US4871996A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Warning system for watercraft
Assignee: Yamaha Marine Co Ltd
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Filing: 1987-01-07
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Granted: 1989-10-03
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Expires: 2007-01-07
Abstract
Abstract A watercraft incorporating improved warning devices for providing a warning signal in response to a abnormal condition. The abnormal condition may be either the condition when a rider is no longer present on the watercraft or when the watercraft assumes a non-normal running condition such as being capsized or inverted. In some instances, the warning is provided by a flag, a light, by a warning jet spray of water and, in others, by an audible signal. The warning may be combined so that more than one type of warning is given in response to an abnormal condition.
Inventors
- 👤 Kanichi Tsunamoto
- 👤 Seiji Inoue
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 06:47
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08B; G08B5/00; B; B63; B63C; B63C9/00; B63C9/0005; G08B19/00; G08B7/00; B63B; B63B34/00; B63B34/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 33
Claim 1
Independent Claim
97 words
In a powered watercraft adapted to ride in the water in a normal trim condition under its own power when occupied by a rider and being displaceable into a non-normal trim condition in the water in the event the rider is displaced from the watercraft, the improvements comprising means for providing a warning signal emanating from said watercraft and that can be recognized from a distance from the watercraft by a person other than the rider in response to said watercraft assuming said non-normal trim condition in the water for location of the watercraft and displaced rider.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
97 words
In a powered watercraft adapted to ride in the water in a normal trim condition under its own power when occupied by a rider and being displaceable into a non-normal trim condition in the water in the event the rider is displaced from the watercraft, the improvements comprising means for providing a warning signal emanating from said watercraft and that can be recognized from a distance from the watercraft by a person other than the rider in response to said watercraft assuming said non-normal trim condition in the water for location of the watercraft and displaced rider.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
In a watercraft as set forth in claim 1 wherein the warning signal is a visual sign.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
In a watercraft as set forth in claim 2 wherein the visual signal is provided by a warning light.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
In a watercraft as set forth in claim 2 wherein the visual signal is provided by the erection of a flag.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
In a watercraft as set forth in claim 1 wherein the warning signal is an audible signal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
In a watercraft as set forth in claim 1 wherein the watercraft may assume several non-normal trim conditions in the water and the signal is provided when any of the abnormal conditions exist.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
In a watercraft as set forth in claim 6 wherein a different warning signal is provided for a different non-normal trim condition.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
In a watercraft as set forth in claim 1 wherein the warning signal is provided after the watercraft assumes the non-normal trim condition for more than a predetermined time period.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
In a watercraft as set forth in claim 8 wherein the warning signal is a visual signal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
In a watercraft as set forth in claim 9 wherein the visual signal is provided by a warning light.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
In a watercraft as set forth in claim 9 wherein the visual signal is provided by the erection of a flag.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
In a watercraft as set forth in claim 9 wherein the visual signal is provided by a jet spray of water.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
In a watercraft as set forth in claim 8 wherein the warning signal is an audible signal.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
102 words
In a watercraft adapted to ride in the water in a normal trim condition when occupied by a rider and being displaceable into a non-normal trim condition in the water in the event the rider is displaced from the watercraft, the improvements comprising means for providing a warning signal that can be recognized from a distance from the watercraft by a person other than the rider in response to said watercraft assuming said non-normal trim condition in the water so that the watercraft and displaced rider can be located, said signal comprising a visual signal provided by a jet spray of water.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
102 words
In a watercraft adapted to ride in the water in a normal trim condition when occupied by a rider and being displaceable into a non-normal trim condition in the water in the event the rider is displaced from the watercraft, the improvements comprising means for providing a warning signal that can be recognized from a distance from the watercraft by a person other than the rider in response to said watercraft assuming said non-normal trim condition in the water so that the watercraft and displaced rider can be located, said signal comprising a visual signal provided by a jet spray of water.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
51 words
In a watercraft comprising a hull, a rider's area upon said hull, and powering means for powering said watercraft, and means for providing a warning signal that can e recognized from a distance from the watercraft by a person other than the rider in response to the rider's area becoming unoccupied.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
51 words
In a watercraft comprising a hull, a rider's area upon said hull, and powering means for powering said watercraft, and means for providing a warning signal that can e recognized from a distance from the watercraft by a person other than the rider in response to the rider's area becoming unoccupied.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
In a watercraft as set forth in claim 15 wherein the warning signal is a visual signal.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
In a watercraft as set forth in claim 16 wherein the visual signal is provided by a warning light.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
In a watercraft as set forth in claim 16 wherein the visual signal is provided by the erection of a flag.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
21 words
In a watercraft as set forth is claim 16 wherein the visual signal is provided by a jet spray of water.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
17 words
In a watercraft as set forth in claim 15 wherein the warning signal is an audible signal.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
36 words
In a watercraft as set forth in claim 15 wherein the warning signal is responsive to a shift in the riding condition of the watercraft to indicate that a rider is no longer on the watercraft.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
17 words
In a watercraft as set forth in claim 21 wherein the warning signal is a visual signal.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
19 words
In a watercraft as set forth in claim 22 wherein the visual signal is provided by a warning light.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
21 words
In a watercraft as set forth in claim 22 wherein the visual signal is provided by the erection of a flag.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
21 words
In a watercraft as set forth in claim 22 wherein the visual signal is provided by a jet spray of water.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
17 words
In a watercraft as set forth in claim 21 wherein the warning signal is an audible signal.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
55 words
In a watercraft operable in a normal running condition and capable of being operated in an abnormal running condition comprising a hull, a rider's area accommodating a rider upon said hull, and power means for powering said watercraft, the improvement comprising means for providing a water jet spray in response to an abnormal running condition.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
55 words
In a watercraft operable in a normal running condition and capable of being operated in an abnormal running condition comprising a hull, a rider's area accommodating a rider upon said hull, and power means for powering said watercraft, the improvement comprising means for providing a water jet spray in response to an abnormal running condition.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
32 words
In a watercraft comprising a hull as set forth in claim 27 wherein the water jet spray is provided in response to an abnormal trim condition of the watercraft in the water.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
51 words
In a watercraft comprising a hull as set forth in claim 28 wherein the watercraft is capable of being capsized or tipped on either of its sides and a water spray is provided from the upwardly extending portion of the hull regardless of which of the abnormal conditions the watercraft assumes.
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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) | 1992-10-02 | 1993-04-03 | 1993-10-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-10-02 | 1997-04-03 | 1997-10-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-10-02 | 2001-04-03 | 2001-10-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |