Valuables Flotation Device (VFD)
OwnerDon P Williamsinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A water activated, self-inflating, automatic floatation device that can be easily attached to small personal items of value for easy retrieval if accidentally dropped into a deep or low visibility body of water such as a lake, pond, stream, river, or ocean. The automatic flotation device is comprised of a housing, an inflatable bladder, water activated gas producing compound, an orifice plate, a gas expansion port, and a removable housing cover. The automatic floatation device will inflate the bladder regardless of orientation under water. The automatic floatation device is small enough that it can be attached to glasses, keys, cell phones, hats, basically any small personal item of value.
Claims19
A self-inflating apparatus that can be attached to small valuables comprising:
- a housing that contains a compressed bladder and a reactant that when combined with water produces a gas that expands the compressed bladder;
- and
- a means to simultaneously control water entering the apparatus and air escaping the apparatus as it sinks in water;
- and
- a bladder seal attachment feature such that the gas produced by the reactant is forced into the bladder;
- and
- a housing cover that is displaced by the expansion of said compressed bladder,
- Whereby the apparatus will float the item to which it is attached to the surface of the body of water in which it is dropped.
A method for forcing gas produced by a reactant that is water activated into a bladder under water regardless of orientation, the method comprising the steps of:
- Simultaneously controlling water entering and air escaping an apparatus as a device sinks;
- Automatically shutting off water entering and air escaping an apparatus based on water flow;
- Forcing said produced gas into an inflatable bladder through a gas expansion port;
- Whereby the bladder inflates and floats the apparatus to the surface of a body of water.
A water activated, self-inflating floatation apparatus that can be attached to small valuables comprising:
- a housing that contains a bladder storage cavity and a reactant storage cavity separated by a port;
- and
- a bladder seal attachment feature to attach an inflatable bladder to said port;
- and
- an orifice plate containing a water inlet orifice to let water into the housing and an air relief orifice to allow air to escape the housing;
- and
- a water activated, gas producing compound;
- and
- one or more hydro expanding elements to seal said water inlet orifice and air relief orifice when sufficient water has entered the apparatus;
- and
- a removable cover,
- Whereby water entering the apparatus reacts with the compound to produce gas which is forced into said inflatable bladder which in turn will float the item to which it is attached to the surface of the body of water in which it is submerged.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.