Fire escape – ladder – or scaffold – Torso harness
Patent
1984-05-31
1987-01-13
Machado, Reinaldo P.
Fire escape, ladder, or scaffold
Torso harness
441 93, A63B 2902
Patent
active
046357548
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The invention relates to rescue apparatus in which using a tear-resistant baloon is attached to the person and is inflated to keep the person near the surface of the avalanche.
An apparatus of this type is described in the German patent specification No. 23 26 850.
The present invention is based on the problem of developing an apparatus of the type such that it meets requirements in practical use with respect to functional safety during release, during inflation of the balloon, during actual use, and during repeated use.
In order to solve these problems, an embodiment of the balloon, as well as a filling apparatus connected thereto, is disposed within a frame as well as in such that the balloon has its filling opening gripping a collar of a rigid frame which interiorly contains the filling apparatus.
In accordance with a plurality of inventive embodiments release of the rescue apparatus and inflating the balloon is provided mechanically by means of a rip-cord, or pneumatically by means of an additional pressure gas bottle, besides the essential pressure gas bottles directly connected to the filling apparatus, to fill the balloon.
With respect to the operation of the rescue apparatus it is essential that the full pressure of the gas from the pressure gas bottles connected to the filling apparatus be available at the moment when the balloon opens and that the venturi-effect of the venturi nozzles, by means of which the balloon is filled, is slightly delayed. Upon further inflating the balloon, then the venturi comes in effect. In an area of reduced hydrostatic pressure but high flow velocity in the venturi nozzles ambient air is drawn in and utilized in addition to the pressure gas filling for inflating the balloon. This makes it possible to use smaller pressure gas bottles.
Upon automatic opening of the balloon, the function of a non-return valve in the vicinity of the air-suction aperture is of particular significance. This non-return valve closes off the air suction aperture at the moment when the pressure gas bottle is punctured, which produces, in the vicinity of the venturi nozzles, a short-time head pressure in a direction opposite to the direction of filling. Only after the counter pressure from the balloon has ceased, that is to say after the balloon has unfolded, the flow is effected through the venturi nozzles in the filling direction, ambient air being drawn in through the same air suction aperture with the non-return valve now in the open position. The air suction aperture is preferably protected, being located in the interior of the frame, thus blockage during use being impossible. However, for reasons of safety, the available quantity of pressure gas is to be chosen such that the balloon receives a sufficient filling although, without incorporating ambient air, this is less than the filling normally provided. Such a case may occur in practice, if the wearer of the rescue apparatus is late in actuating it, i.e. only after the moment when he and the rescue apparatus are already within the mass of snow of an avalanche.
A further pressure gas bottle beside the pressure gas bottles being connected to the filling apparatus serves for additional safety in filling the balloon, if, according to another embodiment of the invention, a gas actuated release device is provided. First, the gas filling in this additional pressure gas bottle serves for actuating the piston, to which the valve needles for opening the pressure gas bottles connected to the filling apparatus are connected. After the pressure gas bottle closures have been pierced by the valve needles, the pressure gas bottle of the release device may also contribute to the filling of the balloon.
After the pressure gas bottles have been emptied, the suction effect of the venturi nozzles is finished so that the pressure from the balloon impends in the opposite direction to the non-return valve in the air inlet aperture, thus effectively preventing the balloon from deflating. Numerous embodiments of the gas-actuated and the mechanical release device
REFERENCES:
patent: 2782430 (1957-02-01), Radnofsky
patent: 4105173 (1978-08-01), Bucker
patent: 4500014 (1985-02-01), Zimmerly
patent: 4551106 (1985-11-01), Prager
Aschauer Michael
Aschauer Peter
Bauer Helmuth
Firma Peter Aschauer
Kersey George E.
Machado Reinaldo P.
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