Scuba tank mounting brackets

Abstract

The invention comprises two aluminum brackets for the purpose of better assisting the SCUBA diver with mounting the SCUBA tank and accessories to the BCD (bouyancy compensating device) for SCUBA diving. The BCD is a harness the diver wears to carry the SCUBA tank and accessories that provides proper bouyancy in the water. One bracket is attached to the SCUBA tank. The second bracket is attached to the BCD. They are then interconnected by means of the triangle shaped male and female Dovetail design feature and locked in place with Detent pins. The two brackets stay attached individually to their respective articles, with exception for periods of maintenance. The invention reduces the divers' pre dive set up time and levels of stress ensuring a more secure and balanced dive

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Scuba tanks are typically mounted to a BCD by means of two mounting straps that are attached to the BCD. This requires picking up the BCD and slipping the straps attached to the BCD over the top of the scuba tank. The scuba tank is then positioned to the BCD to correct height. While attempting to secure the BCD in it's correct position, the dive tightens one scuba strap to the scuba tank and then the other. If additional diving devices are need to be attached to the scuba tank bands such as a diving light or pony tank bracket the diver must also deal with this while keeping the BCD in its proper position until the scuba tank is securely attached to the BCD. Once the BCD and tank are secured together the diver attaches the regulators to the scuba tank and diving weights to the BCD (if the BCD is weight integrated). After this the diver must strap the BCD vest on, stand in a hunched vertical position, and tighten the BCD securely for diving. Sometimes it is needful for the diver to readjust the BCD and scuba tank straps once in the water for a more secure fit.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to a mounting plate for a BCD (buoyancy compensating device) and for a single scuba diving tank for the purpose of a quicker mounting of the scuba tank to the BCD. This will allow the diver to put on the BCD more securely with much less effort, more securely attach and detach the scuba tank to the BCD with less effort, and more quickly exchange scuba tanks for the next dive. When not diving, the diver would leave the mounting plates attached to their respective items.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

1. FIG. 1 illustrates from a top view the two plates attached together but by means of the “dove tail” mail extension and female slot and the securing Detent pin.

2. FIG. 1a illustrates the plate that mounts to the scuba tank.

3. FIG. 1b illustrates the plate that mounts to the BCD.

4. FIG. 1c illustrates the scuba tank.

5. FIG. 1e illustrates the Detent pin with the standard ring attached at the insert side of the hole and the other end that shows the ball bearing end of the pin. The spring-loaded ball bearing keeps the pin from sliding out.

6. FIG. 2 illustrates from a top view the plate that mounts to the scuba tank.

7. FIG. 2a illustrates a full-face view of the curved side of the plate that mounts to the scuba tank.

8. FIG. 2b illustrates a full-face view of the plate which attaches to the scuba tank from showing the “dove tail” side of the plate. The “dove tail” extension slides from the top of the plate which mounts to the BCD in a downward vertical manner.

9. FIG. 2c illustrates a side view of the plate that attaches to the scuba tank and the plate that mounts to the BCD.

10. FIGS. 2e & 2f illustrate the two recessed points at which the scuba tank straps secure the plate to the scuba tank.

11. FIG. 3 illustrates the plate which mounts to the BCD showing the slotted “dove tail” groove that opens at the top extending down the middle near the bottom where it stops. The plate which attaches to the scuba tank FIG. 2 is attached to this plate by means of the extended male “dove tail” FIG. 2b, which slides down this slot securing the two plates together FIG. 1 and further secured with the Detent pin fig le.

12. FIGS. 3b & 3c show the two counter sunk holes drilled through the plate used to secure the plate to the BCD with the 2 screws, 2 washers, and 2 threaded inserts for the screws to attach the BCD and plate.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention will allow the scuba diver to more securely and easily put on the BCD prior to attaching the scuba tank to the BCD. This eliminates approximately 40 lbs. Of additional weight the diver must lift while Attempting to stand and secure the BCD with weight, regulators, and scuba tank attached to the BCD. This will eliminate attempting to secure the scuba tank and other needed scuba gear to the BCD in the property position. The scuba tank regulators and air hoses will be more easily attached and detached to the scuba tank when not attached to the BCD.

Claims

1-3. (canceled)

2. An improved mounting bracket system for SCUBA tanks that is quicker, easier, more balanced, and secure comprising two individual brackets of different design of which said two brackets longer widths are the vertical plain with the narrow widths being the horizontal plain that interconnect to each other wherein one of the bracket is called the SCUBA tank bracket and the second is called the BCD (Bouyancy Compensating Device) bracket with the said first brackets' back side having a curved radius the full vertical length of the bracket with the front side of said first bracket having 3 Dovetail rails (a triangle shaped pattern) being equal in their horizontal width protruding out from the face of the front side of said first bracket in a lateral manner from its' vertical center having one rail, that is longer in its' vertical length than the other two rails of the said 3 rails, positioned in the middle center of said front side of the first bracket with its' middle center being of equal distance from the middle center of the front side of said front bracket in both vertical directions with the other two rails being of equal vertical lengths to each other positioned one each on the opposite ends of the said longer rail with each of the two shorter rails being separated from the ends of the said longer rail by a slot that is recessed below the face of the said front side of the first bracket across its' horizontal plain from leading edge to leading edge of the bracket designed for placing fastening agents against to facilitate the interconnecting of the said two brackets they being fixed in place by the design of the outer ends of the two shorter brackets facing the vertical plain leading edges of the front side of said first bracket front side with both said shorter brackets being separated from the said leading edges by an open area having a flush surface with no protrusions extending out from the surface of the front side of said first bracket allowing room for one Detent pin to be positioned across the horizontal plain of the said flush surface from leading edge to leading edge of the horizontal sides of the said front side of the first bracket which will secure the said two brackets together in a fixed position once the 3 Dovetail rails are interconnected with the female Dovetail slot located on the front side in the vertical center being open ended at both ends in the horizontal center of the front side of the said second bracket by aligning the matching pattern of the Dovetail rail and slot design at either end of the said two brackets respectively in a vertical fashion which will permit the rails of the said SCUBA tank bracket to slide into the female Dovetail slot of the said BCD bracket to be accomplished until both brackets are even with one another at their ends aligning the Detent pin holes located on both sides at both ends of said second bracket so as to allow the Detent pins to be inserted into the Detent pin holes at either end from either side of said second bracket through to the opposite side of said second bracket which will lock the two brackets together in a fixed position so they cannot be disconnected until such time as a Detent pin is removed from its' locking position.