EP0198066A1 - Scaphandre - Google Patents

Scaphandre

Info

Publication number
EP0198066A1
EP0198066A1 EP85905479A EP85905479A EP0198066A1 EP 0198066 A1 EP0198066 A1 EP 0198066A1 EP 85905479 A EP85905479 A EP 85905479A EP 85905479 A EP85905479 A EP 85905479A EP 0198066 A1 EP0198066 A1 EP 0198066A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
diver
backpack
air
tank
buoyancy compensator
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP85905479A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
William Lee Courtney
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US06/664,238 external-priority patent/US4645465A/en
Priority claimed from US06/747,005 external-priority patent/US4681552A/en
Priority claimed from US06/785,906 external-priority patent/US4779554A/en
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of EP0198066A1 publication Critical patent/EP0198066A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63C—LAUNCHING, HAULING-OUT, OR DRY-DOCKING OF VESSELS; LIFE-SAVING IN WATER; EQUIPMENT FOR DWELLING OR WORKING UNDER WATER; MEANS FOR SALVAGING OR SEARCHING FOR UNDERWATER OBJECTS
    • B63C11/00—Equipment for dwelling or working underwater; Means for searching for underwater objects
    • B63C11/02—Divers' equipment
    • B63C11/18—Air supply
    • B63C11/22—Air supply carried by diver
    • B63C11/2245—With provisions for connection to a buoyancy compensator
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63C—LAUNCHING, HAULING-OUT, OR DRY-DOCKING OF VESSELS; LIFE-SAVING IN WATER; EQUIPMENT FOR DWELLING OR WORKING UNDER WATER; MEANS FOR SALVAGING OR SEARCHING FOR UNDERWATER OBJECTS
    • B63C11/00—Equipment for dwelling or working underwater; Means for searching for underwater objects
    • B63C11/02—Divers' equipment
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63C—LAUNCHING, HAULING-OUT, OR DRY-DOCKING OF VESSELS; LIFE-SAVING IN WATER; EQUIPMENT FOR DWELLING OR WORKING UNDER WATER; MEANS FOR SALVAGING OR SEARCHING FOR UNDERWATER OBJECTS
    • B63C11/00—Equipment for dwelling or working underwater; Means for searching for underwater objects
    • B63C11/02—Divers' equipment
    • B63C11/30—Ballast
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63C—LAUNCHING, HAULING-OUT, OR DRY-DOCKING OF VESSELS; LIFE-SAVING IN WATER; EQUIPMENT FOR DWELLING OR WORKING UNDER WATER; MEANS FOR SALVAGING OR SEARCHING FOR UNDERWATER OBJECTS
    • B63C11/00—Equipment for dwelling or working underwater; Means for searching for underwater objects
    • B63C11/46—Divers' sleds or like craft, i.e. craft on which man in diving-suit rides
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63C—LAUNCHING, HAULING-OUT, OR DRY-DOCKING OF VESSELS; LIFE-SAVING IN WATER; EQUIPMENT FOR DWELLING OR WORKING UNDER WATER; MEANS FOR SALVAGING OR SEARCHING FOR UNDERWATER OBJECTS
    • B63C11/00—Equipment for dwelling or working underwater; Means for searching for underwater objects
    • B63C11/02—Divers' equipment
    • B63C2011/026—Diving harnesses, or the like, e.g. for carrying breathing air tanks
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63C—LAUNCHING, HAULING-OUT, OR DRY-DOCKING OF VESSELS; LIFE-SAVING IN WATER; EQUIPMENT FOR DWELLING OR WORKING UNDER WATER; MEANS FOR SALVAGING OR SEARCHING FOR UNDERWATER OBJECTS
    • B63C11/00—Equipment for dwelling or working underwater; Means for searching for underwater objects
    • B63C11/02—Divers' equipment
    • B63C2011/027—Shells for diving equipment, i.e. substantially rigid housings or covers, e.g. streamlined shells
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63C—LAUNCHING, HAULING-OUT, OR DRY-DOCKING OF VESSELS; LIFE-SAVING IN WATER; EQUIPMENT FOR DWELLING OR WORKING UNDER WATER; MEANS FOR SALVAGING OR SEARCHING FOR UNDERWATER OBJECTS
    • B63C11/00—Equipment for dwelling or working underwater; Means for searching for underwater objects
    • B63C11/02—Divers' equipment
    • B63C11/30—Ballast
    • B63C2011/303—Ballast integral with, or directly attached to buoyancy compensator vests or to spiders of diver's backpacks combined therewith

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to scuba gear and more particularly to improvements in scuba gear for facilitating a diver's use of the gear.
  • Scuba apparatus or gear commonly includes a tank containing compressed air in order to provide the diver with an underwater supply of air or oxygen.
  • the tank is commonly mounted on the diver's upper torso or back by means of a suitable backpack.
  • Scuba gear also commonly includes a buoyancy compensator which the diver wears and can selectively pressurize in order to adjust his buoyancy under water.
  • Various combinations of components for scuba gear have been disclosed in the prior art. For example, it has been known in the prior art to employ a personal flotation - device containing two structurally and functionally independent chambers for assisting pilots and other passengers in helicopters and the like to escape after emergency landings at sea. A rebreathing tube was provided with the flotation device to permit the wearer to use the flotation device as an emergency air supply.
  • the ballast was releasable through a door on the backpack to permit particles of ballast to escape and reduce the ballast carried by the diver.
  • that system is believed to be susceptible to corrosion so that significant mechanical leverage may be required to release the ballast. After substantial periods of time, it might not even be possible for the diver to open the door and release the ballast. Also, after the ballast was released from the backpack, it was lost and not available for later use. Thus, the cost of replacing the ballast could interfere with judicious operation of the scuba equipment by the diver.
  • ballast systems configured for specific applications so that the diver must transport duplicate ballast systems to the dive site if he anticipates different diving conditions, for example, free diving or "skin diving" before or after scuba diving.
  • ballast systems other than weight belts have been located substantially above the divers normal center of gravity. This arrangement has compromised the ability of the diver to move out of the water, particularly during entry and exit through heavy surf which could much more easily upset the diver with substantial weight located above his normal center of gravity.
  • scuba gear tends to interfere with rapid and efficient underwater movement of the diver, particularly for divers operating in kelp, for example.
  • scuba gear construction is relatively complex.
  • the diver is required to perform numerous operations while under water in order to maintain the scuba gear in proper operating condition.
  • the diver must continually adjust the degree of inflation in his buoyancy compensator in order to maintain the desired degree of buoyancy at any depth.
  • the diver's wet or dry suit also experiences increased compression due to greater pressures at increased underwater depths.
  • a 20 backpack for scuba gear comprising a rigid 1 housing including means for receiving and securing an air 2 tank or the like, an interior chamber for containing an 3 inflatable buoyancy compensator and means for receiving 4 and securing ballast, preferably in the form of a standard 5 adjustable weight belt including a conventional quick 6 release coupling.
  • the rigid housing has a smooth and 9 streamlined outer shell which is hydrodynamically designed 0 to facilitate underwater movement of the diver.
  • a further related object of the invention is the provision of a trim bladder arranged on 4 an inner surface of the backpack or other device worn by 5 the diver so that the trim bladder is positioned between 6 the backpack or device and the diver, means being provided 7 for coupling the trim bladder with a source of air or gas 8 under pressure in order to permit the diver to selectively inflate or deflate the trim bladder in order to increase or decrease slack in straps securing the scuba gear in place on the diver.
  • scuba gear including a compressed air tank for providing an underwater source of air to the diver, the scuba gear further comprising backpack means for securing the tank to the diver, an inflatable transport raft suitable for being gathered in compact form and secured to the tank, releasable means holding the raft in its compact gathered form on the tank to permit the raft to be a portion of the scuba gear during underwater use by the diver.
  • the releasable means is preferably adapted for permitting the transport raft to open when the raft is inflated so that the raft provides a flotation means for the tank when the tank is separated from the diver, the raft also providing transport means for the diver on the surface of the water.
  • the backpack means and a separate vest type buoyancy compensator are preferably adapted for separate connection to the back or upper torso of the diver. This combination is desirable so that the buoyancy compensator remains available to the diver even after he frees himself from the tank. With such a combination, the transport raft provides a flotation means for the tank while the diver continues to have a buoyancy compensator available for 1 assisting his return to the surface if necessary.
  • the combined life vest device ' and buoyancy compensator comprises a garment worn by the
  • buoyancy compensator means in the form
  • the 3 garment also includes life vest means in the form of a 4 second chamber generally surrounding a portion of the 5 diver's torso. With this combination, pressure in the 6 buoyancy compensator chamber may readily be adjusted in 7 order to maintain desired buoyancy for the diver. At the 8 same time, the life vest chamber may be left uninflated to 9 provide greater freedom of movement for the diver. 0
  • the buoyancy compensator chamber and life vest chamber are both formed 2 in complementary relation to each other in a single 3 garment.
  • FIGURE 1 is an isometric view of a rigid backpack 6 forming an internal buoyancy compensator chamber and 7 ballast mounting means.
  • FIGURE 2 is a side view of a diver wearing both a life vest and the backpack of the invention with an air tank supported in place upon and within the backpack, internal features of the backpack being shown in phantom.
  • FIGURE 3 is a view of the opposite side of the backpack from that shown in FIGURE 2, a portion of the backpack being broken away in FIGURE 3 to illustrate its internal construction and also to better illustrate the arrangement of a trim bladder with respect to the backpack.
  • FIGURE 4 is a front view of the diver wearing the backpack of the invention, as viewed for example from the right side of FIGURE 2.
  • FIGURE 5 is a back view of the diver also wearing the backpack of the invention, taken for example from the left side of FIGURE 2.
  • FIGURE 6 is a view of the backpack from the rear and by itself to better illustrate its streamlined construction.
  • FIGURE 7 is a pictorial representation of scuba gear constructed in accordance with another embodiment invention.
  • FIGURE 8 is a similar pictorial representation of the scuba gear with the raft inflated and supporting both the air tank and diver.
  • FIGURE 9 is a view of the air tank with the raft folded and secured in place.
  • FIGURE 10 is another view of the buoyancy compensator of FIGURES 7 - 9.
