Patent US3911913A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3911913A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Survival apparatus
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-10-05
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Granted: 1975-10-14
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Expires: 1993-10-05
Abstract
Abstract Compactly storable survival equipment that includes a protection suit and an inflatable collision cocoon. The double-walled cocoon entrance which can be closed by a suited means within the same, and the cocoon can then be inflated to its expanded and protective condition by the introduction of pressured gas into the double wall. A harness serves to secure the suited wearer in the cocoon, and survival devices are carried by the harness. The cocoon has flexibly covered openings whereby the suited wearer can alternatively withdraw his limbs into and extend them from the cocoon.
Inventors
- 👤 Ethel L June
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 19:53
CPC Classifications
A; A44; A44B; A44B19/00; A44B19/24; A44B19/34; A41; A41D; A41D13/00; A41D13/015; A41D13/018; A44B19/10; A44B19/16; A44B19/32; A62; A62B; A62B17/00; A62B17/001; B; B63; B63C; B63C9/00; B63C9/08; B63C9/087; B63C9/105; B63C9/1055; B64; B64D; B64D25/00; A62B33/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
340 words
In survival apparatus, a protective shelter comprising a double-walled, generally spherical hollow shell having an elongated access opening, means operable from the interior of the sheel by an occupant thereof for selectively closing said opening, said double-walled shell including inner and outer flexible walls defining an inflatable and substantially airtight space therebetween, connecting means in said space limiting the separation of the inner and outer walls, limb openings provided in said shell adapted to accommodate extension of the arms and legs of an occupant of the shell from the interior to the exterior of the shell, said limb openings being closed by flexible closure walls shaped to loosely embrace limbs extending through the openings closed thereby, each of said closure walls comprising a hollow enclosure having a closed end and an open end with the open end embracing and being sealed to the shell about its respective limb opening, said shell and said closure walls being so constructed and arranged to jointly envelope and isolate an occupant of the shell from any environment outside the shell, harness means fixed to the shell for releasable attachment to an occupant for stabilizing the position of an occupant relative to the shell upon any acceleration of the latter, and means disposed within and operable from within the interior of the shell by an occupant thereof for introducing a gas into the space under a pressure substantially in excess of ambient pressure whereby the shell is expanded forcefully to its generaly spherical configuration and strongly tends to retain and regain such configuration against any deforming forces, whereby an occupant of the shell can be cushioned in a collision situation as well as be shielded from ambient harmful conditions that might exist immediately subsequent to a collision, whereby an occupant in anticipation of a collision can assume the fetal position entirely within the shell with the closure walls also drawn thereinto, and whereby after the collision, the occupant can extend his arms and legs to escape from and to assist others at the collision scene.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
340 words
In survival apparatus, a protective shelter comprising a double-walled, generally spherical hollow shell having an elongated access opening, means operable from the interior of the sheel by an occupant thereof for selectively closing said opening, said double-walled shell including inner and outer flexible walls defining an inflatable and substantially airtight space therebetween, connecting means in said space limiting the separation of the inner and outer walls, limb openings provided in said shell adapted to accommodate extension of the arms and legs of an occupant of the shell from the interior to the exterior of the shell, said limb openings being closed by flexible closure walls shaped to loosely embrace limbs extending through the openings closed thereby, each of said closure walls comprising a hollow enclosure having a closed end and an open end with the open end embracing and being sealed to the shell about its respective limb opening, said shell and said closure walls being so constructed and arranged to jointly envelope and isolate an occupant of the shell from any environment outside the shell, harness means fixed to the shell for releasable attachment to an occupant for stabilizing the position of an occupant relative to the shell upon any acceleration of the latter, and means disposed within and operable from within the interior of the shell by an occupant thereof for introducing a gas into the space under a pressure substantially in excess of ambient pressure whereby the shell is expanded forcefully to its generaly spherical configuration and strongly tends to retain and regain such configuration against any deforming forces, whereby an occupant of the shell can be cushioned in a collision situation as well as be shielded from ambient harmful conditions that might exist immediately subsequent to a collision, whereby an occupant in anticipation of a collision can assume the fetal position entirely within the shell with the closure walls also drawn thereinto, and whereby after the collision, the occupant can extend his arms and legs to escape from and to assist others at the collision scene.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The combination of claim 1, including a self-contained source of oxygen in the shell for an occupant.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The combination of claim 1, including survival items carried by the harness means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
Teh combination of claim 1, wherein at least the outer wall of the shell is heat and fire resistant.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The combination of claim 4, wherein the outer surface of the outer wall is metalized and highly reflective of radiant energy so as to better withstand impinging radiant heat energy.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The combination of claim 1, including said shell being provided with transparent window means for enabling an occupant of the shell to view shell surroundings.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
58 words
The combination of claim 1, wherein the connecting means comprises partitioning means connecting the inner and outer walls and partitioning the space between the walls into a plurality of isolated compartments, said partitioning means Being provided with check valves to enable the filling of all the compartments upon introducing a gas under pressure into one of said compartments.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
52 words
The combination of claim 1, including a self-contained source of oxygen in the shell for respiratory use by an occupant, and said shell having an opening of small aperture communicating between the exterior and the interior of the shell, whereby gas within the shell can be displaced and escape from the shell.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
50 words
The combination of claim 1, including a breathing tube in the shell having one end adapted to be received in the mouth of an occupant of the shell, said breathing tube having its other end sealingly opening to the exterior of the shell through one of said flexible closure walls.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
The combination of claim 9, wherein said one of the closure walls is associated with an arm opening and said tube being provided with a manually operable valve.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
96 words
The combination of claim 1, including a flame resistant garment disposed within the shell and adapted to be worn by the occupant of the shell, said garment including portions adapted to enclose the torso, head, limbs and limb extremities, said garment including means for enabling respiration and visual observation by the wearer thereof, said garment being double-walled in a substantial portion of its extent to define a gas inflatable space, whereby the garment can cushion the wearer on the occurrence of a collision, and means for introducing a pressurized gas into the space in the garment.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
38 words
The combination of claim 11, including harness means disposed within the shell that are fixed to the shell and secured to the garment for limiting relative movement of the shell and a garment wearing occupant of the shell.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
47 words
The combination of claim 11, wherein the garment is provided with partition means separating the space in the garment into a plurality of chambers and check valves affording unidirectional gas flow between adjoining chambers, whereby all chambers can be filled with pressurized gas from a single chamber.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
143 words
A collision survival suit comprising a garment for enveloping the entire body of a wearer thereof and including portions adapted to enclose the torso, head, limbs and limb extremities, said garment including means for enabling respiration and visual observation therethrough by the wearer thereof, said garment being made of a flame resistant material and being double-walled in a substantial portion of its extent to define a gas inflatable space between such double walls, said garment being provided with partition means separating the said space in the garment into a plurality of chambers, and check valves affording unidirectional gas flow between adjoining chambers, whereby all the chambers can be filled with pressurized gas from a single chamber, whereby the garment can cushion the wearer on the occurrence of a collision, and means for introducing a pressurized gas into the inflatable space in the garment.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
143 words
A collision survival suit comprising a garment for enveloping the entire body of a wearer thereof and including portions adapted to enclose the torso, head, limbs and limb extremities, said garment including means for enabling respiration and visual observation therethrough by the wearer thereof, said garment being made of a flame resistant material and being double-walled in a substantial portion of its extent to define a gas inflatable space between such double walls, said garment being provided with partition means separating the said space in the garment into a plurality of chambers, and check valves affording unidirectional gas flow between adjoining chambers, whereby all the chambers can be filled with pressurized gas from a single chamber, whereby the garment can cushion the wearer on the occurrence of a collision, and means for introducing a pressurized gas into the inflatable space in the garment.
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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) | 1978-10-13 | 1979-04-14 | 1979-10-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-10-13 | 1983-04-14 | 1983-10-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-10-13 | 1987-04-14 | 1987-10-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |