Dive rescue search device and method

• US 6,227,766 B1
• Filed: 07/10/1999
• Issued: 05/08/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 10/29/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Patrick D. Cook
• Original Assignee: Patrick D. Cook
• Inventors: Cook, Patrick D.
• Primary Examiner(s): PEZZUTO, ROBERT ERIC
• Application Number:
  US09/352,500
• Time in Patent Office: 668 Days
• Field of Search: 405/185, 405/186, 405/188, 405/189, 405/191-195.1, 114/312, 114/315
• US Class Current: 405/186
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 22/166 comprising a light
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 2201/08 Electric light

Abstract

A dive rescue search device has a stanchion with a locating mechanism for the device mounted thereon and a search area determining device based on a reel of rope cooperating therewith to properly direct the search.

Claims

1. A dive rescue search device, having a locating mechanism and a search area determining device to properly direct a search of a specific area;

the dive rescue search device comprising;

(a) a search area determining device including a stanchion being combined with a search area marker;

(b) the stanchion including a platform base;

(c) a stanchion tube extending upwardly from the platform base;

(d) the stanchion tube having a first tube end adjacent to the platform base;

(e) the stanchion tube having a second tube end oppositely disposed from the first tube end;

(f) the stanchion tube having a reel mounted thereon; and

(g) the reel having a length of rope secured thereto.

2. The dive rescue search device of claim 1 further comprising:

(a) the reel having a specified diameter, in order to provide a known length of rope dispensed as a diver moves around the reel in a search pattern; and

(b) a guide mechanism positioning the rope.

3. The dive rescue search device of claim 2 further comprising:

(a) the guide mechanism including a swivel member movably mounted on the stanchion tube; and

(b) the guide mechanism including a guide eye for the rope oppositely disposed from the swivel member.

4. The dive rescue search device of claim 3 further comprising:

(a) the stanchion including a base with four legs;

(b) the second tube end having the device locating mechanism secured thereto;

(c) the base including a platform;

(d) a weight member being mounted on the platform in order to stabilize the dive rescue search device.

5. The dive rescue search device of claim 4 further comprising:

(a) the second tube end having the locating mechanism secured thereto;

(b) the locating mechanism including a buoy line and a floating member;

(c) the second tube end having the buoy line secured thereto at a first line end;

(d) the buoy line having second line end oppositely disposed from the first line end;

(e) the second line end having a floating member secured; and

(f) the floating member secured being adapted to provide a location indicator for the dive rescue device as the dive rescue device is being used.

6. The dive rescue search device of claim 2 further comprising:

(a) the stanchion including a base with at least three legs;

(b) the second tube end having a device locating means secured thereto;

(c) the base including a platform; and

(d) the platform receiving at least one weight in order to provide stability for the dive rescue search device.

7. The dive rescue search device of claim 6 further comprising:

(a) the platform including an upwardly turned flange for each edge thereof in order to support the at least one weight; and

(b) the upwardly turned flange serving to position at least one weight element on the platform base.

8. The dive rescue search device of claim 7 further comprising:

(a) the at least one weight being secured to the platform by at least attaching device selected from the group consisting of an adhesive bond, a friction bond and a taping bond;

(b) the reel having the length of rope at about 20 to 40 meters; and

(c) a diameter for the length of rope at about 0.5 to 2.0 centimeters.

9. The dive rescue search device of claim 7 further comprising:

(a) the reel being slidably mounted on the stanchion at the reel aperture;

(b) the reel being fixable on the stanchion at a desired position; and

(c) a rope guide being rotatably mounted on the stanchion above the reel.

10. The dive rescue search device of claim 9 further comprising:

(a) the rope guide including a rotating bushing mounted on the stanchion;

(b) an arm for the rope guide being connected at a first arm end to the rotating bushing;

(c) an eye being adapted to receive the rope in a second arm end of the arm; and

(d) the first arm end being oppositely disposed from the second arm end.

11. The dive rescue search device of claim 10 further comprising:

(a) the rope guide being adapted to rotate around the stanchion tube;

(b) an upper bushing and a lower bushing securing the reel to the stanchion tube;

(c) the upper bushing being closer to the locating mechanism than to the platform as the device is deployed; and

(d) the lower bushing being closer to the platform than to the locating mechanism as the device is deployed.

12. The dive rescue search device of claim 11 further comprising:

(a) the floating member being a buoy; and

(b) the upper bushing and the lower bushing each being secured by at least one set screw.

13. The dive rescue search device of claim 12 further comprising:

(a) the buoy being at least one selected from the group consisting an inflated buoy, a light-emitting buoy, and a solid buoy; and

(b) the at least one set screw being at least two set screws.

14. The dive rescue search device of claim 13 further comprising:

(a) an end cap tether assembly securing the buoy line to the stanchion tube;

(b) the leg having an upper portion and a lower portion; and

(c) a folding joint connecting the upper portion to the lower portion.

15. A dive rescue search device, having a locating mechanism and a search area determining device to properly direct a search of a specific area;

the dive rescue search device comprising;

(a) a search area determining device including a stanchion combined with a search area marker;

(b) the stanchion including a platform base;

(c) a stanchion tube extending upwardly from the platform base;

(d) the stanchion tube having a first tube end adjacent to the platform base;

(e) the stanchion tube having a second tube end oppositely disposed from the first tube end;

(f) the stanchion tube having a reel mounted thereon;

(g) the reel having a length of rope secured thereto; and

(h) the length of rope being adapted for removal from the reel in order to indicate a search area.

16. The dive rescue search device of claim 15 further comprising:

(a) the stanchion including a base with four legs;

(b) each of the four legs including a folding mechanism;

(c) the base including a platform;

(d) the folding mechanism providing for each of the four legs to have stored position parallel to the platform and a standing position providing support for the dive rescue search device on deployment; and

(e) a guide mechanism positioning the length of rope.

17. The dive rescue search device of claim 16 further comprising:

(a) the guide mechanism including a swivel member movably mounted on the stanchion tube;

(b) the guide mechanism including a guide eye for the rope oppositely disposed from the swivel member;

(c) the second tube end having the device locating mechanism secured thereto;

(d) the base including a platform; and

(e) a weight member being mounted on the platform in order to stabilize the dive rescue search device.

18. A method for conducting an underwater search and rescue operation by a diver comprising:

(a) providing a central location underwater;

(b) mounting a reel at the central location;

(c) providing rope on the reel;

(d) paying out the rope from the reel by the diver as the diver moves around the reel in order to remove the rope therefrom and to determine the search area.

19. The method of claim 18 further comprising:

(a) providing an above water marker from the central location;

(b) providing the reel with a specified diameter in order to determine a searched area searched;

(c) comparing the search area with a desired search pattern; and

(d) determining the results of the search.

20. The method of claim 19 further comprising the above water marker being a buoy secured to the central location.