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[0001] Not applicable.
[0002] Not Applicable
[0003] Not Applicable
[0004] The patent class definition for rafts is class 441/35 and there are 112 patents listed on the USPTO website under that classification, none of which addresses the claims under this application.
[0005] There are 76 patents listed under subclass 441/38 “With shelter” that falls under class 441/35, but U.S. Pat. No. 4,001,905 (expired, 1994) is the only one that contains a claim that is somewhat similar to claim 1 of this application. U.S. Pat. No. 4,001,905 contains a “hemispherical” dome-like enclosure whereas this application contains a “spheroidal” globe-like enclosure, the difference being a half-sphere enclosure vs. a full-sphere enclosure.
[0006] The field of endeavor to which the invention submitted in this application pertains is best described as relating to U.S. Patent Classifications 441/35 “Raft”, 441/38 “With shelter” and 441/40 “Inflatable”.
[0007] The invention related to this application has an inflatable multi-wall multi-cell spheroidal shell that forms an enclosed shelter and an internal water-inflatable ballast tank that work in conjunction with each other to render the raft incapable of capsizing.
[0008] Prior art, as evidenced by the below-listed patents, does not claim an inflatable multi-wall multi-cell spheroidal shell shelter or an internal water-inflatable ballast tank.
[0009] Referenced patents are; U.S. Pat. No. 6,325,688, U.S. Pat. No. 5,919,068, U.S. Pat. No. 5,800,225, U.S. Pat. No. 5,733,158, U.S. Pat. No. 5,927,258, U.S. Pat. No. 4,890,569, U.S. Pat. No. 3,058,127, U.S. Pat. No. 3,092,854 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,998,900.
[0010] Patent U.S. Pat. No. 5,927,228 is classified U.S. 114/345 and 441/40.
[0011] Patent U.S. Pat. No. 4,890,569 is classified U.S. 114/349, 114/125, 441/37 and D12/316.
[0012] All other patents listed are classified U.S. 441/38 with various other sub-classes and all are inflatable and use tarpaulins as shelter except U.S. Pat. No. 4,890,569 that has a semi-rigid canopy.
[0013] All of the above-listed rafts are subject to excessive rolling, tipping and/or capsizing thereby promoting possible injuries and death to occupants
[0014] Tarpaulins used as shelter provide little insulation against extremely cold weather and they are subject to damage caused by high winds and heavy seas.
[0015] The invention is an air-inflatable multi-wall multi-cell spheroidal shell life raft that is constructed of one or more inflatable cells and/or inflatable panels that form an enclosed air-insulated shelter for occupants. Perimeter windows with removable covers allow cross ventilation when desired and the raft contains an internal water-inflatable ballast tank that enhances stability.
[0016] Key features are the air inflatable spheroidal shape of the shell, the water-inflatable internal ballast tank and the relationship of the shell to the ballast tank.
[0017] Unlike prior art, the raft resists rolling and tipping and will not capsize when occupants and their belongings are equally distributed within the enclosure. Rolling, tipping and capsizing has caused injuries and deaths in the past and this new art resists such occurrences.
[0018] Also unlike prior art, the air space in the multi-wall of the spheroidal shell provides enhanced insulation against extremely cold weather. Prior art that uses tarpaulins as shelters does not sufficiently protect occupants from extreme cold weather.
[0019] Two drawings,
[0020]
[0021]
[0022] The drawings illustrate that the invention relating to this application is comprised of an air-or-gas-inflated multi-wall, multi-cell and/or multi-panel spheroidal shell
[0023] Prior art inflatable rafts rely on tubular floatation elements that provide buoyancy to support raft occupants and their belongings, tarpaulin canopies to provide limited protection from the elements and suspended weights and/or sacks as ballast to provide limited stability.
[0024] Absolute proof that prior art is woefully inadequate to perform the functions required to protect raft occupants from possible injuries and/or death lies in the fact that a significant percentage of inflatable rafts, referred to as ‘self-righting’ and/or ‘reversible’, are designed in expectancy of capsizing. Rolling, tipping and capsizing causes occupants and their belongings to be thrown about the raft thereby resulting in collisions that produce injuries and some times deaths.
[0025] The new art of this invention essentially solves the problems associated with prior art by utilizing inflatable multi-wall and multi-cell technology in the form of a buoyant spheroidal shell that is efficiently positioned to work in conjunction with an internal water-inflatable ballast tank that is also efficiently positioned to insure elimination of the possibility of capsizing. This symbiotic relationship works in the following manner.
[0026] When a force such as that produced by winds or waves is applied to the exterior surface of the raft, three events take place;
[0027] 1) The effects of wind and/or water forces are dispersed and therefore reduced because of the spheroidal shape of the raft;
[0028] 2) The increased buoyancy of the inflated upper shell acts as a fulcrum about the center of the raft to hold the top of the raft up; and
[0029] 3) The water-inflated ballast tank acts as a fulcrum about the center of the raft to hold the bottom of the raft down.
[0030] Additionally, the shell enclosure provides an air-insulated shelter that protects the raft's occupants from exposure to the elements such as hot or cold air, excessive sunshine and glare, high winds, rough waves and/or heavy precipitation. Perimeter windows with removable covers allow cross ventilation when desired and the inflation of the raft is begun manually to trigger sequential inflation of the upper shell, the floor cushion, the lower shell and the ballast tank in that order.