Patent ID: 9682754
Date: 2017-06-20
CPC Classifications: B63B,B63C,G01S,G08B

Claim:
1. A visual distress signal device comprising: a housing having a closed bottom end, an open top end, and an internal cavity, a first electrical contact positioned within the internal cavity; a power source positioned within the internal cavity of the housing, the power source electrically coupled to the first electrical contact; an electronic assembly at least partially positioned within the internal cavity of the housing, the electronic assembly comprising a second electrical contact that is electrically coupled to the power source, a third electrical contact that is electrically isolated from the second electrical contact, and a light source; a lens member detachably coupled to the housing to close the open top end of the housing in a watertight manner to prevent liquids from passing into the internal cavity of the housing; and a float member detachably coupled to the housing, wherein the visual distress signal device floats when placed in water with the float member attached to the housing; and wherein the coupling between the lens member and the housing is alterable between: (1) a first sealed state in which the lens member is coupled to the housing in a watertight manner and the light source is not activated and does not emit light; and (2) a second sealed state in which the lens member is coupled to the housing in a watertight manner and the light source is activated and emits light, wherein altering the coupling between the lens member and the housing from the first sealed state to the second sealed state automatically activates the light source.