WO2003049809A1

WO2003049809A1 - Device for protecting a person

Info

Publication number: WO2003049809A1
Application number: PCT/NL2002/000829
Authority: WO
Inventors: Albertus Maria Thonen
Original assignee: Albertus Maria Thonen
Priority date: 2001-12-13
Filing date: 2002-12-13
Publication date: 2003-06-19
Also published as: AU2002354412A1; NL1019564C2

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for protecting a person, comprising a compact holder provided with carrying means allowing the holder to be carried by the person, in addition to protection means for arranging in the holder for protecting the carrying person from external influences including heat and smoke, wherein the protection means comprise: means for protecting the person against smoke, comprising a face part and/or a number of exchangeable filters for the purpose, in the fitted position, of filtering the air to be inhaled by the person; and a heat blanket with which the person can be at least partially enclosed in order to protect the person against heat.

Description

DEVICE FOR PROTECTING A PERSON

The present invention relates to a device for protecting a person against health-threatening external influences.

People today are becoming increasingly aware of the hazards to which they are exposed, both in and out of doors. As a result numerous efforts have been made to increase the safety of people. Special safety provisions have been made in passenger cars, for instance in the •form of seatb^'elts, airbags and the like, so as to ensure that a person in the car is protected in the case of a possible collision. Governments also go to great pains to require increasingly rigorous safety provisions in the construction of homes, offices, shops and so on, in order to protect people against hazards such as fire and the associated production of smoke, collapse and similar dangers .

Despite the above safety measures taken by people, it is nevertheless still a frequent occurrence that people are unnecessarily injured or even killed as a result of fire. Recent accidents in tunnels have thus demonstrated the vulnerability of people when they are in a space which is closed off or at least difficult to leave and in which a disaster has occurred. It has been found that not only are a large number of people killed as a direct consequence of the fire, such as burning, lack of oxygen etc., but that an even larger number of people die or at least injured as an indirect consequence of the fire, for instance due to the production of smoke. It is often the case that, owing to an extreme smoke production, people do not benefit from the safety provisions present in the space in question, such as emergency doors, emergency lighting, fire extinguishers etc., because visibility is too limited. The strength of a person moreover diminishes quickly when breathing becomes difficult as a result of the smoke production. This is made worse by the fact that people panic when their sight and/or breathing are obstructed.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a device for protecting a person from such harmful external influences in which the above stated drawbacks are obviated. The invention provides for this purpose a device for protecting a person, comprising a compact holder provided with carrying means allowing the holder to be carried by the person, in addition to protection means for arranging in the holder for protecting the carrying person from external influences such as smoke and heat, wherein the protection means comprise:

- means for protecting the person against smoke, comprising a face part and/or a number of exchangeable filters for the purpose, in the fitted position, of filtering the air to be inhaled by the person; and

- a heat blanket with which the person can be at least partially enclosed in order to protect the person against heat.

Because the protection means are arranged in the compact holder and carrying means are also provided which allow the compact holder to be carried by the person, the latter can keep the device with him at all times. This means that the protection means are always available, even when staying the night in a hotel without or with at least poorly indicated escape routes, when driving through a tunnel with inadequate safety provisions, and so on. The most important protection means are immediately available in the holder, i.e. the means for protecting a person from smoke and for countering the indirect consequences of the fire, and a heat blanket for countering the direct consequences of the fire.

According to a preferred embodiment the smoke protection means comprise a half-face mask and separate safety glasses. The half-face mask covers at least the nose and the mouth of the person, whereby the latter can breathe in air via the filters. The use of a half-face mask and separate safety glasses enables the arrangement of these means in a very compact holder. The combination of safety glasses and half-face mask moreover has a very low weight, preferably less than 250 grams. In another preferred embodiment however, the smoke protection means comprise a full-face mask with visor. Although this full-face mask takes up more space, it is quicker to put on, which may be important in some specific situations. The heat blanket is preferably provided with one or more handgrips whereby it remains readily manageable by the person. Such a heat blanket or fire blanket is preferably manufactured from a glass fibre fabric coated on two sides. Such a fabric provides excellent fire- resistant properties.

In a further preferred embodiment the protection means also comprise means for breaking a window, preferably a glass hammer. When the person in question is confined in a limited space such as a vehicle cab, a hotel room or an office space, the person can gain access to a way out by breaking the window closing off the limited space. In yet another preferred embodiment the protection means also comprise a knife for severing safety belts.

In another preferred embodiment the device comprises lighting means for lighting the surroundings of the person, preferably a flashlight or a flare. The person can hereby greatly improve the visibility, which may be restricted by the smoke production. In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the holder is provided on its outer surface with one or more light-emitting markings. These markings may comprise battery-powered light sources. Markings can also be provided which are constructed from fluorescent material. This has the advantage over the battery- powered markings that less maintenance (replacement of batteries) is required.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the holder is provided on its outer surface with one or more light-reflecting markings.

In another preferred embodiment the device comprises fastening means for fastening the holder to a surface in the vicinity of the person for protecting, in particular for fastening the holder to vehicle upholstery of a vehicle in which the person is to be transported. This means that the safety device is always within reach, which is important in making the person's chances of survival in a calamity as high as possible. In a further preferred embodiment there are provided filters for removing harmful substances from the air to be inhaled, in particular for removing smoke therefrom, which filters are preferably of the exchangeable type, since the filters will have to be replaced from time to time to ensure proper operation. Furthermore, the safety device can hereby be made suitable in simple manner for special applications, such as when a person ventures into areas with an exceptional hazard. When the person enters for instance the vicinity of a chemical plant, the choice of the filters to be used can then depend on the gases which will be released in the plant in the case of a calamity.

Further advantages, features and details of the present invention will be elucidated on the basis of a description of a preferred embodiment thereof. Reference is made in the description to the figures, in which a person is shown who is carrying with him a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 1 shows a person P who is carrying a safety device 1. Safety device 1 comprises a bag 2 which can be closed with a cover 3 provided with a flap 4. Flap 4 is provided on its inside (not shown) with velcro tape. At a corresponding position the bag 2 is provided with velcro tape to enable a simple and easily releasable closure of the bag.

In the shown embodiment the bag 2 can be carried over the shoulder of the person using a shoulder strap 5. In other embodiments which are not shown, bag 2 can also be provided with a hip belt or be provided with means for attaching the bag to the trouser belt of person P or to the wrist of the person, in accordance with the wishes of person P in respect of convenience of use.

The shoulder strap or hip belt can function in particular situations as following line. The hip belt can be released at one end from bag 2. For instance a child can then hold the other end of the belt and thus be guided to a safer place via the bag 2 which is carried by the person (parent) . It is likewise possible to release the belt at both ends from the bag. As well as following line, the belt can then also serve as lowering line, for instance to find a way out of a fire in a high building.

Bag 2 is provided on the outside with a marking 6. In the shown embodiment the marking β takes the form of a warning triangle manufactured from light-reflecting material, so that the triangle is illuminated when light is shone onto it. The marking can also be (partially) embodied in flourescent material, so that the marking emits light without being irradiated. This facilitates finding of the bag 2 when it is not being carried by person P but has been set down close-by in the vicinity. When the person is for instance staying the night in a hotel, it is recommended to place the safety device right next to the bed. Even if the safety device is placed close to the person, it may still be necessary to arrange said markings on the bag since visibility may be too limited in the case of smoke emission.

