CN103201166A - Safety device and inflating apparatus therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

A safety device (10) including an article to be worn by a user (12) and an inflatable bladder (16) which is in use attached to the article. The safety device further includes an inflating apparatus (18) for in use inflating the inflatable bladder with an inflating product. The inflating apparatus comprises an inflating product compartment (20) for storing the inflating product and a frangible valve (24) for deterring flow of the inflating product from the inflating product compartment. An actuator (34) is provided for rupturing the frangible valve thereby allowing inflating product to flow from the inflating product compartment to the inflatable bladder.

Description

Safety device and inflation device for the safety device

technical field

The present invention relates to mounting devices and more particularly to safety devices for keeping a user afloat in a body of water in an emergency situation. The invention also relates to an inflator for the safety device.

Background technique

Every year, more than one million people die from drowning. In the vast majority of drowning incidents, victims do not intend to enter the water, but instead fall into the water by accident, for example, being swept away from a pier by a high wave.

In terms of water recreation, cruising in a small motor boat ranks high on the list of activities that drowning people do while drowning. Such drowning accidents frequently occur due to the capsizing of the boat or the victim falling into the water after a collision with other boats or floating objects. Victims are often unable to obtain their life jackets or are exhausted from treading water by the time help arrives.

Another factor that contributes to mass drowning at sea is the presence of what are known as "riptides" or "ramps". A ripcurrent is a violent course of water flowing from the coast toward the sea, usually through a break line. Rapids can occur at any time, causing swimmers to be swept deep into the ocean. Often, swimmers trapped in rapids will find that they cannot fight the current, so they have no choice but to remain afloat for long periods of time while waiting for help to arrive. Victims of these currents, however, succumbed when they were exhausted from treading water before any help could arrive.

The main danger associated with recreational rock fishing is being swept away by the unusually large waves when fishing from ledges. The main problem faced by an angler caught in the sea in this situation is to stay afloat while finding a suitable place to get out of the water. However, many anglers drown after treading water for a long time and exhausting themselves without finding a place to get up from the water.

In view of the threat of drowning to persons engaged in water recreational activities, a number of personal flotation devices have been developed. These devices include, for example, life jackets that have bladders filled with buoyant materials such as foam.

However, these lifejackets are difficult to don and are not suitable for recreational swimmers surfing in the water, or persons engaged in some other type of water recreational activity.

purpose of invention

It is an object of the present invention to substantially overcome or at least ameliorate one or more of the aforementioned disadvantages, or to provide useful alternatives.

Contents of the invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a safety device is disclosed, comprising:

an inflatable bladder, in use, attached to an article to be worn by a user; and

an inflation device, in use, for inflating said inflatable bladder with an inflation product, said inflation device comprising:

an inflatable product compartment for storing said inflatable product;

a frangible valve for preventing flow of said aerated product from said aerated product compartment; and

An actuator for rupturing the frangible valve to allow flow of aerated product from the aerated product compartment to the inflatable bladder.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is disclosed herein an inflation device to be placed in fluid communication with an inflatable bladder, the inflation device comprising:

an inflatable product compartment for storing said inflatable product;

a frangible valve for preventing flow of said aerated product from said aerated product compartment; and

An actuator for rupturing the frangible valve to allow flow of aerated product from the aerated product compartment, whereby in use aerated product flowed from the aerated product compartment inflates the bladder.

Preferably, the item is clothing or an accessory for attachment to a user's limb.

Preferably, the garment comprises a first attachment formation and the inflatable device comprises a second attachment formation, in use the first and second attachment formations cooperate to secure the inflatable device to the garment.

Preferably, the garment is made of a material having thermal insulating properties to provide thermal insulation to a user immersed in water.

Preferably, the garment is made of a material that protects against ultraviolet rays from the sun.

In one embodiment of the invention, the garment is a surf suit.

In another embodiment of the invention, the garment is a diving suit.

Preferably, the garment is made of spandex, nylon, polyester or neoprene.

Preferably, the garment includes a visibility-enhancing colored portion to facilitate enhanced visibility of the user while floating in the body of water.

Preferably, the colored portion is made of fluorescent material.

Preferably, the ornament includes a loop for attachment to a user's limb.

Preferably, the inflatable bladder is made of rubber, latex or plastic material.

Preferably, the inflatable bladder is secured in use to the shoulder or wrist of the garment.

Preferably, the inflatable device includes a refill valve by which the inflatable device compartment is filled, in use, with an inflatable product.

Preferably, the aerated product is _CO2 , liquid nitrogen, hydrogen or CFC.

Preferably, the safety device includes a conduit providing fluid communication between the inflatable product compartment and the inflatable bladder.

Preferably the catheter is flexible.

Preferably, the conduit and/or inflatable device comprises a fluid permeable barrier.

Preferably, the fluid permeable barrier comprises a mesh.

Preferably, the frangible valve comprises one or more frangible regions.

Preferably, the frangible valve is made of glass, acrylic, copper, polymethyl methacrylate (commonly known as "Plexiglass") or plastic material.

Preferably, the actuator comprises a strap attached to the rupture member, wherein force applied to the strap will cause the rupture member to rupture the frangible valve.

In one embodiment, the rupture member is provided by surrounding a portion of the conduit around the frangible valve such that in use a force applied to the band causes the conduit to bend thereby rupturing the frangible valve.

In another embodiment, the rupture member is made of a water-swellable material.

Preferably, the inflator also includes an automatic actuator for rupturing the frangible valve.

Preferably, the automatic actuator is in communication with the programmable module, wherein the automatic actuator is activated under the control of the programmable module.

Preferably, the programmable module is in electronic communication with the sensor assembly, wherein the programmable module, in use, activates the automatic actuator in response to information received from the sensor assembly.

Preferably, the sensor assembly comprises a water sensor or a pressure sensor, or both.

Preferably, the automatic actuator comprises an electromagnet and a rupture member.

Preferably, the rupture member includes biasing means.

Preferably, the biasing means comprises a spring.

Preferably, the programmable module is in electronic communication with the polarity reversing module to change the polarity of the electromagnet, wherein in use a change in the polarity of the electromagnet will cause the rupture member to move under the influence of the biasing means to rupture the valve .

Preferably, the programmable module sends a change in polarity to the polarity reversing module in response to information received from the sensor assembly.

Preferably, the inflatable device includes an information display.

Preferably, the safety device comprises an access device.

Preferably, the water-swellable material is a water-swellable foam.

Preferably, the safety means includes a check valve for preventing flow of inflated product from the inflatable bladder and back into the inflatable product compartment.

Preferably, the safety device comprises a plurality of inflatable bladders.

Preferably, the safety device includes a secondary inflation arrangement by means of which a user can exhale to provide an inflation product to the inflatable bladder.

Preferably, the safety device includes signaling means, typically an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB), for in use signaling the location of the user in an emergency situation.

In one embodiment, the signaling means comprise lighting means, typically battery operated light emitting diodes (LEDs).

In one embodiment, the signaling means comprises a siren.

In one embodiment, the signaling means includes a GPS unit.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a security device kit is disclosed, comprising:

an item to be worn by the user;

an inflatable bladder attached to the article; and

Inflation apparatus for inflating the inflatable bladder with an inflatable product in use, the inflation apparatus comprising:

Inflatable product compartment for storing inflatable products;

a frangible valve to stop the flow of aerated product from the aerated product compartment; and

An actuator for rupturing the frangible valve to allow flow of inflated product from the inflatable product compartment to the inflatable bladder.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, a safety device is disclosed, comprising:

an inflatable bladder, in use, attached to an article to be worn by a user; and

Inflating equipment, in use, for inflating an inflatable bladder with an inflatable product, including:

Inflatable product compartment for storing inflatable products;

a valve assembly for preventing the flow of aerated product from the aerated product compartment; and

an actuator for opening the valve assembly to allow flow of inflatable product from the inflatable product compartment to inflate the inflatable bladder; and

sensor assembly, operably associated with the actuator, wherein

The actuator, in use, opens the valve assembly in response to measurements obtained by the sensor assembly, thereby allowing flow of aerated product from the aerated product compartment.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is disclosed an inflation device to be placed in fluid communication with an inflatable bladder, the inflation device comprising:

Inflatable product compartment for storing inflatable products;

a valve assembly for preventing the flow of aerated product from the aerated product compartment; and

an actuator for opening the valve assembly to allow flow of inflatable product from the inflatable product compartment to inflate the inflatable bladder; and

sensor assembly, operably associated with the actuator, wherein

The actuator, in use, opens the valve assembly in response to measurements obtained by the sensor assembly, thereby allowing the flow of inflatable product to inflate the inflatable bladder.

Preferably, the sensor assembly of the third fourth aspect comprises a water sensor or a pressure sensor, or both.

Preferably, the actuator of the third fourth aspect comprises a servo motor.

Description of drawings

Preferred embodiments of the invention will be described below by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is the schematic diagram of the first embodiment of installation device;

Figure 2 is a schematic illustration of a first embodiment of an inflatable device used in the safety device of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a second embodiment of the safety device;

Figure 4 is a schematic illustration of a portion of a third embodiment of an inflatable device;

Figure 5 is a schematic illustration of a fourth embodiment of an inflatable device; and

Figure 6 is a schematic illustration of a portion of a fifth embodiment of an inflatable device.

Detailed ways

In the following description, the same reference numerals will be used to designate the same components.

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a safety device, generally indicated by reference numeral 10 . In use, the safety device 10 is used to keep a user afloat in a body of water in the event of an emergency, such as in the event of a user falling overboard from a marine vessel.

The safety device 10 comprises an article worn by a user, here in the form of a garment 12 , in particular a surfing suit. The garment 12 of this embodiment is made of polyester. Polyester is suitable because it firstly provides thermal insulation to the user when submerged in water, and secondly protects against UV rays from the sun.

The garment 12 also includes a visibility-enhancing colored portion 14 made of a fluorescent material. In use, the colored portion provides enhanced visibility for a user floating in the body of water. This feature is used to help rescue teams find users when they are searching for a specific body of water.

An inflatable rubber bladder 16 is secured to the torso region of the garment 12 .

The safety device 10 also includes an inflatable device 18 . The inflator 18 includes an inflatable product compartment 20 shown in Figure 2 for containing an inflatable product which, in use, is used to inflate the inflatable bladder in an emergency situation. As shown, the inflatable device 18 is secured to the wrist portion of the garment 12 . Obviously, the inflatable device 18 can also be attached to the garment 12 at various locations. However, the specific location of the inflatable device 18 on the garment 12 will be a function of where the inflatable device will least interfere with the user's recreational activities in the water.

The inflatable product compartment 20 contains an inflatable product in the form of _CO2 .

FIG. 2 provides a schematic illustration of a first embodiment of the inflatable device 18 . The inflatable device 18 first includes an inflatable product compartment 20 for storing an inflatable product. The inflatable device 18 also includes a refill valve 19 by which the aerated product compartment 20 can be refilled with an aerated product.

An inflation device 18 is provided in fluid communication with the inflatable bladder 16 via a rubber conduit 22 . However, the inflated product prevents flow from the inflated product compartment 20 to the inflatable bladder 16 until the frangible valve (generally indicated by reference numeral 24) ruptures, as discussed below. When frangible valve 24 is ruptured, inflatable product is allowed to flow from inflatable product compartment 20 of inflatable device 18 through conduit 22 to inflatable bladder 16 .

The frangible valve 24 includes a tubular glass body 26 . Tubular body 26 has a closed end 28 and an open end 30 in fluid communication with a mouth 32 of the inflatable product compartment 20 . The connection between the aerated product compartment 20 and the tubular body 26 is such that no aerated product exits at the interface of the open end 30 and the mouth 32 . Additionally, the closed end 28 of the tubular body 26 blocks the flow of aerated product from the aerated product compartment 20 into the conduit 22 .

The inflator 18 includes an actuator 34 for rupturing the valve 24 . The actuator 24 firstly comprises a rupture member 36 , here provided in the form of a portion of the flexible conduit 22 surrounding the tubular body 26 as shown. The actuator 34 also includes a strap 38 wrapped around the rupture member 36 at one end.

In an emergency situation, such as when the user falls into the water, the user pulls on the strap 38, thereby applying force to the strap. This force causes rupture member 36 to bend. This bending, in turn, exerts a bending moment on the tubular body 26 of the frangible valve 24 . Continued bending of the rupture member 36 causes the tubular body 26 to rupture, thereby causing the frangible valve 24 to rupture. Breakage of frangible valve 24 in turn allows aerated product to flow out of aerated product compartment 24 via conduit 22, causing bladder 16 to be inflated.

It will be appreciated that rupture of frangible valve 24 results in conduit 22 being filled with glass shards. In order to prevent these fragments from being fed to the inflatable bladder 16, the catheter 22 comprises a fluid permeable barrier 40 in the form of a mesh.

Additionally, in order to disconnect the inflatable device 18 from the conduit 22, the conduit includes a connector formation 42 (here a quick release connector). Snap lock connectors are also available.

In a second embodiment of the security device (indicated by reference numeral 50 in FIG. 3 ), the item to be worn by the user is provided in the form of an ornament having a watch 52 attachable to the user's limb. The safety device 50 also includes a ring 54 that is extendable around the user's limb.

The safety device 50 also includes an inflatable device 18 for storing an inflatable product in the inflatable product compartment 20 . Here, however, the inflator 18 includes a plurality of apertures 56, the purpose of which will become apparent from the description below.

Safety device 50 also includes frangible valve 24 housed within inflatable device 18 .

Unlike the safety device 10, the actuator 34 of this safety device does not include a strap. Instead, the actuator 34 includes a water-swellable material 58 comprising a water-swellable compressed foam. In an emergency situation, such as when a user falls from a marine vessel, water enters the inflatable device 18 through the holes 56 .

The water-swellable foam 58 will absorb this water, causing it to expand. Continued expansion of the foam 58 will cause the frangible valve 24 to rupture in a manner similar to that of the safety device 10 . When frangible valve 24 is ruptured, aerated product flows from inflated product compartment 20 to inflate bladder 16 .

FIG. 4 shows part of a third embodiment of an inflatable device 60 . The inflator 60 comprises an automatic actuator 34 . 1 with a rupture member 36 . The automatic actuator 34.1 includes a magnet 62 in electronic communication with a programmable module 64 having a polarity reversing module. The automatic actuator 34.1 also comprises biasing means (here in the form of a spring 37). A rupture member 36 is placed adjacent to the frangible valve 24 within the flexible conduit 22 . Conduit 22 is in fluid communication with an inflatable bladder, not shown.

The inflator 60 includes a battery power source 66 (here a NiCd battery) for driving the inflator's electronics, an information display 68 and an access device 70, the purpose of which is discussed below. In order to activate the automatic actuator 34.1, the inflator 60 includes a sensor assembly 72 (here in the form of an electronic water sensor) to detect when the safety device is submerged in water.

The magnet 62 comprises first and second magnetic parts 62.1 and 62.2, the first magnetic part 62.1 comprising an electromagnet and the second magnetic part 62.2 comprising a permanent magnet. Under "non-wet" conditions, the magnetic parts 62.1 and 62.2 have opposite polarities, causing the two parts to attract each other and to be in a first position (not shown), in which they are adjacent to each other . With the magnetic parts 62.1 and 62.2 in the first position, a compressive force is applied to the spring 37 to bias it. The magnitude of the magnetic force of the retaining parts 62.1 and 62.2 is of sufficient strength to prevent the spring 37 from pushing them apart.

When the water sensor 72 is submerged in a body of water, an electronic signal is sent to the programmable module 64 . When a signal is received that the water sensor 72 has detected water, the polarity reversing module is activated to reverse the polarity of the first magnetic part 62.1. Since the magnetic parts now have the same polarity, they repel each other. Thus, when the force biasing the spring 37 is removed, the spring will return to its unbiased state. Due to the fact that the spring 37 is in a biased condition, the return of the spring to the unbiased state causes the second magnetic part 62.2, and thus the rupture member 36, to undergo a substantial acceleration. Due to the position of the rupture member 36 relative to the frangible valve 24, the subsequent momentum of the rupture member causes it to impact the conduit 22 which causes the conduit to bend. The bending of conduit 22 in turn ruptures frangible valve 24 allowing inflated product to flow out of the inflated product compartment of inflatable device 60 . The inflated product now flows in the direction of arrow 74, thereby inflating the bladder.

The inflatable device 60 comprises a further actuator 34 provided in the form of a belt which operates on a similar principle to that of the first embodiment of the safety device described above.

Programmable module 64 is pre-programmed to provide a variety of modes of operation which are: (i) safe mode, (ii) off mode, (iii) remote mode, (iv) manual mode, and (v) approach mode.

In safe mode, the installation will rupture the frangible valve 24 when the water sensor 72 detects the presence of water. In the closed mode, the user is allowed to swim and the water sensor 72 will not trigger the rupture of the frangible valve 24 . However, if the user finds himself/herself in danger, the actuator 34 can still be used to rupture the frangible valve 24 to inflate the bladder. In remote mode, the user can also swim without rupturing the valve. However, the programmable module includes a receiver module to receive signals from the remote signaling device. This mode thus allows for example a child to swim and a parent to cause the valve to rupture if the child is in danger. Rupture is achieved by the parent activating the remote signaling device to communicate with the programmable module via the receiving module.

Proximity mode operates via the proximity device 70 and acts as a signaling device to alert the operator that the user of the security device has moved beyond a set distance from a remote device held by the operator. This mode can be used, for example, to warn parents in the room that a child playing outside has moved outside a set range. Parents can then take appropriate action to ensure the child's safety.

As mentioned above, the security device includes an information display 68 which, in this embodiment, is in the form of a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs), not shown. The LEDs are used in use, for example, to indicate (i) selected mode of the safety device, (ii) low power, (iii) low level of an inflatable product within the inflatable product compartment. The remote signaling means may also include indicating means to warn the operator that the valve has been breached and that the user of the safety device may be in danger.

Although not shown, the safety device to be attached to the inflatable device 60 also includes a secondary inflation arrangement whereby the user can inflate his inflatable bladder by exhaling. The user can also inflate the bladder via the auxiliary inflation arrangement should the inflation device fail or fail to inflate the bladder.

FIG. 5 shows a fourth embodiment of the inflation device 78 . The inflation device 78 is similar in operation to the previous embodiments in that it includes a frangible valve 24 and an aerated product compartment 20 for containing an aerated product. The inflatable device 78 also includes an actuator 34 whereby force applied by a user will rupture the frangible valve 24 to allow aerated product to flow from the aerated product compartment 20 via conduit 80 to an outlet conduit 82 . The mesh 40 is provided to prevent fragments of the ruptured valve 24 from being fed into the conduit 80 . The outlet conduit 82 is closed by a seal 84 when not in use. In use, the outlet conduit 82 is connected via a conventional snap lock to a conduit, not shown, which is in fluid communication with the balloon.

The inflator 78 includes two containment compartments 86 and 88 which are sealed by watertight caps 90 and 92 . The first receiving compartment 86 houses an electronics module 94 in communication with and operatively associated with the sensor assembly 93 . Sensor package 93 includes proximity sensor, emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB), electronic water sensor, mechanical water pressure sensor with countdown timer, low battery alarm, remote activation function, service alarm and sensor activation function. The electronics module 94 is powered by a battery 96 housed within the second housing compartment 88 . Another battery 98 is accommodated in the sealed chamber 97 and serves as a backup battery for the battery 96 . A switch 102 for activating and deactivating the electronics module 94 is included on the belt 100 actuator 34 .

The inflation device 78 differs from the above-described embodiments in that it comprises an automatic actuator 34.2 comprising a servo motor. Servo motor 34.2 is powered by battery 98.

The servo motor 34.2 is attached to the valve assembly 104 as shown. The valve assembly includes a valve 103 for positioning within opening 105 , a pin 106 and a release 108 . The valve assembly 104 is used to prevent leakage of aerated product from the aerated product compartment 20 into the chamber 97 and into the outlet tube 82 .

The pin 106 is attached to the servo motor 34.2. When the servomotor 34.2 is activated, the valve 103 will be withdrawn from its sealing position while the pin 106 will cause the release valve 108 (here in the form of a Schrader valve) to be depressed allowing aerated product to flow via the chamber 97 to the outlet Catheter 82. Thus, the actuator 34.2 will cause the flow of inflated product to the bladder without breaking the frangible valve.

A fill valve 110 is provided to fill the aerated product compartment 20 with an aerated product. Fill valve 110 is used when sealing chamber 97 is opened by removing cap 21 .

The frangible valve 24 is characterized in that it is transparent and acts as a sight glass to allow the user to observe the level of colored aerated product to determine if the aerated product compartment 20 needs to be filled.

Activation of the servo motor 34.2 occurs in response to the sensor assembly 93 detecting an activation parameter.

Activation of the inflator 78 via the switch 102 will eg enable the electronic water sensor to activate the servo motor 34.2 when the water sensor detects water. However, if the inflatable device 78 is deactivated by the switch 102 , the mechanical pressure sensor will still activate the inflatable device 78 . This will happen when a predetermined depth underwater is detected. A countdown timer is activated when a predetermined depth is detected. As soon as the timer reaches the set time interval, the servo motor 34.2 is activated, allowing the inflated product to flow through the outlet conduit 82 to the inflatable bladder of the safety device as described above. However, if the user surfaces before the set time interval expires, the countdown timer will reset itself to prevent the bladder from being inflated.

One application of the discoverable application of proximity sensors for inflatable devices is when a dock worker enters a designated area (eg, a dock area), where a signal can be transmitted to the proximity device, allowing it to activate the inflatable device. However, once the docker leaves the dock area, the proximity sensor will cause the inflatable to deactivate. Obviously, if the docker falls into the water while the inflatable device is deactivated, the mechanical pressure sensor will still cause the inflatable product to be released into the inflatable bladder.

FIG. 6 shows a schematic view of a portion of a fifth embodiment of an inflatable device 120 . The frangible valve 24 of the inflatable device 120 includes two valve members 122 and 124 each having a threaded portion 126 for engagement with a corresponding threaded portion 128 of the inflatable device 120 . Each valve member 122 and 124 includes a frangible tube 130 composed of polymethyl methacrylate. Each tube has a closed end 132 and an open end 134 . The open end of each tube 130 is secured within one of the threaded portions 126 by a suitable adhesive. The adhesive is used to seal the tube 130 within the valve members 122 and 124 so that fluid cannot pass between the outer wall of the tube and the inner surface of the valve members 122 and 124 .

Tube 130 is encapsulated within rubber conduit 136 to provide fluid communication between inflatable product compartment 20 and outlet tube 82 . The rubber conduit 136 has a concertina-like shape which facilitates slack in the assembly so that the conduit can be manipulated into place when the frangible tube 130 is in place.

The actuator band 34 is provided to bend the conduit 136 to rupture the tube 130, thereby allowing inflation gas to flow from the inflatable product compartment 20 through the conduit 136 to the outlet tube 82 where the inflation gas is delivered to Inflatable bladder.

The inflatable device 120 also includes a sight glass 127 by which a user can determine whether the device is to be filled with an inflatable product.

In a sixth, not shown embodiment, the security device 10 comprises a container. The container includes a tube through which a user can withdraw liquid contained in the container. Typically, the container will be secured to the garment, preferably to the back of the garment.

In a seventh, not shown embodiment, the safety device comprises signaling means for signaling the position of the user in an emergency situation. Examples of signaling devices include lighting devices (usually battery operated LEDs), sirens or GPS signaling units.

In an eighth, not shown embodiment, the garment is provided in the form of a diving suit.

In a ninth, not shown embodiment, the garment is made of spandex.

In a tenth, not shown embodiment, the garment is made of nylon.

In an eleventh, not shown embodiment, the garment is made of neoprene.

In a twelfth, not shown embodiment, the inflatable bladder is made of latex.

In a thirteenth, not shown embodiment, the inflatable bladder is made of plastic material.

In a fourteenth not shown embodiment, the safety device includes a plurality of inflatable bladders to ensure that the safety device keeps the user afloat even if one or more of the inflatable bladders are punctured while the user awaits rescue.

In a fifteenth, not shown embodiment, the aerated product is liquid nitrogen.

In a sixteenth, not shown embodiment, the aerated product is CFC.

In a seventeenth, not shown embodiment, the frangible valve includes one or more frangible regions.

In an eighteenth, not shown embodiment, the frangible valve is made of thermoplastic acrylic, commonly sold under the trade name Perspex.

In a nineteenth not shown embodiment, the frangible valve includes a copper body including one or more scored portions for providing a frangible zone.

In a twentieth, not shown embodiment, a safety gear kit is provided, which can be retrofitted to a surfing suit, for example. The kit includes an inflatable bladder capable of being secured to the surfing suit, and an inflation device as described above.

Furthermore, the kit also includes attachment means to assist in attaching the security device to the user, such as a clip arrangement, so that the security device can be attached to clothing worn by the user.

In a twenty-first not shown embodiment, the inflatable bladder includes a check valve to prevent flow of inflated product from the inflatable bladder and back into the inflated product compartment.

In a twenty-second, not shown embodiment, the ornament includes a compass.

In a twenty-third, not shown embodiment, the aeration product is hydrogen.

In a twenty-fourth not shown embodiment, the inflatable device is secured to the shoulder of the garment.

In a twenty-fifth not shown embodiment, a water sensor is provided, attachable to the neck of a garment worn by a user, the sensor being in electronic communication with the inflatable device. In use, the water sensor will cause the inflatable device to be activated when the water sensor detects the presence of water on the neck of the garment.

In a twenty-sixth not shown embodiment, the frangible valve is made of plastic material.

In a twenty-seventh embodiment not shown, the conduit 22 is made of plastic material.

In a twenty-eighth not shown embodiment, the safety device includes a secondary inflation arrangement whereby the user can use his exhalation to provide inflation product to the bladder. The auxiliary inflation arrangement includes a blowpipe with a check valve.

It will be appreciated that safety devices may be constructed with different combinations of the valves and actuators described above. For example, the frangible valve of Figure 6 could be used with the inflatable device of Figure 5 in place of the frangible valve shown in the figure.

Although the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms.

Claims (22)

1. safety device comprises:

The inflatable bladder bag in use is attached to the object for the treatment of by user's wearing; And

Inflatable appliance is used in use by aerated product described inflatable bladder bag being inflated, and described inflatable appliance comprises:

The aerated product compartment is used for storing described aerated product;

Frangible valve is used for stoping described aerated product to flow out from described aerated product compartment; And

Actuator is used for making described frangible valve break to allow aerated product to flow to described inflatable bladder bag from described aerated product compartment.

2. safety device according to claim 1, wherein said object are the decorative fittings that clothes or be used for is attached to described user's limbs.

3. safety device according to claim 2, wherein said clothes is surfing clothes or diving suit.

4. safety device according to claim 2, wherein said decorative fitting comprises the ring be used to the limbs that are attached to described user.

5. safety device according to claim 4, wherein said actuator comprises the rupture member of water-swellable, in use, the member of described water-swellable causes described rupture member to expand so that described frangible valve breaks with contacting of water.

6. according to each described safety device in the claim 1 to 3, wherein said actuator comprises band, and described band is attached to rupture member, wherein in use causes described rupture member that described frangible valve is broken to described band application reinforcing.

7. according to each described safety device in the aforementioned claim, comprise sender unit, described sender unit is used in use in case of emergency sending described user's position.

8. safety device according to claim 7, wherein said sender unit comprise urgent finger position radio position indicating mark (EPIRB).

9. according to each described safety device in the aforementioned claim, also comprise be used to the automatic actuater that described frangible valve is broken.

10. safety device according to claim 9, wherein said automatic actuater is communicated by letter with programmable module, and in use, described automatic actuater is activated under the control of described programmable module.

11. safety device according to claim 10, wherein said programmable module is communicated by letter with sensor module, and in use, described programmable module activates described automatic actuater in response to the information that receives from described sensor module.

12. safety device according to claim 11, wherein said sensor module comprises water sensor or pressure sensor, perhaps not only comprises water sensor but also comprise pressure sensor.

13. according to each described safety device in the claim 9 to 12, wherein said automatic actuater comprises electromagnet and rupture member.

14. safety device according to claim 13, wherein said rupture member comprises bias unit.

15. safety device according to claim 14, wherein said bias unit comprises spring.

16. according to claim 14 or the described safety device of claim 15, wherein said programmable module and reversal of poles module communication, thus the variation of the polarity of described electromagnet in use causes described rupture member to move so that described valve breaks under the influence of described bias unit.

17. safety device according to claim 16, wherein said programmable module in use are sent to described reversal of poles module in response to the information that receives from described sensor module with the variation of polarity.

18. to be placed is and the inflatable appliance of inflatable bladder bag fluid communication that described inflatable appliance comprises:

The aerated product compartment is used for storing described aerated product;

Frangible valve is used for stoping described aerated product to flow out from described aerated product compartment; And

Actuator is used for making described frangible valve break to allow aerated product to flow out from described aerated product compartment,

Thereby in use, the aerated product that flows out from described aerated product compartment is inflated described capsule bag.

19. safety device comprises:

The inflatable bladder bag in use is attached to the object for the treatment of by user's wearing; And

Inflatable appliance is used in use by aerated product described inflatable bladder bag being inflated, and described inflatable appliance comprises:

The aerated product compartment is used for storing described aerated product;

Valve module is used for stoping described aerated product to flow out from described aerated product compartment; And

Actuator is used for opening described valve module and flows to described inflatable bladder bag to allow aerated product from described aerated product compartment; And

Sensor module, related described actuator operationally, wherein

Described actuator response is opened described valve module in the result of a measurement that is obtained by described sensor module, thereby allows aerated product to flow out from described aerated product compartment.

20. to be placed is and the inflatable appliance of inflatable bladder bag fluid communication that described inflatable appliance comprises:

The aerated product compartment is used for storing described aerated product;

Valve module is used for stoping described aerated product to flow out from described aerated product compartment; And

Actuator is used for opening described valve module and flows out so that described inflatable bladder bag is inflated from described aerated product compartment to allow aerated product; And

Sensor module, related described actuator operationally, wherein

Described actuator response is opened described valve module in the result of a measurement that is obtained by described sensor module, thereby allows aerated product to flow so that described inflatable bladder bag is inflated.

21. according to claim 19 or 20 described safety devices, wherein said sensor module comprises water sensor or pressure sensor, perhaps not only comprises water sensor but also comprise pressure sensor.

22. according to each described safety device in the claim 19 to 21, wherein said actuator comprises servomotor.

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