Portable water activated alert system with directional indicator

• US 5,274,359 A
• Filed: 01/13/1993
• Issued: 12/28/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 03/09/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Adams, Bruce
• Original Assignee: Adams, Bruce
• Inventors: Adams, Bruce
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffrey
• Application Number:
  US08/003,651
• Time in Patent Office: 349 Days
• Field of Search: 340/604, 340/605, 340/618, 340/620, 340/573, 340/539, 200/61.04, 455/100
• US Class Current: 340/573.6
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/088 by monitoring a device worn by the person, e.g. a bracelet attached to the swimmer

Abstract

A portable water activated alert system is disclosed. The system has an RF transmitter and receiver which incorporate special features. Both are battery operated and portable. The receiver includes both an audible alarm and an illuminated directional and proximity indicator.

Claims

1. A portable water contact activated alert system with directional and proximity capability comprising:

digital transmitter means for sending a signal, said transmitter means having a replaceable battery power source encapsulated in a water-tight housing and further having an attached childproof fastening device and an exposed water sensing element for enabling said transmitter means;

a portable receiver having a rechargeable battery power source, digital receiver means for detecting and verifying said signal from said transmitter means, means for indicating the direction and intensity of said signal, and an audible alarm, each of which is enclosed within a case, said means for indicating including multiple linear groups of energizable leds arranged in a radial pattern, each individual group corresponding to a respective general direction, each of the leds within said group individually corresponds to a respective level of signal intensity, said receiver means being responsive to detection of said signal for energizing at the lowest intensity at least one of said leds within the corresponding group thereby indicating both direction and intensity of said signal, as the said intensity increases more of the leds within said group are energized; and

a base unit containing contacts for interfacing with corresponding contacts carried by said portable receiver, for maintaining said rechargeable battery source in said receiver in a ready state of charge, said base unit further including a power supply for activating said base unit.

2. The device of claim 1 in which said transmitter means include a low power level LED indicator, which is encapsulated in said housing.

3. The device of claim 1 in which said portable receiver includes a low power level LED enclosed in said case.

4. The device of claim 1 in which said base includes a power-on LED indicator.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the water-tight housing for said transmitter is constructed of two halves formed by molded plastic of low dielectric constant joinable by means of a threaded coupling and sealed with a replaceable "O" ring.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said transmitter unit has a visible LED to indicate low power state of replaceable battery.

7. A system of claim 2, wherein the housing is equipped with a fastening device children can not easily unfasten;

consisting of a back plate that requires simultaneous pressure and rotation to accomplish removal.

8. A system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said receiver utilizes a self-contained rechargeable battery allowing portability and continuous operation when interruption of external power takes place.

9. A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the receiver is equipped with a low power level LED indicating the state of charge of the battery.

10. A system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the base unit comprises:

a means for converting 110 volt current or an external 12 volt supply, depending upon the application, to provide a regulated DC voltage.

11. A device in reference to claim 10 wherein an LED is included with said base unit to indicate that external power is present at said base unit.