Emergency locating device

An emergency locating device comprising:

• a pressure cylinder including an extended neck member having an outlet port disposed therein;
• a lighter-than-air gas stored within said pressure cylinder;
• a flow-control valve attached to said neck member to control the flow of said gas stored in said cylinder, said flow-control valve comprises:
• a valve pin having a transverse passage positioned therethrough;
• a stop means mounted to said valve pin to effect an axial alignment between said transverse passage of said valve pin and said outlet port in said neck member;
• a valve extension member secured within said outlet port of said neck member and extending outwardly therefrom, said extension having a longitudinal passage communicating with said neck member outlet port, said extension having a transverse passage communicating with said longitudinal passage;
• an inflatable buoyant means arranged to receive said lighter-than-air gas therein;
• a self-closing valve means affixed to said inflatable buoyant means, self-closing valve means being removably attachable to said valve extension member, said valve means comprising:
• a main body;
• a chamber defined by said body;
• and
• a valve piston operably disposed in said chamber, and having a central bore to receive said valve extention therein, and an outlet port, whereby gas flowing through said valve extension is permitted to flow therefrom into said inflatable buoyant means;
• a reel operably supported by said pressure cylinder for rotation therein wherein said reel includes a spool having opposite annular flanges, and wherein means for mounting said spool are included therein, said mounting means;
• comprising a plurality of outwardly-extending pins affixed to said cylinder adjacent said annular flanges thereof and wherein one of said flanges has a reduced diameter whereby said tether line can pass thereover when said buoyant means is released.