Fluid pressure controlled circuit breaker as boat safety apparatus

• US 4,022,146 A
• Filed: 09/15/1975
• Issued: 05/10/1977
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/1974
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Clinton P. Sadler
• Original Assignee: Clinton P. Sadler
• Inventors: Sadler, Clinton P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Blix, Trygve M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Goldstein, Stuart M.
• Application Number:
  US05/613,208
• Time in Patent Office: 603 Days
• Field of Search: 115/.5 R, 9/7, 180/99-102, 340/278
• US Class Current: 440/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 28/04 responsive to presence or absence of the driver, e.g. to weight or lack thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B63C 9/0005 by means of alarm devices for persons falling into the water, e.g. by signalling, by controlling the propulsion or manoeuvring means of the boat alarms responsive to presence of persons in a body of water in general G08B21/08

Abstract

This invention relates to a marine safety apparatus for preventing accidents in small watercraft. The device interrupts the watercraft power plant when the watercraft operator is displaced from the operator'"'"'s seat. The principal aspect of the disclosure is an air bladder seat cushion connected to an air pressure actuated electrical switch. The pressure from the weight of a seated operator'"'"'s body is transmitted to actuate the switch between "on" and "off", according as to whether the operator is seated or not. The switch in turn actuates or de-actuates engine operation, normally by interruption of an ignition system. An additional feature is provided to override the foregoing safety system, at low speeds. Also a pneumatic delay is disclosed whereby circuit interruption is delayed slightly after seat lift-off of the operator, to preclude engine stop due to momentary lift-offs upon encountering minor water turbulence.

Claims

1. A safety system for a motor boat, the engine thereof having an electrically operated ignition system comprising:

a first inflatable air bladder disposed normally to inflatedly bear the weight of an operator of said motor boat; and

a second inflatable air bladder pneumatically connected to said first air bladder so that decompression thereof deflates said second air bladder; and

pneumatically actuated electrical switch means in the circuit of said ignition system so disposed physically with relation to said second bladder that deflation of said bladder de-actuates said electrical switch means, so as to interrupt said ignition.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 with the additional structure comprising:

means to delay the de-actuation of said electrical switch until after decompression of said first bladder.

3. A safety system for a motor boat, the engine thereof having an electrically operated ignition system comprising:

an inflatable air bladder disposed normally to inflatedly bear the weight of an operator of said motor boat;

pneumatically actuated electrical switch means in the circuit of said ignition system whereby decompression of said bladder de-actuates said electrical switch means so as to interrupt said ignition; and

with an additional element of an override feature comprising means for automatic de-actuation of the entire safety system, responsive to a predetermined range of speed of said motor boat.

4. A safety system for a motor boat, the engine thereof having an electrically operated ignition system comprising:

an inflatable air bladder disposed normally to inflatedly bear the weight of an operator of said motor boat;

air pressure responsive means pneumatically connected to said air bladder so that decompression thereof operates said air pressure responsive means;

pneumatically actuated electrical switch means in the circuit of said ignition system disposed to be actuated by said air pressure responsive means so that decompression of said bladder interrupts said ignition;

means to delay operating of said electrical switch until after decompression of said bladder; and

with an additional element of an override feature comprising means for automatic de-actuation of the safety system in response to a predetermined range of speed of said motorboat.

5. A safety system for a motor boat, the engine thereof having an electrically operated ignition system comprising:

an inflatable air bladder disposed normally to inflatedly bear the weight of an operator of said motor boat;

air pressure responsive means pneumatically connected to said air bladder so that decompression thereof operates said air pressure responsive means;

pneumatically actuated electrical switch means in the circuit of said ignition system disposed to be actuated by said air pressure responsive means so that decompression of said bladder interrupts said ignition;

a constriction in the pneumatic connection between said bladder and said pressure responsive means, whereby operation of said electrical switch is delayed until after decompression of said bladder; and

with an additional element of an override feature comprising means for automatic de-actuation of the safety system in response to a predetermined range of speed of said motor boat.