Undersea Industries, Inc.

Other

Douglas J Toth

Eric R Brooks

Robert Applegate

Steven J Shankle

Dean Garraffa

Dean R Garraffe

In an air cell of a buoyancy compensator an outer protective bag has a section of double layer construction. In the double layer area, two panels of elastic material 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 non-elastic layer.

Expandable air bag construction for protection of an inflatable air cell in a diver's buoyancy compensator

Inflator regulator having a threaded sleeve and a plurality of different size adapters for connection to a plurality of different size BC hoses. Connecting the inflator regulator to a selected BC hose is accommodated by selecting the corresponding size adapter. The selected adapter is inserted concentrically through the threaded sleeve and then mechanically affixed, such as by a plastic cable tie, to the end of the BC hose. The sleeve is then threaded onto the inflator regulator. In the event that it is desired to connect to a different size BC hose, the above process is simply reversed and repeated using an appropriately selected different adapter.

Inflator regulator with multiple adapters for connection to different size BC hoses

A one-hand operated strap buckle capable of withstanding high forces and yet simple to operate and easily connected to a post and disconnected from a post. In a preferred embodiment, the buckle comprises upper and lower cases, the latter forming a slot for receiving a post with a flat head. When connected to a post, the buckle is secured to the post by a pair of swing arms terminating at locking hooks. The position of the swing arms is normally closed, but may be readily altered to an open position by a pair of opposed spring-loaded release tabs which when compressed toward one another, open the swing arms and separate the locking hooks. The buckle of the invention also comprises a strap release which is spring-loaded and normally engages the teeth of a strap by employing a spring-loaded catch which can be rotated away from the strap with tilting of the strap release around a fulcrum bearing. The locking hooks of the preferred embodiment, when in their locked position, assure a secure connection to the post which connection can withstand very high forces. Yet the locking hooks are easily separated when it is desired to release the strap from the post by simply squeezing the release tabs towards one another.

Strap connecting buckle

A second stage scuba pressure regulator having a valve seat and a floating piston that is free to travel axially within adjustable limits in relationship to the valve seat. Upon pressurization, the piston is pneumatically actuated to make contact with a valve seat set to a pre-adjusted contact interference. Upon depressurization, the piston is free to retract away from the valve seat to a position of no or minimal contact which will prevent long term deformation of the contacting surfaces.

Second stage scuba diving regulator having a pneumatic-dependent

Swim fin

An improved second stage regulator employs a pneumatically-activated anti-set poppet and inhalation resistance adjustment control knob accessible externally of the regulator. The anti-set poppet utilizes a pressure-activated compression spring to seal the air inlet during exhalation. When the regulator is stored, the relaxed spring permits the seal to withdraw from the sharp edge orifice of the air inlet thereby avoiding seal wear which would otherwise diminish the performance of the regulator. The adjustment control knob permits the diver to modify the required cracking effort by changing the amount of spring compression when the regulator is pressurized.

Second stage scuba diving regulator

A diver's buoyancy compensator that allows greater design freedom in the placement of the air-containing buoyancy chambers to better suit the needs of the diver. A preferred embodiment of the invention comprises four distinct surfaces, two of which make up the two halves of a floatation chamber that provides primarily back mounted floatation and the other two of which provide the chamber for more forward front mounted floatation under the arms and over the shoulder. After the two halves of each such chamber are joined to one another, the chambers are joined to each other with interchamber passageways providing free passage of air into both bladder chambers, whereby inflation and deflation in both chambers occur substantially simultaneously through a single valve or hose which may be connected to either such chamber.

Multiple-walled diver's buoyancy compensator

A low air warning system for scuba divers in which a pressure switch and an electromagnetic transmitter are positioned at or near the high pressure air supply tank of the scuba diver and a corresponding electromagnetic receiver is positioned on the diver's mask. A plenum extending from the receiver, provides a pair of LED light indicators of two different colors which also oscillate at different frequencies, depending upon the condition of the pressure switch in response to the supply of air in the diver's air supply tank. A unique electromagnetic transmission and receiving system is disclosed which relies upon magnetic induction between a high Q transmitting antenna and a high Q receiving antenna in the form of LC tank circuits. One of the novelties of the present invention is the use of frequency modulation and the use of distinct modulating tone frequencies which produce one or the other of two signals to activate one or the other of two LEDs of different colors and at different activation frequencies. Changes in both the color and frequency of the flashing light virtually assure that the diver cannot ignore a change in the status of his air supply when it has been reduced sufficiently to fall below a threshold that is sensed by a pressure attached to a valve on the tank.

Low air warning system for scuba divers

An integral floatation or buoyancy compensating device and weight assemblies for divers. The buoyancy compensating device provides an integral back pack which is used to support the air tank of a conventional scuba diving type. At least one and preferably two quick release weights are mechanically attached to the buoyancy compensating device usually at an integral waistband and worn around the waist similar to conventional hip style weights, but are individually releasable by a quick release mechanism from the waistband rather than normally jettisoning an entire band. The band to which the weights are attached are an integral lower extension of the buoyancy compensator or buoyancy compensating device. Weight release is simple and one handed with no band to entangle or become entrapped beneath the tank or other piece of equipment normally worn by the diver. Weight location is set about the waist near the hands when in a relaxed position. Weight release is effected by a simple grasping and squeezing action. Thus, there is no dependency on a secondary device or reaction to a remote release to release the weights. The weights are actually in-hand during the release process and free from entanglement with other gear. The weight assembly portion of the invention may also be used with a separate weight belt such as when the buoyancy compensating device is not used.

Integral buoyancy and ballast system for scuba divers

Diving tank boot

A diaphragm for a scuba diving regulator incorporates a contact member in the form of an axially thin spool cast or fabricated of low friction material. The contact member is installed at a central aperture of the diaphragm so that the end plates or flanges of the spool closely encompass the diaphragm on opposite sides. One of the flanges is located on the outside of the diaphragm, and the other is located on the inside, to be engaged by the actuating lever of the demand valve. No special sealing means need be provided about the spool, since the pressure difference between the ambient water and the air in the breathing chamber is always small, whatever be the depth of the diver in the water, but effective to maintain the seal.

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Huntington Beach, CA, United States of America

Douglas J Toth