GB2398275A

GB2398275A - Flotation apparatus incorporating a float operated valve

Info

Publication number: GB2398275A
Application number: GB0303090A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gary Sharpe; Martin Vaughan Kent; Richard John Pickering; Kevin Wilkin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-02-11
Filing date: 2003-02-11
Publication date: 2004-08-18
Anticipated expiration: 2023-02-11
Also published as: GB0303090D0; GB2398275A8; GB2398275B

Abstract

A flotation apparatus comprises an inflatable bag 11, a chamber 12 for receiving gas under pressure, a valve 14 arranged between the bag and the chamber, and a float device 15 and 17 for operating the valve. As the level of water around the apparatus rises the float is raised and opens the valve to permit release of gas under pressure from the chamber into the bag. The apparatus may also incorporate a casing 10 where the inflatable bag is located in a folded condition within one end of the casing, the float device within the opposite end and the chamber is located within the casing between the bag and the float device.

Description

Title: FLOTATION APPARATUS This invention relates to a flotation apparatus

more especially intended for use in pleasure craft such as yachts and dinghies.

Many injuries and a number of fatalities occur as a result of hurried or unplanned evacuations from sinking craft, often when immediate help is not to hand. These unfortunate events would be lessened if the boat could be kept afloat for an extended period of time in which to plan an evacuation or for assistance to arrive.

0 The last option for the yachtsman is to abandon his craft. The best and safest course of action is to remain on board, unless the craft is sinking rapidly, as the craft is the best available lifeboat. The importance of prolonging evacuation is widely recognised and publicised by the Royal Yachting Association and other marine organizations.

Flotation apparatus in the form of inflatable airbags are well known for use as an aid to salvaging sunken boats. Furthermore, self-inflating life rafts are in general use in yachts. Such life rafts are gas-operated and have a line for attachment to a fixed fitting on the yacht. When the uninflated life raft is thrown overboard it is automatically inflated as the line is tensioned.

so Self-inflating life rafts are excellent but exhibit certain disadvantages for small boat owners in that dexterous deployment by the crew is needed and entry in rough seas is hazardous.

A self-inflating gas-operated life jackets are also well known which are operated by a pull-chord.

The flotation device of the present invention is primarily intended for use in small to medium sized boats and has for its object to effect buoyancy to a craft to slow its rate of sinking in such an eventuality.

According to the invention there is provided a flotation apparatus comprising an inflatable bag, a chamber for receiving gas under pressure, a valve arranged between the bag and the chamber, and a float device for operating the valve as the level of water around the apparatus rises to permit release of gas under pressure from the chamber into the bag.

The gas in the chamber is preferably air under pressure. However, gas lo may be generated to be under pressure by separated gas-generating fluids which inter-react upon admixture by actuation of the valve.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIGURE 1 is a cut-away perspective view, and FIGURE 2 is an elevation with cut-away cross-sectional view.

The flotation apparatus comprises a tubular outer casing 10, of plastics material or sheet metal, housing an inflatable bag 11 of gas and water impermeable tear-resistant material, a compressed air container 12, an air supply pipe 13 extending between the container and the bag, a valve 14 in the air supply so pipe, and a float 15 connected to an operating spindle 16 of the valve by way of a float arm 17.

The distal end of the spindle 16 may be provided with a thumb-turn (wingnut) 18 accessible through a circular aperture 19 in the casing 10 whereby alternative manual actuation is possible.

The bag 11 is located in a folded condition at one end of the casing 10 which is closed by a lid or, as shown, by the flat base of a domed-shaped foot pump 20 connected to the bag by a tube 21. The foot-pump, which incorporates a one-way valve (not shown), serves as a manual back-up pump to inflate the bag or to top up the volume of gas supplied by the air container.

The other end of the casing 10 is closed by an end wall 22. The air container 12 is mounted on the inside of the casing between an end cavity lea thereof containing the bag and an opposite end cavity lob within which the float is movable against the action of a light spring (not shown) holding the float in a lo direction in which the valve 14 is closed until acted upon by ingress of water.

Apertures 23 are provided in the end 22 and in the casing walls permitting free passage of water and air.

The container is provided with a pressure gauge 24 and a refill valve 25 accessible through the wall of the casing 10. The air supply pipe communicates at its air-supply end with a fixing collar 26 for the inlet neck 27 of the bag 11.

The flotation apparatus of the invention may be located removably or permanently by clips or other suitable fixing means to a fixing point on the craft e.g. in the lockers or forepeak, by a bracket (not shown) attached to the casing.

The invention operates on detecting a threatening level of water having so entered the boat, the water lifting the float and actuating the valve to inflate the bag which ejects the foot-pump and emerges from the casing to become fully deployed. The volume of the bag is chosen appropriately according to the size of the boat, i.e. sufficient to provide effective buoyancy thereof.

A number of such flotation devices as described above may be secured at as appropriate locations within the boat or may be stored, readily accessible, for speedy fixing. The bags may deploy within the cabin or forepeak in the case of a dinghy.

Whilst the example described and shown is constructed with a cylindrical casing the flotation apparatus may be profiled to match the size, type and layout of a new boat as a standard fitting or after sale accessory.

If desired the apparatus may include additional float-operated valves, gas containers, and bags configured in dependence upon application. s

FEATURES OF THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS: 1. A flotation apparatus comprising an inflatable bag, a chamber for receiving gas under pressure, a valve arranged between the bag and the chamber, and a float device for operating the valve as the level of water around the apparatus rises to permit release of gas under pressure from the chamber into the bag.

2. An apparatus as feature 1, including a casing, wherein the inflatable bag is located in folded condition within one end of said casing and the float device within the opposite end.

lo 3. An apparatus as feature 2, wherein the chamber is located within the casing between the bag and the float device.

4. An apparatus as feature 2 or 3, wherein the chamber is provided with a pressure gauge and a refill valve.

5. An apparatus as feature 2, 3 or 4, wherein apertures are provided in the casing in the region of the float device to permit free passage of water and air.

6. An apparatus as any of features 1 to 5, wherein a manually operable pump is connected to the bag.

7. An apparatus as feature 6, wherein the pump is dome-shaped and serves also as a lid fitting the end of the casing.

8. An apparatus as any of features 1 to 7, wherein the outlet of the valve is connected by a pipe to a fixing collar for an inlet neck of the bag.

9. An apparatus as in any of features 1 to 8, wherein the float device comprises a float and float arm, and the valve has an operating spindle connected to said float arm.

10. An apparatus as feature 9, wherein a manually operable wing-nut is attached to the distal end of the spindle.

Claims

1. A flotation apparatus comprising an inflatable bag, a chamber for receiving gas under pressure, a valve arranged between the bag and the chamber, and a float device for operating the valve as the level of water around the apparatus rises to permit release of gas under pressure from the chamber into the bag.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, including a casing, wherein the inflatable bag is located in folded condition within one end of said casing and the lo float device within the opposite end.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the chamber is located within the casing between the bag and the float device.

4. An apparatus as claimed in claims 2 or 3, wherein the chamber is provided with a pressure gauge and a refill valve.

5. An apparatus as claimed in claims 2, 3, o4, wherein apertures are provided in the region of the float device to permit free passage of water and air.

6. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a manually operable pump is connected to the bag.

7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the pump is dome-shaped and so serves also as a lid fitting the end of the casing.

8. An apparatus as any of claimed in any one of the claims 1 to 7, wherein the outlet of the valve is connected by a pipe to a fixing collar for an inlet neck of the bag.

9. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the float device comprises a float and float arm, and the valve has an operating spindle connected to said float arm.

10. A flotation apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings. (

10. An apparatus claimed in claim 9, wherein a manually operable wing-nut is attached to the distal end of the spindle.

11. A flotation apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings. q

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. A flotation apparatus comprising an inflatable bag, a chamber for receiving gas under pressure, a valve arranged between the bag and the chamber, and a float device for operating the valve as the level of water around the s apparatus rises to permit release of gas under pressure from the chamber into the bag, the apparatus including a casing, wherein the inflatable bag is located in folded condition within one end of said casing and the float device within the opposite end.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the chamber is located within lo the casing between the bag and the float device.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claims 1 or 2, wherein the chamber is provided with a pressure gauge and a refill valve.

4. An apparatus as claimed in claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein apertures are provided in the casing in the region of the float device to permit free passage of water and air. At,

5. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a manually operable pump is connected to the bag.

6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the pump is dome-shaped and serves also as a lid fitting the end of the casing.

7. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the claims 1 to 6, wherein the outlet of the valve is connected by a pipe to a fixing collar for an inlet neck of the bag.

8. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the float device comprises a float and float arm, and the valve has an operating spindle connected to said float arm. Ado

9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein a manually operable wingnut is attached to the distal end of the spindle.