Patent Publication Number: US-2012038179-A1

Title: Mechanical device for securing and pulling people in peril to safety

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not Applicable 
     FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH 
     Not Applicable 
     SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM 
     Not Applicable 
     BACKGROUND-FIELD OF INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a device that aids a person in the process of rescuing another person by mechanically securing him and pulling him to safety. 
     BACKGROUND-PRIOR ART 
     All swimming pools were designed and built for recreational purposes. They were made for people to have a good time. The only drawback is that every swimming pool, especially the ones with deep water, presents a danger to non-swimmers. It is advisable to swim only when there is a life guard on duty or to have someone who knows how to swim and trained in saving a person in distress close by. If this is not possible, a dangerous situation exists where both the person in distress and the person attempting the rescue can lose their lives. 
     Therefore, several types of devices were designed to assist a person in rescuing another individual who finds himself in a hazardous situation without exposing the rescuer to the same danger. These inventions partially solved the life threatening problem, but they leave a lot of the saving to be done by the person in peril. They all require the person in harms way to hang on to the device or to be in certain position in order to be helped by the device. It is also extremely difficult to extract a person from the water if the person has already gone underwater. 
     For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,106,726 to Dwyer (1963) generally discloses an elongated tubular body with a semicircular hook on one end to encircle the waist of a human to be pulled to safety. The device also floats, therefore, can be thrown in the direction of a person in peril to keep the person afloat and be pulled to safety. The advantages of this invention are obvious, but it has its limitations. The hook is large enough for an adult person, but it is too large for a small child. It also requires for the person to be rescued to grab and hang on to the hook in certain cases. If the person has already gone underwater it would be difficult for the individual to be brought to the surface due to the inability of the person to hang on to the hook. The floating ability of the pole will assist a person in staying afloat, but the pole will be difficult to handle if it is needed to retrieve a person who has already gone underwater due to its design to stay above the water. It is also difficult to pick up an unconscious person from the bottom of a swimming pool without having the person slip away from the hook. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,330,588 to Alfano (1967) generally discloses an implement that can be used by a person to pull another individual who has come in contact with an energized electric wire to safety without exposing himself to the same danger. The implement is in the form of a pair of grasping pincers made of insulating material. It is extremely useful while working around high voltage electrical wires in very hazardous areas. Unfortunately, they are not long enough to help an individual who finds himself in trouble beyond the reach of this invention. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,580,825 to Johnson discloses an elongated grappling mechanism with both ends of the invention having grappling hooks of different sizes and shapes. The different sized grappling hooks are to be used according to the size of the person in need of help, or to grasp different parts of the individual&#39;s body. The elongated body of the invention can be extended which makes it very useful, but it also requires the person in need of assistance to hang on to it in most cases. It can move an unconscious person around at the bottom of a swimming pool, but it is very difficult to pick him up with it. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with one embodiment, a device comprising a tubular elongated body with a set of curved talons large enough to grasp a human being at the front end. At the breech end are handles whereby people can manipulate the opening or closing of the curved talons. 
    
    
     
       DRAWING DESCRIPTIONS 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of the preferred embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  shows an exploded perspective view of the front end of the preferred embodiment. 
         FIG. 3A  shows the side view in cross section of the front end of the preferred embodiment with the talons in the open position. 
         FIG. 3B  shows the side view in cross section of the front end of the preferred embodiment with the talons in the closed position. 
         FIG. 3C  shows an enlarged view in cross section of the front locking mechanism of the preferred embodiment. 
         FIG. 3D  shows the side view in cross section of the talons in the unlocked position of the preferred embodiment. 
         FIG. 4A  shows an exploded perspective view of the breech end of the preferred embodiment. 
         FIG. 4B  shows the side view in cross section of the breech end of the preferred embodiment with talons in the open position. 
         FIG. 4C  shows an enlarged view of the rear locking mechanism of the preferred embodiment. 
         FIG. 5  shows a similar embodiment comprising a two piece flare. 
         FIG. 6  shows a perspective view of an alternate embodiment. 
         FIG. 7A  shows a side view in cross section of the rear end of an alternate embodiment. 
         FIG. 7B  shows a side view in cross section of the front end of an alternate embodiment. 
         FIG. 8  shows the side view of another embodiment showing talons with a different angle. 
         FIG. 9  shows a side view in cross section of still another embodiment with a different way of attaching the talons to the carriage. 
         FIG. 10  shows a different embodiment with angular talons. 
     
    
    
       
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                   
               
               
                 DRAWINGS-REFERENCE NUMERALS 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
            
               
                 11 body 
                 13A and B appendages, (talon-like) 
               
               
                 15 carriage 
                 17 extension, carriage 
               
               
                 16 body, breech 
                 18 flute, body, release latch 
               
               
                 19 fastener, talons to carriage 
                 21 lug, stop 
               
               
                 20 carriage hollow base 
                 22 sear, release latch 
               
               
                 23 spring, torsion, talons 
                 25 spring, coil carriage return 
               
               
                 27 retaining ring, annulus, spring 
                 29 latch, release when pushed 
               
               
                 31 fastener, pivot, release latch 
                 33 spring, coil, release latch 
               
               
                 35A and B handles multiple, body 
                 37A and B handles, multiple, 
               
               
                   
                 extension 
               
               
                 36 slit, on carriage for talons 
                 38 slot, carriage, for sear 
               
               
                 39 locking sleeve, grooved 
                 41 retainer, carriage extension 
               
               
                 43 latch, locking, on handle 
                 45 fastener, pivot, locking latch 
               
               
                 47 spring, coil, locking latch 
                 49 link, strap, side view 
               
               
                 51A and B opening, pivot, talons 
                 53 opening, pivot, release handle 
               
               
                 55 handle, single body 
                 57 bevel, release sear 
               
               
                 59 slot, extension, latch sear 
                 61 body, single handle 
               
               
                 63 handle, extension, no locks 
                 65 carriage/extension, one piece 
               
               
                 67 body, angled flare 
                 69 flared, front, angled 
               
               
                 71A and B talons, scissor type 
                 73A and B opening, pivot, scissor 
               
               
                   
                 talons 
               
               
                 75 fastener, pivot, scissor talons 
                 77A and B opening, talons to strap 
               
               
                   
                 link 
               
               
                 79A and B opening, strap link to 
                 81A and B fastener, talon, link 
               
               
                 carriage 
               
               
                 83 fastener, strap link to carriage 
                 85A and B opening, strap link to 
               
               
                   
                 talons 
               
               
                 87A and B talons, angled 
                 89 fastening screws, for flair cover 
               
               
                 91 opening, on carriage, to talons 
                 93 flanges, collar, on carriage 
               
