US3883913A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Aquastabilized survival raft
Assignee: GIVENS BOUY LIFERAFT COMPANY Inc
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Filing: 1972-12-12
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Granted: 1975-05-20
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Expires: 1992-12-12
Abstract
Abstract An aquastabilized survival raft comprising a buoyant inflatable structure circumscribing a floor. A stabilizing chamber is attached to the underside of the buoyant structure. The chamber comprises at least one orifice in the lower portion thereof and a plurality of apertures in spaced locations around the upper periphery extending from the interior of the chamber to the atmosphere. When placed upon a body of water, water rapidly fills the stabilizing chamber by entering the orifice and expelling air through the apertures. The water-filled chamber stabilizes the survival raft so as to minimize pitching and rolling in rough water. An inflatable water-tight hemispherical shelter having suitable openings therein is attached to the top of the buoyant structure and when inflated protects survivors against the elements.
Inventors
- 👤 James A Givens
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 00:12
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63C; B63C9/00; B63C9/06; B63C9/02; B63C2009/023; B63C9/04; B63C2009/042; B63C2009/044
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
237 words
A life supporting device comprising: a. peripheral flotation tube of a size large enough to support one or more persons when inflated and placed upon a body of liquid; b. means extending across the interior of the tube serving as a supportive floor when the device is supported by a liquid; c. flexible means of a dimension larger than that of the floor secured to the outboard portion of the tube, around the entire tube, and extending downwardly therefrom, said flexible means adapted to be formed into a downwardly extending hollow structure when in use and be spaced from the floor forming a chamber therebetween; d. means to move the flexible means away from and retain it away from the floor when in use; e. a plurality of holes extending through the lower surface of the hollow structure permitting restricted passage of water therethrough whereby the movement generated by the wave action is dampened by the inertia of the water within the chamber and by the controlled passage of water through the holes into and out of the space between the floor and the flexible means; and f. means in communication with the atmosphere and the interior of the chamber permitting the rapid escape of air trapped within the chamber preventing excessive pressure buildup, thus permitting rapid entry of water into the chamber substantially filling the entire chamber whereby the life supporting device will be quickly stabilized.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
237 words
A life supporting device comprising: a. peripheral flotation tube of a size large enough to support one or more persons when inflated and placed upon a body of liquid; b. means extending across the interior of the tube serving as a supportive floor when the device is supported by a liquid; c. flexible means of a dimension larger than that of the floor secured to the outboard portion of the tube, around the entire tube, and extending downwardly therefrom, said flexible means adapted to be formed into a downwardly extending hollow structure when in use and be spaced from the floor forming a chamber therebetween; d. means to move the flexible means away from and retain it away from the floor when in use; e. a plurality of holes extending through the lower surface of the hollow structure permitting restricted passage of water therethrough whereby the movement generated by the wave action is dampened by the inertia of the water within the chamber and by the controlled passage of water through the holes into and out of the space between the floor and the flexible means; and f. means in communication with the atmosphere and the interior of the chamber permitting the rapid escape of air trapped within the chamber preventing excessive pressure buildup, thus permitting rapid entry of water into the chamber substantially filling the entire chamber whereby the life supporting device will be quickly stabilized.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
A device as in claim 1 wherein the flexible means comprises a double wall structure adapted to be rigidified by placement of a fluid between the walls.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
A device as in claim 1 wherein at least one of the holes includes a valve mechanism permitting liquid to flow into the chamber but restricts outward flow.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
A device as in claim 1 wherein the peripheral flotation tube comprises a pair of substantially identical rings and the rings are secured together about a portion of the periphery permitting passage therebetween.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
123 words
A stabilized inflatable float such as a life raft comprising: bouyant means for floating on top of a liquid having a floor and inflatable flotation means surrounding said floor, stabilizing means secured to the bottom of the bouyant means about the periphery thEreof and extending downwardly therefrom, said stabilizing means comprising a flexible walled hollow chamber adapted to be filled with the supporting liquid, said chamber having a plurality of ports therein, resulting in a restricted inflow and outflow of the float-supporting liquid while creating inertia, and hollow open-ended means extending from within the chamber to a point above the surface of the supporting fluid whereby fluid captured beneath the floor may be discharged upon the buildup of excessive pressure within the chamber.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
123 words
A stabilized inflatable float such as a life raft comprising: bouyant means for floating on top of a liquid having a floor and inflatable flotation means surrounding said floor, stabilizing means secured to the bottom of the bouyant means about the periphery thEreof and extending downwardly therefrom, said stabilizing means comprising a flexible walled hollow chamber adapted to be filled with the supporting liquid, said chamber having a plurality of ports therein, resulting in a restricted inflow and outflow of the float-supporting liquid while creating inertia, and hollow open-ended means extending from within the chamber to a point above the surface of the supporting fluid whereby fluid captured beneath the floor may be discharged upon the buildup of excessive pressure within the chamber.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
A stabilized inflatable float as in claim 5 wherein at least one of the ports has a one-way valve permitting the inflow of water to a chamber, but preventing the outward flow therethrough.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
A stabilized inflatable float as in claim 5 wherein the stabilizing means is retained in a position spaced from the bottom of the stabilized inflatable float by a plurality of inflatable ribs.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
A stabilized inflatable float as in claim 5 wherein the stabilizing means comprises a bulbous double-walled projection held spaced from the bottom of the float by air injected between the walls of the chamber.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-05-19 | 1978-11-18 | 1979-05-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-05-19 | 1982-11-18 | 1983-05-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-05-19 | 1986-11-18 | 1987-05-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |