Abstract:
An apparatus that provides for rescue of victims trapped in a body of water is disclosed. The invention utilizes a conventional fire hose as the main component of the invention. One end of the hose is capped with a retrieval end comprising a solid cap with a swivel based tether. The end is also provided with a pair of removable rudders which aid in the guiding have said apparatus in a controlled manner through the water. The opposite end of the fire hose is capped with a pressurizing mechanism that allows for the inflation and deflation of the fire hose. When inflated, the preferred embodiment floats upon the water surface thus providing for simplified water rescues. The invention is also envisioned as providing simplified ice rescues as well. The use of the present invention provides a greatly simplified method of water rescue which not only provides for quicker rescues for victims, but increased safety for rescue personnel as well.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a Continuation in Part of U.S. Ser. No. 11/318,021, filed on Dec. 27, 2005 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,410,401 and incorporated by reference as if rewritten herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to rescue apparatuses, and, more particularly, to a multipurpose water rescue apparatus 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Those of us who live in areas near water masses such as lakes, rivers, reservoirs or even large retention ponds, know all too well of the hazards associated with such bodies of water. All too often the news is filled with stories of unfortunate individuals who misunderstood the dangers associated with entering such waters. Even more unfortunate is when rescuers are killed or injured while trying to rescue them. These unfortunate incidents quickly spread out of control not only due to the danger of the water, but also to the urgency of the need to reach the individuals. What was a dangerous situation when one person became trapped in the water does not become any safer when rescue personnel show up and enter the water as well. Accordingly, there is a need for a means by victims that have fallen into a body of water can be quickly rescued without endangering the lives of the rescue workers themselves. 
     A search of the prior art reveals no patents that read directly on the claims of the instant invention; however, the following references disclose various rescue devices: 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,575,799 B1, issued in the name of Stimpson et al.; 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,050,869, issued in the name of Kellett; 
     U.S. Pat. No. Re. 36,965, issued in the name of Salvemini; 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,190,222 B1, issued in the name of Senger; 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,990,114, issued in the name of LeBlanc, Jr.; 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,687,664, issued in the name of Sofian; and 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,659,823 B1, issued in the name of Mosna et al. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,704,447 to Doyle discloses a step pad which provides a permanent or temporary rescue and utility footing in combination with a rope. 
     And, U.S. Pat. No. 6,568,976 B2, issued in the name of Anderson et al. discloses a water flotation cushion with deployable tether. 
     Consequently, a need has been felt for providing an apparatus and method for water based rescues. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved multipurpose rescue tool. 
     It is a feature of the present invention to provide an improved rescue device comprised of a directionally-controlled retrieval unit adapted for threaded, sealable attachment to a regulator unit. Once attached, the retrieval unit and regulator unit are adapted to hold compressed air, thereby being floatable on water. 
     Briefly described according to one embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus that provides for rescue of victims trapped in a body of water is disclosed. The invention utilizes a conventional fire hose as the main component of the invention. One end of the hose is capped with a retrieval end comprising a solid cap with a swivel based tether. Said end is also provided with a pair of removable rudders which aid in the guiding have said apparatus in a controlled manner through the water. The opposite end of the fire hose is capped with a pressurizing mechanism that allows for the inflation and deflation of the fire hose. When inflated, the preferred embodiment floats upon the water surface thus providing for simplified water rescues. The invention is also envisioned as providing simplified ice rescues as well. 
     The use of the present invention provides a greatly simplified method of water rescue which not only provides for quicker rescues for victims, but increased safety for rescue personnel as well. 
     Additionally, the present invention can be used to contain oils spills at an accident scene, or on a lake or river to contain oil spills. 
     An advantage of the present invention is that it is particularly adapted to assist in water based lifesaving operations. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an isometric representation of the multipurpose water rescue apparatus  10  shown in a utilized state, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the multipurpose water rescue apparatus  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is an isometric representation of the retrieval end  50  as used with the multipurpose water rescue apparatus  10 ; and, 
         FIG. 4  is an isometric representation of the regulator unit  60  as used with the multipurpose water rescue apparatus  10 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within the Figures. 
     1. Detailed Description of the Figures 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , isometric representation of the multipurpose water rescue apparatus  10  shown in a utilized state, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is disclosed. The multipurpose water rescue apparatus  10  is utilized by a series of rescue personnel  15  when a victim  20  is trapped in a body of water  25 . The body of water can be an ocean, a lake, a river, a stream, drainage canal, ditch, reservoir, retention basin or the like, and as such, any specific type of body of water  25  is not intended to be a limiting factor of the present invention. Additionally, the multipurpose water rescue apparatus  10  can be used when the body of water  25  is covered by a layer of ice as well. In fact, the multipurpose water rescue apparatus  10  works exceptionally well on ice, due to the ability of the multipurpose water rescue apparatus  10  to be pushed the victim  20  without stepping onto the ice thus causing further danger and creating additional risk for the rescue personnel  15 . The rescue personnel  15  would set up the multipurpose water rescue apparatus  10  on a shoreline  30  near the victim  20 . Said multipurpose water rescue apparatus  10  would then be pushed in the general direction of the victim  20 . The multipurpose water rescue apparatus  10 , whose middle section is comprised of a conventional fire hose  35 , is of a rigid nature formed by pressurized air. Said pressurization process will be described in greater detail herein below, and thus forces the multipurpose water rescue apparatus  10  to float upon the water. As the conventional fire hose  35  can be any length and even two or more conventional fire hose  35  can be joined together to form longer lengths, a victim  20  at any distance ‘d’ 40 can be reached. Additionally, the conventional fire hose  35  can be transported to the body of water  25  in a rolled or folded state, and then transformed into a rigid state at the shoreline  30 . This feature saves the body of water  25  the added time of attempting to locate a rescue pole, which even if one should be located, its length will be severely limited and will most likely not float upon the surface. As the far end of the multipurpose water rescue apparatus  10  reaches the victim  20 , said victim  20  can grasp a gripping lanyard  45  and be pulled back to the shoreline  30  by the rescue personnel  15 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , an exploded view of the multipurpose water rescue apparatus  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is depicted. The main length comprising component of the multipurpose water rescue apparatus  10  is the body of water  25 . As aforementioned described, the conventional fire hose  35  is of the same type and nature as typically found on a fire truck or similar rescue vehicle. At one end of the conventional fire hose  35  is located a retrieval end  50  which affixes in an airtight manner to a connection fitting  55  as normally provided on the conventional fire hose  35 . The retrieval end  50  comprises a solid cap  150  with a swivel based tether  95 . The gripping lanyard  45  is permanently affixed to the retrieval end  50  along its centerline. Additional information on the retrieval end  50  will be provided herein below. At the opposite end of the conventional fire hose  35 , a regulator unit  60  is provided which affixes to the corresponding connection fitting  55  in an airtight manner. The regulator unit  60  will be described in greater detail herein below. The chamber formed by the retrieval end  50 , the conventional fire hose  35 , and the regulator unit  60  is airtight, and such, allows flotation of the multipurpose water rescue apparatus  10  when placed upon a body of water  25  (as shown in  FIG. 1 ) The regulator unit  60  contains a series of fittings which allow for the connection of a pressuring system. The pressurizing system consists of a pressurizing hose  65 , which connects to the regulator unit  60 , and forms a common union between said regulator unit  60  and a pressure regulator  70 . The pressure regulator  70  is well known in the art and allows adjustment of air pressure and flow. The pressure regulator  70  is directly connected to a compressed air canister  75 . The compressed air canister  75  is also of a common nature typically used by fire fighters and other rescue personnel as part of a self contained breathing apparatus. Such commonality between the conventional fire hose  35  and the compressed air canister  75  reduces duplicate components that must be carried by rescue personnel on rescue vehicles, and ensures that the necessary components to fabricate the multipurpose water rescue apparatus  10  will be present. As an added benefit, the pressurizing apparatus also includes a auxiliary pressurizing hose  80 , which connects to an air compressor  85 . The air compressor  85  is envisioned to be of the type commonly used to power air tools, inflate tires and the like, and as such, may also be present on rescue vehicles as part of a common base of equipment. 
     Referring next to  FIG. 3 , an isometric representation of the retrieval end  50  as used with the multipurpose water rescue apparatus  10  is shown. The retrieval end  50  is envisioned to be made of brass, aluminum or similar metal. 
     The gripping lanyard  45  is attached to a first base cover  90  via a swivel based tether  95 . The swivel based tether  95 , while swiveling in a 360 degree path, still maintains an air tight seal. It is envisioned that other objects such as lifesavers, other lifelines, tools, equipment and the like, can be attached via the gripping lanyard  45  and passed to the victim  20  (as shown in  FIG. 1 ). The connection means afforded by the first base cover  90  to the connection fitting  55  (as shown in  FIG. 2 ) is of the same type as used with conventional fire hoses, although all types of connections such as threaded connections, quick-connect, and others could also be used, and as such, should not be interpreted as a limiting factor of the present invention. A number of rudder plates  105  are located around the perimeter of a removable connection tube  100 . Although any number can be used, shown are four rudder plates  105  located on the perimeter surface of the connection tube  100  at 90 degrees opposite of one another. The connection tube  100  are used in conjunction with a pair of removable rudder plates  105  to assist the guiding of the retrieval end  50  through the body of water  25  (as shown in  FIG. 1 ) The rudder plates  105  will allow the multipurpose water rescue apparatus  10  to travel in a more straight path. It is anticipated that the rudder plates  10  can be removable and should the rudder plates  105  not be needed, the connection tube can be removed from the base cover  90  (such as when the multipurpose water rescue apparatus  10  is used upon ice). This is envisioned as that this removal can be accomplished without the use of additional tools. 
