Inflatable, noncollapsible, personal flotation device

• US 6,066,017 A
• Filed: 01/29/1998
• Issued: 05/23/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 01/29/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The United States of America As Represented By The Secretary of Agriculture
• Original Assignee: the united states of america as represented by the secretary of the navy
• Inventors: Pellenbarg, Robert E., Max, Michael D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sotelo, Jesus D.
• Application Number:
  US09/042,363
• Time in Patent Office: 845 Days
• Field of Search: 441/98, 441/105, 441/106, 521/917
• US Class Current: 441/98
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 2231/50 Foamed synthetic materials
• CPC Class Codes: B63C 9/115 using solid buoyant material
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 521/917 Specialized mixing apparatus utilized in cell forming process

Abstract

The inflatable, non-collapsible, flotation device (INCFD) utilizes foam mng chemicals within a flotation chamber where the materials react and harden to form a layer of pliant foam, such as polyurethane. The foam, during reaction, conforms with the shape of the wearer and hardens to provide both flotation and physical protection from exterior objects.

Claims

1. A flotation device comprising:

a bag made of a tightly woven fiber of a group of synthetic long-chain polymeric amides with recurring amide groups forming a flotation chamber;

means for injecting polyisocyanate (OCN--R--NCO) and polyol (HO--R'"'"'--OH) into the bag to form an evenly distributed layer of pliant foam material within the flotation chamber after the chemicals react;

an aluminized polyester film material between said bag and a wearer to protect a user from an exothermic reaction resulting from the chemicals reacting within the bag; and

means for attaching the bag to the user.

2. A flotation device, as in claim 1, wherein the attachment means is a water repellant fabric and buckles.

3. A flotation devices comprising:

a bag forming a flotation chamber;

means for injecting a plurality of chemicals into the bag to form an evenly distributed layer of pliant material within the flotation chamber after the chemicals react;

an aluminized polyester film material between said bag and a wearer to protect the wearer from an exothermic reaction resulting from the chemicals reacting within the bag; and

means for attaching the bag to the user.

4. A flotation device comprising:

a bag forming a flotation chamber;

means for injecting a plurality of chemicals into the bag to form an evenly distributed layer of pliant material within the flotation chamber after the chemicals react;

an aluminized polyester film material between said bag and a wearer to protect the wearer from an exothermic reaction resulting from the chemicals reacting within the bag;

means for attaching the bag to the user; and

a tubular distribution device with openings at preselected points along the tubular device that evenly distribute the rigid foam precursor material generated by the chemical reaction within the flotation chamber.

5. A flotation device comprising:

a bag forming a flotation chamber;

means for injecting a plurality of chemicals into the bag to form an evenly distributed layer of pliant material within the flotation chamber after the chemicals react;

an aluminized polyester film material between said bag and a wearer to protect the wearer from an exothermic reaction resulting from the chemicals reacting within the bag;

means for attaching the bag to the user; and

means for attaching an external rescue device to the bag for lifting the user.

6. A flotation device comprising:

a bag forming a flotation chamber;

means for injecting a plurality of chemicals into the bag to form an evenly distributed layer of pliant material within the flotation chamber after the chemicals react;

an aluminized polyester film material between said bag and a wearer to protect the wearer from an exothermic reaction resulting from the chemicals reacting within the bar;

means for attaching the bag to the user; and

a metallic ring attached to the bag for lifting the user.

7. A flotation device comprised of:

a water repellant bag forming a flotation chamber;

means for mixing chemical reagents into the bag to form a pliant foam;

means for distributing the pliant foam formed by the mixing of the chemical reagents equally to all portions of the flotation chamber;

an aluminized polyester film between said bag and a user to protect the user from an exothermic reaction of the polyurethane precursor;

means for securing the bag to a user; and

means for attaching an external rescue device to the bag for lifting the user.

8. A flotation device, as in claim 7, wherein the means for distributing the pliant foam is a tube of a predetermined length having openings at predetermined intervals along its length for injecting the pliant foam formed by the mixing of the chemical reagents evenly within the flotation chamber.

9. A flotation device, as in claim 7, wherein the means for securing the bag to a wearer is a series of straps.

10. A flotation device, as in claim 7, wherein the means for securing the bag to a wearer is a vest sewed onto the water repellant bag.

11. A method for providing buoyancy to an object comprising the steps of:

injecting polyisocyanate (OCN--R--NCO) and polyol (HO--R'"'"'--OH) into a bag made of a tightly woven fiber of a group of synthetic long-chain polymeric amides with recurring amide groups so as to form a pliant foam when the chemicals react thereby filling the bag with a pliant, uncollapsable foam; and

placing an aluminized polyester film material around the bag to protect the object from an exothermic reaction resulting from the chemicals reacting within the bag.