US3747140A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Inflatable vest having a quick-release hose connection to supply tank
Assignee: Under Sea Industries Inc
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Filing: 1971-10-12
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Granted: 1973-07-24
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Expires: 1991-10-12
Abstract
Abstract To facilitate inflation of an underwater safety vest, an air supply tank hose is provided with a valved, quick-release connector which mates with and is latched to a coupling on the vest. The coupling includes a check valve and a tubular projection received by a bore in the hose connector housing. A normally closed valve on the hose connector is actuated by depression of a handle to supply air for vest inflation. When the connector is unlatched, a bias spring urges the tubular projection out of the bore to insure quick disconnect of the assembly.
Inventors
- 👤 R Roberts
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 14:05
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63C; B63C11/00; B63C11/02; B63C11/18; B63C11/22; B63C11/2245; B63C11/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
188 words
For use with an underwater safety vest inflatable from a supply tank, a quick disconnect and valve assembly comprising: a coupling communicating to said vest and including: a check valve, a hollow body having a tubular projection extending therefrom, said body providing communication from said projection to the interior of said vest via said check valve, a connector attached to a hose from said supply tank and adapted for quick-releasable connection to said coupling, including: a housing having a cylindrical bore extending inwardly from a surface thereof and having an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of said tubular projection to permit mating reception therein of said projection, said housing also having an interior channel providing communication from said hose to said bore, a normally closed, manually operable valve mounted in said connector housing for blocking communication through said channel except when said valve is opened manually; latch means attached to said coupling and engaging said connector for maintaining said coupling and connector together during inflation of said vest, and biasing means for urging separation of said coupling and connector when said latch means is disengaged.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
188 words
For use with an underwater safety vest inflatable from a supply tank, a quick disconnect and valve assembly comprising: a coupling communicating to said vest and including: a check valve, a hollow body having a tubular projection extending therefrom, said body providing communication from said projection to the interior of said vest via said check valve, a connector attached to a hose from said supply tank and adapted for quick-releasable connection to said coupling, including: a housing having a cylindrical bore extending inwardly from a surface thereof and having an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of said tubular projection to permit mating reception therein of said projection, said housing also having an interior channel providing communication from said hose to said bore, a normally closed, manually operable valve mounted in said connector housing for blocking communication through said channel except when said valve is opened manually; latch means attached to said coupling and engaging said connector for maintaining said coupling and connector together during inflation of said vest, and biasing means for urging separation of said coupling and connector when said latch means is disengaged.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
53 words
A quick disconnect and valve assembly according to claim 1 wherein said latch means comprises a spring biased, hook ended lever pivotally mounted to said body and engaging an annular recess in said housing, and wherein said biasing means comprises a spring disposed within said bore and compressed by said matingly received projection.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
A quick disconnect and valve assembly according to claim 1 wherein said valve is spring biased closed and includes a handle extending from said housing and depressed to open said valve.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
A quick disconnect and valve assembly according to claim 3 in combination with a scuba tank supply air via a first stage regulator to said hose for vest inflation, said vest also including a tube extending therefrom to permit venting or breathing of air from said vest.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
A quick disconnect and valve assembly according to claim 1 wherein said check valve is situated within a tubular stem extending from said vest, the end of said stem within said vest being flanged to prevent detachment therefrom.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
45 words
A quick disconnect and valve assembly according to claim 5 wherein said stem extends through said body, a lateral hole through said stem providing communication to the interior of said body, a cap at the free end of said stem securing said body in place.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
146 words
An underwater buoyancy device comprising: a vest having an opening forming a collar when worn by a diver, said vest having a generally annular air chamber surrounding said opening and inflatable from a scuba supply tank a coupling communicating to said air chamber and including a check valve and a tubular projection, a connector affixed to a hose from said supply tank and adapted for fluid communicating, releasable attachment to said coupling, said connector including a cylindrical bore matingly receiving said tubular projection, latch means for detachably latching said connector and said coupling together, and a spring situated within said cylindrical bore and compressed by insertion of said tubular porjection, said spring urging quick release of said connector and coupling when said latch means is disengaged, said connector containing a hand actuated valve for controlling the flow of air from said tank to said air chamber.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
146 words
An underwater buoyancy device comprising: a vest having an opening forming a collar when worn by a diver, said vest having a generally annular air chamber surrounding said opening and inflatable from a scuba supply tank a coupling communicating to said air chamber and including a check valve and a tubular projection, a connector affixed to a hose from said supply tank and adapted for fluid communicating, releasable attachment to said coupling, said connector including a cylindrical bore matingly receiving said tubular projection, latch means for detachably latching said connector and said coupling together, and a spring situated within said cylindrical bore and compressed by insertion of said tubular porjection, said spring urging quick release of said connector and coupling when said latch means is disengaged, said connector containing a hand actuated valve for controlling the flow of air from said tank to said air chamber.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said chamber is provided with a tube for breathing gas from said inflated chamber.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
91 words
An underwater buoyancy device comprising: a vest to be worn by a diver, said vest having an air chamber inflatable from a scuba supply tank, a coupling communicating to said air chamber and including a check valve, a connector affixed to a hose from said supply tank and adapted for fluid communicating, releasable attachment to said coupling, latch means for detachably latching said connector and said coupling together, and a hand actuated valve mounted in said connector for manually controlling the flow of air from Said tank to said air chamber.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
91 words
An underwater buoyancy device comprising: a vest to be worn by a diver, said vest having an air chamber inflatable from a scuba supply tank, a coupling communicating to said air chamber and including a check valve, a connector affixed to a hose from said supply tank and adapted for fluid communicating, releasable attachment to said coupling, latch means for detachably latching said connector and said coupling together, and a hand actuated valve mounted in said connector for manually controlling the flow of air from Said tank to said air chamber.
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) | 1976-07-23 | 1977-01-22 | 1977-07-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-23 | 1981-01-22 | 1981-07-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-23 | 1985-01-22 | 1985-07-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |