Patent Application
20210309328
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Scuba diving is a form of underwater swimming where the swimmer/diver uses a self-contained underwater breathing apparatus (scuba) to breath underwater. Scuba diving may be done either recreational or professionally, with professional diving involved in scientific exploration, public safety and military applications. Scuba diving, or diving, may be done in any body of water that is sufficiently deep. Although most think of diving being done in the ocean, it is also common for diving in lakes and rivers.
The present invention is a multi-functional tool for divers that can be used in any body of water but was developed with a river diver as the primary consideration.
U.S. Pat. No. 9,829,267—Scuba Diving Accessory, Monopod, Sling, Fishing Spear, Lobster Tickling Rod, Eel Rattle, Signaling Device for Other Divers (issued Nov. 28, 2017 to Nikolic) is for a light-weight telescoping device for spear fishing that can be used for other purposes as listed in the invention title.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,720,933—Diving Spear and Sling Fastening Apparatus Therefor (issued Jan. 26, 1988 to Stude) is for a fishing spear and a method and apparatus to attach a thrusting sling to the spear shaft.
The present invention is a multi-functional dive tool designed for use by underwater or scuba divers, in particular divers that do so in rivers. The tool is a handheld metal spike designed to be utilized as a personal anchor or stabilizer when diving in water subject to strong currents. The tool may also be used for a stand for cameras or lights, an anchor or pivot point for search lines, or an animal deterrent among other uses.
The present invention is a multi-functional dive tool designed for use by underwater or scuba divers, in particular divers that do so in rivers. The tool is a handheld metal spike designed to be utilized as a personal anchor or stabilizer when diving in water subject to strong currents. The tool has a pointed end to assist in pushing the spike (1) into the river, ocean or lake bed. Unlike the prior art, the dive spike is constructed of materials with sufficient strength and weight that it can anchor or stabilize the diver in a current. The tool may also be used for a stand for cameras or lights, an anchor or pivot point for search lines, or an animal deterrent among other uses.
The tool consists of a stainless steel rod/spike (1) and a brass handle (2). The stainless steel rod (1) is pressed into the handle (2) and secured with a locking pin (4) that is drilled through both the handle (2) and the rod (1).
Overall length of the invention may range from 13 to 36 inches. The handle (2) can vary in length from 5 to 8 inches with the exposed portion of the spike (1) varying from 8 to 24 inches in length. Diameter of the handle (2) varies from ¾ to 1¼ inches with rod (1) varying between ¼ to ¼ inches in diameter.
In the preferred embodiment of the invention the rod (1) is 11¼ inches in length with 10 inches exposed and ⅜ inches in diameter that at the end of the rod (1) opposite the handle (2) is subjected to a 10 degree taper to form a point (9). The rod (1) is constructed of 303 stainless steel in the preferred embodiment of the invention.
The handle (2) of the preferred embodiment of the invention is 5 inches in length with a 1 inch diameter. The handle (2) is constructed of brass. The handles (2) surface has been knurled to provide a textured grip. Four grooves (10) are evenly spaced along the handle (2) to assist with gripping the handle (2). The grooves (10) are approximately ⅛ inch deep and ⅛ inch wide. Chamfers (11) are at either end of the handle (2) to eliminate sharp corners. The chamfers (11) are approximately 1/16 inches wide.
One side of the handle (2) has a ¼ inch wide flat milled surface (8) for printing the logo and/or name of the product for marketing purposes. The logo and/or name could be laser etched, printed or stamped onto the flat surface (8).
The preferred embodiment of the invention has a ¼ diameter inch hole (6) drilled horizontally through the handle (2) and a ¼ diameter threaded tap (5) drilled 1 inch deep into the center of the handle (2) at the handle's end opposite the spike (1). These holes (5, 6) are for accessories such as lanyards, clips, swivels, light mounts and camera brackets to be attached to the invention.
Although the preferred embodiment of the invention utilizes 303 stainless steel for the rod (1) it should be noted that the rod (1) could be constructed from other grades of stainless steel such as 301, 302, 304, 316 or 321 or other metal alloys. The preferred embodiment of the invention has the exposed portion of the rod (1) is 10 inches in length. In other embodiments of the invention, the exposed portion of the rod (1) is in the range of 8 to 24 inches in length and the diameter of the rod (1) can vary between ¼ to ¼ in diameter. One to two inches of the rod (1) is embedded into the handle (2). However, the rod (1) is not limited to the lengths and diameters specified herein.
The handle (2) in the preferred embodiment of the invention is constructed from 1 inch diameter brass stock and is 5 inches in length and a circular cylinder in shape. In other embodiment of the invention, the handle (2) could be other cylindrical shapes that circular such as hexagonal or octagonal. The handle (2) can also be constructed of other materials that brass such as bronze, stainless steel, a metallic alloy or plastic. In size the handle (2) may vary from 5 to 8 inches in length and ¾ to 1¼ inches in diameter. Like the rod (1), the handle (2) is not limited to the lengths and diameters specified herein.
In the preferred embodiment of the invention the rod (1) is securely affixed to the handle (2) by means of a locking pin (4). It should be noted that other means could be utilized to secure the rod (1) and handle (2) together including welding or the use of adhesives depending upon the materials used to construct the rod (1) and the handle (2).
The dimensions of the locking pin (4), accessory holes (5, 6), gripping grooves (10) and chamfers (11) are not limited to the dimensions specified for the preferred embodiment of the invention. The dimensions of the aforementioned components of the invention may be varied in both number and dimensions.
Potential CPC patent classifications for this invention:
The present invention described above and illustrated in
The terminology used herein is for describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the specification and relevant art and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein. Well-known functions or constructions may not be described in detail for brevity and/or clarity.
It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “on”, “attached” to, “connected” to, “coupled” with, “contacting”, etc., another element, it can be directly on, attached to, connected to, coupled with or contacting the other element or intervening elements may also be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being, for example, “directly on”, “directly attached” to, “directly connected” to, “directly coupled” with or “directly contacting” another element, there are no intervening elements present. It will also be appreciated by those of skill in the art that references to a stricture or feature that is disposed “adjacent” another feature may have portions that overlap or underlie the adjacent feature.
This invention was not made by an agency of the United States Government nor under a contract with an agency of the United States Government.
