Patent Application
20050120609
The present invention relates to a device for deterring shark attacks. In particular, the device provides the user with a telescopic blunt object with which to prevent a shark from coming too close, while reducing the potential for injury to the shark.
Shark attacks are a common fear of scuba divers. In order to prevent these attacks, divers often carry with them various shark deterrents, such as chemical repellents or spear guns. Chemical repellents are often not allowed in ecological fragile areas, and are often of only limited effectiveness.
Spear guns are quite large to carry and are often not allowed in certain dive areas. It is typically only necessary to ward off the shark rather than injure it with a device such as a spear gun. An injury resulting in a loss of blood from the shark will likely attract other sharks and would pose an additional threat to the diver. It may be sufficient to prod, bump, or strike the shark when it advances with a device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Sharks rarely attack in a straight forward manner. The most common method of shark attack is known as a “circling attack.” A circling attack is when a shark starts to circle its prey widely, and gradually reduces the diameter of the circle until the shark is close enough to “bump” its snout into the prey. This “bump” allows the shark to use its electroreceptors to identify its prey before the “test bite.” Since sharks are known to be scavengers they often are attracted to an easy prey. When sharks encounter prey that fights back, they have been known to retreat.
Thus, there is a need in the industry for a non-chemical, non-wounding device that will deter sharks and yet is easy for a diver to carry. This device may be used when a shark attempts to approach or “bump” a diver, acting as a deterrent and causing the shark to retreat and leave the diver in search of easier prey.
Responsive to the foregoing challenges, Applicant has developed an innovative device for deterring sharks. The device is comprised of at least two, and in one embodiment three hollow cylindrical shafts, a replaceable and/or interchangeable tip, a twist-release, or similar release, mechanism, and at least one, and in one embodiment, two self-lock mechanisms. The shark deterrent is a retractable unit that is easy for a diver to carry and stow, and yet can be easily extended in order to deter a shark. The device is unlocked from its retracted position by twisting a collar or using a similar release mechanism, thereby unlocking the concentric shafts and allowing the unit to be fully extended. Once the unit is fully extended, self-lock mechanisms lock the unit to prevent it from retracting during use. The unit has a handle formed at one end of the outermost cylindrical shaft and a replaceable and/or interchangeable tip at the opposing end of the innermost cylindrical shaft. The replaceable tip may be removed, and other useful tips may be attached. In various embodiments, the interchangeable tips may include, but are not limited to, a hook, a spear, a net, a flashlight, or a shovel.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only, and are not restrictive of the invention as claimed. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein by reference, and which constitute a part of this specification, illustrate certain embodiments of the invention and, together with the detailed description, serve to explain the principles of the present invention.
In order to assist in the understanding of this invention, reference will now be made to the appended drawings, in which like reference characters refer to like elements.
Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. As embodied herein, the present invention is a diver's utility tool, one embodiment of which is a shark deterrent device.
An embodiment of the present invention is shown in
With reference to
Twist-release mechanism 500 is positioned on the outside surface of first hollow cylindrical shaft 110. Twist-release mechanism 500 may include collar 510 that locks onto shoulders 141 on first hollow cylindrical shaft 110, thereby preventing the device from extending. When twist-release mechanism 500 is not released, spring 125 is prevented from extending third hollow cylindrical shaft 130 out of first hollow cylindrical shaft 110 and second hollow cylindrical shaft 120. When collar 510 is rotated to an unlock position, the bias of spring 125 pushes third hollow cylindrical shaft 130 partially out of first hollow cylindrical shaft 110 and second hollow cylindrical shaft 120. The device is then unlocked, and a user can fully extend the device by hand. Collar 510 is biased by a torsion spring 515 such that when an operator releases collar 510, it returns to its original position, thereby re-engaging shoulders 141 when the device is retracted and re-locking the device in a closed position.
With reference to
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variations and modifications of the present invention can be made without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover all such modifications and variations of the invention, provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
The present invention relates to, and is entitled to the benefit of the earlier filing date and priority of, Application No. 60/508,873, filed on Oct. 7, 2003, which is herein incorporated by reference as if fully set forth.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60508873 | Oct 2003 | US |
