Safety equipment container

Abstract

A safety equipment container ( 10 ) comprising a buoyant body ( 12 ) having internal storage for one or more items of safety equipment. A first connector ( 34 ) is secured to the body and a second connector ( 36 ) is securable to a surface on a vessel. The second connector ( 36 ) includes a channel member ( 44 ) having a downwardly extending opening and the first connector ( 34 ) comprises a protrusion ( 60 ) on the body ( 12 ) receivable in the opening such that, when submerged, the buoyancy of the body ( 12 ) causes the body ( 12 ) to rise upwardly relative to the second connector ( 36 ) and disengage from the second connector ( 36 ).

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . (Canceled) 
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . A safety equipment container comprising:
 a buoyant body having internal storage for one or more items of safety equipment;   a first connector secured to the body; and   a second connector securable to a surface on a vessel, the second connector being attachable to the first connector to secure the body to the vessel;   wherein the second connector includes a channel member haying a downwardly extending opening and the first connector comprises a protrusion on the body receivable in the opening such that, when submerged, the buoyancy of the body causes the body to rise upwardly relative to the second connector and disengage from the second connector.   
     
     
         18 . A safety equipment container in accordance with  claim 17 , wherein the first connector comprises a cylindrical protrusion on a side surface of the body having a groove provided around the periphery thereof and the channel member comprises a plate member supported parallel and in front of a connection plate, the plate member including a slot extending downwardly from an upper edge thereof such that the groove of the protrusion is received within the slot. 
     
     
         19 . A safety equipment container in accordance with  claim 18 , wherein the protrusion is rotatable relative to the channel member such that the body is rotatable relative to the surface on which the second connector is mounted. 
     
     
         20 . A safety equipment container in accordance with  claim 19 , wherein the body includes a removable lid at a first end thereof. 
     
     
         21 . A safety equipment container in accordance with  claim 20 , wherein there is provided an internal chamber in the body adjacent a remote second end thereof and one or more holes through which water can enter the internal chamber such that the water in the internal chamber weights the body to float with the first end uppermost. 
     
     
         22 . A safety equipment container in accordance with  claim 21 , wherein the body is formed of a buoyant core secured within a rigid outer casing and the internal chamber is provided between the outer casing and the core adjacent the second end of the body. 
     
     
         23 . A safety equipment container in accordance with  claim 22 , wherein there are provided a plurality of holes in a side of the outer casing generally between the first and second ends thereof. 
     
     
         24 . A safety equipment container in accordance with  claim 23 , wherein the outer casing includes a circular aperture in a first end thereof which is arranged about a circular recess in the core and wherein there is provided a plurality of cavities extending downwardly into the material of the core from within the recess towards a second end of the body for receiving items of safety equipment. 
     
     
         25 . A safety equipment container in accordance with  claim 24 , wherein there is provided a central cavity provided for receiving an EPIRB and a plurality of second cavities located around the central cavity each being generally cylindrical in shape for receiving a flare. 
     
     
         26 . A safety equipment container in accordance with  claim 25 , wherein the aperture in the outer casing includes a ring secured therein having an internal thread to engage with an external thread provided on the lid. 
     
     
         27 . A safety equipment container in accordance with  claim 26 , wherein there is provided a groove around the periphery of the body adjacent the lid and a cord secured at a first end thereof to the body wrapped into the groove. 
     
     
         28 . A safety equipment container in accordance with  claim 27 , wherein the cord includes a loop at a second end thereof and is covered with a breakable coating such that the cord may be pulled away from the groove with the application of sufficient force. 
     
     
         29 . A safety equipment container in accordance with  claim 28 , wherein the lid is provided with an upper handle thereon to allow gripping and rotation of the lid. 
     
     
         30 . A safety equipment container in accordance with  claim 29 , wherein a flashing light is provided on the lid, the light being activated by contact with water. 
     
     
         31 . A safety equipment container in accordance with  claim 30 , wherein the outer casing includes lower handles extending outwardly from the second end thereof. 
     
     
         32 . A safety equipment container in accordance with  claim 31 , wherein there is provided a pair of lower handles, each of the lower handles being generally U-shaped, thereby each defining an opening through which the lower handle can be grasped.