WO2010125529A2 - Anti drowning life saving device - Google Patents
Anti drowning life saving device Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2010125529A2 WO2010125529A2 PCT/IB2010/051856 IB2010051856W WO2010125529A2 WO 2010125529 A2 WO2010125529 A2 WO 2010125529A2 IB 2010051856 W IB2010051856 W IB 2010051856W WO 2010125529 A2 WO2010125529 A2 WO 2010125529A2
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- life saving
- saving device
- semiannular
- user
- bag
- Prior art date
Links
- 206010013647 Drowning Diseases 0.000 title claims abstract description 9
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 27
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 24
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 claims description 15
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 claims description 15
- 230000004913 activation Effects 0.000 claims description 10
- 238000003466 welding Methods 0.000 claims description 6
- 229920001971 elastomer Polymers 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000000806 elastomer Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 230000007257 malfunction Effects 0.000 claims 1
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 description 19
- 230000000241 respiratory effect Effects 0.000 description 12
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 11
- 238000007667 floating Methods 0.000 description 8
- 208000003443 Unconsciousness Diseases 0.000 description 7
- 230000009182 swimming Effects 0.000 description 6
- 210000004704 glottis Anatomy 0.000 description 5
- 206010003497 Asphyxia Diseases 0.000 description 4
- 239000004744 fabric Substances 0.000 description 4
- 230000002829 reductive effect Effects 0.000 description 4
- 230000002706 hydrostatic effect Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000007654 immersion Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 3
- 229920001296 polysiloxane Polymers 0.000 description 3
- 208000009612 Laryngismus Diseases 0.000 description 2
- 206010023891 Laryngospasm Diseases 0.000 description 2
- 239000004698 Polyethylene Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000001154 acute effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 210000003109 clavicle Anatomy 0.000 description 2
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000002405 diagnostic procedure Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000000465 moulding Methods 0.000 description 2
- -1 polyethylene Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 229920000573 polyethylene Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 238000011084 recovery Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000029058 respiratory gaseous exchange Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000000284 resting effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 229920002379 silicone rubber Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 241000217377 Amblema plicata Species 0.000 description 1
- 239000004677 Nylon Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000005299 abrasion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000003213 activating effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000853 adhesive Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000001070 adhesive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000003266 anti-allergic effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 210000000988 bone and bone Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 238000006243 chemical reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000006835 compression Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007906 compression Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000006260 foam Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000006870 function Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000002347 injection Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000007924 injection Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000003780 insertion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000037431 insertion Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000670 limiting effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005259 measurement Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000002844 melting Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000008018 melting Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000012528 membrane Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920001778 nylon Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920001084 poly(chloroprene) Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920002635 polyurethane Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000004814 polyurethane Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000004800 polyvinyl chloride Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000002441 reversible effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 150000003839 salts Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 239000004945 silicone rubber Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000010561 standard procedure Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000004753 textile Substances 0.000 description 1
- 210000003437 trachea Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 230000003313 weakening effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
- B63C—LAUNCHING, HAULING-OUT, OR DRY-DOCKING OF VESSELS; LIFE-SAVING IN WATER; EQUIPMENT FOR DWELLING OR WORKING UNDER WATER; MEANS FOR SALVAGING OR SEARCHING FOR UNDERWATER OBJECTS
- B63C9/00—Life-saving in water
- B63C9/08—Life-buoys, e.g. rings; Life-belts, jackets, suits, or the like
- B63C9/13—Life-buoys, e.g. rings; Life-belts, jackets, suits, or the like attachable to body member, e.g. arm, neck, head or waist
- B63C9/15—Life-buoys, e.g. rings; Life-belts, jackets, suits, or the like attachable to body member, e.g. arm, neck, head or waist having gas-filled compartments
- B63C9/155—Life-buoys, e.g. rings; Life-belts, jackets, suits, or the like attachable to body member, e.g. arm, neck, head or waist having gas-filled compartments inflatable
Definitions
- the invention relates to a life saving device, in particular an anti drowning device for life saving conscious and/or unconscious individuals which is designed to be worn preferably around or at the base of the neck of a user and which inflates when the user is submerged in a dangerous condition.
- life saving devices are known that are intended to be worn by a user, which may be suitable as a floating aid in the case of sports playing of water sports such as, for example, canoeing, kayaking, surfing, windsurfing or which on the other hand are required by standards as personal protection devices, for example for coastal or high-seas navigation.
- Such devices such as life saving jackets, stolens, belts or collars, ensure that the user floats in water.
- Some types of life saving devices involve inflating before being worn, or, alternatively, comprise a stiff internal structure made, for example, of floating polyethylene foam.
- life saving devices which are deflated when they are worn, permit freedom of movement and comprise an inflatable casing that is associated with pressurised fluid dispensing means that can be manually or automatically activated.
- pressurised fluid dispensing means that can be manually or automatically activated.
- the user is required to activate a handle and the user must therefore be conscious .
- the most frequent life saving devices comprise a container with pressurised gas that is normally closed by an openable closing element.
- the closing element is made of a tablet of material that dissolves in water, such as paper or salt
- the life saving device inflates automatically when the user comes into contact with the water.
- the closing element is made of a membrane that is deformable through the effect of hydrostatic pressure, as in the Hammar ® hydrostatic system, which is activated by an increase in hydrostatic pressure that is equal to 20 cm of water, the life saving device inflates automatically when the user is immersed, at a set depth.
- Automatically activated life saving devices ensure that a user floats who falls into the water when is unconscious but are not suitable for users for who accidentally falling into water or immersion do not constitute a danger, for example for playing water sports such as canoeing, kayak, surfing, wind-surfing.
- a problem of the most widespread self-inflating life saving devices lies in the fact that inflating the device makes the user emerge rapidly from the water, bringing both the head and the torso of the user out of the water, but the position of the forward bent head, which position is imposed by the life saving device inflated at the nape of the neck, does not favour an unconscious user, whose tongue is abandoned and closes the respiratory passages .
- the critical phase of drowning in fact starts with a laryngospasm that, when the water comes into contact with the first respiratory passages, causes the glottis to close the respiratory passages, to prevent further water flooding the respiratory passages.
- This first drowning phase known as the resistance phase, is reversible and lasts about two minutes, at the end of which the releasing of the glottis and the consequent flooding of the respiratory passages cause the acute asphyxia phase and the death of the individual in about another two minutes .
- the object of the present invention is to make a life saving device that, by imposing emersion, promotes opening of the5 respiratory passages also for an unconscious user.
- a further object of the present invention is to make a life saving device that is not bulky that can be used during sports activity and also by a user during sports playing swimming underwater at not very deep depths.
- a further object of the present invention is to make an automatically activated life saving device, that is improved with respect to existing devices, in which inflating the
- casing means automatically occurs only if the user is in an immersed condition and if certain set safety parameters have been exceeded.
- a life saving device is provided as defined in claim l.
- a life saving device in which the expandable casing means is intended to be worn around or at the base of the neck of a user and in which the expandable casing means expands towards the outside almost exclusively fror ⁇ tally and not in the zone of the nape of the neck to make the head of the user emerge from the water with the head reclining backwards in hyperextension, in order to maintain the respiratory passages open whilst waiting for the laryngospasm to be resolved with reopening of the glottis.
- the position of the ⁇ hyperextension of the head" is particularly advantageous for unconscious users and in danger of drowning.
- the life saving device has a pressure sensor that detects a pressure increase and automatic activation enters in function only if the pressure sensor detects a pressure increase that is greater than a preset threshold value, i.e. if the user remains submerged beyond a set depth for an interval of time that is greater than a set threshold value that will be obviously less
- the life saving device intervenes immediately before or at most during the resistance phase, when the user is in actual danger, and brings again the still living person in a floating state by automatic inflating with gas the casing means made of expandable material.
- the life saving device has control means that enables the set depth value and the set submersion duration at which the device is automatically activated to be configured.
- the same life saving device can be advantageously worn by a child, if it is configured to activate at a pressure increase that is greater than 0.5 bar that lasts longer than 30 seconds or it can be advantageously worn by an adult who is not an expert swimmer if it is configured to activate for a pressure increase that is greater than 0.7 bar that lasts longer than 35 seconds, for example 40 seconds, or can be advantageously worn by an expert adult swimmer if it is configured to activate for a pressure increase that is equal to 0.9 bar that lasts longer than 45 seconds, for example 60 seconds.
- Figure 1 shows a schematic front view of a life saving device according to the invention / in an inactive operating condition
- Figure 2 shows a schematic rear view of the life saving device according to the invention, in an inactive operating condition, some parts being partially removed to highlight others better, in which a closed multifunction connector is visible,-
- Figure 3 shows a schematic front view of an embodiment of the life saving device of the present invention, in an inactive operating condition
- Figure 4 shows a fragmentary and incomplete side view of the life saving device in Figures 1 and 2 worn by a floating user, in which the life saving device is in an active operating condition with the casing means that are being inflated;
- Figure 5 shows a fragmentary and incomplete side view of the life saving device in Figure 4 worn by a floating user in an active operating condition in which the casing means is inflated;
- Figure 6 shows a fragmentary and incomplete side view of a further embodiment of the life saving device of the present invention, worn in an inactive operating condition
- Figure 7 shows a fragmentary and incomplete side view of the life saving device in Figure 6, worn by a floating user, in which the life saving device is in an active operating condition with the casing means inflated.
- the life saving device 1 comprises expandable casing means 2 and pressurised fluid dispensing means 3 that is connected to the casing means 2 by connecting means 4 supplying the pressurised fluid intended to inflate the casing means 2 when the life saving device 1 is in an active operating condition.
- the life saving device 1 of the present invention can in fact be in a rest operating condition when the life saving device is open and/or not worn by a user, in an inactive operating condition, when the life saving device is closed, worn by a user, not activated but ready for use, and in an active operating condition when the casing means 2 is inflated to make the user immersed in the water emerge and to bring again the user, as will be illustrated with greater detail below, with the head emerging in the hyperextension position.
- the life saving device X in an inactive operating condition with the casing means 2 deflated enables a user to practice normally water sports and can also be used as personal protection device inasmuch as it enables freedom of movement
- the casing means 2 is arranged in use at the base of the neck of the user or, as shown in Figure 6 and 7, around the neck of the user and comprises portions with differentiated expandability to be inflated more at the zone below the chin with respect to the zone of the nape of the neck of the user so as to determine the exit of the head of the user from the water in the hyperextension position, as shown in Figures 4, 5 and 7,
- the life saving device l comprises a semiannular housing 5 made of plastics that are able to float, in particular made of an elastomer such as a silicone rubber, that is intended to be worn below the chin of a user and the interior of which houses the casing means 2.
- the term N semiannular' is taken to mean below, in the present description and in the claims, any type of U-shaped, housing that is open but has ends that could also coincide, with more or less rounded corners and with a desired perimeter shape, for example a broken line.
- a semiannular chamber 6 is obtained that is open above, shown in Figures 1, 4 and 5, the bottom of which is intended to contact the body of the user and the side walls of which, in particular the upper side wall 7 facing the chin of the user and the lower side wall 8, define the front overall dimensions of the semiannular housing 5 and the positioning of the casing means 2 when the life saving device 1 is in an inactive operating position.
- the semiannular chamber 6 is a shaped tank housing the casing means 2 which shaped tank being obtained in the semiannular housing 5.
- the semiannular housing 5, which is made by moulding a plate of plastics that is only a few millimetres thick to define the semiannular chamber 6, provides the support of the casing means 2.
- the means for connecting this semiannular housing 5 to a garment 30, that is suitable for being worn at least partially around the torso of a user, or making this semiannular housing 5 as a collar 46, determines the shape and final appearance of the life saving device l.
- the casing means 2 has portions with differentiated expandability to be more inflated in the zone under the chin of the user with respect to the zone of the nape of the neck.
- the casing means 2 comprises a first bag 9 and a second bag 10, which are housed, rolled and folded inside the semiannular chamber 6 and are arranged parallel to one another.
- each bag 9 and 10 of elastomer is provided.
- each bag can be made of nylon, polyethylene or of other textile materials coated with one or more layers of polyurethane, polyvinylchloride (PVC) or of another material to make the bags impermeable to gases .
- PVC polyvinylchloride
- Each bag has a first and a second end portion, that are not illustrated, that are fixed to a first end 11 and to a second end 12 of the semiannular chamber 6 by welding.
- the pressurised fluid dispensing means 3 comprises a first container 15, such as, for example, a cylinder, containing pressurised gas and a second container 16 containing pressurised gas, connected respectively to the second bag 10 by the second pipe 14 and to the first bag 9 by the first pipe 13.
- a first container 15 such as, for example, a cylinder
- a second container 16 containing pressurised gas
- the pressurised fluid dispensing means 3 could comprise a single container containing pressurised gas connected to both the bags 9 and XO h ⁇ the connecting means 4.
- Each bag 9 and 10 is expandable, with a semiannular shape, and has portions with differentiated expandability to be more inflated at the central portion thereof that is intended to be positioned below the chin of a user.
- each bag can have portions with differentiated expandability inasmuch as it comprises portions with a cross section of a different size, in particular a central portion with a maximum section, indicated in Figures 3, 5 and 7 with 9a and 10a, and respective end portions with a minimum section, indicated by 9b and 10b.
- each bag 9 and 10 has a symmetrical shape that is tapered at the ends or alternatively the end portions with a minimum section are obtained at the moment of welding by superimposed and fixing to one another several flaps of the bag at the first end 11 and at the second end 12 of the semiannular chamber 6, starting with a bag with a constant section.
- each bag may have portions with differentiated expandability inasmuch as it comprises portions with a different thickness and with a different expandability / for example a central portion with a minimum thickness, intended to expand significantly and respective end portions with a maximum thickness intended to expand limitedly.
- the life saving device further comprises an electronic control circuit 37 of the same life saving device 1, comprising control means 17, shown in Figure 1, supply means 18 of said control means 17, a connecting circuit 21 connecting the control means 17 and the supply means 18, and a multifunction openable connector 22 that constitutes a normally open switch for the connecting circuit 21 and enables the control means 17 to be supplied and thus enables the life saving device l to be activated only when the multifunction connector 22 is closed.
- the supply means 18 comprises a first rechargeable battery 19, shown in Figure 2 on the right in which some parts have been removed, and a second rechargeable battery 20 that are independent of one another .
- the multifunction connector 22 comprises a first component 23 and a second component 24 that are associable or releasable to enable the life saving device 1 to be safety opened and closed.
- a safety stop can, for example, be provided, that is not illustrated, that is associated with the multifunction connector 22.
- the first component 23 has an internal wall that is not illustrated on which electric contact elements are arranged that are not illustrated that are intended for interacting, in the inactive operating configuration and in the active operating configuration with the multifunction connector 22 closed, with respective electric contact elements, that are not illustrated, that are in a respective internal wall of the second component 24. With the multifunction connector 22 closed, the electric contact elements of the first component 23 are in electric contact with the respective electric contact elements of the second component 24 to close the connecting circuit 21.
- the first component 23 and the second component 24 further comprise respective recharging contacts, that are not illustrated, intended to be connected to an external battery charger device to recharge the supply means 18 when the multifunction connector 22 is open.
- the recharging contacts of the first component 23 are connectable to the external battery charger to recharge the battery 19 when the life saving device l is open in the rest operating condition, Similarly, the recharging contacts of the second component 24 are connectable to recharge the battery 20. Positioning the recharging contacts with respect to the positioning of the electric contact elements is such as to ensure, with the connector closed, that the recharging contacts do not intervene in the connecting circuit 21. It is also possible to provide, in a different embodiment, for the recharging contacts coinciding with the electric contact elements.
- a valve in particular an solenoid valve 25, 26, that is normally closed, the opening of which is ⁇ omraandable by the control means 17 by means of an opening signal, that switches the life saving device 1 from the inactive operating condition to active operating condition according to an automatic or manual manner.
- the electronic control circuit 37 comprises in fact a pressure sensor 27 connected to the control means 17, which is able to detect a pressure increase with respect to a reference pressure value, which corresponds to the atmospheric pressure detected by the pressure sensor 27 immediately after closure of the multifunction connector 22, as will be disclosed better below.
- the control means evaluates the pressure increase with respect to a set threshold value and, if this pressure increase remains for an interval of time that is also determined, i.e. if it has a duration that is greater than a set interval of time, the life saving device is activated automatically.
- the reference pressure value, the set threshold value and the set interval of time are parameters that the control means 17 stores in a nonvolatile internal memory ⁇ one, which parameters are settable at the moment of manufacture but are configurable, as disclosed better below, to adapt the life saving device i to different users.
- a danger condition could be a pressure increase equal to 0.5 bar for an interval of time that is greater than 30 seconds
- the danger values could be a pressure increase equal to 0.7 bar for an interval of time that is greater than 35 seconds, for example 40 seconds
- the danger values could be a pressure increase equal to 0.9 bar for an interval of time greater than 45 seconds, for example SO seconds.
- Not detecting the reference pressure immediately after the closing of the multifunction connector but setting a reference pressure value equal, for example, to 0.3 bar for an expert swimmer who normally swims holding his breath could also be of interest . It should therefore be noted that for adult expert swimmers the life saving device 1 is insensitive to sudden pressure increases due , for example to dives or to accidental falls into the water, inasmuch as the pressure increase detected S must remain for a set time.
- the control means 17 comprises radiofrequency communication means (not shown) that is connectable to external radiofrequency0 interface means, for example integrated into a portable interface device or integrated as an application into a desktop computer, In this manner the reference pressure value, the set threshold value and the set interval of time are settable by the external interface means to enable the5 device to be automatically activated in different modes for different users.
- radiofrequency communication means not shown
- the reference pressure value, the set threshold value and the set interval of time are settable by the external interface means to enable the5 device to be automatically activated in different modes for different users.
- the electronic control circuit 37 further comprises an emergency pushbutton 28, the status of which, which may be pressed or released, is detected by the control means 17,
- the pushbutton 23 may have, for example, a metal dome thatB is easily compressible manually and in this manner, if the button is pressed by a user for a further set interval of time, the control means 17 commands the opening signal to the solenoid valves 25 and 26 for immediately activating the life saving device l.
- the necessary force for compressing 0 and the interval of time for which the button has to be pressed prevent involuntary compressions of the button being interpreted by the control means 17 as an immediate activation command.
- the further set interval of time is configurable by the5 external interface means and for non- expert adult swimmers or for children almost immediate activation of the life saving device 1 is provided.
- the electronic control circuit 37 further comprises indicating means 29, connected to the control means 17 that comprises luminous indicators 39 that may be luminous indicators of status to indicate the activation of the device, such as, for example, a flashing green LED indicating that the life saving device is active/ luminous diagnostic indicators to indicate faults, such as, for example, two two-coloured LEDs associated with gas cylinders that indicate whether the pressure of the gas is insufficient; two two-coloured LEDs associated respectively with the first and with the second battery 19 and 20 that indicate whether the charge is insufficient; acoustic indicators that are optional and not shown for indicating the activation or fault of the device, such as, for example, an acoustic signal that indicates the correct closure of the multifunction connector 22.
- luminous indicators 39 may be luminous indicators of status to indicate the activation of the device, such as, for example, a flashing green LED indicating that the life saving device is active/ luminous diagnostic indicators to indicate faults, such as, for example, two two-coloured LEDs associated with gas cylinders that indicate whether the pressure
- All the electronic parts of the life saving device 1 defining the electronic control circuit 37 i.e. the aforesaid control means 17, the supply means 18 like the batteries 19 and 20, the electronics implementing the solenoid valves 25 and 26, the pressure sensor 27, the emergency pushbutton 28, the indicating means 29, the circuit 21 as far as the electric contact elements of the first and of the second component 23, 24 of the multifunction connector 22, are encapsulated in plastics that completely envelop them and make them hermetically sealed. Obviously, also the multifunction connector 22, when it is closed, is hermetically sealed and this ensures the reliability of the electronic parts during immersion.
- the electronic control circuit 37 is manufactured by a standard procedure for protecting electronic devices in a hostile environment that provides a wiring and an initial control of correct operation of the electronic control circuit 37.
- the latter is positioned resting on a first sheet of plasties that is covered with plastics injected in melted state into an injection chamber so that the melted plastics join with the first sheet of plastics to encapsulate the hermetically sealed electronic control circuit 37.
- the life saving device l is a garment 30 intended in use to be worn at least partially around the torso of a user, shaped like a mini crew neck vest covering at least up to the armpits to cover almost entirely the chest, closed in front and having a central rear opening 31 that defines a right rear side and a left rear side, looking at Figure 2 of the garment 30,
- the semiannular housing B defines the front crew neck portion of the garment 30 and the first end 11 and the second end 12 of the semiannular chamber 6 are intended in use to be arranged at the shoulders of the user.
- the control means 17 and the indicating means 29 are integrated into a box 32 arranged at the lower front portion 33 of the garment 30.
- the pressure sensor 27, that exits the lower edge of the garment 30 to which it is welded, is connected below to the box.
- the pressure sensor 27 does not exit the garment 30, remaining protected by the same garment 30. Further, in order to increase the degree of reliability of the measurement, it is possible to provide two pressure sensors for a redundant depth reading. As shown in Figures l , 3 , 4 and 5 , the emergency pushbutton 28 is arranged in the front side part of the garment 30 below the clavicle. Without narrowing the scope thereof, it must be pointed out that it is possible to position the emergency pushbutton 28 also in other positions, provided it is easily accessible for the user,
- the first component 23 and the second component 24 of the multifunction connector 22 are fixed aligned and on opposite sides of the edge 34 that, when they are closed, define the multifunction connector 22, at the same time making the closure of the life saving device 1 around the user.
- the connector 22 is multifunction inasmuch as it is simultaneously a closing connector, a battery recharging connector and a connector for enabling the operation of the same device.
- the supply batteries 19 and 20 are positioned in the rear part of the garment 30 symmetrically with respect to the multifunction connector 22, below the same multifunction connector 22, as shown in Figure 2. Laterally with respect to the batteries 19 and 20, at the collar bones of the user, on both sides with respect to the multifunction connector 22, a first and a second protuberance 35a and 36a are present on the right side and 35b and 36b on the left side, in Figure 2, that extend to the backs of the garment 30 until they connect respectively with the second end 12 and the first end 11 of the semiannular chamber 6.
- each container 15 and 16 is enclosed in a wing- shaped containing element 44 that is open at the front for the insertion of the container, which is shown visible only on the left side and is removed on the right to display the same container 15 better.
- the first protuberance 35a houses the solenoid valve 25 from which the second pipe 14 of the connecting means 4 supplies the second bag 10 with the pressurised gas of the container 15, whilst the second protuberance 36a houses a bayonet joint (of known and non illustrated type) by means of which the container 15 can be inserted/removed if necessary for replacement.
- the protuberance 36a is obviously connected by seals to the protuberance 35a, to enable the pressurised gas of the container 15 to flow through the solenoid valve 25 without leaks.
- the protuberance 35b of the left aide houses the solenoid valve 26 from which the first pipe 13 of the connecting means 4 supplies the first bag 10 with the pressurised gas of the container l ⁇ , whilst the second protuberance 36b houses a bayonet joint that is similar to the joint 36a that enables the container 16 to be replaced when necessary.
- the protuberances 35a and 35b, 36a and 36b are the same as one another and are supply with respective independent cylinders 15 and 16 the first bag 9 and the second bag 10, as illustrated above.
- the casing means 2, the pressurised fluid dispensing means 3, the control means 17, the supply means 18 and the multifunction connector 22 are an integral part of the garment 30.
- the garment 30 is designed to maximise the safety offered to the user, all the components that are critical for safety such as the casing means 2 , the supply means 18 and the pressurised fluid dispensing means 3 being redundant .
- the garment 30 is provided below with hooking means 38 that is adjustable, belt-shaped, hookable and releasable for adjusting the life saving device 1 on the basis of the size of the user.
- each front lateral side of the garment 30 is connected to an adjustable belt 40 provided with an end male pin 41 that is hookable to a corresponding female pin 42 present in the corresponding rear lateral side.
- the garment 30 has the shape of a mini -vest that is completely open laterally and the hooking means 38 constitute the adjustable lateral closing of the life saving device l.
- the garment 30 is closed laterally and the hooking means 38 1
- the life saving device 1 can be made of the same material of which the semiannular housing 5 is made, for example silicone, in which case the plate of plastics has weakening lines or articulations to make the plate more flexible at portions that are intended to fold around the body of the user such as, for example, in the back or in the lateral sides .
- the electronic control circuit 37 after being wired, controlled and encapsulated as disclosed previously, is inserted inside the plate by known techniques for moulding plastics and therefore the life saving device 1 is provided externally with the expandable bags 9 and 10 that are made, for example of elastomer, superimposed on a garment made, for example, of silicone and having protuberances at the various components with which it is made.
- the life saving device 2 is made of an antiallergic polymeric fabric, for example the neoprene used for wet suits, the semiannular housing 5 and the electronic control circuit 37 are connected to the fabric using known techniques for welding plastics.
- the life saving device 1 is like a mini -vest made of elastic fabric, externally provided with the expandable bags 9 and 10, having zones with greater stiffness at the semiannular housing 5 and at the various components of which it is made.
- the garment is made as a mini- vest made of a silicone plate, it will be advantageously laterally open whereas if it is made of fabric, the front part could be connected to the rear part by a partially open side, that is also made of different material, that is intended to protect the part of the torso below the armpit of the user in which the hooking means 38 is present.
- the user wears the garment 30 by passing the head through the rear central opening 31, by resting the front part on the chest, positioning the garment on the shoulders by passing the arms through the side openings and fitting the size by means of the adjustable side hooking means 38.
- the life saving device is still in the rest operating condition.
- the control means 17 performs an initial diagnostic procedure of all the electronic parts of which the electronic control circuit 37 is made up of and if the supply means 18 and the pressurised fluid dispensing means 3 are usable correctly, i.e. are sufficiently charged, the control means 17 activates the luminous indicators 39 and the acoustic indicator in a suitable manner to indicate to the user that the life saving device can be used safely. For example, at the end of the initial diagnostic procedure, with the multifunction connector 22 closed, the user is informed by an acoustic signal that the life saving device is in an inactive operating condition.
- the control means 17 further performs an initialising procedure of the parameters to be used during operation starting from the parameters stored in the non-volatile memory.
- the control means 17 detects by means of the pressure sensor 27 the external atmospheric pressure that is stored as reference pressure. Prom this moment on, the control means 17 acquires at preset intervals, such as, for example, every 500 msec, the pressure values detected by the pressure sensor 27. If the pressure difference between the pressure detected and the reference pressure is greater than a set threshold value, the user is in immersion below a set depth. If this condition remains for a preset interval of time, the control means 17 commands the opening of the solenoid valves 25 and 26, the bags 9 and 10 inflate and the life saving device i enters an active operating condition.
- the bags have annular shape with a section increasing towards the centre , or alternatively the material with which they are made has a smaller thickness towards the centre, the bags inflate greater at the centre in the zone below the chin of the user with re ⁇ pecfc to the zone of the nape of the neck of the user, making the head of the user position in hyperextension .
- the life saving device of the present invention As shown in Figures 4, 5, and I 1 owing to the life saving device of the present invention, the user is brought again to the surface with the floating condition guaranteed by the inflated casing means 2 and with the head positioning hyperextension. This enables a user who has lost consciousness to be saved from possible asphyxia following an onset of drowning. Further, as already said, as the control means 17 activates the life saving device 1 automatically on the basis of preset conditions, hazard conditions in water can be set differently for different types of user, although the life saving device of the present invention remains constructionalIy identical. This ensures great flexibility of use and reduced production costs as sized parts will be necessary only for making life saving devices for children.
- the life saving device 1 of the present invention is reusable, in the sense that it is possible to restore the life saving device 1 to the rest operating condition after using it. This is possible after extracting the user from the water and after removing the life saving device 1 from the latter.
- the life saving device 1 of the present invention is in fact sufficient to close the multifunction connector 22 and, with the containers 15 and 16 containing pressurised gas removed, to press the button 28 so as to open the solenoid valves 25 and 26 and to place the bags 9 and 10 in communication with the exterior until the bags 9 and 10 are completely emptied of the pressurised gas contained therein.
- the life saving device l comprises a seroiannular door 45 closing the semiannular chamber 6, which may also be of greater size than the same seraiannular chamber 6, which is hinged on the semiannular housing 5 at the ends 11 and 12 of the semiannular chamber 6 and is openable to the chin of the user.
- the semiannular door 45 has three ridges, which are not shown, distributed at the lower face thereof to engage with corresponding ridges, which are not shown, present at the upper edge of the lower side wall 8 of the semiannular chamber 6 to close above the same semiannular chamber 6 and contain the casing means 2 inside the semiannular chamber 6 when the life saving device is in an inactive operating condition.
- the semiannular door 45 is made of plastics that are able to float, such as, for example, a silicon elastomer, and is a more flexible plate than the plastics of which the semiannular housing 5 is made, to which it is connected, for example by welding.
- the semiannular door 45 is opened and pushed, as shown in Figure 4, by the expansion of the casing means 2 towards the chin of the user, which is thus protected from possible abrasions caused by the material of which the casing means 2 is constituted.
- the semiannular door 45 exerts a precise pressure on the chin of the user in hyperextension, nevertheless leaving the trachea and nose free and the respiratory passages open.
- this embodiment which is particularly suitable for playing sports swimming, the bags 9 and 10 closed in the semiannular chamber ⁇ by the semiannular door 45, do not create friction and permit better freedom of movement in the water.
- the semiannular chamber 6 is smaller than the semiannular housing 5 and has a first end il and a second end 12 at middle portions of the clavicles.
- the semiannular housing 5 has side connecting portions inside which portions of the first pipe 13 and of the second pipe 14 connected to the first bag 9 and to the second bag lO are housed .
- the first and the second bag 9 an 10 are not fixed to the ends 11 and 12 of the semiannular chamber 6 but each bag 9 and 10 is fixed centrally and to an end of the semiannular chamber 6 to occupy a lateral right or left portion of the semiannular chamber 6. The portion with maximum expandability of each bag will be obtained at the central fixing point .
- the life saving device 1 is a collar 46 intended in use to be worn around the neck of the user, in which the semiannular housing 5 defines the same collar 46 and the front crew neck portion of the collar 46 is defined by the semiannular chamber 6, the ends 11 and 12 of which are intended in use to be arranged at the right and left laterocex ⁇ vical regions of the user.
- the semiannular housing 5 receives in rear side connecting portions the connecting means 4 to the pressurised fluid dispensing means 3 and has ends that are provided respectively with the first component 23 and the second component 24 of the multifunction connector 22 that enable the collar 46 to be closed around the neck of the user.
- the life saving device 1 further comprises external containing means 47, for example a small backpack shown in Figures 6 and 7 or a belt which is not shown or a bracelet which is not shown, intended for being worn by the user, that contain the pressurised fluid dispensing means 3 for supplying the casing means 2. Further the external containing means 47 contains the control circuit, the supply means and the pressure sensor to make automatic activation of the same life saving device 1.
- external containing means 47 for example a small backpack shown in Figures 6 and 7 or a belt which is not shown or a bracelet which is not shown, intended for being worn by the user, that contain the pressurised fluid dispensing means 3 for supplying the casing means 2.
- the external containing means 47 contains the control circuit, the supply means and the pressure sensor to make automatic activation of the same life saving device 1.
- casing means 2 is shown that comprises one semiannular bag 48.
- the life saving device comprises only the semiannular bag 48 supplied by one container of pressurised gas, arranged inside the containing means 47 and connected to the semiannular bag 48 by a single pipe 49 of the connecting means 4.
- the semiannular bag 48 has a central portion 48a that is more expandable in the zone below the chin of the user with respect to a side portion 48b arranged in the nape of the neck zone.
- the semiannular housing 5 and the closing semiannular door 45 entirely in the crew neck of the mini-vest, associating the containing means 47 with a supporting arrangement that is wearable on the shoulders of the user like that which is necessary for playing swimming underwater.
- the life saving device l comprises a GPS position indicator to indicate position during recovery at sea.
- the pressurised fluid dispensing means 3 comprises a cap with a chemical product associated with a detonator that is activatable by the control means 17 that is able to trigger a chemical reaction that develops pressurised gas.
- the life saving device comprises thermolabile material that: constitutes the closing valve of the container containing pressurised gas. A resistance, the temperature of which increases with the passage of electric current, is immersed in the thermolabile material the melting of which causes the pressurised gas to exit.
- the life saving device 1 of the present invention exclusively as a collar intended in use to be worn around or at the base of the neck of a user.
- This simplified embodiment of reduced dimensions, that anyway ensures that the user is recovered and floats with the head in hyperextension, is indicated above all for playing swimming and as a safety device that is wearable, for example, also in a swimming pool .
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Abstract
An anti drowning life saving device (1), that is wearable by a user, comprises expandable casing means (2), pressurised fluid dispensing means (3) that is connected to the casing means and is activatable to inflate the casing means if the life saving device is an active operating condition. The casing means is arranged in use around or at the base of the neck of the user, and have portions that are expandable in a differentiated manner (ga), to be inflated more at the zone under the chin with respect to the zone of the nape of the neck of the user so as to cause the head of the user to emerge from the water in hyperextension position.
Description
Anti drowning life saving device
The invention relates to a life saving device, in particular an anti drowning device for life saving conscious and/or unconscious individuals which is designed to be worn preferably around or at the base of the neck of a user and which inflates when the user is submerged in a dangerous condition.
Different types of life saving devices are known that are intended to be worn by a user, which may be suitable as a floating aid in the case of sports playing of water sports such as, for example, canoeing, kayaking, surfing, windsurfing or which on the other hand are required by standards as personal protection devices, for example for coastal or high-seas navigation. Such devices, such as life saving jackets, stoles, belts or collars, ensure that the user floats in water. Some types of life saving devices involve inflating before being worn, or, alternatively, comprise a stiff internal structure made, for example, of floating polyethylene foam. As they are very bulky they do not permit freedom of movement and cannot therefore be used during sports playing of water sports or by professional users who work in zones of docks or in navigation and who wish to protect themselves from accidentally falling into the water, Other types of life saving device, which are deflated when they are worn, permit freedom of movement and comprise an inflatable casing that is associated with pressurised fluid dispensing means that can be manually or automatically activated. In the case of manual activation, the user is required to activate a handle and the user must therefore be conscious . In the case of automatic activation, the most frequent life saving devices comprise a container with pressurised gas that is normally closed by an openable closing element. If the closing element is made of a tablet of material that dissolves in water, such as paper or salt, the life saving
device inflates automatically when the user comes into contact with the water. If, on the other hand, the closing element is made of a membrane that is deformable through the effect of hydrostatic pressure, as in the Hammar® hydrostatic system, which is activated by an increase in hydrostatic pressure that is equal to 20 cm of water, the life saving device inflates automatically when the user is immersed, at a set depth. Automatically activated life saving devices ensure that a user floats who falls into the water when is unconscious but are not suitable for users for who accidentally falling into water or immersion do not constitute a danger, for example for playing water sports such as canoeing, kayak, surfing, wind-surfing. Even more so, none of the life saving devices indicated above is usable by those who want to swim safely, whilst playing simultaneously in snorkelling or swimming underwater whilst holding the breath to depths that are not deep . A problem of the most widespread self-inflating life saving devices, such as life saving jackets, stoles or harnesses, lies in the fact that inflating the device makes the user emerge rapidly from the water, bringing both the head and the torso of the user out of the water, but the position of the forward bent head, which position is imposed by the life saving device inflated at the nape of the neck, does not favour an unconscious user, whose tongue is abandoned and closes the respiratory passages .
The critical phase of drowning in fact starts with a laryngospasm that, when the water comes into contact with the first respiratory passages, causes the glottis to close the respiratory passages, to prevent further water flooding the respiratory passages. This first drowning phase, known as the resistance phase, is reversible and lasts about two minutes, at the end of which the releasing of the glottis and the consequent flooding of the respiratory passages
cause the acute asphyxia phase and the death of the individual in about another two minutes .
An unconscious user has his tongue completely relaxed, falling backwards obstructing the respiratory passages and S thus even if at the end of the resistance phase in which the glottis is released the previously submerged user is brought again with his head out of the water the tongue would continue to maintain the same closed position of the respiratory passages, impeding breathing. In other words,0 the position of the tongue would cause the death of the individual by asphyxia without flooding of the respiratory passages .
The object of the present invention is to make a life saving device that, by imposing emersion, promotes opening of the5 respiratory passages also for an unconscious user.
A further object of the present invention is to make a life saving device that is not bulky that can be used during sports activity and also by a user during sports playing Swimming underwater at not very deep depths. A further object of the present invention is to make an automatically activated life saving device, that is improved with respect to existing devices, in which inflating the
. casing means automatically occurs only if the user is in an immersed condition and if certain set safety parameters have been exceeded.
According to the invention, a life saving device is provided as defined in claim l.
Owing to the invention, a life saving device is provided in which the expandable casing means is intended to be worn around or at the base of the neck of a user and in which the expandable casing means expands towards the outside almost exclusively frorαtally and not in the zone of the nape of the neck to make the head of the user emerge from the water with the head reclining backwards in hyperextension, in order to maintain the respiratory passages open whilst waiting for
the laryngospasm to be resolved with reopening of the glottis.
The position of the ^hyperextension of the head" is particularly advantageous for unconscious users and in danger of drowning. In fact, owing to the position of the "hyperextension of the head" imposed by the inflated life saving device of the present invention , it is ensured that during recovery and emersion the user is rotated and is brought again with his chin facing upwards and with the head arranged in a parallel condition with respect to the surface of the water, In this manner/ if the tongue has been previously arranged in a relaxed manner, the respiratory passages are reopened and the user is ensured the change of breathing at the end of the releasing phase of the glottis, Owing to an embodiment of the invention, the life saving device has a pressure sensor that detects a pressure increase and automatic activation enters in function only if the pressure sensor detects a pressure increase that is greater than a preset threshold value, i.e. if the user remains submerged beyond a set depth for an interval of time that is greater than a set threshold value that will be obviously less than that which is able to cause acute asphyxia in a user.
In this manner the life saving device intervenes immediately before or at most during the resistance phase, when the user is in actual danger, and brings again the still living person in a floating state by automatic inflating with gas the casing means made of expandable material. According to a further embodiment of the invention, the life saving device has control means that enables the set depth value and the set submersion duration at which the device is automatically activated to be configured.
Owing to this embodiment, the same life saving device can be advantageously worn by a child, if it is configured to activate at a pressure increase that is greater than 0.5 bar that lasts longer than 30 seconds or it can be
advantageously worn by an adult who is not an expert swimmer if it is configured to activate for a pressure increase that is greater than 0.7 bar that lasts longer than 35 seconds, for example 40 seconds, or can be advantageously worn by an expert adult swimmer if it is configured to activate for a pressure increase that is equal to 0.9 bar that lasts longer than 45 seconds, for example 60 seconds.
The invention can be better understood and implemented with reference to the attached drawings that illustrate some non- limiting embodiments thereof, in which;
Figure 1 shows a schematic front view of a life saving device according to the invention/ in an inactive operating condition;
Figure 2 shows a schematic rear view of the life saving device according to the invention, in an inactive operating condition, some parts being partially removed to highlight others better, in which a closed multifunction connector is visible,-
Figure 3 shows a schematic front view of an embodiment of the life saving device of the present invention, in an inactive operating condition;
Figure 4 shows a fragmentary and incomplete side view of the life saving device in Figures 1 and 2 worn by a floating user, in which the life saving device is in an active operating condition with the casing means that are being inflated;
Figure 5 shows a fragmentary and incomplete side view of the life saving device in Figure 4 worn by a floating user in an active operating condition in which the casing means is inflated;
Figure 6 shows a fragmentary and incomplete side view of a further embodiment of the life saving device of the present invention, worn in an inactive operating condition,- Figure 7 shows a fragmentary and incomplete side view of the life saving device in Figure 6, worn by a floating user, in
which the life saving device is in an active operating condition with the casing means inflated.
As illustrated in Figure 1 and in Figure 2, the life saving device 1 comprises expandable casing means 2 and pressurised fluid dispensing means 3 that is connected to the casing means 2 by connecting means 4 supplying the pressurised fluid intended to inflate the casing means 2 when the life saving device 1 is in an active operating condition. The life saving device 1 of the present invention can in fact be in a rest operating condition when the life saving device is open and/or not worn by a user, in an inactive operating condition, when the life saving device is closed, worn by a user, not activated but ready for use, and in an active operating condition when the casing means 2 is inflated to make the user immersed in the water emerge and to bring again the user, as will be illustrated with greater detail below, with the head emerging in the hyperextension position. It should be noted in particular that the life saving device X in an inactive operating condition with the casing means 2 deflated enables a user to practice normally water sports and can also be used as personal protection device inasmuch as it enables freedom of movement , As shown in Figures 1 to 5, the casing means 2 is arranged in use at the base of the neck of the user or, as shown in Figure 6 and 7, around the neck of the user and comprises portions with differentiated expandability to be inflated more at the zone below the chin with respect to the zone of the nape of the neck of the user so as to determine the exit of the head of the user from the water in the hyperextension position, as shown in Figures 4, 5 and 7,
The life saving device l comprises a semiannular housing 5 made of plastics that are able to float, in particular made of an elastomer such as a silicone rubber, that is intended to be worn below the chin of a user and the interior of which houses the casing means 2.
The term N semiannular' is taken to mean below, in the present description and in the claims, any type of U-shaped, housing that is open but has ends that could also coincide, with more or less rounded corners and with a desired perimeter shape, for example a broken line.
Inside the semiannular housing 5 a semiannular chamber 6 is obtained that is open above, shown in Figures 1, 4 and 5, the bottom of which is intended to contact the body of the user and the side walls of which, in particular the upper side wall 7 facing the chin of the user and the lower side wall 8, define the front overall dimensions of the semiannular housing 5 and the positioning of the casing means 2 when the life saving device 1 is in an inactive operating position. In practice, the semiannular chamber 6 is a shaped tank housing the casing means 2 which shaped tank being obtained in the semiannular housing 5. The semiannular housing 5, which is made by moulding a plate of plastics that is only a few millimetres thick to define the semiannular chamber 6, provides the support of the casing means 2. As will be illustrated better below, the means for connecting this semiannular housing 5 to a garment 30, that is suitable for being worn at least partially around the torso of a user, or making this semiannular housing 5 as a collar 46, determines the shape and final appearance of the life saving device l.
The casing means 2 has portions with differentiated expandability to be more inflated in the zone under the chin of the user with respect to the zone of the nape of the neck. In particular, the casing means 2 comprises a first bag 9 and a second bag 10, which are housed, rolled and folded inside the semiannular chamber 6 and are arranged parallel to one another.
For example, making each bag 9 and 10 of elastomer is provided. Alternatively and without narrowing the scope thereof each bag can be made of nylon, polyethylene or of other textile materials coated with one or more layers of
polyurethane, polyvinylchloride (PVC) or of another material to make the bags impermeable to gases .
Each bag has a first and a second end portion, that are not illustrated, that are fixed to a first end 11 and to a second end 12 of the semiannular chamber 6 by welding. Moreover a first pipe 13 of the connecting means 4 to the pressurised fluid dispensing means 3, to which first pipe 13 the first bag 9 is connected, leads on at the first end 11 of the semiannular chamber 6. Similarly, a second pipe 14 of the connecting means 4 to the pressurised fluid dispensing means 3, to which second pipe 14 the second bag 10 is connected, leads on at the second end 12 of the semiannular chamber 6, In particular, as shown in Figure 2 in which some parts have been removed, the pressurised fluid dispensing means 3 comprises a first container 15, such as, for example, a cylinder, containing pressurised gas and a second container 16 containing pressurised gas, connected respectively to the second bag 10 by the second pipe 14 and to the first bag 9 by the first pipe 13. It should be noted that, without narrowing the scope thereof, .the pressurised fluid dispensing means 3 could comprise a single container containing pressurised gas connected to both the bags 9 and XO hγ the connecting means 4. Each bag 9 and 10 is expandable, with a semiannular shape, and has portions with differentiated expandability to be more inflated at the central portion thereof that is intended to be positioned below the chin of a user. For example, each bag can have portions with differentiated expandability inasmuch as it comprises portions with a cross section of a different size, in particular a central portion with a maximum section, indicated in Figures 3, 5 and 7 with 9a and 10a, and respective end portions with a minimum section, indicated by 9b and 10b. In other words, each bag 9 and 10 has a symmetrical shape that is tapered at the ends or alternatively the end portions with a minimum section are obtained at the moment of welding by superimposed and fixing
to one another several flaps of the bag at the first end 11 and at the second end 12 of the semiannular chamber 6, starting with a bag with a constant section. Alternatively, each bag may have portions with differentiated expandability inasmuch as it comprises portions with a different thickness and with a different expandability/ for example a central portion with a minimum thickness, intended to expand significantly and respective end portions with a maximum thickness intended to expand limitedly.
It is important to underline that it is not necessary for the life saving device to be provided with two identical bags but it is possible to choose a first bag with a variable section and a second bag with a variable thickness without narrowing the scope thereof.
The life saving device further comprises an electronic control circuit 37 of the same life saving device 1, comprising control means 17, shown in Figure 1, supply means 18 of said control means 17, a connecting circuit 21 connecting the control means 17 and the supply means 18, and a multifunction openable connector 22 that constitutes a normally open switch for the connecting circuit 21 and enables the control means 17 to be supplied and thus enables the life saving device l to be activated only when the multifunction connector 22 is closed. The supply means 18 comprises a first rechargeable battery 19, shown in Figure 2 on the right in which some parts have been removed, and a second rechargeable battery 20 that are independent of one another . The multifunction connector 22 comprises a first component 23 and a second component 24 that are associable or releasable to enable the life saving device 1 to be safety opened and closed. In order to close the life saving device 1, a safety stop can, for example, be provided, that is not illustrated, that is associated with the multifunction connector 22.
The first component 23 has an internal wall that is not illustrated on which electric contact elements are arranged that are not illustrated that are intended for interacting, in the inactive operating configuration and in the active operating configuration with the multifunction connector 22 closed, with respective electric contact elements, that are not illustrated, that are in a respective internal wall of the second component 24. With the multifunction connector 22 closed, the electric contact elements of the first component 23 are in electric contact with the respective electric contact elements of the second component 24 to close the connecting circuit 21. The first component 23 and the second component 24 further comprise respective recharging contacts, that are not illustrated, intended to be connected to an external battery charger device to recharge the supply means 18 when the multifunction connector 22 is open.
The recharging contacts of the first component 23 are connectable to the external battery charger to recharge the battery 19 when the life saving device l is open in the rest operating condition, Similarly, the recharging contacts of the second component 24 are connectable to recharge the battery 20. Positioning the recharging contacts with respect to the positioning of the electric contact elements is such as to ensure, with the connector closed, that the recharging contacts do not intervene in the connecting circuit 21. It is also possible to provide, in a different embodiment, for the recharging contacts coinciding with the electric contact elements.
To each container of pressurised gas 15, 16 is respectively associated a valve , in particular an solenoid valve 25, 26, that is normally closed, the opening of which is σomraandable by the control means 17 by means of an opening signal, that switches the life saving device 1 from the inactive
operating condition to active operating condition according to an automatic or manual manner.
The electronic control circuit 37 comprises in fact a pressure sensor 27 connected to the control means 17, which is able to detect a pressure increase with respect to a reference pressure value, which corresponds to the atmospheric pressure detected by the pressure sensor 27 immediately after closure of the multifunction connector 22, as will be disclosed better below. The control means evaluates the pressure increase with respect to a set threshold value and, if this pressure increase remains for an interval of time that is also determined, i.e. if it has a duration that is greater than a set interval of time, the life saving device is activated automatically.
It is important to underline that the reference pressure value, the set threshold value and the set interval of time are parameters that the control means 17 stores in a nonvolatile internal memory εone, which parameters are settable at the moment of manufacture but are configurable, as disclosed better below, to adapt the life saving device i to different users.
If in fact for a child a danger condition could be a pressure increase equal to 0.5 bar for an interval of time that is greater than 30 seconds, for an adult who is not an expert swimmer the danger values could be a pressure increase equal to 0.7 bar for an interval of time that is greater than 35 seconds, for example 40 seconds, and for an adult who is an expert swimmer the danger values could be a pressure increase equal to 0.9 bar for an interval of time greater than 45 seconds, for example SO seconds. Not detecting the reference pressure immediately after the closing of the multifunction connector but setting a reference pressure value equal, for example, to 0.3 bar for an expert swimmer who normally swims holding his breath could also be of interest .
