EP0140501A1 - Schwimmende Plattform - Google Patents

Schwimmende Plattform Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0140501A1
EP0140501A1 EP84305509A EP84305509A EP0140501A1 EP 0140501 A1 EP0140501 A1 EP 0140501A1 EP 84305509 A EP84305509 A EP 84305509A EP 84305509 A EP84305509 A EP 84305509A EP 0140501 A1 EP0140501 A1 EP 0140501A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
platform
polygons
boarding
sea
pair
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
EP84305509A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
David D. Miller
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Garrett Corp
Original Assignee
Garrett Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Garrett Corp filed Critical Garrett Corp
Publication of EP0140501A1 publication Critical patent/EP0140501A1/de
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • 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
    • B63C9/00—Life-saving in water
    • B63C9/02—Lifeboats, life-rafts or the like, specially adapted for life-saving
    • B63C9/04—Life-rafts
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • 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
    • B63C9/00—Life-saving in water
    • B63C9/02—Lifeboats, life-rafts or the like, specially adapted for life-saving
    • B63C9/04—Life-rafts
    • B63C2009/042—Life-rafts inflatable
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • 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
    • B63C9/00—Life-saving in water
    • B63C9/02—Lifeboats, life-rafts or the like, specially adapted for life-saving
    • B63C9/04—Life-rafts
    • B63C2009/048—Reversible open life-rafts

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to flotation platforms, particularly, although not exclusively of the inflatable variety for use as life rafts and to methods of making and using such flotation platforms.
  • the invention may provide a preferably bifacial species of preferably inflatable life raft presenting a multitude of boarding stations by which a person such as an evacuee from an aircraft or other vessel, may enter the raft from the water, unassisted, and which also provide purchase for able-bodies evacuees aboard the platform to assist an injured or otherwise disabled person to board the raft.
  • Coventional inflatable life rafts are known which are bifacial. That is, the life raft when inflated and upon the surface of the sea presents substantially the same utility and serviceability with either side up. Further, a conventional bifacial life raft is known which presents a pair of boarding stations whereat evacuees may conveniently leave the sea and board the raft. For example, a life raft of such character is known according to U.S. Patent 2,933,739 issued 26th April, 1960 to R.L. Miller et a1 ' ( referred to as Miller et al) wherein the life raft is composed essentially of a stacked pair of open-centered inflatable ellipses sandwiching a panel of fabric therebetween.
  • the fabric panel defines a floor for the raft.
  • the ellipses are rotated relative to one another and secured together so that the major axes of the ellipses are disposed perpendicularly to one other.
  • the raft'thus defines four boarding stations; a pair of which are usable with one face of the raft upward, and another separate pair of which are usable with the other reverse face of the raft upward.
  • An inflatable step is provided at each board station.
  • Life rafts constructed according to the teaching of Miller, et al are believed to have many deficiencies.
  • the raft has only a pair of boarding stations which are usable at one time.
  • This feature of the Miller et al. raft limits the rate at which the potential occupants may leave the sea and board the raft.
  • a delay in boarding an available life raft may mean death for injured or weakened persons who simply cannot struggle for life or tread water long enough while waiting for help or for their turn to board the raft. In the confusion and fear surrounding such tragedies, weakened or injured persons may simply slip beneath the waves and their loss go unnoticed at the time.
  • a life raft according to the Miller et al. teaching is believed to be comparatively bulky and heavy with a plurality of seams.
  • the ellipses of the raft body are in fact defined by plurality of relatively short, straight tubular sections which are jointed to one another.
  • each of the straight tubular sections must define a seam with each of its neighbouring adjacent tubular sections.
  • Such a multitude of seams adds both weight and bulkiness to the raft, and each seam presents the risk of a leak in the raft.
  • the bulk and weight of a raft according to Miller, et al's teaching is increased still further by the inflatable step section provided at each of the four boarding stations.
  • step sections are four in number, although only two of the steps may be utilised at a time dependent upon which side of the raft is upward. Thus, the other two unused step sections are truly superflous bulk even though they are necessary with the life raft of Miller et al.
  • life raft is believed to be its considerable difficulty of construction. That is, the life raft of Miller et al., requires a plurality of straight tubular segments to be formed and jointed with a plurality of seams therebetween. Thus, a large number of separate pieces of body fabric must be cut, fitted to one another, and jointed by leak-proof seams to construct a life raft according to the conventional teaching. All in all, the life raft of Miller et al., is believed to be inherently intensive of both labour and materials.
  • a basic need has been recognised for a new type of life raft.
  • This new species of life raft is herein referred to as a flotation platform.
  • the principal use envisaged for flotation platforms is aboard aircraft, even though they may also be used aboard other craft.
  • aircraft which fly over bodies of water and more than 150 miles from shore are required to carry conventional life rafts and survival gear.
  • aircraft which fly over water but never more than 150miles from shore are required only to carry flotation assistance equipment, such as buoyant seat cushions and inflatable life vests.
  • a optimised flotation platform will allow able-bodied evacues to leave the sea and board the platform quickly. Additionally, such a platform should provide purchase for those able-bodied evacuees already aboard the platform to assist other evacuees in the sea. who may be suffering from injury or hypothermia, toboard the platform. Still further, such platform should include bifacial sea ballast structure which will assist in stabilising the platform to increase occupant comfort and safety.
  • Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a life raft of the above-recited character which is comparatively light in weight and of no greater bulk in its deflated, folded condition than is dictated by the constraints of currently available materials used in its construction.
  • Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a life raft of the above-cited character which provides sea anchor and stability augmentation structure preferably also of a bifacial nature, and which structure does not interfere with the utility and passenger comfort provided by the raft.
  • Each boarding station may be defined by a crotch between adjacent structural members forming the periphery of the platform, the crotch providing a re-entrant region for boarding the platform.
  • the present invention comprises a bifacial and gas-distensible flotation platform having a pair of oppositely-facing platform faces providing a floor area on each face for receiving passengers, and having a peripheral structure of elongate inflatable members or sections defining a plurality of boarding stations which are all equally usable for the boarding of the platform by passengers leaving the water irrespective of which face of the platform is directed upwardly when the platform is gas-distended and floating on a body of water.
  • the peripheral structure of the platform defines at each boarding station a crotch between a pair of adjacent elongate members or sections disposed at an angle to one another, one member or section of each.pair overlying the other so as to form therewith a step-like crawlway leading to the passenger receiving floor area of the upper face of the platform.
  • the peripheral structure comprises a pair of superimposed open-centred generally planar buoyancy polygons formed by the said elongate members or sections, the polygons being stacked one on the other and secured together and to a web extending across their open centres to form a floor for the platform, the two superimposed polygons being angularly-offset in plan relative to one another so as to define the said crotches between adjacent side members respectively belonging to the two polygons.
  • the sides of the two polygons may be formed by a plurality of substantially-straight elongate inflatable tubular sections or members joined together at their adjacent ends to form the apexes of the polygons.
  • the two polygons are similar in number of sides and are of equal dimensions, and are angularly-offset so that each apex of each polygon is in register with the centre of a respective side member or section of the other polygon and protrudes outwardly of that member or section.
  • the platform in any of its forms may include sea ballast means arranged to trap a quantity of water to aide stabilisation of the platform.
  • the sea ballast means may also act as sea anchor means.
  • the sea ballast means may comprise at least one substantially-triangular slack web.of fabric intersecured with one of the polygons at an inside corner thereof and spaced outwardly from the floor web to define therewith an open mouth leading into a water receiving basin.
  • There may be a plurality of such substantially-triangular slack webs respectively secured to each inside corner of each polygon at both faces of the platform.
  • the present invention comprises a bifacial flotation platform formed of an intersecured pair of stacked open-centred buoyancy polygons sandwiching a web therebetween which defines a floor for said platform, the two polygons being so disposed relative to one another as to define a plurality of boarding station crotches spaced circumferentially around the platform at the perimeter thereof.
  • the invention comprises a flotation platform for use as a life raft, characterised by a pair of open-centred stacked buoyancy polygons formed by elongate tubular side members or side sections whose adjacent ends define the apexes of the polygons, the two polygons being secured together and carrying extending across their own centres means forming a floor of the platform, and the two polygons being so disposed relative to one another in plan as to define together a plurality of crotches between their respective adjacent side members, said crotches being distributed around the peripheryt of the platform and providing boarding stations for passengers to enter the platform from the water.
  • each of the polygons are preferably formed by substantially elongate tubular inflatable members whose adjacent ends are secured together to provide gas communication between members and to define the apexes of the polygon.
  • the invention provides a bifacial life raft comprising a stacked pair of flexible gas distensible and open-centered similar polygons secured to one another and to a panel of fabric sandwiched therebetween, the panel defining a floor for the raft.
  • the open-centered polygons are preferably secured to one another with an apex of each substantially congruent with (in register with) the centre of a side of the other so that a crotch or crevice is defined between each adjacent pair of apexes.
  • Each of the crotches defines a boarding station for the life raft whereat the underlying polygon inherently co-operates with the upper of the pair of polygons to define a boarding step or step-like crawlway by which passengers may board the raft from the sea.
  • each apex of one of the polygons protrudes outwardly beyond the adjacent side of the other of the pair of polygons.
  • Each such protruding apex provides an area of purchase where at passenger already aboard the raft may conveniently assist a person in the sea at one of the adjacent boarding stations to board the raft.
  • a particularly beneficial aspect of this feature is that each crotch, each boarding station, is in fact disposed between a pair of protruding adjacent apexes.
  • a pair of passengers may work from the pair of apexes to assist a weakened or injured person in the crotch therebetween to board the life raft.
  • a preferred disclosed embodiment of the invention comprises a pair of stacked open-centered squares sandwiching a panel of fabric therebetween.
  • the open-centered squares are substantially identical and each comprises flexible tubular gas distensible structure which is substantially circular in cross section.
  • the open centered squares are secured to one another and to the floor panel therebetween with the apexes of each substantially cdngruent with the side centres of the other.
  • a plurality of straps and hand holds are secured to the tubular structure so as to provide equal facility for passengers to leave the sea and board the raft irrespective of which side thereof is upwardly facing.
