Abstract:
An emergency rescue device and system are provided comprising a plurality of reflective emergency rescue strands. The plurality of reflective strands are housed within a canister. An activation element deploys the reflective strands away from the user in a multi-directional pattern. In the case of an avalanche victim, the reflective strands enable immediate visual identification of the general location of the victim. A rescuer may then pull on one of the exposed strands to exactly locate the victim. The reflective strands may be ejected away from the user in a number of ways to include activation of a combustible propellant, an explosive charge, or compressed source of gas integrated within the canister. Alternatively, a plurality of compressed springs within the canister may be used to eject the reflective strands, or the user may manually deploy the strands.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to methods and devices for locating persons in order that they may be rescued, and more particularly, to a device and method including an integrated emergency rescue line and reflective locator that serve to visually locate the area of a person to be rescued. For avalanche victims who may be buried in snow, the rescue line feature allows a rescuer to locate the exact location of the victim. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   In recent years, backcountry skiing and snowboarding has become increasingly popular. Cross-country skiing has also increased in popularity, such that there are a greater number of outdoor enthusiasts who traverse the backcountry during the winter and spring when snow covers the high country. Avalanches have always posed an extremely dangerous threat to back country enthusiasts. Unfortunately an increasing number of avalanche victims occur each year. An avalanche victim who is buried in snow can die very quickly if the avalanche victim is not rescued; suffocation coupled with cardiac arrest being one of the primary causes of death. While rescue units continue to improve in their ability to rapidly respond to an avalanche disaster, many avalanche victims cannot be saved since suffocation can occur within minutes of the avalanche. 
   There are a number of rescue devices in existence that are intended to provide a means to locate an avalanche victim. For example, electronic locating systems are well known and widely used for skiers, snowmobilers, and the military. One known system includes the use of a radio transceiver unit that continually operates in a transmitting mode. In the event of an avalanche, the buried victim has the transmitting unit that continues to transmit the signal. Others in the group and/or rescuers who also have the system are able to switch their units to a receiving mode and therefore attempt to locate the buried victim by observing variations in the received signal strength. This type of system has some advantages; however, because of the non-directional signal that is transmitted by the victim&#39;s unit, it is still necessary for the rescuers to first generally locate the location of the increased signal strength, and then begin a wide digging pattern in order to find the victim. The time it takes to dig in a wide area prevents timely location and extraction of the victim. 
   One apparatus for locating avalanche victims making use of a radio transceiver system includes the invention disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,484,021. In this reference, the traditional non-directional signal is improved by the use of directional antennas that provide a rescuer with a three-dimensional vector analysis capability thereby providing a better means for locating the location of the transmitting unit. 
   Another type of avalanche rescue or locating device includes the invention disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,270,386. In this reference, an avalanche life jacket having an airbag inflatable via a gas release system is provided. Upon actuation, the life jacket quickly inflates to surround at least the back and sides of the user&#39;s head to thereby provide physical protection around the user&#39;s head, and thereby creating at least some air space to help prevent suffocation of the user from being buried in the snow. 
   Another avalanche life saving system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,220,909, which also includes an inflatable balloon design in which the inflated balloon supports and protects the user. 
   Yet another type of avalanche rescue system includes an avalanche rescue marker system disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,114,561. This reference discloses the use of an inflatable marker or balloon secured to the user which is quickly inflated by a trigger assembly. When activated, the balloon inflates and rises into the air, thereby marking the location of the avalanche victim. 
   While the foregoing devices and methods may be adequate for their intended purpose, there is still a need for an avalanche victim marking and rescue system that is effective, and can easily locate the exact position of the avalanche victim such that a quick rescue can take place. 
   Therefore, it is one object of the present invention to provide an emergency rescue device and method wherein the person to be rescued can be easily located by visual means. It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an emergency rescue device and method wherein the exact physical location of the victim may be quickly identified by the use of a rescue line that is attached to the victim. It is another object of the present invention to provide a rescue device and method wherein the device may be activated either automatically or manually. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In a first embodiment of the present invention, the invention comprises an emergency rescue device having a canister that houses a plurality of reflective strands or ribbons. A strap is used to secure the rescue device to the user. When the device is activated, the strands are ejected away from the user in a multi-directional pattern. The strands are preferably made of a highly reflective material, such as MYLAR®, and the strands are preferably of a length such that at least some of the strands will be visible in the event the user is an avalanche victim buried in the snow. For example in a first embodiment, the strands could be approximately between 20 and 40 feet long and when the device is activated, the strands are deployed in multiple directions around the user. 
   In order to provide enough force to sufficiently eject the strands from the canister, a combustible propellant or an explosive charge may be used thereby providing adequate motive force to deploy the strands and spread the strands in a multi-directional pattern away from the user. A percussion cap can be used to trigger the igniting of the propellant or explosive charge. 
   In another embodiment of the present invention, in lieu of an explosive charge or combustible propellant, the strands may be deployed by pressurized gas emitted from a gas cylinder that holds a quantity of compressed gas. 
