US3672609A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Inflatable body-attachments for marine life-saving
Assignee: Frankenstein Group Ltd
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Filing: 1970-10-06
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Granted: 1972-06-27
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Expires: 1990-10-06
Abstract
Abstract This invention concerns a life-saving appliance comprising an inflatable portion which when the appliance is unactivated is stowed compactly in a pouch, means for securing the pouch closely to the body of the wearer, and a fastening for the pouch adapted for release or disablement only through the medium of a flexible traction member to permit deployment of the appliance on inflation thereof, characterized in that the release or disabling means for the pouch fastening is adapted for direct or indirect connection to an aircraft ejection seat or the lift webbing of an associated parachute so that on separation of the wearer from the seat or deployment of the parachute, the pouch will be free to open on inflation of the appliance, and by a water-responsive mechanism adapted to initiate self-inflation of the appliance on immersion.
Inventors
- 👤 James Mitchell Hawkins
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 20:13
CPC Classifications
B; B64; B64D; B64D17/00; B64D17/78
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
134 words
A marine life-saving appliance intended to be worn by a person sitting in an aircraft ejection seat, said appliance comprising an inflatable portion, an initially closed but openable pouch in which said portion is stowed compactly in uninflated condition, means for securing said pouch closely to the body of the wearer, a fastening for maintaining said pouch closed, an elongated flexible traction member adapted on longitudinal movement to release said fastening to permit deployment of the appliance on inflation thereof, means for connecting said traction member to an aircraft ejection seat so that on separation of the wearer from the seat said traction member will be pulled longitudinally and said pouch rendered free to open an inflation of said inflatable portion, and a waterresponsive mechanism adapted to initiate self-inflation of the appliance on immersion.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
134 words
A marine life-saving appliance intended to be worn by a person sitting in an aircraft ejection seat, said appliance comprising an inflatable portion, an initially closed but openable pouch in which said portion is stowed compactly in uninflated condition, means for securing said pouch closely to the body of the wearer, a fastening for maintaining said pouch closed, an elongated flexible traction member adapted on longitudinal movement to release said fastening to permit deployment of the appliance on inflation thereof, means for connecting said traction member to an aircraft ejection seat so that on separation of the wearer from the seat said traction member will be pulled longitudinally and said pouch rendered free to open an inflation of said inflatable portion, and a waterresponsive mechanism adapted to initiate self-inflation of the appliance on immersion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
An appliance as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a normally secured enclosure for said fastening.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
An appliance as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a static line secured to said traction member and a fastener at the free end of said static line.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
An appliance as set forth in claim 3 further comprising another device thereon, an additional static line secured to said device for operating same, said additional static line being attached to said fastener on said static line secured to said traction member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
60 words
An appliance as claimed in claim 1 further comprising an integrated line, a fastener on the free end thereof, and a connection between said integrated line and said traction member, the length of said connection being substantially less than the length of said integrated line between the appliance and the point of attachment of said connection to said integrated line.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
50 words
An appliance as set forth in claim 3 in combination with an ejection seat of an aircraft, there being means on said ejection seat to which said fastener on said static line is connected and which will disengage when the loading thereon exceeds that necessary to operate said traction member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
55 words
An appliance as set forth in claim 5 in combination with an ejection seat of an aircraft, there being means on said ejection seat to which said fastener on said integrated line is connected and which will disengage when the loading thereon exceeds that necessary to straighten said integrated line and operate said traction member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
69 words
An appliance in combination with an ejection seat of an aircraft as set forth in claim 7 further comprising a two-way connector plate, to one end of which said fastener on the integrated line is secured, a spring clip on said ejection seat to which the other end of said connector plate is engaged, a survival pack, and a lowering line connecting said survival pack to said connector plate.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
135 words
A marine life-saving appliance intended to be worn by a person also wearing a parachute, said appliance comprising an inflatable portion, an initially closed but openable pouch in which said portion is stowed compactly in uninflated condition, means for securing said pouch closely to the body of the wearer, a fastening for maintaining said pouch closed, an elongated flexible traction member adapted on longitudinal movement to release said fastening to permit deployment of the appliance on inflation thereof, means for connecting said traction member to the lift webbing of a parachute attached to the wearer so that on release of said parachute said traction member will be pulled longitudinally and said pouch rendered free to open an inflation of said inflatable portion, and a water-responsive mechanism adapted to initiate self-inflation of the appliance on immersion.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
135 words
A marine life-saving appliance intended to be worn by a person also wearing a parachute, said appliance comprising an inflatable portion, an initially closed but openable pouch in which said portion is stowed compactly in uninflated condition, means for securing said pouch closely to the body of the wearer, a fastening for maintaining said pouch closed, an elongated flexible traction member adapted on longitudinal movement to release said fastening to permit deployment of the appliance on inflation thereof, means for connecting said traction member to the lift webbing of a parachute attached to the wearer so that on release of said parachute said traction member will be pulled longitudinally and said pouch rendered free to open an inflation of said inflatable portion, and a water-responsive mechanism adapted to initiate self-inflation of the appliance on immersion.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
An appliance as set forth in claim 9 in combination with a parachute attached to the wearer there being means of tHe lift webbing of said parachute to which said traction member is connected.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-06-27 | 1975-12-27 | 1976-06-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-06-27 | 1979-12-27 | 1980-06-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-06-27 | 1983-12-27 | 1984-06-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |