Buoyancy device   

Abstract: A buoyancy device comprises a flotation body designed to give the buoyancy device sufficient buoyancy to act as a life buoy for people to hold onto in the water during an emergency. The buoyancy device includes a storage compartment provided in connection with the flotation body for housing rescue equipment or safety equipment. The storage compartment of this embodiment takes the form of a tray. The tray is provided with a lid which is used to cover the tray and maintain the contents securely inside. The lid is preferably coupled to the tray by a tether. The tray is provided with a web of flexible material which forms a satchel with several pockets of various sizes, for storing a variety of safety devices, including flares, EPIRB, etc. The satchel can be rolled-up and stowed in the tray ready for use in an emergency situation.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a buoyancy device for use as a rescue device on watercraft such as recreational and commercial boats.

The use of watercraft including boats for leisure, recreational and commercial activities has increased in popularity, in particular in coastal areas. This has led to overcrowding of watercraft in popular marine areas with the result that boat owners have had to venture further out to sea to avoid congestion in waters close to the land.

The movement of boats to areas of the sea further from land has meant that there is an increased risk of an emergency situation arising. Many inexperienced boat owners are unaware of the dangers of the ocean at these greater distances from land, which has increased the risk of a tragedy occurring. In addition the incidence of persons reported missing at sea following the capsizing of their boat has also increased.

The prompt rescue of a person stranded in water, for example as a result of a boat capsizing, is critical to their chances of survival. In general, in sea conditions with water temperatures of about 20-23° C. the core body temperature of a person drops rapidly to about 26° C. Below this temperature the loss of all body functions will occur within about 30 minutes, and hence a person in the water has about 4 to 10 hours before their chances of survival are greatly reduced.

Marine safety laws vary nationally and internationally but it is a general requirement that vessels travelling further than 2 kilometres offshore are required to have certain minimum safety equipment on board. This equipment usually includes an “Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon” (EPIRB), flares, a marine radio, an anchor and rope, and life jackets. In addition, life buoys, life rafts and life slings are also often required on board marine vessels.

There is a tendency for boat owners to comply with only the minimum safety requirements. Furthermore, the equipment is often located in different positions on the boat and is frequently misplaced and not readily available when required.

Thus, there is a need to provide a rescue device for use on a watercraft that is easy to store, quick to locate, and easy to use in the case of an emergency. There is also a need to have emergency equipment, in particular an EPIRB and flares, readily available and accessible in the event of an emergency.

The present invention was developed with a view to providing a buoyancy device that goes some way toward meeting this need.

The previous discussion of the background to the invention is provided for illustrative purposes only and is not to be taken as an acknowledgement or admission that any of the material referred to is or was part of the common general knowledge in Australia or elsewhere as at the priority date of this application.

SUMMARY

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a buoyancy device for use as a rescue device in water, the buoyancy device comprising:

a flotation body designed to give the buoyancy device sufficient buoyancy to act as a life buoy for people to hold onto in the water during an emergency; and, a storage compartment provided in connection with the flotation body for housing rescue equipment.

Preferably the flotation body comprises a first section and a second section, the first and second sections being respectively manufactured from moulded plastics components of substantially identical shape and configuration. Preferably each of the first and second sections comprises an outer shell with a foam insert. Preferably the outer shell comprises first and second halves which are joined together to encase the foam insert. Advantageously the first and second halves of the outer shell are substantially identical in shape and configuration and may be manufactured using the same injection mould. Preferably the outer shell is manufactured from injection moulded nylon, and the foam insert is manufactured from a moulded closed-cell polystyrene foam.

In one embodiment the first and second sections are movable with respect to each other between a contracted and an expanded condition. In this embodiment the storage compartment is located within the flotation body and is accessed by moving the first and second sections apart to the expanded condition. In another embodiment the storage compartment is located within the flotation body and is accessed by removing a lid covering the storage compartment. Preferably the lid is coupled to the flotation body by a tether so that, in use, when lid is removed it does not float away.

The storage compartment is preferably centrally located within the flotation body. In use, this allows easy access to the storage compartment from any position around the outer edge of the flotation body by people holding onto the buoyancy device. Preferably the storage compartment is in the form of a rectangular tray which is received in a cavity formed within the first and second sections of the flotation body. Alternatively the storage compartment may be in the form of a bag such as a flexible bag provided with cushioning of waterproof material.

Preferably the tray is provided with a web of flexible material which has several pockets of various sizes provided in connection therewith, for storing a variety of safety devices. Advantageously the web of material forms a satchel which can be rolled-up and stowed in the tray ready for use in an emergency situation. Preferably a handle is provided on the back of the web to facilitate quick release of the satchel when the contents need to be deployed. Preferably the flexible material from which the satchel is made is a waterproof plastics material and includes a layer of cushioning material to cushion the contents of the satchel prior to deployment.

Preferably the buoyancy device further comprises a built-in strobe light for attracting attention in the event of an emergency. Preferably the strobe light is mounted in the storage compartment, together with its own battery, so that it becomes visible when the lid is removed. Advantageously the strobe light is spring-mounted in the storage compartment and when the lid is removed it automatically pops-up.

Preferably the flotation body further comprises a plurality of hand grips to allow one or more people to hold onto the buoyancy device for rescue purposes when the buoyancy device is in the water. Advantageously the hand grips may also be used for storing the buoyancy device on a support bracket provided onboard a watercraft and for handling the buoyancy device when throwing it from the watercraft into the water.

The hand grips may comprise one or more handles spaced about an outer edge of the flotation body. The handles may be formed integral to the flotation body or they may be formed as separate components and attached to the body by suitable fastening means. Preferably there are four handles arranged at intervals around the outer edge of the flotation body. Typically the buoyancy device is of generally rectangular shape, and the handles may be positioned on two opposed sides of the flotation body. Advantageously two handles are provided on opposed sides of each of the first and second sections of the flotation body respectively.

In one embodiment the handles are provided with two extensions which join the handles on the respective first and second sections of the flotation body in its expanded condition. In a preferred embodiment the handle extensions are cylindrical in shape and are slidably received within a hollow interior of the handles in the contracted condition such that in its expanded condition more people can hold onto the buoyancy device when in the water.

Typically the safety equipment that may be housed in the storage compartment includes an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB), flares and emergency lighting such as a strobe.

Furthermore, the flotation body may be of a bright colour such as orange or yellow which is clearly visible in the water. In addition, the flotation body may be provided with reflectors for improved visibility at night.

Throughout the specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word “comprise” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers. Likewise the word “preferably” or variations such as “preferred”, will be understood to imply that a stated integer or group of integers is desirable but not essential to the working of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The nature of the invention will be better understood from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of a buoyancy device, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a first embodiment of the buoyancy device according to the present invention in a contracted condition;

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the buoyancy device of FIG. 1 in an expanded condition;

FIG. 3 illustrates the manner in which the buoyancy device of FIG. 1 may be stored onboard a watercraft;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the buoyancy device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of the buoyancy device of FIG. 1 in its contracted condition with a top half removed;

FIG. 6(a) is a top plan view of the buoyancy device as shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 6(b) is an enlarged section view of part of the buoyancy device shown in FIG. 6(a) showing how a handle extension is slidably received within the handles;

FIG. 7(a) is a top perspective view of the buoyancy device of FIG. 1 in its expanded condition with a top half removed;

FIG. 7(b) is an enlarged section view of part of the buoyancy device shown in FIG. 7(a) showing how a storage compartment is slidably held within the buoyancy device;

FIG. 7 (c) is a top plan view of the buoyancy device as shown in FIG. 7(a);

FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of a second embodiment of the buoyancy device according to the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a top perspective view of the buoyancy device of FIG. 8 with the lid of the storage compartment removed;

FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate the manner in which safety equipment stored in the buoyancy device of FIG. 8 may be removed from the storage compartment;

FIG. 12 is a section view through the buoyancy device of FIG. 8 with the lid of the storage compartment in place;

FIG. 13 is a section view through the buoyancy device of FIG. 8 with the lid of the storage compartment removed;

