EMERGENCY INFLATABLE STABILIZATION AND FLOATATION DEVICE

DISPOSITIF DE SECOURS GONFLABLE DE STABILISATION ET DE FLOTTAISON

English Abstract

An emergency inflatable stabilization and floatation system that can be
attached to a variety of
vehicles or craft and deployed by the operator or passenger when ever that
vessel is in a distress
situation on water. The system consists of a two piece elongated polymer
cylinder that opens along
its length to release a deflated and folded bladder, which is inflated via a
replaceable and refillable
CO2 canister. The bladder is secured within an external denier nylon zippered
bag, which restricts
the inflation potential of the internal bladder. The external bag is colored
blaze orange for
exceptional visibility with mirrored Mylar sections to reflect both sunlight
and radar. A strobe light
is integrally attached to the bladder with an on/off switch within the
activation container, which can
be operated manually. The floatation system can be removed from the craft,
while inflated or
deflated, and used in an auxiliary mode.

Claims

CLAIMS OF THE INVENTION
1. I claim an emergency inflatable stabilization and floatation device
comprised of three
separate sections that when integrated can be deployed to stabilize and
provide floatation to a
craft on water which is in distress.
2. I claim an emergency inflatable stabilization and floatation device
consisting of an exterior
cylindrical pod constructed of high-density resilient polymer.
3. I claim an emergency inflatable stabilization and floatation device as in
claim 2, comprised
of a cylindrical pod divided in half along the length of the cylinder forming
two half
cylinders and creating a cavity within which the substantially deflated and
folded bladder can
be stored. When opened and viewed from the end of the cylinder it resembles an
open clam
shape.
4. I claim an emergency inflatable stabilization and floatation device as in
claim 2 having two
or more slots cut out of both half cylinders on one adjoining edge to form an
opening wide
enough to pass the heavy web strap through, which is designed to secure the
buoyancy
apparatus to the craft.
5. I claim an emergency inflatable stabilization and floatation device as in
claim 2 having a half
circle shape cut from both sections of the cylindrical pod on the adjoining
edge forming a
round opening through which the inflating gas tube may enter the pod.
6. I claim an emergency inflatable stabilization and floatation device as in
claim 2 having a
minimum of two heavy duty hinges securing one adjoining edge of each half
forming the
pod.
7. I claim an emergency inflatable stabilization and floatation device as in
claim 2 having a
heavy duty coil spring integrated into the top hinge mechanism, which provides
closing
tension to the hinge to keep the two halves of the pod in a closed position.
8. I claim an emergency inflatable stabilization and floatation device as in
claim 2 having an
elongated bracket attached to the hinge and accommodating the other end of the
heavy duty
coiled spring so as to provide the anchor position to which the coil spring
pulls the pod
towards once the bracket is securely attached to the craft.
9. I claim an emergency inflatable stabilization and floatation device as in
claim 2 having a
catch mechanism molded into each half of the cylinder tube along the opposite
adjoining
edge from the hinge mechanism.
10. I claim an emergency inflatable stabilization and floatation device as in
claim 9 having two
coiled compression springs through which two cylindrical pods pass and are
used to affix
1

both halves of the cylinder pod together when the rods pass through the
openings in the
molded portions on each half.
11. I claim an emergency inflatable stabilization and floatation device as in
claim 9 having a
cable attached to the eyelet on each catch rod, which then extends around a
pulley and
attaches to a single cable used to apply equal tension to both cables at one
time, thus
retracting the rods and releasing the pod halves.
12. I claim an emergency inflatable stabilization and floatation device having
a shield device
constructed of high-density polymer and designed to snap into slots in the
bottom half of the
cylindrical pod, thereby protecting the pulley and cable apparatus from
damage.
13. I claim an emergency inflatable stabilization and floatation device, which
employs an
activation mechanism attached to the inner side of the craft containing the
apparatus required
to inflate the stabilization pod and activate the emergency strobe light.
14. I claim an emergency inflatable stabilization and floatation device as in
claim 13 containing
a replaceable and refillable pressurized CO2 gas canister of suitable size to
fully inflate the
floatation bladder to a rigid extent.
15. I claim an emergency inflatable stabilization and floatation device as in
claim 13, which
employs a directional valve to biasly direct the released CO2 gas from the C02
gas canister
to the deflated floatation bladder.
16. I claim an emergency inflatable stabilization and floatation device as in
claim 14 having a
pressure indication gauge located between the CO2 gas canister connection and
the
directional flow valve to allow the operator to monitor the available pressure
within the CO2
gas canister.
17. I claim an emergency inflatable stabilization and floatation device as in
claim 16, which
allows the operator to biasly direct the flow of CO2 gas from the inflated
bladder to the
deflation port located on the face of the directional valve.
18. I claim an emergency inflatable stabilization and floatation device as in
claim 17, which
employs a coiled tension spring attached to the valve handle of the CO2 gas
canister,
maintaining the valve in a position so as to direct the flow from the CO2 gas
canister to the
deflated bladder.
19. I claim an emergency inflatable stabilization and floatation device as in
claim 13, comprised
within the activation apparatus, a pull switch to control the on/off
activation of the
emergency strobe light.
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20. I claim an emergency inflatable stabilization and floatation device as in
claim 13 having a
cable activation system designed to manually activate the release of the
safety catch on the
pod, as in claim 9, to open the valve on the CO2 gas canister and to activate
the switch
controlling the emergency strobe light with one pull of a D-ring attached to
the cable.
21. I claim an emergency inflatable stabilization and floatation device as in
claim 13 having a
watertight battery pack designed to hold a series of D-cell batteries to
provide long-term
operation for the emergency strobe lights.
22. I claim an emergency inflatable stabilization and floatation device as in
claim 13 having a set
of spring clips attached to the bottom of the activation apparatus casing
designed to hold a
manually operated air pump.
23. I claim an emergency inflatable stabilization arid floatation device
having a cylindrical
buoyancy device composed of an inner inflatable bladder and an external non-
stretchable
durable fabric casing.
24. I claim an emergency inflatable stabilization and floatation device having
an inflatable
bladder composed of a relatively thin, but tough, airtight PVC material.
25. I claim an emergency inflatable stabilization and floatation device having
an inflatable
bladder, which has the base of a strobe light, sandwiched into the PVC fabric
and located on
the top surface of the inflated floatation bladder.
26. I claim an emergency inflatable stabilization and floatation device having
an inflatable
bladder, which has a valve stem attached to one end of the cylinder near the
upper edge to
facilitate manual inflation of the bladder.
27. I claim an emergency inflatable stabilization and floatation device having
an inflatable
bladder with a valve stem located on the side of the bladder at midsection
designed to attach
to the CO2 gas canister for inflating the bladder.
28. I claim an emergency inflatable stabilization and floatation device having
a two-part strobe
light, the wiring and lower base section being sandwiched within the PVC
material of the
bladder and the upper strobe section being removable and able to be unscrewed
from the
base and replaced if damaged.
29. I claim an emergency inflatable stabilization and floatation device as in
claim 23 having an
exterior cylindrical casing bag constructed of medium weight denier nylon, non-
stretchable
fabric material, with an elongated opening on the top surface designed to
allow the inflatable
bladder to be placed inside and secured with two zippers built into the casing
bag.
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30. I claim an emergency inflatable stabilization and floatation device as in
claim 29 having an
exterior coloration of blaze orange for superior visibility when deployed.
31. I claim an emergency inflatable stabilization and floatation device as in
claim 29 having two
or more large sections of mirrored mylar film to reflect both sunlight and
radar.
32. I claim an emergency inflatable stabilization and floatation device as in
claim 29 having
openings created into the denier nylon casing designed to allow the strobe
light, as well as
both valve stems attached to the inflatable bladder, to protrude through the
casing.
33. I claim an emergency inflatable stabilization and floatation device having
a minimum of two
heavy-duty web straps surrounding the outer casing bag designed to hold the
inflated
apparatus securely, with the trailing ends passed through the slot openings as
in claim 4.
34. I claim an emergency inflatable stabilization and floatation device having
attachment
brackets attached to the ends of the heavy-duty web straps, to facilitate
secure attachment to
the surface of the craft involved.
35. I claim an emergency inflatable stabilization and floatation device having
an attachment
bracket with a quick release clevis pin designed to allow the buoyancy
apparatus to be
removed from the craft while in an inflated state if required.
4

Description

CA 02538477 2006-02-27
EMERGENCY INFLATABLE STABILIZATION AND FLOATATION DEVICE
This invention provides an Emergency Inflatable Stabilization and Floatation
Device designed
specifically for use on craft under impending distress or risk of
capsizing/sinking due to rough seas
or structural failure.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There have been many differing designs of floatation systems created to help
in the prevention of
the sinking/capsizing of waterborne craft. However, all of these previous
inventions were not
designed to be as user friendly in installation, usage, and operation compared
to this current
innovation. Currently there in nothing manufactured to function specifically
as an emergency float
system that can be easily attached to existing vessels without major
modifications, effort or
difficulty. Every week there is news of another vessel somewhere in the world
sinking or capsizing
with ensuing loss of life. In many of these cases, if not most, having an
emergency floatation device
could have prevented the craft from sinking or at least allowed the
operators/passengers to have
more time to evacuate properly.
Some of the previous floatation system designs are:
Cited documents: CA1324538BRUNDRITT
GB 1442869 PEDRICK
US3797435 DUNSON
US6394867 BIANCO
US5357888 INSINNA
The designs listed above have been attempts at providing an emergency
floatation device for
waterborne craft in distress situations. However they have shortcomings that
have prevented them
from being used in the mainstream markets. This invention solves the
shortcomings of the previous
attempts and offers watercraft operators another line of defense in the
prevention of sinking andlor
capsizing and further loss of life.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention is of an emergency inflatable stabilization and floatation
device that can be externally
attached to a wide variety of vehicles or craft to provide buoyancy to the
vehicle or craft during a
situation of distress while on the open water. The device can be manufactured
in a variety of sizes
suitable to handle the buoyancy requirements of any size or shape of craft.
Unlike previous attempts
at establishing a viable inflatable floatation system, this invention requires
a minimal amount of
structural changes to any craft and is also portable for ease of removal to
another vessel.
The purpose of this invention is to create the circumstances that would
provide the user with the
maximum possibility of survival should their craft be in danger or capsize in
rough seas or sinking
due to structural failure or other unforeseen circumstances.
There are many fme emergency inflatable devices in the form of life rafts,
life vests or survival suits
and all are viable and necessary. This invention does not preclude these
devices, but augments them
by providing more time for the operator or passengers to take necessary steps
to enhance their
chances of survival. In many instances a craft succumbs to the inundation from
water and capsizes
or sinks, providing little warning and even less time to make adequate
provisions for survival. What
this invention does is extend that window of opportunity to allow proper steps
to be taken to survive.

CA 02538477 2006-02-27
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION (continued)
The floatation device is as simple as it is effective. A series of inflatable
bladders contained within
their own tough outer casing are inflated around the craft through a single
pull on an activation
cable, either manually or electrically, releasing compressed carbon dioxide
gas (C02) from a
refillable and replaceable canister. Simultaneously the cable releases an
optional safety catch
opening the elongated pod holding the substantially deflated and folded
floatation bladders.
Additionally the same cable operates a pull switch attached to emergency
strobe light or lights,
attached to each floatation device. With the bladders inflated around the
craft, it provides additional
stability from being swamped or capsizing in rough water. The outer denier
nylon casing, colored in
blaze orange as well as the flashing of strobe lights provide search and
rescue additional help in
locating the craft in distress. It also provides the occupants time to prepare
to abandon ship if so
desired, however, the buoyancy provided by sufficiently sized bladders should
maintain the
floatability of the craft even if totally inundated with water. Being set
adrift in turbulent water is
traumatic enough even with an adequate survival raft and provisions, however
it is the unfortunate
experience of far too many victims of accidents at sea to be exposed to the
open water with little
more than a life jacket, due to the speed of a craft sinking before sufficient
preparations could be
made. These inflatable bladders are designed to be re-used many times and are
able to be re-packed
and re-charged with a fresh COZ canister be the operator. This allows for
earlier activation of the
device in rough water, just to be on the safe side. This in itself will save a
lot of lives by taking
steps before capsizing to increase the stability and buoyancy of the craft. If
the craft becomes
partially submerged due to a structural failure of the hull, it will continue
to remain a float due to the
buoyancy of the bladders. This allows time to make distress calls by radio,
and/or gather provisions
and prepare to abandon ship. It also allows the people on board to simply stay
with their partially
submerged craft, which would provide more security from sharks, less exposure
to the elements and
a much larger target for search and rescue to locate. Another potential use
for this Emergency
Inflatable Stabilization and Floatation Device is on vessels that are not
intended to travel on water,
but do on occasion travel over or near water and have the possibility of
becoming in distress in deep
water, due to unforeseen circumstances. Such vessels as private aircraft,
automobiles and
snowmobiles do on occasion become exposed to deep water, either from
mechanical failure,
accidentally or inattention by the operator. On those occasions these vessels,
which are not designed
to float, begin to sink within seconds and are totally submerged in less than
a minute. This allows
no time for the occupants to take measures to improve their chances of
survival. With this
Emergency Inflatable Stabilization and Floatation Device in place, the
occupants would increase
their chances of survival many fold, in these situations, by providing
additional time to make a
distress call and continue to stay floating until help arrives.

