Weight release system for underwater divers

Abstract

A weight release system for selectively releasing weights from an underwater diver. The weight release system includes at least one pocket attached to a buoyancy control device or a weight belt. The pocket includes an interior portion for retaining weights. A zipper is located on the pocket. The zipper is positioned on a bottom portion of the pocket. A cord runs from the zipper to a handle. Pulling the handle opens the zipper, causing the weights retained in the pocket to fall from the pocket.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Technical Field of the Invention

[0002] This invention relates to underwater diving equipment, and more particularly, to a system for selectively holding and releasing weights from an underwater diver.

[0003] 2. Description of Related Art

[0004] During underwater diving, it is desirable for a scuba diver and his equipment to be neutrally buoyant. However, a scuba diver and his equipment tend to have a natural positive buoyancy, which makes it particularly difficult for a scuba diver to operate underwater. To offset this positive buoyancy or flotation effect, divers often wear lead weights. The weight of the diver and his equipment varies from person to person. Therefore, a unique quantity of weights are utilized by each individual diver to achieve neutral buoyancy. The quantity of weights must be selected based on this total weight of the person. If a person is carrying different types of equipment, the amount of weight required to maintain the desired neutral buoyancy also changes. Therefore, the addition and removal of weights to a person must be simple and easy for the diver to accomplish.

[0005] In addition, although the added weights to the diver's equipment provide benefits to the diver while operating underwater, there are circumstances where the diver must rapidly rise to the surface. However, with the added weights, any positive buoyancy of the diver is removed or reduced. For example, in emergency situations in which the diver is unable to return to the surface immediately, or requires assistance to return to the surface, the added weights can inhibit the return of the diver to the surface. Therefore, it is necessary that these added weights be rapidly removed or jettisoned during an emergency.

[0006] To facilitate the use of weights on a diver, webbed belts having weights threading into the webbing have been utilized. The belt buckle of the webbed belts have been designed so as to make it easy to release the belt in an emergency. Divers also often wear an inflatable vest called a buoyancy control device (BCD). The BCD allows the diver to utilize air to offset the negative buoyancy of the weights. The BCD may use the air from the air tanks of the diver to provide air to the BCD. Currently, divers commonly incorporate both the BCD and weight belt into a device known as a weight-integrated BCD.

[0007] With the weight-integrated BCD, the weights are placed into special pockets that have some release mechanism for releasing the weights from the BCD in case of an emergency. To accommodate the rapid release of the weights from the BCD, many different methods have been used. The most popular method is to have a weight pocket which includes weights positioned within an interior of the pocket. This pocket slides into a special slot on the BCD and is held in place with hook and pile fasteners (Velcro® strips). A handle is attached to the pocket. When the diver pulls on the handle, the Velcro® fasteners are pulled apart, thus pulling the pocket out of the slot and allowing the diver to drop the pockets with the weights inside. However, there are several significant disadvantages to this popular apparatus. First, a large amount of force may be necessary to disengage the Velcro® fastener to enable the weights to be released. However, in an emergency situation, some divers may have difficulty applying sufficient force to enable the pockets to be pulled out of their slots on the BCD. In addition, continual use of the Velcro® fasteners causes the fasteners to wear out. The fasteners, if not properly positioned together, do not adequately hold the weights in place. Specifically, if the fasteners are not properly aligned, the weights may inadvertently fall out. Additionally, this apparatus is expensive to manufacture, through the use of several components to the system. Also, during the release of the weights, the pockets are also discarded.

[0008] To avoid the problems associated with these Velcro® weight pockets, some manufactures have recently implemented plastic clip release systems to the weight-integrated BCD. A diver pulls a handle, which causes a male and female bucket to unhook. The buckle retains the weight pocket in place against the BCD. Release of the buckle allows the pocket and weight to be released. Other manufacturers employ a system which uses a bottom which allows a plastic clip to open and allow the removal of the pocket. Both of these methods have significant problems due to their complex configuration, namely high production costs and high failure rate. Also, because of the cumbersome and complex design, these devices are not commonly used by divers.

[0009] The use of releaseable pockets provides its own inherent problems. The divers must remove the pockets from the BCD to insert the weights, then replace the pocket in their respective locking mechanism to secure the pockets to the BCD. The process of placing weights within the pockets and locking the pockets on the BCD is extremely difficult when the diver is in the water.

[0010] Still another system employed by divers is a “parachute ripcord system.” In this system, the pocket is fastened onto an outside portion of the BCD. The pocket has a zipper on the top of the pocket to allow easy insertion of the weights. To release the weights, a ripcord having a nylon cabling ending with a pull handle is utilized. The bottom of the pocket is open, but by using loops of the nylon cord approximately every two inches, the loops pass through a series of stainless steel grommets. The nylon cabling can then be threaded through the loops. This, in effect, “stitches” the bottom of the pocket together. Pulling the handle disengages the cabling from the loops, thus causing the bottom of the pocket to open, and the weights to naturally fall due to gravity. Obviously, one of the biggest disadvantages of this system is the tedious process of re-threading the bottom of the pocket. In addition, because of the spaces between the series of loops, gaps often form which allow weights to accidently fall out the bottom of the pocket.

[0011] Review of existing release mechanisms do not teach or suggest a device which allows the easy, cost-effective, and rapid removal and insertion of weights within a weight belt or a BCD. It is an object of the present invention to provide such an apparatus.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] In one aspect, the present invention is a weight release system for releasing a weight from an underwater diver. The weight release system includes a pocket having an interior section for retaining a weight and a zipper located on the pocket. The zipper is positioned on a bottom portion of the pocket. A cord having a first end and a second end is used. The first end is attached to the zipper and the handle is attached to the second end. An application of pulling force to the handle causes the zipper to open, thereby creating an opening in the pocket and releasing the weight retained in the pocket by gravity from the pocket. The pocket may be affixed to a buoyancy control device (BCD), a weight belt, or a weight harness.

[0013] In another aspect, the present invention is a weight release system for releasing a weight from an underwater diver. The weight release system includes a pocket having an interior section for retaining a weight. The pocket has an opening. A flap covers the opening and prevents the weight from falling out of the interior section of the pocket. A zipper is attached to the flap and the pocket. The system also includes a cord having a first end and a second end. The first end is attached to the zipper and a handle is attached to the second end. An application of pulling force to the handle causes the flap to fall free to reveal the opening, thereby allowing the weight retained in the pocket to fall out through the opening.

[0014] In still another aspect, the present invention is a weight release system attached to a BCD for releasing a weight from an underwater diver. The weight release system includes two pockets, each pocket having an interior section for retaining a weight. Each pocket is attached to the BCD and includes a zipper located on the pocket. The zipper is positioned on a bottom portion of the pocket. A cord is attached to the zipper on one end and has a handle on an opposite end. A grommet is attached to the pocket for guiding the cord and enabling the application of pulling force on the handle to direct an appropriately directed force onto the zipper to move the zipper to an opened position. An application of pulling force to either handle causes the zipper to open, thereby creating an opening in the pocket and releasing the weight retained in the pocket by gravity from the pocket.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The invention will be better understood and its numerous objects and advantages will become more apparent to those skilled in the art by reference to the following drawings, in conjunction with the accompanying specification, in which:

[0016] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a weight-integrated buoyancy control device (BCD) in the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0017] FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the BCD worn by a diver in the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0018] FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the pocket illustrated in the closed position removed from the BCD;

[0019] FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the BCD worn by the diver releasing weights from the pockets in the preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

[0020] FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of the pocket illustrated in the opened position removed from the BCD.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0021] A weight release system for use by an underwater diver is disclosed. FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a weight-integrated buoyancy control device (BCD) 10 in the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The BCD includes a vest 12 having an inflation tube 14 and a waist portion 16. The waist portion includes a left waist band 18 and a right waistband 20. The BCD also includes a belt 22. Attached to each waistband are weight release systems 30. Each weight release system includes one or more weight pockets 40 and 43. The weight pockets may be permanently affixed to the BCD or detachable. Each weight pocket includes a zipper 42 having a cord 44 with a handle 46. The cord is positioned through a grommet 48. The cord is preferably constructed of a flexible yet strong material, such as nylon cord. In addition, on a top or side portion of the zipper is an insert zipper 55.

[0022] The grommet may be any guiding mechanism for use in guiding the cord in a desired position (e.g., ring, loop/loops of material, hole for which cord runs through, etc.). Preferably, the grommet is affixed to the bottom portion of the pocket, however in alternate embodiments of the present invention, the grommet may be positioned on anything (e.g., other equipment worn by the diver) which allows proper guiding of the cord. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the zippers are shown in the closed position. The handles may be releasably secured (e.g., Velcro® fasteners) to a portion of the BCD or diver to avoid unintentional release of the weights. The handle may be configured in any manner which enables the diver to easily grasp, such as a loop of material or a “T-handle.”

[0023] FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the BCD 10 worn by a diver 50 in the preferred embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 2, each weight pocket 40 and 43 includes the zipper in the closed position. Individual weights 60 are positioned within an interior portion of each pocket. As discussed above, weights are utilized to achieve neutral buoyancy for the diver and his equipment. The weights are preferably inserted within the closeable open show as insert zipper 55. Alternatively, the opening for inserting the weights may be any closeable opening, such as a fastened flap, snaps or buckles.

[0024] FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the pocket 40 illustrated in the closed position removed from the BCD 10. The weights are held within the interior of the pocket. The zipper is positioned on a bottom portion of the pocket. Alternatively, the zipper 42 may be positioned anywhere on the pocket which enables the weights to fall through the opening during an emergency. The zipper is preferably opened from the rear of the pocket to the front. However, in alternate embodiments of the present invention, the zipper may be positioned anywhere on the pocket which enables the weights to fall freely from the pocket when the zipper is opened. In addition, the zipper may be opened alternatively from front to rear. The grommet is optionally, although preferably, utilized in the weight release system 30. The grommet may be any guiding mechanism which enables the diver to apply force in any direction to the handle and appropriately direct the force in such a manner as to open zipper. Thus, if a diver is experiencing an emergency, any force applied to the handle may be used to open the zipper, without requiring the diver to direct more attention to the task of releasing the weights.

[0025] FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the BCD worn by the diver 50 releasing weights 60 from the pockets 40 and 43 in the preferred embodiment of the present invention. In order to quickly release the weights from the pockets, each handle is individually pulled (preferably downwardly or forwardly). As the handle is pulled, the cord attached to the zipper is pulled, which in turn, causes the zipper to open. The cord is guided by the grommet 48 to enable any pulling action to the handle to apply the appropriately directed force to open the zipper. As ilustrated in FIG. 4, the pockets are shown in the open configuration.

[0026] FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of the pocket 40 illustrated in the opened position removed from the BCD 10. As the handle 46 is pulled, the cord is pulled, thus causing the appropriately directed force to be applied to move the zipper to the open position. As the zipper is opened, the weights are released by gravity downwardly.

[0027] With reference to FIGS. 1-5, the operation of the present invention will now be explained. Weights may easily be inserted into each pocket to provide neutral buoyancy to the diver and his equipment through each opened insert zipper 55. After the weights have been inserted the zippers 55 are closed in a conventional manner (i.e., zippered closed). When necessary, the weights may be quickly released by pulling on the handles. Each handle is attached to the cord 44, which is attached on an opposite end of the cord to the zipper. As a pulling force is applied to the handle, appropriately directed pulling force is applied to the zipper, thereby causing the zipper to move (in this illustration, to the forward position). As the zipper is moved, the zipper is opened, thus allowing the weights contained in the pocket to fall out of the pocket.

[0028] In alternate embodiments, one handle may be attached to two or more cords, with each cord attached to a zipper. In this alternative configuration, the pulling of one handle causes each zipper for which the handle is attached to open. In addition, the weight pockets may be located anywhere on the diver 50 or his equipment (e.g., weight belt, harness, or any location of the BCD). Additionally, although the zipper is depicted as opening from the rear of the pocket to the front, the zipper may be opened in any manner (e.g., zipper opens from front to aft). The zipper may be positioned anywhere on the pocket which allows the weights to fall from the pocket when the zipper is opened. In another alternate embodiment of the present invention, a zipper may be affixed to a flap covering an opening of the flap. When the zipper is opened, the flap falls away, thereby creating an opening for weights retained in the pocket to fall from the pocket.

[0029] The present invention provides many advantages over existing weight release systems. The present invention allows ease in inserting weights within the pockets, even when the diver is in the water. Additionally, the release of the weights is accomplished by a simple pull in any direction upon one or more handles affixed to cords running to the zippers. When releasing the weights, no other component (e.g., pockets) is discarded, such as in other existing devices. In addition, the present invention has less components interacting with each other, thus making the weight release system cost effective and reliable.

[0030] It is thus believed that the operation and construction of the present invention will be apparent from the foregoing description. While the apparatus and system shown and described has been characterized as being preferred, it will be readily apparent that various changes and modifications could be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

Claims

1. A weight release system for releasing a weight from an underwater diver, said weight release system comprising:

a pocket having an interior section for retaining a weight;

a zipper located on said pocket, said zipper positioned on a bottom portion of said pocket;

a cord having a first end and a second end, said first end attached to said zipper; and

a handle attached to the second end;

whereby an application of pulling force to said handle causes said zipper to open, thereby creating an opening in said pocket and releasing the weight retained in said pocket by gravity from said pocket.

2. The weight release system for releasing a weight from an underwater diver of claim 1 further comprising a grommet for guiding the cord, said grommet enabling the application of pulling force on the handle to direct an appropriately directed force onto said zipper to move said zipper to an opened position.

3. The weight release system for releasing a weight from an underwater diver of claim 2 wherein said grommet is attached to a bottom portion of said pocket.

4. The weight release system for releasing a weight from an underwater diver of claim 2 wherein said grommet is attached to a piece of equipment worn by the diver.

5. The weight release system for releasing a weight from an underwater diver of claim 1 wherein said cord is a nylon cable.

6. The weight release system for releasing a weight from an underwater diver of claim 1 further comprising a second pocket for retaining a weight, said second pocket having:

a second zipper located on said second pocket, said second zipper positioned on a bottom portion of said second pocket;

a second cord having a first end and a second end, said first end attached to said second zipper; and

a second handle attached to the second end;

whereby an application of pulling force to said second handle causes said second zipper to open, thereby creating an opening in said second pocket and releasing the weight retained in said second pocket by gravity from said second pocket.

7. The weight release system for releasing a weight from an underwater diver of claim 6 wherein said second handle is integrated into said first handle to form an integrated handle, whereby application of force to the integrated handle causing said first and second zippers to open, thereby releasing any weights held in said first and second pockets.

8. The weight release system for releasing a weight from an underwater diver of claim 1 wherein said handle is a loop.

9. The weight release system for releasing a weight from an underwater diver of claim 1 wherein said handle is a T-handle.

10. The weight release system for releasing a weight from a scuba diver of claim 1 wherein said handle is detachably secured to said pocket.

11. The weight release system for releasing a weight from an underwater diver of claim 1 wherein said pocket is attached to a buoyancy control device (BCD).

12. The weight release system for releasing a weight from an underwater diver of claim 1 wherein said pocket is attached to a weight belt.

13. The weight release system for releasing a weight from an underwater diver of claim 1 wherein said pocket is attached to a weight harness.

14. The weight release system for releasing a weight from an underwater diver of claim 1 wherein said zipper opens from a rear side of said pocket to a front side of said pocket.

15. The weight release system for releasing a weight from an underwater diver of claim 1 wherein said zipper opens from a front side of said pocket to a rear side of said pocket

16. The weight release system for releasing a weight from an underwater diver of claim 1 further comprising a closeable opening located on said pocket for inserting a weight within the interior section of said pocket.

17. A weight release system for releasing a weight from an underwater diver, said weight release system comprising:

a pocket having an interior section for retaining a weight, said pocket having an opening;

a flap covering the opening, said flap preventing the weight from falling out of the interior section of said pocket;

a zipper attached to said flap and said pocket;

a cord having a first end and a second end, said first end attached to said zipper; and

a handle attached to the second end;

whereby an application of pulling force to said handle causes said flap to fall free and revealing the opening, thereby allowing the weight retained in said pocket to fall out through the opening.

18. The weight release system for releasing a weight from an underwater diver of claim 17 further comprising a closeable opening located on said pocket for inserting a weight within the interior section of said pocket.

19. The weight release system for releasing a weight from an underwater diver of claim 17 further comprising a grommet for guiding the cord, said grommet enabling the application of pulling force on the handle to direct an appropriately directed force onto said zipper to move said zipper to an opened position.

20. A weight release system attached to a buoyancy control device (BCD) for releasing a weight from an underwater diver, said weight release system comprising:

a first pocket having an interior section for retaining a weight, said first pocket attached to the BCD said first pocket having:

a first zipper located on said first pocket, said first zipper positioned on a bottom portion of said first pocket;

a first cord having a first end and a second end, said first end attached to said first zipper; and

a first handle attached to the second end;

a first grommet attached to said first pocket for guiding the first cord, said first grommet enabling the application of pulling force on said first handle to direct an appropriately directed force onto said first zipper to move said first zipper to an opened position;

whereby an application of pulling force to said first handle causes said first zipper to open, thereby creating a first opening in said first pocket and releasing the weight retained in said first pocket by gravity from said first pocket; and

a second pocket having an interior section for retaining a weight, said second pocket attached to the BCD and having:

a second zipper located on said second pocket, said second zipper positioned on a bottom portion of said second pocket;

a second cord having a first end and a second end, said first end attached to said second zipper;

a second handle attached to the second end; and

a second grommet attached to said second pocket for guiding the cord, said second grommet enabling the application of pulling force on the handle to direct an appropriately directed force onto said second zipper to move said second zipper to an opened position;

whereby an application of pulling force to said second handle causes said second zipper to open, thereby creating a second opening in said second pocket and releasing the weight retained in said second pocket by gravity from said second pocket.