[0001] The present invention relates to a warning device and sighting light that may be
located on an underwater diving suit or on a balancing jacket (referred to also as
"jacket"), so that the diver may be easy to detect and recognize during submersion
by other divers.
[0002] The present invention thus envisages a warning device and warning light comprising
basically a battery which supplies an electric current to a filiform semiconductor
element (of the diameter of, for example, 1 or 2 mm) contained in a transparent plastic
coating. The said filiform element consists of an electroluminescent semiconductor
material, i.e., one that has the property of lighting up if it is traversed and thus
excited by an electric current. This filiform element is then coated with a transparent
plastic material so as to make the light signals emitted by this semiconductor visible.
[0003] The coated filiform element may be sewn or otherwise secured to a diving suit, or
alternatively to a jacket, and is connected to a battery for supplying the current,
for example a single storage cell. By putting on a switch provided in the warning
device and sighting light, the scuba diver may send light signals in the case where
he is in difficulty, or anyway wants to make himself visible to other divers who are
in submersion. This warning light is also useful in the case where a scuba diver instructor
wants to follow the squad of his pupils, recognizing them individually during diving
The coated filiform element fastened to the diving suit or jacket may in fact be given
any form, such as a symbol (e.g., a letter) or a number, thus enabling recognition
of the diver to whom the letter or number is associated.
[0004] The present invention will be better understood from the following description made
with reference to the drawings attached, in which:
Figure 1 shows the warning device and sighting light applied to a scuba diver balancing
jacket, also referred to herein as "jacket"; and
Figure 2 shows the warning device and sighting light applied to a diving suit.
[0005] With reference to Figure 1, according to a first embodiment exemplifying the present
invention, the light warning device is fastened or sewn to a scuba diver balancing
jacket, or simply jacket, 1. The said warning device and sighting light basically
comprises a battery 2 for supplying the electric current, a switch 3 of the circuit
of said warning light, and a filiform element 4 consisting of semiconductor material
(having a diameter of, for example, 1 or 2 mm) coated with transparent plastic material.
In the case where the diver is in difficulty or wishes to make himself visible to
other divers in the water, he just needs to put on the switch 3 for supplying the
circuit. In this way an electric current will be supplied to the coated filiform element
4, which, since it is made of semiconductor material, has the property of lighting
up if it is excited by an electric current. Since this filiform element 4 is moreover
coated with transparent plastic material, it will be possible for the other divers
to detect the light signal emitted by the filiform element 4. As may be noted from
the figure, in this embodiment of the present invention the filiform element takes
the form of, for instance, a symbol (letter) 5, which enables recognition of the scuba
diver to whom it is associated.
[0006] Figure 2 shows the warning device and sighting light according to another embodiment
which presents a further example of the present invention, fastened or sewn directly
to the diving suit 6 in the case, for example, of submersion without using breathing
apparatus, whereby the balancing jacket is not used. As may be noted from the figure,
the warning device and sighting light is made up of the same elements previously described
for Figure 1, with the exception of the filiform element 4 consisting of semiconductor
material coated with transparent plastic material, which takes the form, for example,
of a number 7.
[0007] Even though in Figure 1 the light device according to the invention is represented
as being applied to the front of a jacket 1, and in Figure 2 as being applied on the
back of a diving suit 6, it remains understood that the said light device may be
[0008] applied in any suitable position. In addition, it is understood that the battery
2 and the switch 3, which are shown in the drawing in an altogether schematic way
and purely for purposes of demonstration, may be housed in any suitable position.
1. Sighting light that may be applied on an underwater diving garment such as a diving
suit (6) or a scuba balancing jacket (1), characterized in that it comprises: a battery
(2) for supplying the electric current necessary for the circuit of said warning device
and sighting light; a switch (3) for closing/opening said circuit; a filiform element
(4) which, whenever traversed and thus excited by an electric current, emits light
signals, the said filiform element (4) being coated with a transparent plastic material
which enables the light signals emitted by said filiform element (4) to be visible
during submersion.
2. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the filiform element (4) may assume
any form, such as a symbol (5) or a number (7).
3. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the said filiform element (4) consists
of semiconductor material coated with a transparent plastic material which can be
fastened or sewn directly to the underwater diving garment (1) or (6).
