Abstract: A location identification balloon system for use by lost or injured hikers and the like that includes a balloon filled with helium that is secured with a tether and allowed to float above the tree level to allow a search plane or helicopter to readily locate the missing person. Cause the balloon to provide a flickering effect, the balloon has a number of air capturing pockets that cause the balloon to spin in the wind. The balloon and tether are attached by a swivel to allow the balloon to spin freely. The balloon is filled by pulling on a spool driven compression mechanism to cause a compression plate to compress the sealed tip end of a pressurized helium canister over the piercing tube end of a valve.

Abstract: A location indicator system is provided including a gas tank for containing helium gas therein. Also included is an actuation assembly for releasing the gas from the tank. Connected to the tank is a balloon adapted to inflate and lift the balloon upon the release of the gas from the tank.

Abstract: Display apparatus connected to a filler gun of a fuel dispensing station. A carrying body on a prominent part of the filler gun supports a detachable display surface carrier which in turn supports an inflatable balloon shaped element. The balloon shaped element carries an advertising message which is viewable when the balloon shaped element is inflated. A valve on the filler gun is connected to a source of inflation air and to the balloon shaped element. The valve is actuated by the fuel dispensing trigger on the filler gun. During fueling an inflation gas is supplied to the balloon shaped element which in the inflated state prominently displays the advertising message.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically releasing a gas from a pressurized cartridge of the gas is provided, especially for the purpose of inflating an emergency balloon. The apparatus includes an automatic signal balloon inflator, having a support structure, an upper surface and a bottom plate. The bottom plate has at least a single cartridge mount, each with a vent and a pin port. The pin port connects to the cartridge mount. At least a single pressurized cartridge, containing a gas stored under pressure, is received into each cartridge mount in the support structure. A spring loaded piston is mounted upon the support structure. A plunger with a piston contact surface and a puncture pin is forced by the spring loaded piston to depress and penetrate the pressurized cartridge, releasing the gas contents of the pressurized cartridge through the vent. A firing spring forces the piston to engage the plunger.

Abstract: The device of this invention has a deployable signalling or display structure for displaying messages on a display area of the structure to signal an event that exists within the building, including a distress event. The messages are provided by indicia placed on a display area of the structure. The signalling structure is large enough to be easily seen by persons who approach the entrance to the building, as well as persons at a safe distance from the building. The deployable signalling structure is stored within an enclosure adapted for installation to a portion of the building with a deployment opening directed to an exterior location away from the building. The signalling structure is deployed by forcing a fluid into the structure by way of a supply conduit from a deployment unit. A control valve is used to control the supply of fluid to the signalling structure from the deployment unit and to maintain the signalling structure deployed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and device 10 for marking an individual's location to facilitate rescue. The method comprises the step of removing a cover member or cap 24 of the device 10 which contains an inflatable balloon 40 to open a valve 28 of a cylinder 18 containing a pressurized, lighter than air gas which inflates a balloon 40, so that the balloon rises in the atmosphere. The balloon 40 is tied to one end of a line 48 that has another end attached to the device 10. Thus, the balloon 40 travels upward a distance essentially equal to the length of the line 48, hovering overhead to identify the individual's location.

Abstract: A marker device for marking an underwater location is provided and comprises a heavier-than-water weight member including a reel thereon, an elongated connector line attached to the weight member and wrapped on the reel when the marker device is not in use and unwrapped from the reel when a location is to be marked, an inflatable/deflatable marker balloon on the connector line and stored on the weight member in the deflated condition when the marker device is not in use and removed from the weight member for inflation when a location is to be marked, and valve means communicated to the marker balloon for permitting introduction of gas therein to inflate the balloon and release of gas therefrom for deflating the balloon.

Abstract: A protective or purge enclosure provides a positive atmosphere around an operating device such as a hand-held computer or calculator contained therein. The protective enclosure has sufficient flexibility, even though providing a positive, sealed atmosphere, to enable the user to operate the functional features of the device sealed within the enclosure, and the material forming the device is sufficiently transparent to enable the user to view the functional features of the device for operation. A visible indicator provided on the enclosure enables the user to determine if the enclosure is maintaining the positive atmosphere sealed therein.

Abstract: A survival kit apparatus is set forth wherein the same provides for a container formed with a pivotally mounted lid securable about a forward face of the container. The kit includes a selectively illuminated compass formed within the lid and a secondary storage container formed through the lid containing food rations and cutlery therein. The interior of the container includes a spool of flexible tether line formed with axially extending axles from the spool. A valved pressurized helium container has secured thereto an inflatable signal balloon and a flashlight removably positioned within a padded tubular support holder removably secured within the container along a forwardmost wall thereof.

Abstract: A captive volume device containing a small amount of solid propellant and a safe life indicator such as a colorimeter material or a differential pressure sensor. As the propellant deteriorates, it expends a gas which changes the color of the colorimeter material or causes the differential pressure sensor to alter its position, indicating that the propellant material is useless.

Abstract: An air pressure indicator for mounting on an automobile tire valve. An inflatable balloon is used to indicate a desired condition. The balloon is surrounded by a transparent cap. Should the air pressure in the tire fall below a desired level, the balloon will deflate. A free floating valve is positioned in a cavity formed adjacent to the transparent cap. The valve seals an air passage through the transparent cap should the inflatable balloon rupture.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to life spotting package comprising a lighter than air inflatable cylindrical device of an international orange composite having an inflated diameter of the order of one foot in diameter and a length of the order of five feet. A mirror finish helical strip of highly light reflective material runs from the top of the cylinder and winding axially 360.degree. down and around the cylinder to its bottom. The cylinder is of a metallic foil over plastic composite and is radar reflective. The bottom of the cylinder has an apron for the attachment of signaling devices by way of grommet eyelets and velcro patches. The cylinder is provided by a helium charged no return cannister. There is provision for introducing the helium from the cannister into the inflatable cylindrical device making the cannister part of the airborne lighter than air cylindrical device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for dispensing degradable beverages, such as wine, from a pressure-intolerant container such as a glass bottle, while insuring that gaseous contaminants such as oxygen cannot enter the bottle. In the system provided, a pressure-limiting gas container admits a non-degrading gas into the bottle under a safe dispensing pressure to dispense the beverage. The apparatus is configured (and the method steps are arranged) to insure that no pressure substantially higher than the dispensing pressure can ever be present in the bottle, even upon failure of any or all pressure-limiting elements in the system. Between dispensing episodes, air and other contaminants are excluded from the bottle by means of structure, including suitably arranged, quick-acting, self-closing valves.

Abstract: A balloon distress marker wherein the balloon has, in a wall thereof, a small compartment interiorly of the balloon and accessible through an aperture in the wall of the balloon for retaining an article therein. The compartment is substantially smaller than the volumne of the balloon and is useable for interconnecting balloons in series or inserting a flashlight therein to illuminate the balloon. A coupling for interconnecting balloons is preferably a small balloon in itself which can be inflated when in the compartment. A two-part balloon wherein the two parts are interconnected by a narrow neck portion rendering the marker useable as a life preserver. A rescue kit consisting of a casing having a removable top that can be illuminated by flashlights in the cap. Located within the container is a cylinder containing lighter-than-air gas for inflating the balloon.

Abstract: A cuff type indwelling device such as a tracheal tube, catheter or the like is provided with a cuff balloon and a pilot balloon of full volume non-stretchable, non-resilient flexible material, and means for inflating both balloons. The pilot balloon is of generally spherical shape when expanded and is enclosed in a longer pressure monitoring balloon of resilient stretchable material. As the drum shaped pilot balloon progressively increases in diameter, during application of pressure, it progressively changes the configuration of the pressure monitoring balloon from elongated cylindrical shape, to oval shape, to substantially spherical shape, thereby visually indicating to the surgeon low side cuff pressure, medium cuff pressure, and high side cuff pressure.

Abstract: A visually and mechanically testable float switch composite is presented. The composite had a casing having one opening into a switch cavity containing a switch having leads potted to the outside. A float is coupled through the opening by coupling means to mechanically actuate the switch. The opening is closed by a bearing and bearing cap surrounded by and sealed by an elastomeric boot. Closing of the cap increases pressure on the fluid in the switch cavity thereby causing the boot to expand like a balloon thereby permitting visual or mechanical testing since the boot remains expanded if there is no leak. In like manner, any submersible component may be made visually and mechanically testable by inserting a cap thereby increasing the internal pressure and monitoring a balloon like expandable boot to determine whether the increase in pressure is maintained.

Abstract: A pressure indicating device for use with medical cannulae having balloon type sealing cuffs such as tracheal tubes. The device would be added to a normal pilot balloon to indicate having exceeded a preset pressure by having a long tubular structure that could be folded inside itself telescopically at low pressure and would pop-out at the preset pressure. When elongated or popped-out, a visual indicator would be exposed until the overpressure was corrected and the tube again tucked into itself.

Abstract: A device for producing a rescue signal for use by a person who is lost or has had an accident. The device is in the form of a compact package including a casing containing a deflated and collapsed balloon, and a cartridge of compressed gas, such as helium, air, or CO.sub.2, and a hand lever for forcing the cartridge to puncture it. A needle tube has a first, pointed, end for puncturing the cartridge, and a second end extending into the balloon, and the balloon has a sphincter valve normally holding the balloon on the needle tube, and closing when the balloon is inflated and released. A pull tab is provided on the balloon for grasping by the user for releasing the balloon, and a tether line is tied to the balloon and wound on a spool. The casing is normally closed, confining nearly all of the other components and readily opened manually for exposing those elements. It may be small and light in weight for carrying on the person as in hiking, ski-ing, mountain climbing, etc.

Abstract: Inflatable cuff-type catheters, e.g., endotracheal and tracheotomy tubes, with cuff pressure indicators are provided. One indicator means comprises an expandable chamber with an open-ended spring about the mid-section of the chamber. As the chamber expands, the spring also expands to indicate the gas pressure in the cuff.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a pressure sensitive indicating device of extremely simplified nature, providing a visual indication of a predetermined pressure threshold level. A typical and advantageous form of the device is a valve or valve extension member for a pneumatic tire, providing a visual indication of the existence or not of a desired pressure level. The device, in its most basic form, comprises an element formed of a natural or synthetic deformable elastomer, designed to expand upon exposure to increasing pressure levels. A covering element is associated with the deformable elastomer and is displaced by distention of the elastomer. By providing the deformable elastomer in a distinctively different color than the cover element, the displacement of the cover upon pressurization to a desired threshold, is readily evident to the observer.

Abstract: A device for aiding in the location of a person or object comprises a balloon connected by a valve to a container for a pressurized gas lighter than air, all of which are disposed within a casing in which a tethering line for the balloon is disposed and held closed by a releasable strap and lid which also holds the valve closed and which is operative to permit escape of the balloon and gas container from the casing whilst simultaneously opening the valve to admit gas into the balloon whereby the inflated balloon with the gas container connected thereto can rise into the air at one end of the tethering line.

Abstract: Inflatable cuff-type catheters, e.g., endotracheal and tracheotomy tubes, with cuff pressure indicators are provided. One indicator comprises an expandable chamber with an open-ended spring about the mid-section of the chamber. As the chamber expands, the spring also expands to indicate the gas pressure in the cuff.

Abstract: Apparatus for visually indicating the degree of inflation of an inflatable cuff surrounding a catheter which is adapted to be inserted into a body passageway. The apparatus comprises a hollow-walled tubular member formed with a plurality of ridges and valleys and is selectively inflatable into a balloon-like shape in response to the pressure of air applied to the cuff by means of a passageway extending into the tubular member. The member is collapsible without occluding the fluid passageway extending into the indicator apparatus and thus without preventing the deflation of the cuff.

Abstract: A warning indicator disclosed is secured to a pneumatic tire valve to sense tire pressure and emit an audible signal when the tire pressure goes below a predetermined value. A connector of the indicator is initially threaded onto the tire valve and a cap thereof is subsequently threaded onto the connector. The connector includes a valve opener that opens the tire valve so that pressurized tire air flows to a pressure sensing valve which prevents air flow to the cap when normal tire pressures are sensed. A valve element of the pressure sensing valve moves into and out of engagement with a valve seat and is engaged by the first end of a valve actuator that also has a second end projecting toward the cap. The cap includes a housing with a spring that biases an actuating member into engagement with the second end of the actuator so as to move the valve element out of engagement with the valve seat when low tire air pressure is present.

Abstract: A monitoring system is comprised of an elastomer balloon housed in a rigid cage having a plurality of windows which is designed to continuously indicate the state of collapse or expansion of the internal cuff or cuffs of an encotracheal tube. This balloon monitor is interconnected in series with the pneumatic channel through which the cuff or cuffs are inflated. The volume of the balloon may be observed visually with reference to its filling the cage enclosure denoting thereby its state of inflation and therefore, also that of the endotracheal cuff. Calibration of the balloon monitor provides means for accurately observing both the volume and pressure of air in the system. Therefore, visual inspection of the balloon monitor indicates by reason of the calibration the prevailing level of pressure in the patient's endotracheal cuff.

Abstract: A compact signal balloon device includes a special charge container having a liner for holding a first reacting chemical and preventing its egress through access holes provided in a wall of the charge container. The device also includes an activation container which holds a second reacting chemical and which is adapted to receive the charge container to effect mixing and reaction of the chemicals to produce a lighter-than-air gas. A balloon seals the activation container and is inflated by the gas generated by the reaction. The balloon is then sealed and detached and then released on the end of a line. A detachable covering member over the access holes seals the holes and prevents inadvertent reacting prior to the time that the charge container is placed in the activation container. A piece of reflective metallic material is carried by the balloon and increases its detectability. Also, a transmitter may be attached to the balloon to transmit its location.

Abstract: An avalanche rescue marker system consisting of an openable pack assembly and a trigger inflation assembly, the openable pack assembly being carried by the user on his upper back and the trigger inflation assembly being carried by the user on an upper front portion of his outer garment with a gas tube coupled therebetween. The trigger inflation assembly carries a gas cylinder having compressed lighter-than-air gas therein and is coupled to the input of a deflated marker balloon which in turn has its neck portion coupled tethered to a tether which is folded in anti-fouling loops. When a lever is pulled by the wearer the gas in the cartridge enters the balloon, inflating the balloon after which the balloon automatically escapes, pulling the tether upward along with it. The tether is attached to the wearer and hence, the balloon becomes a marker marking the location of the wearer.

Abstract: A distress marker assembly in the form of an inflatable balloon fastened to a cylinder of compressed helium or hydrogen gas, with a flexible line fixed at one end to the cylinder and at the other end to an anchor unit. The anchor unit is shaped with a clasp for fastening to a fixed object or the person of the user, and formed with a pair of flexible clamp jaws through which the line is fed out to the balloon, when inflated. The balloon is marked with a distinctive color and with large letters spelling out S.O.S. The balloon contains a quantity of metal oxide powder to serve as a radar reflector.

Abstract: The signal assembly includes an inflatable ballon capable of retaining a lighter-than-air gas connected to a container of the gas under pressure. A seal is provided to prevent the contents of the container from being released into the balloon. The container has a manually yieldable and resilient wall portion to which a needle or equivalent is connected so that, upon inward pressure on the resilient wall portion, the needle breaks the seal. When the manual pressure is released, the restorative action of the resilient wall portion causes the needle to withdraw from the seal leaving a punctured passageway through which gas flows from the container into the balloon. A one-way valve may be provided adjacent the seal to prevent reentry of the gas from the balloon into the container.