Patent Description:
As shown in <FIG>, traditional inflation systems <NUM> are mounted directly onto the lifejacket <NUM> such that the inflation system <NUM>, which consists of a compressed gas cylinder <NUM> and an activation mechanism <NUM>, is mounted directly onto the inflatable structure (bladder) <NUM> and the gas enters the inflatable structure through a valve <NUM> (typically a Schrader valve), as shown in <FIG>. The inflation system <NUM> can be activated manually (by pulling on a lever <NUM>) or automatically by a water activated device <NUM> acting on a piercing pin <NUM>.

The inflation system <NUM> is typically many times the weight of the bladder <NUM> and cover, and is bulky and hard. In a lifejacket <NUM>, for example worn by a pilot or aircrew, the inflation system is included in the cover that containers the bladder <NUM>. The additional weight and bulk of the inflation system <NUM> is a hindrance to the wearer as the position of the lifejacket <NUM> on the chest, as shown in <FIG>, interferes with the many other items of equipment worn in this area and also with a harness system if worn. Additionally, the weight of the inflation system <NUM> in that position on the chest, when the pilot is experiencing acceleration, is increased which may further interfere with the pilot's breathing etc..

Additionally the inflation system, because it is hard and heavy, causes wear of the relatively delicate bladder system.

When the wearer is wearing bulky and buoyant clothing or an immersion garment it is possible that the inflation system <NUM>, when it is mounted on the wearer, will remain above the water as shown in <FIG>, and not activate which could lead to the wearer drowning.

<CIT> discloses a "fashionable" life saving device in the form of e.g. shorts to disguise inflatable chambers, a gas canister and safety devices including a manual inflation tube. When inflated, the chambers move and rest under the user's arms, but are attached to his waist or the lower part of his body.

<CIT> to a marine work and survival suit comprising a garment including a multi-layer fabric that covers all of the person's body and his/her upper and lower extremities, passive flotation elements and complementary thermal protection and flotation means that are automatically activated in man overboard (MOB) situations. The complementary flotation means comprise at least one complementary flotation volume, a compressed gas cartridge for inflating the complementary flotation volume through a flexible tube and a pyrotechnic device for blasting the gas cartridge. The pyrotechnic device is activated using electronic means comprising an electronic circuit board for controlling the suit, power supply batteries, at least two pairs of pressure sensors, and at least two pairs of conductivity sensors distributed on the surface of the suit.

Another example of such a know life saving device is disclosed in <CIT>.

As shown in <FIG>, a conventional lifejacket uses a single layer of material <NUM> that consists of a textile supporting sheet <NUM> (for example nylon or polyester) coated or laminated on the inside with a sheet <NUM> of flexible, air impermeable polymer such as neoprene or polyurethane. The coated two-layer material is typically stiff because of the relative thickness of the material and it is typically joined at its edges by welding or gluing the material together to form a seam <NUM>. The resistance of the bladder to bursting from over pressure is dependent on the strength of the weld in peel and the strength of the welded or glued seam <NUM> is only as strong as the bonding of the polymer layer <NUM> to the supporting textile <NUM>. Furthermore, when the outer textile <NUM> is coated with the polymer <NUM> its tear strength is greatly reduced and therefore a stronger and thicker textile must be used.

Known lifejackets are provided with automatic inflators which are triggered automatically on contact with water. The inflator releases compressed gas from a cylinder in order to inflate the bladder of the lifejacket and provide buoyancy for the wearer.

It can be advantageous to disable the automatic inflator in certain situations when there is a risk that the inflators will be exposed to moisture or water but when it would be undesirable for the lifejacket to inflate. Special forces for example may wish to disable automatic inflation during covert operation or when swimming, but at other times will wish to have the automatic inflation facility activated - such as when boarding a vessel.

Known arrangements provide a cap or plug that seals off an automatic inflator by preventing water entering a chamber. Such known arrangements have the disadvantage of requiring an additional, separate part, which can be fiddly to operate and difficult to fit.

Typically covers for inflatable lifejackets are designed by making an outer cover from stitched or welded panels of a textile that are shaped to conform to the overall shape of the bladder when it is deflated. The cover is closed over the bladder by a zipper or Velcro® or press studs etc. built into the cover such that when the bladder is filled with gas from the inflation system the pressure of the gas inside the cover will open the zipper or Velcro or press studs and allow the bladder to expand outwards. Such arrangements are liable to damage and wear and are expensive to manufacture.

The embodiments of the present invention seek to address one or more disadvantages of these known aspects of survival systems.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a personal survival system as defined in claim <NUM>. Optional features are specified in the dependent claims.

The mounting system may comprise a fabric support or rigid frame or a garment.

The inflation system may be mounted at a position that is more likely to be fully immersed in water in an emergency than the inflatable chamber, such as at or near the waist.

The inflatable chamber may be configured to be mounted on the upper body of the wearer - such as the shoulders, neck and/or chest. The chamber may have a horse-shoe shape for fitting around the back of wearer's neck and resting against the wearer's chest.

Two or more inflatable chambers may be provided.

The inflation system may comprise a compressed gas container and/or an activation mechanism for triggering inflation.

For a better understanding of the present invention embodiments will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:.

In the drawings, like elements are generally designated with the same reference sign.

In this arrangement a lifejacket, as shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, or small single seat liferaft is modified such that, instead of the inflation system being directly mounted onto the buoyancy-providing bladder as described above in relation to <FIG>, it is remote from the bladder and connected to it by a flexible tube through which the compressed gas can pass from the inflation system into the bladder.

The inflation system <NUM> include a compressed gas cylinder <NUM> and an activation mechanism <NUM>, similar to the known arrangement. When activated, compressed gas from the cylinder <NUM> passes through a valve <NUM> into a flexible tube <NUM> from where it is passed to the bladder <NUM> in order to inflate the bladder <NUM>. The inflation system can be activated manually, in accordance with the invention, (by pulling on the lever <NUM>) or automatically by a water activated device <NUM>.

In the drawings of this arrangement two inflators <NUM> are shown. However, there may be one inflator or more than two inflators. The inflator or inflators <NUM> may be mounted in a pocket that is attached to a harness, belt or jacket/vest of the wearer. The pocket is indicated by dashed lines <NUM> in the drawings.

The arrangement allows the heavy, bulky and hard inflation system <NUM> to be mounted onto the wearer in a position that is better for the wearer and causes less obstruction and interference to the wearer's memorability and comfort.

The wear on the bladder <NUM> may be greatly reduced by having the inflation system <NUM> remote to the bladder <NUM>.

<FIG> show in more detail how the inflation system <NUM> is connected to the bladder <NUM>.

When the inflation system <NUM> is activated (either manually or automatically), compressed gas from the cylinder <NUM> is released by movement of the piercing pin <NUM>. The compressed gas flows via the valve <NUM> along the tube <NUM> and enters the bladder <NUM> of the lifejacket <NUM> via a connector <NUM>. Gas causes the bladder to inflate from the generally deflated state as shown in <FIG>, as indicated by arrows <NUM>, into the inflated state, as shown in <FIG>, to fill the lifejacket <NUM> body and provide buoyancy for the wearer.

Another benefit is that inflation systems <NUM> need to be regularly checked and serviced as they contain pressurised gas and this process normally requires the lifejacket <NUM> to be unpacked and the inflation system <NUM> removed for servicing. By using this arrangement, the inflation system <NUM> can be easily detached for inspection and servicing without the need tom unpack the bladder <NUM>.

A further benefit of the remote inflation system <NUM> is that it can be mounted in a position whereby the (automatic) water activation part <NUM> of the inflation system <NUM> can be positioned lower on the wearer's body, as shown in <FIG>, so that it ensures it will be fully immersed when the wearer falls into the water. This should be contrasted with the known arrangement described above in relation to <FIG>. The inflation system may, e.g., be mounted at or near the waist of the wearer.

The lifejacket bladder <NUM> may be contained in a cover and/or is incorporated into a survival vest or harness or ballistic protection vest or garment. The remote inflation system <NUM> may be either housed in a pocket on the garment or is contained in its own packet that can be attached to the vest or garment in a suitable position.

The bladder <NUM> (and lifejacket <NUM>) may remain in substantially the same position before and after inflation. The bladder <NUM> (and lifejacket <NUM>) located on the body of the wearer by any suitable means, such as by being shaped to pass around the neck of the wearer and/or having a chest strap. Bladder <NUM> (and lifejacket <NUM>) are mounted in deployment position prior to inflation (rather than being moved position by as a result of inflation). This may allow better (semi-permanent) location of the bladder <NUM> (and lifejacket <NUM>) and provide more rapid deployment. The bladder <NUM> (and lifejacket <NUM>) may be located by a rigid or partially rigid frame so that they remain in substantially the same position before and after inflation.

<FIG> and <FIG> show an alternative arrangement of an inflation system. In this arrangement the inflation system <NUM> includes a compressed gas cylinder <NUM> and an activation mechanism <NUM>, similar to the known arrangement. When activated, compressed gas from the cylinder <NUM> passes into a tube <NUM> from where it is passed to the bladder <NUM> in order to inflate the bladder <NUM>. The inflation system is activated manually by pulling on the lever <NUM>, which moves spring-loaded piercer <NUM> to pierce a membrane of the gas cylinder <NUM> to release the gas.

An indicator clip <NUM> provides a visual indication of whether the inflation system <NUM> has been used. A connector <NUM> for a further tube for transfer is optionally provided.

The activation mechanism <NUM> is provided in a housing <NUM>, shown in more detail in <FIG>. The housing <NUM> has a top surface <NUM> with a first opening 22A to receive the gas cylinder <NUM> and a second opening 22B to receive the tube <NUM>. The bottom surface <NUM> has a recess <NUM> formed therein that extends into at least one sidewall. The recess accommodates the moveable lever <NUM>. A rear surface of the housing <NUM> is fixed to a mounting plate <NUM>.

<FIG> shows an adaptor housing <NUM> so that a COTS (commercial off the shelf) inflation mechanism (manual or automatic/water-activated) can be adapted using this adaptor housing <NUM> so that the gas flow is directed from the gas cylinder <NUM> into the flexible tube <NUM> (rather than conventionally going through a "D Post" into a bladder). <FIG> show in more detail the adaptor <NUM> and <FIG> show shows in more detail the cap nut <NUM>. The outlet <NUM> of the adaptor <NUM> is connected to the tube <NUM> receives gas from the gas cylinder <NUM> via the adapter housing inlet <NUM>.

<FIG> shows an alternative adaptor housing <NUM> so that a COTS (commercial off the shelf) inflation mechanism (manual or automatic/water-activated) can be adapted using this adaptor housing <NUM> so that the gas flow is directed from the gas cylinder <NUM> into the flexible tube <NUM>. <FIG> show in more detail the "banjo" adaptor <NUM> and <FIG> show shows in more detail a D-post <NUM>. The outlet <NUM> of the adaptor <NUM> is connected to the tube <NUM> receives gas from the gas cylinder <NUM> via the adapter housing inlet <NUM> and the D-post <NUM> that passes though the "banjo" adaptor <NUM> and into the adaptor housing <NUM>. As shown in <FIG> rear surface of the housing <NUM> is fixed to a mounting plate <NUM>. The mounting plate <NUM> may include a recess <NUM> for accommodating the D-post <NUM> and the "banjo" adaptor <NUM>, which recess also includes an opening through which the tube <NUM> passes.

<FIG> shows an inlet port <NUM> that fits onto the bladder <NUM> and to which the gas hose <NUM> is fitted. There is a small one-way check valve <NUM> fitted inside the flange <NUM> (to prevent back flow out of the bladder <NUM> if the tube <NUM> becomes detached or is punctured). The flange <NUM> may be coupled to the surface of the bladder <NUM> so as to provide a fluid tight connection between the tube <NUM> and the bladder <NUM>.

This arrangement may use the inflation system of the second arrangement, below, and may additionally or alternatively house the inflation system in sealable chamber as described in relation to the third arrangement, below.

In this arrangement, which is not the subject-matter of the claims, instead of using a single layer of material that consists of a textile supporting sheet (for example nylon or polyester) coated or laminated on the inside with a sheet of flexible air impermeable polymer such as neoprene or polyurethane as described above with reference to <FIG>, the two separate layers are provided (i.e. a textile outer layer and the separate inner polymer layer).

The use of two separate layers to make a bladder, results in a bladder construction that is lighter, more compact when packed and stronger.

As shown in <FIG>, a textile outer layer <NUM> (for example nylon or polyester) may be formed of two sheets of material that are stitched together. An upper sheet of material 53A has an outer surface 57A and an inner surface 57B. The lower sheet of material 53B has an outer surface 58A and an inner surface 58B. The sheets 53A and 53B are connected at an edge region <NUM> of each of the sheets so that the distal inner surface of one of the sheets overlaps the distal outer surface of the other one of the sheets, the distal surfaces being stitched together, as indicated at <NUM>. In the arrangement shown the distal inner surface 57B of the upper layer 57A is positioned to face the distal portion of the outer surface of the lower layer 53B, these layers being held in contact by the stitching <NUM>.

The bladder <NUM> is formed by two sheets <NUM> or flexible air impermeable material. The two sheets are joined by a weld.

In this arrangement the outer textile <NUM> can be stitched (in sheer) around its edge and this creates a much stronger seam than the welding. The bladder <NUM> is made to be oversize or made from a polymer that can stretch and so the welded edge <NUM> never comes under tension, as shown in <FIG>. Although the bladder <NUM> may be of generally the same shape as the outer textile <NUM>, the bladder <NUM> may be of generally larger size. The bladder <NUM> may be made of a sufficiently large size so that, when inflated within the outer textile <NUM>, the bladder <NUM> fills the internal volume of the outer textile <NUM> without any stretching of the bladder <NUM> occurring, and the tension is taken up by the outer textile <NUM>. If the bladder <NUM> is made oversized, the bladder <NUM> may be made of an inextensible and/or inelastic material. It is advantageous for the tension to be taken up by the outer textile <NUM>, as it is stronger than the bladder <NUM>.

Preferably, the outer textile layer <NUM> is made from a lightweight "ripstop" material and is coated with a lubricant such as silicone. This produces an extremely strong material with high tear strength, and also, because the surface has a very low surface friction, the inner polymer layer will slide easily over it which results in a very compact lifejacket.

Ripstop fabrics are woven fabrics, e.g. made of nylon, using a special reinforcing technique that makes them resistant to tearing and ripping. During weaving, relatively thick reinforcement threads are interwoven at regular intervals in a crosshatch pattern. The intervals are typically <NUM> to <NUM>. Thin and lightweight ripstop fabrics have a <NUM>-dimensional structure due to the thicker threads being interwoven in thinner cloth.

The third arrangement, which is not the subject-matter of the claims, relates to the use of a water protected inflator.

<FIG> shows an example lifejacket <NUM> according to a third arrangement. The lifejacket <NUM> includes an inflator that is contains in a selectively sealable chamber <NUM> formed in the lifejacket <NUM>, the chamber being selectively sealable by operation of a zipper <NUM>. The operation of the zipper is shown in <FIG>. When the zipper <NUM> is open the inflator <NUM> is exposed, and so if the lifejacket <NUM> is immersed in water the automatic inflator <NUM> will be triggered. In contrast, when the zipper <NUM> is closed, the inflator <NUM> is not exposed and is sealed within a fluid-tight chamber <NUM> in the lifejacket <NUM>. When the zipper <NUM> is closed, the inflator <NUM> is not exposed to the environment outside the chamber, and so if the lifejacket <NUM> is immersed in water, the inflator will not automatically trigger. Thus, the lifejacket has an "automatic" inflation mode and a "manual" inflation mode.

The chamber <NUM> may be attached to the bladder <NUM> and surrounds the gas cylinder <NUM>, the release mechanism <NUM> and the piercing spike <NUM>. The chamber <NUM> may be completely or partially formed integrally with the bladder <NUM> that provides buoyancy to the lifejacket <NUM>. The chamber <NUM> may be completely or partially formed from the same material as the bladder <NUM> that provides buoyancy to the lifejacket <NUM>.

The configuration and operation of the third arrangement will be described in more detail with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>. <FIG> shows the zipper <NUM> in a closed state, and <FIG> shows the zipper <NUM> in an open state.

The inflator <NUM> comprises a compressed gas container <NUM>. Compressed gas is released from the container <NUM> by movement of the spring loaded piercing spike <NUM>. The spring loaded piercing spike <NUM> is held apart from the container <NUM>, against the action of the spring by an automatic release <NUM>, that on significant contact with water, releases the spring loaded piercing spike <NUM> to pierce the seal of the container <NUM> to release the compressed gas.

The automatic release may comprise a compressed salt pellet (such as one available from Halkey Roberts), a paper cartridge (such as one available from United Moulders) or a paper element protected by a hydrostatic valve (such as available from Hammar).

When the seal of the container <NUM> is pierced by the piercing spike <NUM>, the gas from the container <NUM> flows along conduit <NUM> via an inlet valve <NUM> into the bladder <NUM> of the lifejacket <NUM> in order to inflate the lifejacket.

In <FIG> the zipper <NUM> is closed, and so water cannot reach the automatic actuator <NUM>, and so inflation of the bladder <NUM> will not be automatically activated even if the lifejacket <NUM> is immersed in water.

<FIG> shows the zipper <NUM> in an open state. In this state water will flow into the chamber <NUM> and will reach the automatic actuator <NUM>, as indicated by arrow <NUM>, and will cause release of the spring-loaded piercing pin <NUM> to puncture the seal of the container <NUM> in order to release the compressed gas, as indicated by the arrow <NUM>.

The zipper <NUM> slider may be fitted with a device <NUM> to ensure that it is fully closed. Such a device <NUM> may be an indicator attached to a press stud or an electronic "tag" that gives a signal when closed. The zipper slider is designated <NUM> in the drawings.

There may be an indicator, similar to <NUM>, at the upper (opened) end of the zipper <NUM>.

Manual inflation of the bladder <NUM> may be required when the zipper is closed (and automatic operation is deactivated) or at any time when a wearer wishes to pre-inflate the bladder, such as when the wearer knows that they are about to enter water. A pull knob <NUM> provided for this purpose for operation by the wearer (or other personal). A reverse fold <NUM> may be formed in the chamber <NUM> whereby the pull knob <NUM> chord <NUM> is sealed onto the chamber <NUM>. Other ways of releasing the manual pull knob <NUM> may be used, such as by tearing a seal or pulling out a plug.

<FIG> and <FIG> correspond generally to <FIG> and <FIG>, but show the water protected inflator arrangement used in combination with the remote inflation system of the embodiment. When the piercing spike <NUM> pierces the seal of the compressed gas container <NUM>, the gas flows along the conduit <NUM> and then along the tube <NUM> to the bladder <NUM>, as described in relation to the embodiment.

The embodiment of the remote inflation system lends itself to this waterproof pouch concept. <FIG> and <FIG> show how the waterproof pocket can be used with the water protected inflator concept. The ability of the inflation system to be converted from manual to automatic (water activated) has already been described, but the benefit with the remote inflation system is enhanced.

The fourth arrangement, which is not the subject-matter of the claims, relates to the construction of the outer cover.

As mentioned above, typically covers for inflatable lifejackets are designed by making an outer cover from stitched or welded panels of a textile that are shaped to conform to the overall shape of the bladder when it is deflated <FIG>. <FIG> shows the construction of such a cover in more detail.

The cover <NUM> is made from a fabric or a plastic reinforced with a textile and is made to be a shape to conform to the wearers neck and torso. It is usually made by seaming together cut panels of the cover material. <NUM> is a typical seam. The cover is closed by a zipper <NUM>, or by Velcro or press studs or a combination. If a zipper is used it is usual to incorporate a short lengthy of the zipper without the "teeth" such that when the bladder is inflated a section of the bladder will begin to open out and then the zipper "peels open" this is known as a "burst" zipper. <FIG> show how the cover opens to allow the bladder to become fully inflated. The cover is closed over the bladder by a zipper or Velcro® or press studs etc. built into the cover such that when the bladder is filled with gas from the inflation system the pressure of the gas inside the cover will open the zipper or Velcro or press studs and allow the bladder to expand outwards.

Claim 1:
A personal survival system for use in water, including:
an inflatable chamber (<NUM>),
an inflation system (<NUM>) operable to inflate the inflatable chamber (<NUM>), and wherein the inflation system and the inflatable chamber are mountable on a wearer's body and the inflation system (<NUM>) is mountable separately from and remotely from the inflatable chamber (<NUM>),
a tube (<NUM>) providing a fluid connection between the inflation system (<NUM>) and the inflatable chamber (<NUM>),
a one-way check valve (<NUM>) provided to prevent back-flow out of the inflatable chamber (<NUM>),
a mounting system configured to locate the inflation system separately from and remotely from the inflatable chamber so that they are spaced apart on a wearer's body at substantially the same positions prior to and after inflation of the inflatable chamber,
characterised in that the inflation system (<NUM>) is manually operable and comprises a housing (<NUM>, <NUM>) that is coupled to the tube (<NUM>), the housing (<NUM>, <NUM>) being fixed to a mounting plate (<NUM>).