Portable survival kit

• US 7,565,968 B2
• Filed: 03/12/2007
• Issued: 07/28/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Michael B. Lindley
• Original Assignee: Michael B. Lindley
• Inventors: Lindley, Michael B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ullah; Akm E
• Assistant Examiner(s): DIAO, M BAYE
• Application Number:
  US11/716,997
• Publication Number:
  US 20070221515A1
• Time in Patent Office: 869 Days
• Field of Search: 363/108, 429/92, 429/97, 429/100, 429/150, 429/163, 206/223, 426/115, 307/150, 323/299, 323/906, 320/101
• US Class Current: 206/223
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass

Abstract

A portable survival kit includes a housing defining an internal compartment. One or more rechargeable energy sources are inside the compartment. One or more electrical generators are associated with the housing. Each electrical generator is adapted to facilitate charging of at least one of the rechargeable energy sources. One or more electrical elements are associated with the housing and each electrical element is adapted to receive electrical energy from at least one of the rechargeable energy sources. Also, a source of edible human nourishment is stored inside the compartment.

Claims

1. A portable survival kit comprising:

a housing defining an internal compartment, the housing comprising a body portion and a movable cover coupled to the body portion by a first connection, wherein the first connection permits the cover to be opened with respect to the body portion to provide access into the internal compartment, and wherein the body portion and the cover are adapted to mate with each other in a manner that seals the internal compartment;

one or more rechargeable energy sources inside the internal compartment;

one or more electrical generators inside the internal compartment, each electrical generator being adapted to facilitate charging of at least one of the rechargeable energy sources;

one or more electrical elements inside the internal compartment, each electrical element being adapted to receive electrical energy from at least one of the rechargeable energy sources;

a movable instrument panel including a proximal end and a distal end, the instrument panel disposed at a first location inside the internal compartment and having an upper surface exposing the one or more electrical elements located on the upper surface, wherein the one or more electrical elements are accessible for use by a user at the first location when the cover is opened;

a source of edible human nourishment stored inside a storage compartment located inside the internal compartment, the storage compartment inaccessible to the user when the movable instrument panel is at the first location;

wherein the proximal end of the movable instrument panel is rotatably coupled to an upper edge of the body portion by a second connection different from the first connection, such that moving the distal end of the instrument panel about the second connection moves the instrument panel to a second location outside the internal compartment and provides access into the storage compartment.

2. The portable survival kit of claim 1 wherein the housing is substantially water resistant.

3. The portable survival kit of claim 1 wherein the housing is substantially water proof.

4. The portable survival kit of claim 1 wherein the one or more electrical generators comprise:

a dynamo with a hand-operable mechanical actuator to facilitate inputting mechanical energy to the dynamo.

5. The portable survival kit of claim 4 wherein the mechanical actuator is a cranking mechanism.

6. The portable survival kit of claim 1 wherein the one or more electrical generators comprise:

a plurality of solar cells.

7. The portable survival kit of claim 6 wherein the plurality of solar cells is formed on a flexible substrate that is foldable for storage inside the compartment.

8. The portable survival kit of claim 1 wherein the one or more electrical generators comprise:

a wind-operable generator,

wherein the wind-operable generator is storable within the compartment.

9. The portable survival kit of claim 1 further comprising a power cord adapted for connection to a household power outlet,

wherein the power cord is adapted, when connected, to deliver charging current from the household power outlet to at least one of the rechargeable energy sources.

10. The portable survival kit of claim 9 further comprising:

a light coupled to the housing and adapted to illuminate upon failure of household power via the power cord.

11. The portable survival kit of claim 10 wherein the light is exposed at an external surface of the housing.

12. The portable survival kit of claim 1 wherein the one or more electrical elements comprise:

a cellular telephone charging port inside the compartment.

13. The portable survival kit of claim 1 wherein the one or more electrical elements comprise:

a wireless communication device inside the compartment.

14. The portable survival kit of claim 1 wherein the one or more electrical elements include a device selected from the group consisting of a television, a rechargeable flashlight, a fan, a D.C. outlet and an A.C outlet.

15. The portable survival kit of claim 1 wherein the one or more rechargeable energy sources comprise:

a first battery adapted to supply electrical energy to a first set of the electrical elements; and

a second battery adapted to supply electrical energy to a second set of the electrical elements,

wherein the first set of electrical elements includes electrical elements that are more critical to survival than the second set of electrical elements.

16. The portable survival kit of claim 15 wherein the first set of electrical elements comprises:

a wireless communication device; and

a light; and

wherein the second set of electrical elements comprises;

D.C. and A.C. electrical outlets.

17. The portable survival kit of claim 1 wherein the source of edible human nourishment comprises:

a food source; and

a water source,

wherein the source of edible human nourishment is adapted to provide a human with nourishment for a specific number of person-days.

18. The portable survival kit of claim 1 further comprising:

medical and survival supplies inside the housing.

19. The portable survival kit of claim 1 further comprising:

wheels coupled to the housing; and

a telescoping handle coupled to the housing.

20. A portable survival kit comprising:

a substantially water-resistant housing defining an internal compartment, the housing comprising a body portion and a movable cover coupled to the body portion by a first connection, wherein the first connection permits the cover to be opened with respect to the body portion to provide access into the internal compartment, and wherein the body portion and the cover are adapted to mate with each other in a manner that seals the internal compartment;

first and second rechargeable energy sources inside the internal compartment;

a dynamo inside the internal compartment and having a hand-operable mechanical actuator to facilitate inputting mechanical energy to the dynamo, the dynamo adapted to facilitate charging of the first rechargeable energy source;

a plurality of solar cells formed on a flexible substrate that is foldable for storage inside the internal compartment, the plurality of solar cells adapted to facilitate charging of the second rechargeable energy source;

a first set of electrical elements inside the internal compartment and adapted to receive electrical energy from at least the first rechargeable energy source;

a second set of electrical elements inside the internal compartment and adapted to receive electrical energy from at least the second rechargeable energy source;

a movable instrument panel including a proximal end and a distal end, the instrument panel disposed at a first location inside the internal compartment and having an upper surface exposing the first and second set of electrical elements located on the upper surface, wherein the first and second set of electrical elements are accessible for use by a user at the first location when the cover is opened;

a source of edible nourishment stored inside a storage compartment located inside the internal compartment and adapted to provide a human with nourishment for a specific number of person-days, the storage compartment inaccessible to the user when the movable instrument panel is at the first location;

wherein the proximal end of the movable instrument panel is rotatably coupled to an upper edge of the body portion by a second connection different from the first connection, such that moving distal end of the instrument panel about the second connection moves the instrument panel to a second location outside the internal compartment and provides access into the storage compartment.

21. The portable survival kit of claim 20 wherein the first set of electrical elements comprises a wireless communication device and a light, and

wherein the second set of electrical elements comprises D.C. and A.C. electrical outlets.

22. The portable survival kit of claim 21 further comprising:

a power cord adapted for connection to a household power outlet and adapted, when connected to a household power outlet, to deliver charging current from the household power outlet to the second rechargeable energy source.

23. The portable survival kit of claim 22 further comprising:

a light coupled to the housing and adapted to illuminate upon failure of household power via the power cord.

24. A portable survival kit comprising:

a substantially water proof housing defining an internal compartment, the housing comprising a body portion and a movable cover coupled to the body portion by a first connection, wherein the first connection permits the cover to be opened with respect to the body portion to provide access into the internal compartment, and wherein the body portion and the cover are adapted to mate with each other in a manner that seals the internal compartment;

medical and survival supplies inside the internal compartment;

a plurality of rechargeable energy sources inside the internal compartment, wherein the plurality of energy sources includes a first rechargeable battery rated at a first voltage, and a second rechargeable battery rated at a second voltage different from the first voltage;

one or more electrical generators inside the internal compartment, each electrical generator being adapted to facilitate charging of at least one of the rechargeable energy sources, wherein the plurality of electrical generators include at least one selected from the group consisting of a dynamo with a hand-operable mechanical actuator, a plurality of solar cells, and a wind-operable generator;

a plurality of electrical elements inside the internal compartment, each electrical element being adapted to receive electrical energy from at least one of the rechargeable energy sources, wherein the plurality of electrical elements includes a cellular telephone charging port, a wireless communications device, a rechargeable flashlight, a D.C. outlet, and an A.C outlet;

a power cord adapted for connection to a household power outlet, wherein the power cord is adapted, when connected, to deliver charging current from the household power outlet to at least one of the rechargeable energy sources;

a light coupled to the housing and adapted to illuminate upon failure of household power via the power cord;

a movable instrument panel including a proximal end and a distal end, the instrument panel disposed at a first location inside the internal compartment and having an upper surface exposing the plurality of electrical elements located on the upper surface, wherein the plurality of electrical elements are accessible for use by a user at the first location when the cover is opened;

a source of edible human nourishment stored inside a storage compartment located inside the internal compartment, the storage compartment inaccessible to the user when the movable instrument panel is at the first location;

wherein the proximal end of the movable instrument panel is rotatably coupled to an upper edge of the body portion by a second connection different from the first connection, such that moving the distal end of the instrument panel about the second connection moves the instrument panel to a second location outside the internal compartment and provides access into the storage compartment.