Inflatable Self-Rescue Buoyancy Device for Watercraft Reboarding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current water self-rescue devices are inadequate as they lack adaptability to varying physical and environmental conditions, require attachment to watercraft or paddles, and do not provide sufficient assistance for individuals with insufficient upper body strength or in emergency situations, leading to increased risk of drowning.
Innovation Solution
A portable, inflatable device that can be secured to a self-rescuer's lower extremity, providing adjustable buoyancy and support, allowing for easier reboarding of watercraft or swimming to safety without requiring attachment to the watercraft or paddle, and is operable in multiple modes based on the self-rescuer's conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If standard self-rescue maneuvers are performed without aids, then the self-rescuer must rely on upper body strength and rapid fluid motion, but individuals with insufficient upper body strength or in emergency conditions face increased risk of drowning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary device (life ring, flotation device, or reaching tool) that mediates between the self-rescuer and the watercraft. This intermediary provides mechanical advantage and additional buoyancy, allowing individuals with insufficient upper body strength to perform self-rescue maneuvers safely, thereby reducing drowning risk while improving rescue reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The self-rescue system is segmented into multiple independent components: the self-rescuer, the watercraft, and the portable flotation device. This segmentation allows the flotation device to be independently deployed and positioned to provide optimal assistance, enabling reliable self-rescue without requiring the rescuer to simultaneously manage all aspects of the rescue maneuver
2Adaptability or versatility
If prior art devices are used to aid self-rescue, then some assistance is provided, but they require attachment to watercraft or paddles and lack adaptability to varying physical and environmental conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a universal flotation device that can be used across multiple scenarios: attached to watercraft for stability, thrown to distressed paddlers for immediate flotation, or used as a reaching tool extension. This multi-functionality provides adaptability to varying physical and environmental conditions without requiring complex attachment mechanisms, as the device effectively simplifies to a standalone flotation aid when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the flotation and rescue assistance function from the watercraft system itself, creating a portable, standalone device that can operate independently. This extraction eliminates the requirement for complex attachment to watercraft or paddles, allowing the device to be deployed in situations where the watercraft is inaccessible, damaged, or where rapid deployment is critical
3Weight of moving object
If portable and easily stored devices are used, then the device can be easily transported and stored, but they may lack sufficient buoyancy and support for challenging conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The flotation device is designed with a nested structure where the inflatable chambers are contained within a compact carrying case or pouch when deflated. This nesting allows the device to maintain high buoyancy strength when deployed (fully inflated) while achieving portability and easy storage when collapsed, effectively resolving the contradiction between device portability and buoyancy strength
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
Enhances the self-rescuer's ability to perform self-rescue maneuvers by providing additional buoyancy and support, reducing the risk of drowning and allowing for successful reboarding or swimming to safety, even in challenging conditions, and can be easily stored and transported.
Implementation Method 1
a one or more than one inflatable 20; the one or more than one inflatable 20 having a shape... the one or more than one inflatable 20 having a shear and tensile strength to support a watercraft
Data Source
AI summary
An inflatable carrying device of watercraft by a single human carrier comprising one or more inflatables having a shape to enable it to be secured to one or both shoulders of the carrier, and a shear and tensile strength to support at least in part the watercraft. Various embodiments of the inflatables include an incurvate side about 240-300 degrees to secure to the shoulders, a length extending at least transversely across the seating area of the watercraft, a length about the width of one shoulder of the carrier, and a height to provide forward visibility for the carrier to avoid obstacles. The device makes possible single human transport of watercraft which lack a design structure for solo transport such as a kayak having a cockpit and a sit-on-top kayak.