HK1069284B - Shark repelling field generating cord - Google Patents

Description

Shark repelling field generating cord

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a device and application for generating an electric field in the vicinity of a swimmer.

Background

A large number of devices are known for the purpose of withstanding aquatic animals. Most of these devices are designed to generate an electromagnetic field in close proximity to the diver or to form a barrier or boundary in the nearby water.

Most studies are directed to the subgroup of aquatic animals of the elasmobranchii subclass, in other words the known shark. Most shark repelling devices use electromagnetic pulses to generate a suitable electromagnetic field in the vicinity of the diver, which is transmitted into the water by submerged antennas or electrodes.

Various types of pulse generators have been used, the characteristics of which include specific duration, repetition frequency, amplitude and pulse rise time. The value or range of each characteristic is carefully selected to produce the electromagnetic field believed to be most effective.

In the past, such field generators were mounted on the body of the swimmer. For example, a field generator unit may be connected to a scuba of a diver, which will generate a shark repelling zone around the diver. Although generally effective, such devices have a number of disadvantages, particularly if the swimmer is obstructed by other devices, or if, for example, the swimmer is surfing and is not constantly in the water. This can result in a partial time lack of protective field and thus reduce its effectiveness.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a device which can be effectively utilized by swimmers and those who spend a portion of their time out of the water, such as surfers standing on surfboards.

Summary of The Invention

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a cord with two electrodes for generating an electromagnetic field around a user to repel selected aquatic animals, the electrodes being electrically connected to the electromagnetic field generator when in use and capable of contacting the surrounding water even when the user is not in contact with the water, and wherein the electrodes lie substantially parallel to the cord.

Preferably, the distance between the two electrodes may be different. The electrodes may be modified for the cord or the electrodes may be integrated into the cord.

The first end of the cord is connected to an ankle cuff worn by the user, said ankle cuff being fitted with an electromagnetic field generator.

The second end of the cord may be free or alternatively adapted to be attached to the surfboard.

Preferably, the cord is made of an elastomeric material.

In use, the cord is preferably connected to the ankle cuff by a resilient tab extending from the ankle cuff.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is disclosed a method of providing a shark-free region about a user, the method comprising two electrodes on a flexible cord, the electrodes being electrically connected, in use, to a shark-repelling electromagnetic field generator carried by the user, such that the electrodes are provided in contact with the surrounding water even when the user is not in contact with the water.

Preferably, the shark repelling electromagnetic field generator is carried by the user in an ankle cuff worn about the ankle of the user.

Drawings

The invention will be described in more detail with reference to the following drawings, in which:

figure 1 shows the legs of a swimmer wearing the device of the invention.

Figure 2 shows a surfer wearing the device of the present invention standing on a surfboard.

Figure 3 shows a surfer wearing the device of the present invention; and

figure 4 shows a surfer wearing the device of the present invention lying on a surfboard.

Description of The Preferred Embodiment

Fig. 1 shows the legs of a swimmer 10 wearing a cuff 20 on one leg, to which a cord 30 is connected. The end of cord 30 remote from swimmer 10 may be free or, if the swimmer is surfing, the end may be attached to a surfboard (not shown in fig. 1). If free, cord 30 can simply drag behind swimmer 10 and create a shark-free area in the vicinity of the swimmer.

Supported by cuff 20 is a standard electromagnetic field generator 40 which is also electrically connected to cord 30. Of course, it should be understood that field generator 40 may be worn at any other convenient location on the user, such as the buttocks or upper thigh. A suitable field generator may be as described in australian patent 669806 to Natal Sharks Board (Natal Sharks Board).

Carried by cord 30 are two electrodes 50a and 50b between which an electromagnetic field (not shown) is emitted when excited by electromagnetic field generator 40.

Cuff 20 is made of a flexible non-conductive and non-slip synthetic material and may be wrapped around and secured to the legs of swimmer 10 by any known conventional method, including wrapping around and securing with a strap with Velcro (Velcro) or a buckle. Extending from the surface of the cuff 20 is a resiliently flexible projection 21, shown in more detail in figure 2. The flexible protrusions 21 serve as vibration absorbing means and enable the elastic cord 30 to jump over a specific body part or limb connected thereto.

Electrodes 50a and 50b are made of an electrically conductive material and may be made in the form of flexible coil springs or as braided braids. The electrodes may form a co-axial, easily threaded cover which may be adapted to pass over the elastic cord 30 and, if desired, to slide freely in the longitudinal direction until it is desired to fix the spacing of the connections to one another. The electrodes may be of a specified length and may be set to a predetermined spacing depending on the desired strength of the electromagnetic field. Typically, however, the distance between the centers of the two electrodes 50a and 50b is in the range of 800mm to 900 mm.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the electrodes need not be strictly co-axial with the cords 30. For example, the electrodes 50a and 50b may be attached to the flexible wire 30 in other ways, and may be parallel to and slightly remote from the flexible wire 30. Alternatively, the electrodes 50a and 50b may be co-axial or, if desired, built into the cord 30 when the cord is constructed.

Each electrode 50a, 50b is electrically connected to the generator 40 by a conductive wire, either externally or internally of the cord 30, respectively. Such connection may be achieved by any suitable means known to those skilled in the art.

In use, elastic cord 30 is worn on swimmer 10 as is conventional by being connected at one end of cord 30 to cuff 20 and the other end of cord 30 to surfboard 60 (fig. 2). In this way, surfers can keep their surfboards in an environment where they are jumping off the surfboard and into the water. Cord 30 then allows the swimmer 10 to easily retrieve their surfboard and resume surfing.

The cord 30 may function in a conventional manner in accordance with the present invention, and the cord 30 may also function as a propagation antenna for the shark-repelling signal generator 40.

In another embodiment as shown in figure 3, a conventional surfing strap 31 is connected to the cord 30 as a separate unit.

The present invention provides other advantages in that it enhances the electromagnetic field generated by always having the "most efficient" electrodes in contact with the water when the cord 30 naturally drops below the waterline and creates a protective zone beneath the board and extending around the swimmer 10 as shown in figure 4.

Whether lying on the board 60 or sitting on the board 60, the cord 30 is held in the water 70 which generates an electromagnetic field 80 which follows the surfer at all times, whether the surfer is in or out of the water.

When the swimmer 10 stands on the wet surfboard 60, the body is repelled from the electrical circuit created by the electrodes and the wearer does not feel annoying skin irritation. This lack of stimulation is also suitable for situations where the surfer is lying or sitting on the surfboard. The flexible protrusions 21 also help to guide the cord 30 away from the swimmer, especially away from the separation between the swimmer's foot and the surfboard 60.

While the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications and additions may be made within the scope of the invention.

Claims (13)

1. A flexible cord with two electrodes for generating an electromagnetic field around a user to repel selected aquatic animals, the electrodes being electrically connected to the electromagnetic field generator when in use and capable of contacting the surrounding water even when the user is not in contact with the water, and wherein the electrodes are positioned substantially parallel to the flexible cord.

2. A cord according to claim 1, wherein the distance between the electrodes may be varied.

3. A cord according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first end of the cord is connected, when in use, to an ankle cuff worn by the user, said ankle cuff being fitted with the electromagnetic field generator.

4. A cord according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second end of the cord is free.

5. A cord according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second end of the cord is adapted to be connected to a surfboard.

6. A cord according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the electrodes are retrofittable to the cord.

7. A cord according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the electrodes are integrated in the cord.

8. A cord according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the electrode is a socket arranged along the cord in a substantially coaxial manner.

9. A cord according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cord is made of an elastomeric material.

10. A cord according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cord is connected to the ankle cuff by a resilient projection extending beyond the ankle cuff when in use.

11. A cord according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the aquatic animal of choice is a shark.

12. A method of providing a shark-free region about a user, the method comprising carrying two electrodes on a flexible cord, the electrodes being electrically connected, when in use, to a shark-repelling electromagnetic field generator carried by the user, whereby the carried electrodes are able to come into contact with the surrounding water even when the user is not in contact with water, and wherein the electrodes lie substantially parallel to the flexible cord.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the shark-repelling electromagnetic field generator is carried by the user in an ankle cuff worn about the ankle of the user.