Abstract: The present invention relates to improved personal flotation devices and their methods of use. Advantageously, the devices and methods of the invention eliminate the need for a pyrotechnical firing mechanism, and compared to current devices, are less apt to be spontaneously activated by deterioration that is caused by storage in a humid environment or the passage of time. Instead, the devices and methods of use of the present invention incorporate electronic circuitry to activate automatic operation.

Abstract: A floatation attachment system may include a floatation attachment device configured to be attached to an object. The floatation attachment device may include a floatation material configured to provide buoyancy to the object it attaches and an attachment surface configured to directly attach the object. The floatation material may include a material that expands or generates gas upon contact with water. The system may include a dispenser such as a sheet of pre-cut floatation attachment devices or for manual cutting for customized shapes and sizes. In one instance, the system includes a tape roll dispenser for dispensing floatation attachment devices from a roll.

Abstract: A valve includes a valve housing body extending along a central longitudinal axis (X) between a first end and a second end. The valve housing comprises a first chamber at said first end comprising a gas inlet for receiving a gas and a second chamber at said second end having a plug provided at said second end, and an inter-chamber passageway connecting said first chamber to said second chamber. The valve further comprises a gas outlet provided in said inter-chamber passageway, and a piston provided in said inter-chamber passageway. The piston is movable between a first position wherein said outlet is blocked by said piston and a second position wherein said outlet is not blocked by said piston. The plug has a ventilation passageway extending therethrough. The valve has bypass channel configured to fluidly connect the first chamber to said second chamber and is not aligned with the ventilation passage.

Abstract: A technical data monitoring device for use with a wireless data monitoring network includes a wireless communications circuit, and at least one technical device/system. The technical data monitoring device establishes a wireless communication link with a programmable interface of a programmable cellular telephone. The device is also configured to send and/or receive wireless packet switched data transmissions, generate data and send data over the wireless communication link for processing by the programmable cellular telephone, and has an associated status condition. Data from the device is (1) sent to be processed and displayed by the programmable cellular telephone and/or (2) sent to be processed and forwarded by the programmable cellular telephone to an Internet website. The device forms part of the wireless data monitoring network in communication with the programmable cellular telephone. The technical device/system can be one of a number of sensors, devices, or systems.

Abstract: A fluid activated automatic release apparatus is configured to release a pressurized gas from a cylinder bottle and/or activating various mechanical release mechanisms. The apparatus may include a liquid sensor component moveably coupled to a cam member; and a piercing pin configured to engage a fluid container, responsive to rotatable movement of the cam member. The apparatus may include a liquid sensor component moveably coupled to a cam member; and a barrel device biased to move linearly responsive to rotatable movement of the cam member.

Abstract: An inflation device 10 for an inflatable article comprises a housing 11 for supporting a container 15 of pressurised fluid and for supporting piercing means which is displaceable from a retracted position to penetrate the container and allow release of pressurised fluid, said container being contained within a protected casing 20 which is secured non-releasably to the housing thereby to prevent removal of the pressurised container.

Abstract: A user-programmable, submersible actuator apparatus that includes an inflator mechanism configured when operatively connected to an inflation source and to an inflatable device to provide command-activated release of fluid from the inflation source to the inflatable device and thereby provide a buoyant force. A controller causes the inflator mechanism to actuate inflation in the event of the first of a deep submersion condition or a heavy bobbing condition. The deep submersion condition may be determined when a specific (approximated) submersion depth has been detected. The heavy bobbing condition may be determined by a predetermined number of bobs of a specific (approximated) depth (less than the deep submersion depth) being detected or by a predetermined frequency of bobbing being detected. The water sensor mechanism may include a pair of sensor elements, having outer ends each recessed in 0.9 to 1.1 mm, or 1.0 mm.

Abstract: A water activated inflator and a method of air deployment of a water activated inflatable device are provided. A gas cylinder opening device for opening a sealing mechanism of a gas cylinder is disposed at least partially within a housing and is movable between a cocked position and a fired position along a first axis having a first orientation relative to the housing. A tension mechanism provides tension acting along the first axis for moving the gas cylinder opening device from the cocked position to the fired position. A plunger is holding the gas cylinder opening mechanism in the cocked position. The plunger is disposed in the housing and movable between a first position and a second position along a second axis having a second different orientation relative to the housing. A water soluble element is holding the plunger in the first position. A first interacting surface of the gas cylinder opening device is disposed at a predetermined angle to the first axis.

Abstract: An automatic inflator comprising a body for receiving a dissolvable pill, said dissolvable pill including an upper surface and a lower surface, at least one of said surfaces including an undulating configuration.

Abstract: A Floating Air Bag device for a vehicle includes a Floating Air Bag that is installed folded inside a container with one opening that has a cover inside the back rest of the driver or passenger seat facing the rear of the vehicle. The Floating Air Bag activating mechanism includes a water sensor and a gas inflator that inflates the Floating Air Bag when excessive amount of water is detected. The Floating Air Bag bursts from the storage site and it could be detached from the container Attached to the Floating Air Bag is a tether so the driver or passenger could grasp on to and use as a life line and float to the surface. The Floating Air Bag safety device could be used immediately a life saver in the event a vehicle is submerged in water.

Abstract: A water activated inflator and a method of air deployment of a water activated inflatable device are provided. A gas cylinder opening device for opening a sealing mechanism of a gas cylinder is disposed at least partially within a housing and is movable between a cocked position and a fired position along a first axis having a first orientation relative to the housing. A tension mechanism provides tension acting along the first axis for moving the gas cylinder opening device from the cocked position to the fired position. A plunger is holding the gas cylinder opening mechanism in the cocked position. The plunger is disposed in the housing and movable between a first position and a second position along a second axis having a second different orientation relative to the housing. A water soluble element is holding the plunger in the first position. A first interacting surface of the gas cylinder opening device is disposed at a predetermined angle to the first axis.

Abstract: An automatic inflation device is provided which features a trigger and release system for use in an armed-static condition and which is advantageous in that it significantly reduces the force acting on a dissolvable tablet in the release mechanism and thereby extends the operating life of the automatic inflation device in the presence of high humidity. The device preferably operates using a male and female housing with a manifold to allow expanding gas to escape and a compressed concentric spring encompassing a CO2 cylinder subassembly, and the triggering sequence includes a degradable element which triggers the inflation device upon losing its structural integrity, which causes an extending spring to drive the CO2 cylinder toward a puncture pin.

Abstract: An automatically inflatable safety device includes an inflatable safety jacket mounted on a user's body and having an inner face formed with an air valve, and an inflation mechanism mounted on the air valve of the safety jacket to supply air into the safety jacket. Thus, the automatically inflatable safety device is available for traffic vehicles applied in the land (such as the motorcycle) and the water (such as the boat or ship), so that the automatically inflatable safety device has an amphibious effect, thereby greatly enhancing the versatility of the automatically inflatable safety device.

Abstract: A flotation device for use with objects includes a bladder forming part of an inflatable assembly having an inflatable volume defined by a first wall and a second wall sealed about a periphery. A water actuated inflation valve is in fluid communication with the inflatable volume through one of the walls, and the inflatable assembly wraps over the water actuated inflation valve to form a protective cavity covering the water actuated inflation valve. At least one releasable fastener holds the inflatable assembly over the water actuated valve, wherein actuation of the water actuated valve inflates the bladder to release the at least one releasable fastener to allow the bladder to further expand. In one embodiment, at least one strap is fixed to the inflatable assembly.

Abstract: An inflation device (5) for an inflatable article (such a life jacket), includes a housing (8) for holding a container of pressurised fluid (6), a displacement means (12) including a piercing means (15) displaceable so as to penetrate the container (6) and allow the release of said pressurised fluid, and actuation means (23, 27, 28, 29) having engaging co-operating elements (17, 25) which engage to retain the displacement means (12) in an unactuated configuration. The actuation means (23, 27, 28, 29) release the displacement means (12) both through the presence of water or by manual operation. The co-operating elements (17, 25) are substantially radially arranged. The line along which the displacement means (12) acts may be coaxial with the radii of the co-operating elements (17, 25). One of the co-operating elements (17) is capable of inward radial movement, and the actuation means (27, 28, 29) operates to prevent that co-operating element's (17) radially inward movement.

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: Life support apparatus comprising a flotation device in a collapsed condition which is launcher to a distressed target, the flotation device being connected by a flexible line, so that when the flotation device arrives at or near the target, it is deployed and inflated automatically to provide flotation support and establish a "life-line" from the launcher to the target.

Abstract: A device (100) is provided for inflating, more particularly, a container or a floating body of a piece of lifesaving equipment with pressure gas from a pressure gas container (11) sealed with a diaphragm (14). The pressure gas container, within the area of a container neck (12), has an external thread (13) which can be screwed into a receiving aperture (15) in a housing (10). The gas content of the container (11) is released by opening the diaphragm (14) with the aid of an opening striker (24) disposed in the housing which may possibly be movable by means of a hand lever and by the force of a spring element against the diaphragm (14). The spring element in a pretensioned position, is retained with the aid of an automatic element (35) that loses its solidity in water. The pressure gas container (11) can be screwed into the receiving aperture (15) of the housing while simultaneously pretensioning the spring element.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for the inflation of a container or a floating body of an item of lifesaving equipment with compressed gas. The gas content of a compressed gas container sealed with the aid of a diaphragm, is released by opening the diaphragm with an opening striker disposed in a housing. A lever drive comprising a swiveling lever possessing an intermediate member upon which a hand lever also acts, engages the opening striker to place the device reliably into operation. The swiveling lever is two-armed and swivelable about an axis of rotation that is integral with the housing. A first arm of the swiveling lever is supported upon a spring with its free end, and a second arm of the swiveling lever is supported on a housing stop. The second arm is supportable with its free end upon an automatic element. The intermediate member is two-armed and swivelable about an axis of rotation that is integral with the housing.

Abstract: A line throwing bag comprising a bag with a sidewall, an open end, a closed end formed by an end wall, and an interior compartment with sufficient size to loosely receive a plurality of folds of a central portion of a line. The line has a first end portion fixedly attached to the bag and extending through an aperture in the bag end wall with a loop positioned exterior of the bag for grasping by the person to be rescued. A looped second end portion extends through the bag open end and is positioned exterior of the bag for grasping by the person throwing the bag. A weight is fixedly attached to the bag end wall and weighs a sufficient amount to carry the bag forward when thrown for a distance substantially equal of the length of the line central portion and to gradually play the line out of the bag under the rearward drag created by holding the second line end portion stationary.

Abstract: An improved automatic actuation device for inflatable life-saving equipment which comprises a housing, a compressed gas cylinder, a piercing pin for piercing the seal cap of the gas cylinder to open it, a L-shaped lever for driving the piercing pin and an automatic actuation device which will automatically operate when submerged in water to actuate the lever, characterized in that the automatic actuation device can be readily fitted on the compressed gas cylinder of any kind of the conventional life-saving equipment and comprises an outer cylinder, an inner cylinder, an actuating spring being compressing received between two cylinders, a water-soluble paper coil being surrounded around two projecting pins of the cylinders when two cylinders are pressed and fastened together and the water-soluble paper coil is used in the form of a replaceable unit.

Abstract: A safety latched, water-activated, automatic inflator is disclosed for use in conjunction with inflatable devices such as personal flotation devices. The safety latch operates to relieve the pressure normally exerted by the actuator pin on the water soluble element during periods of nonuse such that the water soluble element will not prematurely degrade causing inadvertent and unintended actuation of the inflator. The safety latch of the invention comprises many embodiments including a removable latch lever, a pivotable latch lever, a rotary latch lever, a transverse rotary latch lever, and a push/pull latch lever. A throwable personal floatation device is disclosed which incorporates the safety latch automatic inflator of the invention.

Abstract: The compressed-gas device for the life-saving services which can be activated by water, more especially the automatic separating coupling for parachutes, comprises a channel (9) and two detector chambers (10, 11) which, via openings (12, 13), are connected to the channel (9) and, via openings (14, 15), are connected to one respective opposite outer surface (16, 17) of the device. The cross-section of the outwardly directed openings (14, 15) is larger than that of the connection openings (12, 13) to the channel (9). Only when the measuring block (2) is completely immersed in water are three pairs of electrodes (18, 19; 20, 21; 22, 23) bridged by water so that a fuel-gas charge is ignited via an electric circuit (7) with the aid of an igniter (8) (FIG. 2).

Abstract: A liquid-sensitive actuator for actuating a displacement responsive device, such as an inflator for a flotation device. The actuator comprises a sensing member within a housing which expands upon contact with a liquid entering the housing through an inlet. Expansion of the sensing member imparts displacement to the device and thereby causes its actuation. In the case of a flotation device, actuation may involve displacement of a trigger member to cause discharge of gas from a cartridge to deploy an inflatable cell. The sensing member may comprise a dried, compressed natural sponge member which expands rapidly and forcefully when immersed in water to actuate the device. A cover is provided for the housing which is movable between a latched, closed position substantially sealing the liquid inlet and an open position to permit entry of liquid into the housing. When the cover is in the closed position, the sensing member is physically immobilized to prevent premature activation of the actuator.

Abstract: A flotation device including an inflatable member, a compressed gas source including a container therefor with a port therein, a seal normally sealing the port, a body member having a bore extending therethrough, a connection member connecting the port of the compressed gas container to the body member adjacent the bore and in registration therewith, a piston member positioned in the bore and movable therein between a first position engaging the seal closing the port in the compressed gas container and a second position spaced from the seal, the piston member having a member thereon capable of rupturing the seal closing the port in the compressed gas container in the first position thereof, an outlet port through the body portion communicating the bore with an inlet opening of the inflatable member when the piston member is in the second position thereof, a piston engaging member positioned on the body member and movable between one position wherein the piston engaging member retains the piston member in the

Abstract: Dual firing inflator for an inflatable article. A first gas containing capsule is pierced by energy supplied either manually or by a compressed spring of the like and the gas from the pierced first capsule powers a second piercing pin which pierces a second gas containing capsule. This reduces the amount of externally applied energy which is necessary to operate the inflator while supplying the inflatable article with an amount of gas which is twice that contained in capsules which are normally used with inflators of the same general type.

Abstract: An automatic inflator which inflates gas-inflatable articles by the release of compressed gas from a gas-containing capsule by the piercing of a seal on the capsule. The inflator has an elongated housing having first and second end portions, the housing receiving the neck of a compressed gas-containing capsule mounted for longitudinal movement with respect thereto and with the seal on the capsule disposed adjacent the second end portion of the housing. A piercing pin is mounted on the first end portion of the housing to confront the seal on the neck of a capsule mounted therein, there being a spring at the second end portion of the housing for constantly urging the capsule longitudinally of the housing toward the first end portion thereof.

Abstract: An automatic inflator which inflates gas-inflatable articles by the release of compressed gas from a gas-containing capsule by the piercing of a seal on the capsule. The inflator has an elongated housing having first and second end portions, the housing receiving a compressed gas-containing capsule for longitudinal movement with respect thereto and with the seal on the capsule disposed adjacent the second end portion of the housing. A piercing pin is mounted on the second end portion of the housing to confront the seal of a capsule mounted therein, there being a spring at the first end portion of the housing for constantly urging the capsule longitudinally of the housing toward the second end portion thereof.

Abstract: Automatic inflator which inflates gas-inflatable articles by the release of compressed gas from a gas-containing capsule by the piercing of a seal on the capsule. The inflator has an elongated cup-shaped housing having an open rear end and a generally closed front end. The rear end of the housing receives the neck of a compressed gas-containing capsule with the seal on the capsule disposed within the housing. A plunger is disposed adjacent to the forward, generally closed end of the housing, the plunger being adapted to reciprocate longitudinally of the housing. A piercing pin is mounted on the plunger to confront the seal of a capsule mounted on the housing; there is a spring at the forward end of the housing for constantly urging the plunger and the piercing pin thereon longitudinally rearwardly of the housing toward the seal on the capsule, and a releasable blocking device interposed between the plunger and the neck of the capsule to hold the piercing pin spaced from the seal of the capsule.