EVACUATION SYSTEM

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an inflatable evacuation slide for evacuating people from a first structure to a second structure. The slide comprises at least three longitudinal beams, including two lateral lower beams and an upper beam, spaced apart transversally over their length and substantially parallel to each other in the inflated state, each beam comprising at least one inflatable longitudinal tube.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

EP2440446 (Survitec SAS) discloses an inflatable evacuation slide for evacuating people from a ship to at least one inflatable rescue liferaft. The slide includes three longitudinal beams each including three inflatable tubes braced by inflatable tubes of side and lower struts arranged as closed stiffening inflatable frames having a polygon shape in the inflated state and surrounding the longitudinal beams to which the tubes of the stiffening frames are connected by connection means and inflation means.

Embodiments of the present invention seek to provide an inflatable evacuation slide with improved rigidity.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided an inflatable evacuation slide for evacuating people from a first structure to a second structure, the slide comprising:

- at least three longitudinal beams, including two lateral lower beams and an upper beam, spaced apart transversally over their length and substantially parallel to each other in the inflated state, each beam comprising at least one inflatable longitudinal tubes; and
- a plurality of inflatable lateral panels connected to said upper beam and to said lateral lower beams;
- wherein the inflatable longitudinal tubes comprise a braid tube.

The first structure may be a ship or other vessel.

The second structure may be one or more structures, platforms, life rafts, e.g. an inflatable life raft, lifeboats etc. The second structure may be inflatable.

The braid tube may be formed of a plurality of substantially inelastic fibres. In the embodiment, this provides the tubes with the ability to withstand high inflation pressures, such as 100 psi. The braid tube may include at least one longitudinally extending element for constraining the maximum longitudinal extension of the braid tube.

The inflatable longitudinal tubes may comprise an inflatable bladder, the volume of which is constrained by the braid tube. The braid tube may take up the tension caused by inflation of the bladder. This is advantageous as the braid tube may be stronger than the bladder.

The braid tube may be contained in a sleeve suitable for being adhesively connected to the inflatable lateral panels. Braid material is generally unsuitable for reliable attachment by adhesive. The sleeve allows the tube to be adhered to the panels. The sleeve may also protect the braid material from damage to handling or water.

The inflatable lateral panels may comprise drop stitch material. Such a material maintains its shape under high inflation pressures and provides substantially rigid surfaces.

Some or all of the inflatable longitudinal tubes may include at least one end plate positioned at an end of the tube. In the embodiment, the tubes have an end plate at each end. The end plates advantageously are able to maintain their shape under high inflation pressures.

The end plate(s) may be rigid

The end plates may comprise metal.

The end plates may include a clamping mechanism for clamping the braid tube of the inflatable longitudinal tubes thereto. This may control the maximum longitudinal extension of the inflatable longitudinal tubes. For example, the braid tube may be looped around a ring that is clamped between two spacers that are attached to an end plate.

The tubes and panels may be connected together by adhesive, welding or any other suitable connecting means.

The inflatable longitudinal tubes of each beam may be coupled together by a sleeve. The sleeve may be provided in addition to the adhesive (or welding or any other suitable connecting means).

The slide may further comprise a plurality of inflatable floor panels connected to said lateral lower beams.

The inflatable floor panels may comprise drop stitch material.

Each beam may comprise at least two inflatable longitudinal tubes, the tubes connected side by side and adjacent along their length.

The slide may further comprise a flexible chute for supporting people during their evacuation via the slide, said chute including a floor part extending between said two lateral lower beams and at least one partitioning wall extending between the floor part and the upper beam for defining at least two slide paths for the people during evacuation. In the embodiment two partitioning walls extend between the floor part and the upper beam for defining three slide paths for the people during evacuation.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided an inflatable evacuation slide for evacuating people from a first structure to a second structure, the slide comprising:

- at least three longitudinal beams, including two lateral lower beams and an upper beam, spaced apart transversally over their length and substantially parallel to each other in the inflated state, each beam comprising at least one inflatable longitudinal tube; and
- a plurality of inflatable lateral panels connected to said upper beam and to said lateral lower beams;
- wherein the inflatable lateral panels comprise drop stitch material.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided an inflatable evacuation slide for evacuating people from a first structure to a second structure, the slide comprising:

- at least three longitudinal beams, including two lateral lower beams and an upper beam, spaced apart transversally over their length and substantially parallel to each other in the inflated state, each beam comprising at least one inflatable longitudinal tube; and
- a plurality of inflatable lateral panels connected to said upper beam and to said lateral lower beams;
- wherein each of the inflatable longitudinal tubes includes at least one rigid end plate for closing an end of the tube.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the present invention embodiments will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a side elevational view of a slide in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, extending between a ship and a lifeboat;

FIG. 2A shows a perspective view of a slide in accordance with embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2B shows an overhead plan view of the slide of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 2C shows a side elevational view of the slide of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 2D shows a front elevational view of the slide of FIG. 2A (viewed from the exit, life raft end);

FIG. 2E shows a rear elevational view of the slide of FIG. 2A (viewed from the entry, ship end);

FIG. 2F shows a plan view of the underside of the slide of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 3A shows a close-up view of one arrangement of the upper beam of the slide;

FIG. 3B shows an alternative arrangement of the upper beam of the slide;

FIG. 3C shows an arrangement of a lateral beam of the slide;

FIG. 3D shows a first arrangement of material strips for connecting the tubes of a beam of the slide;

FIG. 3E shows a second arrangement of material strips for connecting the tubes of a beam of the slide;

FIG. 4A shows a side elevational view of an inflatable side panel of the slide;

FIG. 4B shows a perspective view of the side panel of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 4C shows a front elevational view of the side panel of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a drop stitch material;

FIG. 6A shows a side elevational view of a floor panel of the slide;

FIG. 6B shows a perspective view of a floor panel of FIG. 6A;

FIG. 6C shows a front elevational view of the floor panel of FIG. 6A;

FIG. 7 shows a transverse cross-sectional view of one of the tubes used in upper or lateral beams of the slide;

FIG. 8A shows a perspective view of a braid material used in the tubes of the beams of the slide;

FIG. 8B shows a schematic view of the arrangement of a longitudinal element of the braid material;

FIG. 9A shows a perspective view of a rigid end cap assembly provided at each end of the tubes;

FIG. 9B shows the end cap assembly of FIG. 9A in exploded form;

FIG. 9C shows a rear elevational view of the end cap assembly of FIG. 9A;

FIG. 9D shows a side elevational view of the end cap assembly of FIG. 9A;

FIG. 9E shows a cross-section taken along the line A-A of FIG. 9C;

FIG. 9F shows an enlarged view of the encircled portion B of FIG. 9E;

FIG. 10A shows a perspective view of the end plate of the end cap assembly of FIG. 9A;

FIG. 10B shows rear elevational view of the end plate of FIG. 10A;

FIG. 10C shows a side elevational view of the end plate of FIG. 10A;

FIG. 10D shows a cross-section taken along the line A-A of FIG. 10B;

FIG. 10E shows an enlarged view of the encircled portion B of FIG. 10D.

FIG. 11A shows a perspective view of the outer spacer of the end cap assembly of FIG. 9A;

FIG. 11B shows a rear elevational view of the outer spacer of FIG. 11A;

FIG. 11C shows a side elevational view of the outer spacer of FIG. 11A;

FIG. 11D shows a cross-section taken along the line A-A of FIG. 11B;

FIG. 11E shows an enlarged view of the portion B of FIG. 11D;

FIG. 12A shows a perspective view of the clamp ring of the end cap assembly of FIG. 9A;

FIG. 12B shows an elevational view of the clamp ring of FIG. 12A;

FIG. 12C shows a cross-section taken along the lines A-A of FIG. 128.

FIG. 13A shows a perspective view of the inner spacer of the end cap of FIG. 9A;

FIG. 13B shows a front elevational view of the inner spacer of FIG. 13A;

FIG. 13C shows a side elevational view of the inner spacer of FIG. 13A;

FIG. 13D shows a cross-section taken along the line A-A of FIG. 13B;

FIG. 13E shows an enlarged view of the encircled portion B of FIG. 13D;

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the inflation valve mounting; and

FIG. 15 shows a close-up view of an alternative arrangement of the upper beam of the slide.

In the drawings, like elements are generally designated with the same reference sign.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows an inflatable evacuation slide 1, in deployed and inflated configuration between a ship 3 and an inflatable survival life raft 5. The life raft 5 is deployed and inflated, and releasably attached to the lower or exit end of the slide 1 by deformable releasable slide/raft interface coupling devices. Although the inflatable evacuation slide 1 is deployed between a ship 3 and an inflatable survival life raft 5 in this embodiment, it should be understood that that the slide 1 can extend from between any two structures, such as inflatable structures, platforms, life rafts, e.g. an inflatable life raft, lifeboats etc.

The other end of the slide 1, which is its upper or entry end, is connected to a storage and launching cradle 7, mounted on the ship 3, for storing the assembly constituted by the slide 1, folded in a deflated state, and the life raft 5, also deflated and folded in a container (not shown), around which the slide 1 is wrapped in the storage configuration, before launching, on a deck of the ship 3.

As shown on a larger scale in FIGS. 2A to 2E, the structure of the slide 1 comprises a framework including three longitudinal triple beams, one of which is an upper beam 9, in a substantially central position above the other two, which are lateral lower beams 11, between which is fixed and stretched over the whole length of the slide 1, a flexible chute 13.

Each of the three longitudinal triple beams 9 and 11 comprises three longitudinal tubes 15A-C, each in the form of an elongated cylinder having a substantially circular cross-section, individually inflatable (i.e. each inflatable independently of the others), stacked one (15A) above the other two (15B, 15C) so that they are tangential two by two over their length, and thus connected together adjacent and side by side. The tubes 15A-C may be connected intermittently or continuously over their length, for example by an adhesive or by high-frequency welding, so that the cross-section of each beam 9 or 11 has substantially the shape of an equilateral triangle in the inflated state.

Although in the embodiment longitudinal beams 9 and 11 each comprise three longitudinal tubes 15A-C are provided, it should be understood that the beams 9 and 11 may comprise only a single longitudinal tube or any number of longitudinal tubes.

The framework of the slide 1 also comprises a plurality of stiffening modules 17, which are inflatable, but pneumatically and mechanically independent of each other, and arranged side by side at their base, from the entry end to the exit end of the slide 1, and each mechanically connected to the longitudinal tubes 15A-C of the longitudinal beams 9 and 11 by connection means, and inflated from the longitudinal tubes 15A-C of the longitudinal beams 9 and 11 by inflation means, so that, in the inflated state of the slide 1, they can brace and stay the beams 9 and 11, keeping them spaced apart transversally to their length, and so that they extend substantially parallel to each other, in order to give the inflated slide 1 a cross-section (perpendicular to the beams 9 and 11) having substantially the shape of an isosceles or equilateral triangle.

Each stiffening module 17 includes two symmetrical halves 19a and 19b (FIG. 2B), each being composed of two inflatable side panels 21a, b connected together at the top, before assembly of the two halves. As the two symmetrical halves 19a and 19b are identical to each other, and arranged face to face, it is sufficient to describe one of them.

Each of the side panels 21a/b has a generally hexagonal shape, as shown in FIGS. 4A-40. The side panel 21a/b has two oppositely facing long side walls 23a, b, identical to each other, two oppositely facing intermediate length side walls 25a, b, identical to each other, and two oppositely facing short side walls 27a, b, also identical to each other. A corner connector 28 joins each two adjacent side walls. The side walls extend between two opposite faces 29a, b of the side panel 21a/b

The side panels 21a and 21b of each half 19a and 19b of the stiffening module are joined to each other at the upper ends at the intermediate side walls 25a.

