GB2261071A - A combined navigation and first aid kit for outdoor use - Google Patents

Abstract

This kit contains a number of related components which aid navigation and in the event of an accident can be used to aid in treating common outdoor injuries. The kit contains a map case, route markers, a distance and time calculator and a second calculator for converting paces into equivalent metric distances. The map case provided can be carried suspended from an adjustable length strap which is hung round the neck or shoulder for example. The map has quick release clips attached for connecting to the straps so that the map case can be removed from the strap by means of releasing one or both of the quick release clips. The map case includes a pocket for storing a route card and map measurer. The case and strap are made sufficiently strong and are of a suitable shape that the combination can be used as a forearm sling, a hand support which will hold a cold moist dressing or an airtight dressing for wounds. Distances can be measured and travel times estimated using a map measurer which includes a calculator that converts values for horizontal distances travel led and vertical heights climbed into equivalent travel times. The measurer may comprise three disks (1) mounted on an axis. The route is marked on the map using removable markers that are attached to the map at significant points along the route. Distances for short sections of the route are, by established practice, often estimated by the navigator counting strides as the route is covered. A route card includes a logarithm scale based calculator for converting distances in metres into the equivalent number of the navigators strides. <IMAGE>

Description

A Combined Navigation and First Aid Kit for Outdoor Use This invention relates to leisure and professional outdoor activities which involve navigation using maps.

The practice of navigation using a map and compass is well established. The nature of the activity is such that it involves the handing of the necessary equipment in inclement weather. This increases the difficulty and risks associated with the activity because the navigator has to concentrate on a technical activity whilst experiencing physical discomfort. The purpose of the present navigation and first aid kit is to reduce the stress of the tasks by providing aids to simplify them and to make the equipment multi-purpose, so that in the event of an accident occurring the equipment can be used as first aid equipment.

Common types of injury suffered during outdoor activities include: a) sprains, fractures and severe bruises to the hands or forearms, b) burns to the hands, for example climbing rope burns c) sucking wounds to the chest, caused for example by the casualty falling onto an ice axe.

The map case which forms a componant part of this invention has been designed to aid in treating these injuries.

The essential outdoor navigation tasks involve carrying the map in an accessible and weather-proof holder, identifying the route on the map, estimating the distance and travel times involved and under conditions of poor visibility making on-going estimates of the distances involved for short legs of the route. The kit described addresses each of these problems.

Map Case According to the present invention the map case provided can be carried suspended from an adjustable length strap which is hung round the neck or shoulder for example. The map has quick release clips attached for connecting to the straps so that the map case can be removed from the strap by means of releasing one or both of the quick release clips. The map case includes a pocket for storing a route card and map measurer. The case and strap are made sufficiently strong and are of a suitable shape that the combination can be used as a forearm sling, a hand support which will hold a cold moist dressing or an airtight dressing for sucking wounds Map Measurer Distances can be measured and travel times estimated using a map measurer which includes a calculator that converts values for horizontal distances travelled and vertical heights climbed into equivalent travel times.

Route Markers The route is marked on the map using markers that are attached to the map at significant points along the route. the markers are temporally attached to the map using an adhesive which holds the markers securely in place but allows their easy removal and re-attachment to other parts of a map.

Stride Calculator Distances for short sections of the route are, by established practice, often estimated by the navigator counting strides as the route is covered. The current invention has a route card that includes a logarithm based calculator for converting distances in metres into the equivalent number of the navigators strides.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the attached diagrams.

Map Measurer Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 refer to the map measurer.

Figure 1 shows a face of the map measurer which records distances travelled in metres. It consists of three disks mounted on a central axis with the central disc having the largest radius. This view only reveals the faces of two of the discs. The disc nearest to the observer (1) has been modified in shape to include a pointer. The device is operated by initially setting the zero kilometres distance opposite the pointer on the outer disc. Distances are then measured by rolling the central wheel along the section of the route of interest, with the indicator positioned throughout the process directly above the map. The distance recorded opposite the indicator at the end of the section is length in kilometres of that section.The radius of the device is fixed so that for the scale of the map chosen, one rotation of the measurer along the surface of the map is equivalent to a movement over four kilometres distance marked on the map.

Figure 2 shows that the edge of the central disc is serrated. This is to enable the measurer to make a better, non-slip contact with the map as it moves over the surface.

Figure 3 shows the reverse side of the map measurer. This side is used for calculating travel times. The rules used for these calculations are known to experienced navigators as Naismith's Rules. The version of the rules for this invention assume that the navigator will walk on level ground at a speed of 4 kilometres per hour and that an allowance for height gained should be made at a rate of one minute per 10 metres for a person carrying a light pack and 1.5 minutes per 10 metres for a person carrying a heavy pack. The larger of the two discs (1) is the reverse face of the central disc. This face is calibrated in units of time. The zero marks for time and distance are marked at the same point on the circumference on opposite sides of the disc.In accordance with Naismith's rules the rotation through one revolution of the measurer as described above will be equivalent to a travel time of one hour and any fractional rotation to be equivalent a fractional of one hour. The smaller of the two discs (2) is mounted on an axis so that it moves as one with the outer disc on the opposite side of the large disc which is shown as (1) in figure 1. The zero mark on this inner disc is aligned so that it coincides with the indicator on the disc shown in figure 1. The height travelled is read from the map and the equivalent point shown by the calibrations on the circumference of the inner disc is found. If the "one minute per 10 metres climbed" rule is being followed the total estimated time for the stage is read on the larger disc opposite the appropriate height reading.Allowance for heavy loads is made by reading the appropriate time opposite the inner part of the spiral calibration on the inner disc. Allowance for light loads can be made by adding a concentric circle to the inner disc that intersects the time mark spirals at a point which is equivalent to 1.25 minutes per 10 metres of height climbed.

The basic map measurer described is restricted to journey segments of 4 kilometres or less. Figures 4 and 5 show a version of the invention which allows larger distances to be measured. This diagram shows a modified version of the distance measuring side of the device. The outer disk (1) has a toothed wheel (2) attached that can rotate freely. The toothed wheel is shown in detail in figure 5. Referring again to figure 4, the larger disc has a pin (3) attached. When the larger disc rotates the pin comes into contact with the toothed wheel and causes it to rotate by an angular displacement equivalent to the angle occupied by one tooth.The toothed wheel is graduated and instructions are marked on the outer disc as shown so that the navigator is able to read the calibration on the toothed wheel exposed at the window (4) in order to calculate the total distance for the segment of the journey concerned Route Marker Figure 6 shows a route marker. The marker is made of flexible plastic, PU or the like. Preferably the marker is transparent with its outline shape marked in colour. The adhesive chosen for the backing has the properties that it will adhere firmly to paper or other material commonly used for printing maps on, but can be peeled off without damaging the map. This adhesive also allows the marker to be re-used on a number of occasions.

Stride Calculator Figure 7 shows the component parts of the route card and stride calculator. The route card (1) has a plastic surface or the like which can have information written on it with a wax or chinagraph pencil or the like and have the information wiped off afterwards using a damp cloth or the like. The calculator works on the same principles as a logarithmic slide rule. The route card has one of the calculator scales printed or otherwise attached to its surface. The second scale (2) has an adhesive backing and is attached to the first scale at the appropriate position for the navigator. Thus, for example, if the navigator knew from trial or experience that 80 double paces were required to travel a distance of 100 metres then 80 on the pace scale would be set opposite 100 on the distance scale. The logarithmic nature of the scale allows the relationship between paces and distance to be obtained directly for any other distance within the range of the markings. The reverse side of the route card can have printed first aid instructions, including advice on how to use the map case/forearm support.

Map CaselForearm Support Fig 8 shows the map case/Forearm support. This is constructed so that one or both sides is made from weather-proof, flexible, transparent material. The quick release devices 1, 2 and 3 allow the strap, 4 to be attached to case in different configurations. Length adjustment devices, 5 and 6 allow the strap to be adjusted to fit the needs of the navigator/casualty. Those skilled in the art of outdoor equipment design will be aware of the possible alternatives available for the design of the quick-release and the length adjustment devices. The open end of the case, 7 can be closed using Velcro, touch and close, press studs, a zip or the like. The pocket, 8 is sufficiently large to hold the route card.

The case can be used as a forearm support if it is worn with the open end horizontal with the casualties arm inserted therein. The case is watertight on all edges, except the open side. This means that the case can be used as a water carrier. For a walking casualty with burns to the hands this means that the support can be worn with the open end upwards. It can be partially filled with cold water, snow, ice or the like and the injured hand inserted therein for the beneficial purposes of reducing the pain of the burn and aiding recovery. A third first aid use for map case is in the treatment of sucking wounds to the chest. If the casualty has suffered a penetrating wound to the chest such that air enters the lungs directly through the wound the entry point can be sealed by placing the case over the entry point. The combination of the quick release devices and the adjustable length strap allows the case to be secured over the wound.

Claims (15)

Claims

1. A map measurer which only involves one moving part.

2. A map measurer which consists essentially of a wheel having a radius such that one revolution of the wheel is equivalent to the distance on the map which represents four kilometres on the ground.

3. A map measurer that can be used for measuring lengths of routes and can also be used to compute estimated travel times.

4. A map measurer that can be used for measuring lengths of routes and can also be used to estimate travel times, including an allowance for level of fitness or weight of pack carried.

5. A map measurer based on the principles as in claims 2 and 3 or 2 and 4 which includes an additional toothed wheel and pin which allows mul tiple values of the map equivalent four kilometres to be measured and and recorded.

6. Re-usable route markers for adding to maps which consist of distinctly marked, durable place indicators with a non-permanent, peelable backing.

7. As for claim 6 but including a position marker which is printed or em bossed on a transparent base material.

8. A calculator for computing the number of strides, or double strides that a walker will need to make in order to cover a given distance.

9. As for claim 8 but consisting of two logarithmically graduated scales, one representing distance, the other representing number of paces or double paces. The scales being placed adjacent to each other in a posi tion dependant on the walkers length of stride.

10. As for claim 9 but with one or both the scales having an adhesive backing so that the scales can be firmly fixed adjacent to each other.

11. A map carrying case/forearm support with a variable length strap that is sufficiently strong and of sufficient size that can be used confidently to support the weight of the arm of a heavily built adult if the casualty wears the support with the strap around around their neck.

12. As for claim 11 but also including quick release devices attached to the case for the purpose of attaching the strap.

13. As for claims 11 or 12 but the case being water tight on three sides, in order that the case can act as an open water carrier, if correctly orien tated.

14. As for claim 13 but having quick release devices so placed that the case can be worn with the open end of the case either at the top or at one side of the case.

15. As for claim 11 but including a transparent pocket for carrying the cal culator as in claims 8, 9 or 10.