Vessel location system
First Claim
1. A vessel location system comprising;
- a stationary box disposed on the vessel,an ejectable box received by the stationary box and being seaworthy,means associated with said boxes for retaining the ejectable box in a retained position relative to the stationary box,means for biasing the ejectable box away from the stationary box so that when the ejectable box is released it is ejected with force from the vessel,connector means associated with said boxes having interlocked connector parts on each box,means aboard the vessel that is water-activated during a shipwreck condition for releasing the retaining means to enable the ejectable box to be ejected under force of the biasing means,means aboard the ejectable box for transmitting a distress signal to permit rescuers to locate the ejectable box,said means for transmitting including a distress signal transmitter and associated power source both aboard the ejectable box,input electrical power means including means coupling via the connector means to the power source as long as the connector parts are intercoupled in the retained position,and switch means responsive to releast of the ejectable box for coupling the power source to the transmitter,said distress signal transmitter including an antenna and means for mounting the antenna from the ejectable box,said ejectable box fitting at least partially within an open section of the stationary box, said mounting means for the antenna including an antenna pivot means permitting the antenna to be folded to a position between the two boxes when in a retained position.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for determining the location of the sinking of a vessel by providing a seaworthy box that is automatically ejected from the vessel at the time of sinking and that has a battery aboard the box for powering a radio transmitter that sends distress signals that enable a rescue vessel to locate the ejected box. The system employs a water-activated release mechanism and a stationary box with which the ejected box mates. When the release mechanism operates the box is ejected and at the same time the radio transmission commences. The release mechanism can also be used to release life savers and life boats. The ejected box has a printing system for registering any faults that may have occurred prior to sinking. The vessel may be provided with fire detectors, for example, and operation of a detector is registered along with the time of detector operation to thus provide a chronological log of all important events. An important part of the system is the automatic sea compass which continuously records longitude and latitude position. This information, particularly at the time of sinking, is recorded on the printing system in the ejected box so that when the box is located there is an immediate visual indication of longitude and latitude at the time of sinking.
23 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A vessel location system comprising;
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a stationary box disposed on the vessel, an ejectable box received by the stationary box and being seaworthy, means associated with said boxes for retaining the ejectable box in a retained position relative to the stationary box, means for biasing the ejectable box away from the stationary box so that when the ejectable box is released it is ejected with force from the vessel, connector means associated with said boxes having interlocked connector parts on each box, means aboard the vessel that is water-activated during a shipwreck condition for releasing the retaining means to enable the ejectable box to be ejected under force of the biasing means, means aboard the ejectable box for transmitting a distress signal to permit rescuers to locate the ejectable box, said means for transmitting including a distress signal transmitter and associated power source both aboard the ejectable box, input electrical power means including means coupling via the connector means to the power source as long as the connector parts are intercoupled in the retained position, and switch means responsive to releast of the ejectable box for coupling the power source to the transmitter, said distress signal transmitter including an antenna and means for mounting the antenna from the ejectable box, said ejectable box fitting at least partially within an open section of the stationary box, said mounting means for the antenna including an antenna pivot means permitting the antenna to be folded to a position between the two boxes when in a retained position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification