Flotation Device
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A device which will act efficiently as a float for any article (e.g. keys, mobile telephone, wallet) attached thereto when dropped into water comprises an inflatable bag (14) of substantially waterproof and air impervious material, a container (12) of compressed gas, and trigger means (16,30,32) associated with the container (12) and operable upon immersion of the device in water to open the container (12) and allow gas from the container (14) to inflate the bag (14). The trigger means comprises a valve (16) mounted on the container (12) and connecting the container to the inflatable bag (14), retainer means (30) operative to hold the valve (16) in a closed condition, and water reactive means (32) which, upon contact with water, serves to release the retainer means (30) and allow the valve to open. The water reactive means may comprise a band of material (32), at least part of which is water reactive. The retainer means may comprise a spring (30) which acts directly on the valve (16) to keep it closed against spring bias and the water reactive band (32) may hold the spring (30) under compression until release. In other embodiments the retainer means may comprise a plate or a lever which the water reactive band holds against spring bias of the valve to its open position until release. In another embodiment the retainer means includes a spring held under compression by a water reactive band, which spring, upon release overcomes spring bias of the valve to its closed position. The bag (14), the container (12) and the trigger means are housed a casing (10) and means (37) are provided, preferably integrally on the container (12), for attachment of the device to another article.
14 Citations
48 Claims
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1-25. -25. (canceled)
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26. A flotation device comprising
an inflatable bag of substantially waterproof and air impervious material; -
a container of compressed gas; trigger means associated with the container and operable upon immersion of the device in water to open the container and allow gas from the container to inflate the bag; a casing in which the bag, the container and the trigger means are housed; and means for attachment of the device to another article; wherein the trigger means comprises a valve mounted on the container and connecting the container to the inflatable bag, retainer means operative to hold said valve in a closed condition, and water reactive means which, upon contact with water, serves to release the retainer means and open the valve; and wherein the water reactive means comprises a band of material, at least part of which is water reactive. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44)
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45. A flotation device comprising:
an inflatable bag of substantially waterproof and air impervious material; a container of compressed gas; trigger means associated with the container and operable upon immersion of the device in water to open the container and allow gas from the container to inflate the bag; a casing in which the bag, the container and the trigger means are housed; and means for attachment of the device to another article; wherein the trigger means comprises a valve mounted on the container and connecting the container to the inflatable bag, retainer means operative to hold said valve in a closed condition, and water reactive means which, upon contact with water, serves to release the retainer means and allow the valve to open; and wherein an illumination device comprising a light emitting diode (LED) powered by at least one battery is mounted inside the inflatable bag. - View Dependent Claims (46, 47, 48)
Specification