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(11) | EP 2 055 626 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | Method and device for signaling underwater activity |
| (57) The invention concerns a method and a device for signalling aquatic activities, in
particular underwater diving, using the transmission of a radio signal from a transmitter
(14) located on a floating means (11) in the area where the aquatic activities are
taking place, reception of the radio signal on the part of the receiver (18) synchronised
with the transmitter, installed on board every surface craft (13) and able to calculate
the distance from the floating menas holding the transmitter, and the emission of
acoustic and/or luminous signals on board every craft in response to the signal received
by the receiver and showing the distance between the transmitter and the receiver.
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Field of Invention
[0001] This invention concerns in general equipment for underwater activities, and refers in particular to a method and a device to signal the presence and guarantee the safety of a person underwater.
State of the Technique
[0002] Normally a diver who is underwater must signal his presence by using appropriate visible devices. The conventional signal is a flag visible also at a distance, flying from a support craft or, more often, on a buoy called a "sub marker", and which makes the position of the diver very visible to persons not in the water and to craft in the vicinity who, on seeing such signals, must keep a certain safe distance from them.
[0003] However, despite these signals, and above all where the sea traffic is heavy, or visibility is bad, or because of the pilots' inattention or carelessness, accidents involving craft and persons in the water are common.
Object and Summary of the Invention
[0004] This invention stems from the necessity to protect the safety of divers and enable them to go underwater in seas or lakes in all tranquillity, even if visibility is poor and where the growing number of engine powered craft may be becoming even more detrimental for the safety of those going in for this kind of activity.
[0005] The object is reached with a method of signalling the activity of divers to passing craft which foresees the transmission of a radio signal from a transmitter fixed on a means floating in the area where the diver is present, the reception of the radio signal by a receiver tuned in to the transmitter installed on board of each craft and able to establish the distance from the floating means holding the transmitter, and the emission of acoustic and/or source of light of each craft in reply to the signal received from the receiver and showing the distance between the transmitter and receiver.
[0006] Furthermore, the system, besides enabling diving and swimming activities to be carried out in safety, is also a valid help in reducing accidental collision caused by poor visibility or heavy traffic in particular along the sea coats, on lakes and rivers.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0007] Greater details of the invention will however become evident from the following description made in reference to the attached indicative and not limiting drawings, in which,
Fig. 1 shows a diagram of a craft and a floating device designed to carry out the method of the invention;
Fig. 2 shows a view in perspective of the feature in Fig.1;
Fig. 3 shows a schematic example of the transmitter; and
Fig. 4 shows a schematic example of the receiver.
Detailed Description of the Invention
[0008] In said drawings there are shown a floating means 11, such as a buoy to signal diving in progress, with at least on conventional flag 12, and a craft 13 on the surface near the float.
[0009] According to the invention, a transmitter 14, is installed on the float or pole of the flag, with, for example, a radio frequency, designed to send out a radio signal which can be either continuous or intermittent. The transmitter will be small, waterproof, powered by a battery and including -Fig. 3 - an antenna 15, an on/off switch 16 and visible indicating means, made up, for example, of different coloured pilot lights 17 to inform the user of the level of the charge of the battery, high, medium or low. The battery can be the rechargeable type by connecting up to the mains or to the cigar lighter of a motor vehicle.
[0010] On the craft, besides the usual warning and safety devices, there is installed a receiver 18 for radio signals, tuned in to the transmitter 14 and comprising - Fig.4- an antenna 19 and a control panel 20 including a luminous 21 and/or acoustic 22 signalling devices able to calculate the distance from the transmitter it is in communication with.
[0011] In this way, when the craft approaches the floating means, the relative receiver receives the signal sent by the transmitter thus locating the presence of underwater activity in progress.
[0012] At the same time it calculates the distance between the two devices, transmitter and receiver, communicating and in reply activating the luminous and/or acoustic devices depending on the distance between the craft and the floating device holding the transmitter. In particular various conditions can be signalled using different coloured pilot lights, for example, Figs. 1 and 2:
- A distance over 250 metres is to be considered as safe;
- A distance of between 150 and 250 metres is a potential risk condition so the craft must proceed at a low speed;
- a distance of less than 100 to 50 metres is a high risk situation due to the immediate vicinity of a person in the water and so it is necessary to switch off the engine.
[0013] The luminous signalling device may therefore comprise for example some green, yellow and red pilot lights, respectively indicative of the safety distance, the potential risk distance and the high risk distance. Furthermore, in the case of potential risk, the corresponding yellow warning light can be coupled with an intermittent acoustic warning; whereas in the high risk condition the respective red luminous signal can be associated with a continuous modulated acoustic signal and possibly the emission of a command to automatically switch off the engine of the craft.
[0014] In the drawings only one "sub-marker" and one craft is shown, but the system can be applied to, and be above all useful, where several people are involved in underwater diving and several craft are moving in the area, as long as each "sub-marker" and each craft is equipped, respectively with a transmitter and receiver tuned to a pre-established frequency.
[0015] The transmitter, could also be used not only for underwater activities, but also for persons who are in the water for other aquatic activities such as for example, water skiing, windsurf, motor boating, or simply swimming, etc, to signal their presence to every craft moving in the zone and obviously provided with a receiver, the transmitter in this case being attached to an appropriate device, such as a life jacket, a costume or something similar.
1. A method of signalling aquatic activity, in particular underwater diving, to craft
navigating in the vicinity comprising the following stages; transmission of a radio
signal from a transmitter positioned on a floating menas in the area where the underwater
activity is taking place, reception of the radio signal by a receiver tuned into the
transmitter, installed on all engine powered surface craft and able to calculate the
distance of the craft from the floating device holding the transmitter, and emission
of acoustic and/or luminous signals on board every craft in response to the signal
received by the receiver and read-out of the distance between the transmitter and
receiver.
2. A method of signalling aquatic activity according to claim 1, in which the transmitter
and receiver are synchronized and enabled to transmit, respectively, to receive either
continuous or intermittent radio signals, and where the transmitter is installed on
a part of the buoy to signal underwater diving activity and the receiver on the engine
powered craft enables the emission of different coloured pilot lights representing
the different distances between the transmitter and the receiver, with possible combination
with intermittent or differently modulated acoustic warnings.
3. A method of signalling aquatic activity according to claims 1 and 2,
in which the receiver is designed to emit an automatic stop signal of the engine of the craft when the distance between the receiver and transmitter is below a certain minimum distance.
in which the receiver is designed to emit an automatic stop signal of the engine of the craft when the distance between the receiver and transmitter is below a certain minimum distance.
4. A device for signalling aquatic activities, in particular underwater diving, comprising
a radio system with radio signal transmitter located on a floating means in the zone
where the aquatic activities are taking place, a radio signal receiver, synchronized
to said transmitter installed on board every engine powered surface craft and able
to establish the distance of the craft from the floating means holding the transmitter,
and, in connection with said receiver on the craft, devices for sending the acoustic
and/or luminous signals and showing the distance between the transmitter and receiver.