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US 4,001,905 AGranted
Improved stabilized survival raft
OwnerJames A. Givensinventor
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OwnerJames A. Givensinventor
Estimating the term…
A stabilized life raft utilizing a fluid filled depending buoy chamber for overall stabilization and including as improved features thereon a peripheral skirt chamber which fills with the raft supporting fluid upon deployment of the raft and serves as a temporary stabilizer while the buoy chamber becomes filled. The buoy chamber includes baffles to impede the flow of the stabilizing fluid from one portion of the chamber to another in the event of a sudden weight shift within the raft. An improved valve permits a more rapid inward flow of fluid upon deployment of the raft and yet prevents outward flow in instances where the buoyant raft is suddenly thrust upwardly by elements such as waves. The raft, because of the particular placement of the various structural elements in conjunction with the placement of the survival gear and inflation system, is automatically self-righting.
A greatly improved device for assisting in the saving of lives at sea including a platform capable of supporting humans, said platform maintained in a stable, upright floating condition by a buoyant peripheral flotation structure and an attached main stabilizing chamber extending around the periphery of the flotation structure, said chamber designed to be filled with the supporting fluid when the device is in use, the improvement comprising:
A stabilized life raft having a peripheral, inflatable member supporting a floor spanning the interior distance of the raft and a stabilizing chamber defined by the floor of the raft and a wall structure spaced from said floor, a peripheral trough surrounding said chamber, said trough filling with the supporting fluid and providing temporary stabilization during the filling of the main chamber, said chamber being filled with the supporting fluid when in use and means separating the stabilizing chamber into communicating sections permitting controlled fluid flow between the chambers to assure stability even though the weight in the raft shifts.
A life saving device for use upon a fluid such as water comprising a buoyant platform of a size and buoyancy to support a human body, said platform including a protective canopy structure to shield an occupant of the platform from the elements, access means to the interior of said canopy by an inwardly opening door, means securing the door to the canopy capable of rapid securement and release and opening means secured to the door, extending from the upper corner of the door interior of the canopy to the exterior of the canopy adjacent the lower edge of the door whereby the door may be opened by a person in the water by a single tug upon the opening means whereby a person suffering from exposure and having lost control of small muscles is still able to gain entrance to the canopy.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.