  • a particularly disclosed preferred embodiment of the invention presents bifacial sea anchor structure comprising a substantially triangular web of fabric slackly spanning each inside corner of each open-centered square.
  • bifacial sea anchor structure comprising a substantially triangular web of fabric slackly spanning each inside corner of each open-centered square.
  • the flotation platform on each fact of the flotation platform are four slack triangles of water-holding fabric which each co-operate with the remainder of the platform to define a pocket for trapping sea water. Because the fabric webs are slack, the four webs on the upward face of the platform may lie loosely in the corners of the platform without interfering with use of the corners of the platform by evacuees.
  • FIGURE 1 depicts an inflatable flotation platform constituting a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, shown in its inflated condition as it would appear upon the surface of the sea when viewed from directly overhead.
  • the flotation platform 10 will quickly be seen to appear as an octagonal star having eight points and sixteen sides. However, closer examination of the platform 10 will reveal that it comprises two substantially identical open-centered gas- inflatable squares 12 and 14, which are stacked and secured to one another.
  • the squares 12 and 14 are each defined by four substantially straight tubular inflatable sections of flexible air-proof fabric.
  • the tubular sections have a generally circular cross-section.
  • Each of the tubular sections of each square 12 and 14 is in gas communication with its adjacent tubular sections at the mitered corners of the squares 12,14.
  • the squares 12 and 14 are secured to one another in relative orientations displaced by 45° from one another in plan view, so that the apexes of each square protrude in substantially congruence with ( i.e. are substantially in register with) the centres of the sides of the other square.
  • a web 16 of flexible fabric Sandwiched between the squares 12,14, and secured to each, is a web 16 of flexible fabric defining a floor for the platform 10.
  • the web 16 defines at its perimeter an octagonal star shape so as to span fully the centre of each square 12,14.
  • FIGURES 1 and 2 Further inspection of the platform depicted by FIGURES 1 and 2 will reveal that the platform defines eight crotches or boarding stations 18-32. Each of the eight boarding stations 18-32 is usable regardless of which face of platform 10 is upward. The boarding stations are defined between adjacent protruding apexes 34-48 of the squares 12.14. Each face of the platform 10 further includes a number of similarly disposed relatively short straps 50 (only one set of which is visible) which define hand holds for use by evacuees in boarding the platform. Similarly, a single set of relatively longer straps 52 circumscribes the perimeter of the platform 10. The straps 52 may be used both as hand holds and as stirrups by evacuees boarding the platform.
  • FIGURE 1 The structure of platform 10 having been described, attention may now be directed to the use of the platform.
  • FIGURE 1 will immediately make clear how able-bodied evacuees may make use of the eight boarding stations 18032. That is, an evacuee at a boarding station may use the straps 50 and 52 to haul himself from the sea and partially onto the platform 10. From such a position, an evacuee can complete boarding of the platform by placing one knee or a foot upon the protruding apex of the underlying one of the squares ( as illustrated, on square 14) to scramble aboard the platform.
  • the platform 10 provides particular advantage when injured or otherwise disabled evacuees are to be brought aboard the platform.
  • each boarding station 18-32 is bracketed between an adjacent pair of the apexes 34-48.
  • an able-bodied evacuee aboard the platform 10 may take a position at one of the protruding apexes 34-48 in order to assist disabled evacuees from the sea at an adjacent boarding station 18-32.
  • a pair of able-bodied evacuees may take positions- at a pair of adjacent apexes in order to assist disabled evacuees to board the platform 1.0 at the boarding station therebetween.
  • a pair of able-bodied evacuees at apexes 34 and 36 may together assist a disabled evacuee at boarding station 18 to leave the sea and board the platform.
  • FIGURE 3 and FIGURE 4 depict an alternative embodiment of the invention wherein reference numerals used in FIGURES 1 and 2 and having a prime added indicate similar or analogous structure.
  • Flotation platform 10' includes a substantially triangular web of fabric 54 which spans an apex of one of the open centered squares 12,14. By way of example, as shown, web 54, spans a corner of square 14'. When 54 is secured to tubular section 14' as by a seam 56. The web 54 is spaced from the floor fabric 16 and includes sufficient slack that it may bow downwardly as depicted in FIGURE 4.
  • a flotation platform as depicted in FIGURE 1 further includes a web 54 at each inside corner of each of the squares 12,14.
  • the webs 54 will be on the downward face of the platform to receive sea water therein.
  • the webs 54 because of their slack, define pockets or basins within which sea water may be received to add ballast weight and stability to the platform .10.
  • the webs 54 on the upwardly disposed face of the platform 10' also because of teir slack, may lie limply in the corners of the platform.
  • the webs 54 on the upward face of the platform do not interfere with the use of the platform corners by evacuees.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
  • Buildings Adapted To Withstand Abnormal External Influences (AREA)
EP84305509A 1983-09-07 1984-08-13 Schwimmende Plattform Ceased EP0140501A1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US52991983A 1983-09-07 1983-09-07
US529919 1983-09-07

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0140501A1 true EP0140501A1 (de) 1985-05-08

Family

ID=24111747

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP84305509A Ceased EP0140501A1 (de) 1983-09-07 1984-08-13 Schwimmende Plattform

Country Status (1)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0140501A1 (de)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1996022913A1 (en) * 1995-01-23 1996-08-01 Michael Tom Blomqvist Life raft
CN117002702A (zh) * 2023-09-15 2023-11-07 广东海洋大学 一种海洋应急救生用撤离装置
EP4534405A1 (de) * 2023-10-06 2025-04-09 Viking Life-Saving Equipment A/S Rettungsoperationsvorrichtung

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB740709A (en) * 1953-02-06 1955-11-16 Eric Baden Shaw An improved life-saving buoy or raft or boat and like buoyant structures
FR1127362A (fr) * 1955-07-12 1956-12-14 Perfectionnements aux appareils de sauvetage
GB807081A (en) * 1956-06-06 1959-01-07 Garrett Corp Multipurpose inflatable structure
US2933739A (en) * 1957-10-24 1960-04-26 Goodyear Tire & Rubber Life raft
FR2040867A5 (de) * 1969-04-16 1971-01-22 Angeviniere Joue Les Tou
GB2077207A (en) * 1980-06-04 1981-12-16 Rfd Infaltables Ltd Stabiliser for Inflatable Marine Craft

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB740709A (en) * 1953-02-06 1955-11-16 Eric Baden Shaw An improved life-saving buoy or raft or boat and like buoyant structures
FR1127362A (fr) * 1955-07-12 1956-12-14 Perfectionnements aux appareils de sauvetage
GB807081A (en) * 1956-06-06 1959-01-07 Garrett Corp Multipurpose inflatable structure
US2933739A (en) * 1957-10-24 1960-04-26 Goodyear Tire & Rubber Life raft
FR2040867A5 (de) * 1969-04-16 1971-01-22 Angeviniere Joue Les Tou
GB2077207A (en) * 1980-06-04 1981-12-16 Rfd Infaltables Ltd Stabiliser for Inflatable Marine Craft

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1996022913A1 (en) * 1995-01-23 1996-08-01 Michael Tom Blomqvist Life raft
CN117002702A (zh) * 2023-09-15 2023-11-07 广东海洋大学 一种海洋应急救生用撤离装置
CN117002702B (zh) * 2023-09-15 2026-04-21 广东海洋大学 一种海洋应急救生用撤离装置
EP4534405A1 (de) * 2023-10-06 2025-04-09 Viking Life-Saving Equipment A/S Rettungsoperationsvorrichtung
WO2025073898A1 (en) * 2023-10-06 2025-04-10 Viking Life-Saving Equipment A/S A rescue operation device

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US4342278A (en) Miniature inflatable containment and dry-water-entry vessels
US5421757A (en) Rescue raft
US4645465A (en) Scuba gear with combined flotation and transport device
AU736280B2 (en) Inflatable transportable water craft for survival or recreational applications
US3343189A (en) Rescue litter floatation assembly
US4614500A (en) Flotation platform
US5785568A (en) Life preserver/cushion
US5588891A (en) Swim training device
EP0140501A1 (de) Schwimmende Plattform
US6352460B1 (en) Neutral buoyancy recovery device
KR102730011B1 (ko) 해상에서 육상까지 단독 구조가 가능한 구조용 들것
US5480332A (en) Multiple victim rescue device
US4701145A (en) Life-saving device
US5342232A (en) Swim training device
US4223415A (en) Waterborne life-saving apparatus
JP2004523424A (ja) 救命筏のシェルターテントを可逆させる救命及び安全装置
WO1997032776A1 (en) Method and equipment for securing a person, for marine use
US2782429A (en) Life-saving apparatus
US6802751B1 (en) Emergency floatation jacket
KR101901379B1 (ko) 표류형 수상 인명구조장비
CA1245914A (en) Ocean survival suit
EP0825947B1 (de) An einer rettungsweste montierter spritzwasserschirm
CN223355856U (zh) 船用精准定位智能救生衣
GB2167710A (en) Inflated structures
RU224843U1 (ru) Индивидуальный спасательный плот

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AK Designated contracting states

Designated state(s): DE FR GB

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 19851011

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 19860620

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION HAS BEEN REFUSED

18R Application refused

Effective date: 19870612

RIN1 Information on inventor provided before grant (corrected)

Inventor name: MILLER, DAVID D.