Patent ID: 7238075
Filing Date: 2007-07-03
Classification: B63B,B63C

Abstract:
1. Apparatus for masking and/or distorting the shadow, shape or outline of a personal water activity apparatus which creates a search image for sharks that resembles a seal or sea lion, in order to protect a user of said personal water activity apparatus from attack by sharks and other water-borne predators that prey on seals or sea lions, comprising: a personal, non-inflatable water activity apparatus usable on the surface of water, said personal water activity apparatus having an upper surface and a lower surface, an array of active light sources carried by said lower surface of said personal water activity apparatus, wherein said light sources distort the shadow or outline of said personal water activity apparatus so that said shadow or outline does not resemble a seal or sea lion, a waterproof power supply carried by said personal water activity apparatus, control means for controlling the state, sequence, periodicity and intensity of the light emitted from said light sources, sensing means carried by said personal water activity apparatus for sensing the state of ambient light, and actuation means for causing said control means to initiate a programmed light display, whereby said control means is electronically connected to and responsive to said actuation means to activate and cause one or more of said light sources to emit light of an intensity, sequence, periodicity and location relative to said surfaces of said personal water activity apparatus to mask and/or distort the shadow, shape or outline of said personal water activity apparatus.