Probe, particularly for locating trapped victims, as well as a search system for trapped victims

Abstract

A probe, particularly for locating trapped victims in avalanches, includes a receiver tuned to the transmitting frequency of transmitting units and with at least one antenna. The receiver is provided with a circuit for level evaluation of the received signals whereby the circuit indicates any surpassing of the signal level while approaching the vicinity of the transmitting unit to make probing easier for the rescuer, to reduce the time needed for this purpose, and to offer significant assistance in the interpretation of different objects detected by means of the probe.

1 . A probe, particularly for locating trapped victims in avalanches, for example, having a receiver tuned to the transmitting frequency of transmitting units and having at least one antenna, characterized in that the receiver is provided with a circuit for level evaluation of the received signals whereby said circuit indicates any surpassing of the signal level while approaching the vicinity of the transmitting unit.  
   
   
       2 . A probe according to  claim 1 , wherein the level evaluation circuit can be set at least for two different sensitivity values.  
   
   
       3 . A probe according to  claim 1 , wherein the receiver is integrated with one or each antenna within the probe tip.  
   
   
       4 . A probe according to  claim 3 , wherein an optical or acoustical indicator is provided on the probe tip and whereby data transmission is provided through physical lines between the receiver and the indicator.  
   
   
       5 . A probe according to  claim 4 , wherein the line for data transmission is formed by the tensioning cable of the probe.  
   
   
       6 . A probe according to  claim 1 , wherein a transmitting unit is integrated in the probe emitting signals with greatly limited range.  
   
   
       7 . A probe according to  claim 6 , wherein the range of the transmitter signal corresponds essentially to the area near the transmitting unit as indicated by the level evaluation circuit.  
   
   
       8 . A probe according to  claim 6 , wherein the transmitter and the receiver are combined and both are using at least one antenna of the probe.  
   
   
       9 . A search system for trapped victims comprising at least one transmitting unit and a probe according to  claim 1 , wherein said transmitting unit is provided with a receiving circuit for the signal emitting from the probe having a greatly limited range and whereby said receiving circuit can temporarily turn the transmitter off during reception of said signal.