Buoyant coupling device

Abstract

An inflatable coupling device prevents loss of the fastening mechanism in a liquid. The device comprises a coupling portion that detachably couples to a fastening mechanism and a remote fastening mechanism having a cavity. The coupling portion serves as a bridge, joining the fastening mechanism to the remote fastening mechanism. A coupling extension joins the coupling portion to the fastening mechanism. A buoyant portion positions inside the remote fastening mechanism and resiliently expands upon engagement with a liquid. This expansion enables floatation of the coupling portion and the attached fastening mechanism. The liquid controllably flows into the cavity of the remote fastening mechanism through an inlet portion and a membrane. A composition in the cavity creates a chemical reaction upon engagement with the liquid releasing a gas. The gas creation happening in the buoyant portion as the composition tablet is stored within the balloon.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device comprising:
 a coupling portion, said coupling portion being configured to enable detachable coupling with a fastening mechanism;   an inlet valve, said inlet valve operatively joined with said coupling portion;   a remote fastening mechanism, said remote fastening mechanism comprising a cavity, said remote fastening mechanism being configured to join with said coupling portion, said remote fastening mechanism further being configured to enable remote locking and unlocking;   a composition, said composition being disposed in said cavity of said remote fastening mechanism, said composition being configured to create a chemical reaction with a liquid that at least partially releases a gas;   an inlet portion, said inlet portion being configured to enable passage of the liquid into said cavity of said remote fastening mechanism;   a membrane, said membrane being disposed across said inlet portion, said membrane being configured to regulate the flow of said liquid through said inlet portion; and   a buoyant portion, said buoyant portion being configured to position inside said cavity of said remote fastening mechanism, said buoyant portion further being configured to resiliently expand upon capturing said gas,   whereby expansion of said buoyant portion is configured to enable floatation of said fastening mechanism and said coupling portion,   whereby expansion of said buoyant portion is further configured to enable disengagement of said remote fastening mechanism from said coupling portion.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , in which said coupling portion comprises a slot. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , in which said coupling portion is fabricated from at least one of the following: aluminum, aluminum alloy, polyvinyl chloride, high-density polyethylene, and low-density polyethylene. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , further including a coupling extension, said coupling extension being configured to join said coupling portion to said fastening mechanism. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein said coupling portion is approximately five-eighths of an inch in length by one-quarter of an inch in depth. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , in which said fastening mechanism is configured to enable locking and unlocking of a gate. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , in which said fastening mechanism comprises a key. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , in which said remote fastening mechanism is configured to enable locking and unlocking of a gate. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , in which said remote fastening mechanism comprises a key fob. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , in which said remote fastening mechanism comprises two metal discs approximately one and half inches in diameter. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , in which said membrane comprises a water soluble membrane. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , in which said water soluble membrane comprises polyvinyl alcohol. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , in which said composition comprises sodium bicarbonate. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , in which said buoyant portion comprises an inflatable balloon. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , in which said buoyant portion is approximately two inches in un-inflated length. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein said inlet valve is configured to enable passage of a liquid into said cavity of said coupling portion. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , in which said buoyant portion is configured to join with said coupling portion. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , in which said composition is in tablet format and a loose powder. 
     
     
         19 . A device comprising:
 means for locking and unlocking;   means for locking and unlocking;   means for enabling a chemical reaction;   means for controlling said chemical reaction means;   means for inflating; and   means for floating said locking means.   
     
     
         20 . A device consisting of:
 a coupling portion, said coupling portion being configured to enable detachable coupling with a fastening mechanism;   an inlet valve, said inlet valve operatively joined with said coupling portion;   a remote fastening mechanism, said remote fastening mechanism comprising a cavity, said remote fastening mechanism being configured to join with said coupling portion, said remote fastening mechanism further being configured to enable locking and unlocking;   a coupling extension, said coupling extension being configured to join said coupling portion to said fastening mechanism, said coupling extension further comprising a generally annular shape;   a sodium bicarbonate tablet, said sodium bicarbonate tablet being disposed in said cavity of said remote fastening mechanism, said sodium bicarbonate tablet being configured to create a chemical reaction with a liquid that at least partially releases a gas;   an inlet portion, said inlet portion being configured to enable passage of the liquid into said cavity of said remote fastening mechanism;   a water-soluble membrane, said water-soluble membrane being disposed across said inlet portion, said water-soluble membrane being configured to regulate the flow of said liquid through said inlet portion; and   an inflatable balloon, said inflatable balloon being configured to position inside said cavity of said remote fastening mechanism, said inflatable balloon further being configured to resiliently expand upon capturing said gas,   whereby expansion of said inflatable balloon is configured to enable floatation of said fastening mechanism and said coupling portion,   whereby expansion of said inflatable balloon is further configured to enable disengagement of said remote fastening mechanism from said coupling portion.