Instead of or in addition to a marking in the form of a warning triangle, the marking can also consist of a combination of letters and/or numerals. In an embodiment which is not shown, bag 2 is for instance provided with the designation "PSB", which stands for Personal Safety Bag. A gasmask is also arranged in bag 2. In the shown embodiment (figure 2) a half-face mask 7 is shown which covers only the mouth and the nose of the face and leaves the eyes clear. The half-face mask is provided with two filters 10 with which solid particles and gases can be filtered. The filters comprise one or more exchangeable filter cartridges, whereby the system can also be used for a long period. The filter cartridges can be adapted to the anticipated gases against which the filter must provide protection. When the person is staying for instance in areas with a particular risk, such as for instance areas in which ammonia may be released, a filter cartridge specially suitable for protection against ammonia can be applied. Generally sufficient however is a filter with which small dust or soot particles and smoke resulting from a fire can be filtered out of the air. Th advantage of the half-face mask, optionally combined with safety glasses, is that it is very compact and moreover has an extremely low weight. The use of a full-face mask, in which not only the mouth and nose but also the eyes are covered, is however also possible. Although a full-face mask is heavier and bulkier than a half-face mask, a full-face mask has the advantage that the mask can be arranged on the head of the person quickly and in one movement, wherein not only is the air to be inhaled purified, but the eyes are also protected. With a half-face mask, separate safety glasses which have to be put on separately of the mask will be necessary in many cases. Also arranged in bag 2 is a fire blanket 8 which can be held by handgrips 9 in the unfolded state, this such that, once the person has put on the gasmask and optional safety glasses, he can wrap fire blanket 8 around himself. Particularly the heat-sensitive parts of his body, such as the head and possibly exposed arms, are herein covered, so that the person acquires some form of protection against the flames of the heat caused by the flames.

In an embodiment which is not shown, a hammer is also arranged in bag 2 with which the person can break a possible car windscreen or other window.

It has further been found that many accidents occur during a fire as a result of the fact that there is too little light, for instance because the smoke production impedes the access of light or because the electricity for the lighting has failed. In a further preferred embodiment of the invention the bag 2 is therefore provided with a pocket flashlight, preferably in the form of a waterproof flashlight powered with penlight batteries. Flares or other light sources can however also be applied as alternative.

In a further embodiment (not shown) the bag is provided with means for carrying a person safely downward from a great height. Arranged in bag 2 for this purpose is a long cable, one end of which can be fastened to the building, for instance to a wall, or to a heavy object in the building such as a bed in a hotel room, and the other end of which can be led to the outside through a window or balcony door. After a climbing harness as known in mountaineering has then been attached to the rope, the person can lower himself down quickly and safely via the rope.

It is conceivable to provide bag 2 with more additional protection means, this subject to the risks which the person expects to run. However, an important aspect of the invention remains that safety device 1 remains compact and light such that the person is inclined to always carry it with him. As soon as the device becomes too bulky and/or too heavy, the person will be tempted to not always take the safety device along.

The dimensions of the compact holder or bag amount to a maximum of 30 by 3.0 by 10 cm (length x width x height) and preferably 25 by 20 by 7 cm. It has been found that at such compact dimensions the average person is still prepared to (practically) always carry the safety device with him.

In particular embodiments a smoke alarm is also arranged in the holder. A smoke alarm detects the presence of smoke. This is particularly important when a person is asleep, since in such a state he does not notice the presence of smoke, or hardly so. This can eventually result in suffocation. A smoke alarm generates a light and/or sound signal when it detects • smoke. The smoke alarm can be of any known type, such as a smoke alarm of the ionic or optical type. It is also possible in combination herewith or separately to provide a gas detector for detecting and indicating the presence of particular (harmful) gases.

In a further preferred embodiment the protection means comprise empty, hygienic hypodermic syringes with the purpose of always being able to give an injection in hygienic manner with syringes filled with medication, in particular syringes provided with per se known substances which, after injection, provide protection against toxic gases, vapour fumes etc., ear protection means such as earplugs to protect the hearing against high sound levels, a fire-extinguisher for extinguishing fire, an apparatus for generating a sound signal such as a whistle and the like, and/or a parachute for jumping out of an aircraft or off a high building.

The face part can be provided with filters for filtering out harmful substances and/or gases. It is however also possible to provide the face part, in addition to the filters or instead of the filters, with one or more oxygen cartridges (cylinders, tablets and the like) . The person can hereby continue to breathe for a predetermined time (a few minutes) wholly or partially independently of the composition of the ambient air. When for instance as a result of fire the amount of oxygen in the air becomes too small to allow proper functioning, the oxygen cartridges provide the necessary additional oxygen.