   In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the canister may include a plurality of coiled springs, and removing a lid of the canister allows the springs to expand and eject the strands in the multi-directional pattern away from the user. 
   In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the user may manually deploy the strands by holding distal ends of the group of strands and throwing the strands away from the user&#39;s body. In this embodiment, the distal ends of the strands may be weighted, such as by attached ball bearings. The user may selectively deploy one or all of the strands by throwing the strands away from the user&#39;s body. 
   With respect to avalanche victims, the reflective strands provide an immediate visual indication of the general area in which the victim can be found. Once a rescuer finds one of the strands, the rescuer may tug on the strand(s) that will directly point the rescuer to the direction in which the victim is found. 
   For personnel who need to be rescued, but who may not be an avalanche victim, the reflective strands create a reflective pattern that may be easily seen from aircraft, as well as rescuers on the ground. 
   Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a review of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is an enlarged cross section of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is another cross section, illustrating the device after it has been activated; 
       FIG. 4  is an enlarged cross section of another embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 5  is a cross section of the embodiment of  FIG. 4  after it has been activated; 
       FIG. 6  is an enlarged cross section of yet another embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 7  is a cross sectional view of the embodiment of  FIG. 6  showing it after it has been activated; 
       FIG. 8  illustrates the device of the present invention after it has been activated, the device being worn by a skier; 
       FIG. 9  illustrates the device of the present invention after it has been activated in an avalanche event wherein at least some of the reflective strands remain exposed above the surface of the snow; 
       FIG. 10  illustrates yet another embodiment of the present invention that is manually activated by a user. 
       FIG. 11  illustrates another preferred embodiment of the present invention including a pair of rescue devices, one being shown mounted to an armband, and the other shown in an exploded and partial cross section; 
       FIG. 12  illustrates the embodiment of  FIG. 11  showing activation by the user; 
       FIG. 13  illustrates a rescuer attempting to locate the victim by securing and pulling on an exposed reflective strand; 
       FIG. 14  illustrates a roll of reflective strand material; 
       FIG. 15  illustrates a dispensing unit used to manually dispense a selected length of the reflective strand from the roll; and 
       FIG. 16  illustrates selected lengths of reflective strands that have been deployed by a user. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate an emergency rescue device  10  in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. The rescue device  10  may be secured to the user, such as by strap  12  and adjustable buckle  14 . A pair of rivets  16  secure canister  20  to the strap  12 . The rescue device may be worn by the rescuer on the upper arm, or may be secured to the user&#39;s equipment, such as a backpack worn by the user. 
   The canister  20  houses a plurality of reflective strands or ribbons  30  as shown in the cross-section in  FIG. 2 . The strands  30  each have a proximal end  29  that is secured to a base material  28  within the canister. The base material can be, for example, a resin or glue that secures the proximal ends of the strands  30  to the bottom surface of the canister. A propellant  26  is housed in the canister and provides the motive force for ejecting the strands away from the canister. The term “propellant” as generically referred to herein is intended to cover a combustible propellant, explosive charge, compressed gas, or other means to create an over-pressure environment inside the canister thereby forcibly removing the lid  22  and ejecting the reflective strands. An activation element, such as a percussion cap  24 , is provided to activate the propellant/explosive charge. Upon activation, the lid  22  as shown in  FIG. 3  is blown away from the canister and the strands  30  are deployed in a multi-directional pattern away from the canister. 
   One particularly advantageous material that may be used for the strands  30  of the present invention includes nylon ribbon that is coated with a MYLAR ® reflective film sheeting. Alternatively, the strands may be made purely of MYLAR ® material. With respect to use of the invention for rescue of avalanche victims, it is advantageous to provide the strands in a type of material that allows rescuers to pull on the strands without breakage. Therefore, the use of a nylon and MYLAR ® combination may be suited for this particular use. 
     FIG. 4  illustrates another embodiment of the present invention in which the force provided to deploy the strands is a gas cylinder  40 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the gas cylinder  40  is disposed within the canister  20 , and an activation button or plunger  42  is used to puncture a seal in the cylinder. A protective cover (not shown) may be placed over the plunger  42  to prevent inadvertent activation when the device is not in use. Once the cylinder seal has been broken, gas quickly evacuates from the cylinder, thereby creating an over-pressure within the canister, and ultimately causing the lid  22  to be blown away from the canister. 
   A thin rupturable wall  44  may be provided in the canister to separate the cylinder from the plurality of strands  30 . Upon activation of the cylinder, the wall  44  ruptures thereby enabling the over-pressure gas to fill the canister. Alternatively, it is also contemplated that the actual cylinder  40  could rupture, thereby providing more of an explosive reaction within the canister to cause removal of the lid and deployment of the strands. As shown in  FIG. 5 , the strands  30  deploy in the multi-directional pattern away from the canister. 
     FIGS. 6 and 7  illustrate yet another embodiment of the present invention. In  FIG. 6 , a plurality of strands  30  and a plurality of deployment springs  56  are housed in the container. Each of the strands  30  have their proximal ends  29  secured to the base material  28 . The strands have their opposite ends secured to the springs  56 . A lid lock  54  is provided to keep the lid  22  attached to the canister. A user activates the device by pulling on the pull ring  50 , which in turn causes the rip cord  52  to release the lid lock  54 . Upon release of the lid lock, the lid  22  separates from the canister  20  and the springs  56  that are compressed with the canister expand, thereby ejecting the strands  30  from the canister in the multi-directional pattern away from the user. 
     FIG. 8  illustrates use of the rescue device wherein a skier S has deployed the device in response to an impending avalanche. As shown, the strands  30  have been ejected away from the skier in a multi-directional pattern. 
     FIG. 9  illustrates the unfortunate situation in which the skier S has been buried by the avalanche and rescuers R are on scene in an attempt to rescue the victim. As shown, a few of the strands  30  are visible on the upper surface of the avalanche area A. In order to locate the victim, a rescuer R simply grasps one of the exposed strands, and then follows the strand to the exact location of the victim. As necessary, the rescuer digs the victim from the snow that covers the victim. 
     FIG. 10  illustrates yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a user may manually disperse the strands  30  by throwing the strands in a desired pattern. Each of the strands has a weight  64  secured to the distal ends of the strands. The proximal ends of the strands may be secured to a base  62 , and the base  62  may be secured to the user&#39;s clothing or equipment. In the example of  FIG. 10  the base  62  is secured to a chest strap of the user. The user may choose to throw all, or only some of the weights  64  in order to deploy the strands away from the user. In the event the user wishes to be found, the user could selectively throw each one of the strands in a selective pattern about the user. For example, the user could attempt to throw the weighted strands so that some of the strands loop over an adjacent tree T or bush, thereby providing an exposed reflective strand that may be more easily seen by search aircraft. 
   After one or more of the strands have been deployed, the user then may separate the proximal end  29  from the base  62 . One example of a material that can be used as the weight  64  includes appropriately sized ball bearings that can be easily grasped and thrown by the user. 
     FIG. 11  illustrates another preferred embodiment of the present invention. In  FIG. 11 , a pair of rescue devices  80  may be worn by the user by use of an armband  70 . The armband includes a strap  72  and hook and pile material  74  at the ends of the strap enabling the user to adjust and secure the strap, such as to the user&#39;s arm. Mounting sleeves  76  are incorporated on the exposed exterior side of the armband  72  in order to receive and hold the rescue devices  80 . 
   The rescue devices  80  in this embodiment each include a canister  82  that houses a removable base  86 . A plurality of retaining wires  88  are secured to the base  86 , and include hooked ends  90 . A plurality of reflective strands  92  each have proximal ends secured to the hooked ends  90 . The reflective strands  92  are tightly packed together and are secured between the lid  84  and the hooked ends  90 . End  96  of the rescue device  80  may be threaded and a central opening  97  receives an explosive cartridge  100 . The explosive cartridge  100  also extends through opening  98  in the removable base  86 . An activation element  104  is used to activate the explosive cartridge  100 . The element  104  includes an end cap  106  that is threaded over ends  96 . An opening  108  in the end cap  106  aligns with an activation cap  102  on the explosive cartridge  100 . An activation arm  110  is secured to the end cap  106 . A hammer  114  is positioned so that it may contact the cap  102  when the user pulls the lanyard  112  which is attached to the free end of the activation arm  110 . Referring also to  FIG. 12 , when the user desires to activate the device, a sharp tug or pull is made on the lanyard  112  causing the hammer  114  to strike the cap  102 . The cap ignites the explosive material in the cartridge. Upon activation of the explosive cartridge  100 , the reflective strands  92  are ejected away from the user in the multi-directional pattern. Optionally, the distal ends of the reflective strands  92  may include weights  94  that assist in guiding and maintaining the strands in the multi-directional pattern during ejection. 
     FIG. 13  illustrates a rescuer making an attempt to rescue a victim wherein one or more of the strands  30 / 92  have been ejected away from the user. As shown, the rescuer grasps one of the strands and then pulls the strand, thus providing the direction towards the location of the victim. 
     FIG. 14  illustrates another embodiment of the present invention in the form of a tightly wound ball  120  of reflective strand material  30 / 92 . As shown in  FIG. 15 , the reflective strand may be dispensed from a dispensing unit  122 . The dispensing unit  122  includes an opening allowing the free end of the material to be grasped by the user, and a cutting edge  124  placed adjacent to the opening allows the user to separate a selected length of the material to be used. 
   As shown in  FIG. 16 , a user has placed the reflective strand material in a desired orientation around vegetation where the user is located. As discussed above, the reflective nature of the strand material is highly effective for overhead visual observation. 
   There are many clear advantages to the device and method of the present invention as more fully set forth above. A simple, yet effective device provides visual identification of a person to be rescued, and also provides rescuers of avalanche victims a physical connection to the exact location of the victim thereby speeding rescue efforts. 
   While the foregoing invention has been disclosed with reference to various preferred embodiments, it shall be understood that various changes and modifications to the invention can be made within the spirit and scope of the present invention, in accordance with the scope of the claims appended hereto.