     Referring finally to  FIG. 4 , an isometric representation of the regulator unit  60  as used with the multipurpose water rescue apparatus  10  is shown. The regulator unit  60  is comprised of a second base cover  110  also made of solid brass or similar construction. The connection means afforded by the second base cover  110  to the connection fitting  55  (as shown in  FIG. 2 ) is of the same type as used with conventional fire hoses, although all types of connections such as threaded connections, quick-connect, and others could also be used, and as such, should not be interpreted as a limiting factor of the present invention. To assist in the connection of the second base cover  110  to the connection fitting  55  (as shown in  FIG. 2 ), a series of two cylindrical appendages  115  located on the perimeter of the second base cover  110  at 180 degrees opposite to one another. These appendages are used to tighten the cap to the hose, and it is envisioned that in an alternate embodiment this function will be filled by a series of four slots to allow rescue personnel to use their standard spanner wrench to tighten. A fill connection  120  is provided on the face of the second base cover  110  that connects to a fill valve  125 . The fill valve  125  is in firm connection with a quick connect fitting  130  which connects to the pressurizing hose  65  (as shown in  FIG. 2 ). A valve handle  135  is provided on the fill valve  125 . The fill valve  125  and the valve handle  135  are used to control the flow of air into the multipurpose water rescue apparatus  10 . When closed, the fill valve  125  allows for the removal of the pressurizing hose  65  (as shown in  FIG. 2 ) while the air pressure inside of the multipurpose water rescue apparatus  10  is maintained. It is also envisioned that the fill valve  125  and the valve handle  135  could be opened to allow for the release of the air pressure after use of the multipurpose water rescue apparatus  10  as well. Finally, an air pressure relief valve  140 , is provided on the face of the second base cover  110  to prevent over pressurization of the multipurpose water rescue apparatus  10  and possible catastrophic failure during use. The air pressure relief valve  140  also functions as a release mechanism of air pressure contained within the multipurpose water rescue apparatus  10  as well. 
     It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     2. Operation of the Preferred Embodiment 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. Upon initial purchase or acquisition of the multipurpose water rescue apparatus  10 , by a group of rescue personnel  15  such as a fire department, water rescue group, Coast Guard, Navy, or the like, suitable training on its setup and use would be required. It is envisioned that the multipurpose water rescue apparatus  10  would be stored in or on a rescue vehicle such as a fire truck, rescue boat, or similar rescue vehicle. At this point in time, the multipurpose water rescue apparatus  10  would be ready for deployment and use. 
     Upon becoming alerted to the presence of a victim  20  in a body of water  25 , the rescue personnel  15  would respond to the body of water  25  and quickly setup the multipurpose water rescue apparatus  10  on the shoreline  30 . To begin assembly, the rescue personnel  15  would select a conventional fire hose  35  from their rescue vehicle that is of suitable length to span the distance ‘d’ 40 to the victim  20 . At one end of the conventional fire hose  35 , the retrieval end  50  would be affixed. Should conditions warrant the use of the removable rudder plates  105 , they would be affixed using the removable connecting arms  100 . At the other end of the conventional fire hose  35  the regulator unit  60  would be affixed. Next, the pressurizing hose  65  would be connected to the quick connect fitting  130  and the fill valve  125  opened. With the pressure regulator  70  attached to either a compressed air canister  75  or an air compressor  85  through the auxiliary pressurizing hose  80 , the pressure regulator  70  would be activated to pressurize the multipurpose water rescue apparatus  10 . With the multipurpose water rescue apparatus  10  in its elongated and rigid shape, it is pushed toward the victim  20 . 
     The multipurpose water rescue apparatus  10  will float upon the surface of the body of water  25  and as such can be guided using feedback by the rescue personnel  15 . When the retrieval end  50  reaches the victim  20 , the victim  20  would grasp the gripping lanyard  45 , whereupon said victim  20  can be pulled back to the shoreline  30  by the rescue personnel  15  and appropriate first aid, if any, can be rendered. At this point in time, the multipurpose water rescue apparatus  10  can be depressurized, deflated and stowed. 
     To depressurize the multipurpose water rescue apparatus  10 , the user can open the fill valve  125  or activate the pressure release mechanism of the air pressure relief valve  140 . With pressure removed, the retrieval end  50  and the regulator unit  60  can be removed from the conventional fire hose  35 . The conventional fire hose  35  can be rolled, folded and/or properly stowed to allow for future use in a repeating manner. 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the Claims appended hereto and their equivalents. Therefore, the scope of the invention is to be limited only by the following claims.