Inflatable Rescue Device

Abstract

The present invention is an inflatable rescue marker comprising a cylindrical hollow housing having a lid, a puncture plate, an inflatable bladder and a length of line connecting the bladder to the housing. The lid is hingably affixed to one end of the housing. The puncture plate is affixed within the housing below the lid and comprises a pierce needle positioned at the center with the sharp end exposed on the lower surface of the plate. The puncture plate also has a threaded cylindrical skirt depending from the lower surface about the sharp end of the pierce needle able to receive a pressurized gas canister for inflating the bladder. The inflatable bladder is positioned on the upper surface of the puncture plate with its open end removably affixed to the other end of the pierce needle. A length of line connects the bladder to the housing.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) is claimed to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/930,345 filed 4 Jan. 2011 to Pisor, entitled “Inflatable Diving Safety Marker.” The disclosure of the above-referenced application is incorporated herein in its entirety.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

None

INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON COMPACT DISC

None

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(1) Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to safety equipment used for a variety of activities including underwater sports or commercial diving, such as for example, self-contained underwater breathing apparatus (SCUBA) diving, skiing, boating, climbing, cycling, hiking, fishing, hunting and camping. In particular, the invention relates to inflatable rescue markers that may be utilized by a distressed individual to mark his/her location for rescue.

(2) Description of Related Art

A variety of rescue markers designed to indicate the location of an individual have been provided. However, none of those directed to diving addresses the specific needs of a diver in distress. These specific needs include conservation of air supply if the diver is trapped below the surface, a marker that may be launched when the diver is upright as well as prone and a surface beacon of minimal weight that can deployed efficiently and effectively.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,141,458 to Church discloses a marker buoy having a valve means through which air can be forced to inflate the marker, a line connecting the diver to the marker and ballast or weight to assure that the marker remains upright. Unfortunately, the marker requires that the diver manually inflate the buoy through the valve means, which may not be possible if a diver is in distress. This also reduces the amount of critical air that the diver may need for an extended period if trapped under the surface of the water. In addition, such a device adds unnecessary weight to a diver's equipment that may not be easily released in an emergency for an immediate ascent.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,231,952 to Tenniswood discloses a compact stowable marker comprising an inflatable/deflatable marker balloon, a valve means to introduce gas into the balloon and a weighted reel to hold an elongated connector line. Like U.S. Pat. No. 5,141,458, this device also requires manual inflation and the reel adds unnecessary weight to the diver's equipment.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,403,219 to Ryan discloses an underwater launchable signal device comprising a warning signal member housed within a launcher that can be attached to the diver's gear. The signal member comprises a floatation member mounted on one end of a pole having a counterweight attached to the other end and connected to the launcher though a line disposed on a reel. The disadvantage of this device is that the inflatable floatation element is not compact. Its size is cumbersome and adds an additional element to the diver's equipment that can get tangled in seaweed during a dive. In addition, to be able to launch the floatation device the diver must be upright, which may not be possible if the diver is in distress.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,735,719 to Berg discloses a combination inflatable dive flag and float comprising an inflatable tube having a diving flag disposed on one end and a counterweight disposed on the other. The disadvantage of this device, like U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,141,458 and 5,231,952 is that it requires manual inflation. When a diver is in distress he/she may not have the capability to inflate the device nor the desire to reduce his/her remaining air supply.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,935,912 to Myers discloses a self-contained emergency marker comprising a buoy portion connected to the housing by a cord and an activating apparatus. The activating apparatus contains an arm secured by a pull pin, a CO₂ cartridge and a pin connected to the arm that punctures the cartridge to release CO₂ when the pull pin is removed. The disadvantage of this device is that the buoy contains the gas cartridge, and while this is utilized as ballast to maintain the buoy in an upright position, it increases the weight thereby requiring additional buoyancy to carry the buoy to the surface. In addition, the configuration disclosed is not reusable.

In addition, the rescue markers designed for terrestrial uses do not provide the visibility under a variety of environmental conditions, compact configuration and simplicity of deployment that may be required in the event the user is injured.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,941,079 to McNeill discloses a device that requires the user to first remove the emergency locating device from the carrying container, twist a valve pin to release gas into a balloon and once filled disengage the balloon from the device for release into the air. These are a complicated series of tasks that may be difficult or impossible to perform if the user is injured.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,787,575 to Stewart discloses a signal balloon having a configuration that causes it to ascend in response to an increase in wind speed and having a light means that allows the balloon to be more visible at night. However, the battery and strobe circuit is securely mounted in the housing, which remains on the ground after deployment. This requires that the tether provide an electrical or a fiber optic connection to the housing, which makes the connection highly susceptible to breakage from stress on the tether.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,944,242 to Russell discloses a rescue balloon that requires the user to remove the balloon from the kit container, affix the end over an outlet tube, rotate the valving means to release gas into the balloon and once filled apply a clip to close the balloon before release. As with the device of McNeill this set of complicated tasks may difficult, if not impossible, to perform if the use is injured.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,429,244 to McCreary discloses a rescue kit like the McNeill and Russell patents that requires the user to perform a set of complicated tasks before signaling his/her location. This includes removing the device from its carrying pouch, removing the plunger stop ring to release the plunger, pushing down the plunger releasing gas into the balloon and when filled, disconnecting the balloon from the filling tube to release it into the air. The inventor recognizes that there could be difficulty in using the device if the individual is injured. For example, the inventor states that “if, due to injury or some other circumstance, the user is unable to use a finger . . . the user can even use his/her teeth” (column 6, lines 31-35). Also, if the user is unable to push down on the plunger, the plunger “can be pressed against the user's body or ground” (column 6, lines 39-40).

U.S. patent application 2004/0163582 to Willis discloses a rescue device having a kite-type balloon marker. The device requires the user to grasp a pull ring to release the top of the device and activate gas flow into the kite-type balloon. The inventor states that under windy conditions the unfurled sail elements catch the wind so the balloon acts as a kite. However, complicated balloon designs can be expensive to make, difficult to fold into an easily deployable package and storage in a small easily transportable device.

U.S. patent application 2009/0094867 to Darnell discloses a compact rescue signal device that provides a protective sleeve for a mylar balloon, a piercing pull lever that activates gas release into the mylar balloon and a reflective disk. However, if the user attempts to deploy the device at night or in the late afternoon and rescue is not initiated until evening the balloon may be difficult to locate even with a reflective surface.

Therefore, there is a need in the field for an inflatable rescue marker for use in diving that does not require the diver to utilize his/her air supply to inflate the buoy, utilize ballast to maintain the buoy in an upright position or require the buoy to carry an additional payload such as a gas canister or ballast when ascending to the surface of the water. Further, it would be beneficial to have a device that meets these needs and is reusable.

There is also a need in the field for an inflatable rescue marker for terrestrial use that does not require a complicated series of tasks necessary to deploy the marker, is visible under almost all conditions, has a simple balloon design and does not require an electrical connection through the tether line.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an inflatable rescue marker for use in the event of an emergency. The marker comprises a cylindrical hollow housing having a top and bottom end, a lid hingably affixed to the top end, a puncture plate fitted inside the cylindrical housing below the lid, an inflatable bladder positioned between the puncture plate and the lid and a length of line connecting the bladder to the housing. The puncture plate comprises an upper surface, a lower surface and a pierce needle positioned at its center. The sharp end of the pierce needle is exposed on the lower surface of the puncture plate and the other end extends above the upper surface. The puncture plate has a threaded cylindrical skirt depending from the lower surface about the sharp end of the pierce needle able to receive a pressurized gas canister. The bladder has an open end removably affixed to the other end of the pierce needle through a self-sealing inflation port and is affixed to the cylindrical housing by a length of line.

In one embodiment of the present invention the cylindrical hollow housing upper portion and lower portion rotate independently. In addition, the housing may further comprise a means for fastening the device to a user.

In another embodiment the inflatable rescue marker further comprises a pressurized gas canister having a threaded end able to be received by the threaded cylindrical skirt depending from the puncture plate. When in use underwater the gas container may be filled with a gas that allows the bladder to rise to or above the surface of the water. During terrestrial use the pressurized gas canister contains a gas that is lighter than air.

In yet another embodiment, the inflatable rescue marker further comprises a stationary or rotatable spindle affixed to and centered about the other end of the puncture needle for receiving a length of line.

In still another embodiment the inflatable rescue marker further comprises at least one light or sound frequency emitter electronically connected to an energy source through a switch. The switch may be activated when the lid is released.

In another embodiment the bladder has a reflective surface able to reflect light or a radio frequency signal. The light reflected might be visible or infrared light.

Another aspect of the present invention is a method of deploying the inflatable rescue marker. The method comprises the steps of twisting the lower portion of the housing, in a clockwise direction with respect to upper portion of the housing, until the lid releases and the bladder is deployed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1: A cross sectional view of one embodiment of the inflatable rescue marker showing the cylindrical hollow housing having two portions that rotate independently, a puncture plate, a bladder with at least one light or sound emitter, a spindle and gas canister;

FIG. 2: A perspective view of the inflatable rescue marker of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3: The inflatable rescue marker of FIG. 1 being activated; and

FIG. 4: The inflatable rescue marker of FIG. 1 deployed underwater.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Unless defined otherwise, all terms used herein have the same meaning as are commonly understood by one of skill in the art to which this invention belongs. All patents, patent applications and publications referred to throughout the disclosure herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. In the event that there is a plurality of definitions for a term herein, those in this section prevail.

The term “affixable” as used herein in reference to the interaction between the gas canister and the cylindrical hollow housing is any method of securing the gas canister in the housing that allows ease of use. For example, providing a threaded perimeter on the depending threaded cylindrical skirt on the lower surface of the puncture plate. This would allow the gas canister to be positioned adjacent to the sharp end of the pierce needle for immediate use. For activation, the canister is rotated clockwise one or more turns, with respect to the housing, driving the pierce needle into the canister and releasing the gas into the bladder.

The term “bladder” as used herein refers to a flexible bag or enclosure having a single opening that is able to retain a gas. The opening is adapted to provide a gas tight seal over the blunt end of the pierce needle on the upper surface of the puncture plate. The bladder can be, for example, a balloon that when filled with gas can have any number of shapes such as, for example a sphere, an elongated cylinder or a teardrop.

The term “electronically connected” as used herein refers to a completed circuit comprising, among other components, one or more lights and or sound emitters connected in parallel, or in series, to a power source and controlled by a switch. Other components known to those in the art also may be incorporated into the circuit such as, for example, one or more capacitors that cause the lights to blink or the sound emitters to intermittently produce sound.

The term “energy source” as used herein can be any device able to provide energy to activate and run the one or more lights and/or sound emitters for a desired period of time. For example, the energy source can be a battery.

The term “gas” as used herein may be a single type of gas such as helium, hydrogen, oxygen or nitrogen or it may be a mixture of gases. For example, if it is desired that the bladder merely rise to the surface of the water a gas having a similar composition as air such as a nitrogen/oxygen mix can be used. If it is preferable that the bladder rise above the water, a gas lighter than air can be used such as helium or hydrogen.

The term “gas canister” as used herein is a chamber having a single opening that may be received by the skirt depending from the lower surface of the puncture plate and able to retain sufficient gas under pressure to fill the bladder to a desired pressure.

The term “light” as used herein refers to ultraviolet, infrared and visible light.

The term “removably affixed” in reference to the interaction between the bladder and the pierce needle refers to any method that allows the bladder opening to be affixed securely to the blunt end of the pierce needle when the device has not been activated. However when activated, the bladder is released from the needle when its buoyancy overcomes the force exerted by the releasable affixing method. One example of a removable affixing method is a self sealing inflation port. This port can be prepared from a silicone plug comprising a self-sealing aperture through its center. The silicone plug is secured in the open end of the bladder and the blunt end of the pierce needle is fitted through the self-sealing aperture to prepare the device for use. When activated the gas filling the bladder exerts upward pressure eventually causing the plug to slip off of the blunt end of the needle. Upon release, the hole in the silicone plug closes retaining the gas in the bladder.

The term “rotatable” in reference to the interaction between the spindle and the pierce needle refers to any method of permanently attaching the spindle to the pierce needle that allows the spindle to rotate freely when the bladder is released from the device.

The term “stationary” in reference to the interaction between the spindle and the pierce needle refers to any method of permanently attaching the spindle to the pierce needle that prohibits the spindle from moving or rotating when the bladder is released from the device.

In one embodiment, the inflatable rescue marker comprises a cylindrical hollow housing, a lid hingably affixed to one end, a puncture plate fitted inside the housing, an inflatable bladder positioned between the puncture plate and the lid and a length of line connecting the bladder to the housing.

(1) The Cylindrical Hollow Housing

The cylindrical hollow housing may be provided in a one or two piece configuration. In the single piece configuration, the hollow housing has a diameter sufficient to house a gas canister of sufficient size to carry enough gas to inflate the bladder allowing it to rise to or above the surface of the water as desired. The length of the cylindrical hollow housing can be a variety of lengths provided that the gas canister extends sufficiently beyond the base of the housing to allow the user to grasp and rotate the canister. For example, if the gas canister is 40.0 mm in diameter and a length of 130.0 mm, the housing would have an internal diameter larger than the diameter of the canister but not so large as to allow the canister to wobble inside the housing. For example, the internal diameter of the housing could be 41.0 mm to 45.0 mm to provide a snug fit within the housing but not more than 50.0 mm, which would allow the canister to wobble side to side in the housing. The thickness of the housing would be sufficient to provide strength to the housing for continued and repeated use. This will depend on the material used to prepare the housing and its diameter. The larger the diameter the thicker the housing may have to be to provide sufficient structural integrity during use. It would be beneficial to reduce the amount of flexibility of the housing when being grasped while rotating the gas canister to deploy the bladder. If metal or alloy are used the thickness could be less than if a polymer were used. In the case where the housing were made of polymer, for example, the thickness could be from about 3.0 mm to about 5.0 mm or greater but would not be less than about 1.5 mm. If it were made of titanium the thickness could be reduced significantly to about 1.0 mm to about 1.5 mm.

The length of the canister and the amount the canister extends beyond the base of the housing will determine the length of the housing. Since the housing must be grasped while rotating the gas canister to deploy the bladder, there must be sufficient gripping surface on the housing and on the base of the gas canister to permit rotation. For example, the length of the housing could be about the average width of a person's hand or about 70.0 mm to 100 mm. This would allow for a full grip during deployment of the bladder. In order to be able to grasp the gas canister, it should extend below the housing at least a portion of an average hand width. However, because the user is able to use the fingers and palm to rotate the canister, this amount could be less and will depend on the strength needed to rotate the canister to release the gas. For example, the amount of the gas canister that extends beyond the housing could be as little as 35.0 mm.

The cylindrical housing may also be provided in two pieces comprising an upper 12 and a lower portion 14. The two portions may be made of the same or different materials and may be in contact, or separate from each other, when in use. In either case, the two pieces can be rotated independently. When the two pieces of the housing are in contact they may be provided with any secure connection that allows both portions to stay together and be rotated independently from each other. For example, the two pieces may be connected by a snap in rail and groove connection. The contact area of one portion contains a linear groove along the exterior perimeter edge and the other portion containing a linear rail along the interior perimeter edge of a thickness that allows the user to snap the rail into the groove when inserting a gas canister 16. In addition, sufficient room is provided to allow the rail to move upward in the groove when the canister 16 is rotated into the pierce needle 18. One skilled in the art can determine the groove thickness based on the distance to be traveled by the canister 16 when rotated. This rail and groove connection allows for rotation of one portion independently of the other while retaining the two pieces in contact and together during use. The second piece securely grips the base of the canister so that when it is rotated the canister rotates equally. Any method known in the art could be used to secure the second piece. For example, one or more friction pads could be secured on the interior surface of the second piece to grasp the canister 16 when press fit into place.

A two-piece housing configuration, wherein the two pieces are not in contact see FIG. 1, is also contemplated by the invention. In this case, the upper portion 12 comprises the lid 20, puncture plate 22, bladder 24 and length of line 26 connecting the bladder 24 with the housing. The lower portion 14 is securely fitted on the base of the gas canister 16 when it is affixed to the upper portion 12. In this configuration, the lower portion 14 must fit securely about the base of the canister 16 such that rotation of the lower portion 14 equally rotates the gas canister 16. For example, the lower portion 14 may be made of an elastic polymer that can be press fit onto the base of the gas canister 16. The polymer selected would be one that would not slip on the surface of the canister 16 when wet and assures the lower portion 14 and canister 16 rotate equally. The lower portion 14 could also be made of a harder polymer with one or more friction pads on the interior surface to grasp the canister 16 when press fit on its base.

If the inflatable rescue marker 10 were not reusable, the lower portion 14 could be secured to the base of the canister 16 with an adhesive, preferably a water-resistant adhesive.

The exterior of the housing could be provided with a coating or texturing that resists slippage during activation of the device. For example, the exterior could be rubberized to provide a sticky surface or could be cast with ribbing or tread that assists with gripping the device 10.

(2) The Lid

The lid 20 is a cover that, in conjunction with the housing and puncture plate 22, encases the bladder 24. The lid 20 can be affixed to the top end of the cylindrical hollow housing by any means that allows it to release the bladder 24 when it is partially filled with gas. For example, the lid 20 may be affixed to the top end of the housing by a hinge and snap clip such that when the bladder exerts sufficient force on the lid 20 the snap clip releases and the lid 20 pivots open on the hinge. Alternatively, the lid 20 may be snap clipped about the perimeter of the top end of the housing that releases when enough pressure is exerted by the inflating bladder 24.

If the inflatable rescue marker 10 were not reusable the lid 20 could be an easy tear covering that when sufficient pressure is exerted by the bladder 24 causes the single use lid 20 to tear away from the top end of the housing releasing the bladder 24.

(3) The Puncture Plate

The puncture plate 22 comprises an upper surface, a lower surface and a pierce needle 18 positioned at its center. The plate 22 may be integral to the housing or may be separate from and secured in the cylindrical hollow housing. If the puncture plate 22 is separate, it may be affixed securely to the interior walls of the housing by a variety of methods known in the art. For example, a ridge 28 may be provided a desired distance from the top end of the housing along the perimeter of the interior wall. Alternatively, there may be three or more ledges or outcrops spaced equally along the perimeter of the interior wall. The puncture plate 22 may then be positioned and secured on these ledges or ridge 28 by a snap-fit means, an adhesive or by welding. Spot welding could be used if the housing and puncture plate 22 are made of a metal or heating and fusing the puncture plate 22 to the interior wall of the housing if they were both made of polymer. If the two are made of different materials, the puncture plate 22 may be secured in place by an adhesive.

If the puncture plate 22 is integral to the housing the housing may be cast or form molded to incorporate the puncture plate 22.

In FIG. 1, the puncture plate 22 is represented by a flat solid surface that supports the deflated bladder 24. However, the plate 22 does not have to be solid. The plate can have any structural configuration that acts to retain the bladder 24 above the canister 16 for effective and efficient inflation and is sufficient to support the gas canister 16 when affixed onto the depending skirt 30. For example, the plate 22 could be provided in a four spoke wheel configuration, wherein the hub comprises the depending skirt 30 and the spokes position and support the canister 16 on the lower surface and the bladder 24 on the top surface of the plate 22.

The depending skirt 30 may be made of the same or different material as the puncture plate 22. For example, if the depending skirt 30 is made of the same material it may be cast or form molded with the puncture plate 22 as a single unit. Alternatively, they could be produced separately and affixed together by a variety of methods, such as for example, welding if the plate and skirt 30 are made of metal or fused if they are made of polymer. If they are made of different materials, such as the skirt 30 being made of metal and the plate being made of polymer, they could be affixed together by a variety of known methods, such as for example, one or more rivets.

The depending skirt 30 has a length sufficient to securely hold the gas canister 16 in place prior to and during inflation of the bladder 24. For example, the length may be from about 10.0 mm to about 25.0 mm.

A variety of methods known to those skilled in the art may be used to affix the canister 16 to the depending skirt 30. For example the depending skirt 30 and the neck of the gas canister 16 may be threaded. The threads of the depending skirt 30 may be provided on the interior or exterior perimeter of the skirt 30 depending on the location of the threads provided on the gas canister 16. If, for example, the threads of the canister 16 are on the exterior perimeter of the neck, the threads of the depending skirt 30 will be provided on the interior perimeter.

(4) The Pierce Needle

The pierce needle 18 is made of a material that can easily pierce the septum 32 of the gas canister 16 and provide a passageway for gas to travel from the canister 16 to the bladder 24. The needle 18 may have a sharp end, used to pierce the gas canister septum 32 and a blunt end for releasing the gas from the canister 16 into the bladder 24. The pierce needle 18 may be made from a variety of materials depending on the type of material used as a septum 32 on the gas canister 16. For example, if the septum 32 is made of lead or tin, the pierce needle 18 may be made of a stainless steel that can easily puncture these types of materials. Stainless steel is preferred because it is resistant to corrosion in water.

The pierce needle 18 is positioned about the center of the puncture plate 22 with the sharp end extending through the center of the depending skirt 30. The sharp end extends below the lower surface of the plate 22 a sufficient distance to puncture the gas canister 16 when the device 10 is activated. The other end extends above the upper surface of the puncture plate 22 to receive the open end of the bladder.

A seal 34 may be positioned about the perimeter of the depending skirt 30 where it joins the puncture plate 22. The canister 16 butts up against the seal 34 when the device is activated preventing leakage when the bladder 24 is being filled. The seal may be made of a variety of materials that provide the flexibility to create an air-tight contact about the interface between the canister 16 and the puncture plate 22. For example, the seal may be made of silicone or rubber.

(5) The Inflatable Bladder

The inflatable bladder 24 can be any enclosure having a single opening that may be adapted to be removably affixed to the end of the pierce needle 18 and able to retain gas for an extended period of time. For example, the bladder 24 can be a balloon.

The bladder 24 can have a variety of sizes and shapes that draw attention to its presence. For example, the bladder 24 when filled can be spherical or teardrop in shape or can form an elongated vertical cylinder. The size will be limited by the amount of gas that can be stored in the gas canister 16 and transferred to the bladder 24 upon activation.

The bladder 24 can be made of a variety of materials that assist in locating the marker. For example, the bladder 24 may be provided in a variety of colors such as red or yellow. Correspondingly, the bladder 24 may be made of a material that reflects light such as polymers that have mirror like surfaces or it may be made of a material that reflects radio wave frequencies to alert searchers transmitting such frequencies.

The opening of the bladder 24 is adapted to create a gas tight self-sealing port that may be removably affixed to the end of the pierce needle 18. A variety of materials can be used that adhere to the opening of the bladder 24 and create an air tight seal about the pierce needle 18 and when the bladder 24 is removed from the needle 18. Such materials include, for example, silicone or rubber.

(6) The Line

The line 26 connects the bladder 24 to the housing, which is either worn or located near the user. The line 26 can be made of a variety of materials of small diameter that resists breaking. The diameter used will depend on the amount of line 26 needed to achieve the desired height following deployment, the type of material used and the space available within the hollow cylindrical housing for storing the line prior to deployment. For example, if the line 26 were made of nylon monofilament and 30 meters of line 26 is desired, a 0.2 mm diameter line 26 may be utilized while a stronger 0.4 mm diameter line 26 would occupy the same space but provide less ascent height.

The line 26 may be provided in a number of configurations for easy deployment. For example, the line may be coiled or rolled on a stationary or rotating spindle 36 or wound around a series of posts mounted on the upper surface of the puncture plate 22.

(7) The Gas Canister

The gas canister 16 can be made of a variety of materials that retain gas under high pressure without rupturing or leaking. For example, the canister 16 may be made of carbon fiber or metal. Preferably the canister 16 is made of a metal such as aluminum or titanium. The dimensions of the canister 16 can be determined based on the type and amount of gas required for a particular purpose and the internal diameter of the cylindrical hollow housing. For example, if a low-density gas such as helium or hydrogen is desired, the amount of these gases necessary to deploy the bladder 24 would be less than using a denser gas such as nitrogen or oxygen. Consequently, gases like helium or hydrogen may be able to be provided in smaller gas canisters than oxygen or nitrogen. Therefore, the internal diameter of the cylindrical hollow housing can be reduced accordingly. Alternatively, the external diameter of the canister 16 can remain the same and its length reduced.

The neck of the canister 16 is provided with an adapter to be securely received by the depending skirt 30. For example, the neck may have threads identical to those on the depending skirt 30. If the depending skirt 30 has threads on its internal perimeter, the neck of the canister will have threads on its external perimeter to be accompanied by the skirt 30 and visa versa.

The septum 32 of the canister 16 can be made of any material that will maintain the gas within the canister 16 yet be easily punctured by the pierce needle 18. For example, the septum 32 could be made of tin or lead if the pierce needle 18 is made of stainless steel.

The gas canisters can be provided in reusable or single use configurations.

(8) The Lights/Sound Emitters The inflatable bladder 24 may also comprise lights 38 and or sound emitters to enhance the chance of being identified when the user is in distress. A variety of methods can be utilized to provide these additional signals. In one embodiment, a circuit board 40 is provided having a power source 42 connected to one or more lights 38, either in series or in parallel, controlled by a switch 44. The switch 44 is in direct contact with the lid 20 so that when the lid 20 is released the circuit is energized and the lights 38 illuminate. A similar configuration can be prepared using sound emitters or lights with sound emitters. The circuit board may be provided in a waterproof encasement or within the bladder to protect the electronics from moisture.

The one or more lights and/or sound emitters can be connected to capacitors that allow the lights to blink and the sound emitters to intermittently emit sound. The circuit board 40 is preferably miniaturized and positioned at the base of the bladder 24.

Use

In use, the individual either inserts a new gas canister or replaces an old canister by affixing the neck of the canister into or onto the depending skirt of the puncture plate. If there is a second portion of the housing, the second portion may be placed on the base of the canister before or after the canister is secured to the housing. The inflatable rescue marker is then affixed to the individual in a convenient place in case of emergency. For example, during diving, it may be secured to the buoyancy compensator vest or weight belt, for hiking or camping it may be secured to the shoulder strap of a backpack and for climbing it may be attached to a climbing harness. In an emergency, the individual grasps the inflatable rescue marker by the housing and rotates the gas canister either by its base or by the second portion of the housing affixed to the base of the gas canister to drive the pierce needle through the septum. When the gas begins to fill the bladder it exerts pressure on the lid. When sufficient pressure has built up between the puncture plate and the lid, the lid will open releasing the gas-filling bladder. If the bladder contains lights and/or sound emitters, they will be activated immediately when the lid opens. More specifically, the switch is biased in an open position up against the lid, preventing electricity from flowing through the circuit. When the lid is released the switch closes completing the circuit and turning on the light(s) and/or initiating sound from the emitters.

When the bladder has filled sufficiently to overcome the pressure exerted by the bladder's plug on the pierce needle, the bladder, which is tethered to the device by a line, releases from the housing and begins to ascend. If activated while diving, the bladder will breach the water and float on the surface or rise above the surface of the water depending on the gas released from the canister. For example, if the bladder is filled with nitrogen it will float on the surface as compared to when the bladder is filled with helium which will cause the bladder to rise above the surface of the water. Once on the surface, the bladder acts as a beacon identifying the location of the distressed diver.

Following its use the device can be reused by deflating the bladder, winding the line on the spool or line pins provided on the puncture plate, replacing the bladder in the housing above the puncture plate, re-securing the lid and replacing the gas canister with a new or recharged canister.

The information set forth above is provided to give those of ordinary skill in the art a complete disclosure and description of how to make and use the embodiments of the device and methods, and are not intended to limit the scope of what the inventor regards as his invention. Modifications of the above-described modes (for carrying out the invention that are obvious to persons of skill in the art) are intended to be within the scope of the following claims. All publications, patents, and patent applications cited in this specification are incorporated herein by reference.

Claims

1. An inflatable rescue marker comprising:

a. a cylindrical hollow housing having a top end and a bottom end;

b. a lid hingably affixed to said top end;

c. a puncture plate fitted inside said cylindrical housing below said lid wherein said puncture plate comprises an upper surface and a lower surface and a pierce needle positioned at the center of said puncture plate, said pierce needle having a sharp end exposed on said lower surface of said puncture plate and the other end being exposed on said upper surface of said puncture plate, wherein said puncture plate has a threaded cylindrical skirt depending from said lower surface able to receive a pressurized canister of gas and wherein said sharp end of said pierce needle is disposed at the middle of said threaded cylindrical skirt;

d. an inflatable bladder positioned on said upper surface of said puncture plate wherein the open end of said bladder having a self sealing inflation port removably affixed to said other end of said pierce needle; and

e. a length of line having one end connected to said cylindrical housing and the other end connected to said bladder.

2. The inflatable rescue marker according to claim 1, wherein said cylindrical hollow housing comprises an upper portion and a lower portion, wherein said upper portion and said lower portion rotate independently.

3. The inflatable rescue marker according to claim 1, further comprising a pressurized gas canister having a threaded neck able to be received by said threaded cylindrical skirt of said puncture plate.

4. The inflatable rescue marker according to claim 1, further comprising a stationary or rotatable spindle affixed to and centered about said puncture needle exposed on said upper surface of said puncture plate for receiving the length of line.

5. The inflatable rescue marker according to claim 1, wherein said bladder further comprises at least one light electronically connected to an energy source through a switch, said switch activated when said lid is released from said cylindrical hollow housing.

6. The inflatable rescue marker according to claim 1, wherein said bladder has a reflective surface.

7. The inflatable rescue marker according to claim 6, wherein said reflective surface reflects light or a radio frequency signal.

8. The inflatable rescue marker according to claim 1, wherein said bladder further comprises at least one sound frequency emitter electronically connected to an energy source through a switch, said switch activated when said lid is released from said cylindrical hollow housing.

9. The inflatable rescue marker according to claim 5, wherein said light emits visible light or infrared light.

10. The inflatable rescue marker according to claim 3, wherein said pressurized gas canister contains a gas that allows said bladder to rise to the surface of water.

11. The inflatable rescue marker according to claim 3, wherein said pressurized gas canister contains a gas that allows said bladder to rise above the surface of the water or ground.

12. The inflatable rescue marker according to claim 1, further comprising a means for fastening said marker to an individual.

13. A method of deploying an inflatable rescue marker wherein the inflatable rescue marker comprises:

a. a cylindrical hollow housing having a top end and a bottom end;

b. a lid affixed to said top end;

c. a puncture plate fitted inside said cylindrical hollow housing below said lid wherein said puncture plate comprises an upper surface and a lower surface and a pierce needle positioned about the center of said puncture plate, said pierce needle having a sharp end exposed on said lower surface of said puncture plate the other end being exposed on said upper surface of said puncture plate, wherein said puncture plate has a threaded cylindrical skirt depending from said lower surface wherein said sharp end of said puncture needle is disposed at the middle of said threaded cylindrical skirt;

d. a pressurized gas canister able to be received by said threaded cylindrical skirt of said puncture plate;

e. an inflatable bladder positioned on said upper surface of said puncture plate having an opening wherein said opening of said bladder is removably affixed to said other end of said puncture needle; and

f. a length of line having one end affixed to said cylindrical housing and the other end affixed to said bladder wherein said method comprises the steps of:

twisting said pressurized canister in a clockwise direction with respect to said cylindrical hollow housing until said lid releases and said bladder is deployed.