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US 2025/0236366 A1Published application
Visual distress signal device
AssigneeSirius Signal Co.
InventorsAnthony W. COVELLI, Richard Harold GUNDERSON
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A visual distress signal device that generates and emits bright light and/or infrared light to alert bystanders during times of distress. The device may be particularly suited for use on boats. The device may comprise a heat sink assembly that includes a collar that is attached to a housing of the device, such that the collar dissipates heat generated by electromagnetic radiation emitting elements away from an interior of the housing. The device may be configured for activation by a mobile phone or other mobile device which may be connected to the device via wireless communication. Furthermore, the mobile device may comprise a software application that can be used to alert persons in a contact list regarding the user's location and emergency status.
Claims20
A visual distress signal device comprising:
- a housing comprising a cavity that is configured to receive a power source;
- a plate member that supports a plurality of electromagnetic radiation emitting elements that are configured to generate electromagnetic radiation and heat when activated, the plate member having a bottom surface;
- a heat transfer member in contact with the bottom surface of the plate member;
- a collar coupled to the housing and positioned in contact with the heat transfer member, an outer surface of the collar being exposed to an ambient environment, wherein the heat generated by the electromagnetic radiation emitting elements is configured to be transferred from the plate member to the collar via the heat transfer member;
- and
- a lens member extending over top of the plate member so that the electromagnetic radiation generated by the electromagnetic radiation emitting elements is emitted through the lens member.
3 more elements
A visual distress signal device comprising:
- a housing comprising a cavity that is configured to receive a power source, the cavity having a handle portion and a neck portion, the neck portion having a top end that defines an opening into the cavity;
- an electronics unit comprising:
- a plate member comprising a top surface and a bottom surface, a plurality of electromagnetic radiation emitting elements coupled to the plate member and protruding from the top surface of the plate member;
- a heat transfer member that is in contact with the bottom surface of the plate member;
- and
- a circuit board comprising electronic components;
- wherein the plate member, the heat transfer member, and the circuit board are coupled together with fasteners such that the heat transfer member is located in between the plate member and the circuit board, the heat transfer member being in contact with the bottom surface of the plate member and being maintained spaced apart from the circuit board;
- the electronics unit positioned so that the heat transfer member rests atop the top end of the neck portion of the housing, the circuit board is located within the cavity of the housing, and the plate member is located outside of the cavity of the housing and is maintained above the top end of the neck portion;
- a collar positioned around the neck portion of the housing, the collar being in contact with the heat transfer member and having an outer surface that is exposed to an ambient environment;
- and
- wherein the electromagnetic radiation emitting elements are configured to generate heat when activated, and wherein the heat is configured to be transmitted from the plate member to the collar via the heat transfer member.
8 more elements
A visual distress signal device comprising:
- a housing comprising a cavity that is configured to receive a power source, the cavity having a handle portion and a neck portion, the neck portion having an outer surface and a top end that defines an opening into the cavity;
- an electronics unit comprising:
- a plate member comprising a top surface and a bottom surface, a plurality of electromagnetic radiation emitting elements coupled to the top surface of the plate member, the plurality of electromagnetic radiation emitting elements comprising a plurality of first light emitters configured to emit a first color light and a plurality of second light emitters configured to emit a second color light;
- a heat transfer member comprising:
- a disc member having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a peripheral edge;
- and
- a protrusion extending from the top surface of the disc member to a distal end that is in contact with the bottom surface of the plate member;
- and
- a circuit board comprising a microprocessor that controls an illumination pattern of the plurality of electromagnetic radiation emitting elements when activated, the illumination pattern comprising an SOS pattern;
- wherein the plate member, the heat transfer member, and the circuit board are coupled together with fasteners with the heat transfer member located in between the plate member and the circuit board;
- the electronics unit positioned so that the heat transfer member rests atop the top end of the neck portion of the housing, the circuit board is located within the cavity of the housing, and the plate member is located outside of the cavity of the housing and is elevated above the top end of the neck portion;
- a collar positioned around the outer surface of the neck portion of the housing, the collar having an inner surface that is in contact with the peripheral edge of the disc member of the heat transfer member and an outer surface that is exposed to an ambient environment;
- wherein the collar, the bottom surface of the plate member, and the heat transfer member are formed from one or more metals or metal alloys;
- and
- wherein the electromagnetic radiation emitting elements are configured to generate heat when activated, and wherein the heat is configured to be transmitted from the plate member to the collar via the heat transfer member.
12 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.