Automated dive flag product development and commercialization...

[DC2]

Hello scuba enthusiasts -

I am the owner of what I think – if I may say so – is a really cool product patent … but the challenge is it’s just a patent and I need to find partners or interested parties to help drive the concept through the product introduction cycle. The patent is for an ‘automated dive flag’ unit – it (a) automates the unwinding and rewinding of the dive line between the diver and the unit itself on the surface, and (b) it automatically moves on the surface of the water to remain in relative proximity above the diver at all times. The patent is pretty inclusive of other features within the scope of the system, but generally speaking the primary goal was to automate those two functions. Testing out the idea with a very crude prototype was the best – first in a swimming pool and then on a fresh water lake in Wisconsin. It worked perfectly.

The next step is developing a sexy, hydrodynamic, durable design for a commercially feasible product. This is where I could benefit from your input and ideas. To make a long-story-short, I have researched and spoke with many resources including ‘angel investors’, etc., but this is a product where someone needs to invest because they think it’s a cool idea and they want to be a part of it. This is not the kind of new product where any guarantee of ‘millions in three years’ is possible at the moment – which is understandably the interest of basically all formal investors, venture capitalists, etc.

Any assistance or direction you can offer to help me take that next step – to find those partners/resources willing and interested to invest in such an effort – is more than appreciated.

Below is a summary that I’ve used for informational purposes; although I know the patent documentation itself is not a quick read, it does have the detail we considered for the product and can be found at United States Patent: 7450471

Current dive flag units:

Generally consist of a ‘float’, like a buoy or tube (‘inner-tube’), with a dive flag mounted/supported so it can easily be seen by others as the float sits on top of the water.

Divers will hold onto a reel or line holder, which the dive line is wrapped around. As the diver descends, the diver must reel out or unwind the dive line from the holder. As the diver ascends, the diver must reel in or rewind the dive line around the holder.

Additionally, as the diver unwinds dive line from the holder, normal wave action will move the float away from the diver. If the diver wishes for the dive flag to be located more relative to (directly over) their actual position, the diver must rewind the dive line around the holder, to ‘take up the slack’ and ‘pull’ the dive flag towards them.

Having to use one hand to hang on to the dive line reel or holder is a disadvantage to a diver, as it ‘takes one hand away’ from the diver. Generally it takes both hands of a diver to reel in or rewind the dive line around the holder.

The requirement by the diver to use their hands to control the dive line can compromise safety, and make the dive experience cumbersome and awkward.

Patented product invention:

Motorized, hydrodynamic float that (1) automatically adjusts the dive line – reels it out or reels it in – based on the depth of the diver; and (2) automatically moves to maintain a position or location vertically relative to the actual location of the diver.

The differences (advantages) over the current dive flag units include:

• hands-free diving
• automatically provides a ‘slack free’ dive line – avoids diver tangling in dive line
• automatic (vertical) movement of dive flag to maintain an orientation directly above the diver

All the above differences provide increased safety for the diver both below and above the surface of the water. The concept is also designed to provide greater comfort and diving control for the diver.

-- Thanks in advance,
DC2

[knotical]

Innovative Scuba Concepts in Colorado Springs might be worth a call.

Did the lake test include waves and current?

[Jim Lapenta]

Will it cost more than 25 or 30 bucks retail? If so it'll be a hard sell.

[VooDooGasMan]

vid will be the major factor, patented it and youtube it for sales like jim say's cheap or show proof if cost is higher then traditional. I understand recent thread here, but a float is and has been around for 50+ years and really is no big deal to operate.

[Aqua-Andy]

WOW talking about reinventing the wheel! Like Jim said it will be a hard sell if over $30, I use a lobster buoy style float and barley notice it in waves or wind and operating a reel is trivial once you know what you are doing. You are proposing having both hands for the dive, to do that the flag would have to be attached to you which i would not like at all.