Emergency devices

Abstract

A manual inflation component ( 13 ) for a personal flotation device ( 16 ) is provided in which the manual inflation device provides the antenna ( 17 ) for a warning device, as well as providing for inflation of the personal flotation device by the wearer. The component itself, personal flotation devices including it, warning systems including it and methods of manufacture are also provided. The manual inflation component ( 13 ) is well positioned on the personal flotation device to serve the role of transmission location.

1 . A manual inflation component for a flotation device, the manual inflation component being provided with a first end and a second end and an extent between the first end and the second end, the manual inflation component including an internal passage extending from a first opening to a second opening, the manual inflation component being provided with at least a part of a transmitter. 
     
     
         2 . A manual inflation component according to  claim 1  in which the manual inflation component is provided with a mouthpiece, the mouthpiece including a first opening to an internal passage, the manual inflation component further including a second opening in fluid communication, in use, with the inside of the flotation device. 
     
     
         3 . A manual inflation component according to  claim 1  in which the at least a part of the transmitter has an extent along the extent of the manual inflation device which is at least 50% of the extent of the manual inflation device. 
     
     
         4 . A manual inflation component according to  claim 1  in which the at least part of the transmitter is at least a part of an antenna, preferably a radio transmitting antenna. 
     
     
         5 . A manual inflation component according to  claim 1  in which the at least a part of the transmitter is attached to the manual inflation component and/or the at least a part of the transmitter is embedded in the manual inflation component. 
     
     
         6 . A manual inflation component according to  claim 1  in which the at least a part of the transmitter is wrapped around the manual inflation component and/or the at least a part of the transmitter is coiled around to the manual inflation component and/or the at least a part of the transmitter is in the form of a spiral around the manual inflation component. 
     
     
         7 . A manual inflation component according to  claim 1  in which the at least part of the transmitter is provided by a flexible material and/or the at least part of the transmitter includes a conductive film and/or the at least part of the transmitter includes printed material and/or the at least part of the transmitter includes a wire. 
     
     
         8 . A control unit for a warning device, the control unit being provided with a connector, the connector being adapted for connection, in use, to at least a part of a transmitter, the at least a part of a transmitter being provided by a manual inflation component for a flotation device, the manual inflation component being provided with a first end and a second end and an extent between the first end and the second end. 
     
     
         9 . A control unit according to  claim 8  which is adapted for connection, in use, to a manual inflation component. 
     
     
         10 . A control unit according to  claim 8  in which the control unit provides the signals for transmission to the transmitter and/or the control unit determines the content of the signals for transmission by the transmitter and/or the control unit provides positional information in the signals for transmission by the transmitter and/or the control unit includes information on the wearer of the flotation device in the signals for transmission by the transmitter and/or the control unit includes information on the identity of the warning system and/or the control unit in the signals for transmission by the transmitter. 
     
     
         11 . A control unit according to  claim 8  in which the control unit controls the operation of a light source and/or the control unit is provided with a power source and/or the control unit includes an element for determining the position of the control unit and/or the device. 
     
     
         12 . A control unit according to  claim 8  in which the control unit is connected to a link, the link is provided with a connector and the connector is used to connect the link to the at least a part of the transmitter, the connector being a releasable connector. 
     
     
         13 . A warning device, the warning device comprising a control unit, the control unit being provided with a connector, the connector being connected to a transmitter, at least a part of the transmitter being provided by a manual inflation component for a flotation device, the manual inflation component being provided with a first end and a second end and an extent between the first end and the second end. 
     
     
         14 . A warning device according to  claim 13  in which the warning device is provided with a manual inflation component and/or is provided with a control unit. 
     
     
         15 . A warning device according to  claim 13  in which the warning device can be manually triggered and/or is automatically triggered by contact and/or immersion in water. 
     
     
         16 . A warning device according to  claim 13  in which the warning device is a part of a person overboard warning system and the warning device is in communication with a receiver part to provide the person overboard warning system, the receiver part being provided on a vessel. 
     
     
         17 . A warning device according to  claim 16  in which the receiver part provides a visual alarm when it receives a signal from a warning device and/or the receiver part provides an audible alarm when it receives a signal from a warning device. 
     
     
         18 . A flotation device, the flotation device comprising a manual inflation component, the manual inflation component being provided with a first end and a second end and an extent between the first end and the second end, the manual inflation component including an internal passage extending from a first opening to a second opening, the manual inflation component being provided with at least a part of a transmitter. 
     
     
         19 . A flotation device according to  claim 18  in which the flotation device is provided with a manual inflation component and/or is provided with a control unit and/or is provided with a warning device. 
     
     
         20 . A flotation device provided with a warning device, the warning device comprising a control unit, the control unit being provided with a connector, the connector being connected to at least a part of a transmitter, at least a part of the transmitter being provided by a manual inflation component for the flotation device, the manual inflation component being provided with a first end and a second end and an extent between the first end and the second end. 
     
     
         21 . A flotation device provided with a warning device according to  claim 18  in which the flotation device is provided with a manual inflation component and/or is provided with a control unit and/or is provided with a warning device. 
     
     
         22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . (canceled)