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Protective inflatable vest

  • US 5,867,842 A
  • Filed: 07/31/1997
  • Issued: 02/09/1999
  • Est. Priority Date: 07/31/1997
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A protective inflatable vest comprising:

  • an inflatable bladder being attached to the vest;

    a manifold assembly being attached to the vest, with the manifold assembly having a gas inlet and a gas outlet;

    a pressurized gas canister being supported by said manifold assembly and providing pressurized gas to said gas inlet;

    a gas release plunger being housed within said manifold assembly for reciprocation along a first path from a position wherein said plunger seals closed said gas inlet to a position wherein said plunger permits passage of pressurized gas from said gas inlet to said gas outlet;

    tubing being attached to said vest and connecting said manifold assembly gas outlet to said inflatable bladder;

    an electric solenoid;

    reciprocating means operably connected to said electric solenoid for reciprocation along a second path substantially perpendicular to said first path;

    a toggle link operably contacting said gas release plunger and said reciprocating means such that movement of said gas release plunger along said first path is prevented by said toggle link until said reciprocating means has moved along said second path;

    a portable, electric power source; and

    a tilt switch electrically connected to said electric power source and said electric solenoid, said tilt switch being structured and disposed to operate from a normally open circuit position to a closed circuit position upon an angular change in orientation thereof to thereby deliver electric current from said electric power source to said electric solenoid, thereby actuating said electric solenoid.

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