The side panels 21a/b are formed from drop stitch (or drop thread) material, which has the general form shown in FIG. 5. In such a material, thousands of (e.g. nylon) threads connect the two opposite faces 29a, 29b to keep side panels 21a and 21b in the desired shape when inflated and to provide rigidity.

Each stiffening module 17 has, in the inflated state, the general outer shape of a hollow truncated pyramid with a square or rectangular base, the inclined edges of which are formed by two pairs of side panels 21a, 21b thus comprising four independent inflatable structures.

Although the stiffening modules 17 are not mechanically coupled to each other, or connected to each other by inflation means, each of them is however connected to longitudinal tubes 15A-C of the three longitudinal beams 9 and 11 by connection means, as well as optionally to some of the longitudinal tubes 15A-C of these beams 9 and 11 by inflation means. However, it is preferred that the stiffening modules 17 and the longitudinal tubes 15A-C are inflated separately.

Each of the four independent inflatable side panels 21a and 21b of each of the stiffening modules 17 may be connected to inflation means, and, moreover, with respect to any pair of two immediately adjacent stiffening modules 17, a majority of independent inflatable side panels 21a and 21b of one of these two modules is connected to inflation means that are different from those to which the homologous inflatable structures of the other one of these two modules are connected.

The base of the slide 1 (FIG. 2F) comprises a plurality of abutting but independent floor panels 30. The floor advantageously provides a smooth flat surface.

Each of the floor panels 30 has a generally rectangular shape, as shown in FIGS. 6A-6C. The panel 30 has two oppositely facing long side walls 32a, b, identical to each other, and two oppositely facing short side walls 34a, b, also identical to each other. A corner connector 36 joins each two adjacent side walls. The side walls extend between two opposite faces 38a, b of the panel 30.

The adjacent floor panels 30 of abut each other at the upper ends at the short sides walls 34a, b.

The floor panels 30 are formed from drop stitch (or drop thread) material, which has the general form shown in FIG. 5. In such a material, thousands of (e.g. nylon) threads connect the two opposite faces 38a, 38b to keep the floor panel in the desired shape when inflated and to provide rigidity. The air gap between the opposite faces 38a, 38b also provides thermal insulation.

The bottom of the slide 1, at its exit end, comprises a downstream end that is connectable to the life raft 5 (or other structure).

Referring now to FIG. 3A, the arrangement of the inflatable tubes 15A-C that form the upper beam 9 is shown. Each of the tubes is connected to the two adjacent tubes by adhesive 60 which is applied preferably along the entire length of each of the tubes over a portion of the circumference of the tube that will abut the two adjacent tubes. The adhesive 60 connects the tubes 15A-C together to form a generally triangular structure, with the tube 15A sitting above the two lower tubes 15B and 15C. The upper beam 9 formed by the tubes is connected to the inflatable side panels 21a, b of each stiffening module 17 by adhesive, as shown in FIG. 3A. In particular, the upper tube 15A has two regions of adhesive 62 provided preferably along the entire length of the tube in a region that contacts the interior faces 29a and 29b of oppositely facing inflatable side panels 21a and 21b. Each of the lower tubes 15B and 15C includes a region of adhesive 64 extending preferably along its entire length in the region that comes into contact with the interior faces 29a and 29b.

As an alternative to the direct connection between the adjacent tubes, and interior faces 29a, 29b, a strip or strips of material may extend between these elements and be adhered to adjacent ones of the elements by adhesive. FIG. 3D shows a “large mounting” form of such strips of material, comprising a two spaced apart V-shaped strips 68, the limbs of which are adhered to adjacent tubes 15 (i.e. two of tubes 15A/B/C). FIG. 3E shows a “small mounting” form of such a strip of material, comprising an X-shaped strip 67, the limbs of which are adhered to adjacent tubes 15 (i.e. two of tubes 15A/B/C). The “X” may be formed by two stitched together pieces of material).

A further alternative arrangement of the upper beam 9 is shown in FIG. 3B. The arrangement of the tubes 15A-C is the same as in FIG. 3A. However, a beam sleeve 66 is fixed around the tubes 15A-15C in order to hold the tubes together (in addition to the adhesive 60). In this embodiment, an adhesive region which preferably extends along the entire length of the upper tube 9 secures the outer face 70 of the beam sleeve 66 to the inner faces 29a and 29b of the side panels 21a and 21b. A continuous beam sleeve 66 may be provided along the length of the upper beam 9.

Rather than directly coupling the tubes 15A-15C together by adhesive 60, as shown in FIG. 3B, a material strip arrangement may also be provided, as described in relation to FIGS. 3D and 3E.

FIG. 3C shows the arrangement of a lateral lower beam 11. The tubes 15A-15C of the lower beam 11 are connected to each other by adhesive 60, in the same way as shown in FIG. 3A (although material strips could be used alternatively as described in relation to FIGS. 3D and 3E). The tubes 15A and 15B are connected to the face 29a of the side panel 21a by adhesive region 62 and 64, respectively, in the same manner as described in relation to FIG. 3A (although material strips could alternatively be used). The tubes 15B and 15C are connected to the inner face 38a of the floor panel 30 by adhesive regions 72 which preferably extend along the entire length of the tubes 15B and 15C round a portion of the circumference thereof that is adjacent to the floor panel 30 (although material strips could alternatively be used).

As in FIG. 3B, a beam sleeve may be fitted around the tubes 15A-15C of a lateral lower beam 11 to secure them together.

With regard to coupling the slide 1 by its upper end to the storage cradle 7 mounted on the ship 3, this can be carried out as in the rescue equipment of the state of the art. However, the rescue equipment of the embodiment preferably comprises a storage and launching cradle 7 for the assembly constituted by a container, containing at least one life raft such as 5 and its inflation means, and the slide 1 wrapped around the container.

The chute 13 has a generally flat floor 39 formed of flexible material that extends between the lateral lower beams 11 over the whole length of the slide 1. In order to increase the speed of evacuation via the slide 1, it is advantageous to subdivide the chute 13 into three adjacent tracks 40a and 40b and 40c (as best seen FIGS. 2A, 2D and 2E) by a flexible separating partitions 42a and 42b supporting the mid part of the chute floor 39 and suspended from the upper beam 9, over the whole length of the slide 1. The separating partitions 42a and 42b may be formed by a netting material. This variant is advantageous for ships carrying a large number of passengers.

In the embodiments of the invention each inflatable tube 15A-C is constructed from a bladder 50 and a surrounding braid tube 52. FIG. 8A shows a biaxial braid tube 52, having two intertwined strands of inextensible material, each extending at an angle inclined to the central, longitudinal axis of the tube. Preferably, the braid tube used in the embodiments has an additional, third element that extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tube that constrains longitudinal extension of the tube (so that the tube has a predetermined maximum length when inflated). The longitudinal elements may be fibres, filaments, ropes or webbings etc. The longitudinal elements may be attached to a biaxial braid tube to constrain longitudinal extension of the tube. Alternatively, the longitudinal elements may be integrated into the braid tube to form a triaxial braid tube, which is a tube formed by intertwining three strands of an inextensible material, the third strand extending longitudinally, substantially parallel to the central axis of the tube.

The arrangement of the third elements (3) is shown in FIG. 8B. The third elements (3) extend axially, in contrast to the biaxial fibres (2) to which they are attached. The scissor angle (1) is selected in the uninflated state to be large enough so that, at maximum radial extension (when in the inflated state), the third elements (3) constrain the maximum longitudinal extension,

The strands of an inextensible material forming the braid may be Vectran® (formed from a liquid crystal polymer, LCP), Kevlar®, or other aramids, polyesters or Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylenes (UHMWPEs).

