CA2295348A1 - Lifelight - Google Patents

Abstract

A stamping device iahich attaches itself or is built into a hand held light which, when pushed down onto the floor creates an impression of an arrow pointing to the direction of travel. A bracket is secured to the bottom of a hand light, also known as a lantern light, into which a stamping cartridge is inserted. When placed on the floor the hand light would sit on a platform under spring tension. At any time, the operator can push down on the handle and apply an appropriate amount of pressure which will counter-act the spring pressure and allow the stamping pad to touch the floor, thereby making an exact impression of an arrow. The arrow would point in they same direction as the light beam, which indicates the direction of travel. The fast drying alcohol based ink or paint solution would be fluorescent and luminescent. A series of impressions could be made in order to mark a path. This would allow firefighters in a dark or smoke filled environment to easily retrace their steps and find their way back to safety. A team that has failed to return on time or has called for help can be quickly found by a rescue team by following the brightly colored arrows which are highlighted by their own hand lights.
On December 3rd, 1999, in Worcester Massachussets, fire broke out in an abandoned warehouse. Two firefighters were sent in to search for possible victims and became disoriented. Their could not find their way back and began calling for help on their two-way radio. Four other firefighters were sent in to attempt a rescue.
Unfortunately, all six firefighters perished in the blaze.
A simple, inexpensive device, attached to their hand lights, which is represented in the embodiment of this invention, could nave saved their lives as well as many others in the fire service. Along with a good personnel accountability system and proper training, this invention would help make search and rescue a much safer practise.

Description

Being a mE~mber of the fire services for twenty six years, I have experienced the sensation of being in a hot, dark, smoke filled environment and becoming disoriented. In total darkness, you must use your hands and feel your way along the walls and hope to find an opening which will lead you to safety. Of course, the best visibility is always at floor level and a hand light is essential. Visibility through thick smoke can increase dramatically with a good light beam from a hand light. Walls and doorways are easier to find as visibility .increases by several feet. Reflective surfaces, such a=. the reflective stripes on bunker gear, show up dramatically when hit by a light beam. Many high rise buildings are now installing reflective numbers at the bottom of doors, about a f.-'oot from the floor, in order for firefighters to easily find apartment numbers in a smoke filled hallway. The hand light has become an essential tool in any search and rescue operation, and incorporating said invention will increase its effectiveness as hart of anv entry control process.
Many departments have, or are now in the process of developing entry control or personnel accountability systems.
This is a means of keeping track of personnel going into a building, how :Long they are in the building, and their location, as well as providing back-up rescue teams in case a problem develops.. Many devices are being developed or are already on the rnarket to help locate fallen firefighters.
The Pass Alarm .Ls attached to the firefighters and will activate an alarm if there is no movement for approximately twenty seconds. This audible alarm can be heard from a great distance, but unfortunately it does not provide a route to follow when searching for the victim. Valuable time is lost going from room to roorru trying to pinpoint where the sound is coming from. The direction of an audible sound is difficult to discern when a firefighter is in an enclosed area and training exercises have shown how hard it can be to locate a fallen firefighter whose alarm has activated.
With today's technology, it is possible to provide electronic signals that would show a general direction to follow in a search. The global positioning system could be used to pinpoint a general location, however, none of these could provide ~~ direct route around walls and through doorways to effect a quick rescue. Electronic gadgetry is not well suited :Eor the difficult conditions which are always present in the fire services. It has to withstand water, heat, shock, and must not interfere with radio communications. These systems are also costly and most departments woulc9 be reluctant to spend a great deal of money in this area.
On the othE~r hand, the proposed invention can be made durable, reliab_Le, and made affordable to any department.
The first team oi-_' firefighters entering a burning building in search of possible victims would remain "low to the ground"
and begin marking a path of arrows using the proposed invention. In a corridor or hallway, the arrows would always be placed on the right. hand side near the wall and in the direction of travel. When encountering a doorway, an arrow would be stamped in the middle of the entrance, pointing into that room. Firefighters would then conduct a thorough search of this room, stamping' an arrow along it's perimeter walls until the room has been completely encircled and they have returned to the doorway. At this point, another arrow would be stamped acro:~s the first one, creating an X pattern, indicating to the second entry team or rescue team that the room has been searched and the firefighters have exited this particular area. This avoids wasting valuable time when searching for fallen firefighters. Rescue teams would notice the X across the doorway and would continue farther down a hallway in the proper direction. When going up or down a stairway in a multi-level building, the same technique is used. The first step or landing is marked with an arrow indicating that the crew have now gone up or down a stairway to another level. When returning, this arrow is also crossed, forming an X, showing that the crew has safely returned from this level. An arrow that is not crossed forming an X would direct the rescue crew to the proper level. Using this protocol in a high rise building would direct the rescue crew to the proper floor or strairway to effect a quick rescue.
The use of more than one fluorescent marking color for the stamping device would allow several teams to be monitored. For example, the first entry team could be of a bright lime green fluorescent which would mark the initial entry into the building, and the rescue team with a bright orange fluorescent: color could place their arrows along the established route and mark a safe exit or rescue path for themselves should they :run into problems. Changing the color of the arrow is as simple as inserting the desired colored cartridge in the :tamping device at the bottom of the light.
The embodiment of this invention could be applied to other uses such as cavE~ exploration, hiking in remote areas, or inspection of sewers or underground tunnels in water pollution plants and manufacturing plants. A biodegradable marking solution would be used so that arrows would not remain permanent.
The Lifelight could be described as a Rescue tool that could be a critical life saving device for search and rescue operations. In the fire service, it could be considered a vital life line to safety when trapped in a dangerous environment.

in drawings which illustrate embodiments of the invention:
FIG. 1 is a cfiagrarn of a typical hand held light, usually referred to as a hand light in its most common form, which is readily available and manufactured with minor variances by several companies.
Attached to the bottom of the hand light is a compartment or bracket designed to accommodate a cartridge.
FIG. 2 is a stamping cartridge which is inserted into the bracket depicted in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a detailed drawing of the components which make up the stamping cartridge.
FIG. 4 shows the rear view of a hand light and its brack et assembly, demonstrating the insertion of a stamping cartridge/cassette.
FIG. 5 shows one method of attaching and securing the cartridge to the hand light bracket.

SPECIFICATION
The invention consists of a stamping device secured to a hand held lighi~ which, when depressed, imparts the fluorescent image of an arrow indicating direction of travel.
FIG. 1 shows a typical hand light 1. made with an attached mounting bracket :?. made of a strong plastic, similar to that used in forming the shell of a hand light, or could be made of metal, which is specifically designed, and strong enough to hold a stamping cartridge 3. within it. The bracket 2.
would be secured to tile bottom, flat portion of the hand light by a strong bonding medium, such as glue, hot glue, rivets, screws, bolts, peel-and-stick type adhesives or other methods such as vE~lcro straps which encircles the body of the hand light and through t:he handle.
As shown in 'hIG 4,. the mounting bracket 2. is mostly enclosed on three sides and has as open end which would be facing rearward, in the opposite direction of the light beam, allowing for a place to insert the stamping cartridge depicted in FIG 2.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the mounting bracket 2. would be added to the molding process in the design of a new hand light, which incorporates the bracket 2.
into the molded body 1. as part of the design. As shown in FIG 5 a small opening 9. in the front of the bracket, opposite the open end, is designed to admit a locking mechanism 8. The stamping cartridge 3. would have a mechanism 8. which fits into the opening 9. and snaps in the cartridge securing it to~ the bracket. The stamping cartridge depicted in FIG 3 is sectioned into its three main components: the main body 3., which fits into the bottom channel of the bracket 2., the spring-loaded platform 10.
which retracts into the main body, and the actual ink filled reservoir 6. saturating the stamping arrow 5.

The stamping cartridge can be inserted into the compartment of the bracket 2. in two different positions:
one in a storage mode and the other when in use.
When being stored, the cartridge is inserted into the bracket upside down, with the stamping arrow facing the bottom of the hand light. This allows the top half of the bracket 2. to accommodate the stamping platform 10. in the stored position, providing protection for the stamping pad and platform. ~Phe locking mechanism depicted in FIG 5-8.
engages in either storage or in use positions. The cartridge 3. can be removed by pushing on the flexible locking mechanism 8., thereby releasing the stamping cartridge.
To use the stamping properties of the invention, the cartridge 3. is :imply removed from its storage position and re-installed in the same channel grooves 11., but with the stamping arrow 5. down. The stamping platform 10. would now extend beyond tree bracket and would in fact be the lowest point of contact:. When placed on a flat surface, the hand light would be resting on the spring-loaded platform. By applying a reasonable amount of downward pressure to the handle, the spring-loaded platform 10. would retract into the main body 3. of the cartridge, thereby exposing the ink saturated pad 5. shaped in the form of an arrow. The pad 5.
would then make contact with the floor surface, leaving an imprint of an arrow or other suitable marking in the same direction as the light beam emitted by the hand light. In another embodiment of this invention, a stamping pad affixed to the handle would lower beyond a fixed platform, making an impression.
The stamping arrow 5. is of a felt or rubber foam or synthetic foam material, which would absorb the liquid marking solution in reservoir 6. It should have a degree of flexibility that allows it to make an impression on irregular surfaces such as cement. The arrow would attach to an ink filled container 6. and be contacted by the ink, so as to allow absorption at a rate necessary to make a continuous series of impressions" The fluid filled reservoir could contain a~J absorbent, fibrous or sponge-like material to prevent liquid from dripping or splashing around in the container. A similar ~>rocess is used in the making of felt pens or highlight markers.
For the purpose of high visibility, the liquid formula should have fluorescent and, preferably luminescent qualities. A fast drying solution, which could be alcohol based, would also be water resistant, a desirable and necessary requisite in a firefighting environment. Being alcohol or methyl hydrate based, the solution would not be affected by free:aing temperatures, and could be stored in vehicle compartments even during winter. The stamping cartridge 3. would be sealed in a plastic or foil wrap to prevent drying, and would be opened prior to inserting into the bracket when being used. Because of the simplicity and relatively low co:~t, a used cartridge would be discarded and replaced with a new sealed unit inserted in the stored position in the bracket., ready for use. As shown in FIG 3., the stamping platform 10. is extended from the main body 3.
by tensioned U-shaped pieces of metal 7. When pressure is applied, these metal strips 7. flatten out to allow the platform 10. to Enter i:he cavity and return to their former shape when pressure is released, thereby pushing out the platform 10. to it.s ful7L extension. Coiled springs or other tensioning methods could be used besides the embodiment shown in FIG 3.
Rubber strips 4. would be incorporated into the stamping platform 10. to absorb shock and prevent slipping when force is applied.

Claims (8)

1. Claim 1. A stamping device attached to a hand light, capable of marking a path in the direction of travel.
2. Claim 2. A stamping device as defined in Claim 1, which makes an impression of an arrow when applied to a surface.
3. Claim 3. A stamping device as defined in Claim 1, and 2, which uses a brightly colored, fluorescent and luminescent liquid to make a visible impression of an arrow in a dark or smoke filled environment.
4. Claim 4. A stamping dfevice as defined in Claims 1,2,and 3, with a retractable base allowing a hand light to rest on a surface without making a stamp impression of an arrow.
5. Claim 5. A stamping device as defined in Claim 4 with a stamping arrow which is exposed when pressure is applied to the hand light causing it's base to retract, and marking an impression of an arrow.
6. Claim 6. A stamping device as defined in Claims 1,2,3,4,5, which marks a path of brightly colored arrows, using a fluorescent and luminescent solution, that can be easily seen in a dark or smoke filled environment.
7. Claim 7. The use of brightly colored arrows stamped on the floor, or walls, as defined in Claim 6, which, when hit by the light beam of entry team, would indicate a path to safety, or allow rescue teams using similar hand lights, as defined in Claim 1, to follow the entry teams path and locate fallen firefighters.
8. Claim 8. A spring loaded stamping cartridge, which inserts, or attaches to, the bottom of a hand held light, or lantern light, for making impressions of an arrow to show direction of travel, as defined in Claims 2,3,5.