US3578241A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Slide rule for scuba divers
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1969-10-16
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Granted: 1971-05-11
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Expires: 1989-10-16
Abstract
Abstract A circular slide rule for use by scuba divers which coordinates the variables of air tank pressure, depth of submergence, breathing rate, and time and with which a variable may be determined when the others are known. The time available at depth is disposed on a scale formed as two separate parts, the first being from surface to an intermediate depth and the other from the intermediate depth to maximum depth which provides greater accuracy at greater depths, where it is most needed. The discs of the slide rule are flexible and of various diameters permitting the selective locking together of different combinations of same by the fingers of the user.
Inventors
- 👤 Philip J Wombough
- 👤 Charles E Tallerino
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 18:21
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06G; G06G1/00; G06G1/0005; G06G1/001
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
417 words
A slide rule for determining the time available at depth when an original air tank pressure is known in a tank Of predetermined volume, the breathing rate of a diver is known, and the descent consumption time is known and with normal rate of ascent which requires no delay for decompression, the slide rule comprising four members disposed in superimposed relationship which are all relatively movable in fixed paths, such as angularly about a common axis, comprising; a. a bottom member having an elongated tank pressure scale graduated from a minimum, such as 300 p.s.i., to a maximum, such as 2,475 p.s.i., and a pair of equidistant spaced elongated time for depth range scales, one being from a minimum to a predetermined intermediate time, such as 1 to 50 min., and the other from minimum to maximum time, such as 1 to 150 min., b. a first intermediate member having finger engageable means, such as a tab, for moving same and having two spaced time windows, through which a time on one of the time for depth range scales may be read and the other through which a time on the other time for depth range scale may be read, c. a second intermediate member having a window of a length and width through which said time for depth range scales may be read through one of said spaced windows in the first intermediate member, the second intermediate member having another window through which a tank pressure may be read on the tank pressure scale on the bottom member, and also having an elongated depth scale, graduated from minimum to maximum such as from 0 to 190 feet, d. and a top member having a first window through which a depth on the depth range scale may be read, the top member having a pair of elongated time windows through which a time on the time for depth range scales may be read, and a breathing rate scale graduated between limits, such as one-half to 2 cubic feet per minute, disposed adjacent each of the pair of windows, aforesaid, a breathing rate on either adapted to be aligned with one of said spaced time windows in the first intermediate member, e. the construction and arrangement being such that, when the tank pressure and depth may be simultaneously read, and the known breathing rate is aligned with the time window, a time at depth may be read, the actual time being such time less the descent consumption time.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
417 words
A slide rule for determining the time available at depth when an original air tank pressure is known in a tank Of predetermined volume, the breathing rate of a diver is known, and the descent consumption time is known and with normal rate of ascent which requires no delay for decompression, the slide rule comprising four members disposed in superimposed relationship which are all relatively movable in fixed paths, such as angularly about a common axis, comprising; a. a bottom member having an elongated tank pressure scale graduated from a minimum, such as 300 p.s.i., to a maximum, such as 2,475 p.s.i., and a pair of equidistant spaced elongated time for depth range scales, one being from a minimum to a predetermined intermediate time, such as 1 to 50 min., and the other from minimum to maximum time, such as 1 to 150 min., b. a first intermediate member having finger engageable means, such as a tab, for moving same and having two spaced time windows, through which a time on one of the time for depth range scales may be read and the other through which a time on the other time for depth range scale may be read, c. a second intermediate member having a window of a length and width through which said time for depth range scales may be read through one of said spaced windows in the first intermediate member, the second intermediate member having another window through which a tank pressure may be read on the tank pressure scale on the bottom member, and also having an elongated depth scale, graduated from minimum to maximum such as from 0 to 190 feet, d. and a top member having a first window through which a depth on the depth range scale may be read, the top member having a pair of elongated time windows through which a time on the time for depth range scales may be read, and a breathing rate scale graduated between limits, such as one-half to 2 cubic feet per minute, disposed adjacent each of the pair of windows, aforesaid, a breathing rate on either adapted to be aligned with one of said spaced time windows in the first intermediate member, e. the construction and arrangement being such that, when the tank pressure and depth may be simultaneously read, and the known breathing rate is aligned with the time window, a time at depth may be read, the actual time being such time less the descent consumption time.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
A slide rule in accordance with claim 1 wherein said members are disc-shaped and relatively rotatable about a common central axis and the scales are disposed arcuately about said axis.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
A slide rule in accordance with claim 2 wherein the bottom and second intermediate members are substantially the same diameter, said top member being of lesser diameter than the members aforesaid, and the first intermediate member being of a diameter less than the top member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
A slide rule in accordance with claim 3 wherein said first intermediate member is superimposed on said bottom member and said second intermediate member is superimposed on said first intermediate member and next adjacent to the top member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
A slide rule in accordance with claim 1 wherein said bottom member is provided with indicia for indicating that less than said minimum remains, to thereby warn the diver to immediately commence ascent.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
49 words
A slide rule in accordance with claim 1 wherein at least the two intermediate members and top member, having the windows in same, are constructed of transparent material to form the windows, the remaining portions having an opaque waterproof coating on same to obscure visibility except through the windows.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
45 words
A slide rule in accordance with claim 6 wherein said bottom member has a rear face, exposed at all times irrespective of the relative position of the members, said face having data thereon which may be employed with a calculation made by the slide rule.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
A slide rule in accordance with claim 7 wherein said data includes a chart of descent consumption time and a chart of time at depth with no decompression during ascent.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
A slide rule in accordance with claim 1 wherein said firsT intermediate member is superimposed on said bottom member and said second intermediate member is superimposed on said first intermediate member and next adjacent to the top member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
A slide rule in accordance with claim 1 wherein said members are circular and of various diameters to permit various combinations of same to be locked together by fingers of an operator.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
262 words
A slide rule for determining the time available at depth when an original air tank pressure is known in a tank of predetermined volume, the breathing rate of a diver is known, and the descent consumption time is known and with normal rate of ascent which requires no delay for decompression, the slide rule comprising four members disposed in superimposed relationship which are all relatively movable in fixed paths such as angularly about a common axis, comprising; a. a bottom member having an elongated tank pressure scale graduated from a minimum to a maximum and an elongated time for depth range scale, b. a first intermediate member having finger engageable means for moving same, and a time window through which a time on the time for depth range scale may be read, c. a second intermediate member having a window through which said time for depth range scale may be read through the window of the first intermediate member, the second intermediate member having another window through which a tank pressure may be read on the tank pressure scale on the bottom member, and also having an elongated depth scale graduated from minimum to maximum, d. and a top member having a first window through which a depth on the depth range scale may be read, the top member having an elongated window through which a time on the time for depth range scale may be read, and a breathing rate scale graduated between limits, disposed adjacent the elongated window, aforesaid, a breathing rate adapted to be aligned with the time window.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
262 words
A slide rule for determining the time available at depth when an original air tank pressure is known in a tank of predetermined volume, the breathing rate of a diver is known, and the descent consumption time is known and with normal rate of ascent which requires no delay for decompression, the slide rule comprising four members disposed in superimposed relationship which are all relatively movable in fixed paths such as angularly about a common axis, comprising; a. a bottom member having an elongated tank pressure scale graduated from a minimum to a maximum and an elongated time for depth range scale, b. a first intermediate member having finger engageable means for moving same, and a time window through which a time on the time for depth range scale may be read, c. a second intermediate member having a window through which said time for depth range scale may be read through the window of the first intermediate member, the second intermediate member having another window through which a tank pressure may be read on the tank pressure scale on the bottom member, and also having an elongated depth scale graduated from minimum to maximum, d. and a top member having a first window through which a depth on the depth range scale may be read, the top member having an elongated window through which a time on the time for depth range scale may be read, and a breathing rate scale graduated between limits, disposed adjacent the elongated window, aforesaid, a breathing rate adapted to be aligned with the time window.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-05-10 | 1974-11-09 | 1975-05-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-05-10 | 1978-11-09 | 1979-05-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-05-10 | 1982-11-09 | 1983-05-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |