WEARABLE DISTRESS DEVICE

Abstract

A wearable distress device includes a smoke generating unit, an activation circuitry comprising a battery, a switch and a filament interconnected such that upon operation of the switch the filament is heated for igniting the smoke generating unit. The device further includes an enclosure comprising a smoke generating unit chamber configured to house the smoke generating unit and the filament, the smoke generating unit chamber having a smoke outlet wall formed by a portion of an outer wall of the enclosure, the smoke outlet wall comprises a material being heat reactive such that upon ignition of the smoke generating unit a smoke outlet is formed by burning and/or melting through the smoke outlet wall.

Claims

1. A wearable distress device comprising: a smoke generating unit, an activation circuitry comprising a battery, a switch and a filament interconnected such that upon operation of the switch the filament is heated for igniting the smoke generating unit, and an enclosure comprising a smoke generating unit chamber configured to house the smoke generating unit and the filament, the smoke generating unit chamber having a smoke outlet wall formed by a portion of an outer wall of the enclosure, the smoke outlet wall comprises a material being heat reactive such that upon ignition of the smoke generating unit a smoke outlet is formed by burning and/or melting through the smoke outlet wall.

2. The wearable distress device according to claim 1, wherein the smoke outlet wall is made of a polymeric material.

3. The wearable distress device according to claim 1, wherein the smoke outlet wall comprises a first portion and a second portion wherein a wall thickness of the first portion is thinner than a wall thickness of the second portion.

4. The wearable distress device according to claim 3, wherein the second portion of the smoke outlet wall comprises a reinforcement, preferably a glass fiber reinforcement.

5. The wearable distress device according to claim 3, wherein the first portion of the smoke outlet wall is formed by an indentation on an inside of the outer wall of the enclosure, and wherein the wearable distress device further comprises a pad arranged in the indentation, and wherein the filament is arranged between the pad and the smoke generating unit.

6. The wearable distress device according to claim 1, wherein the filament is arranged to abut the smoke generating unit.

7. The wearable distress device according to claim 1, further comprising a compressible pad arranged between a bottom wall of the smoke generating unit chamber and the smoke generating unit.

8. The wearable distress device according to claim 1, wherein the enclosure further comprises a push button configured to upon being pushed operate the switch of the activation circuitry.

9. The wearable distress device according to claim 1, wherein the smoke generating unit chamber is configured to tightly house the smoke generating unit.

10. The wearable distress device according to claim 1, wherein the enclosure further comprises a battery chamber configured to house the battery, wherein the battery chamber and the smoke generating unit chamber are separate chambers.

11. The wearable distress device according to claim 1, wherein the enclosure comprises a top part and a bottom part sealingly connected to each other.

12. The wearable distress device according to claim 12, wherein the bottom part comprises a first smoke generating unit holding structure having a bottom portion and a wall portion erecting from the bottom portion, and wherein the top part comprises a second smoke generating unit holding structure having a top portion and a wall portion erecting from the bottom portion, wherein the first and second smoke generating unit holding structures together form the smoke generating unit chamber.

13. The wearable distress device according to claim 13, wherein the top portion of the top part comprises the portion of the outer wall of the enclosure forming the smoke outlet wall.

14. The wearable distress device according to claim 1, wherein the smoke generating unit chamber is cylindrical, preferably circular cylindrical.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] The above, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the present invention, will be better understood through the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description of preferred embodiments of the present invention, with reference to the appended drawings, where the same reference numerals will be used for similar elements, wherein:

[0030] FIG. 1 illustrates a wearable distress device in assembled form.

[0031] FIG. 2 illustrates a partly exploded view of the wearable distress device of FIG. 1.

[0032] FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded view of a wearable distress device.

[0033] FIG. 4 illustrates an enclosure of the wearable distress device having a top part and a bottom part.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0034] The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which currently preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided for thoroughness and completeness, and fully convey the scope of the invention to the skilled person.

[0035] It will be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown. Several modifications and variations are thus conceivable within the scope of the invention which thus is exclusively defined by the appended claims.

[0036] With reference to FIG. 1-4 a wearable distress device 100 will now be described. The wearable distress device 100 comprises a smoke generating unit 102, an activation circuitry 104 and an enclosure 106. In assembled form, see FIG. 1, the smoke generating unit 102 and the activation circuitry 104 are enclosed by the enclosure 106.

[0037] The activation circuitry 104 comprises a battery 110, a switch 112 and a filament 114, see FIG. 3. The battery 110 may be any type of battery configured to store electrical energy. For example, the battery may be an alkaline battery, a lithium-metal battery, a lithium-ion battery or a nickel cadmium battery. The battery 110 may be a rechargeable battery. The switch 112 may be a mechanical switch. The components of the activation circuitry 104 are interconnected such that upon operation of the switch 112 a current is running through the filament 114. Upon the current is running through the filament 144 heat is generated. The generated heat is then igniting the smoke generating unit 102. Hence, upon operating the switch the wearable distress device 100 is activated by igniting the smoke generating unit 102.

[0038] The enclosure 106 comprises a smoke generating unit chamber 108 configured to house the smoke generating unit 102 and the filament 114. The smoke generating unit chamber 108 has a smoke outlet wall 116 being formed by a portion of an outer wall of the enclosure 106. The smoke outlet wall 116 comprises a material being heat reactive such that upon ignition of the smoke generating unit 102 a smoke outlet is formed by burning and/or melting through the smoke outlet wall 116.

[0039] The filament 114 may be arranged to abut the smoke generating unit 102. By the smoke generating unit 102 and the filament abutting each other ignition of the smoke generating unit 102 may be facilitated. Further, the time for igniting the smoke generating unit 102 may be reduced. By a quicker heat and smoke generation within the wearable distress device 100 the time between activation of the activation circuitry 104 and the formation of the smoke outlet may be reduced. Such a configuration may provide a wearable distress device that is simple to use, and that has a low activation time.

[0040] The filament 114 may be a nichrome wire. The filament 114 may be a Kanthal® wire. The filament 114 may be arranged to be burnt off after activation thereof. By the filament 114 being burnt off, there is no need for the wearable distress device 100 to be turned off, this will happen automatically. Thereby a safe to use wearable distress device 100 may be provided.

[0041] The filament 114 may be coated with an explosive ignition substance, e.g. pyrogen. An example of such an ignition arrangement is a so-called electric match. Hence, the filament 114 may activate the explosive ignition substance igniting the smoke generating unit 102.

[0042] The smoke outlet wall 116 may be made of a polymeric material. The enclosure 106 may be made of a polymeric material. The polymeric material may be a plastic material. The plastic material may be a thermoplastic material. The thermoplastic material may be made from renewable resources such as for example starch, cellulose or vegetable oils. The thermoplastic material may be made from petroleum. By the smoke outlet wall 116 being made of a polymeric material, the time for the smoke outlet to form may be reduced. Such a configuration may prevent any other part of the enclosure 106 from burning through during activation of the wearable distress device 100. Accordingly, a safe to use, and a simple to use wearable distress device 100 may be achieved. Alternatively, the smoke outlet wall may be made of a paper-based material. Such a paper-based material may be molded pulp or waxed cardboard.

[0043] As is shown in FIG. 4, the smoke outlet wall 116 may comprise a first portion 201 and a second portion 202. A wall thickness of the first portion 201 is thinner than a wall thickness of the second portion. As such, the first portion 201 may be burnt through during activation of the filament 114, while the second portion 202 remains substantially intact. Accordingly, a safe to use, and a simple to use wearable distress device 100 may be achieved.

[0044] The second portion 202 of the smoke outlet wall 116 may comprise a reinforcement. The reinforcement may prevent the second portion 202 from being melted or burnt through. The reinforcement may be a glass fiber reinforcement. The reinforcement may be attached to the smoke outlet wall 116. Alternatively, or in combination, the reinforcement may be placed as a separate portion of the wearable distress device 100 in between the smoke outlet wall 116 and the smoke generating unit 102. Alternatively, or in combination, the reinforcement may be attached to the smoke generating unit 102.

[0045] The first portion 201 of the smoke outlet wall 116 may be formed by an indentation on an inside of the outer wall of the enclosure 106. The wearable distress device 100 may further comprise a pad 118 arranged in the indentation. The filament 114 may in such configuration be arranged between the pad 118 and the smoke generating unit 102. The pad 118 may be made of a cotton material.

[0046] The pad 118 may provide the filament 114 with a force pressing the filament 114 towards the smoke generating unit. As such, the pad 118 may provide a quicker activation of the wearable distress device 100.

[0047] The wearable distress device 100 may further comprise a compressible pad 120. The compressible pad 120 may be arranged between a bottom wall of the smoke generating unit chamber 108 and the smoke generating unit 102. The bottom wall of the smoke generating unit chamber 108 is opposite to the smoke outlet wall 116 of the enclosure. The compressible pad 120 may be made of a cardboard material. The compressible pad 120 is preferably made from corrugated cardboard. The compressible pad 120 is compressed to fit the smoke generating unit 102 in the smoke generating unit chamber 108. Thereby a variance of size of the smoke generating unit 102 will not render a play inside the smoke generating unit chamber 108. Hence, a good contact between the filament 114 and the smoke generating unit 102 may be safeguarded.

[0048] The smoke generating unit chamber 108 may be configured to tightly house the smoke generating unit 102. Thereby play between the components in the smoke generating unit chamber 108 may be reduced.

[0049] The enclosure 106 of the wearable distress device 100 may comprise a push button 122. The push button 122 may be configured to upon being pushed operate the switch 112 of the activation circuitry 104. Thus, the push button 122 may be configured to upon being pushed activate the wearable distress device 100. The push button 122 may be formed by an over-molded button 130 watertight seal.

[0050] The wearable distress device 100 may further comprise a battery chamber 124. The battery chamber 124 may be configured to house the battery 110. The battery chamber 124 and the smoke generating unit chamber 108 may be separate chambers.

[0051] The enclosure 106 may comprise a top part 106a and a bottom part 106b sealingly connected to each other. The top and bottom part 106a,106b of the enclosure 106 may be sealingly connected through welding. It is preferred that the sealingly connection between the top part 106a and the bottom part 106b is water resistant. It is most preferred that the sealingly connection between the top part 106a and the bottom part 106b is waterproof. Such a configuration may prevent the smoke generating unit 102 from getting damp and thereby being harmed. Accordingly, an efficient wearable distress device 100 may be achieved.

[0052] As evident from FIG. 4, the bottom part 106b of the enclosure may comprise a first smoke generating unit holding structure 204. The first smoke generating unit holding structure 204 has a bottom portion and a wall portion erecting from the bottom portion. The top part 106a may comprise a second smoke generating unit holding structure 206. The second smoke generating unit holding structure 206 has a top portion and a wall portion erecting from the bottom portion.

[0053] The smoke generating unit chamber 108 may be cylindrical, preferably circular cylindrical.

[0054] The first smoke generating unit holding structure 204 may comprise one or more recesses, wherein a wire of the activation circuitry 104 may be fitted.

[0055] When the top part 106a and the bottom part 106b are assembled together, the first and second smoke generating unit holding structures 204, 206 together form the smoke generating unit chamber 108.

[0056] The top portion of the top part 106a may comprise the portion of the outer wall of the enclosure 106 forming the smoke outlet wall 116.

[0057] The person skilled in the art realizes that the present invention by no means is limited to the preferred embodiments described above. On the contrary, many modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the appended claims.

[0058] For example, the wearable distress device 100 may comprise a warning circuitry configured to send a signal upon the voltage in the battery 110 being below a predetermined threshold. Such a signal may be a sound signal, a light signal, a vibration signal etc.

[0059] The wearable distress device 100 may comprise a distress signal emitter. The distress signal emitter may be configured to emit a distress signal in the form of a radio signal. The distress signal emitter may send out the distress signal upon activation of the wearable distress device 100. The distress signal may comprise information pertaining to a geographical position of the wearable distress device 100. Hence, the wearable distress device 100 may comprise a positioning unit configured to determine a present geographical position of the wearable distress device 100. Alternatively, or in combination, the distress signal may comprise an indication that the user of the wearable distress device 100 needs help. The distress signal may be in the form of an SMS directed towards one or more preset receivers of the distress signal. The distress signal emitter may further be configured to transmit the distress signal to mobile phones in the vicinity of the wearable distress device 100.

[0060] The wearable distress device 100 may comprise a communication unit. The communication unit being configured to interconnect the wearable distress device 100 with an electronic device such as a mobile phone, a laptop, a tablet, etc. The signal indicating low voltage in the battery may be sent to the electronic device via the communication unit.

[0061] The wearable distress device 100 may comprise a microcontroller. The microcontroller being configured to control the activation circuitry 104, the warning circuitry, the distress signal emitter and/or the communication unit. For example, activation of the wearable distress device 100 may be made by sending an activation signal from an electronic device being in communication with the wearable distress device 100 via the communication unit. Then the microcontroller is operating the switch 112 for igniting the smoke generating unit 102.

[0062] The wearable distress device 100 may be arranged to be carried by a user in an arm band, or a pouch comprising a clip, etc.

[0063] The Reinforcement

[0064] Additionally, variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by the skilled person in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word “comprising” does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article “a” or “an” does not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measured cannot be used to advantage.