US3914813A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Emergency light means
Assignee: Whittaker Technical Products Inc
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Filing: 1974-09-18
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Granted: 1975-10-28
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Expires: 1994-09-18
Abstract
Abstract An improved emergency light means, particularly useful as a sea beacon, comprises a hollow shell containing an air flotation chamber and a water ballast chamber sealed from the flotation chamber. One or more electrochemical cells are disposed in the shell and are activatable by water. Preferably, a reservoir of dry, water-soluble electrolyte is included in the shell. The cathode of each cell is exposed to the flotation chamber and sealed from the water chamber, while the reverse is the case for each anode. A water inlet is provided through the shell and into the water chamber so that when the beacon is placed in water, the cell is activated and the shell floats at a predetermined level in the water. A bulb in the upper transparent end of the shell thereupon emits light, indicating an emergency.
Inventors
- 👤 Aldo S Berchielli
- 👤 Ronald J Cercone
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 21:19
CPC Classifications
F; F21; F21L; F21L2/00; B; B63; B63C; B63C9/00; B63C9/21; H; H01; H01M; H01M12/00; H01M12/04; H01M12/06; H01M12/065; H01M50/00; H01M50/20; H01M50/204; H01M6/00; H01M6/30; H01M6/32; H01M6/34
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
226 words
An improved emergency light means comprising, in combination: a. a closed, hollow elongated outer shell having a water inlet; b. a water ballast chamber enclosed by and spaced inwardly of said shell and communicating with said water inlet; c. at least one wateR-activatable electrochemical cell enclosed by and spaced inwardly of said shell; d. an air flotation chamber enclosed by said shell and peripheral of and defined by said water ballast chamber and said cell; e. light emitting means disposed in and adjacent the upper end of said shell and viewable external of said shell; f. electrical current carrying means interconnecting said cell and said light emitting means for powering the latter; and, g. a transparent dome sealed to the upper end of said shell over said light emitting means; said cell including a cathode exposed to said flotation chamber and sealed from said water chamber, an anode sealed from said flotation chamber and disposed in said water chamber and an electrolyte space between said anode and cathode, said water chamber including an electrolyte reservoir containing dry electrolyte-forming material activatable by water passing thereinto through said inlet, said reservoir being in communication with said electrolyte space through a solids barrier, said shell including a gas outlet communicating with said water chamber and, adjacent the upper end thereof, a gas-porous, waterimpervious portion communicating with said flotation chamber.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
226 words
An improved emergency light means comprising, in combination: a. a closed, hollow elongated outer shell having a water inlet; b. a water ballast chamber enclosed by and spaced inwardly of said shell and communicating with said water inlet; c. at least one wateR-activatable electrochemical cell enclosed by and spaced inwardly of said shell; d. an air flotation chamber enclosed by said shell and peripheral of and defined by said water ballast chamber and said cell; e. light emitting means disposed in and adjacent the upper end of said shell and viewable external of said shell; f. electrical current carrying means interconnecting said cell and said light emitting means for powering the latter; and, g. a transparent dome sealed to the upper end of said shell over said light emitting means; said cell including a cathode exposed to said flotation chamber and sealed from said water chamber, an anode sealed from said flotation chamber and disposed in said water chamber and an electrolyte space between said anode and cathode, said water chamber including an electrolyte reservoir containing dry electrolyte-forming material activatable by water passing thereinto through said inlet, said reservoir being in communication with said electrolyte space through a solids barrier, said shell including a gas outlet communicating with said water chamber and, adjacent the upper end thereof, a gas-porous, waterimpervious portion communicating with said flotation chamber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
65 words
The improved emergency light means of claim 1 wherein said light means comprise a beacon, wherein said light-emitting means comprise a light bulb, wherein said current-carrying means comprises wires, and wherein a plurality of said electrochemical cells are disposed in stacked relation adjacent the lower end of said shell below said electrolyte reservoir and are electrically interconnected in series, said cells comprising air depolarizable cells.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
108 words
The improved emergency light means of claim 2 wherein solid particulate electrolyte is disposed on water-absorbent support material in said reservoir, wherein a gas tube extends up from said reservoir in said shell and communicates with the exterior of said shell adjacent the juncture of said cell and dome, wherein a plurality of spaced membranes covering openings in said shell adjacent the upper end thereof comprise said gas-porous, water-impervious portion and wherein said solids barrier comprises a solid block sealed to the bottom of said reservoir and top of said stack and bearing a plurality of small openings matching like openings in said reservoir bottom and stack top.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-10-27 | 1979-04-28 | 1979-10-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-10-27 | 1983-04-28 | 1983-10-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-10-27 | 1987-04-28 | 1987-10-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |