US4348976A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Diver tow compressor unit
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1980-03-11
•
Granted: 1982-09-14
•
Expires: 2000-03-11
Abstract
Abstract A floating vessel that is propelled through the water by means of a water pump towing a diver or divers to a desired location, and then converting to an air-pump that delivers air through hoses to divers below. The hull is of fiberglass construction, and designed to be self-righting and water tight. The unit is powered by a three to five horsepower gasoline engine.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald R. Gilbert
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 09:42
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63C; B63C11/00; B63C11/02; B63C11/18; B63C11/20; B63C11/202; A; A63; A63B; A63B35/00; A63B35/08; A63B35/12; B63C11/205; B63C11/207; A63B2225/00; A63B2225/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
168 words
A floating vessel of lightweight construction, operable to tow divers, comprising: a. a hull having a stern; b. a power plant disposed within the hull; c. a propulsion means mounted to be driven by said power plant through a first clutch; d. an air compressor mounted to be driven by said power plant through a second clutch; e. switching means connected to said clutches to activate operation of said propulsion means while deactivating said air compressor and to activate said air compressor while deactivating said propulsion means; f. a steer bar disposed on the exterior of the stern and projecting outwardly away from the hull so as to enable a diver to grasp onto and steer the hull; g. control means for the power plant being disposed on the exterior of the stern so that the diver has ready access thereto; and h. hand actuated control means for said switching means being disposed on said steer bar so as to enable the diver to operate said switching means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
168 words
A floating vessel of lightweight construction, operable to tow divers, comprising: a. a hull having a stern; b. a power plant disposed within the hull; c. a propulsion means mounted to be driven by said power plant through a first clutch; d. an air compressor mounted to be driven by said power plant through a second clutch; e. switching means connected to said clutches to activate operation of said propulsion means while deactivating said air compressor and to activate said air compressor while deactivating said propulsion means; f. a steer bar disposed on the exterior of the stern and projecting outwardly away from the hull so as to enable a diver to grasp onto and steer the hull; g. control means for the power plant being disposed on the exterior of the stern so that the diver has ready access thereto; and h. hand actuated control means for said switching means being disposed on said steer bar so as to enable the diver to operate said switching means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
A floating vessel according to claim 1, wherein said propulsion means comprises a water pump.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
48 words
A floating vessel according to claim 1, wherein said power plant comprises a gasoline engine, and further including a fuel tank disposed in the hull and operatively connected to said engine, said fuel tank having a fuel vent trap so as to eliminate the possibility of fuel spillage.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
51 words
A floating vessel according to claim 1, further including a T-bar disposed on the exterior of the stern and projecting outwardly away from the hull a distance greater than said steer bar so as to provide a seat for the diver and enable the diver to be hauled rather than dragged.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
A floating vessel according to claim 1, wherein said clutches are electromagnetic.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
FR734073A
Cited
US3420202A
Cited
US3369518A
Cited
US3400680A
Cited
US3630165A
Cited
US3957007A
Cited
US4166462A
Cited
US4220110A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-09-13 | 1986-03-15 | 1986-09-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-09-13 | 1990-03-15 | 1990-09-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-09-13 | 1994-03-15 | 1994-09-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |