Depth gauge

Claim 2

A pressure responsive instrument, comprising: a rigid housing defining a chamber, said housing having an opening therein communicating with said chamber, a rigid transparent pressure responsive closure member mounted in said opening for limited movement toward and away from said chamber, a liquid in said chamber and substantially filling the same, means for sealing said closure member in said opening throughout its limited range of movement, to seal said liquid within said chamber, and means disposed in said chamber for indicating pressure of said liquid, whereby pressure exerted upon said closure member is transmitted to said liquid and visibly indicated by said indicating means through said rigid transparent pressure responsive closure member.

Claim 3

The instrument of claim 1 wherein said sealing means includes means for mounting said closure member to said housing for limited sliding motion toward and away from said chamber.

Claim 4

A depth gauge, comprising: a housing defining a chamber, said housing having an opening therein communicating with said chamber, a rigid closure member resiliently mounted in said opening in sealing relation to said housing for limited motion toward and away from said chamber in response to pressure exerted upon said closure member, said closure member being transparent, a liquid sealed within said chamber, and indicating means disposed within said chamber for indicating the pressure of said liquid, said indicating means being visible through said closure member.

Claim 5

A depth gauge, comprising: a housing defining a chamber, said housing having an opening therein communicating with said chamber, a rigid closure member resiliently mounted in said opening in sealing relation to said housing for limited motion toward and away from said chamber in response to pressure exerted upon said closure member, said closure member being transparent, a liquid sealed within said chamber, and indicating means disposed within said chamber for indicating the pressure of said liquid, said indicating means being visible through said closure member.

Claim 6

The gauge of claim 3 wherein said indicating means comprises a Bourdon tube mounted in said chamber, a dial disposed between said Bourdon tube and said closure member and having a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of said chamber, and a pointer operatively connected with the Bourdon tube for movement over said dial.

Claim 7

The gauge of claim 3 wherein said chamber is generally cylindrical and has an axial length less than its diameter, wherein a fixed end member is sealed to said housing at one end of said chamber, and wherein said opening is substantially co-extensive with the other end of said chamber.

Claim 8

The gauge of claim 5 wherein said housing has an annular groove at said other end of said chamber, wherein said closure member has an annular groove in a peripheral edge thereof, and wherein said closure member is mounted in said opening by means of an O-ring confined within both said grooves, whereby said O-ring is deformed within said grooves as said closure member slides axially of said cylindrical section.

Claim 9

The gauge of claim 6 wherein said housing includes an aperture therein for communication with said chamber, and a plug removably sealed in said aperture.

Claim 10

The depth gauge of claim 3 wherein said closure member is mounted for limited sliding motion toward and away from said chamber.

Claim 11

A pressure responsive instrument comprising: a rigid housing defining a chamber, said housing having an opening therein communicating with said chamber, a rigid pressure responsive closure member formed of a transparent plate substantially completely filling said opening, said transparent plate being mounted in said opening for limited movement toward and away from said chamber, a liquid in said chamber and substantially filling the same, means for sealing said transparent plate in said opening to seal said liquid within said chamber, said sealing means comprising: a flexible element interposed in sealing rElationship between the periphery of said plate and the portion of said housing encompassing said opening, and means disposed in said chamber for indicating pressure of said liquid, whereby pressure exerted upon said transparent plate is transmitted thereby to said liquid and visibly indicated by said indicating means through said transparent plate.

Claim 12

A pressure responsive instrument comprising: a rigid housing defining a chamber, said housing having an opening therein communicating with said chamber, a rigid pressure responsive closure member formed of a transparent plate substantially completely filling said opening, said transparent plate being mounted in said opening for limited movement toward and away from said chamber, a liquid in said chamber and substantially filling the same, means for sealing said transparent plate in said opening to seal said liquid within said chamber, said sealing means comprising: a flexible element interposed in sealing rElationship between the periphery of said plate and the portion of said housing encompassing said opening, and means disposed in said chamber for indicating pressure of said liquid, whereby pressure exerted upon said transparent plate is transmitted thereby to said liquid and visibly indicated by said indicating means through said transparent plate.

