WO2008051225A1 - Dispositif de sécurité immergé à flottaison - Google Patents

Dispositif de sécurité immergé à flottaison Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2008051225A1
WO2008051225A1 PCT/US2006/041685 US2006041685W WO2008051225A1 WO 2008051225 A1 WO2008051225 A1 WO 2008051225A1 US 2006041685 W US2006041685 W US 2006041685W WO 2008051225 A1 WO2008051225 A1 WO 2008051225A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
base
buoyant member
safety device
transmitter
alarm unit
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2006/041685
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Thomas Humphreys
Original Assignee
Thomas Humphreys
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Thomas Humphreys filed Critical Thomas Humphreys
Priority to PCT/US2006/041685 priority Critical patent/WO2008051225A1/fr
Publication of WO2008051225A1 publication Critical patent/WO2008051225A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B22/00—Buoys
    • B63B22/04—Fixations or other anchoring arrangements
    • B63B22/08—Fixations or other anchoring arrangements having means to release or urge to the surface a buoy on submergence thereof, e.g. to mark location of a sunken object
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04H—BUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL
    • E04H4/00—Swimming or splash baths or pools
    • E04H4/06—Safety devices; Coverings for baths

Definitions

  • This invention relates generally to a water safety device.
  • the present invention relates to a flotation safety device housed underwater.
  • the existing devices do not provide a flotation, device that is housed underwater to assist a struggling person and that automatically alerts an emergency contact and activates a remote alarm. It would be desirable to have a safety device having these features in order to prevent or minimize injuries and to save lives.
  • a safety device includes a base that may be positioned under the water surface of a swimming pool or other body of water by utilizing ballast, a hook for fastening the base to a pool floor, or other similar fastening mechanism.
  • the safety device further includes a buoyant member selectively and releasably attached to the base and adapted to also be positioned below the water surface.
  • the safety device further includes a transmitter in communication with a sensor that is able to detect when the buoyant member is released from the base. Accordingly, the transmitter transmits a signal through the air when actuated by the sensor.
  • An alarm unit remote from the base and transmitter includes a receiver for receiving the signal. Further, the alarm unit includes another transmitter capable of transmitting an emergency signal upon receiving a signal from the base transmitter. .
  • the buoyant member is releasably attached to the base with a coupling that may be manipulated by a person.
  • the coupling includes a pair of attachment members and a compression collar.
  • a release strap is connected to the compression collar for selectively causing the collar to bear against the compression arms and to thereby release the buoyant member from the base.
  • a swimmer who is in distress in the pool may dive to the safety device and pull the release strap. This action causes the buoyant member to be released so as to pull the swimmer quickly to the water surface.
  • the senor detects the separation between the buoyant member and base and actuates the transmitter so as to signal the remote alarm unit to summon aid.
  • a general object of this invention is to provide a safety device that is housed underwater when not in use.
  • Another object of this invention is to provide a safety device, as aforesaid, that is easy to use.
  • Still another object of this invention is to provide a safety device, as aforesaid, that has a buoyant member releasably attached to a base in a manner that allows the buoyant member to be quickly and easily detached from the base.
  • Yet another object of this invention is to provide a safety device, as aforesaid, that automatically alerts an emergency contact and activates a remote alarm.
  • a further object of this invention is to provide a safety device, as aforesaid, that is reliable and requires minimal maintenance.
  • Fig. IA is a perspective view of a safety device according a preferred embodiment of the present invention positioned in a swimming pool environment
  • Fig. IB is a perspective view of an alarm unit taken from Fig. IA and shown on an enlarged scale;
  • Fig. 1C is a perspective view of the base and buoyant members taken from Fig. IA and shown on an enlarged scale;
  • Fig. 2A is a top view of the buoyant member;
  • Fig. 2B is a side view of the buoyant member;
  • Fig. 3 is an exploded view of the base and buoyant members;
  • Fig. 4A is another top view of the buoyant member;
  • Fig. 4B is a sectional view of the buoyant member taken along line 4B-4B of Fig. 4A showing a coupling of the buoyant member to the base;
  • Fig. 4C is an isolated view of the coupling taken from Fig. 4B and shown on an enlarged scale with the coupling at a disengaged configuration;
  • Fig. 4D is a isolated view of the coupling taken from Fig. 4B and shown on an enlarged scale with the coupling at an engaged configuration
  • Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing the components of the alarm unit of the present invention
  • Fig. 6a is a block diagram illustrating one means in the alarm unit for contacting an emergency contact.
  • Fig. 6b is a block diagram illustrating another means in the alarm unit for contacting an emergency contact. Description of the Preferred Embodiment
  • a safety device 100 for use in a body of water 10 having a water surface 12 and a floor surface 14 includes a buoyant member
  • the body of water 10 is preferably contained in a pool 2, and the floor surface 14 is preferably a floor surface of the pool 2.
  • Means 130 are included for positioning the base 120 beneath the water surface 12 and preferably adjacent the floor surface 14.
  • the means 130 preferably includes a ballast 130a (Fig. 2B) or a hook 130b (Fig. 2B) attached to the base 120 although a suction cup, bolts or other anchors, an adhesive, or any combination of the aforementioned means would also be suitable.
  • the buoyant member 110 is coupled to the base 120 such that the buoyant member 110 is also located beneath the water surface 12 when the buoyant member 110 is coupled to the base 120.
  • the buoyant member 110 preferably defines a substantially vertical channel 112 having a channel surface 112a, and a coupling 140 is positioned adjacent a lower end of the channel 112 for releasably attaching the buoyant member 110 to the base 120.
  • the coupling 140 preferably includes a pair of opposed attachment members 142 and a compression collar 146.
  • each attachment member 142 has a first end 142a attached to the buoyant member 110 and a second end 142b releasably coupled to the base 120, and each attachment member 142 has a compression arm 144 extending downwardly therefrom.
  • the first ends 142a are preferably attached to the channel surface 112a to make the coupling 140 accessible from the channel 112.
  • the compression collar 146 is adjacent the compression arms 144 for movement between a first configuration 146a surrounding the compression arms 144 and a second configuration 146b bearing against the compression arms 144.
  • a release member 150 (Fig.
  • the release member 150 is preferably a release strap 150a (Figs. 3A and 4B) attached to the compression collar 146 for moving the compression collar 146 from the first configuration 146a to the second configuration 146b when the release strap 150a is pulled by a user.
  • a wrist strap 160 has an end 160a attachable to the buoyant member 110, and the wrist strap 160 forms a loop 160b for attachment to a user's wrist (Fig. 3A).
  • the loop 160b is positionable adjacent the channel surface 112a and may be selectively retained adjacent the channel surface 112a by a retaining member 164 (Fig.4B).
  • the retaining member 164 extends from the base 120 along the channel surface 112a for retaining the loop 160b adjacent the channel surface 112a when the buoyant member 110 is coupled to the base 120 and for releasing the loop 160b from adjacent the channel surface 112a when the buoyant member 110 is released from the base 120.
  • a first transmitter 170 is connected to the buoyant member 110 for selectively transmitting a signal (Fig. 3 A, and an alarm unit 180 having a receiver 182 and an alarm 184 is remote from the first transmitter 170 (Fig. 5). Although not essential, the first transmitter 170 may be secured within a transmitter case 171 with lid 171a.
  • a sensor 172 is in communication with the first transmitter 170 for detecting a release of the buoyant member 110 from the base 120 and actuating the first transmitter 170 when the buoyant member 110 is released from the base 120 (Fig. 3A).
  • the alarm unit 180 preferably also includes means 186 for activating the alarm 184 when the receiver 182 receives a signal from the first transmitter 170, means 187 for automatically alerting an emergency contact when the alarm unit receiver 182 receives the signal, a button 181, means 188 for alerting the emergency contact when the button 181 is activated, and a speaker 185 and a microphone 183 for allowing communication with the emergency contact after the emergency contact has been alerted (Fig. 5).
  • the means 186 for activating the alarm 184 preferably includes circuitry or a CPU with programming electrically connected to the receiver 182 and the alarm 184 (Fig. 5).
  • the means 187 for automatically alerting the emergency contact preferably includes circuitry or a
  • the CPU 187a with programming electrically connected to the receiver 182 and a second transmitter 187b.
  • the circuitry or the CPU 187a with programming causes the second transmitter 187b to transmit a signal (such as a cellular signal, a signal through a telephone line, a signal over the internet, etc.) when the alarm unit receiver 182 receives the signal from the first transmitter 170.
  • a signal such as a cellular signal, a signal through a telephone line, a signal over the internet, etc.
  • the means 188 for alerting the emergency contact preferably includes circuitry or a CPU 188a with programming electrically connected to the button 181 and the second transmitter 187b.
  • the circuitry or the CPU 188a with programming causes the second transmitter 187b to transmit a signal (such as a cellular signal, a signal through a telephone line, a signal over the internet, etc.) when the button 181 is activated.
  • the base 120 is positioned beneath the water surface 12 by the means 130.
  • the buoyant member 110 is then coupled to the base 120 such that the buoyant member 110 is also located beneath the water surface 12. This is preferably done by moving the compression collar 146 to the first configuration 146a and positioning the second ends 142b of the attachment members 142 to engage the base 110.
  • a user dives to the buoyant member 110, reaches inside the vertical channel 112, and pulls the release strap 150a.
  • Pulling the release strap 150a moves the compression collar 146 from the first configuration 146a to the second configuration 146b, causing the second ends
  • the buoyancy of the buoyant member 110 causes the buoyant member 110 to rise away from the base 120 and to reach the water surface 12.
  • the sensor 172 detects the release of the buoyant member 110 from the base 120 and actuates the first transmitter 17O 5 causing the first transmitter 170 to send a signal.
  • the wrist strap 160 is separated from the retaining member 164.
  • the wrist strap 160 may then tighten around the user's wrist, ensuring that he gets carried to the water surface 12 along with the buoyant member 110.
  • the means 186 activate the alarm 184.
  • the means 187 preferably the appropriate circuitry or programming in the CPU and the second transmitter
  • automatically alert the predetermined emergency contact More particularly, the circuitry or programming in the CPU preferably cause the second transmitter to transmit a signal to the emergency contact when the alarm unit receiver 182 receives the signal from the first transmitter 170.
  • the microphone 183 and the speaker 185 allow communication with the emergency contact.
  • the means 188 for alerting the emergency contact when the button 181 is activated may be used independently of the release of the buoyant member 110 from the base 120. In other words, someone may activate the button 181, and the circuitry or programming in the CPU then causes the second transmitter 187b to transmit a signal to the emergency contact. This allows someone standing near the alarm unit 180 to quickly alert the emergency contact.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Alarm Systems (AREA)
  • Emergency Alarm Devices (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un dispositif de sécurité à flottaison (100) immergé comprenant une base (120) qui peut être positionnée au-dessous de la surface de l'eau (12) d'une piscine (2) avec un ballast (130a), un crochet (130b) ou similaire. Un élément flottant (110) est couplé de façon libérable à la base (120) et est également positionné au-dessous de la surface de l'eau (12). Un élément de libération (150) est positionné à l'intérieur d'un canal (112) défini par la base (120) pour libérer de façon sélective l'élément flottant (110) de la base (120). Un émetteur (170) est connecté à l'élément flottant (110) pour transmettre un signal de façon sélective. Un capteur (172) pour détecter une libération de l'élément flottant (110) de la base (120) est en communication avec l'émetteur pour envoyer un signal lorsque l'élément flottant (110) est libéré. Une unité d'alarme (183) éloignée de l'émetteur (170) comprend un récepteur (182) pour recevoir le signal indicatif d'une libération de l'élément flottant (110). L'unité d'alarme (180) comporte un autre émetteur (187b) pour émettre un signal d'urgence indicatif d'un état d'urgence.
PCT/US2006/041685 2006-10-26 2006-10-26 Dispositif de sécurité immergé à flottaison WO2008051225A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/US2006/041685 WO2008051225A1 (fr) 2006-10-26 2006-10-26 Dispositif de sécurité immergé à flottaison

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/US2006/041685 WO2008051225A1 (fr) 2006-10-26 2006-10-26 Dispositif de sécurité immergé à flottaison

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2008051225A1 true WO2008051225A1 (fr) 2008-05-02

Family

ID=39324879

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2006/041685 WO2008051225A1 (fr) 2006-10-26 2006-10-26 Dispositif de sécurité immergé à flottaison

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO2008051225A1 (fr)

Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US876777A (en) * 1907-06-12 1908-01-14 Don Acker Dempster Means for effecting escape of occupants from sunken vessels.
US3036296A (en) * 1958-10-28 1962-05-22 Ernest R Conte Swimming pool alarm
US4549871A (en) * 1984-04-26 1985-10-29 Verney Darrel E Lifesaving ring
US4560356A (en) * 1983-01-31 1985-12-24 Halkey-Roberts Corporation Personal flotation device
US5030152A (en) * 1990-02-05 1991-07-09 Carr Richard L Life saving device
US6064309A (en) * 1998-09-28 2000-05-16 Sellers; Scott D. Swimming pool drowning prevention system
US20040113836A1 (en) * 2002-08-02 2004-06-17 Donald Rickerson Wearable satellite tracker
US20040121782A1 (en) * 2002-09-07 2004-06-24 Offshore Data Services, Llc Personal flotation device transceiver tracking system

Patent Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US876777A (en) * 1907-06-12 1908-01-14 Don Acker Dempster Means for effecting escape of occupants from sunken vessels.
US3036296A (en) * 1958-10-28 1962-05-22 Ernest R Conte Swimming pool alarm
US4560356A (en) * 1983-01-31 1985-12-24 Halkey-Roberts Corporation Personal flotation device
US4549871A (en) * 1984-04-26 1985-10-29 Verney Darrel E Lifesaving ring
US5030152A (en) * 1990-02-05 1991-07-09 Carr Richard L Life saving device
US6064309A (en) * 1998-09-28 2000-05-16 Sellers; Scott D. Swimming pool drowning prevention system
US20040113836A1 (en) * 2002-08-02 2004-06-17 Donald Rickerson Wearable satellite tracker
US20040121782A1 (en) * 2002-09-07 2004-06-24 Offshore Data Services, Llc Personal flotation device transceiver tracking system

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US20040095248A1 (en) Drowning alarm
JP5212658B2 (ja) 膨張式救命水着
US20090251321A1 (en) Aqua Alert Swimming Monitor for the Prevention of Accidental Drowning
US20060019560A1 (en) Personal flotation device and method for same
US20090280705A1 (en) Method and system for detecting a danger of drowning
US5030152A (en) Life saving device
KR20170013100A (ko) 해상구조용 드론 및 이를 이용한 해상구조 시스템
JP5869035B2 (ja) 救命・救難装置付き浮き物体
US9205901B2 (en) Aquatic lifesaving device
WO2017202182A1 (fr) Appareil à corde de sauvetage et gilet de sauvetage, appareil de sauvetage aquatique
US20060012483A1 (en) Water safety device
JP3195991U (ja) 受動的安全システムおよび船上における落水対策のための装具
US7160166B2 (en) Underwater flotation safety device
US7148811B1 (en) Emergency underwater notification device
WO2008051225A1 (fr) Dispositif de sécurité immergé à flottaison
US7394384B2 (en) Personal locator beacon
US20220309897A1 (en) Wearable Safety Device for Swimming
KR101606928B1 (ko) 기울기 센서를 이용한 구명벌의 자동 탈착 장치
JP2008234302A (ja) 水難防止方法および水難防止装置
AU2020379392A1 (en) Wearable device for a marine user
KR20020041343A (ko) 자동 구명 튜브
JPH09305877A (ja) 警報装置の制御方法及び警報装置
JPH10338189A (ja) 海中観測係留系の係留状況監視装置
KR101644382B1 (ko) 수중작업자의 위급상황 감지 및 알림장치
WO2022167842A1 (fr) Dispositif de sauvetage à distance à ressort

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application

Ref document number: 06836527

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1

NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: DE

32PN Ep: public notification in the ep bulletin as address of the adressee cannot be established

Free format text: NOTING OF LOSS OF RIGHTS PURSUANT TO RULE 112(1) EPC (EPO FORM 1205A DATED 19-08-2009)

122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase

Ref document number: 06836527

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1