US3824575A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Warning device for use with boats
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-03-05
•
Granted: 1974-07-16
•
Expires: 1993-03-05
Abstract
Abstract A portable warning device is mounted on the deck of a boat at anchorage in a harbor and provides an audible warning signal in response to changes in the wind direction relative to the boat. The warning device comprises a pivotable wind vane for sensing the wind direction and a movable electric contact is connected to the wind vane to undergo pivotal movement therewith. A pair of annular electric contact segments are disposed stationary relative to the boat and positioned in spaced-apart relationship along the path of travel of the movable contact to alternatively engage with the movable contact whenever the sensed wind direction relative to the boat exceeds a certain value. A normally open electric circuit is electrically connected to the movable contact and the contact segments such that movement of the movable contact into engagement with either one of the electric contact segments closes the electric circuit. The electric circuit includes a warning device operative when actuated to emit the audible warning signal, and a time delay device for delaying the actuation of the warning device for a predetermined time period after the electric circuit is closed.
Inventors
- 👤 W Rich
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 06:34
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63B; B63B21/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
226 words
A warning device usable with a boat at anchorage for providing an audible warning signal in response to changes in wind direction, the warning device comprising: sensing means operative during use of the warning device with the boat at anchorAge for sensing the wind direction relative to the boat; and warning means coacting with said sensing means for developing an audible warning signal when the sensed wind directions lies outside a preselected range of relative wind directions, said sensing means comprising a wind vane, means mounting said wind vane for free angular movements in response to wind forces exerted thereon to effect positioning of said wind vane in alignment with the wind direction; said warning means comprising a movable electric contact connected to said wind vane to undergo angular movement therewith along an arcuate path of travel, a pair of contact segments disposed in spaced-apart relationship along said arcuate path of travel such that the space between said contact segments as measured along said arcuate path defines said range of relative wind directions and alternatively engageable with said movable electric contact in dependence upon the direction and extent of angular movement thereof, and an electric circuit connected to said movable electric contact and said contact segments and operative when said movable electric contact engages with one of said contact segments to emit said audible warning signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
226 words
A warning device usable with a boat at anchorage for providing an audible warning signal in response to changes in wind direction, the warning device comprising: sensing means operative during use of the warning device with the boat at anchorAge for sensing the wind direction relative to the boat; and warning means coacting with said sensing means for developing an audible warning signal when the sensed wind directions lies outside a preselected range of relative wind directions, said sensing means comprising a wind vane, means mounting said wind vane for free angular movements in response to wind forces exerted thereon to effect positioning of said wind vane in alignment with the wind direction; said warning means comprising a movable electric contact connected to said wind vane to undergo angular movement therewith along an arcuate path of travel, a pair of contact segments disposed in spaced-apart relationship along said arcuate path of travel such that the space between said contact segments as measured along said arcuate path defines said range of relative wind directions and alternatively engageable with said movable electric contact in dependence upon the direction and extent of angular movement thereof, and an electric circuit connected to said movable electric contact and said contact segments and operative when said movable electric contact engages with one of said contact segments to emit said audible warning signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
A warning device according to claim 1; including time delay means coacting with said electric circuit for delaying the development of said audible warning signal until said movable electric contact engages with one of said contact segments for a predetermined time period.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
A warning device according to claim 1; including positioning means for adjustably positioning said pair of contact segments along said arcuate path of travel to adjust the space therebetween thereby adjustably setting said range of relative wind directions.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
51 words
A warning device according to claim 3; wherein said positioning means comprises a manually movable member, and means responsive to manual movement of said member for effecting concurrent movement of said pair of contact segments either towards or away from each other depending upon the direction of movement of said member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
117 words
A warning device according to claim 4; wherein said positioning means further comprises means defining a pair of arcuate slideways disposed along said arcuate path of travel, wherein said pair of contact segments comprise a pair of annular contact segments mounted for sliding movement in respective ones of said slideways, and wherein said means for effecting concurrent movement of said contact segments comprises a displaceable actuating lever pivotally connected at one end by means of a pin-and-slot connection to each contact segment whereby displacement of said actuating lever effects sliding actuation of both contact segments along said slideways, and displacing means for effecting displacement of said actuating lever in response to movement of said manually movable member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
64 words
A warning device according to claim 5; wherein said displacing means for effecting displacement of said actuating lever comprises a toothed rack connected to said actuating lever, a toothed gear in mesh with said rack and mounted for rotation about a stationary axis whereby rotational movement of said gear effects displacement of said rack, and means connecting said manually movable member to said gear.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3727457A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-07-15 | 1978-01-14 | 1978-07-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-07-15 | 1982-01-14 | 1982-07-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-07-15 | 1986-01-14 | 1986-07-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |