Receptacles – Container attachment or adjunct – Handle – handle component – or handle adjunct
Reexamination Certificate
2000-08-07
2001-08-21
Pollard, Steven (Department: 3727)
Receptacles
Container attachment or adjunct
Handle, handle component, or handle adjunct
C220S581000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06276561
ABSTRACT:
This invention relates to a scuba cylinder which when used in water is uniquely stable, maneuverable and comfortable to wear.
It includes finger-gripping means and when it is not being used, it can be laid on its side without rolling. Also, its unique design makes it suitable for stacking with other like-cylinders in a pyramid-type arrangement.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Scuba cylinders are containers for compressed air. They are equipped at the top with a valve for regulating airflow and the choice of a valve will depend on its intended use. For example, when the use is recreational, a K-valve is usually employed; this is similar to an on-off valve in a water faucet.
On the other hand, when the airflow must be regulated to coincide with a specific tank pressure, a J-valve is used.
Still another valve, a DIN, is employed when high pressures are to be encountered.
Accordingly, it is essential for user safety that every scuba cylinder, and its associated parts, be carefully chosen and properly maintained.
Maintenance, however, is a serious problem and the injuries which can be attributed to scuba cylinder use, are due in large part to the manner in which diving tanks are made.
As a rule, scuba cylinders are made of aluminum and steel. A steel cylinder is stronger and it can hold more air per cubic foot than an aluminum cylinder; however, steel has serious disadvantages. For one, it is heavier. Also, steel rusts, and although the exterior can be galvanized to prevent corrosion, the interior cannot because the zinc used in the galvanizing process adversely affects air purity.
Also, it is not possible to obtain cylinders which are flat on the bottom. Present manufacturing methods produce only cylinders which are round at the base and, as a result, they cannot be made to stand upright unless they are fitted with a boot.
A ‘boot’ is a cover made of rubber or plastic which is placed onto the bottom of a scuba cylinder. Some are made flat on their sides to prevent the tank from rolling when stacked.
Another difficulty with present-day scuba tanks is their cylindrical shape, a feature which makes it impossible to leave them unattended or put them in a stack. As a result, it is not uncommon to see scuba tanks roll and hit against one another.
Because of this ‘rolling’ tendency, scuba cylinders are sometimes placed in a fabric or plastic sleeve so as to cushion the blow when one tank hits against another; however, the use of such sleeves has not prevented the tanks from becoming severely damaged.
Aluminum tanks provide improvement over steel because they are lighter. Also, they do not rust; instead, the aluminum oxidizes (i.e., anodizes) and forms a film which protects against corrosion.
These advantages, however, are more than offset by the fact that aluminum is a relatively soft metal whose malleable properties make it susceptible to denting and gouging.
Also, aluminum cylinders have an exterior surface which (like steel), is smooth and featureless. This makes them difficult to grasp and carry. Accordingly, when they are moved from one location to another, the tendency is to hoist and carry them by the valve stem and this, when repeatedly done, will ultimately cause damage to the valve assembly.
Accordingly, there is a need for a scuba cylinder which can be easily grasped, carried, and safely stored.
One solution to the hoisting and carrying problem is the Scuba Tank-Pack Rack produced by Pelican Products. This Rack holds up to six cylinders, U.S. or foreign made, with or without boots. It is on the order of an oversized wire dish drain and the wire is coated with plastic. Once the scuba tanks are in the rack, it is carried onto a boat where it can be deck-mounted. The difficulty with this rack is that it fails to provide a means for conveniently carrying individual cylinders; nor does it provide a means by which they can be stacked one atop the other.
Another known carrying system is the Scuba Caddy manufactured by Pier Industries, Inc. This is a base plate having a centrally disposed post equipped with neoprene bumpers. In this system, four scuba tanks are placed onto the base plate and held in an upright position against the bumpers by elastic cords.
Unfortunately, this system too does not solve the cylinder-carrying problem nor does it provide means by which scuba tanks can be assembled and safely stacked one atop the other.
Accordingly, there is a need for a scuba cylinder which can be easily lifted and conveniently carried from one location to another without the need for a rack, caddy or other adjunct.
Also, there is a need for a scuba cylinder which can be conveniently stacked and stored with other like-configured cylinders one atop the other.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of this invention to provide a scuba cylinder which can be grasped by finger means and carried conveniently from one location to another.
Another object is to provide a scuba cylinder whose exterior configuration is such that it may be stacked in series with other like-configured cylinders one atop the other.
Another object is to provide a scuba cylinder whose streamlined design enhances its underwater mobility and contributes to its stability.
Still another object is to provide a scuba cylinder whose outer surface is equipped with a series of longitudinally extending channels for directing water flow over its surface.
Yet another object is to provide a scuba cylinder whose interior sidewalls are supported by a reinforcement member.
These and other objects are achieved by providing a scuba cylinder which is triangular in cross-section. The exterior surface of the cylinder body is comprised of three longitudinally extending panels, two of which include finger-gripping means. These finger grips are basically recesses in the outer surface of the cylinder and they are covered in part by cowls or panels which may be gripped and used as a handle.
The bottom of the scuba cylinder is fitted with a protective cover to guard against scraping and to prevent damage to the support on which the cylinders are placed. Also, the covers provide a means by which the cylinders can engage one another when they are placed together in a stack.
Also included on the cylinder body are a series of longitudinally extending channels which circumscribe the entire outer surface. These channels decrease friction by directing the flow of water into the channels as it passes over the cylinder surface.
The scuba cylinder is essentially a hollow body whose length is a vertical wall defined by interior and exterior surfaces. Immediately above this hollow body, and connected thereto, is a conical segment, or shoulder, comprised of three panels. Joined to this conical segment is a neck and valve assembly.
The interior of the cylinder body is also equipped with reinforcement members whose radially extending arms are joined to the sidewall surfaces by a weld.
These and other features of the invention, are further illustrated by the drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 795870 (1905-08-01), Voelkeay
patent: 4463978 (1984-08-01), Mountain et al.
patent: 4556245 (1985-12-01), Gruenwald
patent: 5564587 (1996-10-01), Falk et al.
patent: 5613490 (1997-03-01), Mayes et al.
patent: 5833197 (1998-11-01), Peabody
patent: 5927537 (1999-07-01), Falk et al.
patent: 6095367 (2000-08-01), Blair et al.
Joseph W. Molasky & Associates
Pollard Steven
LandOfFree
Scuba cylinder does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Scuba cylinder, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Scuba cylinder will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2482506