US2481808A - Viewing and illuminating device for divers' helmets - Google Patents

Description

A. BARNA 2,481,808

VIEWING AND ILLUMINATING DEVICE FOR DIVERS HELMETS Sept. 13, 1949.

- 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 15, 1944 A. BARNA Sept. 13, 1949.

VIEWING AND ILLUMINATING DEVICE FOR DIVERS HELMETS Filed Dec. 15, 1944 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 fizz/enforfizggewfiarm Sept. 13, 1949. A. BARNA 2,481,808

VIEWING AND ILLUMINATING DEVICE FOR DIVERS HELMETS Filed Dec. 15, 1944 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 s5 77 so as as 64-69 '1 '75 75 7/ Patented Sept. 13, 1949 VIEWING D ILEUMINATING DEVICE FUR" DIVERS HELMETS Andrew Barna, South Chicago, Ill.

Application December 15, 1944, Serial No. 5.685380 3 Claims.

This invention relates: to improvements in divers helmets and its purpose is to provide animproved underwater helmet adapted to beworn by" a diver when carrying on welding operations under water with the use. of a welding torch.

Welding operations have heretofore been carried on underwater butin a rather unsatisfactory manner because of" the" deficiencies of the diversequipment. The usual divershelmet employed for the purpose equipped with colored glass to enable the diver to look at the torch flame while welding but this colored lens has interfered with his vision when looking around in the dark water toiocate-the work after being lowered from thesurface; A further disad'varrtagehas 'been that the diver hasbeen compelled to feel his way" while welding Because the steam produced by the torch in the water has caused such anow of bubbles-as to o'hscu're' his vision of the sit'eof the weld; While has been'possible for a diverto feel his-way with some success whenwelding a l'ap" joint because of the guiding shoulder formed by the overlap; it hasbeen impossible for adivert-'0- weld satisfactorily a butt joint,- suc'h as thalt presented by a crack in thehulb or a-sunlteir vessel; for example, because of' his inability to= follow the crackwith the torch;

The principal object of the present invention isto" overcome the above mentioned difii'culties, andothers; by'provi'dihg an attachment for a divers helmet whereby there is created a-- strong current away from-the helmet and" beyond the place of welding; therehy insuringagainst the pres'enceof bubbles; steam and=sparhs which tend to-ob'scure the'vision. H-f-urther object is to provide a helmet having a-cle'argl'ass lens throughwhichthe-divermay-view his-surroundingsunder water while locating-the work, in combination with a helmet extension or attachment which may then be sw-ung into' po'siti'om to permit the diver to*look' through a*- colored' lens while working: Another'ob'jeet is-to proviiiea device adapted" to-'he"-' attached" the diver-s helmet for use in underwater welding and including means for illumihatihg the-siteofithewem A-fi1rther object is to provide an attachment, capable of being applied to any divers helmeflto" cause jets ofwater to clear the vision of thediver" at the site'- of the-'weldi Still another'object" is to provide a divers helmet having: a tubular extension equipped witha ground glass magnifying lens whichmaybe adjusted lon'gitudinallyof its focal aXiS'f togive the diver proper vision" of the work during welding.

7 and which has mounted" therein a-co'lored glass plate through which tl 1e' weldi'n'goperation may be viewed, the mouth of the extension having mounted around it a no'z'zle'arianged to project jetsof water under ressure: paths defining acone, thereby causing the sparks, steam and bubbles to be carried hythe'jets out o'f the coneshaped area enclosed 'by the'j'et's, therebyprovid ing a clear working area;- in which welding operations may be carried" on, thisiwelding region being preferably illumin'ated' by lamps mounted on the tubular extensiom A-niagni-f ying lensis' preferabl'y ad giustably mounted in" the tubular. attachm'ent-to permit the diverto'obta-iii a better View of the work.

These and other objects. of. the invention will appear more clearly from the" following specification taken with the accompanying drawings in which one embodiment of the invention is illus tratedi In: the drawings,

Figure 1 shows": a. side elevation of a1 divershelmet embodying the improvementsof 'thepresent' invention;

Fi'g-.- 2' shows-lawsectional view taken. on'the line 2-2 of Figs. 1 and: 5;

Fig; 3shows an enlargedtsectional view taken on the line 3*-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig; 4 shows an enlarged front elevation:v of the divers helmettshown int Eig.- 1:; and

Fig; 5 shows a longitudinal vertical section taken on the line 55 ofFi'g; 4.

As illustrated in the drawings", the improvedattachment of theinvention'is appliedttoatdivers outfit" comprising a body: portion; to: having a top flange Hi upon which thereiis seated at rubber gasket H, this gasket; beingr'int'erpos'ed? be-' tween the flange HP and the flange I2 or the helmet l2. The flange" It" extends outwardly from the neck portion l2 of 'the helmet and is secured to the flange: lfl ofthe -body portion by a series of studs l'3i The helmet I2 is-prov'id'ed at its-top with an' i'nlet l2" adapted to be conformed on the inside on the flange I2 and being engaged on its outer side by a rubber gasket IT. A metal ring I8 engages the outer side of the gasket I1 and these parts are secured to the flange I2 of the helmet by means of a series of screws I9. These parts correspond to those commonly used in divers helmets except that the lens I 6 is formed as clear glass to facilitate the divers view of his surroundings after he has been lowered from the surface and during the time that he is walking about on the bottom of the sea, lake or waterway in which he is working, in the process of searching for the place where the welding operations are to be eflected.

The present invention provides an attachment comprising a tubular helmet extension 29 which is mounted on the forward face of the helmet I2 opposite the outlet opening I2 being supported on its upper side by a pair of hinges 2I which are secured to the tubular extension and to the wall of the helmet, as shown particularly in Figs. 1 and 5. The tubular extension 20 is formed preferably of molded plastic insulating material or of metal covered with insulating material, such a rubber, and it is provided around its inner open end with an annular flange 22, formed of rubber or the like, which is adapted to seat against the curved end face of the helmet I2 when the tubular extension 20 is in its normal horizontal position, as shown in Figs. 1 and 5, thus forming a resilient connection between the helmet I2 and th tubular extension 20. When the tubular extension 20 is in its horizontal position just referred to, the annular rubber flange 22 which projects outwardly therefrom, and which conforms to the surface of the helmet I2, is adapted to be engaged beneath the tubular extension by a leaf spring 23 which is secured to the helmet I2 by rivets 24 and which has a, curved extremity 23 adapted to permit the flange 22 to be snapped inwardly under the spring when the tubular extension 20 is swung downwardly from the position shown by dotted lines in Fig. 1. This tubular extension is adapted to contain a ground colored lens and to support the illuminating apparatus and the water jet device by which the steam, bubbles and sparks are carried out of the field of operations, and, during the time that the diver is walking about on the bottom searching for the field of work, this attachment 20 occupies the upper tilted position shown by dotted lines in Fig. l, but, when he is ready to begin the welding operation, the attachment 20 is lowered to the position shown by full lines in Figs. 1 and 5, whereupon the flange 22 snaps into position beneath the spring latch member 23, and the parts are retained in these positions until the welding is completed.

The tubular extension 20 is provided at its rear end, adjacent the outlet I2 of the helmet I2, with an annular inwardly extending shoulder 20 provided with an annular inwardly extending flange 20 and a lens or glass plate 25 is mounted within the shoulder 20 and against the flange 20 being held in fluid tight engagement therewith by rubber gaskets 26. A metal ring 2'! seats within the shoulder 21! against the innermost gasket 26 and thi ring and the gaskets are secured to the flange 2|] by a series of screws 28. The plate or lens 25 is preferably formed of clear glass and, by means of the construction just described, a fluid tight connection is provided between it and the wall of the tubular extension 20, so that any moisture which flinds its way into the space between the lens I6 and the lens 25 cannot enter the inner chamber of the tubular extension.

Within this inner chamber there is mounted a ground glass magnifying lens 30, which is formed preferably of plain clear glass and which is carried by a lens frame 3I. This lens frame is circular in form and is adapted to be adjusted longitudinally of the focal axis of the lens 30 through the operation of adjusting screws 32 which have threaded engagement with apertures formed in opposite sides of the frame M and which rotatably engage apertures formed in the annular shoulder 2|) at the rear end of the extension 20. These adjusting screws 32 are provided wth heads 32 adapted to be engaged by a screwdriver, which are accessible to the operator when the tubular extension 20 has been swung upwardly to the position shown by dotted lines in Fig. 1, so that the operator may then employ a screwdriver for adjusting the longitudinal position of the lens 30 within the chamber of the tubular extension. The opposite or forward ends of the adjusting screws 32 are arranged to have rotatable engagement with apertures formed in a metal ring 33 and the adjusting screws are provided with detachable heads 32 which revolve in recesses formed in the ring 33, whereby the adjusting screws are held against endwise movement when they are turned about their axes, th ring 33 being secured to another ring 34 which contacts its forward face and which is secured in position within the extension 20 by screws 35. The frame 3I carrying the lens 30 and the two rings 33 and 34 are inserted into the tubular extension 20 from the forward end thereof and after the adjusting screws 32 have been moved into engagement with the ring 33 and the heads 32 hav been applied, the two rings 33 and 34 are secured together and the screws 35 are then inserted to secure the ring 34 in place. i

A channel-shaped rubber insulating ring 39, carrying a colored glass plate 40 and a clear glass plate 43 within its channel, is mounted on the forward side of the ring 34 and a ring 4I, having radial perforations 4| extending therethrough, seats against the forward surface of the insulating ring 39. The rings 39 and M are secured to the ring 34 by means of a series of screws 42. When these screws are tightened, the insulating ring 39 i compressed longitudinally of the axis of the extension 20 and i expanded in a radial direction so that a fluid tight connection is thereby established between the ring 34 and the tubular extension 20. The ring 4| is provided with a plurality of radiating cylindrical apertures 4 I which are arranged to register with a series of apertures 2!) formed in the tubular extension 20, for a purpose hereinafter described. The two plate 40 and 43 are both employed so that the plate 43 may be made thick enough to withstand the water pressure while the inner colored plate 40 may be made comparatively thin.

Air under pressure is introduced into the chamber of the tubular extension 20 through a flexible conduit 44 leading from the interior of the helmet I2 and a check valve 45 is connected in this conduit close to the helmet I2 to prevent water from entering the helmet I2 in case the conduit 44 or the extension 2|) is broken. The purpose of introducing air under pressure into the chamber of the attachment is to balance the water pressure on its outer side sufficiently to prevent collapse of the tubular extension or the lenses when operating in substantial depths of water. An adjustable release valve 46 is mounted in the wall of the attachment 20 to relieve the air pressure in the inner chamber if it rises to an undue extent. If desired, the conduit 44 may lead from thewater surface directly into the extension 20, but the, arrangement shown, is preterablebecause it is desirable to limit, asfar as, possible, the number of connections, extending to ,thesurface.

At the forward end of the tubular extension 20 a ring-shaped nozzle 50 is secured against the outer faceot the ring 4| and. water under pressur isisupplied to this nozzle through suitable connections; comprising an elbow; 5|, a; flexible hose 0,1 conduit 52, a hinged joint connection 53, a. value-154, and a supply conduit 55. The water whiehis thus introduced underpressure into. the nozzlel50 isdischarged througha SGIlGSvOf small openings 5,0? to form an annular; series oi} outwardlyyconyerging jets, the apex of which :10 cated at the; point 56. Thesejets, thus: definea cone-shaped: area or region from whichthe lake or sea water. is carried outwardly by direct action: or: by. suction, together'with the steam, bubbles and-sparks produced by the welding operation, sothat-all elementsstendingto obstructthc vision are removed from this region 51;: between the apex 55 ithecone. andtheiace of the glass lens 40. The water jets may produce a partial vacuumiin the immediate vicinity of the lens 416;.

Th res lt; thus obtained may be, regulated: by the diver through the adjustment of the valve 54. In Fig. 5, this Welding zone is shown as being within but near the apex of the cone-shaped cavity where two plates 59 and 60 are shown as contacting along the surfaces 6| which are to be united by a butt weld. The torch thus operates in an area which is substantially free of steam, bubbles, sparks and the like, so that the vision of the diver is unobstructed during the welding operation. By properly adjusting the position of the ground glass lens 30 longitudinally of the tubular extension 20, the area where the weld is to be made may be magnified as desired to suit the eyes of the diver and the character of the Work being done.

To improve the divers view of the work within the cone-shaped cavity, the region where the weld is to take place is preferably illuminated by a series of lamps 63 which are mounted around the forward end of the tubular helmet extension 20. Each lamp comprises a tube 64 having mounted in the forward end thereof an insulating ring 65 in which there is secured an electric light bulb 66. Each tube 64 has an inclined forward end face against which there is mounted a glass lens or plate 61 secured in place by a metal ring 68 having a threaded engagement with the end of the tube. Each lamp bulb 66 may be energized by a pair of flashlight batteries 69 which are mounted within the tube 64 and connected in series, these batteries being pressed against the base of the bulb 66 by a coil spring 10. When the operator does not desire to employ the batteries 69, they may be disconnected and the lamps energized by electrical conductors contained in cables H which extend to the surface of the water and are controlled by one or more electric switches 12. These electric cables lead into the tubes 64 through insulating plates 13 and metal plates 15 which are secured to the rear ends of the tubes 64 by screws 16. The closures for the tubes 64 should be fluid tight so that water will not disturbe any parts of the electrical connections.

The electric lamps 63 are carried by a pair of metal rings 11 which are clamped on the forward end portion of the tubular extension by means of set screws 18. These rings are provided with aligning apertures: in which the tubes; 64;, are mountech and the tubes are; held in adjusted D0511: tio-ns witn-respect-v to the; rings. by set screws 60* which maybe released to permit the: lamps; to -be, adjusted: longitudinally for the purpose of vary ingthe position of't-hepoint .on. which the: lightrays are concentrated. For. the purpose of: dierecting the light raysfrom. the bulb; 56 toward a common point-,each-tube 64$ is provided-with a reflector: 8t located-above the electric bulb. and behindithe: g-lassplate or: lens 6:! son-that the; light rays 82 emitted 'bys each bulb 66 are directed downwardlyand: forwardly to, converge at" and rearwardly of therear surfaces of the. plates: 5291-. and liflzwln ch-are tube-welded. Inthis wayvthe. interior or the cone-shaped'area in which the welding takes placev illuminated sothat the crack 6| in-the plates is clearly visible: to the operator of the welding torch,

Duringthe welding operation, the" water around: the-forward end of the tubular extension 26 and the site of thewel'd; which water is heated by the welding-torch, is drawn inwardly through the apertures 26*- in' the extension 26' and: the: registering apertures 41s inthe-- ring by the suction oithe jets discharged by the nozzle 50, and is then carried f-orwardlybythe jets so that the water heated by the torch is circulated continually and h11ought, to the site of the weld to heat the parts'to be welded, thus faciliat sz the-w ngioperationr When the welding operation has been com-.7 pleted, the valve 54 may be operated to shut off the flow of water and the switch or switches 12 may be actuated to deenergize the lamps 63, whereupon the tubular extension 20 and the parts carried thereby may be swung upwardly to the position shown by dotted lines in Fig. 1, During this operation, the hinged joint 53 in the water connection permits the upward movement of the flexible conduit 52. The operator is then enabled to look through the clear glass lens IS in the helmet l2 as he moves away from the place where the Welding operation has been effected.

From the foregoin description it will be apparent that the present invention provides an attachment for a divers helmet which permits the diver to move about at the bottom of the body of water where he is to carry on his welding operations, with the tubular extension 20 then elevated so that a clear vision of the divers surroundings may be obtained through the clear glass lens I6. When the Work to be welded has been located, and the diver is prepared to begin the welding operation, the helmet extension 26 may be swung downwardly to permit the rubber ring 22 to be automatically latched by the spring 23, whereupon the tubular extension 20 is held firmly in position and the operator may then look through the lenses 25, 30 and 46 to view the operation of the welding torch without danger of injuring his eyes, while at the same time obtaining a clear vision of the work due to the operation of the lamps 63 to the fact that the steam, bubbles and sparks have been carried by the jets of water out of the area of the welding operation, and to the further fact that the parts to be welded are magnified by the lens 30.

Although one form of the invention has been shown and described by way of illustration, it will be understood that the invention may be constructed in various other embodiments coming within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a device of the class described, a divers 7 helmet constructed and mounted to form a water tight closure for the head of the diver and having an outlet opening, a lens mounted over said opening, and means for causing jets of water under pressure to form an area opposite said lens which is substantially free of vision obstructing elements when said helmet is submerged and welding operations are carried on in said space.

2. An attachment for a divers helmet constructed and mounted to form a water tight closure for the head of the diver and having an outlet opening, comprising a tubular member adapted to be mounted on said helmet around said opening, and means including a circular nozzle carried by said member for ejecting jets of water away from the mouth of said member when said member is submerged.

3. An attachment for a divers helmet constructed and mounted to form a water tight closure for the head of the diver and having an opening, comprising a tubular extension adapted to extend outwardly from said opening, a lens mounted in said extension, and means including a. nozzle mounted on said extension for directing outwardly coverging jets of liquid under pressure away from the outer end of said. extension when said extension is submerged.

' ANDREW BARNA.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

Number Number 8 UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Bennum May 9, 1899 Drager Oct. 2'7, 1908 Cummings Sept. 9, 1913 Macrini Nov. 18, 1913 Moran Apr. 17, 1914 Work Nov. 21, 1916 Steinmetz Apr. 10, 1917 Harney Feb. 24, 1920 Mickelson Nov. 2, 1920 Deam May 10, 1921 Mahon Nov. 15, 1932 Arnold Jan. 29, 1935 Rosenberger Apr. 30, 1935 Richter June 30, 1936 Bowers Sept. 22, 1936 Hagen Jan. 16, 1940 Andrews Nov. 18, 1941 Anderson Jan. 13, 1942 Bausch Sept. 5, 1944 Huntsman Nov. 21, 1944 Stegeman Feb. 20, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Great Britain Nov, 11, 1924,

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