EP0755857B1 - An underwater breathing apparatus - Google Patents
An underwater breathing apparatus Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0755857B1 EP0755857B1 EP95203333A EP95203333A EP0755857B1 EP 0755857 B1 EP0755857 B1 EP 0755857B1 EP 95203333 A EP95203333 A EP 95203333A EP 95203333 A EP95203333 A EP 95203333A EP 0755857 B1 EP0755857 B1 EP 0755857B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- breathing apparatus
- handle
- collar
- underwater breathing
- pin
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
Links
- 230000029058 respiratory gaseous exchange Effects 0.000 title claims description 36
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000007779 soft material Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 210000003739 neck Anatomy 0.000 description 15
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 5
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D23/00—Details of bottles or jars not otherwise provided for
- B65D23/10—Handles
- B65D23/104—Handles formed separately
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
- 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
- B63C11/00—Equipment for dwelling or working underwater; Means for searching for underwater objects
- B63C11/02—Divers' equipment
- B63C11/18—Air supply
- B63C11/22—Air supply carried by diver
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
- 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
- B63C11/00—Equipment for dwelling or working underwater; Means for searching for underwater objects
- B63C11/02—Divers' equipment
- B63C2011/023—Accessories for diving arranged or for use outside the water
Definitions
- the present invention relates generally to breathing apparatus of the type including a cylinder which has a neck, a collar tightened around the neck by a pin having opposite ends which are screw-threaded and engaged in two opposing wings of the collar, and a handle pivotally connected to the collar by a hinge.
- the present invention relates to an underwater breathing apparatus in which the hinge is defined by the wings of the collar and by a central element of the handle located between the wings and traversed by the pin.
- breathing apparata of the type specified are provided with handles to enable the cylinders, which are very heavy and bulky, to be carried by hand.
- the handle remains fixed to the cylinder even when the underwater breathing apparatus is not carried manually, for example during underwater activities.
- Such movements may be particularly inconvenient, for example during underwater activities and when the breathing apparatus is being carried since the knocking of the handle against the cylinder causes an irritating noise.
- the handle does not remain fixed in a predetermined position, it may be troublesome and may even get caught and be subject to serious damage.
- the technical problem which is at the root of the present invention is that devising of an underwater breathing apparatus which has structural and functional characteristics such as to overcome these problems.
- the main advantage of the breathing apparatus according to the invention lies in the fact that the central element of the handgrip acquires an elasticity such that it is possible to tighten the pin without clamping the handle immovably while, however, maintaining mechanical interference between the central element and the wings of the collar.
- underwater breathing apparatus of the type which supplies a breathing mixture, for example air, is indicated 1. It is shown without the supply equipment from which the divers breath the mixture.
- the breathing apparatus 1 includes a cylinder 2 containing compressed air which has a neck 3 at its upper end to which there is fitted a delivery valve 4 of the breathing apparatus 1 which is operable manually by means of a knob 5.
- the breathing apparatus 1 includes a collar 6 constituted by a ring with two free ends 8 and respective opposing wings 9 formed on the free ends 8.
- the collar 6 is of semi-rigid, resiliently-deformable material and is located so as to surround the neck 3 of the cylinder 2.
- the collar 6 is tightened against the neck 3 of the cylinder 2 by a pin 19 having opposite ends 20 which are screw-threaded and engaged in the wings 9 of the collar.
- the collar 6 has a circular aperture 10 defined by its inner surface 11, this latter being intended to fit tightly around the neck 3.
- the breathing apparatus 1 has a pair of cavities 12 in the inner surface 11 arranged symmetrically facing one another.
- the breathing apparatus 1 further includes a pair of friction elements 13 which can be housed in the cavities 12.
- the friction elements are constituted by rubber elements 13, preferably of interchangeable type, each of which has a head 14 intended to be pressed against the neck 3 to limit the rotation of the neck 3 relative and the collar 6.
- the breathing apparatus 1 includes a handle 15 which is pivotally connected to the collar 6 by means of a hinge 16.
- the hinge 16 is defined by the two wings 9 of the collar 6 and by a central element 17 of the handle 15 located between the wings 9 and traversed by the pin 19.
- the handle 15, and more particularly its central element 17, is of a resiliently deformable, semi-rigid material.
- the screw-threaded ends 20 of the pin 19 are formed with seats 21 for receiving the cooperating end of a suitable tool for tightening the pin 19.
- the pin 19 also defines the axis A of the hinge 16 about which the handle 16 can pivot.
- the breathing apparatus 1 includes a cleft 22 in the central element 17 of the handle 15.
- the cleft 22, formed along the entire length of the central element 17, extends transverse to the pin 19 and, at rest, has a predetermined width.
- the cleft 22 is preferably straight and perpendicular to the pin 19. Moreover, the cleft in the central element 17 has an open end 23a within the collar 6 and a closed end 23b facing the handle 15.
- the breathing apparatus 1 includes an aperture 24 which defines a split ring having a diameter greater than the predetermined width of the cleft 22.
- the underwater breathing apparatus 1 further includes a cover 26 of soft material over a handgrip portion 25 of the handle 15.
- the collar 6 is located around the neck with the central element 17 of the handgrip 15 between the wings 9 of the collar 6 and the pin 19 is inserted.
- the cleft 22 makes the central element 17 resiliently deformable, the width of the cleft being reducible in accordance with the relative dimensions of the collar 6 and the neck 3 so that the collar 6 can be adapted to fit the neck 6.
- the handle 15 If the handle 15 is subject to external forces such as tossing, knocks or the like, it will, however, remain in position, without moving and knocking against the cylinder 2 so as to cause irritating noises which could even put an end to the underwater activity itself.
- the handle 15 may remain fixed to the cylinder 2 during underwater activities or during transport of the underwater breathing apparatus 1.
- the soft cover 26 can prevent any intermittent noises as well as facilitating the gripping of the handle 15.
- the underwater breathing apparatus according to the invention is structurally simple and easy and cheap to manufacture.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Pulmonology (AREA)
- Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
- Respiratory Apparatuses And Protective Means (AREA)
Description
- The present invention relates generally to breathing apparatus of the type including a cylinder which has a neck, a collar tightened around the neck by a pin having opposite ends which are screw-threaded and engaged in two opposing wings of the collar, and a handle pivotally connected to the collar by a hinge.
- More particularly, the present invention relates to an underwater breathing apparatus in which the hinge is defined by the wings of the collar and by a central element of the handle located between the wings and traversed by the pin.
- As is known, breathing apparata of the type specified are provided with handles to enable the cylinders, which are very heavy and bulky, to be carried by hand.
- For greater convenience, the handle remains fixed to the cylinder even when the underwater breathing apparatus is not carried manually, for example during underwater activities.
- Indeed the dismantling of the collar is a complicated operation, particularly on a small boat, and requires a suitable key which is not always available.
- Different models of known breathing apparatus may have cylinders with necks of slightly different diameters. For this reason it is necessary to adapt the collars to them by tightening the threaded pin by which the handle is fixed to the collar to a greater or lesser extent.
- Consequently, in some cases, no mechanical interference is created between the central element of the handle and the wings of the collar, a clearance being left which renders the handgrip free to move under the slightest force.
- Such movements may be particularly inconvenient, for example during underwater activities and when the breathing apparatus is being carried since the knocking of the handle against the cylinder causes an irritating noise.
- Moreover since the handle does not remain fixed in a predetermined position, it may be troublesome and may even get caught and be subject to serious damage.
- On the other hand it can happen that the pin which is needed to attach the collar is screwed so tightly as to clamp the handgrip immovably so that it is unusable.
- The technical problem which is at the root of the present invention is that devising of an underwater breathing apparatus which has structural and functional characteristics such as to overcome these problems.
- This problem is resolved by apparatus of the type specified, characterised in that it includes a cleft in the central element of the handle extending substantially transverse the pin.
- The main advantage of the breathing apparatus according to the invention lies in the fact that the central element of the handgrip acquires an elasticity such that it is possible to tighten the pin without clamping the handle immovably while, however, maintaining mechanical interference between the central element and the wings of the collar.
- Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the description of a preferred embodiment, given by way of non-limitative example, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:
- figure 1 is a partial perspective view of an underwater breathing apparatus according to the invention, and;
- figure 2 is a perspective view of a detail of the underwater breathing apparatus of figure 1.
- In the drawings, underwater breathing apparatus of the type which supplies a breathing mixture, for example air, is indicated 1. It is shown without the supply equipment from which the divers breath the mixture.
- The
breathing apparatus 1 includes acylinder 2 containing compressed air which has aneck 3 at its upper end to which there is fitted adelivery valve 4 of thebreathing apparatus 1 which is operable manually by means of aknob 5. - Around the
neck 3 of thecylinder 2 thebreathing apparatus 1 includes acollar 6 constituted by a ring with twofree ends 8 and respectiveopposing wings 9 formed on thefree ends 8. - The
collar 6 is of semi-rigid, resiliently-deformable material and is located so as to surround theneck 3 of thecylinder 2. - The
collar 6 is tightened against theneck 3 of thecylinder 2 by apin 19 havingopposite ends 20 which are screw-threaded and engaged in thewings 9 of the collar. - The
collar 6 has acircular aperture 10 defined by itsinner surface 11, this latter being intended to fit tightly around theneck 3. - The
breathing apparatus 1 has a pair ofcavities 12 in theinner surface 11 arranged symmetrically facing one another. - The
breathing apparatus 1 further includes a pair offriction elements 13 which can be housed in thecavities 12. - In the present embodiment, the friction elements are constituted by
rubber elements 13, preferably of interchangeable type, each of which has ahead 14 intended to be pressed against theneck 3 to limit the rotation of theneck 3 relative and thecollar 6. - The
breathing apparatus 1 includes ahandle 15 which is pivotally connected to thecollar 6 by means of ahinge 16. - The
hinge 16 is defined by the twowings 9 of thecollar 6 and by acentral element 17 of thehandle 15 located between thewings 9 and traversed by thepin 19. - The
handle 15, and more particularly itscentral element 17, is of a resiliently deformable, semi-rigid material. - The screw-threaded
ends 20 of thepin 19 are formed withseats 21 for receiving the cooperating end of a suitable tool for tightening thepin 19. - The
pin 19 also defines the axis A of thehinge 16 about which thehandle 16 can pivot. - The
breathing apparatus 1 according to the invention includes acleft 22 in thecentral element 17 of thehandle 15. - The
cleft 22, formed along the entire length of thecentral element 17, extends transverse to thepin 19 and, at rest, has a predetermined width. - In the present embodiment of the
breathing apparatus 1 of the invention, thecleft 22 is preferably straight and perpendicular to thepin 19. Moreover, the cleft in thecentral element 17 has an open end 23a within thecollar 6 and a closed end 23b facing thehandle 15. - At the closed end 23b, the
breathing apparatus 1 includes anaperture 24 which defines a split ring having a diameter greater than the predetermined width of thecleft 22. - The
underwater breathing apparatus 1 further includes acover 26 of soft material over ahandgrip portion 25 of thehandle 15. - In order to fix the
collar 6 to theneck 3 of thecylinder 2 of thebreathing apparatus 1 according to the invention, thecollar 6 is located around the neck with thecentral element 17 of thehandgrip 15 between thewings 9 of thecollar 6 and thepin 19 is inserted. - The
ends 20 of thepin 19 are then turned until theheads 14 of therubber elements 13 are suitably compressed against theneck 3 of thecylinder 2 so that thecollar 6 is fixed to thecylinder 2. - In this situation, the
central element 17 of thehandle 15 is compressed laterally by thewings 9 tightened against it by thepin 19. - The
cleft 22 makes thecentral element 17 resiliently deformable, the width of the cleft being reducible in accordance with the relative dimensions of thecollar 6 and theneck 3 so that thecollar 6 can be adapted to fit theneck 6. - The resilience of the
central element 17, thus compressed, causes frictional interference between thehandle 15 and thecollar 6 at thehinge 16 so that thehandle 15 may be pivoted about the axis A of thehinge 16 by the application of adequate manual force without being clamped by excessive tightening of thepin 19. - This effect is enhanced by the presence of the
aperture 24. - If the
handle 15 is subject to external forces such as tossing, knocks or the like, it will, however, remain in position, without moving and knocking against thecylinder 2 so as to cause irritating noises which could even put an end to the underwater activity itself. - Thus the
handle 15 may remain fixed to thecylinder 2 during underwater activities or during transport of theunderwater breathing apparatus 1. - If, in the latter case, the
breathing apparatus 1 were to be subject to vibrations which, in turn, were able to make thehandle 15 vibrate, thesoft cover 26 can prevent any intermittent noises as well as facilitating the gripping of thehandle 15. - In addition to the advantages mentioned above, the underwater breathing apparatus according to the invention is structurally simple and easy and cheap to manufacture.
