GB2031852A - Container for storing inflatable liferafts or the like - Google Patents

Abstract

A container 1 for storing an inflatable liferaft or the like in a folded state ready for use, comprises two half-shells 2,3 each having complementary locking flanges 7,8 at a respective shell edge forming a snap-type connection, the flanges on one side 9 being wider than those on the opposite side 10 of the container 1 to provide a hinge, there being a strap 11 extending round both half-shells 2,3 in their closed position, the strap 11 having a predetermined rupture point and means 13 to fasten it e.g. to a ship or aircraft. On inflating the liferaft, the strap 11 ruptures and the flanges 7,8 disengage at the side 8, whereupon the shell 2 pivots at the side 9 to release the liferaft. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Container for storing inflatable liferafts or the like Technical field of the invention The invention relates to a container for storing inflatable liferafts or the like in a folded state ready for use, in particular on the deck of watercraft, the container consisting of two essentially rectangular half-shells that can be assembled to form the container and enclose the folded liferaft, and that can move apart during the inflation procedure and release the liferaft as it unfolds.

Background art Containers for storing inflatable liferafts have been proposed, but when that raft is inflated the prior container often flies open in an arbitrary fashion.

This is a disadvantage as this action often hinders a recue.

Disclosure of the invention It is an object of the invention to provide a container of this type which is particularly simple and inexpensive and which can not only be secured to the deck of the watercraft, which is a particularly desirable feature, but also opens the liferaft located in the container in a defined manner on actuating the inflating device, namely in such a way that the container does not fly open at any arbitrary side or uniformly over its whole perimeter, but rather first of all opens at a specific desired side and allows the liferaft or the like to spring forth from that side.

According to the invention there is provided a container for storing an inflatable liferaft or the like in a folded state ready for use, comprising two half-shells which can be assembled to form the container and enclose the folded liferaft, which can move apart during the inflation procedure and release the unfolding liferaft, and each of which have a shell edge, the shell edges resting against one another when the two half shells of the container are assembled, each shell edge having a continuous locking flange arranged substantially in a plane of separation of the half-shells and made of resiliently elastic deformable material, the flanges being mutually complementary and engageable with one another to form a snap-type connection, the locking flanges along one side of the container being wider than those on an opposite, substantially parallel, side in order to form a hinge connection for the shell edges, and a strap or the like extending around both half-shells in their closed position, the strap orthe like having a predetermined rupture point and fastening means for securement to a deck or other substrate of a craft on which the container is to be instailed.

The advantages which may be obtained using the invention are that the encircling locking flanges form a "snap" closure so that the two superimposed half-shells slide within one another and mutually engage when pressed together. When the inflation procedure for the liferaft or the like is initiated by the opening of a carbon dioxide cylinder which may likewise be arranged in the container, then the pressure prevailing in the container is sufficient to release the closure and the two half-shells spring apart from one another in an opening movement, like a shell. The hinge-type connection may ensure, by virtue of the broad locking flanges, that the container remains joined along this side and begins to open like a clam on the opposite side in order to release the unfolding liferaft from this opposite side.

The half-shells may of course become completely detached from one another during the further course ofthe inflation procedure.

In orderto prevent the container springing open as a result of vibration, impact, blows or the like, which cannot be excluded under rough deck conditions, a strap may additionally be provided in order to prevent such an unintentional opening. During inflation this strap breaks at the predetermined rupture point. The strap at the same time advantageously serves by its fastenings means to secure the container to the deck.

The edges of the shell of the container may run substantially horizontally.

The lower half-shell may have a locking flange with an outwardly directed flange edge and the upper half-shell may have a locking flange with an inwardly directed flange edge in such a way that the upper half-shell can, during the opening procedure, slide away from the lower half-shell before having reached its 900 position. This construction provides a seal and protection for the container contents against moisture.

Alternatively, the outwardly directed flange may be provided on the lower half-shell, in which case the upper half-shell has to move at leastto its 90" position before the hinge-type connection would be released.

In order on the one hand to improve the seal further and on the other hand to maintain the two locking flanges in mutual contact in the locking position, the lower half-shell may conveniently have an encircling groove whose upper boundary is formed by the outwardly directed locking flange, and whose width at no point exceeds the groove depth.

An encircling seal device such as a sealing ring of a closed-cell, elastic rubber or the like can be arranged under a press fit in this groove, whose width may be a multiple of the flange thickness.

