Communications: electrical – Visual indication – Diverse indications
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-24
2001-12-11
Crosland, Donnie L. (Department: 2632)
Communications: electrical
Visual indication
Diverse indications
C340S815730, C340S321000, C340S331000, C340S404100, C340S691100, C340S692000, C362S171000, C116S13700R
Reexamination Certificate
active
06329927
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a signal device and more particularly to a signal device for identifying the location of a person lost in the desert, woods, lakes, rivers or seas.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Common epitaphs over the centuries have been statements such as “child lost in forest”,“lost at sea”, “searching lake bottom” and the like. Literally thousands of persons have been lost in the woods and subject to hypothermia or dislocated from a boat or ship often at night and often in strong winds and rough sea waves. Often such persons are under water at depths of 20, 40 or 100 or more feet. Countless hours have been spent searching for these dislocated persons, in some instances the persons are found unconscious and rescued through the use of CPR and/or the application of oxygen to bring the person back to consciousness. All too commonly the dislocated person dies due to the amount of time that is taken in locating the person.
Attempts have been made in the past to provide signaling or marking devices. During war time, servicemen have been provided with flares and/or small rockets that are fired off into the air if they are lost at sea. In other instances, a surface water coloring chemical is released on the surface of the water. Both of these assist in locating the person “lost at sea.” Both have short comings. In order to fire off the small rockets the lost person must be conscious to activate the system; the same is true with respect to the water marking dye.
A need has been present over the years for a very simple marking device that may be worn by persons not at high risk such as fishermen, canoeists, and the like. The device must be small to avoid it being bothersome. The device is desirably automatic since the person is often unconscious and may be in a depth of water.
The present invention over comes the problems associated with prior devices. The present invention is small, lightweight, even decorative. The present device may be worn whenever the user goes into the forest or onto the water such as in a fishing boat or canoe without being burdensome or objectionable.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
The present invention provides a marking device for identifying the location of a person that may be lost. The present invention is suitable for use in essentially all geographical locations. The present marking device is highly desirable for use in water locations where, due to darkness or submersion, it may be difficult for searchers to find the individual. The present invention may include a light emitting means powered by a means for powering together with a means for sound making. The present invention may further include a compass to assist the wearer in identifying the direction in which the wearer is traveling.
The marking device is a tubular water proof encasement. The tubular water proof encasement has a first chamber that is water proof and contains the various electrical components, such as one or more light emitting means, corresponding circuits and one or more means for powering. The light emitting means may be deposed within the first chamber. The tubular water proof encasement and first chamber desirably are constructed by injection molding of a transparent polymer. The tubular water proof encasement and the first chamber may be constructed with at least a portion being transparent.
The means for sound making may be constructed by injection molding of a polymer. The means for sound making may be a simple whistle construction such as the type used by traffic direction police officers.
The first chamber may have threading means on a second end and the whistle may have cooperating threading means so that the whistle may be threadedly engaged with the first chamber. The first chamber and the whistle will generally be tubular in construction having walls sufficiently thick to avoid accidental breakage during normal use. The walls may be transparent or translucent so as to allow light from the light emitting means to be seen. The circuitry contained in the first chamber may include a pair of electrical contacts that extend through the wall of the first chamber into a second chamber.
The whistle may include a switch means for interconnecting the pair of electrical contacts to complete the electrical continuity to provide power between the means for powering and the circuitry leading to the light emitting means. The switch means may be moved into a position of interconnecting the pair of electrical contacts by simple rotation of the whistle with respect to the first chamber using the threaded engagement.
In one preferred embodiment, the marking device includes a zone (or second chamber) between the whistle and the adjacent portion of the first chamber containing the exposed electrical contact such that water may fill the second chamber thereby providing electrical contact automatically when submerged. In other words, the water provides the electrical continuity between the contacts.
The present invention may be worn by any of a wide variety of persons that are walking in the woods or forest, boating on lakes or canoeing on rivers. The present marking device is normally maintained in a standby condition with the light emitting means in an unpowered condition. The user may, from time to time, observe the compass to determine direction. If the wearer becomes disoriented or lost, the wearer may activate the light emitting means by rotating the whistle of the marking device with respect to the first chamber. The user may sound an alert by three sharp blasts on the whistle, repeated at timed intervals. Those within hearing distance will recognize the signal and seek out the wearer.
The present device may be similarly used if the wearer is lost while traveling on the water, such as in a speed boat on a large lake or traveling down a river by canoe. In the instances where the wearer is suddenly dislodged from the boat or canoe, the light emitting means is automatically moved to a powered condition by water flooding the second chamber adjacent to the pair of the electrical contacts. The water serves as the electrical connector between the contacts.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5079679 (1992-01-01), Chin-Fa
patent: 5311100 (1994-05-01), Brain
patent: 5952916 (1999-09-01), Yamabe
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