Modular confined space rescue training simulator

• US 6,799,975 B1
• Filed: 07/29/2002
• Issued: 10/05/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/30/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Emergency Response Training Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Emergency Response Training Incorporated
• Inventors: Dunn, Michael L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Banks, Derris H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Suhol, Dmitry
• Application Number:
  US10/209,587
• Time in Patent Office: 799 Days
• Field of Search: 434/401, 434/29, 434/219, 434/226, 296/24.1, 472/136
• US Class Current: 434/365
• 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 mobile confined space rescue training simulation unit having a simple adjustable modular construction that may be set up in any of a number of different confined space rescue scenarios to meet a variety of specialized training needs. The unit is preferably trailer-mounted for portability and has an elongated upper work area and two interior modular sections in communication with each other. The first section allows for establishing different labyrinths through which rescue trainees must travel, and the second section has a retractable sloping floor that may be replaced by simulated machinery such as a rotating shaft with blades. Multiple combinations of training rescue scenarios are possible.

Claims

1. A portable modular confined space training simulator comprising a trailer-mounted unit made up of two adjoining chambers in communication with each other, the first chamber having at least one access opening in the roof thereof, a plurality of interior supports for holding removable trays, a plurality of removable trays for placement on said supports, each tray having at least one opening therein, and at least one door on a wall of said first chamber for accessing the interior thereof;

and a second chamber having at least one access opening in the roof thereof, a retractable sloping interior wall made of two panels, the first panel being hingedly attached to the ceiling of said second chamber and the second panel being hingedly attached to the floor of said chamber, said panels being detachably connectable to each other to form said retractable sloping wall, and at least one door on a wall of said second chamber for accessing the interior thereof.

2. The training simulator of claim 1 wherein an access opening is provided in said second panel.

3. The training simulator of claim 2 wherein an elongated hollow pipe having an exterior inlet and exterior outlet is provided in said unit extending through and between said first and second chambers.

4. A portable modular confined space training simulator comprising a trailer-mounted unit made up of two adjoining chambers in communication with each other, the first chamber having at least one access opening in the roof thereof, a plurality of interior supports for holding removable trays, a plurality of removable trays for placement on said supports, each tray having at least one opening therein, and at least one door on a wall of said first chamber for accessing the interior thereof;

and a second chamber having at least one access opening in the roof thereof, a retractable sloping interior wall made of two panels, the first panel being hingedly attached to the ceiling of said second chamber and the second panel being hingedly attached to the floor of said chamber, said panels being detachably connectable to each other to form said retractable sloping wall, and at least one door on a wall of said second chamber for accessing the interior thereof, wherein said sloping panels are retracted and at least one rotatable vertical shaft having a plurality of blades located thereon is provided in said second chamber as a simulated machinery hazard.

5. A portable modular confined space training simulator comprising a trailer-mounted unit made up of two adjoining chambers in communication with each other, the first chamber having at least one access opening in the roof thereof, a plurality of interior supports for holding removable trays, a plurality of removable trays for placement on said supports, each tray having at least one opening therein, and at least one door on a wall of said first chamber for accessing the interior thereof, and a second chamber having at least one access opening in the roof thereof, a retractable sloping interior wall made of two panels, the first panel being hingedly attached to the ceiling of said second chamber and the second panel being hingedly attached to the floor of said chamber said second panel having an access opening therein, said panels being detachably connectable to each other to form said retractable sloping wall, and at least one door on a wall of said second chamber for accessing the interior thereof wherein an elongated hollow pipe having an exterior inlet and exterior outlet is provided in said unit extending through and between said first and second chambers, and wherein a T-shaped tube is installed onto at least one of the roof access openings of at least one of said chambers.

6. The training simulator of claim 5 wherein a removable railing is installed around the perimeter of the roof of said unit.

7. The training simulator of claim 6 wherein at least one ventilation opening is provided in each of said chambers.

8. A portable modular confined space training simulator comprising a trailer-mounted unit made up of two adjoining chambers in communication with each other, the first chamber having at least one access opening in the roof thereof, a plurality of interior supports for holding removable trays, a plurality of removable trays for placement on said supports, each tray having at least one opening therein, and at least one door on a wall of said first chamber for accessing the interior thereof;

and a second chamber having at least one access opening in the roof thereof, a retractable sloping interior wall made of two panels, the first panel being hingedly attached to the ceiling of said second chamber and the second panel being hingedly attached to the floor of said chamber, said panels being detachably connectable to each other to form said retractable sloping wall, and at least one door on a wall of said second chamber for accessing the interior thereof wherein a T-shaped tube is installed onto at least one of the roof access openings of at least one of said chambers.

9. A training simulator of claim 8 wherein an access opening is provided in said second panel.

10. A training simulator of claim 8 wherein an elongated hollow pipe having an exterior inlet and exterior outlet is provided in said unit extending through and between said first and second chambers.

11. A training simulator of claim 8 wherein a removable railing is installed around the perimeter of the roof of said unit.

12. A training simulator of claim 8 wherein at least one ventilation opening is provided in each of said chambers.

13. A portable modular confined space training simulator comprising a trailer-mounted unit made up of two adjoining chambers in communication with each other, the first chamber having at least one access opening in the roof thereof, a plurality of interior supports for holding removable trays, a plurality of removable trays for placement on said supports, each tray having at least one opening therein, and at least one door on a wall of said first chamber for accessing the interior thereof;

and a second chamber having at least one access opening in the roof thereof, and at least one door on a wall of said second chamber for accessing the interior thereof, wherein at least one rotatable vertical shaft having a plurality of blades located thereon is provided in said second chamber as a simulated machinery hazard.