Visual distress signal device

Abstract

The present invention is directed to an electronic visual distress signal device. In one embodiment, the invention may comprise a waterproof housing comprising: a bulbous portion; a cylindrical portion; and a collar portion. An optical lens may be coupled to the collar portion, extend along a central lens axis, and comprise: an outer lens surface comprising a central outer flat surface located along the central lens axis and an outer convex surface radially outward of the central outer flat surface; and an inner lens surface comprising a central inner flat surface located along the central lens axis and an inner concave surface radially outward of the central inner flat surface. A light source may be positioned beneath the central inner flat surface so that light emitted from the light source passes through the optical lens. A power source may be located within the cylindrical portion.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A floatable visual distress signal device comprising:
 a waterproof housing comprising:
 a bulbous top portion; 
 a cylindrical portion extending downward from the bulbous top portion; and 
 a collar portion extending upward from the bulbous top portion, the collar portion comprising an annular upstanding sidewall that terminates in an annular outer rim and defines a passageway into a compartment of the waterproof housing; 
   a lens extending along a central lens axis and comprising:
 an outer lens surface; 
 an inner lens surface comprising a downwardly extending protuberance; and 
 an annular sidewall that extends parallel to and circumscribes the central lens axis; 
   the lens coupled to the collar portion of the waterproof housing to seal the passageway in a watertight manner, and so that the annular upstanding sidewall of the collar portion is concentric with the annular sidewall of the lens;   a first circuit board comprising a light source positioned so that light generated from the light source is emitted through the lens;   a circuit board mounting plate upon which a first circuit board is positioned;   a power source located within the cylindrical portion of the waterproof housing;   one or more perch legs extending upward from the power source, through a portion of the compartment formed by the bulbous top portion, and into the passageway defined by the annular upstanding sidewall of collar portion, the circuit board mounting plate located at a distal end of the one or more perch legs; and   electrical circuitry operably configured to generate a visual SOS distress pattern with the light source.   
     
     
         2 . A floatable visual distress signal device comprising
 a floatable body extending along a longitudinal axis and comprising an internal cavity;   a lens member coupled to the floatable body;   an electrical circuit disposed within the internal cavity, the electrical circuit comprising, in operable cooperation:
 a light source; 
 a power source; 
 a first electrical contact in electrical cooperation with a first terminal of the power source; and 
 a second electrical contact in contact with a second terminal of the power source; 
   an elongated pedestal positioned within the internal cavity, the elongated pedestal extending from a first end to a second end, the elongated pedestal formed of an electrically conductive material, the second end of the elongated pedestal forming the second electrical contact; and   the light source disposed at the first end of the elongated pedestal so that light generated from the light source is emitted through the lens member.   
     
     
         3 . The floatable visual distress signal device according to  claim 2  wherein the elongated pedestal comprises a rod portion comprising the first end and a head portion comprising the second end. 
     
     
         4 . The floatable visual distress signal device according to  claim 3  wherein a distal end portion of the rod portion is threadily engaged to a platform, and wherein the light source is part of a circuit assembly that is positioned atop the platform. 
     
     
         5 . The floatable visual distress signal device according to  claim 2  wherein the floatable body comprises a housing formed of a rigid material and a float member formed of a foam material. 
     
     
         6 . The floatable visual distress signal device according to  claim 2  further comprising:
 the floatable body comprising a bulbous portion, a cylindrical handle portion extending downwardly from the bulbous portion, and a top collar portion extending upward from the bulbous body; 
 the lens member coupled to the top collar portion to seal an open top end of the internal cavity; 
 the light source consists of a single light emitting diode; and 
 the lens member is configured so that light generated by the single light emitting diode produces: (1) a 360 degree horizontal light ray pattern; and (2) a conical vertical light ray pattern. 
 
     
     
         7 . The floatable visual distress signal device according to  claim 2  wherein the electrical circuit further comprises a controller or processor configured to generate a visual SOS distress pattern with the light source. 
     
     
         8 . The floatable visual distress signal device according to  claim 2  further comprising:
 the electrical circuit further comprising:
 a first circuit assembly having a central opening, the first circuit assembly located at a first axial position; and 
 a second circuit assembly comprising the light source, the second circuit assembly located a second axial position above the first axial position; and 
 
 the elongated pedestal having a first potion comprising the first end and a second portion comprising the second end, the first portion extending through the central opening of the first circuit assembly. 
 
     
     
         9 . The floatable visual distress signal device according to  claim 8  wherein the elongated pedestal is a metal screw, wherein the first portion is a rod portion comprising outer threads and the second portion is a head portion of the metal screw; and wherein the first and second ends of the metal screw located on opposite sides of the first circuit assembly. 
     
     
         10 . A floatable visual distress signal device comprising:
 a waterproof housing comprising:
 a bulbous portion; 
 a cylindrical portion extending downward from the bulbous portion; and 
 a collar portion extending upward from the bulbous portion; 
   a lens coupled to the collar portion of the waterproof housing, the lens extending along a central lens axis and comprising:
 an outer lens surface comprising a central outer flat surface located along the central lens axis and an outer convex surface radially outward of the central outer flat surface; and 
 an inner lens surface comprising a central inner flat surface located along the central lens axis and an inner concave surface radially outward of the central inner flat surface; and 
   a light source positioned beneath the central inner flat surface so that light emitted from the light source passes through the lens.   
     
     
         11 . The floatable visual distress signal device according to  claim 10  further comprising:
 a controller operably coupled to the light source and a power source located within the cylindrical portion, the controller configured to generate a visual SOS distress pattern with the light source; and 
 the light source consists of a single light emitting diode positioned so that light emitted from the single light emitting diode passes through the inner concave surface and the outer convex surface and through the central inner flat surface and the central outer flat surface. 
 
     
     
         12 . The floatable visual distress signal device according to  claim 10  wherein the lens is configured so that light emitted by the light emitting diode generates: (1) a first light ray pattern through the inner concave surface and the outer convex surface; and (2) a second light ray pattern through the central inner flat surface and the central outer flat surface. 
     
     
         13 . The floatable visual distress signal device according to  claim 12  wherein the first light ray pattern has a light intensity greater than 75 candelas and the second light ray pattern has a light intensity greater than 15 candelas. 
     
     
         14 . The floatable visual distress signal device according to  claim 10  wherein the lens further comprises an annular sidewall that extends parallel to and circumscribes the central lens axis, the annular sidewall coupling the lens to the collar portion of the waterproof housing. 
     
     
         15 . The floatable visual distress signal device according to  claim 14  wherein the collar portion of the waterproof housing comprises an annular upstanding sidewall that is concentric with the annular sidewall of the lens. 
     
     
         16 . The floatable visual distress signal device according to  claim 15  wherein the annular upstanding sidewall of the waterproof housing terminates in an annular outer rim and defines a passageway into a compartment of the waterproof housing in which the light source and a power source are located, and wherein the lens is coupled to the collar portion of the waterproof housing to seal the passageway in a watertight manner. 
     
     
         17 . The floatable visual distress signal device according to  claim 10  wherein the inner lens surface further comprises a downwardly extending protuberance radially outward of the central inner flat surface and radially inward of the inner concave surface. 
     
     
         18 . The floatable visual distress signal device according to  claim 17  wherein each of the downwardly extending protuberance, the light emitting diode, the central inner flat surface, and the central outer flat surface are concentric with and surround the central lens axis. 
     
     
         19 . The floatable visual distress signal device according to  claim 10  further comprising:
 the collar portion of the waterproof housing comprising an annular upstanding sidewall that defines a passageway into a compartment of the waterproof housing; 
 the lens is coupled to the collar portion of the waterproof housing to seal the passageway in a watertight manner; 
 one or more perch legs extending upward from a power source located in the cylindrical portion, through a portion of the compartment formed by the bulbous top portion, and into the passageway defined by the annular upstanding sidewall of collar portion; and 
 the one or more perch legs supporting a circuit board mounting plate upon which a first circuit board is positioned, the light source mounted to the first circuit board. 
 
     
     
         20 . The floatable visual distress signal device according to  claim 10  further comprising:
 a controller operably coupled to the light source and a power source located in the cylindrical portion, the controller configured to generate a visual SOS distress pattern with the light source; 
 the light source consists of a single light emitting diode positioned so that light emitted from the single light emitting diode passes through the inner concave surface and the outer convex surface and through the central inner flat surface and the central outer flat surface; 
 wherein the lens further comprises an annular sidewall that extends parallel to and circumscribes the central lens axis, the annular sidewall coupling the lens to the collar portion of the waterproof housing; 
 wherein the collar portion of the waterproof housing comprises an annular upstanding sidewall that is concentric with the annular sidewall of the lens; 
 wherein the annular upstanding sidewall of the waterproof housing terminates in an annular outer rim and defines a passageway into a compartment of the waterproof housing in which the light source and the power source are located, and wherein the lens is coupled to the collar portion of the waterproof housing to seal the passageway in a watertight manner; 
 wherein the inner lens surface further comprises a downwardly extending protuberance radially outward of the central inner flat surface and radially inward of the inner concave surface; 
 wherein each of the downwardly extending protuberance, the light emitting diode, the central inner flat surface, and the central outer flat surface are concentric with and surround the central lens axis; 
 one or more perch legs extending upward from the power source, through a portion of the compartment formed by the bulbous top portion, and into the passageway defined by the annular upstanding sidewall of collar portion; and 
 the one or more perch legs supporting a circuit board mounting plate upon which a first circuit board is positioned, the single light emitting diode mounted to the first circuit board.