U.S. patent number 3,682,354 [Application Number 04/801,079] was granted by the patent office on 1972-08-08 for trigger mechanism for inflatable life preservers and the like.
Invention is credited to John R. Witte.
United States Patent |
3,682,354 |
Witte |
August 8, 1972 |
TRIGGER MECHANISM FOR INFLATABLE LIFE PRESERVERS AND THE LIKE
Abstract
A body having actuating means attached thereto, which actuating
means is biased toward a first position and normally maintained in
a second position by a strap which deteriorates upon wetting to
allow the actuating means to move into the first position. The
trigger mechanism is associated with an inflatable life preserver
or the like and a pressurized fluid container having valve means
therein which are operated by the actuating means in the first
position to allow the pressurized fluid to inflate the life
preserver.
Inventors: |
Witte; John R. (Homer, MN) |
Family
ID: |
25180139 |
Appl.
No.: |
04/801,079 |
Filed: |
February 20, 1969 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
222/3; 222/54;
441/97 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B63C
9/23 (20130101); B63C 9/24 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B63c 009/16 () |
Field of
Search: |
;9/317,318,319,320,323,32 ;137/67 ;222/3,54 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Reeves; Robert B.
Assistant Examiner: Handren; Frederick R.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An improved trigger mechanism for inflatable life preservers and
the like having a pressurized fluid container associated therewith
and push button valve means for providing a flow path from said
container into said life preserver upon the actuation thereof, said
trigger mechanism comprising:
a. base means fixedly positioned relative to said valve means;
b. actuating means including channel means having an open end
mounted on said base means, plunger means positioned within said
channel for limited movement between a first position outward from
said open channel end and a second position generally coterminous
with said open end, and a connecting link having a first end
pivotably attached to said base means and a second end pivotably
attached to said base means and a second end pivotably attached to
said plunger, said connecting link engaging said push button valve
means intermediate said first and second ends of said link in the
first position of said plunger and causing the actuation of said
valve;
c. spring means mounted in engagement with said actuating means for
providing a bias thereon urging said plunger means toward the first
position; and
d. liquid deteriorative strap means having first and second ends
fixedly positioned relative to said base means and extending across
said open end of said channel means to engage said actuating means
for normally holding said plunger means in the second position and
allowing movement of said plunger means to the first position upon
deterioration of said strap means.
2. An improved trigger mechanism as set forth in claim 1 wherein
the strap means is formed of felt.
3. An improved trigger mechanism as set forth in claim 1 wherein
the strap means is formed from a paper product.
4. An improved trigger mechanism as set forth in claim 1 in further
combination with spacer means interposed between said base means
and said liquid deteriorative strap means whereby to expose the
side of said strap means adjacent said base means to the
liquid.
5. An improved trigger mechanism for inflatable life preservers and
the like having a pressurized fluid container associated therewith
and valve means for providing a flow path from said container into
said life preserver upon the actuation thereof, said trigger
mechanism comprising:
a. actuating means associated with said pressurized fluid container
for limited movement between a first position and a second
position, said actuating means engaging said valve means in the
first position and causing the actuation thereof;
b. spring means mounted in engagement with said actuating means for
providing a bias thereon urging said actuating means toward the
first position;
c. a plurality of juxtapositioned strap portions engaging said
actuating means for normally holding said actuating means in the
second position and allowing movement of said actuating means into
the first position upon deterioration of said strap means; and
d. spacer means interposed between each of said plurality of strap
portions.
6. An improved trigger mechanism as set forth in claim 5 including
base means fixedly positioned relative to said valve means
wherein:
a. said actuating means is mounted on said base means;
b. said strap portions are fixedly positioned relative to said base
means; and
c. said spacer means is interposed between said base means and said
strap portions.
7. An improved trigger mechanism as set forth in claim 6
wherein:
a. said actuating means includes channel means mounted on said base
means, plunger means positioned within said channel for limited
movement between a first and second position, and a connecting link
having a first end pivotably attached to said base means and a
second end pivotably attached to said plunger, said connecting link
engaging said valve means intermediate said first and second ends
of said link in the first position of said plunger and causing the
actuation of said valve; and
b. said spring means engages said plunger urging said plunger
toward said first position.
8. An improved trigger mechanism for inflatable life preservers and
the like having a pressurized fluid container associated therewith
and push button valve means for providing a flow path from said
container into said life preserver upon the actuation thereof, said
trigger mechanism comprising:
a. base means fixedly positioned relative to said valve means;
b. actuating means including channel means mounted on said base
means, plunger means positioned within said channel for limited
movement between a first position and a second position, and a
connecting link having a first end pivotably connected to said base
means and a second end pivotably attached to said plunger, said
connecting link engaging said push button valve means intermediate
said first and second ends of said link in the first position of
said plunger and causing the actuation of said valve;
c. spring means mounted in engagement with said actuating means for
providing a biasing force thereon urging said plunger means toward
the first position;
d. liquid deteriorative strap means fixedly positioned relative to
said base means and extending in a generally arcuate loop about
said actuating means in engagement therewith for normally holding
said plunger means in the second position and allowing movement of
said plunger means to the first position upon deterioration of said
strap means; and
e. body means fixedly attached to said base means and defining a
curved surface for engaging said strap means to maintain said strap
means positioned in said arcuate loop.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION
Life preservers and other types of inflatable devices are generally
cumbersome and ackward to handle in the inflated condition. Thus,
it is the present practice to supply a pressurized fluid container
with the inflatable device, which container has valve means therein
that can be actuated after the inflatable device has been moved to
the position or located at which it is to be used. Storing and
moving the inflatable devices in a deflated condition greatly
increases the efficiency and speed with which they can be stored
and moved when needed.
2. DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
In the prior art inflatable life preservers and the like having a
pressurized fluid container with valve means therein are stored in
a generally spherical hollow container. A trigger mechanism
operates the valve means to inflate the device upon the release
thereof. The trigger mechanism is maintained in an inactive
position by pellets of water soluble material. The spherical
container has holes therein so that once it is immersed in water
the water fills the container and dissolves the pellets to release
the trigger mechanism and inflate the life preserver.
In general, the water soluble pellets in the prior art have a
tendency to crumble easily and release the trigger mechanism
prematurely. The pellets are especially susceptible to high
humidity conditions and, because the pellets have pressure thereon
from the trigger mechanism, have a tendency to crumble with age.
Also, excessive forces, such as those prevalent when the container
is dropped on a hard surface, have a tendency to cause the pellets
to crush prematurely.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention pertains to an improved mechanism for
inflatable devices such as life preservers and the like having a
pressurized fluid container associated therewith including a body
having actuating means mounted thereon spring biased toward a first
or valve actuating position and normally held in a second position
by liquid deteriorative strap means.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved
trigger mechanism for inflatable devices such as life preservers
and the like.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an
improved trigger mechanism which is responsive to liquids in
contact therewith but is less susceptible to operate prematurely
under adverse conditions, such as high humidity and shock.
These and other objects of this invention will become apparent to
those skilled in the art upon consideration of the accompanying
specification, claims, and drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Referring to the drawings, wherein like characters indicate like
parts throughout the FIGS.:
FIG. 1 is a view in perspective of a generally spherical container
with an inflatable life preserver therein having a pressurized
fluid container associated therewith and he present trigger
mechanism attached thereto;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view as seen from the line 2 in
FIG. 1 with portions thereof shown in elevation;
FIG. 3 is a sectional view as seen from the line 3-- 3 in FIG. 2
with portions thereof shown in elevation; and
FIG. 4 is an elevational view of the life preserver inflated,
portions thereof broken away.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to the figures the numeral 10 generally designates a
somewhat spherical hollow container having a plurality of openings
11 therethrough. The openings 11 are formed in the container 10 so
that liquids, such as water and the like, can flow freely therein
when the container 10 is immersed. The container 10 is formed of
two mating halves 12 and 13 which are quickly and easily seperable
and which are temporarily held together by some convenient means,
such as friction, tape, or the like. It should be understood that
many types of containers might be utilized and the present
container 10 is illustrated because of its simplicity, ruggedness,
ease of storage and handling.
A generally toroidally shaped inflatable life preserver 15 is
illustrated deflated in FIGS. 1- 3 and inflated in FIG. 4. The
preserver 15 has in communication with the main body thereof an
outwardly extending branch or tubular portion 16 which surrounds
and contains therein a pressurized fluid container 17. The
container 17 has sufficient air, under pressure, therein to inflate
the preserver 15 when the air is released from the container 17
into the preserver 15. A push-button type valve device 20 is
mounted in one end of the container 17 and operates to allow the
egress of the pressurized air from the container 17 into the
preserver 15, through the tubular portion 16, when the push-button
of the valve device 20 is depressed or forced inwardly toward the
container 17. It should be understood that many valve devices might
be devised by those skilled in the art and the present device 20 is
illustrated because of its simplicity.
A generally wedge-shaped body 25 is affixed to an L-shaped bracket
26 by some means such as welding or forming as an integral part
thereof, so that one arm of the bracket 26 extends generally
parallel with the lower surface of the body 25 and the other arm
extends perpendicularly away from the body 25. The bracket 26 is
positioned over the container 17 so that the body 25 is in
juxtaposition to one side thereof and the perpendicularly extending
arm is engaged over the end of the container 17 opposite the valve
device 20. The wedge-shaped body 25 has an arcuate or rounded tip
27 with a channel 28 extending therefrom toward the side of the
body 25 opposite the tip 27, which side is designated 29. A hole is
formed in the body 25 which extends from the side 29 into
communication with the channel 28. It should be understood that the
body 25 might be eliminated in certain embodiments and the
container 17 or some other device might be utilized as a base means
to mount the various parts of the trigger mechanism in the desired
relative position.
A plunger 30 having an enlarged end 31 and an extended connecting
rod 32 is mounted with the connecting rod 32 extending through the
hole in the side 29 and the enlarged end 31 slidably engaged in the
channel 28 for longitudinal movements therein. A compression-type
coil spring 33 is engaged over the connecting rod 32 in the channel
28, between the enlarged end 31 and the body 25, so as to produce a
longitudinal bias on the plunger 30 tending to force it out of the
channel 28 away from the side 29. The outermost end of the
connecting rod 32 is bent upwardly in a generally hook-shaped
configuration and engaged through a hole 35 adjacent one end of a
connecting link 36. The connecting link 36 extends across the end
of the container 17 so that approximately the mid-portion thereof
is in abutting engagement with the end of the push-button in the
valve device 20. A second elongated bracket 37 is formed so that it
extends along the side of the container 17 opposite the bracket 26
and one end is engaged or hooked over the end of the container 17
opposite the valve device 20 while the opposite end is bent at an
angle less than ninety degrees inwardly toward the valve device 20.
A hole 38 is formed in the bracket 37 adjacent the end bent toward
the valve device 20 and the free end of the connecting link 36 is
engaged therein. The free end of the connecting link 36 is bent
sufficiently to maintain it engaged in the hole 38 and allow
pivotal movement between the connecting link and the bracket
37.
In the present structure the trigger mechanism is maintained
fixedly positioned on the container 17 by means of two lengths of
material 40, which may be tape or the like having adhesive thereon,
that are wrapped around the container 17 and the brackets 26 and
37. A strap 45, formed of a double thickness of material to form
strap portions 45 a, 45 b, extends around the tip 27 of the body 25
and is fixedly attached by means of screws 46 adjacent both ends
thereof to the body 25 adjacent the side 29. The strap 45 closes
the end of the channel 28 and maintains the plunger 30 within the
channel 28 with the spring 33 tightly compressed. The brackets 26
and 37 are formed so that the connecting link 36 bears against the
button of the valve device 20 without depressing the button when
the plunger 30 is maintained in the channel 28 by the strap 45.
When the strap 45 is removed or severed the spring 33 forced the
enlarged end 31 of the plunger 30 longitudinally away from the side
29 whereby the hooked end of the connecting rod 32 pulls the
connecting link 36 toward the body 25 and depresses the button of
the valve device 20.
The strap 45 is constructed of a material which is sufficiently
strong to hold the plunger 30 within the channel 28 when the strap
45 is dry but which deteriorates rapidly upon being immersed in a
liquid, such as water or the like. Some examples of material which
may be utilized to form the strap 45 are felt, paper, cardboard,
and many paper products. In the present embodiment the tip 27 is
formed in a large arc so that no sharp bends are formed in the
strap 45 and substantially all of the force produced by the spring
33 and plunger 30 is directed longitudinally along the strap 45. In
general, the strap 45 can be any material which has greater
strength when dry than it has when it is wet and the trigger
structure can be designed so that the forces are insufficient to
break the strap 45 when the strap 45 is dry but upon the immersion
of the strap 45 in a liquid the spring 33 forces the plunger 30 to
break the strap 45 and the valve device 20 is actuated. To assure
rapid disintegration or deterioration of strap 45, during exposure
to liquid in which the container 10 may be thrown, there is
provided spacer means in the nature of plurality of spacers or
shims 47. As shown in FIG. 2, a spacer 47 is interposed between the
strap portion 45a and body 25 on opposite sides thereof and between
the strap portions 45 a, 45 b on opposite sides of body 25. In this
manner all sides of strap portions 45 a, 45 b lying along the sides
of body 25 are exposed to liquid, in which the container 10 is
immersed, thus assuring rapid deterioration of the strap 45 and
actuation of the trigger mechanism to release pressurized air into
the life preserver 15. Further, while the present design of the
body 25 provides for the use of a relatively fragile strap 45, it
should be understood that variations or improvements may be
designed by those skilled in the art which are more readily
adaptable to specific types of strap material.
Thus, an improved trigger mechanism is disclosed which operates
when immersed in a liquid such as water to actuate a valve
mechanism and inflate devices such as life preservers or the like.
Because a liquid deteriorative strap is utilized to maintain the
trigger mechanism in the normal or deactive position, the assembly
is less susceptible to shock forces, high humidity and the like.
Further, the device is more easily assembled and can be stored for
longer periods of time with less danger of inadvertent activation
thereof.
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