  • FIGURE 11 is a view of a combined life vest device a d buoyancy compensator of the present invention shown generally in developed or spread out fashion, with the outline of a diver being shown in broken lines to illustrate the construction of the device and the manner of its use by the diver.
  • FIGURE 12 is a pictorial representation of a diver while under water with the buoyancy compensator portion or chamber of the device being inflated.
  • FIGURE 13 is a similar pictorial representation of the diver at the surface and with the life vest portion also being inflated to provide additional flotation for the diver.
  • FIGURE 14 is a side view of the diver with only the buoyancy compensator chamber being inflated, FIGURES 12 and 14 showing a different embodiment of the invention from FIGURES 11, 13 and 15.
  • FIGURE 14a is an enlarged fragmentary view taken from FIGURE 14 as indicated.
  • FIGURE 15 is similarly a side view of a diver with both the buoyancy compensator and life vest chambers of the device inflated.
  • FIGURE 15a is an enlarged fragmentary view taken from FIGURE 15.
  • the backpack 10 of the invention includes, as a particularly important feature, a rigid housing 14 forming an internal chamber 16 vented to the surrounding water and ballast mounting means 18. As described in greater detail below, the backpack 10 also includes means 20 for receiving and securing an air tank 22 in place upon and within the backpack. The air tank and associated hoses are preferably substantially entirely enclosed with the backpack in order to provide even greater streamlining.
  • the buoyancy compensator chamber 16 is internally formed within the rigid housing 14 for containing a flexible buoyancy compensator container 24 (see FIGURE 3).
  • the backpack also forms ballast mounting means 18 as described in greater detail below.
  • the backpack 10 offers a number of particularly important advantages for use with scuba gear. Initially, an outer shell 26 of the backpack or housing 14 is formed with a smooth and streamlined contour for minimizing drag 1 as the diver moves under water. At the same time, the hard
  • the rigid backpack 10 is preferably formed from
  • ° backpack can be in excess of the amount of negative 0 buoyancy for the entire backpack or scuba system less the ballast. Therefore, even upon failure of the first stage 2 regulator, referred to below and indicated at 98, interrupting operation of both high pressure and low 4 pressure systems of the scuba gear and preventing inflation of either the buoyancy compensator or trim " bladder referred to below, recovery or salvage of the 7 backpack would be assured. o For example, it is estimated that the above purpose ° could be accomplished by providing about 6 to 10 pounds of 0 fixed or inherent buoyancy in the backpack. With the 1 buoyancy compensator intact, the device could support 30 2 to 80 pounds of gear, for example.
  • the rigid backpack forms an ideal base 4 for mounting various attachments such as lights, motors, 5 marking devices, cameras, flashlights, etc.
  • all of this equipment is preferably attached 7 directly to the backpack and would thus be assured of 8 salvage in case the scuba gear were jettisoned.
  • the backpack 10 is configured so that it can be comfortably mounted upon the diver's back.
  • an inwardly facing surface 28 has a generally free form shape designed to conform with contours of the diver's back.
  • projections 30 and 32 extend forwardly from lower lateral portions of the backpack generally adjacent the diver's hips.
  • a waist belt 34 is anchored at 36 and 38 to these projections.
  • the projections 30 and 32 permit a portion of the weight of the backpack and associated scuba components to be carried upon the diver's hips generally in the manner of backpack designs used to carry large loads during hiking.
  • projections 40 and 42 extend forwardly from lateral upper portions of the backpack generally adjacent the diver's shoulders.
  • Shoulder straps 44 are respectively anchored to these projections and extend downwardly for connection with the waist belt 34.
  • the shoulder straps 44 as well as the waist belt 34 all include heavily padded portions 46 at least near the points of support on the diver to better distribute the weight of the backpack.
  • the air tank 22 is secured in place upon and within the backpack by means 20 including a centrally arranged, longitudinally extending recess 48 shaped to receive the air tank. With the air tank 22 arranged in the recess 48, it is held in place by straps 50 as may be best seen for example in FIGURES 2 and 5.
  • the internal chamber 16 for the buoyancy compensator container 24 extends into all available interior space of the backpack, about the air tank 22, including the sides of the recess 48 and transversely across an upper portion of the backpack above the recess 48.
  • the flexible buoyancy compensator container 24 generally conforms with while being slightly larger than the interior of the internal chamber 16 so that stress of inflation is transferred to the rigid backpack.
  • a door 52 is preferably arranged in a portion of the backpack to provide access to the internal chamber 16, for example, to permit installation and replacement as necessary of the buoyancy compensator container 24, batteries for lights and motors, etc.
  • the rigid backpack 10 also forms the ballast mounting means 18 for receiving any desired amount of ballast on the backpack.
  • the mounting means 18 also facilitates release of all or part of a segmented ballast arrangement under the influence of gravity as is described in greater detail below.
  • the ballast mounting means 18 is preferably adapted for mounting ballast in the form of a conventional weight belt 54 having a quick release buckle 56 as normally used for securing such a weight belt in place about the diver's waist.
  • the present design allows the diver to use the same ballast (or part of the ballast) even without the tank 22. It has sometimes been found difficult with prior art systems to use excessive amounts of ballast with a weight belt on the diver's waist because,of the increased weight and discomfort to the diver.
  • the weight belt has also presented a problem in the past because of the effect of substantial underwater pressures to compress the diving suit.
  • the diver found it necessary to frequently adjust the weight belt in order to make sure that it was snugly secured about his waist without being either too loose or too tight, a procedure that can result in accidental loss of the ballast and premature termination of a dive, while also requiring continued attention of the diver.
  • Arrangement of the weight belt 54 upon the ballast mounting means 18 avoids these problems while positioning the ballast near the diver's lower back in order to maintain a desired center of gravity for the diver and thereby facilitate movement of the diver in heavy surf or on land, for example.
  • the ballast mounting means 18 includes a channel 58 formed between flanges 60 and 62 on the rigid backpack for receiving the ballast or weight belt 54.
  • An emergency marker device 64 is also mounted on the 8 backpack generally adjacent the weight belt 54.
  • the marker device 64 includes fixed buoyancy means 66 normally in the form of closed cell foam which is 1 inherently buoyant.
  • the device 64 also includes a 2 compressed gas canister 68 which is operable by the diver 3 for introducing compressed air or gas into an inflatable portion 70 of the device.
  • the device 64 is coupled with 5 the weight belt 54 by means of a line 72, a substantial 6 portion of the line 72 being coiled within the device 64, 7
  • the line 72 includes quick 8 release means so that, in non-emergency situations, the diver may uncouple the marker device from the weight belt and use it for other purposes, for example, to mark the location of found objects or the like.
  • a number of hook elements 74 are integrally formed in the surface of the backpack (see FIGURES 1-3) to provide a convenient mounting point for various accessories such as flashlights, additional lines, cameras, etc.
  • motor driven propeller units 76 are mounted on both sides of the backpack for use by the diver to dramatically extend underwater mobility and range.
  • the motor driven units 76 are powered for example by batteries (not shown) arranged within the backpack itself or contained in a battery pack attached by the quick release belt to the bottom of the backpack and operated for example by a rheostat-type switch 78.
  • the backpack preferably comprises lighting units 80 and 82 which are particularly useful to the diver because of their location just above and behind his shoulders.
  • the lights 80 and 82 preferably comprise a floodlight and strobe light respectively operated by the diver through an additional rheostat switch 84 and an on-off switch 86.
  • the rheostat switches 78, 84 and 86 are all mounted on the lateral projection 32 near the diver's waist in order to be particularly convenient for use by the diver.
  • a trim bladder 88 provides a particularly comfortable and effective means permitting the diver to adjust tension in the straps or belts securing the backpack in place as he is exposed to different underwater pressures while either descending or ascending under water.
  • the trim bladder 88 is a flexible airtight cushion or container overlapping a substantial portion of the inwardly facing surface 28 adjacent the diver's back.
  • the trim bladder 88 provides a particularly simple means for adjusting slack in all straps or mountings of the backpack by a valve control described in greater detail below.
  • the trim bladder 88 provides cushioning or padding which conforms with individual contours of the diver's back to make the backpack 10 even more comfortable.
  • the trim bladder provides an independently inflated device which can serve as an emergency back-up for the buoyancy compensator.
  • An inflatable device such as a raft 92 may also be secured to the air tank 22 by a strap 93.
  • the raft 92 is releasa " bly secured to the air tank 22 and is selectively inflatable in order to carry the air tank 22 or salvage objects, for example, to the surface.
  • the inflatable raft 92 may be employed on the surface to provide safety and transport for the diver 12.
  • additional scuba gear components associated with the backpack 10 include inflation devices for regulating pressure within the buoyancy compensator 24, the life vest 90 and the inflatable raft 92 as well as the trim bladder 88.
  • the inflation device of the present invention provides for sequential pressurization of the buoyancy compensator 24, the life vest 90 and the inflatable raft 92 in a sequential manner through a single control operated by the diver. Since it is commonly desirable for the diver to be able to simultaneously and independently adjust pressure in the buoyancy compensator 24 and in the trim bladder 88, a separate inflation control device is provided for the trim bladder 88 as described in greater detail below.
  • the air tank 22 is provided with conventional regulator apparatus 94 for admitting air under pressure from the tank into air lines 96 and 98.
  • the air line 96 is coupled with a conventional second stage demand regulator including a breathing device for the diver (not otherwise shown).
  • the other air line 98 is coupled with a conventional power and manual inflation device 100 and also with another air line 102 through a T-junction 104.
  • the air line 98 is coupled with the buoyancy compensator compartment.
  • the air line 102 is coupled to a pressure valve 106 for a purpose described further below.
  • a single control valve 110 regulates admission of air pressure into the buoyancy compensator.
  • the diver can relieve air pressure from the buoyancy compensator by means of a manual dump valve means 112 which simultaneously operates high and low positioned dump valves to deflate the buoyancy compensator regardless of diver position.
  • Most current life vests or buoyancy compensators separately worn by the diver are similar to the life vest 90 and can thus be used with the backpack of the present invention. This design allows the diver to operate the entire system including the life vest or buoyancy compensator through the single control valve 110. Normal operation of the buoyancy compensator 24 is carried out in a pressure range selected to permit maximum inflation and maximum buoyancy desired for the buoyancy compensator.
  • the life vest 90 remains uninflated until the end of the dive or the occurrence of an emergency. With the life vest being uninflated, he maintains a more hydrodynamic configuration under water.
  • the single control valve 110 continues to inflation of the life vest. For example, should the diver desire only about ten to fifteen pounds positive buoyancy, he can disconnect his life vest by the quick release coupling described below. In an emergency, he can continue to inflate the life vest to maximum buoyancy before disconnecting it.
  • the same valve 110 can also be operated to develop pressure in the buoyancy compensator and life vest above a second preselected pressure whereupon a life raft can be inflated as described below.
  • the life raft may be used, for example, on the surface to allow an injured diver or diver suffering from hypothermia to remove himself from the low temperature environment of the water.
  • a relief valve 112 is coupled with the buoyancy compensator container 24 and with the life vest 90 by means of a quick release coupling 114.
  • the relief valve 112 With the relief valve 112 coupled between the buoyancy compensator and the life vest, it is preferably set to open and communicate air pressure from the buoyancy compensator to the life vest when pressure in the buoyancy compensator exceeds a first predetermined pressure level, for example one pound per square inch (psi).
  • a relief valve 116 is provided for the inflatable raft 92.
  • a second quick release coupling 118 is coupled with the buoyancy compensator.
  • the second relief valve 116 is set to open at a second predetermined level, preferably higher than the first predetermined pressure level referred to above.
  • the second relief valve 116 may be 'set to open when pressure in the buoyancy compensator exceeds about two psi so that higher pressures in the buoyancy compensator pass through the second relief valve 116 to inflate the raft 92. If the diver is diving without a life raft, the second relief valve 116 functions as the final relief valve for both the buoyancy compensator 24 and the life vest 90.
  • a third pressure relief valve set for example at a still higher pressure, for example three psi, would then serve to protect the life raft as well as the buoyancy compensator 24 and life vest from overinflation .
  • the air line 102 is in communication with the trim bladder 88 through the control valve 106 which is preferably mounted on the left hand projection 32 of the backpack (see FIGURE 3).
  • a dump valve 122 for the trim bladder 88 is mounted adjacent the control valve 106 so that the diver may selectively increase or decrease pressure within the trim bladder 88 to either decrease or increase slack in the waist belt 34 and shoulder straps 44 holding the backpack 10 in place.
  • the trim bladder is shown in a relatively deflated condition in FIGURE 2.
  • This condition might be used for example when the diver is at the surface of the water preparing for an underwater dive.
  • the diver goes further and further under the surface and is exposed to greater pressures, his suit is relatively compressed as noted above so that the waist belt 34 and shoulder straps 44 holding the backpack 10 in place tend to become relatively slack.
  • the diver could merely increase pressure within the trim bladder 54 as illustrated in FIGURE 3 to take up some of the slack noted above.
  • Increased buoyancy can also be compensated for by operating the relief or dump valve of the buoyancy compensator.
  • pressure is gradually released from the trim bladder 88 through the dump valve 122 in order to similarly introduce additional slack in the waist belt 34 and shoulder straps 44.
  • the scuba gear 214 comprises a compressed air tank 216 which is adapted for attachment to the diver's back or torso 218 by means of a backpack generally indicated at 220.
  • the backpack 220 is interrelated with a vest-type buoyancy compensator 222 so that both can be secured closely about the torso 218 of the diver.
  • the backpack 220 and vest-type buoyancy compensator 222 are separate components, the backpack 220 serving to secure the tank 216 in place upon the diver while permitting the buoyancy compensator 222 to be inflated for conventional underwater use in order to adjust the buoyancy of the diver.
  • the diver can rapidly release the tank 216 and the backpack 220 by operation of quick release means described below.
  • An inflatable transport raft 224 is secured to the tank 216 and backpack 220 by straps 226.
  • the transport raft 224 is maintained in compact and gathered form as illustrated in FIGURE 7 by additional releasable elements 228.
  • the elements 228 are a type including hook and loop fasteners (not shown) conventionally available under the trademark VELCRO from the Velcro Corporation.
  • the elements 228 permit the raft 224 to open in response to internal pressure developed during inflation of the raft and otherwise maintain the raft as a streamlined package on the tank.
  • An inflation device 230 permits the raft 224 to be inflated either from air pressure in the tank 216 or manually by the diver 212 blowing into a mouthpiece 232.
  • the backpack 220 includes elongated straps 234, 236 and 238 adapted for interconnection with separate quick release buckles also forming a portion of the backpack 220 and indicated respectively at 240, 242 and 244.
  • One of the straps, for exarapled that indicated at 234 passes about the waist of the diver and is connected for example with the quick release buckle indicated at 240.
  • the other two elongated straps 236 and 238 pass separately about the shoulders of the diver 212 for connection with the respective quick release buckles 242 and 244.
  • the elongated shoulder straps 236 and 238 are threaded through slots or openings 246 and 248 formed toward the top of a back panel 250 of the buoyancy compensator 222.
  • the waist strap 234 and the quick release buckles 240, 242 and 244 are threaded through larger openings 252 and 254 near the bottom of the back panel 250.
  • the entire back panel of the buoyancy compensator could be open to facilitate passage of the straps and buckles as described above. However, the configuration shown here is preferred for structural integrity.
