GB2382297A

GB2382297A - Safety jacket with pulsed lights

Info

Publication number: GB2382297A
Application number: GB0127994A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter Ronald Langmaid
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-11-22
Filing date: 2001-11-22
Publication date: 2003-05-28
Also published as: GB0127994D0

Abstract

A safety jacket has a microprocessor, circuitry, light emitting diodes and battery that are incorporated within and on the surface of the jacket. The microprocessor controls a series of LEDs that may be positioned on the front and rear of the jacket, to pulsate in random or set patterns. The pulsating LEDs enhance the ability of others to see or locate the wearer in daylight, hazardous or poor visibility and may be configured to display a text message such as "S.O.S". The power source may also be derived from an external source such as a motorbike's electrical circuit.

Description

The Description The Pulsar Safety Jacket Background : If one gets lost whilst fell walking, or falls down a mountain side, or is in a canoe that gets swept out to sea, that person's rescue will depend on the rescuers being able to locate them quickly.

Emergency service personnel working at the roadside need to be clearly seen if they too are not to become casualties themselves, motorcyclists are quite often knocked off their motorbikes by motorists who state afterwards that they'simply did not see the motorbike..' Industrial sites such as quarries, mines, foundries, oil rigs, railways, airport aprons and such like can be hazardous to those working in such places as noise pollution can overwhelm one's hearing, leaving only vision to warn of another person's presence.

Requirement : A device that could enhance the visibility of the wearer to others. Such a device would in use be attached to someone undertaking a potentially hazardous task (such as a paramedic or fireman), or alternatively could be used when undertaking an outdoor pursuit that could by its very nature, be hazardous. Sailing, skiing, climbing, caving, orienteering are all examples of activities where increased visibility of the participant is desirable in many instances, and essential in the event of an accident.

A reflective surface attached to the person is only effective when a light source falls on the material-not much good if there is not a suitable light source to do this.

The solution therefore would be that the device created its own light, and that the light was sufficiently bright to perform its intended safety task in varying light conditions.

Ideally the device had to be lightweight, compact, self-contained, and above all, practical.

Solution : The solution was to use existing technology in a novel and unique way: the'Pulsar Safety Jacket' The Pulsar Safety Jacket is a lightweight'safety'jacket that incorporates a series of pulsating and static high output Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) to the front and rear of the jacket. The jacket is designed primarily to be worn over the top of existing functional or specialist clothing and for the action of the pulsing LEDs to greatly enhance the ability of others to see or locate the wearer, or to give a visual warning of the wearer's presence, during daylight or at night, and in hazardous or poor visibility conditions.

Features : The Pulsar Safety Jacket incorporates a microprocessor and associated circuitry which controls the LED's to create a pulsating effect ; in addition, set or random patterns can be generated by the system.

High output, rapid reaction LEDs that can be repeatedly switched on and off by the microprocessor without damage.

All the electronics incorporated in the jacket are low in both voltage (9 volts direct current) and power consumption: this makes the jacket safe for the wearer to use and gives a continuous operating time in excess of 100 hours per battery charge.

For certain applications the Pulsar Safety Jacket will be able to derive it's power source from an external source, such as a motorbike's electrical circuit.

The Pulsar Safety Jacket can be adapted to suit various applications and environments.

However all the basic electronics and other operations will remain the same, only the final shape of the jacket, the display pattern of the LEDs, waterproofing or power source will change.

The LEDs can be configured to display simple text such as"S. O. S" if required.

Even though the Pulsar Safety Jacket contains a power source, microprocessor, wiring and LEDs, it is slim, flexible and lightweight, and therefore practical in use, and easily transported when not required.

The LED light system can be turned-off when not in use, or when not required to be operating by the wearer.

Claims

Claims 1. A jacket that incorporates within its structure, and set on the exterior surface, light emitting diodes that are controlled by a microprocessor contained within the structure of the jacket, which enables the light emitting diodes to turn on and off in random or predetermined sequences, with the power source for the electronic control system also being contained with the structure of the jacket.
2. The jacket as in claim 1 has additional power input devices that enable the light emitting diodes to respond to, or be controlled by, external power sources.
3. The light emitting diodes contained within the jacket in claim 1 have coloured or white coverings which will cause the light emitting diode to display that particular colour
4. The structure of the jacket as in claim 1, is made of man-made fibres
5. The jacket, as in claim 1 will have either long sleeves or no sleeves, dependant on the required application of the jacket, but with the overall function of the jacket being unchanged.