Abstract: An inflation device for a buoyancy body such as a life jacket or life raft having a pressurized gas cylinder mounted within the buoyancy body and including an actuator, preferably in the form of a rotatable shaft, which projects from the interior to the exterior of the body so that it can be used to cause release of gas into the body and is operable from the exterior of the inflation device.

Abstract: A valve controls the flow of an inflation substance such as carbon dioxide from a pressurized container when the valve is actuated. The valve comprises a valve body having an inflow bore, inlet conduit, chamber, interior chamber and interior passage connected to each other and with the pressurized container. The valve is connected to an inflatable apparatus such as an emergency slide or raft by an outlet conduit connected to the valve body and with the interior passage. The valve is closed by a piston assembly which is balanced. The piston assembly includes a guidance collar and a first piston rod connected to the guidance collar. The first piston rod has an O-ring seal, and the piston rod is attached to the valve body by a fitting. The second end of the piston rod extends through the piston fitting and has a valve actuation receiving means.

Abstract: In a method for activating a life raft, wherein the life raft has an inflatable bottom frame, a bottom connected to the bottom frame, an inflatable roof structure, including inflatable tubes connected to the bottom frame and a cover connected to the roof structure, wherein the bottom frame and the inflatable roof structure have at least one inflating opening for an inflation medium, it is suggested to first inflate the roof structure in order to facilitate flipping the life raft into the correct position of use.

Abstract: A filler nozzle includes a nozzle body, a connecting ring, an intake nozzle, a securing seat, a securing ring, a valve flap, a positioning element, and a spring. One end of the nozzle body has a connector for connection with the connecting ring and the intake nozzle. The intake nozzle is linked to a snap ring of the connecting ring. The outer end of the connector is provided with two opposed insert pieces for engaging insert seats on the outer periphery of the intake nozzle. The other end of the nozzle body forms an insert connector for receiving the securing seat. The securing seat has a shaft fitted with the spring, the positioning element, the valve flap and the securing ring. By means of the cooperation between the positioning element and the securing seat, the valve flap can be caused to open or close for inflation or deflation.

Abstract: A self-closing and self-sealing valve device for use with inflatable structures. The valve device comprises a pair of relatively flat plastic sheets which are disposed over one another in facewise engagement, and form an air inlet end and air outlet end, the latter of which is disposed in the inflatable structure. The valve is constructed by providing two longitudinal heat seals in proximity to the longitudinal margins of the pair of plastic sheets or strips. An adhesive zone is formed interiorly of the two longitudinal heat seals and causes a self-closing and self-sealing of the valve device. The adhesive zone further precludes any sealing of the two sheets in the adhesive zone during longitudinal sealing operations since sealing will not occur with the presence of the adhesive. In this way, since the two sheets are adhesively secured to one another, there is no back flow from the inflatable and deflatable structure outwardly of the structure even under low pressure condition.

Abstract: A pad, system and method of collecting and containing liquid leaks and spills, comprising a flexible, liquid-impervious pad having a bottom and inflatable sides, a pair of tethers connected at one end to one end of the pad, and a pair of poles detachably connectable at one end thereof to the tethers. The poles are used to position the uninflated pad under a source of leakage or spillage, after which the poles are disconnected from the tethers and the sides of the pad are inflated.

Abstract: The present invention utilizes low-friction, stepped triggering of successively higher-pre-loaded, counterdirected, nested stages in a compact configuration to efficiently multiply an input force. The present invention thus presents a novel force-multiplying mechanism for incorporation in any apparatus taking advantage of its ability to convert a force of a given magnitude into a force of greater magnitude. Such devices include, but are not limited to, those utilizing hydrostatic pressure for actuation of flotation, marking, and retrieval devices, those actuated by barostatic, mechanical, and pneumatic pressure, and those which trigger chemical (including pyrotechnic), electrical, mechanical, and pneumatic devices. There is theoretically no limit to the force multiplication inherent in the design, given the option of successive stages and ever-increasing driving forces.

Abstract: A recreational floatation device. The floatation device includes an inflatable main body having an elongated horizontal axis and a flattened configuration. When inflated, the device has a buoyancy in water sufficient to support a plurality of users. The main body preferably has at least two openings positioned along the elongated horizontal axis. A main body valve is secured on the main body. The device also preferably includes at least two inflatable bladders, which are encompassed by the main body, positioned along the elongated horizontal axis and adjacent to the main body openings. Each of the bladders has a bladder valve which is secured on the main body. The main body and bladders are inflatable through the main body and bladder valves, respectively.

