Abstract:
An automatic inflation system for a life jacket which works with an “off the shelf” inflation system (E), comprising an electronic depth sensor ( 100 ) configured to activate at a preset depth programmable by the user, opening an internal valve to release water from a stored water reservoir which enters the “off the shelf” inflation system (E), firing the gas cylinder (B) and inflating the life jacket (D).

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0001]    Embodiments of the present invention relate to life jackets for marine applications. More particularly, the embodiments relate to auto-inflation systems for life jackets. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Current self activated life jacket systems are activated by contact with water. Water enters a spring loaded device and weakens a paper-type holding mechanism, thereby allowing the spring to “fire” a pin to strike a gas canister such that the gas inflates the life jacket. 
         [0003]    Unfortunately, the present systems may inflate when a user is standing on the deck of a ship during heavy rain. Additionally, the system will inflate immediately if a user enters the water. This may be undesirable, as the user may be in no immediate danger of drowning. Once activated, the system must be replaced, which greatly increases the cost of the system if the activation was unnecessary. 
         [0004]    It would therefore be a great improvement in the art if a system could be developed which addresses one or more of the above mentioned problems. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    Embodiments of the present invention allow the wearer of the device to be submerged underwater without triggering the device and inflating a life jacket. The device will only trigger at a depth preset either by the user or manufacturer. The device is configured to turn on when it detects the presence of water. The depth settings may be done electronically. Depth sensing may be performed by a sensor. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    Embodiments of the invention will be better understood and readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from the following written description, by way of example only, and in conjunction with the drawings, in which: 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a life jacket auto-inflation system according to the present invention; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of some key components of the life jacket auto-inflation system of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a portion of the system showing some possible electronic components of the life jacket auto-inflation system of  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a portion of the life jacket auto-inflation system of  FIGS. 1-3 ; 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a portion of the life jacket auto-inflation system of  FIGS. 1-4 ; 
           [0012]      FIGS. 6A-6D  illustrate various plan views of the life jacket auto-inflation system of  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; and 
           [0013]      FIG. 7  illustrates a PCB that may be used in one embodiment of a sensor that may be used with the life jacket auto-inflation system of  FIGS. 1-6 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0014]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a life jacket auto-inflation system  100  according to the present invention.  FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of some key components of the life jacket auto-inflation system  100  of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a portion of the system  100  showing some possible electronic components of the life jacket auto-inflation system  100  of  FIGS. 1 and 2 .  FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a portion of the life jacket auto-inflation system  100  of  FIGS. 1-3 .  FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a portion of the life jacket auto-inflation system  100  of  FIGS. 1-4 .  FIGS. 6A-6D  illustrate various plan views of the life jacket auto-inflation system  100  of  FIGS. 1 and 2 .  FIG. 7  illustrates a PCB  122  which may form part of one embodiment of a sensor  120  that may be used with the life jacket auto-inflation system  100  of  FIGS. 1-3 . 
         [0015]    With reference to  FIGS. 1-7 , the system  100  includes a housing A for the system  100 . Component “B” of the system  100  is a CO2 Cylinder which is used to inflate the life jacket “D”. A Mounting bolt “C” provides an inflation orifice to the life jacket “D”. A water sensing cartridge “E” is connected to the housing “A” and mounting bolt “D”. In one embodiment, the sensing cartridge “E” may be a United Moulders Limited Mk5 Water Sensing Cartridge (Disposable). It is understood that other types of water sensing cartridges may also be used. An inflator body “G” may be connected to the mounting bolt “C”. In addition, the system  100  may include an adapter “F” connected to the housing “A” which provides a connection between the water sensing cartridge “E” and the inflator body “G”. 
         [0016]    As best shown in  FIGS. 2 and 4 , the housing “A” may be formed from an injection moulded PC/ABS plastic housing  1 . The housing may have an activating module “i”, a Stored water reservoir “ii”, an Encapsulated PCB “iii”, a Pressure Sensor “iv”, a display and LED indicator “v”, one or more programming probes “vi”, and a battery compartment “vii”. In addition, the system  100  may include a rear cap  2  which may function as a battery compartment cover, an Adaptor body  3  which provides for Mounting the housing “A” to the water sensing cartridge “E”. The system  100  may also include an Extension Striker  4  which may be used to translate the striking force from the Sensing Cartridge “E” to the inflator body “G”). A locking latch  5  may be used to attach the adapter body  3  to the housing “A”. The system  100  may also have a mating area  6  adapted to receive the water sensing cartridge “E”. An activating mechanism compartment  7  may be provided in the housing “A”. 
         [0017]    A plunger  8  may be used to pressure a stored water reservoir using a spring  9 . In some embodiments, the spring  9  may be a 40 mm long spring providing stored energy to ‘shoot’ the water into the Water Sensing Cartridge “E”. It is understood that other sizes of spring may also be used. A grub screw  10  may be used to lock the spring  9  in place. A screw plate  11  may be used to prevent unauthorised access to the grub screw  10 . 
         [0018]    In operation, the system  100  covers the entrance of the current off the shelf self activating life jacket device “E”, thus preventing water from entering and triggering unintentional inflation of the life jacket “D”. On entering the water, the depth sensor turns on via, for example, the hydrostatic sensor iv. The depth sensor then monitors the water pressure affecting the system  100 . When the depth sensor detects, for example, a preset underwater pressure, the system  100  electrically activates an internal valve  19  to release water from the stored reservoir  24  into the off the shelf activating device “E” along a flow path  20 ,  21 . The water then weakens a paper type holding mechanism (not shown) in the activating device “E”, thereby allowing a spring (not shown) within the striker device  4  to “fire” a pin to strike the gas canister “B”. The gas canister “B” then releases the gas to inflate the life jacket “D”. 
         [0019]    As best shown in  FIG. 3 , various electronic components may be accessible from the housing “A”. By way of example and not limitation, the electronic components may include a ground probe  12 . The Ground Probe  12  may be activated when pressed by fingers of the user during a firmware programming mode. A display  13 / 14  may be provided. The display  13  may be used to show a Firmware status of the system  100 , various programming modes, error codes, depth, etc. An LED indicator  15  may also be provided to show the Firmware status, alarms, warnings, etc. A pressure sensor orifice  16  may be provided in the housing “A”. Water contacts with the pressure sensor via this orifice  16 . A first select probe  17  may be provided to allow a user to toggle, select and set various firmware modes. An additional select probe  18  may also be provided. 
       Programming 
       [0020]    The activation depth of the system  100  can be preset when the batteries are loaded and/or by a sequence setting on the programming probe. For example, the activation depth of the system  100  may be preset when the batteries are loaded using, for example, a sequence of finger strokes on the programming probes  17 ,  18 . The probes  17 ,  18  may be activated, for example, when the batteries are loaded. The probes  17 ,  18  will begin to sense for static electricity associated with finger contact which, in a sequence which may be programmed into the firmware, sets the device  100  into programming mode, pressure sensing mode and/or depth setting mode. 
         [0021]    As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , when the preset pressure is met ( 36 ), the electronic firmware sends a signal to a valve  19 . In some embodiments, the valve  19  may be a LEE COMPANY-LHD Valve Plug in Manifold. It is understood that other types of valves may also be used. The valve  19  ‘opens’ and allows the stored water in a reservoir  25  to shoot via a channel  21  to  20  into the Water Sensing Cartridge “E” thereby activating the sensing cartridge “E” and inflating the life jacket “D”. 
         [0022]    In some embodiments, the stored water in the reservoir  25  may be pressurized by a rubber bung  24  which is in-turn pushed by a plunger  22  and compressed spring  23 . The spring  23  may be held in place by the plunger  22  on one end and the grub screw  21  on the other end. This mechanism is the basis for the ‘shooting’ of the water jet through the channels  20 ,  21 . 
       Post-Activation 
       [0023]    After the system  100  is activated, the stored water reservoir is reduced  26  due to the water ‘shooting’ out via path  20  and  21 . The spring  23  is relaxed and no longer in the compressed position. The plunger  22 , rubber bung  24  have moved towards the valve  19 . 
         [0024]    An Encapsulated PCB  38  may be provided to hold all electronic components. A buzzer  32  may be provided to sound an alarm when the system  100  is activated. One or more batteries  33  may be provided. It is understood that various types and voltages of batteries  33  may be used. A 7 segment display  34  may be provided to show the depth of activation after activation has commenced. An LED indicator  35  may show red until the system  100  is reset. 
         [0025]    The system  100  can be preset for depths of up to, by way of example and not limitation, 10 meters under water, without triggering inflation of the life jacket “D”. It is understood that other depth limits may also be used. in further embodiments, the system  100  may be set such that a depth must be reached for a period of time before the system  100  activates. In alternate embodiments, the system  100  may also be mounted on boats activating a larger floatation device to prevent a boat from sinking further. 
         [0026]    When loaded with batteries, the system  100  will begin pressure sensing once in contact with water. As the user goes deeper underwater, the sensor records and compares the current pressure with the pre-programmed set pressure. On reaching/matching the pre-programmed set pressure, the firmware will ‘Open” the valve  19 . With the stored water reservoir being ‘pressured’ by a spring the water will ‘shoot’ out when the valve  19  opens. The water travels through the channel  20 ,  21  and into the activating device, which in-turn “fires” the gas canister “B” to inflate the life jacket “D”. 
         [0027]    It will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the present invention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive.