Location signalling apparatus

• US 6,195,039 B1
• Filed: 11/26/1997
• Issued: 02/27/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/26/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Robert T. Glass Jr
• Original Assignee: Robert T. Glass Jr
• Inventors: Glass, Robert T. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Issing, Gregory C.
• Application Number:
  US08/979,767
• Time in Patent Office: 1,189 Days
• Field of Search: 342/457, 342/357, 342/386, 342/357.09, 342/357.07, 441/80, 441/89, 343/18.B, 343/709, 343/718, 116/210, 455/95, 455/100, 455/98
• US Class Current: 342/357.75
• CPC Class Codes: B63C 9/0005 by means of alarm devices for persons falling into the water, e.g. by signalling, by controlling the propulsion or manoeuvring means of the boat alarms responsive to presence of persons in a body of water in general G08B21/08
• CPC Class Codes: B63C 9/21 Boats, rafts, buoys or the like, characterised by signalling means, e.g. lights, reflectors B63C9/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/17 Emergency applications

Abstract

A signalling device which is housed within a tubular container includes a mylar balloon; a pressurized, lighter-than-air gas source; and multiple beacon devices. The device signals its location and, as such, is useful in rescue or retrieval operations. A pressure vessel is connected to the balloon so that lighter-than-air gas contained within the pressure vessel can flow into the balloon. An RF transmitter, a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver unit and a strobe light, are also coupled to the balloon. A valve separates located in the pressure vessel separates the lighter-than-air gas from the balloon until opened either manually or automatically. The balloon is inflated by the lighter-than-air gas which expands the balloon causing it to break through the top of the container and rise. As the balloon rises, the RF transmitter, the GPS receiver and the strobe light activate. The balloon is tethered to the container which, in turn, can be attached to a surface at the rescue location or to the person to be rescued.

Claims

1. A device for use in conjunction with a flotation device, such as a life vest or a life boat, for locating a person lost at sea, the device comprising:

a water-tight container having dimensions sufficiently compact to be carried by a flotation device;

a signalling apparatus comprising an inflatable balloon, a vessel of pressurized, lighter-than-air gas for inflating the balloon, a flashing light beacon, a GPS receiver, and an RF transmitter;

a mechanism for inflating the balloon with the gas to deploy the signalling apparatus, the signalling apparatus being encased by the container when not deployed, the pressure vessel, the flashing light beacon, the GPS receiver, and the RF transmitter being hoisted aloft upon the deploying of the signalling apparatus;

at least one power source for the flashing light beacon, the GPS receiver, and the RF transmitter;

at least one switch automatically activating the power source when the balloon is inflated and the signalling apparatus is deployed;

wherein the balloon has radar reflective material disposed thereon, the GPS receiver includes means for determining coordinates of the person lost at sea, the RF transmitter broadcasts the coordinates intermittently with a homing signal, and the flashing beacon light provides a visual signal perceptible in a marine environment;

wherein the radar reflective material of the balloon, the visual signal of the flashing light beacon, the transmission of the coordinates of the person to be rescued, and the transmission of the homing signal each occur independently and substantially simultaneously when the signalling apparatus is deployed.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the container has a sidewall, and further comprising two of the switches, the first switch for the flashing light beacon and the second switch for the GPS receiver and RF transmitter, the switches being of the negative-pressure type, being disposed against the sidewall in the off position, and being actuated when the signalling apparatus exits the container while being hoisted aloft.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the power source comprises a first battery pack for the flashing light beacon and a second battery pack for the GPS receiver and RF transmitter, and wherein the sidewall of the container has access ports defined therein, the access ports being positioned adjacent to respective ones of the battery packs so as to provide access thereto.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the flashing light beacon comprises a strobe light.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the mechanism for inflating the balloon includes a solenoid valve and an altimeter for determining altitudes, and means responsive to detection of a pre-determined one of the altitudes for activating the valve to inflate the balloon.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the mechanism for inflating the balloon comprises a solenoid and a finger tab located on the outside of the container for manually inflating the balloon to deploy the signalling apparatus.

7. A device for assisting in the rescue of a person lost at sea, the device comprising:

a watertight container having a bottom, a container sidewall, and a releasable cap;

means for securing the container in proximity to the person to be rescued;

a vessel of pressurized, lighter-than-air gas having a nozzle and a release valve operatively connected to the nozzle, the vessel having a top, bottom, and vessel sidewall;

a strobe light, a GPS receiver, and an RF transmitter secured at respective locations on the vessel sidewall;

an inflatable balloon pneumatically connected to the nozzle of the vessel;

a tether having one end secured to the vessel and the other end secured to the inside of the container;

the vessel, the strobe light, the balloon, the tether, the GPS receiver and the RF transmitter being encased within the container, the balloon being located generally proximate to the cap of the container;

the tether being located proximate to the bottom of the container, and the vessel, the strobe light, the GPS receiver, and the RF transmitter being located at medial locations within the container;

a first negative pressure switch for activating the flashing light beacon, and a second negative pressure switch for activating the GPS receiver and the RF transmitter, the switches being located to be in contact with the sidewall of the container when received therein;

means for opening the release valve to inflate the balloon, the cap of the container opening under pressure from the inflating balloon, the balloon being sufficiently sized to hoist the vessel, the strobe light, the GPS receiver, and the RF transmitter to a height corresponding to the length of the tether.