AU602667B2 - Diving communications aid - Google Patents

Description

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Class Int. Class Application Number: Lodged: FOR OFFICE USE: PH 4208 15 January 1986 P* I L D ED A SUg. PC EIC JA 97 Accepted: Published: Priority: Related Art: Name of Applicant: Address of Applicant: Actual Inventor: Address for Service: GLENN RAYMOND JOHNS 5 Robyn Avenue, Frenchs Forest, New South Wales, 2086 GLENN RAYMOND JOHNS -~-~~e~Sydney, New South Wales, 2000, Australia Complete Specification for the invention entitled: DIVING COMMUNICATIONS AID The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me SD/98T l i N A#CCEPTED AND AMENDMENTS The present invention relates to a diving communications aid and, in particular to a submersible, audible communications warning distress device.

Methods presently used by divers particularly sports divers to attract the attention of other divers or otherwise communicate with them have traditionally been restricted to physical contact or to various forms of tapping; for example tapping one rock against another or tapping a rock against metallic parts of the diver's apparel. Similarly, when persons on a diving tender wish to make contact with sumerged divers such methods as revving the tender vessel's engine, hitting objects on the side of the vessel or sending other divers down to effect the communication have been used. These methods are inconvenient, imprecise and are not always available to a diver who is in trouble. Experience has shown that lack o, of quick, precise and effective communications is a contributing factor in many simple diving mishaps becoming fatalities.

Other forms of communication include wireless or communication lines (surface to diver), however these are bulky and expensive.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a diving aid which will substantially overcome, or ameliorate, the abovementioned problems of past practices.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided a diving communications aid comprising a hydrophone, power supply and amplifier and S- 2 TO: THE COMMISSIONER OF PATENTS I. transducer; said hydrophone for receiving underwater acoustic signals which are amplified by said amplifier and communicated to said transducer, said transducer being in contact with the skin adjacent to a selected bone within the head of a wearer and adapted to vibrate in accordance with acoustic signals received by said hydrophone, said power supply being coupled to said amplifier to supply power thereto.

Two embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings in which:- Figure 1 is a schematic circuit diagram applicable to both embodiments; Figure 2 depicts a first embodiment attached to an air hose; Figure 3 depicts details of an alternative housing of the first embodiment; Figure 4 depicts a further method of mounting the first embodiment; Figure 4A depicts a further method of mounting the first embodiment.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a second embodiment; Figure 6 is a schematic arrangement of the second embodiment in use; S* o Figure 7 depicts the location of an ease amplifier/transducer assembly on a diver; The preferred embodiments of the present invention relate to an audible warning which may used underwater and is activated at will by the user. The device may also have one, two or more warning lights arranged to operate whilst the audible warning is sounding.

Figure 1. depicts an electrical schematic diagram suitable for use in both the first and second embodiments. A light 7 and an audible warning device 3 are parallel connected into a power supply circuit e@ comprising a S3

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;i .r 41 1 i 1 nine volt battery and manually operable switch 2. The audible warning 3 can be any audible warning device which operates at low voltage and has a satisfactory sound output power level when in use underwater. A prototype device utilised an "Archer 273-070" tone generator available from Tandy Electronics. This device has a resonant frequency of 2500 Hz and a sound power level of lOOdB at 30cm (in air). The prototype sound generator and battery supply cable connection were enclosed in a silicon rubber sheath, connected to a 9V transistor battery and taken underwater in Sydney Harbour l to a depth of approximately 10 metres. Tests indicated that it was audible JA. underwater by the uncovered human ear up to 12-14 metres away.

,o Tests with other sound projectors indicate communication ranges of up r to at least 30 metres, whilst maintaining a compact device, are realisable.

In a first embodiment the components of Fig. 1 are housed in a waterproof container which is arranged to be clamped by Velcro or similar 6 to selected parts of the diver's attire. In Fig. 2 for example an enclosure 4 is shown incorporating a magnetic or rocker switch 2a and housing an audible sound projector 3. The device can be clamped to an airhose 5 leading from breathing apparatus 6.

Fig. 3 shows a similar waterproof enclosure 8 housing a magnetic slide switch 2b, two lights 7 and an audible sound projector 3. In Fig. 4 the device is shown attached to a belt 9 above weight belt 9a. In Fig. 4a the device is attached to a waist band harness affixed by Velcro above weight belt 9a.

The casing 4 or 8 is constructed of light, strong watertight material able to withstand water pressures corresponding to a depth of at least metres and more if required whilst permitting efficient sound transmission from the sound projector to the water.

The light(s) 7 are preferably arranged to illuminate when the tone generator is operative.

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Where the power supply comprises a battery, the battery may be of either the replaceable or rechargeable type.

The casing 4 or 7 can be attached by clamping, screwing, locking or other means to any part of the underwater diving equipment, snorkel, mask, wetsuit, weight belt, air cylinders and associated fittings, high and low pressure intermediate hoses, regulators, buoyancy control devices, gauges and any other diving accessory including webbing. The device can also be attached to parts of the diver's body by wrist straps or similar means.

In use, the safety aid of the first embodiment is worn by the diver 0 Ja: at a readily accessible location upon his apparel for the duration of his *e* time underwater. Should he wish to attract attention for any reason he simply operates the rocker magnetic switch (Fig. 2) or magnetic slide switch (Fig. 3) in order to activate the audible sound projector 3 and, if fitted, the lights 7. The audible tone will attract the attention of any other diver within hearing distance underwater. In an emergency the tone can be ieft running continuously. For ordinary communications a series of coded signals can be devised involving the use of tone bursts.

When operated relatively close to the surface the diving aid is also audible to persons on the surface.

In certain emergency situations it may be expedient for the diving aid to be operated by a person other than the wearer.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the invention. Here the audible sound projector 3, is enclosed in a watertight housing with a multiple of sound projectors emitting the tone. The switch 2a and power source (not shown) are connected by a length of flexible electric cord 11. The cord will vary in length depending on the user's preference and the diver's depth. The electric cord supply can be released from the housing and lowered away by either automatic feeding/intake or by manual control.

SD/2153z 5 L r L Fitted to the sound projector housing 3 is a flashing light source 14 indicating that the sound projector has been activated.

The sound projector of the second embodiment is sized to achieve communication ranges of at least 50 metres. Larger ranges are considered feasible given that size and power supply availability are not a constraint in this embodiment.

In use as shown in figure 6 the second embodiment can be suspended over the side of a vessel or diving platform 10 so that it is mounted to part of the craft temporarily or permanently and accessible by the surface operator so that the sound projector 3 can be released from its spooled 0000 housing 13 and immersed to any depth sufficiently beneath the surface of S the water 12 for alerting the divers below. The sound projector can then 0iS be operated by means of a switch 2a to cause tone bursts to be generated underwater. These tone bursts will be heard by divers underwater and within range. The divers can then take appropriate action according to prearranged information. For example, at its simplest, the device may S simply be used as a recall device wherein submerged divers surface upon hearing a recall tone.

SThe foregoing describes only two embodiments of the present invention and modifications, obvious to those skilled in the art, can be made thereto 0 without departing from the scope of the present invention.

For example, various models of the invention can be tone coded so that individual divers and/or the tender vessel have their own unique frequencies assigned to them.

Due to the cold water temperatures in some areas, divers find it necessary to wear additional apparel which includes a wet suit hood. In colder areas dry suit materials are used.

Whilst wearing these hoods the device cannot be heard more than two metres away.

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Sound underwater travels through the cranium of the diver and not the ear drums. To assist the diver wearing the hood a prototype consisting of a hydrophone, power source, and amplifier and transducer can be coupled and water proofed (refer Fig. 7).

The device can look similar to a money clip. The hydrophone 15 is exposed on the outside of the hood 16 with a battery 17 and connected to the amplifier and transducer 18 which presses against the cranium of the diver. The signal of the sound projector is received by the hydrophone and amplified to the diver through the amplifier or transducer which converts the energy into vibrations.

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Claims (4)

1. A diving communication aid comprising a hydrophone, power supply, amplifier and transducer; said hydrophone for receiving underwater acoustic signals which are amplified by said amplifier and communicated to said transducer, said transducer being in contact with the skin adjacent to a selected bone within the head of a wearer and adapted to vibrate in accordance with acoustic signals received by said hydrophone, said power supply being coupled to said amplifier to supply power thereto.

2. The aid of claim 1 wherein said transducer is applied to the forehead of a diver.

3. The aid of claim 1 wherein said transducer is applied adjacent to the jaw bone of a diver. *o

4. A diving communications aid as hereinbefore particularly described with reference to Figure 7. DATED this 15th day of January, 1990 GLENN RAYMOND JOHNS Attorney: PETER HEATHCOTE S Fellow Institute of Patent Attorneys of Australia o' *..WE of SHELSTON WATERS o ooo iS 8 L i -L -i ii ~i L