Life ring deployment system

Abstract

A life ring deployment system comprising a life ring including a light, a geotracking unit and a radio frequency (RF) transmitter for transmitting a current location of the life ring, a deployment device configured for holding the life ring and automatically deploying the life ring when activated, the deployment device comprising a mechanically activated apparatus with an energy-storing release mechanism that stores potential energy and release it to deploy the life ring when activated, and an interface configured for activating the deployment device.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A life ring deployment system, comprising:
 a life ring including a light, a geotracking unit and a radio frequency (RF) transmitter for transmitting a current location of the life ring;   a deployment device configured for holding the life ring and automatically deploying the life ring when activated, the deployment device comprising a mechanically activated apparatus with an energy-storing release mechanism that stores potential energy and release it to deploy the life ring when activated; and   an interface configured for activating the deployment device.   
     
     
         2 . The life ring deployment system of  claim 1 , wherein the life ring further comprises a battery for powering the geotracking unit and RF transmitter. 
     
     
         3 . The life ring deployment system of  claim 2 , wherein the deployment device further comprises a pair of brackets to which the life ring is coupled, wherein said pair of brackets release the life ring when the deployment device is activated. 
     
     
         4 . The life ring deployment system of  claim 3 , wherein the energy-storing release mechanism causes said pair of brackets to release the life ring when the deployment device is activated. 
     
     
         5 . The life ring deployment system of  claim 4 , wherein the deployment device further comprises a pair of push elements that push the life ring forward when the deployment device is activated. 
     
     
         6 . The life ring deployment system of  claim 5 , wherein the energy-storing release mechanism causes said pair of push elements to push the life ring forward when the deployment device is activated. 
     
     
         7 . The life ring deployment system of  claim 6 , wherein when the energy-storing release mechanism comprises one or more springs that that store potential energy and release it to deploy the life ring when activated. 
     
     
         8 . The life ring deployment system of  claim 1 , wherein the deployment device is coupled to a vertical post. 
     
     
         9 . The life ring deployment system of  claim 1 , further comprising a computing system comprising a memory, a processor, a display and an RF receiver for receiving RF signals, wherein said computing system is communicatively coupled with the interface. 
     
     
         10 . The life ring deployment system of  claim 9 , wherein the computing system is configured to receive the current location of the life ring and display said location on an electronic chart or map. 
     
     
         11 . The life ring deployment system of  claim 10 , wherein the computing system further comprises a navigation system. 
     
     
         12 . The life ring deployment system of  claim 11 , further comprising a personal unit worn by a sailor, wherein said unit includes an RF transmitter that transmits a signal when it is immersed in water. 
     
     
         13 . The life ring deployment system of  claim 12 , wherein the computing system is configured to activate the deployment device when it receives the signal from the personal unit. 
     
     
         14 . The life ring deployment system of  claim 13 , wherein the personal unit further includes a geotracking unit configured to transmit a current location of the personal unit when said personal unit is immersed in water. 
     
     
         15 . The life ring deployment system of  claim 13 , wherein the computing system is further configured to receive the current location of the personal unit and display said location on an electronic chart or map. 
     
     
         16 . The life ring deployment system of  claim 14 , wherein the geotracking unit of the life ring and the personal unit comprises an RF receiver configured to receive global navigation satellite system (GNSS) signals and calculating a current geographical position of the geotracking unit based on said signals. 
     
     
         17 . A life ring deployment system, comprising:
 a life ring including a light, a geotracking unit and a radio frequency (RF) transmitter for transmitting a current location of the life ring;   a deployment device configured for holding the life ring and automatically deploying the life ring when activated, the deployment device comprising a mechanically activated apparatus with an energy-storing release mechanism that stores potential energy and release it to deploy the life ring when activated;   an interface configured for activating the deployment device; and   a computing system comprising a memory, a processor, a display and an RF receiver for receiving RF signals, wherein said computing system is communicatively coupled with the interface.   
     
     
         18 . The life ring deployment system of  claim 16 , wherein the computing system further comprises a navigation system. 
     
     
         19 . The life ring deployment system of  claim 18 , wherein the computing system is further configured to receive the current location of the life ring and display said location on an electronic chart or map.