WO1991015266A1 - Marker balloon - Google Patents

Marker balloon Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1991015266A1
WO1991015266A1 PCT/GB1991/000527 GB9100527W WO9115266A1 WO 1991015266 A1 WO1991015266 A1 WO 1991015266A1 GB 9100527 W GB9100527 W GB 9100527W WO 9115266 A1 WO9115266 A1 WO 9115266A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
balloon
canister
gas
marker
probe
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB1991/000527
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Eric Rees Davies
Original Assignee
Eric Rees Davies
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Eric Rees Davies filed Critical Eric Rees Davies
Publication of WO1991015266A1 publication Critical patent/WO1991015266A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B5/00—Visible signalling systems, e.g. personal calling systems, remote indication of seats occupied
    • G08B5/002—Distress signalling devices, e.g. rescue balloons
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A62—LIFE-SAVING; FIRE-FIGHTING
    • A62B—DEVICES, APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR LIFE-SAVING
    • A62B33/00—Devices for allowing seemingly-dead persons to escape or draw attention; Breathing apparatus for accidentally buried persons

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a marker balloon for use in an emergency to indicate the location of the user, e.g. a hiker, mountaineer etc.
  • a marker balloon which comprises a canister which houses an inflatable balloon and a gas container, a striker for displacing the gas container onto a pointed probe within the canister so as to pierce the gas container and allow gas to pass through the probe and into the balloon to inflate the latter.
  • the canister further houses a spool which is wound with a line attached to the balloon, the line being able to unwind from the spool as it leaves the canister.
  • gas from the gas container is allowed to enter the canister and so aid ejection of the balloon from the canister.
  • the balloon is fitted to a one-way valve unit which is displaced relative to the probe to uncover an aperture in the probe to allow gas into the canister.
  • the canister is of cylindrical form and is divided by an internal partition into two chambers, one receiving the gas container and the other receiving the balloon, with the probe passing through an aperture in the partition.
  • a marker balloon which comprises a canister housing an inflatable balloon and a gas container, and an actuator for operating to cause gas to pass from the gas container and into the balloon to inflate the latter, and also for gas to pass into the canister to aid ejection of the balloon from the canister.
  • a marker balloon which comprises a cylindrical canister 10 having an internal partition 12 intermediate its ends to divide the canister into upper and lower chambers, the partition 12 intermediate its ends to divide the canister into upper and lower chambers, the partition 12 being formed with a central aperture 14.
  • a cylinder 16 containing a lighter-than-air gas is received within the lower chamber of the canister 10, which is closed by a bottom end cap 18 having a square aperture 19 at its centre.
  • a square-section member 20 extends through the aperture
  • An elongate probe 26 is fixed into the aperture 14 through the partition 12, with a pointed end 27 of the probe directed towards the gas cylinder 16.
  • a spool 28 wound with a line 29 is disposed around the probe 26 within the upper chamber of the canister 10, and screws onto the probe to hold the latter in place.
  • a one-way valve unit 30 is disposed around the upper end of the probe 26 and the neck of a balloon 32 is fixed to the valve unit 30.
  • the top end of canister 10 is closed by an end cap 34.
  • a further cap (not shown) is provided for the bottom of the canister, to enclose the striker knob 22.
  • the member 20 In use of the marker balloon shown in the drawing, if the striker knob 22 is struck, the member 20 will be driven through the bottom end cap 18 of the canister and the barbs 21 will prevent its return. This movement pushes the gas cylinder 16 onto the pointed end 27 of the probe, which accordingly pierces the cylinder 16 but at the same time seals therewith. Gas from the cylinder now passes through the probe 26 and into the balloon 32 through an aperture 33 at or adjacent the upper end of the probe. The pressure building up within the balloon forces off the top end cap 34 and the balloon continues to expand, it draws the valve unit 30 forwardly, so opening an aperture 31 in the probe 26. This allows the upper chamber of the canister to fill with gas, further aiding ejection of the valve unit 30 from the canister. The balloon 32 is then free to rise, unwinding the line 29 from the spool 28 as it does so.
  • the canister 10 is provided with a clip or other arrangement so that it can be fixed to the belt or rucksack of the user.
  • the balloon 32 is shaped as an inverted arrow head. This, allowing for wind drag away from the emergency would indicate the possible ground level position where help is needed, which could be some considerable distance away, depending on the length of the line.

