Portable emergency response communications system and method

• US 6,041,242 A
• Filed: 06/16/1997
• Issued: 03/21/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 06/21/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Steve M. Coulthard
• Original Assignee: Steve M. Coulthard
• Inventors: Coulthard, Steve M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chin, Wellington
• Assistant Examiner(s): WOLDETATIOS, YEMANE
• Application Number:
  US08/876,257
• Time in Patent Office: 1,009 Days
• Field of Search: 455/572, 455/573, 455/575, 455/347, 455/349, 455/351, 455/404, 455/90
• US Class Current: 455/575.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices

Abstract

An emergency response communications system including a system capable of being transported and may include a plurality of radio connection ports with special latching multi-pronged ports, a computer power source outlet, overload protector, battery condition indicator, master power switch, at least one portable gel cell DC battery, various power circuits throughout the system, a resistant case able to withstand a substantial impact load to protect the gel cell DC battery, a mobile frame, a DC to AC inverter, a battery charger, a fax machine power outlet, a battery condition indicator, and possibly, a light mounted to the case and a retractable antenna mounted to the case. In some embodiments, a variety of features may be incorporated into the case and may be transported without the frame.

Claims

1. A portable emergency response communications system comprising:

a. a power system comprising;

i. a battery condition indicator;

ii. a master power switch;

iii. at least one portable DC battery containing DC power;

iv. circuitry adapted to deliver said DC power;

v. an impact resistant case adapted to withstand a substantial impact load to protect said DC battery;

b. a frame adapted to support said power system comprising;

i. a power system support;

ii. a holding element adapted to hold said power system to said frame;

iii. a first upright member rotatably connected to said power system support;

iv. a second upright member rotatably connected to said power system support;

v. at least one frame securing element adapted to secure said first upright member with said second upright member in at least a raised first position and a lowered second position;

vi. at least one radio support shelf adapted to support at least one radio and mounted to said frame; and

vii. at least one antenna mount connected to said frame and adapted for a radio;

c. a light adapted to illuminate at least a portion of said frame;

d. at least one radio connection port comprising;

i. a latching multi-pronged port;

ii. a weather shield cover, and

iii. an orientation element;

e. a battery charger responsive to said frame;

f. a DC to AC inverter; and

g. a mobile element connected to said frame adapted to enable movement of said frame with said power system

wherein said power system, said frame, said light, said radio connection ports, said battery charger, said inverter, and said mobile element combine to form an impact resistant, portable emergency response communications system.

2. A portable emergency response communications system as described in claim 1 wherein said frame securing element comprises a locking slip ring and adapted to slidably engage said first upright member with said second upright member.

3. A portable emergency response communications system as described in claim 1 further comprising a plurality of antennas mounted to a plurality of said antenna mounts.

4. A portable emergency response communications system as described in claim 1 further comprising a solar recharging system.

5. A portable emergency response communications system as described in claim 1 wherein said antenna mount comprises a folding antenna mount.

6. A portable emergency response communications system as described in claim 1 further comprising a retractable antenna mounted to said antenna mount.

7. A portable emergency response communications system as described in claim 1 further comprising jumper cables electrically attached to said DC power supply and adapted to charge said power supply.

8. A portable emergency response communications system as described in claim 1 further comprising at least one cigarette lighter type power outlet adapted to supply power.

9. A portable emergency response communications system as described in claim 1 further comprising a mounted portable repeater.

10. A portable emergency response communications system as described in claim 1 wherein said mobile element comprises wheels.

11. A portable emergency response communications system as described in claim 1 wherein said mobile element comprises sled runners.

12. A portable emergency response communications system comprising:

a. a power system comprising;

i. a battery condition indicator;

ii. a master power switch;

iii. at least one portable DC battery containing DC power;

iv. circuitry adapted to deliver said DC power;

v. an impact resistant case adapted to withstand a substantial impact load to protect said DC battery;

b. a frame adapted to support said power system comprising;

i. a power system support;

ii. a holding element adapted to hold said power system to said frame;

iii. at least one radio support shelf adapted to support at least one radio and mounted to said frame; and

iv. at least one antenna mount connected to said frame and adapted for a radio;

c. a light adapted to illuminate at least a portion of said frame;

d. at least one radio connection port comprising;

i. a latching multi-pronged port;

ii. a weather shield cover; and

iii. an orientation element;

e. a battery charger responsive to said frame;

f. a DC to AC inverter; and

g. a mobile element connected to said frame adapted to enable movement of said frame with said power system

wherein said power system, said frame, said light, said radio connection ports, said battery charger, said inverter, and said mobile element combine to form an impact resistant, portable emergency response communications system.

13. A portable emergency response communications system comprising:

a. a plurality of radio connection ports adapted to allow connection of a HT radio, a HF radio, and a 2 meter radio wherein at least a first and second of said radio connection ports comprise;

i. a latching multi-pronged port;

ii. a weather shield cover; and

iii. an orientation element;

b. a computer power source outlet adapted for a portable computer;

c. a first overload protector adapted to protect one of said radio connection ports;

d. a second overload protector adapted to protect a second of said radio connection ports;

e. a third overload protector adapted to protect said computer power source outlet;

f. a power indicator;

g. a battery condition indicator;

h. a master power switch;

i. at least one portable gel cell DC battery containing DC power;

j. a first power circuit from said portable gel cell DC battery to said master power switch;

k. a primary overload protector located after said master power switch and before said first, second, and third overload protectors in a second power circuit connected to said first power circuit;

l. a third power circuit connected to said second power circuit adapted to deliver power to at least one of said radio connection ports;

m. a fourth power circuit connected to said second power circuit adapted to deliver power to said second of said radio connection ports;

n. a fifth power circuit connected to said second power circuit adapted to deliver power to said computer power source outlet;

o. a sixth power circuit connected to said battery condition indicator adapted to deliver power to said battery condition indicator;

p. an impact resistant case adapted to withstand a substantial impact load to protect said DC battery; and

q. a handle adapted to carry said impact resistant case

wherein said radio connection ports, said outlets, said power sources, said overload protectors, said power indicato, said battery condition indicator, said master power switch, said inverter, said gel cell DC battery, said case, and said circuitry combine to form an impact resistant, portable emergency response communications system.

14. A portable emergency response communications system as described in claim 13 further comprising a fax machine outlet.

15. A portable emergency response communications system as described in claim 13 further comprising a DC to AC inverter.

16. A portable emergency response communications system as described in claim 13 further comprising a lighted battery condition indicator.

17. A portable emergency response communications system as described in claim 13 wherein said gell cell DC battery is rated for at least 450 amp hours.

18. A portable emergency response communications system as described in claim 13 wherein said radio connection ports are hand disconnectable.

19. A portable emergency response communications system as described in claim 13 wherein said impact resistant case is adapted to withstand a 50 ft-lb impact over a 3 inch square area.

20. A portable emergency response communications system as described in claim 13 further comprising a retractable antenna mounted to said case.

21. A portable emergency response communications system as described in claim 13 further comprising a light mounted to said case and adapted to illuminate at least a portion of an area surrounding said case.

22. A portable emergency response communications system as described in claim 13 wherein said gel cell DC battery is adapted to power said radio connection ports, said outlets, and said power sources for at least a continuous period of 16 hours per day for 3 days.

23. A portable emergency response communications system comprising:

a. a power system comprising a DC power source, an impact resistant case, and circuitry to deliver said DC power to a plurality of radio power outlets;

b. a frame adapted to support said power system comprising;

i. a power system support;

ii. a first upright member responsive to said power system support;

iii. a second upright member responsive to said power system support wherein said first upright member is adapted to slidably engage with said second upright member;

iv. at least one frame securing element adapted to secure said first upright member with said second upright member in at least a raised first position and a lowered second position;

v. at least one foldable radio support shelf adapted to support at least one radio and mounted to said frame;

vi. at least one antenna mount connected to said frame and adapted for a radio;

c. at least one radio connection port responsive to said frame; and

d. a mobile element connected to said frame adapted to enable movement of said frame with said power system

wherein said frame is adapted to assist in orienting said shelf into a serviceable position at said first raised position and wherein said power system, said frame, said radio connection port, and said mobile element combine to form a portable emergency response communications system.

