Personal, self-contained inflatable flotation apparatus

• Main Authors: KIM; SUNYONG, LEE; DAE W
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 24.03.1992
• Subjects: EQUIPMENT FOR DWELLING OR WORKING UNDER WATER; LAUNCHING, HAULING-OUT, OR DRY-DOCKING OF VESSELS; LIFE-SAVING IN WATER; MEANS FOR SALVAGING OR SEARCHING FOR UNDERWATER OBJECTS; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; RELATED EQUIPMENT; SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; TRANSPORTING

A personal inflatable flotation apparatus comprising a flotation unit and an enclosure for the flotation unit. The flotation unit comprises an inflatable flotation bladder of sufficient size to provide flotation support to the user; a cannister of compressed gas for inflating the bladder; and an inflation valve connecting the bladder and the cannister, which when actuated releases the gas from the cannister to inflate the bladder. The enclosure comprises at least first and second enclosure members that interfit to form an enclosure for the flotation unit. The first enclosure member comprises a generally cylindrical hollow member, and the second enclosure member comprises a closure for the first enclosure member. A portion of the flotation unit is attached to the first enclosure member so that as the first and second members are separated the flotation unit is pulled from the first enclosure member. The flotation unit including a lanyard attached to the first enclosure member for automatically actuating the inflation valve when the flotation unit is removed from the enclosure.