The bladder 50 can be formed integrally with the braid tube 52 by, for example by coating the braid tube 52 with a flexible polymeric material such as silicone or a flexible plastic such as polyurethane, or neoprene. Alternatively (as shown) the braid tube 52 can retain within it a sealed bladder 50 made from a flexible material such as silicone or polyurethane or a synthetic rubber or neoprene. It is preferred to use a polyurethane or silicone or synthetic rubber or neoprene bladder 50 within the braid tube 52 that is made “over size” having a length that is at least as long as the maximum length of the braid 52 and a diameter that is at least as large as the maximum diameter of the braid tube 52 when expanded. In this way, the bladder 50 is unstressed as it fills and empties.

That is, although the bladder 50 may be of generally the same shape as the braid tube 52, the bladder 50 may be of generally larger size. The bladder 50 may be made of a sufficiently large size so that, when inflated within the braid tube 52, the bladder 50 fills the internal volume of the braid 52 without any stretching of the bladder 50 occurring, and the tension is taken up by the braid tube 52. If the bladder 50 is made oversized, the bladder may be made of an inextensible and/or inelastic material. It is advantageous for the tension to be taken up by the braid tube 52, as it is stronger than the bladder.

When the braid tube 52 and the bladder 50 are separate, there may be relative movement between the braid tube 52 and the bladder 50. In order to reduce wear on the bladder 50 from such relative movement, the braid may be formed or coated with a low friction material. Alternatively, a low friction material could be placed between the braid tube 52 and the bladder 50. The bladder 50 could be formed with a double skin with a lubricant between the two skins.

The bladder 50 may be elastic but this is not essential.

The bladder 50 and braid tube 52 are preferably contained within a protective outer bladder sleeve 54. The outer bladder sleeve 54 protects the braid 52 from damage. The outer bladder sleeve 54 also allows the inflatable tubes 15A-C to be glued to other parts of the slide 1 (it is not possible to reliably attach braid 52 by glue).

The use of braid 52 in the tubes 15A-15C allows the tubes to be inflated to much higher pressure than was previously possible. Pressures of 100 psi and above are possible.

The combination of the drop stitch panels 21a/b, 30 and the braid 52 in the tubes 15A-15C is highly advantageous. The rigidity of the drop stitch panels (and particularly their ability to resist deformation in response to shear stress) resists the bending/collapse of the inflatable beams 9 and 11, and provides a significant advantage over the prior art.

The tubes 15A-15C are provided at each end with a rigid end cap assembly as shown in the assembled form in FIG. 9A and in exploded form in FIG. 9B. The end cap assembly 90 includes an outer, generally circular end plate 92 having an aperture 93 formed therein for mounting an inflation valve. A circular outer spacer 94 and a circular inner spacer 96 are provided either side of a clamp ring 98. The end plate 92, outer spacer 94 and inner spacer 96 are fixed together by a plurality of nuts and bolts.

A rear elevational view of the end cap assembly 90 is shown in FIG. 90. A side elevational view of the end cap assembly 90 is shown in FIG. 9D. FIG. 9E shows a cross-section taken along the line A-A of FIG. 9C. FIG. 9F shows an enlarged view of the end circled portion B of FIG. 9E.

FIG. 10A shows a perspective view of the end plate. FIG. 10B shows a rear elevational view of the end plate 92. FIG. 100 shows a side elevational view of the end plate 92. FIG. 10D shows a cross-section taken along the line A-A of FIG. 10B. FIG. 10E shows an enlarged view of the encircled portion B of FIG. 10D.

FIG. 11A shows a perspective view of the outer spacer. FIG. 11B shows an inward plan view of the outer spacer 94. FIG. 110 shows a side elevational view of the outer spacer 94. FIG. 11D shows a cross-section taken along the line A-A of FIG. 11B. FIG. 11E shows an enlarged view of the portion B of FIG. 11D.

