Abstract
The present invention utilizes the resilient force (i.e. the force to deform when pressure is added and to return to the original shape when the pressure is removed) of an elastic member or bias member. A large pressure if added in advance to the elastic member or bias member disposed in a preserver body to set the preserver body in a thin and flat state. In an emergency, the resilient force of the elastic member or bias member causes water or air to be sucked into the preserver body. The volume of the preserver body is expanded by the air sucked in due to the resilient force of the elastic member or bias member or by gas generated by a chemical reaction between the sucked-in water and a foaming agent. The increased volume causes the preserver body to float, thereby enabling a wearer to breathe.
Claims
1. A life preserver that can be normally worn as a warming clothing, and as a life preserver in an emergency, comprising: a preserver body including a sealed hollow region, the preserver body configured to cover at least a part of a torso; and a foaming portion that includes a foaming agent disposed within the preserver body; a liquid bag disposed in the hollow region that seals a reactive liquid therein, at least one part of the liquid bag being configured to be thin and flat so as to cover at least a part of the torso, wherein the life preserver comprises a ripping structure for ripping the liquid bag or the liquid bag includes a severable portion, when normally used, the thin and flat part achieves an insulating effect by keeping out heat with a face of the liquid bag and a heat retention effect by maintaining the temperature of the reactive liquid, which is warmed by the body's heat; when used in an emergency, the reactive liquid from the ripped liquid bag reacts with the foaming agent, and the preserver body expands to obtain buoyancy, and the foaming agent is wrapped within a material that is dissolved by the reactive liquid.
2. The life preserver according to claim 1, wherein the life preserver comprises a ripping structure for ripping the liquid bag, and the ripping structure includes a needle portion or a cutter portion.
3. The life preserver according to claim 1, wherein the liquid bag is provided at a back part of the life preserver, and the thin and flat part of is configured to cover a main part of the back part.
4. The life preserver according to claim 1, wherein the liquid bag is configured so that bonded portions that are bonded with each other are formed at one or more locations on an inner surface of the liquid bag, in a manner to prevent the reactive liquid sealed in the liquid bag from being distributed unevenly due to gravity.
5. The life preserver according to claim 1, wherein the liquid bag includes a severable portion, and with the preserver body in water, an operation of a portion of the liquid bag being directly pulled from outside the preserver body causes a focused tensile force to be added to the severable portion of the liquid bag, thereby severing the severable portion of the liquid bag to which the focused tensile force is added to release the reactive liquid sealed therein, and the released reactive liquid reacts with the foaming agent to generate a gas and increase the total volume in the preserver body, thereby increasing buoyancy of the preserver body and causing the body wearing the preserver body to float.
6. The life preserver according to claim 4, further comprising a chassis disposed outside the preserver body, said chassis including the needle portion or the cutter portion; wherein with the preserver body in water, a pressing operation of pressing the needle portion or the cutter portion in the chassis through an operation hole of the chassis with a finger from outside the preserver body causes the liquid bag to be torn and the reactive liquid sealed in the liquid bag to be released, and the released reactive liquid reacts with the foaming agent to generate a gas and increase the total volume in the preserver body, thereby increasing buoyancy of the preserver body and causing the body wearing the preserver body to float.
7. The life preserver according to claim 2, wherein the ripping structure further comprises a bias member to bias the needle portion or the cutter portion.
8. The life preserver according to claim 7, further comprising: a chassis including the needle portion or the cutter portion having a bias member, which is provided in a latched state, the chassis being disposed outside the preserver body, wherein, with the preserver body in water, operation of an operation hook in the latched state from outside the preserver body causes the bias member to be released from the latched state and changes the bias member from a loaded state to an unloaded state, thereby causing the bias member within the chassis to return to an original shape and, in accordance with the return to the original state, the liquid bag is torn by the needle portion or the cutter portion and the reactive liquid sealed in the liquid bag is released, and the released reactive liquid reacts with the foaming agent to generate a gas and increase the total volume in the preserver body, thereby increasing buoyancy of the preserver body and causing the body wearing the preserver body to float.
9. The life preserver according to claim 1, wherein the preserver body is further configured to wrap substantially around the torso.
10. The life preserver according to claim 9, wherein the preserver body is further configured to cover the torso and shoulders.
11. An apparatus comprising: a preserver body including a sealed hollow region, the preserver body configured to cover at least a part of a torso; a foaming agent disposed within the hollow region; and a liquid bag disposed in the hollow region that seals a reactive liquid therein, the liquid bag including a thin and flat portion configured to evenly distribute the reactive liquid, wherein when the liquid bag is ripped, the reactive liquid reacts with the foaming agent, and the preserver body expands to obtain buoyancy, and the foaming agent is wrapped within a material that is dissolved by the reactive liquid.
12. A life preserver that can be normally worn as a warming clothing, and as a life preserver in an emergency, comprising: a preserver body including a sealed hollow region, the preserver body configured to cover at least a part of a torso; and a foaming portion that includes a foaming agent disposed within the preserver body; a liquid bag disposed in the hollow region that seals a reactive liquid therein, at least one part of the liquid bag being configured to be thin and flat so as to cover at least a part of the torso, wherein the life preserver comprises a ripping structure for ripping the liquid bag or the liquid bag includes a severable portion, when normally used, the thin and flat part achieves an insulating effect by keeping out heat with a face of the liquid bag and a heat retention effect by maintaining the temperature of the reactive liquid, which is warmed by the body's heat, when used in an emergency, the reactive liquid from the ripped liquid bag reacts with the foaming agent, and the preserver body expands to obtain buoyancy, and the liquid bag is configured so that bonded portions that are bonded with each other are formed at one or more locations on an inner surface of the liquid bag, in a manner to prevent the reactive liquid sealed in the liquid bag from being distributed unevenly due to gravity.
13. The life preserver according to claim 12, wherein the life preserve comprises a ripping structure for ripping the liquid bag, and the ripping structure includes a needle portion or a cutter portion.
14. The life preserver according to claim 13, wherein the ripping structure further comprises a bias member to bias the needle portion or the cutter portion.
15. The life preserver according to claim 14, further comprising: a chassis including the needle portion or the cutter portion having a bias member, which is provided in a latched state, the chassis being disposed outside the preserver body, wherein, with the preserver body in water, operation of an operation hook in the latched state from outside the preserver body causes the bias member to be released from the latched state and changes the bias member from a loaded state to an unloaded state, thereby causing the bias member within the chassis to return to an original shape and, in accordance with the return to the original state, the liquid bag is torn by the needle portion or the cutter portion and the reactive liquid sealed in the liquid bag is released, and the released reactive liquid reacts with the foaming agent to generate a gas and increase the total volume in the preserver body, thereby increasing buoyancy of the preserver body and causing the body wearing the preserver body to float.
16. The life preserver according to claim 13, further comprising a chassis disposed outside the preserver body, said chassis including the needle portion or the cutter portion; wherein with the preserver body in water, a pressing operation of pressing the needle portion or the cutter portion in the chassis through an operation hole of the chassis with a finger from outside the preserver body causes the liquid bag to be torn and the reactive liquid sealed in the liquid bag to be released, and the released reactive liquid reacts with the foaming agent to generate a gas and increase the total volume in the preserver body, thereby increasing buoyancy of the preserver body and causing the body wearing the preserver body to float.
17. The life preserver according to claim 12, wherein the liquid bag is provided at a back part of the life preserver, and the thin and flat part is configured to cover a main part of the back part.
18. The life preserver according to claim 12, wherein the liquid bag includes a severable portion, and with the preserver body in water, an operation of a portion of the liquid bag being directly pulled from outside the preserver body causes a focused tensile force to be added to the severable portion of the liquid bag, thereby severing the severable portion of the liquid bag to which the focused tensile force is added to release the reactive liquid sealed therein, and the released reactive liquid reacts with the foaming agent to generate a gas and increase the total volume in the preserver body, thereby increasing buoyancy of the preserver body and causing the body wearing the preserver body to float.
19. The life preserver according to claim 12, wherein the preserver body is further configured to wrap substantially around the torso.
20. The life preserver according to claim 19, wherein the preserver body is further configured to cover the torso and shoulders.
21. An apparatus comprising: a preserver body including a sealed hollow region, the preserver body configured to cover at least a part of a torso; a foaming agent disposed within the hollow region; a liquid bag disposed in the hollow region that seals a reactive liquid therein, the liquid bag including a thin and flat portion configured to evenly distribute the reactive liquid; and wherein when the liquid bag is ripped, the reactive liquid reacts with the foaming agent, and the preserver body expands to obtain buoyancy, and wherein the liquid bag is configured so that bonded portions that are bonded with each other are formed at one or more locations on an inner surface of the liquid bag, in a manner to prevent the reactive liquid sealed in the liquid bag from being distributed unevenly due to gravity.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) FIG. 1A is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention.
(2) FIG. 1B is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention.
(3) FIG. 1C is a partially transparent perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention.
(4) FIG. 2A is a front view of an embodiment of the present invention.
(5) FIG. 2B is a vertical cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention as seen from the x-y direction of FIG. 2A.
(6) FIG. 2C is a vertical cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention as seen from the x-y direction of FIG. 2A.
(7) FIG. 2D is a vertical cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention as seen from the x-y direction of FIG. 2A.
(8) FIG. 2E is a vertical cross-sectional view of an enlarged portion of an embodiment of the present invention.
(9) FIG. 2F is a vertical cross-sectional view of an enlarged portion of an embodiment of the present invention.
(10) FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a portion of an embodiment of the present invention.
(11) FIG. 3B is a perspective view of a portion of an embodiment of the present invention.
(12) FIG. 3C is a horizontal cross-sectional view of a portion of an embodiment of the present invention.
(13) FIG. 3D is a horizontal cross-sectional view of a portion of an embodiment of the present invention.
(14) FIG. 3E is a vertical cross-sectional view of a portion of an embodiment of the present invention.
(15) FIG. 4A is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention.
(16) FIG. 4B is a horizontal cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention.
(17) FIG. 4C is a horizontal cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention.
(18) FIG. 5A is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention.
(19) FIG. 5B is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention.
(20) FIG. 5C is a front view of an embodiment of the present invention.
(21) FIG. 5D is a front view of an embodiment of the present invention.
(22) FIG. 6A is a front view of the present invention in use.
(23) FIG. 6B is a front view of the present invention in use.
(24) FIG. 6C is a front view of the present invention in use.
(25) FIG. 7A is a front view of an embodiment of the present invention.
(26) FIG. 7B is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention.
(27) FIG. 7C is a vertical cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention as seen from the x-y direction of FIG. 7A.
(28) FIG. 7D is a vertical cross-sectional view of an enlarged portion of an embodiment of the present invention.
(29) FIG. 7E is a vertical cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention as seen from the x-y direction of FIG. 7A.
(30) FIG. 7F is a vertical cross-sectional view of an enlarged portion of an embodiment of the present invention.
(31) FIG. 7G is a vertical cross-sectional view of an enlarged portion of an embodiment of the present invention.
(32) FIG. 8A is a front view of an embodiment of the present invention.
(33) FIG. 8B is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention.
(34) FIG. 8C is a vertical cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention as seen from the x-y direction of FIG. 8A.
(35) FIG. 8D is a vertical cross-sectional view of an enlarged portion of an embodiment of the present invention.
(36) FIG. 8E is a vertical cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention as seen from the x-y direction of FIG. 8A.
(37) FIG. 8F is a vertical cross-sectional view of an enlarged portion of an embodiment of the present invention.
(38) FIG. 9A is a front view of an embodiment of the present invention.
(39) FIG. 9B is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention.
(40) FIG. 9C is a vertical cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention as seen from the x-y direction of FIG. 9A.
(41) FIG. 9D is a vertical cross-sectional view of an enlarged portion of an embodiment of the present invention.
(42) FIG. 9E is a vertical cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention as seen from the x-y direction of FIG. 9A.
(43) FIG. 9F is a vertical cross-sectional view of an enlarged portion of an embodiment of the present invention.
(44) FIG. 10A is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention.
(45) FIG. 10B is a horizontal cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention.
(46) FIG. 10C is a horizontal cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention.
(47) FIG. 11A is a vertical cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention.
(48) FIG. 11B is a front view of an embodiment of the present invention.
(49) FIG. 12 is a vertical cross-sectional view of an enlarged portion of an embodiment of the present invention.
(50) FIG. 13A shows an article relating to the present invention.
(51) FIG. 13B shows an article relating to the present invention.
(52) FIG. 14A is a transparent front view of an embodiment of the present invention.
(53) FIG. 14B is a transparent front view of an embodiment of the present invention.
(54) FIG. 14C is a front view of a portion of an embodiment of the present invention.
(55) FIG. 14D is a front view of a portion of an embodiment of the present invention.
(56) FIG. 15A is a transparent front view of an embodiment of the present invention.
(57) FIG. 15B is a transparent front view of an embodiment of the present invention.
(58) FIG. 15C is a front view of a portion of an embodiment of the present invention.
(59) FIG. 15D is a front view of a portion of an embodiment of the present invention.
(60) FIG. 16A is a front view of an embodiment of the present invention.
(61) FIG. 16B is a vertical cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention as seen from the x-y direction of FIG. 16A.
(62) FIG. 16C is a front view of an embodiment of the present invention.
(63) FIG. 16D is a front view of an embodiment of the present invention.
(64) FIG. 16E is a vertical cross-sectional view of a portion of an embodiment of the present invention.
(65) FIG. 17A is a front view of an embodiment of the present invention.
(66) FIG. 17B is a vertical cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention as seen from the x-y direction of FIG. 16A.
(67) FIG. 17C is a front view of an embodiment of the present invention.
(68) FIG. 17D is a front view of an embodiment of the present invention.
(69) FIG. 17E is a vertical cross-sectional view of a portion of an embodiment of the present invention.
(70) FIG. 18A is a front view of a portion of an embodiment of the present invention.
(71) FIG. 18B is a vertical cross-sectional view of a portion of an embodiment of the present invention.
(72) FIG. 18C is a transparent front view of an embodiment of the present invention.
(73) FIG. 19A is a vertical cross-sectional view of a portion of an embodiment of the present invention.
(74) FIG. 19B is a vertical cross-sectional view of a portion of an embodiment of the present invention.
(75) FIG. 19C is a front view of a portion of an embodiment of the present invention.
(76) FIG. 19D is a vertical cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention as seen from the x-y direction of FIG. 19C.
(77) FIG. 20A is a transparent front view of an embodiment of the present invention.
(78) FIG. 20B is a vertical cross-sectional view of a portion of an embodiment of the present invention.
(79) FIG. 20C is a vertical cross-sectional view of an enlarged portion of an embodiment of the present invention.
(80) FIG. 20D is a vertical cross-sectional view of an enlarged portion of an embodiment of the present invention.
(81) FIG. 21A is a transparent front view of an embodiment of the present invention.
(82) FIG. 21B is a vertical cross-sectional view of a portion of an embodiment of the present invention.
(83) FIG. 21C is a vertical cross-sectional view of an enlarged portion of an embodiment of the present invention.
(84) FIG. 21D is a vertical cross-sectional view of an enlarged portion of an embodiment of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
(85) The following provides a detailed description of a configuration of an exemplary embodiment of a life preserver according to the present invention, based on the drawings. FIGS. 1A to 4C show a configuration for achieving buoyancy by using air that flows into a preserver body. FIGS. 1A to 2F show an exemplary embodiment of the life preserver worn from the shoulders to the torso. FIGS. 4A to 4C show an exemplary embodiment of the life preserver worn on the torso. FIGS. 7A to 10C show a configuration for achieving buoyancy by using a gas generated by a chemical reaction with water (or sea water) flowing into the preserver body. FIGS. 7A to 9F show an exemplary embodiment of the life preserver worn from the shoulders to the torso. FIGS. 10A to 10C show an exemplary embodiment of the life preserver worn on the torso.
(86) The life preserver of the present invention shown in FIGS. 1A to 2F is shaped as gear to be worn by a woman participating in sporting competitions or beach volleyball, but the life preserver of the present invention can be used by both men and women. FIG. 1A is a perspective view of the life preserver, and FIG. 1B shows a state in which the life preserver is actually worn. FIG. 2A is a front view of the life preserver, and FIGS. 2B, 2C, and 2D are vertical cross-sectional views of the life preserver as seen from the x-y direction.
(87) As shown in FIG. 2B, a hollow region 1b sealed from the outside is formed in the preserver body 1 that serves as the life preserver of the present invention, and a blow tube 2 that enables outside air to enter into the hollow region 1b is formed at the top of the preserver body 1. The blow tube 2 that sucks in the outside air is securely fixed by a fixing portion 2b to an air inlet 1a formed at the top of the preserver body 1, such that the blow tube 2 does not easily come loose. An air inlet 2a is disposed at the tip of the blow tube 2, to intake the outside air. As one embodiment, the air inlet 2a includes a lid on the inlet through which the air is sucked in, as shown in FIG. 3, and can therefore be in an open state or an artificially sealed state.
(88) With this configuration, the hollow region 1b is filled with a material serving as a resilient component 3, which deforms when pressure (a load) is added thereto from the outside and returns to an original unloaded form when the pressure (load) is removed. The resilient component 3 can be realized by an elastic member 3A, such as an elastic foam material, or a bias member 3B that deforms when pressure is added and returns to the original shape when the pressure is removed. The elastic member 3A can be realized by a plastic foam, as in the present embodiment, and the plastic foam can be continuous or non-continuous. The plastic foam can be polystyrene foam, polyurethane foam (sponge), polyethylene foam, or polypropylene foam, for example. Each of these foams is elastic, deforms to have less volume in proportion to pressure added thereto, and returns to the original shape and volume due to elastic force when the deforming pressure is removed. With this deformation, air is sucked in or expelled to or from the inside of the foam plastic according to the amount of deformation. Therefore, the plastic foam is sealed in the hollow region 1b, and when the air is removed from within the hollow region 1b or pressure is added from outside the hollow region 1b, the plastic foam sealed therein is deformed to be smaller, thereby deforming the overall preserver body 1 to have less volume. Next, when air enters into the hollow region 1b, the hollow region 1b returns to the original volume due to the resilient force of the elasticity of the plastic foam, and at the same time the overall preserver body 1 returns to the original shape (volume). As an embodiment of the bias member 3B, a bias member 3B such as a flat spring or a compression spring, such as shown in FIGS. 5C and 5D, is provided in the hollow region 1b. By removing the air from the hollow region 1b or adding pressure to the bias member 3B from outside the preserver body 1, the volume of the overall preserver body 1 is decreased, thereby realizing the present invention in the same manner as the elastic member 3A. The bias member 3B can be realized by material other than a metal such as iron, and can be made of a rubber of plastic material having flexibility, for example. The elastic member 3A can also be realized by an elastic member other than plastic, such as a rubber material.
(89) In this way, the present invention uses the resilient characteristics of the elastic member 3A or the bias member 3B disposed within the sealed hollow region 1b to return these members to the original shapes when pressure is removed to achieve an unloaded state. Both of these members deform by bending or having reduced volume when a load is placed thereon adding pressure from the outside, and return to the original volume and shape when the pressure is removed. In accordance with the deformation of the elastic member 3A or the bias member 3B, air flows into the sealed hollow region 1b. The present invention utilizes the resilient properties by increasing or decreasing pressure on the resilient component 3, in order to suck in or expel air to or from the hollow region 1b, and therefore the present invention truly utilizes natural laws.
(90) The following describes one example of a method for manufacturing the life preserver of the present invention. First, as shown in FIG. 2D, melamine foam, which is a plastic foam, is enclosed within the hollow region 1b of the preserver body 1 as the elastic member 3A. Next, in order to remove the air from within the hollow region 1b, the air may be sucked out from the hollow region 1b through the blow tube 2 using a vacuum pump apparatus, for example, or by pressing the entire preserver body 1 with a press machine, for example, to expel the air from the hollow region 1b. After the air is removed from the hollow region 1b, as shown in FIG. 3A, the opening of the air inlet 2a is closed in a sealed state or the opening is completely closed by being fused (laminated) by thermo-compression bonding, for example, thereby causing the overall preserver body 1 to be in a thin and flat state as shown in FIG. 2C. The inventor of the present invention actually pressed melamine foam with a thickness of 32 mm by adding a large amount of pressure, and was able to compress the melamine foam with a thickness of 32 mm to a thickness of merely 1 mm. If the preserver body 1 is formed by melamine foam compressed to a thickness of 1 mm in this way, this thickness is practically the same as that of sportswear used in competitions such as triathlons or a common swimsuit that has almost no buoyancy.
(91) The following describes a method for wearing and operating the life preserver of the present invention. FIG. 1B shows a state in which the life preserver is worn, and the thin and flat preserver body 1 fits on the body without being bulky. Here, the blow tube 2 that transmits air into the hollow region 1b in the preserver body 1 is stored in a coiled state, as one example, within a pocket, not shown, which is bent as necessary and disposed on the back surface of the preserver body 1. As shown in FIG. 1C, the blow tube 2 can be stored by being inserted straight into the hollow region 1b of the preserver body 1. As shown in FIGS. 3C and 3D, the blow tube 2 may have a circular cross section or an elliptical cross section, and can be stored in a thin and flat state if an elliptical cross section is chosen. With the elliptical shape shown in FIG. 3D, when the preserver body 1 has a large amount of pressure added thereto, the blow tube 2 becomes a flat board with no opening therein, and can therefore be stored without being bulky. As shown by the embodiment shown in FIG. 1B, the blow tube 2 can be formed to stand erect by its own elasticity (flexibility).
(92) As shown in FIG. 6A, the life preserver of the present embodiment can be worn while swimming and the life preserver has a thin and flat shape, and therefore there is no interference when swimming since the buoyancy of the overall preserver body 1 is not active. Furthermore, the sealing state of the air in the hollow region 1b can be adjusted such that the overall preserver body 1 has only a small amount of buoyancy, and in this state the upper portion of the body is made slightly buoyant, making swimming easier. Therefore, the life preserver can serve as a swimming aid while also providing security to someone who is beginning to learn to swim. The buoyancy of the preserver body 1 can also be set as desired by the user.
(93) As shown in FIG. 6B, when a swimmer becomes exhausted or when someone who cannot swim is somewhere so deep that their feet cannot touch the ground, the blow tube 2 stored in the preserver body 1 is removed and the air inlet 2a at the tip of the blow tube 2 can be opened (in the present embodiment, a lid is opened), as shown in FIG. 3B. When this happens, the elastic member 3A in the loaded state, which is a foaming material that is compressed and fills the hollow region 1b of the preserver body 1, changes to an unloaded state and the resilient (elastic) force thereof causes the elastic member 3A to expand and return to the original shape. This expansion of the elastic member 3A causes the volume within the hollow region 1b to increase, and therefore an amount of air corresponding to this increased volume is sucked into the hollow region 1b through the opened air inlet 2a. The buoyancy of this sucked-in air affects the entire preserver body 1 such that, as shown in FIG. 6B, the head of the person wearing the life preserver is kept above the water enabling the person to breathe, and the person can remain in this state until help arrives. FIG. 2E shows a configuration in which an air valve 2c is provided on the fixing portion 2b of the air inlet 2a. This configuration causes the air that is sucked in to the hollow region 1b to be held therein by the air valve 2c, and prevents the air sucked into the hollow region 1b from flowing back out through the blow tube 2. The air valve 2c can have the same configuration as valves used in conventional buoyancy bags, and when the user wants to remove the air from within the hollow region 1b, the air can be removed by pinching the fixing portion 2b with the fingers to open the air valve 2c. In an actual state where the life preserver of the present invention is worn and the entire preserver body 1 is floating, water does not enter into the hollow region 1b through the air inlet 2a even when the air inlet 2a is open.
(94) FIG. 2F describes a relationship between the water pressure F1 added to the preserver body 1 and the resilient force F2 of the bias member 3A. When the preserver body 1 is submerged in water, the water pressure F1 is applied horizontally to the surface of the preserver body 1 in proportion to the how deep in the water the preserver body 1 is. The water pressure F1 exerted on the surface of the preserver body 1 exerts a uniform pressure within the hollow region 1b of the preserver body 1, according to Pascal's principle, and therefore the water pressure F1 is added to each portion of the elastic member 3A disposed in the hollow region 1b. The elastic member 3A deformed by the addition of pressure thereto exerts a resilient force F2 that attempts to return the elastic member 3A to the original shape. When the resilient force F2 is greater than the water pressure F1, the preserver body 1 naturally expands as air is sucked in through the air inlet 2a. As an actual embodiment of this, the inventor of the present invention filled a preserver body 1 with an elastic member 3A made of melamine foam serving as a plastic foam. After an extremely large pressure was applied to compress the preserver body 1 into a thin and flat state, and the preserver body 1 was submerged in water to a depth of 50 cm. At this point, as the preserver body 1 returned to the original form due to the resilient force of the melamine foam, air was sucked in through the air inlet 2a and the preserver body 1 expanded, thereby confirming through actual experimentation that the resilient force F2 of the melamine foam, which is the foam material, is greater than the water pressure F1 at a depth of 50 cm. Accordingly, when the hollow region 1b of the preserver body 1 is filled with a compressed elastic member 3A made of melamine foam serving as the plastic foam, even in a state where the head is submerged in the water as shown in FIG. 6B, if the air inlet 2a at the tip of the blow tube 2 is grasped and set above the water surface and the air inlet 2a is opened while the air inlet 2a is above the water surface, the air sucked in through the air inlet 2a enters into the submerged preserver body 1, and the buoyancy of the sucked-in air lifts the head above the water surface to enable breathing. For someone who is actually drowning, reaching a state that allows breathing is an essential factor for future rescue. For someone who simply does not have the strength to continue swimming, being able to breath and remain afloat without moving the arms and legs can be very helpful, and therefore the life preserve of the present invention should be able to save many people. An actual potential drowning incident can occur in a moment, and when someone who cannot swim reaches a place where their feet cannot touch the ground they become unable to protect themselves. There are many drowning victims every summer as a result of these sudden incidents, and it would be great if even just one person were saved by wearing the life preserver of the present invention when they are near the water.
(95) The configuration for the air inlet 2a at the tip of the blow tube 2 may differ from the configuration shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, and any configuration can be used for the air inlet 2a as long as the inlet can be opened. For example, as shown in FIG. 3E, a notch can be formed on a side of the blow tube 2 and the air inlet 2a can be opened from the notch by inserting a finger into a ring portion formed thereabove and pulling. The air inlet 2a is preferably configured in a manner to be opened with one hand.
(96) FIGS. 4A to 4C show a second exemplary embodiment of the life preserver according to the present invention. As shown in the drawings, a plurality of preserver bodies 1 are provided and a hollow region 1b is formed in each preserver body 1, and the hollow regions 1b are in communication with each other via communicating holes 1c. With this configuration, the hollow region 1b in each preserver body 1 is filled with a resilient member 3, and air can move freely among the hollow regions 1b via the communicating holes 1c. FIG. 4B shows a state in which the hollow regions 1b are filled with compressed elastic members 3A. FIG. 4C shows a state in which the air inlet 2a is opened and air is sucked in through the air inlet 2a by the resilient force of the elastic members 3A, thereby returning the preserver body 1 to the original shape. According to Pascal's principle, a sealed bag experiences a uniform pressure at all points, and therefore each preserver body 1 is compressed with the same pressure and expands with the same pressure when air is sucked in through the air inlet 2a. With the configuration of the present embodiment, the life preserver can be wrapped around the torso, allowing for swimming and playing in the water as in the state shown by FIG. 6C. When there is an emergency, the life preserver can be shifted to the upper torso to keep the head floating above the water surface and enable breathing, as shown in FIG. 6B, while keeping the body afloat without movement of the arms or legs. The configuration of the present embodiment includes a fastener band 4 that wraps the life preserver around the torso, and the life preserver is fixed securely in place around the torso by a buckle. The fastener band 4 is preferably configured to enable secure fastening, and since there is a concern that Velcro (Registered Trademark: Magic Tape) can slip, the fastener band 4 preferably includes a fastener that can be locked.
(97) In the life preserver of the present embodiment, the air inlet 2a may have any configuration that enables the inlet to be opened, and it is preferable that the opening operation be performable with one hand. The length and thickness of the blow tube 2 may be set as desired. The length of the blow tube 2 can be set up to a length that us as far as a hand can be extended, in order to enable even a drowning person to reliably operate the blow tube 2 above the water surface. The elastic member 3A that is compressed and fills the preserver body 1 may include a plurality of uneven portions 3a, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B. With this configuration, an elastic member 3A with a strong resilient force can be realized, and therefore a lesser amount of the elastic member 3A can be used and the time needed for the elastic member 3A to return to the original shape can be reduced.
(98) In the life preserver of the present invention, the air sucked into the preserver body 1 and the resilient member 3 (particularly the elastic member 3A) disposed in the preserver body 1 have extremely high specific heat, and therefore achieve a thermal insulation effect. When the life preserver of the present invention is worn, body temperature can be trapped near the body and prevented from escaping, and keeping this body heat trapped can increase the length of time that a person can wait to be rescued. Furthermore, the life preserver of the present invention is not bulky, and therefore can also be worn as normal clothing for warmth.
(99) With conventional life preservers, the attached air compression pump can only be used once, but with the life preserver of the present invention, by expelling the air from the preserver body 1 by applying pressure from the outside or by sucking the air out of the preserver body 1 from the outside and then closing the air inlet 2a while there is no air in the preserver body 1, the preserver body 1 can again achieve a sealed state and can be reused as many times as needed.
(100) FIGS. 7A to 9F show a third exemplary embodiment of the life preserver of the present embodiment. The previous embodiments are designed such that air is sucked in from above the water surface and used to achieve buoyancy. In the present embodiment, however, buoyancy can be obtained even if sea water from the ocean or water from a pool, river, or lake is sucked in. In order to achieve this effect, a foaming agent is used that generates gas by having a chemical reaction with water. The foaming agent can be an additive that is added to baths, for example. The inventor of the present invention actually performed the test shown in FIG. 11A using, commercially available additives including sodium hydrogen carbonate, sodium carbonate, fumaric acid, polyethylene glycol 6000, dextrin, zinc paraphenolsulfanate, magnesium oxide, and sucrose fatty acid ester. First, water was poured into a 200 cc bottle up to 80%, as shown in the drawings, 18 grams of the additive was crushed into a powder and poured into the water, a lid with an opening was placed on the bottle as shown in the drawings, and the bottle was then quickly turned upside down. When this happened, gas (carbon dioxide gas) was generated very quickly, water was expelled forcefully from the opening at the bottom, and the water in the bottle was pressed by the gas (carbon dioxide gas) to be completely expelled within a few seconds. Therefore, when gas (carbon dioxide gas) is generated quickly to fill the preserver body 1, the preserver body 1 becomes buoyant in the same manner as in the previous embodiments, to float above the water surface.
(101) Therefore, in the same manner as the previous embodiments, the present embodiment utilizes the resilient force (i.e. the force to deform when pressure is added and to return to the original shape when the pressure is removed) of the bias member 3B or the elastic member 3A, which serve as the resilient member, and the configuration of this embodiment is described in detail below based on the drawings.
(102) In FIG. 7, a water inlet 2d is disposed in an upper portion of the preserver body 1 and the blow tube 2, which transmits water sucked in through the water inlet 2d downward into the hollow region 1b of the preserver body 1, is disposed within the hollow region 1b. A foaming portion 1A filled with the foaming agent and the elastic member 3A are disposed together below the exhaust end of the blow tube 2. With the configuration shown in FIGS. 7C and 7D, the air within the hollow region 1b of the preserver body 1 is sucked out by a vacuum pump or the like to form a vacuum state or the entire preserver body 1 is pressed with a large amount of pressure to remove enough air from the preserver body 1 that the preserver body 1 becomes flat and thin, an the water inlet 2d is then closed to keep the preserver body 1 in a sealed state. In this state, a pressure (load) is constantly applied to compress the elastic member 3A disposed at the bottom of the hollow region 1b. In this state, the resilient force of the elastic member 3A for returning to the original shape is held in check. As shown in FIG. 7G, when the lid of the water inlet 2d is opened, water is sucked into the hollow region 1b and pressure is no longer added to the elastic member 3A, resulting in an unloaded state. Therefore, the elastic member 3A attempts to return to the original rough state from the compressed dense state according to the resilient force, and increase in volume caused by the deformation of the elastic member 3A creates a negative pressure state within the hollow region 1b. As a result, an amount of water corresponding to the negative pressure within the hollow region 1b is sucked through the inlet of the water inlet 2d in the direction of the arrows. This sucked-in water flows to over the foaming portion 1A at the bottom of the hollow region 1b, thereby causing a chemical reaction between the foaming agent of the foaming unit 1A and the water to begin generating gas. The generated gas (carbon dioxide gas) gradually fills the hollow region 1b until, as shown in FIG. 7E, the generated gas (carbon dioxide gas) creates buoyancy in the preserver body 1. Therefore, when the life preserver of the present embodiment is worn, this generated buoyancy is used to enable floating on the water surface. The amount of foaming agent disposed in the hollow region 1b should sufficient to completely fill the hollow region 1b with the gas generated as a result of the chemical reaction with the water. After this amount of gas has been generated, the water inlet 2d can be closed again to prevent the generated gas from leaking to the outside. Furthermore, the present embodiment includes a valve that opens only in the direction in which the water is sucked-in, as shown in FIG. 2E, within the blow tube 2 passing to the water inlet 2d, and therefore the generated gas in the preserver body 1 is prevented from leaking to the outside. The foaming agent may be injected within the elastic member 3A in advance such that, when the elastic member 3A expands, the gas is generated by the chemical reaction with the foaming agent as the water is sucked in.
(103) FIG. 8 shows a configuration through which the preserver body 1 achieves buoyancy due to the expansion of the hollow region 1b regardless of whether water or air is sucked into the hollow region 1b of the preserver body 1. When air above the water surface is to be sucked in, the air inlet 2a is opened while protruding above the water surface in the state shown in FIG. 8C, in the same manner as in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A to 2F. At this point, the resilient force of the elastic member 3A that is compressed and fills the entire hollow region 1b acts to suck in air through the opened air inlet 2a into the hollow region 1b, causing the entire preserver body 1 to expand as shown in FIG. 8E. In the same manner as in the previous embodiments, the preserver body 1 then achieves buoyancy and can float on the water surface. Next, the air inlet 2a can also be used as the water inlet 2d, and when opened in a submerged state as the water inlet 2d, the resilient force of the elastic member 3A within the hollow region 1b acts to cause expansion, while at the same time the unloaded state is achieved in the hollow region 1b. Therefore, water is sucked in through the water inlet 2d and this sucked-in water flows over the foaming agent of the foaming portion 1A disposed at the bottom of the hollow region 1b. As a result, the foaming agent causes a chemical reaction with the sucked-in water to generate gas (carbon dioxide gas) in the same manner as in the previous embodiments. Since the elastic member 3A expands at the same time, this gas (carbon dioxide gas) is sucked into the elastic member 3A during the expansion. The state shown in FIG. 8E is then reached, and the overall preserver body 1 achieves buoyancy to float above the water surface. In the present embodiment, the resilient force of the elastic member 3A in the hollow region 1b is always active, and therefore the hollow region 1b is prevented from collapsing by the resilient force. Therefore, even after the gas-generating reaction of the foaming agent ends, water does not flow from the water inlet 2d, and so there is no need to include the valve that is used in the previous embodiments. Even if someone is drowning and lacks the calmness to open the air inlet 2a above the water surface as shown in FIG. 6B, the water inlet 2d can be opened while under water such that water flows into the hollow region 1b and reacts with foaming agent to generate gas. Therefore, even when the water inlet 2d is opened in water, the same state as shown in FIG. 8E is achieved, where the entire preserver body 1 achieves buoyancy and can float above the water surface.
(104) FIGS. 9A to 9F show a configuration in which the water inlet 2d is disposed in a lower region of the preserver body 1. A person does not remain calm when drowning, and when a person is submerged as shown in FIG. 11B, it can be difficult to operate the air inlet 2a or the water inlet 2d if these inlets are positioned at an upper portion of the preserver body 1 as in the previous embodiments. Therefore, when the water inlet 2d is at a lower portion of the preserver body 1 as in the present embodiment, the water inlet 2d can be operated (opened) in the water to expand the preserver body 1 and enable floating above the water surface. In the present embodiment, the compressed elastic member 3A fills the bottom of the hollow region 1b in the thin and flat state shown in FIG. 9C. The foaming portion 1A including the foaming agent is disposed together with the elastic member 3A. When the water inlet 2d is opened in water as shown in FIGS. 9E and 9F, the elastic member 3A expands due to the resilient force, thereby creating negative pressure within the hollow region 1b that causes water to be sucked in through the water inlet 2d. The sucked-in water permeates the foaming agent and causes a chemical reaction that generates gas (carbon dioxide gas). The generated gas (carbon dioxide gas) fills and expands the hollow region 1b, and therefore the entire preserver body 1 expands to achieve buoyancy and float above the water surface, in the same manner as in the previous embodiments. In this exemplary configuration, the opening of the water inlet 2d is provided with a filter 5 and the water passes through the filter 5 to permeate the foaming agent. This filter 5 prevents the foaming agent from leaking out from the opening of the water inlet 2d.
(105) FIGS. 10A to 10C show a fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in which the elastic member 3A is disposed together with the foaming portion 1A including the foaming agent within one of the preserver bodies 1 in the life preserver having the configuration shown in FIG. 4. In this configuration, the water inlet 2d disposed on this preserver body 1 is opened to create a chemical reaction between the water sucked in through the water inlet 2d and the foaming agent, in the same manner as in the previous embodiment, and the gas (carbon dioxide gas) generated by the chemical reaction fills and expands the hollow region 1b. Furthermore, the generated gas (carbon dioxide gas) causes each preserver body 1 in communication via the communicating holes 1c to expand, and therefore each preserver body 1 achieves buoyancy in the same manner as in the previous embodiment.
(106) In the configurations described in FIGS. 7A to 7G, 9A to 9F, and 10A to 10C, the hollow region 1b is not filled by the elastic member 3A, but each embodiment may instead completely fill the hollow region 1b with the elastic member 3A, or may fill the hollow region 1b with a suitable amount of the elastic member 3A. Furthermore, a suitable amount of a chemical component (such as aluminum powder or calcium lime) that generates heat by reacting with water may be included in the hollow region 1b. The preserver body 1, blow tube 2, air inlet 2a, and water inlet 2d in each embodiment can be formed by a resin such as vinyl chloride. The life preserver of the present invention provides thermal insulation, and therefore can be worn as clothing for warmth, in addition to having the life-saving benefits. Furthermore, the life preserver can be formed as a vest, whit a zipper that opens and closes the front, for example. Instead of the being open and closed by a lid, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the air inlet 2a and the water inlet 2d may be opened by forcibly tearing the tips thereof. The foaming agent that generates the gas (carbon dioxide gas) as a result of chemically reacting with water or sea water may include sodium hydrogen carbonate and tartaric acid as a primary component, or citric acid and baking soda can be separated and then mixed with the sucked-in water to cause a chemical reaction and generate gas. In each embodiment, it is not necessary that the blow tube 2 be included, and instead the air inlet 2a may be provided to suck air directly into the hollow region 1b and the water inlet 2d may be provided to suck water or sea water directly into the hollow region 1b. With this configuration as well, the inlets can be implemented at suitable positions such that the sucked-in water or sea water flows over the foaming agent of the foaming portion 1A, in order for the resilient force of the resilient component 3 to be active.
(107) FIG. 12 shows an example in which the air inlet 2a sucks in air without being immersed in water. Since a drowning person is not calm, is can be difficult for this person to reliably raise the air inlet 2a above the water surface. Therefore, this configuration guarantees that the air inlet 2a will be above the water surface even if the air inlet 2a is opened under water, and therefore an elastic member 3A that does not suck in water is disposed with a suitable size around the blow tube 2, as shown in the drawings. The elastic member 3A is stored in a compressed state within a cylinder 6, and when the cylinder 6 is lifted up in an emergency to release the elastic member 3A from within the cylinder 6, such that the elastic member 3 returns to the its original spherical size due to the resilient force. At this point, the elastic member 3A exhibits buoyancy and floats above the water surface, and therefore the air inlet 2a is kept above the water surface and is able to suck in air. The air inlet 2a may be configured to open at the same time that the operation is performed to pull the cylinder 6 upward.