24. A portable emergency response communications system as described in claim 23 further comprising at least two foldable radio shelves and two antennas mounted to two said antenna mounts.

25. A portable emergency response communications system as described in claim 23 wherein said DC power source comprises a gel cell DC battery rated for at least 450 amp hours.

26. A method of using an emergency response communications system comprising:

a. using a frame supporting a DC power system and a radio at a location;

b. relocating a radio support shelf connected to said frame from a serviceable position to a storage position;

c. loosening a securing element from a raised first position on said frame;

d. arcuately moving a first upright member in an arc to a lowered second position on said frame in cooperation with a second upright member;

e. securing said first upright member at said lowered second position;

f. holding said frame in said lowered second position;

g. moving said frame with a mobile element connected to said frame;

h. relocating said frame to a new location;

i. loosening said securing element from said lowered second position;

j. arcuately raising through an arc said first upright member to said raised first position;

k. securing said first upright member to said raised first position;

l. relocating said radio support shelf from said storage position; and

m. commencing using said DC power system and said radio.

27. A method of using an emergency response communications system as described in claim 26 further comprising the step of folding at least one antenna mount into a folded position.

28. A method of using an emergency response communications system as described in claim 26 wherein said step of arcuately moving said first upright member in an arc further comprises the step of slidably moving said first upright member with respect to said second upright member.

29. A method of using an emergency response communications system as described in claim 26 wherein said radio shelf is rotatable and wherein said step of relocating said radio support shelf comprises the step of rotating said shelf.

30. A portable emergency response communications system comprising:

a. a plurality of radio connection ports adapted to allow connection of a plurality of radios;

b. an computer power source outlet adapted for a portable computer;

c. a printer power source outlet adapted for a computer printer;

d. at least one portable gel cell DC battery rated for mega-DC power;

e. an impact resistant case capable of resisting a substantial impact load to protect said DC battery; and

f. circuitry to deliver said DC power to said radio connection ports

wherein said system is adapted to operate said ports and outlets simultaneously for a mega-extended period and wherein said radio connection ports, said power source, said DC battery, said case, and said circuitry combine to form a portable emergency response communications system.

31. A portable emergency response communications system as described in claim 30 wherein said portable gel cell DC battery is rated for at least 600 amp hours.

32. A portable emergency response communications system as described in claim 30 further comprising a cart to carry said portable emergency response communications system.

33. A portable emergency response communications system comprising:

a. a plurality of hand disconnectable radio connection ports adapted to allow connection of at least a HT radio, a HF radio, and a 2 meter radio and wherein at least one connection port comprises a cigarette lighter type port and wherein at least one other connection port comprises a latching multi-pronged radio connection port;

b. at least portable gel type DC battery containing DC power;

c. an impact resistant case capable of resisting a large impact load to protect said DC battery;

d. circuitry to deliver said DC power to said radio connection ports;

e. a voltage indicator electrically attached to said DC battery

wherein said plurality of hand disconnectable radio connection ports, said DC battery, said impact resistant case, said circuitry, and said voltage indicator collectively form an impact resistant portable emergency response communications system.

34. A portable emergency response communications system comprising:

a. a plurality of radio connection ports adapted to allow connection of a plurality of radios;

b. an computer power source outlet adapted for a portable computer;

c. at least one portable DC battery;

d. an impact resistant case adapted to protect said DC battery;

e. circuitry to deliver said DC power to said radio connection ports; and

f. a recoiling retractable antenna

wherein said radio connection ports, said power source, said DC battery, said case, said circuitry, and said recoiling retractable antenna combine to form a portable emergency response communications system.

35. A portable emergency response communications system as described in claim 34 wherein said recoiling retractable antenna comprises a tunable antenna for a variety of frequencies.

36. A portable emergency response communications system as described in claim 34 wherein said battery comprises a portable gel cell DC battery rated for mega-DC power.

37. A portable emergency response communications system as described in claim 34 wherein said portable DC battery is rated for at least 450 amp hours.

38. A portable emergency response communications system as described in claim 34 further comprising a cart to carry said portable emergency response communications system.