US3441964A - Life jacket - Google Patents

Life jacket Download PDF

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Publication number
US3441964A
US3441964A US610887A US3441964DA US3441964A US 3441964 A US3441964 A US 3441964A US 610887 A US610887 A US 610887A US 3441964D A US3441964D A US 3441964DA US 3441964 A US3441964 A US 3441964A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
life jacket
wearer
jacket
neck
folded
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.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US610887A
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Helmut Koch
Hans Heinrich Heidemann
Peter Birk
Hans-Jurgen Busch
Jost Bernhardt
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.)
Bernhardt Apparatebau GmbH and Co
Original Assignee
Bernhardt Apparatebau GmbH and Co
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 Bernhardt Apparatebau GmbH and Co filed Critical Bernhardt Apparatebau GmbH and Co
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3441964A publication Critical patent/US3441964A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime 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
    • B63C9/08—Life-buoys, e.g. rings; Life-belts, jackets, suits, or the like
    • B63C9/11—Life-buoys, e.g. rings; Life-belts, jackets, suits, or the like covering the torso, e.g. harnesses
    • B63C9/115—Life-buoys, e.g. rings; Life-belts, jackets, suits, or the like covering the torso, e.g. harnesses using solid buoyant material
    • 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
    • B63C9/08—Life-buoys, e.g. rings; Life-belts, jackets, suits, or the like
    • B63C9/11—Life-buoys, e.g. rings; Life-belts, jackets, suits, or the like covering the torso, e.g. harnesses
    • B63C9/125—Life-buoys, e.g. rings; Life-belts, jackets, suits, or the like covering the torso, e.g. harnesses having gas-filled compartments
    • B63C9/1255—Life-buoys, e.g. rings; Life-belts, jackets, suits, or the like covering the torso, e.g. harnesses having gas-filled compartments inflatable

Definitions

  • LIFE JACKET Filed Jan. 23, 1967 Sheet of2 mI/ENToRs United States Patent O 3,441,964 LIFE JACKET Helmut Koch and Hans Heinrich Heidemann, Hamburg- Harbnrg, Peter Birk, Hamhurg-Eidelstedt, Hans-Jrgen Busch, Hamburg, and Jost Bernhardt, Hamburg-Hap burg, Germany, assignors to Bernhardt Apparatebau G.m.b.H. & Co., Hamburg, Germany Filed Jan. 23, 1967, Ser. No. 610,887
  • the present invention relates to a life jacket and has for its primary object to provide a life jacket which, while consisting of a minimum quantity of material, will have a sufficient supporting capability and can easily be carried on the body of a person.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates a life jacket according to the invention in non-inflated condition and w-ith lthe enveloping parts unfolded.
  • FIG. 2 shows the life jacket according to the invention in non-inflated condition with the enveloping parts folded upon each other.
  • FIG. 3 is a section along the line III- III of FIG. 1.
  • the present invention starts with a device having a one-piece inflatable floating body which comprises a collar-shaped lportion and two wing portions :the envelope of which are foldable together when the life jacket is not inflated.
  • -a life jacket of the just described type is so designed that in its non-inflated condition the envelopes of the wing portions are folded from the inside toward the outside, and the envelope of the collar-shaped portion is folded from the outside toward the inside in such a Way that the marginal portions ofthe folded over parts can be firmly but detachably held together in their respective positions.
  • the said body engaging Wall of the float-ing body may be formed of a material of sufllcient strength while being of sufllcient elasticity and offering the folded over walls of the envelopes an additional 3,441,964 Patented May 6, 1969 protection.
  • the folded together condition of the floating body only four layers of material are superimposed upon each other which results in such a slight thickness that the lif-e jacket can be Worn under the clothing without bulging.
  • the width of the life jacket is reduced by about 50%.
  • a small structure is obtained which takes up little space and which in its entirety does not affect the movability of its wearer, not even over a longer period of time, and thus can be worn continuously.
  • the life jacket may be provided with snap fasteners which open up automatically when the life jacket is being inflated and which free the envelope portions held upon each other in non-inflated condition of the life jacket.
  • the lines along which the inner portion of the envelopes of the chest wings can be folded over are advantageously so arranged that they lead into the rounding of the neck cutout.
  • the folding lines preferably extend at an incline inwardly at the sides and in a transverse direction at the neck so that at least three foldable neck portions of the envelope are obtained which when folded together parti-ally rest upon each other and partially upon the chest portions without the envelope bulging at these areas.
  • the outer circumference of the neck portion can be adapted to the rounding of the neck cutout.
  • the wall portions of the floating body may be cut in such a way that the chest wings following the inflation will tend to move tow-ard each other and already in this way will tend to assume their intended position.
  • the said chest wings may also by means of a strap or a portion of the straps forming a part of the life jacket anyhow, be located and held in their respective desired positions.
  • the one-chamber inflatable floating body of the life jacket merges symmetrically with regard to the center line M'--M from a neck portion 1 into two chest wings 2. These wings 2 extend with one part 3 each toward the line M-M which latter simultaneously designates the longitudinal central plane of the body of the wearer.
  • the floating body is formed by an envelope of superimposed wall portions of the same circumferential contour. Both wall portions consist of elastic material, as for instance rubber while for the body facing wall a strong material, such as rubber with textile fabric insert, may be selected. Both walls -are interconnected in a pressure-air-tight manner along a marginal strip 4, preferably by gluing or cementing or fusing.
  • the inwardly protruding part 3 of the wings 2 is folded outwardly about a line a in such a way that it will cover -the outer wing portion 5 (FIG. 2).
  • the p-arts 6 and 7 are folded inwardly about lines b and c respectively (FIG. 1) while resting -at d upon each other and at e upon the wing por- -tions 3 (FIG. 2).
  • the lines a extend into the inner edge or margin 8 of the neck opening, preferably tangentially, whereas the lines btaper upwardly toward lthe center line M-M so as to approximately continue the outer circumferential line of the floating body, line c forming with line M-M a substantially right angle.
  • snap fasteners 9 adapted to snap open when inflating the life jacket to thereby permit the oating body to move into the position shown in FIG. 1.
  • the snap fasteners 9 are anchored in the marginal strip 4 of the floating body.
  • a compressed gas bottle 10 and/or a mouth portion 11 for a mouth hose are provided for purposes of inflating the life jacket. Both parts are in folded together condition of the floating body (FIG. 2) covered by the portions 3 and 6 thereof.
  • the life jacket when in folded together condition, has such a small width that it can without difficulty be worn below the outer clothing of the wearer of the life jacket.
  • a strap member comprising two sections 12, 13 is connected to the windings 2. Of these sections, section 12 is passed through a loop 14 on the marginal strip 4. Behind said loop 14 it unites with the section 13 so that both sections form a loop the length of which determines the distance between the wings 2.
  • the straps for holding the device on the body of the wearer may consist of an extension 15 of section .12 on both sides, or the straps may be connected to the marginal strip 4.
  • the top side wall of the oating body may be colored in a color indicating sea distress while the body facing wall may be of any desired neutral color.
  • the marginal portion of the neck cutout 8 may be covered by a soft but tear resistant fabric strip 16 to protect the skin of the wearer from rubbing on the life jacket and also to prevent a tearing open of the material in view of the too strong pulling apart of the life jacket when the jacket is being put on or taken off by the wearer.
  • a life jacket which comprises: an inflatable body formed of a pair of thin flexible members sealed together along their marginal edges and adapted to lie at against each other when the body is uninated, said body being buoyant when inflated, said body including a collar section shaped to be worn around t-he neck of the wearer of said jacket and also including two wing sections shaped to rest upon the chest portion of the wearer of said jacket, the said marginal edges of said members forming a rim area around the body on both the inside and outside of said collar and wing portions, said rim area being provided with detachable connecting means for detachably interconnecting the rim areas on the inner and outer portions of said body when the body is in non-inflated condition, the said wing sections respectively being foldable over when the body is uninated to dispose the rim area along the insides thereof over the rim area along the outsides thereof for detachable interconnection of the rim areas by said connecting means, and the said collar section being foldable over when the body is uninilated to dispose the rim area
  • a life jacket according to claim 1 in which said collar section on the inside has an arcuate cutout for the neck of the wearer of said jacket, and in which the fold line of each said wing sections is approximately tangential to said cutout.
  • a life jacket according to claim 2 in which the contour of said collar section is substantially parallel to said arcuate cutout on the inside of the collar section.
  • a life jacket according to claim 4 in which said first lines are substantially in a line with the outside edges of the lower parts of said wing sections when the body is in non-inflated condition.
  • a life jacket according to claim 1 which includes strap means connected to said rim area near the free ends of said wing sections for limiting the movement of the wing sections away -from each other upon ination ofthe body.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
  • Professional, Industrial, Or Sporting Protective Garments (AREA)
US610887A 1966-01-21 1967-01-23 Life jacket Expired - Lifetime US3441964A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DEB0085492 1966-01-21

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3441964A true US3441964A (en) 1969-05-06

Family

ID=6982932

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US610887A Expired - Lifetime US3441964A (en) 1966-01-21 1967-01-23 Life jacket

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US3441964A (xx)
BE (1) BE692971A (xx)
DE (1) DE1506322A1 (xx)
DK (1) DK123285B (xx)
GB (1) GB1140484A (xx)

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4097947A (en) * 1977-04-15 1978-07-04 Soniform Incorporated Inflatable wearable flotation device
US4108171A (en) * 1975-06-11 1978-08-22 Roland John Nyman Breathing apparatus
US4960483A (en) * 1989-06-26 1990-10-02 Switlik Parachute Company, Inc. Heat pressing apparatus for making an inflatable life vest and method for use thereof
EP0659638A1 (de) * 1993-12-23 1995-06-28 BERNHARDT APPARATEBAU GmbH u. Co. Aufblasbares Rettungsschwimmgerät
US5911612A (en) * 1997-09-08 1999-06-15 Ero Industries, Inc. Foldable, inflatable flotation device with improved retention means
US6659825B2 (en) * 2001-06-04 2003-12-09 Jonathan G. Foss Self-inflating child floatation device
WO2006013605A1 (en) * 2004-08-05 2006-02-09 Giovanni Mainenti Quickly wearable floatation device
ES2336405A1 (es) * 2006-11-23 2010-04-12 Promiles Chaleco salvavidas.
CN113443098A (zh) * 2021-07-27 2021-09-28 福州亿格户外用品有限公司 一种长效浮力体、海上救生装置及其制造方法

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2774979A (en) * 1954-07-07 1956-12-25 Switlik Parachute Co Inc Life jacket
DE1127740B (de) * 1960-05-25 1962-04-12 Phoenix Gummiwerke Ag Aufblasbarer Schwimmkragen
US3103022A (en) * 1961-05-10 1963-09-10 Harding Jonathan Inflatable assault life preservers
GB1027849A (en) * 1964-02-14 1966-04-27 Frankenstein Group Ltd Improvements in or relating to inflatable body-attachments for marine lifesaving

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2774979A (en) * 1954-07-07 1956-12-25 Switlik Parachute Co Inc Life jacket
DE1127740B (de) * 1960-05-25 1962-04-12 Phoenix Gummiwerke Ag Aufblasbarer Schwimmkragen
US3103022A (en) * 1961-05-10 1963-09-10 Harding Jonathan Inflatable assault life preservers
GB1027849A (en) * 1964-02-14 1966-04-27 Frankenstein Group Ltd Improvements in or relating to inflatable body-attachments for marine lifesaving

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4108171A (en) * 1975-06-11 1978-08-22 Roland John Nyman Breathing apparatus
US4097947A (en) * 1977-04-15 1978-07-04 Soniform Incorporated Inflatable wearable flotation device
US4960483A (en) * 1989-06-26 1990-10-02 Switlik Parachute Company, Inc. Heat pressing apparatus for making an inflatable life vest and method for use thereof
EP0659638A1 (de) * 1993-12-23 1995-06-28 BERNHARDT APPARATEBAU GmbH u. Co. Aufblasbares Rettungsschwimmgerät
US5911612A (en) * 1997-09-08 1999-06-15 Ero Industries, Inc. Foldable, inflatable flotation device with improved retention means
US6659825B2 (en) * 2001-06-04 2003-12-09 Jonathan G. Foss Self-inflating child floatation device
WO2006013605A1 (en) * 2004-08-05 2006-02-09 Giovanni Mainenti Quickly wearable floatation device
ES2336405A1 (es) * 2006-11-23 2010-04-12 Promiles Chaleco salvavidas.
CN113443098A (zh) * 2021-07-27 2021-09-28 福州亿格户外用品有限公司 一种长效浮力体、海上救生装置及其制造方法

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DK123285B (da) 1972-06-05
BE692971A (xx) 1967-07-03
DE1506322A1 (de) 1969-08-14
GB1140484A (en) 1969-01-22

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