U.S. patent number RE31,305 [Application Number 06/364,283] was granted by the patent office on 1983-07-12 for life preserver of the encapsulated type.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Switlik Parachute Company, Inc.. Invention is credited to Harold J. Moran.
United States Patent |
RE31,305 |
Moran |
July 12, 1983 |
Life preserver of the encapsulated type
Abstract
An inflatable life preserver of the encapsulated type encircling
the neck of a wearer includes an inflatable cell or cells confined
within a protective cover when in collapsed condition. The cover,
formed of a strong fabric or other flexible material, comprises a
pair of panels between which the cell is confined. The panels are
premanently secured along the edge of a neck-encircling, center
opening of the cover. The outer edges of the panels are separably
connected, to confine the collapsed cells. Inflation of the cells
causes separation of the panels. A protective flap is substantially
coextensive in area and configuration with the panels, and lies
between the panels so that the cover is in effect composed of three
layers. The cells are confined between the flap and one of the
panels, the flap being secured along its outer edge to said one
panel while having its inner edge left free. In the event of
accidental separation of the panels with the cells collapsed, the
cells are not exposed, and are protected against damage by reason
of being still confined between the flap and the panel to which it
is connected. The flap and the panel to which it is connected thus
form an auxiliary protective capsule or enclosure for the collapsed
cells, which comes into use in the event of accidental opening of
the primary enclosure constituted by the main cover panels.
Inventors: |
Moran; Harold J. (Trenton,
NJ) |
Assignee: |
Switlik Parachute Company, Inc.
(Trenton, NJ)
|
Family
ID: |
26813782 |
Appl.
No.: |
06/364,283 |
Filed: |
April 1, 1982 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
Reissue of: |
115982 |
Jan 28, 1980 |
04297758 |
Nov 3, 1981 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
441/123;
441/118 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B63C
9/1255 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B63C
9/00 (20060101); B63C 9/125 (20060101); B63C
009/16 () |
Field of
Search: |
;441/106-120,122,123 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Basinger; Sherman D.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Zoda; Frederick A. Kane; John J.
Sperry; Albert
Claims
I claim:
1. In an inflatable life preserver of the encapsulated type
including an inflatable cell means, said life preserver further
including a cover adapted to provide a primary protective enclosure
for the cell means in .[.an inflated.]. .Iadd.a collapsed
.Iaddend.condition of said means, said cover having flexible,
normally connected panels in protective embracing relation to the
.[.inflated.]. .Iadd.collapsed .Iaddend.cell means and also having
separable fastener elements on the panels adapted to disengage for
separation of the panels in response to inflation of the cell
means, the improvement that comprises a protective flap inside the
cover adapted to cooperate with at least one of the panels to
provide an auxiliary enclosure for the cell means in the event of
accidental separation of the panels with the cell means in .[.an
inflated.]. .Iadd.a collapsed .Iaddend.condition, the panels having
inner edges connected together .[.to define said open center.]. and
.[.have.]. .Iadd.having .Iaddend.outer edges along which the
.[.fastened.]. .Iadd.fastener .Iaddend.elements are disposed, said
flap having an outer edge secured to the outer edge of said one
panel, the flap and said one panel being substantially coextensive
in width with the flap having a free inner edge overlying and in
close proximity to the inner edge of said one panel.
2. In an inflatable life preserver of the encapsulated type, the
improvement of claim 1 in which the cell means when uninflated lies
wholly between the flap and said one panel.
3. In an inflatable life preserver of the encapsulated type
including an inflatable cell means, said life preserver further
including a cover adapted to provide a primary protective enclosure
for the cell means in .[.an inflated.]. .Iadd.a collapsed
.Iaddend.condition of said means, said cover having flexible,
normally connected panels in protective embracing relation to the
.[.inflated.]. .Iadd.collapsed .Iaddend.cell means and also having
separable fastener elements on the panels adapted to disengage for
separation of the panels in response to inflation of the cell
means, the improvement that comprises a protective flap inside the
cover adapted to cooperate with at least one of the panels to
provide an auxiliary protective enclosure for the cell means in the
event of accidental separation of the panels with the cell means in
.[.an inflated.]. .Iadd.a collapsed .Iaddend.condition, the cover
including a band, said panels having their inner edges connected to
the band, said flap having its outer edge disposed between and
secured to the outer edges of said one panel and the fastener
elements thereof, the .[.outer.]. .Iadd.inner .Iaddend.edge of the
flap being free and the cell means when uninflated being confined
.[.substantailly.]. .Iadd.substantially .Iaddend.wholly between the
flap and said one panel.
