GB2327789A

GB2327789A - Portable distress pennant and staff

Info

Publication number: GB2327789A
Application number: GB9710074A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter John Turnbull
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1997-05-20
Filing date: 1997-05-20
Publication date: 1999-02-03
Also published as: GB9710074D0

Abstract

A distress pennant permanently affixed to a telescopic staff which is mounted on four retractable legs. The device may be retracted into a compact carrying mode of only a few inches in length and circumference. The device being made of lightweight alloys and synthetic fabric or cotton in respect of the pennant itself would be easily carried when in retracted mode. The pennant itself is composed of a series of distinctive colours plus a reflective strip to exploit sunlight. It would thus be easily distinguished in a barren landscape by a rescue party especially if the rescue party had access to artificial lenses. The telescopic nature of the staff would allow the pennant to be deployed some feet above the ground in light airs, yet be appropriately partially retracted to avoid it being damaged in strong winds.

Description

Ihis invention relates to a portable distress pennant mounted on a telescopic stem and base.

2) Persons in distress in remote areas need to assist rescue parties to determine their location Present devices for this function such as strobe lights or radio beacons are expensive and require a source of energy. Whistles also assist when rescuers are close at hand but whistles depend on the expenditure of human energy.

3) According to the present invention there is a rescue pennant of many colours which is made of lightweight natural or synthetic fibre which is attached by a shackle arrangement to the tip of a stem which can be telescoped into a compact carrying arrangement of a few inches, yet can be extended when deployed to many feet in length by use of light alloys.

The advantage of a telescopic stem is that the length of the stem can be varied according to weather conditions so that in light breezes the stem may be fully extended and in strong winds only partially extended to reduce the chances of the stem being damaged in the wind. The present invention also allows for the base of the stem to have a number of 'legs' which when extended, act as a base for the arrangement.

4) A specific embodiment will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings which:- Figure 1 shows (without scale) the invention in it's compacted carrying mode.

Figure 2 shows the first stage of deployment. The legs attached to the outer cylinder are deployed to form the base which is necessary to keep the stem vertical.

Figure 3 shows the suggested methods by which the base may be anchored to ensure that the stem is kept upright. Loose stones, compacted snow a spare wheel are a few suggestions.

Figure 4 shows the invention in full deployment. It is suggested that the stem could extend to perhaps 15 feet in height and the pennant could be 6 feet in length and 6 inches wide.

Figure 5 shows the proposed colouring of the pennant - 'loud' colours with a reflective strip are necessary to enable the pennant to be distinguished in a barren landscape. With the use of artificial lenses such a pennant could be seen by an observer while still some miles distant.

Figure 6 shows that even in still air, because of the length and multi-coloured nature of the pennant it will be able to be distinguished even when hanging limply from a frills extended stem.

Figure 7 shows the further advantage of a telescopic stem in that in nil to moderate breezes the stem can be fully extended, whilst in stronger winds it can be partially retracted to avoid it being damaged.

Figure 8 shows possible/ suggested applications. In 8a an injured exhausted fell walker is able to shelter from the elements while the distress pennant is clearly identifying his position to any rescue party. In Sb a motorist stranded in a remote area may mount the device on the roof of his vehicle and anchor it with the spare wheel.

Claims

Cm

Project 2A Patent application no. 9710074.7 1) A portable distress pennant affixed to a staff which rests upon a base of four legs 2) A portable distrcss pennant and staff and base legs as in claim 1) which can be retracted into a compact carrying mode by means of a) the staff being telescopic, b) the pennant being wound around the staff when retracted, c) the base legs folding flat against the staff andjW's holding the pennant in place.

3) A portable distress pennant as in claim I ) whereill the pennant may bc deployed by means of a) extending the legs thus forming a base, b) extending the telescopic staff thus allowing the pennant to fly freely in a breeze or wind, or hang limply in still air.

4) A portable distress pennant affixed a staff as in claim I) wherein the telescopic nature of the staff allows it to be deployed according to the prevailing weather conditions. So that in light breezes it may be fully extended and in strong winds it may be partially extended so as to prevent the staff from being damaged.

5) A portable distress pennant affixed a staff as in claim 1) wherein the pennant itself is composed of distinctive 'loud' colours plus a reflective strip to exploit sunlight.

6) A portable distress pennant affixed a staff as in claim 1) wherein the staff and base legs are constructed of light alloys such as aluminium and the pennant is composed of lightweight synthetic fabric or cotton.

7) A portable distress pennant as herein described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.