In further preferred embodiments (not shown) of the invention, a body covering (which can be understood to means footwear or an article of clothing such as a jacket, body-warmer, shirt, blouse, trousers etc.) is provided which incorporates one or more of the above mentioned protection means for protecting the carrying person against external influences. An example hereof is a ski jacket wherein a compass, a means of communication such as a mobile telephone, an avalanche transmitter whose position can be transmitted in the case of avalanches, and the like are arranged between the lining and the inner material of the jacket. Instead of fastening the protection means separately into or on the jacket, the above described holder can also be fixed integrally to or in the jacket.

The present invention is not limited to the above described preferred embodiment thereof; the rights sought are defined by the following claims, within the scope of which many modifications can be envisaged.

Claims

1. Device for protecting a person, comprising a compact holder provided with carrying means allowing the holder to be carried by the person, in addition to protection means for arranging in the holder for protecting the carrying person from external influences including smoke and heat, wherein the protection means comprise:

- means for protecting a person against smoke, comprising a face part and/or a number of exchangeable filters for the purpose, in the fitted position, of filtering the air to be inhaled by the person; and

- a protective blanket with which the person can be at least . partially enclosed in order to protect the person against external influences.

2. Device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the protective blanket is a heat blanket with which the person can be at least partially enclosed in order to protect the person against heat.

3. Device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the protective blanket is an insulating blanket with which the person can be at least partially enclosed in order to insulate the person.

4. Device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the insulating blanket comprises a first side with which the person can be enclosed in the case of undercooling, and comprises a second side with which the person can be enclosed in the case of burning.

5. Device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the smoke protection means comprise a half-face mask and separate safety glasses.

6. Device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the smoke protection means comprise a full-face mask with visor.

7. Device as claimed in claim 1, comprising one or more handgrips by which the heat blanket can be grasped in a position wrapped around a person.

8. Device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the heat blanket is manufactured from a glass fibre fabric coated on two sides.

9. Device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the protection means also comprise means for breaking a window, preferably a glass hammer.

10. Device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the protection means comprise a knife for severing safety belts.

11. Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, comprising lighting means for lighting the area surrounding the person, preferably a flashlight or a flare.

12. Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the holder is provided on its outer surface with one or more light-emitting markings.

13. Device as claimed in claim 12, wherein the markings comprise fluorescent material.

14. Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the holder is provided on its outer surface with one or more light-reflecting markings.

15. Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, comprising fastening means for fastening the holder to a surface in the vicinity of the person for protecting, in particular for fastening the holder to vehicle upholstery of a vehicle in which the person is to be transported.

16. Device as claimed in claim 15, wherein the fastening means comprise velcro tape.

17. Device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the carrying means comprise a loop-shaped part to allow the holder to be carried by the shoulder, the belt and/or the hand of the person.

18. Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, which comprises filters for removing harmful substances from the air to be inhaled, in particular for removing smoke therefrom.

19. Device as claimed in claim 18, wherein the filters are exchangeable in use.

20. Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the dimensions of the compact holder amount to a maximum of 30 by 30 by 10 cm (length x width x height) and preferably 25 by 20 by 7 cm.

21. Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the protection means comprise at least one of the following:

- a lowering line;

- a smoke alarm for detecting and indicating the presence of smoke;

- a fire-extinguisher; - ear protection means for protecting the hearing against excessive noise;

- a following line;

- a sound signalling unit for generating a sound signal; - a location finder;

- one or more hypodermic syringes optionally filled with medication;

- water purifying means for purifying contaminated ^•water to drinkable water; - a parachute;

- compass;

- communication means.

22. Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the protection means comprise an oxygen supply for providing the person with oxygen.

23. Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the carrying means comprise a carrying strap which can be fastened releasably to the holder, wherein the carrying strap can be released from the holder on at least one end thereof, and this end can be grasped by another person.

24. Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the protection means comprise an apparatus for shooting through snow for the purpose of providing passage of air between a person buried under the snow and the outside air.

25. Body covering, in particular clothing or footwear, for at least partially covering a person, in which are arranged protection means for protecting the person against external influences, including smoke, the protection means comprising a face part and/or a number of exchangeable filters for the purpose, in the fitted position, of filtering the air to be inhaled by the person.

26. Body covering as claimed in claim 25, provided with protection means as claimed in any of the claims 1- 24.