Flotation apparatus for motor vehicle

Abstract

The present invention relates to an inflatable device that is particularly useful for floating a motor vehicle on water. The present invention also relates to an inflatable device that can be affixed to the motor vehicle, when flooding is expected, thus enabling the vehicle to float on flood waters. The present invention further relates to an inflatable flotation device that is reliable, easily affixed to the vehicle. The method used to affix the present invention to a motor vehicle is important since flood conditions are often foreseen and flood warnings are often given ahead of time. Therefore, the present invention is a quickly deployable flotation device that is useful when flooding is expected or anticipated.

1 . A flotation device comprising a single continuous air chamber, a valve system for inflating the single continuous air chamber such that when the flotation device is inflated it takes a defined shape. 
   
   
       2 . The flotation device of  claim 1  ( 1 ) wherein the single continuous air chamber is a cylindrical air chamber formed using a casing of an air-tight, hermetically sealed, water impervious material. 
   
   
       3 . The flotation device of claim ( 2 ) wherein the water impervious material is selected from the group consisting of rubber and plastic. 
   
   
       4 . The flotation device of claim ( 3 ) wherein the single continuous air chamber is further physically characterize such that after being inflated, the single continuous air chamber takes a defined shape in the form of the letter U thus creating the single U-tube flotation device. 
   
   
       5 . The flotation device of claim ( 4 ) wherein the single continuous air chamber is inflated with gaseous materials selected from the group consisting of air and gas and carbon dioxide. 
   
   
       6 . The flotation device of claim ( 5 ) wherein the valve system used for inflating the single continuous air chamber is a mechanically control air pumping system. 
   
   
       7 . A flotation device comprising two continuous air chambers, a means of connecting the two continuous air chambers, a valve system for inflating the two continuous air chambers wherein after being inflated the two single air chambers take a defined shape. 
   
   
       8 . The flotation device of claim ( 7 ) wherein the two continuous air chambers are physically characterized as cylindrical air chambers formed using a casing of an air-tight, hermetically sealed, water impervious material. 
   
   
       9 . The flotation device of claim ( 8 ) wherein the two continuous air chambers are further physically characterized such that after inflation they take a defined shape in the form of the letter U thus creating the double U-tube. 
   
   
       10 . The flotation device of claim ( 9 ) wherein the mean of connecting the two continuous air chambers is a third continuous air chamber. 
   
   
       11 . The flotation device of claim ( 10 ) wherein the third air chamber attached to each of the two continuous air chambers at the bottom of each U-tube. 
   
   
       12 . The flotation device of claim ( 9 ) wherein the mean of connecting the two continuous air chambers is selected from the group consisting of plastic sheet or rubber sheet. 
   
   
       13 . The flotation device of claim ( 12 ) wherein the plastic sheet or rubber sheet is attached to each of the two continuous air chambers at the bottom of each U-tube. 
   
   
       14 . The inflatable flotation device of claim ( 13 ) wherein the valve system used for inflating the flotation device is a mechanically control air pumping system. 
   
   
       15 . The flotation device according to claim ( 1 ) wherein said flotation device is used to float a motor vehicle in flood waters. 
   
   
       16 . The flotation device according to claim ( 7 ) wherein said flotation device is used to float a motor vehicle in flood waters. 
   
   
       17 . A method for floating a motor vehicle in flood water by using a flotation device comprising two continuous air chambers, a means of connecting the two continuous air chambers, a valve system for inflating the two continuous air chambers wherein after being inflated the two single air chambers take a defined shape.