Patent Application
20130333704
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Devices for breathing in mediums other than air are essential for applications such as diving and fire rescue. These activities, as well as a variety of others rely heavily on the use of self-contained underwater breathing apparatuses (SCUBA) to provide the participant with a constant, regulated flow of air. The use of SCUBA gear has allowed for completion of previously impossible endeavors and has opened the door for many future applications as well. While the applications and achievements involving SCUBA gear are varied and widespread, there are limitations and drawbacks to the use of a SCUBA system.
SCUBA systems require the use of compressed air. To allow for a reasonable period of use, the compressed air is normally contained in long, cylindrical tanks. These tanks are typically stored on the user's back (up to three tanks at a time). While the tanks allow for a greater flexibility of movement, they are also restrictive in the user's range of motion. Due to the size and heft of the tanks, users cannot run, jump, or swim as effectively as they normally would (traditional SCUBA gear may weigh up to 75 pounds). The loss of normal movement eliminates the possibility of using SCUBA gear in extreme environments such as big wave surfing or avalanche skiing. In extreme activities it is necessary to allow for a full range of motion with no additional added weight, to ensure maneuverability and survivability when unforeseen circumstances arise.
The size of traditional SCUBA tanks also limits the access of the user to various openings. Openings that a person would normally fit through are no longer accessible due to the added dimensions of the tanks situated on the user's back. This loss of access is vitally important during search and rescue operations in collapsed buildings or plane crashes. Without a smaller breathing apparatus, lives of victims may be lost due to inability to access their location.
As one would surmise, for a tank system secured to a user's back, there must be a means with which to transfer the tank contents to the user's nose or mouth for inhalation. As the contents of the cylinders are under pressure (˜3,000 pounds per square inch), the air must flow through a regulator to prevent damage to the user's lungs. In a typical SCUBA configuration, this is accomplished using a two-stage regulator. The first stage attaches to the cylinder and drops the air pressure from ˜3,000 psi to ˜150 psi. The second stage regulator, located at the user's mouth, is connected to the first stage regulator via a hose. The second stage regulator further reduces the air pressure from ˜150 psi to ambient pressure.
While having the first and second stage regulators separated by a hose in a traditional SCUBA configuration is necessary to reduce the necessary lung inhalation exertion while diving, a hose can be an item of concern with other SCUBA applications. While completing search and rescue missions, for example, a hose can easily become ensnared or tangled in debris, causing failure of the system.
Traditional SCUBA tanks are made of aluminum. Aluminum has become an accepted standard thanks to its light weight, cost, and favorable strength characteristics. A typical aluminum scuba tank weighs 30 pounds empty. Filling the tank with 80 cubic feet of air (at 3,000psi) adds seven pounds, bringing the total to 37 pounds. While this weight is not of primary concern while in the water, it becomes paramount if the tank is used in applications requiring physical exertion on dry land. For this reason, more and more applications are transitioning from aluminum tanks to tanks that have been developed using carbon fiber. Carbon fiber wrapped cylinders, often referred to as “Type 3” cylinders have a seamless metal liner over-wound on all surfaces by a composite reinforcement that provides between 75% and 90% of the strength of the vessel. The liner provides the rest of the strength in addition to acting as a rigid membrane for gas containment and impact resistance. Carbon fiber cylinders are the lightest weight cylinders available today and have a safety factor far exceeding that of steel or aluminum. Carbon fiber wrapped tanks have an allowable pressure of more than 4,500 pounds per square inch, nearly 50% more than an aluminum tank of similar proportions, at a third the weight.
While various temporary breathing solutions have been patented (U.S. Pat. No. 7,156,092, U.S. Pat. No. 4,996,982), there is nothing available for users that can be unobtrusively worn and allows for quick exchange of compressed air cylinders. Presently available items are either too awkward to be worn while participating in extreme activities or are not able to be “re-filled on-the-fly.” It is the intent of the present invention to provide a means for solving both concerns practically and efficiently.
The present invention provides a highly portable breathing apparatus that can be used in applications in which previous self-contained breathing apparatuses were not an option. WristOx is an emergency air supply and breathing apparatus that can be worn on the body so as to not impede the user's motion or reaction to environmental conditions. The dimensions of the unit are such that it can be strapped to a user's forearm, upper arm, thigh or lower leg and provide needed emergency breathing capability without interfering with the bending, flexing or rotating of the user's arms or legs. In addition, the weight of the unit is less than two pounds, having minimal effect on the overall strength and abilities of the user.
The present invention consists of multiple interchangeable cylinders connected to a housing, which contains a single stage regulator, a pressure gauge and a mouthpiece. The housing is attached to a strap, which can be securely attached to the user's body or to an article of clothing.
Because WristOx has no exposed hoses or cabling, there is no fear of being ensnared by any environmental hazards (low hanging limbs, outcroppings of rocks, or any of the debris one would encounter in a wreckage). The carbon wrapped cylinders are connected directly to the housing, which is directly connected to the mouthpiece. For those users seeking an even cleaner solution, an optional cover can be installed over the cylinders, creating a smooth housing with no exposed surfaces.
As the present invention is intended primarily for near surface use (1 Atmosphere of pressure or less), a single stage regulator can be used, reducing the complexity of the invention and further reducing the size of the present invention. The use of a single stage regulator has no effect on the cylinder capacity, mitigating any concerns of useable air volume.
Unlike prior art U.S. Pat. No. 7,156,092, the present invention has the capability to house multiple air tanks. While the apparatus is not intended for extended periods of use, WristOx does have the capability of removing empty cylinders and replacing with spare full cylinders at any time or location, without the need for an air compressor or any specialized equipment.
Unlike prior art U.S. Pat. No. 4,996,982, the present invention can be attached to the body, much like a wristwatch. This allows the user the ability to constantly monitor the whereabouts and functionality of the unit without the fear of dropping the emergency breathing apparatus. It is also important to note that the present invention is capable of storing air at a greater pressure, thus allowing for more air to be stored in a smaller package.
Unlike prior art Design Pat. No. 351,207, the present invention houses at least two interchangeable carbon fiber wrapped cylinders containing compressed air at a minimum pressure of 4500 psi at capacity.
The present invention has a variety of applications, some of which include: big wave surfing, avalanche skiing, whitewater rafting/kayaking, spear fishing, snorkeling, exiting a plane crash, high altitude activity, exiting a building fire, spelunking, and swimming in rip currents. In addition, a quantity of WristOx devices can be stored near fire extinguishers, etc. to be distributed in the event of emergency in buildings or larger vehicles (ships, buses, airplanes, etc).
This device may also potentially be used in medical applications for respiratory delivery requiring a mix of other gases under pressure.
A preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in and by the following drawings in which like reference numerals indicate like parts and in which:
The present invention is designed to be mechanically simple and operator friendly. The WristOx,
The present invention has a regulator housing (6),
Once cylinders (9) are attached to the regulator housing (6), the pressure gauge (8) will provide an accurate reading of the remaining air contained within the unit. This gauge (9) can serve as an indicator of unit readiness during normal non-emergency reviews and checks.
Inside the regulator housing (6) is a single stage regulator that will reduce the air pressure from 4,500 psi to ambient pressure. Because there is no hose leading from the tanks to the mouthpiece, the pressure reduction can be done in a single stage, reducing the mechanical parts necessary in each unit. The regulator will only supply air when demanded through the mouthpiece.
The present invention relies on the same principles as traditional regulators to allow for air to flow from the cylinders (9) to the mouthpiece (
On the opposite end of the WristOx regulator housing (6) from the mouthpiece is the check valve (7). The check valve is connected to the cylinders (9) through the poppet (3). The check valve on the present invention works in the same fashion as a traditional self-contained breathing apparatus. In addition, the check valve also functions as a means to refill empty cylinders (9) when connected to an air compressor.
The present invention has a strap along the rear of the regulator housing (6). This strap is replaceable to accommodate any desired attachment method (hook and loop, wristwatch closure, metal hook and clasp, etc.). The strap is made of rubber with a wristwatch closure. This strap allows the user the freedom to position the unit where it is most accessible. If it is fastened to the wrist or upper arm, the WristOx can be used without having to detach the unit from the user's body.
The unit will be subject to high impact speeds and shock loads, given the nature of the environments that the WristOx is most likely to be used in. As such, all of the components in the system have been designed to withstand the loads with a safety factor of two.
The present invention as shown in
