Surface profile reduction and applications thereof

Abstract

Equipment carried on a person increases the surface profile of that person, particularly surface profiles which includes: an increased number of impingement points that can deleteriously interact with the physical environment of the person and thereby hinder movement; an increased level of fluidic drag thereby increasing the level of effort required by the person to move through the environment; and, a heightened acoustic signature as such equipment interfaces with the atmospheric environment. The present invention is directed to methods and means for reducing the exposed surface profile of equipment carried on an anatomical region of a person by introducing a cover assembly, which acts directly upon the equipment being carried.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) of U.S. provisional applications Ser. No. 61/212,040 filed Apr. 6, 2009, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Human nature is such that individuals will often work in or seek out environments wherein additional equipment is useful in interfacing effectively or safely within that environment. When an individual is entering into such an environment, it is often desirable to carry equipment on a person's body, or associated with other equipment carried on a person's body, so that the equipment may be readily available for use when that person so requires. Equipment such as knives, hand tools, metric gauges, personal identification, money or alternate forms of payment, personal protection, emergency kits and means for illumination are representative of items a person may desire to have in a convenient position for accessing on a regular basis and/or in a position immediately accessible in times of sudden or unexpected need.

To address this desire of having equipment readily accessible on a person, there exist numerous means including holders and carriers adapted specifically for mounting equipment onto an anatomical region of the human body, including the chest, waist, leg and arm. These mounting means include secondary structures such as straps and buckles, sheaths and scabbards which interface between the equipment and the anatomical region to allow for effective conveyance of that equipment into and through the environment. Often, the mounting means are modular in nature and may be of sufficient ergonomic design to allow one or more of said mounting means to be attached to one or more anatomical regions of the person.

Certain environments a person may wish or need to enter into or pass through introduce effectors that can impede the person from operating effectively therein. Effectors, which may impede a person, include one or more of the following examples: forces introduced by atmospheric conditions, hindrances from physical conditions inherent to the environment, hindrances induced by objects found in the environment, and undesirable or interfering acoustic responses caused by the person within the environment. Atmospheric conditions such as wind, currents, eddy and laminar flows (e.g. SCUBA diving and sky diving) introduce forces that will act upon the person and alter the efforts required by that person to overcome the force in order to move within the environment. Inherent physical conditions such as being underwater or within confined spaces (i.e. spelunking) introduce conditions where the environment itself obstructs movement. Objects within an environment can hamper movement such as organic matter (e.g. kelp, bamboo, grasses and vines) and other equipment being carried or used by the person (e.g. hoses, ropes, electrical cords, communication wiring), all of which can become entrained or otherwise entangled with the equipment carried on a person. Increased acoustic signature, or the amount of sound produced by the person, can alter the environment by either increasing in quantity or degree such that sound is distracting or annoying to the person and/or alters the environmental conditions by alerting targets of interest that are desired to be viewed in a natural condition and/or avoided altogether. The problems associated with the aforementioned effectors are significantly exacerbated by having equipment mounted on one or more anatomical regions of the person operating in the environment.

Numerous mounting and related devices are taught in the prior art as ways of performing a specific task, each of the following citations being included by reference in its entirety. U.S. Pat. No. 5,205,449 to Davies presents a semi-rigid mounting face for attaching dive gauges and other equipment to the forearm of an underwater diver. U.S. Pat. No. 5,205,449 to Anderson et al., recites a cuff which can be attached to the wrist/forearm of a person and retain a plurality of bullets for a firearm. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,967,391 to Hunt; 5,446,953 to LeFeber; 4,974,762 to Boretsky, et al.; and, 4,913,326 to Echelson all teach to an elastic band attached to the arm with differing means on the exterior face (i.e. away from the surface of the arm) to retain various objects. Each of the aforementioned citations are of interest in terms of allowing mounting of equipment to the human anatomy, but fail to teach a way such a method or device that would specifically or inherently address a cover for reducing surface profile of equipment while maintaining ready access to the equipment under such a cover.

There are also numerous shield and related devices taught in the prior art as ways of performing a specific means of covering an anatomical region, each of the following citations being included by reference in its entirety. U.S. Pat. No. 3,657,741 to Blanco is directed to a forearm cover for a surgeon to prevent contamination by bodily fluids having two elastic cuffs and ventilation airways. U.S. Pat. No. 4,665,633 to Edgerton presents a cover for a shoe or boot with elastic bands. U.S. Pat. No. 4,713,895 to Vallieres recites a shoe cover for sports shoes to protect against rain. U.S. Pat. No. 4,791,921 to Robinson addresses a kelp shield which is proximal to an element of underwater diver gear and is retained by hook and loop fasteners (FIG. 9). Each of these aforementioned citations are of interest in terms of providing coverage to equipment, but fail to teach a way such a method or device that would specifically or inherently address a cover for reducing surface profile of equipment while maintaining ready access to the equipment under such a cover.

There remains an unmet need for a method and means of reducing the surface profile of equipment mounted on an anatomical region of the human while maintaining ready access of that equipment. Further, there remains an unmet need for a means of reducing the surface profile of equipment by reducing one or more of the elements that constitute surface profile, including but not limited to; physical impingement, coefficient of drag, and acoustic signature.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to methods and means for reducing the exposed surface profile of equipment carried on an anatomical region of a person by introducing a cover assembly which acts directly upon the equipment being carried. Equipment carried on a person increases the surface profile of that person, particularly surface profiles which includes: an increased number of impingement points that can deleteriously interact with the physical environment of the person and thereby hinder movement; an increased level of fluidic drag thereby increasing the level of effort required by the person to move through the environment; and, a heightened acoustic signature as such equipment interfaces with the atmospheric environment. The cover assembly circumscribes at least 50% of the exposed equipment surface area (including relevant equipment mounting means). In circumscribing the minimal fraction of exposed equipment surface area, the method and means in the present inventions performs the following functions:

• • Maintains the equipment in close proximity to the associated anatomical region
  • Bridge or otherwise reduce presence of impingement points
  • Increase transition angles from the surface of the anatomical region to the equipment surface area by a deflection angle of greater than 90 degrees
  • Decreasing direct or induced acoustic signature by at least 25%

An objective of the present invention is to provide a reduction in surface profile of carried equipment by circumscribing a primary cover element over at least 50% of the exposed equipment surface area (including relevant equipment mounting means, not including surface area in direct contact with a supporting surface) while simultaneously maintaining ready access to the equipment contained within or under the primary cover element.

A further embodiment of the present invention is the incorporation of a cover flap, which in cooperation with said primary cover element acts to further retain carried equipment within or under the primary cover element.

A further embodiment of the present invention is the incorporation of a cover flap, which in cooperation with said primary cover element acts to further reduce transition angles from the surface of the anatomical region to the equipment surface area by a deflection angle greater than the deflection angle obtained by the primary cover element alone.

A further embodiment of the present invention is the incorporation of a cover flap in the, which in cooperation with an elastic primary cover element acts to further reduce transition angles from the surface of the anatomical region to the equipment surface area by a deflection angle greater than the deflection angle obtained by the primary cover element alone.

A further embodiment of the present invention is the incorporation of a cover flap, which in cooperation with an elastic primary cover element acts to further reduce surface profile of an underwater diver's knife.

A further embodiment of the present invention is the incorporation of a cover flap, which in cooperation with an elastic primary cover element acts to further reduce transition angles from the surface of the anatomical region to an underwater diver's knife by a deflection angle greater than the deflection angle obtained by the primary cover element alone.

A further embodiment of the present invention is the reduction in surface profile of an underwater diver's swim fin retention assembly by circumscribing a primary cover element over at least 50% of the exposed swim fin assembly surface area (not including not including surface area in direct contact with a supporting surface).

