Patent Publication Number: US-2009231775-A1

Title: Submersible protection device

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to a protection device and, more particularly, to a submersible protection device that can be safely used underwater on targets coming into close proximity to a user. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Protection against aquatic animals can be a problem associated with marine sports, such as diving, fishing, and the like. For example, divers may encounter dangerous aquatic animals, such as sharks, for instance, while performing a salt water dive. To provide desired protection from such aquatic animals, devices have been developed to repel animals from close proximity to the devices. 
     Certain prior art devices are directed to providing an electric field, which may be used to incapacitate or repel an aquatic animal or, in some cases, actually kill the aquatic animal when it enters an area within a certain range from the device. A common problem associated with these types of devices is safety of the user of the device, as a number of the devices may inadvertently inflict harm upon or even kill the user. 
     One specific prior art device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,667,431 issued to Mendicino. The &#39;431 patent discloses a device comprising an elongate prod having an end including a pair of electrically conductive prongs. Due to the elongate nature of the prod, a target must be located at a sufficient distance from the user (i.e. the length of the prod) so the prongs can be caused to contact the target. Accordingly, use of the prod on a target within very close proximity to the user (i.e. within the length of the prod) is not facilitated. Further, the prongs deliver a current of between 1 and 5 amperes to the target, and therefore must be located at a sufficient distance from the user to avoid the user being seriously injured or killed from the 1 to 5 ampere current. 
     There exists a need to develop a device capable of providing protection from aquatic animals that is capable of being used on targets coming into very close proximity to a user without the user being injured by the device. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Harmonious with the present invention, a submersible protection device capable of being used on targets coming into close proximity to the user without a substantially risk of injury to the user when the device is used properly has been discovered. 
     In one configuration, the device includes a variable output resistor and an output voltage switch which can be manipulated to provide varying output voltages. In another embodiment, a voltage supply may be changed to provide varying output voltages. 
     It is understood that other embodiments of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, wherein only various embodiments of the invention are described and shown by way of illustration. As will be realized, the invention is capable of other and different embodiments and its several details are capable of modification in various other respects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive. 
     Embodiments of the present invention advantageously provide a submersible protection device comprising a housing, at least two electrically conductive probes, an electric circuit, and a voltage supply. The housing defines a substantially fluid tight chamber therein, and the at least two electrically conductive probes extend from the housing. The electric circuit is disposed in the substantially fluid tight chamber of the housing and is in electrical communication with the electrically conductive probes. The electric circuit is adapted to provide an output voltage to the electrically conductive probes in the range of about 80,000 volts to about 160,000 volts, and the electric circuit adapted to provide an output current to the electrically conductive probes of less than about 500 milliamps. The voltage supply delivers an input voltage to the electric circuit. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       Various aspects of a submersible protection device are illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a front view of a submersible protection device in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic of an electric circuit for the device of  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; and 
         FIG. 4  is a front view of a submersible protection device in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION 
     The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of various embodiments of the invention and is not intended to represent the only embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well known structures and components are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring the concepts of the invention. 
     In the description that follows, a submersible protection device is described that is useful for electrically shocking an aquatic animal or other target (hereafter “target”) that is located in close proximity to a user of the device. In general, the term “target” is meant to encompass a wide variety of aquatic animals, as well as other objects that the user may desire to electrically shock, such as another human being posing a physical threat to the user, for example. It shall be understood that the target to be shocked need not physically touch the device in order to be shocked, as the electrical discharge emitted by the device can travel a distance outwardly from the device. 
     The description also provides a specific example that includes exemplary dimensions. This example is provided as a way to show the relative dimensions of the structure of the present submersible protection device and is not intended to limit the invention only to the specific dimensions described. 
     Referring to the drawings,  FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate a submersible protection device  10  in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The device  10  comprises a housing  12 , an electrical discharge portion  14 , and an electric circuit  16 . As will be described in greater detail below, the device  10  can be used by a user (not shown), such as a diver, for example, for protection against one or more targets (not shown). 
     The housing  12  is formed from a water resistant and non-conductive material, such as a polymeric material, for example, although any suitable type of water resistant and non-conductive material could be used to form the housing  12  as desired. In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the housing  12  has a length L of about 8 to 10 inches, although the housing  12  may have any suitable length, but is preferably between about 4 inches and about 12 inches to provide safety benefits and the ability to be used on targets coming into close proximity to the user. A width W of the housing  12 , shown in  FIG. 1 , may be any suitable width such that the device  10  can contain the circuitry shown in  FIG. 3  and can be operated by the user with only one hand, but is preferably between about 2 inches and about 4 inches. A depth D of the housing  12 , shown in  FIG. 2 , may be any suitable depth such that the device  10  can contain the circuitry shown in  FIG. 3  and can be operated by the user with only one hand, but is preferably between about 0.5 inches and about 2.5 inches. In a preferred embodiment, the housing  12  is configured to allow operation of the device  10  by the user with only one hand. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the device  10  has a generally parallelepiped shape, but may have any suitable shape as desired, such as wherein the device  10  is contoured to fit more comfortably in the hand of the user. Further, the device  10  may include curved indentations along the length L of the housing  12 , such that the device  10  can be grasped more securely by the fingers of the user, even if gloved. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the housing  12  comprises a first portion  18  sealed to a second portion  20  such that a substantially fluid tight chamber  22  is defined at an interface therebetween. It is understood that the housing  12  could be formed from a single piece of material having a chamber formed therein within the spirit and scope of the invention. Any suitable method may be used to seal the first portion  18  to the second portion  20 , provided that the chamber  22  is substantially fluid tight. In a preferred embodiment, the housing  12  is configured such that the chamber  22  is substantially fluid tight and therefore waterproof down to a depth of about 300 feet below the surface of a lake or an ocean, for example, that the device  10  is being utilized in. 
     The electrical discharge portion  14  of the device  10  comprises a plurality of electrically conductive probes or electrodes  24 A,  24 B (two shown in  FIG. 1 ). The probes or electrodes  24 A,  24 B may be any suitable type of electrically conductive probe that is capable of emitting an electrical discharge. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the probes  24 A,  24 B extend about ¾ of an inch outward from opposing respective tabs  26 A,  26 B of the housing  12 . As shown, they may be angled towards one another, while angles less than 45 degrees still allow operation of the device  10 , the more the electrodes or probes  24 A,  24 B extend perpendicular to the major axis of the housing  12 , the more the electric charge will be directed forwards of the device  10 . Accordingly, it is understood that the probes  24 A,  24 B could extend axially outwardly from the housing  12  if desired and such an embodiment is described in relation to  FIG. 4 . 
       FIG. 3  is a schematic illustration of an exemplary electric circuit  16  which may be included in the chamber  22  of the housing  12  to provide an output voltage  21  and an output current to the probes  24 A,  24 B. The circuit  16  is in electrical communication with a voltage supply  30 , which may be located in the chamber  22  of the housing  12 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , or may be located remotely from the housing  12  and connected to the circuit  16  through insulated and waterproof electrical leads (not shown), for example. The voltage supply  30  delivers an input voltage to the circuit  16  to be used in emitting the electrical discharge from the probes  24 A,  24 B. In the circuitry of  FIG. 3 , the input voltage is between about 18 volts and about 27 volts, but other suitable voltages may be used, based on the specific circuit components, to achieve the operating voltages and currents described below. 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , the circuit  16  includes a variable, selectable resistor (for example, either  17 ,  19  or the combination of both) whose value controls the output voltage at the probes  24 A,  24 B. In general it is understood that by changing the input voltage delivered from the power supply, the output voltage to the probes  24 A,  24 B can be varied. In the embodiment of  FIG. 3 , the output voltages at the probes  24 A,  24 B are selectable between about 80,000 volts, about 120,000 volts, and about 160,000 volts by selecting an appropriate value for the variable resistor  17  (or  19 ). Output current provided from the circuit  16  to the probes  24 A,  24 B can be as low as about 100 milliamps; however, it is understood that the voltages and currents provided from the circuit  16  to the probes  24 A,  24 B can vary, but are preferably the voltages are between about 80,000 volts to about 160,000 volts, and the currents are below about 500 milliamps. The behavior of the remaining circuitry included in the circuit  16  will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art and are not described in detail herein. 
     In use, the desired output voltage to be provided from the circuit  16  to the probes  24 A,  24 B is selected by the user adjusting a switch  34  that is disposed on the housing  12  and is in communication with the circuit  16 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the switch  34  includes respective positions for an 80,000 volt output, a 120,000 volt output, and a 160,000 output to correspond with the plurality of output voltages provided from the circuit  16  to the probes  24 A,  24 B that are facilitated by the variable, selectable resistor  17  (or  19 ). It is understood that other means for selecting the desired output voltage could be used, such as, for example, a dial or a slide mechanism that would allow the output voltages to be any value between minimum and maximum settings instead of only being selectable from between fixed output voltage values. It is also understood that changing the value of the voltage supply  130  will affect the output voltage  21  as well. For example, by selecting the appropriate battery or combination of batteries, the voltage supply can vary from about 18V to about 27 V and provide enough current, at output voltages between 80 kV and 160 kV, to effectively but safely protect a user of the device  10 . 
     The device  10  is powered on and off by the user depressing a power button  34 , which is located on the housing  12  and is in communication with the circuit  16 . As will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, other means for powering the device  10  on and off could be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Once the device  10  is powered on, the user depresses a trigger  36  that is also disposed on the housing  12  and is in communication with the circuit  16 . When the trigger  36  is depressed, the output voltage and the output current are provided from the circuit  16  to the probes  24 A,  24 B, which emit an electrical discharge outwardly therefrom. It is understood that the location of the trigger  36  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  is exemplary and not vital to the spirit and scope of the invention, although it is suggested that the trigger  36  be offset from the discharge portion  14  a sufficient distance such that the user of the device is not injured by the electrical discharge emitted from the probes  24 A,  24 B. In some embodiments it has been discovered that as long as the user&#39;s hand is behind the discharge region  14 , there is little danger of injury. 
     The electrical discharge emitted from the probes  24 A,  24 B electrically shocks the target. It has been discovered that the device  10 , at the exemplary operating parameters discussed above, is capable of emitting an electric shock in salt-water to a target located within about 4 inches of the device  10 , and that and the device  10  is capable of emitting an electric shock in fresh-water to a target located within about 5 inches of the device  10 . While the device  10  electrically shocks the target, the target is ideally incapacitated or deterred from the location of the device  10  and the user. Accordingly, the device  10  provides protection for the user from the target. Provided that the user properly uses the device  10  (i.e. the user does not come into close proximity to the discharge portion  14  of the device  10 ), the user ideally remains substantially unharmed by the device  10 . It is noted the electrical discharge has been discovered to travel generally axially outwardly from the probes  24 A,  24 B of the device  10 , and not in a direction back toward the user. 
     Since the length L of the device  10  is shorter than typical prior art underwater electrical discharge protection devices, the device  10  may be used when targets are in very close proximity to the user where such prior art devices would not be effectively usable for their associated electrical discharge function. Further, since the output current emitted from the probes  24 A,  24 B is sufficiently lower than that emitted by prior art devices, risk of injury to the user is believed to be substantially reduced. Additionally, since the device  10  can be used with only one hand, the other hand of the user is free to perform other functions. Thus, unlike prior art devices, the present device  10  is configured to be used one-handed and even if two hands are used, the present device  10  is usable even when the target is in close proximity to the user. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a submersible protection device  110  in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. The device  110  comprises a housing  112 , an electrical discharge portion  114 , and an electric circuit  116 . The housing  112  and electric circuit  116  are substantially similar to the housing  12  and electric circuit  16  described above for  FIGS. 1-3  and will not be described in detail for this embodiment. 
     The electrical discharge portion  114  comprises a plurality of electrically conductive probes or electrodes  124 A,  124 B (two are shown in  FIG. 4 ). The probes or electrodes  124 A,  124 B may be any suitable type of electrically conductive probe that is capable of emitting an electrical discharge. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 , the probes  124 A,  124 B extend about ¾ of an inch axially outwardly from the housing  112 . However, longer probes are also contemplated within the scope of the present invention. 
     Optionally, as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the probes  124 A,  124 B may include electrically insulating sheaths  128 A,  128 B associated therewith, such that only the ends of the probes  124 A,  124 B are exposed. The electrically insulating sheaths  128 A,  128 B may be formed from any suitable type of insulating material that will also withstand both being submersed in water and the repeated electrical shocks. The sheaths  128 A,  128 B may also be slightly deformable such that if the device  110  is pressed into a target, the electrodes  124 A,  124 B will be permitted to contact the surface of the target. Electrically insulating sheaths  128 A,  128 B are not a necessary part of the present invention and thus need not be present for proper function of the device  110 . 
     Use of the device  110  is substantially similar to use of the device  10  described above. However, the device  110  in  FIG. 4  includes an associated structure  140 , such as a lanyard, for example, for retaining the device  110  in the possession of the user. The structure  140  could be attached to the user, such as looped around the hand/wrist of the user or attached to a gear worn by the user, for example. The structure  140  may be useful in situations where the device  110 , if accidentally dropped by the user, may otherwise result in the loss of the device  110 , such as in deep water. 
     The previous description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the various embodiments described herein. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments. Thus, the claims are not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but are to be accorded the full scope consistent with each claim&#39;s language, wherein reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless specifically so stated, but rather “one or more.” All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the various embodiments described throughout this disclosure that are known or later come to be known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the claims. Moreover, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether such disclosure is explicitly recited in the claims. No claim element is to be construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, sixth paragraph, unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for” or, in the case of a method claim, the element is recited using the phrase “step for.”