US5157378A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Integrated firefighter safety monitoring and alarm system
Assignee: NORTH-SOUTH Corp A CORP OF DELAWARE
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Filing: 1991-08-06
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Granted: 1992-10-20
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Expires: 2011-08-06
Abstract
Abstract A monitoring and alarm system allows a firefighter to monitor a variety of safety related parameters during firefighting activities through audible and/or visual means. The system monitors the pressure in the firefighter's breathing system and also monitors ambient temperature and motion of the firefighter. An audible alarm is activated to indicate a potential emergency situation relating to low remaining air time, impending thermal breakthrough or lack of motion of the firefighter.
Inventors
- 👤 L. Herbert Stumberg
- 👤 James A. Fulton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 21:33
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08B; G08B25/00; G08B25/01; G08B25/016; A; A62; A62B; A62B9/00; A62B9/006; A62B99/00; G08B19/00; G08B21/00; G08B21/02; G08B21/04; G08B21/0407; G08B21/0415; G08B21/0438; G08B21/0453
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
63 words
A monitoring and alarm system for use in conjunction with a firefighter's pressurized breathing system comprising: means for measuring air pressure in said breathing system; means for measuring ambient air temperature; and means for providing an audible alarm when said air pressure falls below a predetermined pressure level or said ambient temperature rises above a predetermined level for a predetermined length of time.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
63 words
A monitoring and alarm system for use in conjunction with a firefighter's pressurized breathing system comprising: means for measuring air pressure in said breathing system; means for measuring ambient air temperature; and means for providing an audible alarm when said air pressure falls below a predetermined pressure level or said ambient temperature rises above a predetermined level for a predetermined length of time.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
The monitoring and alarm system according to claim 1, said means for measuring air pressure comprising means for repetitively sampling the air pressure in said breathing system and means for calculating the remaining air time based on the measurements obtained from said repetitive samples.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system according to claim 2, further comprising means for displaying said remaining air time.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system according to claim 3, further comprising means for detecting motion of a firefighter, said audible alarm means being activated upon failure to detect motion for a predetermined period of time.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
49 words
The system according to claim 4, said means for providing an audible alarm comprising means for producing first and second audible alarm signals, said first audible alarm signal having a first intensity indicating an advisory condition, said second audible alarm signal having a second intensity indicating an emergency condition.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system according to claim 5, further comprising manually operated switching means for activating said means for providing said audible alarm to cause said alarm to emit said signal indicating an emergency condition.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
74 words
A monitoring and alarm system for use in conjunction with a firefighter's breathing system comprising: a means for measuring air pressure in said breathing system; means for measuring ambient air temperature; means for detecting motion of a firefighter; and means for providing an audible alarm corresponding either to an advisory condition or to an emergency condition relating to air pressure in said breathing system, ambient air temperature, or lack of motion of said firefighter.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
74 words
A monitoring and alarm system for use in conjunction with a firefighter's breathing system comprising: a means for measuring air pressure in said breathing system; means for measuring ambient air temperature; means for detecting motion of a firefighter; and means for providing an audible alarm corresponding either to an advisory condition or to an emergency condition relating to air pressure in said breathing system, ambient air temperature, or lack of motion of said firefighter.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
42 words
The system according to claim 7, said means for measuring ambient air temperature further comprising means for calculating a temperature factor corresponding to a quantity proportional to a value determined by the reciprocal of the integral of the temperature above 200° F.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
44 words
The monitoring and alarm system according to claim 8, said means for measuring air pressure comprising means for repetitively sampling the air pressure in said breathing system and means for calculating the remaining air time based on the measurements obtained from said repetitive samples.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system according to claim 9, further comprising means for displaying said remaining air time.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
44 words
The system according to claim 10, said means for providing an audible alarm comprising means for producing first and second audible alarm signals, said first audible alarm signal having an intensity indicating an advisory condition, said second audible alarm signal indicating an emergency condition.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
35 words
The system according to claim further comprising manually operated switching means for activating said means for providing said audible alarm to cause said alarm to emit said second audible alarm signal indicating an emergency condition.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4906972A
Cited
US5001783A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-10-20 | 1996-04-20 | 1996-10-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-10-20 | 2000-04-20 | 2000-10-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-10-20 | 2004-04-20 | 2004-10-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |