Portable ice rescue craft

A portable ice rescue craft includes a plurality of locking raft sections that are foldable for storage and transport. A drive unit includes a drive wheel driven by an electric motor via a drive belt. The drive wheel may include a plurality of spikes configured to engage ice and a plurality of paddles that are centripetally urgeable outward to pull the rescue craft through water. A forward raft section may include a pair of outboard pontoons to provide stability and minimize lateral rocking. An aft raft section includes at least one rudder. A pair of rudders may be mounted to a plate on a pivoting, biased system. The rudders automatically fold upwardly when the ice rescue craft is on ice or land. The rudders automatically activate downwardly when the ice rescue craft is in water.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to rescue craft and, more specifically, to ice rescue craft.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Rescuing a victim who has fallen through ice presents many challenges to a would-be rescuer. For example, often the victim is beyond reach of a person standing at an edge of the ice. In such a case, an attempt may be made to throw a rescue aid, such as a rope or a life ring attached to a rope, to the victim. For this rescue technique to be effective, not only must the victim be within reach of the rope, but additionally the rescue aid must be thrown accurately to the victim. Often, both of these criteria are not met.

When the victim is beyond reach of the rope, the rescue aid or a rescuer must be brought onto the ice toward the victim. If the rescuer merely ventures onto the ice through which the victim has fallen, the rescuer may also likely fall through the ice—thereby becoming an additional victim in need of rescue. In addition, in some circumstances the rescuer may have to traverse land, snow, water, broken ice and water, ice, or any combination thereof, to reach the victim.

Attempts have been made to make crafts to bring a rescuer onto the ice toward a victim who has fallen through the ice. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,807,153 (the '153 patent) discloses a rescue vehicle that has a buoyant hollow sled pulled behind a traction wheel that includes a plastic, buoyant, rotating drum. The drum has a number of fins to propel the vehicle in water. Mounted to the fins are three annular rings having tangs for traction on ice. An internal combustion engine provides power to turn the drum via two gear belt drives on each side of the drum. Handle bars are used to steer the vehicle, and a throttle control, similar to those used on motorcycles, provides the rescuer with a means to control the engine and vehicle speed.

Unfortunately, the sled of the '153 patent is too small to accommodate both the rescuer and the victim. Thus, the rescuer must lay prone with legs extending past a rear end of the sled while operating the rescue vehicle. This could subject the rescuer to undue danger if the rescue vehicle must be operated over land. Further, the internal combustion engine is very heavy. Therefore, probability is increased of breaking up ice by the rescue vehicle itself. If this were to happen, then the legs of the rescuer would be immersed in a combination of broken ice and frigid water. Moreover, the internal combustion engine requires heavy gearing to reduce rotation of the drum to speeds slow enough to be usable in water and on ice. This additional weight of the heavy gearing further increases probability of the rescue craft breaking up the ice.

As a result, there is an unmet need in the art for a rescue vehicle that is lightweight, easily transportable, compact, and provides a platform that protects both the rescuer and the victim from ice and water.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention provide a portable ice rescue craft. The portable ice rescue craft is compact, lightweight, foldable for easy transport, and provides a platform that protects both the rescuer and the victim from ice and water.

An exemplary portable ice rescue craft according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of locking raft sections that are foldable for storage and transport. A drive unit includes a drive wheel driven by an electric motor via a drive belt. The drive unit may include a pair of outboard pontoons to provide stability and minimize lateral rocking. An aft raft section includes at least one rudder. If desired, a forward raft section may be interposeable between the drive unit and the aft raft section.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the drive wheel includes a plurality of spikes configured to engage ice and a plurality of paddles that are centripetally urgeable outward to pull the rescue craft through water.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a pair of rudders may be provided outboard an after portion of the aft raft section. The pair of rudders may be mounted to a plate on a pivoting, biased system. Advantageously, the rudders are active when the ice rescue craft is in water. The rudders automatically fold upwardly when the ice rescue craft is on ice or land. The rudders automatically activate downwardly when the ice rescue craft is in water.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

By way of overview and referring toFIGS. 1–3, embodiments of the present invention provide a portable ice rescue craft10that is compact, lightweight, foldable for easy transport, and provides a platform that protects both the rescuer and the victim from ice and water. An exemplary portable ice rescue craft10according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of locking raft sections12that are foldable for storage and transport. A drive unit14includes a drive wheel16driven by an electric motor (not shown) via a drive belt18. The drive wheel16may include a plurality of spikes20configured to engage ice and a plurality of paddles22that are centripetally urgeable outward to pull the rescue craft10through water. A forward raft section24may include a pair of outboard pontoons26to provide stability and minimize lateral rocking. An aft raft section28includes at least one rudder30. A pair of the rudders30may be mounted to a plate32on a pivoting, biased system. The rudders30automatically fold upwardly when the ice rescue craft10is on ice or land. The rudders30automatically activate downwardly when the ice rescue craft10is in water. Details of embodiments of the present invention will now be set forth below.

Referring toFIGS. 1–3and6, the drive unit14includes a frame made of a suitably lightweight and strong material, such as without limitation polyvinylchloride (PVC) pipe, aluminum pipe, or the like. The drive wheel16(explained in detail below) is mounted within a forward section36of the frame34. A case38that houses a drive motor, batteries, and control and safety electronics (all discussed in detail below) is mounted on an after section40of the frame34. A handle42for steering the drive unit14extends upwardly from an aft end44of the after section40of the frame34. A spring-loaded, quick-release lock pin46extends downwardly from a forward, lower portion48of the handle42. As will be explained below, the lock pin46attaches the drive unit14to other sections of the rescue craft10and permits the drive unit14to be rotated in azimuth relative to the other sections (that is, the forward and aft raft sections36and24) of the rescue craft10. This permits the rescue craft10to be steered.

Pontoons50are mounted on both sides of the drive unit14outboard the forward section36of the frame34. The pontoons50advantageously help minimize drive wheel cavitation when the drive wheel16is turning and guide the drive wheel16during transitions between water and ice. The pontoons50each have an axis a1that extends fore and aft parallel to an overall fore-aft axis a2of the rescue craft10. A bottom surface52of each of the pontoons50suitably is located higher than a lowest projection of the spikes20. This vertical spacing helps prevent interference between the spikes20and the pontoons50when the rescue craft10is operating on ice. In one embodiment, the bottom surfaces52of the pontoons50are about one inch higher than the lowest projection of the spikes20. However, the bottom surfaces52of the pontoons50may be any distance higher than the lowest projection of the spikes20as desired for a particular application. In one embodiment, the pontoons50are about two feet long, about six inches wide, and about six inches tall. Front and rear surfaces54and56, respectively, of the pontoons50may be beveled if desired, such as around 45 degrees or any angle as desired, in order to help prevent buildup of debris under the pontoons50.

The drive wheel16suitably is a cylinder that includes the spikes20. Each spike20extends outwardly perpendicular from the curved surface of the drive wheel16for engaging ice. The cylinder also includes the paddles22to pull the rescue craft10through water. In one embodiment and referring now toFIGS. 7A and 7B, the drive wheel16suitably is made from two bottom-half sections58of industrial-type drums, such as without limitation 30 gallon drums. A strip60joins together the two bottom-half sections58and is attached to the two bottom-half sections58with any acceptable fasteners, such as without limitations screws. In one embodiment, the strip60suitably is made of plastic and has a width of about four inches. However, the strip60may have any width as desired for a particular application.

Referring now toFIGS. 7B and 7C, the spikes20may be any provided as any item that projects through the drive wheel16and engages the ice. The spikes20effectively engage the ice when the drive wheel16is driven in either a forward direction or a reverse direction. In one embodiment, the spikes20may be provided as screws, such as without limitation machine screws. A spike20(embodied as a machine screw) is installed as follows. Before the two bottom-half sections58are joined via the strip60, a threaded shaft62of the screw is inserted through a washer64and through a hole66in the wall of one of the two bottom-half sections58from the inside of the bottom-half section58. A washer68is placed over the threaded shaft62against the outside of the bottom-half section58, and a nut70is threaded onto the threaded shaft62and tightened.

Still referring toFIGS. 7B and 7C, the paddles22suitably are substantially rectangular (with rounded ends, if desired) strips of rubber sheeting that are mounted to the exterior curved surface of the drive wheel16for propelling the rescue craft10through water. The paddles suitably are mounted at an angle α, such as around twenty degrees or so, between a longitudinal axis a3of the paddle22and a longitudinal axis a4of the drive wheel16. Screws72, such as wood screws, are inserted through holes74located along an upper long edge in each paddle22and through the wall of the drive wheel16. This mounting configuration permits the paddles22to be urged outwardly by centripetal force when the drive wheel16is in forward motion. Once urged outward, the paddles22frictionally engage water and pull the rescue craft10through the water. Advantageously, the paddles22lie flat against the drive wheel16when the rescue craft10is operated on ice or land.

Referring now toFIGS. 7Aand B, the drive wheel16is mounted on axles76and77that support the drive wheel16on the forward section36of the frame34(FIG. 6). Collar bushings78and79are mounted on outboard ends80and81of the axles76and77, respectively. Nuts82are threaded on inboard ends84and86of the axles76and77, respectively, and washers88are placed on the axles76and77. Referring toFIG. 7A, the inboard end84of the axle77is inserted through a hole90in one of the bottom-half sections58. A washer92and a nut94are placed onto the inboard end84of the axle77from the interior of the bottom-half section58, thereby holding the axle77in place. Referring now toFIG. 7B, a belt drive hub96is attached to the exterior side of the other bottom-half section58. In one non-limiting example, the drive belt hub96is made up of inboard and outboard hubs98and100, respectively, and an interior hub102that engages the drive belt18(FIGS. 1 and 2). The interior hub102has a width suitably wider than a width of the drive belt18(FIGS. 1 and 2). Given by way of non-limiting example, the drive belt18(FIGS. 1 and 2) may be an automotive fan belt of around ⅜ inches width or the like. However, the drive belt18may have any width as desired for a particular application. The inboard and outboard hubs98and100each have a diameter that is greater than a diameter of the interior hub102, thereby preventing the drive belt18(FIGS. 1 and 2) from slipping sideways off the interior hub102. The hubs98,100, and102have holes104that line up with holes106(shown in phantom) in the exterior side of the bottom-half section58. The hubs98,100, and102each have a centered hole108that lines up with a hole110centered in the exterior side of the bottom-half section58. Threaded fasteners112, such as machine screws or bolts or the like, are inserted through the holes104and106. Nuts114are threaded onto the threaded fasteners112from the interior of the bottom-half section58, thereby attaching the drive belt hub96to the exterior of the bottom-half section58. The inboard end86of the axle76and is inserted through the holes108and110. A washer92and a nut94are placed onto the end of the axle76from the interior of the bottom-half section58and a washer88and nut82are placed on the outboard end of the axle76, thereby attaching the axle76to one side of the drive wheel16. A belt, such as without limitation an automotive fan belt of around ⅜ inches width or the like, frictionally engages the exterior of the hub.

Referring back toFIGS. 1–3, the drive wheel16is driven by an electric motor (not shown) that is mounted with a mounting bracket (not shown) inside the case38. The electric motor may be any acceptable motor that generates sufficient power and torque to propel the rescue craft10. Given by way of non-limiting example, the electric motor may be an 18 volt motor, such as a drill motor like a Milwaukee 18 volt drill motor. However, any acceptable battery operated drill motors rated for 12 volts and higher may be used as desired for a particular application.

A spindle (not shown), such as without limitation a two inch spindle, is attached to the drive shaft of the electric motor. The belt frictionally engages the exterior of the spindle. The electric motor drives the drive belt18, which in turn drives the belt drive hub96(FIG. 7B), thereby causing the drive wheel16to turn. Belt slack, if any, is taken up via an adjustable, spring-loaded wheel116(FIG. 6) of about a two inch diameter or so that is attached to the forward section36of the frame34.

In one exemplary embodiment, electrical power for the electric motor (not shown) is provided from two direct current (DC) power sources, such as without limitation two 18-volt batteries. Given by way of non-limiting example, the batteries may be 18-volt drill batteries such as without limitation gel cell batteries or the like. Optionally, each of the batteries may be provided in its own charger. If desired, the batteries may slide and lock onto the electric motor.

The rescue craft10may be outfitted as desired with control and safety electronics. For example, the rescue craft10may be outfitted as desired with any of a video system including a video camera (which may be used underwater, if desired) and a video monitor, communications radios such as hand-held very high frequency (VHF) radios, a Global Positioning System (GPS), and lights such as headlights like Halogen headlights, emergency flashing and running lights, component box lights, and a spotlight. The control and safety electronics are powered by a main component battery, such as a 12-volt battery like a gel cell battery. Controls for any installed control and safety electronics may be provided in a control panel39(FIG. 2) suitably mounted aft of the case38.

The video camera, if provided, suitably is an underwater camera for locating victims under the ice. The video camera preferably is equipped with night vision optics and electronics that enable seeing in near-or-total darkness. The video camera preferably is mounted in front of the operator to a quick-release extension pole (not shown) that is clipped to the top outside of the case38. The pole may extend to any desirable length, such as around six feet or so. The video monitor may have a small screen, such as around a five inch screen or the like, and is mounted inside the case38or on the control panel39, if desired.

Referring additionally now toFIG. 8, the forward raft section24includes the outrigger pontoons26. The outrigger pontoons26are mounted on both sides of the forward raft section24outboard a forward portion of the forward raft section24. The outrigger pontoons26perform important functions. The outrigger pontoons26advantageously distribute weight of the rescue craft10while on the ice. The outrigger pontoons26also advantageously minimize lateral rocking during loading and unloading of rescue personnel, and provide stability while loading victims from water to the rescue craft10. Finally, the outrigger pontoons26stabilize the rescue craft10and minimize rocking while on water, thereby enabling the operator to stand on the rescue craft10and attend to victims. The outrigger pontoons26each have an axis a5that extends fore and aft parallel to the overall fore-aft axis a2of the rescue craft10. In one non-limiting embodiment the pontoons26are about four feet long, about six inches wide, and about six inches tall. Front and rear surfaces120and122of the pontoons26may be beveled if desired, such as around 45 degrees or any angle as desired, in order to help prevent buildup of debris under the pontoons26. The outrigger pontoons26suitably are mounted on hinged arms124that lock into place by sliding a spring-activated tube126over a nylon hinge point128.

The body of the forward raft section24suitably is constructed of a lightweight, strong material that helps impart positive buoyancy to the rescue craft10. Given by way of non-limiting example, the body of the forward raft section24may be constructed of 2.2 closed cell poly-foam or the like. In order to increase resistance of the forward raft section24to damage from ice, land, debris, sharp objects, and the like, and to prevent the foam from becoming water-logged, the foam suitably is covered with a liner, such as a sprayed-on bed liner used in truck bed applications.

Referring now toFIGS. 5,6, and9, a quick release locking system130locks the drive unit14into the forward portion118of the forward raft section24. A lock pin plate132that defines a hole133is mounted to a top surface134of the forward portion118of the forward raft section24. A lock case136(shown in phantom) with a lock pin fork138is provided beneath the lock pin plate132. A spring-loaded lock handle rod140extends from a side of the forward raft section24toward the lock pin fork138. A handle142is attached to an end of the lock handle rod140. The lock handle rod140is extracted to permit the lock pin46(FIG. 6) to be inserted down into the lock case136. The lock handle rod140is released and held in place by a spring144, thereby retaining the lock pin46(FIG. 6) in the lock fork138.

Referring now toFIGS. 5 and 10, spherical protrusions146, like balls such as without limitation tennis balls, protrude from an after portion148of the forward raft section24. The spherical protrusions146are rotatably receivable in concave, spherical female receptacles150that are defined in a forward portion152of the aft raft section28.

Referring now toFIGS. 1–3and10, the aft raft section28includes the pair of rudders30. The rudders30act as keels when the ice rescue craft10is in water. This keel-like effect permits the ice rescue craft10to be steered by turning the drive unit14with the handle42. Each rudder30is mounted to the nylon plate32in a pivoting, biased manner. Each rudder defines a hole154and each plate32defines a hole156. A fastener158is received in the holes154and156and is secured with nuts160. The fastener158therefore acts as a pivot point about which the rudder30may pivot. Biasing members162, such as springs; are attached to the plate32and the rudder30. As a result, the rudder30automatically activates downwardly due to biasing of the biasing member162when the ice rescue craft10is in water. Conversely, the rudder30automatically folds upwardly about the pivot point (that is, the fastener158) when the ice rescue craft10is on ice or land.

Stabilizer bars164, or raft locking poles, enclose a periphery of the forward and aft raft sections24and28. The locking poles164have two functions. First, the locking poles164prevent the forward and aft raft sections24and28from folding up or down during operation. Second, the locking poles164extend a portion of a hand rail from forward to aft of the rescue craft10.

Referring additionally toFIG. 5, a the forward portion152of the aft raft section28defines a hinge point having the receptacles150that are sized and spaced to mate with the protrusions146provided at the hinge point on the after portion148of the forward raft section24. When the forward and after raft sections24and28are folded out to their in-use position and deployed, the protrusions146are matingly received within the receptacles150. This configuration helps ensure that the forward and aft raft sections24and28do not shift when the raft locking poles164are fastened.

The aft raft section28suitably is made of the same materials and has the same sprayed-on liner as the forward raft section24.

Referring now toFIGS. 1–5and10, a pair of wheels166is provided on the aft raft section28. The wheels166advantageously provide for ease of transport and assembly for use.

Referring now toFIGS. 1–5, transport and assembly of the rescue will now be explained. The drive unit14rests on top of the rescue craft10when the rescue craft10is folded for transport. A strap (not shown) holds the drive unit14to the rest of the rescue craft10when folded. The strap is released, and the drive unit14is lifted off the rescue craft10and positioned in front of the rescue craft10. While the rescue craft10is still folded, the rescue craft10is stood on the forward portion118of the forward raft section24. The aft raft section28is pulled out, thereby pulling apart the rescue craft10. The stabilizer bars164are clipped to eye bolts (not shown) on the aft raft section28. Pole locks (not shown) are twisted, thereby securing the stabilizer bars164.

The drive unit14is attached as follows. The drive unit14is rolled back to the rescue craft10. The lock pin46(FIG. 6) is placed in the hole133(FIG. 9) in the lock pin plate132(FIG. 9). The lock handle rod140(FIG. 9) is pulled, thereby allowing the lock pin46to drop into the lock fork138(FIG. 9). The lock handle rod140is released, thereby locking the lock pin46in the lock fork138and, as a result, locking the drive unit14to the rest of the rescue craft10.

The outrigger pontoons26are pushed out and away from the sides of the forward raft section24. The outrigger pontoons26automatically lock in the down position. The rescue craft10is now ready for use. An operator167(shown in phantom inFIG. 1) kneels with his or her shins on a deck on top of the forward raft section24while sitting upon a seat169(FIG. 1). The operator167steers the rescue craft10with the handle42and operates any installed control and safety electronics via the control panel39(FIG. 2).

Referring now toFIG. 11, an optional winch168may be attached to the axle77(FIG. 7A), if desired. In this embodiment, the axle77extends a sufficient amount outboard the rescue craft10, such as without limitation by around ten inches or so. Advantageously, the winch168may be used to pull a victim to the rescue craft10in the event the rescue craft10is unable to safely arrive at a victim's location. The winch168may be used with the rescue craft10configured for use or configured for transport. The winch168includes a fixed axle gear170, a hub gear172, a rescue line spindle174, and an axle spring176. The fixed axle gear170includes a collar178with a set screw180protruding therethrough. Teeth182of the fixed axle gear170are cut into a face of the gear170from a perimeter of the gear170toward a centered hole184. In one non-limiting example, the teeth182are cut at an angle of around 22½ degrees, but the teeth182may be cut at any desired angle. The hub gear172also defines teeth186that are cut at the same angle as the teeth182. The fixed axle gear170is slid onto the axle77such that the teeth182face away from the rescue craft10. The set screw180is tightened, thereby securing the fixed axle gear170to the axle77. The hub gear172and the rescue line spindle174define centered holes188and190, respectively. The hub gear172and the rescue line spindle are attached to each other in any desired manner, such as by welding or by use of fasteners (not shown) such as bolts that are inserted through holes192, such that the teeth186face away from the rescue line spindle174. The hub gear172and the rescue line spindle174are placed onto the axle77such that the teeth186can engage the teeth182. The rescue line spindle174suitably is a basic line spool for housing rescue line. The spring176is placed onto the axle77and is held in place with an end lock nut194.

Because the gears170and172are placed face-to-face such that the teeth182engage the teeth186, the gears170and172only turn and lock together in one direction. Turning the gears170and172in the other direction allows the faces of the gears170and172to push themselves apart, thereby permitting the gears170and172to turn independently. Biasing or urging by the spring176along with mating of the teeth182and186allow the gears170and172to turn in their lock position by way of pressure against the gear faces when the axle77is turned n one direction. The action of the spring176and the mating of the teeth182and186also permits the gears170and172to push away from each other and turn independently when they are turned in the opposite direction.

When the rescue craft10is set up on ground, the winch168can be used by raising the drive wheel16(FIGS. 1–3) off the ground and turning the drive wheel with the electric motor as described above. The drive wheel16can be raised off the ground in any acceptable manner. In one exemplary embodiment, the pontoons50(FIG. 6) can be fitted with extended mounting tubes that cause the drive wheel16to be raised off the ground when the pontoons50are locked in an extended position. Alternately, the winch168can be used when the rescue craft10is folded and strapped together for transport (seeFIGS. 4 and 5). For example, the rescue craft10can be placed in a vehicle bed or on a trailer. The vehicle or trailer can be driven or otherwise moved to a desired location and the drive wheel16can be actuated to operate the winch168as described above. Advantageously, given by way of non-limiting examples, an operator can back up a vehicle or trailer to water, ice, a cliff, a ravine, or the like, and pull or lift a victim from the elements to safety.