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be more easily understood by a detailed explanation of the invention including drawings. Accordingly, drawings which are particularly suited for explaining the inventions are attached herewith; however, it should be understood that such drawings are for descriptive purposes only and as thus are not necessarily to scale beyond the measurements provided. The drawings are briefly described as follows:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a method and device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, including a primary cover element, an access portal, and an optional secondary portal;

FIG. 2 is a front view of a method and device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, including a primary cover element, an access portal, an optional secondary portal and a cover flap in an “open” position;

FIG. 3 is a front view of a method and device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, including a primary cover element, an access portal, an optional secondary portal and a cover flap in a “closed” position;

FIG. 4 is a front view of a method and device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, including a primary cover element, an access portal, an optional secondary portal, a cover flap, a retention pocket;

FIG. 5 is front view of a method and device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, including a primary cover element, an access portal, an optional secondary portal, a cover flap, and a retention pocket all of which have been adapted for fitting to the lower leg;

FIG. 6 is a graphical representation (side view) of equipment mounted upon an anatomical region depicting various elements that comprise “surface profile” as used in the present application;

FIG. 7 is a graphical representation of the method by which the present invention reduces the transition angles from the surface of the anatomical region to the equipment surface area by a deflection angle of greater than 90 degrees;

FIG. 8 is a graphical representation of the method by which the present invention reduces the transition angles from the surface of the anatomical region to the equipment surface area by a deflection angle of greater than 90 degrees, then by incorporation of a cover flap, which in cooperation with said primary cover element acts to further reduce transition angles from the surface of the anatomical region to the equipment surface area by a deflection angle greater than the deflection angle obtained by the primary cover element alone; and,

FIG. 9 is a front view of a prior art device.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

Cover assembly 10, primary cover element 12, access portal 14, secondary portal 16, cover flap 20, flap attachment 22; closure engagement base 30, closure engagement head 32, retention pocket 40, equipment 50 (generically depicted in the form of an underwater diver's knife and sheath for illustration purposes), anatomical region 60.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While the present invention is susceptible of embodiment in various forms, there is shown in the drawings and will hereinafter be described a presently preferred embodiment of the invention, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the invention, and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiment illustrated.

FIGS. 1 through 8 illustrate the present invention. Turning specifically to FIG. 1, therein is depicted a cover assembly 10 comprising cover element 12. Cover element 12 is comprised of a material having recoverable extensibility (i.e. elasticity) of preferably 100% elongation recovery. The cover element 12 is designed to engage an anatomical region 60 of person, optionally circumscribe the anatomical region 60 as shown, and is preferably sufficiently pliable or drapable to conform to the desired anatomical region 60 of the person wearing cover assembly 10. Forming the cover element 12 of an elastic material to form a tubular “sleeve” is beneficial in that the cover element 12 can be pulled over an associated extremity proximal to the anatomical region 60, such as over the hand to then be located over an aspect of the arm or over the foot to then be located over an aspect of the leg, and not require additional retention means. One may optionally render the tubular sleeve with additional suitable retention means if desired. In the an alternative embodiment, cover element 12 may be formed with two interacting edges thereof, which are then brought into approximation and affixed. Means for affixing two interacting edges of cover element 12 to one another include, but are not limited to; hook and loop and variations thereof, buttons, snaps, zippers, “snap fit” inter-engaging tracks, tabs, and toggles.

