Decompression gas switching manifold

Claim 2

A decompression gas switching manifold for technical diving, comprising a first manifold block containing connection and valve means for connecting and controlling the flow of at least one of two separate breathing gas mixtures for decompression operations to a diver's breathing regulator, a second manifold block containing connection and valve means for connecting and controlling at least one of two separate bottom/travel gases, connection and valve means for connecting a source of bail-out gas and a quick disconnect fitting for connecting the manifold to said breathing regulator, with isolation valve means for isolating or interconnecting said first and second manifold blocks.

Claim 3

The gas switching manifold of claim 1 wherein the valve handles on said first block are the same in form and function, but differ in form and function from the handles for both valves for bottom/travel gases on said second block.

Claim 4

The gas switching manifold of claim 1 wherein locking means are provided for simultaneously locking both decompression gas valve handles on said first block in the closed position.

Claim 5

The gas switching manifold of claim 3 wherein the handles of said valve means comprise hollow T fittings which turn the valve stems approximately 90 degrees from full open to full closed and said locking means comprise a rod adapted to be inserted through both hollow T fittings when they are aligned longitudinally in their closed positions.

Claim 6

The gas switching manifold of claim 1 wherein the valve handles for said bottom/travel gases are identical in form and function, but differ in each from said valves for decompression gases.

Claim 7

The gas switching manifold of claim 5 wherein said valve handles for bottom/travel gases comprise cylindrical, oval or spherical components and require at least about 180 degrees travel between full open and closed.

Claim 8

The gas switching manifold of claim 1, further comprising at least one snap shackle removably attached thereto for attachment to a diving harness.

Claim 9

The gas switching manifold of claim 7, wherein said at least one snap shackle is a trunnion type snap shackle having at least two degrees of freedom which is removably attached to said manifold block by a threaded stud screwed into a threaded hole therein.

Claim 10

A technical diving outfit comprising a diving harness, a full face mask, a decompression gas switching manifold of claim 1 removably attached to the right front portion thereof by at least one snap shackle with the decompression gas valves uppermost, and further comprising two sources of decompression gas, two sources of bottom gas and a source of bail-out gas, all connected appropriately to said manifold block and regulators for said full face mask.

Claim 11

The diving outfit of claim 9 wherein the regulator pressures for said bottom gases are set about 2 to 4 psi higher than the pressure for the decompression gas regulator.

Claim 12

A method of technical diving employing the diving rig of claim 10.

Claim 13

The method of claim 11 wherein the diver enters the water with bottom mix valves open, travel mix valves closed, the isolation valve closed and both decompression valves closed and locked, then upon completion of the dive and starting ascent the diver unlocks said decompression valves, opens said isolation valve and upon reaching his first decompression stop opens the intermediate decompression gas valve and closes the two bottom mix valves, thereafter ascending to the final decompression depth, where the decompression gas valve is opened and the intermediate decompression valve is closed to complete the decompression process.

Claim 14

The method of claim 11 wherein the diver enters the water with the travel mix valve opened, the bottom mix valves closed, isolation valve closed and decompression valves closed and locked, and upon reaching the bottom opens the bottom mix valves and closes the travel mix valve; thereafter, upon completion of the dive and starting ascent the diver unlocks said decompression valves, opens said isolation valve and upon reaching his first decompression stop opens the intermediate decompression gas valve and closes the two bottom mix valves, thereafter ascending to the final decompression depth, where the decompression gas valve is opened and the intermediate decompression valve is closed to complete the decompression process.

Claim 15

A decompression gas switching manifold for technical diving for selectively delivering at least one of a plurality of breathing gas mixtures to a breathing regulator, said manifold comprising: a first elongated manifold block formed to include at least one internal passage therein, said first manifold block having at least one gas inlet means for admitting the flow of a first-type breathing gas mixture into said internal passage of said first manifold block; a second elongated manifold block formed to include at least one internal passage therein, said second manifold block having at least one gas inlet means for admitting the flow of a second-type breathing gas mixture into said internal passage of said second manifold block; at least one gas outlet means for allowing flow out of said internal passage of said second manifold block; and an isolation valve means for interconnecting said first and second manifold blocks in axial alignment and for controlling gas flow between said internal passages of said first and second manifold blocks.

Claim 16

A decompression gas switching manifold for technical diving for selectively delivering at least one of a plurality of breathing gas mixtures to a breathing regulator, said manifold comprising: a first elongated manifold block formed to include at least one internal passage therein, said first manifold block having at least one gas inlet means for admitting the flow of a first-type breathing gas mixture into said internal passage of said first manifold block; a second elongated manifold block formed to include at least one internal passage therein, said second manifold block having at least one gas inlet means for admitting the flow of a second-type breathing gas mixture into said internal passage of said second manifold block; at least one gas outlet means for allowing flow out of said internal passage of said second manifold block; and an isolation valve means for interconnecting said first and second manifold blocks in axial alignment and for controlling gas flow between said internal passages of said first and second manifold blocks.

Claim 17

The gas switching manifold according to claim 14 wherein said first-type breathing gas mixture is a decompression gas mixture; and wherein said second-type breathing gas mixture is a bottom/travel gas mixture.

Claim 18

The gas switching manifold according to claim 14 wherein said first manifold block is formed to include a first elongated internal passage, and wherein said first manifold block further comprises: a first decompression gas inlet means for admitting the flow of a first decompression gas mixture into said first elongated internal passage; and a second decompression gas inlet means for admitting the flow of a second decompression gas mixture into said first elongated internal passage; wherein said second manifold block is formed to include a second internal passage, and wherein said second manifold block further comprises: a first bottom/travel gas inlet means for admitting the flow of a first bottom/travel gas mixture into said second elongated internal passage; and a second bottom/travel gas inlet means for admitting the flow of a second bottom/travel gas mixture into said second elongated internal passage.

Claim 19

The gas switching manifold according to claim 14 wherein said second manifold block further comprises a bail-out gas inlet means for admitting the flow of a breathing gas mixture into said second elongated internal passage.

Claim 20

The gas switching manifold according to claim 17 wherein said bail-out gas inlet means further comprises a quick-disconnect fitting; and wherein said gas outlet means further comprises a quick-disconnect fitting.

Claim 21

The gas switching manifold according to claim 15 wherein each of said gas inlet means of said first and second manifold blocks further comprise a valve means having a valve handle.

Claim 22

The gas switching manifold according to claim 19 wherein said valve handles of said first manifold block are the same in form and function, but differ in form and function from the handles of said second manifold block.

Claim 23

The gas switching manifold according to claim 20 wherein said gas inlet means of said first manifold block are disposed along one side of said manifold, wherein said manifold further comprises a releasable locking means for engaging said valve handles on said first manifold block and substantially preventing the turning of said valve handles.

Claim 24

The gas switching manifold according to claim 21 wherein said locking means further comprises a locking rod, wherein the valve handles of said gas inlet means are provided with a throughhole, and wherein said locking rod is adapted to be inserted into said throughholes when said valve handles are aligned longitudinally in a closed position, thereby simultaneously locking said valve handles.