Patent Publication Number: US-9415847-B2

Title: Man-overboard rescue and retrieval system

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to safety devices and, more particularly, to a system for rescuing and retrieving a person who has fallen overboard from a boat and that utilizes a launching device for propelling a net assembly to spread over an area of water where the person overboard is located. 
     Unfortunately, a person who falls overboard from a boat or ship often succumbs to drowning or frigid conditions before he can be rescued. There are five (5) steps to successfully recovering someone who has gone overboard: (1) Getting floatation to the victim (2) Locating and keeping the victim in sight; (3) Returning to the victim in order to render aid, (4) Connecting the victim to the boat; and (5) Recovering the victim into the boat. Unfortunately, more than half of all persons who fall overboard are not recovered alive. The biggest problem with making such a rescue is locating the victim and returning the boat in time to rescue the person. Unfortunately, the time required to attempt a rescue often takes more time than a victim has, thus ending in tragedy. 
     Various products have been proposed in the prior art to improve the ability and results of attempting to rescue and recover a victim who has fallen overboard from a boat. Although assumably effective for their intended purposes, the existing products and proposals do not provide a net assembly or a method of delivery that is likely to improve the chances of successfully rescuing and retrieving a person who has fallen overboard. For instance, a flotation device only covers the specific area of the float—so it only saves the victim if it can be positioned directly with the victim. Similarly, a rope (with or without a flotation device) is a line in the water, covering only the length of the rope and only in one direction or dimension. Further, traditional rescue devices can only rescue a single victim at a time, making for difficult decisions by first responders regarding which victim to rescue if there are multiple victims in the water. 
     Therefore, it would be desirable to have a man-overboard rescue and recovery system that provides a net assembly that can blanket a large area in which a man-overboard victim (or victims) is likely to be recovered. Further, it would be desirable to have a man-overboard rescue and recovery system that provides a launching device for propelling the net assembly into the immediate vicinity of the man-overboard victim. In addition, it would be desirable to have a net assembly that includes inflatable net spreader members that keep the net assembly from tangling or shrinking in size once in the water. Still further, it would be desirable to have a net assembly that includes net portions spaced apart so as not cover up the victim to be rescued. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A man-overboard rescue and retrieval system according to the present invention includes a net assembly having a pair of laterally spaced apart side ropes and a plurality of net portions, each net portion extending laterally between the side ropes and being spaced apart longitudinally from an adjacent net portion. The system includes a deployment capsule operatively defining an interior space configured to selectively receive the net assembly therein prior to deployment. A launching device includes a framework configured to receive the deployment member. A first compressed air canister is in fluid communication with the launching device and the deployment member is configured to apply force to the deployment member when actuated that is sufficient to propel the deployment member from the launching device, one end of the net being coupled to the boat such that the net can be reeled back in to make a rescue. Each net portion includes a net spreader connected to a second compressed air canister for selective inflation thereof so as to spread apart the side ropes and net portions. 
     In use, the net assembly is packed into the deployment member. When a person has fallen overboard and is in need of rescue, the launching device may be positioned in the direction of the victim. The deployment capsule is then propelled into the air with a burst of compressed air. As the deployment capsule extends away from the launching device, the net assembly is spread out and comes to rest on the water surface, one end of the net being coupled to the boat such that the net can be reeled back in later to make a rescue. The net spreader members are inflated by the flow of compressed air and are configured to keep side ropes of the net assembly urged outwardly so as to prevent the net portions from being bunched or tangled, thus expanding to its maximum coverage area. 
     Therefore, a general object of this invention is to provide a man-overboard rescue and recovery system having a net assembly that can be expeditiously launched behind a boat from which a person has gone overboard. 
     Another object of this invention is to provide a man-overboard rescue and recovery system, as aforesaid, in which the net assembly includes a plurality of net portions spaced apart longitudinally so as to be separated by areas void of netting. 
     Still another object of this invention is to provide a man-overboard rescue and recovery system, as aforesaid, in which each net portion of the net assembly includes an inflatable net spreader member configured to keep the net portion from becoming tangled or bunched up. 
     Yet another object of this invention is to provide a man-overboard rescue and recovery system, as aforesaid, in which the launching device utilizes high pressure compressed air to propel the deployment capsule into the air so that it reaches its maximum distance astern. 
     A further object of this invention is to provide a man-overboard rescue and recovery system, as aforesaid, that includes a length and width suitable to rescue multiple overboard persons simultaneously. 
     Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein is set forth by way of illustration and example, embodiments of this invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1 a    is a perspective view of a man-overboard rescue and recovery system illustrating an un-deployed configuration; 
         FIG. 1 b    is a perspective view of the rescue and recovery system as in  FIG. 1 a    illustrating a deployed configuration; 
         FIG. 2 a    is fragmentary perspective view on an enlarged scale of the rescue and recovery system as in  FIG. 1   b;    
         FIG. 2 b    is an isolated view on an enlarged scale taken from  FIG. 2   a;    
         FIG. 2 c    is a sectional view taken along line  2   c - 2   c  of  FIG. 2   a;    
         FIG. 2 d    is an isolated view on an enlarged scale taken from  FIG. 2   a;    
         FIG. 3 a    is a perspective view of a launching device and deployment member according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 3 b    is an isolated view on an enlarged scale taken from  FIG. 3   a;    
         FIG. 3 c    is an isolated view on an enlarged scale taken from  FIG. 3   a;    
         FIG. 3 d    is an isolated view on an enlarged scale taken from  FIG. 3   a;    
         FIG. 4 a    is a rear perspective view of a deployment capsule in position on a launching device at an un-deployed configuration; 
         FIG. 4 b    is a sectional view taken along line  4   b - 4   b  of  FIG. 4   a;    
         FIG. 4 c    is an isolated view on an enlarged scale taken from  FIG. 4   b;    
         FIG. 4 d    is an isolated view on an enlarged scale taken from  FIG. 4   b;    
         FIG. 5 a    is a perspective view of the deployment capsule removed from the launching device as in  FIG. 4   a;    
         FIG. 5 b    is an isolated view on an enlarged scale taken from  FIG. 5   a;    
         FIG. 5 c    is an isolated view on an enlarged scale taken from  FIG. 5   a;    
         FIG. 5 d    is an isolated view on an enlarged scale taken from  FIG. 5   a;    
         FIG. 5 e    is an isolated view on an enlarged scale taken from  FIG. 5   a;    
         FIG. 5 f    is an isolated view on an enlarged scale taken from  FIG. 5   a;    
         FIG. 6 a    is a rear view of the deployment capsule packed with the net assembly in an un-deployed configuration according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 6 b    is a sectional view taken along line  6   b - 6   b  of  FIG. 6   a;    
         FIG. 6 c    is a perspective view of a monitoring device according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 6 d    is a perspective view of a winch assembly according to the present invention; and 
         FIG. 7  is a block diagram illustrating a monitoring device and an emergency base station device. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     A system for recovering a person who has fallen overboard from a boat according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to  FIGS. 1 a    to  7  of the accompanying drawings. The man-overboard rescue and recovery system  10  includes a net assembly  20 , a deployment member  40 , and a launching device  60  configured to receive the deployment capsule  42  and to selectively propel the deployment capsule  42  away from the launching device  60 . When deployed, the net assembly  20  is spread out on the water&#39;s surface so that the person having fallen overboard may be pulled to safety. 
     The net assembly  20  includes several components that enable it to spread out effectively on a body of water, minimize it from becoming tangled, and to prevent it from contributing to the danger of drowning faced by the person who has fallen overboard. Specifically, the net assembly  20  includes a pair of side ropes  22  that constitute lateral borders of the net assembly  20 . Preferably, each side rope  22  includes a first end  24  and an opposed second end  26 , each side rope  22  having an elongate and generally linear configuration. When deployed, the side ropes  22  are substantially parallel to one another. Preferably, the netting rope is constructed of a material that floats, such as polypropylene. It is understood that the first ends  24  of the side ropes  22  are operatively coupled to the boat such that the net can be reeled back in later to make a rescue. 
     Each one of the plurality of net portions  30  extends laterally between the opposed side ropes  22  ( FIG. 2 a   ). Each net portion  30  includes a lattice of netting. In an embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 a   , a net portion  30  includes four (4) rows of net squares and 33 columns of net squares although variations of the number of net squares would also work. Each one of the plurality of net portions  30  are spaced apart longitudinally from a next adjacent net portion  30 . In other words, the net assembly  20  defines a void  32  between each net portion  30  ( FIG. 1 b   ). Each void  32  presents a larger geometric area (i.e. square footage) than each adjacent net portion  30 . It is critical that the geometric pattern of net portions and voids be this way so that a person overboard is not covered or pinned down by the netting while being rescued. In other words, a person being rescued has the ability to grasp a nearby net portion  30  while himself floating in a void  32  where there is no net portion  30 . In addition, it is assumed that a boat deploying the net assembly  20  will still be moving forward so that a net portion  30  will intercept a person who is at first positioned in a larger void  32 . 
     The net assembly  20  includes a plurality of net spreader members  34 . One net spreader member  34  is associated with each net portion  30 . A respective net spreader member  34  includes opposed ends, each opposed end being coupled to respective opposed side ropes  22  ( FIG. 2 a   ) such that the net spreader member  34  extends therebetween. In an embodiment, each net spreader member  34  has a flexible, resilient, and tubular configuration ( FIG. 2 c   ) that is movable between an inflated configuration that pushes outwardly against respective side ropes  22  and a substantially deflated configuration that allows the side ropes  22  to drift or move toward one another. A net spreader member  34  is coupled to a leading edge of a net portion  30  ( FIG. 2 a   ). 
     Each net spreader member  34  is in fluid communication with a compressed air canister  36 , such as with a hose  38 , such that a respective net spreader member  34  is inflated when the compressed air canister  36  is actuated to deliver high pressure compressed air to the net spread member  34 . The hose  38  may be coupled to or situated adjacent to the opposed side ropes  22  ( FIG. 2 b   ), the compressed air canister  36  being situated remote from the net spreader member  34  that it inflates. The compressed air canister configured to selectively inflate the plurality of net spreader member  34  may also be referred to as a second compressed air canister  36 . 
     In an embodiment, the second compressed air canister  36  is a single CO 2  canister in that such a canister provides a much larger volume of gas than a similar canister of air. This is contrasted with the preference to use a canister of air for launching the deployment member  40  in that compressed air provides superior pressure. Inflation of the plurality of net spreader members  34  may be initiated manually such as by an attendant responsible for actuating deployment or may be initiated automatically. In various embodiments, automatic deployment may be accomplished by a predetermined delay of activation of the second compressed air canister  36  so as to give the net assembly  20  time to be spread out on a water surface or may be as the result of moisture sensors that detect when the net spreader members  34  have made contact with the water. 
     In one embodiment, the deployment member  40  may be a deployment capsule  42 . More particularly, the deployment capsule  42  includes a housing  44  having a continuous side wall  46 , giving the housing  44  a generally cylindrical configuration and defining an interior space. The housing  44  may include a nose cone  48  at an upper end of the side wall  46  having a rounded or hemispherical configuration. A plurality of aerodynamic spaced apart fins  50  may be coupled to the side wall  46  and extend outwardly, the configuration of the side wall  46 , nose cone  48 , and fins  50  enhance flight of the deployment capsule  42  when propelled from the launching device  60 . 
     The deployment member  40  is configured to receive the net assembly  20  therein, such as in a prepackaged state. Specifically, the net assembly  20  may be compressed into a relatively small volume of space when the plurality of net spreader members  34  is deflated. The net assembly  20  is packed into the interior space of the deployment capsule  42 , such as at the point of manufacturing ( FIG. 6 b   ). The housing  44  defines an open lower end that is selectively covered by an end cap  52  in a manner that releases the net assembly  20  when the deployment capsule  42  is discharged and propelled away from the launching device  60 . The end cap  52  defines an aperture  54  through which a mounting segment  28  of the first ends  24  of respective side ropes  22  extend as well as through which the hose  38  to the second compressed air canister  36  extends. The mounting segment  28  may be coupled to a net attachment ring  29 , which in turn, may be coupled to a fixed object, such as a boat, to the launching device  60 , or a mounting member. Therefore, when the deployment capsule  42  is propelled away from the launching device  60 , the side ropes  22 , being coupled to the attachment ring  29  are pulled out of the capsule  42  and the entire net assembly  20  is incrementally spread out over a water surface. 
     In an embodiment, the deployment member  40  may be a weight or projectile operatively coupled to respective first ends of the side ropes  22  (not shown). The projectile may a javelin, a rocket, a drone, or the like. The projectile would be operatively coupled to the first ends  24  of respective side ropes  22 , such as via the mounting segment  28 , and spread the net assembly  20  out across a water surface when the projectile is propelled or launched from the launching device  60 . 
     The launching device  60  includes a framework  62  configured to receive and support the deployment capsule  42 . The deployment capsule  42  is in fluid communication with a first compressed air canister  64  situated adjacent the framework  62  of the launching device  60  ( FIGS. 3 a  and 3 b   ). The first compressed air canister  64  is configured to deliver a burst of compressed air against the deployment capsule  42  so as to propel the deployment capsule  42  away from the framework  62  of the launching device  60 . 
     More particularly, the launching device  60  includes a pair of launch rails  66  coupled to the framework  62  and extending outwardly therefrom ( FIGS. 2 d  and 3 a   ). The launch rails  66  are generally hollow or include channels extending therethrough. Distal ends  68  of the launch rails  66  have an open configuration ( FIG. 4 c   ). The framework  62  defines channels  67  through which compressed air from the first compressed air canister  64  flow into respective launch rails  66  ( FIGS. 4 b  and 4 d   ). The deployment capsule  42  includes a pair of launch tubes  56  coupled to opposed sides of the side wall  46  of the housing  44 . Each launch tube  56  defines an open lower end  57  ( FIG. 5 a   ) and a closed upper end  58  ( FIG. 4 c   ) and defines a hollow interior area. Accordingly, the lower ends  57  of respective launch tubes are configured to receive respective distal ends  68  of respective launch rails  66  such that respective launch rails  66  are received into the interior area of respective launch tubes  56 . 
     The first compressed air canister  64  is configured to deliver or push a burst of high pressure air through a hose or conduit  69  and into respective launch rails  66  when actuated. It is understood that the burst of high pressure air is sufficient to propel respective launch tubes  56  outwardly and away from the launch rails  66 . Operatively, this action forcefully propels the entire deployment capsule  42  into the air and away from the launching device  60 . 
     In another embodiment (not shown), the launching device  60  may include means other than compressed air to propel the deployment capsule  42  into the air, such as a chemical reaction that initiates a controlled explosion, in the manner of air bags or of firing of a bullet. In other words, chemical energy is turned into mechanical energy to initiate a controlled explosion sufficient to propel the launching device  60 . Other means for propelling the deployment capsule  42  are also contemplated and considered equivalent to the air canister method described above. 
     The launching device  60  may be actuated manually to deploy the deployment capsule  42 , such as with a launch switch situated on the launching device  60  (not shown) or on the first compressed air canister  64 . Actuation may also be accomplished by remote control, either by a boat operator, an attendant, or even by the person having fallen overboard. In an embodiment, the rescue and retrieval system  10  may include a monitoring device  70  that may be worn or carried by every passenger on a boat and which can be used to either manually or automatically actuate the launching device. 
