AU2006100990A4

AU2006100990A4 - A safety device

Info

Publication number: AU2006100990A4
Application number: AU2006100990A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Mark B. Thompson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-11-24
Filing date: 2006-11-24
Publication date: 2007-01-11
Anticipated expiration: 2014-11-24

Description

S&F Ref: 779037

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AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 INNOVATION PATENT SPECIFICATION Name and Address of Applicant: Actual Inventor(s): Address for Service: Invention Title: Mark B. Thompson, of 9 Weringa Avenue, Lake Heights, New South Wales, 2502, Australia Mark B. Thompson Spruson Ferguson St Martins Tower Level 31 Market Street Sydney NSW 2000 (CCN 3710000177) A safety device The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us:- 5843c(583864_1) A SAFETY DEVICE 0 Z Technical Field SThe present invention relates to a safety device and more particularly but not exclusively to a credit card sized personal vital safety data plate to be attached to a user.

Background of the Invention SSafety cards and bracelets which include details of a user's name, address, next of Skin, and/or vital medical records assist in the identification and treatment of the user after an accident or illness has occurred. To reduce the size of medical cards, a credit card data plate that could fit in a user's wallet was developed. The required medical information is 1o recorded on the card by either a magnetic strip or use of very small print.

One problem with existing medical cards is that they are searched for and found by third parties such as Ambulance or Police officers after an accident or illness has occurred which in some cases is a considerable time.

It would be advantageous to provide a medical card which provides all the relevant medical information of a user whilst also signalling to an emergency system if and when the user is in an accident, has an illness or is generally not able to communicate with others. For example, motor cyclists, train and vehicle operators, sportsmen, surfers or the like, can be thrown from a seated or standing position in an accident, when having a seizure or thrown from an apparatus and not located for some time. If a safety device signalled an emergency system when and where the user left their motorcycle for example, this would greatly improve the response time of emergency services and the chances of the user surviving an accident.

Object of the Invention It is an object of the present invention to substantially overcome or at least ameliorate one or more of the disadvantages of the prior art, or to at least provide a useful alternative.

O-2- Summary of the Invention 0 Z There is firstly disclosed herein a safety device to attach to a user, the device having: means to store information indicative of said user; O s a fastening member to attach said information storage means to the user; a sensor for detecting rapid deceleration of the user; and a transponder to produce a signal to identify the user and the user's location, IN should said deceleration exceed a predetermined deceleration.

Preferably, said information storage means includes a planar sheet member.

Preferably, said fastening member includes a length of flexible material to extend about a user's arm to fasten said device to said user.

Preferably, said sheet member includes at least one aperture through which said fastening member can pass.

Preferably, said sensor includes an accelerometer.

Preferably, including a pocket to receive said sheet member.

Preferably, including a global positioning system.

Preferably, including means manipulated by a user to turn said device on and/or off.

Preferably, said information storage means includes a Radio Frequency Identification chip.

Preferably, said information storage means stores medical information indicative of said user.

Preferably, said sheet member is substantially the size of a credit card.

Preferably, said information storage means includes information thermally embossed onto a surface of said sheet member.

Brief Description of the Drawings Preferred embodiments to the invention will now be described, by way of an example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a side view of an embodiment of the invention located on a user's arm; and Figure 2 is a partial side view of an embodiment of the present invention.

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-3- Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments 0 Z In the accompanying drawings, there is schematically depicted a safety device 1 to attach to a user 5. The device 1 has means 10 to store information indicative of the user 5. A fastening member 15 attaches the information storage means 10 to the user A sensor 20 detects rapid deceleration of the user 5 and a transponder 25 produces a signal identifying the details of the user 5, an indication of the deceleration to which the O user 5 was subjected and/or the user's location.