4. In an inflatable life preserver of the encapsulated type that
comprises an inflatable cell means and a protective cover therefor
that is normally closed but opens in response to inflation of the
cell means, the cover including a pair of panels, the improvement
comprising a flap lying between the panels, and cooperating
therewith to define a three-layer enclosure for the cell means in
which the panels constitute the two outer layers and the flap
constitutes a middle layer, the flap and the panels having inner
and outer edges, the inner edges of the panels being permanently
connected and the outer edges thereof being provided with mating
fastener elements separably connecting the outer edges of the
panels, the inner edge of the flap being free and the outer edge of
the flap being connected to the outer edge of one of the panels,
the cell means lying between the flap and the panel to which it is
connected.
5. In an inflatable life preserver of the encapsulated type, the
improvement of claim 4 in which the panels and the flap are
substantially similar in configuration and in area with their inner
and outer edges respectively extending in closely spaced,
substantially parallel relation.
6. In an inflatable life preserver of the encapsulated type, having
an open center to encircle the neck of a wearer and including an
inflatable cell means extending about said open center, said life
preserver further including a cover extending about said open
center and adapted to provide a primary protective enclosure for
the cell means in .[.an inflated.]. .Iadd.a collapsed
.Iaddend.condition of said means, said cover having flexible,
normally connected panels in protective embracing relation to the
.[.inflated.]. .Iadd.collapsed .Iaddend.cell means and also having
separable fastener elements on the panels adapted to disengage for
separation of the panels in response to inflation of the cell
means, the improvement that comprises a protective flap inside the
cover adapted to cooperate with at least one of the panels to
provide an auxiliary enclosure for the cell means in the event of
accidental separation of the panels with the cell means in .[.an
inflated.]. .Iadd.a collapsed .Iaddend.condition, the panels having
inner edges connected together to define said open center and
having outer edges along which the .[.fastened.]. .Iadd.fastener
.Iaddend.elements are disposed, said flap having an outer edge
secured to the outer edge of said one panel, the flap and said one
panel being substantially coextensive in width with the flap having
a free inner edge overlying and in close proximity to the inner
edge of said one panel.
7. In an inflatable life preserver of the encapsulated type, the
improvement of claim 6 in which the cell means when uninflated lies
wholly between the flap and said one panel.
8. In an inflatable life preserver of the encapsulated type having
an open center to encircle the neck of a wearer and including an
inflatable cell means extending about said open center, said life
preserver further including a cover extending about said open
center and adapted to provide a primary protective enclosure for
the cell means in .[.an inflated.]. .Iadd.a collapsed
.Iaddend.condition of said means, said cover having flexible,
normally connected panels in protective embracing relation to the
.[.inflated.]. .Iadd.collapsed .Iaddend.cell means and also having
separable fastener elements on the panels adapted to disengage for
separation of the panels in response to inflation of the cell
means, the improvement that comprises a protective flap inside the
cover adapted to cooperate with at least one of the panels to
provide an auxiliary protective enclosure for the cell means in the
event of accidental separation of the panels with the cell means in
.[.an inflated.]. .Iadd.a collapsed .Iaddend.condition, the cover
including a neckband extending about said open center, said panels
having their inner edges connected to the neckband, said flap
having its outer edge disposed between and secured to the outer
.[.edges.]. .Iadd.edge .Iaddend.of said one panel and the fastener
elements thereof, the other edge of the flap being free and the
cell means when uninflated being confined substantially wholly
between the flap and said one panel.
9. In an inflatable life preserver of the encapsulated type having
an open center to encircle the neck of a wearer and including an
inflatable cell means extending about said open center, said life
preserver further including a cover extending about said open
center and adapted to provide a primary protective enclosure for
the cell means in .[.an inflated.]. .Iadd.a collapsed
.Iaddend.condition of said means, said cover having flexible,
normally connected panels in protective embracing relation to the
.[.inflated.]. .Iadd.collapsed .Iaddend.cell means and also having
separable fastener elements on the panels adapted to disengage for
separation of the panels in response to inflation of the cell
means, the improvement that comprises a protective flap inside the
cover adapted to cooperate with at least one of the panels to
provide an auxiliary protective enclosure for the cell means in the
event of accidental separation of the panels with the cell means in
.[.an inflated.]. .Iadd.a collapsed .Iaddend.condition, the flap
having transverse slits extending from the inner to the outer edge
thereof at selected locations about said open center.
