Marine Safety Device

Abstract

A marine safety device for deployment in water upon unwanted entry by a person into the water to indicate the location of and to provide buoyancy for that person; the assembly comprises a cover for retaining components of the device as an undeployed package, an inflatable mast having a proximal end which engages the cover and a distal free end, means for inflation of the inflatable member upon contact between the device and a body of water. A weight is located at or near the proximal end of the inflatable member to bias the inflatable member to a generally upright position. The device further comprises means to enable a person in the body of water to gain floatation from the assembly via at least one grippable member attached to the inflatable member. The device when deployed, sits in the body of water so that at least part of the inflatable member remains exposed to view above a top water level to enable rescuers to pinpoint the location of the person in the water and to enable a person in the water to use the inflatable member as a buoyant safety device.

1 . A marine safety device for deployment in water upon unwanted entry by a person into said water to indicate the location of and to provide buoyancy for that person; the assembly comprising;
 a cover for retaining components of the device as an undeployed package;   an inflatable member having a proximal end which engages the cover and a distal free end,   means for inflation of the inflatable member upon contact between the device and a body of water,   a weight located at or near the proximal end of the inflatable member   to bias the device further comprising means to enable a person in the body of water to gain floatation from the assembly via at least one grippable formation on or attached to the inflatable member; wherein the device when deployed, sits in the body of water so that at least part of the inflatable member remains exposed to view above a top water level to enable rescuers to pinpoint the location of the person in the water and to enable a person in the water to use the inflatable member as a buoyant safety device.   
     
     
         2 . A device according to  claim 3  wherein, the inflatable member comprises a mast connected via one end to the cover. 
     
     
         3 . A device according to  claim 2  wherein the weight provides a counterweight to bias the inflatable member to an above water position when the device is deployed in water and the inflatable member is inflated. 
     
     
         4 . A device according to  claim 3  wherein the weight is contained in a pocket at the proximal end of the inflatable mast. 
     
     
         5 . A device according to  claim 4  further comprising a sea anchor connected to the proximal end of the mast. 
     
     
         6 . A device according to  claim 5  wherein, the at least one gripping formation is located on the inflatable mast so that a person floating in the water can reach the at least one formation. 
     
     
         7 . A device according to  claim 6  wherein, the inflatable mast when inflated is biased to an angle orientation which is more than 45 degrees from the water level. 
     
     
         8 . A device according to  claim 7  wherein the cover comprises four orthogonally disposed folding flaps which mutually co operate to form a carry bag which is capable of retaining therein the mast and the sea anchor. 
     
     
         9 . A device according to  claim 8  wherein, the mast is made from a flexible material which allows the mast to be folded to a size which is accommodated by the carry bag. 
     
     
         10 . A device according to  claim 9  wherein the carry bag is detachably connected to the proximal end of the mast. 
     
     
         11 . A device according to  claim 10  wherein, the means to inflate the mast comprises and assembly including:
 a gas cylinder connected to an inflation body an automatic, 
 a disposable water sensing cartridge; 
 a manual inflation lever which enables manual inflation, 
 a manual firing indicator and an auto firing indicator. 
 
     
     
         12 . A device according to  claim 11  wherein, the weight is provided by granular material 
     
     
         13 . A device according to  claim 12  wherein, the sea anchor is a tapered bag of flexible material which has a first wide end and a second narrow end. 
     
     
         14 . A device according to  claim 13  wherein, the first wide end is open to allow entry of sea water to provide drag for the safety device. 
     
     
         15 . A device according to  claim 14  wherein, the sea anchor is connected to the mast with twine which is of sufficient length to allow the sea anchor to drag at a distance from the mast when the device is deployed in water. 
     
     
         16 . A device according to  claim 15  wherein the folding flaps form a cross with opposing flaps folded towards each other to form a carry bag envelope. 
     
     
         17 . A device according to  claim 16  wherein, the gripping formation is a loop of material attached to said floatation mast. 
     
     
         18 . A device according to  claim 16  wherein, the gripping formation is an opening formed into the floatation mast. 
     
     
         19 . A device according to  claim 18  wherein, the weight is granular and is selected from lead, sand or glass beads. 
     
     
         20 . A device according to  claim 18  wherein, the weight is solid lead. 
     
     
         21 . A device according to  claim 15  wherein, the mast includes a ribbon which provides a visual marker for rescuers. 
     
     
         22 . A device according to  claim 21  wherein the mast is connected to the carry bag via a zipper. 
     
     
         23 . A buoyant marker assembly for deployment in a water body upon unwanted entry into said water by a person to indicate the location of that person; the assembly comprising;
 a container for retaining an inflatable member;   means for inflation of the inflatable mast upon contact with a body of water,   means on the assembly to enable a person in the body of water to gain floatation from the assembly by at least one gripping formation or member incorporated on said inflatable member; the inflatable member including an inflatable mast; wherein the said at least one gripping formation or member is located to enable a person to reach the formation when the assembly sits in the body of water; wherein at least part of the floatation mast includes a weight which biases the mast to an orientation so that the majority of the length of the mast remains exposed to view to enable rescuers to pinpoint the location of the person in the water.   
     
     
         24 . A buoyant marker kit for deployment in a water body upon unwanted entry into said water by a person to indicate the location of and to provide buoyancy support for that person; the kit comprising;
 a foldable envelope defining an internal space;   a weighted inflatable mast located in the internal space;   means for inflation of the inflatable mast upon contact of the kit with a body of water,   means on the assembly to enable a person in the body of water to gain floatation from the assembly by at least one gripping formation or member incorporated in or on said inflatable mast; wherein said at least one gripping formation or member is located such that when a person obtains floatation by engagement with the mast when deployed, wherein the kit sits in the body of water so that at least part of the inflatable mast remains exposed to view to enable rescuers to pinpoint the location of the person in the water while the person engages the gripping member.   
     
     
         25 . A kit according to  claim 24  further comprising at least one source of gas for at least one chamber in the inflatable member or separate sources of gas for each chamber. 
     
     
         26 . A kit according to  claim 25  wherein, the floatation mast is inflated by contact with water of a water sensing cartridge which enables release of the gas into the floatation mast.