Avalanche victim locating apparatus
OwnerJon I. Allsop, Gerald J. Mc Morrowinventors
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An avalanche rescue system in which reliable triggering conserves power and permits a high power alarm to be transmitted from a victim to a survivor. Triggering is provided by light sensitive elements on the user, or by a signal transmitted from a survivor. Microprocessor control synchronizes VHF information signal transmission and burst microwave transmission from a victim as well as received signal processing by a survivor. A directional multiple antenna array is switched to provide directional signals displayed to the survivor. A garment is used to affix the system to the person of the user. A unit includes a case and a cover, and the directional antenna array is extended when the cover is opened.
Claims18
A rescue transceiver comprising:
- a case;
- manually operable control means disposed upon the surface of said case;
- antenna means mounted upon said case for movement between a retracted position and an extended position;
- a cover mounted over said case for normally enclosing at least a substantial portion of said case;
- said cover being movable relative to said case between a standby position in which said cover overlies said control means and an operating position in which said control means is exposed;
- and
- means for moving said antenna means from said retracted position to said extended position in response to movement of said cover from said standby position to said operating position.
An emergency rescue transceiver system including at least two similar system units, each said unit comprising:
- first radio transmitting means operating at a first frequency;
- second radio transmitting means operating at a second frequency;
- trigger means operable to produce a trigger signal indicative of an emergency condition;
- logic means coupled to said first and second transmitting means and to said trigger means for operating said first and second transmitting means in response to said trigger signal;
- said logic means including means for transmitting a first information signal through said first transmitting means;
- and
- said logic means including means for transmitting a second directional signal through said second transmitting means.
A rescue radio system for receiving and processing emergency radio signals comprising:
- microwave signal receiving means including a plurality of aimed helical antennas;
- demodulating means;
- switch means for alternatively coupling said antennas to said demodulating means;
- processing means for comparing the relative strengths of signals received by said antennas;
- and
- indicating means for indicating the direction of the emergency radio signals relative to the antennas.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.