The cover element 12 can be formed of a material exhibiting elastic qualities, or in the alternatives, can be formed of interconnected panels of same or differing materials, wherein at least one panel or interconnection between panels must exhibit elastic qualities. An interior surface of cover element 12, which is also the surface of cover element 12 most proximal to the anatomical region 60 of the person, can be modified to enhance the comfort of the person wearing the cover assembly 10 (e.g. improved ductile and tactile softness, capillary conduction for perspiration, enhanced vascular regulation, etc.) and/or enhance the performance of the cover assembly 10 in exemplary ways such as to improve slip resistance or rotation of cover assembly 10 once in positioned into place, include a biocidal or biostatic attribute, and/or resistance to adverse environmental conditions. An exterior surface of cover element 12, which is also the surface of cover element 12 most distal to the anatomical region 60 of the person, can be modified in exemplary ways such as to enhance durability, alter aesthetics, improve abrasion resistance and reduce coefficient of drag. The material used in the construction of cover element 12 includes natural materials, synthetic compounds, and the combinations thereof. Selection of optimal material to be employed in the construction of cover element 12 will include consideration of the environment cover assembly 10 is anticipated to be used in, for example; hydrous (especially non-neutral pH or hypertonic) environments would suggest use of hydrophobic materials or materials tolerant of prolonged aquatic immersion, gaseous or elevated temperature environments would suggest use of hydrophilic materials or materials with wicking attributes, and cold ambient environments would suggest materials having increased thermal insulation/low thermal conduction qualities. The material used in the construction of cover element 12 may have a thickness of between 0.5 millimeter and 50.0 millimeters, preferably a thickness between 1.0 millimeter and 12.7 millimeters and most preferably a thickness between 1.0 millimeter and 8.0 millimeters. As mentioned above, cover element 12 may be comprised of more than one material, wherein materials of differing physical performance, physical measure, and aesthetic attribute may be combined in side-by-side relationship, face-to-face (i.e. laminate) relationship, or combinations thereof. Cover element 12 may be cylindrical in profile, or as shown in a particularly advantageous embodiment in FIG. 1, in a frustroconical profile, which has been found to be preferred when the anatomical region 60 to receive the cover assembly 10 exhibits a natural or inherent decrease in diameter (e.g. from the calf to ankle region and the fore-arm to wrist region).

Cover element 12 of cover assembly 10 further includes an access portal 14. Access portal 14 extends through the thickness of cover element 12, thereby allowing external access to an area internal of cover element 12. The access portal 14 is not limited by geometric shape or size, and can include openings that are linear, curved, rectilinear, elliptical and combinations thereof. It is within the purview of the present invention that one or more access portals may be included, in the form of secondary portals 16, through the surface of cover element 12. The secondary portal(s) 16 is (are) not limited by geometric shape or size, and can include openings that are linear, curved, rectilinear, elliptical and combinations thereof, and which may be the same as or different than access portal 14 or other secondary portal 16.

FIGS. 2 and 3 depict a cover assembly 10 comprising cover element 12, access portal 14 and optional secondary portal 16. The cover assembly 10 further comprises a cover flap 20. Cover flap 20 is affixed to cover element 12 by means which are releasable, permanent, temporary and the combinations thereof. Cover flap 20 is positioned such that it traverses and thereby occludes accessing access portal 14. Cover flap 20 may be a separate piece that is attached to cover element 12 at one or more points, including along one or more edges defined by cover flap 20 relative to cover element 12, to form a proximal edge of cover flap 20. In the alternative, cover element 12 and cover flap 20 may be formed from the same contiguous material, wherein an edge of the contiguous material is brought into approximation with another region of the same material and the material affixed to itself so as to form a desired profile. Suitable means of flap attachment 22 include, but are not limited to, mechanical attachment (e.g. sewn, stapled, riveted), chemical attachment (e.g. adhesives and glues), thermal bonding (e.g. ultrasonic and radio-frequency oscillation), and the combinations thereof.

The cover flap 20 can be formed of a material exhibiting rigid, semi-rigid, pliable, or elastic qualities, or in the alternative, can be formed of interconnected panels of same or differing materials. An interior surface of cover flap 20, which is also the surface of cover flap 20 most proximal to the anatomical region 60 of the person, can be modified to enhance the comfort of the person wearing the cover assembly 10 and/or protect equipment 50 associated therewith (e.g. improved ductile and tactile softness, capillary conduction for perspiration, enhanced vascular regulation, etc.) and/or enhance the performance of the cover assembly 10 in exemplary ways such as to improve slip resistance or rotation of cover assembly 10 once in positioned into place, have a biocidal or biostatic attribute, enhanced durability/abrasion resistance, and resistance to adverse environmental conditions. An exterior surface of cover flap 20, which is also the surface of cover flap 20 most distal to the anatomical region 60 of the person, can be modified in exemplary ways such as to enhance durability, alter aesthetics, improve abrasion resistance and reduce coefficient of drag. The material used in the construction of cover flap 20 includes natural materials, synthetic compounds, and the combinations thereof. Selection of optimal material is to be employed will include consideration of the environment cover assembly 10 is anticipated to be used in, for example; hydrous (especially non-neutral pH or hypertonic) environments would suggest use of hydrophobic materials or materials tolerant of prolonged aquatic immersion, gaseous or elevated temperature environments would suggest use of hydrophilic materials or materials with wicking attributes, and cold ambient environments would suggest materials having thermal insulation/low thermal conduction qualities. The material used in the construction of cover flap 20 may have a thickness of between 0.5 millimeter and 50.0 millimeters, preferably a thickness between 1.0 millimeter and 12.7 millimeters and most preferably a thickness between 1.0 millimeter and 8.0 millimeters. As mentioned above, cover flap 20 may be comprised of more than one material, wherein materials of differing physical performance, physical measure, and aesthetic attribute may be combined in side-by-side relationship, laminate relationship, or combinations thereof.

Opposite the proximal edge wherein cover flap 20 first extends away from cover element 12, is a distal edge comprising closure engagement head 32. Closure engagement head 32 is preferably positioned on an interior surface of cover flap 20 such that the closure engagement head 32 is in direct contact with an exterior surface of cover element 12 when cover flap 20 traverses access portal 14. At the point of surface contact between closure engagement head 32 with cover element 12 when cover flap 20 traverses access portal 14, cover element 12 includes closure engagement base 30. Closure engagement base 30 and closure engagement head 32 are at least partially capable of releasably affixing to one another so as to maintain cover flap 20 in a traverse orientation across access portal 14. Exemplary fastener means for closure engagement base 30 and closure engagement head 32 being at least partially capable of releasably affixing to one another include, but are not limited to; hook and loop and variations thereof, buttons, snaps, zippers, “snap fit” inter-engaging tracks, tabs, and toggles.

In FIG. 4 depicts a cover assembly 10 comprising cover element 12, access portal 14, optional secondary portal 16 and retention pocket 40. The cover assembly 10 shown further comprises a cover flap 20. Cover flap 20 is affixed to cover element 12 by means which are releasable, permanent, temporary and the combinations thereof. Cover flap 20 is positioned such that it traverses access portal 14. Associated with access port 14, is retention pocket 40. Retention pocket 40 is a further element for receiving equipment 50 to be carried (including relevant equipment mounting or conveying means, hereinafter referred to in combination as “equipment”). Retention pocket 40 defines one or more materials affixed to cover element 12. In a first embodiment, retention pocket 40 is a piece of material affixed to the interior surface of cover element 12 such that the retention pocket 40 is positioned between the supporting anatomical region 60 of the person and cover element 12. When this embodiment of the retention pocket 40 is employed, access portal extends through the thickness of cover element and terminates within the space produced between cover element 12 and retention pocket 40. In an alternate embodiment, retention pocket 40 is a piece of material affixed to the exterior surface of cover element 12 such that the retention pocket is positioned between cover element 12 and cover flap 20. When this alternate embodiment of retention pocket 40 is employed, access portal extends through the thickness of the material comprising retention pocket 40 and terminates within the space produced between retention pocket 40 and cover element 12. In either embodiment of retention pocket 40; cover flap 20 traverses access portal 14 and closure engagement base 30 and closure engagement head 32 are at least partially capable of releasably affixing to one another.

The retention pocket 40 be formed of a material exhibiting rigid, semi-rigid, pliable, or elastic qualities, or in the alternative, can be formed of interconnected panels of same or differing materials. An interior surface of retention pocket 40, which is also the surface of retention pocket 40 most proximal to the anatomical region 60 of the person, can be modified to enhance the comfort of the person wearing the cover assembly 10 (e.g. improved ductile and tactile softness, capillary conduction for perspiration, enhanced vascular regulation, etc.) and/or enhance the performance of the cover assembly 10 in exemplary ways such as to improve slip resistance or rotation of cover assembly 10 once in positioned into place, have a biocidal or biostatic attribute, increased durability/abrasion resistance, and resistance to adverse environmental conditions. An exterior surface of retention pocket 40, which is also the surface of retention pocket 40 most distal to the anatomical region 60 of the person, can be modified exemplary ways such as to enhance durability, alter aesthetics, improve abrasion resistance and reduce coefficient of drag. The material used in the construction of retention pocket 40 includes natural materials, synthetic compounds, and the combinations thereof. Selection of optimal material is to be employed will include consideration of the environment cover assembly 10 is anticipated to be used in, for example; hydrous (especially non-neutral pH or hypertonic) environments would suggest use of hydrophobic materials or materials tolerant of prolonged aquatic immersion, gaseous or elevated temperature environments would suggest use of hydrophilic materials or materials with wicking attributes, and cold ambient environments would suggest materials having thermal insulation/low thermal conduction qualities. The material used in the construction of retention pocket 40 may have a thickness of between 0.5 millimeter and 25.4 millimeters, preferably a thickness between 1.0 millimeter and 12.7 millimeters and most preferably a thickness between 1.0 millimeter and 8.0 millimeters. As mentioned above, retention pocket 40 may be comprised of more than one material, wherein materials of differing physical performance, physical measure, and aesthetic attribute may be combined in side-by-side relationship, laminate relationship, or combinations thereof. Suitable means for affixing of retention pocket 40 to cover element 12 include, but are not limited to, mechanical attachment (e.g. sewn, stapled, riveted), chemical attachment (e.g. adhesives and glues), thermal bonding (e.g. ultrasonic and radio-frequency oscillation), and the combinations thereof.

In order to apply the method and means of the present invention to reduce the surface profile of carried equipment 50, a cover assembly 10 as depicted in FIG. 1 is utilized. Equipment 50 is first attached to or positioned on the anatomical region 60 of choice utilizing such means as may be supplied with the equipment or may be employed to suitably attach the equipment 50. Once in position on the anatomical region 60, cover assembly 10 is drawn up and over the piece of equipment such that a portion of the equipment 50 is proximal to access portal 14. Cover assembly 10 acts upon the exposed equipment surface area by drawing the equipment into close proximity with the associated anatomical region 60 through elastic compression action of the material used in the construction of cover assembly 10, and specifically cover element 12. The fraction of the exposed equipment surface area that cover assembly 10 acts upon is at least 50%, preferably at least 75%, and most preferably at least 90%. Further, impingement points in or by the equipment (reference FIG. 6) such as constrictions or pinch point (“PP”) exemplified by overhangs (“OH”), decreasing radii, acute angles (“AA”) and diminishing measures in the equipment itself, relative to the equipment and the relevant mounting or conveying means, and/or between the equipment and the anatomical region 60 are bridged by the cover assembly 10 such that entanglement with vegetation, other equipment, or other objects is decreased. The cover assembly 10 further improves the streamline nature of the equipment by increasing transition angles (Theta) from the surface of the anatomical region 60 to the equipment 50 surface area by a deflection angle of greater than 90 degrees (FIG. 7). By modifying the transition angles to a less acute nature, the potential drag caused by equipment is significantly reduced, which aids in decreasing the effects of wind, currents, eddy and laminar flows. Additionally, the acoustic signature caused by the equipment is reduced by at least 25% through the combination of restricting the potential movement of the equipment 50 independent of the wearer by the elastic compression induced by the elastic component(s) of cover assembly 10 and by interposing the composition of cover element 10 between the exposed exterior surface are of the equipment and potential interaction with other equipment carried by the wearer as well as inadvertent or undesired contact with the environment.

