Systems and methods for inflatable avalanche protection

• Main Authors: BLACKWELL DAVID K, GRUTTA JAMES THOMAS, NEFFSINGER DERICK J, GOMPERT PETER THOMAS, KUDER NATHAN MILES, HORACEK ROBERT JOHN, WALKER JOSEPH BENJAMIN
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 14.04.2015
• Subjects: CONVEYING; DEVICES, APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR LIFE-SAVING; EQUIPMENT FOR DWELLING OR WORKING UNDER WATER; FIRE-FIGHTING; HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL; HUMAN NECESSITIES; LAUNCHING, HAULING-OUT, OR DRY-DOCKING OF VESSELS; LIFE-SAVING; LIFE-SAVING IN WATER; MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGINGARTICLES OR MATERIALS; MEANS FOR SALVAGING OR SEARCHING FOR UNDERWATER OBJECTS; PACKING; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; RELATED EQUIPMENT; SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; STORING; TRANSPORTING; TRAVELLING OR CAMP EQUIPMENT: SACKS OR PACKS CARRIED ON THEBODY; UNPACKING

One embodiment of the present invention relates to a method for inflating a chamber within an inflatable avalanche safety system. The method includes providing an inflatable avalanche safety system including an inflatable chamber; receiving a user-triggered action intended to activate the avalanche safety system; transmitting ambient air from an external region to within the inflatable chamber; and inflating the inflatable chamber entirely with the transmitted external ambient air to a particular internal pressure and shape configured to protect the user from burial during an avalanche. The transmission of ambient air within the inflatable chamber may be accomplished with a fan or an electrical component.