Inflatable life preserver and associated delivery system

摘要

Disclosed is an inflatable article that is designed to be launched to an intended target. The article is launched by a gun in an un-inflated state and inflates upon contacting water. The target can be, for example, a person being rescued. The article is initially stored in an outer layer of material. The outer layer of material may be shrink-wrap or a foam layer. The outer layer permits the article to be retained in a compact configuration prior to being launched. This, in turn, allows the article to be launched over great distances. The outer layer is designed to rupture upon inflation of the article.

主权项

1. A delivery system for an inflatable article comprising in combination:
a gun including a grip, an enlarged cylindrical bore, and a source of compressed CO2 gas, a trigger for selectively releasing the compressed gas into the bore, a laser light for use in aiming the gun; a life preserver having an inflated state and an un-inflated state, the life preserver in the inflated state being circular and including a number of hand holds about its periphery; a layer of water permeable shrink wrap for initially securing the life preserver in its un-inflated state in an aerodynamic, bullet-like configuration; a water-activated pressurized gas release device interconnected to the life preserver, the gas release device being activated in the presence of water to inflate the life preserver; and a layer of water permeable foam secured between the life preserver in its un-inflated state and the shrink wrap, the foam lessening the impact of the life preserver after being fired from the gun; the life preserver in its un-inflated state being positioned within the cylindrical bore of the gun with an air-tight seal being formed between the life preserver in its un-inflated state and the cylindrical bore.