Field of technology
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The invention belongs to the field of maritime activities, more specifically it concerns safety buoys visible in the dark for marking fishing nets, anchored small boats, or divers, as well as for marking the borders of swimming and safety zones.
Prior Art
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A solar-powered buoy (https://dunnriteproducts.com/solar-buoys/) is known, which functions as a regular marker buoy during the day, but as an illuminated buoy at night. The solar buoy comprises a buoy body with a waterproof generator at the top, which charges the buoy's solar energy device that is connected to an LED light. The result is a glowing buoy visible at night for up to 20 hours at a distance of up to 0.5 nautical miles. The drawback of this solution is that it only works under good weather conditions (clear sky during the day to ensure charging of the solar energy system) and limited usability of the buoy due to its heavy and rigid plastic body.
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An inflatable illuminated buoy (
US4776589, Yang Chao Ming, published October 11, 1988 ) is known, which comprises a buoy body inflatable through an air nozzle, with a hollow chamber made of soft PVC material at the center of the buoy. One end of the chamber is sealed, while the other end can be closed with a waterproof closing device. On top of the buoy body, there is a battery holder with a switch, which is connected by wires to the lamps located inside the buoy body. The drawback of this solution is that the light source is located separately inside the inflatable buoy, making the construction of the buoy complex. Additionally, the light components and the light itself are not replaceable, and the buoy cannot be used without the light.
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A signal light (
RU18834, Koifman M. I, published on July 20, 2001 ) is known comprising a light source mounted on a floating body and a power unit attached to an anchoring device. The light source is a halogen or krypton lamp with a power of 20W, the power unit is attached to the floating body, and the floating body is attached to the anchoring device. The light source is connected to the power supply by a wire. When voltage is supplied from the power source through the wire, the halogen or krypton lamp lights up, making it visible from a long distance in different weather conditions. The drawback of this solution is the complexity of the construction, which makes it difficult to handle the signal light on the boat; furthermore, the floating body cannot withstand pelting and impacts. Additionally, the floating body is not inflatable, and the power of the light source may interfere with maritime traffic and create excessive light pollution.
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The technical solution closest to the invention is a solution (
JPH07187058, Mikado Propeller, published on July 25, 1991 ) that addresses the illumination of a buoy at night. A semi-transparent cover is placed at the top of the buoy's body, with a solar panel, a rechargeable battery, and a light source inside. The cover is made of synthetic resin, and a recess is formed in the center of the cover. A post and a sign board illuminated by a light source are placed inside the cover. The disadvantage of this solution is that the complexity of the light source and the entire construction makes it difficult to handle the buoy on the boat, as well as to launch it and retrieve it from water. Additionally, the construction is rigid (not flexible), which makes it more prone to breaking, and the buoy is not inflatable.
Summary of the invention
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The inflatable illuminated buoy comprises an inflatable PVC body that has a permanently attached light socket, which houses a light with a power source. Additionally, the inflatable body comprises a fastening system (a suspension tab at the bottom of the buoy).
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The location of the light socket on the body is variable - the light socket can be placed either at the top of the body, on the side of the body, or at the bottom of the body. The light socket can also be recessed into the body or mounted on top of the body.
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The light socket is recessed into the body during the molding of the buoy or attached (e.g., glued) on top of it.
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The light with a power source illuminates the buoy from the inside (the light is recessed into the body) or from the outside (the light is mounted on the surface of the body).
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The light with a power source is attached to the light socket with a three-pronged mounting system, and the light with a power source can be removed from the light socket.
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The light with a power source is a waterproof LED light.
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The power source is a battery, including a rechargeable battery (e.g., AA battery/batteries) or a solar battery (or panel).
List of drawings
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- Fig 1 - a cross-section of the buoy, in which the light socket is recessed into the body and placed at the top of the buoy, and the light with a power source illuminates the buoy from within.
- Fig 2a to fig 2D - a cross-section of the buoy, in which the light socket is recessed into the body and placed on the side or at the bottom of the buoy, and the light with a power source illuminates the buoy from within.
- Fig 3A and fig 3B - the light socket is recessed into the body and placed at the top of the buoy, and the light with a power source 3 illuminates the buoy from outside (on the surface).
- Fig 4A and fig 4b - the light socket is attached onto the body and placed at the top of the buoy, and the light with a power source illuminates the buoy from outside (on the surface).
- Fig 5 - attachment solution of the light with a power source.
- Fig 6 - a light with a power source powered by a solar panel.
Embodiment of the invention
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The inflatable illuminated buoy comprises a body 1 that is inflatable and has a permanently attached light socket 2, into which a removable light 3 with a power source is placed. Additionally, the inflatable body 1 comprises a fastening system 4 (a hanging tab).
