GB2416208A

GB2416208A - Ultrasonic distance senor attachable to a fireman's breathing apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2416208A
Application number: GB0415887A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alexander Russell Warren
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-07-15
Filing date: 2004-07-15
Publication date: 2006-01-18
Also published as: GB0415887D0

Abstract

An ultrasonic range finding device 2 attached to a fireman's helmet or breathing apparatus 1 gives a visual (eg LED or backlit LCD display) or audio output which indicates of the distance between the fireman and obstacles. The device 2 is provided with a quick release mechanism to allow the device to be removed from the helmet. A low battery indicator (eg bar display) is provided. The battery may be recharged on a charging base or docking station. The breathing apparatus may contain a speech membrane to allow the fireman to be heard. The ultrasound unit is housed in a tube which allows it to be swivelled.

Description

] 241 6208 Range Finder This invention relates to a range finding device

for firemen. When firemen enter a dark, or smoke filled room their sight is significantly impaired. This causes them to be slowed in their movement through the building, as they need to crawl on their hands and knees to navigate around objects through touch. This time wasted means that the firemen spend more time within the dangers of the building, and thus spend more time risking their lives.

To solve the problem, the aforementioned invention proposes that a range finding device is used, to locate the distance of obstacles Dom the user. This uses an ultrasound unit to provide a range and suitable electronics to turn this information into an output that is easy for the user to understand, and interpret. This device will be battery operated with the ultrasound unit able to swivel, and also be hands free.

This device will speed up the process of navigation within a dark or smoke filled building. Thus will mean that less time is spent in the risk zone and thus the firemen will have lower levels of risk on their lives.

With the unit requiring no hand it provides the user with more freedom, able to use their hands for other uses within the building situation. For example, moving rubble or breaking down a door.

Preferably, the battery is a rechargeable battery, with the device having its own docking station for charging.

Preferably, the ultrasound has a range of about] Om, and is able to swivel at least 180 degrees.

Preferably, the unit is to be mounted on the current breathing apparatus sets with a quick release system, allowing them to be removed quickly.

Preferably, the device has a low battery indicator, so the user could tell when the battery is low, or a battery level indicator that tells the user the level that the battery is at, e.g. full voltage, half voltage, etc. An example of the invention will now be described by referring to the accompanying drawings: Figure 1: shows the device with charging base Figure 2 & 3: shows proposed visual outputs Figure 4: shows the proposed device fitted to a normal breathing apparatus set used by the firemen.

Figure 5: shows the proposed quick release mechanism.

Description

Within figure 1 the ultrasound unit (2) is mounted in a tube (1), which enables it to swivel as described earlier, and thus allows the direction of the range that is to be found, to be changed. The ultrasound (2) is connected to the electronic circuitry (6), which then converts the signal into a suitable visual output (4), show in figure 2 & 3.

The battery (5) is also connected to the circuitry (6) to detect the level at which the battery is at, and also display (4) this some way. The casing (3) is to be made of suitable materials that meet the set standards that must be met to be able to survive the condition that it will undergo during daily use, e.g. be fire resistant, have high temperature melting point, etc. the switches (8) are for turning the device on, and off, as well as varying the accuracy at which the ultrasound range is given. The charging docking station (7) allows the device to be place on top of it with a positioning slot, to stop it from being put in the wrong way round. This is electrically safe because the device must be placed on top of the charging base (7) before the commencement of charging. This then restricts the users contact with electricity; also it is safe due to the low voltages at which the device would need to be charged. The led bar display (9) is to indicate to the user how much the battery is charged, and thus the user is able to predict the time left before the battery is fully charged. Figure 2 and 3 shows the possible outputs that could be given by the device. Figure 2 is a led bar array in which each led represents a certain increment of distance, where the leds come on symmetrically about the centre point. These could also be bicolour to show a greater detail in the range measurement, but a flashing of the leds in both cases would indicate a low battery. Figure 3 is a backlit LCD display' or a led display in which the range is show in many different ways. The battery indicator (1) is used to display the condition of the battery, and the signal strength (2) is used to indicate the density of the smoke at various increments. The numerical display (3) gives digital readout of the distance in m, in 1 cm increments, and the visual display (4) shows line approaching a dot, which represents the user with the lines showing the wall/object.

As the user gets closer to the object then the more lines that are show on this display.

Figure 4 shows how the device (2) could be attached to the current breathing apparatus (1), note the rubber (3) which creates a seal from the device (2) to the visor on the mask (1), this is to stop the smoke from getting in between the display and the visor, which could block it from view. Figure 5 shows the proposed quick release mechanism (]), onto which the device can slide down on top of and become locked into place. This is done mainly on Fiction, but also some ball bearings on springs could be added to the device to allow a more secure fitting. This base plate (1) is fitted to the breathing apparatus set (2) and contains a speech membrane that allows the users voice to be heard easier outside of the mask (2).

Claims

Claims 1) A range finding device for firemen that is battery powered using

ultrasound as the distance measuring method.

2) The device according to claim 1 with a charging base which allows the device to be recharged.

3) The device according to claim 2 with a battery level indicator, on the display and on the charging base.

4) The device according to claim 1 with a quick release mechanism that can be attached to the existing breathing apparatus sets used by the firemen.

5) The device according to claim 4 with a ball bearing system to increase the strength of the attachment to the mask.

6) The device according to claim 4 with a speech membrane that allow the user to be heard from outside of the mask.

7) The device according to claim I with a visual output that indicates the range 8) The device according to claim 7 with a rubber seal that keeps smoke from getting in between the display and the mask visor.

9) The device according to claim 1 with the ultrasound mounted within a tube that allows it to swivel.

10) The device according to claim 1 with a switch allowing the user to determine the accuracy to which the readings are taken.