This document relates to survival tools, kits, and related methods.
Outdoor camping stoves are known that are formed of a sleeve with a plurality of air vents adjacent a base of the stove. b
Various tools and kits are disclosed to provide plural functions related to survival while in the wilderness. In some cases such tools provide features that work synergistically to permit the starting of a fire and the purification of water. In some cases each objective can be achieved by a variety of respective methods, and in a compact form.
A survival tool is disclosed comprising: a housing with an encircling wall, the housing defining a heat chamber, the heat chamber having a combustion zone, the housing having an air vent communicating from outside the housing to the combustion zone; a receptacle; a magnifying lens; and in which the survival tool has a first operating configuration where the receptacle is within the heat chamber and oriented so that a combustion process within the combustion zone provides heat to the receptacle, and a second operating configuration where the receptacle is within the heat chamber and the magnifying lens is mounted on a magnifying lens mounting part on the housing and oriented to direct and concentrate light rays from outside the housing to within the heat chamber to heat the receptacle.
A method is disclosed comprising: in a first configuration of a survival tool, heating the contents of a receptacle within a heat chamber defined by a survival tool housing, using a combustion process in a combustion zone of the heat chamber; and in a second configuration of the survival tool, heating the contents of the receptacle within the heat chamber, using a magnifying lens mounted on the housing and oriented to direct and concentrate light rays from outside the survival tool housing to within the heat chamber.
A survival tool is disclosed comprising: a housing with an encircling wall, the housing defining a heat chamber; a receptacle within the heat chamber; a magnifying lens; and a guide slot in the encircling wall for guiding the magnifying lens from outside the housing to a mounted position within the housing where the magnifying lens is oriented to direct and concentrate light rays from outside the housing to within the heat chamber.
A survival tool is disclosed comprising: a cylinder with an encircling wall, the cylinder defining a heat chamber; a cup forming a receptacle and nested within the cylinder; and a magnifying lens mounted on a magnifying lens mounting part on the cylinder and oriented to direct and concentrate light rays from outside the cylinder to within the heat chamber to heat the cup.
A survival tool is disclosed comprising: a series of hollow modules threaded end to end to one another when the survival tool is in a storage configuration, in which each of the hollow modules has an encircling wall and defines an internal storage chamber; in which a heating module of the hollow modules defines a heat chamber, the heat chamber having a combustion zone, the heating module having an air vent communicating from outside the heating module to the combustion zone; and a receptacle, in which, at least when the survival tool is in an operating configuration, the receptacle is within the heat chamber and oriented to receive heat from the combustion zone.
A survival tool is disclosed comprising: a housing defining an internal storage chamber; a handle part with a first mating part; a plurality of interchangeable tool parts each having a second mating part connectable with the first mating part; and in which the handle part and the plurality of interchangeable tool parts are located within the internal storage chamber when the survival tool is in a storage configuration.
A survival tool is disclosed comprising: a handle part; a plurality of interchangeable tool parts each having a key extended from the interchangeable tool part; a sleeve configured to encircle the key and thread to the handle part to secure a respective interchangeable tool part to the handle part; a first part associated with one of the handle part or the sleeve, the first part forming a radial stop to restrict relative rotation of the key with the first part while the sleeve is being threaded to the handle part; and a second part associated with the other of the handle part or the sleeve, the second part forming an axial stop for an axial facing surface of the key to restrict relative axial separation of the key from the handle part after the sleeve is threaded to the handle part.
A method is disclosed comprising: selecting an interchangeable tool part from a plurality of interchangeable tool parts each having a key extended from the interchangeable tool part; mounting the tool part on a sleeve by passing the key through the sleeve; threading the sleeve to the handle part into a threaded position in which the interchangeable tool part is secured to the handle part, in which during threading relative rotation is restricted between the key and one of the sleeve and the handle part, and in which in the threaded position the other of the handle part or the sleeve forms an axial stop for an axial facing surface of the key to prevent relative axial separation of the key from the handle part.
A survival tool may comprise a plurality of modules threaded together, one forming a heat chamber with air vents. A survival tool may have threaded ends for modules and a nested cup. A survival tool may have an open ended cylinder with a nested cup and a steam outlet above the cup in an operating configuration. A survival tool may have an open-ended cylinder. A survival tool may have an open-ended cylinder with a magnifying lens and a nested cup. An apparatus may be provided to heat charcoal briquettes using a magnifying glass. A survival tool may comprise a housing containing a handle part with a universal connector, and a plurality of tool parts that are interchangeable with the handle part.
An open-ended tube with an open-top internal water basin positioned partway up the tube, a Fresnel lens at an upper end of the tube, lateral vents below the water basin, and a steam outlet above the water basin. The water basin is a cup fully nested within the tube and sitting atop a stop within the tube. A removable screen within a lateral slot in the tube below the water basin. The Fresnel lens is positioned within a lateral slot in the tube. The Fresnel lens is sized to fit within either lateral slot.
In various embodiments, there may be included any one or more of the following features: The housing is formed of a cylinder. The magnifying lens mounting part is located within the encircling wall of the housing. The magnifying lens mounting part comprises a guide slot in the encircling wall for guiding the magnifying lens from outside the housing to within the housing. The magnifying lens is located on a cartridge that slides within the guide slot in the encircling wall of the housing to mount the magnifying lens. A cup that defines the receptacle. The cup rests upon a seat laterally extended from an inner surface of the encircling wall when the survival tool is in one or both of the first operating configuration and the second operating configuration. The housing has a first axial end and a second axial end, the air vent is adjacent the first axial end, the magnifying lens mounting part is between the air vent and the second end, and the cup is between the air vent and the magnifying lens mounting part. The receptacle is a water receptacle and a steam release outlet is defined between the cup and the magnifying lens mounting part. In one or both the first operating configuration and the second operating configuration, a condensation tube is connected between the steam release outlet and a distilled water receptacle outside the heat chamber. The magnifying lens is a Fresnel lens. The magnifying lens mounting part is positioned such, when the magnifying lens is mounted, a focal point defined by the magnifying lens is located on a base surface of the receptacle. A mirror connected by hinge to an axial end of the housing at least when the survival tool is in the first operating configuration. The mirror is mounted by hinge to a collar, which is connected, when the survival tool is in the first operating configuration, by threading to the axial end of the housing. The housing is one of a series of hollow modules threaded end to end to one another when the survival tool is in a storage configuration. A plurality of the hollow modules has an encircling wall and defines an internal storage chamber. The survival tool has a third operating configuration where the magnifying lens is mounted on the magnifying lens mounting part on the housing and oriented to direct and concentrate light rays from outside the housing to within the combustion chamber to ignite flammable material positioned within the combustion zone. A screen positioned within the combustion zone and supporting the flammable material, when the survival tool is in the third operating configuration. The screen is located on a module that is threaded to an axial end of the housing. The housing forms a sleeve, and the survival tool has a fourth configuration where a long-distance lens is mounted within the housing to form a telescope. The housing defines an internal storage chamber, and further comprising: a handle part; a plurality of interchangeable tool parts each connectable with the handle part; and in which the handle part and the plurality of interchangeable tool parts are located within the internal storage chamber when the survival tool is in a storage configuration. A cap for an axial end of the housing, in which the survival tool has a fifth operating configuration in which one of the interchangeable tool parts are mounted to the cap while the cap is mounted to the housing. The plurality of interchangeable tool parts comprise one or more of a knife blade, a saw blade, a slingshot, a cross-bow support, and a spade. Each of the plurality of interchangeable tool parts have a key extended from the interchangeable tool part, and in which the survival tool further comprises: a sleeve configured to encircle the key and thread to the handle part to secure a respective interchangeable tool part to the handle part; a first part associated with one of the handle part or the sleeve, the first part forming a radial stop to restrict relative rotation of the key with the first part while the sleeve is being threaded to the handle part; and a second part associated with the other of the handle part or the sleeve, the second part forming an axial stop for an axial facing surface of the key to restrict relative axial separation of the key from the handle part when the sleeve is in a threaded position relative to the handle part. The first part comprises a keyway in the handle part, and the second part comprises a member laterally extended at least partially across an internal axial bore of the sleeve, the member defining an aperture shaped to pass the key in at least one radial position of the key relative to the member. The member is a plate. In which: the key has a lobed part with an out-of-round cross-sectional shape, the lobed part being connected to the tool part via a stem; the keyway and aperture have respective cross-sectional shapes that correspond with the out-of-round cross-sectional shape; the stem and aperture are shaped to permit relative rotation between the stem and the aperture; and while the sleeve is being threaded to the handle part the stem rotates within the aperture and the lobed part is clear of the aperture. The key has a rectangular box shape. A kit containing plural of the above-described parts. Methods of using the survival tool in a variety of configurations.
These and other aspects of the device and method are set out in the claims, which are incorporated here by reference.
Embodiments will now be described with reference to the figures, in which like reference characters denote like elements, by way of example, and in which:
Immaterial modifications may be made to the embodiments described here without departing from what is covered by the claims.
A survival tool and kit 10 may be used to provide a variety of functions to aid a user in surviving outside of civilization, for example in the bush or wilderness. Referring to
Housing 12 may form the primary storage and operation module as shown. The ability to thread plural modules together and cap the open ends provides a versatile tool 10 that may have modules added to or subtracted from to provide different levels of functionality and to carry additional unique or redundant tool parts 110. Referring to
Referring to
A magnifying lens 14, such as a Fresnel lens as shown, may be provided as part of tool 10. Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
In the example shown the lens 14 blocks axial travel of steam past the lens 14, directing steam to exit housing 12 via outlet 84. Other configurations may be used to collect distilled water, such as a distilled water receptacle nested within housing 12 above cup 50. If lens 14 is mounted within slot 28′, a cartridge 34 with no lens (not shown) or a non-magnifying lens (not shown) may be positioned within slot 28″ in order to seal off the distillation chamber of the housing 12 to direct steam into outlet 84 or another suitable desired location.
Referring to
Air vents 16 permit the maintenance and initiation of a combustion process, such as a fire 19, within zone 20. Slot 28′″ may also act as an air vent 16 to improve breathing within zone 20. The part of encircling wall 26 that defines the combustion zone 20 and through which vents 16 pass forms a wind shroud, to permit a fire 19 to be started, for example using tinder 21 within zone 20, irrespective of windy conditions outside the housing 12. A flint (not shown) may be provided with tool 10, or otherwise used to light tinder 21 by drawing the flint through one of the vents 16, rubbing the flint against the bore wall of vent 16 to initiate a spark. One or more of air vents 16 may be adapted to work with a flint to create a spark. In other cases, end 24 may be positioned within an existing fire, in order to channel heat from the fire up to base 54 and cup 50.
In one case the air vent 16 is adjacent to one of ends 22, 24, and the magnifying lens mounting part 28 is between the air vent 16 and the other end 22, 24, for example adjacent the other end 22, 24. The cup 50 is shown located between the air vents 16 and the magnifying lens mounting part 28. Such an arrangement permits the user to select to carry out a combustion process at one end, such as end 24, or if sufficient light is available, a heating process by magnifying light rays 78 using lens 14 at or near the other end, such as end 22, in order to heat the contents of cup 50 between lens 14 and combustion zone 20. Such an arrangement provides a compact housing 12 that is able to provide heating from plural sources, providing flexibility to a user in a single tool 10.
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Once the briquette 27 is spent or has achieved its objective of distilling the contents of cup 50, the remains may be dumped out of the bottom end 24 of housing 12 by sliding the screen 30 out of slot 28′″ if a screen cartridge is used, or by unscrewing module 94 and dumping the remains at a suitable location outside the housing 12. Although briquette 27 is described as being used, any suitable flammable material or fuel may be used including coal, tinder, wood chips, peat, coal dust, combustible biomass material, sawdust, or paper, and others. In some cases the material 27 is selected to provide sufficient burn time to carry out the distillation process. In one case such material 27 is compressed to increase burn time. In another case the tool 10 provides a solar oven to cook food upon screen 30 or within cup 50. In another case the lens 14 may be used to ignite flammable material upon the screen 30, and the screen 30 pulled out (if on a cartridge 34) or unscrewed, in order to drop the ignited briquette into a fire starting bundle of tinder to start a larger fire on a ground surface (not shown). Different focal lengths of lenses 14 may be provided for such a purpose, for example a lens 14 that focuses on the base surface 57 and another lens that focuses at an intermediate axial position of the cup 50 corresponding to a theoretical level of food in the cup 50 during cooking.
Referring to
Thus, referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
A nut or sleeve 118 may be provided as part of the universal connection mechanism used to secure the tool part 110 to the handle part 116. Referring to
A first part and a second part may be associated with the universal connection mechanism. The first part may be associated with one of the handle part or the sleeve, while the second part is associated with the other of the handle part or sleeve. Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
In a further slingshot embodiment shown, a crossbow or dart support 186 may be added to facilitate the precise launching and aiming of a bolt or dart 179. Referring to
The base stem 192 may have a cylindrical central part 194 shaped to fit within cylindrical part 133 of aperture 136 of support 186 (visualized by the structure of
Referring to
Referring to
Example emergency signaling devices may include flares and SOS balloons. An exemplary SOS balloon may function similar to a hot air balloon in that the heat is supplied by steaming water in the housing 12 and allowing the steam to rise up through the provided silicone tubing to fill a balloon connected to tubing 90 with hot air causing the balloon to rise into the air making for highly visible rescue target.
In some cases the axial position of lens 14 may be adjustable to control the position of the focal point. For example, the lens 14 may be permitted to move axially along housing 12. In some cases lens 14 is mounted at an axial end 22 or 24 of housing 12. Lens 14 may be permanently or removeably installed. The housing 12 may be made of or with fire proof material, such as metal. The housing 12 and some or all of the other parts may be formed by suitable methods such as machining. The word encircling does not require a component with a circular cross-section, as rectangular and polygon or other straight-walled cross-sectional shapes will work. Instead of a removable receptacle or cup 50 an integrally receptacle may be formed in housing 12. The combustion zone may contain the entire or a portion of a combustion process. A cylinder includes a tapered partially conical cylinder, as well as a straight-walled cylinder with parallel non-converging, non-diverging sidewalls. Receptacle could be used for heating or cooking food, such as soup.
In some cases the tool 10 could be shortened by removing the part of the housing 12 above the cup 50, so that in the light concentrating embodiment the lens 14 is mounted in slot 28′″ in the combustion zone, and providing the ability to reverse the axial orientation of the cup, so that in the combustion configuration the top rim 52 faces end 22 away from the combustion zone and the base 54 is adjacent the combustion zone, and in the light concentrating configuration the top rim 52 faces the end 24 and lens 14, and the housing 12 is turned upside down so that the cup 50 is upright in both embodiments. Sleeve 118 and/or tool part 110 may interlock with handle part 116 by a suitable mechanism such as a camlock, or a hook and pin combination. The survival tool 10 may be provided with sufficiently low density to float in water when in the storage configuration. The parts of the universal connector may include male and female parts. The sleeve 118 may be considered a sub-connector.
Plural seats may be provided for cup 50, to permit the cup or receptacle to be fitted into different positions, or different orientations. The seat may be provided as one or more pegs or projections within housing 12, and axial grooves (not shown) may be provided along the cup 50 exterior to permit the cup to slide past the pegs if desired to pass the cup base 54 past the pegs, for example to engage a different seat if the cup 50 is being inverted and nested back in the housing upside down relative to a previous configuration. In some cases one or both of ends 22 and 24 may be closed, for example by a base or top wall, respectively. Any reference to cup 50 may refer to the receptacle in general unless context dictates otherwise. Referring to
In the claims, the word “comprising” is used in its inclusive sense and does not exclude other elements being present. The indefinite articles “a” and “an” before a claim feature do not exclude more than one of the feature being present. Each one of the individual features described here may be used in one or more embodiments and is not, by virtue only of being described here, to be construed as essential to all embodiments as defined by the claims.