Abstract:
A rescue ramp is provided having a dual lobed, hinged inflatable ramp having two pairs of spaced inflatable tubes and a flexible floor mounted between each and connecting the tubes. A rope ladder is mounted to the floors of the lobes.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to a rescue device, particularly to an inflatable rescue ramp for use on thin ice or similar unfirm surfaces. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     In the related art, it is known that boat rescues of persons or animals in distress can take too much time over a body of water and be even slower over thin ice, increasing the jeopardy and discomfort of such a victim, when, due to problems such as hypothermia, seconds count. 
     A search of the prior art did not disclose any patents that read directly on the claims of the instant invention; however, U.S. Pat. No. 4,990,114, issued in the name of LeBlanc, Jr. provides an inflatable rescue ramp that forms a lowermost bow element. However, such bow provides and impediment to ingress, making such a ramp difficult for the rescue victim to ascend. 
     There is, therefore, a need and market for a rescue ramp that is hinged, allowing the lowermost portion to descend into the water toward the rescue victim, as well as provide means for aiding such a victim in exiting the water without forming an impediment to the rescuers. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Therefore, it is an object of the invention to indicate a device of the type disclosed above which avoids the disadvantages inherent in the state of the art. In particular, the device is to be portable, inflatable, and easy to ascend in a manner that allows rescuer&#39;s or the rescued to easily extricate themselves from danger. 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved thin ice rescue ladder. 
     It is a feature of the present invention to provide an improved thin ice rescue ladder that includes a support rope to assist in absent. 
     Briefly described according to one embodiment of the present invention, an inflatable rescue ramp is provided having a pair of spaced inflatable tubes, a flexible web there-between, defining a passageway between said tubes. Within the passageway is mounted a rope ladder element that lies flat against the flexible web. At the lowermost portion is a downwardly angled apron that allows the ramp to descend into a water to allow easy access to and ascent of the ramp. 
    
    
     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 a perspective view of a thin ice inflatable rescue ladder according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a top plan view thereof; 
     FIG. 3 is a front elevational view thereof; 
     FIG. 4 is a side elevational view thereof; and 
     FIG. 5 is a side elevational view thereof shown in a compacted, rolled condition. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     1. Detailed Description of the Figures Referring now to FIGS. 1-4, a thin ice inflatable rescue ladder  10  is shown, according to the present invention, forming a hinged ramp  16  and further pointed and then secured by anchor lines  18  and  20  to the shore. The ramp  16  is inflatable, and is provided having a pair of spaced inflatable tubes  22 , a flexible floor  24  there-between, defining a passageway between said tubes. Linearly aligned along the uppermost ridge of each tube  22  are a series of individual gripping elements  25 , shown herein individually as a rope-type loop. On the under surface of the floor  24  is a gripping surface  26  that allows the ramp  16  to assist in maintaining position when deployed upon ice. Within the passageway is mounted a rope ladder element  28  that lies flat against the flexible web. It is anticipated that the ladder element  28  would be mounted only along the lowermost two thirds of the ramp for provided the combined features of providing a gripping and climbing surface for the rescue victim, while at the same time remaining out of the way for the rescuers. 
     At the lowermost portion of the ramp  16  is a downwardly angled apron  30  that allows the ramp to descend into a water to allow easy access to and ascent of the ramp. 
     The web or floor of the rescue ramp as well as the inflatable tubes, can be single or multi-ply and made of plastic, rubber or a combination thereof, e.g. a rubber-nylon-rubber laminate is a preferred material for both ramp floor and tubes. By “nylon” is meant a polyamide. If desired an inner tube of rubber or plastic can be placed within the outer plastic inflatable tubes. 
     The ramp can inflate up to any desired length e.g. 50 feet, 100 feet, 150 feet or more, as desired according to the application within the scope of the present invention. 
     As shown in FIG. 5, the inflatable rescue ramp of the present invention can be compacted after deflation, by rolling into an annular shape, or folded into such compact shape as desired, within the present invention. Compressed air bottles, activated by external valves, connects to the two inflatable tubes  22 , having the folded web there-between. 
     The rescue ramp embodying the present invention is inflated by gas, e.g. compressed gas and preferably compressed air. However other gas sources can be employed as desired within the present invention. 
     The rescue ramp of the invention can inflate front-to-back or back-to-front as desired, within the scope of the invention and preferably inflates back to front. 
     The rescue ramp of the invention when inflated, is desirably guided, pointed and anchored by a plurality of anchor lines of two or more, though these lines can be dispensed with, within the scope of the present invention. 
     2. Operation of the Preferred Embodiment 
     To use the present invention, the coiled ramp is positioned on shore near the water&#39;s edge and pointed toward the victim. The valve is then opened and in seconds the ramp tubes are inflated, popping the rescue ramp with web or floor out and toward the victim, to its extended length of e.g. 50 feet, 100 feet, 150 feet or more. The extended ramp  16  thus inflated, is pointed more closely to the victim and the anchor lines  18  and  20  secured as discussed above. The rescuer hurries out to the victim. 
     As designed, a device embodying the teachings of the present invention is easily applied. The foregoing description is included to illustrate the operation of the preferred embodiment and is not meant to limit the scope of the invention. As one can envision, an individual skilled in the relevant art, in conjunction with the present teachings, would be capable of incorporating many minor modifications that are anticipated within this disclosure. Therefore, the scope of the invention is to be broadly limited only by the following claims.