WO2009099338A2

WO2009099338A2 - A rescue system device and a method for usage thereof

Info

Publication number: WO2009099338A2
Application number: PCT/NO2009/000042
Authority: WO
Inventors: Dag Nilsen; Ståle SKOG
Original assignee: NOFI Tromsø Eiendom AS
Priority date: 2008-02-06
Filing date: 2009-02-06
Publication date: 2009-08-13
Also published as: NO327901B1; WO2009099338A3; NO20080681L

Abstract

A person rescue system device, where the system includes a plurality of flotation means, and where the flotation means are successively deployable on a water surface. The flotation means consist of a plurality of spaced-apart flotation bodies, each of which is detachably connected to a common sinking bottom line via a connecting line, and where the sinking bottom line is connected to at least one drag anchor. On the deployment onto the water surface of such a plurality of flotation means, which prior to deployment are contained within a storage container or towable apparatus, the sinking bottom line will, with the aid of said drag anchor, upon movement of the container or apparatus in relation to the water surface, be pulled out of the container or apparatus, and the sinking bottom line will then from the container or apparatus successively withdraw the respective flotation means one by one and spaced apart with the aid of respective connecting lines which at one end thereof are fastened to the flotation means and at the other end thereof are fastened to the sinking bottom line with spacing corresponding to said spacing of the flotation means.

Description

'A RESCUE SYSTEM DEVICE AND A METHOD FOR USAGE THEREOF"

The present invention relates to a rescue system device and methods for usage thereof, as respectively disclosed in the preambles of attached claims 1, 16 and 17.

There are very many different devices and systems for enabling lifesaving flotation means to be taken into use by persons in life-threatening danger or distress in water or who are in the process of being evacuated from somewhere into an area of water. Such flotation means may, for example, be life jackets, survival suits, life buoys or rafts or floats in solid or inflatable form.

A common feature of these known flotation means is that they are not designed for extremely swift and simple distribution in large numbers over a sizeable surface area with few resources in the form of boats or other deployment means and personnel if there is a sudden need to rescue many people, as, for example, in the case where a large passenger aircraft must make an emergency landing on water, with the result that perhaps several hundred passengers and crew have to jump into the sea.

There are also other possible situations where a large number of people fall into water and need to be rescued quickly. Such situations may include a large gathering of people in harbour areas at, for example, concerts arranged on a quay or on barges, where the quay gives way or the barge capsizes, or where many people are simply pushed off the edge of the quay by the crush of the crowd.

Situations can also be envisaged at bathing beaches where there may be outbound currents, so-called "rip currents" or in connection with avalanches that sweep a crowd into the water.

In the cases where bridges on which there are many people collapse, or buses and trains drive off the road or rails and people end up in the water, there is often a need for efficient rescue work. The same applies in situations where people have ended up in rapids or where people have ended up in the water in flood or inundation areas.

In the case of marine vessels in formation, where, for example, one of the ships is hit and sinks in a battle or when torpedoed, it is desirable that others from the stricken vessel's own forces are able to provide efficient assistance by using small, high-speed boats which could deploy a large-capacity rescue boom around the sinking ship, without having to put the large marine vessel in extra danger by stopping it in the middle of the lighting. In certain cases, there may of course also be a desire to be able to rescue the enemy's marine personnel.

hi connection with shipwrecks where a large number of passengers on a passenger ship must leave the vessel, and there is perhaps not time for everyone to go to the lifeboats, it is vital that those who jump into the sea have a chance of saving themselves. In particular in the dusk or in pitch black, it is also important that those in distress in such a scenario do not float away from one another, but can be as close to each other as possible, which not only has a purely psychological factor, but also greatly simplifies the rescue operation that is to be carried out by rescue craft.

The need to distribute lifesaving means over a sizeable area may also be due to the fact that it is not possible, for example, because of the dark, to locate one or more persons who have ended up in the sea and are in danger, and that it is therefore desirable to distribute lifesaving means over a sizeable area in a rather more structured manner in the hope that at least one of them is found and reached by the person in distress.

In hazardous areas close to water or the sea, where there may be a need to rescue a large number of people in a short space of time, it is vital that rescue operations can be started efficiently within a short time. This may be relevant in airport areas where, for example, an aircraft may crash in a nearby area of water during an emergency landing, in particular at large airports, or where there is a great danger of fire or explosions and the only chance of escape is to jump into the sea. Oil and gas production plants, whether onshore or offshore, may also have similar needs if it is not possible to use the installation's own rescue systems.

In such cases it may be necessary to start rescue operations within a few minutes, often a maximum of 5 - 10 minutes. Depending on the swimming abilities of those in distress, and also the water temperature, efficient and swift rescue may be absolutely decisive for the outcome of an accident and the possible death toll.

To meet the need of swiftest possible rescue, some of such hazardous areas have a supply of lifeboats with inflatable floats or rafts mounted thereon, so that they can be released and inflated relatively quickly. These rafts are inflated by compressed air cylinders that must be maintained and re-certified quite frequently, which involves relatively substantial costs, in particular in connection with real-life training. Such rafts can often hold many people, but for true preparedness, several such rafts are required, for example, if it is envisaged that it may be necessary to rescue a majority of the people who are in such a hazardous area. Such rafts are often of substantial weight, and in that case a relatively large and specially constructed boat is needed to deploy them. If the deployment boat fails, it is downright impossible to deploy the rafts. If an accident occurs in a neighbouring area, for example, a nearby lake, where there is no such rescue equipment, it will be almost impossible timewise, in an emergency situation, to transport such a boat with rescue equipment to the lake, also because of the size of the boat.

Another unfortunate aspect in connection with the use of life rafts or lifeboats that are deployed from vessels and where there is a large number of people in distress in the water and not on the rafts or in the lifeboats, is the time aspect from when an accident happens until the rescue operation is in progress. After, for example, ten minutes following an incident, those in distress will be spread over a relatively large area depending on the current in the water, and the extent to which each person has started swimming towards the shore or other assumed point of safety may be completely decisive for the spread'. If flotation means are provided, such as ten individual rafts or floats, either deployed from a specially constructed boat or from an aircraft, those in distress will on average have a relatively long distance under prevailing conditions to swim to reach a float. At dusk, in the dark or when there are huge waves, it may even be almost impossible to spot such rafts or floats.

In developing the invention it has been an object to provide a simpler, safer and more efficient rescue operation than has hitherto been possible and to find a better solution to the problems outlined above than is available today. Thus, the object of the invention is especially to help those in distress more quickly than has been possible previously in similar rescue operations, in that the invention permits systematic deployment of flotation means in the course of a short time without the use of special vessels.

According to the invention, the device mentioned above is characterised by the features that are set forth in attached claim 1. Additional embodiments are set forth in associated subsidiary claims 2 - 15. According to the invention, the method mentioned above is characterised by the features set forth in attached claims 16 and 17. Additional embodiments of the method are set forth in associated subsidiary claims 18 - 25.

The invention will now be explained in more detail in the following description with reference to the attached figures, which indicate non-limiting exemplary embodiments of the invention.

Fig. 1 is a schematic side view of the basic principle of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the basic principle of the invention.

Fig. 3 shows by way of example a flotation body according to the invention.

Fig. 4 shows a section of an end portion of the flotation body shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 shows the section V- V in Fig. 3.

Figs. 6 and 7 show how a flotation body as illustrated in Figs. 3 - 5 may, for example, be used by two people.

Figs. 8 and 9 show an outline of how the flotation bodies can be deployed using a highspeed boat, with the tow of a bag from which the flotation bodies can successively be withdrawn.

Fig. 10 illustrates in the form of a schematic diagram how flotation bodies may be quickly positioned around a damaged or disabled craft where there are many people in distress in the sea. Fig. 11 shows how, in a safe manner, it is possible for a power boat to move between deployed flotation means.

The rescue device according to the invention consists of a larger number of flotation means 1. The flotation means 1 are connected, preferably detachably, to a long sinking bottom line 2 by individual connecting lines 3 of a certain length. In an exemplary embodiment, the lines, for example, are given a length of 2 metres. The connecting lines may, for instance be fastened to the sinking bottom line 2 at a point of attachment 4 or be fixedly fastened to the sinking bottom line 2 at a point of attachment 4'. In the last- mentioned case, the connecting line is preferably divided into two parts 3', 3" which are joined via a releasable connection 5. The flotation means 1 can be pulled successively one by one out of a tow apparatus or container 6 (for the sake of simplicity referred to as container below) after an anchor or drag anchor 7 at the end of the sinking bottom line 2 has been thrown into the water/sea, whereby the anchor/drag anchor 7 will cause the sinking bottom line 2, with spaced- apart flotation means 1 attached thereto, to be pulled out of the container 6 on a boat or out of a container hanging behind a boat 8, helicopter or other device moving at speed. In Fig. 10 the reference numeral 7' indicates where the drag anchor 7 is thrown out from the boat 8, and the reference numeral 7 indicates where the drag anchor begins to generate counterforce. Once the counterforce is effective, the boat will then be in the process of allowing flotation means 1 to be pulled out of the container 6. hi Fig. 10, the flotation means 1 are shown somewhat enlarged in proportion to the container 6. With regard to the withdrawal of flotation means 1 from the container 6, it is worth noting that this does not take place because of tension on the flotation means, but because there is a continuous withdrawal of the bottom line 2 itself which causes flotation means 1 to be successively withdrawn from the container 6 as they are attached to the sinking bottom line 2 via respective connecting lines 3; 3% 3".

Although the use of an anchor or drag anchor 7 is described here, a drag anchor will be the preferred embodiment because it is independent of depth to the seabed.

It is also conceivable that the drag anchor at the end of the bottom line 2 can have a flotation means function in addition to the anchor function itself. In Fig. 2 it is indicated that instead of the drag anchor 7, or in addition thereto, there is, at the end of the line 2, a flotation means 18 which at the same time has a drag anchor function indicated by the reference numeral 18'. The combined flotation means and drag anchor 18, 18' may either be connected directly to the bottom line 2 in that this line is brought up towards the surface of the water, or that the connection takes place via a connecting line 19 which expediently has a length that substantially exceeds the length 16 of the line 3; 3', 3". For example, the line 19 could have a length in the range of 5 - 30 metres.

