US3740764A - Diving suit - Google Patents

Diving suit Download PDF

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Publication number
US3740764A
US3740764A US00148742A US3740764DA US3740764A US 3740764 A US3740764 A US 3740764A US 00148742 A US00148742 A US 00148742A US 3740764D A US3740764D A US 3740764DA US 3740764 A US3740764 A US 3740764A
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United States
Prior art keywords
suit
diver
air
gaseous medium
diving
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Expired - Lifetime
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US00148742A
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English (en)
Inventor
Ingvar B Elfstroem
Dennis E Oesterlund
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Individual
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Individual
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    • 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
    • B63C11/04—Resilient suits
    • B63C11/08—Control of air pressure within suit, e.g. for controlling buoyancy ; Buoyancy compensator vests, or the like
    • 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

Definitions

  • ABSTRACT A diving suit made of an air-proof material, namely a closed cell porous rubber with a fabric cover on both sides, whereby the material has inherent heat-insulating properties, as well as a certain buoyancy.
  • the suit has a close fit so that in normal pressure conditions a minimum air layer can form between the interior of the suit and the divers body, the suit being provided with means for controlling the supply of air from a pressurized source to the interior of the suit, as well as the removal of the air from the suit, air supplies normally taking place for the purpose of compensating the compressing action upon the air layer, which is generated by the pressure of the water in dependance upon the diving depth.
  • the diving suits may be classified according to four catagories.
  • To the first category belongs the so-called heavy suit, which is made from a comparatively stiff material.
  • This suit is very wide and is meant to be filled with air, which is also used for breathing.
  • This suit has a great floating capacity, which makes it necessary for the diver to load himself with heavy weights.
  • the suit is only adaptable for certain stationary work and requires a considerably amount of assistance by persons and land equipment.
  • the lighter dry suit is made from a thinner material, but also this material is comparatively stiff and the material gives no heat insulation.
  • the suit is relatively wide, but is not meant to contain air, which makes the water pressure to press in a painful way the suit against the body of the diver.
  • a suit named constant volume dress
  • This suit is mainly a suit into which air is introduced. It is thus relatively wide and the air is free to move in the suit, which causes very great dangers at position changes, as the air then rushes up towards the highest part of the suit.
  • the suit has been provided with a number of safety valves, through which the air continuously leaves the suit. This means a great air consumption and the heat insulation is consequently diminished.
  • the so-called wet suit is made from heat insulating material, usually expanded rubber.
  • This suit is made to fit tightly against the body and it is provided with bands, through which water is intended to penetrate to form a layer between the suit and the skin of the wearer. This might be tolerated for shorter periods of work, but when used for a long period this suit is unsuitable.
  • a further drawback is that the'heat insulation will considerably decrease, when the material through the influence of the water pressure is pressed against the body.
  • the suit is further as well as the other suit types manufactured in such a manner that it makes it impossible for the diver to relieve his wants of nature without taking off the complete suit.
  • the general object of the present invention is to provide a diving suit which overcomes the above-noted drawbacks. More particularly, in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a diving suit which is intended to prevent a direct contact between the divers body.and the outside medium which surrounds the suit, said suit being made from a material which does not let through said outside medium, said suit being furthermore provided with means for controlling the supplyof 'a gaseous medium from a pressurized source of said gaseous medium to the interior of the suit as well as-the removal of said gaseous medium from the suit, said material having a multitude of discrete cells which are mutually separated from each other and are gasfilled such that the material of the suit inherently has heat-insulating properties as well as a certain buoyancy, said suit being manufactured as a close fit so that only a minimum gaseous medium layer can form between the interior of the suit and the divers body, said material having such resilient properties that it may fit tight about the divers body, such that said gaseous medium layer is maintained within the desired close limits,
  • FIG. 1 is a side view showing a diver, equipped with a suit according to the invention
  • FIG. 2 shows a suit partly in a vertical section and the diver is provided with a mouth piece and cyclope
  • FIG. 3 shows on a smaller scale the suit in a front view
  • FIG. 4 shows on a bigger scale a vertical section through the neck portion of the suit
  • FIG. 5 shows on a yet bigger scale a section through a connection between two pieces of the suit
  • FIG. 6 is a longitudinal section through a glove, as applied over the sleeve of the diving suit.
  • FIG. 7 is a side view of a second embodiment of the invention adapted for rapid divings without supplemental air.
  • FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7 but showing the suit for use with a supplemental air supply,and
  • FIG. 9 is a front view of the jacket part of the diving suit.
  • the diving suit consists of a number of cut pieces 1, 2 (see FIG. 5), each of which having a thickness of about one-fourth inch and having closed cells as for example porous rubber or so-called neoprene 3, which on both sides has a fabric cover, for example nylon 4, 5.
  • the ends of the pieces 1, 2 face each other and the abutting parts 6 are jointed by means of glue or the like.
  • the cloth parts 4 and 5 are mutually connected by means of seams 7 and 8.
  • the said cloth covers increase the heat insulation of the material and protect the rubber layer 3.
  • the suit is also given the desired stability, which keeps the air layer in the suit within acceptable limits.
  • an opening 14 which may be closed by means of an air-tight zip fastener 13.
  • the feet of the suit are supplied with rubber soles 15.
  • the legs 10 and also the sleeves 16 are supplied with reinforcements 17 and 18.
  • air may be introduced by means of valves 31 or an air communication may be established between different parts of the suit by means of adequate channels or the like. It is also essential that there is no need to use a stationary face mask 34 or cyclope 35 to prevent air from rushing out of the opening 21 and that the suit may be used in connection with standard equipments.
  • a pair of gloves 26 To the suit belong a pair of gloves 26, the wrist portion 27 of which may be pulled over the band 28 of the sleeve 16 in a tightening way.
  • an air valve 31 which by means of a tube or hose is in communication with a compressed air tank 30, and an air escape valve 33, operable by means of a button 32.
  • a face mask 34 (FIG. 1), which is in communication with the tube 30 and which covers the entire opening 21 or a cyclope 35, contacting the skin of the face in the opening and a mouth nozzle 36 (FIG. 2), may be used.
  • an upwardly and inwardly directed lip 37 may also be provided an upwardly and inwardly directed lip 37, preventing air of a higher pressure to be forced from the cap 20 into the body portion of the suit.
  • the suit should, during diving, be furnished with air from a smaller supplementary container (not shown). Owing to the proper size of the suit and its flexibility, the suit does not need much air and air let into the suit stays as long as the diver desires. The diver is free to take every position in the water without risking that big air volumes travel into different parts of his suit, thereby considerably influencing his balance.
  • the suit itself controls the movements of the encased air at the same time as it eliminates unpleasant influences of the waterpressure and gives a good heat insulation.
  • a pressure compensation for the increasing water pressure is obtained by means of manual or automatic control of the air inlet valve 31 and the diver can easily make himself lighter or heavier as desired.
  • the suit according to FIGS. 7 and 8 includes a jacket 1 made from the material according to FIG. 5.
  • the jacket 1 is integral with a hood 41 provided with an opening for a so-called cyclope 42.
  • the jacket is further at its chest portion provided with two manually operable valves 43 and 44 from which valve 44 is an outlet valve which when operated permits the air in the jacket to leave the same and the other one 43 serves to admit the supply of pressurized air from a pressure medium source.
  • Said pressure medium source is preferably carried by the diver by means of a suspension device 45.
  • the jacket is provided with an opening 46 which extends from the front middle portion of the jacket to a point at the back portion which is approximately at the same height as the beginning of the opening and which may be closedby means of an air-tight zipper 47.
  • the opening passes the crotch of the diver which makes it possible for him to relieve nature after having opened the zipper. Thanks to the opening it is also easy to dress and undress.
  • the jacket has two short legs 48 from each of which extends a preferably somewhat conical collar 49, made from a resilient air-tight material such as rubber. These collars have such a size and shape that they may be folded inwardly from the position shown in FIG. 7 in which they constitute an extension of the legs 48. In their folded position they constitute a lip seal preventing the air in the jacket to leave the same. An air pocket 50 surrounding the folded part of the collar is thereby constituted which permits the air pressure to act upon said inwardly folded part of the collar. Between the chest portion of the jacket and the hood a similar sealing arrangement may be provided for preventing air to move from said chest portion to the hood and vice versa.
  • the jacket When adapted according to FIG. 7 the jacket may be used for rapid divings without pressure medium source. The air in the jacket will then leave the same via the folded down collars.
  • leg coverings 51 which preferably are made from the same material as the jacket.
  • These leg coverings 51 have such a length that their upper part will end somewhat above the upper edge of the inwardly folded collars 52 according to FIG. 8, thereby being secured against axial movements and pressed against the legs of the diver by means of the collars.
  • These leg coverings are therefore preferably taken on prior to the folding of the collars.
  • the suit may also include separate socks 53 or socks integral with the leg coverings.
  • the suit functions exactly as the suit according to FIG. 1 to 2 but the risk for unwanted air-movements is completely eliminated by means of the sealings between the jacket and the leg coverings.
  • Another important advantage is the universal application of the suit, i.e., the possibility of using the jacket with or without the legcoverings or with or without the air supply.
  • the suit in such units the costs for repairing damages in for example the leg portion are essentially reduced.
  • the size of the suit is in addition less critical.
  • a diving suit which is intended to prevent a direct contact between the divers body and the outside medium which surrounds the suit, comprising a suit of a material which does not let through water or a gaseous medium like air, means on said suit for controlling the supply of said gaseous medium from a pressurized source of said gaseous medium to the interior of said suit as well as the removal of said gaseous medium from the suit, said suit material having a multitude of discrete cells which are mutually separated from each other and are gas-filled such that the material of the suit inherently has heat-insulating properties as well as a certain buoyancy, said suit having a close fit to the diver so that only a minimum gaseous medium layer in normal pressure conditions is apparent between the interior of said suit and the divers body, said suit having at least at its neck portion inner side being provided with a downwardly and inwardly directed collar of a resilient material which is, in use, pressed like a lip seal against the diverneck owing to an interior gaseous medium pressure around the diver 5 body, said material having such resilient properties that
  • a diving suit as claimed in claim 1 in which a fabric cover is arranged on each side of the medium-proof material, a plurality of pieces of which material make up the suit, the outer fabric cover being connected together by means of seams, said material pieces being also mutually connected, the arrangement being such that said outer fabric reduces the strains on the connection between said pieces, whereby said outer fabric gives the suit the desired rigidity and constitutes a wear protection layer, which contributes in protecting the material from external influences.
  • a diving suit as claimed in claim 1 wherein said suit comprises a jacket intended to cover the body of the wearer except the legs and having a first valve means for admitting pressurized gas to be introduced into the suit and a second valve means for permitting gas to leave the jacket, and short legs, collars made from thin, flexible material and secured to said legs and constituting in an unfolded position an extension of said legs thereby permitting gas to escape from the interior of the jacket, said collars having such a length as to be folded inwardly to fit tightly over the upper portion of two leg coverings adapted over the legs of the diver such that said leg coverings are secured against axial movements at the same time as they are seallingly pressed against the divers legs, said collarsfunctioning as lip sealings preventing gas to escape from the jacket.
  • numeral 2 should be 41; numeral 42 should be added to the face mask; numeral 1 should be 40; numeral 4 should be 44; numeral 5 should be 43;numeral ll should be 48; and numeral 12 should be 50; Fig.8 numeral 5 should be 43; numeral 8 should be 45; numeral 9 should be 47; numeral 12 should be 52; numeral 13 should be 50; numeral 11 should be 48; numeral 12 should be 52; numeral 14 should be 51 and numeral 15 should be 53; and Fig.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
  • Professional, Industrial, Or Sporting Protective Garments (AREA)
  • Outer Garments And Coats (AREA)
US00148742A 1968-03-20 1971-06-01 Diving suit Expired - Lifetime US3740764A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
SE1390/68*[A SE309728B (sv) 1968-03-20 1968-03-20 Dykardräkt

Publications (1)

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US3740764A true US3740764A (en) 1973-06-26

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US00148742A Expired - Lifetime US3740764A (en) 1968-03-20 1971-06-01 Diving suit

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US (1) US3740764A (US20030220297A1-20031127-C00074.png)
AT (1) AT322365B (US20030220297A1-20031127-C00074.png)
BE (1) BE727785A (US20030220297A1-20031127-C00074.png)
CH (1) CH501517A (US20030220297A1-20031127-C00074.png)
DE (2) DE6807424U (US20030220297A1-20031127-C00074.png)
DK (1) DK146559C (US20030220297A1-20031127-C00074.png)
ES (1) ES160561Y (US20030220297A1-20031127-C00074.png)
FI (1) FI50854B (US20030220297A1-20031127-C00074.png)
FR (1) FR2001248A1 (US20030220297A1-20031127-C00074.png)
IE (1) IE32721B1 (US20030220297A1-20031127-C00074.png)
NL (1) NL6901568A (US20030220297A1-20031127-C00074.png)
SE (1) SE309728B (US20030220297A1-20031127-C00074.png)
SU (1) SU414779A3 (US20030220297A1-20031127-C00074.png)

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4015295A (en) * 1976-04-15 1977-04-05 Lancaster Woodrow A Diving suit and neck seal therefor
JPS5578600U (US20030220297A1-20031127-C00074.png) * 1978-11-27 1980-05-30
EP0122350A1 (en) * 1982-11-12 1984-10-24 Precision Dippings Marketing Limited Rubber attachments for diving suits
US5003630A (en) * 1989-10-23 1991-04-02 David Clark Company Incorporated Pressure garment
US5025502A (en) * 1989-09-18 1991-06-25 Raymond Douglas W Puff-off glove
US5140721A (en) * 1990-10-25 1992-08-25 Kauffeld Robert C Thermal protective diving undergarments made with plastic bubble packing sheets
US5940878A (en) * 1995-06-20 1999-08-24 Apollo Sports Co., Ltd. Watertight suit
US20060223410A1 (en) * 2004-02-11 2006-10-05 Arias David A Collapsible Aquatic Toys
US20130340140A1 (en) * 2012-05-02 2013-12-26 La Spirotechnique Idustrielle Et Commerciale Diving dry suit
US20150290480A1 (en) * 2014-04-10 2015-10-15 Amron International, Inc. Neck seal for a gas treatment hood

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
SE453358B (sv) * 1979-10-30 1988-02-01 Volcano Int Medical Ab Fysiologiskt kroppsdelsskydd
JPH02197492A (ja) * 1989-01-25 1990-08-06 Akio Tanaka 潜水艇

Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2321583A (en) * 1941-02-17 1943-06-15 Edward C Craig Buoyant insulating and protective overalls
US2521767A (en) * 1944-07-17 1950-09-12 Dorothy Zecha Garment
FR979205A (fr) * 1949-01-05 1951-04-24 Vêtement isolant pour séjour dans l'eau en surface ou en plongée
US2582811A (en) * 1947-01-31 1952-01-15 Harvey L Williams Garment
US2749551A (en) * 1954-01-22 1956-06-12 David W Garbellano Underwater suit
US3138155A (en) * 1959-06-23 1964-06-23 Dunlop Rubber Co Underwater swimming and diving suits
US3172126A (en) * 1963-04-23 1965-03-09 Mine Safety Appliances Co Protective suit neck enclosure
US3307540A (en) * 1964-03-10 1967-03-07 Ocean Systems Protective suit
US3329966A (en) * 1964-01-03 1967-07-11 Nicholas A Slavick Contour garment

