Training method and device for teaching a trainee to remain within a safety zone

• US 20050100870A1
• Filed: 11/10/2003
• Published: 05/12/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/10/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Randall Wade Rogers, Ricky Dion Barnes
• Original Assignee: Randall Wade Rogers, Ricky Dion Barnes
• Inventors: Barnes, Ricky Dion, Rogers, Randall Wade
• Granted Patent: US 7,845,948 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 434/226
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/00 Teaching not covered by other main groups of this subclass teaching or practice apparatus for gun-aiming or gun-laying F41G3/26

Abstract

A method and device for training persons to remain within a safety zone. An emitter establishes a safety zone that is not to be exceeded by the person, and an adjuster may be operatively connected to the emitter to adjust the size and position of the safety zone. A sensor is placed away from the emitter to indicate when the person moves outside of the safety zone. The method comprises activating the emitter and positioning the person within the safety zone. When the person nears the signal or exits the safety zone, an alarm is indicated to the person and/or a facilitator. Upon return to the safety zone, the alarm may be deactivated and the training procedure within the safety zone can continue.

Claims

1. A method of training a person to remain within a predetermined area, the method comprising the steps of:

forming a safety zone comprising a signal that forms at least one boundary;

attaching a sensor to the person, the sensor detecting the signal when it comes within a predetermined distance from the signal;

placing the person and the sensor within the safety zone and performing training exercises requiring the person to remain within the safety zone;

maintaining the sensor in a deactivated orientation when the sensor is at least the predetermined distance from the signal; and

activating an alarm when the sensor is within the predetermined distance from the signal.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of activating the alarm occurs when the person exits the safety zone.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of activating the alarm comprises sounding an audible alarm that has a noise level that can be heard by the person.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of forming the safety zone comprises positioning the signal at a predetermined vertical height above a floor of the safety zone.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising adjusting the vertical height of the signal during the training exercises.

6. The method of claim 4, further comprising positioning redirecting elements to reflect the signal into additional areas to increase the safety zone.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the signal is selected from the group consisting of optical, magnetic, capacity, radiofrequency, and ultrasonic.

8. A method of training a person, the method comprising the steps of:

activating an emitter to emit a signal;

adjusting an orientation of the emitter relative to an adjuster and placing the signal to form a first boundary of a safety zone;

performing an training exercise within the safety zone;

changing the position of the first boundary and adjusting the dimension of the safety zone during the training exercise by adjusting the orientation of the emitter relative to the adjuster; and

activating an alarm when the signal is broken.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the step of changing the position of the first boundary and adjusting the dimension of the safety zone comprises vertically moving the emitter along the adjuster.

10. The method of claim 8, further comprising placing the adjuster and the emitter within a central section of the safety zone and rotating the emitter about the adjuster to establish the first boundary of the safety zone.

11. The method of claim 8, further comprising placing the adjuster and the emitter along an edge of the safety zone and positioning the signal to extend across an upper vertical boundary of the safety zone.

12. The method of claim 8, further comprising placing a sensor within the safety zone and detecting when the sensor exits the safety zone.

13. The method of claim 8, further comprising placing a receiver a distance from the emitter and receiving the signal when the person remains within the safety zone.

14. A method of training a person comprising the steps of:

placing a sensor to a trainee;

activating an emitter to produce a signal and establish a safety zone;

positioning the trainee and sensor within the safety zone;

determining whether the sensor has received the signal;

activating an alarm when the sensor receives the signal indicating that the trainee has exited the safety zone; and

deactivating the alarm after a predetermined time period from when the trainee reenters into the safety zone.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of deactivating the alarm comprises stopping the alarm when the sensor no longer receives the signal.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising remotely positioning the alarm from the sensor.

17. The method of claim 14, further comprising placing a plurality of sensors on the trainee.

18. A method of keeping a person below a predetermined height comprising the steps of:

setting an emitter to transmit a continuous beam at the predetermined height;

attaching a receiver to the person;

placing the person under the continuous beam and performing training exercises; and

transmitting an alarm when the receiver is positioned above the predetermined height.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising silencing the alarm when the receiver goes back below the predetermined height.

20. The method of claim 18, further comprising placing a plurality of receivers on the person.