GB2207026A - Diving communications aid - Google Patents

Abstract

A diving communication system using audible sound projection devices 3; the audible communication signals being received directly by the submerged diver or via a receiver which picks up the signals and amplifies them before transmitting them either visually via a light display or audibly directly to the diver's skull through a transducer. The sound projection devices 3 may be provided on each diver or hung over the side of a boat 10 to provide communication both between submerged divers and between the surface and submerged divers. Piezoelectic transducers may be utilised. <IMAGE>

Description

Divine Communications Aid The present invention relates to a diving communications aid and, in particular to a submersible, audible communications warning distress device.

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

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

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided a diving communications aid comprising an audible sound projector, a power supply and manual switching means connecting said sound projector to Said power supply, at least said audible sound projector being suitable for submersion in water for extended period of time.

Preferably, the whole of the audible sound projector assembly is suitable for submersion in water.

According to the Present invention in arothr aspect, there is prided a diving communications aid comprising a hydrophone, power supply and amplifier and transducer; said hydrophone being capable of receiving underwater acoustic signals which are amplified by said amplifier and communicated to said transducer, said transducer being in contact with the skin adjacent to a selected bone within the head of a wearer and adapted to vibrate in accordance with acoustic signals received by said hydrophone.

According to the present invention in yet another aspect, there is provider a method of signalling underwater which utilizes tones emitted at audible frequency from a portable underwater device, said tones being audible to submerged swimmers in the immediate vicinity.

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

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a second embodiment; Figure 6 is a schematic arrangement of the second embodiment in use; Figure 7 depicts the location of an amplifier/transducer assembly on a diver; and Figure 8 depicts the location of a receiver/light transmission source assembly mounted within the diver's face mask.

The preferred embodiments of the present invention relate to an audible warning which may be used underwater and is activated at will by the user. The device may also have one, two or more warning lights arranged to operate whilst the audible warning is sounding.

Figure 1. depicts an electrical schematic diagram suitable for use in both the first and second embodiments. A light 7 and an audible warning device 3 are parallel connected into a power supply circuit comprising a nine volt battery and manually superable switch 2. The audible warning 3 can be any audible warning device which operates at.low voltage and has a satisfactory sound output power level when in use underwater. A prototype device utilised an "Archer 273-070n tone generator available from Tandy Electronics.

This device has a resonant frequency of 2500Hz and a sound power level of 100dB at 30cm (in air). The prototype Sound generator and battery supply cable connection were enclosed in a silicon rubber sheath, connected to a 9V transistor battery and taken underwater in Sydney Harbour to a depth of approximately 10 metres. Tests indicated that it was audible underwater by the uncovered human ear up to 12-14 metres away.

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

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

Figure 2 shown a similar water proof enclosure 0 housing a magnetic slide switch 2b, two lights 7 and an audible sound projector 3. In Figure 4 the device is shown attached to a belt 9 above weight belt 9a. In Figure 4a the device is attached to a waist band harness affixed by Velcro above weight belt 9a.

The casing 4 or 8 is constructed of light strong watertight material able to withstand water pressures corresponding to a depth of at least 50 metres and more if required whilst permitting efficient sound transmission from the sound projector to the water.

The lights 7 are preferably arranged to illuminate when the tone generator is operative.

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

The casing 4 or 7 can be attached by clamping, screwing, locking or other means to any part of the underwater diving equipment, snorkle, mask, wetsuit, weight belt, air cylinders and associate fittings, high and low pressure intermediate hoses, regulators, buoyancy control devices, gauges and any other diving accessory including webbing. The device can also be attached to parts of the diver's body by wrist strap8 or similar means.

In use, the safety aid of the first embodiment is worn by the diver at a readily acccssible location upon his apparel for the duration of his time underwater.

Should he wish to attract attention for any reason he simply operates the rocker magnetic switch (Fig. 2) or magnetic slide switch (Fig. 3). in order to activate the audible sound projector 3 and, if fitted, the lights 7.

The audible tone will attract the attention of any other diver within hearing distance underwater. In an emergency the tone can be left running continuously. For ordinary communications a series of coded signals can be devised involving the use of tone bursts.

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

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

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the invention. Here the audible sound projector 3, is enclosed in a watertight housing with a multiple of sound projectors emitting the tone. The switch 2a and power source (not shown) are connected by a length of flexible electric cord 11.- The cord will vary in length dependin9 on the user's preference and the divers depth. The electric cord supply can be released frpm the housing and lowered away by either automatic feeding/intake or by manual control.