  • the buoyancy compensator 222 also includes an inflation device 256 of the same type described above for the raft and indicated at 230.
  • the buoyancy compensator 222 also includes inflatable portions 258 adapted for arrangement adjacent the diver's waist, chest and shoulders as illustrated in FIGURE 1 in order to provide generally balanced buoyancy and support for the diver either under water or on the surface of the water.
  • the inflatable transport raft 224 is secured to the tank 216 opposite the diver 212 so that the raft does not interfere with the diver's use of the scuba gear while under water.
  • the raft may include oar locks 260 in the form of nylon loops and paddles such as that indicated at 62 to further facilitate the diver's use of the raft in either traveling to or returning from a diving site.
  • the diver 212 may use the raft 224 in order to reach a selected diving site if desired.
  • the scuba gear 214 is arranged in the configuration illustrated in FIGURE 7. Whether the diver swims to the diving site or uses the raft, it is contemplated that he will be wearing the buoyancy compensator 222. If the diver uses the raft 224 for reaching the diving site, he also deflates the raft 224 and gathers it together by folding or rolling for example into the compact configuration illustrated in FIGURES 7 and 9. Thereafter, the diver continues with an underwater dive.
  • the inflation device 256 for the buoyancy compensator 222 in a conventional manner for helping him regulate his underwater buoyancy.
  • the inflation device 256 preferably includes a quick release coupling (not shown) interconnected with the tank 216. Accordingly, before undoing the quick release buckles 240-244 or shortly thereafter, the diver may employ the inflation device 256 for developing a selected buoyancy within the compensator 222.
  • the straps 234-238 and quick release buckles 240-244 are then separated from the buoyancy compensator through the openings 246, 248 and 252, 254.
  • the diver can then inflate the rart by means of the inflation device 230 either by means of the tank 216 or an emergency compressed gas -source as noted above if desired.
  • the quick release elements 228 release from each other and permit the raft to open by unfolding or unrolling.
  • the raft 224 then serves as a flotation device for carrying the tank 216 to the surface of the water where it normally assumes the configuration illustrated in FIGURE 7.
  • the diver 212 retains the buoyancy compensator 222 for assisting him in arriving at the surface of the water, if necessary or desired.
  • a diver 312 is illustrated wearing scuba gear generally indicated at 314 which is constructed in accordance with the present invention.
  • a combined life vest device and buoyancy compensator 316 is shown in developed or spread out fashion to better illustrate its construction with the diver 312 being shown in broken lines.
  • Another embodiment of the combined life vest device and buoyancy compensator of the present invention is illustrated in Figures 12 and 14.
  • FIG. 12 and 14 includes substantially the same features arid components as the device of Figures 13 and 15 while employing a conventional wet suit 320 as an inner portion or shell of the device.
  • the wet suit provides the necessary fixed buoyancy referred to above.
  • the combined life vest device and buoyancy compensator illustrated in Figures 12 and 14 along with the wet suit 320 is indicated at 316'.
  • Fixed buoyancy is commonly provided by a closed cell foam available for example under the trademark NEOPRENE in the wet suit to develop a minimum buoyancy of, for example, 10 ⁇ 0.5 pounds in the event of failure of all inflatable chambers. With the addition of the buoyancy from inflation of the life vest and buoyancy compensator chambers, total buoyancy approaches fifty to seventy pounds.
  • the scuba gear 314 comprises a compressed air tank 322 which i s adapted for attachment to the diver's back or torso 318 by means of a backpack generally indicated at 324.
  • the backpack 324 is worn externally of the device 316 or 316' by the diver and includes straps 326 with quick release couplings 328 to facilitate removal of the tank by the diver when desired.
  • An inflatable transport raft 330 is preferably secured to the tank 322 and is usable both as a buoyancy device for carrying the tank 322 to the surface of the water and also to provide transport for the diver 312 on the surface of the water.
  • the combined life vest device and buoyancy compensator 316 illustrated in Figures 11, 13 and 15 is preferably constructed as a single garment having an outer liner 332 providing abrasion resistance for the garment and an inner liner 334 positioned next to the diver's body.
  • the inner shell 334 is attached to a full wet suit 320 in the embodiment 316'.
  • the garment may be designed for separation from the wet suit, for example, by means of zippers or fabric fasteners, to permit use of the device with different wet suits or to permit replacement of the wet suit for example if it were to wear out faster than the device 16'.
  • the device may be formed as an entirely separate garment as illustrated for example at 316 in Figures 11, 13 and 15 so that it may be used either with or without a wet suit.
  • the wet suit provides a critical or minimum amount of fixed buoyancy.
  • the following comments are directed toward the embodiment 316 of the combined life vest device and buoyancy compensator.
  • the other embodiment of the device as indicated at 316' includes all the same features. Accordingly, similar features in the device 316' are also indicated by similar primed numerals.
  • the device or garment 316 is formed with a first air-tight chamber or flexible container 336 forming a buoyancy compensator and arranged closely adjacent the air tank 322 when worn by the diver as best seen in Figures 14 and 15.
  • a second air-tight chamber or flexible container 338 is also formed in the garment between the liners 332 and 334.
  • the second chamber 338 is designed to wrap about at least a portion of the diver's torso 318 in order to provide an optional flotation device for the diver.
  • the second chamber or flexible container 338 has a W-configuration with an elongated central element or portion 340 extending along the diver's back.
  • Elongated lateral portions 342 of the second chamber or container- 338 are interconnected with the central portion 340 while being arranged to lie adjacent the diver's chest or the front of his torso as may be best seen in Figures 12, 14 and 15.
  • the first chamber or container 336 has an inverted U- configuration so that it extends transversely behind the diver's neck and downwardly to surround the air tank 322.
  • the U-configuration of the first chamber 336 complements and nests within the elements of the W- configuration for the second chamber or container 338 to provide greater comfort for the diver.
  • the first chamber 336 also includes a central extension or projection 344 positioned just behind the diver's head to act as a cushion, for example, when the diver raises his head in a manner so that he may accidently bump the controls 346 on the air tank 322.
  • the device 316 also includes straps or fasteners 348 adapted to secure the device 316 about the diver's waist. Straps 350 on the lateral portions 342 of the device pass over the diver's shoulders and engage quick release couplings 352 on additional straps 354.
  • a power inflator 356 is connected to the first chamber 336 as indicated at 358 and may be connected with the tank 322 through the controls 346 in conventional fashion.
  • the power inflator 356 includes a mouthpiece 362 and is generally of conventional construction as noted above.
  • the power inflator 356 regulates pressure within the first buoyancy compensator chamber 336.
  • Another power inflator 331 includes manual means as indicated at 399 for supplying air under pressure to the raft 330.
  • Other features in the device 316 enabling it to function as contemplated in the present invention are described below.
  • the second chamber 338 is preferably inflated by a means of an interconnection 364 arranged between the first and second chambers 336 and 338.
  • the interconnection 364 includes a first one-way check valve 366 for releasing air through the interconnection 364 to inflate the second chamber 338 when pressure in the first chamber 336 exceeds a predetermined level, for example, about one pound per square inch (psi).
  • the diver may employ the power inflator 356 to increase or decrease pressure and thus change buoyancy by means of the chamber 336 while underwater. Either at the time of returning to the surface or after reaching the surface, the diver may then operate the power inflator 356 so that pressure in the buoyancy compensator 336 exceeds that pressure level, causing airflow through the interconnection 364 for inflating the life vest chamber 338.
  • the interconnection 364 preferably includes a second one-way check valve 368 arranged adjacent the life vest chamber 338 and set at a somewhat higher pressure than the first check valve, for example, two psi.
  • the space in the interconnection 364 between the two check valves comprises a transition space or tube 365 between the first and second chambers.
  • An indicator for the diver such as a whistle indicated at 370 is arranged within the interconnection 364 between the first and second check valves 366 and 368. This feature avoids accidental inflation of the second chamber 338.
  • the second life vest chamber 338 is also provided with a high pressure relief valve 372 of generally conventional construction and set for example to relieve a 1 " pressure from the second chamber 338 when it exceeds a third (highest) predetermined pressure level, for example, three psi.
  • a manually operated relief valve 374 is also provided in communication with the first chamber 336 at 358.
  • Yet another manual relief valve 400 is provided for the transition tube 365.
  • a rebreathing tube 376 is connected with the second chamber 38 and includes a mouthpiece 378 so that the diver or even a companion may rebreathe air from the second chamber 338 for a short period of time. Normally, a flap 380 is secured over the rebreathing tube 376 by means of a quick release cloth fastener 382.
  • An emergency supply of air is provided by means of a compressed carbon dioxide (CO ) canister 384 for the first chamber 336.
  • a similar emergency canister 386 is also provided for the second chamber 338.
  • Both of the emergency canisters 384 and 386 include manual means 388 permitting the diver to use the canisters for respectively pressurizing the first chamber 336 or second chamber 338.
  • the canister 386 is filled with oxygen.
  • the canister 384 is also filled with oxygen.
  • the first and second chambers 336 and 338 are joined at a seam 390 formed by the garment or device 316.
  • the first chamber or container 336 is separable from the second chamber or container 338 to permit the first chamber 336 to remain with the air tank 322 and backpack 324 when they are removed by the diver.
  • the -seam 390 could be formed by a quick release cloth fastening of the type also indicated at 382 for the flap 380.
  • the interconnection 364 is preferably provided with a quick release coupling, formed for example, within the one-way check valve 366.
  • the power inflator 356 may be employed to raise the pressure in the first chamber 336 so that it first opens the check valve 366 and actuates the whistle 364.
  • the power inflator 356 opens the second check valve 368 and permits inflation of the second chamber 338.
  • the diver may also choose to inflate the raft 330 by means of the manual control 399 on the power inflator (see FIGURE 12), thereafter allowing the raft 330 to carry the tank 322 and backpack 324 to the surface as illustrated in FIGURE 13.
