Patent Publication Number: US-7223142-B1

Title: Marine rescue assembly and a method for rescuing an individual

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention generally relates to a marine rescue assembly, and more particularly, by way of example and without limitation, to a marine rescue assembly which has a generally semi-cylindrical containment portion including a first firm portion and a second pliable netting portion, which may be selectively and accurately deployed within water and which is effective to selectively rescue an individual, and to a new and novel method for efficiently rescuing an individual within a marine environment. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Marine rescue devices and/or assemblies are used to selectively recover and/or rescue individuals who are stranded in (i.e., who are “adrift” and/or otherwise endangered or inconvenienced by being in) a body of water (e.g., an ocean, a lake, or another type of marine environment), and to selectively remove these individuals from the body of water and onto a ship, helicopter and/or other selectively movable assembly. 
   Prior and/or current marine rescue devices and/or assemblies are typically and selectively lowered into the water by the use a pulley device (e.g., a crank and/or winch mechanism and a cable assembly which cooperatively and selectively raise and lower the marine rescue device into the body of water). These devices typically include a containment and/or rescue/containment portion which, as previously indicated, is typically lowered into the water, whereupon the individual to be rescued must actively climb and/or maneuver into the containment portion of the assembly and is then removed from the water. 
   These foregoing devices, while sometimes effectively allowing an individual to be rescued, suffer from some drawbacks. For example and without limitation, the foregoing containment portion of each of the devices typically is wholly comprised of a soft and pliable “net” and/or “mesh” portion which is designed to hold and/or support an individual being rescued. This netting portion often becomes tangled (i.e., wrapped) around the individual or “around itself” and is very difficult to be accurately positioned within the water. Hence, these rescue devices and assemblies are oftentimes ineffective and/or difficult to operate and do not have a high probability of successful deployment. 
   Further, these prior and/or current rescue devices and/or assemblies are typically adapted so that an individual must “climb into” (i.e., actively move towards, onto, and/or otherwise into contact with) the respective containment portion since the soft and pliable netting portion is not easily maneuverable within the water and is not adapted to readily “scoop up” the individual to be rescued. In cases where there are strong winds and/or high waves and/or other “environmental-type” effects, it can be difficult or impossible for the individual to “climb into” the rescue assembly (or even ensure that these respective containment portions come close to the individual to be rescued). Additionally, if the individual to be rescued is unconscious or otherwise unresponsive, it can also be difficult or impossible to collect the individual with the rescue assembly portion. 
   There is therefore a need for a new and novel marine rescue device and a method for rescuing an individual, which allows a rescuer or rescuers to quickly, safely and efficiently collect a conscious and/or unconscious individual from a body of water, and which overcomes at least some of the drawback associated with prior and/or current marine rescue devices. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is a first non-limiting object of the present invention to provide a marine rescue assembly which overcomes some or all of the drawbacks associated with prior and/or current marine rescue assemblies. 
   It is a second non-limiting object of the present invention to provide a marine rescue assembly which overcomes some or all of the drawbacks associated with prior and/or current marine rescue assemblies, and which allows a stranded individual to be rescued from a body of water. 
   It is a third non-limiting object of the present invention to provide a marine rescue assembly which overcomes some or all of the drawbacks associated with prior and/or current marine rescue assemblies, which allows a stranded individual to be rescued from a body of water, and which includes a flexible and/or deformable mesh and/or net portion which forms only a portion of a containment cavity. 
   It is a fourth non-limiting object of the present invention to provide a marine rescue assembly which overcomes some or all of the drawbacks associated with prior and/or current marine rescue assemblies, which allows an individual to be rescued from a body of water, which includes a flexible and/or deformable mesh and/or net portion, and which can be used to rescue an individual who is unconscious. 
   It is a fifth non-limiting object of the present invention to provide a marine rescue assembly which overcomes some or all of the drawbacks associated with prior and/or current marine rescue assemblies, which allows an individual to be rescued from a body of water, which includes a flexible and/or deformable mesh and/or net portion, which can be used to rescue an individual who is unconscious, and which is selectively removable and/or storable. 
   It is a sixth non-limiting object of the present invention to provide a method for rescuing an individual or item from a body of water in a manner which overcomes the drawbacks associated with prior and/or currently used methods and which may be selectively and relatively easily deployed in a body of water in a highly accurate manner. 
   According to a first non-limiting aspect of the present invention a marine rescue assembly is provided which comprises a semi-cylindrical containment portion having a first firm portion with a plurality of substantially identical stiffening ribs; and a second pliable net portion and wherein the first portion is selectively articulable with respect to the second portion. 
