Alarm system for divers

Claim 2

A diver''s safety applicance comprising: means responsive to the diver''s respiration rate for generating an electrical signal commensurate therewith; a housing carried by a diver; floatable alarm means; latch means attached to said housing for releasably retaining said alarm means on said housing; solenoid means for operating said latch means in a first direction with respect to said alarm means; resilient means operating in opposition to said solenoid means for operating said latch means in a second direction with respect to said alarm means; and means responsive to said respiration rate signal for changing the state of energization of said solenoid means whereby said latch means will be operated to release said alarm means from said housing upon disruption of the diver''s normal respiration rate.

Claim 3

The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: means for manually separating said alarm means from said housing.

Claim 4

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said respiration rate signal generating means comprises: a direct current source; first switch means, said first switch means including a movable member responsive to the delivery of air to the diver, said first switch means movable member being operated in response to the diver''s respiration rate to complete and interrupt a current path through said first switch means, said first switch means being connected in series with said current source; capacitor means connected in parallel with said current source and first switch means; and second switch means connected in parallel with said capacitor means, said second switch means controlling the operation of said solenoid means.

Claim 5

The apparatus of claim 3 further comprising: means for manually separating said alarm means from said housing.

Claim 6

The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said respiration rate signal generating means comprises: a direct current source; switch means, said switch means including a movable member situated in the path through which air is delivered to the diver, said switch means movable member being operated in response to the diver''s respiration rate to complete and interrupt a current path through said switch means, said switch means being connected in series with said current source; capacitor means connected in parallel with said current source and switch means; and relay means connected in parallel with said capacitor means, said relay means controlling the energization of said solenoid means.

Claim 7

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said alarm means comprises: a buoyant container; means mounted on said buoyant container for releasably storing a line, a first end of the line being connected to said storing means; and means connecting the second end of the line to said housing whereby said line will be pulled from said storage means upon separation of said alarm means from said housing.

Claim 8

The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said alarm means comprises: a buoyant container; means mounted on said buoyant container for releasably storing a line, a first eNd of the line being connected to said storing means; and means connecting the second end of the line to said housing whereby said line will be pulled from said storage means upon separation of said alarm means from said housing.

Claim 9

The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said alarm means comprises: a buoyant container; means mounted on said buoyant container for releasably storing a line, a first end of the line being connected to said storing means; and means connecting the second end of the line to said housing whereby said line will be pulled from said storage means upon separation of said alarm means from said housing.

Claim 10

The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said alarm means further comprises: means responsive to the separation of said buoyant container from said housing for enhancing the visibility of said container when it reaches the water surface.

Claim 11

The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said alarm means further comprises: means responsive to the separation of said buoyant container from said housing for enhancing the visibily of said container when it reaches the water surface.

Claim 12

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said alarm means comprises: a buoyant container; and extendable means connecting said container to said housing, said extendable means providing an indication at the water surface of the diver''s depth.

Claim 13

A diver''s safety appliance comprising: means responsive to the diver''s respiration rate for generating an electrical signal commensurate therewith; a housing carried by the diver; a buoyant container; extendable means connecting said container to said housing, said extendable means providing an indication at the water surface of the diver''s depth; releasable retaining means positioned within said housing, said retaining means normally engaging said buoyant container to prevent the surfacing thereof; electrically actuated holding means for maintaining said retaining means in its normal position, said holding means being normally energized and responsive to the magnitude of said respiration rate signal; and means for operating said retaining means to a container release position when said holding means is de-energized.

Claim 14

A diver''s safety appliance comprising: means responsive to the diver''s respiration rate for generating an electrical signal commensurate therewith; a housing carried by the diver; a buoyant container; extendable means connecting said container to said housing, said extendable means providing an indication at the water surface of the diver''s depth; releasable retaining means positioned within said housing, said retaining means normally engaging said buoyant container to prevent the surfacing thereof; electrically actuated holding means for maintaining said retaining means in its normal position, said holding means being normally energized and responsive to the magnitude of said respiration rate signal; and means for operating said retaining means to a container release position when said holding means is de-energized.

Claim 15

The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said respiration rate signal generating means comprises; a direct current source; switch means, said switch means including a movable member responsive to the delivery of air to the diver, said switch means movable member being operated in response to the diver''s respiration rate to complete and interrupt a current path through said switch means, said switch means being connected in series with said current source; capacitor means connected in parallel with said current source and switch means; and actuator means connected in parallel with said capacitor means and responsive to the potential thereacross for controlling the operation of said holding means.

Claim 16

The apparatus of claim 13 further comprising: means for manually overriding said holding means to thereby release said container from said housing.