Fitted to the sound projector housing 3 is a flashing light source 14 indicating that the sound projector has been activated.

The sound projector of the second embodiment is sized to achieve communication ranges of at least 50 metres.

Larger ranges are considered feasible given that size and power supply availability are not a constraint in this embodiment.

In use as shown in figure 6 the second embodiment can be suspended over the side of a vessel or diving platform 10 so that it is mounted to part of the craft temporarily or permanently and accessible by the surface operator so that the sound projector 3 can be released from its spooled housing 13 and immersed to any depth sufficiently beneath the surface of the water 12 for alerting the divers below. The sound projector can then be operated by means of a switch 2a to cause tone bursts to be generated underwater. These tone bursts will be heard by divers underwater and within range. The divers can then take appropriate action according to prearranged lnformation.

For example, at its simplest, the device may simply be used as a recall device wherein submerged divers surface upon hearing a recall tone.

The foregoing described only two embodiments of the present invention and modifications, obviouS to those skilled in the art, can be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present invention.

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

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

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

Sound underwater travels through the cranium of the diver and not the ear drums. To assist the diver wearing the hood a prototype consisting of a hydrophone, power source, and amplifier and transducer can be coupled and water proofed (refer Figure 7) The device can look similar to a money clip. The hydrophone 15 is exposed on the outside of the hood 16 with a battery 17 and connected to the amplifier and transducer 18 which presses against the cranium of the diver. The signal of the sound projector is received by the hydrophone and amplified to the diver through the amplifier or transducer which converts the energy into vibrations.

As an alternative method of receiving the transmitted signals to assist tne lver wearing tne flood i, a prototype 19 consisting of an electro piezo, circuitry, power source, on-off switch (activated by equalizing air Pressure or manual operation) three light emitting diodes 20, red, green and yellow.

The receiver prototype 19 is attached to the inside of the face mask 21 by an adherent or suction cup in any Location depending on the design of the face mask or the preference of its position by the diver. The receiver 19 will also be water-tight.

The signal is received from the sound projector 3 (figure 3) by the circuitry in the receiver and transformed from sound to the light sources. The flashing red light indicating that an emergency signal is being transmitted and a flashing green light indicates that a diver wishes to communicate with any other diver. The yellow light will glow constantly to indicate that the power source remains activated and charged.

Claims (18)

CLAIMS:

1. A diving communication aid comprising an audible sound projector, a power supply and manual switching means connecting said sound projector to said power supply, at least said audible sound projector being suitable for submersion in water for extended period of time.

2, The diving communications aid of claim 1 wherein said manual switching means is a magnetically communicating slide switch.

3. The aid of claim 1 or claim 2 further including a light which provides external visual indication.

4. The aid of claim 3 wherein said light is illuminated while said sound projector is activated.

5. The aid of any previous claim wherein said sound projector emits a continuous audible tone when activated to attract attention under water.

6. The aid of any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein said sound projector emits a prearranged intermittent series of tones when activated.

7. A diving communication aid comprising a hydrophone, power supply and amplifier and transducer, said hydrophone being cable of receiving Lndeater acOustic signals which are amplified by said amplifier and communicated to said transducer, said transducer being in contact with the skin adjacent to a selected bone within the head of a wearer and wibratable in accordance with acoustic signals received by said hydrophone.

8. The aid of claim 7 wherein said aid is applied to the forehead of a diver.

9. The aid of claim 7 wherein said aid is applied adjacent to the jaw bone of a diver.

10. A diving communication aid comprising a hydrophone, power supply, amplifier, and visual indication means; said hydrophone being capable of receiving underwater acoustic signals which are amplified by said amplifier and communicated to said visual indication means which provides a selected visual indication dependent on the acoustic signal received.

11. The aid of claim 10 wherein said aid is capable of being fitted inside a divers mask by an attachment means.

12. The aid of claim 11 further including an on-off switch means operable by means of detection of equalising air pressure within said mask with the external water pressure.

13. A diving communications aid substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 1 to 6 of the accompanying drawings.

14. A diving communications aid substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Figure 7 or Figure 8 of the accompanying drawings.

15. A method of signalling underwater which utilizes tones emitted at audible frequency from a portable underwater device, said tones being audible to submerged swimmers in the immediate vicinity.

16. The method of claim 15 which utilizes and aid of any one of claims 1 to 14.

17. A method of signalling underwater substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 6 of the accompanying drawings.

18. A method of signalling underwater substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 7 or Figure 8 of the accompanying drawings.