AVALANCHE LIFE-PRESERVING JACKET WITH AIRBAG

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to an avalanche life jacket. Specifically, the present invention relates to an avalanche life jacket having an airbag inflatable by a gas release system upon actuation by a user. The airbag inflates around at least the user's head to protect the user's head during an avalanche and to facilitate search and rescue of the user after the avalanche.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] One type of personal emergency life preserving equipment designed to be worn and utilized by a specific user is life jackets. Certain life jackets comprise inflatable balloons as an additional life preserving feature. The balloon may be inflated upon actuation in the event of an emergency. One example of a life jacket with an inflatable balloon is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,635,754 to Aschauer et al. ("Aschauer"). Aschauer discloses a rescue apparatus that includes a balloon bound to a frame securable to a user. The apparatus comprises a rigid frame with a collar to which the filling opening of the balloon is attached. A balloon filling mechanism and the balloon are disposed within the frame for the stated purposes of functional safety during release, balloon inflation and actual and repeated use. Aschauer discloses that the balloon is inflated by pressurized gas to buoy the attached person at the surface of the avalanche.

[0003] Other types of personal emergency life preserving equipment also may be worn and utilized by a specific user. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,551,106 to Prager ("Prager") discloses a life preserving equipment designed to be worn by a user on or in the water. The life preserving equipment comprises a rigid elongated housing having a hinged cover. The housing encloses an inflatable member which in turn encloses a gas release system. The gas release system comprises a compressed gas cartridge with a diaphragm, a cartridge puncturing pin, and a cooperating lever. Upon opening the hinged cover, levers carried by the housing and the cover actuate a cooperating lever to force the puncturing pin into the diaphragm of the gas cartridge. Upon puncturing the diaphragm, the gas cartridge discharges the gas contained therein into the inflatable member to thereby inflate the member. During inflation of the member, the inflatable member exits the housing and is tethered to the housing via a cord coupled therebetween.

[0004] In both life preserving equipment described above, the balloon, upon inflation, does not surround the user's head and thus does not provide physical protection to the user's head. For example, the balloon does not provide a buffer between the user's head and any potential danger such as falling rocks in the event of an emergency such as an avalanche.

[0005] Document EP 0 723 790 A2 discloses an inflatable life jacket comprising an airbag. The airbag has upon inflation a horse shoe shape. Upon inflation, the airbag is in the area of the nape and of the two sides of the chest of the user.

[0006] In addition, conventional life preserving equipment are usually large and bulky and relatively expensive. Further, neither of the above references describe a life preserving equipment having automatic actuation upon detection of an emergency such that the balloon would be inflated even if a user neglects to manually actuate the equipment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] In view of the foregoing problems and disadvantages of convention life preserving equipment, it is an object of the present invention to provide a life preserving jacket comprising an inflatable balloon or airbag which, upon inflation, provides a buffer between at least the user's head and any potential dangers posed to the user in the event of an emergency such as an avalanche.

[0008] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a life preserving jacket that is light weight, compact, cost effective, reliable and functionally.safe prior to and during actuation, during inflation of the airbag, as well as during repeated use.

[0009] It is a yet further object of the present invention to provide a life preserving jacket comprising an automatic actuator which, upon detection of an emergency, inflates the balloon even if a user does not manually actuate the equipment.

[0010] At least one of these objects is solved with a jacket according to claim 1.

[0011] The life preserving jacket of the present invention generally comprises a harness, a torso strap for attaching the jacket to the user, an airbag enclosed within the harness prior to inflation, and a release handle for manually actuating the gas release system to inflate the airbag. The harness provides an enclosure mechanism for enclosing the airbag within the harness and for opening to allow the airbag to expand outside of the harness during inflation. Prior to inflation, the airbag is folded inside the harness such that, upon inflation, the airbag surrounds at least the back and sides of the user's head to thereby provide a physical and thermal buffer between the user's head and the environment. The inflated airbag may also provide a buoyant force against the downward force exerted by the current of the avalanche.

[0012] An actuation preventer may be provided to selectively prevent the release handle from actuating gas release system, such as when the torso strap is not secured. In addition, an accelerometer may be provided for automatic actuation of the gas release system upon indication of a predetermined threshold acceleration. Further, a mouth-bite may be provided on the harness such that the user may breathe and/or release the gas contained in airbag after inflation. Thus, the inflated airbag may additionally serve as a respiratory chamber, for example, if the user is trapped under the snow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] 

FIG. 1 shows a front perspective view of the avalanche life jacket of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a user wearing the avalanche life jacket of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows the buckles and the handle of the avalanche life jacket of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 shows a cut-away side view of the avalanche life jacket of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 shows the avalanche life jacket of FIG. 1 attached to a back pack;

FIG. 6 shows an alternative cord handle for the avalanche life jacket of the present invention;

FIGS. 7A and 7B respectively show the unlocked and interlocked arrangements of the front buckles of the avalanche life jacket of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 shows the avalanche life jacket of FIG. 1 when inflated;

FIG. 9 shows an alternative fiber and resin gas cartridge for the avalanche life jacket of the present invention;

FIG. 10 shows another alternative of the cartridge with a vortex for the avalanche life jacket of the present invention;

FIG. 11 shows yet another alternative ball and lock cartridge for the avalanche life jacket of the present invention;

FIG. 12 shows a user wearing an inflated avalanche life jacket of the present invention in snow with a protective mesh; and

FIGS. 13A and 13B show alternative configurations for the airbag of the avalanche life jacket of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Avalanche life jacket 50 of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1, generally comprises harness 1 enclosing non-inflated buoyant or airbag 8 (not shown), torso strap 5 for attaching jacket 50 to a user, and release 6 for actuating gas release system 10 to inflate airbag 8.

[0015] Harness 1 provides loops 20a-c coupled to fastening devices 2, 3, 4, respectively. Fastening devices 2, 3, 4 are further coupled to loops 22a-c, respectively, provided by torso strap 5. Harness 1 may be made of materials suitable for outdoor activities. Such materials are preferably mildew resistant, water proof and rugged to withstand high winds and low temperatures. Examples of materials suitable for harness 1 include but are not limited to nylon and kevlar textile materials, for example, Cordura™. Fastening devices 2, 3 and 4 may be any suitable mechanism such as buckles and are made of materials such as aluminum, titanium, plastic, or any combination thereof.

[0016] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. when life jacket 50 is worn by the user, torso strap 5 is firmly wrapped around the torso of the user. To secure life jacket 50 to the user, the user interlocks fasteners 17a, 17b of front buckles 2, 3, respectively, to each other. Preferably, fasteners 17a, 17b of front buckles 2, 3 have cooperating mating shapes to enable fasteners 17a, 17b to overlap and then interlock to each other.

[0017] FIG. 4 shows a partial cut-away side view of life jacket 50 prior to inflation of airbag 8. Airbag 8 is folded inside and enclosed within harness 1 such that airbag 8 is positioned around the user's neck and the front of the user's torso when jacket 50 is attached to the user. Such positioning allows airbag 8 to inflate around the back and sides of the user's head to protect the user's head during a fall or an avalanche. Harness 1 provides a suitable airbag enclosure mechanism 16 for enclosing airbag 8 in harness 1 to cover and protect airbag 8 prior to inflation and between multiple uses thereof. Enclosure mechanism 16 may comprise any suitable enclosure mechanism capable of opening or rupturing under pressure of an inflating airbag 8 in order to allow airbag 8 to inflate beyond the volume provided within harness 1. Examples of suitable enclosure mechanism 16 include string sewn into harness 1. snaps, buttons, clips, zipper, and, preferably, a strip of Velcro™.

[0018] During inflation, expansion of airbag 8 exerts pressure on the interior of harness 1 and airbag enclosure mechanism 16. Upon airbag 8 exerting a threshold pressure, the threshold pressure forces open airbag enclosure mechanism 16. Airbag 8 is then allowed to fully inflate in a direction indicated by arrows 24 in FIG. 4. When fully inflated, airbag 8 is disposed around at least the user's head to thereby provide a buffer between the user's head and the environment.

[0019] Airbag 8 may be made of a micro-welded material with micro-waves, heat-welded with any heat-welding techniques, or mold-pressed and mold-welded on a larger scale. The material for airbag 8 may be any nylon. PE textile coated with layers of polyurethane, polyvinylchloride (PVC), or other materials that are relatively gas impermeable. Airbag 8 is preferably made of material that is relatively difficult to puncture, resistant to mildew and is gas and liquid impermeable. For example, airbag 8 may comprise a thin, gas impermeable inner layer made of, for example, polyurethane, and protected by a thicker outer layer, such as nylon or Cordura™_, that is relatively difficult to puncture. Such a dual layer construction facilitates repair of airbag 8, for example, by removing the inner layer from the outer layer to repair the inner layer. Alternatively or additionally, at least a portion of airbag 8 may be made out of materials for multiple uses and which can withstand exposure to outdoor environments such as extreme cold and moisture. These materials may include nylon, Cordura™ coated with hypalon, polyurethane, polyvinylchloride (PVC). Airbag 8 may also be made of expandable material, such as Lycra™ or Lycra-Cordura™.

[0020] As noted above and shown in FIG. 2, jacket 50 may be attached to the user by firmly wrapping torso strap 5 securely around the torso of the user. Harness 5 may further provide harness attachment mechanism 18 (shown in FIG. 4) on harness 1 to further secure jacket 50 to the user's garment. Harness attachment mechanism 18 may comprise any suitable, preferably releasable, attachment mechanism, such as Velcro™, clips, buttons, zippers, snaps, loops or buckles. The user may also utilize a special garment with a pocket or passageway 26 through which torso strap 5 may be inserted to further secure jacket 50 to the user.

[0021] Jacket 50 may also be coupled to a backpack, as shown in FIG. 5, or a garment, such as a vest, via buckles, ratches, loops and/or straps 15 provided on harness 1. In the case of a backpack, each of harness straps 15 is coupled to a front portion of a corresponding shoulder pad 28 of the backpack, i.e. the portion of shoulder pad 28 which would rest on the user's front torso. Torso strap 5 (shown in FIGS. 1 and 3) may be partially or completely detachable from buckles 2, 3 and/or 4, for example, at loops 22a, 22b and/or 22c. Detachability of torso strap 5 from buckles 2, 3 and/or 4 facilitates secure coupling of jacket 50 to the back-pack and to the user.

[0022] To inflate airbag 8 by manual actuation, such as in the event of an avalanche, the user pulls or otherwise manipulates release 6 to actuate gas release system 10. Release 6 may comprise any other suitable manual actuation mechanism, such as a handle, a button or a rip cord. Release 6 is preferably made of any suitable material which is light weight, robust and capable of withstanding extremely low temperatures in the environment. Release 6 may be made of a flexible material which can easily deform under pressure such that the user is not injured if the user falls upon release 6. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, release handle 6' may be made from a mountaineering rope buckle which may be enclosed by a clear plastic tube. Alternatively a semi-rigid plastic material may be used, such as silicon, Latex™ or polyurethane.

[0023] Referring now to FIGS. 7A and 7B, release handle 6 extends from and is coupled to base 7 disposed on front buckle 2. Base 7 may provide a retractable actuation preventer 30 to selectively prevent release handle 6 from actuating gas release system 10. When actuation preventer 30 is fully extended, such as when buckles 2, 3 are not interlocked as shown in FIG. 7A, actuation preventer 30 prevents release handle 6 from actuating gas release system 10. When actuation preventer 30 is retracted, such as when buckle 3 is interlocked with buckle 2 to force actuation preventer 30 to retract into base 7 as shown in FIG. 7B, actuation preventer 30 allows release handle 6 to be pulled to actuate gas release system 10.

[0024] Additionally or alternatively, airbag 8 may be inflated by automatic actuation. For example, jacket 50 may provide an accelerometer to automatically actuate gas release system 10 upon detection or indication by the accelerometer of a predetermined threshold acceleration. The accelerometer is preferably disposed within buckle 2 at base 7 of handle 6. A user-select switch or toggle (not shown) may be provided, for example, at base 7 of handle 6, to allow the user to select among various actuation mechanisms. For example, the actuation mechanisms may include an off position to prevent actuation, a manual position to allow only manual actuation, an automatic position to allow only automatic actuation, and/or a manual and automatic position to allow both manual and automatic actuation. Thus when automatic accelerometer actuation is available and selected and when the accelerometer registers the predetermined threshold acceleration, such as when the user falls or is being swept by an avalanche, the accelerometer would automatically actuate gas release system 10 to inflate airbag 8.

[0025] Referring now to FIG. 8, gas release system 10 and the inflation of airbag 8 will now be described in more detail. Release handle 6 and the accelerometer, if one is provided, are further coupled to cable and/or hose 9. Cable 9 is in turn coupled to gas release system 10. Alternatively, the accelerometer may be directly coupled to and disposed on or near gas release system 10. Thus, when the user pulls release handle 6 or when the accelerometer is triggered, gas release system 10 is actuated to inflate airbag 8.

[0026] Gas release system 10 may be one used for airplanes or sailing life jackets, such as those sold by Hakley-Roberts. The gas contained by gas release system 10 may be nitrogen, oxygen, air, or mixtures thereof, depending on the specific application. Typically, inflation of airbag 8 is completed in a few seconds, preferably in approximately 2 to 6 seconds. Alternatively, gas release system 10 may be one used for car airbags, such as those manufactured by Breed Technologies, SNPE, which would provide faster gas release and would typically release gas such as sodium oxide, hydrogen, air or mixtures thereof. Preferably, the gas is one suitable for breathing.

[0027] Gas release system 10 is sealingly connected to airbag 8, via a manifold (not shown). Manifold connects gas release system 10 to airbag 8 to provide gaseous communication therebetween. Gas release system 10 comprises one or more gas cartridges 11 which is preferably disposed within one or more pockets 13 provided on an exterior surface of airbag 8. Although not preferred, gas cartridge 11 may be alternatively placed within airbag 8. Gas cartridge 11 may be disposed at any suitable location relative to airbag 8 but preferably is disposed such that prior to, during, and after inflation of airbag 8, the risk of gas cartridge 11 coming into contact with the user, especially the user's head, is minimized. Thus, the risk of gas cartridge 11 injuring the user is minimized.

[0028] To inflate airbag 8 (and, if actuation preventer 30 is provided, when front buckles 2, 3 are interlocked), the user may pull release handle 6. which in turn pulls cable 9. Cable 9 then actuates gas release system 10, for example, by piercing a membrane provided by gas cartridge 11, to release the gas contained in gas cartridge 11 into airbag 8. Airbag 8 is inflated thereby.

[0029] The gas cartridge 11 may be made of any suitable material which is gas impermeable, can withstand a relatively high pressure, for example, approximately 2500-3500 psi and preferably rust-proof. Gas cartridge 11 is typically made of steel, aluminum or Kevlar. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 9, gas cartridge 11' may be composites comprising of fibers (such as glass, aromides kevlar, carbon, graphite) and resins (such epoxy and polyester), which results in a smaller, reinforced cartridge.

[0030] Gas cartridge 11 or gas release system 10 may further comprise a pressure sensor with a one-way valve (not shown) in gaseous communication with airbag 8 and with the environment to prevent over-pressurization (e.g. over 1 to 3 atmospheres) of airbag 8 during inflation and/or use. Further, as shown in FIG. 10, a vortex-effect member 32 may be coupled to gas cartridge 11 to ease inflation of airbag 8. Gas cartridge 11 may be a two-stage gas release system, where gas cartridge 11 inflates airbag 8 in the first stage and maintains airbag 8 at approximately a predetermined pressure thereafter in the second stage. Gas cartridge 11 may be a single use or a rechargeable and reusable cartridge. The user may also carry one or more additional gas cartridges 11 for an additional supply of gas. As shown in FIG. 11, a rechargeable gas cartridge 11" may comprise a metal ball and a metal ball valve to provide a gas tight seal.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 12, after inflation, airbag 8 tightly surrounds at least the back and sides of the user's head. Even after inflation of airbag 8, jacket 50 remains firmly attached to the user via torso strap 5 to ensure maximum protection provided by jacket 50. Inflated airbag 8 thus protects at least the user's head from injuries due to falls, rocks, ice, snow, etc. during an avalanche or a fall. Airbag 8 may be shaped such that inflated airbag 8 provides support under the user's chin to prevent excessive bending of the user's neck and thereby reduces the risk of neck injuries. In addition, during an avalanche, inflated airbag 8 may provide a buoyant force against the downward pulling force exerted by the current of the avalanche on the user. Thus, inflated airbag 8 would decrease the chance of or the extent to which the user may be buried under the snow.

[0032] During and after an avalanche, jacket 50 with inflated airbag 8 provides a buffer around the user's head to protect the user's head from falls, rocks, ice, snow, etc. To further protect the user's head and, optionally, the neck, jacket 50 preferably provides hood or thin mesh 34 over the user's head upon inflation of airbag 8. Hood or thin mesh 34 also provides a volume in front of the user's face which is free of snow and thus further protects the user from suffocation. Preferably, hood or thin mesh 34 is elastic to allow airbag 8 to automatically pull hood 34 over the user's head during inflation. Alternatively, the user may manually pull hood or mesh 34 over his/her head. Hood or mesh 34 may be disposed at gas cartridge 11 (as shown in FIG. 10) and/or attached to either harness 1 or airbag 8.

[0033] To ensure that no or a minimal amount of snow enters the area defined by inflated airbag 8 and hood or mesh 34, airbag 8 preferably provides a lip (not shown), which upon inflation encircles the user's neck. Be encircling the user's neck, lip of airbag 8 facilitates in preventing snow from entering the area around the user's head and thus further facilitates in preventing the user from suffocating during an avalanche.

[0034] Referring again to FIG. 8, harness 1 may further provide a gas port or mouth-bite 12 coupled to airbag 8 to allow the gas to exit from airbag 8. Mouth-bite 12 may be one typical of those on lifejackets such as those sold by Hakley-Roberts, Saint-Paul, Florida. Mouth-bite 12 is sealingly coupled to airbag 8 via an opening (not shown). With the provision of mouth-bite 12, inflated airbag 8 may also serve as a respiratory chamber providing up to approximately 80-150 liters of gas, and preferably approximately 100 liters of gas. This volume of breathable gas preferably provides approximately 15 to 20 minutes of breathing time. Life jacket 50 may also provide extra gas cartridges 11 to replenish the supply of breathable gas within airbag 8. The user may breathe the gas contained in inflated airbag 8 through mouth-bite 12 if the gas is a breathable gas such as air or oxygen-enriched air.

[0035] Mouth-bite 12 preferably provides a depressible one-way valve with an open and a closed position. Preferably, mouth-bite 12 is automatically in the open position by default upon inflation of airbag 8. The user may depress the depressible valve of mouth-bite 12 to switch mouth-bite 12 from the open to the closed position to prevent gas from exiting from airbag 8. In addition, mouth-bite 12 is preferably disposed such that as the gas exits through mouth-bite 12 from airbag 8, the exiting gas is urged into the nose or mouth of the user. Thus, with mouth-bite 12 in the default open position, an unconscious user may be forced to breathe the gas exiting through mouth-bite 12 from airbag 8.

[0036] Mouth-bite 12 also allows the user to selectively release the gas from airbag 8 to completely or partially deflate airbag 8. For example, if the user is trapped under the snow after an avalanche, the user may partially or fully deflate airbag 8 via mouth-bite 12. Deflating airbag 8 results in a volume of space without snow around the user. Such a volume of space would provide maneuverability to the user and thus facilitate the user in digging out in order to escape from under the snow. After deflating airbag 8, the user may easily store deflated airbag 8 by folding airbag 8, returning folded airbag 8 into harness 1 and closing enclosure mechanism 16.

[0037] Jacket 50 may further comprise additional features or components to facilitate search and rescue efforts after an avalanche. For example, airbag 8 may be brightly colored so that an inflated airbag 8 may be easily seen and detected. Airbag 8 may also be coated with a thin film of a material, such as aluminum, to facilitate locating the user in a radar search. In addition, jacket 50 may further emit, for example, an environmentally biocompatible color dye, such as a dye which is fluorescent and/or reflective. The color dye is emitted during inflation of airbag 8 such that the color dye would be spread into the snow adjacent the user during an avalanche to thereby facilitate locating the user in a visual search. Two or more colors of dye, at least one of which is preferably fluorescent and/or reflective, may be provided such that inflation of airbag 8 during an avalanche would result in a multi-colored snow trail. This would further facilitate a visual search for the user as the colored trail would comprise portions of distinct colors and portions of a more evenly mixed color. Jacket 50 may additionally or alternatively emit an environmentally biocompatible scent or odor during inflation of airbag 8. The odor would be released into the environment adjacent the user during an avalanche to thereby facilitate locating the user in a dog and nose search.

[0038] As discussed above, the use of the avalanche life jacket 50 of the present invention, for example, in an avalanche, provides several advantageous functions to the user which may increase the user's chances for survival during and after an avalanche and may also facilitate the search and rescue for the user. The above-noted advantageous functions of the avalanche life-jacket 50 for survival, search and rescue would easily be applicable to or adapted to be applicable to other uses of jacket 50. Examples include but are not limited to mountaineering activities as well as situations involving water, crevasses and/or glaciers.

[0039] In addition, all or a portion of the components of avalanche life jacket 50 may be integrated into, rather than merely attached to, a vest, a back pack and/or another jacket. For example, an integrated avalanche apparatus may have integrated therein all or a portion of airbag 8. Alternatively or additionally, some operations, such as attachment of the integrated avalanche apparatus to the user, actuation of gas release system 10 may be integrated into, for example, a vest or backpack. However, such integration of components of jacket 50 into an integrated avalanche apparatus may result in a decrease in versatility and adaptability of jacket 50, which, without integration, may be freely and easily attached to the user for winter or summer use, and/or to a vest or back pack.

[0040] Other embodiments of jacket 50 may be easily adapted by one of ordinary skill in the art. For example, as shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B, airbag 8' or 8" may comprise two or more compartments, rather than a single compartment, for enclosing the gas. Each of the multiple compartments may provide a baffle or one-way valve adapted for gaseous communication with another compartment. The baffle or one-way valve enables gas cartridge 11 to inflate each compartment while a leak or a break in any other compartment would not affect or otherwise deflate another compartment.

[0041] Airbag may be a multi-piece construction or a single piece construction (not shown). In addition, the symmetrical design of jacket 50 may be altered to be asymmetrical (also not shown), for example, by locating gas cartridge 11 at a side of jacket 50 rather than centrally located relative to jacket 50. Other embodiments are easily adapted so long as the pieces are assembled together, glued, welded or otherwise attached by any suitable mechanism to provide a volume around the head of the user.

[0042] Although various embodiments of the invention have been described, the descriptions are intended to be merely illustrative. Thus, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made to the embodiments as described without departing from the scope of the claims set forth below.

Claims

1. An inflatable life jacket (50) for use by a user, comprising:

an inflatable airbag (8) ;

an enclosure for attachment to the user, said enclosure adapted to enclose said airbag prior to inflation thereof, wherein upon inflation, said airbag is disposed at least around the head of the user; and

an actuatable gas introducer in gaseous communication with said airbag, wherein upon actuation, said introducer introduces a gas into said airbag to inflate it thereby;

characterized in that upon inflation of the airbag (8), the jacket (50) provides a hood or mesh (34) over the user's head providing a volume in front of the user's face.

2. The inflatable life jacket of claim 1, characterized in that upon inflation, said airbag further surrounds the neck of the user.

3. The inflatable life jacket of claim 2, characterized in that upon inflation, said airbag provides a lip which encircles the user's neck.

4. The inflatable life jacket according to any one of the previous claims, characterized in that the hood or mesh is elastic.

5. The inflatable life jacket according to any one of the previous claims, characterized in that said enclosure is an enclosure mechanism (16) for enclosing said airbag (8) in an harness (1) prior to inflation of said airbag, said airbag enclosure mechanism (16) being capable of opening during inflation of said airbag (8) to allow expansion thereof outside of said harness (1).

6. The inflatable life jacket according to claim 5, characterized in that the hood or mesh is attached to the harness.

7. The inflatable life jacket according to any one of the previous claims, characterized in that said gas introducer comprises a pressurized gas cartridge (11) for inflating said airbag (8).

8. The inflatable life jacket of claim 7, characterized in that said cartridge contains a pressurized gas selected from the group consisting of air, nitrogen, oxygen, sodium oxide, hydrogen and mixtures thereof.

9. The inflatable life jacket of claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the hood or mesh is disposed at the gas cartridge (11).

10. The inflatable life jacket according to any one of the previous claims, characterized in that the hood or mesh is attached to the airbag.

11. The inflatable life jacket according to any one of the previous claims, characterized in that after inflation said airbag (8) tightly surrounds at least the back and the sides of the user's head.

12. The inflatable life jacket according to any one of the previous claims, characterized in that after inflation said airbag (8) provides support under the user's chin.

13. The inflatable life jacket according to any one of the previous claims, characterized in that said gas introducer is manually actuatable by a release device upon manipulation thereof.

14. The inflatable life jacket of claim 13, characterized in that said release device is coupled to said gas introducer via a cable.

15. The inflatable life jacket according to any one of the previous claims, characterized in that said gas introducer is automatically actuatable by an accelerometer upon said accelerometer registering a predetermined threshold acceleration.

16. The inflatable life jacket according to any one of the previous claims, characterized in that said gas introducer comprises an actuation preventer (30) for selectively preventing actuation of said introducer.

17. The inflatable life jacket according to any one of the previous claims, characterized in that
said gas introducer is manually actuatable by a release device upon manipulation thereof, said gas introducer is automatically actuatable by an accelerometer upon said accelerometer registering a predetermined threshold acceleration,
said life jacket further comprising a toggle for selectively switching between at least two positions,
said positions selected from the group consisting of an off position for preventing actuation of said introducer, a manual actuation position, an automatic position, and a manual and automatic position.

18. The inflatable life jacket according to any one of the previous claims, characterized in that it further comprises a pressure sensor in gaseous communication with said airbag (8), said pressure sensor includes a one-way valve adapted for selectively allowing gas to escape from said airbag (8).

19. The inflatable life jacket according to any one of the previous claims, characterized in that said container comprises an airbag enclosure mechanism for enclosing said airbag in said container prior to inflation of said airbag, said airbag enclosure mechanism being capable of opening during inflation of said airbag to allow expansion thereof outside of said container.

20. The inflatable life jacket according to any one of the previous claims, characterized in that it further comprises a port (12) in gaseous communication with said airbag (8) and adapted to selectively urge the gas toward the nose or mouth of the user.

21. The inflatable life jacket of claim 20, characterized in that it further comprises a mouth bite (12) in gaseous communication with said port.

22. The inflatable life jacket according to any one of the previous claims, characterized in that said airbag (8) is coated with a radar-detectable material.

23. The inflatable life jacket according to any one of the previous claims, characterized in that it further comprises at least one dye introducer attached to at least one of said airbag (8) and said enclosure, said dye introducer being adapted to discharge a dye upon actuation of said actuatable gas introducer.

24. The inflatable life jacket of claim 23, characterized in that said dye is at least one of a fluorescent dye and a reflective dye.

25. The inflatable life jacket according to any one of the previous claims, characterized in that it further comprises at least one scented gas introducer attached to at least one of said airbag and said enclosure, said scented gas introducer being adapted to discharge a scented gas upon actuation of said actuatable gas introducer.

Ansprüche

1. Aufblasbare Rettungsweste (50) zum Benutzen durch einen Nutzer, umfassend:

einen aufblasbaren Luftsack (8),

eine Hülle zum Befestigen am Nutzer, wobei die Hülle geeignet ist, den Airbag vor dem Aufblasen zu umschließen, und wobei beim Aufblasen der Luftsack zumindest um den Kopf des Nutzers herum angeordnet ist, und

einen betätigbaren Gaseinleiter, der in Gasverbindung mit dem Luftsack steht, wobei bei der Betätigung der Einleiter ein Gas in den Luftsack einleitet um ihn dadurch aufzublasen, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Weste (50) beim Aufblasen des Luftsacks (8) eine Haube oder ein Netz (34) über dem Kopf des Nutzers bereitstellt, wodurch ein Volumen vor dem Gesicht des Nutzers bereitgestellt wird.

2. Aufblasbare Rettungsweste nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Luftsack beim Aufblasen zusätzlich den Hals des Nutzers umgibt.

3. Aufblasbare Rettungsweste nach Anspruch 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Luftsack beim Aufblasen einen Rand bereitstellt, der den Hals des Nutzers umschließt.

4. Aufblasbare Rettungsweste nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Haube oder das Netz elastisch ist.

5. Aufblasbare Rettungsweste nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Hülle ein Umhüllungsmechanismus (16) zum Umhüllen des Luftsacks (8) in einem Gurt (1) vor dem Aufblasen des Luftsacks ist, wobei der Luftsack-Umhüllungsmechanismus (16) in der Lage ist, sich während des Aufblasens des Luftsacks (8) zu öffnen, um dessen Expansion außerhalb des Gurts (1) zu ermöglichen.

6. Aufblasbare Rettungsweste nach Anspruch 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Kapuze oder das Netz an dem Gurt befestigt ist.

7. Aufblasbare Rettungsweste nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Gaseinleiter eine unter Druck stehende Gaspatrone (11) zum Aufblasen des Luftsacks (8) umfasst.

8. Aufblasbare Rettungsweste nach Anspruch 7, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Patrone ein unter Druck stehendes Gas, ausgewählt aus der Gruppe, die Luft, Stickstoff, Sauerstoff, Natrium Oxid, Wasserstoff und Gemische davon umfasst, beinhaltet.

9. Aufblasbare Rettungsweste nach Anspruch 7 oder 8, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Gaspatrone (11) in der Haube oder dem Netz angeordnet ist.

10. Aufblasbare Rettungsweste nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Haube oder das Netz an dem Luftsack befestigt ist.

11. Aufblasbare Rettungsweste nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Luftsack (8) nach dem Aufblasen zumindest die Hinterseite und die Seiten des Kopfes des Nutzers eng anliegend umgibt.

12. Aufblasbare Rettungsweste nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Luftsack (8) nach dem Aufblasen eine Stütze unter dem Kinn des Nutzers bereitstellt.

13. Aufblasbare Rettungsweste nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Gaseinleiter beim Bedienen einer Auslösevorrichtung durch diese betätigbar ist.

14. Aufblasbare Rettungsweste nach Anspruch 13, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Auslösevorrichtung an den Gaseinleiter mittels eines Kabels gekoppelt ist.

15. Aufblasbare Rettungsweste nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Gaseinleiter durch einen Beschleunigungsmesser automatisch betätigbar ist, sobald der Beschleunigungsmesser eine vorbestimmte Grenzbeschleunigung erfasst.

16. Aufblasbare Rettungsweste nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Gaseinleiter einen Betätigungsverhinderer (30) zum selektiven Verhindern der Betätigung des Einleiters umfasst.

17. Aufblasbare Rettungsweste nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet,
dass der Gaseinleiter beim Betätigen einer Auslösevorrichtung durch diese manuell betätigbar ist, der Gaseinleiter beim Erfassen einer vorbestimmten Grenzbeschleunigung durch einen Beschleunigungsmesser durch den Beschleunigungsmesser automatisch betätigbar ist,
die Rettungsweste weiterhin einen Umschalter zum selektiven Schalten zwischen zumindest zwei Stellungen umfasst,
und die Stellungen aus einer Gruppe ausgewählt sind, die eine Aus-Stellung zum Verhindern der Betätigung des Einleiters, eine Stellung zur manuellen Betätigung, eine automatische Stellung und eine manuelle und automatische Stellung umfasst.

18. Aufblasbare Rettungsweste nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass sie weiterhin einen Drucksensor, der in Gasverbindung mit dem Luftsack (8) steht, umfasst, wobei der Drucksensor ein Einwegventil beinhaltet das ausgelegt ist, um selektiv Gas aus dem Luftsack (8) entweichen zu lassen.

19. Aufblasbare Rettungsweste nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Behälter einen Luftsack-Umhüllungsmechanismus zum Umhüllen des Luftsacks in den Behälter vor dem Aufblasen des Luftsacks umfasst, wobei der Luftsackumhüllungsmechanismus in der Lage ist, sich während des Aufblasens des Luftsacks zu öffnen, um dessen Expansion außerhalb des Behälters zu ermöglichen.

20. Aufblasbare Rettungsweste nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass sie weiterhin einen Anschluss (12) umfasst, der in Gasverbindung mit dem Luftsack (8) steht und ausgelegt ist, um selektiv Gas zur Nase oder zum Mund des Nutzers zu treiben.

21. Aufblasbare Rettungsweste nach Anspruch 20, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass sie weiterhin ein Mundstück (12), das in Gasverbindung mit dem Anschluss steht, umfasst.

22. Aufblasbare Rettungsweste nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Luftsack (8) mit einem radarerfassbaren Material beschichtet ist.

23. Aufblasbare Rettungsweste nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass sie weiterhin zumindest einen Farbstoffeinleiter, der zumindest an einem von dem Luftsack (8) und der Hülle befestigt ist, wobei der Farbstoffeinleiter ausgelegt ist, um bei der Betätigung des betätigbaren Gaseinleiters einen Farbstoff freizusetzen.

24. Aufblasbare Rettungsweste nach Anspruch 23, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Farbstoff zumindest entweder ein fluoreszierender Farbstoff oder ein reflektierender Farbstoff ist.

25. Aufblasbare Rettungsweste nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass sie weiterhin zumindest einen Duftgaseinleiter, der zumindest an einem von dem Luftsack und der Hülle befestigt ist, wobei der Duftgaseinleiter ausgelegt ist, um bei der Betätigung des betätigbaren Gaseinleiters einen Duftgas freizusetzen.

Revendications

1. Un gilet de sauvetage gonflable (50) destiné à être utilisé par un utilisateur, comprenant :

un sac gonflable (8) ;

une enceinte à attacher à l'utilisateur, ladite enceinte étant adaptée pour contenir le sac gonflable avant le gonflage de celui-ci, ledit sac gonflable étant au gonflage disposé au moins autour de la tête de l'utilisateur ; et

un introducteur de gaz activable en communication gazeuse avec le sac gonflable, l'introducteur introduisant à l'activation un gaz dans le sac gonflable pour le gonfler ;

caractérisé en ce qu'au gonflage du sac gonflable (8), le gilet (50) fournit une capuche ou un filet (34) au dessus de la tête de l'utilisateur fournissant un volume devant le visage de l'utilisateur.

2. Le gilet de sauvetage selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce qu'au gonflage, le sac gonflable entoure en outre le cou de l'utilisateur.

3. Le gilet de sauvetage selon la revendication 2, caractérisé en ce qu'au gonflage, le sac gonflable fournit une lèvre qui entoure le cou de l'utilisateur.

4. Le gilet de sauvetage selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que la capuche ou le filet est élastique.

5. Le gilet de sauvetage selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que l'enceinte est un mécanisme d'enceinte (16) pour contenir le sac gonflable (8) dans un harnais (1) avant le gonflage du sac gonflable, le mécanisme d'enceinte (16) étant capable de s'ouvrir au gonflage du sac gonflable (8) pour permettre l'expansion de celui-ci en dehors du harnais (1).

6. Le gilet de sauvetage selon la revendication 5, caractérisé en ce que la capuche ou le filet est attaché au harnais.

7. Le gilet de sauvetage selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que l'introducteur de gaz comprend une cartouche (11) de gaz pressurisé pour le gonflage du sac gonflable (8).

8. Le gilet de sauvetage selon la revendication 7, caractérisé en ce que la cartouche comprend un gaz pressurisé sélectionné dans le groupe consistant en de l'air, du nitrogène, de l'oxygène, de l'oxyde de sodium, de l'hydrogène et des mélanges de ceux-ci.

9. Le gilet de sauvetage selon la revendication 7 ou 8, caractérisé en ce que la capuche ou le filet est disposé à la cartouche de gaz (11).

10. Le gilet de sauvetage selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que la capuche ou le filet est attaché au sac gonflable.

11. Le gilet de sauvetage selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce qu'après le gonflage le sac gonflable (8) entoure de façon étroite au moins l'arrière et les côtés de la tête de l'utilisateur.

12. Le gilet de sauvetage selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce qu'après le gonflage le sac gonflable (8) fournit un support sous le menton de l'utilisateur.

13. Le gilet de sauvetage selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que l'introducteur de gaz est activable manuellement par un dispositif de libération à la manipulation de celui-ci.

14. Le gilet de sauvetage selon la revendication 13, caractérisé en ce que le dispositif de libération est couplé à l'introducteur de gaz via un câble.

15. Le gilet de sauvetage selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que l'introducteur de gaz est activable automatiquement par un accéléromètre à l'enregistrement par l'accéléromètre d'une accélération seuil prédéterminée.

16. Le gilet de sauvetage selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que l'introducteur de gaz comprend un empêcheur d'activation (30) pour empêcher de manière sélective l'activation de l'introducteur.

17. Le gilet de sauvetage selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que
l'introducteur de gaz est activable manuellement par un dispositif de libération à la manipulation de celui-ci, l'introducteur de gaz est activable automatiquement par un accéléromètre à l'enregistrement par l'accéléromètre d'une accélération seuil prédéterminée
le gilet de sauvetage comprend en outre une bascule pour basculer de manière sélective entre au moins deux positions,
lesdites positions étant sélectionnées parmi le groupe consistant en une position OFF pour empêcher l'activation de l'introducteur, une position manuelle d'activation, une position automatique, et une position manuelle et automatique.

18. Le gilet de sauvetage selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend en outre un capteur de pression en communication gazeuse avec ledit sac gonflable (8), ledit capteur de pression comprenant une valve à sens unique pour permettre de manière sélective au gaz de s'échapper du sac gonflable (8).

19. Le gilet de sauvetage selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que le conteneur comprend un mécanisme d'enceinte pour contenir le sac gonflable dans ledit conteneur avant le gonflage du sac gonflable, le mécanisme d'enceinte étant capable de s'ouvrir au gonflage du sac gonflable pour permettre l'expansion de celui-ci en dehors du conteneur.

20. Le gilet de sauvetage selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend en outre un port (12) en communication gazeuse avec le sac gonflable (8) et adapté pour pousser de manière sélective le gaz en direction du nez ou de la bouche de l'utilisateur.

21. Le gilet de sauvetage selon la revendication 20, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend en outre un embout de bouche (12) en communication gazeuse avec ledit port.

22. Le gilet de sauvetage selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que le sac gonflable (8) est recouvert d'un matériau détectable au radar.

23. Le gilet de sauvetage selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend au moins un introducteur de colorant attaché à au moins un parmi le sac gonflable et l'enceinte, l'introducteur de colorant étant adapté à décharger un colorant à une activation de l'introducteur de gaz activable.

24. Le gilet de sauvetage selon la revendication 23, caractérisé en ce que le colorant est au moins un parmi un colorant fluorescent et un colorant réflectif ;

25. Le gilet de sauvetage selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend en outre au moins un introducteur de gaz parfumé attaché à au moins un parmi le sac gonflable et l'enceinte, l'introducteur de gaz parfumé étant adapté à décharger un gaz parfumé à une activation de l'introducteur de gaz activable.

Drawing