10. In an inflatable life preserver of the encapsulated type, the
improvement of claim 9 in which one of said slits is disposed at
the back of the user's neck and the remaining slits lie over the
user's torso, when the life preserver is being worn.
11. In an inflatable life preserver of the horseshoe shaped
encapsulated type that comprises a neck-encircling inflatable cell
means and a protective cover therefor that is normally closed but
opens in response to inflation of the cell means, the cover
including a pair of neck-encircling panels having separably
connectable ends, the improvement comprising a flap lying between
the panels, and cooperating therewith to define a three-layer
enclosure for the cell means in which the panels constitute the two
outer layers and the flap constitutes a middle layer, the flap and
the panels having inner and outer edges, the inner edges of the
panels being permanently connected and the outer edges thereof
being provided with mating fastener elements separably connecting
the outer edges of the panels, the inner edge of the flap being
free and the outer edge of the flap being connected to the outer
edge of one of the panels, the cell means lying between the flap
and the panel to which it is connected.
12. In an inflatable life preserver of the belt-type that comprises
a waist-encircling inflatable cell means and a protective cover
therefor that is normally closed but opens in response to inflation
of the cell means the cover including a pair of elongated panels
shaped to define a belt extendable about the user's waist and
having separably connectable ends, the improvement comprising a
flap lying between the panels, and cooperating therewith to define
a three-layer enclosure for the cell means in which the panels
constitute the two outer layers and the flap constitutes a middle
layer, the flap and the panels having inner and outer edges, the
inner edges of the panels being permanently connected and the outer
edges thereof being provided with mating fastener elements
separably connecting the outer edges of the panels, the inner edge
of the flap being free and the outer edge of the flap being
connected to the outer edge of one of the panels, the cell means
lying between the flap and the panel to which it is connected.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates generally to inflatable life preservers, and
in a more particular sense to those inflatable life preservers in
which an inflatable cell or cells extends about the body of a
wearer, as for example the wearer's neck, and are normally
protectively enclosed in a flexible covering.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Inflatable life preservers having cells protectively encapsulated
in flexible coverings are not new, broadly speaking. For example,
this broad idea will be found in patents such as U.S. Pat. No.
2,621,342.
Heretofore, however, those working in the art have not dealt, so
far as is known, specifically with the problem of protecting the
confined, collapsed cells against damage in the event of accidental
separation of the protective covering. Such separation should, of
course, never occur unless and until the cells means is to be
inflated in actual use of the life preserver. Yet, life preservers
when stored awaiting use are in some instances treated roughly, as
for example they may be distorted while being forced into a
relatively small stowage area. In these circumstances, the
protective covering may be forced open, exposing the inflatable
cells to accidental puncture or other structural damage.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention may be summarized as including, in its most basic
aspects, a three layer protective covering for the inflatable
cells, comprising a pair of outer panels permanently secured
together along their inner edges, while being separably connected
along their outer edges so as to open responsive to inflation of
the confined cell or cells. The middle layer is composed of a
protective flap, which has a free inner edge, and an outer edge
that is permanently secured to one of the cover panels. An
inflatable cell means, when in collapsed condition, is confined
between the flap and the cover panel to which the flap is
secured.
Normally, the outer cover panels cooperate to define a primary
protective encapsulation for the collapsed cell means, as long as
they remain separably connected along their outer edges. Upon
accidental separation of the outer edges of the outer panels,
however, at a time when the cell means is not being inflated, the
primary encapsulation is lost. Under these circumstances a
secondary encapsulation comes into play, comprised of the middle
layer or protective flap, and one of the outer panels, which
cooperate to still completely enclosed the collapsed cell and will
lie as a shield between the cell and any adjacent objects that
might do structural damage to it.
At such time as the life preserver is to be put into actual use by
deliberate inflation of the cells, the inflation will automatically
separate the panels comprising the primary encapsulating means, and
at the same time will bias the middle layer or flap out of the way
to permit full inflation and expansion of the cell means.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
While the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly
claimed in the concluding portions herein, a preferred embodiment
is set forth in the following detailed description which may be
best understood when read in connection with the accompanying
drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a front view of a life preserver formed according to the
present invention, as it appears when being worn, prior to
inflation;
FIG. 2 is a side view of the life preserver when worn, prior to
inflation;
FIG. 3 is a view like FIG. 1 in which the cells have been
inflated;
FIG. 4 is a view like FIG. 2 in which the cells have been
inflated;
FIG. 5 is an enlarged front elevational view of the life preserver,
portions being broken away, and the upper cover panel being
illustrated partly opened, to show the protective flap;
FIG. 6 is a still further enlarged, transverse sectional view
substantially on line 6--6 of FIG. 5 with the primary protective
enclosure and the auxiliary enclosure both fully closed, the cells
being collapsed;
FIG. 7 is a view on the same cutting plane and scale as FIG. 6, in
which the primary enclosure has been accidentally opened, with the
cells collapsed, the secondary enclosure or encapsulation remaining
in position to protect the collapsed cells;
FIG. 8 is a view on the same cutting plane and scale as FIGS. 6 and
7, in which the cells have been inflated, causing separation or
opening of both the primary and secondary protective
enclosures;
FIG. 9 is a front view of a horse-shoe shaped preserver
incorporating the present invention, partly broken away; and
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a belt-type preserver
incorporating the invention, partly broken away.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The life preserver formed according to the present invention has
been generally designated 10. It includes, basically, a protective
cover or encapsulation 12, which normally completely encloses an
inflatable cell means which in the illustrated example comprises
two inflatable cells connected at spaced locations along their
inner peripheries by flexible connecting tapes 15. Cells 14 are
independently inflated by pull tabs 16, which operate to cause the
discharge of an inflating medium from cylinders (not shown) into
the respective cells. Each cell extends fully about the neck of the
wearer, the cells being disposed in superposed relation. It is
conventional to use two cells, so that if one cell fails to
inflate, the other cell constitutes a back-up, hence the use of
separate cylinders and separate pull tabs 16 for inflating the
superposed cells.
The invention can be applied with equal facility to a life
preserver of the single cell type, this being considered
sufficiently obvious as not to require special illustration herein.
Further, the life preserver, whether it be of the single or double
cell type, could be of so-called "horse-shoe" or inverted U shape,
in which the ends of the protective cover are separably connected
below the neck by slide fasteners or the like. Or, the life
preserver might be of the belt or waist-encircling type in which a
single or double cell inflatable means extends around the waist,
rather than the neck of the user.
In the illustrated example, it is conventional to provide a belt
strap support member 18 centered upon the waist of the wearer.
Carried by the member 18 is a waist-encircling belt 20, which in
accordance with normal practice would have suitable take-up means,
not shown, for the purpose of permitting it to be secured snugly
about the waist of the wearer when the life preserver is put
on.
The cell construction and configuration, including a neck-receiving
opening 21, the member 18 and the belt 20, are all conventional,
and it is also conventional, broadly speaking, to provide a
flexible cover or protective encapsulation 12 in life preservers of
this type.
It is also known to provide a neck band 22, which would be formed
of a soft flexible material designed to minimize chafing of the
wearer's neck when the life preserver is in use. In the illustrated
example, the neck band 22 extends fully about the neck of the user,
thus defining a continuous edge for the neck encircling center
opening 21 of the life preserver. As is customary, opening 21 is
elongated in a downward direction from the wider upper end thereof,
tapering downwardly to a substantially V-necked configuration for
maximum comfort.
The primary cover of the device comprises a pair of outer panels
24, 26 of flexible, durable, woven fabric or other material. Panels
24, 26 are substantially identical in area and configuration, that
is, the inner edges 24a, 26a thereof are substantially in
registration, while the outer edges 24b, 26b are also substantially
in registration when the life preserver is awaiting use as in FIG.
6. The inner edges 24a, 26a of the outer panels are stitched as at
28 to the neck band 22, being thus permanently connected through
the medium of the neck band. The outer edges 24b, 26b, however, are
separably connected so as to completely close the primary
protective cover 12 under normal conditions with the cells 14
collapsed, thereby to shield the collapsed cell means against
accidental puncture, abrasion, or other structural damage that
might result if they were exposed.
Confined between the panels 24, 26 is a protective flap 30. In a
preferred embodiment, this is formed of the same material as the
panels 24, 26, and is cut to substantially the same pattern as the
outer panels, that is, the flap 30 has its inner edge 30a
substantially in registration with the inner edges 24a, 26a of the
outer covering, when the life preserver is awaiting use as in FIG.
6. The inner edge 30a of the protective flap 30 is left free as
clearly shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. The outer edge 30b thereof,
however, is permanently secured in a preferred embodiment to one of
the panels, in this case the panel 26.