It should therefore be noted that for adult expert swimmers the life saving device 1 is insensitive to sudden pressure increases due , for example to dives or to accidental falls into the water, inasmuch as the pressure increase detected S must remain for a set time.
In order to enable the parameters of the life saving device 1 that are indicated above to be configured, the control means 17 comprises radiofrequency communication means (not shown) that is connectable to external radiofrequency0 interface means, for example integrated into a portable interface device or integrated as an application into a desktop computer, In this manner the reference pressure value, the set threshold value and the set interval of time are settable by the external interface means to enable the5 device to be automatically activated in different modes for different users. After configuration, which is made, for example, during manufacturing of the life saving device l or by authorised dealers, life saving devices configured with different parameters are identifiable by irremovable0 adhesive labels applied to the same life saving device.
The electronic control circuit 37 further comprises an emergency pushbutton 28, the status of which, which may be pressed or released, is detected by the control means 17, The pushbutton 23 may have, for example, a metal dome thatB is easily compressible manually and in this manner, if the button is pressed by a user for a further set interval of time, the control means 17 commands the opening signal to the solenoid valves 25 and 26 for immediately activating the life saving device l. The necessary force for compressing 0 and the interval of time for which the button has to be pressed prevent involuntary compressions of the button being interpreted by the control means 17 as an immediate activation command. Also the further set interval of time is configurable by the5 external interface means and for non- expert adult swimmers
or for children almost immediate activation of the life saving device 1 is provided.
The electronic control circuit 37 further comprises indicating means 29, connected to the control means 17 that comprises luminous indicators 39 that may be luminous indicators of status to indicate the activation of the device, such as, for example, a flashing green LED indicating that the life saving device is active/ luminous diagnostic indicators to indicate faults, such as, for example, two two-coloured LEDs associated with gas cylinders that indicate whether the pressure of the gas is insufficient; two two-coloured LEDs associated respectively with the first and with the second battery 19 and 20 that indicate whether the charge is insufficient; acoustic indicators that are optional and not shown for indicating the activation or fault of the device, such as, for example, an acoustic signal that indicates the correct closure of the multifunction connector 22. All the electronic parts of the life saving device 1 defining the electronic control circuit 37, i.e. the aforesaid control means 17, the supply means 18 like the batteries 19 and 20, the electronics implementing the solenoid valves 25 and 26, the pressure sensor 27, the emergency pushbutton 28, the indicating means 29, the circuit 21 as far as the electric contact elements of the first and of the second component 23, 24 of the multifunction connector 22, are encapsulated in plastics that completely envelop them and make them hermetically sealed. Obviously, also the multifunction connector 22, when it is closed, is hermetically sealed and this ensures the reliability of the electronic parts during immersion. The electronic control circuit 37 is manufactured by a standard procedure for protecting electronic devices in a hostile environment that provides a wiring and an initial control of correct operation of the electronic control circuit 37. Subsequently, the latter is positioned resting
on a first sheet of plasties that is covered with plastics injected in melted state into an injection chamber so that the melted plastics join with the first sheet of plastics to encapsulate the hermetically sealed electronic control circuit 37.
As shown in Figures 1, 2 and 4, the life saving device l is a garment 30 intended in use to be worn at least partially around the torso of a user, shaped like a mini crew neck vest covering at least up to the armpits to cover almost entirely the chest, closed in front and having a central rear opening 31 that defines a right rear side and a left rear side, looking at Figure 2 of the garment 30, In particular the semiannular housing B defines the front crew neck portion of the garment 30 and the first end 11 and the second end 12 of the semiannular chamber 6 are intended in use to be arranged at the shoulders of the user. The control means 17 and the indicating means 29 are integrated into a box 32 arranged at the lower front portion 33 of the garment 30. The pressure sensor 27, that exits the lower edge of the garment 30 to which it is welded, is connected below to the box.
In one embodiment of the life saving device 1, the pressure sensor 27 does not exit the garment 30, remaining protected by the same garment 30. Further, in order to increase the degree of reliability of the measurement, it is possible to provide two pressure sensors for a redundant depth reading. As shown in Figures l , 3 , 4 and 5 , the emergency pushbutton 28 is arranged in the front side part of the garment 30 below the clavicle. Without narrowing the scope thereof, it must be pointed out that it is possible to position the emergency pushbutton 28 also in other positions, provided it is easily accessible for the user,
At the rear opening 31, towards the nape of the neck of the user and in a position that is easily reachable by the same user, in the edge 34 defined in the garment 30 by the rear opening 31, the first component 23 and the second component
24 of the multifunction connector 22 are fixed aligned and on opposite sides of the edge 34 that, when they are closed, define the multifunction connector 22, at the same time making the closure of the life saving device 1 around the user.
It should be noted that the connector 22 is multifunction inasmuch as it is simultaneously a closing connector, a battery recharging connector and a connector for enabling the operation of the same device. The supply batteries 19 and 20 are positioned in the rear part of the garment 30 symmetrically with respect to the multifunction connector 22, below the same multifunction connector 22, as shown in Figure 2. Laterally with respect to the batteries 19 and 20, at the collar bones of the user, on both sides with respect to the multifunction connector 22, a first and a second protuberance 35a and 36a are present on the right side and 35b and 36b on the left side, in Figure 2, that extend to the backs of the garment 30 until they connect respectively with the second end 12 and the first end 11 of the semiannular chamber 6. The first and second protuberance 35a and 36a of the right side are associated with the container 15 whilst the first and second protuberance 35b and 36b are associated with the container 16. It should be noted that each container 15 and 16 is enclosed in a wing- shaped containing element 44 that is open at the front for the insertion of the container, which is shown visible only on the left side and is removed on the right to display the same container 15 better. Now considering the right side, the first protuberance 35a houses the solenoid valve 25 from which the second pipe 14 of the connecting means 4 supplies the second bag 10 with the pressurised gas of the container 15, whilst the second protuberance 36a houses a bayonet joint (of known and non illustrated type) by means of which the container 15 can be inserted/removed if necessary for replacement. The protuberance 36a is obviously connected by seals to the
protuberance 35a, to enable the pressurised gas of the container 15 to flow through the solenoid valve 25 without leaks.
Similarly, the protuberance 35b of the left aide houses the solenoid valve 26 from which the first pipe 13 of the connecting means 4 supplies the first bag 10 with the pressurised gas of the container lβ, whilst the second protuberance 36b houses a bayonet joint that is similar to the joint 36a that enables the container 16 to be replaced when necessary.
In other words the protuberances 35a and 35b, 36a and 36b are the same as one another and are supply with respective independent cylinders 15 and 16 the first bag 9 and the second bag 10, as illustrated above. It should be noted that the casing means 2, the pressurised fluid dispensing means 3, the control means 17, the supply means 18 and the multifunction connector 22 are an integral part of the garment 30. Further, the garment 30 is designed to maximise the safety offered to the user, all the components that are critical for safety such as the casing means 2 , the supply means 18 and the pressurised fluid dispensing means 3 being redundant . The garment 30 is provided below with hooking means 38 that is adjustable, belt-shaped, hookable and releasable for adjusting the life saving device 1 on the basis of the size of the user. In particular, each front lateral side of the garment 30 is connected to an adjustable belt 40 provided with an end male pin 41 that is hookable to a corresponding female pin 42 present in the corresponding rear lateral side. As shown in Figure 1 and in Figure 3, the garment 30 has the shape of a mini -vest that is completely open laterally and the hooking means 38 constitute the adjustable lateral closing of the life saving device l. According to an alternative embodiment, which is not shown, the garment 30 is closed laterally and the hooking means 38
1
is fixed laterally both at the front and. at the back to adjust precisely the device around the torso of the user. The life saving device 1 can be made of the same material of which the semiannular housing 5 is made, for example silicone, in which case the plate of plastics has weakening lines or articulations to make the plate more flexible at portions that are intended to fold around the body of the user such as, for example, in the back or in the lateral sides . The electronic control circuit 37, after being wired, controlled and encapsulated as disclosed previously, is inserted inside the plate by known techniques for moulding plastics and therefore the life saving device 1 is provided externally with the expandable bags 9 and 10 that are made, for example of elastomer, superimposed on a garment made, for example, of silicone and having protuberances at the various components with which it is made.
If on the other hand the life saving device 2 is made of an antiallergic polymeric fabric, for example the neoprene used for wet suits, the semiannular housing 5 and the electronic control circuit 37 are connected to the fabric using known techniques for welding plastics. The life saving device 1 is like a mini -vest made of elastic fabric, externally provided with the expandable bags 9 and 10, having zones with greater stiffness at the semiannular housing 5 and at the various components of which it is made.
It should be noted that if the garment is made as a mini- vest made of a silicone plate, it will be advantageously laterally open whereas if it is made of fabric, the front part could be connected to the rear part by a partially open side, that is also made of different material, that is intended to protect the part of the torso below the armpit of the user in which the hooking means 38 is present. In use, the user wears the garment 30 by passing the head through the rear central opening 31, by resting the front part on the chest, positioning the garment on the shoulders
by passing the arms through the side openings and fitting the size by means of the adjustable side hooking means 38. The life saving device is still in the rest operating condition. At the moment that the multifunction connector 22 is closed, when the user associates the first component 23 with the second component 24, the connecting circuit 21 closes and the electronic control circuit 37 is activated. Consequently, the control means 17 performs an initial diagnostic procedure of all the electronic parts of which the electronic control circuit 37 is made up of and if the supply means 18 and the pressurised fluid dispensing means 3 are usable correctly, i.e. are sufficiently charged, the control means 17 activates the luminous indicators 39 and the acoustic indicator in a suitable manner to indicate to the user that the life saving device can be used safely. For example, at the end of the initial diagnostic procedure, with the multifunction connector 22 closed, the user is informed by an acoustic signal that the life saving device is in an inactive operating condition.
The control means 17 further performs an initialising procedure of the parameters to be used during operation starting from the parameters stored in the non-volatile memory. During initialisation, the control means 17 detects by means of the pressure sensor 27 the external atmospheric pressure that is stored as reference pressure. Prom this moment on, the control means 17 acquires at preset intervals, such as, for example, every 500 msec, the pressure values detected by the pressure sensor 27. If the pressure difference between the pressure detected and the reference pressure is greater than a set threshold value, the user is in immersion below a set depth. If this condition remains for a preset interval of time, the control means 17 commands the opening of the solenoid valves 25 and 26, the bags 9 and 10 inflate and the life saving device i enters an active operating condition. As the bags have
annular shape with a section increasing towards the centre , or alternatively the material with which they are made has a smaller thickness towards the centre, the bags inflate greater at the centre in the zone below the chin of the user with reøpecfc to the zone of the nape of the neck of the user, making the head of the user position in hyperextension .
As shown in Figures 4, 5, and I1 owing to the life saving device of the present invention, the user is brought again to the surface with the floating condition guaranteed by the inflated casing means 2 and with the head positioning hyperextension. This enables a user who has lost consciousness to be saved from possible asphyxia following an onset of drowning. Further, as already said, as the control means 17 activates the life saving device 1 automatically on the basis of preset conditions, hazard conditions in water can be set differently for different types of user, although the life saving device of the present invention remains constructionalIy identical. This ensures great flexibility of use and reduced production costs as sized parts will be necessary only for making life saving devices for children. It is further necessary to note that the life saving device 1 of the present invention is reusable, in the sense that it is possible to restore the life saving device 1 to the rest operating condition after using it. This is possible after extracting the user from the water and after removing the life saving device 1 from the latter. In order to deflate the bags 9 and 10 it is in fact sufficient to close the multifunction connector 22 and, with the containers 15 and 16 containing pressurised gas removed, to press the button 28 so as to open the solenoid valves 25 and 26 and to place the bags 9 and 10 in communication with the exterior until the bags 9 and 10 are completely emptied of the pressurised gas contained therein.
According to one embodiment of the invention, shown in Figures 3, 4 and β, the life saving device l comprises a seroiannular door 45 closing the semiannular chamber 6, which may also be of greater size than the same seraiannular chamber 6, which is hinged on the semiannular housing 5 at the ends 11 and 12 of the semiannular chamber 6 and is openable to the chin of the user. The semiannular door 45 has three ridges, which are not shown, distributed at the lower face thereof to engage with corresponding ridges, which are not shown, present at the upper edge of the lower side wall 8 of the semiannular chamber 6 to close above the same semiannular chamber 6 and contain the casing means 2 inside the semiannular chamber 6 when the life saving device is in an inactive operating condition. The semiannular door 45 is made of plastics that are able to float, such as, for example, a silicon elastomer, and is a more flexible plate than the plastics of which the semiannular housing 5 is made, to which it is connected, for example by welding. In fact, when the life saving device 1 is in an active operating condition, the semiannular door 45 is opened and pushed, as shown in Figure 4, by the expansion of the casing means 2 towards the chin of the user, which is thus protected from possible abrasions caused by the material of which the casing means 2 is constituted. At the same time the semiannular door 45 exerts a precise pressure on the chin of the user in hyperextension, nevertheless leaving the trachea and nose free and the respiratory passages open. Owing to this embodiment, which is particularly suitable for playing sports swimming, the bags 9 and 10 closed in the semiannular chamber β by the semiannular door 45, do not create friction and permit better freedom of movement in the water.
According to a further embodiment, which is not shown, the semiannular chamber 6 is smaller than the semiannular housing 5 and has a first end il and a second end 12 at middle portions of the clavicles. In this case, the
semiannular housing 5 has side connecting portions inside which portions of the first pipe 13 and of the second pipe 14 connected to the first bag 9 and to the second bag lO are housed . According to a further embodiment, which is not shown, the first and the second bag 9 an 10 are not fixed to the ends 11 and 12 of the semiannular chamber 6 but each bag 9 and 10 is fixed centrally and to an end of the semiannular chamber 6 to occupy a lateral right or left portion of the semiannular chamber 6. The portion with maximum expandability of each bag will be obtained at the central fixing point .
Owing to these embodiments it is possible to use bags of different shapes and sizes, anyway ensuring casing means 2 that impose on the user the hyperextension position during floating.
Owing to a further embodiment shown in Figures 6 and 7, the life saving device 1 is a collar 46 intended in use to be worn around the neck of the user, in which the semiannular housing 5 defines the same collar 46 and the front crew neck portion of the collar 46 is defined by the semiannular chamber 6, the ends 11 and 12 of which are intended in use to be arranged at the right and left laterocex^vical regions of the user. The semiannular housing 5 receives in rear side connecting portions the connecting means 4 to the pressurised fluid dispensing means 3 and has ends that are provided respectively with the first component 23 and the second component 24 of the multifunction connector 22 that enable the collar 46 to be closed around the neck of the user.
The life saving device 1 further comprises external containing means 47, for example a small backpack shown in Figures 6 and 7 or a belt which is not shown or a bracelet which is not shown, intended for being worn by the user, that contain the pressurised fluid dispensing means 3 for supplying the casing means 2. Further the external
containing means 47 contains the control circuit, the supply means and the pressure sensor to make automatic activation of the same life saving device 1.
It will be noted that in Figures 6 and 7 casing means 2 is shown that comprises one semiannular bag 48.
According to this further embodiment, which is also applicable to any embodiment disclosed previously, the life saving device comprises only the semiannular bag 48 supplied by one container of pressurised gas, arranged inside the containing means 47 and connected to the semiannular bag 48 by a single pipe 49 of the connecting means 4. The semiannular bag 48 has a central portion 48a that is more expandable in the zone below the chin of the user with respect to a side portion 48b arranged in the nape of the neck zone. The considerations made previously apply to the material from which the semiannular bag 48 is made and to the arrangement of the semiannular bag 48 inside the semiannular chamber 6 and will not be repeated here. Owing to this simplified embodiment, which nevertheless ensures that a user who has been immersed in water is recovered in the manner illustrated previously/ the overall dimensions arising from the two bags below the neck of the user, as illustrated in the previous embodiments, is reduced and it is thus possible to make even very reduced annular housings 5.
For example, it could be possible to include the semiannular housing 5 and the closing semiannular door 45 entirely in the crew neck of the mini-vest, associating the containing means 47 with a supporting arrangement that is wearable on the shoulders of the user like that which is necessary for playing swimming underwater.
According to a further embodiment which is not shown, the life saving device l comprises a GPS position indicator to indicate position during recovery at sea. According to a further embodiment which is not shown, the pressurised fluid dispensing means 3 comprises a cap with a
chemical product associated with a detonator that is activatable by the control means 17 that is able to trigger a chemical reaction that develops pressurised gas. According to a further embodiment which is not shown, the life saving device comprises thermolabile material that: constitutes the closing valve of the container containing pressurised gas. A resistance, the temperature of which increases with the passage of electric current, is immersed in the thermolabile material the melting of which causes the pressurised gas to exit.
Owing to these embodiments that do not involve the use of containers containing pressurised gas and/or solenoid valves and/or control means that are aiJtomatically activated by a pressure sensor, it is possible to reduce further the overall dimensions of the life saving device that is the object of the present invention and to make a simplified manually controlled electronic control circuit 37 by incorporating both the casing means 2 and the pressurised fluid dispensing means and the simplified electronic control circuit 37 inside the εemiannular housing 5.
Owing to this further simplified embodiment it is possible to make the life saving device 1 of the present invention exclusively as a collar intended in use to be worn around or at the base of the neck of a user. This simplified embodiment of reduced dimensions, that anyway ensures that the user is recovered and floats with the head in hyperextension, is indicated above all for playing swimming and as a safety device that is wearable, for example, also in a swimming pool .
Claims
1. Anti drowning life saving device (1) that is wearable by a user comprising casing means (2) that is expandable and pressurised fluid dispensing means (3) that are connected to said casing means (2) and are activatable for inflating said casing means (2) if said life saving device (1) is in an active operating condition characterised in that said casing means (2) is arranged in use around or at the base of the neck of said user and has portions that are expandable in a differentiated manner (9a, 10a, 48a, 9b, lOb, 48b) to be inflated more at the zone below the chin with respect to the zone of the nape of the neck of said user so as to cause the head of the user to emerge from the water in hyperextension position.
2. Life saving device according to claim 1, wherein said device (1) comprises a semiannular housing (5) made of plastics, in particular made of elastomer, arranged in use below the chin of a user and defining a semiannular chamber (6) having a first end (11) and a second end (12) , said semiannular chamber (6) being suitable for housing said casing means (2) when said life saving device is in an inactive operating condition or in a rest operating condition.
3. Life saving device according to claim 2, wherein said casing means (2) comprises at least one semiannular bag (48) that is expandable arranged in said semiannular chamber (6) .
4. Life saving device according to claim 3, wherein said eemiannular bag (48) has a first and a second end portion fixed respectively to said first end (11) and to said second end (12) of said semiannular chamber (6) by welding,
5. Life saving device according to claim 3, wherein said semiannular bag (48) has an end portion connected to said pressurised fluid dispensing means (3) at said first end (11) or said second end (12) of said semiannular chamber (S) by connecting means (4) .
6. Life saving device according to claim 2, wherein said casing means (2) comprises a first bag (9) and a second bag (10) , that are expandable, arranged parallel to one another in said semiannular chamber (6) .
7. Life saving device according to claim 6, wherein each bag (9, 10) is semiannular and has a first and a second end portion fixed to said first end. (11) and to said second end
(12) of said semiannular chamber (6) by welding.
8, Life saving device according to claim 6 or 7, wherein said first bag (9) is connected to said pressurised fluid dispensing means (3) at said first end (11) of said semiannular chamber (6) and wherein said second bag (10) is connected to said pressurised fluid dispensing means (3) at said second end (12) of said semiannular chamber (6) ,
9. Life saving device according to claim S, wherein said pressurised fluid dispensing means (3) comprises a first container (15) and a second container (lβ) each containing pressurised gas, said first container (15) and said second container (is) being connected respectively to said second bag (10) and to said first bag (9) by connecting means (4) .
10. Life saving device according to claim 2, wherein said semiannular chamber (6) is open above towards the head of the user.
11. Life saving device according to claim 10, and comprising a semiannular door (45) closing said semiannular chamber
(6) , the semiannular door (45) being connected to and hinged on said semiannular housing (5) at said first and said second end (11, 12) of said chamber (6) , to hold in position said casing means (2), if said life saving device (1) is in said inactive operating condition or in said rest operating condition and protect the chin of the user if said life saving device (1) is in an active operating condition.
12. Life saving device according to claim 11, wherein said semiannular door (45) is made of plastics, in particular of plastics that are able to float, that are more flexible than the plastics of said semiannular housing (5) .
13. Life saving device according to claim 3, wherein said semiannular bag (48) , or according to claim 6, wherein said first semiannular bag (9) or said second semiannular bag (10) , has a central portion with a maximum section (9a, 10a, 48a) and respective end portions with a minimum section (9b, 10b, 48b) to be more inflated at said central portion (9a, 10a, 48a) .
14 , Life saving device according to claim 3, wherein said semiannular bag (48) , or according to claim 6, wherein said first semiannular bag (9) or said second semiannular bag (10) , has a central portion with a minimum thickness (9a, 10a, 48a) and respective end portions with a maximum thickness (9b, 10b, 48b) to be more inflated at said central portion (9a, 10a, 48a) .
15. Life saving device (1) according to any preceding claim, and comprising an electronic control circuit (37) , comprising control means (17) , supply means (18) of said control means (17) and a multifunction openable connector
(22) , said control means (17) being suppliable by said supply means (18) only if said multifunction connector (22) is closed,
16. Life saving device according to claim 15, wherein said multifunction connector (22) comprises a first component
(23) and a second component (24) that are associable or releasable to enable said life saving device (1) to be opened and closed.
17. Life saving device according to claim 16, wherein said first component (23) comprises electric contact elements intended to interact, when said multifunction connector (22) is closed, with respective electrical contact elements of the second component (24) to enable said control device (l) to operate.
18. Life saving device according to claim 16 or 17, wherein said first component (23) and said second component (24) comprise recharging contacts intended for being connected to an external battery-charging device to recharge said supply- means (18) when the life saving device (1) is open,
19. Life saving device according to claim 18, wherein said electric contact elements and said recharging contacts coincide.
20. Life saving device according to any one of preceding claims 15 to 19, and comprising at least one valve (25, 26) closing said pressurised fluid dispensing means (3) , arranged normally closed, said valve (25, 26) being commandable to open by an opening signal of said control means (17) to activate said life saving device (1) in said active operating condition.
21. Life saving device according to claim 20, and comprising a pressure sensor (21) , said opening signal being activatable by said control means (17) if said pressure sensor (27) detects a pressure increase in relation to a reference pressure value that is greater than a set threshold value for a set interval of time, to inflate said casing means (2) automatically in a set danger condition.
22. Life saving device according to claim 21, wherein said reference pressure value is the atmospheric pressure value acquired by said pressure sensor (27) in said inactive operating condition, when said multifunction connector (22) is closed.
23. Device according to claim 21 or 22, wherein said control means (17) comprises radiofrequency communicating means connectable to external radiofrequency interfacing means, said reference value, said sat threshold value, said set interval of time being settable by said external interfacing means to ensure automatic activation of said device (1) in different modes for different users.
24. Life saving device according to any preceding claim 20 to 23, and comprising a pushbutton (28) connected to said control means (17) and suitable for being pressed by a user, said opening signal to said valve (25, 26) being activatable by said control means (17) if said pushbutton (28) is manually pressed by said user for a further set interval of time.
25. Device according to any preceding claim 15 to 24, and comprising indicating means (29) connected to said control means (17) , said indicating means (29) comprising luminous indicators (39) and optionally acoustic indicators to signal the activation of said device and/or malfunctions of said device .
26. Life saving device according to any preceding claim 2 to 25, wherein said device (l) is a garment (30) intended in use to be worn at least partially around the torso of a user, wherein said semiannular housing (5) defines the front crew neck portion of said garment (30) and said first and second end (11, 12) of said semiannular chamber (6) are intended in use to be arranged at the shoulders of said user,
27. Life saving device according to claim 26, as appended to any one of claims 15 to 25, wherein said pressurised fluid dispensing means (3) , said control means (17) , said supply means (18) and said multifunction connector (22) are associated with said garment (30) .
28, Life saving device according to claim 27, as claim 26 is appended to claim 16, wherein said garment (30) has an opening (31) arranged, when said device is worn, on the back of said user, said opening (31) defining a left rear side and a right rear side to which are respectively fixed said first component (23) and said second component (24) of said multifunction connector (22) to enable said life saving device (1) to be opened and closed,
29. Life saving device according to any preceding claim 2 to
25, wherein eaid device (1) is a collar (46) that is intended in use for being worn around the neck of a user, wherein said semiannular housing (5) defines said collar
(46) , said semiannular chamber (6) defines the front neck portion of said collar (46) and said first and second ends
(11, 12) of said semiannular chamber (6) are intended in use to be arranged at the right and left laterocervical regions of said user.
30, Life saving device according to claim 29, as appended to claim 16, wherein said collar (46) has a first closing end and a second closing end respectively connected to said first and said second component (23, 24) of said multifunction connector (22) to enable said collar (46) to be opened and closed.
31. Life saving device according to claim 30, and comprising containing means (47) connected to said collar and suitable for being worn by said user, said pressurised fluid dispensing means (3), said control means (17) and said supply means (18) being housed in said containing means (47) .
32. Life saving device according to claim 30 or 31, wherein said pressurised fluid dispensing means (3) , said control means (17) and said supply means (18) are integrated into said collar (46) .
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
ITBO20090026 ITBO20090026U1 (en) | 2009-04-29 | 2009-04-29 | INFLATABLE LIFE-SAVE DEVICE ANTI-HANGING AUTOMATIC AND / OR MANUAL ACTIVATION |
ITBO2009U000026 | 2009-04-29 |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO2010125529A2 true WO2010125529A2 (en) | 2010-11-04 |
WO2010125529A3 WO2010125529A3 (en) | 2011-06-23 |
Family
ID=43032621
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/IB2010/051856 WO2010125529A2 (en) | 2009-04-29 | 2010-04-28 | Anti drowning life saving device |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
IT (1) | ITBO20090026U1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2010125529A2 (en) |
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
ITBZ20130012A1 (en) * | 2013-03-01 | 2014-09-02 | Giampiero Grilli | SLEEPABLE AUTOGONFIABLE EQUIPMENT FOR RESCUE FROM THE BOTTOM AND SURFACE FLOAT. |
US9868495B2 (en) | 2013-12-11 | 2018-01-16 | Safe Swim Ltd. | Controllable water floatation garment |
ES2674530A1 (en) * | 2016-12-30 | 2018-07-02 | Dipsalut - Organisme De Salut Pública De La Diputació De Girona | FLOTATION DEVICE FOR THE RESCUE OF UNCONSCIOUS PEOPLE (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) |
Family Cites Families (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US1442746A (en) * | 1922-05-29 | 1923-01-16 | Paul J Timberlake | Swimming appliance |
US2210809A (en) * | 1939-01-09 | 1940-08-06 | Leonard C Gray | Lifesaving device |
US3414920A (en) * | 1966-11-25 | 1968-12-10 | Joseph R. Beaton | Water safety collar |
FR2033529A5 (en) * | 1969-02-24 | 1970-12-04 | Herrou Joel | |
DE2108666A1 (en) * | 1971-02-24 | 1972-08-31 | Pfeifer G | Buoyancy bodies for swimming students or the like |
DE3531342A1 (en) * | 1985-09-03 | 1987-03-05 | Peter Florjancic | RINGED MUSCLE RELAXATION DEVICE |
FR2620105A1 (en) * | 1987-09-03 | 1989-03-10 | Garrigou Joel | Inflatable lifebelt |
EP0322603A1 (en) * | 1987-12-28 | 1989-07-05 | GIOMAMA SrL | Life preserver collar |
DE29706866U1 (en) * | 1997-04-16 | 1997-07-31 | Bernhardt Apparatebau Gmbh + Co., 22880 Wedel | Splash protection cap for lifebuoy collars |
-
2009
- 2009-04-29 IT ITBO20090026 patent/ITBO20090026U1/en unknown
-
2010
- 2010-04-28 WO PCT/IB2010/051856 patent/WO2010125529A2/en active Application Filing
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
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None |
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
ITBZ20130012A1 (en) * | 2013-03-01 | 2014-09-02 | Giampiero Grilli | SLEEPABLE AUTOGONFIABLE EQUIPMENT FOR RESCUE FROM THE BOTTOM AND SURFACE FLOAT. |
US9868495B2 (en) | 2013-12-11 | 2018-01-16 | Safe Swim Ltd. | Controllable water floatation garment |
ES2674530A1 (en) * | 2016-12-30 | 2018-07-02 | Dipsalut - Organisme De Salut Pública De La Diputació De Girona | FLOTATION DEVICE FOR THE RESCUE OF UNCONSCIOUS PEOPLE (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
WO2010125529A3 (en) | 2011-06-23 |
ITBO20090026U1 (en) | 2010-10-30 |
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