Inflating flotation and stability device

Abstract

An inflating flotation and stability device for equipment is provided. The device comprises at least one inflatable bladder mounted to the mounting plate and a cover covering the inflatable bladder. A carrier mechanism secures the inflatable bladder to the equipment. A cover removing mechanism removes the cover and an inflation mechanism inflates the inflatable bladder.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An inflating flotation and stability device for equipment, the device comprising: 
 at least one inflatable bladder mounted to the mounting plate;    a cover covering the inflatable bladder;    carrier means for securing the inflatable bladder to the equipment;    cover removing means for removing the cover; and    inflation means for inflating the inflatable bladder.    
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein  1  wherein the inflation of the flotation bladder is selected from the group consisting of automatic and manual.  
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the inflation of the flotation bladder occurs upon a predetermined event.  
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the flotation bladder comprises a plurality of flotation bladders, each flotation bladder being independently inflatable  
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the carrier means is selected from the group consisting of a substantially planar plate and a substantially L-shaped plate.  
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5  wherein the carrier means has openings spaced along the length for receiving a securing mechanism selected from the group consisting of straps, bolts, rivets, wing nuts, and rope.  
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6  and further comprising: 
 at least one strap receivable within each of the openings for releasably securing the carrier means to the equipment.  
 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7  and further comprising: 
 a buckling mechanism secured to each strap for tightening and loosening the straps about the equipment.  
 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the carrier means includes a first flange and a second flange, a rotatable spool mounted between the first flange and the second flange, the flotation bladder wound about the spool.  
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9  wherein the first flange includes a first flange aperture and the second flange includes a second flange aperture, the spool includes a first spool aperture in a first end and a second spool aperture in a second end, and further comprising: 
 a first pin insertable through the first flange aperture into the first spool aperture; and  
 a second pin insertable through the second flange aperture into the second spool aperture.  
 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 9  wherein the spool has an elongated slot for receiving at least a portion of the flotation bladder.  
     
     
         12 . A method for floating and/or stabilizing equipment upon the equipment entering the water, the method comprising: 
 mounting at least one flotation bladder to the equipment; and    inflating the flotation bladder upon occurrence of a predetermined event.    
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  and further comprising: 
 inflating the flotation bladder automatically or manually.  
 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12  and further comprising: 
 providing a plurality of flotation bladders, each flotation bladder being independently inflatable.  
 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12  and further comprising: 
 providing carrier means selected from the group consisting of a substantially planar plate and a substantially L-shaped plate.  
 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  and further comprising: 
 forming openings along the length of the carrier means;  
 inserting a securing mechanism within the openings;  
 selecting the securing mechanism from the group consisting of straps, bolts, rivets, wing nuts, and rope.  
 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  and further comprising: 
 inserting straps through the openings for releasably securing the carrier means to the equipment.  
 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12  and further comprising: 
 providing a first flange and a second flange;  
 mounting a rotatable spool between the first flange and the second flange; and  
 winding the flotation bladder about the spool.  
 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  and further comprising: 
 inserting a first pin through the first flange into the spool; and  
 inserting a second pin through the second flange into the spool.  
 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18  and further comprising: 
 forming an elongated slot in the spool;  
 inserting at least a portion of the flotation bladder into the elongated slot.  
 
     
     
         21 . A system for maintaining the upright stability of an object, the system comprising: 
 at least one flotation bladder secured to the object;    sensing means for sensing the object in a non-upright condition; and    inflation means for inflating the flotation bladder;    wherein upon inflation of the flotation bladder, the object returns to an upright stable condition.    
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 21  wherein the sensing means is a gravity sensor.