Patent Application
20150125219
The present invention relates generally to the field of diving, and more particularly to methods, systems, and devices for providing flotation of a breathing apparatus or other diving related equipment.
Underwater diving has become increasingly popular as a recreational activity. However, widespread adoption of recreational diving is constrained by time-consuming licensing requirement, and use of heavy and expensive scuba diving equipment.
As an alternative to conventional underwater diving, modern devices for surface-supplied diving have emerged in the past decades. These devices allow a scuba diving like experience, with only limited training and less complicated equipment.
However, such devices that are used for floating breathing apparatuses or tanks are typically large and expensive, rely on air-inflated flotation, and can be cumbersome in use. Due to their large size, they are not easily carried to or from remote locations, and are generally impossible to transport in personal carry-on luggage.
As such, considering the foregoing, it may be appreciated that there continues to be a need for novel and improved devices and methods for surface-supplied diving.
The foregoing needs are met, to a great extent, by the present invention, wherein in aspects of this invention, enhancements are provided to the existing models for surface-supplied diving equipment.
In an aspect, a flotation device for diving, can include:
In a related aspect, the connection harness can further include at least two adjustable straps, such that each strap is tightened around the tank.
In a related aspect, the flotation device can be an elongated cylindrical piece made from closed-cell polyethylene foam.
In a further related aspect, the flotation device can be a pool noodle.
In another aspect, a flotation device for diving can include:
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, certain embodiments of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof herein may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional embodiments of the invention that will be described below and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.
In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of embodiments in addition to those described and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. In addition, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein, as well as the abstract, are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
Before describing the invention in detail, it should be observed that the present invention resides primarily in a novel and non-obvious combination of elements and process steps. So as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will readily be apparent to those skilled in the art, certain conventional elements and steps have been presented with lesser detail, while the drawings and specification describe in greater detail other elements and steps pertinent to understanding the invention.
The following embodiments are not intended to define limits as to the structure or method of the invention, but only to provide exemplary constructions. The embodiments are permissive rather than mandatory and illustrative rather than exhaustive.
In the following, we describe the structure of an embodiment of a flotation device for diving 100 with reference to
In an embodiment a flotation device for diving 100 can comprise:
In related embodiments, the flotation device for diving 100 can allow a diver to dive to a depth of at least up to 50 feet.
In a related embodiment, the flotation device for diving 100 can further include a carrying strap 130, which is connected to the connection harness 120. The carrying strap 130 can further be mounted between the adjustable straps 122, such that the carrying strap 130 can be connected in each end of the carrying strap 130, to an adjustable strap 122.
In a related embodiment, the carrying strap 130 can further include a handle 132. As shown in
In a related embodiment, the holster 102 can be an elongated cylindrical structure.
In a related embodiment, the flotation piece 110 can be an elongated cylindrical structure, with dimensions such that it fits inside the holster 102.
In a further related embodiment, the flotation piece 110 can be a pool noodle, in the form of an elongated cylindrical piece of foam.
In a further related embodiment, the flotation piece 110 in a pool noodle configuration can be:
In another further related embodiment, the flotation piece 110 in a pool noodle configuration can have a diameter in a range of 2 to 7 inches, for embodiments suitable to float a breathing tank of different sizes and weights.
In another further related embodiment, the flotation piece 110 in a pool noodle configuration can be made of closed cell polyethylene foam. In a further related embodiment, the closed cell polyethylene foam can have a density of 1.5-3.0 lb. per cubic foot.
In yet a further related embodiment, the flotation piece 110 can be an off-the-shelf pool noodle, for example purchased by a consumer in a retail store, with a particular matching diameter, and cut to an appropriate length by the consumer, or having a suitable off-the-shelf length.
In an embodiment, an inner side reinforcement strap 142 can be connected to an inner side of a surface of the holster 102. The inner side reinforcement strap 142 can for example be made of a nylon webbing strap material.
In a related embodiment, an outer side reinforcement strap 144 can be connected to an outer side of the surface of the holster 102. The outer side reinforcement strap 144 can for example be made of a nylon webbing strap material.
In a related embodiment, a flotation device for diving 100 can be configured as small horseshoe shape surface floating apparatus intended for flotation of a self-contained breathing apparatus, such that a diver can dive beneath the flotation device for diving 100, breathing gas from a hose connection to the breathing apparatus.
In a related embodiment, a flotation device for diving 100, which can also be referred to as a Hookahroo™, can be folded to be stored in a space the size of a handbag, when stored without the flotation piece 110. The flotation device for diving 100 is easily put together from a stored configuration, and does not need to be inflated and is lightweight.
In a related embodiment, the flotation device for diving 100 can be manufactured in a lightweight configuration, which is convenient for travel, and can easily be hand-carried to a diving location.
In various embodiments, advantages of the flotation device for diving 100 include that the device:
In various related embodiments, the flotation device for diving 100 can be attached to the back of a boat as a flotation device for boaters who need extra assistance in the water. The device can also be used for flotation while snorkeling, and in addition, boaters can use the device to clean the bottoms of their boat with ease.
In related embodiments, the flotation device for diving 100 can be configured to carry additional equipment, such as hoses, additional tanks, compressors, weight belts, and/or harness systems.
In related embodiments, components of the flotation device for diving 100 can be sewn together using a UV resistant polyester thread. The thread can for example have a weight of 8 oz. per 2250 yards.
In a related embodiment, the connection harness 120 can be made from a webbing strap material. The webbing strap material can for example be made from nylon. The webbing strap can be reinforced with a binding, such as for example a Sunbrella centerfold Binding™, with a total width of 1 inch before application.
In a related embodiment, the holster 102 can be made from a heavy-duty mesh fabric, whereby the mesh fabric can allow for easy drainage of water. The mesh fabric can for example be a UV resistant nylon mesh or a polyester mesh.
In a further related example embodiment, the mesh fabric can be a 100% vinyl-coated woven polyester mesh, of the brand Phifertex™, with a shade factor of 70%.
In an alternative embodiment, the holster 102 can be made from a sailcloth material, such as a Kevlar laminate sailcloth. In related embodiments, the holster 102 can have at least one hole for drainage of water.
In a related embodiment, the holster 102 can further include a front-mounted d-ring 162.
In a further related embodiment, the front mounted d-ring 162 can have an attached hook or loop, which can be made with a nylon webbing material.
In a further related embodiment, a front of the holster 102 can have an attached flagpole holder 170, which can be an elongated hollow cylinder with an opening in an upper end. The cylinder can for example be a plastic cylinder, or be formed as a cavity between two webbing straps that are stitched together, or a folded webbing strap that is stitched on one elongated side, and stitched closed in a bottom end, thereby forming a cavity into which the flagpole can be inserted.
In another related embodiment, the holster 102 can further include at least one rear-mounted d-ring 164. The rear-mounted d-ring can further have an attached hook or loop, which can be made with a nylon webbing material.
The d-rings 162164 can for example be made from a plastic material, or from a saltwater rated metal, metal alloy, or anodized metal.
The loop can further include a hook and loop fastener, such that the loop can be opened and closed, to secure an item, such as a diving flag.
In a related embodiment, illustrated in
In a related embodiment,
In an alternative embodiment, a flotation device for diving can comprise solely of a substantially u-shaped non-inflatable flotation piece, to which the connection harness is attached directly, without the need for a separate holster 102.
The many features and advantages of the invention are apparent from the detailed specification, and thus, it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such features and advantages of the invention, which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.
Many such alternative configurations are readily apparent, and should be considered fully included in this specification and the claims appended hereto. Accordingly, since numerous modifications and variations will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation illustrated and described, and thus, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/900,178, filed Nov. 5, 2013, which is included herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61900178 | Nov 2013 | US |
