Life saving equipment

Claim 2

Life saving equipment, comprising: a life buoy; a float pole; means for connecting said float pole to said life buoy, comprising a line therebetween; a holder releasably securing said life buoy and float pole; means for rapid release of said life buoy and said float pole from said holder; said holder comprising a container for said life buoy; said rapid release means comprising at least one resiliently deformable member disposed in said container for resilient deformation by insertion of said life buoy into said container; and means for releasably securing said life buoy in its inserted position.

Claim 3

Life saving equipment comprising: a life buoy; a float pole; means for connecting said float pole to said life buoy, comprising a line therebetween; a container for said life buoy and float pole, said container comprising a rear wall, a lid, a bottom wall between said rear wall and lid, and means for pivotal interconnection between said bottom wall and said lid; means for releasably securing said lid upright from said bottom wall to retain said float pole and life buoy; means for release of said lid to pivot downwardly to release said float pole and life buoy; and means for securing said container to a boat; said float pole being disposed between said lid and said life buoy for substantially simultaneous release thereof.

Claim 4

Life saving equipment comprising: a life buoy; a float pole; means for connecting said float pole to said life buoy, comprising a line therebetween; a container for said life buoy and float pole, said container comprising a rear wall, a lid, a bottom wall between said rear wall and lid, and means for pivotal interconnection between said bottom wall and said lid; means for releasably securing said lid upright from said bottom wall to retain said float pole and life buoy; means for release of said lid to pivot downwardly to release said float pole and life buoy; and means for securing said container to a boat; said float pole being disposed between said lid and said life buoy for substantially simultaneous release thereof.

Claim 5

The invention according to claim 2 in which said container defines side walls upright from said bottom wall and a roof, said bottom wall defining a groove for sliding engagement with one end of said float pole, said roof defining a slot therethrough for said float pole, whereby said float pole may be secured upright from said bottom wall.

Claim 6

The invention according to claim 2 in which said float pole is telescopically collapsible and said releasably securing means is formed to spring load said float pole in collapsed form for rapid expansion when released.

Claim 7

Life saving equipment, comprising: a life buoy; a float pole; means for connecting said float pole to said life buoy, comprising a line therebetween; a holder releasably securing said life buoy and float pole; said life buoy being formed with ends curved in horseshoe manner; a drogue foldable for storage between said ends; and means for connecting said drogue to said life buoy comprising a line therebetween.

Claim 8

Life saving equipment, comprising: a life buoy; a float pole; means for connecting said float pole to said life buoy, comprising a line therebetween; a holder releasably securing said life buoy and float pole; said life buoy being formed with ends curved in horseshoe manner; a drogue foldable for storage between said ends; and means for connecting said drogue to said life buoy comprising a line therebetween.

Claim 9

The invention according to claim 5 including means for securing said float pole anteriorly of said life buoy and said drogue, and at least one resiliently deformable member on said holder posteriorly of said life buoy resiliently deformed by securement of said life buoy, whereby upon release of said securement said life buoy, drogue and float pole are rapidly and substantially simultaneously released.