Rigid Element Patents (Class 405/187)
  • Patent number: 11401016
    Abstract: A diving suit waterproof connector having a lighting device, includes: a fixing tube part watertightly connected to an end of each of sleeves of the diving suit; and a fastening tube part connected to a neck portion of an underwater work glove, wherein the fixing tube part includes fastening protrusions; a rubber ring press-fitted thereto; and a first contact terminal, and the fastening tube part includes coupling protrusions; a second contact terminal; and a lighting part electrically connected to the second contact terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Inventor: Un Gyun Yeo
  • Patent number: 8844116
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a harness for a buoyancy control device, and a harness manufactured by such method. There is provided a method of manufacturing a harness for a buoyancy control device for use in a diving application, the method including the steps of: providing polymeric material; molding the polymeric material into separate components of the harness; and connecting the components to one another so as to form the harness. A harness including a plurality of molded polymeric components interconnected is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Inventor: Rhys James Couzyn
  • Patent number: 8398337
    Abstract: A system to permit a diver to quickly adjust a one-piece continuous piece of webbing by simply pushing or pulling the webbing in the desired direction. The system includes accessory plate which is fixed to an existing diving backplate, which allows the webbing to slide on through the attached accessories without affecting the location of the accessories with respect to the diver's body. An improved adjustable crotch strap is also secured to the backplate. An ergonomic backplate frame is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Halcyon Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Jarrod Jablonski
  • Patent number: 8166968
    Abstract: A conjoined tube within a tube located inside a lower section of a snorkel designed to steer water droplets away from the snorkel diver's breathing path. The lower section of the snorkel has two valves. One is the scupper valve positioned at the lowest point of the inside tube. The scupper valve is a light duty valve or a low resistance one-way watertight passage intended to allow droplets of water to drain into the main reservoir. The outer tube lower section contains a reservoir for holding residual water that travels down to the bottom of the snorkel and is contained therein. During the normal clearing operation, the reservoir can be emptied and water will exit out of the lower section and into the surrounding water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Atomic Aquatics, LLC
    Inventor: Dean R. Garraffa
  • Patent number: 8011364
    Abstract: An underwater breathing device, such as a snorkel, may include an exhalation valve. The exhalation valve is configured to produce positive end-expiratory pressure in the airway of a user of the underwater breathing device. The exhalation valve includes a plate defining an exhalation port and at least one chamber port, an exhalation conduit connected to the exhalation port, and a flexible membrane that is sealable against a surface of the plate. A lower portion of the exhalation conduit is divided by a septum which divides the exhalation conduit and the exhalation port into a first exhalation port connected to a first exhalation conduit and a second exhalation port connected to a second exhalation conduit. The flexible membrane is sized and positioned to be capable of sealing the first exhalation port and the second exhalation port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Inventor: Mark R. Johnson
  • Patent number: 8011363
    Abstract: An underwater breathing device, such as a snorkel, may include an exhalation valve. The exhalation valve is configured to produce positive end-expiratory pressure in the airway of a user of the underwater breathing device in order to reduce the overall work of underwater breathing. The exhalation valve includes a plate defining an exhalation port. The exhalation valve also includes a flexible membrane that is sealable against a surface of the plate and is sized and positioned to be capable of sealing the exhalation port. The flexible membrane is configured to have a sealed position in which the flexible membrane seals the exhalation port such that substantially no exhaled air escapes the snorkel. The flexible membrane is also configured to have an unsealed position in which exhaled air escapes the snorkel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Inventor: Mark Johnson
  • Patent number: 7954489
    Abstract: A waterproof structure of a respiratory tube is provided. The waterproof structure comprises a hollow body and a lid. The hollow body has a first opening end and a second opening end opposing to the first opening end. The lid pivots onto the hollow body at the first opening end. Before the lid is immersed into liquid, the gravity of the lid can keep the lid at a certain position so that the respiratory tube is well-ventilated. After a part of the lid is immersed into the liquid, the buoyancy provided by the liquid forces the closing surface thereof to substantially seal the first opening end and prevent liquid from going into the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Qbas Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Chih-Cheng Shiue
  • Patent number: 7946290
    Abstract: An underwater exhaust system and method which includes an exhaust valve having a sealing edge, an exhaust outlet for exiting an exhaust gas, and a projection for directing water flow away from the exhaust valve. The exhaust valve includes a valve head and a valve stem, the valve stem being coupled with the valve head. The system and method prevent a siphoning effect, whereby leakage of water into the exhaust valve is minimized or prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Kirby Morgan Dive Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: William B. Morgan, Peter M. Ryan, Connie L. Morgan, Trent M. Schultz
  • Patent number: 7909030
    Abstract: The instant invention incorporates an asymmetrical purge valve tilted to fit within the confines of a chamber having a substantially elliptical cross-section. The elliptical cross-section is oriented to minimize the frontal area presented in the direction of swimming movement. The reduced cross-section results in a corresponding reduction of drag when the diver is swimming underwater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Inventor: Tony Christianson
  • Patent number: 7854568
    Abstract: Diving equipment easily operable by disabled persons, aged persons, etc. and wearable by oneself. The diving equipment such as buoyancy controlling device (BCD) has the function to hold a tank on the shoulder of a wearer and the function as a life jacket providing buoyancy to the wearer. In the diving equipment (BCD) of which the overall is formed in a vest-like shape, a tank holding part (2), shoulder parts (3) positioned at the both shoulder portions of a diver, and the portion (4) positioned at the center of the thoracabdominal part of the diver are formed continuously to each other so as to constitute rigid structural members. Most or all operating portions (5) are installed at the portion (4) positioned at the center of the thoracoabdominal part of the diver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Nihon University
    Inventors: Shoji Ekuan, Masayuki Kurokawa, Atsushi Tashiro
  • Patent number: 7823585
    Abstract: A snorkel clip made up of two substantially rigid elements, which are designed to wrap at least half way around a snorkel tube, overmolded with a substantially flexible element to create a simple, aesthetically pleasing device. The snorkel clip also includes a hinge region created as part of the substantially flexible element. This hinge region allows the snorkel clip to flex or bend so that one of the rigid elements may be disengaged and pulled away from the riser tube of the snorkel, so that a mask strap may be attached to and removed from the snorkel, while the other rigid element remains attached to the riser tube in a generally secure manner. The substantially flexible portion may also include several cut out sections to provide visual and tactile access to portions of the substantially rigid elements for utility and aesthetic design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Inventor: Mark Johnson
  • Patent number: 7793656
    Abstract: A swim and skin-dive snorkel for providing positive end-expiratory pressure for pressure-balanced exhalation. The snorkel may include inhalation and exhalation conduits. Air can be exhaled into a chamber and released when exhalation pressure within the chamber exceeds a threshold pressure. The threshold pressure that must be overcome to achieve exhalation may be balanced against the compressive forces of the ambient water pressure acting against the user's chest and lungs, which may greatly reduce the resting expiratory flow rate, the minute respiratory rate, and therefore the overall work of breathing. The exhalation pressure may be linearly matched to the ambient water pressure as a function of dive depth, thereby discouraging exhalation while diving. A purge valve may also be placed at the lower aspect of the snorkel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Lifetime Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Johnson
  • Patent number: 7621268
    Abstract: A snorkel has an inhalation tube and a check valve near a mouthpiece which allows air to flow toward the mouthpiece, and a float valve which closes the inhalation tube. An exhalation tube has a second check valve also located near the mouthpiece which only allows air to flow into the exhalation tube. The snorkel has a purge valve positioned below the mouthpiece. A further check valve is positioned between the inhalation tube and the exhalation tube to allow air or water in the exhalation tube to pass to the inhalation tube placed as close to the first check valve as possible. The exhalation tube outlet orifice may be closed by a simple gravity actuated valve which will float open during a dive. Alternatively the exhalation tube outlet orifice may be closed by a float valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Inventor: Anthony D. Junck
  • Patent number: 7163012
    Abstract: A diving snorkel assembly includes a snorkel tube and a casing. The snorkel tube includes a first portion and a second portion telescopically disposed relative to each other. The snorkel tube further includes an inner surface that defines an air passageway. The air passageway extends through the first portion and the second portion between a first end and a second end of the snorkel tube. A casing surrounds at least part of the first portion and the second portion. An interior of the casing is in fluid isolation from the air passageway. Due to the fluid isolation between the air passageway and the interior of the casing, mechanical mechanisms are sufficient to secure the casing in place such that the diving snorkel assembly may be made without the use of glue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Inventor: John B. Delphia
  • Patent number: 7134433
    Abstract: Here is disclosed a snorkel clip comprising a first clip member attached to a strap of a face mask for swimming or diving and a second clip member to which a breathing conduit of the snorkel is attached. The first clip member has a guide enabling the second clip member coupled to the first clip member to be moved in a longitudinal direction of the strap. The first and second clip members are formed with stopper means adapted to retain the second clip member at a desired position in the guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Tabata Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiromasa Sato
  • Patent number: 7083361
    Abstract: An aquatic breathing apparatus includes a buoyancy vest for aquatic breathing. The vest includes a weight-bearing back portion positionable adjacent a back of a user and a front portion positionable adjacent the chest. The front portion includes a support element adapted for removably affixing an air tank thereto. The support element is positioned for resting adjacent a sternum. A buoyancy element is housed within the front portion, and a pair of side straps is provided wherein each side strap is affixable to connect the front and the back portion to respective opposed sides thereof. A system for aquatic breathing includes the buoyancy vest and an air tank and a regulator. The regulator comprises a hose that is connected in fluid communication at a first end to the air tank and at a second end to a mouthpiece. The hose is supported by a second support element on the vest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignees: Aquaturis, Inc., Zeagle Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher J. De Felice
  • Patent number: 6983746
    Abstract: Provided are exemplary embodiments of an underwater breathing exhaust system configured to lower the exhalation, effort and to direct water adjacent an exhaust valve to reduce the likelihood of water entering the system and/or gas free flowing from the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: Kirby Morgan Dive Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: William B. Morgan, Connie L. Morgan, Trent M. Schultz, Peter M. Ryan
  • Patent number: 6857820
    Abstract: A diving back plate designed with independent shoulder and waist straps. The diving back plate accommodates either a single tank or double tank configuration without the need for an adapter. The independent straps are self-fastening to the back plate through a series of throughslots on the back plate. Items and accessories may be permanently attached to the independent straps while the straps remain fully adjustable and removable. The configuration of the back plate, throughslots, and throughbores eliminate the need for adapters when changing between a single tank configuration and a double tank configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Deepoutdoors, LLC
    Inventors: William W. Jacoway, Robert B. Jacoway
  • Publication number: 20040258481
    Abstract: A counterweight assembly is provided to enhance heads up surface positioning of a person. The assembly includes a weight/ballast member strategically disposed on a cylinder/tank worn by a diver during a dive. The weight member can be attached by several different embodiments. Preferably, the weight member is attached such that the diver cannot release or adjust the weight member while he or she is diving. The weight member rotates the person to ensure heads up surface positioning in the event the person becomes incapacitated. Also provided are several other water safety and survival devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2003
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Inventors: William L. Courtney, Robert Manuel Carmichael
  • Publication number: 20040082238
    Abstract: A diving back plate designed with independent shoulder and waist straps. The diving back plate accommodates either a single tank or double tank configuration without the need for an adapter. The independent straps are self-fastening to the back plate through a series of throughslots on the back plate. Items and accessories may be permanently attached to the independent straps while the straps remain fully adjustable and removable. The configuration of the back plate, throughslots, and throughbores eliminate the need for adapters when changing between a single tank configuration and a double tank configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventors: William W. Jacoway, Robert B. Jacoway
  • Patent number: 6295983
    Abstract: Aeration tube provided on its lower end with a mouthpiece (2) and on its upper end with an air intake hole (41), such tube consisting in its length of two or more tubular elements (1, 3) connected in such a way that the tube can be folded two or more times on itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: Scubapro Europe S.r.l.
    Inventor: Roberto Semeia
  • Patent number: 5902073
    Abstract: A support garment for diving equipment includes several subassemblies for providing comfortable support of diving equipment, such as a tank of pressurized breathing gas, a buoyancy compensating air cell and a ballast weight pocket assembly. A frame is adjustably secured to a shoulder support assembly that includes adjustment straps for accommodating various body sizes. A belt assembly is pivotally secured to the lower portion of the frame. A bust or chest panel extends between shoulder supports, providing a secure and comfortable fitting structure for divers of various body types, particularly women. Elements of the garment are secured to one another via rivets placed at predetermined locations, thereby facilitating assembly and servicing of the garment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: Johnson Worldwide Associates
    Inventors: William C. Eungard, Thomas R. Swetish
  • Patent number: 4889306
    Abstract: A SCUBA tank mounting adapter, for mounting two SCUBA tanks to a single tank SCUBA backpack is presented. The adapter has two tank acceptors, a mounting bracket and straps to hold tanks in place. The tank acceptors are attached to the mounting bracket and the straps surround the acceptors. In accordance with this invention, the tanks can be of different sizes and diameters and still fit onto the same adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1989
    Inventor: Robert C. Boucher