   According to a second non-limiting aspect of the present invention, a marine rescue assembly is provided which comprises a containment portion which comprises a first portion comprising first and second substantially identical and generally round firm members, which are in parallel relation to each other, and wherein said first portion further includes a first and second substantially identical and arcuate stiffening rib, each of said first and second ribs being connected to said first and second substantially identical and generally round firm members, and wherein said first portion further includes third and fourth substantially identical and arcuate stiffening ribs, and wherein each of said third and fourth stiffening ribs are coupled to and terminate within said first generally round firm member receive, along respective side portions, said second generally round firm member, and wherein each of said third and fourth stiffening ribs include respective and substantially identical flared ends having a respective connector reception portion; and a second portion comprising a third generally round and firm member which is substantially identical to and generally parallel to said first and second generally round firm members and which includes a pair of opposed end portions which are selectively and respectively received into a unique one of said reception portions, thereby allowing said second portion to be selectively articulable with respect to said first portion, and wherein said second portion includes a pliable net portion which is coupled to said second and third generally round firm members and said opposed end portions and wherein said first and second portions cooperatively form a cavity which is generally semi-cylindrical in cross-section. 
   According to a third non-limiting aspect of the present invention, a marine rescue assembly is provided which comprises a containment portion and a hoist assembly, and wherein said hoist assembly comprises a first vertical support member; a second horizontal support member; a winch assembly; a cable; and a storage support member. 
   According to a fourth non-limiting aspect of the present invention, a method for rescuing an individual is provided which comprises the steps of:
         (a) forming a marine assembly which includes a hoist assembly which is operatively coupled to a containment portion having a first firm portion which includes a plurality of substantially identical stiffening ribs, and a second pliable netting portion, and wherein said containment portion is selectively and articulably movable from a first closed position to a second open position by means of a maneuvering implement, and wherein said containment portion is generally semi-cylindrical;   (b) hoisting said containment portion from a storage position;   (c) articulating said containment portion from first closed position to said second open position by means of said maneuvering implement;   (d) deploying said containment portion into an operational area;   (e) articulating said containment portion to said first closed position, thereby “scooping up” and containing an individual; and   (f) hoisting said containment portion from said operational area; thereby rescuing said contained individual from said operational area.       

   These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon a reading of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the invention and by reference to the following drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a side view of the marine rescue assembly which is made in accordance with the teachings of the preferred embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a side view of the containment portion of the rescue assembly which is shown in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3  is a partial side view of a portion of the containment portion which is shown in  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 4  is an environmental view of the rescue assembly which is shown in  FIG. 1  used to rescue an individual within a marine-type environment. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 1–4 , there is shown a marine rescue assembly or “mechanism”  10  which is made in accordance with the teachings of the preferred embodiment of the invention. 
   Particularly, marine assembly  10  includes a selectively deployable and selectively articulable general semi-cylindrically shaped rescue and/or “containment” portion  14  and a hoist portion  100  which is selectively coupled to the portion  14  and which as discussed below, selectively causes the portion  14  to be lowered into a marine type environment in order that a rescue may be effectuated. The rescue and/or containment portion  14  includes a first portion  12  and a second portion  16  which are operatively and pivotally coupled together (e.g., portion  12  is selectively articulable with respect to portion  14 ). Particularly, the rescue and/or containment portion  14  is selectively articulable from a first open position in which the two portions  12 ,  16  are remote from one another to a second closed position in which the two portions  12 ,  16  form a substantially closed cavity  300  which has a substantially C-shaped cross-sectional area and which is best shown in  FIG. 1 . The rescue and/or containment portion  14  further includes a pliable netting portion  68  which is selectively and operatively disposed within, around, and/or upon one of the portions  12 ,  16 . The containment portion  14  will now be more fully described. 
   In one non-limiting embodiment of the invention, the first portion  12  comprises a first generally round and elongated firm member  50  and a second substantially identical round and elongated firm member  51 , which are parallel in relation to each other. The members  50 ,  51  may be substantially identical and are each respectively and abuttingly coupled to first and second substantially identical and arcuate and firm stiffening rib members  40 ,  41 , and are each further coupled to third and fourth substantially identical and arcuate stiffening rib members  42 ,  43 . 
   In one non-limiting embodiment of the invention, each of the members  42 ,  43  are coupled to the first generally round firm member  50  and receive, along respective side portions  54 , a unique opposed end of the second generally round firm member  51 . In this non-limiting embodiment of the invention, each stiffening rib member  42 ,  43  further and respectively includes a end  55  which protrudes past the portion where the members  42 ,  43  respectively receive member  51 , and each respective end  55  further includes a pair of substantially identical and generally rounded protruding flanges  23  which are parallel in relation to one another. Each pair of flanges  23  cooperatively forms a reception cavity  25  and each of the pair of flanges  23  has a circular opening  28 . Each opening  28  is axially aligned and adapted to frictionally and pivotally receive a connecting member such as pin  30 . In one non-limiting embodiment of the invention, the various members  50 ,  51 ,  40 ,  41 ,  42 , and  43  may be integrally coupled in order to cooperatively form the portion  12 . 
   Further, in the most preferred embodiment of the invention, a second portion  16  is operatively and pivotally coupled to the first portion  12 , and is selectively articulable from a first open position in which the second portion  16  is remote from the first portion to a second position in which the second portion and the first portion form a cavity  300  which is generally semi-cylindrical in cross-section. The second portion  16  will now be more fully described. Such coupling, as in perhaps best shown in  FIG. 2 , occurs by the use of member portions  55 . 
   Particularly, as shown, the second portion  16  comprises a third generally round and firm elongated member  90  which is abuttingly coupled to a pair of substantially identical arcuate end portions  85 ,  86 . Each of the respective end portions  21  of the members  85 ,  86  has a respective “through hole”  45 , and each such opening or “through hole”  45  is adapted to be communicatively coupled to and be axially aligned with a unique pair of openings  25  and operatively and frictionally receive a connector member such as pin  30 . In this manner, each end portion  21  is selectively and articulably coupled to a unique one of the members  42 ,  43  and resides within a unique one of the cavities  25 . Thus, the portion  16  is selectively movable and articulable in relation to the portion  12  (e.g., respectively and selectively moving in a direction perpendicular to the axis defined by respective connecting pin  30 ). 
   In the most preferred embodiment of the invention, a netting portion  68 , which is substantially “grid” shaped (i.e., the netting is composed of strips which intersect at right angles to form the portion  68 ) and which may selectively be weighted, is coupled to the members  51 ,  90  and rib members  85 ,  86 . The netting portion  68  may be formed from cloth, nylon, or substantially any other desired material and such coupling may be achieved by conventional fasteners. 
   It should be apparent that the cage portions  12 ,  16  cooperatively form a cavity  300  when the portion  16  is selectively articulated to a closed position. It should further be apparent that the previously described configuration (as shown in  FIGS. 1–4 ) is only the most preferred embodiment of the invention, and that the rescue and/or containment portion  14  may be formed in substantially any desired shape and may be formed of steel, aluminum, plastic or plastic compounds, and/or substantially any desired material. Additionally, in one non-limiting embodiment, an “eye” member  32  is deployed and/or is formed upon the portion  14 , and the eye member  32  is adapted to receive a hook member such as hook  145 . 
   Further, as earlier indicated, the rescue assembly  10  further includes, in one non-limiting embodiment, a hoist assembly  100 , which is deployed on the deck, floor, and/or other surface  200  of a “seagoing” or other type of selectively movable marine type assembly, which includes an upright support member  116  which is welded, bolted, and/or otherwise attached to or deployed on the surface  200 , a horizontal support member  118  which is coupled to or integrally formed with member  116 , a crank assembly  120  which is operatively (e.g., movably) coupled to member  116 , and, in one non-limiting embodiment of the invention, the containment portion  14  selectively and removably rests upon a “shoe” or storage/reception portion  122 . The support members  116  and  118  may be formed of “one piece” or welded and/or otherwise joined at junction  114 . In one non-limiting embodiment, a secondary support member  130  is added at a forty-five degree angle between support members  116 ,  118  in order to enhance the structural integrity of the combined members  116 ,  128 . In the most preferred embodiment of the invention, the member  116  is may be selectively and removably deployed into a “stand” member  190  which is bolted and/or otherwise permanently coupled to the floor or other surface of a selectively movable assembly. 
   In one non-limiting embodiment of the invention, the “shoe” or storage portion  122  is deployed a short distance from the support member  116  and beneath the support member  118  upon surface  200 . The storage portion  122  can be of substantially any configuration which is adapted to receive the containment portion  14 . In one non-limiting embodiment of the invention, the storage portion  122  is comprised of a base member  150  which resides upon and is connected to the surface  200 , and a support member  155  which is substantially “Y-shaped” in cross-section and which is coupled to the portion  150 . 
   Further, a crank mechanism  120 , as deployed on or within support member  16 , includes a winch assembly  124  and a cable  126 . The cable  126  is routed through the winch assembly  124  and through a ring or other routing member  140  deployed the bottom side  136  of support member  118 . The cable  126  also includes a hook member  145  which is on the end of cable  126  which is remote from the winch assembly  124 , and the hook member  145  is adapted to selectively and frictionally engage and be selectively received within the eye member  32 . It should be realized that substantially any winch assembly can be used in the rescue assembly  10 , including assemblies which are operated in a manual or an automatic fashion. It should be further realized that the support members be arranged in substantially any configuration which operatively allows the hoisting or lifting of the containment portion  14  from a first “stored” or non-operative position in which the containment portion  14  rests upon the support portion  122  to a second operative position in which the containment portion  14  is cooperatively supported by the support members  116 ,  118  and the crank mechanism  120 . It should be realized that nothing in this description is meant to limit the present invention to a particular type of hoist or winch assembly. It should further be realized that, in the most preferred embodiment of the invention, the member  116  is selectively removable from the stand member  190 , and therefore may be selectively stored and/or otherwise removed from the surface  200  when the assembly  10  is not in use. 
   In operation, as best shown in  FIG. 4 , when the rescue assembly is not in use, the rescue and/or “containment” portion  14  is in a first closed position, and rests upon the storage portion  122  (shown best in  FIG. 1 ). When a rescue of an individual or item, such as individual  400 ) becomes necessary, the hook  145  of the cable  126  is selectively coupled to the eye member  32  of the containment portion  14 , and the winch assembly  124  is activated in a first direction  900 , effective to “reel in” a portion of the cable  126 . When the cable  126  is “reeled in” in this manner, the hook member  145  exerts force in an upward direction (i.e., engages and lifts) the eye member  32  away from the surface  200 , effective to raise and/or lift the containment portion  14  off of and/or away from the storage portion  122 . The cable  126  is then “let out” by the activating the winch assembly  124  in a second, opposite direction  901 , effective to selectively and forcibly lower the containment portion  14  to an operative area (e.g., off the deck of a ship  500  and into the water  8 ). It should be apparent that by the coupling of the hook member  145  and the eye member  32 , the hoist assembly  10  is able to selectively exert or release force upon (i.e., lift/hoist or lower) the containment portion  14 . 
   Once the portion  14  has been deployed into the water or marine environment  8 , the containment portion  12  is selectively moved from the first closed position to the second operative and/or open position by manipulation by a boat hook or other type of manipulation implement  425  which is controlled by an individual  450 . That is, the implement  425  forces portion  12  away from portion  16  after the implement  425  is selectively inserted into the cavity  300 . Such pushing causes the ends  21  to move and/or pivot within the reception portion  25  and around pin  30  (in a direction which is perpendicular to direction  31 ), thereby allowing the portions  12 ,  16  to selectively separate. It should be apparent that this process may be selectively reversed, thereby resulting in the closing of the containment portion  14  and/or causing portions  12 ,  16  to selectively approach one another. The individual  450  may be resident within or upon the selectively movable assembly  500  in which the marine rescue assembly  10  is deployed, and/or may be resident within the water or marine environment  8 . The hook and/or other implement  425  (e.g., a long stick) is used by a rescuer and/or other individual  450  to manipulate (e.g., push, pull, drag, and/or otherwise maneuver) the portion  16  beneath and/or around the individual and/or item to be rescued  400 . 
   Once the portion  14  is deployed and/or selectively maneuvered into the desired position in the water or marine environment  8 , the individual to be rescued  400  is “scooped up” (without requiring the individual  400  to do anything) by the pliable netting portion  68 . The containment portion  14  is then selectively moved to the first closed position, by use of implement  425  (e.g., the portions  12 ,  16  are substantially closed). It should be realized that the netting portion  68  is effective to support the individual or item  400  within the cavity  300 , substantially preventing and/or prohibiting movement of the containment portion  14  during the rescue operation due to wind and/or water conditions. Finally, the winch assembly  124  is again moved in direction  900 , effective to “reel in” the cable  126  and cause the hook member  145  to engage and/or exert force upon the eye member  32 , effective to lift, hoist, and/or otherwise remove the containment portion  14  from the water or marine environment  8 , thereby rescuing the individual  400 . 
   It should be apparent that the firm nature and/or composition of the generally round firm members  50 ,  51 ,  90 , the stiffening ribs  40 – 43  and the end portions  85 ,  86 , and the semi-cylindrical shape of the containment portion  14  allow the containment portion  14  to be drawn smoothly, efficiently and quickly through a body of water, effective to make it easy to position the containment portion  14  for a rescue. It should further be apparent that while the firm, cage-like structure previously described provides stability and reduces error during a rescue operation, the pliable netting portion  68  is specifically adapted to “scoop up” the individual to be rescued, and when an individual is thus “scooped” into the containment portion  14 , the pliable netting portion is substantially deformed, thereby providing a soft and/or “cushy” portion on which the individual rests. Thus, the combined “firm portion”  12  with the substantially “pliable portion”  16  allows the containment portion  14  to be accurately deployed within the water  8  very close to the individual  400  to be rescued and that the selectively articulable nature of the containment portion  14  allows the individual  400  to be rescued in a safe and efficient manner. 
   It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the exact construction or embodiment which is delineated above, but that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and the scope of the inventions as are more fully delineated in the following claims.