Embodiments of the invention are hereinafter described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief description of the drawings Figure 1 shows diagrammatically the container according the invention in perspective; Figure 2 is a plan view of the container of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a section through the container of Figures 1 and 2 taken along the line Ill-Ill in Figure 2 and on an enlarged scale, the upper half-shell of the container being shown in a partially raised position by the chain-dotted lines; Figure 4 is a sectional and enlarged view of the predetermined rupture point of a strap of the container; Figure 5 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale of the locking flange in the region of the hinge-type connection along the first side of the container, and corresponding to Figure 3; Figure 6 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale of the locking flange along the second side of the container, according to Figure 3;; Figure 7 is a sectional view taken along the line VIl-VIl as Figure 8, of a cushion secured to the deck; and Figure 8 is a view of the cushion as seen in the direction of the arrow VIII in Figure 7.

Best modes for carrying out the invention Referring to the drawings, the container shown in Figures 1 to 3 for storing an inflatable liferaft or the like (not shown), in a folded state ready for use, on the deck or other substrate of watercraft consists of two half-shells 2 and 3 that can be assembled to form the container 1 and enclose the folded liferaft therebetween. The half-shells 2 and 3 can move apart from the liferaft as it unfolds in the manner shown by the chain-dotted lines in Figure 3 during the inflation procedure, and thereby release said liferaft.

Edges 4 and 5 of the half-shells 2 and 3 that come into contact with one another on closing the two half-shells 2 and 3 are in each case formed as encircling and mutually complementary locking flanges 7 and 8 arranged substantially in the plane 6 of separation (Figure 3) and made of a resiliently elastic deformable material. The whole container 1 and its half-shells 2 and 3 conveniently consist of this material, for example a deep-drawn thermoplast or the like. The locking flanges 7 and 8 mutually engage in the form of a snap connection, with the result that both half-shells 2 and 3 engage tightly with one another. The locking flanges 7 and 8 are formed wider along a first side 9 of the container 1 than on the opposite, second side 10 running substantially parallel to the first side 9, in order to form a hinge-like connection for the shell edges 4 and 5.

This has the desired effect that when an attendant or operator inflates the liferaft by opening a carbon dioxide cylinder (likewise not shown) located in the container 1 in an emergency, the upper half-shell 2 flips open in the direction of the arrow A as illustrated in Figure 3, whereupon the locking flanges 7 and 8 along the first side 9 initially still remain in contact but pivot relative to one another. A defined precise opening of the container 1 and the corresponding release of the unfolding liferaftthere- by takes place at the second side 10 of the container 1.

As an additional safety measure against unintentional opening of the container 1, a strap 11 is provided that surrounds both half-shells 2 and 3 in their closed position forming the container 1, the strap 11 having a predetermined rupture point 12 (Figure 4) and fastening means 13 for securing the container to the deck 14.

For example, the securementto the deck 14 may be effected by manually releasable clamp fittings 15 or hooks engaging with eyelets 16 screwed to the deck 14. If the liferaft (not shown) is to be inflated, the hook is first of all disengaged.

The predetermined rupture point 12 of the strap 11 may be formed by a knotted band 17, which can be covered by a flap 18 having a suitable closure 19 (Figure 3).

As can be seen from Figures 3, and 6, the shell edges 4 and 5 of the container 1 are arranged substantially horizontally as considered in use and as seen in Figure 3. Furthermore, the lower half-shell 3 has a locking flange 8 with an outwardly (away from the interior of the container) directed flange edge 20, and the upper half-shell 2 has a locking flange 7 with an inwardly (towards the interior ofthe container 1) directed flange edge 21. In the region of the second side 10 the flange edge 20 is provided with an inclined running surface, apart from the very small width of the locking flange 8, which promotes the engagement and retention of the flange edge 21 and the resultant elastic deformation of the shell edges 4 and 5, the shell edge 4 being deformed outwardly and the shell edge 5 being deformed inwardly.It can be seen that the placement of the upper half-shell 2 on the lower half-shell 3 first of all begins with the insertion of the locking flange 7 into the locking flange 8 to form the hinge-type connection on the first side 9 of the container 1.

As can be seen particularly clearly from Figures 5 and 6, the lower half-shell 3 has an encircling groove 22 whose upper (as viewed) boundary is formed by the outwardly directed locking flange 8, and whose width a at no place exceeds the groove depth D (Figure 5). The groove width B is advantageously a multiple of the flange thickness b. In addition, an encircling sealing device such as a ring 23 of a closed-cell, elastic foamed rubber is arranged under press fit in the groove 22.

From the above description it follows that the predetermined rupture point 12 of the strap 11 has to be arranged at the height of the locking flanges 7 and 8 on the second side 10 of the container 1 since the container 1, when the liferaft is inflated, must necessarily spring open along this second side 10 (whose cross-section is shown in Figure 6) as a result of the lesser width of the there-present locking flange 8, which extends over the whole side 10 (Figure 2).

The half-shells 2 and 3 have depressions 24 in the form of crimps or the like extending over their external surfaces, which not only serve for reinforcement but also co-operate, in the manner shown in Figures 7 and 8, to keep the container 1 stationary on the deck 14. Substantially semi-cylindrical shaped cushions 25 of foamed rubber or the like are provided for this purpose and are secured to the deck 14, the lower half-shell 3 resting freely on the said cushions. A rounded side 26 of the cushion 25 is adjacent to the deck 14, and the cushion 25 can be secured in the manner iilustrated by means of bolts or the like screwed into the deck 14. The width C (Figure 8) of the cushion 25 is thus less than or equal to the width Eofthe depressions or Crimps 24. It can be seen that these cushions 25 by virtue of their positive engagement with the lower half-shell 3 additionally help to secure the container 1 to the deck, while on the other hand a displacement in the longitudinal direction of the depressions or crimps 24 so as to adapt to any possible curvature of the deck 14 is possible before installation. Since the depressions or crimps 24 conveniently run substantially at right angles with respect to one another, as can be seen from Figures 1 and 2, a suitable arrangement of the cushion 25 provides an all-round immovable and damped mounting of the container 1 on the deck 14 at the desired height in each case, limited only by the cushion thickness, and in such a way that the floor of the half-shell 3 does not rest on the deck.

It wili be understood that the container according to the invention is also suitable for use in aircraft.

Also, it will be understood that the expression "liferaft or the like" used herein is intended to include rafts, boats, life-belts and other inflatable devices used to provide support in water, particularly as a survival aid in the case of mishap.

Claims (12)

1. A container for storing an inflatable liferaft or the like in a folded state ready for use, comprising two half-shells which can be assembled to form the container and enclose the folded liferaft, which can move apart during the inflation procedure and release the unfolding liferaft, and each of which have a shell edge, the shell edges resting against one another when the two half-shells of the container are assembled, each shell edge having a continuous locking flange arranged substantially in a plane of separation of the half-shells and made of resiliently elastic deformable material, the flanges being mutually complementary and engageable with one another to form a snap-type connection, the locking flanges along one side of the container being wider than those on an opposite, substantially parallel, side in order to form a hinge connection for the shell edges, and a strap or the like extending around both half-shells in their closed position, the strap or the like having a predetermined rupture point and fastening means for securement to a deck or other substrate of a craft on which the container is to be installed.

2. A container according to Claim 1, in which the shell edges of the container extend substantially horizontally and in which the lower half-shell locking flange has an outwardly directed flange edge, the upper half-shell having a locking flange with an inwardly directed flange edge.

3. A container according to Claim 2, in which the lower half-shell has a continuous groove whose upper boundary is formed by the outwardly directed locking flange, and whose width at no point exceeds the groove depth.

4. A container according to Claim 3, in which the groove width is a multiple of the flange thickness, and in which a continuous sealing device is mounted with a press fit in the groove.

5. A container according to Claim 4, in which the sealing device comprises a closed-cell, elastic foamed rubber sealing ring.

6. A container according to any preceding claim, in which the predetermined rupture point of the strap is arranged at the height of the locking flanges on the opposite side of the container.

7. A container according to any preceding claim, in which the fastening means comprises a manually releasable clamp fitting or the like, which can be secured to deck an eyelet or the like fixed to the deck or substrate.

8. A container according to one of the preceding claims, in which the half-shells have depressions in the form of crimps or the like extending over their outer surfaces.

9. A container according to Claim 8, and a vessel, in which substantially semi-cylindrical cushions of foamed rubber or the like are provided and are secured to the deck, the lower half-shell resting on the said cushions.

10. A container according to Claim 9, in which the rounded side of the cushion is adjacent to the deck and its width is less than or equal to the width of the crimps or the like.

11. A container for storing an inflatable liferaft or the like in a folded state ready for use, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

12. A vessel in or on which is mounted a container according to any preceding claim.