Zodiac International

Zodiac International S.a.

Alain Richard

Marc Lavorata

Pascal Michaud

A rigid container having a generally horizontal elongated and non-parallelepiped shape, for containing a pneumatic inflatable life raft in deflated and folded state, is detailed. The container may be formed by two respectively upper and lower mutually assembled half-shells. The lower half-shell has, on its outer convex face, a zone with generally planar axial surface whereby the container can rest in stable position on a subjacent substantially planar support surface.

Container for pneumatic inflatable life raft, and pneumatic inflatable life raft equipped with same

A floating inflatable device which is to be able to be inflated on the surface of liquid and which for this purpose comprises inflation means including an on-board source of pressurized gas, wherein said inflation means comprise a venturi supplied by said source of pressurized gas and capable of entraining ambient air which contributes to the inflating of the device, and wherein said venturi inflation means, being mounted on a wall of said device, are protected by protective means covering them in such a way as to allow ambient air to pass freely while at the same time preventing liquid from being able to gain entry to the device to any appreciable extent.

Floating inflatable device, particularly an inflatable life raft, equipped with venturi inflation means

Self-righting inflatable life-raft (1) comprising a peripheral edge (2) consisting of at least one inflatable tubular chamber surrounding a bottom (3) secured in leaktight fashion to the said tubular chamber, at least one inflatable tubular hoop (4) extending above the raft between two opposite sides of the inflatable tubular chamber (2); at least two more or less parallel hoops (4) are provided; each hoop (4) is equipped with a reserve of gas (8) projecting from the outside of the hoop (4) and in a region thereof which is at an angle (.alpha.) of approximately 30 to 60.degree. above the horizontal, the assembly formed by the hoop (4) and the reserve (8) being asymmetric with respect to the vertical mid-plane (5) of the raft; and a heavy weight (6, 7) is secured to the raft along that one of its edges that is on the same side as the abovementioned reserves (8).

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Montendre, France

Alain Richard