Abstract:
A wearable locating and/or recovery assembly having a body containing a portable battery, an on/off switch communicating the battery with a processor control, and at least one additional switch for actuating, selectively or in combination, at least one overt light and at least one infrared light arranged at discrete locations upon the body. The body exhibits a raised and arcuate central battery supporting portion and first and second opposite extending and tapered wings. An over molded underside gripping surface is applied to facilitate mounting the body upon a hard non-linear surface not limited to a helmet.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims the priority of U.S. Ser. No. 61/580,758 filed Dec. 28, 2011. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present application discloses a multi-functional locating/warning/sensing assembly incorporating a number of relative variants. A most basic initial variant incorporates an arrangement of overt and infrared lights for assisting in retrieval such as ideally used in both military and civilian search and rescue applications. Succeeding and upgraded variants include additional features such as a personal recovery beacon feature, shortwave/long wave infrared sensors, and FFI (biological) and EFI (oxygen) sensors. As will be further described throughout the succeeding views, the assembly is constructed of a durable polymeric and waterproof material which exhibits a ductile base material amenable for attaching to such as a helmet, as well as additional variants for clipping, pinning or otherwise securing to an article of clothing through any combination of Velcro, straps, clips, etc. Variants can include combinations of the afore described visible and infrared lights arranged along an exterior of the article, with the integrated beacon recovery features including, without limitation, thermal or infrared detection features such as which can be activated in response to a signal originating from a search and rescue craft (plane, boat, land vehicle, etc.). 
     BACKGROUND OF THE RELEVANT ART 
     The prior art is documented with examples of distress and search and recovery devices. Such devices can be secured to or wearable up the helmet or clothing of the user and include such as the S&amp;S Precision Manta Strobe (precision advanced illumination and marking systems), the VIP Infrared Strobe, and the ACR MS-2000(M) Distress Marker Light. Additional examples from the prior art include such as the location recording system of Katz 2008/01784484, the illuminating device and method of Swan 2010/0128470, and the GPS enabled EPIRB with integrated receiver in 2009/0209227. 
     SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     The present invention is a wearable locating and/or recovery assembly having a body containing a portable battery, an on/off switch communicating the battery with a processor control, and at least one additional switch for actuating, selectively or in combination, at least one overt light and at least one infrared light arranged at discrete locations upon the body. In one variant, the body exhibits a raised and arcuate central battery supporting portion and first and second opposite extending and tapered wings. An over molded underside gripping surface is applied to facilitate mounting the body upon a hard non-linear surface not limited to a helmet. 
     Additional features include a strap extending from an integral location of the body and engaging an underside location thereof. Hook and loop fasteners can be associated with the strap and underside location. 
     In one non-limiting variant, at least one pair of each of overt and infrared lights can be located on upper surfaces of the wings. A personal recovery beacon feature can also be integrated into the device and communicated with the battery, such as activated by a separate switch. 
     Additional features of the recovery beacon further include the provision of thermal sensor capabilities. At least one shortwave infrared light can be communicated via a control module and switch with the battery. At least one long wave infrared can also be communicated via a control module and switch with the battery in parallel with the shortwave light. 
     Other features include provision of at least one FFI sensor capable of detecting any one or more of a chemical, atomic, or toxic compound. Additionally contemplated are at least one EFI sensor for evaluating surrounding oxygen conditions. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Reference will now be made to the attached drawings, when read in combination with the following detailed description, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the emergency locating assembly according to one non-limiting embodiment of the present inventions; 
         FIG. 2  is a further rotated perspective view of the assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the assembly and illustrating internal components such as the battery and processor supporting circuit boards for operating the various IR and visible light displays; 
         FIG. 4  is a top assembly view of the assembly; 
         FIG. 5  is a first end view; 
         FIG. 6  is a side view; 
         FIG. 7  is a cutaway view taken along line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a cutaway view taken along line  8 - 8  of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a cutaway view taken along line  9 - 9  of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 10  is an underside perspective of the assembly and depicting one variation of a an underside exhibiting either of a tactile or releasably engageable surface and being configured for conforming to a mounting surface; 
         FIG. 11  is a variation of  FIG. 10  and further illustrating an attachable loop with optional hook and loop fasteners extending from an integral mounting location associated with a connecting edge portion of the assembly base; 
         FIG. 12  is a succeeding view to  FIG. 11  and depicting the loop portion attached to the underside of the assembly body; 
         FIG. 13  is a partially exploded view illustrating the battery cap removed from the main assembly body and suspended from the cap tether; 
         FIG. 14  is a first diagram illustrating the various assembly components such as illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 15  is an assembly view similar to  FIG. 1  and illustrating a modified variant of the assembly including, in interior phantom representation, both rechargeable battery and personal recovery beacon features; 
         FIG. 16  is a rotated perspective of the assembly in  FIG. 15 ; 
         FIG. 17  is a modified second diagram compared to that shown in  FIG. 14  and illustrating the rechargeable battery feature in combination with a personal recovery beacon component associated with the variant of  FIGS. 15-16 ; 
         FIGS. 18 and 19  are successive assembly perspectives similar to that depicted in  FIGS. 15-16  and illustrating a further modified variant based on the design of  FIGS. 15-17  and additionally including a pair of shortwave infrared light features; 
         FIG. 20  illustrates a third diagram of the features corresponding to  FIGS. 18-19 ; 
         FIGS. 21 and 22  are successive assembly perspectives of a fourth variant based on the design of  FIGS. 18-20  and including both short and long wave infrared wave light features; 
         FIG. 23  is a fourth diagram of the features corresponding to  FIGS. 21-22 ; 
         FIGS. 24 and 25  are successive assembly perspectives of a fifth variant based on the design of  FIGS. 21-23  and adding to the previously described rechargeable battery feature both FFI (biological warfare) and EFI (oxygen) sensors; 
         FIG. 26  is a fifth diagram of the features corresponding to  FIGS. 23-25 ; 
         FIG. 27  is a perspective view of a further variant of a wearable emergency locating device exhibiting a top located sensor in addition to the wing arrayed patterns of overt and IR lights; 
         FIG. 28  is a rotated perspective view of the device of  FIG. 27 ; and 
         FIGS. 29-32  illustrate a succession of end, top, perspective and side views of the device of  FIG. 27  mounted atop a helmet. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     As previously described, the present application discloses several variations or gradations of a multi-functional locating/warning/sensing assembly, such as for use by both military and civilian (e.g. fire/marine rescue). As will be described throughout the succeeding illustrations, a basic (or floor) variant (see assembly  10  generally identified in  FIG. 1 ) provides a typically ergonomically configured body having a suitable configuration with a central most and arcuate three dimensional body  12  with flared sides or wings  14  and  16  (such as for mounting to a helmet as depicted in the non-limited illustrations provided herein and represented in succeeding illustrations  FIGS. 32-37 . 
     The body is constructed of a durable polymeric and waterproof material which exhibits a ductile base material (such as including the extending and tapering undersides of the wings  14  and  16 ), and which is amenable for attaching to such as the helmet shown in  FIGS. 32 ,  33 ,  36  and  37 . Although not shown, additional variants contemplate any of clipping, pinning or otherwise securing of the assembly (such as but not limited to the design depicted above) to an article of clothing through any combination of Velcro, straps, clips, etc. 
     As will be further described, other variants of the assembly can include combinations of the afore described visible and infrared lights arranged along an exterior of the article, with the integrated beacon recovery features including, without limitation, thermal or infrared detection features such as which can be activated in response to a signal originating from a search and rescue craft (plane, boat, land vehicle, etc.). The above, in combination with the arrangement of overt and infrared lights, assist in personnel retrieval such as ideally used in both military and civilian search and rescue applications. 
     As will be further described in the succeeding and upgraded variants, additional features such as a personal recovery beacon, shortwave/long wave infrared sensors, and FFI (biological) and EFI (oxygen) sensors can be integrated into the assembly package in order to provide any combination of functionality based upon the desired application. By non-limiting example, certain features such as the varied types of IR (infrared) lights depicted, may be more specific to military applications where a consideration is in locating lost personnel without unnecessarily revealing their position to enemy forces, whereas more visible type locating features (strobes, beacons, etc.) may be more applicable to civilian search and rescue operations where enemy avoidance is not a concern. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a perspective view is again depicted at  10  of the emergency locating assembly according to one non-limiting embodiment of the present inventions. As previously described, the body can exhibit any desired configuration and, with reference to that depicted, is configured with an arcuate and sleek profile upper surface exhibiting a substantial bat shape with the central body  12  being substantially cylindrical shaped with an open interior (see  FIG. 13 ) suitable for seating a battery (see alkaline style battery shown at  18  in  FIG. 3 ) which seats within an interior cylindrical recess defined in the central body. 
     As further shown in  FIG. 3 , the battery  18  is held within the central body  12  by a screw cap  20  held in place by a cap tether  22  extending from a mounting location of the body  12  ( FIG. 13 ) and biasing an O-ring  24  in order to provide a water tight seal over the battery compartment when screwed into place. An on/off switch is configured on an opposite end of the central body  12  and includes a second identical O-ring  26  seating against an end face of the central body  12  opposite that of the first O-ring  24  and through which projects an ON/Off button  28 , held in place by a button retainer  30  including an inner annular projection seating within the cylindrical recess and so that the inside end face of the retainer  30  biases the O-ring  26  against the central body  12  in likewise water tight fashion. 
     As is further depicted throughout  FIGS. 1-14 , the initial variant includes an arrangement of lighting elements incorporated into upper exhibiting faces of the wings  14  and  16 , these including outer pairs of overt lights  32  and  34  (such as LED elements or the like), combined with inner pairs of infrared lights  36  and  38 . Each of the four pairs of lights depicted seat within individual pluralities of aperture locations  40  and  42  arranged at locations associated with the upper faces of the wings  14  and  16  (see again  FIG. 3 ). 
     Additional features include push buttons  44  and  46  which seat within additional configured recesses  48  and  50  positioned at inward locations of the wings  14  and  16  proximate the raised central body  12 . Finally, a pair of processor supporting circuit boards or cards are depicted at  52  and  54  and which are installed within the interior of the body  10  such that they provide selective or combination activation of the overt and/or infrared pairs of lights, such as which can be associated with a two position arrangement incorporated within the ON/OFF switch  28 . 
     While not shown, it is understood that a suitable wiring hierarchy or interior architecture is integrated into the assembly to facilitate its operation, including actuation of the overt and infrared light pairs, individually or in tandem (further reference is made to the wiring diagram of  FIG. 14  which identifies in schematic fashion the various components most broadly depicted in the exploded view of  FIG. 3 ). Further shown in  FIG. 10  is an underside perspective of the assembly and depicting one variation of an underside exhibiting either of a tactile or releasably engageable surface  56  and being configured for conforming to a mounting surface.  FIG. 11  is a variation of  FIG. 10  and further illustrating an attachable loop  58  with optional hook and loop fasteners  59  (e.g. Velcro) extending from an integral mounting location (see eyelet  60 ) associated with a connecting edge portion of the assembly base and which can attach to an additional hook and loop fastener portion (not shown) at any suitable location associated with the device, the wearer&#39;s helmet, or any other location such as associated with the wearer&#39;s clothing.  FIG. 12  is a succeeding view to  FIG. 11  and depicting the loop portion  59  attached to the underside of the assembly body in one non-limiting application. 
       FIGS. 15-17  illustrate a first modified assembly, at  62 , similar to  FIG. 1  and which represents substantially all of the same functionality as provided in the initial variant such that all identical features previously referenced in  FIGS. 1-14  are not repetitively described (it being further understood that the pairs of infrared and overt lights illustrated in  FIGS. 15-16  are moved inward towards the central body as also previously depicted at  32 ,  34 ,  36  and  38  in  FIG. 1 . As is further shown, each of the package assemblies depicted in the succeeding embodiments include a somewhat larger assembly of similar shape to that depicted at  10  in  FIG. 1 , such as in order to integrate the additional functional components. The schematic of  FIG. 17 , in comparison to the initial variant schematic of  FIG. 14 , the second variant  62  additionally includes, in interior phantom representation, both a rechargeable battery  64  with additional ON/OFF switch  65  and personal recovery beacon  66  feature. As is further shown, the beacon includes a separate antenna  68  to maximize reception and, when actuated, is processor driven in order to either emit a search and rescue recovery signal and/or to respond to an output signal from a vehicle (plane, boat, land vehicle, etc) in order to assist the location and retrieval of the individual. 
     Proceeding to  FIGS. 18-20 , further depicted in succession assembly perspective and associated diagrammatic views of a further variant, at  70 , which is similar to that depicted in  FIGS. 15-16  and additionally including one or more pairs of shortwave infrared lights  72  and  74  supplied by a separate ON/Off switch  76  and communicated with the battery via a further dedicated control module  79  (see  FIG. 20 ). 
       FIGS. 21-23  collectively depict a further variant (at  78  in  FIGS. 20 and 21 ) based on that shown at  70  and adding long wave infrared lights, depicted by pair of lights  80  arranged opposite additional shortwave infrared lights  82 . A further ON/OFF switch  84  triggers activation of the long wave lights  80  (the preceding depicted switch  76  activating the shortwave infrared lights both in the preceding variant and again at  82 ). A further control module  86  is further depicted in phantom in  FIGS. 21-22  and controls operation of the long wave infrared lights  80  in communication with the central battery  18 . 
       FIGS. 24 and 25  are successive assembly perspectives  88  of a fifth variant based on the design of  FIGS. 21-23  and adding to the previously described rechargeable battery feature both FFI (biological warfare)  90  and EFI (oxygen)  92  evaluation sensors, both controlled by a further control module  94  mounted within the assembly package. As is further known, such biological warfare conditions can include any one or more of chemical, atomic and/or toxic compounds.  FIG. 26  is a fifth diagram of the features corresponding to  FIGS. 23-25  and aggregating all of the previously described features in addition to the FFI and EFI sensor functionality. 
       FIGS. 27 and 28  are a pair of perspective views of a further variant of a wearable emergency locating device substantially as originally described in  FIG. 1  and further exhibiting a top located sensor  96  in addition to the wing arrayed patterns of overt  32 ,  34  and IR  36 ,  38  lights. The top located sensor  96  can be of any desired variety selected from, but not limited to, those previously described. Additional  FIGS. 29-32  illustrate a succession of end, top, perspective and side views of the device of  FIG. 27  mounted atop a helmet  98  according to one non-limiting construction. 
     As previously described, a further thermal intermittent beacon feature can be integrated into the package assembly such as depicted in  FIGS. 15-17 . It is also envisioned that a variety of attachment configurations can be employed, such as again including Velcro (hook and loop fasteners) or other engagement portions for assisting in engaging the device to the wearer. The underside of the assembly base can again include a pliable over molded material to facilitate securing in a tactile/anti skid fashion further to such as a helmet or other rigid and/or arcuate surface. 
     Having described our invention, other and additional preferred embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains, without deviating from the scope of the appended claims.