Rigid diver backpack with internal buoyancy compensator and ballast compartment

A backpack of a type used by divers with scuba gear including a compressed air tank to provide an underwater source of air and quick release means for securing the backpack on the diver while permitting the diver to rapidly free himself from the backpack, comprising

• a rigid housing structure adapted to substantially enclose the air tank and inflator means connected with the air tank for operation by the diver,
• means formed by the housing structure for receiving and securing the air tank in place,
• an interior chamber formed by the rigid housing structure and arranged adjacent the receiving and securing means for the air tank,
• a flexible buoyancy compensator arranged in the interior chamber of the rigid housing structure,
• the inflator means being coupled with the buoyancy compensator, the buoyancy compensator comprising outlet relief valve means adapted for communication with an inflatable life vest worn by the diver after pressure in the buoyancy compensator is raised above a first predetermined level, and
• mounting means also formed by the rigid housing structure for receiving and securing ballast means.

A backpack of a type used by divers with scuba gear including a compressed air tank to provide an underwater source of air and quick release means for securing the backpack on the diver while permitting the diver to rapidly free himself from the backpack, comprising:

• a rigid housing structure, an inwardly facing surface of the rigid housing structure being configured to generally conform to the diver's back,
• means projecting forwardly from lower portions of the rigid housing structure on each side of the diver in proximity to the diver's waist for partially supporting the weight of the backpack on the diver's hips,
• means formed by the housing structure for receiving and securing the air tank in place,
• an interior chamber formed by the rigid housing structure and arranged adjacent the receiving and securing means for the air tank to contain an inflatable buoyancy compensator,
• channel means formed on the lower portion of the rigid housing structure for receiving and securing ballast means,
• a waist belt for the diver having opposite portions secured to the backpack adjacent the projecting means on opposite sides of the structure and adapted for interconnection by a quick release coupling, and
• means projecting forwardly from upper portions of the rigid housing structure for partially supporting weight of the backpack on the diver's shoulders.

A backpack of a type used by divers with scuba gear including a compressed air tank to provide an underwater source of air and quick release means for securing the backpack on the diver while permitting the diver to rapidly free himself from the backpack, comprising:

• a rigid housing structure adapted to substantially enclose the air tank and inflator means connected with the air tank for operation by the diver,
• means formed by the housing structure for receiving and securing the air tank in place,
• an interior chamber formed by the rigid housing structure and arranged adjacent the receiving and securing means for the air tank,
• a flexible buoyancy compensator arranged in the interior chamber of the rigid housing structure,
• the inflator means being coupled with the buoyancy compensator, the buoyancy compensator comprising outlet relief valve means adapted for communication with an inflatable life vest worn by the diver after pressure in the buoyancy compensator is raised above a first predetermined level,
• an inflatable transport raft normally deflated and secured to the air tank, an outlet valve from the buoyancy compensator being interconnected with the inflatable transport raft for inflating the raft when pressure in the buoyancy compensator exceeds a second predetermined pressure level, whereby the diver may selectively pressurize the buoyancy compensator, the life vest and the inflatable transport raft by a single control device in the inflator means, and
• mounting means also formed by the rigid housing structure for receiving and securing ballast means.