- An expert in the art may make numerous variation to the underwater breathing apparatus described above in order to satisfy particular requirements without thereby departing from the scope of protection of the invention as defined in the following claims.
Claims (7)
- An underwater breathing apparatus (1) comprising:a cylinder (2) which has a neck (3);a collar (6) which is tightened round the neck (3) by a pin (19) having respective screw-threaded ends (20) engaged in two opposing wings (9) of the collar (6);a handle (15) pivotally connected to the collar (6) by a hinge (16) defined by the wings (9) and by a central element (17) of the handle (15), located between the wings (9) and traversed by the pin (19);
- An underwater breathing apparatus (1) according to Claim 1, wherein the cleft (22) is straight and perpendicular to the pin (19).
- An underwater breathing apparatus (1) according to Claim 1, wherein the central element (17) of the handle (15) is of semi-rigid material.
- An underwater breathing apparatus (1) according to Claim 1, which includes an aperture (24) at a closed end (23b) of the cleft (22) which defines a split ring.
- An underwater breathing apparatus (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the collar (6) has an inner surface (11) intended to fit tightly around the neck (3) and the underwater breathing apparatus (1) includes a pair of cavities (12) in the inner surface (11), located symmetrically facing one another, and a cooperating pair of friction elements (13) housed in the cavities (9).
- An underwater breathing apparatus (1) according to Claim 5, wherein the friction elements are constituted by small interchangeable rubber elements (13) each of which has a head (14) intended to be compressed against the neck (3) of the cylinder (2).
- An underwater breathing apparatus (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, which includes a cover (26) of soft material around a handgrip portion (25) of the handle (15).
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
IT95MI001594A IT1275599B1 (en) | 1995-07-24 | 1995-07-24 | SELF-BREATHING UNDERWATER |
ITMI951594 | 1995-07-24 |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0755857A1 EP0755857A1 (en) | 1997-01-29 |
EP0755857B1 true EP0755857B1 (en) | 1999-08-25 |
Family
ID=11372035
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP95203333A Expired - Lifetime EP0755857B1 (en) | 1995-07-24 | 1995-12-02 | An underwater breathing apparatus |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0755857B1 (en) |
DE (2) | DE69511690T2 (en) |
ES (1) | ES2136794T3 (en) |
IT (1) | IT1275599B1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
ITVR20010015A1 (en) * | 2001-02-14 | 2002-08-14 | Maria Grazia Fiocco | HOOKING DEVICE FOR REMOVABLE HANDLES APPLICABLE TO POTS, PANS OR SIMILAR AND TOOLS IN GENERAL |
ES2322831A1 (en) * | 2007-01-23 | 2009-06-29 | Vieira Araujo, S.A. | Asa for containers. (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) |
Family Cites Families (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4463978A (en) * | 1982-10-15 | 1984-08-07 | Mountain Craig S | Diving tank handle |
-
1995
- 1995-07-24 IT IT95MI001594A patent/IT1275599B1/en active IP Right Grant
- 1995-12-02 ES ES95203333T patent/ES2136794T3/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1995-12-02 DE DE69511690T patent/DE69511690T2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1995-12-02 DE DE0755857T patent/DE755857T1/en active Pending
- 1995-12-02 EP EP95203333A patent/EP0755857B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
DE69511690D1 (en) | 1999-09-30 |
ITMI951594A1 (en) | 1997-01-24 |
DE69511690T2 (en) | 2000-01-13 |
DE755857T1 (en) | 1997-07-10 |
IT1275599B1 (en) | 1997-08-06 |
ITMI951594A0 (en) | 1995-07-24 |
ES2136794T3 (en) | 1999-12-01 |
EP0755857A1 (en) | 1997-01-29 |
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