DE19928792A1 - Survival raft to equip pleasure boats or boat carrying limited number of people - Google Patents

Abstract

A halyard (4) surrounds fairly tightly the periphery of the inflatable fender (3) and each accessory of the craft, namely a percussion rope (20) and/or a towing rope (21) and/or a sea anchor (22) and which generates a high traction force applied to the buoyancy fender of the craft is able to be fixed to the halyard by a coupling.

Description

The invention relates to improvements to inflatables, especially liferafts, by are limited to at least one circumferential inflatable buoyancy tube that has a bottom encloses and on the outside of a rope (rope) is attached.

The invention particularly relates to life rafts for the equipment of yachts or general mine from ships that carry only a small number of people and hardly differ from the kitchens remove. Under these circumstances, liferafts need to be used when they are used must not be the same equipment and sophisticated technical properties like liferafts intended for the open sea because of their useful life should be short in principle.

In this context, the currently known life rafts have properties that the Coastal needs far exceed. There is therefore a demand for Ret islands that are better adapted to the real needs of small shipping and are less expensive than those that are still manufactured today.

At the same time, it has proven necessary to attach certain accessories of the Ret reinforcement island to increase reliability when using the life raft hen. So far, there were certain accessories - such as the tether / tether (which is used to Raft into the water, trigger the firing pin of the automatic inflator and to hold the inflated raft driven by the wind and / or currents) Towline and the floating anchor - selectively on the inflatable hose of the life raft, e.g. B. by means of a ring attached by a piece of tissue or rubber on the Hose is held, which is attached there by gluing or welding.

The main disadvantage of this arrangement is that the accessories have extremely strong forces can exert on the hose that act locally on the hose, which can lead to that the fasteners attached to the hose are torn out and / or given otherwise the tissue forming the tube is simply torn. This leads to the loss of the Boots, which in turn can have dramatic effects if it is a ret island acts.

Another disadvantage of this known arrangement is that the locations for the fastening of the accessories on the inflatable tube of the boat are fixed in advance where  however, in practice it would be desirable for the user to vary these digits could, especially to adapt them to the special circumstances as well as possible.

It is therefore an essential aim of the invention to meet and meet these expectations Inflatable boat, e.g. B. propose a life raft that has a simplified structure and is therefore cheaper to manufacture, with the boat reinforced and so at the same time is formed that it can perform the desired functions better.

For this purpose, an inflatable boat of the type described in the introduction is according to the invention characterized in that the rope at least the periphery of the inflatable tube mostly tightly wraps and that every accessory of the boat, a tear leash and / or a towing line and / or a towing anchor that generates a large pulling force, which acts on the buoyancy tube of the boat by means of fasteners with the said Rope is firmly connected.

This arrangement has the advantage that the strong tensile forces caused by one of the above parts (tether / tug line, drag line, floating anchor) are no longer generated selectively attack the buoyancy hose, but act on the rope, which in practice the Auf encloses drive hose along its circumference. It is therefore the rope that has the force on it Boat transmits, with the force being distributed around it, so the local forces decrease sharply are weakened and there is no danger of the tissue being damaged in any way.

In addition, the large forces mentioned work in an approximately horizontal or counteracting manner on the buoyancy tube so that the rope is in is kept in close contact with the buoyancy tube that surrounds it.

In addition to the fundamental advantages mentioned, the arrangement according to the invention has Numerous other advantages that lead to a significant reduction in the cost of manufacturing Guide boats.

Inflatable boats, such as life rafts, are usually equipped with a rope that forms a handrail that people swimming around the boat can grip. A such rope is already present on the boat, so that none to implement the invention additional part is required that must be added to the boat.

In order to effectively implement the invention, however, care must be taken that the rope is not closed is slack attached to the hose and not with a pronounced curvature between two successive brackets hangs, as is often the case with inflatable boats, such as the previously knew liferafts, often the case. It is therefore advisable to proceed in such a way that the rope  the periphery of the inflatable tube, at least for the most part and preferably Overall almost tight, so only with a slight curvature between two successive brackets, without it being necessary or even desirable that the rope comes too close to the inflatable tube.

Thus the attachment of the accessories to the rope can lead to a certain deflection, which, however, if it is kept within certain limits, is also taken into account the type of accessory so attached is not a major disadvantage.

This avoids attaching the accessory (or its holder) directly to the boat (inflatable tube or floor) through a welding or gluing process, operations that require special manipulations and the use of a machine and is therefore lengthy and are expensive.

As for the accessories mentioned, which are responsible for the reliability of the boat and are essential for safety, their attachment to the rope is basically fixed, and except unsolvable in the factory.

However, as far as the towline is concerned, it can be provided that it does not last itself is attached directly to the rope, but at least one fastening member on the rope is attached, which in turn serves for the attachment of the towing line if necessary. For better guidance of the towed boat are advantageously two at a distance from each other Arranged fasteners provided for attaching the towline, the fixed with connected to the rope. If the boat has a polygonal contour (what with liferafts often the case), the two fasteners should two consecutive corners of the Contour of the boat are approximately opposite. In a practical embodiment, the one is fast and inexpensive, the fastening element is a flexible tab forming a handle, which is firmly connected to the rope.

The arrangements according to the invention are not on the accessories mentioned above limits. Rather, you can extend to other accessories. In this case, include the other accessories firmly connectable with the rope at least one water bag and / or a hood made of a flexible fabric and / or a container for the gas for Inflate the boat using the fasteners to attach these additional accessories parts on the rope are designed so that he a sliding along the rope fastening he possible. In addition, it can be useful in practice if the sliding fasteners are also releasable.  

This applies in particular to capsize protection water bags, which are used for their functional use half of the bottom level of the boat. In the context of the invention, each water bag is independent depending on the boat and equipped with its own fasteners, its Attachment to the rope in such a way that the water bag is under the Ni veau of the bottom of the boat is located.

This arrangement is an important disadvantage of known boats of the relevant type eliminated where the water bags are permanently attached to the bottom of the boat and hang under it all the time. In this case, the fixed attachment of the water requires sacks on the bottom of the boat namely a special process step in the manufacturing pro zeß, whereby this is extended and its costs (welding, gluing, ...) are increased. In addition, the number of water bags is determined once and for all when the boat is designed sets and can then no longer be changed. So there is no way to insert this number especially during navigation, to adapt to the needs of the user, to speci requirements. Finally, the presence of filled water bags hanging under the boat are a handicap in certain circumstances, e.g. B. if the boat, especially during the rescue, is being towed if it is a ret island acts.

By the arrangements according to the invention, however, the water bags become independent accessories of the actual boat. Their number, structure and form and the place of their arrival are left to the free choice of the user who depends on these parameters can adapt to the demands of the moment. In particular, the number of immersed water bags depending on the prevailing navigation conditions (currents, Force and direction of the wind) can be changed. In addition, the water bags at Towing the boat can be lifted, reducing the boat's drag and towing is made easier.

The means for attaching the (preferably ballasted) water bag include at least one flexible band (rope, cord, ...), preferably with a knot on the rope is attachable. The water bag becomes a simple accessory, the immersion position one can be adjusted below the level of the ground so that optimal conditions for stabilization of the boat can be achieved.

If the boat has a hood (which is generally made of a fabric which is often held by a hanger), this tissue is usually with its lower one Edge over part of the circumference (by welding, gluing, ...) with the buoyancy tube firmly connected. Here, too, this assembly step extends the manufacturing time and increases the pro production costs. In order to eliminate this disadvantage and to reduce costs, is fiction  provided according to that the fabric of the convertible top with the help of connecting means releasably said rope is connected, said connecting means at least one flexible Can include tape (rope, string, ...) that can be firmly connected with the rope. It can z. B. may be multiple loops attached to the bottom of the fabric are and can be individually tied around the rope. However, it can also be a Cord or the like. Act through eyelets provided at the bottom of the top fabric runs and is wound around the rope, or also around hooks that are connected to the lower edge of the Convertible top fabric are firmly connected and can be hooked with the rope.

It is also common for the inflation gas container (which is generally cylindrical Metal bottle is held in a cradle made of fabric, which is attached to the side of the inflatable drive hose is welded on. Here, too, the fastening is extended (by welding, gluing, ...) of the fabric that forms the cradle, the time and cost of manufacture. To this To eliminate disadvantage, it is provided according to the invention that the fastening means for fastening the flexible case on the rope comprises at least two eyelets attached to the case through which the rope runs.

In the event that the buoyancy tube consists of several tubular ones lying one above the other There is chambers, the rope is preferably attached to the lower tubular chamber. In this way you lend to the boat, which is exposed to strong forces (lines, floating anchors), better stability and better tightness for the assembly of the soft top fabric.

In the following the invention will be elucidated by the detailed description of some embodiments games explained. This description makes reference to the accompanying drawings. It demonstrate

Fig. 1 is a schematic plan view of an inventive rescue island,

Fig. 2 is a front view of the life raft in FIG. 1,

Fig. 3 is a side view of the life raft in FIG. 1 and 2,

Fig. 4 to 6 design variants of the liferaft of Fig. 1 to 3 in side views.

The following description specifically refers to the example of a life raft that be represents preferred application for the arrangements according to the invention, the Er However, the invention is not limited to this area and also with other inflatable boats types can be applied.

First of all, reference should be made to FIGS. 1 to 3, in which a life raft i is shown, which has a bottom 2 which is stretched out by a hose 3 inside an encircling inflatable buoyancy device. In the example shown, the tube 3 has a polygo rectangular (here approximately square) contour and consists of two superimposed inflatable chambers, namely a lower chamber 3 i and an upper chamber 3 s.

The general arrangement of the life raft 1 is not directly affected by the invention and can be of any type.

A rope or lashing rope 4 is fastened with brackets 5 to at least a larger part of the outer circumference of the buoyancy tube 3 . In practice, the rope 4 , as shown in the example presented, preferably encloses the hose 3 completely. In the present case, in which the hose 3 consists of several superimposed chambers, the rope 4 , as shown in the drawing figures, is attached to the outer circumference of the lower chamber 3 i, ie as close as possible to the level of the center of gravity of the boat.

In addition, the rope 4 nestles closely to the longitudinal contour of the inflatable tube 3 (in the present case, the lower chamber 3 i), but without it being necessary that it is clamped against the wall of the chamber or constricts it, so that it can correctly take over the functi on of a fastening element which is transferred to it within the scope of the invention, as will be explained in more detail below, but it can still fulfill its function as a grip part for people who are in the water.

The boat is equipped or can be equipped with accessories consisting of a rip cord 20 and / or a tow line 21 and / or a prop anchor 22 . All these parts, he testify a strong traction, which acts on the buoyancy tube 3 . They can be connected to the rope 4 by means of fasteners which, in principle, are attached in the factory and cannot be adjusted by the user.

The ripcord 20 is attached to the rope 4 near a container 15 for an inflation fluid, the special fastening supply is explained below. The fastener 23 for fastening supply cord 20 to the rope 4 is designed so that the line 20 can perform its double function as well as possible, namely to actuate the firing pin to trigger the reservoir 15 for the inflation fluid by a train, if not the inflated boat is thrown into the water and hold the boat while inflating and then the inflated boat which is exposed to the currents and / or winds that try to drive it away from the point at which it was deployed.

The fastening member 23 can, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, consist of a passage which is firmly connected to the rope 4 and through which the rip cord passes freely. The ripcord can also be equipped with one or more staggered flexible connecting parts which can be connected by any means, e.g. B. by a clamping olive, are firmly connected to the rope 4 .

The floating anchor 22 is attached to the end of a rope 24 , the other end of which is fastened by means of a fastening member, e.g. B. in the form of a clamping olive 25 ( Fig. 1) is firmly connected.

The towline can be permanently attached to the rope 4 . However, such a permanent solid connection can be annoying and annoying, so that it is desirable if the line is detachably attached, but with due regard to the very large forces that result from towing the boat, especially in moving seas, occur, the procedure is such that the attachment of the towing line to the boat is carried out in such a way that the advantage of the non-point connection provided in the context of the present invention is maintained.

For this purpose it is provided that on the boat itself only at least one Befestigungsor gan 19 for the releasable attachment of the (shown in Fig. 1 and 2 in broken lines) towline 21 is permanently mounted.

Thus, one or more fastening members 19 are seen in the form of handles for a tow line, which are firmly connected to the rope 4 . As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and in FIG. 6, which shows this detail on a larger scale, the or each organ 19 consists of a flexible loop which forms a handle and is produced by knotting a cord or strand . In this case, a simple means of attachment to the rope 4 is that the cord or cord is knotted directly to the rope. In view of the magnitude of the forces that occur when towing, however, a more secure attachment consists in the provision of a mechanical attachment element (e.g. a clamping olive). If desired, a rigid metal handle can be provided, which is firmly connected to the rope.

In the present case, in which the life raft has a polygonal, in particular the square shape shown, it is advantageous if each of the organs 19 is attached to the rope 4 in a corner of the life raft. Preferably two organs 19 are arranged on two successive corners of the life raft.

In the context of the invention, analog arrangements for attaching additional accessories to the cable 4 can also be considered.

So the provided for the equipment of the boat water bags 6 are formed independently of the Retungsinsel and consist of simple fabric trays 7 that can be loaded with ballast and with a fastener B, z. B. a flexible band (cord, braid, ...) are equipped, which can be attached to the rope in any way. For this purpose, a clamp, hook or similar organ can be provided. However, the simplest and most economical way is to attach the flexible band with a knot 9 to the rope 4 , which also has the advantage that the immersion depth of the water sack, as shown in Fig. 2, can be adjusted without difficulty. With this arrangement, the water bags can also be attached in any desired number and at any desired location on the circumference of the boat, and the number and attachment locations of the water bags can also be changed as desired during the course of the navigation. In particular, the water bags can be reassembled whenever required, especially when the boat is being towed.

The same applies to the top of the life raft, which consists of a flexible fabric 10 , which is held centrally by a bracket 11 , which can be an inflatable bracket. This fabric 10 may have at its lower edge fastening means 12 with which it can be detachably attached to the rope 4 . These fasteners 12 can be any means that are suitable for the intended use.

In Fig. 3 the fastening means 12 a are provided several times and consist of cords which are firmly connected to the edge of the fabric and knotted around the rope 4 .

In the arrangement of FIG. 4, the fastening means 12 b consist of hooks which are firmly connected to the web and are hooked to the rope 4 .

In the arrangement of FIG. 5, the fastening means 12 c comprise a helically wound cord 13 which alternately runs around the rope 4 and through eyelets 14 provided on the fabric 10 .

The same applies to the container 15 for the inflation fluid (FIGS . 1 and 2), which is held in a flexible case 16 , which in particular consists of a fabric and has means for fastening to the rope above or laterally. In the example shown, these fastening means consist of an apron 17 with two eyelets 18 through which the rope 4 runs.

Other accessories of the boat can be attached to the rope in the same way be increased.

It should be mentioned, however, that, as shown in Fig. 1 and 6, is not seen in the scope of the invention, to attach to the rope 4 also the rope ladder with which boats such as Rettungsin seln generally equipped to people who are in the water to facilitate boarding. The head 26 is still in a conventional manner inside the boat, in particular at the inner connection point of the bottom 2 with the buoyancy tube 3 be fastened, as can be seen in Fig. 1. This rope ladder unrolls around the hose 3 and hangs down on the outside of it. The user thus retains the option of unrolling the ladder 26 only when this is necessary.

