Location indicating device
AssigneeThe Raymond Lee Organization, Inc.
InventorLoyal E. Rice, Sr.
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A container mounted on a balloon is borne aloft by the balloon when the balloon is inflated. Compressed gas is provided in the container. A trigger device couples the container to the balloon and is affixed to the cover of a compartment of a craft for supplying the gas to the balloon to inflate it when the cover is opened. A radio transmitter in the container transmits distress signals. A light device in the container produces intermittent flashes of light. A switch device connected to the transmitter, light device and the cover of the compartment activates the transmitter and the light device when the cover is opened. A line wound in the compartment has a first end affixed to the craft and a second end affixed to the container for tethering the balloon when it is airborne.
Claims1
A location indicating device for indicating the location of a craft in need of assistance, said craft having a compartment therein and opening on the outside of the craft and a cover on the compartment releasably covering the opening of the compartment and adapted to open when the craft suffers an impact, said location indicating device comprising
- a balloon;
- a container mounted on the balloon and borne aloft by the balloon when the balloon is inflated;
- compressed gas in the container;
- trigger means coupling the container to the balloon and affixed to the cover of the compartment for supplying the gas to the balloon to inflate it when the cover is opened, said trigger means comprising a valve operated by a lanyard coupling the valve to the cover;
- radio transmitter means in the container for transmitting distress signals;
- light means in the container for producing intermittent blue flashes of light;
- switch means connected to the transmitter means, light means and to cover of the compartment for activating said transmitter means and said light means when the cover is opened, said switch means comprising ON-OFF switches for the transmitter means and light means and a lanyard coupling said switches to the cover;
- and
- a line wound in the compartment and having a first end affixed to the craft and a second end affixed to the container for tethering the balloon when it is airborne.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.