INDIVIDUAL LIFE-SAVING RAFT Russian patent published in 2015 - IPC B63C9/04 B63C9/06 B63B7/08 B63C9/20 

FIELD: transport.

SUBSTANCE: life-saving raft represents foam-filled light structure made as inflatable boat with narrowed and high-raised fore and aft ends between which transparent dual-slop curtain is located. Raft body is formed by means of two or more breadths of cloth cut to size and sewed (bonded) together so that elongated longitudinal cavities are formed which are tapering to fore and aft. Ends of longitudinal cavities terminate with holes by which they communicate with cavities of inlet and outlet manifolds. The inlet manifold is located at the end of fore end, communicates with raft cavities, represents air-tight pouch of oval (rectangular) form. On the inlet manifold there is connector for cylinder hose attachment. The outlet manifold is located at the end of aft end, manifold internal cavity communicates with raft cavities, is also made as textile pouch of oval (rectangular) form which is completely air-permeable but tightly blocked by foam from cylinder. The cylinder is attached from beneath at the centre of raft bottom, after it has been actuated and has filled raft cavities with foam the cylinder serves as static ballast and holds empty raft in normal operative position not allowing it to lay on one side under action of waves and wind. On the front part of cylinder, trigger with hydrostat is installed. Two belts form closed rings, are attached to raft along its outer surface of bottom, in the upper part on manifolds come together and form double stitched overlapping belt between fore and aft ends. The belt stitched on top is slightly longer than lower belt, in the middle part the upper belt separates from the lower one and forms Ω-shaped loop. The loop is intended for raft catching and lifting it on board of helicopter or vessel. Being inflated, the upper ends of raft hold double belts in tensioned condition. To the same belts dual-sided curtain is attached which curtain is made of transparent polyethylene having on its outer side orange reflective coating. To raft body the curtain is attached by non-detachable pressure-tight joint. On each its side the curtain is divided by one vertical and two horizontal zippers. Each half of curtain in its lower part has pocket for rainwater collection. On the outside on both boards on body there are life lines. Inside the raft heater in the form thinwalled carpet is placed . The raft is provided with "KCACC" signalling and positioning device, manually driven self-contained power supply, foldable oars and survival package. The proposed life-saving raft can be used on vessels of all types: military, scientific, rescue, transport, catching and passenger. In addition, such rafts will be appropriate for naval aviation.

EFFECT: raft is easy-to-use, it can be operated and used by absolutely untrained person.

3 cl, 11 dwg