Escape and survival system

Abstract

A portable, stylish, comprehensively stocked emergency escape and survival package gives the user ability to successfully confront diverse emergency and disaster conditions most likely encountered in the urban or suburban environment. The package is a system of a backpack carrying case and numerous components stored within the case. Each component is a tool, supply or other article selected for use in a particular aspect of an emergency or survival situation. Additionally, the package includes separate stowage capacity for routine business tools, such as files, computer, calculator and the like. Components of the system include, among others, a radiation sensor, a ballistic resistant panel, solar charging station for an included rechargeable battery, and cables and adapters for supplying power to diverse portable electronic devices.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A backpack for carrying components of an emergency kit comprising a body having (i) a substantially tall, rectangular prismoid shape formed by walls of textile fabric extending from opposite lateral sides to a top of the body at a convexly curved corner, (ii) four substantially planar bulkheads, identified in order from rear-to-fore as bulkheads A, B, C and D, that define three main chambers between adjacent pairs of bulkheads the chambers identified in order from rear-to-fore as chambers I, II, and III, (iii) zippered closures along peripheral edges of slits in the walls, which zippered closures are operative to provide independent reclosable access to each chamber, (iv) an exterior face with an upper portion of fabric defining a plurality of windows, (v) a solar panel effective to convert sunlight to direct current electricity positioned coextensively within each window, (vi) a light-transmissive film affixed to the fabric and covering each solar panel, and (vii) a plurality of rigid stand-offs near the windows, the stand-offs protruding about 1 mm-5 mm outward from the fabric. 
     
     
         2 . The backpack of  claim 1  in which the solar panels have a common output and in which the backpack comprises a first electric cable connected at one end to the common output and a first charging connector at the other end, and in which the first electric cable extends through bulkhead A into chamber I. 
     
     
         3 . The backpack of  claim 2  further comprising at least two removable rechargeable batteries, each battery having a substantially rectangular prismoid shape of about 2-5 inches long, about 1.5-3.5 inches wide and about 0.12-1.0 inch thick, and at least three battery pockets with elastic rims on bulkhead B facing chamber I, in which each battery pocket has an elastic rim effective to removably retain one of the batteries in fixed position against bulkhead B, and in which each battery has an input electrical receptacle adapted to removably mate with the first charging connector of the first electric cable connected to the solar panels. 
     
     
         4 . The backpack of  claim 3  in which the body further comprising a pouch having an outer wall, a cover, a zippered closure between the outer wall and the cover, and a back wall that is affixed in contact with a lateral side of the backpack externally adjacent to chamber I, the walls and cover of the pouch defining an internal chamber IV, in which the back wall has a grommet defining a passage between chamber I and chamber IV, and in which the backpack further comprises a second electric cable about 1 m long with a second charging connector adapted to removably mate with the input electrical receptacle at one end located in chamber I, extending through the passage into chamber IV and terminating in an electrical slip connector. 
     
     
         5 . The backpack of  claim 4  which further comprises a removable 2-in-1 charging adapter having (a) a male line plug connector suitable to receive first electric input power from a 110 volt alternating current source or a 240 volt alternating current source, (b) a male cigarette lighter plug connector suitable to receive second electric input power from a 12 volt direct current source, (c) transformer means for converting first electric input power and second electric input power to electric output power of about 2-6 volts direct current, and (d) an electrical slip receptacle adapted to removably mate with the electrical slip connector of the second electric cable. 
     
     
         6 . The backpack of  claim 1  in which all exterior surface area of the body up to an elevation of at least about 2 inches comprises a barrier of liquid impervious material effective to prevent the penetration of water into the body. 
     
     
         7 . The backpack of  claim 6  in which the liquid barrier is effective to prevent penetration of liquid selected from the group consisting of oils, organic solvents, and acids. 
     
     
         8 . The backpack of  claim 1  in which adjacent to bulkhead D facing chamber III further comprises a ballistic protection shield comprising a substantially flat sheet of ballistic resistant panel capable of protecting to at least against a Threat Level Type IIA of National Institute of Justice Standard 0108.01, in which the sheet is unattached to the body, and is a size of area at least 90% of bulkhead D area. 
     
     
         9 . The backpack of  claim 8  in which the ballistic resistant panel further comprises handle means for grasping the shield by a hand positioned behind the shield. 
     
     
         10 . The backpack of  claim 1  in which bulkhead C facing chamber III further comprises a padded electronics protection pocket adapted to store a laptop computer. 
     
     
         11 . The backpack of  claim 1  which further comprises an unattached personal radiation exposure dosimeter of size substantially similar to a credit card. 
     
     
         12 . The backpack of  claim 11  which further comprises a radiation protection pocket of a clear plastic sheet mounted on an interior wall adjacent a lateral side of chamber II, in which the protection sheet is operative to removably receive the personal radiation exposure dosimeter. 
     
     
         13 . The backpack of  claim 1  in which mounted on an exterior front panel of bulkhead D, the body further comprises (a) a plurality of cushioned pads and (b) at least one false cushioned pad containing a concealed valuables chamber V, which chamber V has a reclosable access entrance, and in which the cushioned pads and false cushion pad each have a thickness in the range of about 0.5-2.0 inches. 
     
     
         14 . An emergency escape and survival kit comprising a backpack comprising
 (I) a body having
 (a) a substantially tall, rectangular prismoid shape with a top that meets with each lateral side of the body at a convexly curved corner, 
 (b) four substantially planar bulkheads, identified in order from rear-to-fore as bulkheads A, B, C and D, that define three main chambers between adjacent pairs of bulkheads the chambers identified in order from rear-to-fore as chambers I, II, and III, 
 (c) zippered closures along peripheral edges of the bulkheads at lateral sides and top of the body, which zippered closures are operative to provide independent reclosable access to each chamber, 
 (d) an exterior face with an upper portion of fabric defining a plurality of windows, 
 (e) a light-transmissive film coextensive with each window and affixed to the fabric, 
 (f) a plurality of rigid stand-offs near the windows, the stand-offs protruding about 1 mm-5 mm outward from the fabric, 
 (g) a pouch having an outer wall, a cover, a zippered closure between the outer wall and the cover, and a back wall that is affixed in contact with a lateral side of the backpack externally adjacent to chamber I, the walls and cover of the pouch defining an internal chamber IV, in which the back wall of the pouch has a grommet defining a passage between chamber I and chamber IV, 
 (h) a barrier on all exterior surface area of the body up to an elevation of at least about 2 inches of a liquid impervious material effective to prevent the penetration into the body of a liquid selected from the group consisting of water, oil, hydrocarbon solvents and a combination thereof, 
 (i) a substantially flat, personal protection pocket having a top opening extending across bulkhead D, 
 (j) a padded electronics protection pocket adapted to store a laptop computer on bulkhead C facing chamber III, 
 (k) a radiation protection pocket of a clear plastic sheet mounted on an interior wall adjacent a lateral side of chamber II, and 
 (l) on an exterior front panel of bulkhead D, (i) a plurality of cushioned pads and (ii) at least one false cushioned pad containing a concealed valuables chamber V, which chamber V has a reclosable access entrance, and in which the cushioned pads and false cushion pad each have a thickness in the range of about 0.5-2.0 inches, 
   (II) a power supply system comprising
 (a) a solar panel effective to convert sunlight to direct current electricity positioned coextensively within each window, each solar panel being in common electrical communication with one end of a first electric cable that extends through bulkhead A into chamber I and has a first charging connector at the other end, 
 (b) a second electric cable about 0.5 m-1 m long with a second charging connector identical to the first charging connector at one end located in chamber I, the second electric cable extending through the passage into chamber IV and terminating in an electric slip connector, 
 (c) at least two removable, rechargeable batteries, each battery having an input electrical receptacle adapted to removably mate alternatively with any one of the first charging connector and the second charging cable, and having a substantially rectangular prismoid shape of about 2-5 inches long, about 1.5-3.5 inches wide and about 0.12-1.0 inch thick, 
 (d) at least three elastic bands affixed to bulkhead B facing chamber I, each band being effective to removably retain one of the batteries in fixed position against bulkhead B, and 
 (e) a removable 2-in-1 charging adapter having (i) a male line plug connector suitable to receive first electric input power from a 110 volt alternating current source or a 240 volt alternating current source, (ii) a male cigarette lighter plug connector suitable to receive second electric input power from a 12 volt direct current source, (iii) transformer means for converting first electric input power and second electric input power to electric output power of about 2-6 volts direct current, and (iv) an electrical slip receptacle adapted to removably mate with the electrical slip connector of the second electric cable, 
   (III) a ballistic protection shield comprising
 (a) a substantially flat sheet of ballistic resistant panel capable of protecting to at least against a Threat Level Type IIA of National Institute of Justice Standard 0108.01, and 
 (b) handle means for grasping the shield by a hand positioned behind the shield, in which the sheet is unattached to the body, is removably insertable into the personal protection pocket, and is a size of area at least 90% of bulkhead D area, and 
   (IV) a personal radiation exposure dosimeter of size substantially similar to a credit card and which is removably insertable in the radiation protection pocket such that the dosimeter can be visually seen through the clear plastic sheet.   
     
     
         15 . The emergency escape and survival kit of  claim 14  further comprising protective clothing components comprising
 (a) a polyethylene poncho, 
 (b) chemical resistant gloves, 
 (c) chemical resistant body suit 
 (d) full head escape hood with air-purifying respirator having particulate, carbon monoxide and organic chemical vapor removal capability, and 
 (e) particulate-only air-filtering face mask, 
 in which each of components (a)-(e) is individually sealed under vacuum within in a pouch of clear, flexible film, and, 
 in which components (a)-(e) together fit within chambers I, II and IV. 
 
     
     
         16 . The emergency escape and survival kit of  claim 14  further comprising hazard protection components comprising
 (a) at least about 16 ounce, multiuse portable fire extinguisher rated for at least Class A and Class B fire protection, 
 (b) U.S. Coast Guard approved inflatable personal floatation device, 
 (c) at least 2, about 15 mm diameter by about 150 mm long chemically activated, glow-in-the-dark, light sticks, 
 (d) an about 1.1 m by about 1.5 m polyester microfiber viscose blanket, 
 (e) an about 2.5 cm diameter by about 9 cm long, light emitting diode, battery operable, portable flashlight, 
 (f) a single, battery operated, portable combination Family Service Radio/General Mobile Radio Service transmitting/receiving radio, and 
 (g) a single, alternately battery and dynamo powered, AM/FM/Weatherband receive only radio, 
 in which each of components (a)-(g) is individually sealed under vacuum within in a pouch of clear, flexible film, and, 
 in which components (a)-(g) together fit within chambers I, II and IV. 
 
     
     
         17 . The The emergency escape and survival kit of  claim 14  further comprising defense and survival components comprising
 (a) one about 2 ounce capacity aerosol-driven, self defense pepper spray dispenser 
 (b) US Coast Guard approved individually wrapped meal bars sufficient for at least about three-days of consumption by a single person, 
 (c) a one-person, emergency style sleeping bag 
 (d) a personal survival set comprising (i) at least about a dozen strike anywhere matches within a match container, handheld magnetic compass, flint fire starter, signal minor, and, manual whistle, 
 (e) a U.S. Transportation Security Administration-approved brass padlock lock, 
 (f) a 2 inch wide by 60 inch long roll of adhesive tape, and 
 (g) written instructions for escape, protection and survival of emergency and disaster events, 
 in which each of components (b)-(g) is individually sealed under vacuum within in a pouch of clear, flexible film, and, 
 in which components (b)-(g) together fit within chambers I, II and IV. 
 
     
     
         18 . The The emergency escape and survival kit of  claim 14  further comprising medical protection components comprising
 (a) a medicinal set of individually wrapped doses comprising (i) at least about six anti-diarrheal caplets, (ii) at least about 12 non-steroidal anti-inflammatory pain relief tablets, and (iii) at least about 2 coated 32.5 mg potassium iodide tablets 32.5 mg, 
 (b) a water purification set comprising (i) an about 750 mL capacity single wall stainless steel water bottle including filter, straw and cap, and (ii) at least about 12 germicidal drinking water purification tablets, 
 (c) a clear plastic multi-day pill organizer, and 
 (d) a wound treatment kit comprising (i) a plurality of trama blood stopping sterile hemostatic pad about 10 cm by about 10 cm with antimicrobial dressing, (ii) at least about 10 compressed cloths (iii) an arm sling (iv) a plurality of pressure sensitive adhesive bandages, (v) a compressed non-woven sponge, (vi) a plurality of antiseptic cleansing wipes, (vii) a plurality of anti mosquito towelettes, (viii) at least about 0.5 ounce of triple antibiotic ointment, and (e) a 3 ounces of alcohol based hand sanitizer gel, 
 in which each of components (a)-(d) is individually sealed under vacuum within in a pouch of clear, flexible film, and, 
 in which components (a)-(d) together fit within chambers I, II and IV. 
 
     
     
         19 . The backpack of  claim 8  further comprising in which adjacent to bulkhead D facing chamber III a substantially flat, personal protection pocket having a top opening extending across bulkhead D and in which the ballistic protection shield is removably insertable into the personal protection pocket. 
     
     
         20 . The emergency escape and survival kit of  claim 15  further comprising
 (A) hazard protection components comprising
 (a) at least about  16  ounce, multiuse portable fire extinguisher rated for at least Class A and Class B fire protection, 
 (b) U.S. Coast Guard approved inflatable personal floatation device, 
 (c) at least 2, about 15 mm diameter by about 150 mm long chemically activated, glow-in-the-dark, light sticks, 
 (d) an about 1.1 m by about 1.5 m polyester microfiber viscose blanket, 
 (e) an about 2.5 cm diameter by about 9 cm long, light emitting diode, battery operable, portable flashlight, 
 (f) a single, battery operated, portable combination Family Service Radio/General Mobile Radio Service transmitting/receiving radio, and 
 (g) a single, alternately battery and dynamo powered, AM/FM/Weatherband receive only radio, 
 in which each of components (a)-(g) is individually sealed under vacuum within in a pouch of clear, flexible film, and, 
 in which components (a)-(g) together fit within chambers I, II and IV, 
 
 (B) defense and survival components comprising
 (a) US Coast Guard approved individually wrapped meal bars sufficient for at least about three-days of consumption by a single person, 
 (b) one about 2 ounce capacity aerosol-driven, self defense pepper spray dispenser in which each of items (a)-(e) is individually sealed under vacuum within in a pouch of clear, flexible film, 
 (c) a one-person, emergency style sleeping bag 
 (d) a personal survival set comprising (i) at least about a dozen strike anywhere matches within a match container, handheld magnetic compass, flint fire starter, signal minor, and, manual whistle, 
 (e) a U.S. Transportation Security Administration-approved brass padlock lock, 
 (f) a 2 inch wide by 60 inch long roll of adhesive tape, and 
 (g) written instructions for escape, protection and survival of emergency and disaster events, 
 in which each of components (a)-(g) is individually sealed under vacuum within in a pouch of clear, flexible film, and, 
 
 in which components (a)-(g) together fit within chambers I, II and IV, and 
 (C) medical protection components comprising
 (a) a medicinal set of individually wrapped doses comprising (i) at least about six anti-diarrheal caplets, (ii) at least about 12 non-steroidal anti-inflammatory pain relief tablets, and (iii) at least about 2 coated 32.5 mg potassium iodide tablets 32.5 mg, 
 (b) a water purification set comprising (i) an about 750 mL capacity single wall stainless steel water bottle including filter, straw and cap, and (ii) at least about 12 germicidal drinking water purification tablets, 
 (c) a clear plastic multi-day pill organizer, and 
 (d) a wound treatment kit comprising (i) a plurality of trama blood stopping sterile hemostatic pad about 10 cm by about 10 cm with antimicrobial dressing, (ii) at least about 10 compressed cloths (iii) an arm sling (iv) a plurality of pressure sensitive adhesive bandages, (v) a compressed non-woven sponge, (vi) a plurality of antiseptic cleansing wipes, (vii) a plurality of anti mosquito towelettes, (viii) at least about 0.5 ounce of triple antibiotic ointment, and (e) a 3 ounces of alcohol based hand sanitizer gel, 
 in which each of components (a)-(d) is individually sealed under vacuum within in a pouch of clear, flexible film, and, 
 in which components (a)-(d) together fit within chambers I, II and IV.