Abstract:
A flotation device for maintaining a watercraft in a floating condition is provided. The flotation device comprises an elongated housing mounted to the watercraft. A carrier is slidably received within the housing with the carrier having a first and second cover channel and a bladder retaining slot. A first collapsible tubing is receivable within the first cover channel. An elongated cover is releasably secured within the first cover channel and the second cover channel. A space is defined between the carrier and the cover. A flotation bladder is receivable within the space with the flotation bladder having a bladder edge receivable in the bladder retaining slot. An inflation mechanism is connected to the first collapsible tubing and the flotation bladder for inflating the first collapsible tubing and for inflating the flotation bladder wherein upon inflation of the first collapsible tubing, the cover is released from the first cover channel of the carrier and the flotation bladder moves the first edge of the cover in a direction generally away from the watercraft allowing the flotation bladder to substantially completely inflate.

Description:
[0001]    The present application is a continuation of pending provisional patent application Serial No. 60/207,996, filed on May 26, 2000, entitled “Automatic Inflating Boat Flotation Device”. 
     
    
     
       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 prevent a watercraft from sinking. The flotation device would automatically inflate when a predetermined amount of water entered the hold of the vessel.  
           [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. 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.  
           [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. An inflatable bag is rolled into a tight spiral. The spiral is 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 bag is attached to the base of the housing. The outer part of the housing is removably attached to the base of the housing, enclosing the rolled bag. One or more bags can be mounted in the housing. The bag 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. The outer part of the housing is pushed off and the bags inflate and unroll. The bags can have internal chambers so that one part can be punctured without deflating the whole system.  
           [0013]    The present invention is a flotation device for maintaining a watercraft in a floating condition. The flotation device comprises an elongated housing mounted to the watercraft with the housing having a first cover channel, a second cover channel, and a bladder retaining slot. A first collapsible tubing is receivable within the first cover channel. An elongated cover having a first edge and a second edge is secured to the housing with the first edge releasably receivable in the first cover channel and the second edge releasably receivable in the second cover channel. A space is defined between the housing and the cover. A flotation bladder is receivable within the space with the flotation bladder having a bladder edge receivable in the bladder retaining slot. Inflation means are connected to the first collapsible tubing and the flotation bladder for inflating the first collapsible tubing and for inflating the flotation bladder upon inflation of the first collapsible tubing wherein upon inflation of the first collapsible tubing, the first edge of the cover is released from the first cover channel of the housing and wherein upon inflation of the flotation bladder, the flotation bladder moves the first edge of the cover in a direction generally away from the watercraft allowing the flotation bladder to substantially completely inflate.  
           [0014]    In addition, the present invention includes an emergency buoyant support for a watercraft. The emergency buoyant support comprises a base plate mounted to the watercraft and a cover removably attached to the base plate. A storage channel is formed between the base plate and the cover and an inflatable bladder is spirally wrapped within the storage channel wherein upon inflation of the inflatable bladder, the bladder moves the cover allowing the bladder to inflate.  
           [0015]    Furthermore, the present invention includes a method for maintaining a watercraft in a floating condition. The method comprises mounting a housing to the watercraft with the housing having a first cover channel, a second cover channel, and a bladder retaining slot, positioning a first collapsible tubing within the first cover channel, covering the housing with a cover with the cover having a first edge and a second edge, releasably mounting 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 housing and the cover, positioning a flotation bladder within the space, the flotation bladder having a bladder edge, mounting the bladder edge of the flotation bladder within the bladder retaining slot, inflating the first collapsible tubing, and inflating the inflation bladder.  
           [0016]    In an embodiment of the present invention, the method further comprises positioning a second collapsible tubing within the second cover channel and inflating the second collapsible tubing prior to inflating the inflation bladder.  
           [0017]    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  
       [0018]    [0018]FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a flotation device, constructed in accordance with the present invention, with the flotation device being mounted on a hull of a watercraft having a boat rail;  
         [0019]    [0019]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;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 3 is a sectional view illustrating an embodiment of the flotation device, constructed in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 4 is sectional view illustrating the flotation device of FIG. 3, constructed in accordance with the present invention, with the cover being removed prior to inflation;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 5 is a partially exploded assembly perspective view illustrating the flotation device of FIG. 3, constructed in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating the flotation device of FIG. 3, constructed in accordance with the present invention, with the bladder of the flotation device starting to inflate;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 7 a  is a sectional view illustrating another embodiment of the flotation device, constructed in accordance with the present invention, with an inflatable tubing positioned between the cover and the carrier;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 7 b  is a sectional view illustrating the flotation device of FIG. 7 a  with the inflatable tubing being partially inflated;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 7 c  is a sectional view illustrating the flotation device of FIG. 7 a  with the inflatable tubing being substantially inflated;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 7 d  is a sectional view illustrating the flotation device of FIG. 7 a  with the inflatable tubing being completely inflated and one side of the cover moving away from the carrier;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 7 e  is a sectional view illustrating the flotation device of FIG. 7 d  with the inflatable tubing being completely inflated and the flotation bladder being stored in spiral condition;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 7 f  is an exploded assembly view illustrating the flotation device of FIG. 7 a;    
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 7 g  is a sectional view illustrating the flotation device of FIG. 7 f  in a completely assembled condition;  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating the flotation device of FIG. 7, constructed in accordance with the present invention, with the flotation bladder of the flotation device starting to inflate;  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 9 is a sectional view illustrating still another embodiment of the flotation device, constructed in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 10 is an exploded sectional view illustrating the flotation device of FIG. 9, constructed in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 11 is a sectional view illustrating the flotation device of FIG. 9, constructed in accordance with the present invention, with the bladder of the flotation device starting to inflate;  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 12 is a sectional view illustrating still another embodiment of the flotation device, constructed in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 13 is a sectional view illustrating the flotation device of FIG. 12, constructed in accordance with the present invention, with the bladder of the flotation device starting to inflate;  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 14 is a perspective view illustrating the flotation device of FIG. 12, constructed in accordance with the present invention, with the bladder of the flotation device inflating;  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 15 is a perspective view illustrating the flotation device mounted on the watercraft with the flotation bladders being fully inflated;  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 16 is top perspective view illustrating the flotation bladder in a deflated condition;  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 17 is a perspective view illustrating the flotation bladder in an inflated condition;  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 18 is a sectional view illustrating the attachment edge of the flotation bladder taken along line A-A of FIG. 16;  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 19 is a perspective view illustrating another embodiment of the flotation bladder with internal chambers;  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 20 is a perspective view illustrating a watercraft with the embodiment of the flotation bladders of FIG. 19 being fully inflated;  
         [0044]    [0044]FIG. 21 is a perspective view illustrating the inside of the watercraft hull with the compressed gas cylinder and the valve actuator mounted to the hull of the watercraft and connected to the rail with tubing;  
         [0045]    [0045]FIG. 22 is an exploded view illustrating an embodiment of the valve and the float switch of the flotation device, constructed in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0046]    [0046]FIG. 23 is a perspective view illustrating the valve and the float switch of FIG. 22 in the off positions;  
         [0047]    [0047]FIG. 24 is a perspective view illustrating the valve and the float switch in the on positions;  
         [0048]    [0048]FIG. 25 is a perspective view illustrating the interlock between the float switch and the valve switch;  
         [0049]    [0049]FIG. 26 is sectional view illustrating the interlock taken along line  21 - 21  in FIG. 21;  
         [0050]    [0050]FIG. 27 is a side view illustrating another embodiment of the valve and the float switch of the flotation device, constructed in accordance with the present invention, with the valve and float switch being in the off position;  
         [0051]    [0051]FIG. 28 is a side view illustrating the valve and float switch of FIG. 27, constructed in accordance with the present invention, with the valve and float switch being in the on position;  
         [0052]    [0052]FIG. 29 is a perspective view illustrating the mounting of the flotation device to a watercraft; and  
         [0053]    [0053]FIG. 30 is a side elevational view illustrating the bulkhead fitting for connecting the flotation device with the gas supply; and  
         [0054]    [0054]FIG. 31 is a plan view illustrating the connection between the gas supply, the float switch, and the flotation device. 
     
    
       [0055]    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  
       [0056]    As illustrated in FIG. 1, the present invention is a flotation device, indicated generally at  10 , for mounting to a watercraft  12  which automatically activates to maintain the watercraft in a floating condition. The flotation device  10  includes a mounting plate  14  preferably mounted on the exterior of the hull  16  of the watercraft  12 . The mounting plate  14  and the cover  22  is the only portion of the flotation device  10  that is visible on the exterior of the watercraft  12 . It is considered important that the mounting plate  14  have 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 illustrated in FIG. 2, the mounting plate  14  is mounted at approximately the water line  18  on the hull  16  of the watercraft  12 .  
         [0057]    As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, in an embodiment flotation device  10  of the present invention, the mounting plate  14  has a carrier  20 , a cover  22 , and a deflated flotation bladder  24 . 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.  
         [0058]    The flotation bladder  24  is folded to fit inside a space  26  formed between the carrier  20  and the cover  22 . Preferably, the flotation bladder  24  is rolled into a spiral configuration. Furthermore, preferably, the flotation bladder  24  is made from urethane coated ballistic nylon although constructing the flotation bladder  24  from different types of material is within the scope of the present invention.  
         [0059]    The mounting plate  14  has a flat mounting surface  28  on one side which mounts directly to an attachment surface  30  of the hull  16  of the watercraft  12 , as illustrated in FIG. 29. 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  27 . At least one strip  29  is positioned on the mounting plate  14  which maintains the mounting plate  14  to the hull  16  of the watercraft  12  while the two-part epoxy cures. 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 .  
         [0060]    The carrier  20  slides into and snaps into place within the mounting plate  14 . The carrier  20  has two channels  32 ,  34  spaced apart from each other and extending axially along the length of the carrier  20 . Placed in at least one of the channels  32 ,  34  is a flexible cover tubing  36 . The cover tubing  36  is made from a flexible material so that the cover tubing  36  can be collapsed against itself as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 7. When the cover tubing  36  is expanded it substantially fills the channels  32  and/or  34  as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 7 a - 7   g.    
         [0061]    A bladder retaining slot  38  extends axially along the carrier  20  between the channels  32  and  34 . The bladder retaining slot  38  has a narrowed neck  40  at the top if the bladder retaining slot  38 . In the preferred embodiment, the bladder retaining slot  38  is substantially circular and about ½ inch in diameter. The bladder retaining slot  38  can have a larger diameter for retaining larger bladders required for heavier watercraft.  
         [0062]    The flotation bladder  24  has one side  42  with an enlarged edge  44  along the length of the flotation bladder  24  as shown in FIG. 16 and in cross section in FIG. 18. The enlarged edge  42  has a rod or rope which fits inside the bladder retaining slot  38  and is held in place by the neck  40  as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7. The enlarged edge  44  and the rod are slid along the bladder retaining slot  38 , attaching the flotation bladder  24  to the carrier  20 .  
         [0063]    The cover  22  has an interior surface  46 , an exterior surface  48 , and two hooked edges  50 ,  52  extending axially along the length of the cover  22 . The hooked edges  50 ,  52  are shaped to fit in the channels  32 ,  34  on the carrier  20  over the flattened tubing  36 , as shown in FIGS. 3 and 7 a - 7   g . The cover  22  is attached to the carrier  20  by sliding the hooked edges  50 ,  52  in to the channels  32 ,  34  over the cover tubing  36  is attached at one end to a supply tubing  54  which is attached to a gas supply  56 . The gas supply  56  preferably contains an inert, compressed gas such as CO 2 .  
         [0064]    The cover  22  must be made from a durable material as it is going to be exposed to the elements continuously. The cover  22  is preferably made from thermoplastic rubber. When the mounting plate  14  is mounted on the hull  16  of the watercraft  12  and the cover  22  is in place, the present invention functions as a bumper to protect the watercraft  12 .  
         [0065]    When the cover  22  is to be removed so that the bladder  24  can be inflated, compressed gas is released from the gas supply  56  and flows through the supply tubing  54  to the cover tubing  36 . As illustrated in FIG. 6, the cover tubing  36  expands, filling the channels  32 ,  34 , forcing the hooked edges  50 ,  52  out of the channels  32 ,  34 , and removing the cover  22  from the carrier  20 . In an alternative embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, the cover tubing expands, filling the channel  32 , and removing one side of the cover  22  from the carrier  20 . The cover  22  remains connected to the carrier  20  in the other channel  32  and swings out of the way of expanding flotation bladder  24 .  
         [0066]    Referring next to FIG. 6, at the opposing end from the attachment to the supply tubing  54 , the cover tubing  36  is attached to the bladder fill tubing  58 . The bladder fill tubing  58  attaches to each flotation bladder  24  via a one-way flow valve (not shown). Such one-way valves are known in the art and are, therefore, not described in detail. After the cover tubing  32 ,  34  has inflated, removing either one side of the cover  22  or both sides of the cover  22 , the inert gas will flow in the inflation bladders  24 , inflating the inflation bladders  24 .  
         [0067]    As shown in FIG. 9, an alternate embodiment, of the flotation device  1010  includes a carrier  1020 , a cover  1022 , and a deflated flotation bladder  1024 . The flotation bladder  1024  is folded to fit inside space  1026  formed between the carrier  1020  and the cover  1022 . The preferred embodiment of the flotation bladder  1024  is rolled into a spiral.  
         [0068]    This embodiment of the flotation device  1010  does not include a mounting plate with the carrier  1020  mounted directly to the watercraft hull  1016  (not shown in this embodiment). The carrier  1020  has the flat mounting surface  1028  on one side. The mounting surface  1028  is mounted to the attachment surface  1030  (not shown in this embodiment) on the exterior of the watercraft hull  1016  using either adhesive, as described above, for fiberglass or metal hulls or screws for wood hulls (not shown). Screws might be necessary on wooden hulled boats because any adhesive would only stick to the outermost layer of paint on the exterior of the hull  1016 .  
         [0069]    The carrier  1020  includes two hooked ridges  1060 ,  1062  spaced apart from each other and extending axially along the length of the carrier  1020 . In the preferred embodiment of this alternate embodiment shown in FIG. 10, the hooked ridges  1060 ,  1062  face outward from each other. A bladder retaining slot  1038  extends axially along the carrier  1020  between the ridges  1060 ,  1062 . The bladder retaining slot  1038  has a narrowed neck  1040  at the top of the bladder retaining slot  1038 . In the preferred embodiment, the bladder retaining slot  1038  is substantially circular and about ½ inch in diameter. As with the previous embodiments, the bladder retaining slot  1038  can have a larger diameter for retaining larger bladders required for heavier watercraft.  
         [0070]    The flotation bladder  1024  has one side with an enlarged edge  1044  along the length of the of the flotation bladder  1024  as shown in FIG. 16 and in cross section in FIG. 18. The enlarged edge  1044  fits inside the bladder retaining slot  1038  and is held in place by a rod or rope and the neck  1040  as shown in FIG. 9. The enlarged edge  1044  is slid along the bladder retaining slot  1038 , attaching the flotation bladder  1024  to the carrier  1020 . The carrier  1020  additionally has a hole  1064  extending along the length of the carrier  1020 . The hole  1064  allows gas to flow to the flotation bladders  1024 .  
         [0071]    The cover  1022  has an interior surface  1046 , an exterior surface  1048 , and tow hooked edges  1050 ,  1052  extending axially along the length of the cover  1022 . The hooked edges  1050 ,  1052  are shaped to engage the hooked ridges  1060 ,  1062  on the carrier  1020 . The cover  1022  is attached to the carrier  1020  by fitting the hooked edges  1050 ,  1052  to the hooked ridges  1060 ,  1062  as shown in FIG. 9.  
         [0072]    To inflate the flotation bladder  1024  in the alternate embodiments, the supply tubing  1054  extends into the hole  1064  and attaches to the flotation bladder  1024  with the valve  1066 . The compressed gas is fed into the flotation bladder  1024  and starts to expand the flotation bladder  1024  as shown in FIG. 11. When the flotation bladder  1024  starts to inflate the cover  1022  is forced off the hooked ridges  1060  and/or  1062 . The cover  1022  drops free and does not interfere with the inflation of the flotation bladder  1024 . It is important that the cover  1022  be made from a material that is stiff enough to remain in position under normal circumstances, yet is flexible enough to allow the cover  1022  to disengage from the carrier  1020 .  
         [0073]    Another alternate embodiment of the flotation device  2010  is illustrated in FIG. 12. The carrier  2020  and the cover  2022  are formed as one piece. This embodiment of the flotation device  2010  does not include a mounting plate with the carrier  2020  mounted directly to the watercraft hull  2016  (not shown in this embodiment). The carrier  2020  has the flat mounting surface  2028  on one side. The mounting surface  2028  is mounted to the attachment surface  2030  (not shown in this embodiment) on the exterior of the watercraft hull  2016  using either adhesive, as described above, for fiberglass or metal hulls or screws for wood hulls (not shown). Screws might be necessary on wooden hulled boats because any adhesive would only stick to the outermost layer of paint on the exterior of the hull  2016 .  
         [0074]    A flotation bladder  2024  is folded inside the carrier  2020  in the space  2026 . The flotation bladder  2024  is attached to the carrier  2020  at the bladder retaining slot  2038 . On the cover  2022 , there is an opening point  2068 . The opening point  2068  can either be a weakened point in the cover  2022  or detonation cord.  
         [0075]    A valve  2066  is attached to the flotation bladder  2024  and to the supply tubing  2054 . When the flotation bladder  2024  is inflated the cover  2022  is opened along the opening point  2068 . The opening point  2068  is opened either by exploding the detonation cord or the pressure of the expanding flotation bladder  2024  breaks the cover  2022  along the weakened point as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14.  
         [0076]    [0076]FIG. 15 illustrates a 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. The preferred embodiment of the flotation bladders  24  are single bladders that are each a given length and are attached to carrier  20  individually. FIG. 17 illustrates a fully inflated individual flotation bladder  24 .  
         [0077]    An alternate embodiment of the flotation bladder  24  is illustrated fully inflated in FIG. 19. The flotation bladder  24  has internal chambers  70  separated by internal walls  72 . A valve  66  feeds each internal chamber  70 .  
         [0078]    Either type of the flotation bladder  24  can be used with any of the embodiments of the flotation device  10 . The plurality of inflation bladders  24  are the preferred embodiment because it is easier to manufacture and makes the flotation device  10  easier to mount on a variety of watercraft. The flotation bladders  24  are manufactured in a given length and the needed numbers of bladders are put along the length of the hull  16 .  
         [0079]    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 . However, the material must to be rigid enough so that the inflation of the flotation bladder  24  will not dislodge the enlarged edge  44  from bladder retaining slot  38 .  
         [0080]    The cover  22  must be made from a durable material including, but not limited to, thermal plastic rubber, as it is going to be exposed to the elements continuously. When the carrier  20  is mounted on the hull  16  of the watercraft  12  and the cover  22  is in place, the present invention functions as a bumper to protect the watercraft  12 .  
         [0081]    [0081]FIG. 21 illustrates the gas supply  56  mounted on the inside  74  of the hull  16  of the watercraft  12 . The gas supply  56  is attached to the supply tubing  54  via a valve  76  which is activated by a float switch  78 . The supply tubing  54  and all fittings are made from stainless steel or silicone rubber tubing. In the preferred embodiment, the supply tubing  54  is drawn seamless hydraulic line tubing, 0.375″ I.D. A watertight bulkhead connection, as illustrated in FIGS. 30 and 31, will penetrate through the boat hull in two (2) places to route the supply tubing  54  from the inside of the hull  16  out to a connection to the cover tubing  36  and the flotation bladders  24 . The float switch  78  in the preferred embodiments is located on the side of the hull  16  at a height h 1  selected so that the float switch  78  actuates when the hull  16  is filled with enough water to lower the watercraft  12  about two (2″) inches below the designed waterline for that particular watercraft  12 . The float switch  78  preferably activates when the float  127  rises approximately two (2″) inches within the float body  103 .  
         [0082]    A partially exploded view of the valve  76  and the float switch  78  is illustrated in FIGS. 23 and 24. The valve body  79  is a standard stainless steel ball valve and in the preferred embodiment the valve body  79  is manufactured by the Nupro Corporation. The valve body  79  has an inlet  80 , an outlet  82 , a threaded attachment post  84 , and a valve stem  86  which controls if the valve  76  is open or closed. An attachment plate  88  is threaded down over the attachment post  84  to rest on the top  90  of the valve body  79 . A nut  91  secures the attachment plate  88  to the valve body  79  by threading on to the attachment post  84 .  
         [0083]    The attachment plate  88  has a mounting plate  92  attached to one end to allow the valve  76  to be mounted to the boat hull  16 . Also part of the attachment plate  88  is a pivot mount  93 . In the preferred embodiment, the pivot mount  93  is formed of two holders  94   a ,  94   b  with pivot holes  95   a ,  95   b , respectively. A pivot rod  96  slides into pivot hole  95   a ,  95   b . A retaining hole  97  is provided in the attachment plate  88 .  
         [0084]    A handle  89  attaches to the valve stem  86  and has a hole  98 . A spring  99  fits around the base of the handle  89 ; and the ends  101   a ,  101   b  of the spring fit in holes  97  and  98 , respectively. The spring  99  holds the handle  89  and the attached valve stem  86  in the open position, so that the valve  76  is biased open as shown in FIG. 24.  
         [0085]    As shown in FIG. 23, the float switch  78  is releasably attached to the handle  89  to hold the valve  76  in the closed position. The float switch  78  has a body  103 , shown partially cutaway in FIGS. 22, 23, and  24 . The body  103  is a hollow shell having a top and bottom end  105   a ,  105   b , respectively, which are closed. Water flow holes  106  are placed around both ends to allow water to flow freely in and out of the body  103 .  
         [0086]    On one side the body  103  has a hole  107 . A float arm  108  extends through the hole  107  from inside the body  103  to the outside. The float arm  108  is pivotally attached at pivot point  109  to the pivot mount  93  with pivot rod  96 . The float arm  108  has a trigger end  115  has a generally L shaped appearance. The L-shaped bend of the trigger is designed to center the interface between the arm and the float and provide better mechanical advantage for the float to release the trigger.  
         [0087]    As shown in FIG. 25, the attachment end  117  has a blade  119  which fits inside a channel  121  inside the handle  89 . The channel  121  has a safety groove  123  running along one side. A bead  125  on the blade  119  fits into the safety groove  123  as shown in cross-section in FIG. 26. This blade  119  and the bead  125  form a releasable attachment between the handle  89  and the float arm  108  when the float arm  108  is attached to the handle  89  biasing the valve  76  open, as shown in FIG. 23.  
         [0088]    The placement of the pivot point  109  close to the attachment end  117  means that with no support of the float arm  108 , the attachment end  117  pivots up against the handle  89 , pressing the blade  119  firmly up in to the groove channel. To release the handle  89  and trigger the spring  99  to bias the valve  76  open, the float arm  108  must be pivoted so that the blade  119  pulls down out of the channel  121 , releasing the handle  89 . The bead  125  and the safety groove  123  are a safety mechanism to insure that vibration alone will not set off the trigger mechanism. When the handle  89  is in the closed position as shown in FIG. 23 this is the safe mode for the valve.  
         [0089]    The trigger end  115  rests on a top  129   a  of a float  127 . The float  127  is made from closed cell polystyrene in the preferred embodiment. The float  127  is sized to snugly fit inside the body  103  so that it will not move up and down inside the body from gravity alone. The float  127  nominally requires at least one pound of force to move although setting the float  127  to another predetermined amount of force is within the scope of the present invention. The bottom end  129   b  of the float  127  is set so that it is just above the line of water flow holes  106  on the bottom edge of the body  103  in the safe mode.  
         [0090]    If a rupture of the hull occurs then water will start to fill the inside of the hull  16 . As the water reaches the base of the float switch  78 , the water will flow into the flow holes  106 . The water will cause the float  127  to rise inside the body  103 . The float  127  is fit inside the body  103  tight enough that only the continuous presence of water will provide enough force for the float  127  to rise. Water splashing into the holes  106  due to rough seas will not cause the float  127  to rise. As the float  127  rises it pushes the trigger end  115  of the float arm  108  upward, causing the attachment end  117  downward as shown in FIG. 24. This pulls the blade  119  out of the channel  121  and releases the compressed gas to fill the cover tubing  36  and then the flotation bladder  24  is inflated through a check valve (not shown). The deflated bladder  24  can then be removed by pulling the enlarged edge  44  of the flotation bladder  24  along the bladder retaining slot  38  to the end of the carrier  20  as shown in FIG. 5. Then the flotation bladder  24  can be re-rolled and replace or a new flotation bladder  24  can be re-mounted in the bladder retaining slot  38  and the cover  22  replaced.  
         [0091]    As illustrated in FIGS. 27 and 28, another valve  76  is illustrated. The valve  76  includes the float switch  78  as described above. The float  127  within the float switch  78  moves upward upon a predetermined amount of water entering the float  127  through the water holes  106 . The float  127  moves the float arm  108  to activate the valve  76  to begin inflation of the inflation bladder  24 .  
         [0092]    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.