AU2002100910B4 - A recreational underwater viewing system - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION INNOVATION PATENT Applicant(s): DECTAR PTY LTD A.C.N. 008 659 121 Invention Title: A RECREATIONAL UNDERWATER VIEWING SYSTEM The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to

US:

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S~rslwt aw A a .u ad i ourzebet r'ja f m r tid t e z h m M 11 A n in in u e d a~ Oroe pvrss-ai ren'o I 1 te c by a aw j ip r y xp4neit n n im me 4 i Nj w EO- Wr y an P r e i N w h ia h W k e o u l j h c s i L~ e n i o ne w hict io f m- e n o ot ae Pt t r ed o t hr m e e p r c, v' s ing~ eN it in t e 'a a it n in e ha t h a g a d v p h e t c v T m 0 e a 4 pontoon is that the distance of the platform from the sea level remains constant and does not fluctuate with changes in tide level. This arrangement overcomes the problem with previous viewing systems where participants were able to walk on a seafloor whilst being supplied with air through a diving helmet. A major drawback of that system was that by virtue of changes in the tide, the depth of which the participants were walking could fluctuate quite dramatically. The above preferred arrangement of the present invention obviates this problem and therefore provides a much safer environment for the participant.

Other designs may be employed to maintain the platform at a fixed distance from the sea level and therefore take advantage of the above benefits. For example, the platform may be secured to other types of vessels or may remain submerged at a fixed distance from the sea level through a buoyancy system.

In yet another embodiment, the platform may be independently supplied by a support frame which extends from the seabed floor.

In a preferred form, where the platform is supported on a pontoon or vessel, the support frame is collapsible so as to be raised when not in use.

Brief Description of the Drawings It is convenient to hereinafter describe an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is to be appreciated that the particularity of the drawings and the related description does not supersede the preceding broad description of the invention; In the drawings: Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of a recreational underwater viewing system with the platform in an in use position; and Figure 2 is a schematic illustration of the recreational underwater viewing system of claim 1 with the 5 platform in a stowed position.

Figure 1 illustrates a recreational underwater viewing system 10 which is mounted to a floating pontoon 100 which is typically moored adjacent a coral reef (not shown). The viewing system 10 is designed to allow participants 50 to observe aquatic life whilst underwater in an environment which is relatively safe and controlled.

The viewing system includes two principle parts: namely a submerged platform structure 11 and an air supply apparatus 12 which is operative to supply air to the participant 50 whilst they are underwater on the platform.

The platform structure 11 includes an observation platform 13 which is secured to the pontoon so as to be submerged and suspended between the seabed floor 101 and sea level 102. Because the platform structure 11 is secured to the pontoon 100 which is floating, the platform 13 remains at a constant depth regardless of tide levels.

In the illustrated arrangement, the deck 13 is designed to be at a set depth beneath sea level.

The platform structure 11 projects out beyond one edge 104 of the pontoon 100 and is supported by ties 14 which extend between the outer edge of the pontoon 104 and to a distal end 15 of the platform 13.

The deck structure 11 includes an intermediate platform 16 which is located approximately 1.5 metres below sea level 102. In the illustrated form, access from the pontoon deck 105 to the submerged deck 13 is via a series of ladders 17 and 18 which take the participant first to the intermediate deck 16 then onto the observation platform 13.

The air supply apparatus includes a breathing apparatus 19, a source of compressed air 20 and a air line 21 which interconnects the air source 20 and the breathing apparatus so as to supply air from the air source 20 to the breathing apparatus 19.

The breathing apparatus 19 is in the form of a diving helmet which is designed to fit fully over the head of a 6participant 50. The diving helmet has a large visor 22 which allows substantially unrestricted viewing by the wearer of the helmet 19. The helmet 19 is continually fed compressed air to prevent water ingress and the air line 21 is connected to the rear of the helmet 19 so as to supply air to the interior cavity of the helmet. The helmet also typically includes a one-way valve which enables air pressure to be maintained at a predetermined level and also to allow air to escape so as to maintain circulation within the helmet cavity.

The source of air is typically in the form of compressed air from a compressor or tank 23 which are connected to the air line 21 through a primary regulator 24. The air tanks and primary regulator are located on the pontoon deck 105 so they can be closely monitored by an operator of the system The observation platform 13 is formed in two parts 26 which are interconnected by a central hinge 27 so as to allow the platform to be moved from its operational position as disclosed in Figure 1 to a stowage position as disclosed in Figure 2 where the outer end 26 of the deck 13 projects upwardly so as to abut the outer edge 104 of the pontoon 100.

The underwater recreational viewing system provides a safe, controlled environment to enable participants 50 to observe aquatic life whilst being fully immersed. In this way the experience of the participant 50 is similar to scuba diving in that the participant is able to freely walk about the observation platform 13 whilst maintaining air supply to the helmet 19. However the main distinction over scuba diving is that in which the participant is subject to is strictly controlled. Through the design of the air supply apparatus and by incorporating the submerged platform structure 11 and confining the participant to that platform.

In use, the participant descends from the deck 105 of the observation platform 100 down the first set of ladders 7 17 to the intermediate platform 16. In that position the participant is then fitted with the diving helmet 19 whereafter the participant descends down the second set of stairs 18 to the observation platform 13. In that position, the participant 50 is fully submerged at a safe depth below sea level where the participant can observe the aquatic life in the vicinity of the observation platform 13.

It will be appreciated that variations and/or alterations may be made to the parts previously described without departing from the spirit or ambit of the invention.