Claim 13

A pressure responsive instrument, comprising: a rigid housing defining a chamber, said housing having an opening therein communicating with said chamber, a rigid closure member mounted in said opening for limited movement toward and away from said chamber, said closure member being a transparent plate substantially completely filling said opening, a liquid in said chamber, means for sealing said closure member in said opening to seal said liquid within said chamber, said sealing means comprising: an O-ring interposed in sealing relationship between the periphery of said plate and the portion of said housing encompassing said opening, the periphery of said plate and said encompassing portion of said housing being formed with mating grooves, said O-ring being mounted in sealing relation in both said grooves, and means for indicating the pressure of said liquid, whereby pressure exerted upon said said closure member is transmitted to said liquid and indicated by said indicating means, said indicating means being visible through said transparent plate.

Claim 14

A pressure responsive instrument, comprising: a rigid housing defining a chamber, said housing having an opening therein communicating with said chamber, a rigid closure member mounted in said opening for limited movement toward and away from said chamber, said closure member being a transparent plate substantially completely filling said opening, a liquid in said chamber, means for sealing said closure member in said opening to seal said liquid within said chamber, said sealing means comprising: an O-ring interposed in sealing relationship between the periphery of said plate and the portion of said housing encompassing said opening, the periphery of said plate and said encompassing portion of said housing being formed with mating grooves, said O-ring being mounted in sealing relation in both said grooves, and means for indicating the pressure of said liquid, whereby pressure exerted upon said said closure member is transmitted to said liquid and indicated by said indicating means, said indicating means being visible through said transparent plate.

Claim 15

The instrument of claim 10 wherein said housing is formed with a third groove positioned inwardly of said opening relative to said closure member, and wherein said means for indicating pressure comprises a dial, and a slotted tube resiliently retained in said third groove, said dial having a peripheral edge portion mounted within the slot of said tube.

Claim 16

A depth gauge, comprising: a housing defining a chamber, said housing having an opening therein communicating with said chamber, a rigid closure member resiliently mounted in said opening in sealing relation to said housing for limited motion toward and away from said chamber in response to pressure exerted upon said closure member, said closure member being transparent, a liquid sealed within said chamber, and indicating means disposed within said chamber for indicating the pressure of said liquid, said indicating means being visible through said closure member, said indicating means comprising: a Bourdon tube mounted in said chamber, a dial disposed between said Bourdon tube and said closure member and having a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of said chamber, and a pointer operatively connected with the Bourdon tube for movement over said dial, said housing being formed with an annular groove, and a slotted tube substantially circumscribing and retaining a peripheral edge portion of said dial in the slot thereof, said slotted tube being resiliently confined within said groove.

Claim 17

A depth gauge, comprising: a housing defining a chamber, said housing having an opening therein communicating with said chamber, a rigid closure member resiliently mounted in said opening in sealing relation to said housing for limited motion toward and away from said chamber in response to pressure exerted upon said closure member, said closure member being transparent, a liquid sealed within said chamber, and indicating means disposed within said chamber for indicating the pressure of said liquid, said indicating means being visible through said closure member, said indicating means comprising: a Bourdon tube mounted in said chamber, a dial disposed between said Bourdon tube and said closure member and having a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of said chamber, and a pointer operatively connected with the Bourdon tube for movement over said dial, said housing being formed with an annular groove, and a slotted tube substantially circumscribing and retaining a peripheral edge portion of said dial in the slot thereof, said slotted tube being resiliently confined within said groove.

Claim 18

A depth gauge, comprising: a housing defining a chamber, said housing having an opening therein communicating with and substantially coextensive with one end of said chamber, said housing being generally cylindrical and having an axial length less than its diameter, a fixed end member sealed to said housing at the other end of said chamber, a rigid transparent pressure responsive closure member resiliently mounted in said opening in sealing relation to said housing for a limited motion toward and away from said chamber in response to pressure exerted upon said closure member, a liquid sealed within and filling said chamber and in full contact with said rigid transparent closure member, and indicating means disposed within said chamber and visible through said rigid transparent pressure responsive closure member for indicating pressure of said liquid.

Claim 19

A depth gauge, comprising: a housing defining a chamber, said housing having an opening therein communicating with and substantially coextensive with one end of said chamber, said housing being generally cylindrical and having an axial length less than its diameter, a fixed end member sealed to said housing at the other end of said chamber, a rigid transparent pressure responsive closure member resiliently mounted in said opening in sealing relation to said housing for a limited motion toward and away from said chamber in response to pressure exerted upon said closure member, a liquid sealed within and filling said chamber and in full contact with said rigid transparent closure member, and indicating means disposed within said chamber and visible through said rigid transparent pressure responsive closure member for indicating pressure of said liquid.

Claim 20

An underwater depth gauge comprising: a rigid housing defining a chamber, said housing havIng an opening therein communicating with said chamber, a rigid transparent pressure responsive closure member mounted in said opening for limited movement toward and away from said chamber, a liquid in said chamber, means for securing and sealing said closure member to and within said opening to seal said liquid within said chamber, to retain said closure member in a predetermined position when it is subjected to substantially atmospheric pressure, and to permit limited movement thereof when it is subjected to the greater pressure of a body of water in which the gauge is submerged, said securing and sealing means comprising means circumscribing the periphery of said closure member and secured throughout its extent in sealing relation both to said closure member and to the opening of said chamber, and means within said chamber and visible through said rigid transparent closure member for indicating pressure of said liquid, whereby pressure exerted upon said closure member is transmitted to said liquid and visibly displayed by said indicating means through said transparent pressure responsive closure member.

Claim 21

An underwater depth gauge comprising: a rigid housing defining a chamber, said housing havIng an opening therein communicating with said chamber, a rigid transparent pressure responsive closure member mounted in said opening for limited movement toward and away from said chamber, a liquid in said chamber, means for securing and sealing said closure member to and within said opening to seal said liquid within said chamber, to retain said closure member in a predetermined position when it is subjected to substantially atmospheric pressure, and to permit limited movement thereof when it is subjected to the greater pressure of a body of water in which the gauge is submerged, said securing and sealing means comprising means circumscribing the periphery of said closure member and secured throughout its extent in sealing relation both to said closure member and to the opening of said chamber, and means within said chamber and visible through said rigid transparent closure member for indicating pressure of said liquid, whereby pressure exerted upon said closure member is transmitted to said liquid and visibly displayed by said indicating means through said transparent pressure responsive closure member.

Claim 22

The instrument of claim 14 wherein said opening and the edge of said closure member are formed with mutually facing and mating peripheral grooves, and wherein said circumscribing means comprises an elastic toroid captured within both of said mating grooves.

Claim 23

A depth gauge comprising: a housing formed as a shallow cup open at one end substantially across its entire extent, pressure indicating means mounted within the housing, and visible through said open end, a liquid within and substantially filling said housing and completely immersing said indicating means therein, a rigid transparent pressure responsive closure member substantially filling the open end of said housing and having its inner surface in contact with said liquid, said rigid transparent closure member being mounted to said housing for limited sliding motion toward and away from the interior of the housing so as to transmit external pressure to said liquid over substantially the entire extent of the housing open end, and means for sealing said rigid transparent pressure responsive closure member to and within the open end of said housing so as to seal said liquid and indicating means within said housing.

Claim 24

A depth gauge comprising: a housing formed as a shallow cup open at one end substantially across its entire extent, pressure indicating means mounted within the housing, and visible through said open end, a liquid within and substantially filling said housing and completely immersing said indicating means therein, a rigid transparent pressure responsive closure member substantially filling the open end of said housing and having its inner surface in contact with said liquid, said rigid transparent closure member being mounted to said housing for limited sliding motion toward and away from the interior of the housing so as to transmit external pressure to said liquid over substantially the entire extent of the housing open end, and means for sealing said rigid transparent pressure responsive closure member to and within the open end of said housing so as to seal said liquid and indicating means within said housing.

Claim 25

The depth gauge of claim 16 wherein said sealing means comprises a set of mating grooves in said housing and in the peripheral edge of said rigid transparent pressure responsive closure member, and an elastomeric sealing element captured within and confined by the mating grooves.

Claim 26

A depth gauge for strapping on the wrist of a skin diver, which comprises: a shallow, cup-shaped, substantially rigid housing which is open at the upper end thereof, a dial provided in generally parallel relationship to said open upper end of said housing, an indicator mounted within said housing and movable to different positions relative to said dial, at least part of said indicator being visible through said open upper end of said housing, a Bourdon tube mounted within said housing and operatively connected with said indicator, whereby the pressure sensed by said Bourdon tube will effect a corresponding positioning of said indicator relative to said dial, a substantially incompressible liquid substantially completely filling said housing and immersing said Bourdon tube and said indicator, a substantially rigid member disposed at the open upper end of said housing to confine said liquid therein, the periphery of said member being adjacent said open upper end of said housing, at least parts of said member being transparent whereby to permit the diver to look through said member and see said indicator, and resilient sealing and motion-permitting means provided between the periphery of said member and said open upper end of said housing, said last-named means effecting sealing of saiD member relative to said housing whereby to prevent either ingress of sea water into said housing or egress of said liquid from said housing, said last-named means permitting a small degree of movement of said member toward the bottom of said housing in response to a descent by the diver into the sea, said small degree of movement effecting an increase in the pressure of said liquid within said housing to thus cause said Bourdon tube to move said indicator relative to said dial.

Claim 27

A depth gauge for strapping on the wrist of a skin diver, which comprises: a shallow, cup-shaped, substantially rigid housing which is open at the upper end thereof, a dial provided in generally parallel relationship to said open upper end of said housing, an indicator mounted within said housing and movable to different positions relative to said dial, at least part of said indicator being visible through said open upper end of said housing, a Bourdon tube mounted within said housing and operatively connected with said indicator, whereby the pressure sensed by said Bourdon tube will effect a corresponding positioning of said indicator relative to said dial, a substantially incompressible liquid substantially completely filling said housing and immersing said Bourdon tube and said indicator, a substantially rigid member disposed at the open upper end of said housing to confine said liquid therein, the periphery of said member being adjacent said open upper end of said housing, at least parts of said member being transparent whereby to permit the diver to look through said member and see said indicator, and resilient sealing and motion-permitting means provided between the periphery of said member and said open upper end of said housing, said last-named means effecting sealing of saiD member relative to said housing whereby to prevent either ingress of sea water into said housing or egress of said liquid from said housing, said last-named means permitting a small degree of movement of said member toward the bottom of said housing in response to a descent by the diver into the sea, said small degree of movement effecting an increase in the pressure of said liquid within said housing to thus cause said Bourdon tube to move said indicator relative to said dial.

Claim 28

A depth gauge comprising: a housing defining a chamber, said housing having an opening therein communicating with and substantially co-extensive with one end of said chamber, said housing being generally cylindrical and having an axial length less than its diameter, a fixed end member sealed to said housing at the other end of said chamber, a rigid pressure responsive closure member mounted in said opening in sealing relation to said housing for limited motion toward and away from said chamber in response to pressure exerted upon said closure member, first and second mating grooves formed respectively in the periphery of said closure member and in the portion of said housing that encompasses said opening, an O-ring captured in both said grooves and interposed in sealing relation between the periphery of said closure member and the portion of said housing that encompasses said opening, a liquid sealed within said chamber, and indicating means disposed within said chamber for indicating pressure of said liquid, said rigid pressure responsive closure member being transparent whereby said indicating means is visible through said transparent closure member.

Claim 29

A depth gauge comprising: a housing defining a chamber, said housing having an opening therein communicating with and substantially co-extensive with one end of said chamber, said housing being generally cylindrical and having an axial length less than its diameter, a fixed end member sealed to said housing at the other end of said chamber, a rigid pressure responsive closure member mounted in said opening in sealing relation to said housing for limited motion toward and away from said chamber in response to pressure exerted upon said closure member, first and second mating grooves formed respectively in the periphery of said closure member and in the portion of said housing that encompasses said opening, an O-ring captured in both said grooves and interposed in sealing relation between the periphery of said closure member and the portion of said housing that encompasses said opening, a liquid sealed within said chamber, and indicating means disposed within said chamber for indicating pressure of said liquid, said rigid pressure responsive closure member being transparent whereby said indicating means is visible through said transparent closure member.

Claim 30

A depth gauge for a skin diver comprising: a rigid housing having a side wall and first and second ends, said housing defining a chamber that extends substantially throughout the entire housing, said housing having an opening therein extending substantially across one end of said chamber, a fixed end member sealed to said housing at the other end of said chamber, indicator means mounted within said chamber and movable to different positions to provide a visual display of pressure, a Bourdon tube mounted within said chamber and operatively connected with said indicator means, whereby pressure exerted upon said Bourdon tube will effect a corresponding display of said indicator means, a substantially incompressible liquid substantially completely filling said chamber and immersing said Bourdon tube and said indicator means, a rigid pressure responsive closure member positioned in said opening for limited movement toward and away from said chamber, said rigid closure member having its inner face in substantially full contact with said liquid, at least part of one of said members being transparent whereby to permit the diver to look through said one member and see said indicator means, means for mounting said rigid closure member to said housing for said limited motion, and for resiliently securing and sealing said rigid closure member to and within said opening to resiliently retain said closure member in position and to seal said liquid within said chamber, said mounting, securing and sealing means comprising a resilient element continuously interconnected to and between the periphery of said rigid closure member and the surrounding portion of said chamber within said opening, said resilient element being secured throughout its extent in sealing relation to said rigid closure member and to the opening of said chamber, whereby an increase in pressure exerted upon said closure member is transmitted to said liquid over substantially all of said closure member face by limited motion of said closure member toward said chamber, to thereby compress said Bourdon tube and move said indicator means to provide a display of pressure visible through said one transparent member part, and whereby said closure member is returned to an iNitial position when said increase in pressure is no longer exerted upon said closure member.

Claim 31

A depth gauge for a skin diver comprising: a rigid housing having a side wall and first and second ends, said housing defining a chamber that extends substantially throughout the entire housing, said housing having an opening therein extending substantially across one end of said chamber, a fixed end member sealed to said housing at the other end of said chamber, indicator means mounted within said chamber and movable to different positions to provide a visual display of pressure, a Bourdon tube mounted within said chamber and operatively connected with said indicator means, whereby pressure exerted upon said Bourdon tube will effect a corresponding display of said indicator means, a substantially incompressible liquid substantially completely filling said chamber and immersing said Bourdon tube and said indicator means, a rigid pressure responsive closure member positioned in said opening for limited movement toward and away from said chamber, said rigid closure member having its inner face in substantially full contact with said liquid, at least part of one of said members being transparent whereby to permit the diver to look through said one member and see said indicator means, means for mounting said rigid closure member to said housing for said limited motion, and for resiliently securing and sealing said rigid closure member to and within said opening to resiliently retain said closure member in position and to seal said liquid within said chamber, said mounting, securing and sealing means comprising a resilient element continuously interconnected to and between the periphery of said rigid closure member and the surrounding portion of said chamber within said opening, said resilient element being secured throughout its extent in sealing relation to said rigid closure member and to the opening of said chamber, whereby an increase in pressure exerted upon said closure member is transmitted to said liquid over substantially all of said closure member face by limited motion of said closure member toward said chamber, to thereby compress said Bourdon tube and move said indicator means to provide a display of pressure visible through said one transparent member part, and whereby said closure member is returned to an iNitial position when said increase in pressure is no longer exerted upon said closure member.