US4527504A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Safety device to quickly locate a drowning victim
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1982-09-29
•
Granted: 1985-07-09
•
Expires: 2002-09-29
Abstract
Abstract Safety device for quickly locating a drowning victim underwater which essentially includes a hollow cap member open at one end, a threaded spool inside the cap member and containing a water-soluble marking dye, a solid, water-soluble closure member which fits over the cap open end and is adhered to the cap member and may also be adhered to one end of the spool, and a safety pin or similar member to attach the device to a potential drowning victim, the free end of the thread extending outwardly from the cap member with its free end tied to the safety pin or other attaching member which in turn is joined to one of said cap and closure members.
Inventors
- 👤 Arlie Byerley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 04:52
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08B; G08B21/00; G08B21/02; G08B21/08; G08B21/088; A; A62; A62B; A62B33/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
165 words
A safety device for quickly locating a drowning victim which comprises: a hollow cap member open at one end; a spool composed of a low density material floatable in water, said spool being releasably placed within said cap member; a thread wound on said spool with the free end of the thread extending outwardly so as to pass freely from the open end of said cap member; a solid but very water-soluble closure member fitting over the open end of said cap member and being tightly adhered thereto, said cap member having a small opening adjacent its open end for the outward passage of the free end of the thread clear of said closure member; a water-soluble marking dye for discoloring water contained on or within said spool member; and means to attach said device to a potential drowning victim, the free end of said thread being tied to said attaching means which in turn is joined to one of said cap and closure members.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
165 words
A safety device for quickly locating a drowning victim which comprises: a hollow cap member open at one end; a spool composed of a low density material floatable in water, said spool being releasably placed within said cap member; a thread wound on said spool with the free end of the thread extending outwardly so as to pass freely from the open end of said cap member; a solid but very water-soluble closure member fitting over the open end of said cap member and being tightly adhered thereto, said cap member having a small opening adjacent its open end for the outward passage of the free end of the thread clear of said closure member; a water-soluble marking dye for discoloring water contained on or within said spool member; and means to attach said device to a potential drowning victim, the free end of said thread being tied to said attaching means which in turn is joined to one of said cap and closure members.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
A safety device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said attaching means is a safety pin.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
A safety device as claimed in claim 2 wherein the safety pin is joined to said cap member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
A safety device as claimed in claim 2 wherein the safety pin is joined to the closure member by means of a sealing plate pressed over one arm of the pin and adhered to said closure member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A safety device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said spool has a body consisting essentially of a porous, closed cell, expanded polystyrene.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
A safety device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said spool has an axial bore extending therethrough, and the water-soluble dye is placed in said axial bore.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
A safety device as claimed in claim 1 wherein a solid, water-soluble dye tablet is adhered to one end of said spool.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
A safety device as claimed in claim 3 wherein a solid, water-soluble dye tablet is adhered to one end of said spool.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
41 words
A safety device as claimed in claim 6 wherein a water-soluble dye in powdered form is filled into said axial bore whose ends are closed by a paper-like sealing member, at least one sealing member being at least water- and dye-permeable.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
A safety device as claimed in claim 8 wherein said spool has a body consisting essentially of a porous, closed cell, expanded polystyrene.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
A safety device as claimed in claim 10 wherein said closure member is a circular sodium bicarbonate tablet.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
A safety device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said thread is a nylon monofilament.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
US2646019A
Cited
US2941217A
Cited
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Cited
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-07-08 | 1989-01-07 | 1989-07-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-07-08 | 1993-01-07 | 1993-07-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-07-08 | 1997-01-07 | 1997-07-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |