GB2562756A

GB2562756A - A safety device

Info

Publication number: GB2562756A
Application number: GB1708307.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: James Maguire Noel
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2017-05-24
Filing date: 2017-05-24
Publication date: 2018-11-28
Also published as: GB201708307D0

Abstract

A safety device 100 comprising a backpack harness 2 and a raft portion 1, wherein the device converts from a first position for use as a backpack, to a second position for provision of a raft and a buoyancy aid. The buoyancy aid may for example comprise a lifejacket, life vest, life ring or waterproof trousers. The raft may incorporate an inflatable portion 11, 12, 16 in the form of a spine which supports a material hammock 13. The inflation may be achieved through the use of pressurized gas canisters. A material section 14 may also be provided to seal the raft with the user inside. The material may incorporate multi-layer insulation.

Description

(71) Applicant(s):

Noel James Maguire

Apartment 19102, 3750 e.via Palomita, Tucson, Arizona 85718, United States of America (72) Inventor(s):

Noel James Maguire (74) Agent and/or Address for Service:

ipconsult

21A Commercial Road, SWANAGE, Dorset, BH19 1DF, United Kingdom (51) INT CL:

B63C 9/04 (2006.01) A45F 4/10 (2006.01) (56) Documents Cited:

CN 104097757 A US 5855454 A1

US 20140256199 A1 (58) Field of Search:

INTCLA45F, B63B, B63C

Other: WPI, EPODOC (54) Title of the Invention: A safety device

Abstract Title: A backpack incorporating a raft and a buoyancy aid (57) A safety device 100 comprising a backpack harness 2 and a raft portion 1, wherein the device converts from a first position for use as a backpack, to a second position for provision of a raft and a buoyancy aid. The buoyancy aid may for example comprise a lifejacket, life vest, life ring or waterproof trousers. The raft may incorporate an inflatable portion 11, 12, 16 in the form of a spine which supports a material hammock 13. The inflation may be achieved through the use of pressurized gas canisters. A material section 14 may also be provided to seal the raft with the user inside. The material may incorporate multi-layer insulation.

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A SAFETY DEVICE

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a safety device, in particular a device for provision of safety in water; more particularly but not exclusively a device for provision of safety for use by mariners on boats.

Background

Increasing numbers of people and goods travel by sea or river in many societies, with attendant dangers to the people.

In particular if a person falls overboard it can be difficult to be aware that this has happened and at sea the person’s loss may pass unnoticed until too late, particularly where the sea temperature is low or sea conditions are rough.

Standard buoyancy aids, or even life jackets, may provide insufficient protection from drowning or hypothermia.

Prior Art

US 2014 0 103 081 (ALSAFFAR) discloses a lifesaver backpack, comprising: an inflatable life raft foldable into a pack. A plurality of adjustable straps is attached to the pack, each of the straps having a fastener. The plurality of straps secures the pack onto the back of a user. A SCUBA is attached to the pack, including an air tank for holding a supply of breathable gas. An air hose is connected to the air tank. A gas canister is attached to the pack and contains gas for inflating the pack. A pull cord extends from the pack. The pull cord is operatively connected to the gas canister to selectively release the gas upon pulling. At least one paddle is attached to a side of the pack. The paddle is for manual rowing of the life raft. At least one fastener is provided for each of the at least one paddles for securing the paddle. The at least one fastener is attached to the pack. A canopy is attached to the stern of the life raft for protection from the elements. An emergency beacon is integrally attached to the canopy for alerting nearby rescue workers.

JP 2002 166 884 (TANAKA et al) discloses a lifeboat folded in a containing bag attachable to a human body. This lifeboat comprises a manual expanding air chamber to be expanded by compressed air to form a ship shape and flexible floor cloth stretching at a lower part of the manual expanding air chamber for forming a ship shape. The manual expanding air chamber comprises two folding parts and a constricted portion where inner walls of the manual expanding air chamber at the folded parts stick with each other. The inner wall parts at the folded parts of the air chamber stick with each other for facilitating folding, thereby fully buoyancy can be obtained and a compressed air cylinder remains small without increasing a number of air chambers. The flexible floor cloth stretches at a bottom of the lifeboat for making it possible to be folded, then the cloth can be folded and contained inside the containing bag for fitting a waist by a belt.

