Curtis E Shields

US Patent:

45333335, Aug 6, 1985

Filed:

Aug 8, 1980

Appl. No.:

6/176376

Inventors:

Wesley A. Andrew - Woodbridge VA
Curtis E. Shields - Virginia Beach VA
Harry O. Hindlin - Virginia Beach VA
Robert Hamilton - Virginia Beach VA

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy - Washington DC

International Classification:

B63C 904

US Classification:

441 38

Abstract:

An inflatable liferaft improves disaster victims' chances of survival, pacularly in cold waters. Three inflatable ribs support a layered canopy from the sides of the raft to assure protection from the elements. A highly reflective coating or an equivalent space-blanket type material is provided on the inside of the canopy to help keep the occupants warm and act as a radar reflector. The inflatable ribs also aerodynamically shape the raft to stabilize it in high wind states and while being towed through the air by a rescue helicopter. A hoisting harness cradles the bottom and sides of the raft and is connected to an enlarged hoisting eye located overhead or floating on the water to assure an unassisted, reliable engagement by a helicopter-born hook. After the hook has engaged the hoisting eye and as the harness lifts the raft from the water, a number of covers located along the bottom of the raft's hemispherical ballasting chamber are pulled from their respective openings to allow the rapid dumping of ballast water. Thusly relieved of this load, the helicopter can rapidly transport the survivors to a medical facility.