     More particularly, the monitoring device  70  may include a case  71  defining an interior area that is sealed and watertight and includes various electronic components ( FIG. 6 c   ). The monitoring device  70  may include a processor  72 , a battery  74 , a manual input  76 , and a transmitter  78  ( FIG. 7 ). It is understood that electrical circuitry may be utilized instead of a processor  72 . If a processor  72  is utilized, it may execute programming instructions stored in a memory module (not shown) as is known in the art. In any case, the processor  72  is configured to actuate the transmitter  78  to send an emergency signal if the manual input  76  is manipulated. This corresponds to a person who has fallen overboard pressing the input button. In an embodiment, the monitoring device  70  may also include a moisture sensor  80  configured to detect if the monitoring device  70  has been submerged in water—which would be indicative of a person having fallen overboard. The processor  72  is configured to actuate the transmitter  78  to send an emergency signal if the moisture sensor  80  detects the aforesaid condition. 
     In an embodiment, the monitoring device  70  may also include a global positioning satellite module  82  configured to determine precise geographic coordinates of the monitoring device  70 . The processor  72  may be configured to activate the transmitter  78  to send the most recent geographic coordinates with the emergency signal, whether the signal was sent manually or by activation of the moisture sensor  80 . 
     The monitoring device  70  may include an emergency base device  84  having a processor  86 , a receiver  88 , and powered by a battery  87 . The receiver  88  is configured to receive an emergency signal indicative that a person has fallen overboard and needs to be rescued. The processor  86  may be in electrical communication with the launching device  60  and configured to actuate deployment immediately upon receiving the emergency signal. In an embodiment where GPS coordinates are included with the emergency signal, the emergency base device  84  may include a display  89  that publishes the coordinates so that an attendant can adjust the position of the launching device  60  before actuating deployment of the deployment capsule  42  as described above. In another embodiment, structures may be included whereby the position of the launching device  60  is automatically adjusted based on the geographic coordinates and then the launching device  60  is actuated for deployment. 
     The man-overboard rescue and retrieval system  10  may include a winch assembly  90  for retrieving the net assembly  20  after it has been deployed onto the water ( FIG. 6 d   ). The winch assembly  90  may include a spool that is rotatably coupled to a base and configured to receive the net assembly  20  as the spool is rotated. Preferably, the winch assembly is electrically powered in that the net assembly  20  may be heavy when wet. It is understood that the plurality of net spreader members  34  should be in the deflated configuration when reeling in the net assembly  20 . 
     In use, the man-overboard rescue and retrieval system  10  may be used in conjunction with a boat  12 , on a beach, or any other location where rescuing one or more persons in peril of drowning is a risk. The launching device  60  may be mounted to the deck of a boat  12  and the net assembly  20  may be prepackaged inside the deployment capsule  42 . The launch tubes  56  of the deployment capsule  42  may be received onto the launch rails  66  of the launching device  60  such that the net assembly  20  is ready to be deployed when actuated. If a person on the boat falls overboard, the first compressed air canister  64  may be manually actuated and, in doing so, a burst of high pressure air is delivered into the launch rails  66  so as to propel the deployment capsule  42  into the air as described above. As the deployment capsule  42  travels away from the launching device  60 , the end cap  52  is dislodged and the net assembly  20  is pulled out of the interior area of the deployment capsule  42 . When the net assembly  20  hits the water, the net spreader members  34  are inflated by operation of the second compressed air canister  36  so as to spread apart the side ropes  22  and keep the net portions  30  from bunching or tangling. Once deployed and inflated, the opportunity to rescue a person-overboard is enhanced. 
     It is understood that while certain forms of this invention have been illustrated and described, it is not limited thereto except insofar as such limitations are included in the following claims and allowable functional equivalents thereof.