# US 5,342,230 A · Water survival device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,342,230 A - Document ID: US5342230A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 07/983,551 - Filed: 1993-02-02 - Granted: 1994-08-30 - Earliest claimed: 1990-08-24 - Assignees: Unitor A/S - Inventors: Olivier Louis - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5342230A ## CPC - B63C 9/22: Devices for holding or launching life-buoys, inflatable life-rafts, or other floatable life-saving equipment (equipment for handling life-boats or the like B63B23/00) - B63C: LAUNCHING, HAULING-OUT, OR DRY-DOCKING OF VESSELS; LIFE-SAVING IN WATER; EQUIPMENT FOR DWELLING OR WORKING UNDER WATER; MEANS FOR SALVAGING OR SEARCHING FOR UNDERWATER OBJECTS (floating nets, floating slipways, or the like for recovering aircraft from the water B63B35/52) ## Abstract A water survival device has an inflatable liferaft and a pressurized gas bottle packed in a container. The container has a first waterproof compartment containing the liferaft and a second waterproof compartment containing the pressurized gas bottle. The first and second waterproof compartments are separated by a substantially planar rigid watertight partition. The second waterproof compartment can be opened without opening the first waterproof compartment so that it is possible to inspect the pressurized gas bottle without opening the first waterproof compartment. ## Claims ### Claim 1 Water survival device of the inflatable liferaft type packed in a container and equipped with survival material comprising one pressurised gas bottle, said water survival device comprising: a planar rigid watertight partition, a top lid fixed on a peripheral edge of said watertight partition and defining with said watertight partition a first waterproof compartment containing said liferaft, a bottom lid fixed under said watertight partition, and defining with said watertight partition a second waterproof compartment containing said survival material, so that said second waterproof compartment can be dismantled without opening said first waterproof compartment, and wherein said liferaft when inflated comprises a floor comprising a flexible section and a rigid central section, said rigid central section of said floor being constituted by said watertight partition. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) Device according to claim 1 wherein said top lid comprises at least one impact-cushioning zone such that, as said liferaft packed in said container is launched, it is protected against impacts. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) Device according to claim 1 wherein said top lid comprises zones of lesser resistance, such that said top lid is prone to open under the effect of a pressure applied by said liferaft when said liferaft is inflated. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) Device according to claim 1 wherein said first waterproof compartment is factory-filled with an inert gas, at a pressure which is substantially different from atmospheric pressure and wherein it comprises means allowing, without opening said first waterproof compartment, control of a pressure prevailing within said first waterproof compartment. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) Device according to claim 1 wherein said watertight partition is crossed by at least one pipe for transporting said pressurised gas. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) Device according to claim 1 wherein said container is furthermore equipped with runner-shapped supports and stowage means for stowing said container to a ship, such that said container may be kept in place on an inclined plane of said ship, and such that as said stowage means of said container are deactivated, said container may slide down said inclined plane and be easily launched from said ship. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) Device according to claim 1 wherein said watertight partition is substantially in shape of a rectangle or of a square. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) Device according to claim 1 wherein said top lid is composed of at least two rigid components assembled by linkage means, and of a flexible waterproof envelope of said liferaft, said flexible envelope being situated between said rigid components and said liferaft and being attached to said watertight partition. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) Device according to claim 1 designed to be mounted under a davit, wherein said top lid comprises one zone of lower resistance, said zone being fitted on its outer surface with a lifting ring and on its inner surface with an internal ring, said rings being attached to one another, and wherein it includes suspension lines of which a first extremity is attached to said internal ring, and a second extremity is attached to said liferaft, and wherein it includes a detachable link of which a first extremity is attached in a detachable manner to said internal ring and a second extremity is attached to said watertight partition, and wherein it comprises means for detaching said detachable link during inflation of said raft. ### Claim 10 Water survival device of the inflatable liferaft type packed in a container equipped with survival material comprising one pressurized gas bottle, wherein said container comprises a first waterproof compartment containing said liferaft, and said container comprises a second waterproof compartment containing said survival material, said first and second waterproof compartments being separated by a rigid watertight partition which is substantially planar in shape, said water survival device comprising means for opening said second waterproof compartment without opening said first waterproof compartment, so that it is possible to inspect and control said survival material contained in said second waterproof compartment without opening said first waterproof compartment, wherein said first waterproof compartment is factory-filled with an inert gas, at a pressure which is substantially different from atmospheric pressure and wherein it comprises means allowing, without opening said first waterproof compartment, control of a pressure prevailing within said first waterproof compartment. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) Device according to claim 10 wherein said watertight partition makes up at least part of a floor of said liferaft, and said watertight partition comprises at least one hatch, such that, when said hatch is opened, access is provided from the inside of said liferaft to said second waterproof compartment, whereby at least part of said survival material may be reached in this way while said liferaft is at sea. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) Device according to claim 10 wherein said container is furthermore equipped with runner-shapped supports and stowage means for stowing said container to a ship, such that said container may be kept in place on an inclined plane of said ship, and such that as said stowage means of said container are deactivated, said container may slide down said inclined plane and be easily launched from said ship. ### Claim 13 Water survival device of the inflatable liferaft type packed in a container and equipped with survival material comprising one pressurized gas bottle, said water survival device comprising: a planar rigid watertight partition, a top lid fixed on one side of said watertight partition and defining with said watertight partition a first waterproof compartment containing said liferaft, a bottom lid fixed on another side of said watertight partition, and defining with said watertight partition a second waterproof compartment containing said survival material, so that said second waterproof compartment can be dismantled without opening said first waterproof compartment, wherein said first waterproof compartment is factory-filled with an inert gas, at a pressure which is substantially different from atmospheric pressure and wherein it comprises means allowing, without opening said first waterproof compartment, control of a pressure prevailing within said first waterproof compartment. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) Device according to claim 13 wherein said watertight partition makes up at least part of a floor of said liferaft, and said watertight partition comprises at least one hatch, such that, when said hatch is opened, access is provided from the inside of said liferaft to said second waterproof compartment, whereby at least part of said survival material may be reached in this way while said liferaft is at sea. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) Device according to claim 13 wherein said container is furthermore equipped with runner-shapped supports and stowage means for stowing said container to a ship, such that said container may be kept in place on an inclined plane of said ship, and such that as said stowage means of said container are deactivated, said container may slide down said inclined plane and be easily launched from said ship. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) Device according to claim 13 wherein said top lid is composed of at least two rigid components assembled by linkage means, and of flexible waterproof envelope of said liferaft, said flexible envelope being situated between said rigid components and said liferaft and being attached to said watertight partition.