초록 ▼

One embodiment of the present invention relates to an avalanche safety system including an inflatable chamber, activation system, inflation system, and a harness. The inflatable chamber is a three-dimensionally, partially enclosed region having an inflated state and a compressed state. The inflated

One embodiment of the present invention relates to an avalanche safety system including an inflatable chamber, activation system, inflation system, and a harness. The inflatable chamber is a three-dimensionally, partially enclosed region having an inflated state and a compressed state. The inflated state may form a particular three dimensional shape configured to protect the user from burial and provide flotation during an avalanche. The activation system is configured to receive a user-triggered action to activate the system. The activation system also includes a reinflation algorithm configured to automatically reactivate the inflation system after a period of time to maintain the inflated state of the inflatable chamber. The inflation system may include an air intake, battery, fan, and internal airway channel. The inflation system is configured to transmit ambient air into the inflatable chamber.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An inflatable avalanche safety system comprising: an inflatable chamber including a compressed state and an inflated state, wherein the inflated state forms a pressurized three dimensional region in proximity to a user;an inflation system configured to actively transmit ambient air within the inf

1. An inflatable avalanche safety system comprising: an inflatable chamber including a compressed state and an inflated state, wherein the inflated state forms a pressurized three dimensional region in proximity to a user;an inflation system configured to actively transmit ambient air within the inflatable chamber with a fan thereby transitioning the inflatable chamber from the compressed state to the inflated state;an activation system configured to activate the inflation system, wherein the activation system includes a reinflation algorithm configured to automatically reactivate the inflation system after a predetermined period of time to maintain the inflated state of the inflatable chamber; anda harness configured to support the inflatable chamber, activation system, and inflation system in proximity to the user. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the activation system is configured to sequentially perform the acts of: activating the inflation system to inflate the inflatable chamber for a first period greater than one second;deactivating the inflation system for a second period greater than two seconds;reactivating the inflation system for a third period; anddeactivating the inflation system for a fourth period. 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the first period is greater than ten seconds. 4. The system of claim 2, wherein the second period is three seconds and the third period is two seconds. 5. The system of claim 2, wherein the acts of deactivating the inflation system for a second period greater than two seconds and reactivating the inflation system for a third period, are repeated at least once prior to the act of deactivating the inflation system for a fourth period. 6. The system of claim 2, wherein the acts of deactivating the inflation system for a second period greater than two seconds and reactivating the inflation system for a third period are repeated at least five times prior to the act of deactivating the inflation system for a fourth period. 7. The system of claim 2, wherein the fourth period is greater than five minutes. 8. The system of claim 2, wherein the length of the fourth period corresponds to at least one of a user triggering action, an inflatable chamber pressure, and a battery voltage. 9. The system of claim 2, wherein the acts of activating and reactivating the inflation system include electrically coupling the fan to a battery. 10. The system of claim 2, wherein the acts of activating and reactivating the inflation system include automatically opening a valve and transmitting ambient air into the inflatable chamber in response to electrically activating the fan. 11. The system of claim 2, wherein the acts of deactivating the inflation system include automatically closing a valve substantially maintaining pressure within the inflatable chamber in response to electrically deactivating the fan. 12. An inflatable avalanche safety system comprising: an inflatable chamber including a compressed state and an inflated state, wherein the inflated state forms a pressurized three dimensional region in proximity to a user;an inflation system configured to actively transmit ambient air within the inflatable chamber with a fan thereby transitioning the inflatable chamber from the compressed state to the inflated state;an activation system configured to activate the inflation system, wherein the activation system is configured to sequentially perform the acts of: activating the inflation system to inflate the inflatable chamber for a first period greater than one second;deactivating the inflation system for a second period greater than two seconds;reactivating the inflation system for a third period;deactivating the inflation system for a fourth period;wherein the acts of deactivating the inflation system for a second period greater than two seconds and reactivating the inflation system for a third period, are repeated at least once prior to the act of deactivating the inflation system for a fourth period; anda harness configured to support the inflatable chamber, activation system, and inflation system in proximity to the user. 13. A method for inflating a chamber within an inflatable avalanche safety system comprising the acts of: providing an inflatable avalanche safety system comprising: an inflatable chamber including a compressed state and an inflated state, wherein the inflated state forms a pressurized three dimensional region in proximity to a user;an inflation system configured to actively transmit ambient air within the inflatable chamber with a fan thereby transitioning the inflatable chamber from the compressed state to the inflated state;an activation system configured to activate the inflation system, wherein the activation system includes a reinflation algorithm configured to automatically reactivate the inflation system after a predetermined period of time to maintain the inflated state of the inflatable chamber;a harness configured to support the inflatable chamber, activation system, and inflation system in proximity to the user;receiving a user-triggered action intended to activate the avalanche safety system;activating the inflation system for a first period;deactivating the inflation system for a second period;reactivating the inflation system for a third period; anddeactivating the inflation system for a fourth period. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the acts of activating and reactivating the inflation system include opening a valve between the fan and the inflatable chamber. 15. The method of claim 13, wherein the act of deactivating the inflation system include closing a valve between the fan and the inflatable chamber. 16. The method of claim 13, wherein the acts of deactivating the inflation system for a second period and reactivating the inflation system for a third period are repeated at least once prior to the act of deactivating the inflation system for a fourth period. 17. The method of claim 13, wherein the acts of deactivating the inflation system for a second period and reactivating the inflation system for a third period are repeated at least five times prior to the act of deactivating the inflation system for a fourth period. 18. The method of claim 13, wherein the duration of the fourth period is dependent on at least one of a user trigger action, an inflatable chamber pressure, and a battery voltage. 19. The method of claim 13, wherein the first period is at least one second. 20. The method of claim 13, wherein the fourth period is at least five minutes.