In some cases it is also conceivable that the drag anchor could be designed as an air brake of the parachute type in order, in certain cases, to at least cause initial withdrawal of the line 2 and thus the flotation means 1 with associated connecting lines. It is also conceivable that a drag anchor for engagement with water could be configured so that it initially functions as an air brake and then engages with water, or that it is connected to an air brake.

An important point when using the sinking bottom line 2 is that once it is deployed it will not obstruct access for rescue boats between adjacent flotation means, as the bottom line lies deep, for example 2 metres below the surface of the water.

As an alternative to flotation means 1 deployed equidistantly in said manner, it might have been possible that the rescue means could have consisted of a long floating rope or a long continuous solid or inflatable tube, like a conventional oil boom, with only freeboard which those in distress will be able to hold onto. However, there are several disadvantages with this solution, such as that in a given situation it may be difficult for those in distress to hold on for a long time, and especially where there may be oil on the surface of the water, for example, after a shipwreck, and that rescue boats which arrive will effectively be prevented from carrying out rescue work as they will not be able to pass over the rescue device to help people in the water on the other side of this alternative flotation means. This alternative is thus not a technical equivalent of the solution proposed according to the invention and in reality is not useful in practice.

Another alternative to the rescue device could be a floating rope with a number of flotation means attached at certain intervals. In this case, besides preventing access, the floating rope will also very easily become caught in the propellers of arriving rescue boats as the rope will be poorly visible and lie high in the water. If the floating rope is replaced with a sinking rope, i.e., that the sinking rope then hangs in a kind of arc between the flotation means, it would in some cases be possible with such a solution, and at a certain distance from neighbouring flotation means, to pass with a boat, but if the distance between the flotation means increases and the sinking rope is thus tautened and brought closer to the surface, for example, because of local currents in the water, waves or wind, the sinking rope which thus comes to the surface will effectively prevent further efforts by the rescue boats or render such efforts dangerous because of the risk of rope in the propellers. Such damage to rescue boats will of course contribute to a considerable increase in the risk of those in distress dying. There is of course also a risk that the boat propeller could come close to the flotation means that holds the bottom line up. This outlined alternative is thus to be considered as of little desirability and is not a technical equivalent to the present invention.

The rescue device according to the invention will normally have a sinking bottom line 2 I₀ that is more than 100 metres long, and there will normally be more than 10 rescue flotation means 1 connected to the line 2 via respective connecting line 3; 3', 3". Although it is indicated above that the length 16 of the line 3; 3', 3" may, for example be 2 metres, it is envisaged that the length of the line is at least more than 1 metre, so that rescue boats 17 with outboard engines or other types of propulsion means run clear is of the sinking bottom line 2 when the boat passes between two adjacent flotation means 1, as indicated in Fig. 11.

The design of the invention means that the line 2 with attached flotation means 1 can be deployed extremely quickly over a sizeable area. As an example, a small high-speed0 boat 8 doing 20 knots would be able to deploy the line 2 with associated flotation means at a speed of about 10 metres/second. If the container 6 is intended to be able to hold, for example, 100 flotation means 1 that are fastened to the line 2 by means of respective line 3; 3', 3" spaced 14 about 5 metres apart and the length of the line 2 is about 500 metres, these 100 flotation means will be deployable in, for example, less than ones minute. As an alternative example, a device is conceivable wherein the line 2 has a length of 2 km. With 200 flotation means 1 spaced 10 metres apart, they will be deployable in just over 3 minutes. During the testing of the device with a length of sinking bottom line 2 of about 500 metres and with 90 rescue flotation means attached thereto by lines 3, the rescue floats were deployed around an "aircraft that haso emergency-landed" in 90 seconds using a small tow boat with an 80 horsepower engine and manned by just one person. Each rescue flotation means was dimensioned to provide buoyancy for 4 people, so that the total rescue capacity was about 360 people.

The length of the line 2 will not be of great importance for the size of the container 6,₅ whilst on the other hand the number of flotation means 1 which are included in the device will be directly determining for the size and volume of the container. Consequently, it must in any case be considered what is most expedient with regard to the spacing between the flotation means 1, i.e., the operational conditions in which the device is intended to be used. Spacing between the flotation means 1, their number, the respective lengths of lines 2; 3; 3', 3", the speed of the high-speed craft 8, and the size/volume of the container are thus variables which a person of skill in the art will have at his disposal in order to adapt the device and the methods of usage that are regarded as being of maximum expediency.

The rescue device itself can be adapted to a number of different storage and deployment apparatus, but a common factor is that it is deployed from an object that moves at a speed in relation to the surrounding water masses. This may be a boat, a helicopter or other craft in motion or from an arrangement towed behind or at the side thereof. The device will also work deployed from a bridge across a river or from a craft that is designed to move over rotten ice.

In special cases it is conceivable that the device is based wholly or partly on deployment from a container that is launched. Such an area of use may be in connection with man- overboard situations on cruise boats or passenger ships where the device, positioned close to the stern of the boat, can be remotely deployed by activating man-overboard alarm buttons spread around the ship. Depending upon how quickly the alarm is activated, the casualty may either be floating alongside the side of the vessel or already be behind the boat when the alarm is activated. With the aid of pressurised air, gunpowder charge or rocket launching mechanism or other method, a container 6 can be launched behind the ship/vessel whilst the line 2 is pulled out of the container with the flotation means 1 and associated connecting lines. When an emptied container 6 and flotation means 1 with lines belonging to the device have landed in the water, it may be desirable to pull out from another container (not shown) on board the ship/vessel additional line 2 with connected flotation means 1 and associated connecting lines in order to reach the person in distress if that person is still floating alongside the side of the ship.

An alternative is to launch the container 6 and to configure the container 6 in such manner that the contents of the container, i.e., the flotation means 1 and the lines 2; 3; 3', 3", are emptied out of the container as the container moves away from the ship/ vessel from which it has been launched. A rear end of the bottom line 2 that is fastened to the ship/vessel ensures that the contents, effectively and successively, exit the container. One variant of this, as mentioned, is to launch the container 6 with a drag anchor fastened to said rear end of the bottom line 2. If the drag anchor does not engage with the sea until after a short time, it may be possible to configure the drag anchor in such manner that initially it acts as an air brake of the parachute type, or is fastened to such an air brake so that the bottom line 2 immediately starts to be pulled out of the container and continues to be pulled out of the container when the rear end falls towards the water and the drag anchor engages with the water. In some cases an air brake may be sufficient and thus replace, for example, the drag anchor 7.

As another alternative to launching a container 6 from the stern of the ship/vessel, it is conceivable that the container 6 remains on board the ship/vessel, but that a drag anchor 7 on the line 2 is launched, and that the drag anchor 7, upon engaging with the water, immediately pulls out more line 2 with flotation means 1 attached thereto via connecting lines 3; 3', 3". As another alternative it is conceivable that the line 2 which is launched has attached thereto inflatable flotation means 1 in order to reduce air resistance. When using rockets and adapted rocket path, the launching distance could be substantial. To reduce air resistance and drag in connection with such launching, the line 2 and its attachments should be of minimum weight and volume, even though the tensile strength of the line 2 must be great. If the launched length of the line 2 has flotation means 1 attached thereto, they should, as indicated, optionally be of the inflatable type, so that once in contact with water they are automatically inflated. It may be essential for effective launching that the flotation means 1 are as compact as possible, so that they give minimum air resistance during launching.

As yet another alternative solution, it is conceived that the container 6 is located on board the ship/vessel and is opened for launching the sinking bottom line 2 with flotation means 1 attached via respective connecting lines 3; 3', 3". As the flotation means 1 may optionally be configured with a type of drag anchor 11, they will also cause a drag function on the bottom line 2. However, it is conceived that the launching may result in the length of the whole bottom line 2 being launched, and that the whole arrangement of bottom line 2, flotation means 1 and connecting lines 3; 3', 3" land in the water once this has been carried out or gradually end up in the water during the launching. In a typical, but for the invention non-limiting, case, it is conceived that that the launching length may be in the range of 50 - 300 metres. If a rocket is used for the launching, it is conceivable that it may have a longer range than the length of the bottom line. If this is the case, the rocket can be released by the connection between the rocket and the line 2 breaking when the maximum extension length for the line 2 has been reached. As an alternative to this, especially if the ship or craft (for example, aircraft) is moving at a good speed, the withdrawal of the line 2, and thus the flotation means 1 with associated connecting lines 3; 3', 3", from the container 6, can for example, take place with the use of a drag anchor in the form of an air brake, or in combination with a drag anchor intended for engagement with water.

It is also conceivable that launching of the sinking bottom line may be expedient where, for example, a helicopter is not available or where the launching of a boat to tow the container is impossible, for example, in partly iced over waters, in rapids or in a flood area where there is a strong current in the water.

A currently advantageous and preferred deployment solution can be that the device is packed in a tow apparatus or storage container 6 that can be towed behind a rescue boat. The tow apparatus can also be a part of a boat, a craft or a raft, or consist of an elongate bag or sack, which is so configured that it has buoyancy, even when empty.

The flotation means 1 are deployed from this towable apparatus or container 6 by throwing the drag anchor 7 from the tow boat 8. Thus, any boat/craft that is available can in reality use the device, and this reduces mobilisation time and increases availability.

After deployment of the lines 2; 3; 3', 3" belonging to the actual flotation bodies 1, the tow apparatus or container 6 itself, as indicated above, can be used as an extra flotation means for the persons in distress. They will be able to get onto it as it will virtually act as a life raft or lifeboat. It is then a requirement that the apparatus/container 6 has sufficient means to give the persons in distress something to grip onto in order to pull themselves on board. When using a larger tow apparatus, it is also conceivable that this alone can be used to gather those in distress if there is found to be a limited number of people in the water and deployment of the row of flotation means is not necessary. However, it is conceivable that after the flotation means 1 have been deployed, the apparatus/containers 6 can be used for successively fetching the persons in distress.

It has also been mentioned that the flotation means 1 are detachably fastened to the line 2, either in that the line 3 is hooked onto the line 2 or that the line 3 is dividable. Thus, it will be understood that a flotation means 1, on release from the line 2 either directly or by dividing the line 3, has available a tow line which can be fastened to an apparatus on or which is towed behind a rescue boat, so that it is possible, for example, to bring those in distress to a casualty reception craft or to the shore, an island or the like.

There is nothing to stop a helicopter from making use of the device, i.e. acting as the 5 towing craft 8. In this case, the tow rope or wire from the helicopter to the container 6 and the anchor/drag anchor 7 may advantageously be made of heavy materials in order to prevent associated ropes from "flapping" and engaging with rotating parts of the helicopter.

I₀ If a container 6, for example, can be pulled down directly from a beach without any auxiliary systems other than the tow boat, this will in some cases increase the flexibility of the usage of the device. Such an embodiment is, for example, a raft with a form of skids in a smooth material, for example, plastic, which can be pulled out into the water across a rocky beach. The raft can of course also be moored on the water ready for i₅ action, be located in a boathouse or be on a slipway that has rails running out into the water.

In the case of some embodiments, the device can be transported to a quay area on a trailer or other vehicle and from there be launched onto the water, which will enhanceo the rapid use of the device. A system of this kind in the form of a tow sack or bag that can easily be launched from a quay is described in Norwegian Patent Application NO 307261. However, in this document it is presumed that a majority of the flotation bodies are fastened to one another in a row, so that when they come into the sea /water they form a continuous, unbroken row. The flotation bodies that are packed together in said5 sack/bag in this known solution are in a zig-zag pattern or in an accordion-like arrangement, or they are rolled up one after the other around a drum.

Unlike that shown and described in said NO 307261 or the corresponding document, WO 97/07291, the flotation bodies or flotation means 1 according to the invention are0 not directly connected to one another, but are spaced apart once deployed in water, the spacing being adjusted by the distance between the attachment of the lines 3; 3', 3" to the line 2. In the container 6 the flotation means 1 are necessarily placed next to each other, but the only mechanical connection between them is via the lines 2; 3; 3', 3". 5 As mentioned above, for some usages there may be a need for a very compact system, for example where the system is permanently installed on a small lifeboat or rescue boat, or on or under a helicopter. The device according to the invention may then have the flotation means 1 (i.e., here as earlier in the description: flotation bodies) in the form of flotation rings that are inflated by gas cartridges. By means of, for example, a spring device, pull-out pin, water-soluble tablets or the like, the flotation ring can be inflated as it is pulled out of the deployment container or when it comes into contact with water. If the sinking bottom line 2 and the connecting line 3; 3', 3" are made of ultrastrong material (for example, Aramid®), a large-capacity device will still have low total weight and total volume, and the whole rescue device can be packed into a small container 6. To ensure that the flotation means 1 and the lines 2 and 3; 3', 3" come out of the container 6 in the right order, i.e., that the lines or ropes do not become tangled, that the flotation means 1 run out in the right order, and that the flotation means 1 do not get caught in the lines, many auxiliary devices can be used, or a special packing method can be used to ensure that the deployment takes place as desired, for example, in that the lines, separately or in portions thereof are held together with elastic bands. Such solutions are found in other connections, for example, for deployment of fishing gear, packing of parachutes, lighting equipment with long rows of lights etc.

Such compact devices would be costly to train with as all the flotation means after deployment would need new gas cartridges and each inflatable flotation means would have be repacked, but for some areas of use, the costs will be justifiable. It is also conceivable that the device is produced so cheaply that it would be possible to use it as a single-use system that can be discarded after use for training.

Although in connection with the currently preferred solution, the intention is to use flotation means in the form of inflated or inflatable rings or rings having a solid buoyant material, or elongate flotation bodies 1', 1" connected in pairs which are inflated or inflatable or have a solid buoyant material, there is of course nothing to prevent different rescue flotation means from being a part of the inventive device, provided that their weight and size allow them to be handled. For example, one or more of the flotation means that are included in the device may be a larger, inflatable raft, on which those in distress can keep dry, with a roof over the raft. Rafts of this kind may be spaced relatively far apart and between them there may advantageously be smaller and simpler flotation elements. Ln this case, the flotation elements that are located between the large rafts may be regarded as means for collecting and guiding the persons in distress to the large rafts.

Lastly, some aspects of the invention which are connected to the elements that are included in the device will now be commented on. The rescue flotation means 1 is intended to give a person in distress in the water buoyancy without the person concerned having to use too much energy to hold on tight. Another important point for the person in distress is that the rescue means is of such a kind that it is not necessary to hold on tight at all times, but that it can function more as a life buoy, i.e., that a person in distress can get the flotation means to lie, for example, under his armpits or that he can in some way lie fully or partly in the flotation means.

The flotation means 1 may be solid, i.e., that it does not need air or gas to be inflated.o This means that the flotation means consists of a closed-cell plastic material, which has good buoyancy in water. Alternatively, the flotation means 1 may be of the inflatable type, i.e., inflatable with air or gas from gas cartridges or bottles for each individual flotation means. s Solid flotation means can advantageously be used where the volume of the device when stored, i.e., before being launched onto water, is not decisive and/or there is a need to train frequently with the system and it will not be expedient to change gas cartridges after use or change gas cartridges because the service life of the cartridges has expired. 0 The flotation means may be in the form of conventional life buoys, life jacket-like devices, double or more flotation rings/flotation bodies that are joined together or larger solid or inflatable rafts into which people in distress can climb or combinations thereof in the same rescue device. 5 The flotation means may advantageously have bright, fluorescent colours and be equipped with reflectors and a light that is activated on contact with water. Furthermore, the flotation means may have attached thereto activatable smoke cartridges, light signal cartridges and/or dye cartridges for easier visibility from the air in a large search. 0

A currently advantageous and preferred embodiment of the flotation means 1 will be two flexible parallel buoyancy elements 1', 1" that are joined together at their ends and at a distance of about every metre in the longitudinal direction so that in the "spaces" 1'" formed there is room for one to three persons. In this embodiment, those in distressS can easily help one another, can keep warm more easily since they are close together and as group can swim or paddle quickly to shore or help others; see Figs. 6 and 7. hi the flotation means depicted in Figs. 6 and 7 there is room for two additional people. The joining at points in the longitudinal direction between the connected ends forms a sort of belt 1'" between the elements 1', 1", which in addition can prevent the elements from being pulled too far apart and make it possible under favourable conditions for the person to be able to assume some kind of lying position in the flotation means 1.

When deploying the elements that are included in the device, there will be a need for force to pull the lines 2; 3; 3', 3" and the flotation means 1; 1', 1" out of the deployment apparatus/ container 6. If deployment takes place in a straight line, the drag anchor 7 at the end of the bottom line 2 will often be sufficient to pull out the lines and the flotation means. In most cases, however, there will be a need to place the flotation means along a curved or almost circular or U-shaped path when, for example an aircraft that has emergency-landed or a boat that is about to sink is to be encircled. There may also be a need to make sharp swings during the deployment to be able to deliver rescue means to all those in distress. During the swinging of the tow boat towing the container 6, the drag anchor at the end of the line 2 will not give sufficient holding power against the pull in the line 2, and it is thus desirable to have a form of drag anchor function as continuously as possible along the line 2. The need for a continuous drag anchor function thus increases in connection with sharp swings and also increases when deployment speed is low.

One way is to attach a drag anchor 9 at regular intervals on the bottom line 2 and/or a drag anchor 10 on the connecting line 3. Another method is that the whole of or parts of the flotation means 1 are so configured that it provides sufficient holding power and consequently can itself form a kind of drag anchor during deployment. An advantageous embodiment is therefore to construct the point of attachment between the connecting line 3 and flotation means 1; 1', 1" as a drag anchor 11.

There is also another aspect of the importance of drag anchors, namely that during a rescue operation where, for example, the device is deployed from a sinking ship, the rescue coordination centre will as a rule know the position of the ship. It will thus facilitate the search for missing persons if they are not drifting away with waves and wind, but that the drift is limited on account of the drag anchors.

The bottom line 2 is made of a flexible elongate material, with a specific gravity greater than water, or provided with weights so that the bottom line 2 sinks and does get in the way of rescue boat propellers. The main purpose of the bottom line 2 is to pull the flotation means 1 out of the container 6 in the right order and with correct spacing

5 In some cases it will also be desirable to be able easily to cut the bottom line 2 in order to be able to tow or pull a group of flotation elements 1, and the material of the bottom line 2 may therefore advantageously be of such a type that it easily can be cut using a knife, an implement found in most boats, also in passing boats that wish to help with the rescue operation. The bottom line 2 may, for example, be of polyester or nylon rope.Q When using chain or wire as bottom line, readily detachable shackles could also be used to divide the bottom line so as to be able easily to divide a device deployed in the water into smaller sections.

The bottom line is advantageously of such length, for example, longer than 100 metres,s that it can encircle or delimit an area containing a large number of people in distress.

At the end of the line 2 that is deployed last from the container 6, the bottom line can be equipped with a buoy or so-called "bladder" 12, so that it is easy to get hold of the end of the line 2 if it is desired to tow the device and the persons in distress in the flotation0 means to the shore, or when pulling in after use. To save time when preparing to tow, the end may also be equipped with a tow loop 13.

The connecting line 3; 3', 3" is fastened to the rescue flotation means 1; 1% 1" at one end thereof and fastened to the bottom line 2 at the other end. The connecting line may5 also be a divided rope in the form of an upper connecting line portion 3' and a lower connecting line portion 3". The connecting line, whether whole or divided in two, is preferably more than 1 metre long, so that the bottom line 2 sinks deep enough so as not to get in the way of boat propellers on arriving rescue boats, even in the cases where there is a substantial stretch in the bottom line. Optionally, the upper line portion 3' and0 lower line portion 3" together may have a length of more than 1 metre, for example, 2 metres.