               
                 95 flared front of body 
                 97 tip, conical, on carriage extension 
               
               
                 99 groove, extension, release latch 
                 101 cover, flair 
               
               
                 103 sear, locking latch 
                 105 opening, pivot, extension latch 
               
               
                 107 opening, pivot, lock latch 
                 109 slot, extension handle 
               
               
                 111 bevel, on locking sear 
                 113A and B strap link front view 
               
               
                 115 body, two piece 
                 117 latch, release when lifted 
               
               
                 119 body, configuous with talons 
                 121 breech end of carriage 
               
               
                 123 different body flare 
                 125 sleeve, guiding 
               
               
                 127 soft material coating talons 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FIGS.  1 ,  2 ,  3 A,  3 B,  3 C,  4 A,  4 B,  4 C 
     Referring now to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to the same or equivalent structure, all figures illustrate embodiments of a safety rescue device which are adapted for use in extracting a person from a dangerous area. 
     A preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The device includes a generally elongated tubular body  11  having a substantially longitudinal length and a predetermined diameter which houses the moving parts of the device. The front end is flared  95  away from body  11  in opposite directions at a predetermined angle and length. It also has a flute  18  on the side to allow longitudinal movement of release latch  29 . Breech end of body  16  is open with a plurality of handles attached to the side for the manipulation of the talons at the front end. 
     The front part of body  11  houses carriage  15  as shown in  FIG. 2 . All moving parts are in one way or another connected to carriage  15 . Carriage  15  is cylindrical shaped with a hollow base  20  large enough and deep enough for carriage extension  17  (which will be referred to as extension  17 ) to slide longitudinally inside. The front solid part of carriage  15  has a slit  36 , and two openings  91 A and  91 B perpendicular to slit  36 . A plurality of talon-like appendages  13 A and B (which will be referred to as talons) that have openings  51 A and B at the back ends align with openings on carriage  91 A and B, and are pivotally attached with fastener  19 . Talons are curved appendages large enough and strong enough to grasp and hold an adult human being. They can also have a soft material  127  adhered to the inside ends to prevent injury to people being rescued. ( FIG. 2 ) They are disposed in front of the mechanism facing each other curving inwards. Flair  95  has a lug  21  perpendicularly displaced between the talons  13 A and B to limit the forward axial movement of carrier  15  as shown in  FIG. 3A . A torsion spring  23  ( FIG. 2 ) is located between talons  13 A and B circling fastener  19  urges them to the open position. Carriage  15  also has a pair of parallel spaced apart flanges  93  radially projecting from carriage  15  which allow the release latch tab  29  disposed within the clearance of flanges  93  free movement as it is pivotally displaced about a fastener  31  that passes through aligned openings on both spaced apart flanges  93  and release latch tab  29 . Release latch  29  has a sear  22  with a beveled edge  57  extending through a slot  38  on carriage  15  into its hollow base  20 . ( FIGS. 2 ,  3 A, B, C) A coiled spring  33  urges release latch  29  to the latched position. Carriage  15  is being urged forward by a coiled spring  25  displaced longitudinally around extension  17 . Coiled spring  25  is being held in place by annulus retainer  27  which is attached to the inside of body  11 . Extension  17  is tubular shaped with a solid front end, a conical shaped tip  97  and a groove  99  disposed around its axis behind the conical tip  97 .  FIG. 3C   
     The front of extension  17  slides inside hollow base  20  of carriage  15 . ( FIGS. 3A , B, C) Extension  17  is located along the center of body  11  supported by carriage  15  in front and a grooved sleeve  39  at breech end  16  as shown in  FIG. 4A  and  FIG. 4B . Sleeve  39 , which has a series of circular grooves along its axes on the inside, is attached to the back end of body  16  shown in  FIGS. 4B and 4C . Extension  17  passes through grooved sleeve  39  before exiting the rear of body  16 . The exposed part of extension  17  has a plurality of radially attached handles  37 A and B that allow the manipulation of extension  17  along its axis. Extension  17  can be rotated 360 degrees on its axis without effecting the operation of the mechanism as shown in  FIG. 4B . It also has a groove  99   FIG. 4A  extending along its axis that allows the front part of locking latch  43  to be disposed inside of extension  17  as shown in  FIGS. 4A  and B. Extension  17  has openings  105  which align with opening on locking latch  107  and are pivotally secured by fastener  45 .  FIG. 4A  Locking latch  43  has sear  103  with bevel  111  at the front end that protrudes radially through slot  59  on extension  17  and engages the grooves on locking sleeve  39  as shown in  FIGS. 4A  and C. The back part of locking latch  43  radially extends out of extension  17  and is disposed within the clearance of a groove  109  located radially along one of the extension handles  37 B as shown in  FIG. 4B . Coil spring  47  located inside extension handle  37 B urges locking latch  43  to the locked position. 
     OPERATION 
     FIGS.  3 A,  3 B,  3 D,  4 A,  4 B,  4 C 
     The normal position of the preferred embodiment is with talons  13 A and B in the open position, and sear on release latch  22  on the latched position as shown in  FIG. 3A . This position mechanically connects talons  13 A and B to the handles  37 A and B at the back of extension  17 . When handle or handles  37 A and B are manipulated back, bevel  111  on sear  103  of locking latch  43  acts as a ratchet locking its way on grooves of locking sleeve  39  as extension  17  moves along the axes of body  11  as seen on  FIG. 4C . As extension  17  moves back, sear  22  on release latch  29 , which is engaged on groove of extension  99 , pulls carriage  15  back. The back sides of talons  13 A and B which are pivotally attached to carriage  15  are pulled back along the axes of the body as seen on  FIG. 3A . As talons  13 A and B are pulled back, the outer edges which are contiguous with the flared end of body  119 ,  FIG. 3A  force talons  13 A and B to close as shown on  FIG. 3B . Talons  13  A and B will remain on the locked position until release latch  29  is pressed, which will disengage sear  22  from extension  17   FIG. 3D . Carriage return spring  25  will push carriage  15  forward. As it moves forward, torsion spring  23  will open talons  13 A and B, which were being held in the closed position by flair  95  as shown in  FIG. 3D . To reset the mechanism, the exposed end of locking latch  43 , located at the back of one of the handles of extension  17 , ( FIG. 4B ) is pushed forward. This will disengage sear  103 . Extension  17  is then manipulated forward, which will urge the conical shaped tip of extension  97  to pivot release sear  22  on release latch  29  and reset sear on extension groove  99 , connecting handles of extension  37 A and B once again to talons  13 A and B as shown in  FIG. 3C . 
     ADDITIONAL EMBODIMENTS 
     FIGS.  5 ,  6 ,  6   b ,  7   a ,  7   b ,  8 ,  9 ,  10   
     If it is desired to have easier access to the internal parts of the device, another embodiment discloses a two-piece flair,  FIG. 5 . Four fastening screws  89  attach a removable lid  101  displaced over the top part of flare  95  as seen on  FIG. 5 . The removal of lid  101  allows easy access to the internal moving parts of another embodiment. 
       FIG. 6  discloses a perspective view of a similar embodiment excluding locking and unlocking mechanisms. It comprises a tubular body  61  of a predetermined length and diameter with a flare  95  at the front end extending away from body in opposite directions at a predetermined angle and length. The back end of body  61  discloses a handle  55  extending radially at a predetermined distance from breech. Body  61  houses a carriage  65  ( FIG. 7B ), that has a cylindrical solid front and a tubular rear disposed inside along the axes of body  61 , protruding at the breech where it is supported by sleeve  125  attached to breech of body  61  as seen in  FIG. 7A . The method used to attach talons  13 A and B to carriage  65  is the similar to the preferred embodiment,  FIGS. 3A ,  3 B and  7 B. The back ends of talons  13 A and B slide inside slit  36  in front of carriage  65 . Talons  13 A and B are pivotally displaced with a fastener  19  positioned through the aligned perpendicular openings on talons  13 A and B and carriage  65 . Talons  13 A and B are being urged to the open position by torsion spring  23  displaced between talons  13 A and B and surrounding fastener  19 . Carriage  65  is being urged forward along its axis by coiled spring  25  displaced longitudinally surrounding carriage  65 . Annulus retainer  27  attached to the inside of body  61  holds spring  25  in place. A perpendicularly displaced lug  21  in front of flare  95  limits the forward axial movement of carriage  65 . Breech end of carriage  121  comprises single handle  63  extending radially at a predetermined distance from the breech of carriage  121 . 
     The normal position of similar embodiment is with talons  13 A and B in the open position. To operate the similar embodiment, handle  63  at the rear end of carriage  121  is axially manipulated backwards. The front of carriage  65  will pull back ends talons  13 A and B along the axis of body  61 . As talons  13 A and B move back, the outer edges which are contiguous to the flared part of body  61 , urge then to close. To reset the mechanism, handle  63  at the breech end of carriage  65  is manipulated forward. As carriage  65  moves forward, talons  13 A and B are moved forward. As flare allows, talons  13 A and B are urged to the open position by the torsion spring  23 . 
       FIGS. 8 ,  9 ,  10  disclose other embodiments. The differences of the other embodiments are in the talons. A different embodiment is disclosed on  FIG. 8 . The uniqueness of this embodiment is on the way talons  13 A and B are displaced. The direction of the flare  69  is angled at predetermined degrees to the side, thereby disposing talons  13 A and B at an oblique direction. The manipulation and movement of this embodiment is the same as the preferred. 
     Talons  13 A and B can be attached to the embodiment in a plurality of ways. The fifth embodiment shown in  FIG. 9  is similar to the preferred. The differences are in the way talons  71 A and B are attached to carriage  15 .  FIG. 9  discloses one of the ways. This embodiment also has enlarged body flare  123  to house the new apparatus. The back end of talons  71 A and B extend a predetermined distance from the pivot openings  73 A and B. A second opening is displaced at the end of the talons  77 A and B. Talons  71 A and B are pivotally displaced on flare of body  123  with fastener  75 . The openings at the end of talons  77 A and B connect to strap links  113 A and B which have pivot openings on both ends ( 85  and  79 ). End openings on talons  77 A and B align with openings on strap links  85 A and B and pivotally secured with fasteners  81 A and B. The openings at the back side of strap links  79 A and B slide inside slit  36  at the tip of carriage  15  and align with openings on slit  91 A and B and are pivotally secured with fastener  83 . 
     The normal position of the talons is in the open position. To close the talons  71 A and B, carriage extension  17  is manipulated backwards along its axis which will pull carriage  15  backwards. Carriage  15  will pull strap links  113 A and B back, which will pull the ends of talons  77 A and B back, pivoting talons on fastener  75 . This will close talons in a scissor-like motion. To open talons  71 A and B, carriage extension  17  is pushed forward, or release latch  29  is disengaged. Return spring  25  will push carriage  15  forward opening the talons  71 A and B in a scissor—like motion. 
     Talons  13 A and B can be in a plurality of shapes.  FIG. 10  discloses still another embodiment with talons  87 A and B which are angled instead of curved. This embodiment also makes use of a different release latch  117  designed to release when lifted. 
     CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATIONS AND SCOPE 
     Thus the reader will see that at least one embodiment of the lifesaving talons provides a much needed and desired device that can be used by almost anyone in various situations to save the life of another individual. It can also be used by firemen or policemen in many ways. There is a plurality of uses for the lifesaving talons, especially with the different variations in the design. The shape and angle of the talons, along with the length of the body, will depend on the need, whether it&#39;s pulling a person out from the bottom of a pool or moving a hazardous container to a safer place. The various ways that the talons can be attached to the carriage also depends on what it will be used for. For example, the talons that have a scissor-like movement will provide a different grip on whatever they grab. Maintenance of the device would be easy with the removable cover which allows access to the main parts. It can also be made without any locking mechanisms if they are not needed or desired. The material it is made of will depend on what it will be used for. Some examples of materials are stainless steel, titanium, fiber glass, and several of the strong, non conductive materials available. It is a device that will give people peace of mind to have around in case they need it. 
     While the above descriptions contain many specificities, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of any embodiment, but as exemplifications of the presently preferred embodiments thereof. Many other ramifications and variations are possible within the teachings of the various embodiments. 
     Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, and not by the examples given.