Breathing device for avalanche burial

Abstract

To provide a burial time respiration securing device that even when a person is buried by avalanche or dirt, can identify a burial location and secure respiration without causing suffocation.SOLUTION: A burial time respiration securing device 10 for identifying a burial location of a person buried by avalanche or dirt and securing the person's respiration comprises: a balloon 15 that is inflated by inflow of gas from a cylinder caused by a predetermined trigger; outside air capture means 16 that is coupled to the balloon and is caused to protrude over a snow surface by a rise of the inflated balloon to enable capture of the outside air; and suction means 13 that is coupled to the outside air capture means and enables suction of the outside air.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a breathing apparatus for when buried in an avalanche, which protects a person's life when buried in an avalanche. [Background technology]

[0002] Avalanches are a disaster with a high fatality rate in backcountry skiing and snowy mountain climbing. If one is buried by an avalanche, the chances of survival are high for the first 15 minutes after being buried, but drop sharply after that. Most buried people are buried at a depth of about 1 meter, and it is difficult to pinpoint their location, which delays rescue teams. Therefore, there is a device that can notify the location of someone buried in snow after being caught in an avalanche (see Patent Document 1 below). This allows the location of the disaster to be pinpointed, enabling rescue teams to quickly rescue the person. There is also a device that can ensure breathing after being buried. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2011-183127 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the case of the invention disclosed in Patent Document 1, although it is possible to inform the location where a person is buried by an avalanche, there is a problem that the person loses his / her life because he / she is unable to breathe until rescuers can rescue him / her. There are also devices to ensure breathing when buried, but these devices extend the time until the person passes out by discharging the exhaled air away from the face, preventing the person from inhaling the carbon dioxide-rich air exhaled by the person. However, there is a limit to how much fresh air a person can breathe, and there is a problem that if the person is buried for a long time, he / she will suffocate. The same problem occurs with landslides.

[0005] The present invention is intended to solve the above-mentioned problems of the conventional art, and provides an apparatus for ensuring breathing when buried, which can identify the buried position even if buried by an avalanche or landslide, and can ensure breathing without suffocation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the invention described in claim 1 is a device for ensuring breathing when buried, which locates the burial position of a person buried in an avalanche or landslide and ensures breathing, and is characterized by comprising a hose with one end protruding above the snow or soil to allow outside air to be taken in, and a floating object that is connected to the end of the hose and has a structure that allows it to be detached from the main body by a specified trigger and has a specific gravity smaller than that of snow or soil.

[0007] The invention described in claim 2 is a breathing assurance device for when buried in an avalanche, which locates the buried position of a person buried in an avalanche or landslide and ensures breathing, characterized by comprising a balloon that is inflated by the inflow of gas from a cylinder when a predetermined trigger is triggered, a hose-shaped outside air intake means that is connected to the balloon and protrudes above the snow or soil as the inflated balloon rises, enabling the intake of outside air, and a suction means that is connected to the outside air intake means and enables the intake of the outside air.

[0008] In the invention described in claim 3, it is a preferred embodiment that the specified trigger is the release of the gas inflow suppression means by the device wearer pulling the device activation handle, and that the release causes the string connected to the balloon to be pulled, thereby causing the gas to flow into the balloon.

[0009] The invention described in claim 4 is a device for ensuring breathing when buried, which locates the buried position of a person buried in an avalanche or landslide and ensures breathing, and is characterized by comprising: a hose-shaped outside air intake means that protrudes above the snow or soil to enable the intake of outside air; a drill or other excavation means provided at the tip of the outside air intake means that is activated by a predetermined trigger; and a suction means that is connected to the outside air intake means and enables the intake of the outside air.

[0010] In the invention described in claim 5, the outside air intake means is formed in a bellows shape and has a metal spring built in a part of it. Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to the device for ensuring breathing when buried in an avalanche as described in claims 1 and 2, even if a person is buried under an avalanche or earth and sand, the buried position can be identified and breathing can be ensured without suffocation.

[0012] In the device for ensuring breathing when buried in an avalanche described in claim 3, gas can be instantly made to flow into the balloon when the person is caught in an avalanche or landslide.

[0013] In the device for ensuring breathing when buried in an avalanche described in claim 4, an excavation means is attached to the tip of the outside air intake means, so that when the outside air intake means becomes buried in snow or soil, the snow or soil can be pushed aside and the outside air intake means can be protruded above the snow or soil.

[0014] In the device for ensuring breathing when buried in an avalanche described in claim 5, the outside air intake means is formed in a bellows shape and has a metal spring built into a part of it, so that it can be stored compactly and has autonomous expansion properties. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing an example of how the breathing apparatus according to the present invention is worn when buried in an avalanche. [Diagram 2]1 is a diagram showing the appearance of an avalanche buried breathing apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 shows a handle for the trigger of the avalanche breathing apparatus according to the present invention. [Figure 4] 1 is a diagram for explaining the mechanism of balloon launch of the device for ensuring breathing during an avalanche according to the present invention. FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the state in which the balloon of the device for ensuring breathing during an avalanche burial according to the present invention is stored inside the cylinder. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the balloon of the device for ensuring breathing during an avalanche according to the present invention in an inflated state. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a specific configuration of an outside air intake hose of an avalanche buried breathing apparatus according to the present invention. [Figure 8] 1 is a diagram showing a state in which the outside air intake hose of the device for ensuring breathing during an avalanche according to the present invention is extended. FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing another example of a specific configuration of the outside air intake hose of the device for ensuring breathing during an avalanche buried in the present invention. [Figure 10] 1 is a diagram showing a drill attached to the tip of the outside air intake hose of the device for ensuring breathing when buried in an avalanche according to the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a drill in the shape of a wooden burr at the tip of the outside air intake hose of the device for ensuring breathing when buried in an avalanche according to the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a spiral hose of a device for ensuring breathing when buried in an avalanche according to the present invention, the tip of which is formed in a sharp shape like a blade. [Figure 13] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a gear box attached to the tip of a spiral hose of a device for ensuring breathing during an avalanche according to the present invention. [Figure 14] 13 is a diagram showing a separate drill attached to the tip of the spiral hose of the device for ensuring breathing when buried in an avalanche according to the present invention. [Figure 15] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a drill having a shape similar to that of the tip of the spiral hose of the device for ensuring breathing during an avalanche according to the present invention. [Figure 16]FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an exhaust valve that can be attached to the avalanche burial breathing apparatus according to the present invention. [Figure 17] 13 is a diagram for explaining a method of inflating another balloon at the chest to secure working space using the avalanche buried breathing apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] An example of an avalanche buried breathing apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0017] First, the configuration of one embodiment will be described. Figures 1 to 17 are diagrams for explaining an apparatus for ensuring breathing during burial according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] The device 10 for ensuring breathing when buried in one embodiment is stored in a backpack 12 (see FIG. 2) or a vest (not shown) that is carried by a person 11 (hereinafter also referred to as a user) who engages in backcountry skiing or snowy mountain climbing as shown in FIG. 1 when skiing or climbing. The device 10 for ensuring breathing when buried is stored in the upper part (for example, the shoulder part, etc.) of the backpack 12, and in the snowy mountain at the site, the mouthpiece 13 is pulled out through the inside of the backpack 12 and fixed near the mouth of the user 11 so that the mouthpiece 13 can be held in the mouth at any time. This is because it is necessary to hold it in the mouth before being caught in an avalanche.

[0019] When climbing, a special cover (not shown) on the top of the backpack 12 is left open in preparation for activation of the burial breathing apparatus 10.

[0020] In this example, the burial breathing apparatus 10 is stored in the upper part of the backpack 12, but this is not limited to being stored in the upper part, and it may be stored in the side part of the backpack 12, etc., as long as it is in a position where the burial breathing apparatus 10 can achieve the functions described below.

[0021] In addition, in this example, the mouthpiece 13 is passed through the inside of the backpack 12 and pulled out from the shoulder strap 14 to the outside, but this is not limited to this embodiment as long as the mouthpiece 13 can be fixed near the mouth.

[0022] The specific configuration of the buried breathing device 10 will be described. The buried breathing device 10 is for identifying the buried position of a user 11 buried by an avalanche and for ensuring breathing, and is equipped with a balloon (floating object) 15 that is inflated by the inflow of gas from a cylinder 35 triggered by a predetermined trigger, an outside air intake means (outside air intake hose) 16 that is connected to the balloon 15 and protrudes above the snow as the inflated balloon 15 rises, enabling outside air to be taken in, and an intake means (mouthpiece) 13 that is connected to the outside air intake hose 16 and enables the intake of outside air.

[0023] First, the balloon 15 will be described. When the trigger handle 17 (see FIG. 3) is pulled by the user 11 in the event of an avalanche, the pin 19 of the spring 18 shown in FIG. 4 is released, activating the burial breathing apparatus 10. The pin 19 functions as a stopper for the spring 18, and the string connected to the pin 19 is pulled in conjunction with the pulling of the handle 17, causing the balloon 15 to come off. The balloon 15 is one of the components of the burial breathing apparatus 10 stored in the upper part of the backpack 12, and is stored in a deflated state in a tube 20 shown in FIG. 4.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 5, the balloon 15 is connected to the string 21 via a cylinder 35 in which a predetermined gas (such as nitrogen) is sealed, and is stored in the tube 20 in a deflated state. The predetermined trigger is the release of the gas inflow suppression means (pin) 19 by the user 11 of the buried breathing securing device 10 pulling the handle (device activation handle) 17, and this release causes the balloon 15 to fly upwards due to the force of the spring 18. As a result, the string 21 connected to the balloon 15 is pulled, which releases the next pin 37 (see FIG. 7), and gas flows from the cylinder 35 into the balloon 15. Due to the inflow of gas, the balloon 15 instantly inflates and rises into the sky, as shown in FIG. 6. The balloon 15 is popped upwards due to the force of the spring 18, which prevents the balloon 15 from inflating in the tube 20. Note that spherical polystyrene foam, compressed urethane, etc. can be used as the floating object including the balloon 15. In addition, the floating object shall be made of a structure or material with a specific gravity lighter than that of snow (or soil and sand, as described below).

[0025] Although a spring 18 is used here, it is not limited to a spring, and any force can be used as long as it can pop the balloon 15 upward, for example, air force can be used. The balloon 15 does not have to inflate instantly, but it can be inflated in a few seconds. The fabric of the balloon 15 should be strong, but it can also be the same as that used for airbags (rubber-coated nylon 66, etc.). A balloon that flies up and a balloon that just sits on the snow can also be used together.

[0026] The outside air intake hose 16 will now be described. The outside air intake hose 16 is connected to the balloon 15, and as the inflated balloon 15 rises, the tip of the outside air intake hose 16 protrudes above the snow, allowing outside air to be taken in. The outside air intake hose 16 is connected to the mouthpiece 13 inside the backpack 12 via a hose 25 (described below) that is connected to a tube 20, and serves as a flow path for outside air (air).

[0027] An example of a specific configuration of the outside air intake hose 16 will be described with reference to Figs. 7 and 8. As shown in Figs. 7 and 8, the outside air intake hose 16 is made expandable by being bellows-shaped like a paper lantern, and when expanded, it is about 2 meters long. The outside air intake hose 16 is stored in a contracted state in a tube 20 before use. When a pin 19 of a spring 18 is released by a predetermined trigger, the outside air intake hose 16 raises the balloon 15 by the force of the spring 18, and the next pin 37 is released by the rise, and the balloon 15 expands due to the inflow of gas from the cylinder 35, and stretches as the balloon 15 rises. That is, since the string 21 connected to the balloon 15 passes through the inside of the outside air intake hose 16, the outside air intake hose 16 is also pulled upward as the balloon 15 rises.

[0028] As shown in Fig. 8, a metal spring 36 is built into the lower portion 23 of the outside air intake hose 16 housed in the tube 20 to give it self-expanding properties. On the other hand, in order to make the outside air intake hose 16 lighter and more compact, no metal spring is built into the upper portion 24 of the outside air intake hose 16. In other words, the outside air intake hose 16 is formed in a bellows shape, with a metal spring built into a portion of it.

[0029] 7 and 8, a gear box 22 is mounted in the tube 20, a member having an air port 26 is attached to the gear box 22, and the outside air intake hose 16 is connected to the member. The torque from the gear box 22 rotates the member and the outside air intake hose 16, and as the shaft 40 in the outside air intake hose 16 rotates, the drill 41 attached to the tip of the outside air intake hose 16 digs into the snow. As a result, even if the tip of the outside air intake hose 16 is buried and not above the snow, the tip can be excavated to the snow and outside air can be secured. Also, a hose 25 connected to the mouthpiece 13 is connected to the tube 20, and it is possible to obtain fresh outside air coming in through the air port 26.

[0030] With this configuration, even if the user is buried in snow, the mouthpiece 13 held in the mouth is connected to the fresh air intake hose 16, so the user can inhale fresh air. Also, the balloon 15 protrudes above the avalanche debris, so the buried position of the buried user 11 can be easily identified. Note that although the gearbox 22 and drill 41 are provided in Figs. 7 and 8, these may be omitted and fresh air may be taken in through a member having an air port 26 and the fresh air intake hose 16 connected to the member.

[0031] Another example of the configuration of the outside air intake hose 16 will be described with reference to Fig. 9. As shown in Fig. 9, a spiral hose 27 can be used instead of the above-mentioned outside air intake hose 16. Since it does not have a bellows structure, it does not have a large degree of flexibility, but for example, a spiral tube with an inner diameter of 5 mm and a length of 2 m can be stored compactly in a spiral shape in a cylindrical container 28 with a length of about 15 cm as shown in Fig. 9. The spiral tube may have slits in a spiral shape, which allows it to breathe even if a small amount of snow gets in.

[0032] In order to keep taking in fresh outside air, it is necessary to keep the tips of the above-mentioned outside air intake hose 16 and spiral hose 27 protruding above the avalanche deposit. The following describes a method for keeping the tips of the outside air intake hose 16 and spiral hose 27 protruding above the avalanche deposit.

[0033] By launching the balloon 15 before being caught in the avalanche, the tips of the outside air intake hose 16 and the spiral hose 27 can be kept above the avalanche deposit, i.e., in the air. However, in the unlikely event that the avalanche is buried before the balloon 15 is launched, the tips of the outside air intake hose 16 and the spiral hose 27 can be kept above the avalanche deposit by the following method.

[0034] The first method is to attach a drill 29 to the tip of the outside air intake hose 16 or the spiral hose 27 as shown in Fig. 10 and dig into the snow. This shows another embodiment for digging snow as described in Fig. 8. That is, a snow removal drill is attached to the tip of the outside air intake hose 16 etc. In addition to a spiral drill, by forming a wood filler 30 as shown in Fig. 11, the dug up snow can be expelled from the left and right holes 31 of the wood filler 30, preventing snow from clogging the inside of the outside air intake hose 16 or the spiral hose 27.

[0035] The second method is to give the tip 39 of the spiral hose 27 a sharp blade-like shape and make it out of a hard material, and rotate the entire spiral hose 27 using a gear box 32 or the like to use it as a drill to dig into the snow, as shown in Figures 12 and 13. It is also possible to attach a separate drill 33 to the tip of the spiral hose 27, as shown in Figure 14. The shape of the tip of the spiral hose 27 is similar to that of a drill 34 as shown in Figure 15, and the spiral hose 27 can function as a drill by making it out of a relatively hard material and rotating it.

[0036] It is also preferable that the drill has a function for digging in the opposite direction to gravity. For example, a gravity sensor such as those built into smartphones can be built into the drill to control it to dig upwards so that it does not dig in the wrong direction.

[0037] Also, as shown in Fig. 16, an exhaust valve 38 may be attached to the mouthpiece 13. This allows the user to exhale while holding the mouthpiece 13 in their mouth. Also, as shown in Fig. 17, a separate balloon 42 may be inflated around the chest and then deflated. This allows a working space to be secured even when buried in snow, allowing the user to work with their hands.

[0038] As described above, the buried breathing apparatus 10 according to the present invention can be stored compactly in the vest or backpack 12, and when an avalanche occurs, the outside air intake hose 16 extends upward as the released balloon 15 rises. This ensures that the balloon 15 and the tip (intake port) of the outside air intake hose 16 are secured and maintained above the avalanche debris (sediment), allowing the buried victim (user) to maintain breathing and to inform others of the burial site. The buried breathing apparatus 10 according to the present invention can also be used in the event of a landslide. [Industrial Applicability]

[0039] The device for ensuring breathing when buried according to the present invention has industrial applicability because it can identify the buried position even if buried by an avalanche or landslide and can ensure breathing without suffocation. [Explanation of symbols]

[0040] 10 Breathing device during burial 11 Users 12 Zack 13 Mouthpiece 14 Shoulder belt 15, 42 Balloon 16 Fresh air intake hose 17 Trigger handle 18 Spring 19 pin 20 tubes 21 String 22, 32 Gearbox 23 Lower part 24 Upper part 25 Hose 26 Air Vent 27 Spiral Hose 28 Cylindrical container 29, 34, 41 Drill 30 Buried wood cone 31 Left and right holes 33 Separate drill 35 Cylinder 36 Metal Spring 37 Next Pin 38 Exhaust valve 39 Tip 40 Shaft

Claims

1. A buried breathing device that identifies the buried position of a person buried in an avalanche and ensures breathing, A hose with one end protruding above the snow to allow outside air to be taken in; a floating object which is connected to the tip of the hose, has a structure which can be separated from the main body by a predetermined trigger, has a delayed inflation means which inflates the floating object with a delay from the timing of the separation, and has a specific gravity smaller than that of snow; A burial breathing apparatus comprising:

2. A buried breathing device that identifies the buried position of a person buried in an avalanche and ensures breathing, A balloon that is inflated by the inflow of gas from a cylinder in response to a predetermined trigger; a hose-shaped outside air intake means connected to the balloon and projecting above the snow as the inflated balloon rises to allow outside air to be taken in; a hose-like suction means connected to the outside air intake means, capable of sucking in the outside air, and extending from the portion housing the buried breathing apparatus to the vicinity of the user's mouth; A burial breathing apparatus comprising:

3. The device for ensuring breathing during burial as described in claim 2, characterized in that the specified trigger is the release of the gas inflow suppression means caused by the device wearer pulling the device activation handle, and the release occurs when a member of the gas inflow suppression means is pulled by a string connected to the balloon, thereby releasing the gas inflow suppression means and allowing the gas to flow into the balloon.

4. 3. The device for ensuring breathing during burial according to claim 2, wherein said outside air intake means is formed in a bellows shape and has a metal spring built into a part of it.

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