Visual distress signal device

Abstract

The present invention is directed to an electronic visual distress signal device or emergency beacon. Specifically, the visual distress signal device has a housing containing a power source and an electronic assembly that is operably coupled to the power source The electronic assembly includes a light source so that when the power source and the electronic assembly form a closed circuit, the light source is activated. The light source may be configured to emit an SOS signal. Furthermore, the device may include a lens member that is configured to refract light emitted by the light source in at least two separate patterns including a 360 degree horizontal pattern and a vertical pattern. The visual distress device may include a float member formed of compressible foam to permit the device to float when placed in water.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A visual distress signal device comprising.
 a housing having an inner surface that defines an internal cavity that extends from a bottom end to a top end along a longitudinal axis;   a power source positioned within the internal cavity of the housing, the power source extending from a first end to a second end, one of the first and second ends comprising a positive terminal and the other of the first and second ends comprising a negative terminal;   a first electrical contact coupled to the inner surface of the housing and extending from a first end that is electrically coupled to the first end of the power source to a second end that is located near the top end of the cavity;   an electronic assembly comprising a second electrical contact, a third electrical contact, and a light source, the second electrical contact being electrically coupled to the second end of the power source and the third electrical contact being electrically coupled to the second end of the first electrical contact; and   a lens member coupled to the housing so that light generated from the light source-is emitted through the lens member.   
     
     
         2 . The visual distress signal device according to  claim 1  wherein the first electrical contact is a metal strip that is elongated in a direction of the longitudinal axis of the cavity, the second electrical contact is formed by a head of a metal screw, and the third electrical contact is an annular metal strip that surrounds the head of the metal screw. 
     
     
         3 . The visual distress signal device according to  claim 2  wherein the electronic assembly-comprises a body having a top edge surrounding an open top end and a bottom edge surrounding an open bottom end, a first circuit assembly coupled to the bottom edge of the body and forming a floor of the electronic assembly, and a second circuit assembly that is suspended above the Boor of the electronic assembly by the metal screw, the second circuit assembly comprising the light source. 
     
     
         4 . The visual distress signal device according to  claim 3  wherein the top edge of the body is spaced a first distance from the floor of the electronic assembly and the light source is spaced a second distance from the floor of the electronic assembly, the second distance being greater than the first distance such that the light source is suspended above the floor of the electronic assembly and protrudes beyond the top edge of the body. 
     
     
         5 . The visual distress signal device according to  claim 3  wherein the second circuit assembly is positioned atop a distal end of the metal screw to suspend the second circuit assembly within a cavity of the electronic assembly defined by the second circuit assembly and an inner surface of the body, wherein the first circuit assembly comprises a first surface that forms the floor of the electronic assembly and a second surface that forms a bottom surface of the electronic assembly, and wherein the metal screw comprises a first portion protruding from the first surface of the first circuit assembly that supports the second circuit assembly and a second portion protruding from the second surface of the first circuit assembly, the second portion comprising the head of the metal screw and forming the second electrical contact of the electronic assembly. 
     
     
         6 . The visual distress signal device according to  claim 1  further comprising a float member coupled to the housing, wherein the visual distress signal device floats when placed in water with the float member attached to the housing. 
     
     
         7 . The visual distress signal device according to  claim 1  wherein the electronic assembly comprises a first circuit assembly having a first surface an opposite second sin face and an opening therethrough, and further comprising a metal screw extending through the opening in the first circuit assembly so that a head of the screw is adjacent the second surface of the first circuit assembly and a distal end of the screw is suspended above the first surface of the first circuit assembly. 
     
     
         8 . The visual distress signal device according to  claim 7  wherein the second electrical contact of the electronic assembly is formed by the head of the screw and wherein the light source is coupled to the distal end of the screw. 
     
     
         9 . The visual distress signal device according to  claim 1  wherein the lens member comprises an outer surface comprising a conical reflective cavity, and wherein the lens member is configured to refract light emitted by the light source in at least two separate patterns including a 360 degree horizontal pattern in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the cavity and a vertical pattern in a direction of the longitudinal axis of the cavity, and wherein the light source consists of a single light emitting diode. 
     
     
         10 . An emergency beacon comprising:
 (a) a floating waterproof beacon housing;   (b) a power source;   (e) a light source powered by said power source;   (d) a lens assembly for directing light generated by said light source;   (e) an electronic communications module for connecting, to communications systems; and   (f) a microcontroller for controlling said power source, said light source, and said electronic communications module.   
     
     
         11 . The emergency beacon according to  claim 10 , wherein said lens assembly includes a central opening and a bell-shaped inner chamber. 
     
     
         12 . The emergency beacon according to  claim 10 , wherein said light source includes one or more light emitting diodes (LED's) that generate one or more of white light, colored light, infrared (IR) light and ultraviolet (UV) light. 
     
     
         13 . The emergency beacon according to  claim 10 , wherein said light source includes one or more flash tubes that generate one or snore of white light, colored light, infrared (IR) light and ultraviolet (UV) light. 
     
     
         14 . The emergency beacon according to  claim 10 , wherein said power source includes a battery, a capacitor array and a fuel cell. 
     
     
         15 . The emergency beacon according to  claim 10 , wherein said power source is recharged mechanically using wave motion energy to actuate a swing arm connected to a power generator, thereby generating power. 
     
     
         16 . The emergency beacon according to  claim 10 , wherein said power source is recharged passively using solar energy. 
     
     
         17 . The emergency beacon according to  claim 10 , wherein said electronic communications module for connecting to communications systems includes wireless electronic communications capabilities using transmissions from cell phone systems, Bluetooth, and WiFi, and can connect to the Internet, an Ethernet system, and a cell phone or smartphone communications system. 
     
     
         18 . The emergency beacon according to  claim 10 , wherein said electronic communications module for connecting to communications systems includes a mobile application and website in communication with the emergency beacon for the purpose of communicating with said microcontroller and thereby controlling the beacon function. 
     
     
         19 . The emergency beacon according to  claim 10 , wherein said floating waterproof beacon housing includes a housing having a reduced size for personal use, and includes a water activation switch, an impact activation switch and a manual on/off switch, 
     
     
         20 . A method from making an emergency beacon comprising the steps of;
 (a) providing a floating waterproof beacon housing;   (b) providing a power source within said beacon housing;   (c) placing a light source powered by said power source within said beacon housing;   (d) mounting a lens assembly for directing light generated by said light source on said beacon housing;   (e) providing an electronic communications module for connecting to communications systems; and   (f) providing a microcontroller for controlling said power source, said light source, and said electronic communications module.