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US 2010/0300436 A1Published application
Device for locating person in emergency environment
OwnerJohn S. McKeowninventor
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OwnerJohn S. McKeowninventor
Estimating the term…
A device for automatically emanating light rearwardly from a firefighter or miner or other person wearing a breathing apparatus. The device is attached to the breathing apparatus pressure regulator and in position to be next to the person's back when the breathing apparatus is donned. The device includes, in an electrical circuit, one or more light emitters, a battery, and a biased-open pressure switch for opening and closing the circuit thereby automatically turning electrical power on and off to the light emitters. A hose connects the pressure switch to the breathing apparatus to receive pressurized air from downstream of the breathing apparatus air tank shut-off valve for operating the switch to close the circuit to automatically activate the light emitters when the valve is opened. When the valve is closed, the pressure switch opens to automatically inactivate the light emitters.
A lighting device for use with a breathing apparatus, the device comprising a housing, means for attaching said housing to the breathing apparatus in a manner to be positioned to emanate light rearwardly of a person when the person has donned and activated the breathing apparatus for breathing, an electrical circuit at least partially in said housing, said circuit including at least one light emitter for emanating light from said housing, a power source for activating said at least one light emitter, and a biased-open pressure-activated switch, and the device further comprising means for routing pressurized air from downstream of an air tank shut-off valve for activating the breathing apparatus to said pressure switch for closing said pressure switch for automatically activating said at least one light emitter when the breathing apparatus is activated.
In combination with a breathing apparatus to be worn by a person and including at least one air tank, a harness, a face mask, hose connecting said air tank to said face mask for supplying pressurized air from said air tank to said face mask for breathing thereof by the person, and a valve for shutting off pressurized air supply from said air tank, a device connected to said breathing apparatus in a manner to emanate light from the person's back in a direction rearwardly of the person as the person is wearing said breathing apparatus, said light emanating device including at least one light emitter, an electrical circuit including a power source for supplying power for said at least one light emitter and including a pressure switch for opening and closing said circuit thereby turning electrical power on and off to said at least one light emitter, and a hose connecting said pressure switch to said breathing apparatus in a manner to receive pressurized air from downstream of said valve for operating said switch to close said circuit when said valve is opened to supply pressurized air to said face mask for breathing by the person.
A method of increasing visibility of a person rearwardly thereof while the person is wearing and utilizing a breathing apparatus, the method comprising the steps of:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.