflatable liferaft
  • an inflatable barrier tube defining an upper circumferential rim of the inflatable liferaft, the inflatable barrier tube being arranged substantially on top of the inflatable flotation tube and defining a protected area for containing passengers, and
  • the inflatable barrier tube extends continuously around the perimeter of the inflatable liferaft and at least one opening is provided in the upper circumferential rim at a section along a perimeter of the inflatable liferaft, thereby defining a planar entry zone providing access to the protected area, which entry zone is substantially levelled with the flooring element.
  • the entry zone may be planar. Furthermore, the entry zone may comprise no difference in level.
  • the inflatable liferaft may in a deflated condition be packable, whereby the inflatable life raft may be compacted to a volumetric size of 0.75-2 m 3 .
  • the inflatable liferaft may comprise two openings in the upper circumferential rim at two sections along the perimeter of the inflatable liferaft, thereby providing two planar entry zones providing access to the protected area, which entry zones are substantially levelled with the flooring element, wherein the two openings are provided on opposite sides of the inflatable liferaft.
  • the flooring element may be made from a waterproof, flexible material, such as a rubber material or an impregnated piece of cloth.
  • the upper circumferential rim may comprise a plurality of openings, such as four openings, provided on opposite sides of the inflatable liferaft.
  • one inflatable liferaft may be arranged on the side of another inflatable liferaft facing away from a vessel, and people may be transferred from the vessel via the inflatable liferaft closest to the vessel to the outermost inflatable liferaft.
  • the two openings are provided directly opposite each other, thereby providing the shortest possible distance between the openings on the opposite side of the inflatable liferaft.
  • the one or more openings may be provided by the inflatable barrier tube comprising a bend, whereby a section of the bend of the inflatable barrier tube is arranged in level with the inflatable floatation tube and extends along the perimeter of the inflatable liferaft.
  • the section of the bend of the inflatable barrier tube may be arranged in level with the inflatable floatation tube below the flooring element.
  • the bend of the inflatable barrier tube may extend in a downwards direction towards the subjacent inflatable flotation tube.
  • the one or more openings may be provided by a section of the inflatable barrier tube being cut out, whereby the inflatable barrier tube comprises end sections arranged on opposite sides of the opening.
  • the one or more openings may be provided by oppositely arranged end sections of the inflatable barrier tube comprising substantially angular bends, whereby the end sections extend downwards and engage with the inflatable flotation tube.
  • the inflatable barrier tube may be in fluid communication with the inflatable flotation tube.
  • the overall buoyancy of the inflatable liferaft is maintained without the inflatable liferaft having to comprise additional means for providing buoyancy.
  • the inflatable flotation tube may be adapted to accommodate the bend of the inflatable barrier tube by comprising a bend partly enclosing the bend of the inflatable barrier tube.
  • the structural stability of the entry zone is improved compared to a construction wherein the inflatable barrier tube would just have been discontinued to provide an entry zone.
  • the bend of the inflatable flotation tube may extend in a direction substantially parallel to the extension of the flooring element.
  • each of the inflatable barrier tubes and the inflatable flotation tube may be constituted by a series of substantially angular bends changing the direction of the inflatable barrier tube and the inflatable flotation tube, respectively.
  • the inflatable liferaft may further comprise a closing element for selectively opening and closing the opening of the inflatable barrier tube to prevent water from entering the protected area.
  • zippers may be provided for securing the closing element at the opening of the inflatable barrier tube.
  • hoop-and-loop fasteners or Velcro may be provided for securing the closing element at the opening of the inflatable barrier tube.
  • the closing element may be made from a waterproof flexible material, such as a rubber material or an impregnated piece of cloth.
  • the closing element may be detachable.
  • the closing element may be adapted to be simultaneously secured to two abutting inflatable liferafts to provide a substantially planar walking path between the inflatable liferafts.
  • the closing element of one inflatable liferaft may be adapted to be secured to a closing element of an abutting inflatable liferaft to provide a substantially planar walking path between the inflatable liferafts.
  • the present invention further relates to an evacuation system comprising two or more inflatable liferafts according to any of the preceding claims and one or more disembarkment means for transferring persons from a vessel to at least one of the inflatable liferafts, wherein at least two of the liferafts are arranged side by side with one of their respective openings and entry zones abutting the opening and entry zones of the other inflatable liferaft.
  • the present invention relates to a vessel comprising the inflatable liferaft described above.
  • FIG. 1 shows an inflatable liferaft comprising four entry zones
  • FIG. 2 shows a view of a section of the inflatable liferaft shown in FIG. 1 ,
  • FIGS. 3A-3C show close-ups of the construction of an entry zone
  • FIG. 4 shows a vessel comprising an evacuation system in a deployed state.
  • FIG. 1 shows an inflatable liferaft 1 according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • the inflatable liferaft 1 is shown in an inflated condition, and the following description of the structural components of the inflatable life raft will in general adhere to the inflatable liferaft in an inflated condition. Nevertheless, the inflatable liferaft also exists in a deflated condition, wherein the inflatable liferaft is packable and thus may be packed to significantly reduce its size. It is to be understood by those skilled in the art that the essential structural components of an inflatable and packable liferaft are of a flexible character, allowing for the inflatable life raft to be bent and folded into a packable condition.
  • the inflatable liferaft 1 comprises an inflatable floatation tube 10 defining a lower circumferential rim and an inflatable barrier tube 11 defining an upper circumferential rim.
  • the inflatable barrier tube is arranged on top of the inflatable flotation tube and defines a protected area 14 for containing passengers.
  • a flexible flooring element 12 is provided between the inflatable flotation tube and the inflatable barrier tube, thereby defining a bottom of the inflatable floatable unit.
  • four openings 13 are provided in the upper circumferential rim at a section along a perimeter 111 of the inflatable liferaft, thereby defining four entry zones 15 providing access to the protected area, which entry zones are substantially levelled with the flooring element. It is to be understood by those skilled in the art that other numbers of openings and entry zones, both higher and lower than that specified above, are possible and are considered to be within the scope of the present invention.
  • the inflatable liferaft comprises inflatable cross members 18 secured to the inflatable flotation tube, as shown in FIG. 2 , and inflatable roof support members 19 in the form of inflatable arcs extending across the inflatable liferaft.
  • the roof support members 19 are adapted to support a suspended roof element 20 , as shown in FIG. 4 .
  • the opening is constituted by a bend 16 provided in the inflatable barrier tube 11 .
  • the bend 16 extends in a substantially vertical direction downwards towards the inflatable flotation tube.
  • the bend 16 is constituted by a series of bends 162 of the inflatable barrier tube, preferably four substantially angular bends.
  • a section 161 of the bend of the inflatable barrier tube is arranged in level with the inflatable floatation tube, extending along the perimeter 111 of the inflatable liferaft.
  • the section 161 of the bend is thus arranged below the flooring element, and the opening provided in the upper circumferential rim hereby becomes levelled with the flooring element.
  • a planar entry zone is defined, as shown in FIG. 3B .
  • the entry zone thus comprises no differences in level, which greatly improves accessibility to the inflatable liferaft.
  • both the inflatable flotation tube and the inflatable barrier tube may contribute to the buoyancy of the inflatable liferaft.
  • a corresponding bend 17 is provided in the inflatable flotation tube.
  • the bend 17 extends in a direction parallel to the extension of the flooring element, inwards towards a centre of the inflatable liferaft.
  • the bend 17 thereby partly encloses the bend of the inflatable barrier tube, which may enhance the structural stability of the entry opening and entry zone.
  • the bend 17 of the inflatable flotation tube is also constituted by a series of bends 172 , preferably four substantially angular bends, in the inflatable flotation tube.
  • the opening may be constituted by a section of the inflatable barrier tube being cut out, whereby the inflatable barrier tube comprises end sections arranged on opposite sides of the opening.
  • the opposite end sections of the inflatable barrier tube may further comprise angular bends, whereby each of the end sections extends downwards into engagement with the inflatable flotation tube.
  • the inflatable barrier tube may be brought into fluid communication with the inflatable flotation tube.
  • the inflatable liferaft 1 may comprise four openings 13 and associated entry zones 15 .
  • the openings are provided on opposite sides of the inflatable liferaft, directly opposite each other.
  • the inflatable liferaft may alternatively comprise openings arranged differently, such as along the sides and/or in the bow and/or stern of the inflatable liferaft.
  • the inflatable liferaft further comprises a closing element 21 , shown in a closed position in FIG. 3C .
  • the closing element is used for selectively opening and closing the opening 13 in the inflatable barrier tube to prevent water from entering the protected area.
  • the closing element is constructed as a flap fixedly secured to the inflatable barrier tube or the inflatable flotation tube along a bottom edge 212 thereof.
  • the closing element comprises zippers, hoop-and-loop fasteners or other fastening means 211 for securing sides 213 of the closing element in the closed position.
  • the closing element is made from a waterproof flexible material, such as a rubber material or an impregnated piece of cloth.
  • the closing element In the open position (not shown), the closing element may be adapted to secure two abutting inflatable liferafts to each other and to provide a substantially planar walking path between the entry zones of each of the inflatable liferafts.
  • FIG. 4 shows a vessel 102 comprising an evacuation system in a deployed position.
  • the evacuation system comprises four inflatable liferafts 1 deployed end to end and a disembarkment means 101 , such as a chute or slide, for transferring persons from the vessel 102 to the inflatable liferaft next to the vessel.
  • the disembarkment means may be arranged at selected positions on the vessel and be manned by trained crew to secure fast and safe evacuation of the people on board.
  • the inflatable liferafts are arranged side by side, with each of their respective openings and entry zones abutting the openings and entry zones of the adjacent inflatable liferafts.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
  • Buildings Adapted To Withstand Abnormal External Influences (AREA)
  • Duct Arrangements (AREA)
US14/414,271 2012-07-13 2013-07-12 Inflatable liferaft with easy access configuration Abandoned US20150151817A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP12176246.2A EP2684794A1 (de) 2012-07-13 2012-07-13 Aufpumpbares Rettungsfloß mit Konfiguration zum leichten Zugang
EP12176246.2 2012-07-13
PCT/EP2013/064756 WO2014009507A1 (en) 2012-07-13 2013-07-12 Inflatable liferaft with easy access configuration

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20150151817A1 true US20150151817A1 (en) 2015-06-04

Family

ID=48803527

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US14/414,271 Abandoned US20150151817A1 (en) 2012-07-13 2013-07-12 Inflatable liferaft with easy access configuration

Country Status (4)

Country Link
US (1) US20150151817A1 (de)
EP (2) EP2684794A1 (de)
CN (1) CN104487339A (de)
WO (1) WO2014009507A1 (de)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US10246195B2 (en) 2016-09-15 2019-04-02 Goodrich Corporation Arched inflatable structure for evacuation slide systems
US20200039616A1 (en) * 2016-10-14 2020-02-06 Clay Livingston Builder Inflatable water sports board rack

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2547641B (en) 2016-02-18 2021-06-30 Survitec Group Ltd Survival craft
CN116215803B (zh) * 2022-11-17 2023-10-31 中国人民解放军92578部队 一种气胀式救生筏系统可拆板解锁装置及方法

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4678433A (en) * 1985-12-30 1987-07-07 Hunter Engineering (Canada) Ltd. Oven system having a heated snout at its entrance end
US5662506A (en) * 1996-06-10 1997-09-02 Hoover Industries, Inc, Raft with water displacing floor and method therefor
US5832864A (en) * 1997-06-17 1998-11-10 Zodiac Hurricane Technologies, Inc. Diver's door for inflatable boat
US20090133615A1 (en) * 2007-11-27 2009-05-28 Christian Schloegel Boat with a peripheral float, particularly inflatable life raft
US20100051383A1 (en) * 2006-10-06 2010-03-04 Jens Nielsen Escape system with self-adjusting length

Family Cites Families (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2908919A (en) * 1956-06-06 1959-10-20 Garrett Corp Arctic shelter life raft
GB852556A (en) * 1958-05-02 1960-10-26 Rfd Co Ltd Improvements in or relating to inflatable life-rafts or like craft
US3092854A (en) * 1959-09-10 1963-06-11 Charles E Manhart Life raft
GB2117327B (en) * 1982-03-27 1985-06-19 Btr Plc Inflatable vessel canopy
US4998900A (en) * 1989-07-28 1991-03-12 Derek Wright Self-righting inflatable life raft
US5800225A (en) * 1995-09-28 1998-09-01 Shoaff, Iii; Frederick B. Aviation auto-inflatable life raft
DE29600433U1 (de) * 1995-11-08 1996-06-13 Kadematic Seenotrettungsgeraet Rettungsinsel
US5733158A (en) * 1996-11-12 1998-03-31 Dunlop-Beaufort Canada Ltd. Inflatable reversible life raft
TW499381B (en) * 1999-05-14 2002-08-21 Tritech Technology Pty Ltd Self-righting inflatable life raft

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4678433A (en) * 1985-12-30 1987-07-07 Hunter Engineering (Canada) Ltd. Oven system having a heated snout at its entrance end
US5662506A (en) * 1996-06-10 1997-09-02 Hoover Industries, Inc, Raft with water displacing floor and method therefor
US5832864A (en) * 1997-06-17 1998-11-10 Zodiac Hurricane Technologies, Inc. Diver's door for inflatable boat
US20100051383A1 (en) * 2006-10-06 2010-03-04 Jens Nielsen Escape system with self-adjusting length
US20090133615A1 (en) * 2007-11-27 2009-05-28 Christian Schloegel Boat with a peripheral float, particularly inflatable life raft

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US10246195B2 (en) 2016-09-15 2019-04-02 Goodrich Corporation Arched inflatable structure for evacuation slide systems
US20200039616A1 (en) * 2016-10-14 2020-02-06 Clay Livingston Builder Inflatable water sports board rack
US11046399B2 (en) * 2016-10-14 2021-06-29 Nautibuoy Marine Limited Inflatable water sports board rack

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP2872393A1 (de) 2015-05-20
CN104487339A (zh) 2015-04-01
EP2684794A1 (de) 2014-01-15
WO2014009507A1 (en) 2014-01-16

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: VIKING LIFE-SAVING EQUIPMENT A/S, DENMARK

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:RASMUSSEN, GERT SMEDMANN;REEL/FRAME:034683/0602

Effective date: 20150107

STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO PAY ISSUE FEE