Search device for locating buried persons

• US 6,567,036 B1
• Filed: 06/29/2000
• Issued: 05/20/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Christian Eckhard
• Original Assignee: Christian Eckhard
• Inventors: Eckhard, Christian
• Primary Examiner(s): Lobo, Ian J.
• Application Number:
  US09/509,760
• Time in Patent Office: 1,055 Days
• Field of Search: 343/890, 343/891, 343/867, 343/702, 343/718, 343/788, 342/22
• US Class Current: 342/22
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 33/00 Devices for allowing seemingly-dead persons to escape or draw attention; Breathing apparatus for accidentally buried persons
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 29/021 Means for indicating the location of accidentally buried, e.g. snow-buried, persons
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 3/104 using several coupled or uncoupled coils G01V3/101 takes precedence

Abstract

The invention uses four antennae in order to pinpoint the exact position of the transmitter, especially at a close distance. The four antennae form two pairs of antennae placed at a specific angle to each other. The pairs of antennae are respectively comprised of two antennae that are also placed at a specific angle to each other. The pairs of antennae are respectively comprised of two antennae that are also placed at a specific angle to each other. The direction of the field line of the send antenna can be detected by comparing the signal intensities of the antenna pairs. Lateral deviations and forward or rear deviations from the shortest distance point can be recognised by comparing the signal intensities of the corresponding antennae. All signals have the same intensity at this point. Search devices are mainly used by wilderness skiers and those choosing to ski off piete.

Claims

1. A portable transmitter-receiver device for searching for and locating of persons buried by avalanches, said device comprising:

four antennae having main directions for transmission and reception, orientations of said main directions of said antennae being arranged in a plane, orientations of main direction of a first antenna and a second antenna of said four antennae being arranged transversely with respect to each other, orientations of main directions of a third antenna and a fourth antenna of said four antennae are arranged transversely with respect to each other, and orientations of main directions of said second antenna and said third antenna being arranged transversely with respect to each other;

a switch for switching said device between a transmission mode and a reception mode, wherein all said four antennae are operated as receiving antennae in said reception mode; and

a comparison circuitry

wherein said comparison circuitry is adapted to selectively compare a received signal strength of one of said four antennae with a received signal strength of each other of said four antennae in said reception mode.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein one antenna is operated as a transmission antenna in said transmission mode.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said antennae is a helical antenna.