Auxiliary device for inflatable life rafts

• US 5,921,831 A
• Filed: 10/31/1997
• Issued: 07/13/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 11/02/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Deutsche Schlauchbootfabrik HANS Scheibert GmbH & Company KG
• Original Assignee: Deutsche Schlauchbootfabrik HANS Scheibert GmbH & Company KG
• Inventors: Schulze, Bernd
• Primary Examiner(s): BASINGER, SHERMAN D
• Application Number:
  US08/962,411
• Time in Patent Office: 620 Days
• Field of Search: 441/37, 441/38, 441/40, 114/360, 114/349, 114/345
• US Class Current: 441/38
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 43/12 using inboard air containers or inboard floating members
• CPC Class Codes: B63C 2009/023 self-righting, i.e. returning into an upright position after upside down deployment, or capsizing
• CPC Class Codes: B63C 2009/042 inflatable
• CPC Class Codes: B63C 2009/044 covered
• CPC Class Codes: B63C 9/04 Life-rafts

Abstract

An auxiliary device for an inflatable life raft, wherein the life raft has a flotation body, including at least one support tube and a bottom and further having a roof structure, including an inflatable support and a cover, has at least one bracket positioned exterior to the roof structure and spanning the roof structure. The at least one bracket includes a closed, inflatable hollow body and a pressure medium connector for inflating the closed inflatable hollow body with a pressure medium. Fasteners connected to the at least one bracket are provided for connecting the at least one bracket to the life raft.

Claims

1. An auxiliary device for an inflatable life raft, wherein said life raft comprises a flotation body, having at least one support tube and a bottom, and further comprises a roof structure, including an inflatable support and a cover, said auxiliary device comprising:

at least one bracket positioned exterior to the roof structure and spanning the roof structure;

said at least one bracket comprising a closed, inflatable hollow body and a pressure medium connector for inflating said closed, inflatable hollow body with a pressure medium;

fasteners connected to said at least one bracket for connecting said at least one bracket to the life raft;

wherein said pressure medium connector is designed such that said at least one bracket inflates at least as quickly as the flotation body or at least as quickly as an upper support tube of the flotation body;

wherein inflation of said at least one bracket and of the flotation body or of said at least one bracket and of the upper support tube of the flotation body is controlled by supply lines having different diameters.

2. An auxiliary device according to claim 1, wherein said at least one bracket has a first and a second lower ends, wherein said lower ends are vertically downwardly extending members, and wherein said fasteners are connected to said vertically downwardly extending members.

3. An auxiliary device according to claim 1, further comprising a separate pressure medium source connected to said pressure medium connector for inflating said closed, inflatable hollow body.

4. An auxiliary device according to claim 1, wherein said pressure medium connector is connected to a pressure medium source for inflating the flotation body.

5. An auxiliary device according to claim 1, wherein said pressure medium connector is connected to a pressure medium source for inflating an upper support tube of the flotation body.

6. An auxiliary device according to claim 1, wherein inflation of said at least one bracket and the flotation body or of said at least one bracket and an upper support tube of the flotation body is time-controlled.

7. An auxiliary device according to claim 1, wherein said at least one bracket has lower ends and wherein said fasteners include transverse members connected to said lower ends, wherein said transverse members project laterally past said lower ends and match an outer contour of the flotation body at a location of attachment of said at least one bracket.

8. An auxiliary device according to claim 1, wherein said at least one bracket extends parallel to support struts of the roof structure.

9. An auxiliary device for an inflatable life raft, wherein said life raft comprises a flotation body, having at least one support tube and a bottom, and further comprises a roof structure, including an inflatable support and a cover, said auxiliary device comprising:

at least one bracket positioned exterior to the roof structure and spanning the roof structure;

said at least one bracket comprising a closed, inflatable hollow body and a pressure medium connector for inflating said closed, inflatable hollow body with a pressure medium;

fasteners connected to said at least one bracket for connecting said at least one bracket to the life raft;

wherein said pressure medium connector is designed such that said at least one bracket inflates at least as quickly as the flotation body or at least as quickly as an upper support tube of the flotation body;

wherein inflation of said at least one bracket and of the flotation body or of said at least one bracket and of the upper support tube of the flotation body is time controlled and controlled by supply lines of different diameter.

10. An auxiliary device for an inflatable life raft, wherein said life raft comprises a flotation body, having at least one support tube and a bottom, and further comprises a roof structure, including an inflatable support and a cover, said auxiliary device comprising:

at least one bracket positioned exterior to the roof structure and spanning the roof structure;

said at least one bracket comprising a closed, inflatable hollow body and a pressure medium connector for inflating said closed, inflatable hollow body with a pressure medium;

fasteners connected to said at least one bracket for connecting said at least one bracket to the life raft;

wherein said fasteners include eyes for tying said at least one bracket to the life raft.

11. An auxiliary device according to claim 10, wherein said pressure medium connector is designed such that said at least one bracket inflates at least as quickly as the flotation body or at least as quickly as an upper support tube of the flotation body.

12. An auxiliary device according to claim 11, wherein inflation of said at least one bracket and of the flotation body or of said at least one bracket and of the upper support tube of the flotation body is controlled by supply lines having different diameters.

13. An auxiliary device according to claim 10, wherein the life raft has eyes for tying said at least one bracket to the life raft.