NO In a preferred form, the signal of the transponder 25 is produced when the user Sis subjected to a deceleration exceeding a predetermined deceleration. For example, 1o when the user 5 is in a collision, the user 5 will decelerate rapidly. The predetermined deceleration can be set at a value similar to an airbag for a vehicle. The information storage means 10 preferably includes a planar sheet member 11 of any shape. In the preferred form, the sheet member 11 will be the size of a credit card. The fastening member 15 includes a length of flexible material 30 to extend about a user's arm 32 to Is fasten the device 1 to the user 5. The flexible material 30 could be any type of material.

The flexible member 30 would include a tensioned fabric adjustable in length preventing the device 1 from detaching or sliding up and down the arm of a user 5 in wind, turbulence or other forces created during high speed activity. The adjustable fastening member 30 also serves to prevent the sheet member 11 from moving on the user 5 due to physical arm movement wherein jacket fabrics, skin perspiration, wind loading or the like occurs. The sheet member 11 includes at least one aperture 35 through which the flexible material 30 can pass.

In a preferred form, the sensor 20 includes an accelerometer or the like and the transponder 25 includes a global positioning system (GPS) or the like. The information storage means 10 would also include a radio frequency identification chip 39 or the like to store medical information indicative of the user 5. In an alternate form, the information storage means 10 could include information indicative of the user 5 thermally embossed onto a surface of the sheet member 11. The device 1 could also include a pocket 37 to receive the sheet member 11 and means 40 manipulated by a user 5 to turn the device 1 on and/or off.

In use, a user 5 such as a motorcyclist or the like before setting off on ajourney would turn the device 5 on by using the means 40 activating the electronics within the -4device 1. The device 1 would then be secured by way of the fastening member 15 about a o user's arm as is shown in Figure 1. However, the device 1 could be secured anywhere on a user 5. If the user 5 is subjected to a rapid deceleration such as when being thrown from C a motorcycle or falling over, the sensor will detect a rapid deceleration sending a signal to s the transponder 25 which sends a signal to an emergency system identifying the user 5, an indication of the deceleration to which the user 5 was subjected and/or the user's location.

Alternative information sent by the transponder 25 could be used by programming the transponder 25 prior to use.

SAs discussed above, it is preferable to place the device 1 around the arm 32 of a C, 10 user. If the device 1 was to be placed on the helmet 33 of a user 5 most if not all helmet manufacturers consider the helmet warranty void if anything is affixed to it. Placing the device 1 around the arm 32 provides the greatest visibility to emergency services. The device 1 does not need to be used with a vehicle and could simply be used for older persons travelling on foot who may be afflicted with memory loss or the like. If they were to collapse then an emergency system would be contacted.

The advantages of such a device 1 is that is provides piece of mind to a user 5 and their families knowing a user 5 will and can be identified in case of an accident, knocked unconscious, unable to communicate or the like wherever they may be. Crucial first moments will be saved in time of an accident or mishap when first respondees arrive on a scene and assess the victim's situation when the device 1 is recognised and read. Often there is little time to search for a wallet or purse. Loved ones or close friends can be notified should an accident occur. The rider's blood type could also be placed in the information storage means 10 to expedite any blood related procedures required in life threatening situations. In an alternative form the device 1 would be incorporated into the clothing of the user 5. In a preferred form the sheet member 11 is about 1 mm thick and made of plastic ABS material that can withstand impacts. The sheet member 11 could also be produced in bright conspicuous colours to attract maximum attention for emergency response personnel. The sheet member 11 could also be coated or impregnated with an ultraviolet (UV) protective substance preventing it or substantially reducing the fading of the device 1 from the elements. The device 1 could also include means (not shown) to power the device 1 such as a battery, solar cells or the like.

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c Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it o will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms.

Claims

2. The safety device according to claim 1, wherein said fastening member Sincludes a length of flexible material to extend about a user's arm to fasten said device to C io said user.
3. The safety device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said information storage means includes at least one aperture through which said fastening member can pass.
4. The safety device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said is sensor includes an accelerometer. The safety device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said information storage means includes a planar sheet member. DATED this twenty-fourth Day of November, 2006 Mark B. Thompson Patent Attorneys for the Applicant SPRUSON FERGUSON