Abstract:
A flotation device is provided comprising a carrier mounted to the watercraft with the carrier having a first cover channel, a second cover channel, a first bladder retaining slot, and a second bladder retaining slot. A space is defined between the carrier and an elongated cover having a first edge and a second edge with the first edge releasably receivable in the first cover channel and the second edge releasably receivable in the second cover channel. A cover-removing bladder is receivable within the space and secured to the carrier. A flotation bladder is receivable within the space and secured to the carrier. An inflation mechanism connected to the cover-removing bladder and the flotation bladder inflates both bladders wherein the first edge of the cover is released from the first cover channel of the carrier allowing the flotation bladder to substantially completely inflate.

Description:
[0001]    The present application is a continuation-in-part of pending patent application Ser. No. 09/832,774, filed Apr. 10, 2001, entitled “Automatic Boat Flotation Device” and pending patent application Ser. No. 09/864,642, filed May 24, 2001, entitled “Float Switch Activation Assembly”. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    The present invention relates to flotation devices for watercraft and, more particularly, it relates to an automatically inflating flotation device that would improve the stability of the watercraft and inhibit the watercraft from sinking if the hull was breached. The flotation device would automatically inflate when a predetermined amount of water entered the hull of the watercraft thereby increasing stability and inhibit sinking.  
           [0004]    2. Description of the Prior Art  
           [0005]    Boating is both a popular pastime and a vital commercial activity in much of the world today. A boat is often a substantial investment for the owner and/or operator. In the case of commercial boats, the boat is often the livelihood of the owner of the boat. As a general concept, boats sink when the hull of the boat takes on water and the boat loses its buoyancy. This can happen if the hull is breached due to a collision with some object or in heavy waves if the boat is swamped. If the boat sinks, a serious condition exists in that loss of life and loss of property often occurs.  
           [0006]    A number of patents have been directed to inventions to prevent a boat from sinking, even if the hull was breached. Unfortunately, the previous devices for boat floatation have a number of problems such as being difficult to install and often require manual activation of the device. This is a major concern since many boats often sink unattended at the dock, not out on the open water.  
           [0007]    The flotation device of the present invention solves these problems and others by being easy to install, either as a retrofit to an existing boat or during manufacture of the boat. In addition, the flotation device of the present invention is designed to automatically deploy when a pre-determined level of water is consistently in the hull of the vessel. The device will not deploy when water merely splashes to that level, preventing unneeded deployment in heavy seas. Once deployed the present invention will keep the boat afloat even if a complete flooding of the hull has occurred.  
           [0008]    The primary aspect of the present invention is to provide an automatically deploying flotation device to keep the boat floating after water has partially filled the hull of the boat.  
           [0009]    Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a flotation device that does not interfere with the looks or operation of the boat when not deployed.  
           [0010]    Another aspect of the present invention is to provide for a flotation device that can be easily removed and a new one re-installed after deployment.  
           [0011]    Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a device that is easy to manufacture and install.  
         SUMMARY  
         [0012]    An automatically inflating boat rail is disclosed. A cover-removing bladder is folded beneath an inflatable flotation bladder which is rolled into a tight spiral. The folded cover-removing bladder and the spirally rolled flotation bladder are mounted inside a one or more piece flexible housing. The base of the housing is mounted to the outside of the hull. The base of the cover-removing bladder and the base of the flotation bladder are attached to the base of the housing. The outer part of the housing is removably attached to the base of the housing, enclosing the folded cover-removing bladder and the spirally rolled flotation bladder. One or more flotation bladders can be mounted in the housing. The flotation bladder has valves that are attached to safety valves. The safety valve is triggered by water in the hull reaching a given height in the hull. Once the safety valve is triggered, tanks of compressed inert gas are released into the system inflating the cover-removing bladder. The outer part of the housing is pushed off and the flotation bladders then commence inflation and begin unrolling. The flotation bladders can have internal chambers so that one part can be punctured without deflating the whole system.  
           [0013]    In particular, the present invention is a flotation device for maintaining a watercraft in a floating condition. The flotation device comprises a carrier mounted to the watercraft with the carrier having a first cover channel, a second cover channel, a first bladder retaining slot, and a second bladder retaining slot. An elongated cover is secured to the carrier with the cover having a first edge and a second edge. The first edge of the cover is receivable in the first cover channel and the second edge of the cover is receivable in the second cover channel. A space is defined between the carrier and the cover. A cover-removing bladder is receivable within the space with at least a portion of the cover-removing bladder receivable within the first bladder-retaining slot. A flotation bladder is receivable within the space with at least a portion of the flotation bladder receivable within the second bladder-retaining slot. Inflation means are connected to the cover-removing bladder and the flotation bladder for inflating the cover-removing bladder and for inflating the flotation bladder subsequent to inflation of the cover-removing bladder wherein upon inflation of the cover-removing bladder, the first edge of the cover is released from the first cover channel of the carrier and is moved in a direction generally away from the watercraft allowing the flotation bladder to substantially completely inflate.  
           [0014]    The present invention additionally includes emergency buoyant support for a watercraft. The emergency buoyant support comprises a carrier mounted to the watercraft and a cover attached to the carrier. A storage channel is formed between the base plate and the cover with a cover-removing bladder and a flotation bladder positioned within the storage channel wherein upon inflation of the cover-removing bladder, the cover-removing bladder moves the cover and the flotation bladder in a general direction away from the watercraft prior to inflation of the flotation bladder thereby allowing the flotation bladder to inflate.  
           [0015]    The present invention further includes a method for maintaining a watercraft in a stable floating condition. The method comprises mounting a housing to the watercraft, securing a carrier into the housing with the carrier having a first cover channel, a second cover channel, a first bladder retaining slot, and a second bladder retaining slot, covering at least a portion of the carrier with a cover with the cover having a first edge and a second edge, releasably securing the first edge of the cover within the first cover channel and the second edge within the second cover channel, defining a space between the carrier and the cover, positioning a cover-removing bladder within the space with the cover-removing bladder having a first bladder edge, positioning a flotation bladder within the space with the flotation bladder having a second bladder edge, mounting the first bladder edge of the cover-removing bladder within the first bladder retaining slot, mounting the second bladder edge of the flotation bladder within the second bladder retaining slot, inflating the cover-removing bladder, and inflating the flotation bladder.  
           [0016]    Other aspects of this invention will appear from the following description and appended claims, reference being made to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0017]    [0017]FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a flotation device for inflation by a float switch activation assembly, constructed in accordance with the present invention, with the flotation device being mounted on a hull of a watercraft having a boat rail;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 2 is a rear view illustrating the flotation device, constructed in accordance with the present invention, with the flotation device mounted to the hull adjacent the waterline;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 3 is a sectional view illustrating the flotation device of FIG. 3 with the carrier slidably mounted in the mounting plate;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 4 is a sectional view illustrating the flotation device of FIG. 3 with the carrier slidably mounted in the mounting plate and a cover secured thereto;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a cover-removing bladder for the flotation device, constructed in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a main flotation bladder for the flotation device, constructed in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating the flotation device, constructed in accordance with the present invention, with the main flotation bladder secured therein;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating the flotation device secured to a watercraft with the cover removed, the cover-removing bladder inflated, and the main flotation bladder in the process of being inflated;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating the flotation device secured to a watercraft with the cover removed, the cover-removing bladder inflated, and the main flotation bladder inflated, the cover-removing bladder forcing the flotation bladder deeper into the water;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating the cover-removing bladder prior to welding;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 11 is an elevational side view illustrating the cover-removing bladder after welding in a deflated condition;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating the cover-removing bladder in an inflated condition;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating the inflation tube;  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 14 is a perspective view illustrating the float switch activation assembly and the valve assembly, constructed in accordance with the present invention, with the float switch activation assembly and a compressed gas cylinder mounted to the hull of the watercraft and connected to the flotation device with tubing; and  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 15 is a perspective view illustrating the valve assembly, constructed in accordance with the present invention. 
     
    
       [0032]    Before explaining the disclosed embodiment of the present invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of the particular arrangement shown, since the invention is capable of other embodiments. Also, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0033]    As discussed above, the present application is a continuation-in-part of pending patent application Ser. No. 09/832,774, filed Apr. 10, 2001, entitled “Automatic Boat Flotation Device” and pending patent application Ser. No. 09/864,642, filed May 24, 2001, entitled “Float Switch Activation Assembly”, assigned to the same assignee of the present invention. Both of these patent applications are hereby herein incorporated by reference.  
         [0034]    As illustrated in FIG. 1, the present invention is a flotation device, indicated generally at  10 , mounted to a watercraft  12  and which automatically activates to maintain the watercraft  12  in a floating condition during the occurrence of a predetermined event such as water entering the watercraft  12 . The flotation device  10  includes a mounting plate  14  preferably mounted on the exterior of the hull  16  of the watercraft  12 . Preferably, the mounting plate  14  has a low profile and an unobtrusive visual presence, so that the mounting plate  14  does not significantly affect either the aerodynamic or visual lines of the watercraft  12  when not inflated, as described in further detail below.  
         [0035]    As illustrated in FIG. 2, the mounting plate  14  is mounted at approximately the water line  18  on the hull  16  of the watercraft  12 . Furthermore, the hull  16  of the watercraft  12  can be formed with a longitudinal recess (not shown) or the like such that the flotation device  10  can be mounted within the recess thereby reducing the amount of outward extent of the flotation device  10  from the outside of the watercraft  12 .  
         [0036]    The mounting plate  14  is preferably made from aluminum or similar material although constructing the mounting plate  14  from different types of material is within the scope of the present invention. Preferably, the mounting plate  14  is mounted to the exterior of the watercraft hull  16  using either an adhesive for fiberglass and for metal hulls or screws for wood hulls (not shown). The preferred type of adhesive is a two-part epoxy. The preferred brand of epoxy is DP 190, manufactured by Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing (3M), St. Paul, Minn. Screws (not shown) may be necessary on wooden hulled boats since some adhesive only sticks to the outermost layer of paint on the exterior of the hull  16 .  
         [0037]    As illustrated in FIGS.  3 - 7 , the flotation device  10  of the present invention further includes a carrier  20 , a cover  22 , a cover-removing bladder  21 , and a main flotation bladder  24 . The carrier  20  is slidably receivable and snaps into place within the mounting plate  14 . The carrier  20  has two channels  26 ,  28  spaced apart from each other and extending longitudinally along the length of the carrier  20 . The cover  22  has an interior surface  30 , an exterior surface  32 , a first hooked edge  34 , and a second hooked edge  36  with the first hooked edge  34  and the second hooked edge  36  extending longitudinally along the length of the cover  22 . The first and second hooked edges  34 ,  36  are shaped to fit in the channels  26 ,  28 , respectively, on the carrier  20 . The cover  22  can be attached to the carrier  20  by sliding the first and second hooked edges  34 ,  36  into the channels  26 ,  28 .  
         [0038]    In the alternative, the cover  22  can be snapped into the first and second hooked edges  34 ,  36 . In this instance, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, grooves  38  are provided along each side of the carrier  20  to allow the carrier  20  to deform to receive the first and second hooked edges  34 ,  36 . A dowel or rod  40  can then be inserted within the grooves  38  to inhibit further deformation of the carrier  20  and to maintain the first and second hooked edges  34 ,  36  within the channels  26 ,  28 .  
         [0039]    The cover  22  is preferably constructed from a durable material, such as thermoplastic rubber, as it is continuously exposed to the elements. When the mounting plate  14  is mounted on the hull  16  of the watercraft  12  and the cover  22  is in place, the flotation device  10  of the present invention further serves and functions as a bumper to protect the watercraft  12  as it comes in close proximity to a dock or other watercraft.  
         [0040]    As illustrated in FIG. 8, the first hooked edge  34  of the cover  22  will be maintained within the channel  26  before, during, and after activation of the flotation device  10 . The second hooked edge  36  is releasably, securely maintained within the channel  28  until activation of the flotation device  10 . Therefore, the second hooked edge  36  includes a rib  42  extending at least substantially along the length of the second hooked edge  36  and the channel  28  includes a corresponding longitudinal recess  44  corresponding to the rib  42 . When the second hooked edge  36  is inserted into the channel  28 , the rib  42  is received within the longitudinal recess  55  to assist in maintaining the second hooked edge  36  within the channel  28  until activation of the flotation device  10 .  
         [0041]    A first bladder retaining slot  46  and a second bladder retaining slot  48  extend along the carrier  20  between the channels  26  and  28 . The first and second bladder retaining slots  46 ,  48  have narrowed necks at the top of the first and second bladder retaining slots  46 ,  48 . The first and second bladder retaining slots  46 ,  48  can be any diameter for retaining any size bladders  21 ,  24  required for maintaining the watercraft  12  in a floating condition.  
         [0042]    As illustrated in FIGS.  5 - 6 , the flotation bladder  24  is folded into a substantially spiral configuration to fit between the carrier  20  and the cover  22 . The cover-removing bladder  21  is folded into a substantially overlaying, serpentine manner to fit between the carrier  20  and the flotation bladder  24 . As the cover-removing bladder  21  is inflated, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the second hooked edge  36  is forced from the channel  28  thereby removing the cover  22 . As illustrated in FIG. 9, the flotation bladder  24  is then inflated. Actual operation of the flotation device  10  of the present invention will be described in further detail below.  
         [0043]    As illustrated in FIGS.  10 - 13 , preferably, the cover-removing bladder  21  and the flotation bladder  24  are made from urethane coated ballistic nylon having the edges lap welded to maintain the integrity of the bladders. It should be noted, however, that it is within the scope of the present invention to construct the cover-removing bladder  21  and the flotation bladder  24  from different types of materials and to seal the material with various types of welds, etc.  
         [0044]    To maintain the cover-removing bladder  21  and the flotation bladder  24  within the first and second bladder retaining slots  46 ,  48 , the cover-removing bladder  21  and the flotation bladder  24  are lap welded about a first gas supply line  50  and a second gas supply line  52 , respectively. The first supply line  50  and the second gas supply line  52  are connected to a first gas supply  54  and a second gas supply  56 , respectively, and receivable within the first and second bladder retaining slots  46 ,  48 , to maintain the cover-removing bladder  21  and the flotation bladder  24  to the carrier  20 . The first and second gas supply lines  50 ,  52  also serve as a source for filling the cover-removing bladder  21  and the flotation bladder  24  during activation of the flotation device  10 .  
         [0045]    To remove the cover  22  so that the flotation bladder  24  can be inflated, inert, compressed gas such as CO 2  is released from the first gas supply  54  and flows through the first gas supply line  50  to inflate the cover-removing bladder  21 . As illustrated in FIG. 8, the cover-removing bladder  21  expands and removes one side of the cover  22  from the carrier  20 . The cover  22  remains connected to the carrier  20  in the other channel  28  and swings out of the way of expanding flotation bladder  24 .  
         [0046]    [0046]FIG. 9 illustrates the watercraft  12  with the preferred embodiment of the flotation bladders  24  mounted to the exterior of the hull  16 . The flotation bladders  24  are fully inflated from the second gas supply  56 . The preferred embodiment of the cover-removing bladders  21  and the flotation bladders  24  are single bladders that are each a given length and are attached to carrier  20  individually. It should be noted that the cover-removing bladders  21  and the flotation bladders  24  can be constructed from a single bladder with each portion inflating individually. As will be noted, the cover-removing bladders  21  force the flotation bladders  24  deeper into the water thereby raising the watercraft  12  from the water and limiting the extent of sinking of the watercraft  12 .  
