Patent Grant
7159528
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a floatable underwater breathing apparatus. More specifically, it relates to an apparatus and methods for a plurality of users to work and/or play underwater with a supply of breathable air. The unit is designed for use by recreational scuba underwater users, under water salvagers, and boat repairers.
2. Background and Related Art
There have been many inventions relating to providing breathable air to underwater swimmers, divers, and others who either desire underwater recreation or need to work underwater. In the past, use of plain snorkels, involving one end floating on the water and supplying air to user at the other end have been limited. This is because of the limitations regarding the depth and distance requirements that the user must heed.
The limitations of the simple snorkel device led to the development of more sophisticated apparatuses. One early method of underwater breathing involved having a pump located on a boat on the water's surface. Air was then fed through a hose and into a pressurized suit worn by a diver. This allowed for periods of extended diving but necessitated a boat, a crew, and a pump. The diver was required a wear special gear and did not enjoy free movement.
Later attempts at providing underwater breathing to users was SCUBA (self-contained underwater breathing apparatus) developed by Jacques Cousteau and described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,593,988 in 1952. In this art, a pressurized tank is worn on the diver's back. The air pressure is regulated according to the demand and depth and breathing air is supplied to the diver. Among the drawbacks of the Cousteau technique is that it requires the user to wear a pressurized tank on his back. Significant cost and training is also needed to use this technique.
Later practices include a number of products that float independently on the surface of a body of water. Typically, such a device consists of an air compressor powered by a gasoline engine mounted on a floatation device. These techniques have led to other, similar devices that use electric or solar-powered, rather than gasoline, motors. Drawbacks of these devices include their weight, expense, and inherent danger in case of power failures. Other, more recent underwater breathing devices, such as that of Gamow et al in U.S. Pat. No. 5,193,530 uses pumpable reservoirs of air wherein the user/diver must wear a breathing means having a flow-restrictor shut-off valve, a one-way inlet valve, a one-way exhaust valve. Miller, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,327,849, and in later U.S. Pat. No. 5,924,416 uses a compressor in his apparatus. In contrast applicant uses a diaphragm air pump to supply air in his invention.
Another big difference between these inventions is that Miller uses a pressure switch so that the pumps of his invention pumps do not constantly operate, but turn off and on as demand requires. Applicant's invention continuously pumps free-flowing air and is not turned on and off during use.
Further distinctions and differences between applicant's invention and the prior art will be made clear as further detailed description and diagrams are viewed and understood by the reader.
This invention relates to an apparatus that supplies a continuous flow of fresh, breathable air to at least one underwater user. The continuous air flow relieves the user of constantly watching an air tank or reservoir capacity. The apparatus of this invention supplies a continuous flow of air that does not need to be regulated and does not require certifications concerning the use of regulators, compressed air tanks or reservoirs. The user's continuous air supply relieves the need to use an air regulator or any special equipment. There are no breathing constraints as there are in breathing compressed air from tanks and reservoirs.
A great number of hazards involved with underwater activities result from regulators and compressed air tanks and reservoirs. The instant invention requires no regulators or compressed air tanks or reservoirs, or engines requiring fuel to operate. An additional advantage provided by the present invention is the safe and simultaneous supply and abundance of fresh air for more than one user.
Specific examples of the use of the device and methods of this invention will be soon described in the Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments.
As can be seen in
Shown in
The mouthpiece 11 is connected to the water-resistant enclosure 1 via the air supply line 10. The mouthpiece 11 allows the users to draw fresh breathing air from the water-resistant enclosure 1 via the air supply line 10. Any unused portion of fresh air (exhaust air) is vented away from the user via a check valve 18 in the mouthpiece 11.
The fresh air vent tube 8 prevents water entry into the water-resistant enclosure 1. The tether line 14 is attached to the circular rubber inner tube 9. The tether line 14 is made of a strong material that is suitable to allow the floating apparatus to be pulled by the user. It also serves as a life line between the user and the water-resistant enclosure 1. The materials can be polypropylene, cotton, nylon, and similar materials.
Seen in
An air collection header 7 allows at least one user to breathe fresh air while underwater. Additional air supply lines 10 can be added to the air collection header 7 which is in the water-resistant enclosure 1 of this invention.
The apparatus of this invention can be used by one or two people who are working and/or enjoying a pleasurable water experience. The breathable air received by a user is untreated surface air and does not require the use of accessories selected from the group consisting of compressed air, air storage tanks, and reservoirs. In this invention, users are persons requiring a reliable and constant supply of breathable air while underwater. Such people are typically recreational scuba underwater users, under water salvagers, and boat repairers.
Another use for the water-resistant enclosure 1 on this invention is that the circular inflatable tube 9 can be disconnected from the water-resistant enclosure 1 and hooked to a boat for use as a ski tube. This use is for recreational users; a user who is snorkeling can remove the circular inflatable tube 9 from the water-resistant enclosure 1 and hook it behind a boat for use as a ski tube.
The water-resistant enclosure 1 of this invention supplies breathable air to at least one underwater user without the use of cumbersome underwater breathing gear. This is accomplished by the user by the steps of
a) providing a water-resistant enclosure 1 with a plurality of air pumps 3 that are each connected to a flexible air supply line 5 which is in turn connected to a combination quick disconnect and check valve 4 that connects to a air collection header 7 that generates a constant flow of breathable air to the underwater user and an energy source comprising a dry cell battery 6 that is connected to the air pumps 3 that enable a supply of breathable air to reach an underwater user for an extended period of time;
b) connecting a plurality of air supply lines 10 each with two ends, that supply said breathable air to at least one mouthpiece 11 that is connected to the air collection header 7 at one end and to an underwater user's mouthpiece 11 and the other end;
c) turning on the pump 3 prior to placing mouthpiece 11 in a user's mouth to insure that air supply lines are free of water;
d) placing a user's mouth on the mouthpiece 11 to breathe air while performing a desired underwater task.
The method of supplying breathable air to two underwater users can be for time periods ranging from about 50 to about 80 minutes. If there is only one user, the time period increases to about 100 to about 160 minutes.
The breathable air received by at least one user is untreated surface air and does not require the use of accessories such as compressed air, air storage tanks, or reservoirs.
The above presents a description of the best mode contemplated of carrying out the present invention, and of the manner and process of making and using it, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use this invention. This invention is, however, susceptible to modifications and alternate constructions from that discussed above which are fully equivalent. Consequently, it is not the intention to limit this invention to the particular embodiments disclosed. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications and alternate constructions coming within the spirit and scope of the invention as generally expressed by the following claims, which particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter of the invention:
This is a utility patent application based on a U.S. Provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/626,030 filed Nov. 8, 2004 which is hereby incorporated by reference.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2593988 | Cousteau | Apr 1952 | A |
| 4674493 | Mitchell | Jun 1987 | A |
| 4832013 | Hartdorn | May 1989 | A |
| 5193530 | Gamow et al. | Mar 1993 | A |
| 5327849 | Miller | Jul 1994 | A |
| 5351681 | Hudson | Oct 1994 | A |
| 5606967 | Wang | Mar 1997 | A |
| 5924416 | Miller | Jul 1999 | A |
| 5947116 | Gamow et al. | Sep 1999 | A |
| 20040003811 | Bodnar | Jan 2004 | A1 |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60626030 | Nov 2004 | US |
