Life buoy, especially for avalanches

Abstract

The invention relates to a life buoy that can be used especially in the event of an avalanche, said life buoy comprising at least one envelope that can be inflated by inflation means including a pressurised gas generating cartridge and means for emptying the buoy. The envelope is a single compartment which completely surrounds the head of the user and covers at least part of the thorax of the user.

1 . A life jacket that can be used particularly during an avalanche, comprising at least one bag that can be inflated by inflation means including a pressurized gas cartridge and means of emptying the jacket, characterized in that the bag is made in a single compartment and in that it completely surrounds the head of the user and covers at least a portion of the thorax of the user. 
   
   
       2 . The jacket as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that a cavity/chamber is created in front of the airways of the user at the time of inflation and during its use, allowing him to breathe. 
   
   
       3 . The jacket as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the cavity/chamber is kept closed by halyards connecting the two sides of the bag. 
   
   
       4 . The jacket as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the cavity/chamber is created by a system of shaped ribs giving the maximum footprint to the bag during inflation and being able to make the emptying of the bag easier at the appropriate time. 
   
   
       5 . The jacket as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the shaped ribs consist of cloth patches, coated for cementing, cemented or stitched to the bag and connected together by an elastic element or another system able to have the same function. 
   
   
       6 . The jacket as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the jacket is attached directly to a standard hardness/baldrick worn by the user or by using the straps and the belt of a backpack for the integrated version. 
   
   
       7 . The jacket as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized by a system for rapid opening of the bag/cover which allows accelerated deployment of the bag before its inflation. 
   
   
       8 . The jacket as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the opening system comprises at least one release grabhandle attached to at least a first cable connected to an element for triggering the inflation system. 
   
   
       9 . The jacket as claimed in  claim 7 , characterized by the said grabhandle that is connected to at least a second separation cable passing through loops distributed along a cover or on the actual bag of the jacket which play the role of a hinge so as to release the bag and allow it to open fully of its own accord by inflation when said cable is removed from the loops. 
   
   
       10 . The jacket as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein said second separation cable is formed of several independent strands. 
   
   
       11 . The jacket as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the inflation means comprise a venturi nozzle, a venturi-effect diffuser/mixer and a nonreturn valve characterized in that the nonreturn valve is placed in the diffuser/mixer, directly in the axis of the air flow, making it possible to close the bag once inflated, said valve offering no resistance to the gas flow arriving in the bag. 
   
   
       12 . The jacket as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the nonreturn valve is made in a single piece or comprises a pivoting mechanism with a flexible or rigid portion which obstructs the passage of air and prevents its return through the diffuser/mixer. 
   
   
       13 . The jacket as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the compressed gas cartridge interacts with a needle valve as a closure and opening of the gas cartridge, said needle valve comprising an instantaneous release mechanism the needle as a trigger element of the inflation system. 
   
   
       14 . The avalanche life jacket as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises an automatic system for regulating the emptying of the bag by a variable automatic overpressure valve which allows the user to be supplied with air and the bag to be automatically emptied after a predetermined time. 
   
   
       15 . The jacket as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the regulating system comprises at least one electromagnet or a shape-memory spring which allows the valve to open automatically after a predetermined delay. 
   
   
       16 . The jacket as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the delay is predetermined by the manufacturer or by the immobilization of the user, after a fall or an avalanche, by means of a pressure sensor.