Patent ID: 7063582
Filing Date: 2006-06-20
Classification: B63C

Abstract:
1. A rescue and safety apparatus for receiving personnel in aquatic environments of the type having an inflatable grille structure formed by one or more peripheral members defining an enclosed area and a plurality of internal members to thereby define a plurality of regularly-spaced open regions within the enclosed area, the peripheral and internal members being tubular and formed from a flexible, collapsible watertight material, and having a flexible open-mesh netting extending over the open regions and secured to at least one of the one or more peripheral members and the internal members, said netting being provided with at least one resealable personnel access opening that is located in an open region between the adjacent members, the inflatable grille structure having substantially similar opposing surfaces when inflated, a) a plurality of fastening elements secured to each of the opposing surfaces of the grille structure, b) at least one floor and shelter forming module releasable secured to the inflatable grille structure in a compactly folded configuration, whereby said floor and shelter forming module, when released and unfolded, is attachable to the upper surface of the inflated grille to provide a modular personnel shelter having a floor panel supported by the open-mesh netting, the shelter extending upwardly over the floor panel.