U.S. patent application number 13/530755 was filed with the patent office on 2012-12-27 for portable emergency unit.
This patent application is currently assigned to Top Notch Safety Services, LLC. Invention is credited to Jeremy S. Caka, Westley R. Ferry, William M. Ferry.
Application Number | 20120324643 13/530755 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47360414 |
Filed Date | 2012-12-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120324643 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ferry; Westley R. ; et
al. |
December 27, 2012 |
PORTABLE EMERGENCY UNIT
Abstract
A portable emergency unit comprises an eyewash and shower
station coupled to a chassis. A water tank and a pump are coupled
to the chassis and are in fluid communication with the eyewash and
shower station so that the pump is operable to supply water from
the water tank to the eyewash and shower station when the eyewash
and shower station is activated. A temperature control system is
also coupled to the chassis and is in fluid communication with the
water tank. The temperature control system is operable to maintain
the temperature of water stored in the water tank within a
predetermined range.
Inventors: |
Ferry; Westley R.; (Cuero,
TX) ; Ferry; William M.; (Cuero, TX) ; Caka;
Jeremy S.; (Yoakum, TX) |
Assignee: |
Top Notch Safety Services,
LLC
Cuero
TX
|
Family ID: |
47360414 |
Appl. No.: |
13/530755 |
Filed: |
June 22, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61500696 |
Jun 24, 2011 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
4/597 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47K 3/286 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
4/597 |
International
Class: |
A47K 3/28 20060101
A47K003/28 |
Claims
1. A portable emergency unit comprising: a chassis; an eyewash and
shower station coupled to said chassis; a water tank coupled to
said chassis and in fluid communication with said eyewash and
shower station; a pump coupled to said chassis and in fluid
communication with said water tank and said eyewash and shower
station, wherein said pump is operable to supply water from said
water tank to said eyewash and shower station when said eyewash and
shower station is activated; and a temperature control system
coupled to said chassis and in fluid communication with said water
tank, wherein said temperature control system is operable to
maintain the temperature of water stored in said water tank within
a predetermined range.
2. The portable emergency unit of claim 1, further comprising a
power supply coupled to said pump and to said temperature control
system.
3. The portable emergency unit of claim 2, wherein said power
supply is a generator that is activated when said eyewash and
shower station is activated.
4. The portable emergency unit of claim 2, wherein said power
supply is a battery.
5. The portable emergency unit of claim 1, further comprising a
plurality of wheels coupled to said chassis.
6. The portable emergency unit of claim 1, further comprising a
drainage device coupled to said chassis proximate to said eyewash
and shower station.
7. The portable emergency unit of claim 1, further comprising a
control unit coupled to said chassis and operable to control the
operation of said pump and said temperature control system.
8. The portable emergency unit of claim 7, further comprising a
sensor coupled to said eyewash and shower, wherein said sensor
provides a signal to said control unit that initiates operation of
said pump when said eyewash and shower station is activated.
9. The portable emergency unit of claim 7, further comprising a
sensor coupled to said water tank, wherein said sensor provides a
signal to said control unit that initiates operation of said
temperature control unit when the temperature of water within said
water tank is outside the predetermined range.
10. A portable emergency unit comprising: a chassis; an eyewash and
shower station coupled to said chassis; a water tank coupled to
said chassis and in fluid communication with said eyewash and
shower station; a pump coupled to said chassis and in fluid
communication with said water tank and said eyewash and shower
station; a temperature control system coupled to said chassis and
in fluid communication with said water tank; and a control unit
coupled to said chassis and operable to control said pump and said
temperature control system.
11. The portable emergency unit of claim 10, further comprising a
sensor coupled to said eyewash and shower station and operable to
send an activation signal to said control unit that initiates
operation of said pump when said eyewash and shower station is
activated.
12. The portable emergency unit of claim 10, further comprising a
sensor coupled to said water tank and operable to send a signal to
said control unit that initiates operation of said temperature
control unit when the temperature of water within said water tank
is outside a predetermined range.
13. The portable emergency unit of claim 10, further comprising a
power supply coupled to said pump, said temperature control system,
and said control unit.
14. The portable emergency unit of claim 13, wherein said power
supply is a generator that is activated when said eyewash and
shower station is activated.
15. The portable emergency unit of claim 13, wherein said power
supply is a battery.
16. The portable emergency unit of claim 10, further comprising a
plurality of wheels coupled to said chassis.
17. The portable emergency unit of claim 10, further comprising a
drainage device coupled to said chassis proximate to said eyewash
and shower station.
18. A portable emergency unit comprising: a chassis; an eyewash and
shower station coupled to said chassis; a water tank coupled to
said chassis and in fluid communication with said eyewash and
shower station; a pump coupled to said chassis and in fluid
communication with said water tank and said eyewash and shower
station; a temperature control system coupled to said chassis and
in fluid communication with said water tank; a control unit coupled
to said chassis and operable to control said pump and said
temperature control system; an activation sensor coupled to said
eyewash and shower station and operable to send an activation
signal to said control unit that initiates operation of said pump
when said eyewash and shower station is activated; and a
temperature sensor coupled to said water tank and operable to send
a temperature signal to said control unit that initiates operation
of said temperature control unit when the temperature of water
within said water tank is outside a predetermined range.
19. The portable emergency unit of claim 18, further comprising a
power supply coupled to said pump, said temperature control system,
and said control unit.
20. The portable emergency unit of claim 18, wherein said power
supply is a generator that is activated when said eyewash and
shower station or said temperature control unit is operated.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority benefit to U.S. Provisional
Patent Application 61/500,696, filed on Jun. 24, 2011 and
incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable.
NAMES OF PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT
[0003] Not Applicable.
INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT
DISC
[0004] Not Applicable.
BACKGROUND
[0005] This disclosure relates generally to the technical field of
industrial and commercial emergency and personal protective
equipment. More particularly, the present disclosure is in the
technical field of personal protective equipment, such as emergency
shower and eyewash systems, for employees who have sustained
injuries due to chemicals splashing in their eyes or on their
body.
[0006] Conventional eyewash and shower stations, such as those
found in laboratories and industrial facilities, are typically
connected into the facilities plumbing system and are therefore
substantially immovable. In many circumstances, it is impractical
to have an eyewash and shower station installed close to every
hazard, especially when those hazards may be temporary in nature.
Portable eyewash and shower stations are available but are not
without their own limitations.
[0007] Many portable eyewash and shower stations have limited
capabilities for delivering required fluid pressure and volumes.
Those systems that can provide required fluid pressure and volumes
tend to be large and heavy. Moving such devices can require several
strong persons, or a sturdy wheeled vehicle such as a reinforced
wagon or handcart, as well as relocating the water source that
supplies the unit. Thus, moving a conventional portable unit from
location to location creates several hazards.
[0008] There is a continuing need in the art for systems that
provide emergency eyewash and shower stations that are
self-contained and easily portable, thus allowing the emergency
facility to be placed in the most beneficial location.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0009] In certain embodiments, a portable emergency unit comprises
an eyewash and shower station coupled to a chassis. A water tank
and a pump are coupled to the chassis and are in fluid
communication with the eyewash and shower station so that the pump
is operable to supply water from the water tank to the eyewash and
shower station when the eyewash and shower station is activated. A
temperature control system is also coupled to the chassis and is in
fluid communication with the water tank. The temperature control
system is operable to maintain the temperature of water stored in
the water tank within a predetermined ra8 nge.
[0010] In other embodiments, a portable emergency unit comprises an
eyewash and shower station coupled to a chassis. A water tank and a
pump are coupled to the chassis and are in fluid communication with
the eyewash and shower station so that the pump is operable to
supply water from the water tank to the eyewash and shower station.
A temperature control system is coupled to the chassis and in fluid
communication with said water tank. A control unit is also coupled
to the chassis and is operable to control the pump and the
temperature control system.
[0011] In other embodiments, a portable emergency unit comprises an
eyewash and shower station coupled to a chassis. A water tank and a
pump are coupled to the chassis and are in fluid communication with
the eyewash and shower station so that the pump is operable to
supply water from the water tank to the eyewash and shower station.
A temperature control system is coupled to the chassis and in fluid
communication with said water tank. A control unit is also coupled
to the chassis and is operable to control the pump and the
temperature control system. An activation sensor is coupled to the
eyewash and shower station and is operable to send an activation
signal to the control unit that initiates operation of the pump
when the eyewash and shower station is activated. A temperature
sensor is coupled to the water tank and operable to send a
temperature signal to the control unit that initiates operation of
the temperature control unit when the temperature of water within
the water tank is outside a predetermined range.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] For a more detailed description of the embodiments of the
present disclosure, reference will now be made to the accompanying
drawings, wherein:
[0013] FIG. 1 is a partial sectional isometric view of a portable
emergency unit; and
[0014] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a control system for use with
a portable emergency unit.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] In the drawings and description that follow, like parts are
typically marked throughout the specification and drawings with the
same reference numerals. The drawing figures are not necessarily to
scale. Certain features of the invention may be shown exaggerated
in scale or in somewhat schematic form and some details of
conventional elements may not be shown in the interest of clarity
and conciseness. The present disclosure is susceptible to
embodiments of different forms. Specific embodiments are described
in detail and are shown in the drawings, with the understanding
that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification
of the principles of the invention, and is not intended to limit
the invention to that illustrated and described herein. It is to be
fully recognized that the different teachings of the embodiments
discussed below may be employed separately or in any suitable
combination to produce desired results.
[0016] Unless otherwise specified, any use of any form of the terms
"connect", "engage", "couple", "attach", or any other term
describing an interaction between elements is not meant to limit
the interaction to direct interaction between the elements and may
also include indirect interaction between the elements described.
In the following discussion and in the claims, the terms
"including" and "comprising" are used in an open-ended fashion, and
thus should be interpreted to mean "including, but not limited to .
. . ".
[0017] In addition, in the discussion and claims that follow, it
may be sometimes stated that certain components or elements are in
fluid communication. By this it is meant that the components are
constructed and interrelated such that a fluid could be
communicated between them, as via a passageway, tube, or conduit.
The various characteristics mentioned above, as well as other
features and characteristics described in more detail below, will
be readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the
following detailed description of the embodiments, and by referring
to the accompanying drawings.
[0018] Referring initially to FIG. 1, portable emergency unit 10
comprises eyewash and shower station 12, water tank 14, pump 16,
temperature control system 18, power supply 20, control unit 22,
and chassis 24. Eyewash and shower station 12 includes showerhead
26 and eyewash basin 28. Station 12 also includes pull handle 30 to
activate showerhead 26 and lever 32 to activate eyewash basin 28.
Station 12 is coupled to pump 16, which is operable to supply water
from water tank 14 to the station. Temperature control system 18 is
also coupled to pump 16 and is operable to maintain the water
within water tank 14 within a selected temperature range. Control
unit 22 is coupled to pump 16, temperature control system 18, and
power supply 20 so as to control the operation of portable
emergency unit 10. All of the components of portable emergency unit
10 are mounted to chassis 24.
[0019] When operated in an emergency situation, portable emergency
unit 10 may be configured to support the simultaneous use of both
showerhead 26 and eyewash basin 28 of station 12 for a sufficient
time to mitigate whatever hazard is encountered. Effective
operation of station 12 is dependent on factors including, but not
limited to, the volume, flow rate, and temperature of the water
supplied to the station. Therefore, portable emergency unit 10
includes systems that seek to control these factors and ensure
reliable and effective operation of the unit.
[0020] Water tank 14 is sized so as to hold at least the amount of
water needed to supply eyewash and shower station 12 with
sufficient flow to support simultaneous use of showerhead 26 and
eyewash basin 28 for a predetermined period of time. In certain
embodiments, showerhead 26 is configured to supply 20 gallons of
water per minute and eyewash basin is configured to supply 3.7
gallons per minute. In certain embodiments, water tank 14 may be a
350-gallon potable water tank constructed from polyethylene or some
other lightweight material.
