PERSONAL FLOATATION DEVICE WITH WATER ACTIVATED LIGHT

Abstract

A personal floatation device that includes contacts that close a circuit when the personal floatation device is in water. The closed circuit provides a connection between batteries and a lamp, lighting the lamp. The personal floatation device is buoyant so that it floats when dropped in the water.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a side perspective view of a flashlight in accordance with an embodiment, with the flashlight shown floating in water;

FIG. 2 shows a cutaway view of the flashlight of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a circuit that may be used for the flashlight of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 shows a side perspective view of a key fob in accordance with an embodiment, with the key fob shown floating in water;

FIG. 5 shows a side perspective view of a lantern in accordance with an embodiment, with the lantern shown floating in water;

FIG. 6 shows a side perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a flashlight, with the flashlight shown floating in water;

FIG. 7 is an exploded side perspective view of the flashlight of FIG. 6, shown as being installed in a charging cradle;

FIG. 8 shows a side perspective view of a life vest in accordance with an embodiment; and

FIG. 9 shows a side perspective view of the life vest of FIG. 8 as worn by a person floating in the water in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

Claims

1. A personal floatation device, comprising: a buoyant main body;a circuit connected to the main body;a power supply connected to the circuit;a lamp connected to the circuit;water contacts connected to the circuit, the circuit being configured to provide power to and turn on the lamp when the contacts come in contact with water, and wherein at least one of the circuit, the power supply, the lamp, and at least one water contact is integrated into the main body.

2. The personal floatation device of claim 1, wherein the personal floatation device comprises a vest.

3. The personal floatation device of claim 2, wherein the vest comprises a shoulder, and the lamp is located on or near the shoulder.

4. The personal floatation device of claim 1, wherein the personal floatation device comprises a life jacket.

5. The personal floatation device of claim 4, wherein the vest comprises a shoulder, and the lamp is located on or near the shoulder.

6. The personal floatation device of claim 1, further comprising a switch connected to the circuit, the circuit being configured such that activating the switch causes the circuit to provide power to the lamp.

7. The personal floatation device of claim 1, wherein the power supply comprises one or more batteries.

8. The personal floatation device of claim 1, wherein the lamp comprises one or more members of the set of a light emitting diode, an incandescent lamp, and a fluorescent lamp.

9. The personal floatation device of claim 1, wherein a portion of the personal floatation device is configured to be worn on or near a user's shoulder with the lamp located at the portion.

10. The personal floatation device of claim 1, wherein the contacts are positioned to be in contact with water when a user uses the personal floatation device in water.

11. The personal floatation device of claim 1, wherein the power supply is removable.

12. The personal floatation device of claim 1, wherein the power supply is at least one of integrated into or permanently attached to the main body.

13. The personal floatation device of claim 1, further comprising contacts for charging the power supply.