EMERGENCY LOCATOR BALLOON

Abstract

Device (1) for locating people comprising the device - a locator balloon (2) of any material suitable for its function, consisting of a resistant material, provided with a one-way valve that keeps the gas pressure contained inside, that withstands extreme pressure and temperature conditions, that is lightweight so that it can be easily lifted and resistant to breakage by an external agent. Its surface will have the textures it acquires from all possible materials - a compressed gas bottle (3), filled with a material having physicochemical characteristics suitable to the environment where it is used - a lifeline reel (4) that connects the locator balloon (2) to the device (1), with the necessary dimensions to allow the balloon (2) to be visualized and that unwinds the lifeline in a controlled manner in sequenced sections - a check valve (5) that is activated by the mechanism (6) - an activation mechanism (6) that activates the release of compressed gas through the check valve (5) - an optimum pressure gauge for the gas bottle (7) - a watertight compartment (8) that allows the inflated balloon to exit - an anchoring system (9) - a closing cap (10).

Description

EMERGENCY LOCATOR BALLOON FIELD OF INVENTION The present invention belongs to the technical field of emergency and rescue devices, specifically a person locator. The object of the invention is a device capable of locating a person, a possible victim in an emergency situation, who is hidden by natural elements such as snow or water. TECHNICAL ADVANTAGES THAT THE INVENTION ALLOWS Locating victims and people in natural environments where they have been hidden. It facilitates the rescue of victims by emergency teams. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Rescue teams face more difficult situations, where immediate action is crucial to improve the care and survival of the victims, providing them with the necessary health care on site and even facilitating their evacuation. Avalanches or landslides are natural phenomena that, in many situations, cause damage to people who practice mountain sports. To minimize the adverse effects that avalanches may have on people, or any other activity in which their immediate location may be necessary, we have designed a personal signaling and location device. Some solutions include an airbag that, when deployed, creates an air chamber in case of burial and also protects against impacts. Another solution is a battery-powered light device designed to remain suspended above the surface by a kind of roly-poly. The proposed device allows for better long-distance visibility, as it would be elevated above the victim, floating in the air, with a built-in Global Positioning System (GPS) locator, supported by a lighting system, a sound alarm system, and fluorescent / reflective colors. The device will allow for easy activation with an accessible trigger in case of emergency. This device will be part of the safety equipment of anyone practicing a sport or activity, in places where a situation may arise that makes it difficult to locate them, even in underwater activities. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The invention consists of a balloon that will inflate automatically, with helium gas or another gas that has physical and chemical characteristics suitable to the environment where it is used, allowing the balloon to rise by inflating it and keeping it inflated. The balloon will have a one-way valve containing the inflated gas. Its rapid inflation will generate a lifting force that will cause the balloon to detach from the device and rise. The balloon's construction material can be any suitable material, consisting of a strong material that maintains the gas pressure inside, withstands extreme pressure and temperature conditions, is lightweight for easy ascent, and is resistant to tearing from external agents. Its surface will have the textures it acquires from any of the available materials. The locator balloon has light and sound signals that facilitate better visualization of it, and its color will even be of the reflective in the dark and fluorescent types, it also has a Global Positioning System (GPS) locator. The shape of the balloon will be of any geometry adaptable to its function. This balloon will be attached to the device by a lifeline with sufficient tensile, torsional, and gripping strength to prevent breakage under extreme conditions. The length of the rope will be sufficient to allow the balloon to rise to a height where it can be detected and seen, including all the necessary measurements depending on the circumstances. The lifeline is unwound in a controlled manner by the reel in sequential, rapid sections, which prevents the balloon from becoming horizontal due to the possible risk of the balloon being trapped by the avalanche itself. The device can be securely attached to an item of clothing or backpack by means of an anchoring system that may consist of carabiners, straps, webbing, or other connecting elements. Rescue teams will be able to see the balloon and, by following the tethering lifeline, locate the victim. All terms and embodiments described anywhere in this document are equally applicable to all aspects of the invention. It should be noted that, as used in the description and claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include their plurals unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Similarly, the term "comprises" or "comprising," as used herein, also describes "consists of" or "consisting of" in accordance with generally accepted patent practice. DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES The following is a brief description of each of the figures used to complement the description of the invention that follows, for illustrative and non-limiting purposes: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an emergency locating balloon device. Figure 2 shows the device from Figure 1 with the locator balloon already inflated, attached to the victim. Numerical references for the figures In order to aid a better understanding of the technical characteristics of the invention, the aforementioned figures are accompanied by a series of numerical references where, for illustrative and non-limiting purposes, the following is represented: DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The detailed description of the present invention that follows refers to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate specific embodiments in which the present invention can be implemented. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to implement the present invention. It should be understood that various embodiments of the present invention are different from one another, but are not necessarily mutually exclusive. Accordingly, the detailed description that follows is not intended to be taken in a restrictive sense, and the scope of the present invention, if properly described, is limited only by the appended claims, in addition to all scopes equivalent to those claimed by the appended claims. In the drawings, the reference numerals refer to the same or similar functions in various respects. The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an emergency locating balloon device, comprising the device (1) a watertight container (8) that houses all the elements necessary for the operation of the device and does not allow the entry of fluids or other elements, with a closing lid that allows the exit of the locator balloon at the time of its activation, without allowing the entry of snow, water or other material or fluid; a deflated locator balloon (2); a compressed gas bottle (3); a reel of lifeline that connects the balloon to the compressed gas bottle (4); a gas check valve (5); a manual activation mechanism (6); an optimum pressure tester (7); an anchoring system (9); a closing lid (10) . The device, using the optimum pressure tester (7), will allow you to assess whether the compressed gas bottle (3) has not lost pressure for the correct functioning of the device (1). Figure 2 shows the device (1) from Figure 1 with the location balloon (2) already inflated, attached to the victim with the watertight container (8), by means of the lifeline that houses the reel (4). The light, sound and GPS signals are located on the balloon. To achieve this, the manual activation mechanism (6) must be activated, allowing the gas contained in the compressed gas cylinder (3) to escape, simultaneously filling the locator balloon (2), which will inflate rapidly, through the gas check valve (5). This allows the locator balloon (2) to be released, opening the sealing cap (10) of the airtight container (8) and, while continuing to release the gas from inside, closing the gas inlet to the balloon by means of a one-way valve. When the location balloon (2) separates, the GPS location elements, lighting and sirens that emit sounds are activated. The inflated location balloon (2) ascends and detaches from the device (1), remaining attached to the lifeline housed on the reel (4). This lifeline unwinds in a controlled manner, in rapid, sequential sections, reaching a predetermined distance of any metric size that allows for its visualization. With the support of GPS location signals, lights, and sound, emergency teams will be able to pinpoint the person's location and, by following the lifeline attached to the device, will have access to the victim for rescue. The device will be attached to the victim with an anchoring system (9).

Claims

1. Device (1) for locating people comprising the device - a locator balloon (2) of any material suitable for its function, consisting of a resistant material, provided with a one-way valve that keeps the gas pressure contained inside, that withstands extreme pressure and temperature conditions, that is lightweight so that it can be easily lifted and resistant to breakage by an external agent.Its surface will have the textures it acquires from all possible materials - a compressed gas bottle (3), filled with a material having physicochemical characteristics suitable to the environment where it is used - a reel of lifeline (4) that connects the locator balloon (2) to the device (1), with the necessary dimensions for the balloon (2) to be visible and that unwinds the lifeline in a controlled manner in sequenced sections - a check valve (5) that is activated by the mechanism (6) - an activation mechanism (6) that activates the release of compressed gas through the check valve (5) - an optimum pressure gauge for the gas bottle (7) - a watertight compartment (8) that allows the inflated balloon to exit - an anchoring system (9) - a closing cap (10).

2. Device (1) according to claim 1 wherein the shape of the locator balloon (2) is of any geometry. 3.Device (1) according to claims 1 and 2 wherein the locator balloon (2) is provided with a GPS locator.

4. Device (1) according to claims 1, 2, and 3 wherein the locator balloon (2) is provided with an audible alarm system.

5. Device (1) according to claims 1, 2, 3, and 4 wherein the locator balloon (2) is provided with a light and reflectance system.

6. Device (1) according to claims 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 wherein the inflated locator balloon (2) separates from the airtight compartment (8), without allowing the gas to escape from the balloon, thus keeping it inflated and activating the GPS locator system, audible sirens, and light system to improve its visibility.

7. Device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locator balloon (2) is attached to a lifeline wound on a reel (4). 8.Device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, the reel (4), which houses the lifeline, connects the locator balloon (2) to the watertight container (8).

9. Device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, which is attached to the person or their clothing by means of an anchoring system (9) with straps, a carabiner, webbing, or any other element.

10. Device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, which has a watertight closure cap (10) that allows the locator balloon (2) to be released when inflated.