Modular backpack assembly and buoyancy compensator
AssigneeSoniform, Inc.
InventorNeil R. Bergstrom
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A buoyancy compensator includes a backpack assembly for holding a tank of compressed gas and an inflatable air cell which is removably attached to the backpack assembly. The backpack assembly includes a cummerbund and a shoulder harness so that the backpack assembly can be used to support a tank with or without the air cell. The cummerbund and shoulder harness support the entire weight of the tank, and the air cell is not required to support any of the load of the tank. The air cell is shaped to provide flotation in the lower back to buttocks area of the wearer and in the rib cage area.
Claims12
A buoyancy compensator assembly comprising a backpack assembly and a separately formed inflatable air cell which is removably attached to the backpack assembly, the backpack assembly including:
- a) means for supporting a tank of compressed gas;
- b) a cummerbund adapted to surround the waist of a wearer;
- c) a shoulder harness comprising a pair of shoulder straps adapted to extend over the shoulders of a wearer;
- and
- d) means for connecting the shoulder straps to the cummerbund, the backpack assembly and the air cell including means for removably attaching the air cell to the backpack assembly whereby the backpack assembly can be used with or without the air cell for supporting a tank of compressed gas on a wearer, the air cell including a back portion and a pair of side portions, the back portion being provided with an opening through which the tank-supporting means of the backpack assembly extends when the air cell is attached to the backpack assembly, the air cell including a lower portion which extends below the side portions of the air cell and is adapted to overlie the lower back and a portion of the buttocks of a wearer.
A backpack assembly for supporting a tank of compressed gas comprising:
- a) a back portion which is adapted to overlie the back of a wearer;
- b) a cummerbund attached to the back portion which is adapted to surround the waist of a wearer;
- c) a pair of shoulder straps attached to the back portion which are adapted to extend over the shoulders of a wearer;
- d) means for connecting each of the shoulder straps to the cummerbund;
- e) a tank supporting portion having upper and lower portions, the lower portion of the tank supporting portion being attached to a lower portion of the back portion,
- f) means on the tank supporting portion for holding a tank of compressed gas, and
- g) hook and loop fasteners on the upper portion of the tank supporting portion and an upper portion of the back portion for releasably attaching said upper portions.
A backpack assembly for supporting a tank of compressed gas comprising:
- a) a back portion which is adapted to overlie the back of a wearer;
- b) a cummerbund attached to the back portion which is adapted to surround the waist of a wearer;
- c) a pair of shoulder straps attached to the back portion which are adapted to extend over the shoulders of a wearer;
- d) means for connecting each of the shoulder straps to the cummerbund, including a pair of auxiliary support panels which are attached to portions of the cummerbund;
- e) a tank supporting portion having upper and lower portions, the lower portion of the tank supporting portion being attached to a lower portion of the back portion,
- f) means on the tank supporting portion for holding a tank of compressed gas, and
- g) a support strap attached to the cummerbund and to each auxiliary support panel adjacent the attaching means.
A backpack assembly for supporting a tank of compressed gas comprising:
- a) a back portion which is adapted to overlie the back of a wearer;
- b) a cummerbund attached to the back portion which is adapted to surround the waist of a wearer;
- c) a pair of shoulder straps attached to the back portion which are adapted to extend over the shoulders of a wearer;
- d) means for connecting each of the shoulder straps to the cummerbund, including a pair of auxiliary support panels which are attached to portions of the cummerbund;
- e) a tank supporting portion having upper and lower portions, the lower portion of the tank supporting portion being attached to a lower portion of the back portion,
- f) means on the tank supporting portion for holding a tank of compressed gas, and
- g) each of the auxiliary support panels being generally V-shaped and including a rearwardly extending lower portion which is attached to the cummerbund and a forwardly extending upper portion.
A buoyancy compensator assembly comprising a hard backpack assembly for supporting a tank of compressed gas and a separately formed inflatable air cell which is removably attached to the backpack assembly, the backpack assembly comprising:
- a) a rigid backpack frame which is adapted to overlie the back of a wearer;
- b) a cummerbund attached to the backpack frame which is adapted to surround the waist of a wearer;
- c) a pair of shoulder straps attached to the backpack frame which are adapted to extend over the shoulder of a wearer;
- d) means for connecting each of the shoulder straps to the cummerbund;
- and
- e) means on the backpack frame for securing a tank of compressed gas, the backpack assembly and the air cell including means for removably attaching the air cell to the backpack assembly whereby the backpack assembly can be used with or without the air cell for supporting a tank of compressed gas on a wearer, the air cell including a back portion and a pair of side portions, the back portion being provided with an opening through which the tank-supporting means on the backpack assembly extends when the air cell is attached to the backpack assembly, the air cell including a lower portion which extends below the side portions of the air cell and is adapted to overlie the lower back and a portion of the buttocks of a wearer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.