Rescue device with an avalanche airbag

Abstract

A rescue device with a hybrid foldable avalanche airbag, the airbag containing at least one outer gas compartment that surrounds at least one inner air compartment. The outer compartment constitutes a pneumatic support frame for the airbag connected via a discharge valve with at least one pressurized gas cartridge. The inner air compartment is provided with at least one check valve through which ambient air is drawn in. The folded airbag is placed in a pocket of a backpack or in a pouch provided with shoulder straps connected to a buckled belt forming thereby a vest.

Claims

1. A rescue device comprising: a hybrid avalanche airbag having a compact folded initial state and a generally cylindrical fully expanded, inflated state, said airbag comprising: at least one outer gas compartment defined by a unitary outer wall, said outer gas compartment constituting a pneumatic support frame for the airbag; at least one enclosed inner air compartment, said at least one inner air compartment being unitary and being coextensive with and surrounded by said at least one outer gas compartment, said at least one inner air compartment being in fixed relationship with said at least one outer gas compartment, there being a common wall between said inner air compartment and said outer gas compartment; at least one pressurized gas cartridge; a triggerable discharge valve connecting said pressurized gas cartridge with said at least one outer gas compartment, pressurized gas from said at least one pressurized gas cartridge being connectable to said outer gas compartment to expand said outer gas compartment when said discharge valve is triggered, thereby creating a vacuum within said inner air compartment; and at least one check valve through which ambient air enters said at least one inner air compartment upon expansion of said outer gas compartment.

2. The rescue device according to claim 1, wherein said at least one check valve comprises two check valves arranged opposite each other.

3. The rescue device according to claim 1, wherein said airbag has the shape of an elongated balloon and said airbag further comprises: said at least one outer gas compartment being formed with said unitary outer wall and an inner wall, said inner wall being said common wall; and spacer elements evenly arranged between and connected by welds to said outer wall and said inner wall.

4. The rescue device according to claim 1, when said airbag has the shape of an elongated balloon with said at least one outer gas compartment comprising a plurality of sections evenly arranged along or across said airbag and with a common gap between them; said at least one outer gas compartment being formed with said unitary outer wall and an inner wall, said plurality of sections being formed by permanent connections of said outer wall and said inner wall at selected locations by welds and wherein said at least one check valve comprises two cheek valves arranged opposite each other.

5. The rescue device according to claim 1, wherein the airbag is contained in a pocket of a backpack or in a pouch provided with shoulder straps connected to a buckled belt thereby forming a vest.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

(1) Exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawing, wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 shows the front view with a cut-out of the rescue device in the form of a vest with folded avalanche airbag constituting a climber's equipment;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a magnified view of a portion of the airbag in a pouch;

(4) FIG. 3 shows the back view of the rescue device in the form of a vest with folded avalanche airbag constituting a climber's equipment;

(5) FIG. 4 shows the front view of the rescue device with inflated avalanche airbag constituting climber's equipment;

(6) FIG. 5 shows the side view of the rescue device with inflated avalanche airbag constituting climber's equipment;

(7) FIG. 6 shows an axonometric view with a partial cross-section of a first embodiment of the inflated avalanche airbag;

(8) FIG. 7 shows cross-section of the embodiment of FIG. 6 of the inflated avalanche airbag;

(9) FIG. 8 shows an axonometric view with a partial cross-section of a second embodiment of the inflated avalanche airbag;

(10) FIG. 9 shows cross-section of the embodiment of FIG. 8 of the inflated avalanche airbag;

(11) FIG. 10 shows an axonometric view of a third embodiment of the inflated avalanche airbag;

(12) FIG. 11 shows longitudinal section of the embodiment of FIG. 10 of the inflated avalanche airbag; and

(13) FIG. 12 shows the back view of the rescue device with folded avalanche airbag in the pocket of a backpack constituting a climber's equipment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

(14) In the drawing the rescue device is presented in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. The device has a folded hybrid avalanche airbag 1 (FIGS. 1, 2 and 3) placed in pouch 2 fastened with a hook and loop fastener or with a special zip fastener, the said pouch being connected to shoulder straps 3 and buckled belt 4. FIGS. 4 and 5 show the avalanche airbag 1 in an inflated state. Airbag 1 is provided with a discharge valve 5 connected to a cartridge 6, which may contain pressurized carbon dioxide, for example, and with two check valves 7.

(15) In the first embodiment of the invention, presented in FIGS. 6 and 7, the inflated hybrid avalanche airbag 1 has the shape of an elongated balloon and comprises an outer gas compartment 8 and an inner air compartment 9. The outer compartment 8 constitutes a pneumatic support frame for airbag 1 and is connected via discharge valve 5 with cartridge 6. The inner compartment 9 has a common wall 10 with the outer compartment 8 provided with spacer elements 11 in the form of strips, evenly arranged and connected with walls 10 and 12 of compartment 8 by means of welds 13. Compartment 9 has two check valves 7 for drawing in ambient air, those valves being located opposite each other on side walls 14.

(16) In the second embodiment of the invention, presented in FIGS. 8 and 9, the inflated hybrid avalanche airbag 1 has the shape of an elongated balloon and comprises an outer gas compartment 8 which surrounds an inner air compartment 9. The outer compartment 8 constitutes a pneumatic support frame for airbag 1 and is connected via discharge valve 5 with cartridge 6. The inner compartment 9 has a common wall 10 with the outer compartment 8, the latter comprising eight sections 15 evenly arranged along the airbag 1 with a common gap 16 between them. Sections 15 are formed by connecting walls 10 and 12 by means of welds 17. Compartment 9 is provided with two check valves 7 for drawing in ambient air, those valves being located opposite each other on side walls 14.

(17) In the third embodiment of the invention, presented in FIGS. 10 and 11, the inflated hybrid avalanche airbag 1 has the shape of an elongated balloon and comprises an outer gas compartment 8 which surrounds an inner air compartment 9. The outer compartment 8 constitutes a pneumatic support frame for airbag 1 and is connected via discharge valve 5 with cartridge 6. The inner compartment 9 has a common wall 10 with the outer compartment 8, the latter comprising six sections 18 evenly arranged across the airbag 1 with a common gap 19 between them. Sections 18 are formed by connecting walls 10 and 12 by means of welds 20. Compartment 9 is provided with two check valves 7 for drawing in ambient air, those valves being located opposite each other on side walls 14.

(18) As shown in FIG. 12, the rescue device has a folded airbag 1 placed in pocket 21 of backpack 22.

(19) In case of an avalanche emergency, after the discharge valve 5 is triggered, the outer compartment 8, 8, 8 is automatically filled with gas from cartridge 6. At the same time vacuum is created in inner compartment 9, 9, 9 which causes air to be drawn into that compartment through check valves 7. Due to rapid filling with gas and air of compartments 8, 8, 8 and 9, 9, 9 in airbag 1 of backpack 22 or of a vest, the person in danger is brought to the surface of the avalanche.