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Aerial location self-actuating emergency sea surface marker for capsized vessels

  • US 5,199,374 A
  • Filed: 01/23/1992
  • Issued: 04/06/1993
  • Est. Priority Date: 01/23/1992
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. An emergency location marker system for capsized vessels comprising:

  • a location marker container and bracket for securing the container to an exposed or outside surface of a vessel;

    an inflatable sea surface location marker means formed in a relatively large surface area flat configuration for floating on the surface of the sea and blanketing a sufficient surface area of the sea for high visibility location by aerial search, said location marker means having at least one flexible joint thereacross permitting said location marker means to flex in response to wave motion while adhering to the sea surface;

    a source of compressed gas coupled to the inflatable sea surface location marker means, said location marker means and source of compressed gas being housed in the container;

    and a sensor valve means coupled between the source of compressed gas and location marker means responsive to one of water and pressure within the container caused by a capsized condition of the vessel to leave air from the source of compressed gas for inflating the sea surface location marker means;

    said container comprising separable segments constructed with at least one break seam for opening in response to inflation of the location marker means for releasing the inflated location marker means;

    and a line stored in the container, said line being secured at one end to the vessel and at the other end to the location marker means.

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