Family Cites Families (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2255751A (en) * 1939-12-16 1941-09-16 Ingersoll Rand Co Body conditioning apparatus suit
FR1004142A (fr) * 1946-04-02 1952-03-26 Perfectionnements aux scaphandres
US2981954A (en) * 1957-04-15 1961-05-02 David W Garbellano Diving apparel
GB891998A (en) * 1959-09-30 1962-03-21 Nat Res Dev Improvements relating to garments for wear underwater and to panels in or for use in such garments
FR1261030A (fr) * 1960-06-23 1961-05-12 Dunlop Rubber Co Perfectionnements aux combinaisons de plongée et nage sous-marine
FR1306990A (fr) * 1961-11-23 1962-10-19 Costume de plongée reversible, isotherme, et renforcé
NL6706817A (US20030220297A1-20031127-C00074.png) * 1966-05-17 1967-11-20

Patent Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2321583A (en) * 1941-02-17 1943-06-15 Edward C Craig Buoyant insulating and protective overalls
US2521767A (en) * 1944-07-17 1950-09-12 Dorothy Zecha Garment
US2582811A (en) * 1947-01-31 1952-01-15 Harvey L Williams Garment
FR979205A (fr) * 1949-01-05 1951-04-24 Vêtement isolant pour séjour dans l'eau en surface ou en plongée
US2749551A (en) * 1954-01-22 1956-06-12 David W Garbellano Underwater suit
US3138155A (en) * 1959-06-23 1964-06-23 Dunlop Rubber Co Underwater swimming and diving suits
US3172126A (en) * 1963-04-23 1965-03-09 Mine Safety Appliances Co Protective suit neck enclosure
US3329966A (en) * 1964-01-03 1967-07-11 Nicholas A Slavick Contour garment
US3307540A (en) * 1964-03-10 1967-03-07 Ocean Systems Protective suit

Cited By (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4015295A (en) * 1976-04-15 1977-04-05 Lancaster Woodrow A Diving suit and neck seal therefor
JPS5578600U (US20030220297A1-20031127-C00074.png) * 1978-11-27 1980-05-30
JPS581117Y2 (ja) * 1978-11-27 1983-01-10 シバタ工業株式会社 乾式潜水服
EP0122350A1 (en) * 1982-11-12 1984-10-24 Precision Dippings Marketing Limited Rubber attachments for diving suits
US5025502A (en) * 1989-09-18 1991-06-25 Raymond Douglas W Puff-off glove
US5003630A (en) * 1989-10-23 1991-04-02 David Clark Company Incorporated Pressure garment
US5140721A (en) * 1990-10-25 1992-08-25 Kauffeld Robert C Thermal protective diving undergarments made with plastic bubble packing sheets
US5940878A (en) * 1995-06-20 1999-08-24 Apollo Sports Co., Ltd. Watertight suit
US20060223410A1 (en) * 2004-02-11 2006-10-05 Arias David A Collapsible Aquatic Toys
US20130340140A1 (en) * 2012-05-02 2013-12-26 La Spirotechnique Idustrielle Et Commerciale Diving dry suit
US20150290480A1 (en) * 2014-04-10 2015-10-15 Amron International, Inc. Neck seal for a gas treatment hood
US9931482B2 (en) * 2014-04-10 2018-04-03 Amron International, Inc. Neck seal for a gas treatment hood

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
SU414779A3 (US20030220297A1-20031127-C00074.png) 1974-02-05
DE6807424U (de) 1974-01-10
DK146559C (da) 1984-04-24
FI50854B (US20030220297A1-20031127-C00074.png) 1976-04-30
FR2001248A1 (US20030220297A1-20031127-C00074.png) 1969-09-26
SE309728C (US20030220297A1-20031127-C00074.png) 1972-06-19
ES160561Y (es) 1971-09-01
SE309728B (sv) 1969-03-31
IE32721L (en) 1969-09-20
BE727785A (US20030220297A1-20031127-C00074.png) 1969-07-01
IE32721B1 (en) 1973-11-14
NL6901568A (US20030220297A1-20031127-C00074.png) 1969-09-23
DE1809501A1 (de) 1969-11-13
DK146559B (da) 1983-11-07
ES160561U (es) 1970-10-01
AT322365B (de) 1975-05-26
CH501517A (de) 1971-01-15

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