Water alarm devices, systems and related methods

• US 7,554,453 B2
• Filed: 12/22/2006
• Issued: 06/30/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Thermocline Ventures, LLC
• Original Assignee: Thermocline Ventures, LLC
• Inventors: Snyder, Graham E., Mann, Courtney Hopkins
• Primary Examiner(s): Wu; Daniel
• Assistant Examiner(s): WANG, JACK K
• Application Number:
  US11/615,447
• Publication Number:
  US 20080150733A1
• Time in Patent Office: 921 Days
• Field of Search: 340/604, 340/573.6, 340/309.16
• US Class Current: 340/604
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/088 by monitoring a device worn by the person, e.g. a bracelet attached to the swimmer

Abstract

A water alarm device for releaseable attachment to a user in a body of water includes a buoyant alarm unit having a water sensor. The water sensor is configured to sense if a sensing portion of the alarm unit is in contact with water. A release unit is configured to releasably attach the alarm unit to the user. A timer is in communication with the water sensor and is configured to determine a duration of water contact with the sensing portion of the alarm unit. The release unit is configured to release the alarm unit from the user when the duration of water contact is greater than a predetermined time, and the alarm unit is configured to travel to a surface of the body of water and activate an alarm when the alarm unit is released from the user.

Claims

1. A water alarm device for releaseable attachment to a user in a body of water, the device comprising:

a buoyant alarm unit including a water sensor, the water sensor being configured to sense if a sensing portion of the alarm unit is in contact with water;

a release unit configured to releasably attach the alarm unit to the user;

a timer in communication with the water sensor and configured to determine a duration of water contact with the sensing portion of the alarm unit;

wherein the release unit is configured to physically release the alarm unit from the user such that the release unit is not physical connected to the user when the duration of water contact is greater than a predetermined time; and

wherein the alarm unit is configured to travel to a surface of the body of water and activate an alarm when the alarm unit is released from the user.

2. The water alarm device of claim 1, wherein the duration of water contact is substantially continuous.

3. The water alarm device of claim 1, wherein the release unit comprises a necklace, and the buoyant alarm unit is releasably attached to the necklace by the release unit.

4. The water alarm device of claim 1, wherein the alarm unit includes an alarm transmitter.

5. The water alarm device of claim 4, wherein the alarm transmitter is configured to produce an audible and/or visual signal at the surface of the body of water.

6. The water alarm device of claim 1, wherein the alarm unit includes a transmitter configured to transmit an alarm activation signal at the surface of the body of water to activate the alarm.

7. The water alarm device of claim 6, wherein the alarm unit includes a portable alarm base station.

8. The water alarm device of claim 1, wherein the water sensor is configured to sense if the sensing portion of the alarm unit is in contact with water when the alarm unit is substantially submerged.

9. The water alarm device of claim 1, wherein the predetermined time is between about 15 seconds and 2 minutes.

10. The water alarm device of claim 1, wherein the predetermined time is adjustable by a user.

11. The water alarm device of claim 1, wherein the alarm unit is sufficiently buoyant so that the alarm unit floats to the surface of the body of water when the alarm unit is detached from the user.

12. The water alarm device of claim 1, wherein the water sensor comprises at least two spaced-apart electrodes and is configured to detect a current between the electrodes when the electrodes are in contact with water.

13. The water alarm device of claim 12, wherein the at least two spaced-apart electrodes are sized and configured so that the current is detected when the alarm unit is substantially submerged and the current is not detected when the alarm unit is partially submerged.

14. The water alarm device of claim 13, wherein the at least two spaced-apart electrodes are sized and configured so that one of the electrodes is not in contact with water when the alarm unit is partially submerged.

15. A water alarm system comprising:

an alarm base station configured to provide an audible alarm when an alarm activation signal is received;

a water alarm device comprising;

a buoyant alarm unit having a water sensor, the water sensor being configured to sense if a sensing portion of the alarm unit is in contact with water;

a release unit configured to physically releasably attach the alarm unit to the user;

a timer in communication with the water sensor and configured to determine a duration of water contact with the sensing portion of the alarm unit;

wherein the release unit is configured to release the alarm unit from the user such that the release unit is not physically connected to the user when the duration of water contact is greater than a predetermined time; and

wherein the alarm unit is configured to travel to a surface of the body of water and transmit the alarm activation signal to the alarm base station when the alarm unit is released from the user.

16. The water alarm system of claim 15, wherein the release unit comprises a necklace, and the buoyant alarm unit is releasably attached to the necklace by the release unit.

17. The water alarm system of claim 15, wherein the water sensor is configured to sense if the sensing portion of the alarm unit is in contact with water when the alarm unit is substantially submerged.

18. The water alarm system of claim 15, wherein the predetermined time is between about 15 seconds and 2 minutes.

19. The water alarm system of claim 15, wherein the predetermined time is adjustable by a user.

20. The water alarm system of claim 15, wherein the alarm unit is sufficiently buoyant so that the alarm unit floats to the surface of the body of water when the alarm unit is detached from the user.

21. The water alarm system of claim 15, wherein the water sensor comprises at least two spaced-apart electrodes and is configured to detect a current between the electrodes when the electrodes are in contact with water.

22. The water alarm system of claim 21, wherein the at least two spaced-apart electrodes are sized and configured so that the current is detected when the alarm unit is substantially submerged and the current is not detected when the alarm unit is partially submerged.

23. The water alarm device of claim 22, wherein the at least two-spaced apart electrodes are sized and configured so that one of the electrodes is not in contact with water when the alarm unit is partially submerged.

24. A method for reducing a risk of drowning in a user in a body of water, the method comprising:

releasably attaching a buoyant alarm unit to the user, the buoyant alarm unit having a water sensor thereon;

sensing with the water sensor if a sensing portion of the alarm unit is in contact with water;

determining a duration of water contact with the sensing portion of the alarm unit;

physically releasing the alarm unit from the user such that the release unit is not physically connected to the user when the duration of water contact is greater than a predetermined time; and

activating an alarm with the alarm unit when the alarm unit is released from the user.