Radio-balloon distress signal

Claim 1

In apparatus for identifying the location of a person in distress: a. a gas-tight tank comprising rectangular top and bottom walls, side walls and end walls, and a lighter than air nonflammable gas in the tank, b. a neck protruding from one of said end walls having a conduit section communicating therewith, c. valve in said neck held in closed position by a locking device and spring forced to open position when said locking device is rendered ineffective, d. a balloon package comprising a collapsed balloon enclosed in a casing of metallic foil, said package being positioned on the top wall of said tank adjacent to the end wall having the neck protruding therefrom, e. said balloon having a neck with a one way check valve therein and a conduit section extending therefrom and communicating with the conduit section on the tank neck by way of a breakable connection, f. a radio transmitter resting on and releasably clamped to the top wall of said tank adjacent to said balloon package and includes a trigger, which activates the transmitter when it pulls free of said top wall, g. a cable having one end secured to the neck of said balloon and its other end to said transmitter, h. a reel secured to the top wall of said tank adjacent to said transmitter, i. a tether taken up on said reel and having one end anchored thereto and its other end secured to said transmitter, and j. a cover hinged to the upper edge of a tank wall and in closed position covering the elements on the top wall of said tank.