Patent Publication Number: US-8533964-B1

Title: Vertical orientation indicator for use after an avalanche

Description:
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
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     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH 
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     REFERENCE TO APPENDIX 
     Not Applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to the field of axial indicators, more specifically, a vertical orientation indicator that is to be used after an avalanche to determine vertical direction. 
     B. Discussion of the Prior Art 
     As will be discussed immediately below, no prior art discloses a liquid filled sphere in which two opposing internal spheres are submerged; wherein the internal spheres have different densities that enable one sphere to rise to the top of the liquid located within the sphere whereas the opposing internal sphere drops to the bottom of the liquid and thus defines a vertical axis between the two internal spheres; wherein the internal sphere at the top of the liquid indicates an up direction of the vertical axis whereas the internal sphere vertical axis; wherein the device is useful in indicating which direction is up to an end user that may be suspended underneath snow after an avalanche. 
     The Mayenschein et al. Patent (U.S. Pat. No. 7,603,961) discloses a lighted orientation device that includes a float constructed of resilient material and includes first and second chemicals separated by a breakable membrane; wherein the two chemicals react when combined to produce light whereby a user may view the float and ascertain which direction is “up.” However, the device does not include two spheres contained within a hollow sphere filled with fluid such that the two spheres separate from one another via their relative densities thereby identifying the vertical axis. 
     The Bruhn Patent (U.S. Pat. No. 4,932,133) discloses a post avalanche upward indicating device. However, the device does not use two spheres of different relative densities that are both suspended within a fluid filled sphere and of which form a vertical axis to identify which way is up and which way is down. 
     The Dauerer Patent (U.S. Pat. No. 6,115,928) discloses a fiber optic position indicator. Again, the indicator employs the use of a single ball suspended within a fluid filled chamber and not two opposing spheres of different relative densities that are both suspended within a fluid filled sphere that determines a vertical axis. 
     The Kaatz et al. Patent (U.S. Pat. No. 3,084,443) discloses a directional indicator. Again, the direction indicator relies upon a single moving object and not two opposing spheres suspended within a liquid filled sphere. 
     While the above-described devices fulfill their respective and particular objects and requirements, they do not describe a liquid filled sphere in which two opposing internal spheres are submerged; wherein the internal spheres have different densities that enable one sphere to rise to the top of the liquid located within the sphere whereas the opposing internal sphere drops to the bottom of the liquid and thus defines a vertical axis between the two internal spheres; wherein the internal sphere at the top of the liquid indicates an up direction of the vertical axis whereas the internal sphere at the bottom of the liquid indicates a down direction of the vertical axis; wherein the device is useful in indicating which direction is up to an end user that may be suspended underneath snow after an avalanche. In this regard, the vertical orientation indicator departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The vertical orientation indicator includes a liquid filled sphere into which two internal spheres are provided, which define a vertical axis that is useful to a person trapped under snow after an avalanche. The internal spheres have different densities such that one internal sphere rises to the top of the liquid or is otherwise buoyant with respect to the fluid. The second internal sphere has a density that places the internal sphere at the bottom of the liquid, and thus indicates a down direction. The outer sphere containing the liquid is clear and may include a loop to provide a means of attachment to outerwear used by the end user. The internal spheres may be coated in phosphorescent paints of differing colors, which are energized by light such that the device may be used in a dark environment, such as under snow after an avalanche. 
     It is an object of the invention to provide a device that indicates to an end user the up direction as well as down direction when the end user is buried under snow after an avalanche. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide a device that employs the use of two internal spheres of differing densities that define an up direction and a down direction, and which collectively define a vertical axis. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide the internal spheres with phosphorescent paint or like materials that provide a glow-in-the-dark effect, which is needed in a dark environment so as to provide visibility to the vertical axis. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide an outer sphere that contains the liquid and internal spheres. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide the outer sphere of durable construction so as to withstand forces generated during an avalanche. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide the outer sphere of clear construction and a loop to provide a means of attachment to out wear worn by the end user. 
     These together with additional objects, features and advantages of the vertical orientation indicator will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the following detailed description of presently preferred, but nonetheless illustrative, embodiments of the vertical orientation indicator when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     In this respect, before explaining the current embodiments of the vertical orientation indicator in detail, it is to be understood that the vertical orientation indicator is not limited in its applications to the details of construction and arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustration. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the concept of this disclosure may be readily utilized as a basis for the design of other structures, methods, and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the vertical orientation indicator. 
     It is therefore important that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent construction insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the vertical orientation indicator. It is also to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for purposes of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention: 
       In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of the vertical orientation indicator by itself and illustrating the two internal spheres located within the outer sphere, and further defining the liquid filled within the outer sphere; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a side view of the vertical orientation indicator in which the two internal spheres are positioned at different locations within the outer sphere and defining the vertical axis defined by the up direction and the down direction; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a side view of the vertical orientation indicator in which a rotational arrow indicates movement of the outer sphere while the liquid and internal spheres stay in the same position so as to indicate the vertical axis without deference to the movement of the outer sphere; and 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a view of the vertical orientation indicator in use with an end user suspended under snow in an avalanche, and depicting the relative location of the two internal spheres in which the arrow indicates the up direction as one of the internal spheres is floating atop the liquid located within the outer sphere. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT 
     The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments of the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary” or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to practice the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description. 
     Detailed reference will now be made to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in  FIGS. 1-4 . A vertical orientation indicator  100  (hereinafter invention) includes an outer sphere  101  of clear and durable construction. The outer sphere  101  may be made of a plastic or glass that can withstand forces generated during an avalanche. 
     The outer sphere  101  is also hollow, and includes a fluid  102  located within, and which contains two internal spheres  103 . It shall be noted that the two internal spheres  103  may be further defined as a first internal sphere  103 A and a second internal sphere  103 B. 
     The fluid  102  and the internal spheres  103  collectively account for the entire interior volume of the outer sphere  101 . More specifically, the volume of the fluid  102  and the internal sphere  103  is collectively equal to the overall interior volume of the outer sphere  101 . 
     The first internal sphere  103 A has a density that is less than the density of the second internal sphere  103 B. The density of the first internal sphere  103 A is less than the liquid  102 , which enables the first internal sphere  103 A to rise to a topmost position of the liquid  102  within the outer sphere  101 . The second internal sphere  103 B has a density greater than both the liquid  102  and the first internal sphere  103 A such that the second internal sphere  103 B drops to a bottommost position of the liquid  102  irrespective of the outer sphere  101 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2-3 , it shall be noted that the first internal sphere  103 A has a low density as denoted that the pattern defining the first internal sphere  103 A; whereas the pattern of the second internal sphere  103 B is more concentrated thereby denoting a greater density relationship with respect to the first internal sphere  103 A. 
     The second internal sphere  103 B drops to a bottommost position of the liquid  102 , and defines a down direction  104 B whereas the first internal sphere  103 A defines an up direction  104 A. It shall be noted that the up direction  104 A and the down direction  104 B form a vertical axis  104  that is used by an end user  130  to decipher which way is up and which way is down when trapped under snow  140  after an avalanche. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , the internal spheres  103  and the fluid  102  move about the interior of the outer sphere  101  irrespective of whether the outer sphere  101  is revolved about itself. The spatial relationship of the internal spheres  103  and the fluid  102  are not influenced from movement of the outer sphere  101 . 
     Located on an exterior surface of the outer sphere  101  is a loop  101 B, which enables the invention  100  to be secured to another object such as outerwear that may be worn by the end user  130 . More particularly, a clip  105  may be used to secure the invention  100  to another object via the loop  101 B. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4  it shall be noted that the internal spheres  103  are depicted as releasing light  106  as depicted by the light lines emanating from the internal spheres  103 . That being said, the internal spheres  103  may be coated in a paint or material that glows in the dark, and may involve a phosphorescent material that is illuminated after exposure to light. The use of a glow in the dark material is desirable such that the invention  100  can be used for the intended purpose when the end user  130  is encased in snow  140 . It shall be further noted that the glow in the dark material shall have differing colors used to differential the first internal sphere  103 A from the second internal sphere  103 B. 
     With respect to the above description, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationship for the various components of the invention  100 , to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function, and the manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the invention  100 . 
     It shall be noted that those skilled in the art will readily recognize numerous adaptations and modifications which can be made to the various embodiments of the present invention which will result in an improved invention, yet all of which will fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined in the following claims. Accordingly, the invention is to be limited only by the scope of the following claims and their equivalents.