The horizontal distance 14 between each point of attachment for the flotation means 1 connecting lines 3; 3', 3" to the flotation means on the bottom line 2 is advantageouslyS more than 3 metres in order to give rescue boats sufficient width between the flotation means 1 and associated connecting lines to be able to pass between them unobstructed and without any risk. In a practical instance, the distance 14 may, for example, be in the range of 3 - 10 metres

The connecting line 3; 3', 3" is equipped with a connecting element 4; 5 either down at the bottom line (the element 4) or between the upper and lower connecting line portion (the element 5). The connecting element may be in the form of a special knot, a loop, a karabiner, a bayonet coupling or a releasable snap connection, although also other solutions are conceivable. However, those in distress must, themselves, be able to disconnect the element and then swim or paddle the rescue flotation means towards a safe area, optionally to others who require assistance. The connecting element must however have a part 4'; 5' which is so configured that it cannot be released accidentally, for example, by normal tensile load. In such cases it may be desirable to tow the rescue flotation means after disconnection, and in that case it will be an advantage that on the line 3; 3' there is attached a tow loop or that the connecting element has attached thereto or is configured having such a tow loop. It may also be desirable, for example, to be able to connect several released flotation means 1, for example, during a coordinated paddling operation towards the shore, especially in the cases where there are only a few of the flotation means that have people in them, and where it is not a simple matter to section the line 2. The free end of the flotation means 1, i.e., the end that is not attached to a line 3 or line portion 3', can advantageously be equipped with a connecting element 15 that mates with the released part 4'; 5' of the connecting element 4; 5 , so that easy connection can be made.

If the case should arise that structural parts of or from a sinking craft, for example, an aircraft, helicopter, ship or flotsam in a river or a inundated or flooded area become caught up in the sinking bottom line 2, it is important that it is possible to release the flotation means 1 from the bottom line 2. This can be done in that the connecting element 4 or 5 is released either in that the person in distress himself does it or that the release takes place automatically when the tensile load on the connecting element exceeds a certain value above the normal tensile load, or that the person in distress by tugging vigorously on the connecting line 3; 3', 3" causes such release. It is also conceivable that the connecting elements 4; 5 could have a built-in automatic trigger which following a certain time delay after coming into contact with water releases the connecting element, thereby breaking the connection between the flotation means 1 and the line 2. Another possibility is that between the flotation means 1 and the connecting element 4; 5 a rip cord (not shown) extends along the connecting line 3; 3' or within it. It is also possible to attach another or an alternative connecting element to the connecting line as close to the flotation means as possible.

Within the scope of the invention as defined in the claims, it will be understood that it is 5 possible to alter the dimensions of the flotation means 1, their number, appearance, shape, buoyancy medium and auxiliary equipment, as well as their spacing, and also make the lines 2; 3; 3', 3" of the desired length, of a suitable material and with desired connecting means 4; 5, in addition to equipping the line 2 with the desired number of drag anchors, and optionally the flotation means 1 can be configured having a drag I₀ anchor or fastened to a drag anchor, optionally arranged on the connecting line 3; 3'.

Within the scope of the invention, it is also envisaged that the container 6 may be on board a craft so that after the casting or launching of the drag anchor(s), the line 2 will be pulled out of the container 6, and with the line 2 successive flotation means 1 with i₅ associated connecting line. The design of the container 6 and whether it is to be regarded as of solid material or of flexible material are variants within the scope of the invention. If the container 6 is designed to float on water, whether it contains flotation means and associated lines or not, the container will have a design and a buoyancy that give least possible drag resistance when it is towed in water and will be equipped witho buoyancy means so that it remains afloat no matter what.

Claims

P a t e n t c l a i m s

1.

A person rescue system device wherein the system includes a plurality of flotation means, the flotation means being successively deployable on a water surface, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n

- that the flotation means consist of a plurality of spaced-apart flotation bodies, each of which is detachably connected to a common sinking bottom line via a connecting line, and - that the sinking bottom line is connected to at least one drag anchor or to an anchoring.

2.

A device as disclosed in claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n - that the connecting line is fixedly fastened to the flotation body and detachably fastened to the sinking bottom line via a connecting element.

3.

A device as disclosed in claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n - that the connecting line is dividable with the aid of at least one connecting element for releasing the flotation body from the sinking bottom line.

4.

A device as disclosed in any one of claims 1-3, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n

- that the end portion of the flotation body at its connection to the associated connecting line is configured to function as a drag anchor.

5. A device as disclosed in any one of claims 1-4, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n

- that the drag anchor that is connected to the sinking bottom line is configured as a flotation means.

6.

A device as disclosed in any one of claims 1-5, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n - that the drag anchor is of at least one type selected from the group:

- drag anchors for engagement with water, and

- drag anchors configured as an air brake of the parachute type.

7.

A device as disclosed in any one of claims 1-6, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n

- that the sinking bottom line is made of a flexible elongate material having a specific gravity greater than water.

8.

A device as disclosed in claim 7, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n

- that the sinking bottom line is selected from a material from the group consisting of: - rope of natural or synthetic material with or without attached weights; rope of a material having a specific gravity greater than water;

- chain; and wire.

9.