US 6 173 671 (CASULL) discloses a portable inflatable floatation device comprising a backpack frame having flat back section formed from suitable sections of tube material to have a rectangular outer shape with at least one cross tube and including a pair of like, outwardly projecting, backpack side support bars that are each formed from a single tube that is bent at spaced right angles to where the single tube ends are aligned. Each single tube end is formed into a side pivot coupling means whereby each said single tube end couples to one of said flat back section sides, allowing said side support bar to pivot around each said flat back section side and including means for releasably maintaining each said side pivot coupling means to one of said flat back section sides. A top pack support bar is formed from a single tube that is bent at spaced angle bends to where said tube ends align and includes top pivot couple means secured to each said top pack support bar end for mounting to a top section of said flat back section. Releasable means maintains each top pivot coupling means to the flat back section top, whereby, said sides and top pack support bars, when positioned in a first attitude, receive a backpack maintained onto said flat back section, and with said sides and top pack support bars pivoted relative to said flat back section to a second position. The side pack support bars form pontoon supports and said top pack support bar forms a seat back. A pair of pontoons each having a bladder with means for passing air therein to fill each said each bladder into an elongate cylindrical pontoon; and means for maintaining each said pontoon onto each of said side pack support bars.

The present invention arose in order to overcome problems suffered by existing devices.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a safety device comprising: a backpack harness and a raft portion, wherein the device converts from a first position for use as a backpack, to a second position for provision of a raft and a buoyancy aid.

The terms buoyancy and life jacket are used interchangeably here.

In some embodiments the raft comprises an inflatable structural skeleton and the device comprises at least one compressed gas canister.

In this way the device of the present invention may be utilised as a portable safety device, which may be worn in greater numbers of occasions so as to maintain a safety raft available, portable and convenient, for deployment as necessary.

In some embodiments the backpack provides a life jacket or buoyancy aid in the second position, whereby the raft is a separable or separate unit.

The raft may be inflated from the first to second position whilst attached to the backpack harness, wherein some embodiments may be arranged such that the backpack harness may comprise the gas canister or canisters.

The device in some embodiments may provide a life jacket/raft that helps to keep its user out of the water as much as possible, and may be envisaged to be of use particularly for shipping environments.

In some embodiments the device aids in turning the user onto their back and lifting them out of the water, for example during deployment from backpack to life raft, or first to second position.

In some other embodiments the gas canister or canisters are arranged on the raft portion, such that the raft may be separate from the backpack harness during inflation.

In some embodiments the raft may be envisaged to be operable as a single user life raft solely, and the backpack harness may be a separable life jacket or buoyancy aid. The life jacket of the backpack harness may comprise a discrete inflation mechanism, or may be inflated concurrent with the raft portion. The life jacket or buoyancy aid may for example comprise a self-inflation mechanism, whereby after the raft is removed and/or deployed or deployable the backpack harness may be biased to increase in size creating inflow of air.

In some embodiments the device after deployment may be formed from two main parts, namely a life jacket (or buoyancy aid) and a raft which will act as a cocoon for the user.

In some embodiments the raft comprises a canopy that can be opened and closed by the user. The raft may further comprise a skeleton and a base, wherein the skeleton defines the canopy and base. It may be envisaged that the canopy is sealable, so as to provide a substantially sealed unit within the raft for the user.

In some embodiments the life jacket may secure to the user in a standard way with an additional attachment means between the legs to support the raft. This attachment means may be located somewhere around the lower back of the user in use.

In some embodiments the device comprises at least one source of compressed air or gas in use. For example a gas canister may be used inflate the raft portion. Ideally the gas canister or canisters may be arranged to send the gas into the raft portion and/or harness directly, wherein there is no possibility of gas escape

Such compressed fluid may be operable or supplemented by a Venturi effect so as to enable rapid deployment of the raft.

Preferably embodiments may include one or more of the following capabilities or features:

The life saving device is able to be inflated in the water.

A safety release valve is located on the device in case of activation whilst on board to prevent unauthorised occurrence of the second position.

The device may have a manual inflation mechanism to top up air up in a second position.

The device may include a standard light and whistle as found on conventional life jackets.

The device may also have a separation clip which could be located where it attaches between the legs of the user in case the raft needs to be removed at any time.

In some embodiment the raft inflates to the second position from bags contained within the backpack as worn on the user’s back and wraps around the user once inflated, and can subsequently be completed or sealed, for example zipped together down the middle.

Inflation may be provided by a compressed carbon dioxide (C02) cylinder similar to as found in existing life jackets.

In some embodiments the device may comprise manual means of adding air to the buoyancy aid or life jacket and/or raft. In addition or the alternative the device may comprise a manual means of removing water from the raft, for example a bailing means.

In some embodiments the skeleton or a central spine may be provided for the raft. For example such a spine may be envisaged to inflate first. Outer arms may be arranged to inflate second, after the central spine. In some embodiments the spine and outer arms may be arranged to pull open a fabric body, which may be used to join the spine and arms to form the base and canopy, being waterproof so as to act to block ingress of liquid into the raft.

In this way a foldout waterproof sheet canopy may cover the user to keep out wind and rain so that it can be zipped into place.

In some embodiments the device may further comprise a standard lifejacket for the user, for example such that the raft inflates after a regular lifejacket, the raft unfolding from behind the wearer and lifting them out of the water during movement from first to second position.

For example the raft portion may comprise inflation of two raft portions on the user’s harness after provision of the life jacket, and once the user is in the water.

In some embodiments after deployment the user may be attached or tethered to the raft so that it does not float away if the user is not emplaced within the raft correctly, albeit it may be recognised that in some embodiments having the user strapped directly into the raft may be dangerous if it were to flip upside down in the water and hold the user underwater. It may be envisaged that a quick release harness may mitigate this risk.

In some embodiments the buoyancy aid comprises waterproof trousers, worn like a dry-suit over the user’s clothes and keeping the user out of the water. In some embodiments the device comprises a tube which inflates around the user, for example in addition to a regular life jacket to keep the user in a stable floating position. It may be envisaged that waterproof trousers may be quicker and easier to put on than a full immersion suit, wherein the user may be envisaged to float in a similar position to a life jacket, where the centre of gravity is below the water, providing stability.

In some embodiments the device comprises an automatic system comprising an inflatable life raft held in a backpack worn on the user’s back that once in the water is automatically or manually inflated from behind and underneath the user so as to lift them out of the water.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the Figures in which:

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of the raft of the device according to the present invention, open door;

Figure 2 shows an isometric view of the embodiment of the raft shown in Figure 1, door closed;

Figures 3 show reverse isometric views of the embodiment as shown in Figures 1 and 2;

Figures 4 show plan views from above of the embodiments as shown in Figures 1 and 2 respectively;

Figures 5 show isometric views of an embodiment of the device comprising the packed raft embodiment shown in Figure 1; and

Figures 6 show isometric views of the embodiment of the device shown in Figures 5, with raft removed and as a buoyancy aid.

Detailed Description of Figures

With reference to the figures there is shown an embodiment of the device 100 comprising a backpack harness 2 and a raft portion 1, wherein the device 100 converts from a first position for use as a backpack, to a second position for provision of a raft and a buoyancy aid.

The raft comprises an inflatable structural skeleton defining a top and a base formed of waterproof fabric material in use in the second position.

The device as shown in Figures 5 shows a backpack harness comprising a life jacket or buoyancy aid framework, comprising a pair of over-shoulder straps 24 and a waistband 22, which waistband comprises a securement buckle 21 centrally and forwards.

The shoulder straps are 24 joined to rear of the user in use by a neck brace 25.

The waistband and neck brace are joined to one another by a vertical rear strip 23.

The raft portion 1 is held in a disposable bag 22, which is stitched with sacrificial stitching to the harness 2 or more particularly vertical rear strip 23. The bag has two vertical zippers 20 for opening and a pull cord 21, such that upon pulling of the cord 21 the raft will expand out of the bag 22 through the zippers 20 and/or pull the bag 22 from the harness 2.

The displaceable raft portion 1 includes two compressed gas canisters 19 within the bag 22 and connected to the cord 21 in the first position, which in the second position are located to the rear of the raft 1.

The raft comprises a spine 10 comprised of an upwardly extending rear arch 16 terminating in a basal rear member 12, supporting the canisters 19, so as to form a D-shape rotated through 90 degrees; with a laterally extending U-shaped bumper member 11 extending forward from the base of the D-shape.

The top 14 is stretched between the arch 16 and the bumper member 11.

The base 13 is hung between the rear 12 and the bumper 11 members. In this way the user is enabled to sit within the base 13 in a hammock style, such that the base 13 moves with the user to provide comfort to different body shape users, being maintained a generally extended shape by the bumper member 11.

The top 14 comprises a zipper opening door 15, which hinges open to one side of the bumper, being offset to roll down to one bumper side. This door 15 comprises a transparent or translucent thermoplastics window 17, also offset from centre, to locate approximately a third of the way down towards the bumper side.

The material forming the top 14, door 15, and particularly base 13 may comprise insulated material, for example having multiple layers, wherein a central layer may comprise an insulation material and the outer layer may comprise a waterproof layer, and the inner layer may comprise a contact layer for the user. Insulation is particularly advantageous for the base 13 as the hammock seat sits below the waterline, approximately the level of the bumper member 11.

