Life spotting distress signal package

• US 4,697,706 A
• Filed: 11/07/1986
• Issued: 10/06/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 11/07/1986
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Donald L. Schaller
• Original Assignee: Donald L. Schaller
• Inventors: Schaller, Donald L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Marcus, Stephen
• Assistant Examiner(s): GEHMAN, BRYON P
• Application Number:
  US06/928,011
• Time in Patent Office: 333 Days
• Field of Search: 206/223, 206/573, 206/803, 206/499, 244/31, 244/33, 116/DIG. 8, 116/DIG. 9, 116/210, 342/10
• US Class Current: 206/573
• CPC Class Codes: B64B 1/40 Balloons B64B1/58 takes precedence; toy balloons A63H27/10
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 116/08 Inflatable indicator
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 116/09 Balloons
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 206/803 Emergency, e.g. flare, first aid, survival pack

Abstract

The present disclosure is directed to life spotting package comprising a lighter than air inflatable cylindrical device of an international orange composite having an inflated diameter of the order of one foot in diameter and a length of the order of five feet. A mirror finish helical strip of highly light reflective material runs from the top of the cylinder and winding axially 360° down and around the cylinder to its bottom. The cylinder is of a metallic foil over plastic composite and is radar reflective. The bottom of the cylinder has an apron for the attachment of signaling devices by way of grommet eyelets and velcro patches. The cylinder is provided by a helium charged no return cannister. There is provision for introducing the helium from the cannister into the inflatable cylindrical device making the cannister part of the airborne lighter than air cylindrical device. A length of nonconductive line is provided as a tether, one end of which is to be secured to the bottom of said inflatable cylindrical device and the other end of which is to be secured to a person to be rescued or an earth secured fixed object to identify the subject to be rescued identified by the airborne cylindrical device and a transport container retains said cylindrical device, helium cannister, helium introduction means and nonconductive line for transport by an individual.

Claims

1. A hiker'"'"'s containerized compact transport life spotting package comprising a lighter than air inflatable cylinder shaped device of an international orange composite having an inflated diameter of the order of one foot in diameter and a length of the order of five feet,

said cylinder shaped inflatable device being of a metallic foil over plastic composite and being radar reflective, the bottom of said cylinder shaped inflatable device having an apron for the attachment of signaling devices by way of grommet eyelets and Velcro patches,

a mirror finish helical strip of highly light reflective material extending from the top of the cylinder and winding axially 360°

down and around the cylinder to its bottom,

a helium charged no return cannister, valve means for introducing helium from the cannister to the cylinder shaped inflatable device secured to the base of said device having means to puncture the top of the cannister and maintain a seal therewith while permitting the helium from the cannister to inflate the cylinder shaped device, a length of non-conductive line, one end of which is to be secured to the bottom of said inflatable cylinder shaped device and the other end of which is to be secured to a person to be rescued or an earth secured fixed object close thereto to locate and identify the subject to be rescued signalled by the airbourne cylindrical device,

and a compact transport container retaining said cylinder shaped inflatable device in a flattened and rolled condition, said helium cannister, said valve means and said non-conductive line all nested coaxially with said transport container for transport by an individual over rough terrain.