Compact Transportable Flotation Device With Head and Torso Support

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing rescue boards are bulky, heavy, and require significant effort to transport, limiting their use to stationary locations, and are inefficient in the hands of untrained rescuers, leading to high mortality rates during drowning rescues due to the inability to fix victims securely and transport them safely.

Innovation Solution

A compact, lightweight flotation device with a composite hull that can be inflated quickly, equipped with a cutout for securing the victim's head, straps for torso fixation, and a cord for easy transportation, allowing untrained rescuers to keep victims afloat and transport them safely.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a traditional solid non-inflatable rescue board is used, then the rescuer can provide flotation support to the victim, but the device becomes bulky and heavy, making it difficult to transport and limiting its use to stationary locations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflotation support capabilityVSAvoiddevice weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The rescue board transitions from a rigid solid state to an inflated air-filled state, fundamentally changing its physical parameters. The board is stored as a flat compact package that can be easily carried, then inflated at the rescue location to provide the necessary buoyancy and structural support for victim rescue

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The rescue board structure is designed to nest within itself when deflated, with the board walls folding inward to form a compact package. The handle and other components are integrated into the folded structure, allowing the entire device to be stored in a small portable form factor that can be carried by the rescuer

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If a traditional solid non-inflatable rescue board is used, then the rescuer can provide flotation support, but the device requires significant effort to transport and is limited to stationary rescue stations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflotation support capabilityVSAvoidtransportation ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The rescue board is designed as a dynamic system that changes its physical state from compact/deflated to expanded/inflated. This dynamic transformation allows the board to adapt between storage/transport conditions and operational rescue conditions, providing both portability and structural integrity when needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If the rescuer uses a traditional rescue board without victim fixation, then the rescuer can maintain flotation, but the victim cannot be securely fixed, leading to head immersion especially during high waves or loss of consciousness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflotation stabilityVSAvoidhead immersion risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The rescue board is divided into functional zones: a central flotation chamber for buoyancy, side walls forming a cockpit area for victim containment, and a rear section with integrated head support. This segmentation allows each area to perform its specific function while working together to provide comprehensive victim support and prevention of head immersion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The board structure incorporates localized features such as elevated rear walls forming a headrest area, side walls creating a protective cockpit, and strategic openings for rescuer access. These local structural qualities provide targeted protection for the victim's head and upper body while maintaining overall flotation stability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Ease of operation

If the rescuer holds both the victim and the rescue board simultaneously, then the victim receives assistance, but the rescuer experiences loss of strength and difficulty during high waves

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverescue assistance capabilityVSAvoidrescuer energy expenditure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The rescue board is designed to support the victim's weight through its buoyant structure, eliminating the need for the rescuer to physically hold the victim. The victim is secured to the board via straps and positioning features, allowing the board itself to perform the support function while the rescuer only needs to guide and monitor the rescue process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

5Reliability

If the rescuer waits for additional help while holding the rescue board and victim, then the victim receives continuous support, but transportation to shore is almost completely excluded

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevictim support continuityVSAvoidtransport capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The device enhances rescue efficiency by reducing the effort required to keep victims afloat, minimizing the risk of head immersion, and enabling transport to shore, thereby decreasing mortality rates during drowning incidents.

Implementation Method 1

a flotation device (100) comprising: a hull (1) in the form of a buoyancy chamber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Data Source

PatentUS20250236370A1Compact transportable flotation device with support for victim's head and shoulder girdle

Publication Date: 2025.07.24 MELCHAKOV ALEKSANDR

AI summary

A flotation device is provided, which comprises: a hull (1) in the form of a buoyancy chamber (1.1), wherein the front end of the hull (1) is equipped with a means (7) for securing a cord, and a cutout (5) is made at the rear end of the hull (1). The hull (1) can be made composite, consisting of the first part (17) of the hull and the second part (18) of the hull, arranged in series along the longitudinal axis of the hull (1) and connected to each other by connecting elements (19) to form of connection that provides possibility of mutual rotation of the first part (17) of the hull relative to the second part (18) of the hull in a vertical plane. The invention increases the efficiency of saving drowning people in open water and reduce mortality during rescuing.