Abstract:
A multifunction manually oriented inflator to amplify the volume of gas provided for low-pressure inflation of multiple bladders. A default operation can be as a high pressure fixed-volume inflator. A shut off valve preserves excess gas supply while regulated flow allows optimizing volume versus rate of inflation and risk of aspiration. A detachable low-resistance check valve-coupler allows the valve to also serve as an oral inflate and rapid deflate valve for improving volume amplification. Audible alarms distinguish functional inflation from gas wasting over-inflation. Conserved gas can be used to inflate or pressurize additional survival devices or operate signal horns. A locking mount can align and secure a cylinder adjacent the piercing mechanism. Spent cylinder threads can be degraded preventing reinstallation of a micro-pierced cylinder.

Description:
[0001]     This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Application No. 60/470,463, filed May 13, 2003, which is incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates to the use of compressed gas for rapid high-pressure low-volume direct inflation or slow low-pressure high-volume indirect inflation or a range of intermediate rates and volumes for signaling during an in-water emergency. In particular the current invention relates to the regulated use of high, low and intermediate pressure and inverse volumes for protection of the airway, for protection from hypothermia and for audible and visual signaling of rescue efforts. The present invention also particularly provides a volume amplified compressed gas life jacket &amp; life raft inflator; manually oriented injector, inspirator or venturi amplified, variable pressure, rate, duration and/or displacement inflator with an air horn and/or whistle.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Inflatable life jackets due to their ability to quickly place strong buoyant moments where needed about the body of an unconscious Man Over Board (“MOB”) are usually able to provide superior corrective turning performance relative to inherently buoyant Personal Flotation Devices (“PFDs”). The foam life jacket if shaped identical to an inflatable life jacket may also provide superior performance. However the shape of an inflatable life jacket is acceptable in that it is water activated or manually activated only in an emergency. Once in the throes of a water emergency the large anterior displacement is no longer a compliance issue. Until inflated the stored inflatable PFD is low profile and consequently comfortable to wear until needed.  
         [0004]     The foam PFD while considerably cheaper than an inflatable PFD, compromises performance for comfort. When the foam PFD is worn routinely, an anterior foam block sufficiently large to provide airway protective corrective turning can be so bulky as to be incompatible with either vocation or avocation. As the amount of foam increases from the 15 lbs. provided by many Type III to the 24 lbs. of the Type II to the 35 lbs. of a Type I, comfort and compliance falls off rapidly. The Type I Off shore PFD being can be so oppressive that it typically never worn until after the onset of a marine accident. The recreational boater is strongly encouraged to “Boat Smart From The Start” meaning to wear your life jacket not carry it. Continuous use has led to the popularizing or the Type III boaters vest which has little to no corrective turning capacity.  
         [0005]     Over six hundred boaters drown a year attributed in large part to their failure to wear a life jacket or PFD at the time of the accident. While law requires boaters to carry one PFD for each person on board a vessel, in an emergency PFDs become stuck beneath an over turned vessel, beneath the seat or in the lazaret where stowed. If the PFD is found they are very hard to don while floating in water. Fifty per cent of the 65 fatalities that occur each year while wearing a life jacket are attributed to PFDs incorrectly donned or adjusted. The practice of water donning is understood to be so difficult that it currently is not assessed during the USCG/UL PFD approval process.  
         [0006]     Compared to foam PFDs inflatable PFDs are very comfortable leading to increased compliance with continual use. However, this clear advantage is only available at a cost, a cost so high as to be prohibitive for many family boaters. The inflatable PFD purchase price and maintenance cost are directly proportional to the size of the CO2 cylinder. The 16 gm CO2 that generates approximately 16 pounds of displacement, costs approximately a dollar because the 16 gm cylinder is produced in mass quantities for many uses. However available  16  gm PFDs usually do not provide sufficient torque to protect the airway. Current life jackets employ inflators which operate by piercing the compressed gas cylinder releasing the gas which then expands. There is a linear relationship between the number of grams of CO2 attached to current life jacket inflators and the pounds of inflatable displacement that can be generated from that CO2.  
         [0007]     Cylinders other than the 16 gram CO2 are very expensive; a 24-gram costs around $12.00 retail and a 38-gram $18.00. New 1F inflator adds onto the prior cost the additional costs of a custom  38  gram cylinder and a custom plastic marking device that is broken off during installation so that the cylinder can not be installed a second time. This is to assure that a spent cylinder is not re-installed during re-arming. This technology is so new that the cost for this assurance of cylinder seal integrity has yet to be determined but predictably it will exceed the current $18.00 per cylinder.  
         [0008]     Due to the prohibitive cost of compressed gas inflation, all USCG Type I to V PFDs have a single inflator and a single compressed gas cylinder. While Safety Of Life At Sea (“SOLAS”) class inflatable Life Jackets do require dual inflators and cylinders, the cost of SOLAS class life jackets restricts their use to profitable commercial carriers.  
         [0009]     Studies have shown that inflatable life jackets after being in the field for 6 months suffer a 50% loss of reliability. Spent cylinders are reinstalled or cylinders vibrate away from the piercing means so that neither manual nor water activated inflators are capable of inflating the attached PFD. While recent 1F inflators address some of the issues the increased cost will only further restrict the high performance of inflatable life jackets to those with significant financial resources.  
         [0010]     There are no known triple chambered PFD systems. Additionally, the retail cost of including a component could end up being approximately four times the wholesale cost. At a wholesale cost of $9.00/38 gm CO2 the customer could end up paying $36.00. Thus, using current 38-gram cylinders for a triple chambered PFD could add $100.00 to the final purchase price. The new modified 38 gm cylinders required for the 1F would add even more the purchase price. The wholesale price for the 1F inflator can be $12.00 which could add $48.00 to the retail price for each inflator. Three inflators could contribute $147.00 to the retail cost. The combined retail cost of the inflators and cylinders for a triple chambered PFD thus could be $250.00 plus the additional costs for the custom cylinder and collar. This price does not include the cost of the radio frequency welded jacket, sewn cover, harness and required pamphlet.  
         [0011]     In addition to the costs of inflating a triple chambered PFD, the inclusion of three cylinders and three inflators adds considerable bulk and weight to a garment integrated PFD, adversely affecting compliance with ‘continuous use’.  
         [0012]     Current compressed gas inflation systems which are restricted to expansion of compressed gas have restricted the design of life jackets to single chambered products. Clearly the compressed gas inflation means required to inflate the personal life raft has blocked it from consideration for routine inclusion in PFDs or garments.  
         [0013]     While certain large multi-person life rafts and buoyant Airline slides have self-orienting buoyant aspirators. These single use commercial aspirators are sized to the device to be inflated and rely upon bulky self-orienting collars which are required to assure that the bladder will not be filled with entrained seawater rather than entrained air. They are very large, heavy, bulky and expensive devices incompatible for inflation of continuously worn life jackets yet alone for the inflation of single-use disposable Mylar life jacket or signaling devices.  
         [0014]     Current CO2 inflators approved for use with UL/USCG Tested &amp; Approved inflatable life jackets rely upon manual or water activated rapid discharge of the cylinders entire contents into the air retentive bladder. The amount of displacement generated is in direct proportion to the weight of liquid CO2 in the cylinder. Classically inflatable life jackets rely upon a 16 gm, 25 gm or 38 gram CO2 cylinders generating roughly 1 lb displacement/gm during direct rapid high-pressure inflation.  
         [0015]     Current life jacket inflators are required to roll the victim from a face down position into an airway protected face up position in 5 seconds. Design objectives of current UL listed inflators are to rapidly pierce the cylinder seal then reduce obstruction to gas flow. In one design the rapid and complete transfer of gas if facilitated by inverted mounting of the cylinder so that the liquid CO2 is blown into the chamber where it can rapidly expand with the ambient pressure sustained by the constriction of the cylinder walls. For the unconscious victim this rapid clearing of the airway is essential and that remains the default operational mode of the disclosed inflator.  
         [0016]     Over and above USCG Type III, II Near Shore or Type I Offshore PFDs, SOLAS class inflatable life jackets as dictated by the International Maritime Organization (“IMO”) are required to have redundant chambers, cylinder and inflators to mitigate the possibility that failure at one point could lead to complete loss of all buoyant assistance. In one design both chambers share a common wall. One of the two chambers is protected by an over pressure valve so in the event both the manual and automatic inflators are activated, the entire contents of one cylinder/chamber is safely spilled out through the over pressure valve. In dual inflator life jackets the second is only present as a back up and yet through volume amplification could be used to inflate the life raft, mitigating hypothermic risk, markedly extending survival.  
         [0017]     Thus there remains the need for a user oriented therefore low bulk, low cost, low profile, and lightweight volume amplifying life jacket CO2 inflator to which the present invention is directed.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0018]     The present invention provides a user oriented therefore low bulk, low cost, low profile, and lightweight volume amplifying life jacket CO2 inflator. The inflator&#39;s default operation can be to function as a traditional rapid, high-pressure inflator to supply timely corrective for the unconscious emergency. Yet if the victim is conscious then the compressed gas flow can be reduced through valving to conserve the gas to serve multiple purposes across time. In particular, a slow, low-pressure volume-amplified inflator will allows the same cylinder to inflate first the life jacket then also inflate a life raft or other object. Inclusion of a valve within the volume-amplified inflator allows the same cylinder after quickly inflating a primary life jacket to be turned off. At a latter time the same cylinder and inflator can be use to inflate a secondary life support device to assist efforts at thermal protection or to provide a full-face shield to protect the MOB&#39;s airway from breaking seas or driving rains. In addition the parsimonious use of the compressed gas will allow the same cylinder to slowly inflate a single use Mylar life raft. Once stabilized the same cylinder and inflator can then be used to top off a distress signal device or power a piercing air horn. An inflator integrated oscillator alerts remaining crew to the onset of a MOB event. While an intake vent oscillator alerts the survivor to overfilling of the bladder so that they can quickly shut off the gas supply thereby saving the remaining compressed gas for other life saving uses. The volume amplified inflator allows the very inexpensive 16 gm CO2 to inflate Type I or SOLAS class life jackets reducing the cost of the high performance 38 lb. life jackets by approximately 30% and increasing access to the inflatable life jackets by a wider socio-economic strata. The same inflator can include a nylon lock thread to identify successful installation as well as prevent the cylinder from vibrating away from the pierce means. The incorporation of the threading process into the inflation process of life saving devices assures that in the event of deferred maintenance in which the cylinder has vibrated away from the pierce means that the cylinder will be advanced until successful puncture and release occurs. The inclusion of a thread degrading system damages the spent cylinder&#39;s thread so that it cannot be re-installed, preventing one of the largest problems with the 6F inflator.  
         [0019]     As a comprehensive example of use of the present invention (which in no means is considered limiting in any manner), while standing watch alone the sailor is knocked off the sailboat by the boom. Hitting the water dazed, the water activated high-pressure low-pressure compressed gas inflator of the present invention is actuated upon contact with the water to rapidly inflate the life jacket. An integrated audible alarm and the cold water arouse the semi-conscious MOB who positions themselves face up placing the inflator vents, which are normally spring closed, out of the water. Opening the air intake vents the volume amplification quickly completes filling the life jacket. A second audible alarm indicates off-gassing through the intake vents so the operator closes the inflator&#39;s valve to conserve the remaining gas and the vent cover springs closed. The survivor can then remove a multi-function signal device from their garment and transfers the compressed gas inflator and cylinder from their life jacket to the signal tube. When the inflator, is held above the water, the volume amplified inflator valve is cracked opened. Flow rate is kept to an absolute minimum and the air intake vents are locked open. The volume-amplified inflator quickly inflates the SOS distress signal tube consuming very little compressed gas.  
         [0020]     An audible signal can alert the MOB that the inflator has begun to off-gas through the air intake vent. The MOB can release the vent cover converting the inflator from low-pressure volume-amplified inflation into high-pressure direct inflation and the tube can be topped off to approximately 2.5 psi. The inflator valve is once again closed conserving the remaining compressed gas.  
         [0021]     Due to the rapidly cooling temperature of the open ocean water, the MOB usually needs to achieve a water exit strategy if they are to survive for more than 30 to 60 minutes. The sailor suspects he may not be missed until the next watch comes on deck. Consequently the SOS marker can be quickly converted into a Yoke Collar style PFD and donned freeing the garment integrated primary PFD bladder to be released from the garment. Once outside of its fabric configured cover, the primary bladder can be attached to the inflator. When held out of the water, the vent covers are locked opened and the inflator valve just cracked open. A barely perceptible hiss of compressed gas begins converting the PFD into a Personal Life Raft (“PLR”). The MOB is buoyed by their secondary bladder as the raft inflates. Once inflated the inflator vents are closed and the valve opened up converting the inflator into a high-pressure inflator to bring the raft pressure to approximately 2.5 psi. Again the inflator valve and vents can be closed.  
         [0022]     Once in the raft, the user can remove the Yoke Collar PFD and reconvert it back into a SOS Distress marker. The marker can be orally inflated to the best of the MOB&#39;s ability. The inflator can then be attached and with the air intake vents closed, the valve is opened so that the inflator acts as a high-pressure inflator for the marker. The SOS signal device can be made substantially rigid by approximately 2.5 psi of internal pressure well above the approximately 0.6 psi MOB is typically capable of achieving with their lungs.  
         [0023]     A tertiary, single-use, ‘Mylar’ multifunction bladder can be removed from the MOB&#39;s jacket and orally inflated. The tertiary bladder is configured as a Yoke Collar PFD and donned. The bladder can be orally inflated to approximately 0.6 psi. With the ambient air intake vents closed, the inflator can be set up for high-pressure inflation. Once the valve is opened, the PFD is quickly brought up to its approximately 2.5-PSI structural operating pressure.  
         [0024]     A small fishing vessel is spotted motoring across the horizon in the distance. A membrane air horn is attached to the quarter turn inflator and the valve cracked open for intermediate rate and pressures creating an ear piercing sound. The boat motors on and the MOB recalls that the survivor sees an average of 5 vessels pass them by before one spots their life raft adrift in the open Ocean. Latter that day another fishing vessel motors onto the horizon and this time stops to fish a drop off. Once the sound of the motor stops, the MOB opens the inflator&#39;s valve supplying compressed gas to the air horn and the fishing vessel&#39;s rescue brings to a successful end the MOB&#39;s potentially life-threatening experience.  
         [0025]     The mechanics of amplified inflation as seen above are best when they can be adjusted to a specific application. The use of a central stream of air to entrain ambient air can be a trade off between the volume of air required to fill a bladder versus the need for rapid inflation. At one extreme, maximum volume would take infinitely long while at the other end life jackets according to the IMO are expected to roll the unconscious victim into a face up position in 5 seconds and so require very fast inflation for the unconscious person.  
         [0026]     To comply with international standards all current life jacket inflators rely upon direct expansion inflation in which the liquefied gas contained within a cylinder is released converting it to pure gas in seconds. Current life jacket inflators convert 1 gm of CO2 into 1 lb. of displacement. This can be accomplished manually by a sharp jerking motion driving the piercing pin or by a water-activated spring-driven piercing means that perforates the cylinder seal. Ideal the piercing means retracts leaving a large unobstructed opening and rapid conversion of liquefied gas to gas.  
         [0027]     The water activated volume amplified inflator of the present invention can be set up to function as a traditional 38 gm 5-second inflator for the unconscious victim. However, if conscious the survivor can convert the water activated into manual and the compressed gas can be conserved such that the user may be able to inflate several bladders including a life raft from the same cylinder.  
         [0028]     Volume amplified inflator design whether injector, inspirator or Venturi enhanced includes many elements: the micro-pierce diameter, valve advance and valve orifice design, jet orifice and the absence or presence of a vacuum generating Venturi. If present, the diameter of the Venturi throat, distance of the jet orifice to the Venturi throat, the angle of the Venturi intake as well as length and angle acuity of the Venturi exit all contribute to amount of ambient air that can be captured. The amount of high-pressure gas directed through the Venturi determines the maximum internal bladder pressure that can be reached with air intake vents open. Once that internal bladder pressure is exceeded then the jet will begin to off-gas through the ‘intake’ vents rather than creating a vacuum to drawing air along as occurs when there is no back pressure.  
         [0029]     Once gas begins to escape out the ‘intake’ vent the vent can be closed with the present invention inflator, thus, converting the low-pressure inflator into a high-pressure inflator with no volume amplification. Once the life jacket is fully inflated, the inflator valve can be closed saving the remaining gas for secondary functions such as inflating distress marking tube, personal life raft and/or operating an air horn.  
         [0030]     The maximum displacement generated per gram of compressed CO2 available is not only a function of inflator design and duration of inflation but also of associated valving and connector sizing. A current life jacket inflator allows 1 gram of CO2 to directly expand filling a bladder with pure CO2 at 1-2 PSI generating 1 lb. of displacement. A simple volume amplified inspirator or injector generates about 2 lbs. and Venturi amplified inflator is capable of generating 4 to 10 or 20 lbs. of displacement.  
         [0031]     If the survivor is not panicked and places the intake vents out of the water before actuating the inflator of the present invention, if the CO2 cylinder stays vertical so that no liquid CO2 is passed out the inflator, and if the inflator has a variable flow rate valve set to the lowest setting, then a very limited amount of gas jets through the Venturi throat over a long period of time. While the rate of inflation is slower the amount of ambient air entrained is the greatest and consequently the final volume of air moved into the bladder is markedly amplified compared to current expansion inflation.  
         [0032]     Finally, CO2 is a small molecule that can escape through tire inner tubes or worn portions of laminated inflatables. When CO2 is used primarily as the driving gas the ambient gas becomes the predominant component in the final mixture. The high percentage of nitrogen and oxygen reduces the gradient driving CO2 through the bladder wall resulting in less structural loss due to CO2 escape in an extended survival scenario.  
         [0033]     Thus, the present invention provides an inflator that can quickly provide corrective turning for the unconscious victim, at the cost of consuming the entire 38 gm of CO2 to generate 35 lbs of lift. However, if the victim is conscious the inflator can be physically oriented in a vertical position out of the water then adjusted to inflate the life jacket at a slower rate entraining ambient air in an approximately 4:1 to approximately 20:1 ratio. Once the PFD is filled in the low pressure mode it can be switched to the high pressure mode of operation to increase the pneumatic tension in the PFD. The inflator can then be turned off and detached and the remaining liquid CO2 conserved for inflating a personal life raft or other desired inflatable object. After detaching the inflator from the life raft an air horn attachment can be attached. The most efficient use of compressed gas to achieve the maximal amplification of the final volume of displacement requires the permanent or detachable valve and connecting fixtures to supply the least resistance to flow. A wide bore low durometer flapper valve can supply negligible resistance to the low-pressure flow. The inflator can be disconnected from the valve so a locking cap can provide a long term seal once the inflator had been removed for other low, intermediate or high-pressure applications such as production of high volume audible rescue signal. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0034]      FIG. 1  is a lateral view illustrating a seal then micro-pierce compressed gas inflator with valve. Manual or spring loaded vents convert the inflator between rapid high-pressure inflation and slower but high-volume inflation. Injector, inspirators or Venturi can be selected by price and amount of amplification required. The micro-puncture inflator deforms the cylinder threads so that the spent cylinder with its nearly invisible perforation cannot inadvertently be re-installed.  
         [0035]      FIG. 2  is a lateral view illustrating volume-amplified inflators of increasing efficacy from a simple continuously operating low pressure with minimal volume amplification. To a high pressure direct or low pressure with minimal amplification. To a Seal-Then-Pierce high or low-pressure, Venturi amplified high-volume inflator.  
         [0036]      FIG. 3  is a lateral view illustrating a range of integrated valving mechanisms that allows stopping, restarting and regulation of the rate of flow of compressed gas. The shut off valve allows the same 16 gm CO2 to inflate multiple survival devices.  
         [0037]      FIG. 4  is a lateral view of a combined water or manually activated, fixed displacement or variable displacement, low or high pressure compressed gas inflator. An optional spring-loaded cam thread degrader can retract during loading of the cylinder but can be forced out and degrade the cylinder threads during removal of the spent cylinder.  
         [0038]      FIG. 5  is a lateral view illustrating a volume-amplified inflator with integrated large bore check valve. A longitudinal valve compresses the gossamer mushroom valve against a valve seat, converting the check valve into a shut off valve. A three part inflator, coupler and connector can allow the inflator to be removed for other applications. The check valve/shut off valve/coupler can also be used as an oral inflate and large bore deflate valve. An air horn can be powered by any excess gas.  
         [0039]      FIG. 6  is a lateral view illustrating a range of spent cylinder detection means. Ideally, the spent cylinder threads can be degraded to the point they not only indicate use but also mechanically prevent a second installation. Alternatively a simple plastic brilliant green cap can be provided which is removed during installation to reveal underlying red threads indicating a used status. A bi-refringent crystalline coating, which changes color as the spent cylinder, collapses during off-gassing can also be provided.  
         [0040]      FIG. 7  is a lateral view illustrating a conscious user holding the CO2 cylinder in a vertical position to prevent loss of liquid CO2 as well as to manually convert the rapid high-pressure low-volume inflator into a low-pressure volume amplified inflator by retracting the venturi vent cover. The volume amplifying means in this case is a retrofit venturi mounted between an existing UL Approved inflator and the life raft to be inflated. The inflator and cylinder can be removed from the redundant chamber in the life jacket.  
         [0041]      FIG. 8  is a lateral view of UL listed inflators that can be retrofitted with venture amplification.  
         [0042]      FIG. 9  is a lateral view illustrating a simple continuous operating volume amplified inflator with a cylinder thread degrading die.  
         [0043]      FIG. 10  is a lateral view illustrating an insert valve that integrates a mounting system for the venturi inflator. Once the inflator is removed the insert valve can be used for oral inflation or deflation. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0044]      FIG. 1  shows a combined low-pressure volume amplified and rapid high-pressure but minimal volume inflator  1  with and without the valve means that allows regulated flow and shut off capacity as required for inflating multiple bladders. The upper drawing is of a low-pressure high-volume valve-regulated inflator  23  in which the CO2 cylinder is inserted into threaded cylinder receiver  33 . The CO2 cylinder is advanced by cylinder complementary threads  6  towards an over sized nylon thread section  7  of receiver  33 . The increased resistance of the nylon threads  7  alerts the user to the location of the cylinder within the inflator  1 . Upon reaching the nylon threads the user provides one last full twist to advance the cylinder into the locking nylon thread section which prevents the cylinder from vibrating out of position. The last full turn of the cylinder also places the cylinder against the primary low-durometer outer gasket seal  3 .  
         [0045]     On intent to inflate the life jacket the cylinder is twisted into the inflator receiver  33  of  FIG. 1  further compressing the soft primary O-Ring  3  which creates a secure pneumatic seal with the environment. Continued turning of the cylinder leads to compression of the secondary high-durometer central gasket seal  4  against rigid support  48 . The secondary seal  4  is an integrated valve allowing intermittent operation of the volume-amplified inflator. As the operator continues to advance the cylinder into seal  4  the cylinder impales itself upon the micro-pierce means  5  which is embedded in a threaded mount  36 . The threaded mount  36  supports the micro-pierce means  5 , the primary O-Ring  3  and secondary valve seal  4 . Once the cylinder seats against seal  4  backed by rigid support  48  and can no longer be advanced, the cylinder is then backed away from the secondary valve seal  4  and compressed gas flows through fenestration  8  in the Seal-Then-Pierce valve  2  into the conduit  46  through jet  34  as seen in the lower drawing of  FIG. 1 . The compressed gas is consolidated as it passes through the jet orifice  9 . The diameter of jet orifice  9  in part determines the volume of the high-speed compressed jet stream focused on the center of the Venturi  35 . The particular volume of the jet stream is actively regulated by the Seal-Then-Pierce valve  2 . The jet stream then passes through the throat of Venturi  35 . The performance of a particular Venturi is a balance of the Venturi throat diameter  26 , throat angle  47 , distance from jet orifice to throat  25 , exit angle  26  and exit length  27 . Restriction of Venturi length  27  to reduce the overall size of inflator  1  increases user compliance. Venturi design parameters are optimized for either quick inflation of a Personal Flotation Device or optimized to achieve maximum volume amplification as is required in order to inflate a life raft from a very small cylinder. Alternatively, valve  2  allows quick adjustment between rapid inflation and high-volume of inflation.  
         [0046]     With a fixed Venturi design the inclusion of a valve such as the Seal-Then-Pierce valve  2  of  FIG. 1 , or a quarter turn needle valve  101  of  FIG. 3  or a threaded spool valve such as  111  of  FIG. 3  allows the operator to start, stop and vary the flow rate through the volume amplified inflator  1 . That is the operator can optimize rate over volume to quickly fill the life jacket. Once the life jacket is inflated the valve can reduce flow rate to now optimize inflator  23  for increased volume over rate as needed to fill a voluminous life raft.  
         [0047]     The top drawing in  FIG. 1  of inflator  23  has longitudinal air intake vent cover  11  in the locked open position  21  so that the ambient air intake  10  is open to the environment. A rear quarter turn lock  14  holds cover  11  back against spring  12 . On release cover  11  is pushed forward through quarter turn track  30  as spring  44  expands. The advance of cover  11  is arrested by stop  13 . The vent cover  11  creates a seal by compressing rear O-Ring  15  and front O-Ring  17 . Cover  11  rides up on forward support shelf  18  and abuts against forward stop  19  under spring tension  22  as seen in the lower drawing of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0048]     In the lower drawing of  FIG. 1  access to ambient air is blocked by vent cover  11  being in the forward or locked closed position  20 . With the air intake  10  closed the inflator is now a high-pressure low volume inflator  24 . Inflator  24  does not include a valve so upon micro-piercing of the cylinder, which is sealed from the ambient environment by single gasket  43 , inflator  24  discharges continuously until the cylinder is spent. Such an economical inflator might be dedicated to the inflation of a life raft where the entire volume could be consumed by a single bladder. In the lower drawing the pierce means and fenestrations  45  are side by side.  
         [0049]     The primary flow rate of volume amplified inflators is limited by the micro-pierce means  5  as seen in the upper drawing and lower insert drawing. This micro-pierce regulation leaves a nearly invisible perforation in the CO2 cylinder making the re-installation of a spent cylinder even more likely. Consequently the receiver of inflator  24  has integrated non-complementary cutting threads  38  and hardened burring gouge  39  to destroy and deform the threads on the used cylinder. The upper drawing depicts the traditional use of a beveled entrance  42  to guide the cylinder into the receiver and to help start the threads. In the lower drawing the bevel has been eliminated and the first threads are at the upper limit of size so that only very clean threads are allowed to enter receiver  33 .  
         [0050]     Both inflators in  FIG. 1  are assembled from two pieces; the single piece cylinder receiver and jet-orifice  51  are threaded at  32  onto Venturi  35 . When the inflator vent cover  11  is closed  20  the inflator functions as a high-pressure low-volume inflator  24  requiring that the joint between the jet-orifice and Venturi be sealed by O-Ring  31  to sustain the elevated pressures generated when inflator  1  functions as a high-pressure inflator.  
         [0051]     In  FIG. 2  the upper drawing is of a very economical continuous discharge low-pressure volume amplified inflator  50 . The intake vents are continuously open  52 . A tubular pierce means  53  is press fit  54  into the single piece cylinder receiver-jet  51 . The cylinder receiver-jet  51  is permanently attached to the vented inflator housing  55 . The continuously vented inflator housing  55  creates simple injector volume amplification  57 .  
         [0052]     The center drawing of  FIG. 2  is an another simple continuous discharge volume-amplified inflator that can function as a low-pressure or high-pressure inflator  70  due to inclusion of an intake vent cover  72 . The economy of inflator  70  is that the receiver and inflator are made from a single piece  74 . The pierce and jet means  73  are threaded into the receiver-inflator body  74 . In the middle drawing the rotating barrel vent cover  72  is in the open position  75 . The simple volume amplified inflator  70  draws in ambient air through intake  10  and through orifice  81  in the barrel cover  72 . Even without incorporation of a Venturi the high-pressure air stream from the jet orifice draws in sufficient ambient air to allow a small cylinder to fully inflate a single large bladder PFD.  
         [0053]     The lower drawing is of an inflator with Venturi amplification  35 , and an on/off/variable flow valve  2  with barrel vent cover  72  capable of converting the inflator between high or low-pressure operation. This combination of features creates a 1 to 1 high-pressure direct inflation or a Venturi amplified volume inflated, variable-pressure, variable discharge duration and rate, variable displacement, compressed gas inflator  80  depicted in the vent closed position  76 . In the insert to the right the rotating barrel vent  72  is in the closed position  76  in which gasket  71  seals the cover  72  to inflator body allowing high-pressure operation. In the sealed closed position the inflator functions as a traditional high-pressure low-volume inflator in which the final displacement is strictly limited to the amount of compressed gas available to expand once released from the cylinder.  
         [0054]     In the lower drawing the inflator  80  is constructed from a single piece  51  threaded cylinder receiver  33  and jet  34  which is permanently attached such as by press fit or ultrasonic weld  82  to the Venturi component  35 .  
         [0055]      FIG. 3  illustrates a range of valving mechanisms which add a level of complexity to manufacture and cost but allow the inflator to conserve the compressed gas resources of a single cylinder to inflate a series of bladders. Seal-Then-Pierce valve  2 , needle valve  101  or spool valve  111  not only act as on-off valves allowing inflation of multiple bladders but the incorporation of a valve also allows regulation of flow rate which is inversely proportional to the final displacement generated per gram of CO2.  
         [0056]     The upper left hand drawing of  FIG. 3  is of a nested orifice, Venturi amplified volume, variable-pressure, variable discharge duration and rate, variable displacement compressed gas inflator  90 . Compressed gas passes through fenestration  8  into passageway  94  between the pair of nested jets  91 . The diameter of passageway  94  can be varied by threaded adjustment  92 . The passageway  94  can be reduced until orifice shut off plug  93  prevents any pressurized gas from exiting the jet. The nested jet inflator is comprised of three parts, the Venturi end piece  96 , the outer jet piece  97  and the cylinder-receiver piece  98 .  
         [0057]     In the upper left hand drawing of  FIG. 3  an oscillating means  99  is directed in towards the jet orifice such that if the downstream bladder is full the ambient air intake  10  is now converted to a pressurized air egress. As the gas moves from a zone of high pressure to ambient pressure an oscillating membrane  99  alerts the operator to convert the inflator  90  into a high pressure inflator by closing ambient air intake  10  with vent cover  11 . Alternatively the operator can shut off the inflator by twisting the cylinder into the Seal Then Pierce/STP valve  2  or twist the nested jets  91  to shut off and thereby conserve the remaining pressurized gas for other survival devices such as distress markers, life rafts or air horns.  
         [0058]     The upper right hand drawing of  FIG. 3  is of a volume amplified inflator  100 , specifically a Venturi amplified volume, variable-pressure, variable discharge duration and rate, variable displacement compressed gas inflator with in-line shut off and flow adjustment valve. Needle valve  101  turns to align eccentric orifice  102  allowing regulated release of the compressed gas. The eccentric orifice allows for a very gradual release of 800 psi compressed CO2. The needle valve  101  is sealed by needle valve O-Rings  103 . The valve is held into the inflator body by valve retainer clip  104 .  
         [0059]     The lower right hand drawing of  FIG. 3  is of a thread advanced spool valve, Venturi amplified volume, variable-pressure, variable discharge duration and rate, variable displacement compressed gas inflator  110 . As the spool valve  111  is turned threads  112  very gradually advance the spool valve passageway  113  past/off the spool valve on/off O-Ring  115  allowing compressed gas to flow into the jet conduit  46  and out the jet orifice  9  toward the Venturi end piece  96 . An outer O-Ring  114  seals the high-pressure portions of the valve from the environment. In threaded spool valve inflator  110  the single piece threaded cylinder receiver and jet  51  houses the thread advanced valve and includes oversized finger grips  116  to facilitate mounting the cylinder and regulating the inflator without straining the connection to the fabric bladder.  
         [0060]      FIG. 4  is a pair of Water activated or manually activated Venturi amplified volume, variable-pressure, and variable displacement compressed gas inflators  130 . In the inflator the water sensitive bobbin  131  is exposed or protected from access to water by sliding cover  134  which is sealed by O-Ring means  135 . In the left hand drawing the cover is down exposing the fenestrations  133  to the environment and the inflator is set to function as a water or manually activated inflator  140 . When cover  134  is in the up position as seen in the inflator on the right, the fenestrations  133  are sealed away from the environment and the inflator is in the manual-only activation mode  141 . In both inflators the moveable pierce means  136  is sealed by pierce means O-ring  137  to prevent loss of high pressure compressed gas. In both inflators the lower portion of the inflator  144  threads together with upper portion  145  at thread  138 . During threading water sensitive bobbin  131  pushes driver  147  which is an extension of driver plate  146  which compresses spring  139 . The water sensitive bobbin  131  holds spring  139  in a state of compression. If the fenestrations  133  are exposed to water the bobbin  131  deteriorates and the driver  146  advances through bobbin  131  driving pierce means  136  through the CO2 cylinder seal.  
         [0061]     The water-activated inflator on the right includes a threaded spool valve  111  that allows the compressed gas jet stream to be turned off and on to allow inflation of multiple bladders. The ability to regulate rate of flow allows rapid inflation of the life jacket and then slower volume-amplified inflation as required to inflate a high volume bladder such as a personal life raft.  
         [0062]     During storage the fenestration cover  134  is in the closed position as seen in the right hand drawing of  FIG. 4 . During storage which can be typically 95% to 99% of the time for recreational life jackets, the silica gel bobbin  132  protects the water sensitive bobbin  131  from humidity extending the shelf life of the water sensitive inflator mechanism.  
         [0063]     On the right side of  FIG. 4  at the receiver end of inflator  141  a spring positioned cam  142  allows the hardened thread cutter-degrader  143  to move out of way during installation of the CO2 cylinder. However as the cylinder is being removed the cutter  143  is forced into the exiting threads destroying the threads so that the micro-pierced spent cylinder cannot pass back over the low tolerance entrance threads  40 .  
         [0064]     In the left hand drawing in  FIG. 5 a  full bore externally mounted radio frequency welded, coupler  150  slides over a standard RF weldable right angle connector  152 . Specifically full bore fitting  151  slides over connector until dual function connector stop and valve seat  155  prevents further progress of coupler  151  over connector  152 . Coupler  151  is a dual position externally mounted coupler that allows inflator integrated full bore check valve  153  to be operable in one position  154  then be compressed without twisting into a locked closed valve  163 . A high flow check valve such as  153  is very soft and will fold upon itself if turned while contacting a surface. However a supple low resistance check valve such as  153  can be sealed by direct compression. The Inflator-coupler-check valve  157  integrates the check valve  153  at the end of the inflator. The inflator  157  includes quarter turn pin  28  that slides along the dual-position dual-locking quarter turn grooves  158  and high pressure seal is achieved by check valve O-Ring  156 .  
         [0065]     In the middle drawing of  FIG. 5  the custom molded coupler  161  is integrated into the manufacture of the tubing connector  160 . The coupler-connector is fused  162  during manufacture. In the second drawing the check valve is compressed  163  against seat  155 .  
         [0066]     In the right hand drawing of  FIG. 5  an independent full bore inflate/deflate/check valve-coupler  170  includes finger grips  171 . The coupler can be used separately as an oral inflate valve, removed to be a wide bore deflate valve or locked closed by compression against stop/valve seat  155 . The mushroom flapper valve  153  mounts by way of mushroom valve post  159  onto coupler  170 .  
         [0067]     In the lower left hand corner of  FIG. 5  inflator  157  is connected via inflator mount means  28  to a combined oral/compressed gas air horn  172  and quarter turn mount means  177  on the air horn  172 . The air horn  172  is self orienting due to inclusion and positioning of ballast moment  173  and buoyant moment  174 . Valve  101  provides flow/volume control for air horn  172 . Nano-pierce orifice  176  further reduces the flow rate from volume amplified inflators. Compressed gas cylinders such as O2 or CO2 supply the pressure that is coupled through inflator  157  and valve  101  to air horn  172 . An oral check valve  175  allows oral use of the air horn  172  if there is no remaining compressed gas. Either oral or cylinder compressed gas vibrates membrane  178  producing a piercing audible alarm.  
         [0068]     In the lower right hand insert of  FIG. 5  shows a detail of the dual-position quarter turn safety lock coupler or valve-coupler  180 . The quarter turn entrance  182  leads to the quarter turn right angle groove  186 . At the end of the quarter turn groove the inflator  157  or coupler  170  is pulled back over locking ridge  181  into the check valve operating position  185  or pushed forward over locking ridge into a continuously tensioned compressed-closed position  184 . The locking ridge applies continuous pressure against the valve and seat converting the check valve into a secure shut off valve. Two locking ridges  181  create friction locks to secure the full bore amplified volume inflator check valve  157  or the full bore valve coupler  170  in either the locked open position  185  or locked closed  184 . In either the locked open  185  or locked closed  186  position the side safety lock  183  prevents the inflator or coupler from turning left or right.  
         [0069]     In  FIG. 6  the micro-pierced cylinder  202  when re-installed contributes to the high rate of failure of fielded inflatable products. The most economical solution is to degrade the threads  200  on installation or removal so that the micro-pierced cylinder cannot be installed a second time yet the volume amplified inflator can be reliably and economically operated with off the shelf CO2 cylinders. In the top row the full CO2 cylinder  201  is capped with a brilliant green cap which is removed before or during installation. Under the green coating can be a normal cylinder  202  or red anodized threads further visually indicating a cylinder&#39;s used status. In the lower row on the left of  FIG. 6  is a full cylinder which has been dipped in a bi-refringent coating  204 . Upon release of the approximately 800 PSI of gas the cylinder diameter reduces sufficiently to create a change in the iridescent coating signaling a spent cylinder  205 . Alternatively a plastic collar  206  is removed during installation helping visually impaired or nocturnal re-arming.  
         [0070]     In  FIG. 7  MOB  249  is manually orienting the cylinder  230 . MOB  249  is responsible for keeping the pierced cylinder vertical  231  regardless of the size of the direction of size of the waves  234 . Simultaneously the MOB  249  is converting the default mode of operation, high-pressure low-volume, into a high-volume low-pressure inflator by manually holding the venturi cover  11  in the open position  232 , thereby exposing the ambient air intake  10 . The operator is responsible for assuring that air rather than water is entrained during inflation of raft  236 . By holding the cylinder vertical  231 , the remaining Liquid compressed CO2 stays at the bottom of the cylinder  248  at the opposite end from the pierced orifice in the cylinder seal.  
         [0071]     In  FIG. 7  the MOB  249  is wearing a double chambered inflatable PFD such as a SOLAS PFD  241 . The SOLAS PFD is required to have two chambers in this case an upper chamber  244  which is automatically inflated upon contact with the water. An existing UL Approved water activated inflator  242  has been retrofitted with a valve and venturi so that if the operator so chooses the upper chamber can be slowly inflated utilizing the venturi conserving the vast majority of the compressed liquid CO2  233  for use in inflating other devices or operating an air horn. Of note the optional venturi operation requires the operator to keep the cylinder vertical and free of water while the ambient air intake is held open. In addition a pivoting CO2 manifold  246  allows the cylinder to be positioned vertically so that only gas and not compress liquid gas can be passed through the inflator. A middle gas retentive layer  243  divides the upper chamber  244  from the lower chamber  245 . Since the upper chamber  244  and lower chamber  245  share a common wall  243  this dual chamber design can only benefit from inflation of a single chamber. Given reliable operation of the water activated inflation system and chamber, the redundant manual inflator  237  can be removed from the lower chamber  245  and used to inflate raft  236 . The UL listed manual inflator  237  is retrofitted with a simple continuous discharge, single use, low-pressure volume amplified inflator  240 . This volume amplifying add on is similar to item  50  in  FIG. 2 . That is once the UL listed inflator is jerked to pierce the cylinder the entire contents will be passed through the inflator and retrofit venturi until spent. Raft  236  provides 300 lb of displacement yet can be fully inflated by a volume amplified 38 gm CO2. Of note the same  38  gin CO2 when used in the default or traditional rapid, high-pressure, low-volume mode of operation it only generates approximately 35 lbs of displacement. If the MOB  249  elects to manually inflate the lower chamber  245  of his PFD  241  and then manually inflates the majority of his raft, use of the upper inflator which includes an on-off valve a small portion of high pressure gas to be used to top of the raft to approximately 2.5 psi. Once the raft is rigid the operator can turn off the gas with inflator  242  preserving the residual gas  233  for operation of the air horn  172  as seen in  FIG. 5 .  
         [0072]     Once the raft  236  is inflated in  FIG. 7 , the regulated venturi retrofit inflator  242  is disconnected by quick disconnect means  28  from the bladder mount quick disconnect means  235  and cap  238  used to provide secure pneumatic seal. The remaining compressed gas is then available for operating other safety gear.  
         [0073]      FIG. 8  is lateral view of UL listed inflators that have been retrofitted with venturi amplification. A UL listed water activated inflator  260  is seen in the lower drawing of  FIG. 8 . After puncture of the cylinder the compresses gas enters the venturi through the usual orifice  265  in inflator  260 . It passes through valve  101  then through jet orifice  9 . The stream of high speed gas pulls in ambient air through intake  10  that is open because the rotating barrel cover  75  which is aligned to the orifice in the barrel cover  81  is aligned over the ambient air intake orifice  10  in the venturi. A releasable pneumatic coupler sleeve  269  is O-ring sealed  271  to quick release coupler and valve which is welded  267  to bladder  266 . A mushroom check valve  153  is mounted on post  159 . The Quick Release sleeve  269  is locked onto the bladder valve by keeping the locking balls  270  tight with groove  268  in the manifold stem  275 . The locking sleeve  269  allows the inflator to pivot about the manifold stem  275  by the weight of the cylinder and gas  239 .  
         [0074]     In the upper corner of  FIG. 8  UL listed manual inflator  261  is mounted onto a threaded chamber  264  that receives the compressed gas. UL listed nut  263  secures the retrofitted simple venturi  240  in place on the existing manual inflator  261 . Quick disconnect means  28  allows the retrofitted manual inflator to mount onto a pivoting coupler  274  with an integrated check valve. The connection is sealed with O-ring  273  A permanent snap lock cover  272  allows for pivoting of the venturi inflator about bladder check valve. Quarter turn entrance groove  182  receives quick disconnect mounting means  28  built into the end of the venturi inflator. Once the raft is inflated a sealing cap  238  can be mounted and sealed by O-ring  273  to prevent slow leaks through mushroom valve  153  as identified in the lower drawing.  
         [0075]     In  FIG. 9  an CO2 inflator of any type with cylinder thread degrader/eraser with cylinder position indicator  290  has a drive pin  291  that is pushed up as the cylinder is threaded in. The force is turned about a pivot  292  to force a die cutter  293  along a cam  296  into a position tight about the neck of the cylinder. The die cutter has a transition thread section  294  which changes into the new thread section  295 . A the force applied during threading the cylinder into the inflator  290  is re-directed into relocating the cutter tie. A locking cog  297  keeps the cutting die  293  in place as the cylinder is removed. A release  298  is operable only after the spent cylinder is free of the inflator  290 . After removal of the spent cylinder with degraded threads the inflator the cylinder will fall away being unable to engage with the fine threads  40 .  
         [0076]     As the same drive pin  291  advances a red color  299  indicating the cylinder is out of position converts to green  300 . An indicator window  301  allows the user to quickly determine if the inflator has a good cylinder in the correct position.  
         [0077]     In  FIG. 10  insert valve  321  is found inside oral inflation tube  322 . The valve is in the normally closed position  323 . Insert valve  321  has been modified to include quarter turn track  30  allowing the inflator mounting means  28  to hold the venturi nozzle  325  in place which concurrently holds the valve in the open position  324  so that the least resistance possible opposes the low pressure ambient air entrained inflation.  
       Index of Reference Numerals  
       [0000]    
       
           1  Combined High-Pressure Low Volume Low-Pressure Volume Amplified Intermittent Inflator  
           2  Seal-then-pierce valve  
           3  Primary low-durometer outer gasket seal  
           4  Secondary high-durometer central gasket seal  
           5  Micro-pierce flow regulator means  
           6  Compressed gas cylinder complementary mounting threads  
           7  Nylon oversized sealing threads  
           8  Seal and pierce fenestration  
           9  Jet orifice  
           10  Ambient air intake vent  
           11  Longitudinal air intake vent cover  
           12  Vent cover spring compressed  
           13  Vent cover stop  
           14  Vent cover rear ¼ turn locked open  
           15  Vent cover front ¼ lock closed  
           16  Vent cover rear O-Ring seal  
           17  Vent cover front O-Ring seal  
           18  Vent cover forward support self  
           19  Vent cover forward stop  
           20  Vent cover locked closed  
           21  Vent cover locked open  
           22  Vent cover handle  
           23  Low pressure high volume intermittent discharge inflator  
           24  High pressure low volume continuous discharge inflator  
           25  Venturi throat to orifice distance  
           26  Venturi throat diameter  
           27  Venturi throat to exit length  
           28  Inflator quick disconnect mount means  
           29  Venturi angle  
           30  Quarter turn track  
           31  Receiver-jet/orifice to Venturi O-Ring seal  
           32  Receiver-jet/orifice to Venturi threads  
           33  Threaded cylinder receiver  
           34  Jet  
           35  Venturi  
           36  Thread mounted seal then pierce valve  
           37  Embedded thread degrading receiver  
           38  Non-complementary cutting threads  
           39  Hardened burring gouge  
           40  Maximum size starting thread,  
           41  No starting bevel  
           42  Traditional thread starting bevel  
           43  Sole cylinder gasket  
           44  Vent cover spring compressed  
           45  Receiver fenestrations  
           46  Jet conduit  
           47  Venturi throat angle  
           48  Rigid seat supporting shut off seal  
           50  Simple continuous discharge low-pressure volume amplified inflator  
           51  Single piece threaded cylinder receiver and jet  
           52  Continuously open draw vents  
           53  Tubular pierce means  
           54  Pierce means pressed mounted  
           55  Vented inflator housing  
           56  Ultrasonic weld or permanent attachment means  
           57  Simple injector volume amplification  
           58  Barbed volume amplified inflator attachment means  
           70  Simple continuous discharge high-pressure constant volume or low-pressure amplified volume inflator  
           71  Draw vent gasket seal  
           72  Rotating barrel vent cover/vent fenestration  
           73  Thread mounted jet and pierce means  
           74  Single piece threaded cylinder receiver and vented inflator housing  
           75  Rotating barrel vent cover in the air intake open position  
           76  Rotating barrel vent cover in the air intake closed position  
           80  Venturi amplified volume, variable-pressure, variable discharge duration and rate, variable displacement compressed gas inflator  
           81  Barrel cover orifice  
           82  Press fit/permanent attachment between receiver and inflator body  
           90  Nested orifice, Venturi amplified volume, variable-pressure, variable discharge duration and rate, variable displacement compressed gas inflator  
           91  Nesting jets  
           92  Threaded adjustment for nested jets  
           93  Orifice shut off plug  
           94  Nested jets passageway  
           96  Venturi end piece  
           97  Outer jet piece  
           98  Cylinder receiver piece  
           99  Off-gassing audible reed alarm  
           100  Venturi amplified volume, variable-pressure, variable discharge duration and rate, variable displacement compressed gas inflator with in-line shut off and flow adjustment valve  
           101  Needle valve  
           102  Eccentric valve orifice  
           103  Needle valve O-Rings  
           104  Valve retainer clip  
           110  Thread advanced spool valve Venturi amplified volume, variable-pressure, variable discharge duration and rate, variable displacement compressed gas inflator  
           111  Spool valve  
           112  Spool valve threads  
           113  Spool valve passageway  
           114  Spool valve outer O-Ring  
           115  Spool valve on/off O-Ring  
           116  Inflator grasp flange  
           130  Water activated or manual activated Venturi amplified volume, variable-pressure, variable displacement compressed gas inflator  
           131  Water sensitive bobbin  
           132  Silica gel bobbin  
           133  Water access fenestrations  
           134  Water access fenestration cover  
           135  Water access fenestration cover O-Ring  
           136  Manual or spring driven cylinder seal moveable pierce means  
           137  Pierce O-Ring seal  
           138  Spring compression threads  
           139  Piercing spring  
           140  Water activated inflator  
           141  Manually activated water proof inflator  
           142  Spring positioned cam  
           143  Hardened thread cutter/degrader  
           144  Lower portion of water activated inflator  
           145  Upper portion of water activated inflator  
           146  Driver plate  
           147  Spring loaded, bobbin retained driver  
           150  Full-bore radio frequency welded coupler-connector  
           151  Dual position externally mounted full-bore coupler-check valve seat  
           152  Standard radio frequency weldable right angle connector  
           153  Mushroom check valve  
           154  Check valve in operable position  
           155  Coupler insertion stop and check valve seat  
           156  Check valve O-Ring  
           157  Inflator-coupler-check valve  
           158  Dual-position dual-locking quarter turn grooves  
           159  Mushroom valve post  
           160  Composite manufactured connector-coupler  
           161  Custom molder coupler  
           162  Coupler and connector fused during manufacture  
           163  Check valve compressed closed  
           170  Full bore inflate/deflate/check valve-coupler  
           171  Finger grips  
           172  Oral or compressed gas signal air horn  
           173  Self-Orienting integrated ballast moment  
           174  Self-Orienting integrated buoyant moment  
           175  Oral check valve  
           176  Nano-pierce regulator  
           177  Locking open quarter turn mount  
           178  Oscillating membrane  
           179  Compressed gas cylinder  
           180  Dual position quarter turn safety lock coupler or valve-coupler  
           181  Locking ridge  
           182  Quarter turn entrance groove  
           183  Quarter turn side safety lock  
           184  Continuously tensioned compressed-closed position  
           185  Locked open position  
           186  Right angle quarter turn groove  
           200  Degraded threads on spent cylinder  
           201  Green thick soft plastic coating  
           202  Normal uncoated threads  
           203  Red anodized under coat  
           204  Bi-refringent coating applied to distended full cylinder  
           205  Collapsed empty cylinder alters light sensitive coating  
           206  Thin plastic disc, diameter of cylinder  
           230  Manually oriented and operated volume amplified inflator  
           231  Operator oriented vertical compressed liquid CO2 cylinder  
           232  Venturi vent cover manually held open  
           233  Residual liquid propane at bottom because vertical  
           234  Waves at water&#39;s surface  
           235  Bladder mounted quick disconnect  
           236  Partially inflated life raft  
           237  UL listed manual CO2 inflator retrofitted with volume amplification means  
           238  Sealing cover cap  
           239  Weight of cylinder and gas allow establishment and maintenance of the vertical operational orientation.  
           240  Retrofit simple continuous discharge, single use, low-pressure volume amplified inflator(see  50 )  
           241  Safety Of Life At Sea/SOLAS class dual chambered 35 lb life jacket  
           242  UL listed water activated/manual inflator retrofitted with valve regulation and volume amplification venturi  
           243  Middle layer of fabric separating the chambers  
           244  Upper water activated chamber, inflated  
           245  Lower manually activate chamber reserve chamber, not inflated  
           246  Pivoting inflator mounting means combined with manifold means  
           247  Venturi inflator/pivoting manifold placed high on PFD positioning it out of the water  
           248  Operator responsible for keeping liquid CO2 at bottom of cylinder, away from pierced orifice in cylinder seal  
           249  Man Over Board  
           250   38  gm CO2  
           260  UL listed  6 F water activated CO2 inflator  
           261  UL listed manual inflator  
           262  Manual pull lanyard and jerk tab  
           263  UL Approved nut  
           264  Threaded compressed gas chamber  
           265  Compressed gas chamber entrance orifice  
           266  Bladder wall  
           267  Pivoting manifold hermetic seal/weld  
           268  Grooves in pivoting manifold  
           269  Locking sleeve of releasable pneumatic coupler  
           270  Locking balls held in position by spring loaded cover  
           271  Rotating Cap O-Ring  
           272  Snap lock cover cap  
           273  O-Ring  
           274  Pivoting Venturi coupler with integrated low resistance wide-bore check valve coupler  
           275  Manifold stem  
           290  Generic inflator with cylinder thread degrader/eraser and cylinder position indicator  
           291  Drive pin  
           292  Pivot  
           293  Cutting Die  
           294  Transitional cutting teeth  
           295  New thread pattern  
           296  Cam drives die into position  
           297  Locking advance cogged wheel  
           298  Lock release  
           299  Red visual indicator cylinder is out of position  
           300  Green visual indicator cylinder is in position  
           301  Cylinder position indicator window  
           320  Combined insert valve and venturi inflator mount  
           321  Insert oral inflation valve  
           322  Oral inflation tube  
           323  Valve in normally closed position  
           324  Valve held in the open position  
           325  Nozzle end of venture  
       
     
         [0277]     The instant invention has been shown and described herein in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.