CA 02538477 2006-02-27
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The emergency inflatable stabilization and floatation device (EISFD) is
described in four primary
sections and one that shows the mounting of an EISFD on different types of
craft. The main
structure and pod of the floatation device are indicated with an "A". The
activation mechanisms and
COa apparatus are indicated with a "B". The inflatable bladders, containment
bag and additional
accessories are indicated with a "C". The catch mechanism and attachment
apparatus are indicated
with a "D". The mounting of EISFD's on different craft is indicated with an
"E".
A-la indicates the upper half of the exterior casing of the pod, which
encloses the inflatable bladder
within.
A-lb indicates the lower half of the exterior casing of the pod, which
encloses the inflatable bladder
within.
A-2 indicates the hinge section, which joins the pod to the attachment bracket
A-4. The hinge
encases a coil spring, which holds the pod tightly against the attachment
bracket.
A-3 indicates the thickened polymer section, which encases one end of the coil
spring and holds it
tightly against A-1.
A-4 indicates the attachment brackets, which are used to secure the pod to the
craft with bolts.
A-5 indicates the brackets, which attach the web straps surrounding the
inflation pod bag C-1
securely to the craft.
A-6 indicates the opening through which the high-pressure carbon dioxide gas
{C02) tube passes for
attaching to the deflated bladder.
A-7 indicates a quick release clevis, which holds the web strap A-8 to the
attachment bracket A-5.
A-8 indicates the portion of the web strap, which attaches to the bracket A-5
with clevis A-7.
A-9 indicates the clamp that is secured to the web straps inside of the pod to
restrict the size of
encircling web (C-3), which holds the inflation pod bag.
A-10 indicates the high-pressure tube through which passes the C02 as it
inflates the bladder.
A-11 indicates the openings in the back of the pod through which the web
straps A-8 pass.
B-1 indicates the gunwale of a boat, as an example, to which a pod and
activation device is attached.
B-2 indicates the portion of the COZ tube, which extends from the directional
flow valve B-3 to the
outside ofthe craft.
B-3 indicates a directional flow valve, which directs COZ gas into or out of
the inflation bladder.
B-4 indicates the refillable COa canister, which supplies the compressed gas
to inflate the bladder.
B-5 indicates the external casing of the activation apparatus.
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CA 02538477 2006-02-27
B-6 indicates the spring clamps, which hold the replaceable COZ canister in
the container B-5.
B-7 indicates the junction where the cable from the catch release mechanism
and the cable to the D-
ring and cable from the strobe light switch are connected.
B-8 indicates the safety catch release cable that is attached to the pulley on
the electric motor B-16.
B-9 indicates the D-ring, which is used to manually release the catch
mechanism D-1, the pod A-1
and to activate the C02 release valve B-21 and the strobe light switch B-10.
B-10 indicates the on/offpull switch, which activates the strobe light.
B-11 indicates the waterproof case, which holds the D-cell batteries that
power the strobe light.
B-12 indicates the D-cell batteries, which provide power to operate the strobe
light.
B-13 indicates the spring clamps located on the bottom of the container
enclosing the activation
apparatus, which are designed to hold a hand operated manual air pump.
B-14 indicates the main body of the hand operated manual air pump.
B-15 indicates the flexible hose, which attaches the manually operated air
pump to the locking
nozzle that attaches to the valve stem (C-6) of the inflation bladder.
B-16 indicates the electrical motor used to activate the catch release
mechanism (D-1), as well as the
COZ release valve (B-21) and strobe light switch (B-10) when used in the
automatic mode.
B-17 indicates the bolts, which pass through the attachment bracket (A-4) and
secure the inflation
pod container to the craft.
B-18 indicates the port, which allows the pressure to escape from the inflated
bladder. It can also be
used to attach a vacuum device to completely deflate the bladder to facilitate
re-packing of the
inflation bladder into the pod casing.
B-19 indicates the valve handle on unit B-3, which is used to direct the flow
of COZ to the bladder or
to release the pressure from the bladder.
B-20 indicates the tension spring, which holds the valve handle in a position
that allows the C02 to
pass into the bladder once the COa valve (B-21 ) is activated.
B-21 indicates the valve on the COZ canister that releases COZ into the
bladder.
B-22 indicates a pressure gauge, which indicates the status of the pressure
within the COa canister.
B-23 indicates the backing plate, which allows the activation cable (D-14) to
pass through the casing
and into the interior of the box.
B-24 indicates the lockable nozzle end of the manual air pump hose (B-15),
which attaches to the
valve stem (C-6) on the bladder.
B-25 indicates the pulley attached to the electrical motor (B-16), used to
automatically activate the
inflation device.
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CA 02538477 2006-02-27
B-26 indicates the electrical wiring, which runs from the battery pack (B-11)
to the on/off switch of
the strobe light pull switch (B-10).
B-27 indicates the junction where the cable (B-28) from the C02 release valve
(B-21 ) and the cable
from the on/off pull switch for the strobe light are connected.
B-28 indicates the cable, which runs from junction B-27 to the C02 release
valve (B-21).
B-29 indicates the rubber seal on the top of the activation apparatus
container through which the
C02 tube and electrical wiring to the strobe light pass.
B-30 indicates the short section of COZ tube, which runs from the COZ valve (B-
21) to the
directional flow valve (B-3).
B-31 indicates the attachment eyelets, which are used to secure the activation
apparatus container to
the craft.
C-I indicates the denier nylon containment bag, which encloses the inflation
bladder. The bag is
colored blaze orange for superior visibility.
C-la indicates the inflation bag in a deflated state.
C-2 indicates the strobe light, which is attached to the inflation bladder and
protrudes through an
opening in C-1 between the two zippers.
C-3 indicates the web straps, which surround the containment bag and hold it
firmly to the craft.
C-4 indicates the mirrored mylar strips attached to the containment bag to
facilitate both sunlight
and radar reflection.
C-5 indicates the zippers on the containment bag through which the deflated
bladder passes.
C-6 indicates the valve stem, which allows for manual inflation of the bladder
with a hand operated
air pump.
C-7 indicates the female end of the COa connection, which receives the COa
section A-10 thereby
depressing an internal valve pin and allowing the COa gas to move freely into
the bladder upon
activation. Once unscrewed the pin in the valve stem will release and allow
the bladder to remain
inflated.
C-8 indicates the opening in the containment bag C-1 through which the strobe
light C-2 protrudes.
C-9 indicates the opening in the containment bag C-1 through which the C02
connection protrudes
to be connected to A-10.
D-1 indicates the main body of the catch mechanism located on the A-Ib portion
of the containment
pod.
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CA 02538477 2006-02-27
D-2 indicates the opening on D-1 through which the spring-loaded locking pin D-
5 penetrates to
secure the pod sections in a closed position.
D-3 indicates the tab portion of the catch mechanism, which is attached to A-
la and fits into the slot
on D-1 to allow the spring-loaded locking pin D-5 to hold sections D-3 and D-1
together.
D-4 indicates the guide stop attached to A-16, which guides the locking pin in
D-5 into the opening
of D-2.
D-5 indicates the spring-loaded locking pin, which secures the containment pod
closed.
D-6 indicates the stop attached to D-5, which restricts the movement of D-5
and is used to provide
compression to the spring D-7.
D-7 indicates the compression spring through which the locking pin D-5 passes.
D-8 indicates the guide stop, which is used to guide the locking pin D-5 and
provide a stop for the
movement of the compression spring D-7.
D-9 indicates the eyelet on D-5 to which the cable D-10 is attached.
D-10 indicates the short length of cable that attaches to D-9 eyelet and
passes through pulley D-13
to facilitate the retraction of one side of the catch release mechanism.
D-11 indicates the opening within the body of the containment pod, which
houses the inflation
bladder and outer bag.
D-12 indicates the slots designed to receive tabs D-18 on one edge of the
cover D-16.
D-13 indicates the pulleys through which the cables D-10 pass to facilitate
the retraction of the
locking pins.
D-14 indicates the single cable, which is attached to both D-10 cables and
proceeds into the
activation apparatus container.
D-15 indicates the slots on A-lb designed to receive the tabs D-17 on the
cover plate D-16.
D-16 indicates the cover plate, which attaches to the lower section A-lb of
the containment pod to
protect the catch release mechanism.
D-17 indicates the tabs on the cover plate designed to fit into slots D-15 on
section A-lb.
D-18 indicates the tabs on the cover plate designed to fit into slots D-12 on
section A-lb.
D-19 indicates a portable clamp, which can be connected to attachment bracket
A-4 to allow the pod
to be quickly attached or removed from a small craft such as a canoe.
E-1 indicates the Emergency Inflatable Stabilization and Floatation Device
(EISFD) attached to a
high wing private aircraft.
E-2 indicates the EISFD once it is activated on a private aircraft.
4

CA 02538477 2006-02-27
E-3 indicates various mounting locations for the EISFD on a low wing aircraft.
E-4 indicates the EISFD activated on a low wing aircraft.
E-5 indicates the possible mounting of an EISFD on a helicopter.
E-6 indicates the EISFD mounted on the aft section of a sailboat.
E-7 indicates the forward mounted position of the EISFD on a sailboat.
E-8 and E-9 indicates the EISFD once activated, providing substantial
stabilization and floatation to
the sailboat.
E-10 indicates the front view of the EISFD mounted on either side of a canoe.
E-11 indicates the EISFD on a canoe in an activated position providing
substantial stabilization in
rough water.
E-12 indicates a side view of the EISFD mounted on a canoe.
E-13 indicates a top view of the EISFD mounted on a canoe.
E-14 indicates the activated EISFD on a canoe providing substantial floatation
and stabilization.
E-15 indicates the mounting of an EISFD on the front of a snowmobile.
E-16 indicates the mounting position of an EISFD on the back of a snowmobile.
E-17 and E-18 indicates the side view of the activated EISFD on a snowmobile.
E-19 and E-20 indicates the top view of the activated EISFD on a snowmobile
providing enough
buoyancy to keep the craft from sinking should it break through the thin ice
on a body of water.
E-21 and E-22 indicates the side view of EISFD's mounted on an automobile.
E-23 and E-24 indicates the top view of EISFD's activated on an automobile
providing enough
buoyancy to keep the vehicles from sinking should it find itself in deep
water.
E-25 indicates the EISFD mounted in a small boat.
E-26 indicates the activated EISFD on a small boat providing substantial
stability in rough water.
E-27 indicates the EISFD mounted on the forward section of a powerboat.
E-28 indicates the EISFD mounted on the rear section of a powerboat.
E-29 indicates the activated EISFD on the forward section of the powerboat.
E-30 indicates the activated EISFD on the rear section of the powerboat.

