FR2609961A1 - Man overboard alert device - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device including an emitter and a receiver designed so that the emitter moving away triggers an alarm. The emitter is carried by the individual to be monitored; the emitter moving away, thereby dropping to below a certain threshold the signal received via the receiver fixed on the craft, triggers an alarm. The device according to the invention is particularly intended for monitoring individuals on board craft.

Description

 The present invention relates to a warning device in the event of a man overboard fall, comprising a transmitter and a receiver designed to trigger an alarm in the event of the transmitter being moved away.

 The devices currently proposed are triggered either by the action of a man who has fallen into the water, requiring his conscience, or by the pressure of water, with the risk of non-functioning or unintended functioning; these devices require a fairly powerful transmission due to the distance that can separate the transmitter from the receiver at the time of actuation.

The device according to the invention overcomes these drawbacks
The device comprises on the one hand a permanent transmitter carried by the monitored person, on the other hand a receiver fixed on the ship. The remoteness of the transmitter, by causing a decrease in the signal below a certain threshold, received by the receiver, triggers an alarm and / or various actions. An adjustment makes it possible to define the evolution space of the man being monitored, so as to cover the entire surface of the edge.

 The emission system is radio or infrared, of frequency in accordance with the legislation; its power may be low due to the principle of operation.

 The transmitter (1), permanent or with periodic emission, waterproof, is powered by batteries; it includes a press button (2) which, by momentary interruption of the transmission, makes it possible to test the proper functioning of the device; its small size allows it to be carried by an individual, around the neck or in a pocket.

 The receiver (3) fixed on the ship is powered by the on-board electrical circuit or by batteries. Switching on the appliance (4) lights up an indicator light (5), indicating that the appliance is working; a fault in the on-board power supply triggers the alarm in order to prevent the incident; The threshold triggering the alarm is adjustable (6).

 According to variant n "l the device can also trigger different actions (7); this use is more particularly intended for solo navigation; an adjustable delay (8) makes it possible to avoid an unnecessary triggering of the actions; the triggering is done by activating electrical circuits connected to different instruments on board; the actions proposed are among the following: stopping the engine by cutting off the ignition circuit, activating a distress beacon, dropping a tip, d '' a buoy, a lifeboat, reduction of canvas on a sailboat fitted with an electric reducer, helm control intended to make circles made by the ship, tilting with water from a ladder, radio call from distress.

According to variant No. 2, the device comprises an aerial or submarine antenna (9) intended to allow the guiding of the ship towards the transmitter. The antenna is composed of several elements; the comparison of the signals automatically allows thanks to a light display (10) on the receiver or on a repeater, to specify the sector of the transmitter
According to variant No. 3, the device comprises an antenna independent of the receiver, intended to improve reception on certain ships.

 According to variant No. 4, the device comprises several transmitters set on different frequencies, avoiding the transfer from the transmitter to the person joining an isolated post, or the surveillance of several children or domestic animals.

 The device according to the invention is particularly intended for use on board pleasure boats to ensure the safety of shifts carried out by a single man, on fishing boats with reduced or dispersed crew, in river navigation, in the surveillance of children and pets aboard or near water, isolated work stations near water, sailing or single-handed sailing, walking or fishing alone, supervising the keeping of '' Anchoring (by fixing the transmitter on a dead body or the bank).

 Different models are particularly suitable for each use: sound alarm only, sound alarm and system for locating the transmitter, receiver directly connected to the ignition circuit of the engine intended for solo use, control of different actions to solo sailing.

Claims (4)

REVEXpICATIONS  1) Application to the warning in cascade of a man overboard fall of a device comprising on the one hand a transmitter carried by the man to be monitored and on the other hand a receiver fixed on the ship characterized in that the remoteness of the transmitter by decreasing below a certain threshold of signal received by the receiver, triggers an alarm.  2) Device characterized by the possibility of triggering, with a variable time delay, one or more actions: stopping the engine by cutting off the image circuit, activating a distress beacon, dropping a tip, a buoy , of a survival boat, reduction of canvas on a sailboat fitted with an electric reducer, helm control intended to make circles made by the ship, tilting with the water of a ladder, distress telephone call.  3) Device that can include several transmitters calibrated on different frequencies.  4) Device that can be supplemented by an aerial or submarine antenna designed to automatically indicate the location of the transmitter.