FIG. 12A shows a perspective view of the clamp ring 98. FIG. 12B shows a plan view of the clamp ring 98. FIG. 12C shows a cross-section taken along the lines A-A of FIG. 12B.

FIG. 13A shows a perspective view of the inner spacer 96. FIG. 13B shows front elevational view of the inner spacer 96. FIG. 13C shows a side elevational view of the inner spacer 96. FIG. 13D shows a cross-section taken along the line A-A of FIG. 13D. FIG. 13E shows an enlarged view of the encircled portion B of FIG. 13D.

The end plate 92 includes an inner, generally cylindrical portion 100 having a greater thickness in the longitudinal direction of the tube than the outer, generally annular portion 102. The difference in thicknesses results in a circumferential flange 104 being formed around the periphery of the end plate, providing a recess 106 for receiving the inner and outer spacers 94 and 96, and the clamp ring 98 (see, for example, FIG. 9F). The outer spacer 94 is of generally annular form such that it can be accommodated within the recess 104 of the end plate 92, as is the inner spacer 96. The outer spacer 94 includes a circumferential recess 110 (see, for example, FIG. 11E), which is of generally semi-circular cross-section. The inner spacer 96 includes a corresponding circumferential recess 112 (see, for example, FIG. 13E) which is also of generally semi-circular cross-section. When assembled, the outer 94 and inner 96 spacers face each other such that their recesses 110 and 112 face one another in order to define a generally circular space for accommodating the clamp ring 98 (as best shown in FIG. 9F).

A purpose of the end cap assembly 90 is to provide a strong attachment point for each of the opposite ends of the tubes 15A-15C (as they are carrying the forces). The material 113 of the tubes 15A-15C is shown by a dash line in FIG. 9F. At each end of the tubes the material 113 is wrapped around the clamp ring 98. The clamp ring 98, together with the wrapped around material 113 of the tube is then placed in the recesses 110 and 112 of the outer and inner spacers 94 and 96. A bolt 114 fastens the outer spacer 94 to the inner spacer 96 to one another, thereby clamping the clamp ring 98 and the material 113 between the spacers. The bolt 114 cooperates with nut 116 to additionally secure the spacers 94 and 96 to the end plate 92. The bolt is tightened sufficiently to provide an air-tight seal.

The material 113 of the tube 15A-150 may comprise each of the layers of the tube which, as describe with reference to FIG. 7, and so may include the bladder 50, the braid 52 and the outer bladder sleeve 54. Such an arrangement is applicable to a tube where the bladder 50 is formed integrally with the braid tube. In such an arrangement the end cap assembly 90 may provide an air-tight seal.

However, in a preferred embodiment, the material 113 of the tube 15A-15C comprises the braid tube 52 (and optionally the outer bladder sleeve 54). In such an arrangement the bladder has its volume constrained radially by the braid tube 52, and longitudinally the end cap assemblies 90—for which the maximum separation is advantageously controlled by the resistance to longitudinal extension of the braid tube 52.

The floor panels 30 may each be inflated by a gas connection with one of the tubes 15A-15C of lower beams 11. However, it is preferred that the floor panels 30 are inflated by a different gas connection to the tubes 15A-15C. Advantageously, the floor panels 30 are inflated in parallel, but adjacent panels are inflated by gas from different gas connectors.

FIG. 14 shows an example arrangement at one end of a bladder 50. An end opening 200 of the bladder 50 is partially closed by e.g. PU glue 202 and e.g. neoprene glue 204. Embedded within the neoprene glue 204 is an e.g. neoprene moulding 206 into which is fitted a metal female tread insert 208. To inflate the bladder a high pressure hose 210 having a male treaded portion 212 is screwed into the female tread insert 208 and sealed thereto by O-ring 214. The hose 210 may pass through the aperture 93 in the end plate 92. It should be understood that this is just one example of an inflation arrangement for the bladder, and many alternatives may be used.

