CA2255092C - Avalanche transceiver - Google Patents
Avalanche transceiver Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2255092C CA2255092C CA 2255092 CA2255092A CA2255092C CA 2255092 C CA2255092 C CA 2255092C CA 2255092 CA2255092 CA 2255092 CA 2255092 A CA2255092 A CA 2255092A CA 2255092 C CA2255092 C CA 2255092C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- belt
- terminator
- switch
- power
- receptor
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status 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 status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
Links
- 230000003213 activating effect Effects 0.000 claims 4
- 239000000523 sample Substances 0.000 claims 2
- 230000000007 visual effect Effects 0.000 abstract 1
Landscapes
- Emergency Lowering Means (AREA)
- Transmitters (AREA)
- Audible And Visible Signals (AREA)
Abstract
An improved rescue device for locating persons buried by avalanches operates in either a transmit mode or a receive mode. A first belt terminator is lockably engagable with a first belt terminator receptor on a case, and is associated with a power switch. The power switch switches between a power on position and a power off position in response to the engagement and disengagement of the first belt terminator with the first belt terminator receptor, and preferably is also independently manually operable. A second belt terminator is lockably engagable with a second belt terminator receptor on the case, and is associated with a mode switch. The mode switch toggles between a transmit mode position and a receive mode position, and preferably is also independently manually operable. A signal processing system generates a visual display which provides graphic information to expedite searching.
Prompt icons are displayed when a coarse search or a pinpoint search should be conducted, when the stage of a multistage amplifier should be changed, or when the rescue device needs to be reoriented to obtain maximum signal strength. Preferably, the signal processing system also displays the signal strength as a bar graph and displays an estimated distance to the buried transmitter.
Prompt icons are displayed when a coarse search or a pinpoint search should be conducted, when the stage of a multistage amplifier should be changed, or when the rescue device needs to be reoriented to obtain maximum signal strength. Preferably, the signal processing system also displays the signal strength as a bar graph and displays an estimated distance to the buried transmitter.
Claims (13)
1. An improved rescue device to be worn by an individual when in snow-covered regions subject to avalanche conditions, the rescue device having, a transmitter which generates a pulsed electromagnetic signal at a specified frequency, an antenna for transmitting the pulsed electromagnetic signal to provide a locating signal and for receiving signals from other transmitters, a receiver tuned to receive the locating signal from another transmitter via the antenna and generating an input signal proportional to the strength of the locating signal received, a speaker, a case for housing the transmitter, the antenna, and the receiver, a harness constructed from belts for securing the case to the individual, a first belt connector for attaching the harness to the case, and a second belt connector for attaching the harness to the case, the improvement comprising:
a first belt terminator which serves as the first belt connector;
a first belt terminator receptor which forms part of the case and which is configured to lockably engage said first belt terminator;
a power switch associated with said first belt terminator receptor, said power switch having a power on position and a power off position;
means for switching said power switch from said power on position to said power off position responsive to the engagement and disengagement of said first belt terminator with said first belt terminator receptor;
means for locking and releasing said first belt terminator to and from said first belt terminator receptor;
a second belt terminator which serves as the second belt connector;
a second belt terminator receptor which forms part of the case and which is configured to lockably engage said second belt terminator;
a mode switch associated with said second belt terminator receptor, said mode switch having a transmit mode position and a receive mode position;
means for toggling said mode switch between said transmit mode position and said receive mode position responsive to the engagement and disengagement of said second belt terminator with said second belt terminator receptor; and means for locking and releasing said second belt terminator to and from said second belt terminator receptor.
a first belt terminator which serves as the first belt connector;
a first belt terminator receptor which forms part of the case and which is configured to lockably engage said first belt terminator;
a power switch associated with said first belt terminator receptor, said power switch having a power on position and a power off position;
means for switching said power switch from said power on position to said power off position responsive to the engagement and disengagement of said first belt terminator with said first belt terminator receptor;
means for locking and releasing said first belt terminator to and from said first belt terminator receptor;
a second belt terminator which serves as the second belt connector;
a second belt terminator receptor which forms part of the case and which is configured to lockably engage said second belt terminator;
a mode switch associated with said second belt terminator receptor, said mode switch having a transmit mode position and a receive mode position;
means for toggling said mode switch between said transmit mode position and said receive mode position responsive to the engagement and disengagement of said second belt terminator with said second belt terminator receptor; and means for locking and releasing said second belt terminator to and from said second belt terminator receptor.