Abstract: A life raft storage and inflation assembly, or system (12) of a type having a deflated life raft (22) stored in a separable canister (14) includes a hose assembly (34, 34') which can be broken down for coupling a selectively activated nozzle of a compressed-gas cylinder (24, 24') to an inlet cock (32, 32') of the deflated life raft. The hose assembly is comprised of a thermo-plastic hose (36); two brass sockets (38) which thread onto an outer surface of the hose; and two coupling fittings, a male life raft coupling fitting and a female cylinder coupling fitting. Each of these coupling fittings has a threaded nipple (52) on one end. These nipples are screwed through ends (48) of the sockets into the interior of the hose. Couplings at the other ends of these coupling fittings are designed differently. A female, or cylinder, coupling (60) of the female coupling fitting has female threads (82) that mate with a male nipple on the gas cylinder.

Abstract: An inflator manifold made of plastic materials that is as strong as metallic inflator manifolds and that has the same external dimensions of metallic inflator manifolds so that it meets industry strength and size standards. The outermost end of the inflator manifold is capped by an end cap having external and internal threads so that a double screw threaded engagement is achieved that matches the strength of metallic threads. The side walls of the inflator manifold are thickened in an internal direction so that the bore for gaseous fluids under pressure entering the article to be inflated has a diameter less than the diameter of a bore of a metallic inflator manifold.

Abstract: A swivel valve has a valve body having an elongated bore with both the valve body and the bore having first and second ends. A gas or fluid port is located in the first end of the valve body and is in communication with the first end of the bore. A passageway extends from the second end of the bore and terminates in an annular groove extending around the outer surface of the valve body. A swivel connection is rotatably mounted on the valve body around said annular groove and has a passageway in communication with the annular groove. Sealing rings are located on opposite sides of the annular groove to prevent the escape of gas from the groove to the atmosphere between the swivel connection and the outer surface of the valve body, and to equalize the gas pressure forces on the swivel connection.

Abstract: A recreational raft apparatus which comprises an inflatable, floatable body portion, and at least one closable pocket in association with the body portion of the raft. The raft may further comprise an inflatable pillow which is attached to the body portion, as well as handles attached to the body portion of the raft for carrying the raft. A towel may be attached to the top side of the raft by clips.

Abstract: A pressure regulator for use in regulating the pressure of inflating an inflatable member from a high pressure source wherein a valve housing has one end attached to a pressure source and the other end attached to a trigger mechanism. A spool valve is slidably biased into contact with the trigger mechanism which in the locked condition retains the spool valve in an inoperative condition and prevents the flow of fluid from the pressure source to inflate the inflatable member. Upon actuation of the trigger mechanism the spool valve is first unseated from its inoperative condition by a first spring and thence placed into a pressure regulating condition by a second spring in opposition to the escaping fluid pressure acting on annular face of the spool valve.

Abstract: A gas generator for inflating an inflatable article such as a safety bag or raft, has a reaction chamber (1) surrounded by a ring-shaped filter chamber (2). First gas exit openings (10 to 15) permit generated gas to flow from the reaction chamber into the filter chamber. Second gas exit openings (22) lead from the filter chamber into the inflatable article. A temperature responsive flow control is provided to make sure that the inflation efficiency or the inflation pressure inside the inflated article is substantially constant and substantially independent of the temperature of the gas generator at which the ignition of a gas generating fuel begins.

Abstract: A raft inflation valve includes a cylinder head which is connected to a pressure vessel and which has an inlet communicating with the pressure vessel, a recess for receiving a puncture disc, and a passage which connects the inlet and the recess and which is covered by the puncture disc. A disc retainer holds the puncture disc in position in the cylinder head covering the passage. The bayonet piston has a cutting edge formed between an abbreviated cutting face and an inverted conical cutting head for cutting and not tearing the puncture disc upon collision. A bias spring applies a bias force to the bayonet piston, and an actuating cable ball prevents movement of the bayonet piston until the cable is pulled. Once the cable has been pulled to remove the ball, the bayonet piston is driven by the bias force toward the disc to clearly cut and puncture the disc and permit flow of gas from the pressure vessel through the inlet passage through the disc to the outlet passage in the outlet of the valve.

Abstract: A water craft including an inflatable buoyancy chamber, by inflation and deflation of the buoyancy chamber the buoyancy of the craft, floating or submerged, can be regulated. The water craft includes a buoyancy control apparatus for controlling inflation and deflation of the buoyancy chamber via air supplied by a source of compressed gas. The buoyancy control apparatus includes an operator actuable control which sends control signals to a venting device, to a descent device, to an ascent device or to a hovering device.

Abstract: A raft inflation valve assembly comprising a tubular valve body having an air passageway therethrough and a plunger member adapted for selectively preventing or enabling air flow through the valve body. The plunger member is received in the valve body and has a relatively centered, upwardly positioned closed operating state and a relatively skewed, downwardly positioned open operating state.

Abstract: A replaceable inflation valve for a marine fender wherein, in one embodiment, the valve is slidably received in a valve seat formed in the fender, and wherein a bored collar is threadably received in the valve seat to hold a flexible member of the valve in place in the fender. The upper portion of the flexible member of the valve is received within the bore formed in the collar to provide access to the flexible member of the valve when the collar is in place. The flexible member of the valve comprises an elongated tubular member with one open end and one normally closed end. The normally closed end is openable by insertion of a needle valve through a slit therein. Upon removal of the needle valve, the slit closes on itself by reason of the inherent resiliency of the flexible member.

Abstract: A testing device and method for inflatable objects comprising an arrangement of transducer sensors; connectors between the transducers and the inflatable object desired to be tested; processors electrically connected to the transducer sensors; a controller electrically connected to and interactive with the processors; and a display of the electrical output. The transducer sensors comprise a pressure transducer, a temperature transducer, and a load cell transducer. The temperature transducer is positioned generally adjacent to the valve nozzle of the inflatable object. The processors of the present invention comprise a multiplexer electrically connected to the transducer sensors, a differential amplifier electrically connected to the multiplexer, and a sample/hold amplifier electronically connected between the analog-to-digital converter and the differential amplifier. The controller comprises an input/output keyboard connected to the processors through an RS-232 communication line.

Abstract: A container for sealingly containing a fluid is made from first and second thermoplastic container films bonded together around a rectangular periphery except where an inlet port is formed. A first bonded together portion extends the inlet port along one side, with a plurality of non-bonded together segments spaced therealong. A check valve is provided in each non-bonded together segment. The check valve is made from two rectangular thermoplastic valve films bonded together to form a fluid pipe. The fluid pipe has a tip opening and a valve body to allow flow through the fluid pipe from the tip opening but which prevents a reverse flow. A respective valve film is bonded at the tip opening to an adjacent container film so that the guide tube is fluid tight except for the inlet port and the tip openings. Second bonded together portions are also provided between adjacent check valves in order to form a plurality of container members whose only egress is a respective check valve.

Abstract: The cylindrical shape tube consists of a pressure valve and a safety valve. Whether the tube's contents be made of metal, expandable or non-stretchable materials, it has the ability to retain low air pressure. For safety purposes, any excess air pressure is released through the safety valve when the belts are made of metal content, the lengthwise belts have flares and grooves, the crosswise belts have oblong holes. When the belts are made of expandable or non-stretchable materials, snap head and grooves are cast within the lengthwise belts, the crosswise belts have round holes. The metal crosswise belts with their oblong holes can be engaged onto both the snap heads of the expandable lengthwise belts and flares of metal lengthwise belts. The expandable crosswise belts with their round holes can be snapped onto the snap heads of the expandable lengthwise belts and flares of the metal lengthwise belts.

Abstract: A backpack is disclosed for use with scuba gear wherein the backpack includes a rigid housing substantially enclosing an air tank, an interior chamber vented to the surrounding water and formed by the rigid housing for receiving an inflatable buoyancy compensator and a mounting for receiving and securing an adjustable amount of retrievable ballast. The rigid backpack provides a particularly streamlined configuration for the scuba gear, greater puncture resistance for the buoyancy compensator and greater variation in the amount of ballast carried by the diver. The backpack is preferably configured to better support the weight of the scuba gear upon the diver with a trim bladder separately inflatable by the diver and arranged between the backpack and the diver for allowing the diver to adjust for variations in slack, particularly at different diving depths.

Abstract: An inflatable life raft which forms a passenger receptacle, has a removable canopy for covering the passenger receptacle and is formed from a flexible walled housing which includes inner and outer walls, with a plurality of chambers being formed between the walls. A bleeder mechanism, in the form of a plurality of cords disposed in the chambers keep substantially all of the areas of the chambers in communication with each other so that inflation and more especially deflation, can be readily accomplished without forming air pockets caused by the inner and outer chamber walls sticking together precluding the free flow of air.

Abstract: A portable water survival kit includes a small life raft apparatus which may be attached to and carried by a user. When needed, the small life raft may be quickly removed from a carrying case and inflated through the use of a permanently attached compressed gas cartridge.

Abstract: An inflatable lifejacket for providing buoyancy in water to a wearer of the lifejacket, comprises an inflatable buoyancy envelope and an inflation unit mounted within the envelope for inflation thereof. The inflation unit comprises a storage cylinder which stores inflation gas and which is openable by an operating arm which in an inoperative disposition extends alongside the cylinder in spaced relation thereto and which when pulled away from the cylinder in an operating stroke is operative to release gas from the cylinder. The envelope includes a projecting tongue portion which receives the arm and which is so positioned in relation to an adjacent support portion of the envelope that, when the unit is assembled in a mounted disposition in the envelope with the arm located in the tongue portion, the cylinder is aligned with the adjacent support portion and is supported thereby when the arm is pulled to release gas from the cylinder.

Abstract: A life raft testing device comprising an arrangement of transducer sensors; connectors between the transducers and the life raft desired to be tested; processors electrically connected to the transducer sensors; a controller electrically connected to and interactive with the processors; and a display of the electrical output. The transducer sensors comprise a pressure transducer, a temperature transducer, and a load cell transducer. The temperature transducer is positioned generally adjacent to the nozzle of the life raft. The processors of the present invention comprise a multiplexer electrically connected to the transducer sensors, a differential amplifier electrically connected to the multiplexer, and a sample/hold amplifier electrically connected between the analog-to-digital converter and the differential amplifier. The controller comprises an input/output keyboard connected to the processors through an RS-232 communication line.

Abstract: This invention relates to an inflatable article such as an air bed or the like and includes a deformable bag 12 which is coupled to the air bed 10 via a stem 18. The deformable bag is opened to allow air to enter the bag and is then deformed to force air from the bag 12 into the article 10 to inflate the article. The bag in the deformed condition forms a valve for preventing excape of air from the bed 10 and may be inserted into a pouch 20 provided on the bed 10. The invention may also include a chamber 60 disposed between the bag 12 and the air bed 10 for enabling the bed 10 to be inflated to a relatively high pressure. A first valve 64 is provided between the chamber and the bag 12 and the open condition allows air to pass from the bag 12 into the chamber 60. A second valve 62 is provided which opens upon deformation of the chamber 60 to allow air to pass from the chamber 60 into the air bed 10.

Abstract: A raft inflation valve, which is actuated by pulling a detachable cable connected to one end of a piston, thereby allowing inflation gas to flow from an attached pressure vessel into an inflatable raft includes a valve body having an inlet, an outlet, an internal cylinder open at one end to the valve outlet, and an inlet passage leading from the valve inlet to and intersecting with the midsection of the internal cylinder. A double-ended piston with O-ring seals on both ends is positioned in the internal cylinder so that one end blocks the passage to the outlet. In this position (valve closed) the O-ring seals are on opposite sides of the intersection of the inlet passage which results in a balancing of the gas pressure forces acting on the piston, thereby allowing the piston to be moved (for actuation) by simply overcoming the O-ring drag on the internal cylinder wall. This results in a low actuation force that is only remotely related to the operating pressure of the inflation system.

Abstract: Filling and discharging valve for inflatable hollow bodies, particularly dinghies, comprising a valve housing having a radial flange adapted to be attached to the inflatable body and a valve seat facing the interior of the inflatable body, the valve seat co-operating with a plate-like valve member. A spring is located within the valve housing and biasing the valve member towards the closed position thereof. Holding means hold the valve member in the opened position. A dead center spring above the valve member includes a dead center spring which is secured to the circumference of the valve housing. The dead center spring holding the valve member in its close position above the dead center and holds the valve member in its opened position below the dead center.

Abstract: In a system for inflating airslides and the like, the pressure of the primary gas supplied to an ejector is controlled so as to maintain a constant mass flow rate into the airslide over its inflation cycle. A controller for controlling the primary gas pressure may be integrated into the ejector. A novel ejector employs flow shaping of an expanding primary gas stream within a draft tube to create a flow potential that produces entrainment of a secondary fluid. The draft tube may comprise telescoping sections to provide an ejector having a compact structure but which is capable of affording a substantial mixing length for the primary gas and secondary fluid when operated. The draft tube may be biased into engagement with flapper valves that close the secondary fluid openings in the ejector to afford positive closure of the openings. An argon and carbon dioxide primary gas mixture enables entrainment of a given quantity of secondary fluid within a smaller quantity of primary gas.

Abstract: A raft inflation valve includes a valve body having an inlet, an outlet, an internal cylinder open at one end to the valve outlet, an inlet passage leading from the valve inlet to and intersecting with the midsection of the internal cylinder and a firing pin passage which intersects the internal cylinder near its opposite end. A double-ended balanced piston with O-ring seals on both ends is positioned in the internal cylinder so that one end blocks the passage to the outlet. In this position (valve closed) the O-ring seals are on opposite sides of the intersection of the inlet passage which results in a balancing of the gas pressure forces acting on the piston. A compression spring located in the outlet end of the cylinder applies a bias force to the piston. In the valve closed position, movement of the piston away from the spring is physically blocked by a removable firing pin. The valve is actuated by pulling the firing pin out of the firing pin passage.

Abstract: An inflatable support arrangement includes a plurality of first wall portions each of which bounds an annular inflatable zone and surrounds a central region, and second wall portions which are sealingly connected to the first wall portions and span the distances therebetween to separate the central region from the exterior of the support arrangement. A main one-way inlet valve is arranged in the second wall portion and permits air to be aspired therethrough into the central region when the second walls are moved apart. An auxiliary one-way inlet valve communicates the central region with one of the annular zones and permits air only to flow from the central region into the annular compartment when the end walls are moved together.

Abstract: A valve for use with an inflatable article having side walls made of flexible impervious fabric, the valve being attached and sealed to the article at an opening through the side wall thereof. The valve has a hollow valve body having a fixed seat therein, a valve element within the valve body and selectively movable into and out of sealing engagement with the valve seat, and a resilient spring constantly urging the valve element toward and into sealing engagement with the valve seat. The valve is attached and sealed by a nut screwed onto the valve body, the nut having a first, axially outwardly expanding frusto-conical flange on its axially outer end, the first flange underlying the portion of the fabric which surrounds the opening through the side wall of the article, and a second frusto-conical flange attached to the valve body.

Abstract: A swivel valve assembly (10) for an inflatable member (M) permitting passage of a high velocity input of fluid from a pressurized source and providing sealing closure upon pressure equalization including a body (11,12) having a connector (13) for sealing engagement with the inflatable member, a bore (27) in the body communicating with the pressurized source of fluid, a passage (51) in said body communicating with the inflatable member and connecting with the bore, and a movable poppet (55) operative with a sealing member (60) for precluding fluid flow upon pressure equalization and having a disk (66) positioned in the bore for throttling the high velocity input of fluid before passing the sealing member.

Abstract: An inflatable liferaft comprising a pressurized air or gas inflation unit, an elongate flexible support connected between a point of attachment on the liferaft and the inflation unit for supporting the inflation unit at a position remote from the point of attachment and carrying an air or gas flexible supply line or lines from the inflation unit to the liferaft, whereby during inflation of the liferaft the point of attachment has freedom to move relative to the inflation unit.

Abstract: An actuating system for inflating a dual compartment life raft includes a spaced pair of inflation tanks, each mounted on a different one of the two compartments for relative movement when inflation of the raft is initiated. One end of each of a pair of pullout cables is operatively connected to a different one of the tank valves, with the free end of each cable being anchored to the other tank valve. A pull lanyard is secured to the cables for movement along their lengths. A short pull stroke on the lanyard in any direction opens both tank valves. In the event that only one tank valve is manually opened in this manner, the resulting partial inflation of the raft moves the tanks further apart, pulling the still connected cable from its valve and automatically completing the inflation process.

Abstract: An inflatable-deflatable flexible structural component comprising a flexible foam core portion having a fabric covering, the fabric being sealed against loss of air by a flexible elastomeric coating.