Preferably the longitudinal beams 9 and 11 are be inflated independently from the side panels 21a, 21b (and are not connected via an inflation means) as beams 9 and 11 are inflated up to 100 psi SWP (Safe Working Pressure) whereas the side panels 21a, 21b are only inflated up to 10 psi SWP. However, it should be understood that this is merely one inflation arrangement and the invention is not restricted to any particular type of inflation arrangement.

An ambient venturi valve may be used to augment high pressure inflation to provide an initial fill of the tubes 15A-15C (and the connected panels). This is where a high-pressure gas supply (e.g. from a cylinder) will be augmented by air being drawn in through a venturi valve arrangement. The gas used to inflate the tubes 15A-15C (and the connected panels) preferably comes from a gas supply system on the vessel 3, provided by e.g. compressors, air pumps, charged gas cylinders, chemical gas generators etc.

The use of the braid 52 in the tubes 15A-15C provides for great strength, and allows the tubes to be inflated at very high pressure, so the tubes, when inflated, are highly rigid. The end cap assemblies 90 are configured to work effectively at the high pressures used to inflate the bladders 50 within the braided tubes. The configuration of the tubes in three multiple groups (in the embodiment, groups of three), further enhances rigidity of the slide 1, and also provides redundancy in the event that a tube should become damaged. Further, the use of drop stitch material in the side panels 21a, b and the floor panels 30 allows these panels to withstand high inflation pressures whilst maintaining the desired shape as shown in the drawings and rigid surfaces.

In an alternative embodiment, two or more bladders 50 may be enclosed in a single braid tube 52. This provides redundancy, so that, should one of the bladders 50 burst, the remaining bladder(s) are able to fill the space within the braid tube 52.

In the embodiments described above, each of the three longitudinal triple beams 9 and 11 comprises three longitudinal tubes 15A-C. FIG. 15 shows an alternative arrangement in which each of the three longitudinal triple beams 9 and 11 comprises six longitudinal tubes 15A-F, each in the form of an elongated cylinder having a substantially circular cross-section, individually inflatable (i.e. each inflatable independently of the others), stacked one (15A) above two (15B, 15C) and two (15B, 15C) above three (15D, 15E, 15 F) so that they are tangential two by two over their length, and thus connected together adjacent and side by side. The tubes 15A-F may be connected intermittently or continuously over their length, for example by an adhesive or by high-frequency welding, so that the cross-section of each beam 9 or 11 has substantially the shape of an equilateral triangle in the inflated state. FIG. 15 shows the upper beam 9. The lower beams 11 may have the same general configuration of the upper beam 9.

Each of the tubes is connected to the two adjacent tubes by adhesive 60 which is applied preferably along the entire length of each of the tubes over a portion of the circumference of the tube that will abut the two adjacent tubes. The adhesive 60 connects the tubes 15A-F together to form a generally triangular structure, with the tube 15A sitting above the two middle tubes 15B and 15C, and the two middle tubes 15B and 15C sitting above the three lower tubes 15D, 15E and 15F. The upper beam 9 formed by the tubes is connected to the inflatable side panels 21a, b of each stiffening modules 17 by adhesive 60, as shown in FIG. 15. In particular, the upper tube 15A has two regions of adhesive 62 provided preferably along the entire length of the tube in a region that contacts the interior faces 29a and 29b of oppositely facing inflatable side panels 21a and 21b. Each of the middle tubes 15B and 15C includes a region of adhesive 64 extending preferably along its entire length in the region that comes into contact with the interior faces 29a and 29b. Each of the three lower tubes 15D, 15E and 15F includes a region of adhesive 65 extending preferably along its entire length in the region that comes into contact with the interior faces 29a and 29b.

A beam sleeve, similar to that shown at 66 in FIG. 3B, may be fixed around the tubes 15A-15E in order to hold the tubes together (in addition to the adhesive 60).

The slide 31 may be of significant length, such as 47 metres, and it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that a slide of such a length requires a significant rigidity in order to avoid sagging.

EVACUATION SYSTEM

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