Patent Publication Number: US-6042440-A

Title: Rescue tube with retractable shoulder strap

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The rescue tube is among the most used pieces of active/passive victim rescue equipment by aquatic professionals. It&#39;s versatility, ease of use, and softness have made it a popular choice in many waterparks in America. Several variations of the popular tube design can be used in different situations. 
     A typical rescue tube includes a floatation member, connected to a thick shoulder strap by several feet of strap material which allows a lifeguard to get the flotation member to an active victim struggling in the water even if that person is beyond the lifeguard&#39;s normal reach. The shoulder strap may be a loop of strap material that is large enough to fit around a lifeguard&#39;s head and one shoulder. 
     A problem with a typical rescue tube lies in the slack strap material that hangs from the member or flotation device when the lifeguard is watching swimmers. In the event of an emergency such as an active or passive victim drowning in the water, the lifeguard must be able to immediately leave the lifeguard stand or deck and jump into the water. The slack strap material can, and commonly does get caught on the lifeguard stand, or other surrounding objects, i.e., fences, chairs, rope bollards, etc., resulting in a painful hanging incident causing pain and a potential for severe damage to the lifeguard. A further result is the impedance of the lifeguard to aid the struggling person in the water. 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to allow a lifeguard to quickly and safely leave a lifeguard stand in the case of an emergency without risk of injury due to slack strap material being hung up on a lifeguard stand, or other surrounding objects. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The above-described needs and others are met by a water rescue device, which includes a flotation member, a shoulder strap, an extension strap which connects the flotation member and the shoulder strap, and a slack eliminator, which is connected to the extension material, and mechanically coils any slack extension strap between the flotation member and the shoulder strap. The slack eliminator may include a torsion spring, a reel, which takes up any slack extension strap under a force of the torsion spring, and a plastic housing, which contains the torsion spring and the take up reel. The torsion spring is formed of stainless steel. A selectively operable release lever may be included to allow the extension strap to be released against the force of the torsion spring. 
     An opening may be included on an outer surface of the flotation member, through which the extension strap is drawn from the slack eliminator, while the slack eliminator is held in a cavity within the floatation member. The flotation member may be made at least in part, of foam material, and surrounded in part by a vinyl coating. The flotation member may also include a joiner for one end of the flotation member with the opposite end. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 shows a water rescue device with a retractable shoulder strap according to a first embodiment of the invention. 
     FIG. 2 shows a water rescue device with a retractable shoulder strap according to a second embodiment of the invention. 
     FIG. 3 shows a water rescue device with a retractable shoulder strap according to either embodiment of the invention, with a cutaway showing the strap retracting mechanism. 
     FIG. 4 shows a close-up view of the strap retra mechanism, apart from the water rescue device. 
     FIG. 5 shows a water rescue device with a retractable shoulder strap according to either embodiment of the invention, with a cutaway showing the strap retracting mechanism and a protective tubing for the strap. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The above described needs are met by the water rescue device shown in FIGS. 1 to 3. FIG. 1 shows a water rescue device 10 according to the first embodiment of the invention. The water rescue device 10 includes a flotation member 11 which is tossed or otherwise extended to an active or passive victim in an emergency situation. The flotation member 11 is connected to a shoulder strap 12 by an extension strap 13. FIG. 2 shows a flotation member 11a that includes cut-outs 14 which allow a struggling swimmer to easily grip the flotation member 11a. The flotation member 11 is made, at least in part, of foam material. During a rescue, an active victim often will nervously grab at the flotation member 11. Furthermore, in rescue practices, the middle portion of the flotation device 11 is the area most likely to become worn out through repeated grabbing at this vulnerable area. Accordingly, the flotation member 11 in FIG. 1 is surrounded in part by a vinyl coating 15 which extends the life of the flotation member. 
     The flotation member 11 shown in FIG. 2 includes a reach assist loop 16 at an end of the flotation member 11 opposite that of the extension strap 13, which is held by the lifeguard when the victim is nearby. A joiner 18a, 18b may be included on the flotation member 11, shown in FIG. 1, and on the extension member 13, which brings one end of the flotation member 11 near the opposite end. When the joiner 18a, 18b is used, the flotation member 11 can be wrapped around the active/passive victim to ease in pulling them to safety. 
     A slack eliminator 18 is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The slack eliminator 18 includes a torsion spring 19 that is wound inside a plastic housing 20. The torsion spring 19 provides a force that mechanically coils any slack extension strap 13 existing between the flotation member 11 and the shoulder strap 12. The force of the torsion spring 19 acts on a reel 21, which in turn rotates to take up any slack extension strap 13. The torsion spring is formed of stainless steel. One or more cam levers 23 may be included inside the plastic housing 20 to hold the extension strap 13 at a desired extension length, against the force of the torsion spring 19. An opening 22 is provided on a surface of the flotation member 11, through which the extension strap 13 is drawn from the slack eliminator 18. 
     As shown in FIG. 5, the strap 13 may be guided and protected by a bilge tubing 24 which extends from the opening 22 through which the strap 13 extends, to the slack eliminator 18. A 3/4 inch bilge tubing 24 is used in a preferred embodiment of the invention, and housed within the cavity of the flotation member 11. 
     Having described an embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to any of the precise embodiments described herein. Various changes and modifications could be effected by one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.