|
(11) | EP 0 223 321 A2 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (54) | Life saving device |
| (57) A life saving device (10) comprises a hemispherical container (12) in which is housed
an elongate inflatable body (14). On opening of a cover (24) of the container (12),
gas under pressure from a base (16) inflates the body (14). A swimmer in difficulty
can cling to the inflated body (14) for flotation. |
[0002] There are many thousands of drownings every year throughout the world and it is an object of the present invention to provide a simple and inexpensive device which can reduce this number appreciably.
[0003] According to the invention a life saving device includes an inflatable body enclosed in a confined space and being in communication with fluid under pressure, and confining means adapted to be located on the wrist or other part of the body and being releasable, release of the confining means causing release of the fluid into the inflatable body.
[0004] In a preferred form of the invention the inflatable body is in the form of an elongated member which is easily grasped and which can be located by the swimmer under the armpits for floatable support in the water.
[0005] The inflatable body may be attached to the confined space by a line so that on release of the confining means the inflatable body is not carried away.
[0006] The device may be not much larger than a wrist watch and the confining means may be a lid formation hinged to a base member. The inflatable body may be folded into as small a volume as possible and be connected to a container of compressed fluid, the folded inflatable body and the container being located between the base member and the lid formation.
[0007] Preferably the fluid under pressure is a microcylinder of gas included in the inflatable body and adapted to release its contents on opening the confined space when required.
[0008] The inflatable body is preferably made from very thin and lightweight and strong material and is preferably a laminate which may include at least one layer of a strong nylon.
[0009] Further improvements to the invention include means for the release of a dye and also the provision of a microbleeper. In yet another refinement of the invention, a pressure switch may be provided which is actuated by a predetermined depth of water and which causes the release of the inflatable body. This is particularly useful for a person who, for example, falls overboard into the sea. At the predetermined depth (which may be about 1 metre) the inflatable body will be released.
[0010] The arrangement is also useful for toddlers who may be unattended for a time at a private pool. In this respect a one way valve may be additionally or substitutively provided, the valve being actuated by the first contact with the surface of the water in the pool.
[0012] According to a further aspect of the invention a deflated folded mattress member is also provided and it may be attached to the device of the invention. The swimmer, once supported by the inflatable body is able to inflate the mattress at his leisure for a more permanent and substantial life saving body.
[0013] The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a cross-section of part of one embodiment of a life saving device according to the invention;
Figure 2 is an isometric view of the life saving device of Figure 1 in an operative state;
Figure 3 is an isometric view of another embodiment of a life saving device according to the invention;
Figure 4 is a partial section taken through the device of Figure 3; and
Figure 5 is a schematic isometric view of the device of Figure 3 in an operative state.
[0014] Referring to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, a life saving device 10 comprises a hemispherical container 12, in which is housed an elongate inflatable body 14.
[0015] The container 12 has a base 16 in the form of a housing having air under pressure. An inlet 18 having a valve is located on the outside face of the container 12 while the inside face has an outlet 20 also provided with a valve. The valve for the outlet 20 is connected to a catch mechanism 22. A cover 24 in the form of a hollow dome-shaped body is hingedly connected to the base 16.
[0016] The inflatable body 14 is in the form of a sausage and in the position seen in Figure 1 is stored in the deflated condition. The body is connected to the air pressure housing through the outlet 20. A length of string 26 connects the body 14 to the container 12. The housing 12 has a wrist band 28 connected at its base.
[0017] In use of the invention, the life saving device 10 is fixed on the wrist of a swimmer. When the swimmer realises he is in difficulty in the water the catch mechanism 22 is manually released. This allows the cover 24 to spring to the open position and simultaneously air from the base 16 is released into the body 14 which immediately inflates and is separated in the fully inflated state from the outlet 20, when inflation is complete. A string 26 restrains the body 14 from moving away from the reach of the swimmer who may grip the body 14 for flotation.
[0018] Referring to Figures 3 to 5, a life saving device 30 is made up of a container 32 connected at its base to a wrist band 34.
[0019] The container 32 is a hollow body having a hinged lid 36 to which is fixed an actuating lever 38. Housed inside the container 32 is a sealed, pressurised gas cylinder 40 enclosed in a deflated body 42. A striker pin 44 is located at the outlet of the gas cylinder 40 and arranged to be moved by the actuating lever 38. The deflated body 42 is attached to the container 32 by a piece of string 45.
[0020] In use of the device 30, when the lid 36 is opened about its hinge, the lever 38 actuates the striker pin 44 causing gas in the cylinder 40 to be released to inflate the body 42. The cylinder 40 and the striker pin 44 are enclosed inside the inflated body 42.
1. A life saving device characterised by an inflatable body (14, 42) enclosed in a
confined space and being communicable with fluid under pressure (16, 40), and confining
means adapted to be located on the wrist or other part of the body and being releasable,
release of the confining means causing release of the fluid into the inflatable body.
2. A life saving device according to claim 1, characterised in that the inflatable
body (14, 42) is in the form of an elongated member which is capable of being easily
grasped when inflated, in use.
3. A life saving device according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterised in that the
fluid under pressure is held in a microcylinder (40) or other container.
4. A life saving device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised
in that the inflatable body is attached to the confined space by a line (26, 45),
so that on release of the confining means the inflatable body is not carried away.
5. A life saving device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised
by a switch which is actuatable by a predetermined depth of water to cause release
of the fluid into the inflatable body.
6. A life saving device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised
by means for actuating a bleeper or release of a dye held in the device.
7. A life saving device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised
in that it is locatable, in use, on the wrist or under the armpit of the wearer.
8. A life saving device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised
in that the confined space is formed in a housing (16) having a lid (24, 36) hinged
to a base member.
9. A life saving device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised
in that the inflatable body (14, 42) is folded in the confined space.
10. A life saving device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised
in that it includes a mattress which is inflatable by the wearer of the device.
11. A life saving device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised
in that it is incorporated in a wet suit.