Light-weight buoy

Abstract

A life buoy or similar article of manufacture (for example, one capable of being used as a construction element), including a doughnut-shaped hollow element, which optionally may be of flexible plastic and contain pressurized gas (optionally helium); but preferably it is a gas-filled toroidal tube of blown glass or metal, permanently sealed, and flanked and protected against shock by foamed plastic (or similar porous material), coated with waterproofing rubber or paint. This hollow element may be cylindrical, spherical or polygonal, but preferably it is doughnut-shaped. The foamed plastic may be limited to the exterior of the hollow element or also may be on its interior. At its center the article may have a cylindrical or toroidal hole; or optionally the foamed plastic may continuously bridge over the hollow element at the center of the article. Such foamed plastic bridging over the article's center in the form of FIG. 10, contains helium balloons, imbedded in the plastic, thus providing a very light-weight buoy or similar article. A modification of the life buoy includes a disk-like horizontal part and an upright central element projecting upward from the disk-like part, aiding a survivor to remain on the buoy in rough weather. The preferred buoyant, toroidal, central tube of blown glass or metal may be filled with air, but optionally it contains helium. This gas cannot escape due to the dense, solid material of the integral toroidal walls of blown glass or the like.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.