1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the field of scuba diving equipment and more specifically to buoyancy compensators commonly referred to as “BC's”.
2. Background Art
In a diver's buoyancy compensator it is desirable to have the most lift (expanded volume) possible when needed yet have the least amount of bulk when it is deflated. Typically the compensator is used in a deflated or near deflated condition unless positive buoyancy is desired on the surface. The bulkier the device, the more hydrodynamic swimming resistance is created.
There are two common types of buoyancy compensator construction. The first may be referred to as a “single bag construction”. Single bag buoyancy compensators are those in which there is a single air holding cell exposed directly to the surrounding environment. The materials must be puncture resistant and very durable. Typically they have no expansive or elastomeric properties. There is one company that has a slightly expansive material, but it is expensive and of modest performance. The second type is referred to as “double bag construction”. In this configuration, an elastomeric (rubber or polyurethane) air cell is contained within an outer protective shell. By nature, elastomeric materials capable of holding air are not terribly puncture resistant or durable enough to be used without an exterior protective cover, much like an old tube type tire.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,385,496 discloses a BC having an inflatable air cell or bladder.
FIGS. 1a and 1b show the deflated and expanded cross sections of typical “single bag construction” prior art BC's with multiple non-expansive panels. Multiple panels allow the design of a more “three-dimensional shape”.
Prior art double bag construction BC's that utilize rubber or elastomeric air cells that expand and contract are contained in a protective outer shell that usually does not expand. In some instances, a panel of expandable fabric has been incorporated in the outer shell to allow expansion, but those elastic materials are soft, of coarse weave and offer little puncture resistance. This subjects the inner air cell to damage if the outer shell is punctured through the elastic fabric panel. Prior art shows an inner expandable air cell of rubber or elastomeric material. It is enclosed in an outer shell, typically of nylon fabric. Side panels of elastic fabric mesh are sewn to the nylon shell such that the outer shell has the ability to expand during inflation. When inflated, there is considerable exposed surface area of the elastic mesh panel subject to puncture. The weave of the mesh is also at its coarsest condition during expansion, offering little resistance to puncture by sharp objects. This subjects the inner air cell to puncture, since it is not protected by the more durable nylon fabric used in the majority of the outer shell construction.
In the present invention an air cell of a buoyancy compensator is protected by an outer protective bag which has a section of double layer construction. In the double layer area, two panels of elastic fabric are each juxtaposed adjacent a panel of non-elastomeric material. The elastic panels are spaced at a distance of each other such that during expansion when the elastic panels are at their limit, there is still an adjacent layer of non-elastomeric protective material. If a sharp object penetrates the elastic panel, it will not puncture the inner air cell unless it can also pierce the protective bag layer. This unique construction permits the outer protective bag to expand with inflation of the air cell, but in a way which reduces the risk that an external object can pierce the air cell since there is no straight line path that penetrates only elastic material.
The aforementioned objects and advantages of the present invention, as well as additional objects and advantages thereof, will be more fully understood herein after as a result of a detailed description of a preferred embodiment when taken in conjunction with the following drawings in which:
Referring now to the accompanying drawings, it will be seen that in
As seen best in
First elastic panel 23 and second elastic panel 25 enable a commensurate expansion of outer protective bag 21 with inflation of inner air cell 20 as shown best in
Thus, the present invention provides a unique capability in an air bag of a buoyancy compensator by protecting an inflatable air cell within an expandable protective bag that is configured to expand with the air cell while still preventing puncture penetration into the air cell. This unique capability is achieved by employing a novel double layer implementation along at least the outer surface of the air bag where each such layer has an expandable panel juxtaposed with an adjacent puncture resistant non-expansive panel both before and after air cell inflation.
Those having skill in the art of BC's will now perceive various additions and modifications to the illustrated embodiment. Accordingly, the scope hereof is to be limited only by the appended claims and their equivalents.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20090232604 A1 | Sep 2009 | US |