2. The improved rescue system of claim 1 wherein said power switch further comprises:
a power switch body having a first switch advancing surface;
further wherein said means for switching said power switch further comprises:
a probe engaging surface for contacting and advancing said first switch advancing surface so as to advance said power switch body to said power on position as said first belt terminator is inserted into said first belt terminator receptor; and means for returning said power switch body to said power off position when said first belt terminator is withdrawn from said first belt terminator receptor; and further wherein said means for locking and releasing said first belt terminator further comprises;
a first terminator latch biassed to lockably engage said first belt terminator when said first belt terminator is inserted into said first belt terminator receptor; and an activating tab for releasing said first belt terminator latch.
a power switch body having a first switch advancing surface;
further wherein said means for switching said power switch further comprises:
a probe engaging surface for contacting and advancing said first switch advancing surface so as to advance said power switch body to said power on position as said first belt terminator is inserted into said first belt terminator receptor; and means for returning said power switch body to said power off position when said first belt terminator is withdrawn from said first belt terminator receptor; and further wherein said means for locking and releasing said first belt terminator further comprises;
a first terminator latch biassed to lockably engage said first belt terminator when said first belt terminator is inserted into said first belt terminator receptor; and an activating tab for releasing said first belt terminator latch.
3. The improved rescue system of claim 2 wherein said means for returning said power switch body to said power off position further comprises:
a first switch return surface on said power switch body; and a power disengaging surface on said first belt terminator for forcibly engaging said first switch return surface so as to move said power switch body to said power off position as said first belt terminator is withdrawn from said first belt terminator receptor.
a first switch return surface on said power switch body; and a power disengaging surface on said first belt terminator for forcibly engaging said first switch return surface so as to move said power switch body to said power off position as said first belt terminator is withdrawn from said first belt terminator receptor.
4. The improved rescue system of claim 3 wherein said power switch has a switch plate which is rotatably mounted in a surface of the case and said activating tab is pivotably mounted to said switch plate.
5. The improved rescue device of claim 1 wherein said mode switch further comprises:
a mode switch body translatably mounted in said second belt terminator receptor, said mode switch body terminating in a switch head and being so positioned as to assure that said switch head extends beyond the case when said mode switch is in said receive mode position;
further wherein said means for toggling said mode switch further comprises:
a resilient spring fixed with respect to the case and engaging said mode switch body, biassing said mode switch body to said receive mode position where said switch head of said mode switch body is at maximum extension with respect to the case; and a switch head engaging surface on said second belt terminator so positioned as to forcibly engage said switch head and move said mode switch to said transmit mode position when said second belt terminator is inserted into and lockable engaged with said second belt terminator receptor; and still further wherein said means for locking and releasing said first belt terminator further comprises:
a second terminator latch biassed to lockably engage said second belt terminator receptor when said second belt terminator is inserted therein; and means for releasing said second terminator latch.
a mode switch body translatably mounted in said second belt terminator receptor, said mode switch body terminating in a switch head and being so positioned as to assure that said switch head extends beyond the case when said mode switch is in said receive mode position;
further wherein said means for toggling said mode switch further comprises:
a resilient spring fixed with respect to the case and engaging said mode switch body, biassing said mode switch body to said receive mode position where said switch head of said mode switch body is at maximum extension with respect to the case; and a switch head engaging surface on said second belt terminator so positioned as to forcibly engage said switch head and move said mode switch to said transmit mode position when said second belt terminator is inserted into and lockable engaged with said second belt terminator receptor; and still further wherein said means for locking and releasing said first belt terminator further comprises:
a second terminator latch biassed to lockably engage said second belt terminator receptor when said second belt terminator is inserted therein; and means for releasing said second terminator latch.
6. The improved rescue device of claim 5 further comprising supplementary means for toggling said mode switch between said transmit mode position and said receive mode position.
7. The improved rescue device of claim 6 wherein said supplementary means for toggling said mode switch further comprises:
a switch body catch on said mode switch body;
a catch retainer having a catch engaging surface contoured so as to lockably engage said switch body catch when said mode switch is in said transmit mode position;
means for biassing said catch retainer toward said mode switch body; and means for overcoming said biassing means to disengage said catch engaging surface from said switch body catch.
a switch body catch on said mode switch body;
a catch retainer having a catch engaging surface contoured so as to lockably engage said switch body catch when said mode switch is in said transmit mode position;
means for biassing said catch retainer toward said mode switch body; and means for overcoming said biassing means to disengage said catch engaging surface from said switch body catch.
8. An improved rescue device to be worn by an individual when in snow-covered regions subject to avalanche conditions, the rescue device having, a transmitter which generates a pulsed electromagnetic signal at a specified frequency, an antenna for transmitting the pulsed electromagnetic signal to provide a locating signal and for receiving signals from other transmitters, a receiver tuned to receive the locating signal of another transmitter via the antenna and generating an input signal proportional to the strength of the locating signal received, a speaker, a case for housing the transmitter, the antenna, and the receiver, a harness constructed from belts for securing the case to the individual, a first belt connector for attaching the harness to the case, and a second belt connector for attaching the harness to the case, the improvement comprising:
a first belt terminator which serves as the first belt connector;
a first belt terminator receptor which forms part of the case and which is configured to lockably engage said first belt terminator;
a power switch associated with said first belt terminator receptor, said power switch having a power switch body having a first switch advancing surface thereon and moving between a power on position and a power off position;
a probe engaging surface on said first belt terminator for contacting and advancing said first switch advancing surface so as to advance said power switch body to said power on position as said first belt terminator is inserted into said first belt terminator receptor;
means for returning said power switch body to said power off position when said first belt terminator is withdrawn from said first belt terminator receptor; and a first terminator latch biassed to lockably engage said first belt terminator when said first belt terminator is inserted into said first belt terminator receptor; and an activating tab for releasing said first belt terminator latch.
a first belt terminator which serves as the first belt connector;
a first belt terminator receptor which forms part of the case and which is configured to lockably engage said first belt terminator;
a power switch associated with said first belt terminator receptor, said power switch having a power switch body having a first switch advancing surface thereon and moving between a power on position and a power off position;
a probe engaging surface on said first belt terminator for contacting and advancing said first switch advancing surface so as to advance said power switch body to said power on position as said first belt terminator is inserted into said first belt terminator receptor;
means for returning said power switch body to said power off position when said first belt terminator is withdrawn from said first belt terminator receptor; and a first terminator latch biassed to lockably engage said first belt terminator when said first belt terminator is inserted into said first belt terminator receptor; and an activating tab for releasing said first belt terminator latch.
9. The improved rescue system of claim 8 wherein said means for returning said power switch body to said power off position further comprises:
a first switch return surface on said power switch body; and a power disengaging surface on said first belt terminator for forcibly engaging said first switch return surface so as to move said power switch body to said power off position as said first belt terminator is withdrawn from said first belt terminator receptor.
a first switch return surface on said power switch body; and a power disengaging surface on said first belt terminator for forcibly engaging said first switch return surface so as to move said power switch body to said power off position as said first belt terminator is withdrawn from said first belt terminator receptor.
10. The improved rescue system of claim 9 wherein said power switch has a switch plate which is rotatably mounted in a surface of the case and said activating tab is pivotably mounted to said switch plate.
11. An improved rescue device to be worn by an individual when in snow-covered regions subject to avalanche conditions, the rescue device having, a transmitter which generates a pulsed electromagnetic signal at a specified frequency, an antenna for transmitting the pulsed electromagnetic signal to provide a locating signal and for receiving signals from other transmitters, a receiver tuned to receive the locating signal of another transmitter via the antenna and generating an input signal proportional to the strength of the locating signal received, a speaker, a case for housing the transmitter, the antenna, and the receiver, a harness constructed from belts for securing the case to the individual, a first belt connector for attaching the harness to the case, and a second belt connector for attaching the harness to the case, the improvement comprising:
a second belt terminator which serves as the second belt connector;
a second belt terminator receptor which forms part of the case and which is configured to lockably engage said second belt terminator;
a mode switch having a mode switch body which is translatably mounted in said second belt terminator receptor so as to move between a transmit mode position and a receive mode position, said mode switch body terminating in a switch head and being so positioned as to assure that said switch head extends beyond the case when said mode switch body is in said receive mode position;
a resilient spring fixed with respect to the case and engaging said mode switch body, said spring biassing said mode switch body to said receive mode position where said switch head of said mode switch body is at maximum extension with respect to the case;
a switch head engaging surface on said second belt terminator so positioned as to forcibly engage said switch head and move said mode switch body to said transmit mode position when said second belt terminator is inserted into and lockably engaged with said second belt terminator receptor;
a second terminator latch biassed to lockably engage said second belt terminator receptor when said second belt terminator is inserted therein; and means for releasing said second terminator latch.
a second belt terminator which serves as the second belt connector;
a second belt terminator receptor which forms part of the case and which is configured to lockably engage said second belt terminator;
a mode switch having a mode switch body which is translatably mounted in said second belt terminator receptor so as to move between a transmit mode position and a receive mode position, said mode switch body terminating in a switch head and being so positioned as to assure that said switch head extends beyond the case when said mode switch body is in said receive mode position;
a resilient spring fixed with respect to the case and engaging said mode switch body, said spring biassing said mode switch body to said receive mode position where said switch head of said mode switch body is at maximum extension with respect to the case;
a switch head engaging surface on said second belt terminator so positioned as to forcibly engage said switch head and move said mode switch body to said transmit mode position when said second belt terminator is inserted into and lockably engaged with said second belt terminator receptor;
a second terminator latch biassed to lockably engage said second belt terminator receptor when said second belt terminator is inserted therein; and means for releasing said second terminator latch.
12. The improved rescue device of claim 11 further comprising supplementary means for toggling said mode switch body between said transmit mode position and said receive mode position.
13. The improved rescue device of claim 12 wherein said supplementary means for toggling said mode switch body further comprises:
a switch body catch on said mode switch body;
a catch retainer having a catch engaging surface contoured so as to lockably engage said switch body catch when said mode switch is in said transmit mode position;
means for biassing said catch retainer toward said mode switch body; and means for overcoming said biassing means to disengage said catch engaging surface from said switch body catch.
a switch body catch on said mode switch body;
a catch retainer having a catch engaging surface contoured so as to lockably engage said switch body catch when said mode switch is in said transmit mode position;
means for biassing said catch retainer toward said mode switch body; and means for overcoming said biassing means to disengage said catch engaging surface from said switch body catch.
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| DE19752939A DE19752939C1 (en) | 1997-11-28 | 1997-11-28 | Spill detector |
| DE19752939.9 | 1997-11-28 | ||
| US09/198,001 | 1998-11-23 | ||
| US09/198,001 US6246863B1 (en) | 1997-11-28 | 1998-11-23 | Avalanche transceiver |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2255092A1 CA2255092A1 (en) | 1999-05-28 |
| CA2255092C true CA2255092C (en) | 2004-01-27 |
Family
ID=29551037
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2255092 Expired - Fee Related CA2255092C (en) | 1997-11-28 | 1998-11-30 | Avalanche transceiver |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2255092C (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2009138244A1 (en) * | 2008-05-15 | 2009-11-19 | Peter Aschauer | Triggering mechanism for avalanche rescue devices |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US7270077B2 (en) | 2005-09-12 | 2007-09-18 | Ralph Frank Beck | Avalanche survival kit |
-
1998
- 1998-11-30 CA CA 2255092 patent/CA2255092C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2009138244A1 (en) * | 2008-05-15 | 2009-11-19 | Peter Aschauer | Triggering mechanism for avalanche rescue devices |
| US8494480B2 (en) | 2008-05-15 | 2013-07-23 | Peter Aschauer | Triggering mechanism for avalanche rescue devices |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA2255092A1 (en) | 1999-05-28 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKLA | Lapsed |
Effective date: 20141201 |