Communications – electrical: acoustic wave systems and devices – Underwater system
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-04
2002-05-28
Pihulic, Daniel T. (Department: 3662)
Communications, electrical: acoustic wave systems and devices
Underwater system
Reexamination Certificate
active
06396769
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates in general to underwater pressure resistant housings, and in particular, to underwater housings that serve as portable systems for containing and delivering audio media players while scuba diving at depths exceeding atmospheric pressure.
Scuba diving has increased in popularity as a recreational hobby over the decades. Although it is a wonderfully scenic and visual activity, the added feature of audio entertainment in the form of music will greatly increase the pleasure of the activity. Currently, reliable technology does not exist that will allow a scuba diver to have a personal and portable underwater music system while scuba diving at depths exceeding atmospheric pressure.
The emergence of lightweight and diminutive portable audio players such as compact disc, minidisk, and mp3 players have become popular with sports enthusiasts who enjoy listening to music for entertainment while engaging in physical activity and sporting events. Such audio playing devices, however, as currently manufactured are not constructed to withstand being submersed and pressurized by an aquatic environment. Thus these devices cannot be used while scuba diving, which entails submersion and a pressurized environment evoked by the aquatic environment. Prior art describes methods for overcoming the limitations of surface related water activities. However, prior to the development of this invention, people have not been able to reliably, and economically, use portable electronic audio devices while engaging in submersed and pressurized activities such as free diving and scuba diving.
It is the goal of this invention to describe a system for a submersible audio housing system adapted for scuba diving. This unit is designed to function while being submersed because it can maintain a hydrostatic seal against extreme aquatic pressure. This unit will also be able to deliver audio to the users ear canal underwater via such methods as ultrasonic frequency and bone conduction methods by way of analog cables or wireless technology. This unit is portable so each diver can carry and control the unit individually and not infringe on the privacy of other divers. Finally, it is the goal of this invention to describe an apparatus that is easy to use, inexpensive, and can be easily repaired and updated.
2. Prior Art
In order to provide background information so that the invention may be completely understood and appreciated in its proper context, reference is made to a number of prior art patents and publications.
Williams (U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,456,377 and 5,533,737) defines a system for enclosing electrical outlet fixtures and serves as a method of weatherproofing power plugs. This concept of enclosing an electrical system is further adapted by enclosing complete electric devices.
Deschamps (U.S. Pat. No. 5,822,180) defines a watertight cabinet for electrical devices and components. This device is constructed from a plurality of mounting plates and is sealed internally with glue. A door is assembled to the frame, which pivots on hinges, and can be closed to make watertight seals. The structure is perforated to form a duct for passage of wiring to the internal components. Further advancements are represented in Molzan (U.S. Pat. No. 4,465,189) which describes a waterproof container. This smaller device is designed for small objects and the container is made of deformable material made to collapse around the internal equipment under environmental pressure. Risko (U.S. Pat. No. 5,386,084) defines a means of enclosing an electronic device using a flexible membrane and a battery access door. These devices are designed to effectively seal equipment containers against water and moisture. However, these structures are not designed for underwater use, especially under circumstances experienced while scuba diving. Advancements have been achieved that further develop the concept for waterproofing a case for electrical devices.
Kamata (U.S. Pat. No. 5,285,894) defines a waterproof casing suitable for housing a camera. The device uses a non-woven air-permeable fabric material to allow airflow for film advancement purpose but not water. Furthermore, other structural deficiencies prohibit this device from being a reliable mechanism for housing an electrical device while experiencing ambient pressure during scuba diving. Johnson (U.S. Pat. No. 5,239,323) defines a waterproof bag mechanism for housing a camera. This device uses a flexible membrane to house the camera which is clearly designed for environments that are wet, but not invoking environmental pressure (i.e. surfing, kayaking, boat, and other surface related wet activities). In order to deal with the pressure of the environment altering the structure of the housing and crushing the internal components, advancements have been achieved that utilize flexible membranes that have been pressurized internally.
Gell (U.S. Pat. No. 4,771,299) defines a flexible, waterproof container that can be internally pressurized. This device is complex, bulky, costly, and requires peripheral technology to pressurize the unit. In addition, it is highly susceptible to failure because of the high potential for puncture of the flexible membrane, causing the entire compartment to flood and destroy the device. To solve the problem of an expensive and puncture prone pressurized flexible membrane, rigid housing systems have been achieved.
Monterio (U.S. Pat. No. 4,281,343), Wakabayashi (U.S. Pat. No. 5,294,988), Matsumoto (U.S. Pat. No. 5,325,139), and Breslau (U.S. Pat. No. 4,381,144) describe a system using rigid material to house a video camera. Although these devices are suitable for maintaining a seal in a hydrostatic environment, they do not serve the function of a containing an audio electronic device and delivering the music to the users ear canal. The concept of rigid housing was further adapted to house audio components in wet environments.
Delage (U.S. Pat. No. 4,562,590) defines a device that will contain an entire stereo and loudspeaker system. The design is a container with a removable lid that exposes the stereo system. In this way a stereo system can be transported in a wet environment and avoid damage. Clearly, this design in not efficient for a scuba diver but rather for surface related activities that require protecting electronic devices from water. Thus far, a system for containing an audio electronic device has not been clearly described in prior art that can handle the pressurized aquatic environment experienced while scuba diving.
Hofer (U.S. Pat. No. 4,949,806) defines a headset for underwater use. This device is susceptible to easy destruction because of the ability of water and other debris in the medium to flow close to the circuitry. This device is capable of emitting a limited frequency range based on a single bone conduction speaker. The invention described henceforth describes a multiple-speaker system that emits a combined frequency range specific to an underwater environment by compensating for the water dampening effect of specific audio waves, resulting in superior fidelity. The idea is further develop by Rappaport et al (U.S. Pat. No. 4,727,599) by using a headband to contain the speakers and radio system and Kenning et al (U.S. Pat. No. 5,537,667) who describes a swimming training cap with embedded speakers.
Goldfarb (U.S. Pat. No. 4,682,363) defines an amphibious personal audio system for swimmers. A critical failure of the application of this device to scuba diving is that the earphones are inserted into the user's ears. Furthermore, the speakers are worn as a headband. Such a device will interfere with the strap of a mask, may fall off during a scuba dive, and, may only be worn without a hood because the speakers need to be inserted in the ear canals. Thus, in water temperatures that require hoods for thermal protection of the head, this device would not be functional. In addition, the structural design describes a flexible membrane that cannot withstand hydrostatic pressure. Further a
Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP
Pihulic Daniel T.
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