GB2349969A

GB2349969A - Survival aid

Info

Publication number: GB2349969A
Application number: GB9910933A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Raymond Stuart Johnson; Nazim Khan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-05-12
Filing date: 1999-05-12
Publication date: 2000-11-15
Also published as: GB9910933D0

Abstract

Distress signalling device comprising a gas-tilled balloon attached to a housing unit on the user via a cable which also functions as an aerial. Within the housing unit there is an insulated pressurised gas container, containing 'lighter than air' gas, which may be attached to the balloon equipment unit at the base of the balloon via a pipe. The equipment unit comprises a light emitting source which flashes when ambient light falls below a predetermined level. Removal of the housing lid activates a radio transmitter unit and its power supply.

Description

2349969 SURVIVAL AID This invention relates to a survival aid.

Survival aids are an essential safety requirement that should be used for a wide variety of activities. Such aids may be found in the fields of aviation, sailing, skiing, mountaineering, hiking, hill walking, canoeing, white water rafting, horse riding, cross country navigation, hunting, sport shooting or, indeed, in any outdoor activity that takes the participant away from their day to day environment.

Regrettably accidents do happen, the ability to be able to rapidly find anyone that has suffered an accident or injury, or is just lost, is often essential to their very survival. Any device aiding search and rescue must be of benefit to both the person or persons in need of help and those searching for them.

Such aids must not be a burden to the user. They must be small, light in weight, durable and easy to use.

According to the present invention there is provided a compact, lightweight, easy to use survival location aid comprising a durable balloon, filled with a Iighter than aiC gas, attached to a cabielaerial line which, in turn, is attached to the housing unit on the user. The balloon unit has attached a powerful light emitting source, strobe unit, circuitry, a photoelectric cell turning on the light source at night and power supply unit. The balloon unit is attached to a cable line, which contains a transmitting aerial, connected to the housing unit on the user. This housing unit houses a Iighter than aiC gas canister, for inflating the balloon, an insulated housing for the canister, a gas activation valve, a non-return valve, connecting pipe, a quick-release valve, a radio transmitter with an independent power source and circuit actuating switches.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of description with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: -

Figure 1 shows in plan view, the housing unit containing all other units prior to inflation of the balloon.

1 1 1 Referring to the drawing the housing unit consists of two parts. The lower section is secured to the user by means of an arm 1 belt strap. The upper section is sealed to the lower section and is removed only when the device is required for emergency use.

Removal of the upper section causes the Circuit Actuating Switch (15) to activate the circuitry.

The Balloon (1) is filled, through its built in non return valve, with 1ighter than air" gas from the Pressurised Gas Container (10) housed within it own Insulated Compartment (13) via an Activation Valve (11), Pipe (14) and Release Valve Assembly (12). This Release Valve is operated to release the Balloon.

The B'alloon is secured to the Housing Unit (17) by means of a combined Securing Cord and Aerial (8).

The Balloon is sealed to the Balloon Equipment Unit (16) by means of a Balloon Tie (2). The Balloon Equipment Unit comprises a Light Emitting Source (3), a Strobe Unit and Circuitry (4), a Power Supply Unit (5) and a Light Sensing Cell (6).

The Light Sensing Cell will cause the Light Emitting Source to illuminate and flash when daylight ends and will switch it off should daylight begin again before rescue is effected.

Contained within the Housing Unit is a Radio Transmitter (7) and Transmitter Power Supply Unit (9) that is activated by the removal of the upper section of the Housing Unit. It may be switched off by the use of a simple built in switch when required by the user, in order to conserve power.

Should the Balloon need additional gas, the user may retrieve the Balloon by pulling it down with the Securing Cord 1 Aerial, reconnecting the Release Valve and operation of the Activation Valve.

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Claims

SURVIVAL AID A Survival Aid providing a compact, lightweight, easy to use survival location aid including a durable, brightly coloured balloon, filled with Iighter than air" gas, attached to a cable/aerial line which, in turn, is attached to a housing unit on the user, capable of being used in any location or weather conditions.
2. A Survival Aid as claimed in Claim 1 where the balloon unit has attached a powerful light emitting source, strobe unit, circuitry, a photoelectric cell turning on the light source at night and power supply unit.
3. A Survival Aid as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 where the balloon unit is attached to a cable line which contains a transmitting aerial, connected to the housing unit on the user.
4. A Survival Aid as claimed in any preceding claim where the housing unit houses a Iighter than air" gas canister, for inflating the balloon, an insulated housing for the canister, a gas activation valve, a non- return valve, connecting pipe, a quick-rel ease. valve, a radio transmitter with an independent power source and circuit actuating switches.
5. A Survival Aid as claimed in any preceding claim, which is made from metal, plastic material, latex material or any other material, or from a combination of these materials.
6. A Survival Aid substantially as herein claimed and illustrated in the initial drawings.

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