Abstract: Sealed foam, self-inflating mattress system includes a mattress core formed of open-cell foam. The mattress core includes first and second major sleeping surfaces on opposing sides of the mattress and at least one side wall which extends between the two major sleeping surfaces. An elastomeric coating encloses the mattress core to define an airtight mattress chamber. A vacuum pump is disposed in a recess of the mattress core and operatively coupled to the airtight mattress chamber. The vacuum pump is configured to selectively establish a negative PSIG internal operation pressure within the airtight mattress chamber. The negative PSIG internal operation pressure improves a comfort of the self-inflating mattress.

Abstract: A method, apparatus (800), and system (900) for a water activated neck seal tension relief device are described. The system (900) includes a liner (902), such as that of a protective suit, and an actuator apparatus (800) disposed within the liner (902). The apparatus (800) includes a resilient member (200) and a coupling (802), the coupling (802) including a body (600) configured to receive a first (810) and a second (808) portion of the resilient member (200). The liner (902), body (600) and resilient member (200) define a substantially circular opening. A restraint (804) is mounted on the body (600) and configured to restrain the second portion (808) of the resilient member (200) in relation to the body (600) to maintain the resilient member (200) in a first position at which the opening has a first diameter (702). The restraint (804) is configured to release the second portion (808) of the resilient member (200) when the restraint (804) is exposed to water.

Abstract: A flexible or semi rigid container having one or more openings, including, slits, slots, or shaped holes is sealed with a sealing apparatus. The sealing apparatus covers the openings and is attached to the container, sealing the openings and preserving the environment and integrity of the container. The sealing apparatus can have a visual indicator, which allows for rapid validation of the integrity of the seal.

Abstract: A flexible or semi rigid container having one or more openings, including, slits, slots, or shaped holes is sealed with a sealing apparatus. The sealing apparatus covers the openings and is attached to the container, sealing the openings and preserving the environment and integrity of the container. The sealing apparatus can have a visual indicator, which allows for rapid validation of the integrity of the seal.

Abstract: A self-inflatable mattress is formed from an open pore foam core and one or more layers of dual melt film. Initially, a layer of dual melt film is placed on top of the open pore foam block such that the side with the lower melting temperature contacts the foam core. A non-stick, heat transferable buffer layer is then placed on top of the film and heat and pressure are applied, preferably through a roller, causing the bottom surface of the film to stick to the top surface of the foam core. The edges of the top sheet are also adhesably attached to the sides of the core using a pair of heated side pressure rollers. Lastly, the cushion is inverted and a second, or bottom, sheet of dual melt film is placed on top of the foam core and attached to the bottom surface and sides in a similar manner. Finally, a valve, which may be either oral, or one way, is attached to the side of the mattress.

Abstract: A self-inflatable mattress is formed from an open pore foam core and one or more layers of dual melt film. Initially, a layer of dual melt film is placed on top of the open pore foam block such that the side with the lower melting temperature contacts the foam core. A non-stick, heat transferable buffer layer is then placed on top of the film and heat and pressure are applied, preferably through a roller, causing the bottom surface of the film to stick to the top surface of the foam core. The edges of the top sheet are also adhesably attached to the sides of the core using a pair of heated side pressure rollers. Lastly, the cushion is inverted and a second, or bottom, sheet of dual melt film is placed on top of the foam core and attached to the bottom surface and the sides in a similar manner. Finally, a valve, which may be either oral, or one way, is attached to the side of the mattress.

Abstract: A self-inflatable mattress is formed from an open pore foam core and one or more layers of dual melt film. Initially, a layer of dual melt film is placed on top of the open pore foam block such that the side with the lower melting temperature contacts the foam core. A non-stick, heat transferable buffer layer is then placed on top of the film and heat and pressure are applied, preferably through a roller, causing the bottom surface of the film to stick to the top surface of the foam core. The edges of the top sheet are also adhesably attached to the sides of the core using a pair of heated side pressure rollers. Lastly, the cushion is inverted and a second, or bottom, sheet of dual melt film is placed on top of the foam core and attached to the bottom surface and the sides in a similar manner. Finally, a valve, which may be either oral, or one way, is attached to the side of the mattress.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for reducing the drag of a moving body at the trailing end thereof by positioning panels extendable rearwardly from the trailing end of the moving body to minimize drag wherein deployment of the rearwardly extending panels is facilitated such as by allowing for automatic deployment of an upper horizontal panel responsive to conventional deployment of one or more vertically extending panels at forming the upper panel in a frame construction covered by flexible material. The upper panel can be spring loaded to further facilitate deployment and the lower horizontal panel can be easily deployed and possibly stored with respect to one of the vertically extending panels. Use of the frame configuration for deploying the upper horizontal panel also facilitates movement from the deployed to the stored position such as by including release cords preferably secured at one end with respect to the vertically movable preferably trapezoidally shaped frame.

Abstract: A raft apparatus having inflation flotation structures which are capable of heat sealing for assembly thereof wherein one or more flexible buffer members of not heat sealable material are adapted to shield portions of the panel members of the flotation raft from heat sealing to surrounding areas to thereby form an effect seal particularly by allowing heat sealing operations to be formed upon already assembled sections. At least one of the two panel members will be inflatable and will include a buffer member positioned therein to shield the heat sealing point thereof from the remaining portion of the inflatable structure member to prevent undesired heat sealing thereof during heat sealing of the interconnection between the two main panel members.

Abstract: A inflatable raft having multiple inflation members formed into a polygonal shape wherein the panel segments include inner and outer flaps which form an overlap or closing seam wherein the outer flap includes an extended outer flap segment to form a modular member for interconnection with respect to a raft floor or cover apparatus. The extended outer flap segment also facilitates heat sealing for securement of a cover, canopy or floor with respect to an inflatable polygonal construction. The configuration of the polygonal inflatable raft with the extended outer flap segment can be used singly to form a flotation raft or can be used doubly to form an invertible inflation raft apparatus or a canopy covered inflatable raft apparatus.

Abstract: A safety seat including a crash resistent barrier to protect a small child on the lap of an adult in the even of an airplane crash. A frame including a back and a pair of sidewalls receives the bucket seat that holds the child. The frame is formed from a continuous piece of aircraft tubing bent in such a way as to form an outer oval portion and a V-shaped inner portion that provides springy resilience to the frame. A two-part crash barrier is positionable over the front of the child so that the force of an adult lurching forward will not crush the child. Seat belt receiving hooks keep the safety seat and the child securely in place on the lap of the passenger. A pair of U-shaped inflatable rings attachable around the frame keep the seat floating in an upright position if the airplane ditches over water. The two-part crash resistent barrier can be folded backwardly and locked in position so that the seat will assume one of two given angles if it is desired to use the device in an automobile.

Abstract: A safety seat including a crash resistent barrier to protect a small child on the lap of an adult in the event of an airplane crash. A frame including a back and a pair of sidewalls receives the bucket seat that holds the child. The frame is formed from a continuous piece of aircraft tubing bent in such a way as to form an outer oval portion and a V-shaped inner portion that provides springy resilience to the frame. A two-part crash barrier is positionable over the front of the child so that the force of an adult lurching forward will not crush the child. Seat belt receiving hooks keep the safety seat and the child securely in place on the lap of the passenger. A pair of U-shaped inflatable rings attachable around the frame keep the seat floating in an upright position if the airplane ditches over water. The two-part crash resistent barrier can be folded backwardly and locked in position so that the seat will assume one of two given angles if it is desired to use the device in an automobile.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed and method for using same wherein a life vest is formed by a single heat sealing operation which effectively forms a front and rear sealed chamber for flotation and effectively interconnects a neck member therebetween for providing a neck gusset also heat sealed in place simultaneously therewith. The apparatus includes a heat sealing body jig for simultaneously sealing of four layers of pneumatically impervious material with respect to one another to form two flotation chambers. Also a neck sealing jig is included as a two member configuration pivotally secured with respect to one another to allow a neck member to be stretched thereover to facilitate attachment thereof by sealing with respect to both flotation chambers. The neck jig includes attachment means for quickly securing the neck material in place.

Abstract: Disclosed is an inflator assembly for life vests which includes a one-piece housing heat sealed to the wall of an associated cell of the vest. Exteriorly of the cell, the housing has an end-to-end bore, in one end of which a carbon dioxide cartridge is mounted, in position to be pierced by a plunger slidable within the bore. The bore is stepped to form communicating chambers. Normally the plunger is in a position in which O-rings thereon sealably engage the walls of both chambers, at opposite sides of a port through which the gases are to flow into the cell when the cartridge is pierced. Springs within the respective chambers exert their force in opposite directions. A lever handle has a cam surface, such that when the handle is thrown the cam surface will act upon the springs to bias the plunger to a cartridge-piercing position. Further movement of the handle permits the other spring to partially withdraw the plunger.

Abstract: A rescue transportation device having an inflatable support member with a generally horizontally extending main section and an inclined section adjacent to one end of the main section extending upwardly and outwardly therefrom. A cover is adapted to extend about the inflatable support member and is capable of placement on and off the inflatable support member by way of a slot means defined therein to facilitate fitting. A wide open mesh head restraint device is selectively attachable with respect to the cover to receive a user's head and hold it fixedly with respect to the main support member. A lower body restraint device is also attachable with respect to the cover and is adapted to receive and selectively hold the user's lower body with respect to the inflatable support member.

Abstract: A safety harness of the type worn by boatmen to facilitate their being tethered to an adjacent support during rough seas, includes a clip formed from a single length of stiff wire material bent to a U-shape. The U-shaped body of the clip essentially comprises a pair of U-shaped clip members having legs the distal ends of which are jointed to maintain the members in spaced, parallel planes. The clip is usable to particular advantage with a buckle element such as a D-ring. When the cross bar of the D-ring extends across the U-shaped body within the space defined between the planes of the clip members, the clip serves to connect to each other a shoulder strap and a chestband to one of which the D-ring is connected. The clip connects the straps at right angles to each other, with the interengaged straps being confined substantially entirely to the space between the planes of the clip members.