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Pulmonology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Emergency Management (AREA)
  • Audible And Visible Signals (AREA)

Abstract

A marker balloon for use in an emergency to indicate the location of the user, comprising a canister housing (10), an inflatable balloon (32), a gas container (16), and an activator (22) for operating to cause lighter-than-air gas to pass from the gas container (16) and into the balloon (32) to inflate it. Gas is also allowed to pass into the canister (10) to eject the balloon (36) from the canister (10).

Description

MARKER BALLOON
This invention relates to a marker balloon for use in an emergency to indicate the location of the user, e.g. a hiker, mountaineer etc.
In accordance with this invention, there is provided a marker balloon which comprises a canister which houses an inflatable balloon and a gas container, a striker for displacing the gas container onto a pointed probe within the canister so as to pierce the gas container and allow gas to pass through the probe and into the balloon to inflate the latter.
Preferably the canister further houses a spool which is wound with a line attached to the balloon, the line being able to unwind from the spool as it leaves the canister.
Preferably as the balloon expands, gas from the gas container is allowed to enter the canister and so aid ejection of the balloon from the canister. Preferably the balloon is fitted to a one-way valve unit which is displaced relative to the probe to uncover an aperture in the probe to allow gas into the canister.
Preferably the canister is of cylindrical form and is divided by an internal partition into two chambers, one receiving the gas container and the other receiving the balloon, with the probe passing through an aperture in the partition.
Also in accordance with this invention, there is provided a marker balloon which comprises a canister housing an inflatable balloon and a gas container, and an actuator for operating to cause gas to pass from the gas container and into the balloon to inflate the latter, and also for gas to pass into the canister to aid ejection of the balloon from the canister.
An embodiment of this invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, the single figure of which is a view of a marker balloon shown in exploded form.
Referring to the drawing, there is shown a marker balloon which comprises a cylindrical canister 10 having an internal partition 12 intermediate its ends to divide the canister into upper and lower chambers, the partition 12 intermediate its ends to divide the canister into upper and lower chambers, the partition 12 being formed with a central aperture 14. A cylinder 16 containing a lighter-than-air gas is received within the lower chamber of the canister 10, which is closed by a bottom end cap 18 having a square aperture 19 at its centre. A square-section member 20 extends through the aperture
19 and has a pair of barbs 21 projecting from it at an inclined angle, to serve as a non-return feature. The outer end of member 20 carries a striker knob 22 and the inner end of member
20 carries a pressure pad 24.
An elongate probe 26 is fixed into the aperture 14 through the partition 12, with a pointed end 27 of the probe directed towards the gas cylinder 16. A spool 28 wound with a line 29 is disposed around the probe 26 within the upper chamber of the canister 10, and screws onto the probe to hold the latter in place. A one-way valve unit 30 is disposed around the upper end of the probe 26 and the neck of a balloon 32 is fixed to the valve unit 30. The top end of canister 10 is closed by an end cap 34. Preferably a further cap (not shown) is provided for the bottom of the canister, to enclose the striker knob 22.
In use of the marker balloon shown in the drawing, if the striker knob 22 is struck, the member 20 will be driven through the bottom end cap 18 of the canister and the barbs 21 will prevent its return. This movement pushes the gas cylinder 16 onto the pointed end 27 of the probe, which accordingly pierces the cylinder 16 but at the same time seals therewith. Gas from the cylinder now passes through the probe 26 and into the balloon 32 through an aperture 33 at or adjacent the upper end of the probe. The pressure building up within the balloon forces off the top end cap 34 and the balloon continues to expand, it draws the valve unit 30 forwardly, so opening an aperture 31 in the probe 26. This allows the upper chamber of the canister to fill with gas, further aiding ejection of the valve unit 30 from the canister. The balloon 32 is then free to rise, unwinding the line 29 from the spool 28 as it does so.
Preferably the canister 10 is provided with a clip or other arrangement so that it can be fixed to the belt or rucksack of the user.
Preferably the balloon 32 is shaped as an inverted arrow head. This, allowing for wind drag away from the emergency would indicate the possible ground level position where help is needed, which could be some considerable distance away, depending on the length of the line.

Claims

1. A marker balloon which comprises a canister which houses an inflatable balloon and a gas container, and a striker for displacing the gas container onto a pointed probe within the canister so as to pierce the gas container and allow gas to pass through the probe and into the balloon to inflate the latter.
2. A marker balloon as claimed in claim 1 in which the canister further houses a spool which is wound with a line attached to the balloon, the line being able to unwind from the spool as it leaves the canister.
3. A marker balloon as claimed in claims 1 or 2 in which gas from the gas canister is allowed to enter the canister and so aid ejection of the balloon from the canister as the balloon expands.
4. A marker balloon as claimed in any preceding claim in which the balloon is fitted to a one-way valve unit which is displaced relative to the probe to uncover an aperture in the probe to allow gas into the canister.
5. A marker balloon as claimed in any preceding claim in which the canister is of cylindrical form and is divided by an internal partition into two chambers, one receiving the gas container and the other receiving the balloon, with the probe passing through an aperture in the partition.
6. A marker balloon which comprises a canister housing, an inflatable balloon and a gas container, and an actuator for operating to cause gas to pass from the gas container and into the balloon to inflate the latter, and also for gas to pass into the canister to aid ejection of the balloon from the canister.
7. A marker balloon according to any preceding claim in which the gas container contains a gas which is lighter than air.
8. A marker balloon according to any preceding claim in which the balloon is shaped as an inverted arrow head.
PCT/GB1991/000527 1990-04-04 1991-04-04 Marker balloon WO1991015266A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB909007584A GB9007584D0 (en) 1990-04-04 1990-04-04 Marker balloon
GB9007584.7 1990-04-04

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1991015266A1 true WO1991015266A1 (en) 1991-10-17

Family

ID=10673854

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB1991/000527 WO1991015266A1 (en) 1990-04-04 1991-04-04 Marker balloon

Country Status (3)

Country Link
AU (1) AU7588391A (en)
GB (1) GB9007584D0 (en)
WO (1) WO1991015266A1 (en)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2288896A (en) * 1994-03-14 1995-11-01 David Arthur Dresser Distress alert device
DE4445885A1 (en) * 1994-12-22 1996-07-04 Uwe Dipl Ing Koehler Locating people lost at sea
EP0931567A3 (en) * 1998-01-23 2000-05-31 Alver Zambon Safety device against avalanches
US20150161857A1 (en) * 2013-12-09 2015-06-11 Peter Aguilar Emergency location device
CN105809856A (en) * 2016-05-18 2016-07-27 胡正涛 Novel distress signal bar

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3735723A (en) * 1972-09-18 1973-05-29 P Lutz Inflatable emergency device
CH570015A5 (en) * 1972-06-09 1975-11-28 Holder Philippe Signalling means for person buried by avalanche - voice actuated device releases balloon before being completely buried
FR2276842A1 (en) * 1974-07-01 1976-01-30 Maillet Georges Emergency marker for use in life saving - has parts containing gas capsule and folded balloon with connexion line
US4295438A (en) * 1980-02-25 1981-10-20 Porter Howard L Rescue locator signal package
EP0303491A2 (en) * 1987-08-11 1989-02-15 Kiwi Research And Development Corp. Emergency locator device

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CH570015A5 (en) * 1972-06-09 1975-11-28 Holder Philippe Signalling means for person buried by avalanche - voice actuated device releases balloon before being completely buried
US3735723A (en) * 1972-09-18 1973-05-29 P Lutz Inflatable emergency device
FR2276842A1 (en) * 1974-07-01 1976-01-30 Maillet Georges Emergency marker for use in life saving - has parts containing gas capsule and folded balloon with connexion line
US4295438A (en) * 1980-02-25 1981-10-20 Porter Howard L Rescue locator signal package
EP0303491A2 (en) * 1987-08-11 1989-02-15 Kiwi Research And Development Corp. Emergency locator device

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2288896A (en) * 1994-03-14 1995-11-01 David Arthur Dresser Distress alert device
DE4445885A1 (en) * 1994-12-22 1996-07-04 Uwe Dipl Ing Koehler Locating people lost at sea
EP0931567A3 (en) * 1998-01-23 2000-05-31 Alver Zambon Safety device against avalanches
US20150161857A1 (en) * 2013-12-09 2015-06-11 Peter Aguilar Emergency location device
US9449475B2 (en) * 2013-12-09 2016-09-20 Peter Aguilar Emergency location device
CN105809856A (en) * 2016-05-18 2016-07-27 胡正涛 Novel distress signal bar

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB9007584D0 (en) 1990-05-30
AU7588391A (en) 1991-10-30

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