FIG. 14 is an exploded view of the buoyancy device of FIG. 8;

FIG. 15 is a top perspective view of the buoyancy device of FIG. 8 with a top half removed;

FIG. 16 is a top perspective view of the buoyancy device of FIG. 8 with the lid removed;

FIG. 17 is a top perspective view of the buoyancy device of FIG. 8 with a top half of the shell removed and a tray of the storage compartment removed;

FIG. 18 is a top perspective view of the buoyancy device of FIG. 8 with a top half removed and foam inserts in place;

FIGS. 19(a) and 19(b) are a side elevation and section view respectively through the line A-A of the buoyancy device of FIG. 8; and,

FIGS. 20(a) and 20 (b) are an end elevation and section view respectively through the line A-A of the buoyancy device of FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A first embodiment of a buoyancy device 10 in accordance with the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, comprises a flotation body 12 designed to give the buoyancy device 10 sufficient buoyancy to act as a life buoy for people to hold onto in the water during an emergency.

The buoyancy device 10 further comprises a storage compartment 14 provided in connection with the flotation body 12 for housing rescue equipment or safety equipment (not shown). The storage compartment 14 of this embodiment takes the form of a tray 15. The tray 15 has a volume of approximately 6 litres. Typically the safety equipment that may be housed in the tray 15 includes an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB), flares and emergency lighting such as a strobe. Thus it can be seen that the buoyancy device 10 of the present invention can be used on boats and other watercraft such as yachts and ships.

Because the buoyancy device 10 is buoyant it may be thrown into the water in an emergency situation and will float. In an onboard emergency, passengers on the watercraft may jump into the water and hold onto the buoyancy device 10 and deploy the rescue equipment or safety equipment while awaiting rescue.

The buoyancy device 10 has the further benefit that all of the required safety equipment or rescue equipment is located in the tray 15 of the buoyancy device 10 so that time is not lost, or lives endangered, while looking for such equipment on the boat. The buoyancy device 10 may also have extra features such as flare scratch pads to allow flares removed from the tray 15 to be ignited with a minimum time delay.

The flotation body 12 of the buoyancy device 10 preferably comprises a first section 12a and a second section 12b, the first and second sections 12a and 12b being movable with respect to each other between a contracted and an expanded condition. FIG. 1 shows the flotation body 12 in its contracted condition, and FIG. 2 shows the flotation body 12 in its expanded condition. The tray 15 is located within the flotation body 12 and is accessed by moving the first and second sections 12a and 12b apart to the expanded condition.

The tray 15 is preferably centrally located within the flotation body 12. In use, this allows easy access to the tray 15 from any position around the outer edge of the flotation body 12 by people holding onto the buoyancy device 10. Preferably the tray 15 is slidably received within a cavity 16 formed within the first and second sections 12a and 12b of the flotation body 12, as can be seen most clearly in FIGS. 4 and 7(a). This arrangement will be described in more detail below.

The flotation body 12 further comprises a plurality of hand grips 17 to allow one or more people to hold onto the buoyancy device 10 for rescue purposes when the buoyancy device 10 is in the water. In the embodiment, the hand grips 17 are shown as one or more handles 18 spaced about an outer edge of the flotation body 12. Advantageously the handles 18 may also be used for storing the buoyancy device 10 on a support bracket 20 provided onboard a watercraft and for handling the buoyancy device 10 when throwing it from the watercraft into the water. FIG. 3 illustrates a support bracket 20 that may be fastened to a wall of the watercraft (not shown). The support bracket 20 has two arms 21 which are received through the apertures 23 in the buoyancy device 10 between the handles 18 and the bulk of the flotation body 12.

In this embodiment the handles 18 are closed loop and formed integral to the flotation body 12. However they may also be formed as separate components and attached to the body by suitable fastening means (not shown in the drawings). There are four handles 18 arranged at intervals around the outer edge of the flotation body 12 for easy gripping and for attachment of rope and accessories as required. The illustrated buoyancy device 10 is of generally rectangular shape, and the handles 18 are disposed in pairs on two opposed sides of the flotation body 12. However it will be appreciated that the buoyancy device 10 may be of any suitable shape, for example, circular, elliptical or oval shape. Advantageously two handles 18 are provided on each of the first and second sections 12a and 12b of the flotation body 12 respectively (as can best be seen in FIG. 2).

Preferably the handles 18 are provided with two handle extensions 22 which join the handles 18 on the respective first and second sections 12a and 12b of the flotation body 12 in its expanded condition, as can be seen most clearly in FIGS. 2, 5, 6, 7 and 8. In the illustrated embodiment the handle extensions 22 are cylindrical in shape and are slidably received within a hollow interior of the handles 18 in the contracted condition. In the expanded condition of the buoyancy device 10, the handle extensions 22 effectively extend the length of the handles 18 to provide additional space for people to get a hand grip on the buoyancy device 10.

Each handle extension 22 is formed with first and second slots 24a and 24b. Each handle 18 is formed with a boss 26a in which a screw fastener 28 is received to engage with a matching boss 26b, as shown in FIG. 6(b). Each pair of matching bosses 26a and 26b is slidably received in one of the slots 24a or 24b. Because the bosses 26a and 26b are located adjacent an inner edge of the respective first and second sections 12a and 12b of the flotation body, they define the outermost limits of the sliding movement of the two sections 12a and 12b to their expanded condition. The bosses 26a and 26b in slots 24a and 24b also help to keep the two sections 12a and 12b correctly aligned and straight during sliding movement between their contracted and expanded conditions.

The tray 15 also helps to keep the two sections 12a and 12b correctly aligned and straight during their sliding movement. The tray 15 is preferably of elongate rectangular configuration, formed with two end panels 44, two side panels 46 and a base 48, as best seen in FIG. 4. Each side panel 46 of the tray 15 is preferably provided with top and bottom sliding edges 30 as can be seen most clearly in FIGS. 4 and 7(b). The sliding edges 30 are slidably received in matching channels 32 provided on each side and at the top and bottom of the cavity 16 within the flotation body 12 (see FIG. 4). Advantageously the sliding edges 30 are provided with a small projecting portion 34 at each end which is designed to abut against a stop 36 provided at the inner end of each matching channel 32 (see FIG. 7(b)). The projecting portions 34 engage with the stops to prevent the tray 15 from becoming accidentally separated from the flotation body 12, and also to help prevent the two sections 12a and 12b of the flotation body 12 from coming apart.

Advantageously the first and second sections 12a and 12b of the flotation body 12 are respectively manufactured from moulded plastics components of substantially identical shape and configuration. As can be seen most clearly in FIG. 4, each of the first and second sections 12a and 12b comprises an outer shell 40 with a foam insert 42. Preferably the first outer shell 40a comprises first and second shell halves 40a′ and 40a″ which are joined together to encase a foam insert 42a. Likewise the second outer shell 40b comprises first and second shell halves 40b′ and 40b″ which are joined together to encase a foam insert 42b. Advantageously the first and second halves 40a′, 40a″ and 40b′, 40b″ of the respective outer shells 40a and 40b are all substantially identical in shape and configuration. Hence all four halves of the two shells 40a and 40b may be manufactured using the same injection mould, which leads to a substantial reduction in manufacturing and assembly costs.

The two halves of each outer shell 40 (namely 40a′ and 40a″, and 40b′ and 40b″) and are held together in the assembled condition by a plurality of screw fasteners 56 as shown in FIG. 4. Alternatively some other means of fastening may be employed, such as plastics welding. Before the two halves of each shell are joined together, it is necessary to insert the tray 15 and the handle extensions 22 as these are both held in place, in connection with the two sections 12a and 12b of the flotation body, by the two shells 40a and 40b.

In this embodiment the outer shell 40 is manufactured from injection moulded nylon, and the foam insert 42 is manufactured from moulded closed-cell polystyrene foam. Nylon 6 is preferred because of its high strength and resilience. Furthermore, the flotation body 12 may be of a bright colour such as orange or yellow which is clearly visible in the water. The external surface of the flotation body 12 has a large surface area for various safety markings and operating instructions. In addition, the flotation body 12 may be provided with reflectors for improved visibility at night.

In its fully assembled and contracted condition the two halves of the flotation body 12 are preferably held together by a locking strap 50. As can be seen most clearly in FIG. 4, the strap 50 passes right around the flotation body 12, through narrow apertures 52 provided in both sections 12a and 12b of the flotation body 12. The locking strap 50 is preferably provided with a stainless steel buckle 54 and with hook and loop fastener material, such as “Velcro” (a registered trade mark), for securing the strap 50 around the body 12. The strap 50 can be rapidly released by manually pulling the hook and loop fastener material apart. This allows the two sections of the flotation body 12 to be slid open manually to expose the interior of the tray 15.

A tow ring 60 (40 mm diameter) may be provided at each end of the flotation body 12 for attachment of ropes and karabiners to the buoyancy device 10. In its fully contracted condition the buoyancy device 10 is approximately 560 mm in length. It is approximately 400 mm wide and 140 mm in thickness. In its fully expanded condition the buoyancy device 10 is approximately 960 mm in length (almost a meter).

A second embodiment of the buoyancy device 70 in accordance with the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 8 to 20 of the accompanying drawings. The buoyancy device 70 is similar to the first embodiment and comprises a flotation body 72 designed to give the buoyancy device 70 sufficient buoyancy to act as a life buoy for people to hold onto in the water during an emergency. The buoyancy device 70 further comprises a storage compartment 74 provided in connection with the flotation body 72 for housing rescue equipment or safety equipment (see FIGS. 10 and 11). The storage compartment 74 of this embodiment takes the form of a tray 76. Alternatively the storage compartment 74 could be in other forms such as a bag for example a flexible bag with cushioning made from a waterproof material.

The tray 76 has a volume of approximately 6 litres. The tray 76 is provided with a lid 78 which is used to cover the tray and maintain the contents securely inside. The lid 78 is preferably coupled to the tray 76 by a tether 79 so that, in use, when lid 78 is removed it does not float away. The tray 76 is preferably centrally located within the flotation body 72. In use, this allows easy access to the tray 76 from any position around the outer edge of the flotation body 72 by people holding onto the buoyancy device 70.

Preferably a strip of hook and loop fastener material is provided around the top lip 86 of the tray 76, and matching hook and loop fastener material is provided around the periphery of the lid 78, so that when the lid is placed on top of the tray 76 it is held securely in place on the tray. At each end of the lid 78 there is provided a finger grip 88 and a recess to permit a user\'s fingers to be inserted under the finger grip 88 to lift the lid off the tray 76.

The buoyancy device 70 may be used in a similar manner to the first embodiment and provides similar advantages. One difference in the buoyancy device 70 is the provision of a built-in strobe light 80. Preferably the strobe light 80 is mounted in the storage compartment, together with its own battery, so that it becomes visible when the lid is removed. The strobe light 80 is spring-mounted in the tray 76. The strobe light 80 is slidably mounted in its own light housing 82. The strobe light 80 is spring-mounted in the light housing 82 via coil spring 84, as can be seen most clearly in FIGS. 12 and 13, so that when the lid is removed it automatically pops-up above the height of the tray 76. Typically the strobe light 80 is fitted with a conductivity switch so that when it is exposed to water it automatically switches on.

As with the first embodiment, the flotation body 72 of the buoyancy device 70 preferably comprises a first section 72a and a second section 72b (see FIG. 19(a)). However, unlike the first embodiment, the first and second sections 72a and 72b are not movable with respect to each other. Advantageously the first and second sections 72a and 72b of the flotation body 72 are respectively manufactured from moulded plastics components of substantially identical shape and configuration.

As can be seen most clearly in FIG. 14, each of the first and second sections 72a and 72b comprises an outer shell 90 with a foam insert 92. The first outer shell 90a comprises first and second shell halves 90a′ and 90a″ which are joined together to encase a foam insert 92a. Likewise the second outer shell 90b comprises first and second shell halves 90b′ and 90b″ which are joined together to encase a foam insert 92b. The first and second halves 90a′, 90a″ and 90b′, 90b″ of the respective outer shells 90a and 90b are all substantially similar in shape and configuration. Hence all four halves of the two shells 90a and 90b may be manufactured using the same injection mould with inserts to provide a component with an opening as seen in 90a″ and a component that is closed as seen in 90a′. 90a′ and 90b′ are identical, and 90a″ and 90b″ are identical, which leads to a substantial reduction in manufacturing and assembly costs.

During assembly respective first shell halves 90a′ and 90b′ are coupled together end to end, as shown in FIG. 17. Each shell half 90a′ and 90a″, 90b′ and 90b″, is formed with a flange 98 and a semi-circular lip 100 which engages with the flange 98 of its matching shell half, in the region of the handles 110. Two H-shaped structural members 102 are also provided to provide additional strength and rigidity for the flotation body 72. The structural members 102 are received on either side of the flotation body 72, between the handles 110 and the foam inserts 92, as shown in FIG. 18. Then the respective second shell halves 90a″ and 90b″ are coupled together end to end and placed on top of the first shell halves 90a′ and 90b.

The two halves of each outer shell 90 (namely 90a′ and 90b′, and 90a″ and 90b″) and are held together in the assembled condition by a plurality of screw fasteners 96 as shown in FIG. 14. Alternatively some other means of fastening may be employed, such as plastics welding or clips. After the two halves of each shell are joined together, the tray 76 may be inserted in the central cavity formed between the foam inserts 92, as shown in FIG. 16.

In this embodiment the outer shell 90 is manufactured from injection moulded nylon, and the foam insert 92 is manufactured from moulded closed-cell foam such as polystyrene foam.

The tray 76 is provided with a web of flexible material 104 which has several pockets of various sizes provided in connection therewith, for storing a variety of safety devices, including flares 106, EPIRB 108, etc as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. The web of material 104 forms a satchel which can be rolled-up and stowed in the tray 76 ready for use in an emergency situation, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 19(b). A handle 105 is provided on the back of the web 104 to facilitate quick release of the satchel when the contents need to be deployed. Preferably the flexible material from which the satchel is made is a waterproof plastics material and includes a layer of cushioning material to cushion the contents of the satchel prior to and during deployment.

The flotation body 72 further comprises a plurality of hand grips to allow one or more people to hold onto the buoyancy device 70 for rescue purposes when the buoyancy device 70 is in the water. In the embodiment, the hand grips are shown as one or more handles 110 spaced about an outer edge of the flotation body 72. As with the previous embodiment, the handles 110 are closed loop and formed integral to the flotation body 72. There are four handles 110 arranged at intervals around the outer edge of the flotation body 72 for easy gripping and for attachment of rope and accessories as required. Preferably each of the handles 110, and an outer circumferential edge of the flotation body 72, are covered with a rubber handgrip surface material 112, to improve the ease with which the handles 110 can be gripped without slipping of the hands (see also FIGS. 19(a) and 20(a)).

Now that preferred embodiments of the buoyancy device have been described in detail, it will be apparent that the embodiments provide a number of advantages over the prior art, including the following: (i) The incorporation of a storage compartment within the buoyancy device enables rescue equipment or emergency equipment to be conveniently stored in one place ready for use in an emergency. (ii) This means the buoyancy device can be launched with a minimum of delay and with no time being lost in attempting to locate and retrieve the various pieces of rescue and emergency equipment. (iii) The housing of the safety equipment in the storage compartment in a central location allows the equipment to be readily accessed and used by any person holding the buoyancy device at any of the handles. (iv) Its modular design means that manufacturing costs can be kept to a minimum. (v) The ability to extend the flotation body to an expanded condition with handle extensions enables more people to get a grip on the buoyancy device in an emergency by providing additional handle space.

It will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the relevant arts that various modifications and improvements may be made to the foregoing embodiments, in addition to those already described, without departing from the basic inventive concepts of the present invention. For example, in both the described embodiments the flotation body is of substantially rectangular configuration. However it could just as well be of circular or ellipsoid configuration. Therefore, it will be appreciated that the scope of the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described and is to be defined by the accompanying claims.