Driver and safety personnel protection apparatus, system and method

Abstract

A system of increasing the safety of motor sports drivers and safety crews including a driver's safety suit having bodily function monitoring capability and the ability to transmit monitored information to an information processing station. A helmet, to be worn by safety crew members, the helmet having communications capability for communication with an information processing station. The helmet having various safety, comfort, communication and protection elements. A driver's helmet having features that provide safety, comfort, protection and communication capabilities. The system also having triage capability in the event of a track incident to further protect and enhance the safety and well being of a driver involved in an incident.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application claims priority from Provisional Application No. 60 / 676,226, filed Apr. 29, 2005, herein incorporated by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Today NASCAR and other sanctioning bodies that sanction auto racing are improving racing safety by integrating new technologies in to the sport. Racing sanctions are beginning to mandate the use of the HANS and Hutchins head restraining devices. New soft walls are being installed at tracks across the country. Racecar frames are now being designed and constructed with built in crush zones to help absorb accident impacts. But the underlying theme is that despite the precautions taken, the sport will always have accidents resulting in minor and fatal injuries. [0003] When an accident occurs on the track the safety crew responds as quickly as possible. They have to either run to the scene of the accident or jump on the safety vehicle. This transition time could take anywhere between thirty second...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007] In a typical scenario an accident involving several cars occurs. The drivers involved will have all their vital signs transmitted to all the safety crew. This vital sign data can come in various forms. The driver's health status will be transmitted to the visual retinal display in a green color, meaning the driver is OK, a yellow color, meaning the driver needs help, or in red, meaning that there is danger. The color is displayed on a symbol over the driver's car. This will allow the safety crew to know who's car to go to first and the instant knowledge of the driver's condition.

[0008] It is an object of this invention to provide a system for increasing the personal safety of motor sports competition drivers and motor sports rescue personnel. This is done by implementing the systems and apparatus as set forth in provisional patent application 60 / 676,2226.

Problems solved by technology

But the underlying theme is that despite the precautions taken, the sport will always have accidents resulting in minor and fatal injuries.

Most accidents involve several cars, but others are upwards of ten to twenty cars creating a large lapse of time till they get to a driver that is seriously injured.

In some scenarios the driver might be knocked unconscious posing many dilemmas.

If the driver is knocked out and unable to communicate with safety officials, improper handling of the driver might substantially increase his injuries.

In a lot of horrendous wrecks, the drivers need to be cut out of the car.

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