US5083956A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Water warning device
Assignee: ALEXANDRIAN NORIK GLENDALE LOS ANGELES CALIFORNIA
•
Filing: 1991-02-11
•
Granted: 1992-01-28
•
Expires: 2011-02-11
Abstract
Abstract A self elevating signalling device for water skiers makes them more visible if and when they fall off their skies into the water. The device comprises an enlarged visual luminescent marker comprising an outer guide tube and a buoyant tube freely mounted inside the guide tube secured to a flotation jacket and positioned in a vertical position when the fallen skier is in the water. The guide tube has an opening formed therein below the surface of the water permitting the guide tube to fill with water causing the buoyant tube to rise inside the guide tube. The length of the buoyant tube is such that the water inside the guide tube lifts the buoyant tube above the head of the person wearing the flotation jacket enabling rescuers to locate him.
Inventors
- 👤 Pierre Chraghchian
- 👤 Norik Alexandrian
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 21:06
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63C; B63C9/00; B63C9/08; B63C9/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
165 words
A self elevating signalling device to provide a safety visual marker easily attached to a flotation jacket for persons engaged in water skiing comprising a support member adapted to be secured to the outer surface of the flotation jacket, a guide tube secured to said support member and positioned in a vertical position when the person in the water is wearing the floatation jacket, a buoyant tube with an enlarged signal head freely mounted inside the guide tube, said guide tube having an opening formed therein, said opening positioned below the surface of the water in the event the person falls into the water, enabling the guide tube to fill with water thereby causing the buoyant tube to rise inside the guide tube, the length of the buoyant tube such that the water inside the guide tube raises the buoyant tube until the signal head of the buoyant tube rises above the head of the person wearing the flotation jacket significantly increasing the person's visibility.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
165 words
A self elevating signalling device to provide a safety visual marker easily attached to a flotation jacket for persons engaged in water skiing comprising a support member adapted to be secured to the outer surface of the flotation jacket, a guide tube secured to said support member and positioned in a vertical position when the person in the water is wearing the floatation jacket, a buoyant tube with an enlarged signal head freely mounted inside the guide tube, said guide tube having an opening formed therein, said opening positioned below the surface of the water in the event the person falls into the water, enabling the guide tube to fill with water thereby causing the buoyant tube to rise inside the guide tube, the length of the buoyant tube such that the water inside the guide tube raises the buoyant tube until the signal head of the buoyant tube rises above the head of the person wearing the flotation jacket significantly increasing the person's visibility.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
157 words
A self elevating signalling device to provide a safety visual marker for persons engaged in water sports comprising a support, a flotation jacket, said support adapted to be attached to said flotation jacket, a guide tube rigidly mounted on said support and positioned in a vertical position when the person in the water is wearing the floatation jacket, said guide tube having an open upper end, a buoyant tube with an enlarged signal head freely mounted inside the guide tube, an end cap mounted on the lower end of said guide tube, an opening formed in said end cap below the surface of the water enabling the guide tube to fill with water when the person falls into the water causing the buoyant tube to rise inside the guide tube until the enlarged signal head rises above the head of the person wearing the floatation jacket, significantly increasing the visibility of the person wearing the flotation jacket.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
157 words
A self elevating signalling device to provide a safety visual marker for persons engaged in water sports comprising a support, a flotation jacket, said support adapted to be attached to said flotation jacket, a guide tube rigidly mounted on said support and positioned in a vertical position when the person in the water is wearing the floatation jacket, said guide tube having an open upper end, a buoyant tube with an enlarged signal head freely mounted inside the guide tube, an end cap mounted on the lower end of said guide tube, an opening formed in said end cap below the surface of the water enabling the guide tube to fill with water when the person falls into the water causing the buoyant tube to rise inside the guide tube until the enlarged signal head rises above the head of the person wearing the floatation jacket, significantly increasing the visibility of the person wearing the flotation jacket.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
60 words
The self elevating signalling device described in claim 2 wherein said opening in said end cap is small enough to restrict water from rushing into the guide tube too fast thereby preventing a premature extension of said buoyant tube from said guide tube, thereby preventing the buoyant tube from being broken by the shock of its impact with the water.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
110 words
The self elevating signalling device described in claim 3 wherein said guide tube has an open upper edge, a portion of said buoyant tube extending above said open upper edge, said open upper edge of said guide tube having a curved flange with a large radius of curvature to avoid sharp edges at the top of the guide tube so that if the person falls into the water, the portion of the buoyant tube extending above the upper edge of the guide tube and striking the curved flange will not break or hang up on the upper edge of the guide tube because of the absence of a sharp edge.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
72 words
The signalling device described in claim 4 wherein said guide tube is provided with a stop collar extending inward from its inner surface, a closure secured to the base of said buoyant tube, the outside diameter of said closure greater than the inside diameter of the stop collar, whereby the closure engages the stop collar when the buoyant tube rises thereby preventing the buoyant tube from being separated from the guide tube.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
163 words
A self elevating signalling device to provide a safety visual marker for water skiers comprising a support, a flotation jacket, said support attached to said flotation jacket, a guide tube, said guide tube having an upper end and a lower end rigidly mounted on said support and positioned in a vertical position when the water skier in the water is wearing the floatation jacket, a buoyant tube with an enlarged signal head freely mounted inside the guide tube, the upper end of said guide tube having a curved flange avoid a sharp edge thereby increasing the contact area between the guide tube and the portion of the buoyant tube striking the upper end of the guide tube so that the buoyant tube will not break or hang up on the upper end of the guide tube if the water skier falls, said curved flange serving to guide the buoyant tube back into the guide tube when the water skier is leaving the water.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
163 words
A self elevating signalling device to provide a safety visual marker for water skiers comprising a support, a flotation jacket, said support attached to said flotation jacket, a guide tube, said guide tube having an upper end and a lower end rigidly mounted on said support and positioned in a vertical position when the water skier in the water is wearing the floatation jacket, a buoyant tube with an enlarged signal head freely mounted inside the guide tube, the upper end of said guide tube having a curved flange avoid a sharp edge thereby increasing the contact area between the guide tube and the portion of the buoyant tube striking the upper end of the guide tube so that the buoyant tube will not break or hang up on the upper end of the guide tube if the water skier falls, said curved flange serving to guide the buoyant tube back into the guide tube when the water skier is leaving the water.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
82 words
The self elevating signalling device described in claim 6 wherein an end cap is mounted on the lower end of the guide tube, an opening formed in said end cap below the surface of the water enabling the guide tube to fill with water causing the buoyant tube to rise inside the guide tube until the enlarged signal head rises above the head of the water skier wearing the floatation jacket, significantly increasing the visibility of the water skier in the water.
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) | 1995-01-27 | 1995-07-29 | 1996-01-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-01-27 | 1999-07-29 | 2000-01-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-01-27 | 2003-07-29 | 2004-01-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |