US 4,000,534 A · Buoyancy compensator

Abstract

A buoyancy compensator having a combined capability. The combination is in part provided by a pressure relief valve having a spring loaded valve plate for closing off the interior of the buoyancy compensator. The buoyancy compensator has a hand actuated inflation apparatus which receives a tube connected at its other end to a source of gas under pressure such as a first stage regulator. The tube or hose is inserted in the apparatus and is partially valved by a Shrader type valve configuration in an end fitting thereof. The vest is provided with a plug and fitting wherein the inflation apparatus can be utilized optionally by subsequent implacement or retrofitting the vest with the inflation apparatus. The buoyancy compensator vest also incorporates an oral inflator which utilizes a plunger operated valve for filling the vest. In cases of emergency, a charged bottle of gas can be punctured to fill the vest to allow a diver to rise rapidly to the surface. The entire vest is made of an outer textile material which serves to prevent the expansion of a non-adhered free bladder beyond a fixed point therein. The vest and combination are attached to the body by straps around the waist, over the back, or through the legs.

Claims10

Dependent claims

A buoyancy compensator for providing a diver with buoyancy gas comprising:

a vest having a collar and an opening through which a user's head can pass made of an outer textile material which has a limited degree of stretchability with a substantially freely implaced plastic inner bladder having a communicating void therein which conforms to the outer material substantially throughout the entirety of the outer material and is controlled in its expansion to the limits of the outer material expansion;
straps attached to the vest for maintaining the vest on a user's body;
an oral filling means comprising a flexible tube connected to the interior of said vest at one end of said tube, with an oral inflation valve assembly at the other end of said tube having a mouthpiece connected to a valve housing, with a spring biased hand operated valve member for sealing against the interior of said housing to prevent the escape of gas therethrough connected to an operating member at least partially exposed extrinsically to said housing, so that when said valve member is moved from the valve housing by said operating member, it will permit oral inflation of said vest;
and,
a relief valve connected to the vest for release of pressure within the cavity of said vest.

2 more elements

A buoyancy compensator comprising:

a vest having a collar and an opening through which a user's head can pass;
straps attached to the vest for maintaining the vest on a user's body;
an oral filling means comprising a flexible tube connected to the interior of said vest at one end of said tube, with an oral inflation valve assembly at the other end of said tube having a mouthpiece connected to a valve housing;
a relief valve comprising a housing with an opening having a passage fitted to said vest and passing to the interior thereof with a spring biased valve cover overlying said passage and means operably connected to said valve cover to manually move said valve cover from over said passage against the spring bias;
and a filling apparatus comprising:
a hose adapted for connection to a source of breathing gas;
a valved fitting on said hose at the distal end from where said hose is connected to said breathing gas source;
a housing with an axial passage adapted to receive said valved fitting;
a gas passage from said housing into said vest;
means for locking the valved fitting of said hose to said housing;
and,
means for valving the gas from said hose through said housing into said vest for filling the vest.

9 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Buoyancy compensator

Life of this patent

Buoyancy compensator

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims10