Inflatable liferaft with easy access configuration

Abstract

The present invention relates to an inflatable liferaft comprising an inflatable floatation tube defining a lower circumferential rim of the inflatable liferaft and an inflatable barrier tube defining an upper circumferential rim of the inflatable liferaft wherein an opening is provided in the upper circumferential rim.

1 . An inflatable liferaft comprising:
 an inflatable floatation tube defining a lower circumferential rim of the inflatable liferaft,   an inflatable barrier tube defining an upper circumferential rim of the inflatable liferaft, the inflatable barrier tube being arranged substantially on top of the inflatable flotation tube and defining a protected area for containing passengers, and   a flooring element provided between the inflatable flotation tube and the inflatable barrier tube, thereby defining a bottom of the inflatable floatable unit, wherein the inflatable barrier tube extends continuously around the perimeter of the inflatable liferaft and at least one opening is provided in the upper circumferential rim at a section along a perimeter of the inflatable liferaft, thereby defining a planar entry zone providing access to the protected area, which entry zone is substantially levelled with the flooring element.   
     
     
         2 . An inflatable liferaft according to  claim 1 , further comprising two openings in the upper circumferential rim at two sections along the perimeter of the inflatable liferaft, thereby providing two planar entry zones providing access to the protected area, which entry zones are substantially levelled with the flooring element, wherein the two openings are provided on opposite sides of the inflatable liferaft. 
     
     
         3 . An inflatable liferaft according to  claim 2 , wherein the two openings are provided directly opposite each other, thereby providing the shortest possible distance between the openings on the opposite side of the inflatable liferaft. 
     
     
         4 . An inflatable liferaft according to  claim 1 , wherein the upper circumferential rim comprises a plurality of openings, such as four openings, provided on opposite sides of the inflatable liferaft. 
     
     
         5 . An inflatable liferaft according to  claim 1 , wherein the one or more openings are provided by the inflatable barrier tube comprising a bend, whereby a section of the bend of the inflatable barrier tube is arranged in level with the inflatable floatation tube and extends along the perimeter of the inflatable liferaft. 
     
     
         6 . An inflatable liferaft according to  claim 5 , wherein the section of the bend of the inflatable barrier tube is arranged in level with the inflatable floatation tube below the flooring element. 
     
     
         7 . An inflatable liferaft according to  claim 5 , wherein the bend of the inflatable barrier tube extends in a downwards direction towards the subjacent inflatable flotation tube. 
     
     
         8 . An inflatable liferaft according to  claim 5 , wherein the inflatable flotation tube is adapted to accommodate the bend of the inflatable barrier tube by comprising a bend partly enclosing the bend of the inflatable barrier tube. 
     
     
         9 . An inflatable liferaft according to  claim 5 , wherein the bend of the inflatable flotation tube extends in a direction substantially parallel to the extension of the flooring element. 
     
     
         10 . An inflatable liferaft according to  claim 5 , wherein the bends of each of the inflatable barrier tubes and the inflatable flotation tube are constituted by a series of substantially angular bends changing the direction of the inflatable barrier tube and the inflatable flotation tube, respectively. 
     
     
         11 . An inflatable liferaft according to  claim 1 , further comprising a closing element for selectively opening and closing the opening of the inflatable barrier tube to prevent water from entering the protected area. 
     
     
         12 . An inflatable liferaft according to  claim 11 , wherein zippers are provided for securing the closing element at the opening of the inflatable barrier tube. 
     
     
         13 . An inflatable liferaft according to  claim 11 , wherein hoop-and-loop fasteners are provided for securing the closing element at the opening of the inflatable barrier tube. 
     
     
         14 . An inflatable liferaft according to  claim 11 , wherein the closing element is detachable. 
     
     
         15 . An inflatable liferaft according to  claim 11 , wherein the closing element is adapted to be simultaneously secured to two abutting inflatable liferafts to provide a substantially planar walking path between the inflatable liferafts. 
     
     
         16 . An inflatable liferaft according to  claim 15 , wherein the closing element of one inflatable liferaft is adapted to be secured to a closing element of an abutting inflatable liferaft to provide a substantially planar walking path between the inflatable liferafts. 
     
     
         17 . An evacuation system comprising two or more inflatable liferafts according to  claim 1 , and one or more disembarkment means for transferring persons from a vessel to at least one of the inflatable liferafts, wherein at least two of the liferafts are arranged side by side, with one of their respective openings and entry zones abutting the opening and entry zones of the other inflatable liferaft. 
     
     
         18 . A vessel comprising the inflatable liferaft according to  claim 1 .