Safety Device and Inflating Apparatus Therefor

Abstract

A safety device including an article to be worn by a user and an inflatable bladder which is in use attached to the article. The safety device further includes an inflating apparatus for in use inflating the inflatable bladder with an inflating product. The inflating apparatus includes an inflating product compartment for storing the inflating product and a frangible valve for deterring flow of the inflating product from the inflating product compartment. An actuator is provided for rupturing the frangible valve thereby allowing inflating product to flow from the inflating product compartment to the inflatable bladder.

1 - 22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . An inflating apparatus adapted to be placed in fluid communication with an inflatable bladder, the inflating apparatus comprising:
 an inflating product compartment for storing an inflating product;   a valve assembly for deterring flow of the inflating product from the inflating product compartment;   an actuator for opening the valve assembly to allow inflating product to flow from the inflating product compartment to inflate the inflatable bladder; and   a sensor assembly operatively associated with the actuator, wherein the actuator is adapted to open the valve assembly responsive to measurements taken by the sensor assembly, thereby to allow inflating product to flow to the inflatable bladder.   
     
     
         24 . The inflating apparatus according to  claim 23 , wherein the sensor assembly includes a water sensor and a pressure sensor. 
     
     
         25 . The inflating apparatus according to  claim 24 , wherein the sensor assembly includes countdown timer. 
     
     
         26 . The inflating apparatus according to  claim 25 , wherein the countdown timer is adapted to be activated when the pressure sensor indicates that a predetermined depth under the surface of a body of water has been reached. 
     
     
         27 . The inflating apparatus according to  claim 26 , wherein the countdown timer is adapted to cause the actuator to open the valve after a predetermined time interval. 
     
     
         28 . The inflating apparatus according to  claim 27 , wherein the countdown timer is adapted to be reset before lapsing of the predetermined time interval to prevent the inflatable bladder being inflated. 
     
     
         29 . The inflating apparatus according to  claim 28 , wherein the countdown timer is adapted to be reset when the inflating apparatus is caused to return to the surface of the body of water. 
     
     
         30 . The inflating apparatus according to  claim 29 , wherein the valve is a frangible valve. 
     
     
         31 . The inflating apparatus according to  claim 23 , wherein the actuator includes a water-expandable rupture member, in use placing the water-expandable member in contact with water causes the rupture member to expand to rupture the frangible valve. 
     
     
         32 . The inflating apparatus according to  claim 23 , wherein the actuator includes a strap, the strap being attached to a rupture member, whereby in use application of a force to the strap will cause the rupture member to rupture the frangible valve. 
     
     
         33 . The inflating apparatus according to  claim 29 , further comprising signalling means for in use signalling the location of the user during an emergency situation. 
     
     
         34 . The inflating apparatus according to  claim 33 , wherein the signalling means comprises an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB). 
     
     
         35 . The inflating apparatus according to  claim 30 , wherein the actuator includes an electromagnet and a rupture member. 
     
     
         36 . The inflating apparatus according to  claim 35 , wherein the rupture member is attached to biasing means for biasing the rupture member. 
     
     
         37 . A safety device including;
 an inflatable bladder which is in use attached to an article to be worn by a user; and   an inflating apparatus for in use inflating the inflatable bladder with an inflating product, the inflating apparatus comprising;   an inflating product compartment for storing the inflating product;   a valve for deterring flow of the inflating product from the inflating product compartment;   an actuator for opening the valve to allow inflating product to flow from the inflating product compartment to the inflatable bladder; and   a sensor assembly operatively associated with the actuator, wherein the actuator opens the valve assembly responsive to measurements taken by the sensor assembly to allow inflating product to flow to the inflatable bladder.   
     
     
         38 . A safety device according to  claim 37 , wherein the article is a rash guard or a wetsuit.