EP4680525A2

EP4680525A2 - System for rescuing from a rescue vehicle such as a ship, or the coast, a shipwrecked person or a bather in difficulty in the sea, or any other body of water, and rescue method adopting such a system

Info

Publication number: EP4680525A2
Application number: EP24715269.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Ettore ARDISSON
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2023-03-17
Filing date: 2024-03-06
Publication date: 2026-01-21
Also published as: WO2024194715A2; CN120981390A; WO2024194715A3; IT202300005076A1

Abstract

A system (1) for rescuing from a rescue vehicle, such as a ship (400), or from the coast, a shipwrecked person, or a bather (300) in difficulty in the sea, or any other body of water, comprising a remotely piloted aircraft or drone, (10) and a remote control (20) to remotely drive the drone (10) same, up to a determined operation area (200). The system (1) comprises, furthermore, a rescue device (50) comprising a life jacket (55) and provided with a portion of constraint (51) arranged to constrain a first end (86) of an elongated flexible element (85) having a second end (87) integral to the remotely piloted aircraft (10). An engagement device (70) is, furthermore, provided configured to move from an engagement configuration, where is arranged to engage an engagement portion (52) of the rescue device (50) in such a way to keep the life jacket (55) in a predetermined engagement position, to a releasing configuration, where the engagement device (70) releases the engagement portion (52). A braking device (80) is, furthermore, foreseen which is provided with a support portion (81) arranged to support a first predetermined length (ID of the elongated flexible element (85) in a gathered configuration [Fig. 1].

Description

TITLE

SYSTEM FOR RESCUING FROM A RESCUE VEHICLE SUCH AS A SHIP, OR THE COAST , A SHIPWRECKED PERSON OR A BATHER IN

DI FFICULTY IN THE SEA, OR ANY OTHER BODY OF WATER, AND RESCUE METHOD ADOPTING SUCH A SYSTEM

DESCRIPTION

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a system for rescuing in the sea, or any other body of water , such as a lake , a river, but also a swimming pool , a shipwrecked person, or a bather in di f ficulty, in particular from a rescue vehicle such as a ship, or the coast .

The invention relates also to a method for rescuing in the sea, or another body of water , adopting the aforementioned system .

Furthermore , the invention relates to a propeller guard or protection member for an airscrew of a remotely piloted aircraft or drone .

Description of the prior art

As known, rescue operations for rescuing one or more people who have fallen in the water due to a shipwreck have become frequent , in particular in the sea . This can happen for the damages suf fered by the ship on which they are during navigation that , for example , collides with another ship or crashes against an obstacle , for example a rock, or because the ship capsi zed due to adverse weather conditions . The rescue operations in the sea can be also directed to rescue a bather who feels unwell , after a plunge in the water, or because of a muscular problem, or because the sea conditions suddenly change , and he/ she is no more able to return to the shore .

In particular, in the last years many rescue devices and systems have been proposed which provide the use of a drone , which, remotely controlled, that means from a determined distance , by an operator , reaches the shipwrecked person, or the bather, in di f ficulty and provides to let a rescue device , normally a li fe buoy, or a li fe j acket , down .

However, the systems of this type which are at present adopted, let the rescue device down suddenly that , i f it is not immediately grasped by the shipwrecked person, risk to be missed thus making completely useless the rescue operation with the need to repeat the same with consequence loss of time to bring the drone back at an operative zone where to provide to install another rescue device on board . These supplementary operations , as can be easily understood, are not carried out in a short time and, therefore , increase greatly the risk for the shipwrecked person to drown, also because of the consumption of the batteriers of the drone which can have a range that is not enough for two following flights .

In addition, the systems that are adopted at present can imply considerable economic losses for the aforementioned risk to lose the rescue device that is used .

In CN111776217 a rescue system is described which provides the use of a drone provided with a camera, a medical kit , an audio communication device , a lighting device , a li fe buoy, etc . Once that the drone reaches the person in di f ficulty, the li fe buoy, which is engaged to it by a steel cable, is released. Therefore, CN111776217 discloses a system which is completely independent from and that does not foresee any cooperation of the person in the water. However, this solution, as well as other analogous solutions of prior art, has the drawback that, if due to a sudden wave, or a gust of wind, the life pulloy released in a determined position can be moved away also of many metres from the person in difficulty who, therefore, will not anymore able to reach the same, with the need to repeat the operation, with loss of time, thus increasing the risk of not being able to rescue the person in difficulty in time.

IN CN107434012 a system for rescuing, or recovering objects, is described that provides an unmanned helicopter, that means without a pilot, to which a rescue net is connected to. When the unmanned helicopter reaches the person to be rescued, or the object to be salvaged, which are present in the water, release the rescue net causing a cable to which it is constrained to slide in a first direction. The person or the object to be salvaged are then raised by the rescue net causing the cable to slide in a second direction opposite to the first one. The possibility is foreseen that if the person pulls with a too great force the rescue net, this can be completely released to save the helicopter avoiding that this can fall into the water, in order to use it again. Also this solution, analogously to the previous one, has the drawback that the system is completely independent from the cooperation of the person who is in the water. Therefore, the rescue operation can be carried out in a long time and be difficult. Furthermore, as described above, the possibility is foreseen that under the action of an excessive force, the rescue net can be completely released, thus, entangling the person. This prevents the person from freely moving and, therefore, endanger his/her safety increasing the risk of drowning.

Other solutions having analogous drawbacks are also described in JP2022147946, KR102128678 and KR20170046321.

A further drawback of the aforementioned systems which use a remotely piloted aircraft or drone for rescuing people in difficulty in the water, is the used airscrew, or airscrews, which can hit the person to be rescued and which can cause cuts and injuries also serious due to the fact that they are normally made of rigid materials, in particular carbon fibres, and rotate at high velocity during the fligth.

Summary of the invention

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a system for rescuing in the sea, or any other body of water, a shipwrecked person, or a bather in difficulty from a rescue vehicle, such as a ship, or from the coast, which is able to solve the aforementioned drawbacks of the systems used in the prior art.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a system for rescuing in the sea, or other body of water, a shipwrecked person, or bather in difficulty from a rescue vehicle, such as a ship, or from the coast, that allows to avoid to lose the rescue device that is used and, therefore, the effectiveness of the rescue intervention.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a method for rescuing in the sea, or other body of water, a shipwrecked person, or a bather in difficulty, from a rescue vehicle, such as a ship, or from the coast, having the same advantages. It is a particular obj ect of the present invention to provide a protection member for airscrews of a remotely piloted aircraft or drone which is able not to interfere with the aerodynamics of the same during the flight and which is able to effectively protect both the airscrew from any impact against obstacles of di fferent nature , and a person who is in proximity of the drone same from any inj ury if hit by the same .

These and other obj ects are achieved by a system for rescuing, in particular from a rescue vehicle such as a ship or from the coast , of a shipwrecked person, or a bather in di fficulty in the sea, or other body of water, said system comprising : a remotely piloted aircraft or drone ; a remote control configured to remotely control said remotely piloted aircraft up to a determined operation area where is the aforementioned shipwrecked person, or a bather in dif ficulty to be rescued; a rescue device comprising a life j acket and provided with a portion of constraint arranged to constrain a first end of an elongated flexible element having a second end integral to said remotely piloted aircraft or drone ; an engagement group configured to engage said rescue device to said remotely piloted aircraft , said engagement group comprising an engagement device configured to move from an engagement configuration, where is arranged to engage an engagement portion of said rescue device in such a way to keep said li fe j acket in a predetermined engagement position, to a releasing configuration where said engagement device is adapted to release said engagement portion of said rescue device , said movement of said engagement device from said engagement configuration to said releasing configuration being operated by said remote control ; whose main characteristic is that said engagement group comprises , furthermore, a braking device provided with a support portion arranged to support a first predetermined length ( 11 ) of said elongated flexible element in a gathered configuration, that said braking device is configured to apply a predetermined braking force Ff on said elongated flexible element to oppose a movement of said elongated flexible element from said gathered configuration to a stretched configuration, and that said support portion is arranged to allow said movement of said elongated flexible element from said gathered configuration to said stretched configuration when said elongated flexible element arranged on said support portion is subj ected to a strength higher than said braking force .

Other technical characteristics of the invention and relative embodiments are set out in the dependent claims .

In particular, the aforementioned braking force can be greater than resulting weight force F_R acting on said braking device through said elongated flexible element partly wound around said support portion at said releasing configuration of the engagement device . In this way, when the engagement device is arranged in the releasing configuration, the predetermined length ( 11 ) of the elongated flexible element remains in the aforementioned gathered configuration .

In particular, the elongated flexible element can comprise a first portion having the aforementioned first predetermined length ( 11 ) positioned on the support portion, and a second portion having a second predetermined length ( 12 ) which is not positioned on the aforementioned support portion . More in particular, when the engagement device moves from the engagement configuration to the releasing configuration, the life j acket moves from a predetermined first distance dl to a second predetermined distance d2 from the remotely piloted aircraft greater than the predetermined first distance dl . More precisely, the second predetermined distance d2 can be equal , or substantially equal to the second predetermined length ( 12 ) of the second portion of the elongated flexible element .

Preferably, in the aforementioned gathered configuration, the elongated flexible element can be wound around the aforementioned support portion . In this case , therefore, the elongated flexible element is adapted to move from the gathered configuration to the stretched configuration unwiding from the support portion .

In particular, the support portion of the braking device can be arranged to rotate about a rotation axis in a first direction of rotation with respect to a fixed portion integral to the remotely piloted aircraft or drone , to allow the elongated flexible element to move from the aforementioned gathered configuration to the aforementioned stretched configuration .

In an embodiment of the invention, the aforementioned braking device can be provided with a plurality of friction discs arranged one on the other to apply said braking force on said elongated flexible element due to the friction, in particular sliding friction, among the surfaces of the friction discs arranged in contact with each other . In particular, the braking device can have substantially the structure of a fishing reel .

In particular, the engagement device can be positioned at a first predetermined position ( Pl ) of the remotely piloted aircraft or drone . More in particular, the braking device can be positioned at a second predetermined position ( P2 ) of the remotely piloted aircraft or drone from the aforementioned first predetermined position ( Pl ) .

In particular, the engagement portion of the rescue device can be positioned at a grasping member having at least one portion integral to the life j acket .

In an embodiment of the invention, the elongated flexible element can be provided with at least one dipping member, in such a way to bring at least a part of the elongated flexible element below the surface of the sea, or any other body of water, when the rescue device reaches the sea, or another body of water .

Advantageously, at least one dipping member, for example a lead of the type that is used in the fishing field, can be provided in proximity of , or at the second end of the elongated flexible element , for example a rope . In this way, the dipping member causes the elongated flexible element to dip and, therefore, it is avoided that the same can get entangled in any obstacle , in particular in the propeller of a motor of a rescue boat which arrives at the operation area to salvage the shipwrecked person, or the bather in di fficulty rescued thanks to the rescue system, according to the invention .

In particular, the braking device can be arranged to completely disengage the elongated flexible element from the support portion, and, therefore, from the remotely piloted aircraft , in particular when this moves away from the rescue device up to reaching a distance from the same higher than a predetermined total length Ltot of the flexible element . In this way, it is possible to avoid that the batteries of the remotely piloted aircraft can be running out of power and fall in the water with the consequent need to carry out a search to salvage the missing drone .

In particular, the rescue device can comprise , furthermore, a second predetermined length ( 12 ) of the elongated flexible element which is not supported by the support portion of the braking device and constrained to the li fe j acket . In this way, when the engagement device is arranged in the releasing configuration, the second predetermined length ( 12 ) of the elongated flexible element is adapted to spread to allow the life j acket of the remotely piloted aircraft or drone to depart .

In particular, the remotely piloted aircraft or drone can comprise : a frame having a main portion and a plurality of supporting arms protruding from the main portion and ending with a respective end portion; a plurality of airscrews each of which positioned at a respective end portion; a predetermined number of motors each of which operatively connected to a respective airscrew of said plurality to cause the rotation around a respective rotation axis ; at least one protection member configured to at least partly surround, in use, a respective airscrew of said plurality at the opposite side of said respective supporting arm, in such a way to avoid said or each airscrew to be in contact with said shipwrecked person, or bather .

More in particular, the protection member can comprise : a housing portion arranged to house a respective end portion of a respective supporting arm; a peripheral portion comprising a first and a second elongated curvilinear element substantially rib-shaped and arranged one above the other ; at least a connecting portion arranged to connect the aforementioned first and second elongated curvilinear elements ; a plurality of connection groups configured to connect the aforementioned housing portion to said peripheral portion .

In particular, the first and second substantially ribshaped elongated curvilinear elements are inclined, respectively, at a first and a second angle (al , a2 ) with respect to a vertical direction . More in particular, the first and second angles (al , a2 ) are such that the first and second elongated curvilinear elements are arranged convergent to each other .

