Inflatable Rescue Device

Abstract

The present invention is an inflatable rescue marker comprising a cylindrical hollow housing having a lid, a puncture plate, an inflatable bladder and a length of line connecting the bladder to the housing. The lid is hingably affixed to one end of the housing. The puncture plate is affixed within the housing below the lid and comprises a pierce needle positioned at the center with the sharp end exposed on the lower surface of the plate. The puncture plate also has a threaded cylindrical skirt depending from the lower surface about the sharp end of the pierce needle able to receive a pressurized gas canister for inflating the bladder. The inflatable bladder is positioned on the upper surface of the puncture plate with its open end removably affixed to the other end of the pierce needle. A length of line connects the bladder to the housing.

1 . An inflatable rescue marker comprising:
 a. a cylindrical hollow housing having a top end and a bottom end;   b. a lid hingably affixed to said top end;   c. a puncture plate fitted inside said cylindrical housing below said lid wherein said puncture plate comprises an upper surface and a lower surface and a pierce needle positioned at the center of said puncture plate, said pierce needle having a sharp end exposed on said lower surface of said puncture plate and the other end being exposed on said upper surface of said puncture plate, wherein said puncture plate has a threaded cylindrical skirt depending from said lower surface able to receive a pressurized canister of gas and wherein said sharp end of said pierce needle is disposed at the middle of said threaded cylindrical skirt;   d. an inflatable bladder positioned on said upper surface of said puncture plate wherein the open end of said bladder having a self sealing inflation port removably affixed to said other end of said pierce needle; and   e. a length of line having one end connected to said cylindrical housing and the other end connected to said bladder.   
     
     
         2 . The inflatable rescue marker according to  claim 1 , wherein said cylindrical hollow housing comprises an upper portion and a lower portion, wherein said upper portion and said lower portion rotate independently. 
     
     
         3 . The inflatable rescue marker according to  claim 1 , further comprising a pressurized gas canister having a threaded neck able to be received by said threaded cylindrical skirt of said puncture plate. 
     
     
         4 . The inflatable rescue marker according to  claim 1 , further comprising a stationary or rotatable spindle affixed to and centered about said puncture needle exposed on said upper surface of said puncture plate for receiving the length of line. 
     
     
         5 . The inflatable rescue marker according to  claim 1 , wherein said bladder further comprises at least one light electronically connected to an energy source through a switch, said switch activated when said lid is released from said cylindrical hollow housing. 
     
     
         6 . The inflatable rescue marker according to  claim 1 , wherein said bladder has a reflective surface. 
     
     
         7 . The inflatable rescue marker according to  claim 6 , wherein said reflective surface reflects light or a radio frequency signal. 
     
     
         8 . The inflatable rescue marker according to  claim 1 , wherein said bladder further comprises at least one sound frequency emitter electronically connected to an energy source through a switch, said switch activated when said lid is released from said cylindrical hollow housing. 
     
     
         9 . The inflatable rescue marker according to  claim 5 , wherein said light emits visible light or infrared light. 
     
     
         10 . The inflatable rescue marker according to  claim 3 , wherein said pressurized gas canister contains a gas that allows said bladder to rise to the surface of water. 
     
     
         11 . The inflatable rescue marker according to  claim 3 , wherein said pressurized gas canister contains a gas that allows said bladder to rise above the surface of the water or ground. 
     
     
         12 . The inflatable rescue marker according to  claim 1 , further comprising a means for fastening said marker to an individual. 
     
     
         13 . A method of deploying an inflatable rescue marker wherein the inflatable rescue marker comprises:
 a. a cylindrical hollow housing having a top end and a bottom end;   b. a lid affixed to said top end;   c. a puncture plate fitted inside said cylindrical hollow housing below said lid wherein said puncture plate comprises an upper surface and a lower surface and a pierce needle positioned about the center of said puncture plate, said pierce needle having a sharp end exposed on said lower surface of said puncture plate the other end being exposed on said upper surface of said puncture plate, wherein said puncture plate has a threaded cylindrical skirt depending from said lower surface wherein said sharp end of said puncture needle is disposed at the middle of said threaded cylindrical skirt;   d. a pressurized gas canister able to be received by said threaded cylindrical skirt of said puncture plate;   e. an inflatable bladder positioned on said upper surface of said puncture plate having an opening wherein said opening of said bladder is removably affixed to said other end of said puncture needle; and   f. a length of line having one end affixed to said cylindrical housing and the other end affixed to said bladder wherein said method comprises the steps of:   twisting said pressurized canister in a clockwise direction with respect to said cylindrical hollow housing until said lid releases and said bladder is deployed.