Abstract: A sea anchor includes a textile tube and a resiliently flexible support. The textile tube may include a first end and a second end. The first end may have a rim defining a mouth and the second end may be closed. In various embodiments, the resiliently flexible support is coupled to the first end of the textile tube. The resiliently flexible support, in response to the sea anchor being deployed, may be configured to expand the mouth and retain the mouth open. In various embodiments, the textile tube has a conical shape, with the mouth of the first end being a base of the conical shape and the second end being a point of the conical shape. The resiliently flexible support is a ring coupled to the rim of the first end of the textile tube, according to various embodiments.

Abstract: A swift water rescue sled and a method for rescuing an individual who has fallen into swift moving water. A stationary steering line is attached to the bottom of the rescue sled between the opposite sides thereof. An anchor line runs in a first direction along the top of the sled and then in an opposite direction along the bottom at which the anchor line bends around an anchor line pulley. From the anchor line pulley, the anchor line turns around and runs in the first direction along the bottom of the sled and outwardly from the front to be tied to an anchor. A steering line pulley rides over the stationary steering line. The anchor line and steering line pulleys are coupled to one another at the bottom of the rescue sled. The rescue sled is steered towards the individual in response to the operator shifting his weight.

Abstract: A life raft includes a base and an inflatable canopy. The base has a first side and a second side and the inflatable canopy is coupled to the first side of the base and configured to inflate and extend across the first side of the base to form a first chamber defined between the first side of the base and the inflatable canopy. The inflatable canopy is configured to inflate in response to deploying the life raft. Inflation of the inflatable canopy enables the life raft to self-right. In various embodiments, the base includes an inflatable border tube defining a first inflatable volume. The inflatable canopy may define a second inflatable volume and the first inflatable volume may be in fluidic communication with the second inflatable volume.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an inflatable floatable unit (1) for life-saving equipment comprising at least a first inflatable flotation tube layer (2) having an upper (3) and a lower (4) side with a distance between the upper side and the lower side (3, 4), a second inflatable flotation tube layer (5) having an upper (6) and a lower side (7) with a distance between the upper and lower sides (6, 7), the first and second flotation tube layers (2, 5) being adapted to be arranged substantially above each other so that the upper side of the first tube layer is opposite the lower side of the second tube layer, the inflatable tube layers extending circumferentially for providing a substantially ring-shaped area, and a bottom element (8) adapted to provide a bottom to the substantially ring-shaped area.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an inflatable floatable unit (1) for life-saving equipment comprising at least a first inflatable flotation tube layer (2) having an upper (3) and a lower (4) side with a distance between the upper side and the lower side (3, 4), a second inflatable flotation tube layer (5) having an upper (6) and a lower side (7) with a distance between the upper and lower sides (6, 7), the first and second flotation tube layers (2, 5) being adapted to be arranged substantially above each other so that the upper side of the first tube layer is opposite the lower side of the second tube layer, the inflatable tube layers extending circumferentially for providing a substantially ring-shaped area, and a bottom element (8) adapted to provide a bottom to the substantially ring-shaped area.

Abstract: The invention is an air-inflatable multi-wall multi-cell spheroidal-shell life raft that forms a shelter for occupants and that includes removable window covers to allow cross ventilation when desired and that is constructed of one or more air-or-gas-inflatable cells and/or air-or-gas-inflatable panels and contains an internal water-inflatable ballast tank located below an air-or-gas-inflated multi-cell floor cushion centered in the lowest point of the spheroidal shell thus providing the tank with the lowest center of gravity available within the shell. Key features new to the art are the inflatable spheroidal shape of the shell that forms the shelter enclosure, the water-inflatable internal ballast tank and the relationship of the shell to the ballast tank that insures that the raft will not capsize when occupants and their belongings are equally distributed within the raft.

Abstract: A light-weight, transportable raft to be utilized for recreational purposes. The raft is constructed of high-impact plastic material (polyethylene) and is sized to comfortably accommodate two people. Handles are conveniently located to make lifting and carrying easy. The raft is provided with a partially filled internal styrofoam core to maintain floatation and thus, does not require inflation before use. A soft, vinyl-covered ensolite mat is removably fastened to the top surface of the raft to enhance comfort. Safety features include high visibility color, an anchor housing, a battery operated night light, paddle holders and drain openings. Book holders, bottle holders and cooler holders are strategically arranged on the raft's surface.

Abstract: A reversible liferaft having two canopies (4a, 4b), one on each side, and an inflatable column (13), which supports the upper canopy (4a) when the liferaft is floating on water. The column (13) preferably has a narrow center (12) and wider extremities (3a, 3b) and is positioned in an aperture (7) in the floor (2) on the liferaft. A sleeve (9) is connected at one end (10) of the edge of the aperture (7) and at the other end (11) to the center (12) of the column (13).

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 water trampoline device including a hollow inflatable frame member that has a textured covering with a plurality of bands interconnected. Included is a baffle chute that is water permeable and has a top edge, a bottom edge and four walls. The top edge is attached to the covering for suspension of the baffle chute from the frame member. A rope is provided and has a stake at one end and a plurality of straps coupled by a connecting ring at another end. Each strap is capable of coupling with the covering of the frame member. Each strap will suspend the rope within the baffle chute for positioning of the stake within the floor of a body of water. The stake is secured to the floor and allows the rope to anchor the frame member. Lastly, a trampoline mat with an outer edge is included. The outer edge has a plurality of springs operatively connected and connected to the bands of the covering for positioning the trampoline mat between the frame member to provided a jumping surface for a user.

Abstract: An inflatable floating spa for use in water by a person to recline and rest therein that is formed from a resilient material and comprises an air chamber that provides support for suspended upper and lower water chambers which remain submerged and a sheet means that is interposed between the upper and lower water chambers forming a seat.

Abstract: A self-bailing stabilized life raft includes a bailing chamber located between a stabilization chamber and a flotation platform. Water received from a flexible floor of the flotation platform is exhausted from the bailing chamber in response to wave and/or occupant interaction with the life raft. A raft inflation apparatus includes a pump chamber actuated by raft motion.

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: One or more vanes of a rigid or flexible material are attached to the underside of a liferaft or other towable marine craft. The vane or vanes are suspended from the craft at an angle of 90.degree. or less relative to the direction of towing.

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.