METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR SECURING A TRACKING BEACON TO PERSONAL PROTECTION EQUIPMENT

• US 20170140617A1
• Filed: 11/16/2016
• Published: 05/18/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 11/16/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: WW Grainger Incorporated
• Original Assignee: WW Grainger Incorporated
• Inventors: Martinez, Steve, Klein, Brice, Serafino, Alessia, Patel, Reena, Koenig, David
• Granted Patent: US 10,515,521 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10366 the interrogation device being adapted for miscellaneous applications
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/02 Alarms for ensuring the safety of persons
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/08 using communication transmission lines G08B13/19658, G08B21/0286, G08B25/016 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 5/22 using electric transmission; using electromagnetic transmission
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 5/222 Personal calling arrangements or devices, i.e. paging systems selective calling systems and call receivers H04W84/00, H04W68/00
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 5/36 using visible light sources
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 6/00 Tactile signalling systems, e.g. personal calling systems

Abstract

This disclosure presents various means for securing a tracking beacon to personal protection equipment. The tracking beacon mount is constructed of a cover, a base, a transmitter and a mounting mechanism, such as a strap. The transmitter has a unique identifier which is detected by a proximity sensor. The proximity sensor is operably connected to a tracking system which can be used to detect the presence of the beacons. The system is programmed to recognize the types of items used and warn the user if something predetermined as required for the location or job type is missing.

Claims

1. A system for a mount for a tracking beacon, comprising:

a mount comprising;

a cover;

a base including a transmitter which has a unique identifier; and

a mounting mechanism;

a proximity sensor capable of communicating with the transmitter, the proximity sensor operably connected to a controller containing a plurality of states including at least one state associated with at least one required item type; and

a display;

wherein the mount is placed onto an item of a user and the unique identifier is associated with a type of the item;

when the mount comes in comes within a predetermined range of the proximity sensor, the controller compares the unique identifier and the at least one required item type;

a message is sent to the user via a display with the result of the comparison.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the unique identifier is further associated with the user and when the mount comes within a predetermined range of the proximity sensor, the controller updates one of the plurality of states with the identifier related to the user.

3. The system for a mount for a tracking beacon of claim 1 wherein the mounting mechanism further comprises a strap and a groove within the base to constrain the strap.

4. The system for a mount for a tracking beacon of claim 3, wherein the groove further comprises:

a bifurcated curved channel having a first part and a second part, both sharing a large opening positioned on one side of the body;

a first opening at the end of the first part of the bifurcated channel with a narrow upper portion and wide lower portion;

a second opening at the end of the second part of the bifurcated channel with a narrow upper portion and wide lower portion;

wherein the first and second parts of the bifurcated channel include a ninety degree turn near the first and second opening respectively.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the mounting mechanism comprises a hinge and a clasp portion, wherein the hinge is biased to hold a portion of the item between the body and the clasping portion.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein, the body has a plurality of projections and the clasping portion has complementary indentations.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the mounting mechanism further comprises a front flange and back flange.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein, the mount further contains a display and wherein the transmitter is capable of two-way communication and when the mount is within the predetermined range the controller sends a message that is communicated to the user through the display.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the display is selected from the group consisting of:

a display, a vibration inducing motor, and an LED light.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the mount is comprised primarily of plastic.

11. The system of claim 1, further comprising a rechargeable battery and a charging station.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the mount and charging station each include at least one magnet, wherein the at least one magnet on each of the mount and the charging station are placed complementarily to hold the mount on the charging station.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the magnets of each of the mount and the charging station are used as magnetic leads in order to charge the battery in the mount.

14. A method of tracking items of a user:

mounting a tracking beacon on an item, wherein the tracking beacon comprises;

a cover;

a base including a transmitter which has a unique identifier; and

a mounting mechanism;

associating the unique identifier with a type of item;

detecting the proximity of the tracking beacon relative to a predetermined location with a sensor;

comparing the type of item associated with the unique identified to at least one type of required item;

displaying a message to the user depending on the result of the comparison.