Background of the invention:

This invention relates to inflatable life rafts for use on all kinds of ships from small fishing vessels to large ferries. The life raft is of that kind, which are packed in a container and which are blown up of a gas, which are com¬ pressed in a tank and packed together with the life raft. The life raft is con¬ structed in such a way that it always will lie so on the surface of the water, that it will be able to use it. It is also constructed so, that it will not be filled with water, even if it is blown up below the surface of the water.

Description the prior art:

With a lot of the known life rafts, it is so, that there is a great risk of, that they will not lie so on the surface of the water, that they are immediately available. It is so, that if they not lie with the plane turned downwards, which are designed to it, they have to be turned manual, which is a manoeuvre, there is difficult for someone not trained. It is also so, that they are not constructed so, that they keep out the water, whether the water from waves, there washed over the raft, or when they against the intention are blown up below the sur- face of the water.

Summary of the invention:

This invention enables, that the inflatable life raft will be more sure, be- cause it ensure, that the life raft always will lie so on the surface of the water, that it will be able for the distressed to use it, and that it is not filled with wa¬ ter.

The life rafts special function obtain by the way it is constructed on. The design of the life raft is so, that it can be use equal well, when it lie on two of it sides, and the two other sides are so, that it will not lie with this sides downwards. It is also constructed so, that when it blown up, the water, which

pressed to get in, will be keep out. This special function is design, so it is in¬ tended to be change of the first distressed, who board the life raft.

Brief description of the drawings:

The special structure of the life raft, which give it advantage before the known, is explained from fig. l a - I d, fig. 2a, fig. 2b and fig. 3.

Fig. 1 a - 1 d show the life raft from four sides. Fig. 2a and fig. 2b show the life raft in sectional view.

Fig. 3 show how the life raft can be boarded, and how the lock chamber can be designed.

Description of the preferred embodiment:

Fig. la - fig. I d show the life raft respectively from the sides, from in front, from above and from behind. As it is show on fig. l a, the life raft have such a shape, that it have two straight planes, which are identical, and two curved sides. The two identical planes are those which are intended to that the life raft is lain on. Because the two other sides are curved, the life raft can not be lain on those, but will turned and lie on one of the other sides. From fig. l b - fig Id. it is show, that the end sides are plane, which might make that the life raft would lie with one of this sides downwards, but because this planes are relative small, the life raft will quick, because of wave motion and the storm cuff of the life raft, overturn and lie on one of the intended planes.

From fig. 2a and fig. 2b it is show how the life raft is construct. The two sides (2), the life raft is intended to lie on, are equip with two sided bottom ( 1 ). The bending (5) is belonging together with the sides (2). The section (4) can be transparent, such that the sunlight can shine through it and so that it is possible to look out and inform oneself without it is necessary to open the en¬ trance. The pontoons (3) and (7) keep the end side from each other and take part in the buoyancy. The area (6) and (8) is two sided and inflatable and they help to keep the triangular shape of the life raft.

Fig. 3 show how the life raft is constructed such that the cabin of the life raft will not be filled with water. The drawing show the life raft from in front, and it show that the part between the sides ( 1 ) and the pontoons (2) and (6) is

transparent. The triangle parts (5) is the sides of the lock camber, there is a part of the entrance. The purpose of the part (3) is to keep the lock camber stretched, so to understand, that when the life raft is blown up, the cabin of the life raft also is filled with a gas, and because the lock cambers with the entrance are airtight, the part (3) stretched between the two lock cambers. The lock cambers are closed with the tip (4) in such a way, that it is handy to open. The purpose of the lock cambers is to keep out the water, especially in expectation to that the life raft, if its trigger rope is fasted to an automatic re- leasemechanism which is automatic released when the ship go down, then can be released below the surface of the water. Apart from this, the lock cambers also will keep out the water from waves, there wash over the raft.

As fig. 3 show, it is possible to board the life raft from two sides. And as fig. 3 also show, the lock camber is so designed, that the distressed can board the raft, before there is open into the cabin of the life raft. Opening the lock camber happen by pull in a rope, which keep the lock camber closed.