Description of the Related Art Small watercraft, such as jet skis and waverunners, have become increasingly popular vehicles for recreation. These compact watercraft can be used for racing competitions or for leisurely riding. Such watercraft typically carry one to two riders, in either a standing position (jet ski) or a seated position (waverunner). Jet skis and waverunners are designed to be used in deep water, and preferably are used away from swimmers or

other small watercraft for safety reasons. Since it is common for riders of these watercraft to be remote from other individuals, a potentially hazardous condition exists in that the rider may experience trouble without the knowledge of or attention of persons in a position to offer help.

Should a rider or riders experience an emergency condition, it is desirable for an arrangement to be provided to indicate that such a condition exists to permit recovery and rescue. The present invention provides a safety/distress signal that is given when a rider has become displaced from a watercraft so as to permit remote parties to sense the condition and effect recovery.

One system developed with the above purpose in mind is that of Tsunamoto et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,871,996. In this invention, a watercraft incorporating a warning device was provided. In Tsunamoto et al., the warning/alarm device was triggered when the watercraft was in a non-normal trim condition in the water. Thus, a warning is provided only if the watercraft is not upright in the water, and triggered by a means of sensing a "non-trim" position.

Boe, U.S. Pat. No. 4,714,914, discloses a liquid immersion alarm adapted to be worn by an individual. The device has a remote transmitter activated by a water immersion switch to generate an alarm signal. Immersion of the transmitter and its immersion switch into water momentarily does not set off the alarm immediately due to a delay circuit associated with the transmitter.

Other art that is drawn to warning or alarm systems for watercraft include U.S. Pat. No. 5,144,300 to Kanno; U.S. Pat. No.

4,909,171 to Powers; U.S. Pat. No. 5,550,531 to Little-Lowry; U.S.

Pat. No. 3,798,631 to Langford; U.S. Pat. No. 5,481,141 to Stahl; U.S.

Pat. No. 5,488,361 to Perry; U.S. Pat. No. 5,370,566 to Mitchell, Jr., et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,326,397 to Loughlin; U.S. Pat. No. 4,305,143 to Simms, et al.; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,621,501 to Jordan.

The prior art is deficient in a cost-effective device for alerting potential rescuers when a rider becomes displaced from a small watercraft. The present invention fulfills this long-standing need and desire in the art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is a principal object of the present invention to provide an improved distress system for a watercraft that indicates when a rider becomes displaced from the watercraft.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a distress system for a watercraft that will give a signal that can be seen or heard at great distances.

In one embodiment of the above-mentioned objectives, there is provided a safety distress system to detect when a rider has been displaced from a watercraft comprising: a lanyard adapted to be worn by the rider; a key attached to the lanyard and adapted to keep a circuit open when inserted into an alarm trigger slot; an alarm trigger slot adapted for removable insertion of the key, having means for keeping a circuit open when the key is inserted and having means for closing the circuit when the key is not inserted in the slot; an alarm; and a circuit adapted to initiate the alarm when the circuit is closed and to not initiate the alarm

when the circuit is open. This embodiment illustrates a version of the present invention wherein the alarm trigger is separate from the kill switch.

In another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a safety distress system to detect when a rider has been displaced from a watercraft comprising: a lanyard adapted to be worn by the rider; a kill switch adapted for disabling the ignition to an engine of the watercraft in the event that the rider becomes displaced from the watercraft, and having means for keeping a circuit closed when the kill switch is activated and means for opening the circuit when the kill switch is not activated; an alarm; and a circuit adapted to initiate the alarm when the circuit is closed and to not initiate the alarm when the circuit is open. In this embodiment, the alarm trigger is integrated with the kill switch.

Certain preferred embodiments of the present invention include having the circuit include means for a time delay, particularly where the time delay includes means for allowing various amounts of time to be pre-set by the individual rider according to his or her needs. In addition, various embodiments of the present invention include having the alarm be a light, an audible alarm, or an electronic transmission to a remote receiver.

Other and further aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention. These embodiments are given for the purpose of disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The appended drawings have been included herein so that the above-recited features, advantages and objects of the invention will become clear and can be understood in detail. These drawings form a part of the specification. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention and should not be considered to limit the scope of the invention.

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a watercraft constructed in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of a watercraft constructed in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a front elevational view of a watercraft constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 4 is a rear elevational view of a watercraft constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 5 shows detail of the distress light shown on the watercraft from Figure 3.

Figure 6 is a schematic view of one embodiment of a circuit for the present invention, where the distress signal circuitry is not integrated into the ignition.

Figure 7 is a schematic view of one embodiment of a circuit for the present invention, where the distress signal circuitry is integrated into the ignition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various substitutions and modifications may be made to the invention disclosed herein without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

As used herein, the term "lanyard" refers to a cable or other like object that attaches to an individual on one end, and to a key on the other end.

As used herein, the term "key" refers to an object that, when inserted in an alarm trigger slot, keeps a circuit of the alarm distress system of the present invention open and non- functioning.

As used herein, the term "kill switch" refers to a switch which disables the ignition circuit of the engine. The distress device of the present invention may be linked to the kill switch in certain embodiments.

As used herein, the term "alarm trigger slot" refers to a slot in which a key fits, wherein the slot is part of a circuit which remains open when the key is inserted and becomes closed when the key is removed. When the circuit is open, the distress device of the present invention is not triggered; however, once the circuit is closed, the distress device of the present invention is triggered.

As used herein, the term "time delay" refers to a delay in triggering the alarm of the present invention, whether it be a light, audible alarm or electronic transmission to a receiver, when the circuit of the present invention is closed.

The present invention is directed to an improved distress system for a watercraft that indicates when a rider becomes displaced from the watercraft. It is a further object of this invention to provide a distress signal system for a watercraft that will give a signal that can be seen or heard at great distances.

The present invention provides an improved safety distress device for small watercraft. The safety distress device is in the form of a distress signal or alarm that is given when a rider is no longer present on the watercraft. The distress is provided by a light, an audible signal, or by electronic transmission to a receiver. The device itself is in the form of a circuit which remains open as long as a key is inserted in the alarm trigger slot or the kill switch is inactivated on the watercraft. The key is attached by lanyard or cable to an individual driver or passenger of the watercraft. Should the individual be displaced from the watercraft, the lanyard pulls the key free from the alarm trigger slot closing the circuit and triggering the alarm. Alternatively, the kill switch is activated when the rider is displaced from the watercraft; thus, activating the alarm system which is integral with the ignition. A practical embodiment of the circuit of the present invention includes a delay circuit associated with the transmitter. Since it is common for drivers or passengers of watercraft to become displaced in the normal course of using the watercraft, it is not necessary and may even be counterproductive to have the alarm triggered immediately upon the driver o r

passenger being displaced from the watercraft. Rather, a delay circuit is employed to trigger the alarm only if the driver or passenger is displaced for a pre-determined amount of time, indicating cause for concern. In one embodiment of the present invention, the time delay includes means for allowing various amounts of time to be set by the individual rider according to his or her needs The distress signal or alarm can be comprised of one or more of the following: a light or multiple lights permanently or detachably mounted on the watercraft, means for producing an audible signal permanently or detachably mounted on the watercraft, or means for transmitting an electronic modulation signal to a receiver. The light itself (or multiple lights) may be of the type that produces flashing or blinking lights in a direction of 360" horizon to horizon. The blinking may include the internationally-recognized SOS code, or a pattern of 50-70 blinks per~minute as recommended by the United States Coast Guard. In an embodiment that includes a transmission of a digital or electronic signal to a receiver, the received signal may result in a n audible signal or in a visual signal, for example, in the form of a light, to a status board. Such transmission would allow for keeping track of a number of watercraft at once--useful for persons who provide watercraft for rent or in racing competitions.

In addition, the distress device of the present invention could be adapted for use with other small recreational vehicles such as snowmobiles, wet bikes, outboard motors, all terrain vehicles, motorbikes or other small jet-propelled watercraft.

All parts of the distress device of the present invention are waterproof, and constructed of materials suitable for long life in a water or saltwater environment. The lanyard or cable of the present invention may attach to a lifejacket, swimsuit, or wetsuit worn by an individual or to the wrist or ankle of the individual on the watercraft.

Not only does the distress device of the present invention alert remote persons that the driver or passenger of a watercraft needs assistance, but it provides the added safety feature of indicating to other watercraft users in the area that someone is in the water and to proceed with caution.

The following examples are given for the purpose of illustrating various embodiments of the invention and are not meant to limit the present invention in any fashion: Referring first to Figure 1, a small watercraft constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is identified generally by the reference numeral 10. The watercraft 10 is of the type that is designed to be operated primarily by a single rider, indicated at 12, seated in straddle fashion on a seat 1 4 of the watercraft 10 with his legs positioned in footwells 1 6 defined at opposite sides of a hull 18.

Contained within the hull 18 is an internal combustion engine 20 that has a drive shaft 22 which drives an impeller 2 4 of a jet drive unit. The jet drive unit includes an inlet 26 which is disposed on the lower side of the hull 18 and through which water is drawn by the impeller 24. Water is discharged through a pivotally supporting steering nozzle 28 so as to permit steering of the watercraft 10.

Steering is accomplished by means of a steering handlebar assembly 30 that is connected to the upper end of a steering column. The steering column is, in turn, journaled within a mast 34 of the hull 18. The steering shaft is connected in any suitable manner to the steering nozzle 28.

A main ignition switch 36, which may be key operated, is carried by the mast to control the main electrical system and ignition of the watercraft 10.

The mast 34 extends upwardly and rearwardly and overlies the engine 20. The speed of the engine 20 is controlled by means of a rotatable throttle control 38 that is provided on one of the handlebars 30.

The watercraft is provided with a kill switch 40 for killing the engine 20 by grounding the ignition system or in any other known manner, in the event that the rider 12 becomes inadvertently displaced from the watercraft 10. Such a kill switch is indicated at 40 and is connected by means of a lanyard 42 to the rider's wrist so that if the rider becomes displaced from the watercraft, the kill switch 40 will be activated and the engine 2 0 will be stopped. In addition to stopping the engine 20, the kill switch 40 triggers the distress alarm device of the present invention.

There is also provided a distress alarm device, indicated in this embodiment as a distress light 44 carried at the upper end of the mast 34, which is effective to provide a signal that will indicate the location of the watercraft 10 and that the rider 12 has been displaced from it.

Figure 2 shows a small watercraft constructed similar to the watercraft shown in Figure 1. The watercraft is identified

generally by the reference numeral 10, having a hull 18 and a mast 34.

On the hull 18, there is located a alarm trigger slot 4 6 which is connected to the main electrical system of the watercraft 10. In this embodiment the alarm trigger slot is shown on the hull; however, the alarm trigger slot could be located on the mast 34 or under the seat 14 as part of the hull 18. The alarm trigger slot 46 is adapted to accept a key attached to a lanyard 42. The key will be pulled from the alarm trigger slot 46 should the rider 12 become inadvertently displaced from the watercraft 10.

When the key is pulled from the alarm trigger slot 46, the distress alarm device of the present invention is activated.

The distress alarm device embodied here is in the form of a distress light 44 carried at the upper end of the mast 34, which is effective to provide a signal that will indicate the location of the watercraft 10 and that the rider 12 has been displaced from it. In this embodiment, a second distress light 6 0 is carried on the back of the hull 18, and a second alarm trigger slot 62 is adapted to accept a second key attached to a lanyard 64 for a passenger on the watercraft 10.

Figure 3 shows a front elevational view of the watercraft of the present invention showing the watercraft identified generally by the reference numeral 10, having a hull 18 and a mast 34. On mast 34, there is mounted a distress light 44 carried at the front of the mast 34, which is effective to provide a signal that will indicate the location of the watercraft 1 0 and that the rider 12 has been displaced from it. This particular embodiment of the present invention shows the alarm trigger slot 46 as a part of the distress light 44. The alarm trigger slot 46 is

adapted to accept a key attached to a lanyard 42. The key will be pulled from the alarm trigger slot 46 should the rider 12 become inadvertently displaced from the watercraft 10. When the key is pulled from the alarm trigger slot 46, the distress alarm device of the present invention is activated.

Figure 4 is a rear elevational view showing the watercraft identified generally by the reference numeral 10, having a hull 18 and a seat 14. In this embodiment, a distress light 60 is mounted on the rear of the hull 18, under the seat 14, and is effective in providing a signal that indicates the location of the watercraft 10 and that the rider 12 has been displaced. I n this particular embodiment of the present invention, either a kill switch or an alarm trigger could be used.

Figure 5 shows an embodiment of a distress light that might be used in the present invention. Figure 5a is a top view of the light, indicated generally at 48, showing the portion of the light that covers the bulb 50, and an alarm trigger slot 46 with a key 52 inserted. Figure 5b is a side elevational view of distress light 48, showing the portion of the light that covers the bulb 50, and an alarm trigger slot 46 with a key 52 inserted.

An embodiment of a circuit for activating the distress alarm of the present invention is illustrated in Figure 6 and includes a battery 54 that is in circuit with the distress indicator 56 that is in circuit with the ignition switch 58. In this embodiment, the indicator 56 operates with a time delay so that the lights will not be operated during normal running and only when a rider is displaced from the watercraft for a certain pre- determined period of time.

Any patents or publications mentioned in this specification are indicative of the levels of those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. Further, these patents and publications are incorporated by reference herein to the same extent as if each individual publication was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

One skilled in the art will appreciate readily that the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objects and obtain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as those objects, ends and advantages inherent herein. The present examples, along with the methods, procedures, treatments, molecules, and specific compounds described herein are presently representative of preferred embodiments, are exemplary, and are not intended as limitations on the scope of the invention. Changes therein and other uses will occur to those skilled in the art which are encompassed within the spirit of the invention as defined by the scope of the claims.