The present invention relates to a buoyancy compensator bladder and, more particularly, to a buoyancy compensator bladder that includes a low-pressure inflator suitably positioned for both back mount and side mount diving.
Several designs for a buoyancy compensator bladder have been designed in the past. None of them, however, include a buoyancy compensator bladder with a low-pressure inflator (LPI) suitably positioned for both back mount and side mount diving configurations. The LPI which inflates and deflates the air cell is positioned on an outer surface of the air cell. As a result, when the fully assembled buoyancy compensator is equipped by a diver, the LPI runs from behind the diver's torso and under their armpit. This results in the inflator head which is part of the LPI to be disposed on the front of the diver's chest during back mount or side mount diving. This structure allows the bladder to be easily used for either back mount or side mount diving. It is known that divers often use back mount or side mount configurations when diving. Additionally, most buoyancy compensator bladders are currently designed to work exclusively for either back mount or side mount diving. Therefore, there is a need for a buoyancy compensator bladder that allows for the LPI to run under the diver's armpit for use of both back mount and side mount diving. This allows the present invention to adapt to a user's preferred method of diving.
Applicant believes that a related reference corresponds to U.S. Pat. No. 3,877,098 issued for a buoyancy pillow for a free diver that is attached to the ventral side of diver's trunk by shoulder, waist, and crotch straps. Applicant believes that another related reference corresponds to U.S. Pat. No. 5,662,433 issued for a combination spider and buoyancy compensator having a chest portion which include stretchable material to support the breasts of a diver. However, the cited references differ from the present invention because they fail to disclose a buoyancy compensator bladder with an LPI suitably positioned to run under the diver's armpit to allow for both back mount and side mount diving. The location of the LPI mounted provides a flexible configuration that adapts to a user's need based on preference when performing a diving task.
Other documents describing the closest subject matter provide for a number of more or less complicated features that fail to solve the problem in an efficient and economical way. None of these patents suggest the novel features of the present invention.
It is one of the objects of the present invention to provide a buoyancy compensator bladder with an LPI that runs under diver's armpit when the bladder is used for back mount diving.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a buoyancy compensator bladder with an LPI that runs under the diver's armpit when the bladder is used for side mount diving.
It is another object of this invention to provide a buoyancy compensator bladder that does not need to be repositioned. Additionally, neither the bladder nor the buoyancy compensator has to be reconfigured when switching from back mount to side mount diving.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a buoyancy compensator bladder that is versatile and easy to use.
It is yet another object of this invention to provide such a device that is inexpensive to implement and maintain while retaining its effectiveness.
Further objects of the invention will be brought out in the following part of the specification, wherein detailed description is for the purpose of fully disclosing the invention without placing limitations thereon.
With the above and other related objects in view, the invention consists in the details of construction and combination of parts as will be more fully understood from the following description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
Referring now to the drawings, where the present invention is generally referred to with numeral 10, it can be observed a buoyancy compensator system 10 which basically includes a bladder assembly 20, a backplate assembly 40, and a cylinder adapter assembly 60.
Bladder assembly 20 includes an air cell 22. In one embodiment, air cell 22 has a substantially oval shape and includes a front side and a rear side. Air cell 22 is to be provided as a suitable air cell that is used in diving environments. Bladder assembly 20 further includes a connector 24 disposed along the center portion of air cell 22. In the present implementation, connector 24 is operatively connected to backplate assembly 40 and cylinder adapter assembly 60. Connector 24 may have an oval shape and may be secured to air cell 22 by means of stiches along the entire perimeter of connector 24. Connector 24 may include connector holes 24a. It should be understood that air cell 22 and connector 24 may have any other suitable shape different from the present embodiment.
Bladder assembly 20 further includes a low-pressure inflator (LPI) 26 secured on the exterior surface of the air cell. The location of LPI 26 is pertinent to the configuration of the present invention. Air cell 22 includes a top surface portion, a bottom surface portion, and a middle surface portion. In the present embodiment, LPI 26 is positioned along the middle surface portion of air cell 22 as observed in
Bladder assembly 20 further includes overpressure valve 28 disposed on the air cell 22. In the present embodiment depicted in
Backplate assembly 40 includes a backplate 42 and harness 44. Backplate 42 may be provided as a metal backplate that is coupled to air cell 22. Backplate 42 includes backplate holes 42a. Backplate 42 allows for air cell 22 to be engaged with a user's back. It should be understood that backplate 42 should have a size and shape that cooperates with the size and shape of connector 24 and cylinder adapter assembly 60. Furthermore, harness 44 includes a plurality of D-rings 45. Other additional structural elements may be implemented into the backplate assembly 40 such as a crotch strap and other common diving elements.
Cylinder adapter assembly 60 includes an adapter member 62 that is coupled to air cell 22 as observed in
The foregoing description conveys the best understanding of the objectives and advantages of the present invention. Different embodiments may be made of the inventive concept of this invention. It is to be understood that all matter disclosed herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
3035747 | Ullrich, Jr. | May 1962 | A |
3065888 | Lande | Nov 1962 | A |
3820348 | Fast | Jun 1974 | A |
3866253 | Sinks | Feb 1975 | A |
3877098 | Braly | Apr 1975 | A |
4137585 | Wright, III | Feb 1979 | A |
4176418 | Scott | Dec 1979 | A |
4227521 | Hart | Oct 1980 | A |
D289672 | Pritchard | May 1987 | S |
4681552 | Courtney | Jul 1987 | A |
4690314 | Faulconer | Sep 1987 | A |
4752263 | Pritchard | Jun 1988 | A |
4778307 | Faulconer | Oct 1988 | A |
4779554 | Courtney | Oct 1988 | A |
4810134 | Eaulconer | Mar 1989 | A |
5249890 | Bergstrom | Oct 1993 | A |
5346419 | Kaiser | Sep 1994 | A |
5378084 | Walters | Jan 1995 | A |
5403123 | Walters | Apr 1995 | A |
5516233 | Courtney | May 1996 | A |
5522679 | Eungard | Jun 1996 | A |
5620282 | Stinton | Apr 1997 | A |
5662433 | Seligman | Sep 1997 | A |
5855454 | Courtney | Jan 1999 | A |
6039043 | Graber | Mar 2000 | A |
6477709 | Kawana | Nov 2002 | B1 |
6503114 | Kawashima | Jan 2003 | B2 |
6666622 | Courtney | Dec 2003 | B1 |
8834069 | Harvey | Sep 2014 | B1 |
20010036781 | Cressi | Nov 2001 | A1 |