         [0047]    Either type of the cover-removing bladder  21  and the flotation bladder  24  can be used with any of the embodiments of the flotation device  10 . The plurality of cover-removing bladders  21  and flotation bladders  24  are the preferred embodiment because they are easier to manufacture and makes the flotation device  10  easier to mount on a variety of watercrafts  12 . The cover-removing bladders  21  and the flotation bladders  24  are manufactured in a given length and the needed numbers of bladders  21 ,  24  are positioned along the length of the hull  16 .  
         [0048]    The carrier  20  of each embodiment is made from a semi-rigid material, such as UHMW plastic. The material must be flexible enough to allow the carrier  20  to bend to match the curve of the watercraft hull  16  and to allow compression and bending under pressure. However, the material must to be rigid enough so that the inflation of the flotation bladder  24  will not dislodge the flotation bladder  24  from the carrier  20 .  
         [0049]    As illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15, the flotation device  10  of the present invention is activated by a float switch activation assembly, indicated generally at  58  and a valve assembly, indicated generally at  60 . It should be noted that while the float switch activation assembly  58  of the present invention has been and will be described as capable of inflating the flotation device  10  on a watercraft  12 , a person skilled in the art will understand that the float switch activation assembly  58  of the present invention can be used in any situation to activate a gas or fluid supply or to activate an electrical switch or chemical process. The float switch activation assembly  58  is not limited to use only on a flotation device  10  on a watercraft  12 . The float switch activation assembly  58  is described in pending patent application Ser. No. 09/832,774, filed Apr. 10, 2001, entitled “Automatic Boat Flotation Device” and pending patent application Ser. No. 09/864,642, filed May 24, 2001, entitled “Float Switch Activation Assembly”, assigned to the same assignee of the present invention and which are hereby herein incorporated by reference.  
         [0050]    The float switch activation assembly  58  is mounted on the inside of the hull  16  of the watercraft  12  and is fluidly connected to the first gas supply  54 . Extending from the float switch activation assembly  58  is the first gas supply line  50  connected to the cover-removing bladders  21 . Upon activation of the float switch activation assembly  58 , gas flows from the first gas supply  54  through the first gas supply line  50  to the cover-removing bladders  21  thereby inflating the cover-removing bladders  21  and removing the cover  22 .  
         [0051]    At a T-joint connection  62  in the first gas supply line  50 , the valve assembly  60  is connected to the first gas supply line  50 . As the gas flows to the cover-removing bladders  21 , the gas also flows to the valve assembly  60  through the T-joint connection  62 . The valve assembly  60  is also connected to the second gas supply  56  through the second gas supply line  52 . The valve assembly  60  comprises a piston  64  which is forced by the gas pressure flowing through the first gas supply line  50 . As the piston  64  moves, a rod  66  rotates to open the gas supply from the second gas supply  56 . The gas within the second gas supply  56  can then flow from the second gas supply  56  through the second gas supply line  52  to the flotation bladders  24 .  
         [0052]    The flotation device  10  of the present invention, when activated, increases the beam of the watercraft  12  thereby increasing the stability of the watercraft  12  to inhibit the watercraft  12  from tipping over during rough water conditions. The flotation device  10  of the present invention can also provide an emergency notification signal or other type of signal based on the water level in the hull  16  of the watercraft  12 .  
         [0053]    The foregoing exemplary descriptions and the illustrative preferred embodiments of the present invention have been explained in the drawings and described in detail, with varying modifications and alternative embodiments being taught. While the invention has been so shown, described and illustrated, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that equivalent changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention, and that the scope of the present invention is to be limited only to the claims except as precluded by the prior art. Moreover, the invention as disclosed herein, may be suitably practiced in the absence of the specific elements which are disclosed herein.