(108) Among the configurations of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 14A to 18C, FIGS. 14A to 15D show a fifth embodiment of the present invention, FIGS. 16A to 17E show a sixth embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 18A to 18C show a seventh embodiment of the present invention. In each of these embodiments, the preserver body 1 expands according to an operation from outside the preserver body 1 to achieve buoyancy, in the same manner as in the previous embodiments.
(109) As shown by FIG. 14B, the hollow region 1b is formed within the preserver body 1 in a sealed state, in the same manner as in the previous embodiments. The foaming portion 1A including the foaming agent that generates the gas by reacting with a liquid is disposed at the bottom of the preserver body 1, as shown in the drawings. The foaming portion 1A may be provided with the foaming agent exposed, or the foaming agent may be wrapped in a cloth, gauze, or paper that is dissolved by the liquid, for example. The foaming agent may be wrapped in a water-soluble material 11, which is described further below. Next, a pocket 1B with a recessed shape is formed at the center of the bottom of the preserver body 1, as shown in the drawings. The pocket 1B may be shaped as a recessed portion at the bottom center of the preserver body 1, or may be formed as a protruding tongue that protrudes into the preserver body 1. The following describes the liquid bag 7 disposed in the preserver body 1, using FIGS. 14C and 14D. The liquid bag 7 is formed of polyethylene or the like and, as shown in FIG. 14C, seals in a reactive liquid 9 that reacts with the foaming agent to generate gas. A bonded portion 7d that is bonded by thermo-compression is formed on the edges of the liquid bag 7. In this state, the reactive liquid 9 is sealed within the liquid bag 7 and does not leak out. Next, wedge-shaped notches 7a are formed at both edges of the bonded portion 7d of the liquid bag 7, as shown in the drawings, an opening 7b is formed as a triangular opening, and a pulling hole 7c is formed as a circular opening. As shown in FIG. 14A, the liquid bag 7 is fixed within the preserver body 1, the pulling hole 7c formed at the bottom of the liquid bag 7 protrudes within the pocket 1B, and the preserver body 1 is in a sealed state. The method for fixing the liquid bag 7 within the preserver body 1 includes forming an affixing portion 7e over the entire back surface of the portion above the notches 7a, as shown in FIG. 14D, and affixing the affixing portion to the inner surface of the preserver body 1. In the state shown in FIG. 14A, when the pointer finger is inserted in the pulling hole protruding in the pocket 1B and pulled downward, the force of the finger pulling down on the pulling hole 7c is focused on the right and left portions of the bonded portion 7d formed at the edges of the liquid bag 7, as shown by the arrows in FIG. 14D. As a result, since the back surface above the notches 7a is affixed to the inner surface of the preserver body 1, the downward pulling force is mainly added to the notches 7a. Therefore, the liquid bag 7 is torn at the wedge-shaped notches 7a, so that the reactive liquid 9 within the liquid bag 7 is released. The released reactive liquid 9 flows downward due to gravity and mixes with the foaming agent of the foaming portion 1A to cause a chemical reaction and begin generating gas. The generated gas fills the hollow region 1b of the preserver body 1, causing the preserver body 1 to obtain buoyancy in the water due to the generated gas.
(110) The inventor of the present invention performed an experiment with a bag made of polyethylene with a thickness of 0.08 mm, and a bag made of resin is considerably strong in the pulling direction and does not tear even when a large pulling force is applied. In contrast, the strength of this bag in the tearing direction is fairly low, and therefore the bag can be torn in the tearing direction with a small pulling force. Therefore, the liquid bag 7 can be easily torn if the pulling hole 7c is pulled downward in the state shown in FIG. 14A. As a result, the reactive liquid 9 sealed in the liquid bag 7 is immediately released and causes a chemical reaction with the foaming agent, thereby achieving buoyancy for the preserver body 1 a few seconds later due to the generated gas. The pulling hole 7c being operated is hidden within the pocket 1B, and therefore the preserver body 1 does not expand unless a finger is intentionally inserted within the pocket 1B and the pulling hole 7c is pulled. With the configuration of FIG. 14A, the generated gas rises and collects at the top even if the pocket 1B is not sealed, and therefore buoyancy can be achieved. However, in order to prevent gas from leaking out of the preserver body 1, the pocket 1B is preferably completely sealed.
(111) FIGS. 15A to 15D show a configuration of an exemplary embodiment that can be operated from the top edge of the preserver body 1. As shown in FIG. 15B, the foaming portion 1A is formed at the bottom of the preserver body 1, and the pocket 1B, which is the same as in the previous embodiment, is formed at the top edge of the preserver body 1. Next, as shown in FIG. 15C, the reactive liquid 9 is sealed in the liquid bag 7 and the edges thereof are bonded to form the bonded portion 7d. Wedge-shaped notches 7a are formed at both edges in a lower portion of the bonded portion 7d of the liquid bag 7, a opening 7b is formed as a triangular opening in the upper portion of the liquid bag 7, and a pulling hole 7c is formed as a circular opening. As shown in FIG. 15D, an affixing portion 7e is formed over the entire back surface of the portion below the notches 7a, and the liquid bag 7 is affixed by the affixing portion to the inner surface of the preserver body 1, as shown in FIG. 15A. In this state, when the pointer finger is inserted in the pulling hole and pulled upward, the force of the finger pulling up on the pulling hole 7c is applied as shown by the arrows in FIG. 15D. As a result, the liquid bag 7 is torn at the wedge-shaped notches 7a, so that the reactive liquid 9 is released to cause a chemical reaction with the foaming agent and begin generating gas, in the same manner as the previous embodiment, thereby causing the preserver body 1 to obtain buoyancy.
(112) In the configurations shown in FIGS. 14A to 15D, the pulling force from outside the preserver body 1 is added to a prescribed portion of the liquid bag 7 within the preserver body 1 to rip the liquid bag 7 at the prescribed portion. Instead of the notches 7a shown in these embodiments, the portion to be ripped may be a perforated line or the like formed on the liquid bag 7. By forming an easily ripped prescribed portion in the liquid bag 7 using notches or a perforated line in this way, the pulling force from outside the preserver body 1 is focused at the prescribed portion to achieve the ripping operation. As a result, the liquid bag 7 can be easily ripped by the pulling force from outside the preserver body 1.
(113) FIGS. 16A to 17E show configurations of exemplary embodiments in which the operation for tearing the liquid bag 7 is achieved by a pressing operation from outside the preserver body 1.
(114) As shown in FIG. 16C, interposed boards 7f formed as opposing arcs with suitable thickness at the bottom region within the liquid bag 7 are affixed to the inner surface of the liquid bag 7 (or to the outer surface of the liquid bag 7). In this state, the surface of the liquid bag 7 between the interposed boards 7f is held in a stretched state. The reactive liquid 9 sealed within the liquid bag 7 can flow freely between the interposed boards 7f. Next, as shown in FIGS. 16D and 16E, an operating portion 8 that is operated outside the sealed liquid bag 7 is provided at a position that overlaps the interposed boards 7f, and the operating portion 8 forms a chassis 8c that is open at both sides and includes a circular operation hole 8e in the center thereof. A resilient portion 8d having elasticity and a needle portion 8a including one or more needles having sharpened points formed on a disc above the resilient portion 8d are disposed in the chassis 8c. Next, the liquid bag 7 including the operating portion 8 is affixed within the preserver body 1, as shown in FIG. 18C. In this state, the actual liquid bag 7 tearing operation is performed as shown in FIG. 18E. First, the position of the operation hole 8e in the center of the chassis 8c is found by the pointer finger from outside the preserver body 1, and when this position is pressed hard by the pointer finger, the resulting force causes the surface contact the preserver body 1 to be depressed, thereby pressing the needle portion 8a inward. Next, the needles formed on the needle portion 8a puncture the portion of the preserver body 1 that is contacted, creating holes. When the pointer finger is removed, the needle portion 8a returns to the original position due to the elastic force of the resilient portion 8d, so that the reactive liquid 9 is released from the preserver body 1 through the opened holes and chemically reacts with the foaming agent of the foaming portion 1A to begin generating gas. As a result, the preserver body 1 is filled with the generated gas and the preserver body 1 achieves buoyancy, in the same manner as in the previous embodiments.
(115) FIGS. 17A to 17E show a configuration in which the needle portion 8a of the operating portion 8 in FIGS. 16A to 16E is replaced by a cutter portion 8b in which a blade with a ring of protrusions having sharpened tips are formed on a disc. With this configuration, in the same manner as in the previous embodiment, when the operation hole 8e is pressed hard by the pointer finger, the cutter portion 8b is pressed inward, which causes the liquid bag 7 to be torn by the ring of protruding blades. In this case, a circular hole can be formed in the liquid bag 7, and the reactive liquid 9 released from this hole chemically reacts with the foaming agent of the foaming portion 1A to begin generating gas, thereby achieving buoyancy for the preserver body 1 in the same manner.
(116) In the configurations of FIGS. 16A to 17E, a pressing force is added perpendicular to a stretched surface of the liquid bag 7 by needles or blades formed with sharpened tips. The force in the pressing direction creates a wedging effect that expands the openings of the surface. Therefore, even if the blades or needles are not moved laterally after penetrating the surface of the liquid bag 7, large holes can be opened in the liquid bag 7 simply by adding force in a perpendicular direction for pressing the bag surface. With this operation, unless a finger is inserted into the operation hole 8e portion and intentionally presses down, the liquid bag 7 is not torn.
(117) FIGS. 18A to 18C show an exemplary embodiment in which a latch structure is disposed in the operating portion 8, and in which operating the bias member 3B, which is set in the latched state in advance, from outside the preserver body 1 to release the bias member 3B from the latched state, the resilient force returning the bias member 3B to the original shape serves to tear the liquid bag 7. The bias member 3B formed by a flat spring is disposed in the chassis 8c while bent with a strong force, as shown in the drawings, and a operation hook 8f bent to the outside is formed at the top of the bias member 3B. The operation hook 8f protrudes from the operation hole 8e, and the bent end thereof is set to the latched state as shown in the drawings. In this state, the needle portion 8a formed on the bias member 3B does not contact the liquid bag 7. During an emergency or when necessary, when the operation hook 8f is pressed from above the preserver body 1 by a finger, the operation hook 8f is released from the latched state and the bias member 3B changes from the loaded state to the unloaded state. Therefore, the operation hook 8f is pulled into the operation hole 8e by the resilient force of the bias member 3B, and at the same time the needle portion 8a formed on the bias member 3B pierces and tears the liquid bag 7. The reactive liquid 9 in the torn liquid bag 7 is gradually released. The reactive liquid 9 gradually flows from through the opened sides of the chassis 8c downward into the preserver body 1, and chemically reacts with the foaming agent of the foaming portion 1B to generate gas. Since a person is not calm during an emergency, the liquid bag 7 is preferably torn open with as simple an operation as possible, and the configuration of the present embodiment simplifies this operation. The present embodiment shows an exemplary latch structure realized by a flat spring, but the properties of a bias member other than a flat spring, i.e. the ability to deform when pressure is added and return to an original shape when the pressure is removed, can be used to create any structure that can be set in a latched state in advance and released from the latched state during an emergency or when necessary to tear the liquid bag 7. Furthermore, the cutter portion 8b may be used instead of the needle portion 8a to tear the liquid bag 7. In order for the operation hook 8f to not operate incorrectly, an enclosure, not shown, with a suitable size may be formed around the operation hook 8f.
(118) FIGS. 19A to 19D show a configuration of an exemplary embodiment a liquid bag 7. When the reactive liquid 9 sealed in the liquid bag 7 occupies 80% to 100% of the liquid bag 7 and the liquid bag 7 is stepped on as shown in FIG. 19A, there is a concern that the liquid bag 7 will be ripped. Therefore, the liquid bag 7 is filled with the reactive liquid 9 up to 40% to 60% such that the liquid bag 7 remains thin and flat. As a result, even if the liquid bag 7 is stepped on, the reactive liquid 9 within the liquid bag 7 flows around the foot and does not add pressure to the inside of the liquid bag 7, and therefore the liquid bag 7 is not ripped. In this case, by increasing the size of the liquid bag 7, enough reactive liquid 9 can be sealed in the liquid bag 7 to achieve buoyancy. Furthermore, to prevent the reactive liquid 9 sealed in the liquid bag 7 from being distributed unevenly due to gravity, the bonded portion 7d bonding the inner surfaces of the liquid bag 7 to each other is formed at suitable locations, as shown in FIG. 19C.
(119) The liquid bag 7 of the present invention may be formed by a suitable resin other than polyethylene, and can be formed of any material that is strong with respect to pulling and weak with respect to tearing. In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 14A to 19D, the elastic member 3A may be disposed in the preserver body 1 in a compressed state and expand according to the gas generated in the preserver body 1, in the same manner as in the previous embodiments. As another example, the elastic member 3A may be provided in an uncompressed state within the preserver body 1. Each embodiment may include a configuration in which the reactive liquid 9 chemically reacts with the foaming agent of the foaming portion 1A to generate gas. For example, the reactive liquid 9 may be sterile water and the foaming agent in the previous embodiments that generates gas by chemically reacting with water or sea water may be manganese dioxide, which is a catalyst for the reactive liquid with hydrogen peroxide, such that the generated gas is oxygen. Therefore, when a person is drowning and lacks oxygen, the person can breathe the gas generated in the preserver body 1. In the configurations of FIGS. 14A to 15D, a strap or the like may be connected to the liquid bag 7 in advance, such that the liquid bag 7 can be torn by pulling the strap. As another example, a needle or blade that tears the liquid bag 7 when the strap is pulled may be provided, such that the needle or blade is brought into contact with the liquid bag 7 to tear the liquid bag 7. As another exemplary configuration, the pocket 1B may be disposed on a side of the preserver body 1, and the liquid bag 7 oriented sideways in the liquid bag 7 can be torn by being pulled sideways.
(120) In the exemplary embodiments shown in FIGS. 20A to 21D, a sufficient reaction occurs between the foaming agent of the foaming portion 1A within the hollow region 1b of the preserver body 1 and water sucked into the hollow region 1b of the preserver body 1, in order to sufficiently expand the overall preserver body 1. In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 7A to 10C, when the water inlet 2d is opened, the resilient force of the resilient member 3 (elastic member 3A or bias member 3B) causes water to be sucked into the hollow region 1b of the preserver body 1, and the sucked-in water quickly reacts with the foaming agent of the foaming portion 1A to begin generating gas. Therefore, the negative pressure state of the hollow region 1b of the preserver body 1 is eliminated not only by the sucked-in water, but also by the generated gas. Therefore, it is necessary to suck in a large amount of water all at once into the hollow region 1b of the preserver body 1. In this case, it is difficult to set the relationship with respect to the resilient deformation speed of the resilient member 3 (elastic member 3A or bias member 3B). The embodiments shown in FIGS. 20A to 21D include an amount of foaming agent sufficient to expand the entire preserver body 1 within the hollow region 1b of the preserver body 1. After a suitable amount of water is sucked into the hollow region 1b of the preserver body 1, the sucked-in water begins reacting with the foaming agent. The following provides a detailed description of the configuration for each embodiment.
(121) In FIGS. 20A to 20D, the hollow region 1b of the preserver body 1 is filled with the elastic member 3A, which may be a sponge or melamine foam, for example, the entire preserver body 1 is pressed by a press machine or the like to sufficiently compress the elastic member 3A and remove the air from the hollow region 1b of the preserver body 1, and then the water inlet 2d is closed to be in a sealed state. In this state, even if the pressure of the pressing is removed from the entire preserver body 1, the preserver body 1 remains in a compressed flat and thin state without containing air. An amount of foaming agent for sufficiently expanding the entire preserver body 1 is disposed in advance at the bottom of the preserver body 1, and the foaming portion 1A is formed by covering the entire top of the foaming agent with the water-soluble material 11 that dissolves in water. In this state, as shown in the drawings, when a person wearing the preserver body 1 formed as a vest is in danger of drowning and inserts a finger into the pulling hole 7c and pulls strongly, the force of the pulling causes the water inlet 2d to open, and at the same time the resilient force of the elastic member 3A in the preserver body 1 acts to return the elastic member 3A to the original shape. During the deformation of the return to the original shape, water is sucked in through the water inlet 2d, and this water flows through the blow tube 2 and over the foaming portion 1A. The sucked-in water is gradually accumulated. During the accumulation, since the foaming agent is covered by the water-soluble material 11, the sucked-in water does not immediately react with the foaming agent, and the reaction begins only after the water-soluble material 11 has been dissolved by the sucked-in water. Therefore, the inside of the hollow region 1b of the preserver body 1 remains in a negative pressure state until the water-soluble material 11 is dissolved, and during this time the amount of water necessary for the reaction can be sucked into the hollow region 1b of the preserver body 1. Therefore, an amount of foaming agent sufficient to expand the entire preserver body 1 is disposed in advance in the hollow region 1b of the preserver body 1, and when a suitable amount of water is then sucked in and reacts with the foaming agent, the entire preserver body 1 is sufficiently expanded to achieve sufficient buoyancy. The setting for how much time the reaction between the foaming agent and the sucked-in water is actually delayed by can be determined by the thickness and the material of the water-soluble material 11. By forming the foaming agent as a powder, gas is generated all at once when the reaction between the powdered foaming agent and the sucked-in water begins, and therefore the entire preserver body 1 can be expanded quickly. The material for forming the water-soluble material 11 that dissolves in water can be a material that reacts to water by dissolving, such as a vegetable polysaccharide water-soluble film made of starch from potatoes or sweet potatoes, such as oblaat, a water-soluble film having polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as a primary component, or a water-soluble plastic film made of poval resin. In the configuration of FIG. 20A, a suitable gap is left between the foaming agent 1A and the elastic member 3A filling the hollow region 1b of the preserver body 1, such that a sufficient amount of water can be accumulated therebetween. Furthermore, the bottom surface of the elastic member 3A may be covered with a material that is not saturated by water, such that the sucked-in water is not absorbed by the elastic member 3A. FIG. 20B shows an exemplary embodiment of actual implementation of the foaming portion 1A. The foaming agent fills the water-soluble material 11, which is a water-soluble film, like a sausage, and the foaming portion 1A containing the foaming agent is provided as-is in the hollow region 1b of the preserver body 1, thereby realizing the present invention easily. With this configuration, manufacturing is extremely simple, safe, and reliable. The preserver body 1 may be made of a material that does not let moisture pass through, and/or a drying agent may be disposed within the preserver body 1. FIG. 20C shows a configuration for safer and more reliable implementation. A reservoir 10 is disposed at the bottom of the hollow region 1b of the preserver body 1, as shown in the drawings, and the foaming portion 1A shown in FIG. 20B is disposed in the reservoir 10. With this configuration, when the compressed elastic member 3A returns to the original form, the air in the reservoir 10 is sucked into the hollow region 1b of the preserver body 1 through a vent hole 10a, and at the same time water begins to be sucked in through the water inlet 2d. This water flows through the blow tube 2 into the reservoir 10. When this water finally dissolves the water-soluble material 11, the water begins to react with the foaming agent to generate gas. The generated gas passes through the vent hole 10a to fill the hollow region 1b of the preserver body 1, so that the entire preserver body 1 can be expanded by the generated gas. With the configuration of FIG. 20C, the sucked-in water is reliably accumulated in the reservoir 10 and reliably reacts with the foaming agent, and therefore the present invention can be safely and reliably implemented with standardized quality.
(122) FIGS. 21A to 21D show an exemplary embodiment that achieves the same effect as the embodiment shown in FIGS. 20A to 20D. The reservoir 10 is provided to store a suitable amount of water sucked into the hollow region 1b of the preserver body 1. When the suitable amount of water sucked into the hollow region 1b of the preserver body 1 is stored, the stored water begins flowing into the hollow region 1b of the preserver body 1. This water flows over the foaming agent of the foaming portion 1A disposed at the bottom of the hollow region 1b of the preserver body 1, and creates a reaction. In the state shown in FIG. 21A, the elastic member 3A in the preserver body 1 is compressed, so that the overall preserver body 1 has a thin flat shape. In this state, the water inlet 2d is closed to be in the sealed state, and so water is not sucked into the hollow region 1b of the preserver body 1. When the person wearing the preserver body 1 is in danger of drowning and strongly pulls the on the pulling hole 7c with a finger while in the water, the water inlet 2d is opened, and at the same time the resilient force causes the elastic member 3A to return to the original shape, as shown in FIGS. 21C and 21D, during which time water begins to be sucked into the water inlet 2d. The sucked-in water is gradually accumulated in the reservoir container 10A after flowing through the blow tube 2, and at the same time the air in the reservoir container 10A is expelled from the vent hole 10a. When the water stored in the reservoir container 10A reaches a height greater than or equal to the peak h of an inverted U-shaped tube 10b disposed in the reservoir container 10A, the water stored in the reservoir container 10A flows into the inverted U-shaped tube 10b, according to the siphon principle, and begins to flow over the foaming agent of the foaming portion 1A in the hollow region 1b of the preserver body 1. At this time, the water sucked into the preserver body 1 begins reacting with the foaming agent to generate gas for the first time. While the gas is being generated, even though the hollow region 1b of the preserver body 1 has negative pressure due to the generated gas, the water in the reservoir container 10A continues to flow without being affected at all by the change of the negative pressure state, and continues flowing up to the height of the inlet of the inverted U-shaped tube 10b. Therefore, by including the foaming agent that sufficiently expands the entire preserver body 1 disposed in advance in the hollow region 1b of the preserver body 1 and the reservoir container 10A that sores a suitable amount of water for reacting with this foaming agent, the preserver body 1 can be sufficiently expanded in an emergency to reliably achieve buoyancy. For example, in a configuration where a suitable amount of water sucked in through the opened water inlet 2d is stored and this water flows over the foaming agent 10 to 20 seconds later to expand the preserver body 1, a person who is drowning can be saved within 10 to 20 seconds. The amount of water that is suitable for storage in the reservoir container 10A may be set as is appropriate for the size of the container, and the stored water amount can be set to determine approximately how many seconds the reaction with the foaming agent is delayed by. In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 7A to 10C, it is difficult to set the preserver body 1 to reliably achieve sufficient expansion, but with the embodiments of FIGS. 20A to 21D, the entire preserver body 1 can be reliably expanded, regardless of how many times this expansion is implemented. The reservoir container 10A can be formed of polyethylene or vinyl chloride having a suitable thickness, for example. As another example, the foaming unit 1A containing the foaming agent wrapped in the water-soluble material 11 shown in FIG. 20B can be disposed at the bottom of the hollow region 1b of the preserver body 1 shown in FIGS. 21A to 21D. In this case, the water-soluble material 11 can be set to dissolve in a few seconds. In the configurations shown in FIGS. 20A to 21D, a check valve may be disposed in the water inlet 2d to prevent reverse flow, in order to prevent the gas generated in the preserver body 1 from leaking to the outside. In the configuration shown in FIGS. 20A to 20D, disposing the water inlet 2d at the torso region instead of the shoulder region can more reliably ensure that water or sea water is sucked in.
(123) As another configuration for realizing the means shown in FIGS. 20A to 21D, the bottom of the container reservoir 10A may be formed by the water-soluble material 11 that dissolves in water, as shown in FIG. 20D, or the entire reservoir container may be formed by the water-soluble material 11. When a suitable amount of water is accumulated in the reservoir container 10A, the water-soluble material 11 dissolves and the accumulated water naturally falls. As another example, a configuration can be used in which the suitable amount of water accumulated in the reservoir container 10A can automatically drop due to its own weight. Any means can be used as long as, when the suitable amount of water is sucked into the preserver body 1, the water automatically reacts with the foaming agent after a suitable time has passed.
(124) The life preserver of the present embodiment can be worn on the body in a thin and flat state during work or swimming. In each embodiment, the preserver body 1 is operated from the outside to expand the preserver body 1 and achieve buoyancy, and therefore each embodiment has a special technical feature.