CA 02538477 2006-02-27
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1. Shows a top view, looking down onto the high-density polymer
containment pod.
Figure 2. Shows an oblique view from the rear of the containment pod with both
attachment
brackets and web strap brackets in place.
Figure 3. Shows an oblique view of the open pod from the front, exposing the
web straps that
secure the inflatable pontoons to the craft.
Figure 4. Shows an end view of the pod with the attachment brackets in a down
position.
Figure 5. Shows an end view of the pod with the attachment brackets in an up
position with the
coil spring in the hinge under heavy tension.
Figure 6. Shows a cross section view of a gunwale with the containment pod on
the outside and
the inner workings of the activation device on the inside.
Figure 7. Shows a frontal view of the inner workings of the activation device.
Figure 8. Shows an end view of an inflated pontoon with the containment pod
opened.
Figure 9. Shows a side view of an inflated pontoon indicating the securing web
straps, the strobe
light and mylar sections.
Figure 10. Shows a view of a substantially deflated and folded pontoon to be
inserted into a pod.
Figure 11. Shows a side view of an inflated pod of a different size and shape.
Figure 12. Shows a side view of a partially inflated outer containment casing,
indicating the
securing web straps.
Figure 13. Shows an end view of an internal inflatable bladder with the strobe
light and valve
stem.
Figure 14. Shows a top view of a partially inflated outer casing indicating
the position of the web
straps, zippers and openings through which the strobe light and valve stem
protrude.
Figure 15. Shows a top view of a substantially deflated internal pontoon,
indicating the strobe
light and valve stem connection.
Figure 16. Shows a close up view of the optional safety catch mechanism
holding the pod closed.
Figure 17. Shows an end view of the containment pod and attachment bracket,
with optional
screw clamp used for attaching the pod temporarily to a small craft.
Figure 18. Shows an oblique view of the underside of the containment pod and
safety catch
mechanism.
Figure 19. Shows a representation of a private aircraft with the Emergency
Inflatable Stabilization
and Floatation Device mounted underneath.
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CA 02538477 2006-02-27
Figure 20. Shows a representation of a private aircraft with the Emergency
Inflatable Stabilization
and Floatation Device mounted underneath and inflated.
Figure 21. Shows a representation of a low-wing aircraft with various mounting
positions of pods
and inflated pontoons.
Figure 22. Shows a representation of a small helicopter with an Emergency
Inflatable
Stabilization and Floatation Device mounted underneath.
Figure 23. Shows a representation of a sailboat with multiple Emergency
Inflatable Stabilization
and Floatation Device pods attached.
Figure 24. Shows a representation of a sailboat with multiple Emergency
Inflatable Stabilization
and Floatation Device pods attached and inflated.
Figure 25. Shows an end view of a canoe with two Emergency Inflatable
Stabilization and
Floatation Device pods attached.
Figure 26. Shows an end view of a canoe with two Emergency Inflatable
Stabilization and
Floatation Device pods attached and inflated.
Figure 27. Shows a side view of a canoe and placement of the Emergency
Inflatable Stabilization
and Floatation Device pods.
Figure 28. Shows a top view of a canoe and placement of the Emergency
Inflatable Stabilization
and Floatation Device pods.
Figure 29. Shows a top view of a canoe and placement of the inflated Emergency
Inflatable
Stabilization and Floatation Device pods.
Figure 30. Shows an oblique view of a snowmobile with a potential mounting
position for the
Emergency Inflatable Stabilization and Floatation Device pod on the front of
the craft.
Figure 31. Shows an oblique view of a snowmobile with a potential mounting
position for the
Emergency Inflatable Stabilization and Floatation Device pod on the rear of
the craft.
Figure 32. Shows a side view of a snowmobile with the Emergency Inflatable
Stabilization and
Floatation Device inflated.
Figure 33. Shows a top view of a snowmobile indicating the size and
positioning of the inflated
Emergency Inflatable Stabilization and Floatation Device.
Figure 34. Shows a side view of an automobile with an Emergency Inflatable
Stabilization and
Floatation Device pods mounted on the front and rear.
Figure 35. Shows a top view of an automobile with an Emergency Inflatable
Stabilization and
Floatation Device pods mounted on the front and rear and inflated.
7

CA 02538477 2006-02-27
Figure 36. Shows a representation of an open top powerboat with mounted
Emergency Inflatable
Stabilization and Floatation Device pods.
Figure 37. Shows a representation of an open top powerboat with mounted
Emergency Inflatable
Stabilization and Floatation Device pods and inflated.
Figure 38. Shows a representation of a cabin cruiser with Emergency Inflatable
Stabilization and
Floatation Device pods mounted.
Figure 39. Shows a representation of a cabin cruiser with Emergency Inflatable
Stabilization and
Floatation Device pods mounted and inflated.
8

Representative Drawing