Rescue locator signal package

US4295438A · kind A · utility

Inventor

• Howard Porter · Kuala Lumpur, MY

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 25, 1980
• Grant date: Oct 20, 1981
• Expiry date: Feb 25, 2000

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10S116/08
• WIPO field: Control
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A device for producing a rescue signal for use by a person who is lost or has had an accident. The device is in the form of a compact package including a casing containing a deflated and collapsed balloon, and a cartridge of compressed gas, such as helium, air, or CO.sub.2, and a hand lever for forcing the cartridge to puncture it. A needle tube has a first, pointed, end for puncturing the cartridge, and a second end extending into the balloon, and the balloon has a sphincter valve normally holding the balloon on the needle tube, and closing when the balloon is inflated and released. A pull tab is provided on the balloon for grasping by the user for releasing the balloon, and a tether line is tied to the balloon and wound on a spool. The casing is normally closed, confining nearly all of the other components and readily opened manually for exposing those elements. It may be small and light in weight for carrying on the person as in hiking, ski-ing, mountain climbing, etc., or for scuba diving, or it may be larger for carrying in a car, a boat, airplane, etc. The device is made of inexpensive material and may be considered a throw-away item.