In order to apply the method and means of the present invention to yet further reduce surface profile, a cover assembly 10 as depicted in FIGS. 2 and 3 is utilized. Equipment 50 is first positioned relative to the anatomical region 60 of choice utilizing such means as may be supplied with the equipment or may be employed to suitably position the equipment. Once in position on the anatomical region 60, cover assembly 10 is drawn up and over the piece of equipment such that a portion of the equipment 50 is proximal to access portal 14. Cover assembly 10 acts upon at least 50% of the exposed equipment surface area by drawing the equipment 50 into close proximity with the associated anatomical region 60 through elastic compression action of the material used in the construction of cover assembly 10, and specifically cover element 12. Further, impingement points in the equipment such as constrictions or pinch point exemplified by overhangs, decreasing radii, acute angles and diminishing measures in the equipment itself, relative to the equipment and the relevant mounting or conveying means, and/or between the equipment and the anatomical region 60 are bridged by the cover assembly 10, through the combined actions of cover element 12 and cover flap 20 such that entanglement with vegetation, other equipment, or other objects is decreased. The cover assembly 10 further improves the streamline nature of the equipment 50 by increasing transition angles (Theta) from the surface of the anatomical region 60 to the equipment surface area by a deflection angle of greater than 90 degrees (FIG. 8). By modifying the transition angles to an even larger angle than the cover assembly 10 depicted in FIGS. 1 and 7, the potential drag caused by equipment is again significantly reduced, which aids in decreasing the effects of wind, currents, eddy and laminar flows. Additionally, the acoustic signature caused by the equipment is reduced by at least 25% through the combination of restricting the potential movement of the equipment independent of the wearer by the elastic compression induced by the elastic component(s) of cover assembly 10 and by interposing the composition of cover element 12 and cover flap 20 between the exposed exterior surface are of the equipment 50 and potential interaction with other equipment carried by the wearer as well as inadvertent or other contact with the environment.

In order to apply the method and means of the present invention to yet further reduce surface profile, a cover assembly 10 as depicted in FIG. 4 is utilized. Equipment 50 is first inserted into retention pocket 40 such that a portion of the equipment is proximal to access portal 14 and utilizing such means as may be supplied with the equipment or may be employed to suitably position the equipment. Once equipment 50 is in position retention pocket 40, cover assembly 10 is placed in position on the anatomical region 60 of choice. In the alternative, the cover assembly 10 can be put into position first, then equipment 50 positioned in retention pocket 40. Cover assembly 10 acts upon at least 50% of the exposed equipment surface area by drawing the equipment 50 into close proximity with the associated anatomical region 60 through elastic compression action of the material used in the construction of cover assembly 10, and specifically cover element 12. Further, impingement points in the equipment such as constrictions or pinch point exemplified by overhangs, decreasing radii, acute angles and diminishing measures in the equipment itself, relative to the equipment 50 and the relevant mounting or conveying means, and/or between the equipment and the anatomical region 60 are bridged by the cover assembly 10, through the combined actions of cover element 12, cover flap 20 and retention pocket 40 such that entanglement with vegetation, other equipment, or other objects is decreased. The cover assembly 10 further improves the streamline nature of the equipment 50 by increasing transition angles (Theta) from the surface of the anatomical region 60 to the equipment surface area by a deflection angle of greater than 90 degrees (FIG. 8). By modifying the transition angles to an even larger angle than the cover assembly 10 depicted in FIGS. 1 and 7, the potential drag caused by equipment 50 is again significantly reduced, which aids in decreasing the effects of wind, currents, eddy and laminar flows. Additionally, the acoustic signature caused by the equipment is reduced by at least 25% through the combination of restricting the potential movement of the equipment 50 independent of the wearer by the elastic compression induced by the elastic component(s) of cover assembly 10 and by interposing the composition of cover element 10 between the exposed exterior surface are of the equipment and potential interaction with other equipment carried by the wearer as well as inadvertent contact with the environment.

It is within the purview of the present invention that one or more cover assemblies 10 may be used at one time by a person. Further, it is also within the purview of the present invention that two or more cover assemblies 10 may be combined to reduce the surface profile of two or more different pieces of equipment. FIG. 5 depicts a particularly preferred embodiment wherein a single construction has two effective cover assemblies, an upper section “A” adapted to retain and reduce the surface profile of an underwater diver's knife, and lower section “B” adapted to retain and reduce the surface profile of an underwater diver's buckle assembly for a swim fin.

From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous modifications and variations can be affected without departing from the true spirit and scope of the novel concept of the present invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific embodiments illustrated herein is intended or should be inferred. The disclosure is intended to cover, by the appended claims, all such modifications as fall within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1) Method for reducing surface profile of equipment carried on a person's anatomical region, wherein application of the cover assembly circumscribes 50% or more of exposed surface area of the equipment.

comprising;

a) fitting equipment to an anatomical region of a person such that the equipment exhibits an exposed surface area;

b) engaging a cover assembly onto the anatomical region having a support surface; and

2) A method as in claim 1, wherein said cover assembly circumscribes 75% or more of exposed surface area of the equipment.

3) A method as in claim 1, wherein said cover assembly circumscribes 90% or more of exposed surface area of the equipment.

4) A method as in claim 1, wherein said method further comprises maintaining said equipment in close proximity to the associated anatomical region.

5) A method as in claim 1, wherein said method further comprises bridging or otherwise reducing presence of impingement points in said exposed surface area.

6) A method as in claim 1, wherein said method further comprises said cover assembly increasing transition angles from the support surface of the anatomical region to the exposed surface area by a deflection angle of greater than 90 degrees.

7) A method as in claim 1, wherein said method further comprises decreasing an acoustic signature created by said equipment without use of the cover assembly by at least 25%.

8) A method as in claim 1, wherein said method further comprises being used to reduce the surface profile of equipment attached to a person's anatomical region in a fluidic environment.

9) A method as in claim 8, wherein said fluidic environment is underwater.

10) Device for reducing surface profile of equipment carried on a person's anatomical region, comprising:

a) a cover element;

b) an access portal which extends through the thickness of said cover element;

wherein said cover element cover assembly circumscribes 50% or more of an exposed surface area of the equipment being carried;

wherein said cover element comprised at least one elastic material; and

wherein said access portal allows access to said equipment from an exterior position to an interior position relative to said cover element.

11) A device as in claim 10, wherein said cover element is cylindrical in shape.

12) A device as in claim 10, wherein said cover element is frustroconical in shape.

13) A device as in claim 10, wherein said access portal is selected from a shape consisting of:

linear, curved, rectilinear, elliptical and combinations thereof.

14) A device as in claim 10, wherein said device further comprises a cover flap which traverses said access portal and thereby and occludes accessing said portal.

15) A device as in claim 10, wherein said device further comprises a retention pocket affixed to said cover element, wherein said retention pocket is accessed through said access portal.

16) A device as in claim 10, wherein said equipment is an underwater diver's knife

17) Device for reducing surface profile of plural equipment carried on a person's anatomical region, comprising:

a) a plurality of cover elements;

b) an access portal which extends through the thickness of at least one cover element;

wherein each said cover element circumscribes 50% or more of an exposed surface area of the equipment being carried;

wherein said cover elements comprised at least one elastic material; and

wherein said access portal allows access to said equipment from an exterior position to an interior position relative to at least one cover element.

18) A device as in claim 17, wherein said equipment further includes an underwater diver's knife, which is placed in proximity to at least one cover element having said access portal.

19) A device as in claim 17, wherein said equipment further includes an underwater diver's buckle assembly for a swim fin.