US 2003/0147701 A1 · SELF-ADJUSTING WATER PRESSURE RESPONSIVE DIVER'S WEIGHT BELT ASSEMBLY

Abstract

A self-adjusting, water pressure responsive weight belt assembly for use in diving is disclosed. The weight belt assembly of the present invention includes a flexible belt portion and a tensioning portion. The tensioning portion effects changes in the overall length of the weight belt assembly in direct response to changes in water pressure. The flexible belt portion has a first end and a second end. The tensioning portion comprises a housing and a reciprocating member reciprocatingly disposed within the housing. The housing comprises a hollow base to which one end of the flexible belt portion is attached and a housing cover. The housing cover is releasably attached to the housing base and includes a reciprocating member slot defined therein. An end of the reciprocating member is situated external of the housing by being disposed in a position partially outside of the reciprocating member housing cover through the slot defined therein. The other end of the flexible belt portion is attached to one end of the reciprocating member. An air space of variable volume exists within the interior of the length changing portion and is defined by the inner walls of the reciprocating member housing base and an end wall of the reciprocating member.

Claims20

Dependent claims

An accessory for adjusting the length of a diver's weight belt in response to changes in water pressure, the weight belt having a first end and a second end, the accessory comprising, in combination:

a housing portion having a first end, a second end and a second end region, said second end being adjacent said second end region, said first end being attachable to the first end of the belt, said housing portion having a substantially hollow interior, and said second end of said housing portion being open;
a reciprocating member having a first end, a second end, and a second end region, said second end being attachable to the second end of the belt, said member being reciprocatingly fittable within said housing portion;
and
a cover portion having a substantially centrally defined aperture, said cover portion being fittable to said second end region, said second end region of said reciprocating member being substantially reciprocatingly slidable through said aperture in said cover portion;
whereby a gas pocket is formed within said interior of said housing portion when said reciprocating member is fitted within said housing portion, said gas being compressible by said reciprocating member in response to said changes in water pressure.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Self-adjusting water pressure responsive diver's weight belt assembly

Life of this patent

Self-adjusting water pressure responsive diver's weight belt assembly

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20