Flotation device with boarding apparatus

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11148760-B2
Application number	US-201916460170-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 2, 2019
Priority date	Jul 2, 2019
Publication date	Oct 19, 2021
Grant date	Oct 19, 2021

Abstract

A boarding apparatus for use on a flotation device, in accordance with various embodiments is disclosed herein. The boarding apparatus comprises a stirrup ladder. The boarding apparatus may be integral to a lifeline assembly of the flotation device. The boarding apparatus may be removably coupled to a loop patch of the flotation device. The boarding apparatus may release from the loop patch and become a boarding configuration for the flotation device.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A flotation device comprising:
an inflation tube;
a plurality of loop patches disposed around a perimeter of the inflation tube;
a lifeline extending from adjacent loop patches in the plurality of loop patches, the lifeline extending along the perimeter of the inflation tube;
a lifeline configuration comprising a boarding apparatus extending from a first loop patch in the plurality of loop patches to a second loop patch in the plurality of loop patches, the boarding apparatus extending along the perimeter of the inflation tube; and
a boarding configuration comprising the boarding apparatus extending from the first loop patch downward and perpendicular to the perimeter of the inflation tube.

2. The flotation device of claim 1 , wherein an applied force along an axis of the boarding apparatus releases the boarding apparatus from the second loop patch.

3. The flotation device of claim 1 , wherein the boarding apparatus further comprises:
a central rope having a first end and a second end, the first end coupled to the first loop patch;
a first loop proximate the first loop patch and disposed on a first side of the central rope;
a second loop proximate the first loop and disposed on a second side of the central rope, the second side being opposite the first; and
a third loop proximate the second loop and disposed on the first side of the central rope.

4. The flotation device of claim 3 , wherein the boarding apparatus further comprises a heat shrink tubing, wherein the heat shrink tubing is coupled to the first loop.

5. The flotation device of claim 1 , wherein:
the boarding apparatus is removably coupled to the second loop patch,
the boarding apparatus comprises a stirrup ladder, and
the boarding apparatus is configured to release from the second loop patch downward into the boarding configuration.

Assignees

• Goodrich Corp

Inventors

• Haynes Timothy C
• Hartman Drew
• Burt Rachel
• Markovic John
• Folland Eric
• Burbank Philip E
• Robb Michael Jacob

Classifications

• E06C1/525

  made of a continuous strip of material · CPC title

• B63C9/04

  Life-rafts · CPC title

• B63B27/146 Primary

  Pilot ladders or similar outboard ladders, e.g. bathing ladders; Pilot lifts · CPC title

• B63C2009/042

  inflatable · CPC title

• B63C9/26

  Cast or life lines; Attachments thereto; Containers therefor; {Rescue nets or the like}(adaptations of aerial cableways to shipboard use B63B27/18; guns for line throwing F41F; line-carrying missiles F42B12/68) · CPC title