A device as disclosed in any one of claims 1-8, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n

- that the sinking bottom line at at least one end thereof is equipped with a tow loop and/or a float for engagement with towing gear.

10.

A device as disclosed in any one of preceding claims 1-9, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n

- that the flotation bodies are selected from at least one type in the group consisting of : - life buoy of solid buoyant material;

- life buoy of inflatable or inflated material;

- life jacket of solid buoyant material;

- life jacket of inflated material;

- lift raft of inflatable material;, - at least two joined buoyant elements, each of which has solid buoyancy material; and

- at least two joined inflated or inflatable buoyancy elements.

11.

A device as disclosed in claim 10, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n 5 - that the at least two joined buoyancy elements are formed of essentially parallel positioned buoyancy bodies which are connected to each other at their ends and which are resiliently movable apart to make room for at least one person in a thus occurring space between them. o

12.

A device as disclosed in claim 11, ch a r a c t e r i s e d i n

- that the buoyancy bodies are, in at least one area between their ends, connected to each other. s

13.

A device as disclosed in any one of claims 10-12, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n

- that the inflatable buoyancy elements are inflatable by means of pressurised air or pressurised gas; and o - that inflation is effected by activating pressurised air or gas cartridges.

14.

A device as disclosed in claim 13, ch a r a c t e r i s e d i n

- that there is provided a releasable spring device or a pull-out safety pin or a soluble₅ triggering tablet to effect said activation of the air or gas cartridges when the flotation body comes into contact with water.

15.

A device as disclosed in claim 13, ch a r a c t e r i s e d i n 0 - that said pressurised air or gas cartridges are activatable when the connecting line between the flotation body and the sinking bottom line is subjected to drag

16.

A method of deploying on a water surface a plurality of flotation means which are5 included in a person rescue system device, where the flotation means prior to deployment are contained within a storage container or a mobile apparatus, and where movement of the container or apparatus causes the flotation means to be pulled out of the rear end with the aid of at least one drag anchor or anchoring, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n

- that a sinking bottom line, which at one end is fastened to said drag anchor or anchor, upon movement of the container or apparatus, is pulled out therefrom; and

5 - that the sinking bottom line when pulled out, at the same time, successively pulls out of the container or apparatus the respective flotation means individually and spaced apart by means of respective connecting lines which at one end are fastened to the flotation means and at the other end are fastened to the sinking bottom line with spacing corresponding to said spacing of the flotation means. 0

17.

A method for deploying on a water surface a plurality of flotation means which are included in a person rescue system device, where the flotation means prior to the deployment are contained within a storage container or mobile apparatus, and where thes flotation means are caused to be pulled out from the rear end of the container or apparatus, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n

- that the container or apparatus is arranged on a stationary installation or on a craft on land, on water or in the air; o - that a sinking bottom line, which at one end is connected to a launchable projectile and/or to at least one drag anchor designed for engagement with water and/or at least one air brake made of the parachute type, is pulled out of the container or apparatus by a relative movement of said end in relation to the container or the apparatus;

- that the sinking bottom line when pulled out, at the same time, successively pulls out₅ of the container or apparatus the respective flotation means individually and spaced apart with the aid of respective connecting lines which at one end thereof are fastened to the flotation means and at the other end thereof are fastened to the sinking bottom line with spacing corresponding to said spacing of the flotation means. 0

18.

A method as disclosed in claim 16, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n

- that for increased drag on the sinking bottom line upon movement of the container or apparatus, additional drag anchors fastened along the sinking bottom line are used. 5

19.

A method as disclosed in claim 16, 17 or 18, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n - that for increased drag on the sinking bottom line when pulled out of the container or device, there is used an end portion of at least some of said flotation means which acts as a drag anchor at the end thereof where said connecting line is located.

5 20.

A method as disclosed in claim 16, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n

- that the container or apparatus is launched or ejected from a stationary installation or a craft on land, on water or in the air, and that the anchoring is arranged on the installation or the craft.

10

21.

A method as disclosed in claim 16, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n

- that the container or apparatus is launched or ejected from a stationary installation or a craft on land, on water or in the air, and that the drag anchor is configured as an air i₅ brake of the parachute type and/or as an apparatus for engagement with water.

22.

A method as disclosed in any one of claims 16-21, ch a r a c t e r i s e d i n o - that the flotation means are of an inflatable type, and that inflation of the flotation means is started when the flotation means are pulled out of the container or apparatus, or when they come into contact with water.

23. s A method as disclosed in any one of claims 16 - 22, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n

- that said container or apparatus during deployment of the flotation means is placed on board a surface vessel or an aircraft, for example, a helicopter. 0 24.

A method as disclosed in claim 23, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n

- that a portion of the sinking bottom line with said at least one drag anchor is launched from the surface vessel or the aircraft towards the water to start the pulling out of the sinking bottom line and thus said flotation means. 5

25.

A method as disclosed in any one of preceding claims 16-24, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n

- that said container or apparatus prior to the flotation means being withdrawn therefrom is placed on the water surface; and

- that the container or apparatus is towed by a surface vessel or an aircraft, for example a helicopter.