FR3073815A1 - PREVENTION DEVICE AGAINST DROWNING - Google Patents

Abstract

Device (1) for preventing drowning comprising an inflatable balloon (2), a support for said balloon (2), means (13) for fixing the support on a person to be protected from drowning, a source (6) for electrical energy carried by said support, and means (4, 5, 12) for inflating the balloon (2). This device (1) comprises a geolocation module (111) capable of generating a geolocation information of the device (1) and a transmitter (112) of wireless signal signals arranged inside the balloon (2), and forming an assembly (11) electrically connected to the source (6) of energy disposed outside the balloon (2) by an electrical circuit (8) comprising an opening / closing member (10) of the mounted circuit (8) movable between a closed position of the circuit (8) in which the transmitter (112) and the geolocation module (111) are powered by said source (6) of energy and an open position of the circuit (8), said transmitter ( 112) being able to transmit the geolocation information in the closed position of the opening / closing member (10).

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a device for preventing drowning.

It relates more particularly to a device for preventing drowning comprising an inflatable balloon capable of forming a floating body in the inflated state, a support for said balloon, means for fixing the support on a person to be protected from drowning, a source of electrical energy carried by said support, and means for inflating the balloon.

PRIOR ART

Preventing drowning is a constant concern. To prevent such drowning, it is known to equip the bather with a bracelet equipped with an inflatable balloon whose swelling is triggered by the bather in distress. The disadvantage of such a device is that it does not allow the bather to obtain outside assistance. We are therefore looking for more efficient solutions.

PURPOSE AND SUMMARY

An object of the invention is to propose a device for prevention against drowning of the aforementioned type, the design of which makes it possible to trigger an alert in a safe manner with a view to external intervention.

To this end, the subject of the invention is a device for preventing drowning comprising an inflatable balloon capable of forming a floating body in the inflated state, a support for said balloon, means for fixing the support on a person to be protected from drowning, a source of electrical energy carried by said support, and balloon inflation means, characterized in that the device comprises a geolocation module capable of generating geolocation information of the device and a signal transmitter by link without wire, the geolocation module and the transmitter being arranged inside the balloon, the geolocation module and the transmitter forming an assembly electrically connected to the source of electrical energy disposed outside the balloon by an electrical circuit comprising a circuit opening / closing member mounted to move between a closed circuit position in which the transmitter and the module e of geolocation are supplied by said power source and an open position of the circuit, said transmitter being able to transmit geolocation information from the geolocation module on a wireless communication network in the closed position of the opening member /closing.

Having the geolocation module and the signal transmitter inside the balloon makes it possible to better protect them against damage by surrounding water. In addition, the arrangement of these elements inside the balloon a priori allows positioning out of water in the inflated state of the balloon, that is to say in the event of distress, when a signal must be emitted. , the transmission of signals can then take place under good conditions.

Finally, the transmission of geolocation information on a wireless communication network in the direction of a remote terminal or receiver in the closed position of the opening / closing member makes it possible to facilitate the intervention of the emergency services under conditions optimal.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the circuit opening / closing member is housed inside the balloon. Again, this arrangement increases the reliability of the device.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the support takes the form of a box comprising a body and a cover for closing the body mounted movably between an open position and a closed position of the box, said box housing the geolocation module, the transmitter, the source of electrical energy and the circuit opening / closing member.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the circuit opening / closing member is configured to pass from the open position to the closed position of the circuit in the open position of the housing. Thus, upon opening the housing, a signal comprising geolocation information of the device can be sent.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the circuit opening / closing member acting as an alert switch is a contactor or a switch, such as a push button.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the transmitter is configured to transmit a radio frequency signal.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the inflation means comprise automatic actuation inflation means which can be activated by opening the housing. These automatically actuated inflation means allow inflation of the balloon by simple opening of the housing, that is to say at least partial separation of the cover from the housing body.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the inflation means comprise an inflation member for the mouth of the balloon. Thus, in the event of failure of the inflation means with automatic actuation when the housing is opened, inflation of the balloon by the wearer of the device remains possible.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the source of electrical energy is a battery housed inside a sealed compartment of the housing, this compartment being provided with a closable access opening opening out of the housing. The housing of the energy source outside the balloon and inside a sealed compartment of the housing whose content is accessible from outside the housing allows easy replacement of the electrical energy source.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the means for fixing the support to a person to be protected affect the shape of a bracelet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The invention will be clearly understood on reading the following description of exemplary embodiments, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

- Figure 1 shows a partial schematic view from above of a device according to the invention, the housing cover being shown transparent to allow viewing of the interior of the housing;

- Figure 2 shows a partial schematic side view of a device according to the invention in the closed position of the housing cover;

- Figure 3 shows a partial schematic side view of a device according to the invention in the open position of the housing cover in the deflated state of the balloon;

- Figure 4 shows a partial schematic side view of a device according to the invention in the open position of the housing cover and in the inflated state of the balloon.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As mentioned above, the invention relates to a device 1 for prevention against the drowning of a bather. This device 1 comprises an inflatable balloon 2 which forms a floating body in the inflated state, a support 3, 9 of the balloon 2 which is here in the form of a housing 39 comprising a body 3 and a cover 9 for closing the body. mounted movable between an open position and a closed position of the housing. The balloon 2 is fixed to the body 3 of the housing. The cover 9 is here removably mounted on the body 3 of the housing and is completely separate from the body 3 of the housing in the open position of the housing. Alternatively, it could be partially separated from the body 3 of the housing in the open position of the housing. This cover 9 can be at least partially separated from the housing by simple traction exerted by the wearer of the device, in this case the bather, for example on a tongue fitted to the cover 9.

The device 1 also comprises means 13 for fixing this housing 39 to the bather to be protected from drowning. In the examples shown, these fixing means 13 take the form of a bracelet on which the case 39 is fixed in the manner of a watch.

The device 1 also comprises a source 6 of electrical energy, such as a battery, integrated in the housing 39. This source 6 of electrical energy is, in the example shown, formed by a button cell. This energy source is housed inside a sealed compartment 7 formed in the housing. This sealed compartment 7 is provided with an opening opening to the outside of the housing 39 to allow access to said compartment. This opening of the compartment is a closable opening closed for example by a hatch. It is thus possible to easily change the battery contained in the compartment.

The device 1 can also be equipped with a charge indicator for the source of electrical energy 6, in this case the battery, to ensure the proper functioning of the device 1. This charge indicator is for example a witness luminous capable of lighting up when a button is pressed by the swimmer carrying the device 1.

This device 1 also comprises means for inflating the balloon. In the example shown, these inflation means comprise inflation means 4, 12 with automatic actuation which can be activated by opening the housing 39, that is to say at least partially separating the cover 9 from the body 3 of the housing 39 and inflation means 5, known as manual actuation. The inflation means 5 with manual actuation comprise an inflation member 5 for the mouth of the balloon accessible in the open state of the housing. This inflation member 5 is, for example, in the form of a cannula equipped with a closing valve, this cannula being connected at one of its ends to the balloon 2, the other end of the cannula being able to be introduced. in the mouth of the bather to protect. Thus, in the event of failure of the inflation means with automatic actuation, the bather to be protected nevertheless has the possibility of inflating the ball if necessary.

The automatically actuated inflation means comprise a generator or a reservoir of pressurized gas and a connection 12 for connecting the generator or reservoir 4 of pressurized gas to the balloon.

2.

In the example shown, the reservoir 4 of pressurized gas, in this case a compressed air cartridge, is connected to the balloon 2 by a closable connection capable of passing from the closed state to the open state in position open the housing 39, that is to say when the housing 39 is opened.

Alternatively, the compressed gas reservoir in the form of a capsule can be equipped with a striker capable of breaking the capsule when the housing is opened.

In another variant, the inflation means can be in the form of a pressurized gas generator formed from two chemical components which, when in contact, give off a pressurized gas. Again, the components can come into contact when the housing is opened. These inflation means will not be detailed in more detail because they are well known to those versed in this art.

The device 1 also comprises a geolocation module 111 capable of generating geolocation information of the device 1 and a transmitter 112 of signals by wireless link. The geolocation module 111 and the emitter 112 are arranged inside the balloon 2. The geolocation module 111 and the emitter 112 form an assembly 11 electrically connected to the energy source 6 disposed outside the balloon 2 by an electrical circuit 8 comprising a member 10 for opening / closing the circuit 8 mounted movably between a closed position of the circuit 8 in which the transmitter 112 and the geolocation module 111 are supplied by said energy source 4 and a open position of the circuit 8 in which the transmitter 112 and the geolocation module 111 are not supplied. Said transmitter 112 is capable of transmitting the geolocation information of the geolocation module 111 on a wireless communication network in the closed position of the opening / closing member 10.

This device 10 for opening / closing the circuit 8 is housed inside the balloon

2. Thus, the housing 39 houses the geolocation module 111, the transmitter 112, the source 6 of electrical energy and the device 10 for opening / closing the circuit.

This circuit opening / closing member 10 is configured to pass from the open position to the closed position of the circuit 8 in the open position of the housing 39. This circuit opening / closing member 10 can be formed by a contactor or a light switch. This contactor or switch is maintained in the open position of the circuit under the action of a pressure exerted by this housing cover in the closed position of the housing. This pressure disappears when the case is opened. In general, this opening / closing member 10 forms an alert switch.

The function of the geolocation module 111 is to provide a position of the device 1 when it is powered. This geolocation can be carried out by a satellite network of GPS or Galileo type or by a telephone network of GSM type. This geolocation makes it possible to establish a geographical position of the device 1, that is to say its latitude, its longitude and possibly its altitude. For example, such a geolocation module can comprise an antenna for receiving signals from satellites and a unit for processing these signals in order to generate geolocation information from an electronic circuit comprising the transmitter by means of '' a geolocation technique using a satellite system (commonly known as GNSS for Global Navigation Satellite System). Such a geolocation module is well known to those versed in this art. The transmitter can, for its part, include a transmission circuit and a transmission circuit control processor configured to receive the geolocation information from the geolocation module and control the transmission of the geolocation information from the device as well as '' possibly a device identifier by the transmitter. The transmitter can therefore comprise a transmission antenna and a conversion stage designed to receive data and apply to the transmission antenna a radiofrequency signal representative of this data so as to transmit this radiofrequency signal. The function of the transmitter is to automatically emit a radio frequency alert signal when it is electrically supplied following the opening of the housing cover. This alert signal can be sent on a low frequency and low consumption communication network, which makes it possible to limit the electrical consumption drawn from the battery and to obtain a long service life. The alert signal is for example a telephone call to a preprogrammed number, for example an emergency service or a contact indicated by the wearer of the device. The transmitter can for example include a SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) card in any format whatsoever capable of allowing a telephone call by a wireless telecommunication network for example by GSM network or a low speed and long distance cellular network of the type LPWAN (Low Power Wide Area Network). Networks are currently offered by the operator SIGFOX (registered trademark) or the LO RA alliance.

Preferably, the network is a mobile telephone type network, this type of network making it possible to exchange a large number of data and benefiting from extensive coverage. It can be a telephone network according to the GSM, GPRS, 4G or other standard. In a complementary or alternative way, the alert can be emitted by a wireless Internet network or by any radio frequency wireless link whose range is sufficient.

Thus, the operation of such a device can be as follows. When the wearer of the bathing device is in a critical situation, he takes off the cover of the box. This opening of the housing triggers, in parallel with the inflation of the balloon, the emission by the transmitter on a wireless communication network, such as the SIGFOX network (registered trademark), of information for geolocation of the device, possibly d an identifier of the device intended for a base station forming part of the architecture of the network. This base station is connected to a public network, such as the Internet, and can thus transmit its information to a server connected to the public network. When the server receives its information, it stores it and sends an electronic message to a terminal, such as a tablet, a laptop, a mobile phone connected to the network. Obviously, this is only an example of transmission of an alert signal to a remote receiver or terminal and other embodiments of signal transmission can be envisaged without departing from the scope of the invention. 'invention.

Claims (10)

1. Device (1) for prevention against drowning comprising an inflatable balloon (2) capable of forming a floating body in the inflated state, a support (3, 9) of said balloon (2), fixing means (13) of the support (3, 9) on a person to be protected from drowning, a source (6) of electrical energy carried by said support (3, 9), and means (4, 5, 12) for inflating the balloon ( 2), characterized in that the device (1) comprises a geolocation module (111) capable of generating geolocation information of the device (1) and a transmitter (112) of signals by wireless link, the module (111) geolocation and the transmitter (112) being arranged inside the balloon (2), the geolocation module (111) and the transmitter (112) forming an assembly (11) electrically connected to the source (6) d electrical energy disposed outside the balloon (2) by an electrical circuit (8) comprising a member (10) for opening / closing the circuit (8 ) mounted movable between a closed position of the circuit (8) in which the transmitter (112) and the geolocation module (111) are supplied by said energy source (6) and an open position of the circuit (8), said transmitter (112) being able to transmit the geolocation information of the geolocation module (111) on a wireless communication network in the closed position of the opening / closing member (10). 2. Device (1) for prevention according to claim 1, characterized in that the device (10) for opening / closing the circuit (8) is housed inside the balloon (2). 3. Device (1) for prevention according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the support (3, 9) takes the form of a housing (39) comprising a body (3) and a cover (9 ) closing the body (3) mounted movable between an open position and a closed position of the housing (39), said housing (39) housing the geolocation module (111), the transmitter (112), the source (6) electrical energy and the circuit opening / closing member (10) (8). 4. Device (1) for prevention according to claim 3, characterized in that the device (10) for opening / closing the circuit (8) is configured to pass from the open position to the closed position of the circuit (8) in the open position of the housing (39). 5. Device (1) for prevention according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the device (10) for opening / closing the circuit (8) acting as an alert switch is a contactor or a switch, such as a push button. 6. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the transmitter (112) is configured to transmit a radio frequency signal. 7. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6 taken in combination with claim 3, characterized in that the inflation means comprise inflation means with automatic actuation activatable by opening the housing (39). 8. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the inflation means (4, 5, 12) comprise a member (5) for inflation to the mouth of the balloon (2). 9. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8 taken in combination with claim 3, characterized in that the source (6) of electrical energy is a battery housed inside a compartment (7 ) sealed from the housing (39), this compartment (7) being provided with a closable access opening opening to the outside of the housing. 10. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the means (13) for fixing the support (3, 9) on a person to be protected affect