The arrangements according to the invention use the existing rope on the outer circumference of the blowable hose and give it an additional function (task?) as an organ for Attachment of various accessories, which are then independent components of the egg conventional boots can be designed, manufactured and installed. This results in a considerable simplification in the manufacture of the life raft and a noticeable reduction in the Manufacturing costs. For the user, this also results in easier use, which makes it easier for him in particular enables the life raft to be better adapted to specific operating conditions fit.

Claims (15)

1. inflatable boat, in particular life raft, which is bounded by at least one peripheral inflatable buoyancy hose ( 3 ) which encloses a floor ( 2 ) and on the outside of which a rope ( 4 ) is fastened, characterized in that the rope ( 4 ) at least for the most part substantially encloses the periphery of the inflatable tube ( 3 ) and that each accessory of the boat, a rip cord ( 20 ) and / or a towing line ( 21 ) and / or a towing anchor ( 22 ) that generates a large tractive force that acts on the buoyancy hose of the boat, can be securely connected to said rope ( 4 ) by means of fastening means. 2. Boat according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one attachment member ( 19 ) for the attachment of a towing line ( 21 ) is firmly connected to the rope. 3. Boat according to claim 2, characterized in that two spaced apart angeord designated fastening members ( 19 ) for fastening the towing line ( 21 ) are fixedly connected to the rope. 4. Boat according to claim 3 with a closed polygonal contour, characterized in that the two fastening members ( 19 ) are two opposite corners of the contour of the boat approximately opposite. 5. Boat according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the fastening member ( 19 ) is a flexible tab forming a handle, which is firmly connected to the rope. 6. Inflatable boat according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that wei tere firmly connectable accessories with the rope at least one water bag ( 6 ) and / or a hood made of a flexible fabric and / or a container ( 15 ) for the gas for inflating the Boots include and that the fastening means for fastening these additional accessories on the rope ( 4 ) are designed so that they allow a sliding along the rope fastening. 7. Inflatable boat according to claim 6, characterized in that the sliding fastening mit tel are also solvable. 8. Inflatable boat according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that each water bag ( 6 ) is formed independently of the boat and is equipped with its own fastening means ( 8 ) which enable its attachment to the rope ( 4 ) in such a way that the Water bag is below the level of the bottom of the boat. 9. Boat according to claim 8, characterized in that the fastening means comprise at least one flexible band ( 8 ) which is firmly connected to the water bag and on the rope ( 4 ) BEFE Stigbar ( 9 ). 10. Boat according to one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that the hood ( 10 ) has a flexible fabric, the lower edge of which overlaps the inflated tube ( 3 ) at least over part of its circumference and with the aid of said fastening means ( 12 ) is releasably connected to the rope. 11. Boat according to claim 10, characterized in that the fastening means are seen several times before and comprise tapes ( 12 a), which are BEFE Stigt at the lower edge of the top fabric and can be knotted around the rope ( 4 ). 12. Boat according to claim 10, characterized in that the fastening means comprise a cord ( 13 ) or the like which runs through the eyelets ( 14 ) at the lower edge of the top fabric ( 10 ) and is wound around the rope ( 4 ). 13. Boat according to claim 10, characterized in that the fastening means comprise hooks ( 12 b) which are fixedly connected to the lower edge of the top fabric ( 10 ) and can be hooked with the rope ( 4 ). 14. Boat according to one of claims 6 to 13, wherein the container ( 15 ) for the inflation fluid is held in a flexible case ( 16 ), characterized in that the fastening means for fastening the flexible case ( 16 ) to the rope ( 4 ) include at least two eyelets ( 18 ) attached to the case through which the rope passes. 15. Boat according to one of the preceding claims, in which the buoyancy hose ( 3 ) consists of at least two tubular chambers ( 3 s, 3 i) lying one above the other, characterized in that the cable ( 4 ) on the outer longitudinal circumference of the lower chamber ( 3 i) which is attached to an inflatable tube.