In some embodiments the door’s zipper closure may include a watertight closure means, for example having a flap covering to prevent ingress through the zipper.

In some embodiments insulation material such as an air-holding, waterproof & weldable TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) coated fabric such as Riverseal (RTM), forms a flexible waterproof barrier to the outside environment.

Therefore it may be envisaged that such material is comprised as the outer layer in a multilayer arrangement.

In the pictured embodiment the top and base of the raft are manufactured from a material such as Riverseal (RTM) 200 HT TPU coated fabric, being an industry standard fabric as used in a range of marine applications.

This fabric is waterproof, air tight, and is able to withstand abrasions and punctures. It will be used for both the bladders and the skin of the product.

Panels are joined via ultrasonic welding, ensuring a water- and air-tight seal is formed.

In some embodiments the multilayer material may include a metallised central polymer layer such as MPET (metallized polyethylene terephthalate) film which is used to reflect emitted heat from the user back into the raft.

In some embodiments multilayer material may include an inner layer of heat trapping material such as Polartec High Loft (RTM) insulation material, so as to trap warm air around the user in use.

Such layer may be arranged to be hydrophobic, meaning it retains its insulative properties when wet.

The window on the top is manufactured from clear PVC (polyvinyl chloride) material, giving users visibility of what’s happening outside of the raft.

In the pictured embodiment total volume of material in the raft including canisters, valves and zips is calculated to be 4.1 litres.

When packed the smallest achievable volume is double that of the original material, meaning in the pictured embodiment the total packed volume is 8.2 litres.

The backpack of the pictured embodiment has been designed to hold 12 litres, to provide a factor of safety to the packing process, and further to allow a hand pump to be placed in the backpack as well, for bailing water out of the raft.

The bag features such as YKK (RTM) QuickBurst (RTM) zips, ensuring a reliable deployment each time the device is required.

The zippers may also make repacking the device after use much easier, such as for multi- or accidental usage scenarios.

The raft has been designed to form into a keel to promote stability in rough sea conditions.

The spine of the raft in the second position provides rigidity and buoyancy when deployed.

The structure of the spine has been inspired by the shapes of powerboats and yachts to increase stability.

The device is pictured as equipped with two standard 60g carbon dioxide canisters. When activated this yields 65 Litres of gas to fill the spine.

The bumper member has a volume of 42.4 litres as pictured. The arch has a volume of 9.9 Litres as pictured. The rear member has a volume of 5.77 Litres as pictured. This gives a total spine volume of 58.07 litres as pictured, allowing for losses.

In the pictured embodiment a manual inflation valve such as a Halkey Roberts (RTM) 840 manual inflator may be envisaged to be appropriate, wherein such inflator valve may be able to accommodate the standard canisters used in lifejackets and other rapid inflation products.

60g canisters are widely available from a range of marine equipment suppliers, and are often used within ocean-going lifejackets.

Both canisters have been placed symmetrically on the back of the raft, ensuring an even inflation throughout the length of the raft. The valves require re-arming professionally, meaning that a high standard of safety and reliability is possible.

A handheld bilge pump (not shown) may be enclosed within the bag to allow the user to remove any water that enters the raft as the user gets in. Using a manual system has several advantages over an electric system; it reduces bulk, doesn’t require batteries and is more reliable.

Advantageously in the pictured embodiment: the user sits in a hammock, where they are predominantly sitting under the waterline. This lowers the rafts centre of gravity to well below the bottom of the hammock, making it difficult to capsize. The user’s weight is predominantly held under the water line to provide stability. The U-shaped bumper member and rear member both together sit on the waterline, meaning it is easier to get into the raft from the waterline.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the claims.

Claims

1. A safety device comprising a backpack harness and a raft portion, wherein the device converts from a first position for use as a backpack, to a second position for provision of a raft and a buoyancy aid.

2. A device according to claim 1 wherein the raft portion comprise an inflatable portion.

3. A device according to claim 2 wherein the inflatable portion comprises an inflatable spine, and the raft comprises material joining the spine.

4. A device according to claim 3 wherein the material is arranged to provide a hammock between D-shaped spine members.

5. A device according to claim 3 or 4 wherein the material is arranged to provide a substantially sealed compartment.

6. A device according to any of claims 3 to 5 wherein the material comprises multilayer insulation.

7. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the raft portion comprises at least one compressed fluid canister.

8. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the raft is separate to the buoyancy aid in the second position.

Application No: GB1708307.2

Intellectual

Property Office