GB2572315A

GB2572315A - Personal protective equipment

Info

Publication number: GB2572315A
Application number: GB1803099.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Clarke Aidan
Original assignee: Adger Ltd
Current assignee: Adger Ltd
Priority date: 2018-02-26
Filing date: 2018-02-26
Publication date: 2019-10-02
Also published as: GB201803099D0

Abstract

Overhead hazard alert system 1 comprises base unit 3 and garment 4. The base unit includes transmitter 9 and the garment includes one or more signalling devices and receiver 13. The transmitter is configured to transmit signal 6 which defines transmission range 10. The receiver is configured such that when the receiver is located within the transmission range the receiver receives said signal from the transmitter and provides an output to activate the one or more signalling devices. When the receiver is located within the transmission range, the one or more signalling devices may cycle between an “on” mode and an “off” mode in a repeated pattern. The transmitter may be a Radio Frequency transmitter and the receiver may be a Radio Frequency receiver. The base unit may further feature a communication module which transmits a batter status message to a remote monitoring device. In a second aspect, an overhead alert system base unit comprises a transmitter. In a third aspect, an overhead alert system garment comprises one or more signalling device and a receiver.

Description

Personal protective equipment

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is commonly used by personnel working in or around hazardous environments. An example of such an environment is a highway or other work site. Standard PPE may include high visibility garments, reinforced footwear, hard hats, safety googles, ear protectors, etc.

The risk of injury in a hazardous environment may be increased by human error, i.e. complacency, lack of focus, or distraction of personnel. The risk of injury on a work site may also be increased by lack of clear communication between personnel.

A work site in the vicinity of overhead hazards such as overhead electricity power lines or bridges can be a particularly dangerous environment. The risk of danger is often increased if personnel do not observe the overhead hazard. The overhead hazard may not be observed due to human error, i.e. because personnel are tired or are rushing their work. Alternatively or in addition, the visibility of overhead hazards such as power lines may be reduced due to environmental factors such as foggy or dull weather conditions, or the darkness of night. The visibility of power lines may also be reduced if the power lines are located near the edge of woodland, or run parallel to or under other lines such as telecommunication lines.

It is common in current practice to draw attention to the presence of overhead electricity power lines by the placement, within a hazard zone on a work site, of high visibility cones reading the message “DANGER OVERHEAD CABLES”.

The present invention aims to reduce the danger posed to personnel on a worksite by overhead hazards.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an overhead hazard alert system. The system comprises a base unit and a garment for wear by a user. The base unit comprises a transmitter. The garment comprises one or more signalling devices and a receiver. The transmitter is configured to transmit a signal which defines a transmission range. The receiver is configured such that when the receiver is located within the transmission range the receiver receives said signal from the transmitter and provides an output to activate the one or more signalling devices.

The signalling device draws the attention of the user wearing the garment and of other personnel within the vicinity of the user to the user being located in a hazard zone in which an overhead hazard is present, for example a live overhead high voltage cable or bridge. This reduces the likelihood of inadvertent contact with said hazard and therefore improves the safety of the wearer.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the base unit may further comprise a processor. The processor may be a microcomputer. The base unit may further comprise a first power source. The first power source may be a battery.

In a further preferred embodiment the base unit processor may control the transmitted signal.

In a further preferred embodiment the garment may further comprise a processor. The processor may be a microcomputer. The garment may further comprise a second power source. The second power source may be a battery. The garment may be powered passively such that the second power source is a receiver of remote power, e.g. power from a radio signal etc.

In a further preferred embodiment the garment processor may control the one or more signalling devices according to the received signal. When the receiver is located within the transmission range, the one or more signalling devices may cycle between an “on” mode and an “off’ mode in a repeated pattern.

In a further preferred embodiment the transmission range may be approximately 5 metres.

In a further preferred embodiment the base unit may further comprise an outer casing. The outer casing may be constructed such that it will protect the processor, battery and transmitter from dust and/or water spray. The outer casing may comprise a thermoplastic polymer material.

In a further preferred embodiment the garment may be constructed from high visibility materials.

In a further preferred embodiment the ones or more signalling devices may comprise one or more LEDs that are visible to the user.

The base unit may further comprise a communication module. The base unit processor may be configured to determine a status of the first power source. The base unit processor may be configured to control the communication module to transmit a battery status message, based on the determined status of the first power source. The battery status message may be configured to be received by a remote device for monitoring the status of the first power source of the base unit. In some embodiments the remote device for monitoring the status of the battery of the base unit may take the form of one or more computers. For example, the one or more computers may be located at a remote location from the base unit, and may be monitored by supervising personnel. The remote device may also take the form of a handheld device such as a mobile phone, tablet, PDA, or the like.

The status of the first power source may be a voltage or remaining charge of the first power source of the base unit. The base unit processor may be configured such that when the voltage or remaining charge of the first power source falls below a predetermined level, the processor controls the communication module to transmit said battery status message, said battery status message being indicative of the voltage or remaining charge of the first power source being below the predetermined level.

The garment processor may be configured to measure the voltage or remaining charge of the second power source, and, when the measured voltage or remaining charge of the second power source falls below a second predetermined level, control the one or more signalling devices to provide a low battery alert. In the case where the one or more signalling devices includes one or more LEDs, the low battery alert may take the form of the one or more LEDs being constantly illuminated, or, alternatively, the one or more LEDs flashing.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided an overhead hazard alert system base unit. The base unit comprises a transmitter configured to transmit a signal which defines a transmission range. The base unit further comprises a first power source. The first power source powers the transmitter. The signal is configured to be received by a receiver of an overhead hazard alert system garment located within the transmission range. The receiver is configured to provide an output to activate one or more signalling devices of the garment when the signal is received.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided an overhead hazard alert system garment. The garment comprises one or more signalling devices. The garment further comprises a receiver. The receiver is configured to, when located within a transmission range defined by a signal produced by a transmitter of an overhead hazard alert system base unit, receive said signal and, based upon receipt of said signal, provide an output to activate the one or more signalling devices

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of providing an alert when a user is in an overhead hazard zone. The method comprises the step of providing a base unit within the hazard zone. The method further comprises the step of transmitting a signal from a transmitter of the base unit. The signal defines a transmission range. The method further comprises the step of providing the user with a wearable garment. The garment comprises one or more signalling devices. The garment further comprises a receiver. The method further comprises the step of the receiver receiving the signal from the transmitter when the receiver is within the transmission range. The method further comprises the receiver providing an output to activate the one or more signalling devices upon receipt of said signal.

It will be appreciated that any of the optional features discussed above in relation to one of the aspects of the present invention may, where appropriate, be applied to one of the other aspects of the present invention.

Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a personal hazard alert system according to the present invention.

Figure 2 shows a schematic view of an array of base units according to the present invention in a hazard zone.

The present invention provides a personal hazard alert system 1 for use by personnel on a work site in the vicinity of an overhead hazard, such as that shown in Figure 1. The area within the worksite that is in the vicinity of the overhead hazard is referred to as the hazard zone 2. That is to say, the hazard zone 2 is the zone within which a potential hazard is considered to exist.

The system 1 comprises a base unit 3 and a wearable garment 4. The garment includes one or more signalling devices. The one or more signalling devices are capable of providing a signal which is perceivable by the wearer of the garment and/or by other personnel in proximity to the wearer of the garment. In the present embodiment the one or more signalling devices take the form of a plurality of LEDs 5 that are embedded into the garment 4. However, in other embodiments the one or more signalling devices may include a single LED or any device capable of producing a visual signal. In addition or in the alternative, in other embodiments, the one or more signalling devices may include a device which is capable of producing an audible signal, e.g. a siren, and/or a device which is capable of producing a haptic signal, such as a vibration motor.

The system 1 is configured such that the base unit 3 provides a signal 6 within the hazard zone 2, and when the garment 4 is within the hazard zone 2 the signal 6 causes activation of the LEDs 5, therefore drawing attention to the presence of the garment 4 (and hence any wearer of the garment) within the hazard zone 2.

The base unit 3 is a standalone unit installed on a worksite below an overhead hazard. The base unit may be located on its own or may be integrated with or located within a marker device, such as, for example, a high visibility cone of a known type. The hazard zone 2 is an area within the work site where there is an increased risk of danger due to proximity to the overhead hazard.

The base unit 3 comprises a microcomputer 7, a battery 8, and a transmitter 9 mounted to a board. Other components such as a switch and a Short Message Service (SMS) module may also be mounted to the board. In this embodiment of the present invention the base unit microcomputer 7 is an ATmega328 microcomputer known in the art. In other embodiments any appropriate microcomputer may be used provided it is capable of controlling the transmitter 9 to transmit the signal 6. In this embodiment of the present invention the board is an Arduino UNO board known in the art. In other embodiments the board may be an Arduino Nano board known in the art, or any other suitable board comprising a circuit board, such as a Printed Circuit Board (PCB). In this embodiment of the present invention the transmitter 9 is an Aukru 433Mhz Radio Frequency (RF) transmitter module, however the present invention according to another embodiment may comprise any other RF transmitter, or any other suitable transmitter. Furthermore, although the base unit is powered by a battery in the present embodiment, in other embodiments any appropriate power source may be used.

The transmitter 9 is controlled by the base unit microcomputer 7 to transmit a signal 6. Both the transmitter 9 and microcomputer 7 are powered by the battery 8. The signal 6 is transmitted within a transmission zone defined by a maximum transmission range 10. In this embodiment of the present invention the maximum transmission range 10 is approximately 5 metres from the transmitter 9. In other embodiments of the present invention the maximum transmission range may be smaller or larger such that the hazard zone 2 is within the transmission range 10. Alternatively, in other embodiments of the present invention such as that shown in Figure 2, an array of base units 3 may be located within the hazard zone 2 such that the entirety of the hazard zone 2 is within the transmission range 10 of at least one base unit 3.

In addition to the LEDs 5, the garment comprises a microcontroller 11, a battery 12 and a receiver 13 mounted to a board. Other components such as a switch, and an electrical connector such as a JST connector known in the art, may also be mounted to the board. In this embodiment of the present invention the garment microcontroller 11 is an ATmega32u4 microcontroller known in the art. The garment microcontroller of another embodiment of the present invention may be of any other suitable form known in the art, provided that it is capable of causing the LEDs to be activated when the receiver receives the signal 6 transmitted by the transmitter. In this embodiment of the present invention the board is an Arduino LilyPad USB known in the art, in other embodiments the board may be any other suitable board comprising a circuit board, such as a PCB. In this embodiment of the present invention the power source which powers the LEDs (and receiver and microcomputer) takes the form of the battery 12, which, in this case, is a 5 Volt Lithium battery which is rechargeable via a micro USB.

In other embodiments of the present invention a 3.7 Lithium battery may be used, or in other embodiments other batteries may be used that are suitable for being incorporated into a wearable garment. In addition, in other embodiments, any other suitable power source may be used. For example, in some embodiments, the receiver 13 may be passive such that the signal 6 received by the receiver 13 is itself the power source for the receiver and LEDs. In this embodiment of the present invention the receiver 13 is an Aukru 433Mhz RF receiver module known in the art, however the present invention according to another embodiment may comprise any other RF receiver, or any other suitable receiver that is compatible with the transmitter.

When the receiver 13 is within the transmission range 10 (and thus within the hazard zone 2), the receiver 13 receives the signal 6 from the transmitter 9. Receipt of the signal 6 by the receiver 13 is passed to the microcontroller 11. The microcontroller 11 activates the LEDs 5 as a result of the received signal 6. According to the current embodiment of the present invention the LEDs 5 flash between an On’ mode and an ‘off’ mode in a constant repeated pattern at a speed visible to the human eye. In other embodiments of the present invention the LEDs may change between the ‘on’ mode and the ‘off’ mode in any regular or irregular pattern such that the flashing LEDs raise awareness of personnel to the hazard zone. For example, in some embodiments the LED’s may be in the ‘off’ mode before receipt of the signal 6 by the receiver 13 and then switch to the ‘on’ mode permanently whilst the receiver 13 receives said signal 6.

When the receiver 13 is out with the transmission range 10 the receiver 13 does not receive a signal 6 and the LEDs 5 remain in the ‘off’ mode.

The microcontroller 11 is capable of determining a status of the battery 12, such as its remaining charge or voltage output, and providing for an output to alert a user of the status of the battery 12. For example, the microcontroller 11 is capable of detecting if the garment battery voltage falls below a predetermined “low battery” voltage level. If the garment battery voltage falls below the predetermined level the microcontroller will control the at least one signalling device in the form of the LEDs to remain in the “on” mode until the garment battery 12 is recharged such that the battery voltage is above the predetermined “low battery” voltage level, thus alerting the wearer and/or any supervising personnel that the garment battery charge is low.

The base unit 3 may, in some embodiments, as discussed above include, a communication module (not shown in the figures), for example, in the form of an SMS module, where the SMS module is capable of sending and receiving SMS messages. The communication module may be mounted to the board of the base unit 3. In embodiment where the communication module comprises an SMS module, the SMS module may comprise a sim card. It will be appreciated that in other embodiments the communication module may take any appropriate form, for example, it may be a Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or other radio transmitter capable of transmitting data. The microcomputer 7 of the base unit 3 may be capable of determining a status of the base unit battery 8, such as the remaining charge or voltage output, and providing for an output to alert a user of the status of the battery 8.

For example, the microcomputer 7 may be configured such that it can detect when the base unit battery voltage falls below a predetermined “low battery” threshold, such as a voltage level or remaining charge. When the battery charge falls below the predetermined level, such as 15% remaining battery charge, the microcomputer 7 will control the communication module (e.g. SMS module) to send a “low battery” message (e.g. SMS message) to a remote device (not shown in the figures) for monitoring the status of the battery 8 of the base unit 3.

In some embodiments the remote device for monitoring the status of the battery 8 of the base unit 3 may take the form of one or more computers. The message (e.g. SMS message) sent from the communication module of the base unit 3 and received by the remote device for monitoring the status of the battery of the base unit may cause said remote device to issue an alert (e.g. visual and/or audible alert) which will alert supervising personnel at the remote location that the base unit battery charge is low.

The message sent from the communication module of the base unit 3 and received by the remote device may be transmitted using any suitable methods or protocols. For example, the base unit 3 may send an SMS message to an SMS server, and an API may be used to consume the data from the SMS server and present the data on a webpage which can be accessed by a user of the remote device.

The remote device may also have the ability to translate data received from the base unit. For example, the bae unit may determine a low voltage reading and a message may be sent to the remote device with the recorded low voltage reading. The remote device may then determine a remaining charge based on the recorded voltage.

The remote device may also have the ability to transmit data to the base unit 3. For example, the remote device may be configured so as to provide the ability to ping the base unit 3 to enquire about the base unit battery level. When the base unit 3 receives the ping via the communication module, the microcomputer 7 of the base unit 3 is configured to send a message back towards the remote device indicating the battery level of the base unit. This allows a user of the remote device to check on the battery status of a given base unit.

The base unit 3 may comprise a unique device ID, which may be transmitted and presented to a user of the remote device. For example, the mobile number associated with the SIM card inside the base unit may be used as the unique device ID. The unique device ID may be used by the remote device to identify a particular base unit 3 that has sent a message indicating a low battery level.

While the communication module has been described as being an SMS module, it will be appreciated that in other embodiments the microcomputer 7 may control any other suitable type of communication module to send a battery status message to the remote device for monitoring the status of the battery of the base unit 3. Additionally, any suitable network or combination of networks may be used to transmit messages between the communication module and the remote device, such as LAN or WAN for example.

The remote device for monitoring the status of the battery of the base unit may also be configured such that it is capable of monitoring and storing data relating to multiple base units on a work site, or multiple base units across multiple work sites. The data may include any of the unique ID of each based unit, the location of each base unit, the current battery level of each base unit, and the job or client that each base unit is related to.

The base unit 3 may, in some embodiments, be configured to send, in addition or alternative to the battery status, further data to the remote device indicating a status of the base unit 3. For example, if the base unit 3 was to malfunction such that the transmitter 9 controlled by the base unit microcomputer 7 is unable to transmit the signal 6, a message may be transmitted by the communication module to the remote device indicating the malfunction. Alternatively, the base unit 3 may regularly send a repeating message to the remote device, and a drop out of the message may be used by the remote device to determine that there is a problem with the base unit 3. For example, if the base unit battery 8 failed, a drop out of the repeating message would alert a user that there is a problem with the base unit 3.

In this embodiment of the present invention the base unit 3 includes an outer casing manufactured from Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), in other embodiments of the present invention the base unit may be manufactured from another thermoplastic polymer or any other appropriate material.

In this embodiment of the present invention the base unit 3 has an IP65 waterproof rating according to the Ingress Protection ratings, such that the base unit is protected against dust, corrosion, and water spray from all directions. In other embodiments the base unit may be of any other appropriate construction such that it is suitably protected against the intrusion of foreign bodies and moisture, according to the environment.

In this embodiment the garment 4 is manufactured of high visibility materials according to common PPE standards. High visibility materials include reflective and fluorescent materials. In other embodiments this need not be the case.

In an alternative embodiment, the base unit may be permanently fixed at a location. For example, permanently fixing the base unit in a hazard zone, for example to overhead dangerous structures like bridges, or underneath overhead power lines, would negate the need to place base units prior to starting work at the location. A base unit permanently fixed at a location may be connected to an external power source, such as a wired connection to the mains electricity.

The base unit 3 and/or the garment 4 may comprise a computer memory, such as a flash memory, storing a computer program. The computer program may be configured, when executed by the processor of the base unit and/or the garment to carry out any of the operations described above.

It will be appreciated by the person of skill in the art that various modifications may be made to the above described embodiment without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The person of skill in the art will also realise that where appropriate, suitable parts of any of the embodiments may be used with other embodiments.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. An overhead hazard alert system comprising a base unit and a garment for wear by a user;

wherein the base unit comprises a transmitter;

wherein the garment comprises one or more signalling devices and a receiver, wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit a signal which defines a transmission range, and wherein the receiver is configured such that when the receiver is located within the transmission range the receiver receives said signal from the transmitter and provides an output to activate the one or more signalling devices.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the base unit further comprises a processor and a first power source.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the base unit processor controls the transmitted signal.

4. The system of any of claims 1 to 3 wherein the garment further comprises a processor and a second power source.

5. The system of any of claims 1 to 4 wherein the garment processor controls the one or more signalling devices according to the received signal.

6. The system of any of claims 1 to 5 wherein when the receiver is located within the transmission range, the one or more signalling devices cycle between an “on” mode and an “off” mode in a repeated pattern.

7. The system of any of claims 1 to 6 wherein the transmission range is approximately 5 metres.

8. The system according to any preceding claim wherein the base unit comprises an outer casing constructed such that it will protect the processor, battery and transmitter from dust and/or water spray.

9. The system according to claim 8, wherein the outer casing comprises a thermoplastic polymer material.

10. The system according to any preceding claim wherein the garment is constructed from high visibility materials.

11. The system according to any preceding claim wherein the transmitter is a Radio Frequency transmitter and the receiver is a Radio Frequency receiver.

12. The system according to any preceding claim wherein the one or more signalling devices comprise one or more LEDs that are visible to the user.

13. The system according to claim 2, or any claim directly or indirectly dependent on claim 2, wherein the base unit further comprises a communication module, wherein the base unit processor is configured to determine a status of the first power source, and wherein the base unit processor is configured to control the communication module to transmit a battery status message, based on the determined status of the first power source, configured to be received by a remote device for monitoring the status of the first power source of the base unit.

14. The system according to claim 13, wherein the status of the first power source is a voltage or remaining charge of the first power source of the base unit, and wherein the base unit processor is configured such that when the voltage or remaining charge of the first power source falls below a predetermined level, the processor controls the communication module to transmit said battery status message, said battery status message being indicative of the voltage or remaining charge of the first power source being below the predetermined level.

15. A system according to claim 4, or any claim directly or indirectly dependent on claim 4, wherein the garment processor is configured to measure the voltage or remaining charge of the second power source, and, when the measured voltage or remaining charge of the second power source falls below a second predetermined level, control the one or more signalling devices to provide a low battery alert.

16. An overhead hazard alert system base unit comprising:

a transmitter configured to transmit a signal which defines a transmission range, and a first power source for powering said transmitter;

wherein the signal is configured to be received by a receiver of an overhead hazard alert system garment located within the transmission range, the receiver being configured to provide an output to activate one or more signalling devices of the garment when the signal is received.

17. An overhead hazard alert system garment comprising:

one or more signalling devices, a receiver configured to, when located within a transmission range defined by a signal produced by a transmitter of an overhead hazard alert system base unit, receive said signal and, based upon receipt of said signal, provide an output to activate the one or more signalling devices.

18. A method of providing an alert when a user is in an overhead hazard zone comprising the step of:

providing a base unit within the hazard zone, transmitting a signal from a transmitter of the base unit, wherein the signal defines a transmission range, providing the user with a wearable garment wherein the garment comprises one or more signalling devices and a receiver, the receiver receiving the signal from the transmitter when the receiver is within the transmission range, and the receiver providing an output to activate the one or more signalling devices upon receipt of said signal.