Field of the Invention

The present invention concerns a safety installation, such as a safety ladder primarily for rescuing persons from water where a quay or other limitation for the water has a height that cannot be passed by a person situated in the water, wherein the ladder consists of at least one bar, to which bar or bars there are fastened a number of rungs, the ladder fastened to the quay or limitation and provided with light sources.

The invention also concerns a method for identifying, illuminating and operating at least one safety installation.

Background of the Invention

JP2011122342 describes a ladder for a jetty where light diodes (LED's) are integrated on the surfaces of a number of projecting parts located between a pair of vertical bar members of the ladder. The vertical bar member is provided with an arm part connected with a horizontal plane of the jetty. A solar panel for powering the LED's is provided on the upper surface of the arm part. The energy from the solar panel is stored in a storage battery also provided in the arm part. The printed circuit board (not shown) used for controlling the lighting of the LED's according to the energy accumulated from the solar panel is provided in the arm part of the ladder as well.

Object of the Invention

It is an object of the invention to prevent drowning accidents in harbours or at other limitations for water where a quay or limitation has a critical height which cannot be passed by a person situated in the water. Another object is to make a safety system visible when it is dark.

Description of the Invention

The object can be achieved by a safety ladder as defined in the introduction if the light sources are designed as light diodes that are integrated in the bar or bars of the ladder ² RO/DK \ S NOV. 2013 and supplied from at least one power source, and that the power source is charged from at least one solar panel module.

By integrating the light diodes in the bars of the ladder such that the light diodes are countersunk relative to the surface of the bas, the light diodes will be automatically protected. While at the same time using light diodes emitting light in different directions, the safety installation can be made visible in darkness when viewed from angles encompassing about 180°. By countersinking and integrating the light diode, there is achieved protection against e.g. moored pleasure boats which are moored to the ladder, where the boats can easily cause damage on the ladder by usual wave movements. However, the light diodes are protected as they are integrated in the bars of the ladder such that boats that are moored will in no way damage the ladder. Also, the integrated light diodes in the bars will be protected against possible action from ice in the winter.

With integrated light diodes provided by countersinking in distinct holes or slots in the ladder bars, and if a watertight sealing is provided around the light diodes, a safety installation with very great reliability can be achieved. The service life of the light diodes is extremely long compared with other light sources, why the service life of the safety installation is more influenced by internal wiring and quality of the electronics which is connected thereto for controlling the light diodes.

A processor-based control system can e.g. be used for timer-controlled switching on and off of the light diodes as well as the light diodes can be lit by means of a photocell, e.g. by low visibility in connection with fog. At the moment when an electronic control system for controlling light diodes is introduced, it will be possible to use advanced light control. An electronic circuit can thus ensure that correct voltage applied on the light diodes is always present, but at the same time it becomes possible to reduce the power consumption by letting the light diodes flash with a relatively high frequency. The light yield of the light diodes is almost unchanged but the power consumption may be halved without the flashes being visible for the persons that look at the safety installation. However, it is a condition that the flashing frequency is greater than about 50 Hz.

By a preferred embodiment of the invention, at least the uppermost ladder rungs may contain integrated light diodes. By an alternative embodiment of the invention, it will be possible not only to provide light diodes in the ladder bars but also to dispose light diodes integrated in the ladder rungs. If light diodes are countersunk in the rungs, it will be possible to use the ladder by stepping on the rungs without damaging the light diodes as the latter will be recessed into the rungs. When disposing the light diodes in the rungs, it will be possible to let the rungs be lit up altematingly such that the individual rungs can be lit one second at a time, after which some kind of flashing effect may arise.

By a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the ladder can be secured to the quay or other limitation by a fitting, to which fitting is fastened a pole carrying at least one solar panel module. By using a fitting which is placed on e.g. a quay, there is ensured a better and more efficient fastening of the ladder on the quay. By means of the fitting it will be possible to securely screw on a larger number of fastening means than if a ladder had to be fastened directly on a quayside. At the same time, there is achieved the advantage that the fitting can be used for fastening a pole which can carry a solar panel module at a suitable height above the quay, and where the solar panel module is rotatable so that the solar panel module is adjusted to an optimal position relative to the sun when the sun is at the highest elevation in the sky. In that case, the solar panel will typically be directed towards the south. One may thereby attain the optimal energy yield from the solar panel.

By a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the pole may contain an identification number illuminated by light diodes. This number may advantageously be illuminated by light diodes from the back side. The identification number is strongly needed at the moment an emergency call has to be made because a person has been discovered in the water. Calling emergency services based on the identification number will mean that a rescue operation can be started immediately at the right position. If the W wfto _¾ 2D _l 1i4/ _/ mU /¾3b8»<y) j^Q^ ^ Q nui.

identification number is illuminated, the number can be read with certainty at some distance, even at night.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the pole may contain a fitting for fastening rescue means iUuminated by light diodes. One or more rescue means can be fastened to the pole, such as a life buoy, or possibly life jackets and safety rope together with possible resuscitation equipment. Illumination and thereby making the rescue means visible by means of a light diode module, possibly provided in connection with the identification number or mounted in connection with the solar panel module can provide the safety equipment to be partially illuminated at night.

By a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the safety ladder can be secured to the quay or limitation by at least one other fitting which is fastened to the bars of the ladder. Relief of the ladder bars can hereby be achieved as transmission of force from the ladder bars can also occur through the other fitting. The other fitting functions simultaneously such that possible forces from ice, which can cause deflection of the ladder and apply a moment on the ladder, can be absorbed by the other fitting. Somehow depending on the length of a rescue ladder, there may of course be several fittings which are secured in the quay or limitation. Particularly in areas with a strong tide it may be necessary to use ladders of appreciable length. For example, in locks with relatively great lifting height there will be a need for very long ladders.

By a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the bars of the safety ladder can be designed with a flexible section connecting an upper and a lower ladder section. By connecting the upper and lower sections of the ladder with a flexible intermediate section, which e.g. can be made of a rubber-based material, it may be achieved that the lower section of the ladder can be deflected without thereby bending the ladder on its upper section. This is important if the ladder on a quay is frozen into the ice, or if the ladder is impacted by pack ice that may apply a certain pressure, the lower section of the ladder will just deflect and follow the ice some length of the way. Thereby it can be avoided that the lower section of the ladder will be damaged by the ice as the ice pressure will only influence the ladder section to deflection through the flexible connection. By a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the safety ladder and the pole can be monitored by an integrated computer, the computer controlling the switching on and off of the light diodes and communicating with a data communication module, the data communication module in turn communicating with a central monitoring system. The number of electronic functions in connection with the safety system is so complicated that a small computer unit will certainly be needed for taking care of the various functions. Necessary functions are, for example, converting solar energy providing an electric current from the solar panel; this electric energy is to be converted into current and voltage adapted to the charging of the batteries of the rescue system. The electronic system will subsequently also have to be used for achieving an efficient supply to the light diodes. The voltage needed for activating the light diodes is possibly different from the battery voltage, why in turn a converter circuit is to be applied.

Switching the light diodes on and off may require a light sensor or at least a timer, but since the length of the days varies much, the system may be dependent on a calendar in the computer so that on and off times are continually adapted to the seasons. The computer system may at the same time perform a continuous monitoring of e.g. the safety equipment. The monitoring can mean that as soon as one removes one of the safety functions, such as life buoy or life jacket or other rescue equipment, there will automatically be made an emergency call so that help is summoned automatically. The computer system may also perform a continuous monitoring of the entire safety installation such that possible service can be performed before actual failures arise in the installation. The rescue means may advantageously be provided with GPS-tracking so that possible theft of rescue means can be discovered very quickly. GPS tracking of life buoy can entail that if a life buoy is thrown into the water and carried with the stream, it will still be possible to track and collect such a life buoy. There is a tendency that the life buoy, even if not used, will follow a drowning person because the stream has hold of both life buoy and person. This can be a great help in a possible search. The invention also concerns a method for identifying, illuminating and operating of at least one safety installation, the method being autonomous and including at least one energy supply by means of at least one alternative energy source, wherein the method includes at least one energy storage as well as illumination of the safety installation by RO/DK 1 means of light diodes, the safety installation including a monitoring system and communication means, wherein the communication means communicate with an external system. The invention also concerns other safety functions, for example safety signs provided at the beach, e.g. along the west coast of Jutland, where these safety sign advantageously can be illuminated by light diodes and by means of a solar panel produce the required energy, and along the west coast of Jutland it is also necessary to provide life buoys and life jackets and rescue ropes, and other safety equipment in connection with existing signs on the beach. The signs already contain a number such that by alarming it can be safeguarded that a rescue operation is initiated at the sign which is closest to the point of an occurred accident.