According to another aspect of the invention, a method for rescuing, in particular from a rescue vehicle such as a ship or from the coast , a shipwrecked person, or a bather in di fficulty in the sea, or in any other body of water, said method comprising the steps of : disposing of a remotely piloted aircraft or drone ; positioning said remotely piloted aircraft or drone , at an operation area where said shipwrecked person, or bather in di fficulty to be rescued is , said positioning step being carried out by an operator acting on a remote control configured to remotely control said remotely piloted aircraft or drone ; disposing of a rescue device comprising a li fe j acket and provided with a portion of constraint arranged to constrain a first end of an elongated flexible element having a second end integral to the remotely piloted aircraft or drone ; engaging said rescue device to said remotely piloted aircraft , said engaging step being carried out by an engagement group comprising an engagement device configured to move from an engagement configuration, where is arranged to engage said rescue device in such a way to keep said li fe j acket in a predetermined engagement position, to a releasing configuration where said engagement device is arranged to release said engagement portion, said movement of said engagement device from said engagement configuration to said releasing configuration being operated by said remote control ; wherein said engagement group, furthermore , comprises a braking device provided with a support portion arranged to support a predetermined length ( 11 ) of said elongated flexible element in a gathered configuration, wherein said braking device is configured to apply a predetermined braking force Ff on said elongated flexible element which opposes said movement of said elongated flexible element from said gathered configuration to a stretched configuration, and wherein said support portion is arranged to allow said movement of said elongated flexible element from said gathered configuration to said stretched configuration when said elongated flexible element is subj ected to a force greater than said braking force .

According to a further aspect of the invention, a protection member for a remotely piloted aircraft or drone , said remotely piloted aircraft or drone , comprising : a frame comprising a main portion and a plurality of supporting arms protruding from said main portion and ending with a respective end portion; a plurality of airscrews each of which positioned at a respective end portion; a predetermined number of motors each of which operatively connected to a respective airscrew of said plurality to cause the rotation of the same about a respective rotation axis ; wherein said protection member is configured to surround, in use , at least partly, a respective airscrew of said plurality from the opposite side of said supporting arm, in such a way to avoid the contact of said or each airscrew with said shipwrecked person, or bather; wherein said protection member comprises : a housing portion arranged to house a respective end portion of a respective supporting arm; a peripheral portion comprising a first and a second substantially rib-shaped elongated curvilinear element and arranged one above the other ; at least a connecting portion arranged to connect said first and and said second first curvilinear elongated element ; a plurality of connection groups configured to connect said housing portion to said peripheral portion; wherein said first and second substantially rib-shaped curvilinear elongated elements are inclined, respectively, at a first and a second angle al , a2 with respect to a vertical direction; and wherein said first and second angles al , a2 are such that said first and second curvilinear elongated elements are arranged on respective convergent directions .

In particular, the first angle al of the first curvilinear elongated element , i . e . the upper one, can be comprised between 25 ° and 60 ° , preferably between 30 ° and 60 ° .

Advantageously, the second angle a2 of the second curvilinear elongated element can be comprised between 10 ° and 45 ° , advantageously comprised between 20 ° and 30 ° .

Brief description of the drawings

The invention will now be shown with the following description of its exemplary embodiments , exempli fying but not limitative , with reference to the attached drawings in which :

- Fig . 1 diagrammatically shows a perspective front elevation view of a first embodiment of the system, according to the invention, for rescuing in the sea, or other body of water, a shipwrecked person, or bather in di f ficulty, from a ship or the coast , in working conditions ;

- Fig . 2 diagrammatically shows an enlargement of figure 1 to highlight some technical characteristics ;

- Fig . 3 diagrammatically shows the system of figure 1 in a perspective side elevation view from a first side ;

- Fig . 4 diagrammatically shows the system of figure 3 in a perspective side elevation view from a second side opposite to the first side in the engagement configuration;

- Fig . 5 diagrammatically shows a longitudinal cross section of the engagement device of which the system of figure 1 is provided with, in the engagement configuration;

- Fig . 6 diagrammatically shows the system of figure 3 in the perspective side elevation view from the second side in the releasing configuration;

- Fig . 7 diagrammatically shows a perspective front elevation view of the engagement device of which the system of figure 1 is provided with, in the releasing configuration;

- The figures 8 and 9 diagrammatically show a front view of two following working instants of the system of figure 1 , following the release of the rescue device ;

- Fig . 10 diagrammatically shows a perspective side elevation view of the working instant of figure 9 ;

- Fig . 11 shows an enlargement of figure 10 to highlight some technical characteristics ;

- the figures from 12 to 15 show other working instants which are obtained thanks to the system, according to the invention, for rescuing a shipwrecked person, or bather in di f ficulty;

- Fig . 16 shows a perspective side elevation view of an embodiment of a protection member, according to the invention, for a remotely piloted aircraft or drone , in particular but not exclusively of the type that can be used by the system according to the invention, for rescuing in the sea, or other body of water ;

- Fig . 17 diagrammatically shows the protection member of figure 16 in a side elevation view;

- Fig . 18 diagrammatically shows the protection member of figure 16 in a plan view;

- Fig . 19 diagrammatically shows the protection member of figure 16 in a perspective view from below;

- Fig . 20 diagrammatically shows the protection member of figure 16 in a front view;

- Fig . 21 diagrammatically shows a transversal section of the first and second elongated curvilinear elements , or ribs , to highlight some technical characteristics ;

- Fig . 22 diagrammatically shows 4 protection elements of figure 16 applied to the 4 airscrews of a remotely piloted aircraft or drone , in particular but not exclusively of the type that can be used in the system according to the invention, for rescuing in the sea, or other body of water ;

- Fig . 23 diagrammatically shows a plan view of the remotely piloted aircraft or drone of figure 21 .

Detailed description of some exemplary embodiments of the invention

With reference to figure 1 , a system 1 for rescuing in the sea , or any other body of water, such as a lake, a river, etc . , in particular from a ship 400 or from the coast , comprises a remotely piloted aircraft or drone , 10 and a remote control 20 . This latter is configured to allow an operator 100 to remotely drive , that means from a determined distance , for example from the coast , or a rescue vehicle, such as a ship 400 , but also a helicopter, the remotely piloted aircraft or drone 10 same, up to reaching a determined operation area 200 , where , in particular a shipwrecked person, or a bather 300 in di f ficulty to be rescued is present .

In particular, the drone 10 that can be used in the system 1 , according to the invention, can comprise a bearing structure, or frame, 11 , and be provided with a predetermined number of motors 12 each of which operatively connected to a respective airscrew 15 , in the example that is shown in particular in figure 3 , 4 motors 12 operatively connected to respective airscrews 15 to cause their rotation about respective rotation axes 115 . The frame 11 can comprise a main portion 13 and a plurality of supporting arms 17 , for example 4 supporting arms 17a- 17d, protruding from the main portion 13 . Each supporting arm 17 is arranged to support a respective airscrew 15 and the respective motor 12 , in particular at an end portion 18 . In the example of figures 22 and 23 , 4 supporting arms 17a- 17d are provided, each of which arranged to support a respective airscrew of 4 airscrews 15a- 15d .

The frame 11 can be, furthermore, provided with a predetermined number of support feet 16, for example 4 support feet 16. Therefore, the drone 10 that can be used in system 1 , according to the invention, can be a tricopter, or a quadcopter, or even having a greater number of airscrews 15.

Furthermore , the drone 10 can be , advantageously, provided with a supply group 14 comprising a determined number of batteries , advantageously of rechargeable type , for supplying the aforementioned motors , not shown in detail , and with a control unit not shown in the figure for simplicity, and comprising a microprocessor to remotely drive the drone 10 and to manage the di f ferent components which go from the motors 12 , to the camera 40 of which the drone 10 is provided with, as well as for turning on or turning of f the lights i f present , etc .

The system 1 , furthermore , provides a rescue device 50 comprising a li fe j acket 55 and provided with a portion of constraint 51 arranged to constrain a first end 86 of an elongated flexible element 85 , for example a rope, a chain, a wire, having a second end 87 integral to the remotely piloted aircraft or drone 10 . In particular, the portion of constraint 51 can be carried out by a snap-hook, or another analogous device, able to reversibly move from a closed position to an open position, or can be obtained by a knot , or can be of the type able to constrain the aforementioned first end 86 of the elongated flexible element 85 in such a way to be irreversibile, for example by one, or more seam points , or one or more glue points .

The system 1 comprises , furthermore , an engagement group 60 configured to engage the rescue device 50 to the remotely piloted aircraft 10 .

In particular, the engagement group 60 comprises an engagement device 70 configured to move from an engagement configuration, where is arranged to engage an engagement portion 52 of the rescue device 50, in such a way to keep the life j acket 55 in a predetermined engagement position, to a releasing configuration, where the engagement device 70 releases the engagement portion 52 . More in detail , the aforementioned movement of the engagement device 70 from the engagement configuration to the releasing configuration is operated by the operator by the aforementioned remote control 20. In particular, the aforementioned engagement device 70 can be fixed to the drone 10 by a fixing portion 71 .

According to what is foreseen by the present invention, the engagement group 60 , furthermore , comprises a braking device 80 provided with a support portion 81 arranged to support a first predetermined length 11 of the elongated flexible element 85 in a gathered configuration, or wound in turns of equal , or di fferent length . For example, the aforementioned first predetermined length 11 can be comprised between 1 m and 6 m, advantageously between 2 m and 4 m .

In particular, the braking device 80 can be configured to apply a predetermined braking force Ff on the elongated flexible element 85 which oppose the return of the elongated flexible element 85 same from the gathered configuration to a stretched configuration . More in particular, the support portion 81 is arranged to allow the elongated flexible element 85 to move from the gathered configuration to the stretched configuration when the elongated flexible element 85 is subj ected to a force greater than the braking force . The particular technical solution foreseen by the present invention allows to avoid the drawback of the solutions which are adopted in the prior art , in particular that at the moment of disengaging the rescue device, this can be lost , because the shipwrecked person 300 is not able to grasp the same before it ' s dragged away by the wave motion .

In particular, once that the rescue device 50 , has been grasped or worn by the shipwrecked person 300 , is applied on the elongated flexible element 85 a force Fa greater than the braking force Ff , in such a way to cause the same to be gradually unwound from the support portion 81 , for example a rotatable reel . More precisely, the aforementioned force Fa can be applied on the elongated flexible element 85 by the shipwrecked person 300 same by grasping and pulling it ( as diagrammatically shown in figure 13 ) and/or by the motion of the drone 10 which gradually moves away from the operation area 200 .

In an embodiment foreseen by the invention, the braking force Ff applied by the braking device 70 on the elongated flexible element 85 , for example a rope , can be greater than the resulting weight force F_R applied on the elongated flexible element 85 same . More precisely, once that the drone 10 arrives at the operation area 200 where the shipwrecked person, or the bather, 300 to be rescued, is , the operator 100 operates by the remote control 20 the engagement device 70 in such a way to cause the same to move from the engagement configuration to the releasing configuration . In this way, the rescue device 50 is caused to be released by the engagement device 70 and, therefore , the li fe j acket 55 to move from a first predetermined distance dl from the remotely piloted aircraft 10 to a second predetermined distance d2 from the same , with d2>dl .

In particular, in a preferred embodiment , the elongated flexible element 85 comprises a first portion 85a having the aforementioned first predetermined length 11 positioned on the support portion 81 , and a second portion 85b having a second predetermined length 12 , which, instead, is not positioned on the support portion 81 . For example , the second predetermined length 12 can be comprised between 4 m and 25 m, in particular can be comprised between 5 m and 15 m, advantageously, between 6 m and 10 m .

When the engagement device 70 moves from the engagement configuration to the releasing configuration, the li fe j acket 55 moves from a first predetermined distance dl from the remotely piloted aircraft 10 , for example comprised between 1 cm and 20 cm, advantageously between 2 cm and 10 cm, to a second predetermined distance d2 from the drone 10 same , greater than the first predetermined distance dl . More precisely, the second predetermined distance d2 can be equal or substantially equal to , in particular greater with respect to , the second predetermined length 12 of the second portion 85b .

In an embodiment foreseen by the invention and diagrammatically shown in figure 3 , when the engagement device 70 is arranged in the engagement configuration, the second portion 85b of the elongated flexible element 85 can be kept in a folded configuration . In particular, in the aforementioned folded configuration, the second portion 85b can be constrained to the li fe j acket 50 . More in particular, the aforementioned second portion 85b of the elongated flexible element 85 can be constrained to the l i fe j acket 55 by a portion of the grasping member 53 , for example by two portions of a tape made of plastic or fabric material , in such a way to keep the same in the aforementioned folded configuration, up to when the engagement device 70 i s operated to cause the grasping member 53 to be released . In particular, when the engagement device 70 moves from the engagement configuration to the releasing configuration, it causes the movement of the second portion 85b of the elongated flexible element 85 from the folded configuration to an unfolded configuration, in such a way to position the rescue device 50 constrained to it , at the aforementioned second distance d2 , with d2>dl , from the drone 10 .

As diagrammatically shown in the figures from 4 to 8 , when the drone 10 arrives at the aforementioned operation area 200 , the engagement device 70 is , advantageously, operated by the remote control 20 , to move from the engagement configuration ( figures 4 and 5 ) to the releasing configuration ( figures 6 and 7 ) .

In an embodiment foreseen by the invention, the support portion 81 of the braking device 80 can be configured to rotate about a rotation axis 180 . In particular, the support portion 81 can be adapted to rotate in a first direction of rotation with respect to a fixed portion 82 integral to the remotely piloted aircraft or drone 10 , to allow the elongated flexible element 85 to move from the gathered configuration to the stretched configuration, and in a second direction of rotation, opposite to the first one , to allow the elongated flexible element 85 to be wound around the support portion 81 . In particular, the braking device 80 can be provided with a plurality of friction discs , not shown in the figure for simplicity, arranged one above the other to apply the aforementioned braking force on the elongated flexible element 85 for friction, in particular sliding friction, which is generated among the surfaces of the friction discs same arranged in contact to each other .

As for example shown in the figures 7 and 8 , the engagement device 70 and the braking device 80 can be positioned, respectively, at a first predetermined position Pl , and at a second predetermined position P2 of the remotely piloted aircraft or drone 10 , di f ferent from each other . For example , the braking device 80 can be anchored to one of the aforementioned feet of support 16 of which the drone 10 is provided with .

In an embodiment of the invention, the engagement portion

52 of the rescue device 50 can be positioned at a grasping member 53 , for example a tape made of plastic, or fabric, having at least a portion integral to the li fe j acket 55 , for example by one or more seaming points , or by one or more glue points .

In particular, as diagrammatically shown in the figures 4 and 8 , the grasping member 53 can have a first and a second engagement portion 52a and 52b, which, in working conditions , are arranged one upon the other in such a way to arrange respective holes 54a and 54b of which they are provided with, one upon the other .

In particular, the engagement device 70 can be provided with an engagement member 75 arranged to be moved with respect to a support portion 71 integral to the remotely piloted aircraft or drone 10 , for example below the same, i . e . at the opposite side with respect to the airscrews 15. More in particular, the engagement member 75, for example a small piston, can be moved by an actuator 76, for example an electric motor, preferably by a motion transmission member 77 , for example a first and a second arm pivotally connected to each other . In particular, the actuator 76 can be operated by the remote control 20 , to move from an advanced position ( see figures 3 and 4 ) , corresponding to the engagement configuration, and to a retracted position ( see figures 5 and 6 ) , corresponding to the releasing configuration .

More precisely, in the aforementioned advanced position, the engagement member 75 is adapted to engage into the hole , or in the aforementioned aligned holes 54a and 54b, of the only one engagement portion 52 , or of the engagement portions 52a and 52b, in such a way to "trap" the grasping member 53 .

In an embodiment not shown in the figure for simplicity, the engagement member 75 can be a grasping member, or a pliers , and have two grasping portions configured to move one with respect to the other from a closed position, at the engagement configuration, to an open position, corresponding to the releasing configuration . In particular, the aforementioned movement from the closed position to the open position can be carried out by the motion of at least one, or both the grasping portions .

The longated flexible element 85 can be made of an unsinkable material , for example can be a rope made of plastic .

In this case, as diagrammatically shown in figure 14 , the elongated flexible element 85 can be provided with at least one dipping member 86, for example a sinker constrained to it, advantageously in proximity of or at the second end 87 , in such a way to bring at least a part of the elongated flexible element 85, below the suface of the sea, or other body of water, when the rescue device 50 touches the sea, or other body of water . In this way, it is avoided that the elongated flexible element 85 can be entangled in an obstacle present within the operation area 200 , or the propeller of a rescue ship which arrives at the shipwrecked person, or the bather in difficulty, 300.

Still with reference to the figures 13 and 14 , in a preferred embodiment, the braking device 80 can be configured to completely disengage the elongated flexible element 85 when the remotely piloted aircraft or drone 10 moves away from the rescue device 5 , grasped, or worn, by shipwrecked person 300 , up to reaching a distance from the same greater than a predetermined total length Ltot, for example equal to the sum of the aforementioned first and second lengths 11 and 12 , of the elongated flexible element 85 . As diagrammatically shown in figure 15, in an embodiment of the invention, the system 1 can comprise, furthermore, a supplementary flexible element 85' . In particular, the supplementary flexible element 85' can have a first end 86' fixed to the life jacket 55 and a second end 87' positioned at rescue vehicle, for example of the rescue ship 400, or of the coast, from where the rescue operation is coordinated. More in particular, the second end 87' can be fixed to a winding or recovering device 150, for example a motorized capstan, or a monkey winch, or an analogous device. In this way, once that the shipwrecked person, or the bather in difficulty, 300 wears the life jacket 50, he/she can be easily rescued by recovering the supplementary flexible element 85' , for example a rope, a cable, in particular made of plastic material, for example nylon, or a chain. In particular, with reference to the figures from 16 to 23, the system 1, according to the invention, can comprise, furthermore, at least one protection member 30 configured to at least partly surround, in use, a respective airscrew 15a- 15d. In particular, the peripheral portion 31 of the protection member 30 partly surrounds the airscrew 15 and extends for an angle y, for example comprised between 180° and 270°, advantageously between 180° and 240°, with respect to axis 135 of the housing portion 35 substantially cylindrical-shaped (see figure 18) . In this way, the peripheral portion 31 and, therefore, the protection member 30 surrounds, in use, only partly the airscrew 15 from the opposite side of the supporting arm 17.

In this way, it is possible to avoid that during the rescue operation, one or more airscrews 15a-15d of the drone 10 can hurt the shipwrecked person, or bather 300 who is rescued . The airscrews 15 , in fact, are , normally, very sharp . During the movement about the respective rotation axes 115 , the airscrews 15, in particular made of materials such carbon fibres , are true and proper blades able to inj ure the rescued person i f this enters in contact with the same . The protection member 30 also protects the airscrews 15 in case of impacts against obstacles of di f ferent nature , for example rocks , but also boats which are present in the area where the rescue operation is carried out , etc .

In particular, the protection member 30 can comprise a housing portion 35 arranged to house a respective end portion 18 of a respective supporting arm 17 . More in particular, the protection member 30 , or as in the example of figures 22 and 23 , each protection member 30a-30d, has a peripheral portion 31a-31d comprising a first and a second curvilinear elongated element 32a and 32b . These are, in particular, substantially rib-shaped, and are arranged one above the other . At least a connecting portion 33 is , furthermore , provided, for example a first and a second connecting portion 33a and 33b arranged to connect the first and the second curvilinear elongated element 32a and 32b to each other, in particular in respective predetermined positions . The protection member 30 comprises , furthermore , a plurality of connection groups 34 , for example 4 connection groups 34a, 34b, 34c, and 34d . These are configured to connect the housing portion 35 to the peripheral portion 31 .

As diagrammatically shown in figure 16, where the airscrew 15 has been removed for clarity reasons , and in detail in the section of figure 21 , the first and second substantially rib-shaped curvilinear elongated elements 32a and 32b are inclined, respectively, at a first and at a second angle al and a2 with respect to a vertical direction 101 . In particular, the first and second angles al and a2 are such that the first and second curvilinear elongated elements 32a and 32b are arranged convergent one towards the other . More in particular, the first curvilinear elongated element 32a has an inclination greater than that of the second curvilinear elongated element 32b with respect to the aforementioned vertical direction, i . e . the first angle al is greater than the second angle a2 .

In a preferred embodiment , the transversal section of the first and second elongated curvilinear elements 32a and 32b is elliptical , or substantially elliptical . In particular, the length of maj or axis DI and D2 of each section of the first and of the second elongated curvilinear element 32a and 32b can be equal to twice the respective length of the minor axis dl and d2 , i . e . Dl=2 -dl and D2=2 - d2 . As shown in the embodiment of figure 21 , the length of the maj or axes Dl and D2 of the elliptical sections of the first and second elongated curvilinear elements 32a and 32b can be equal to each other, as well as the lengths of the minor axes dl and d2 .

For example , the first angle al of the first elongated curvilinear element 32a, i . e . the upper one , can be comprised between 25 ° and 60 ° , preferably between 30 ° and 60 ° . The second angle a2 of the second elongated curvilinear element 32b can be comprised between 10 ° and 45 ° , advantageously comprised between 20 ° and 30 ° .

In the embodiment of figures 16-23, each connection group 34a, 34b, 34c, and 34d is substantially triangular-shaped and comprises a first, a second and a third connecting branch 37a, 37b and 37c . In particular, each connecting branch 37a, 37b and 37c of each connecting group 34a, 34b, 34c and 34d has a substantially trabecular shape . In particular, each connecting group 34a, 34b, 34c and 34d is , preferably, connected to the peripheral portion 31b of the second curvilinear element 32b at a respective connecting portion 34 ' a, 34 ' b, 34 ' c and 34 ' d, in particular downstream of a vertix of the aforementioned triangular shape ( see figure 18 ) .

As shown in the figures from 16 to 23 , each housing portion 35a-35d is configured to surround a respective end portion 18a- 18d of a supporting arm 17a- 17d . In particular, each housing portion 35a-35d is provided with an engagement portion 36 configured to removably engage a respective supporting arm 17a-17d of the frame 11 . The engagement portion 36 comprises a first and a second part 36a and 36b configured to move, for example through a rotation about a rotation axis 136 , to a blocking configuration where is arranged to engage the protection member 30 to the supporting arm 17a-17d, to a disengagement configuration where it is possible to remove the protection member 30 from the remotely piloted aircraft or drone 10 .

In a preferred embodiment , each elongated curvilinear element 32a and 32b can have a substantially wing profile, in such a way not to interfere with the aerodynamics of the remotely piloted aircraft or drone 10 .

In particular, with reference, for example , to figure 18 , the first and second curvilinear elongated elements 32a and 32b comprise respective central portions 38a and 38b, in particular circular and laying on respective circumferences Cl and C2 , for example having the same radium with centrum on the axis 135 of the housing portion 35, and respective end portions 39a, 39' a ; 39b, 39 ' b . More in particular, the end portions 39a, 39 ' , and 39b, 39 ' b can be inclined towards the outside at a predetermined angle p l and p2 with respect to the respective central portions 38a and 38b, or more precisely with respect to the lines tl and t2 tangent to the circumferences Cl and C2 on which the central portions 38a and 38b stand . For example, the aforementioned angles p l and p2 , for example equal for the 2 elongated curvilinear elements 32a and 32b, can be comprised between 10 ° and 45 ° .

In particular, the angle a3 comprised between the maj or axes DI and D2 of the first and of the second elongated curvilinear element 32a and 32b can be comprised between 90 ° and 140 ° , advantageously comprised between 105 ° and 135 ° .

Even though the protection member 30 diagrammatically shown in the figures from 16 to 23 can be provided on the drone 10 that is used in the system 1 , according to the invention, for rescuing from a rescue vehicle , in particular from a ship 400 , or from the coast , a shipwrecked person, or a bather 300 , the person having ordinary skill in the art will have any di f ficulty to understand that such a protection member 30 can be adopted also by remotely piloted aircrafts or drones 10 that are used for other aims .

The foregoing description exemplary embodiments of the invention will so fully reveal the invention according to the conceptual point of view, so that others , by applying current knowledge , will be able to modi fy and/or adapt for various applications such embodiment without further research and without parting from the invention, and, accordingly, it is therefore to be understood that such adaptations and modi fications will have to be considered as equivalent to the speci f ic embodiments . The means and the materials to reali ze the di f ferent functions described herein could have a di f ferent nature without , for this reason, departing from the field of the invention . It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology that is employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation .

Claims

1. A system (1) for rescuing from a rescue vehicle, in particular from a ship (400) , or from the coast, a shipwrecked person, or a bather (300) in difficulty in the sea, or any other body of water, said system (1) comprising : a remotely piloted aircraft or drone, (10) ; a remote control (20) configured to remotely control said remotely piloted aircraft (10) up to a determined operation area (200) where is said shipwrecked person, or bather in difficulty (300) to be rescued; a rescue device (50) comprising a life jacket (55) and provided with a portion of constraint (51) arranged to constrain a first end (86) of an elongated flexible element (85) having a second end (87) integral to said remotely piloted aircraft or drone, (10) ; an engagement group (60) configured to engage said rescue device (50) to said remotely piloted aircraft (10) , said engagement group (60) comprising an engagement device (70) configured to move from an engagement configuration, where is arranged to engage an engagement portion (52) of said rescue device (50) in such a way to keep said life jacket (55) in a predetermined engagement position, to a releasing configuration where said engagement device (70) is arranged to release said engagement portion (52) , said movement of said engagement device (70) from said engagement configuration to said releasing configuration being operated by said remote control (20) ; said system (1) being characterized in that said engagement group (60) comprises, furthermore, a braking device (80) provided with a support portion (81) arranged to support a first predetermined length (11) of said elongated flexible element (85) in a gathered configuration, in that said braking device (80) is configured to apply a predetermined braking force (Ff) on said elongated flexible element (85) which opposes the movement of said elongated flexible element (85) from said gathered configuration to a stretched configuration and in that said support portion (81) is arranged to allow said movement of said elongated flexible element (85) from said gathered configuration to said stretched configuration when said elongated flexible element (85) is subjected to a strength higher than said braking force.

2. System (1) for rescuing, according to claim 1, wherein said braking force is greater than the resulting weight force (F_R) applied on said elongated flexible element (85) supported by said support portion (81) , in such a way that when said engagement device (70) is arranged at said releasing configuration, said first predetermined length (11) of said elongated flexible element (85) is kept in said gathered configuration.

3. System (1) for rescuing, according to claim 1, or 2, wherein said elongated flexible element (85) comprises a first portion (85a) having said first predetermined length (11) positioned on said support portion (81) , and a second portion (85b) having a second predetermined length (12) not positioned on said support portion (81) , and wherein when said engagement device (70) moves from said engagement configuration to said releasing configuration causes said second portion (85b) of said elongated flexible element (85) to move from a folded configuration where said life jacket (55) is positioned at a first predetermined distance (dl) from said remotely piloted aircraft (10) , to an unfolded configuration where said life jacket (55) is arranged at a second predetermined distance (d2) from said remotely piloted aircraft (10) , with said second predetermined distance (d2) greater than said first predetermined distance (dl) and equal or substantially equal to said second predetermined length (12) of said second portion (85b) .

4. System (1) for rescuing, according to one or more of the previous claims, wherein said support portion (81) of said braking device (80) is arranged to rotate about a rotation axis (180) in a first direction of rotation with respect to a fixed portion (82) integral to said remotely piloted aircraft or drone (10) to allow said elongated flexible element (85) to move from said gathered configuration to said stretched configuration, and wherein said braking device (80) is provided with a plurality of friction discs arranged one above the other to apply said braking force on said elongated flexible element (85) due to the sliding friction among the surfaces of said friction discs arranged in contact with each other.

5. System (1) for rescuing, according to one or more of the previous claims, wherein said engagement device (70) is positioned at a first predetermined position (Pl) of said remotely piloted aircraft or drone (10) , and said braking device (80) is positioned at a second predetermined position (P2) of said remotely piloted aircraft or drone (10) different from said first predetermined position (Pl) .

6. System (1) for rescuing, according to one or more of the previous claims, wherein said elongated flexible element (85) is provided with at least one dipping member (86) in such a way to bring at least a part of said elongated flexible element (85) , below the surface of the sea, or other body of water, when said rescue device (50) reaches the sea, or other body of water.

7. System (1) for rescuing, according to one or more of the previous claims, wherein said braking device (80) is arranged to completely release said elongated flexible element (85) when said remotely piloted aircraft or drone, (10) is moved away from said rescue device (50) up to reaching a distance greater than a predetermined total length (Ltot) of said elongated flexible element (85) .

8. System (1) for rescuing, according to one or more of the previous claims, wherein said engagement device (70) comprises an engagement member (75) arranged to be moved with respect to a support portion (71) integral to said remotely piloted aircraft or drone (10) between an advanced position, corresponding to said engagement configuration, and a retracted position, corresponding to said releasing configuration, said movement of said engagement member (75) being caused by an actuation element (76) arranged to be operated by said remote control (20) .

9. System (1) for rescuing, according to one or more of the previous claims, wherein said elongated flexible element (85) is selected among: a rope, a chain, a metallic cable .

10. System (1) for rescuing, according to one or more of the previous claims, wherein said remotely piloted aircraft or drone (10) comprises: a frame (11) comprising a main portion (13) and a plurality of supporting arms (17a-17d) protruding from said main portion (13) and ending with a respective end portion (18a-18d) ; a plurality of airscrews (15a-15d) each of which positioned at a respective end portion (18) ; a predetermined number of motors (12) each of which operatively connected to a respective airscrew (15a-15d) of said plurality to cause the same to rotate about a respective rotation axis (115a-115d) ; at least one protection member (30) configured to surround, in use, at least partly a respective airscrew (15a-15d) of said plurality, in such a way to avoid the contact of said or each airscrew (15a-15d) with said shipwrecked person, or bather (300) .

11. System (1) for rescuing, according to claim 10 wherein said or each protection member (30) comprises: a housing portion (35a-35d) arranged to house a respective end portion (18a-18d) of a respective supporting arm (17a-17d) ; a peripheral portion (31a-31d) comprising a first and a second curvilinear elongated element (32a, 32b) substantially rib-shaped and arranged one above the other; at least a connecting portion (33a, 33b) arranged to connect said first and second elongated curvilinear elements (32a, 32b) to each other; a plurality of connection groups ( 34a, 34b, 34c, 34d) configured to connect said housing portion (35a-35d) to said peripheral portion (31a-31d) .

12. System (1) for rescuing, according to claim 11, wherein said first and second substantially rib-shaped curvilinear elongated elements (32a, 32b) are inclined, respectively, at a first and at a second angle (al,a2) with respect to a vertical direction, said first and second angles (al,a2) being such that said first and second curvilinear elongated elements (32a, 32b) are arranged convergent one towards the other.

13. System (1) for rescuing, according to claim 11 or 12, wherein each connecting group ( 34a, 34b, 34c, 34d) is substantially triangular shaped and comprises a first, a second and a third connecting branch ( 37a, 37b, 37c) .

14. System (1) for rescuing, according to claim 13, wherein each said connecting branch of each connecting group ( 34a, 34b, 34c) is substantially trabecular shaped.

15. System (1) for rescuing, according to one or more claim from 11 to 14, wherein said or each housing portion (35a- 35d) is configured to surround a respective end portion (18a-18d) of a supporting arm (17a-17d) .

16. System (1) for rescuing, according to one or more claim from 11 to 15, wherein said or each housing portion (35a- 35d) is provided with an engagement portion (36) configured to removably engage a respective supporting arm (17a-17d) of said frame (11) .

17. System (1) for rescuing, according to claim 16, wherein said engagement portion (36) comprises a first and a second part (36a, 36b) configured to move from a blocking configuration where is arranged to engage said supporting arm (17a-17d) to a disengagement configuration where said protection member (30) can be removed from said remotely piloted aircraft or drone (10) .

18. System (1) for rescuing, according to one or more claims from 11 to 17, wherein each elongated curvilinear element (32a, 32b) has a wing profile, in such a way not to interfere with the aerodynamics of said remotely piloted aircraft or drone (10) .

19. System (1) for rescuing, according to one or more claims from 11 to 18, wherein said first angle (al) is greater than said second angle (a2) .

20. System (1) for rescuing, according to one or more claims from 11 to 19, wherein said first curvilinear elongated element (32a) is arranged above said second curvilinear elongated element (32b) and wherein said first angle (al) of said first curvilinear elongated element (32a) is comprised between 25° and 60°.

21. System (1) for rescuing, according to one or more claims from 11 to 20, wherein said first curvilinear elongated element (32a) is arranged above said second curvilinear elongated element (32b) and wherein said second angle (a2) of said second curvilinear elongated element (32b) is comprised between 10° and 45°.

22. System (1) for rescuing, according to any claim from 11 to 21, wherein said first and second elongated curvilinear elements (32a, 32b) comprise respective central portions (38a, 38b) and respective end portions ( 39a, 39' a; 39b, 39' b) and wherein said end portions ( 39a, 39' a; 39b, 39' b) are inclined towards outside at a predetermined angle (pl,p2) with respect to said respective central portions (38a, 38b) .

23. System (1) for rescuing, according to one or more claims from 11 to 22, wherein said first and second elongated curvilinear elements (32a, 32b) have a substantially elliptical or elliptical transversal section with the length of the major axis (D1,D2) equal to twice the length of the minor axis (dl,d2) , i.e. Dl=2 -dl and D2=2 -d2.

24. System (1) for rescuing, according to claim 23 wherein said major axes (D1,D2) of said first and second elongated curvilinear elements (32a, 32b) are equal to each other.

25. System (1) for rescuing, according to one or more claims from 11 to 24, wherein said peripheral portion (31) partly surround said airscrew (15) and extends for a predetermined angle (y) comprised between 180° and 270° with respect to an axis (135) of said housing portion (35) having a substantially cylindrical shape.

26. System (1) for rescuing, according to one or more of the previous claims, wherein a supplementary flexible element (85' ) is, furthermore, provided having a first end (86' ) fixed to said life jacket (55) and a second end (87' ) positioned at said rescue vehicle (400) , or of said coast and wherein a winding device (150) is provided to wind said supplementary flexible element ( 85 ' ) and thus to retrieve said life jacket (55) once that said shipwrecked person, or bather in difficulty, (300) wears said life jacket (55) .

27. A method for rescuing from a rescue vehicle, in particular from a ship (400) , or from the coast, a shipwrecked person, or a bather (300) in difficulty in the sea, or any other body of water, said method comprising the steps of: disposing of a remotely piloted aircraft or drone, (10) ; positioning said remotely piloted aircraft or drone, (10) at an operation area (200) where said shipwrecked person, or bather in difficulty (300) to be rescued is positioned, said positioning step being carried out by an operatore acting on a remote control (20) configured to remotely control said remotely piloted aircraft or drone (10) ; providing a rescue device (50) comprising a life jacket (55) and provided with a portion of constraint (51) arranged to constrain a first end (86) of an elongated flexible element (85) having a second end (87) integral to said remotely piloted aircraft or drone (10) ; engaging said rescue device (50) to said remotely piloted aircraft (10) , said engaging step being carried out by an engagement group (60) comprising an engagement device (70) configured to move from an engagement configuration, where is arranged to engage said rescue device (50) in such a way to keep said life jacket (55) in a predetermined engagement position, to a releasing configuration where said engagement device (70) is arranged to release said engagement portion (52) , said movement of said engagement device (70) from said engagement configuration to said releasing configuration being operated by said remote control (20) ; said method (1) being characterized in that said engagement group (60) comprises, furthermore, a braking device (80) provided with a support portion (81) arranged to support a predetermined length (11) of said elongated flexible element (85) in a gathered configuration, in that said braking device (80) is configured to apply a predetermined braking force (Ff) on said elongated flexible element (85) which opposes the movement of said elongated flexible element (85) from said gathered configuration to a stretched configuration and in that said support portion (81) is arranged to allow said elongated flexible element (85) to move from said gathered configuration to said stretched configuration when said elongated flexible element (85) is subjected to a force greater than said braking force.

28. Protection member (30) for a remotely piloted aircraft or drone (10) , said remotely piloted aircraft or drone (10) , comprising: a frame (11) comprising a main portion (13) and a plurality of supporting arms (17a-17d) protruding from said main portion (13) and ending with a respective end portion (18a-18d) ; a plurality of airscrews (15a-15d) each of which positioned at a respective end portion (18) ; a predetermined number of motors (12) each of which operatively connected to a respective airscrew (15a-15d) of said plurality to cause the same to rotate around a respective rotation axis (115a-115d) ; wherein said protection member (30) is configured to surround, in use, at least partly a respective airscrew (15a-15d) of said plurality at the side opposite to said supporting arm (17a-17d) , in such a way to avoid the contatto of said or each airscrew (15a-15d) with said shipwrecked person, or bather (300) ; and wherein said protection member (30) is characterized in that it comprises: a housing portion (35a-35d) arranged to house a respective end portion (18a-18d) of a respective supporting arm (17a-17d) ; a peripheral portion (31a-31d) comprising a first and a second curvilinear elongated element (32a, 32b) substantially rib-shaped and arranged one above the other; at least a connecting portion (32a, 32b) arranged to connect said first and said second elongated curvilinear element (32a, 32b) ; a plurality of connection groups ( 34a, 34b, 34c, 34d) configured to connect said housing portion (35a-35d) to said peripheral portion (31a-31d) ; in that said first and said second substantially ribshaped elongated curvilinear elements (32a, 32b) are inclined, respectively, at a first and a second angle (al,a2) with respect to a vertical direction, and in that said first and second angles (al,a2) are such that said first and second elongated curvilinear elements (32a, 32b) are arranged on respective convergent directions .