# US 5,346,419 A · Buoyancy compensator device with backpack and adjustable harness > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,346,419 A - Document ID: US5346419A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 08/060,624 - Filed: 1993-05-14 - Granted: 1994-09-13 - Earliest claimed: 1993-05-14 - Assignees: International Divers Inc. - Inventors: Karl Kaiser - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5346419A ## CPC - B63C 11/08: Control of air pressure within suit, e.g. for controlling buoyancy {; Buoyancy compensator vests, or the like} - B63C: LAUNCHING, HAULING-OUT, OR DRY-DOCKING OF VESSELS; LIFE-SAVING IN WATER; EQUIPMENT FOR DWELLING OR WORKING UNDER WATER; MEANS FOR SALVAGING OR SEARCHING FOR UNDERWATER OBJECTS (floating nets, floating slipways, or the like for recovering aircraft from the water B63B35/52) ## Abstract A buoyancy compensator device having a pair of tank encircling straps for connection of the backpack to a compressed air tank, inflation hoses for receiving air from a tank and inflating the buoyancy compensator device and valves for releasing air from the buoyancy compensator including selectively operational valves and automatic over-inflation air releasing valves. The buoyancy compensator includes a backpack portion for supporting the tank and a harness system for attaching the backpack and buoyancy compensator to a wearer. The harness system includes adjustable shoulder straps and adjustable waist straps including a cumber bun for comfortably securing the buoyancy compensator around a wearer's torso. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A buoyancy compensator device comprising: a) a backpack portion having an inside wall and an outside wall; b) said backpack portion includes a securing band extending from said outside wall and adapted for securing an air tank to said backpack; c) said backpack having a harness attaches on said inside wall, said harness being adapted for securing said backpack to a wearer; d) said harness including a pair of shoulder straps; e) each of said shoulder straps having a first connection location and a second connection location on said inside wall wherein said first connection location is spaced from said second connection location on said inside wall of said backpack. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The buoyancy compensator device as set forth in claim 1, wherein: a) each of said shoulder straps includes an upper portion and a lower portion and each of said upper portions is selectively detachably connected to one said lower portion. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The buoyancy compensator device as set forth in claim 1, wherein: a) said shoulder straps include upper portions and said upper portions of said shoulder straps are secured together at said first connection location. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The buoyancy compensator device as set forth in claim 3, wherein: a) a shoulder strap connection portion joins both of said shoulder straps together and to said backpack at said first connection location. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The buoyancy compensator device as set forth in claim 4, wherein: a) said backpack includes a vertical track secured on said inside wall; and, b) said shoulder strap connection portion is adapted for slidable movement on said track. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The buoyancy compensator device as set forth in claim 5, wherein: a) said shoulder strap connection portion includes a track engaging fastener adapted for both slidable engagement within said track and upon adjustment, secure engagement with said track. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The buoyancy compensator device as set forth in claim 5, wherein: a) said track includes a base wall securely connected to said backpack; b) a pair of spaced upstanding walls extending substantially perpendicular to said base wall; and, c) a pair of recess forming wall portions extending perpendicularly toward each other from a respective one of said upstanding walls in parallel relationship to said base wall, each of said recess forming portions having a respective guide extending perpendicularly from said recess forming portion toward said base wall and substantially parallel to said upstanding walls. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The buoyancy compensator device as set forth in claim 7, wherein: a) said shoulder strap connection portion being selectively slidably engaged with said track by a track engaging fastener device; b) said track engaging fastener device including a track engaging slider having a first side and a second side, said first side being substantially smooth for facilitating slidable engagement with said base wall of said track, said second side having a pair of channels formed therein for receiving one of said track guides and two outer portions adapted for providing a frictional engagement with an inside surface of said track; and, c) said shoulder strap connection portion including a pair of threaded fasteners for adjustably engaging said slider. ### Claim 9 A buoyancy compensator device comprising: a) a body having an inside and an outside; b) said body includes a securing band extending from said outside and adapted for securing an air tank to said body portion; c) said body having a harness attached thereto adapted for securing said body to a wearer; d) said harness including a torso band and a pair of shoulder straps; and, e) said body includes a back pad located on said inside of said body, said back pad having connection devices for securing said back pad directly to said shoulder straps. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The buoyancy compensator device as set forth in claim 9, wherein: a) said back pad is removably attached to said body. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The buoyancy compensator device as set forth in claim 9, wherein: a) said body includes an opening therethrough. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The buoyancy compensator device as set forth in claim 11, wherein: a) said back pad includes an air tank attaching device connected thereto; and, b) said air tank connecting device includes a tank band adapted for extending through said opening in said body. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The buoyancy compensator device as set forth in claim 9, wherein: a) said back pad includes a pair of shoulder strap engaging loops for releasably securing said back pad to said shoulder straps.