SEARCH-AND-RESCUE BALLOON

BALLON DE RECHERCHE ET DE SAUVETAGE

English Abstract

This balloon is for rescue purposes. The small gas container is attached
directly to the
balloons 300 foot long stem, enabling the balloon to be refilled a second
time. The gel
inner-lining of said balloon combined with refill capability will enable said
balloon to stay
aloft much longer (up to one month). The balloon is filled by squeezing the
handle on
the canister. The balloon will rise to a maximum of 300 feet and become
visible in
daylight or darkness from miles away in every direction. An LED light inside
the balloon
will flash the International Morse Code SOS signal, and at rescuers will see a
large,
flashing globe (especially at night).

Claims

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED, ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:

There have been many electronically made rescue items which were limited by
range
and depend on large, bulky, short-lived batteries for effective use. People do
not always
maintain their electronic or mechanical devices. When hiking, skiing, snow-
boarding,
surfing, boating, or scuba-diving, etc..., lighter, more useful equipment is
more effective
and more easily portable than heavier, bulkier, less effective equipment.
1. My balloon is light and easy to transport, weighing less than one pound.
2. My balloon combines electrical and mechanical technologies providing a
guaranteed
visual effect for rescuers.
3. My balloon uses tiny, lightweight, long-lasting batteries.
4. My balloon is highly visible when inflated.
5. My balloon requires no maintenance or repairs.
6. My balloon requires only one hand to be operated.
7. My balloon is gel-lined inside preventing helium from escaping through the
pores of
the balloon skin allowing it to stay aloft for up to two weeks on a single
fill.
8. With refill capability my balloon can potentially stay aloft for up to one
month.
9. My balloon can be refilled as it floats 300 feet above the earth.
10. My Balloon will make night-sightings much more likely.
11. My balloon will save lives as well as search-and-rescue costs.

Description

CA 02776511 2012-05-07
SEARCH-AND-RESCUE BALLOON
Description:
This invention pertains, in general, to the field of location signaling
devices, and
more particularly, to signaling devices for locating people in emergency
situations and/or
in need of being located and picked up or rescued. A fluorescent red, yellow,
orange, or
silver balloon 1, made of superior rubber, polyurethane, or latex, with a gel
inner lining,
and being three feet (+/-) in diameter seamlessly continuing into a 300 foot
long stem
which is directly attached to a canister of lighter-than-air gas 2. An easy-on
LED light 3,
is affixed to the inside top of the balloon. The LED light is turned on with
the press of a
tiny button on the back 4, which is easily depressed through the skin of the
balloon.
Said balloon will be inflated by helium gas 5, by squeezing the handle on said
canister
6. When the LED Light is on and flashing the International Morse code SOS
signal, a
sighting will be made easier because the balloon will provide a three-foot
diameter
flashing globe for searchers to see. This will become even more prevalent
during the
dark hours of night.
The above items are neatly folded and contained in a small carrying case 7,
attached to the belt of a hiker, skier, boater, hunter, scuba-diver, etc. by
sliding said belt
through the slits on the top, back of said case.