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The light fixture 2 is permanently attached to the body 1, and its position on the body 1 is variable. The light fixture 2 is recessed into the body 1 or attached to its surface.
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The light 3 with a power source is attached to the recessed light socket 2.
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The power source is preferably AA battery/batteries (it can also be a rechargeable battery) or a solar battery (panel).
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The body 1 is made of PVC material.
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The light 3 with a power source is a waterproof LED light.
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The light 3 with a power source is designed to illuminate the buoy from the inside (the light 3 with a power source together with the light socket 2 is recessed into the body 1 and radiates light into the interior of the buoy) or from the outside (the light 3 with a power source together with the light socket 2 is mounted on of the body 1 (on the surface) and radiates light away from the buoy).
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In the preferred embodiment, the light socket 2 is recessed into the body 1 during the molding of the buoy or welded in place using the rubber welding method, and the light 3 with a power source attached to it, also recessed into the body 1, illuminates the buoy from the inside (radiating light into the interior of the buoy). In this embodiment, the light socket 2 can be positioned at the top of the buoy (see Fig 1), on the side of the buoy (see Fig 2A and fig 2B), or at the bottom of the buoy (see Fig 2C and fig 2D). The variable location of the light socket 2 determines how accessible the light 3 with power source is when the buoy is in use, i.e., when the buoy is in the water. When the light is at the top of the buoy, it is easier to access it, while it is more difficult to access the light at the bottom of the buoy. However, the light that is harder to access is better protected from sunlight and other weather conditions (such as rain, wind, snowfall, low or high temperatures).
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In another embodiment, the light socket 2 is recessed into the housing 1, and the light 3 with a power source is attached to the surface of the housing 1, illuminating the buoy from the outside (emitting light away from the buoy) In this embodiment, the light socket 2 is positioned at the top of the buoy (see Fig 3A and fig 3B). The advantage of this solution is that without the light with a power source, the buoy looks like a regular buoy and can be used without installing the light with a power source, as the light socket in this design does not accumulate much dirt. Additionally, in this solution, it is easy to use light sources of different colors for the light with a power source (for example, the internal light of a red buoy cannot be changed to blue or green if it is recessed into the body 1).
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Additionally, the external light radiates longer distance because there is no transparency obstruction from the buoy's body.
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In another embodiment, the light socket 2 is attached (glued) on top of the housing 1, and the light 3 with a power source is attached to the surface of the housing 1, illuminating the buoy from the outside (emitting light away from the buoy). In this embodiment, the light socket 2 is positioned at the top of the buoy (see Fig 4A and fig 4B).
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The light 3 with a power source can be removed from the light socket 2. Preferably, the powered light 3 is attached to the light socket 2 using a three-pronged rotating fastening system (see Fig 5 and fig 6).
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In one embodiment, the portion of the recessed light 3 with a power source facing away from the buoy serves as a solar panel, which acts as a power source (see Fig 6).
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The hanging tab of the anchoring system 4 is attached to the body 1 with glue and is designed to secure the buoy in the desired position in the water.
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The inflatable illuminated buoy operates as follows. Before use, the buoy is in a transport position (flat) and empty. The buoy can be inflated using any pump that generates sufficient air pressure and has the appropriate nozzle (for example, a ball or mattress pump, low-pressure compressor, bike pump, etc.). After the buoy is fully inflated to the working pressure (maximum working pressure of 0.15 bar; in tropical conditions, the working pressure is lower due to air expansion), the light with a power source is attached (screwed on) to the buoy's body. The buoy is placed at the required location in the water. The light with a power source is activated.
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The buoy can also be used without light.
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The light with a power source is a waterproof LED light with a simple design and replaceable batteries. It is also possible to use rechargeable solar batteries powered by a solar panel.
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The light with a power source comes in various colors and can emit either flashing or constant light. The light with a power source can be activated (e.g., by turning the light's housing or pressing a corresponding switch) using either an automatic on/off mechanism (such as a timer or a twilight sensor) or a manual switching system (where the user turns the light on or off as needed).
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The continuous operating time of light with a power source varies depending on the type (quality) of the battery and is between 6 to 12 months. After the battery's lifespan is over, it can be replaced. The lifespan of the light is generally 50,000 hours, i.e., approximately five years.
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In good weather conditions, a lit buoy is visible at night (in the dark) at up to 0.5 nautical miles. During the day (in daylight), the buoy's visibility depends on its size, the observation equipment used, and the visibility conditions.
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The service life of the inflatable buoy is generally about 10 years, but it largely depends on the frequency of use (in water).