AU2004277727A1

AU2004277727A1 - Universal sealing and pressurisation device for using and protecting electronic or fragile objects underwater

Info

Publication number: AU2004277727A1
Application number: AU2004277727A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Jean-Pierre Meslin; Sarah Meslin
Original assignee: Meslin Jean Pierre
Current assignee: Meslin Jean Pierre
Priority date: 2003-10-03
Filing date: 2004-09-24
Publication date: 2005-04-14
Also published as: WO2005032296A2; FR2860497A1; WO2005032296B1; WO2005032296A3; EP1681955A2

Description

VERIFICATION OF TRANSLATION I, Harold William VADNEY iii, the below-named translator, hereby declare that: My name and post office address are as stated below; That I am knowledgeable in the English language and in that language in which the below identified application was filed, and that I believe the English translation of Application No. WO 2005/032296 is a true and complete translation of the above-identified application as filed. I hereby declare that all statements made herein of my own knowledge are true and that all statements made on information and belief are believed to be true and further that these statements were made with the knowledge that wilful false statements and the like so made are punishable by fine or imprisonment or both. Date: 02 May 2006 Full name of Translator: Harold William VADNEY III Address: P.O. Box 407 -18 New Street New Baltimore, New York 12 124-0407 United States of America Signature of Translator: MmodWaj~ azyI I UNIVERSAL SEALING AND PRESSURISING DEVICE FOR USING AND PROTECTING ELECTRONIC OR FRAGILE OBJECTS IN THE UNDERWATER ENVIRONMENT 5 The invention concerns the use and/or the protection of objects, in particular electronic and/or fragile objects, against the sea water or fresh water and against the phenomena of pressure and vacuum generated during nautical underwater or surface activities or when exposed to natural atmospheric phenomena such as rain, wind, dust, or snow. 10 There already exists a large number of pocket or envelope systems that are used to provide protection for such objects. However far fewer of these are really sealed; even fewer have a device to regulate pressurisation; and to our knowledge, none of them allow universal use of the electronic objects, in particular portable players, radios, telephones, etc. in the underwater environment (up to the limits of the inherent capabilities of the said objects, since 15 electromagnetic radiation is soon limited by any depth of water). With regard to rigid, sealed cases intended for the underwater film appliances, these are totally specific, by both specification and design, to each model of appliance, and are limited in depth by the manufacturer since they are not pressurised (the performance/price ratio being the chief marketing objective). 20 The invention therefore consists of a set of two associated devices with the following characteristics: First device - the container This is composed of an envelope of a universal character, and of its sealed closure 25 system, whose shapes and dimensions will be chosen in a range that is based upon the dimensions of the objects to be used and/or to be protected, including photography appliances and video cameras. The said envelope will be made from a flexible and transparent plastic material, so as to be able to see all displays or indicators and manually operate the various buttons, cursors, 30 push switches and knobs, allowing its use when immersed (up to the inherent technical limits of the said objects, as mentioned previously). In addition, the said envelope will optionally be equipped with earphones and/or a microphone whose cables will pass through the wall of the envelope in a sealed manner. The 2 part of these accessories outside the envelope, in particular the earphones, will also be waterproof in themselves. The said envelope can include any fixing device in the form of loops, straps and/or handles, in order to facilitate its use in accordance with the purpose of the objects, and can be 5 a simple protective envelope to be slipped into a pocket (electronic keys, papers, credit cards, portable telephones, etc.), an envelope with earphones and straps (portable players, CD or MP3 players, underwater noise recorders, etc.), or indeed an envelope with external handles (video cameras, still cameras, etc.). 10 Second device: an underwater pressurisation system (optional, not obligatory on the surface) This is a device that is able to regulate the pressure of the air pocket trapped in the envelope by diversion of the air coming from the diving cylinder or the breath of the user. The very fact of compensating for the ambient pressure theoretically allows the diver to work 15 at any depth, though the benefit of the device resides essentially in the use, or at least the protection, of any object, and in particular electronic and/or fragile objects. Three possible applications allow this regulation to be achieved, from the simplest to the most sophisticated: 1. The presence of an inflation mouthpiece, fitted with a non-return valve and a valve for pressurisation in relation to the ambient environment. The default setting of the 20 inflation valve should be in the region of 0.1 bar relative, while the setting of the pressurisation valve will be 0.2 bar. This device is intended for nautical activities on the surface or at shallow depth (less than 3 metres) such as leisure snorkling for example (fins + mask + snorkel). This is presented later in detail, with the reference DSS-01 (figure lb). 25 2. An economic device for leisure diving (depth less than 40 metres) - this consists of the presence of a coupling to be plugged manually into the mouthpiece opening of the diver's backup regulator, and connected to the pocket to be pressurised by a low pressure flexible tube. For reasons of safety, this coupling must be capable of being disconnected instantaneously by the diver in order to be able to use the backup 30 regulator. However this disconnection, by a guided movement, will close the orifice of the coupling automatically in order not to allow water to enter into the pocket. This system is referenced DSS-02 and is shown in figure Ic. The advantage of this second regulation device is that it uses the properties and characteristics of a secondary J diving regulator. During the descent, the ambient pressure increases gradually (1 bar every 10 metres), and therefore so does that on the flexible pocket until it is hugging the shapes of the object, after which the air contained in the coupling + tube + pocket + object assembly is in a situation of slight vacuum. The regulator, via the connection 5 to the DSS-02 coupling, causes the admission of a very small quantity of air, as would occur to the lungs of the diver though in smaller quantity. On the other hand, when returning to the surface, the air contained in the assembly of the device expands, and so the air pocket increases in volume, ending by slightly increasing the pressure. Here again, the backup regulator plays the role of exhaust, as when the diver exhales. 10 3. A third device, intended for professional divers, and referenced DSS-03, consists of inserting a T-shaped coupler between the medium-pressure air intake (15 to 20 bars) and the inflation orifice of diver's bouyancy suit, thereby avoiding the use of a backup regulator. This diversion arrangement is fitted with a complete and independent secondary regulator (whose functions include pressure reduction, intake of air under 15 vacuum, and exhaust under pressure). The use of this T-coupling is unnecessary if the diver has a medium-pressure outlet available at the outlet of the first regulation stage. Presentation of the diagrams Figure 1 a: the basic device with no pressurisation, seen in section. 20 Figure ib: the device with the pressurising mouthpiece (DSS-01). Figure Ic: the device with automatic pressurisation via a coupling to the backup regulator (DSS-02). Figure Id: the device with automatic pressurisation via a dedicated regulator (DSS-03) connected by a T-coupling (or available hose) at medium pressure (primary 25 regulator outlet). Figure 2: top view of the envelope device, equipped with the earphone option (possible in all configurations). Figure 3: the option where the device has handles, to allow photography or video devices to be aimed and operated (possible in all configurations). 30 The following are the references used in the figures, according to the configuration adopted: Ref. 1: the object to be used and/or to be protected Ref. 2: the waterproof envelope in flexible, transparent material 4 Ref. 3: the sealed opening/closing device. Ref. 4: optional earphones passing through the wall of the envelope (2). Ref. 5: the sealed gland system for headphone cable (4) entry through the wall (2). Ref. 6: the flexible coupling tube. 5 Ref. 7: the sealing system connecting the tube (6) to the envelope (2) Ref. 8: the inflation mouthpiece option (DSS-01). Ref. 9: the option with a coupling on the mouthpiece of the backup regulator (DSS-02). Ref. 10: the dedicated regulator option (DSS-03). Ref. 11: the T-coupling option for connection by DirectSystem @ (rapid click-on 10 connection), to be inserted, for example, between the medium-pressure hose and the buoyancy suit inflator (unnecessary if an additional medium-pressure hose can be installed at the output of the primary regulator. Ref. 12: the handles + external support for the envelope. Ref. 13: a support inside the envelope, fitted with a hole and a standard mounting knob for 15 a camera device (1). Ref. 14: a sealed connection system between the external handle support (12) and the internal support (13). Implementation 20 The envelope can be made in different ways, depending on the material chosen. Examples include moulding for most of the thermoplastic and silicone materials, or the assembly of flexible PVC sheeting by high-frequency welding. The thickness of the material can vary considerably according to the quality and strength required of the material (from 300 pm for flexible PVC up to 1 millimetre for silicone, in order to be able to operate the 25 buttons). Sealing the closure of the envelope (3) can be achieved, for example, by a zip-type closure of the ZipLoc @ type in the simplest configurations, up to a system for the pressurised joining of thick and rigid lips. The flexible tube can be created from a variety of relatively cheap materials, with 30 minimal resistance to abrasion, while the connections to the pocket (2) and to the coupling (8 or 9), or indeed to the regulator (10) can be consigned to screw-on fluted ferrules fitted with ad hoc sealing glands.

The coupling (9) and the inflation mouthpiece (8) can be created by moulding, and then the addition of parts such as non-return valves, pressurising valves, a distributor piston with balance chamber, and accessories such as springs, collars, push switches, gaskets, and so on. The regulator (professional version) can be of the standard bought-in type for diving use, 5 and suitable for fitting to the hose. The T-coupling is for connection of the DirectSystem @ or other similar standards in use by manufacturers of specialist diving equipment. Internal and external handle supports are in stainless steel sheet and/or plastic material.

Claims

1. The invention consists of a device for the use and/or the protection of objects, in particular electronic and/or fragile objects (1), in an aqueous environment and subject to the 5 pressure and vacuum phenomena generated during nautical underwater or surface activities or indeed exposed to natural atmospheric phenomena such as rain, wind, dust, or snow, and composed of: - a sealed envelope (2) in a flexible and transparent material, allowing one to see any indicators and to use all types of manual controls through the thickness of the wall of this 10 envelope. - the above device fitted with an opening (3) in order to be able to slip an object into this envelope before its use, together with a sealed closure system. - the above envelope, which is universal by virtue of its design, since it is not dedicated to any precise make or model of object, to be used in marine activities or exposed 15 to atmospheric phenomena within the limits of the dimensions of the envelope in relation to the object. - the invention fitted optionally with a pair of waterproof earphones (4) (or any other accessory to be connected) whose cables pass through the wall of the envelope in a sealed manner (5), these cables being connected to an electronic connector on the inside of the 20 envelope, provided for the connection of any electronic appliance fitted with a corresponding complementary connector. - the device which can also be fitted with loops or straps, or with internal and external supports (12, 13 and 14) to enable it to be anchored or operated in the aquatic environment or when subjected to bad weather conditions. The presence of a hole with a standard tightening 25 knob on the support inside the envelope allows the attachment of a photographic or video device, while a rigid window will allow aiming of the device in acceptable optical conditions (not necessarily achieved with the transparency of the envelope material alone). The invention will be characterised by the presence of an associated device for pressurisation of the envelope containing the object to be used and/or to be protected. 30

2. A device according to the first claim, characterised by the presence of an inflation mouthpiece in order to pressurise the envelope (8), fitted with a pressurising valve, and connected to the envelope by a flexible tube. This inflator can be used either on the surface or when immersed.

3. A variant of the device according to the preceding claim, characterised by the 5 presence of an automatic pressurisation coupler (9) to be plugged manually into the mouthpiece of a secondary backup regulator of the diver wearing an independent diving suit, equipped with a device to prevent the entry of water into the envelope in the event of disconnection, whether accidental or otherwise, in place of the inflation mouthpiece. 10

4. A variant of the device according the preceding claim, characterised by the presence of a pressurisation coupling fitted with a manually operated pump to be fitted in an identical manner to claim 3, to the mouthpiece of a backup regulator.

5. A variant of the device according to claim 3, characterised by the presence of an 15 independent low-pressure regulator (10), dedicated to the envelope and to be connected as input by a fast-action ferrule on a medium-pressure flexible tube coming from the first regulator stage of the diving cylinder, in place of the inflation mouthpiece.

6. A variant of the device according to the preceding claim, characterised by the rapid 20 connection of the dedicated regulator on a T-coupling (11) inserted between a medium pressure flexible tube and the connection orifice of the inflator of the diver's buoyancy suit.