Presently, the signs are not lit and almost impossible to find when it is dark. The invention may therefore advantageously include safety signs along any coast. Based on the fact that the solar panel can provide sufficient energy for a sign and illumination of possible rescue equipment, there will presumably be sufficient energy for performing a continuous monitoring of the safety installation such that also in connection with signs on other coastal lines than directly at a quay there may be performed an automatic emergency call if the safety equipment is removed from the stand. By this alternative utilisation of the invention it may obviously be expected as well that the individual components in connection with the safety installation are provided with GPS tracking.

If a rescuer, for example, uses the life jacket and swims out to rescue a person in distress, it will be great advantage if there is GPS tracking so that a possible rescue operation can start and be guided directly towards the swimming person who can be several hundred metres from the coast performing rescue in the water for an injured person. In many cases it will be extremely important if both persons are found as quickly as possible as cooling of the human body occurs relatively rapidly, why evacuation of the persons located in the water at low temperatures is to take place as quickly as possible. The invention also concerns a method for identifying, illuminating and operating of at least one safety installation, the method being autonomous and including at least one energy supply by means of at least one alternative energy source, wherein the method includes at least one energy storage as well as illumination of the safety installation by means of light diodes, the safety installation including a monitoring system and communication means, wherein the communication means communicate with an external system.

The invention also includes use of a safety installation as defined above, wherein the safety installation can be used as at least one safety ladder in a container, where the light diodes of the ladder can illuminate a fluid medium at least in the vicinity of the ladder, and wherein the rungs of the ladder will be visible from an area over the liquid surface. Hereby, increased safety is provided at all containers in which there is a risk of a person falling into the liquid of the container so that the person can get up by himself by means of the safety ladder.

The invention can also be used in liquid manure tanks. The security is hereby heightened for farmers who frequently work alone around a liquid manure tank. By covering of liquid manure tanks according to statutory requirements there may be an increased risk for both farmers and workmen to fall into the container while servicing the covering.

Description of the Drawing

Fig. 1 shows a possible embodiment of a ladder for mounting on a quay.

Fig. 2 shows the same embodiment, as seen directly from the water side.

Fig. 3 shows a section through the ladder bars.

Fig. 4 shows a three-dimensional view of an alternative embodiment,

Fig. 5 shows an enlarged detail of Fig. 4

Detailed Description of Embodiments of the Invention

Fig. 1 shows a first possible embodiment of a safety installation 2 consisting of a ladder made up of two ladder bars 4 and 5, where the ladder is fastened to a fitting 6 for wo™i_i/ft7 _¾8 ) _r ^,

8 securing on a quay, for example. A pole 8 is fastened to fitting 6. This pole carries a sign 12 which is designed with a number of light diodes 10 for illuminating a life buoy 22. The pole 8 continues upwards where it is connected to a solar panel 24, and where a control system 26, which may contain i.a. an integrated computer, is indicated under the solar panel. The ladder contains light diodes 18 so that the ladder bars 4, 5 each contain two rows of light diodes so that light is emitted over an area comprising at least 180°. The bars 4 and 5 are connected with ladder rungs 20. Another fitting 28 is used for fixing, e.g. on a quay. A safety system as indicated above will be illuminated at night or at times with bad visibility by means of the light diodes 18 and the light diodes 10. Also, there may be provided light diodes under the solar panel 24, or the solar panel can be designed such that under the solar panel there is formed an actual lamp globe such that the back side of the solar panel acts as a reflector. A powerful light diode may thus be used for forming a kind of street light, automatically illuminating the entire rescue system.

A person who falls into the water can, by means of the rescue system including the ladder, swim to the nearest ladder illuminated by the light diodes 18, get hold of the ladder and crawl up. In harbour areas where there is some traffic, e.g. by tourists on the quayside, it is suitable to provide rescue systems of this type with modest spacing between the systems. The ladders will automatically also be used for mooring e.g. small crafts, whereby the integrated light diodes are located well protected against possible cordage or fenders rubbing against the ladder. The solar panel 24 which is connected with one or more batteries, possibly provided together with the control system 26, also contains a communication module, and the system can be designed such that as soon as rescue equipment is removed from a holder suited for the purpose on the pole, an alarm is triggered, and a rescue operation is started automatically. At the same time, rescue equipment can be provided with GPS tracking so that in any case possible theft can be easily be discovered. At the same time, provided that the GPS equipment is disposed such as to be protected against water, in particular salt water, GPS tracking on the rescue equipment may also be used for tracking the rescue equipment in a harbour or at sea. wu z ^/ Ro _/ o \ u nu». £U

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Fig. 2 shows the same embodiment as Fig. 1, with the difference that the ladder is here provided with a flexible joint 34. The flexible joint means that the ladder can be bent when pressed or impacted, e.g. by ice or by impact from small boats, such that the ladder can deflect without causing damage on the ladder itself. It will be possible that the fastening of the ladder itself to the first fitting 6 is also effected by flexible means made e.g. of rubber so that the upper part of the ladder will be flexible as well.

Fig. 3 shows a sectional view through Fig. 2 where the other fitting 28 can be seen in detail and which is fastened possibly under the water level on a quay. The ladder bars 4 and 5 are made e.g. of an extruded aluminium profile, the profile having two surfaces 30 and 32 that are mutually angled at an optimal angle for mounting light diodes 18, so that the light diodes operate at different angles, thereby increasing their visibility to the sides. Depending on the choice of light diode 20 and possible choice of a lens for placing in front of light diodes, the dispersion of light desired for the actual application can be effectively adapted.

Fig. 4 shows the invention on Fig. 2 in spatial view, where a system 2 consisting of bars 4 and 5 for a ladder with ladder rungs 20 is suspended from a fitting 6 supporting a pole 8, which in turn carries a solar panel 24. Also, there is a sign 12 illuminated by LED's and rescue equipment 22. The ladder also contains a flexible joint 34 as described above.

Fig. 5 shows an enlarged detail of the two bars 4 and 5 with a number of rungs 20 disposed there between. Also, light diodes 18 are indicated, wherein the light diodes 18 may each constitute a group of light diodes, but out from the profile of which the bars 4 and 5 are formed there are thus provided light diodes emitting light in different directions. The joint 34 itself is a flexible rubber material with very great breaking strength, connecting an upper and a lower part of the bars 4 and 5.

By making the ladder flexible, possibly by fastening the ladder flexibly on the fitting 6, it is achieved that the ladder will be resilient if impacted by e.g. small boats or boat mooring, or if it is applied pressure from ice. The service life of the ladder is thereby W

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10 increased since there is less probability that it will be bent and destroyed by possibly damaged by the mooring of small boats.

The invention itself may also be designed without a ladder and be used on any coast where there is a drowning hazard. A solar panel for energy supply of the system itself and LED illumination of a number and illumination of rescue means will mean a substantial improvement of the safety along all coasts. At the same time, monitoring of the rescue means will be designed such that an automatic alarm is raised if rescue means are removed from the safety system.

By a preferred embodiment of the invention, the ladder bars can include a service opening which is provided under an watertight cover located at the upper section of the bars. The light diodes can be mounted on a module containing one or more printed circuit boards embedded in a silicone mass. The modules can be pulled up through the service opening for servicing or replacement. Service and trouble shooting can hereby be performed without dismounting the safety installation.