  • the second chamber 338 With the second chamber 338 being inflated, it provides buoyancy for the diver to assist him in returning to the surface and/or provides flotation for the diver at the surface as illustrated in FIGURE 13. While the diver is returning to the surface, he may use the air or oxygen in the second chamber 338 through the rebreathing tube 376 under emergency conditions. Accordingly, there has been described a particularly novel backpack for use by scuba divers and the like including a number of particularly novel features. Numerous modifications and variations are believed apparent from the preceding description. Thus, the scope of the invention is defined only by the following appended claims.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Pulmonology (AREA)
  • Portable Outdoor Equipment (AREA)

Abstract

Un sac à dos (12) utilisé avec un scaphandre (12) comprend un cadre rigide (14) enfermant un réservoir d'air (22), une chambre intérieure ouverte à l'eau environnante pour recevoir un compensateur gonflable (24) de flottement, et un canal (58) pour fixer une quantité réglable de ballast récupérable. Une vessie d'arrimage (88) pouvant être gonflée séparément par le plongeur est agencée entre la sac à dos (10) et le plongeur afin de permettre au plongeur de compenser les variations de relâchement de serrage, en particulier à des profondeurs diverses de plongée. Dans un autre mode réalistaion, un radeau gonflable de transport (224) est fixé au réservoir (22) et maintenu dans une forme compacte et assemblé par des dispositifs de fixation libérales (228) afin de permettre au radeau de s'ouvrir suite à une pression interne de gonflement. Le sac à dos (10) permet également au réservoir de se séparer, alors que le compensateur de flottement (22) reste en place sur le plongeur. Le radeau de transport sert à faire flotter le réservoir et à transporter le plongeur à la surface de l'eau. Dans un autre mode de réalisation, une veste de sauvetage combinée avec un compensateur de flottement (316) comprend un sac à dos (324) servant à monter un réservoir d'air comprimé sur le dos du plongeur.
EP85905479A 1984-10-24 1985-10-24 Scaphandre Withdrawn EP0198066A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (6)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US664238 1984-10-24
US06/664,238 US4645465A (en) 1984-10-24 1984-10-24 Scuba gear with combined flotation and transport device
US06/747,005 US4681552A (en) 1985-06-20 1985-06-20 Combined life vest device and buoyancy compensator
US747005 1985-06-20
US785906 1985-10-09
US06/785,906 US4779554A (en) 1985-10-09 1985-10-09 Rigid diver backpack with internal buoyancy compensator and ballast compartment

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0198066A1 true EP0198066A1 (fr) 1986-10-22

Family

ID=27418103

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP85905479A Withdrawn EP0198066A1 (fr) 1984-10-24 1985-10-24 Scaphandre

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Country Link
EP (1) EP0198066A1 (fr)
AU (1) AU5063685A (fr)
WO (1) WO1986002613A1 (fr)

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US4690314A (en) * 1985-08-26 1987-09-01 Mark Faulconer Buoyancy compensator insertable backpack
US4791921A (en) * 1987-06-05 1988-12-20 Michael D. Shackelford Kelp shield for diver worn equipment
US4952095A (en) * 1988-12-14 1990-08-28 Walters William D Soft backpack for scuba diver air tanks
FR2651203B1 (fr) * 1989-08-31 1995-05-05 Paul Robin Carenage support d'equipement pour scaphandrier autonome.
US5403123A (en) * 1992-07-29 1995-04-04 Walters; William D. Gas impermeable, elastically deformable laminate and inflatable articles formed therefrom
EP0826593A3 (fr) * 1996-08-30 1999-11-17 Johnson Worldwide Associates, Inc. Système universel porteur d'équipement de plongée
IT238460Y1 (it) * 1997-10-15 2000-11-13 Htm Sport Spa Dispositivo avvisatore ed avvistatore luminoso per subacquei.
FR2798115B1 (fr) * 1999-09-08 2001-11-16 Aurelien Icard Bouee
WO2004050473A1 (fr) * 2002-12-05 2004-06-17 Empac Limited Systeme de propulsion pour plongee
FR2948093B1 (fr) * 2009-07-01 2012-07-27 Beuchat Internat Gilet d'equilibrage pour la plongee sous-marine.
FR2953190A1 (fr) * 2009-12-02 2011-06-03 Eric Marguet Propulseur aquatique electrique ayant des elements internes, des formes et des masses adaptes pour etre fixe sur les membres du corps humain
SG174644A1 (en) 2010-03-22 2011-10-28 Opcon Pte Ltd A battery pack
CN106956756B (zh) * 2017-05-10 2021-09-10 朱光 一种游泳潜水两用装备
DE102020116208B4 (de) * 2020-06-19 2023-11-30 Dräger Safety AG & Co. KGaA Tauchgerät und Tauchsystem

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US2114301A (en) * 1936-07-24 1938-04-19 Daniel W Harrigan Parachute life raft pack
US2538775A (en) * 1946-11-13 1951-01-23 Henry A Goldsmith Life preserver
US3436777A (en) * 1967-06-22 1969-04-08 Alden T Greenwood Diver's jacket and buoyancy control device
US4016616A (en) * 1972-10-06 1977-04-12 Lawrence S. Scott Diver flotation apparatus
US4054132A (en) * 1975-04-14 1977-10-18 Douglas Allen Deeds Integrated diving system
US4137585A (en) * 1977-06-10 1979-02-06 U.S. Divers Co. Buoyancy compensator and inflation system
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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU5063685A (en) 1986-05-15
WO1986002613A1 (fr) 1986-05-09

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