Flotation apparatus for motor vehicle
The present invention relates to an inflatable device that is particularly useful for floating a motor vehicle on water. The present invention also relates to an inflatable device that can be affixed to the motor vehicle, when flooding is expected, thus enabling the vehicle to float on flood waters. The present invention further relates to an inflatable flotation device that is reliable, easily affixed to the vehicle. The method used to affix the present invention to a motor vehicle is important since flood conditions are often foreseen and flood warnings are often given ahead of time. Therefore, the present invention is a quickly deployable flotation device that is useful when flooding is expected or anticipated.
The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for use of the same for protecting automobiles from being destroyed by flood water.
More specifically, the present invention relates to an inflatable apparatus that is particularly useful for floating a motor vehicle on water, when it is necessary to protect an automotive vehicle from damage caused by water.
Even more specifically, the present invention relates to an inflatable device that may be affixed to a motor vehicle thereby enabling the vehicle to float in water.
BACKGROUNDThe present invention generally relates to an apparatus and a method for use of the same for protecting automotive vehicles from damage caused by flood waters. Flood waters, and the accompanying mud and debris carried along therewith, often do extensive damage not only to the exteriors of motor vehicles, but also damage to the interior, trunks, engines, transmissions, steering, bearings and other operating parts. Since automobiles have continued to become a more expensive asset to own and maintain, it is in the owner's interest to have a reliable means of protecting the automobile when threaten by floods. What has been found to be novel, and unanticipated by the prior art is an apparatus and method of use that fulfils this need.
It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for floating a motor vehicle on water. Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus that can be affixed to the motor vehicle when flooding is expected. A further object of the present invention is to an apparatus that is both reliable and easily affixed to the vehicle.
The present invention relates to an apparatus characterized as an inflatable device for floating a motor vehicle on water. The present invention also relates to an inflatable device that can be affixed to the motor vehicle, when flooding is expected, thus enabling the vehicle to float on flood waters. The present invention further relates to an inflatable device that is both reliable, and easily affixed to the vehicle.
The affixing aspect of the present invention is important since flood conditions are often foreseen and flood warnings are often given ahead of time. Therefore, the present invention is a quickly deployable inflatable device that finds particular application and use when flooding is anticipated.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn one aspect, the present invention is an inflatable device having a single continuous air chamber, a valve system for inflating the air chamber such that when the flotation device of the present invention is inflated it takes a defined shape and when affixed to a motor vehicle it floats in water.
In another aspect, the present invention is an inflatable device having two single continuous air chambers, a means for connecting the two single continuous air chambers, a valve system for inflating the two single air chambers such that when the two single continuous air chambers are inflated they take a defined shape.
When either aspect of the above described invention is affixed to a motor vehicle, it floats in flood waters.
FIG. 2.(a) A plain view of two single continuous air chambers, a means of connecting the two single continuous air chambers, wherein the means for connecting the two single continuous air chambers is a plastic or rubber sheet.
In one aspect, the present invention is an inflatable device having a single continuous air chamber, a valve system for inflating the air chamber such that when the flotation device of the present invention is inflated it takes a defined shape and when affixed to a motor vehicle it floats in water.
In another aspect, the present invention is an inflatable device having two single continuous air chambers, a means of connecting the two single continuous air chambers, a valve system for inflating the two single air chambers such that when the two single continuous air chambers are inflated they take a defined shape.
When either aspect of the above described invention is affixed to a motor vehicle, it floats in flood waters.
The flotation device of the present invention is formed using a casing that is made of an air-tight, hermetically sealed, water impervious material, such as rubber, plastic, or the like, such that when the casing is inflated it forms at least one single continuous cylindrical gas-tight air chamber, that is physically characterized such that after it is inflated with air, compressed gas or carbon dioxide, the single continuous air chamber takes a defined shape in the form of a “U”, the twenty-first letter of the English alphabet, a vowel, and thereby, thus creating the U-tube flotation device of the present invention. The Random House Dictionary, the Unabridged Edition, Copyright 1971).
For better results, the single continuous air chamber (1), of
As can be seen in
The positioning of the double U-tubes (2) of
It is anticipated that in operating the single U-tube of
Now moving to the rear of the motor vehicle (5) as illustrated in the side-view of
When the optional, connection means (3), (4), of
The U-tube (1) and (2) flotation device of
The U-tube, (1) and (2) of
While not intended to be limited to such a limited interpretation of the present invention, it is believed that the best results of the flotation device of the present invention is realized and achieved when double U-tubes are used as flotation devices as illustrated.
As illustrated in
Optionally, the connecting means (3), (4) of the present invention may be a sheet of rubber, a sheet of polypropylene or the like. However, when the connection means is sheet of rubber, sheet of polypropylene it is further characterized as having no means for being inflated or accepting air or gas or carbon dioxide, but acts to stabilize the U-tube under the motor vehicle (5) as it connects the U-tubes and is further positioned to run under the motor vehicle (5) along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle and functionally maintains proper positioning of the double U-tubes under the motor vehicle when used in flood waters.
An air valve (12) of
Air may also be provided for the inflatable flotation device of the present invention by a compressed air container or an air pump for inflating the U-tube of the present invention. Mechanically, a hand-pump or foot pump may also be used to inflate the U-tube of the present invention.
The motor vehicle (5) that is being protected from flood water may be further secured by the use of an anchor, a heavy object attached to the motor vehicle by a rope or cable so that when the flood waters caused the motor vehicle to float it is held in place by the weight of the anchor such that it stays in place. Sometimes, other objects that are less likely to be wash-up during flooding may also be used to anchor the motor vehicle, such as, for example, tying the motor vehicle by rope or by cable to a house or tree for anchoring stability during flooding in addition to the flotation device of the present invention.
While having illustrated and described different aspects and embodiments of the U-tube flotation device of the present invention, its application, its use and its operation, it must be understood that the inventor does not limit the invention to the precise constructions herein disclosed, and that, various changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the invention as hereinafter defined in the appended claims.
Claims
1. A flotation device comprising a single continuous air chamber, a valve system for inflating the single continuous air chamber such that when the flotation device is inflated it takes a defined shape.
2. The flotation device of claim 1 (1) wherein the single continuous air chamber is a cylindrical air chamber formed using a casing of an air-tight, hermetically sealed, water impervious material.
3. The flotation device of claim (2) wherein the water impervious material is selected from the group consisting of rubber and plastic.
4. The flotation device of claim (3) wherein the single continuous air chamber is further physically characterize such that after being inflated, the single continuous air chamber takes a defined shape in the form of the letter U thus creating the single U-tube flotation device.
5. The flotation device of claim (4) wherein the single continuous air chamber is inflated with gaseous materials selected from the group consisting of air and gas and carbon dioxide.
6. The flotation device of claim (5) wherein the valve system used for inflating the single continuous air chamber is a mechanically control air pumping system.
7. A flotation device comprising two continuous air chambers, a means of connecting the two continuous air chambers, a valve system for inflating the two continuous air chambers wherein after being inflated the two single air chambers take a defined shape.
8. The flotation device of claim (7) wherein the two continuous air chambers are physically characterized as cylindrical air chambers formed using a casing of an air-tight, hermetically sealed, water impervious material.
9. The flotation device of claim (8) wherein the two continuous air chambers are further physically characterized such that after inflation they take a defined shape in the form of the letter U thus creating the double U-tube.
10. The flotation device of claim (9) wherein the mean of connecting the two continuous air chambers is a third continuous air chamber.
11. The flotation device of claim (10) wherein the third air chamber attached to each of the two continuous air chambers at the bottom of each U-tube.
12. The flotation device of claim (9) wherein the mean of connecting the two continuous air chambers is selected from the group consisting of plastic sheet or rubber sheet.
13. The flotation device of claim (12) wherein the plastic sheet or rubber sheet is attached to each of the two continuous air chambers at the bottom of each U-tube.
14. The inflatable flotation device of claim (13) wherein the valve system used for inflating the flotation device is a mechanically control air pumping system.
15. The flotation device according to claim (1) wherein said flotation device is used to float a motor vehicle in flood waters.
16. The flotation device according to claim (7) wherein said flotation device is used to float a motor vehicle in flood waters.
17. A method for floating a motor vehicle in flood water by using a flotation device comprising two continuous air chambers, a means of connecting the two continuous air chambers, a valve system for inflating the two continuous air chambers wherein after being inflated the two single air chambers take a defined shape.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 26, 2008
Publication Date: Dec 31, 2009
Inventor: Teresa Lynn Blacklock (Landenberg, PA)
Application Number: 12/215,256
International Classification: B63B 35/58 (20060101);