The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 30, 1988
Filed:
May. 05, 1987
Roman Jankowiak, Cheektowaga, NY (US);
John A Lutocka, Jr, Seminole, FL (US);
Conax Florida Corporation, St. Petersburg, FL (US);
Abstract
An improved, low cost, water activated pressurized gas release device utilized for inflating flotation equipment, such as life jackets, when dumped into the water. The device includes a one piece die cast housing (12) formed of an electrically conductive material. All major components of the device are mounted within the housing with the exception of the container (14) of pressurized gas, a manual actuating device (18), and a battery housing (16). A portion of the housing or container acts as a first contact when immersed in an electrically conductive fluid. A battery (64) is disposed within the battery housing (16) which is in turn received within a battery bore (34) in the housing (12). The battery housing is provided with an exposed sensor plate (76) the inside of which is in electrical contact with the battery anode (74). The plate acts a second contact. An electrical circuit (62) is disposed within a cavity (36) in line with the battery, the electrical circuit being enclosed by a potting compound (80) which also serves to maintain a cover (82) in place over the cavity. The gas passageway between a transverse D-shaped hole (30) and a longitudinally extending piercing pin receiving bore (24) is formed by a keyway (32) parallel to the D-shaped hole and which intersects the D-shaped hole and the piercing pin receiving bore thereby reducing machining costs.