Abstract: A life raft may comprise a base and a multipurpose inflatable boarding deck coupled to the base and moveable between a first position whereby the multipurpose inflatable boarding deck facilitates embarking and a second position whereby the multipurpose inflatable boarding deck supports a canopy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an inflatable floatable unit (2) comprising an inflatable flotation layer (21) comprising a plurality of inflatable floatation tubes (211); an inflatable structural layer comprising an inflatable outer tube defining a circumferential barrier, the inflatable structural layer being arranged substantially above the inflatable flotation layer; and a flooring element (23) provided between the inflatable flotation layer (21) and the inflatable structural tube layer (22), thereby defining a bottom of the inflatable floatable unit, wherein the inflatable structural layer further comprises a plurality of inflatable seating elements extending in a longitudinal direction in a protected area (224) enclosed by the inflatable outer tube element, and the inflatable floatable unit comprises a gangway element (24) extending in a direction transversal to the longitudinal direction of the inflatable seating elements, thereby defining a gangway.

Abstract: A pressure-activated flotation device for use with an electronic device includes an attachment feature, chemicals, a container, a removable cap, an inflatable tube, and a pressure-activated valve. The inflatable tube is fluidly connected to the container and is configured to inflate with the expanding gas when the chemicals are exposed to a liquid. The pressure-activated valve leads from the outer surface of the container to the inner volume of the container and includes a one-way valve that opens to allow liquid to flow to the inner volume of the container when the pressure-activated flotation device is submerged in the liquid to a depth where the pressure applied against the pressure-activated valve by the liquid is greater than an actuation pressure. The one-way valve also closes when the expanding gas generates a gas pressure inside the inflatable tube that exceeds a threshold.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an inflatable floatable unit (2) comprising an inflatable flotation layer (21) comprising a plurality of inflatable floatation tubes (211); an inflatable structural layer comprising an inflatable outer tube defining a circumferential barrier, the inflatable structural layer being arranged substantially above the inflatable flotation layer; and a flooring element (23) provided between the inflatable flotation layer (21) and the inflatable structural tube layer (22), thereby defining a bottom of the inflatable floatable unit, wherein the inflatable structural layer further comprises a plurality of inflatable seating elements extending in a longitudinal direction in a protected area (224) enclosed by the inflatable outer tube element, and the inflatable floatable unit comprises a gangway element (24) extending in a direction transversal to the longitudinal direction of the inflatable seating elements, thereby defining a gangway.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an inflatable marine evacuation slide for evacuating people from a ship to at least one inflatable liferaft (or survival raft), as well as rescue equipment for the passengers and/or crew members of a ship, comprising at least one inflatable liferaft, stored folded in the deflated state, together with associated inflation means, in a container around which is wrapped, folded in the deflated state, an inflatable marine evacuation slide according to the invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to a boat (1) with a general contour defined by a periphery of predetermined shape and comprising a float (2) closed on itself along the periphery and formed by at least one floating tube (3); this tube is longer than this periphery and extends locally within the periphery towards the inside (INT) of the boat and has a curved portion (5) with a concavity turned towards the outside (EXT) and defining a re-entrant zone (7); a tent fabric (15) is fixed, along the periphery defining the general contour of the boat, to the tube except for the portion (5) defining the re-entrant zone (7).

Abstract: A rescue water craft comprising an elongated closed-loop tubular structure and a floor is described. The tubular structure has a mid portion and two end portions. Both end portions rise upwardly and outwardly from the mid portion at an angle comprised between 70 and 85 degrees. The floor partially runs along the mid portion. The floor is attached to and encircled by the tubular structure. Each of the two end portions defines an opening between the tubular structure and the floor.

Abstract: Equipment for entering and exiting boats is addressed. Generally, the equipment is in the form of “divers' doors” for inflatable or similar boats. However, unlike existing inflatable doors, the doors discussed herein need not necessarily inflate. Instead, they may be formed as flaps moveable between closed and open positions. Ramped rub strakes or other aspects of the boats may assist in diverting water away from any gaps present when the flaps are closed but the boats are travelling at significant speeds.

Abstract: A portable floatation apparatus comprising a platform, a ramp, and a buoyancy structure non-removably attached to the platform. At least one buoyancy structure may be removably attached under the platform to adjust the buoyancy of the floatation apparatus. The platform may be perforated to allow liquids to drain through the perforations. A membrane structure may be removably attached to a bottom side of the floatation apparatus to capture any liquid draining through the perforations. The floatation apparatus is adapted to support an animal, such as a pet dog or a pet cat, over the body of water.

Abstract: The boat is delimited around its perimeter by a float closed upon itself and comprising at least two superposed floating fender sections. The lower fender section is longer than the upper fender section and extends locally beyond the upper fender section towards the outside. The projecting region delimited by the lower fender section beyond the upper fender section is covered by a covering fixed to the projecting portion of the lower fender section and to that part of the upper fender section bordering this projecting region. Thus, the boat is provided with a projecting zone forming a low platform area onto which a person in the water can raise himself or herself in order to get into the boat more easily.

Abstract: The present invention is an inflatable, reversible life raft with a raft body including upper and lower inflatable, peripherally disposed bladders defining a closed geometric shape. The raft body also includes upper and lower inflatable masts in pneumatic communication with the upper and lower bladders, respectively. A floor closes the geometric shape between the upper and lower bladders. The upper and lower masts support upper and lower canopies, respectively. The upper canopy forms an upright, above-water enclosure to protect survivors from the elements. The lower canopy forms an underwater ballast beneath the floor of the raft, stabilizing the life raft. The reversible life raft is equipped with a reversible, collapsible ladder attached to an exterior portion of the two stacked bladders, and is equipped with two reversible ballast pouches mounted to an exterior portion of the two stacked bladders opposite the ladder.

Abstract: The present invention involves an inflatable life raft for use in an aircraft. The life raft comprises an air providing device, a floor, a buoyancy tube, and a canopy. The buoyancy tube is disposed about the floor. The canopy protects survivors located on the floor, and includes a cover and an inflatable support having at least three inflatable legs attached to the buoyancy tube. The air providing device inflates the buoyancy tube and the inflatable support. The canopy cover may be positioned in at least three arrangements: a closed position, a sailing position, and a convertible position. The two layered canopy cover includes two zippered doors allowing for ingress and egress, and has a plurality of radar reflective portions. The floor has a generally round shape or a polygonal shape with at least ten sides. A second buoyancy tube is disposed on the first buoyancy tube, and both have approximately the same size.

Abstract: A recreational and emergency ladder for use with watercraft, the ladder having side supports, rungs and an attachment mechanism. The ladder assists the user to reenter a watercraft without the assistance of another person. The ladder may be stored in a collapsed state and is prevented from being accidentally released by a releasable fastening mechanism. The ladder may further comprise a container for holding the ladder when the ladder is not is use.

Abstract: A rescue raft that includes a buoyant, elongated floor and a pair of parallel air chambers or pontoons on each side thereof is disclosed. Together, the floor and the parallel flotation members possess sufficient buoyancy to prevent the raft and a victim thereon from sinking. The raft also includes series of graspable members, extending across the floor and distributed sequentially along its longitudinal extent, that facilitate a victim's entry onto the raft and, when oriented vertically, form a ladder that assists entry onto a rescue boat. In a first embodiment, the graspable members are a series of cut-out windows through the raft floor. In a second embodiment, similar windows are formed by transverse inflatable rungs secured to the parallel air chambers. In a third embodiment, the windows are replaced with buoyant segments or cushions that project from the floor.

Abstract: A floatable device having a ridged body containing a plurality of tie points near the edge and a substantially central orifice. Several bodies may be tied in series to form a ladder for ingress and egress of boats. The body may be filled with closed cell foam to sustain buoyancy if the ridged body is pierced or cracked. The body may be tinted a bright, safety color. The ties securing the blocks together may be whipped with a clamp having a tapered end to prevent the knots from slipping.

Abstract: A retractable diving board which is mounted on the underside of a platform or deck, preferably in the front of a pontoon boat, so it may also serve as a gangplank. The under-deck mounting of the retractable diving board leaves the deck surface uncluttered and available for other uses, and is also safer for passengers. The retracted diving board can be locked for added safety when the pontoon boat is unattended.

Abstract: A modular liferaft wherein the canopy, canopy support, floor pads if any, boarding ramp and at least one ballast are detachably attached to a liferaft hull and floor assembly. Modular construction facilitates maintenance and repair and may reduce the cost and volume of materials employed in spares programs necessary to support liferafts used in commerce.

Abstract: Platform and ladder combinations for the transom of a boat have a platform unit and a step unit that may be moved between a use position with a step thereof immersed in the water in which the boat floats and a storage position where the step is located above the platform out of the water, which step in the use position extends aft of the platform unit and permits a person to climb out of the water and onto the platform without the step making any appreciable movement during such climb. The platform unit has a pair of tubular members with an inboard portion, a U-shaped outboard portion, a central portion and planking attached to the central portion of each the tubular members holding them spaced apart. The step unit is a tubular member defined by a middle section, two parallel, spaced apart end sections and planking fixed to short legs of the end sections forming a step.

Abstract: A life buoy 1 in the form of an inflatable ring with a floor 10 has a textile, invert cone keel 11 filled with water and held open by a ballast mass 14. Around the keel hangs an open mesh textile sea anchor 25. Steps 18, braced 20 to the keel, assist a man overboard in entering the life buoy. The life buoy is detachably provided with a sling 30, having a lifting eye 31 for lifting the man overboard from the life buoy.

Abstract: Disclosed is a small power-driven water craft of the type whose body is composed in the main of longitudinal two parts, the deck and the hull, with a standing platform in the deck at its rear portion and a stearing handle in front of the platform. In the deck at its stern side end is provided a mounting board that extends far below the bottom of the hull, adapted to permit a displaced rider to climb on board from the stern, without suffering the usual difficulty in doing so because of the imbalanced state of a craft when it is just floating in the water. In a preferred embodiment, the mounting board is slidably disposed on a sloped surface formed at the stern for movement between a raised position where the board is pulled clear out of the water and a lowered position where it stands extending at an angle into the water, conveniently for a displaced rider to grip on to its surface with his toe or knee in getting on board.

Abstract: A floating dock, swimming platform or the like can use airbags, foam or other flotation material held within plastic frames which may be foldable for storage or transportation surfaces upon a car top or the like.

Abstract: An improved life raft with inflatable tubes having a boarding ramp attached to such raft wherein the raft is inflated by a hose interconnected by a coupling means and via a second hose to the raft such that the pressurized life raft chamber inflates the boarding ramp. The coupling means is a quick disconnect coupling means which in a connected condition is operative to main a flow connection between hoses and chambers but in a disconnected condition is operative to block the flow connection from both hoses and their respective chambers. A tension member is used to interconnect the quick disconnect coupling means to the raft and provides the means for disconnecting the coupling means when sufficient tension is provided as extending the distance between the coupling means and the raft. Such coupling means with the tension member can also be installed between the main inflating cylinder and the raft.

Abstract: A water trampoline includes a buoyant inflatable base formed from a plurality of individual buoyant chambers interconnected to define the support for the trampoline. A rigid support frame consisting of an assembled plurality of individual legs is removably attached to the upper surface of the buoyant base member and a jumping cover is resiliently attached to the frame to position the cover above the water on which the base is floating. A shock absorbing cover is positioned over a portion of the base and the frame together with the interconnecting resilient-matting to prevent user contact with these elements. A detachably connected cushioned platform is mounted to overlie a portion of the shock absorbing cover, the frame and the base in a stacked arrangement to provide an elongated takeoff area.

Abstract: A boat ladder for boarding an inflatable pontoon boat, dinghy or similar small craft of the type having opposed generally parallel gunwales. The ladder has two generally parallel ladder supports, each with a first end bendable across one of the gunwales. Plural and parallel ladder steps extend between the two ladder supports and a strap is coupled at one end to the first end of both of the ladder supports. The strap is dimensioned to extend across the space between the gunwales. A hook extends about the second gunwale for coupling the other end of the strap to the other gunwale, whereby the weight of a person climbing up the ladder is distributed relatively evenly across both the gunwales.

Abstract: 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.