Extending the full length of the outer edges 24b, 26b are "Velcro"
pads 32, 34, these being secured to the confronting inner surfaces
of the cover panels 24, 26 by stitching 36. The "Velcro" pads mate,
one being of the hook variety and the other being of the pile type,
so as to normally separably connect the outer edges 24b, 26b over
the full periphery of the life preserver. As seen from FIGS. 6 and
7, the outer edge 30b of the protective flap is disposed between
the pad 34 and the outer edge 26b of cover panel 26, being secured
thereto by the stitching 38. The cell means 14, in these
circumstances, is confined between the flap and the panel 26.
It will be understood that instead of using "Velcro" tapes or pads,
I may utilize other well known types of separable fasteners that
will open to permit the inflation of the cell means, as for example
snap or gripper fasteners or indeed any other fasteners that may be
caused to separate when the cells are inflated.
The flap and the panel 26, thus, comprise a secondary or auxiliary
protective encapsulation or covering, generally designated 39 in
FIGS. 6 and 7. Normally the auxiliary protective covering does not
come into play, since the protective outer or main covering 12
provides an enclosure for the collapsed cells, in which the cells
are completely confined and are fully protected against damage.
.Iadd.Referring to FIG. 5, above center opening 21 a transverse
slit 40 is formed in flap 30. Below said opening, a transverse
center slit 42, and a transverse side slit 44 are also formed in
the flap 30. The slits extend from the inner to the outer edge of
the flap at these selected locations. .Iaddend.
It is common, however, for accidental separation of the cover 12 to
occur. Under these circumstances, the cells 14 are normally exposed
to possible structural damage. This, of course, is very much to be
avoided, since such damage might ultimately result in failure of
the life preserver under use conditions, possibly causing the loss
of human life.
It is thus seen that in FIG. 7, when and if the primary
encapsulation accidentally opens, the cells 14 are still completely
shielded against structural damage, by reason of the fact that the
auxiliary covering 39 now takes over the protective function, with
the cells now being fully protected against damage by reason of
being substantially wholly confined between the flap 30 and the
panel 26 constituting the auxiliary protection.
When the life preserver is placed in actual use, that is, when the
cells are deliberately inflated, the inflation of the cells (see
FIG. 8) causes positive separation of the "Velcro" pads, 32, 34,
and also causes the flap 30 to be swung outwardly as shown in FIG.
8, out of the way, so that the cells 14 can fully expand. The life
preserver now appears as in FIGS. 3 and 4, fully deployed for
use.
The invention thus, at very little increase in cost above that
required for manufacture of a conventional life preserver, provides
a highly desirable added protection against structural damage to
the collapsed cells, in the event of accidental opening of the
protective covering during stowage or other handling of the life
preserver. Heretofore, this has represented a problem which could
even result in the loss of human life in the event there was an
accidental puncturing of the cells while accidentally exposed
resulting in their failure to inflate when really needed.
In FIG. 9 the invention is incorporated in a life preserver of the
horse-shoe shaped type, generally designated 110 and comprising a
protective cover 112 including a neckband 122 stitched or otherwise
permanently secured to flexible cover panels 124, 126 protectively
enclosing an inflatable cell means 114 of the single or
double-celled type. Protective flap 130 is secured to panel 126
along their outer edges along with "Velcro" tape 134. In
cross-section the numerically designated components are identical
in appearance and arrangement with those illustrated in FIG. 6, and
correspond thereto in that the FIG. 9 reference numerals designate
the same parts as those shown in FIG. 6 except for the addition of
the numeral "1", that is, 24 and 124 correspond; 26 and 126
correspond, etc. A slide fastener 120 or other separable connection
may be utilized to detachably connect the otherwise free ends of
the cover 112.
In FIG. 10 the invention is applied to a belt-type preserver 210
having cover 212 comprised of panels 224, 226. Panel 226 is secured
along one edge to flap 230 and disposed therebetween is inflatable
cell means 214. A "Velcro" tape 234 is secured to the flap 230 and
panel 226. A separable connection 220 secures the ends of the
preserver about the user's waist. Again, the parts correspond to
similar parts of FIG. 6, that is, 224 and 24 correspond, 226 and 26
correspond, etc. A separable belt buckle 220 is illustrated in this
form.
While particular embodiments of this invention have been shown in
the drawings and described above, it will be apparent that many
changes may be made in the form, arrangement and positioning of the
various elements of the combination. In consideration thereof it
should be understood that preferred embodiments of this invention
disclosed herein are intended to be illustrative only and not
intended to limit the scope of the invention.
* * * * *