[0021] Pump 16 is coupled to eyewash and shower station 12 by main
outlet 40. Both pump 16 and main outlet 40 are sized so as to move
the water in water tank 14 to eyewash and shower station 12 at a
pressure and flow rate needed for satisfactory operation of the
station. Pump 16 may be a submersible pump that is disposed within
water tank 14 (as shown) or may an external pump that draws water
from the tank. In certain embodiments, pump 16 may be a 9-stage, 1
horsepower submersible pump.
[0022] Because eyewash and shower station 12 is intended to be used
by people, it is desirable to have the water used by the station to
be at a temperature that will allow an affected person to be able
to use the station for a sufficient amount of time. In certain
embodiments, the desired temperature range for water supplied to
eyewash and shower station 12 is between 70 and 100 degrees
Fahrenheit. Temperature control system 18 is configured to maintain
the temperature of the water in water tank 14 within a desired
range. Water is drawn from tank 14 through secondary outlet 42 to
temperature control system 18, which may either heat or cool the
water as necessary. Once the water is at a desired temperature is
it returned to water tank 14 through recycle inlet 44. Water may be
moved from tank 14 to temperature control system 18 by pump 16 or
by a secondary pump integrated into the temperature control
system.
[0023] Control unit 22 governs the operation of temperature control
system 18. Temperature sensor 34 monitors the temperature within
water tank 14 and signals control unit 22 when the temperature
falls out of a predetermined range. In response, control unit 22
activates temperature control system 18, which adjusts the
temperature of the water as described above. If needed for the
operation of temperature control system 18, control unit 22
provides power to pump 16 from power supply 20 in order to move
water to and from the temperature control system.
[0024] Control unit 22 also governs the operation of pump 16.
Handle 30 and lever 32 are equipped with sensors that send a signal
to control unit 22 when eyewash and shower station 12 is activated.
In response to the activation signal, control unit 22 provides
power to pump 16 from power supply 20 so that water is supplied to
the eyewash and shower station. After a predetermined amount of
time, or when handle 30 or lever 32 is released, control unit 22
cuts the power to pump 16.
[0025] Power supply 20 may be an electric generator, batteries, a
combination of a generator and batteries, or any supply of
sufficient power. Power supply 20 is preferable constructed so as
to operate independently of any outside supply of power but may, in
certain embodiments, be adapted to be coupled to an external power
supply. In certain embodiments, power supply 20 may be an 8000 watt
generator that allows for remote start from control unit 22 and has
a 240 volt plug for supplying electrical power to temperature
control system 18.
[0026] FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a control unit 22 for
controlling a portable emergency unit 10 with a remotely started
generator. Control unit 22 comprises thermostat controller 50, time
delay 52, and relays 54. Thermostat controller 50 interfaces with
temperature sensor 34 and temperature control system 18. Time delay
52 interfaces with the generator so as to limit the activation time
of the generator's starter. Relays 54 provide the internal
switching to control unit 22 so as to activate the generator and
other systems when needed.
[0027] Chassis 24 may be a wheeled trailer, mobile container, or
other configuration that allows for easy transportation of the
unit. Chassis 24 may provide a full enclosure for portable
emergency unit 10 so as to protect its components and help isolate
those components from environment factors. Chassis 24 has
sufficient width to allow unencumbered access to eyewash and shower
station 12 and sufficient height to accommodate the station. In
certain embodiments, chassis 24 may provide a width of at least 41
inches from the sides of eyewash and shower station 12 and a height
of at least 80 inches. In certain embodiments, chassis 24 may also
comprise a grate 36, catch basin, or other drainage device
positioned below eyewash and shower station 12 to allow water to
not collect at the base of the unit.
[0028] While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications
and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by
way of example in the drawings and description. It should be
understood, however, that the drawings and detailed description
thereto are not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular
form disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all
modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the
spirit and scope of the present disclosure.
* * * * *