GB2406265A

GB2406265A - A buoyant keyring or key fob

Info

Publication number: GB2406265A
Application number: GB0322233A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Richard Taylor
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-09-23
Filing date: 2003-09-23
Publication date: 2005-03-30
Also published as: GB0322233D0

Abstract

A buoyant keyring or key fob comprises a CO2 cartridge, cylinder or tank and a trigger mechanism which is activated either upon contact with water or at a set depth below water and an inflatable membrane 13. The buoyant keyring or key fob may be reusable or disposable. The buoyant keyring or key fob may also comprise a cover or lid 12 attached to the main body 10 of the device either by a hinge 17 or a lanyard. In use, the buoyant keyring or key fob aids the recovery from water of keys, wallets, mobile telephone handsets or other like objects to which it is attached By floating.

Description

Inflatable Key Ring 2406265 This information relates to an inflatable key

ring.

An inflatable key ring is an invention which brings together core components and adapts those technologies to fit into a key ring design. The aim of such an invention is to aid recovery of keys, wallets and mobile phones, which have accidentally been dropped into water.

To the best of my knowledge there is no other invention, which utilises this technology in this application. Currently, people wishing to take this precaution use large corks attached to keys and other items using heavy-duty cord. This design offers no aesthetics and thus users do not use corks, unless in extreme circumstances.

This invention is designed to be aesthetically pleasing, encouraging the key ring to be permanently attached thus providing maximum protection.

The inflatable key ring design will house several key components. These include: CO2 cartridge - the CO2 cartridge, which can either be an inserted canister or a CO2 tank housed in the body of the key ring, will be of sufficient size to allow the inflation of a membrane. When inflated this membrane will provide sufficient lift to aid recovery of items accidentally dropped into water.

Automatic Activation device - There are several automatic activation methods used today. These devices are activated by the presence of water and trigger the CO2 to be released into the membrane. These devices are readily available on the market and this invention would utilise one of these mechanisms.

An example of Automatic Activation Devices available include: 1. Standard Water Presence activation (Halkey Roberts) 2. Activated by hydrostatic pressure (Hammer) Inflatable Membrane - The inflatable membrane will inflate allowing the recovery of items dropped in water. This membrane will be highly visible and provide sufficient lift to raise intended objects to the surface.

Optional Extras - The option of an audible siren or light will add extra functionality, which will aid recovery of items lost in water.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Figure 1 shows in perspective, the inflatable key ring complete and before activation.

Figure 2 - illustrates the key ring after the presence of water has fired the CO2 and inflated the membrane.

Figure 3 - demonstrates how the key ring will aid recovery of items, such as keys, accidentally dropped into water.

Figure 4 - indicates the internal components, which make up the construction of the

inflatable key ring.

Referring to Figure 4 the Inflatable Key Ring comprises of an outer casing (10) and a protective lid (12). At the base of the Key Ring (14) is a hole, which allows the Key Ring to be attached to keys or other items.

Internal to the device is CO2 (15), which is either a CO2 canister or a pressurized container allowing a CO2 pre-charge. The trigger mechanism (16) is activated by the presence of water, either by direct contact or via a Hydrostatic valve which fires in a pre-determined depth of water.

Referring to Figure 2 on firing of the CO2, the inflatable membrane (13) forces open the protective lid (12) and inflates. This inflation of the membrane (13) allows the attached object to rise through water, where it can be recovered.

The protective cap (12) is connected to the key ring at (17), either with a hinge or lan- yard mechanism, not shown in this diagram.

Claims

Claims 1 An Inflatable Key Ring comprising of a CO2 cartridge, cylinder or

tank, a trigger mechanism activated on direct contact with water or at a given depth or pressure of water and an inflatable membrane.
2 An Inflatable Key Ring as claimed in Claim 1 either with a re-usable protective cover, attached to the Inflatable Key Ring by means of hinge or lan yard or a use once disposable protective cover.
3 An inflatable Key Ring as claimed in Claim 1 and or Claim 2, which has the ability to be attached to objects such as keys to aid recovery of such objects if dropped in water.
4 An Inflatable Key Ring as claimed in any preceding claim, which is designed to be used either as a re-usable unit or as a disposable, use once only, unit.