Easy access power supply underwater motive device

An underwater motive device provides an integrated front cone and handle assembly with a mechanical link between the front cone and handle assembly to the main body of the unit which includes the battery compartment, motor, propeller and guard. The sealing between the cone and handle assembly and main body is accomplished by a double annular projecting seal having a rear ribbed portion extending deep into a slot in the main unit, and a forward more rounded ribbed unit which provides sealing in a front cone and handle assembly chamber. A battery cassette is provided for loading a number of commercially available flash light type cyclindrical cells, the battery cassette having an uneven pentagonal cross section so that it is inserted into a matching uneven pengagonal cross section within the main unit, but only where the battery cassette is of the proper orientation. The battery cassette also has a female plug which mates with a male plug extending from the rear of the battery cassette matching space within an opening in the main housing. A mechanical link enables handles located on the forward nose cone to mechanically communicate with a switch on the inside of the main housing through a flexible membrane on the seal.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to improvements in the technology relating to in water and underwater mechanical motive structures and particularly to improvements relating to an underwater device which has a more commercially available and easier to change power supply and, and has an improved access structure which stably enables easier access.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Powered underwater motive devices have been known since the 1950's. Most of those earlier devices were metal and were built like small submarines. Access was had through hatches which had to be securely bolted or clamped in order to resist taking on water at depth. Water is harmful to both motors and batteries and must be sealed out. As a result, the underwater motive devices were large, bulky and designed with a mind to limit outside access to limit the sealing areas provided for service access.

Recent improvements in underwater motive devices have related to the safety of operation, including a slight delay in starting to prevent inadvertent operation. In addition, sealed chambers have been introduced to keep water out of the battery and motor compartments.

However, for small motive devices, providing an integral housing complete with sealing of the battery and motor compartment has proved difficult for users to easily access the battery and motor compartment. The only alternative to a strong seal was unacceptable as a weaker seal would cause the taking of the device to depth to result in cyclical pressure leakage. Where the device is used in salt water, even the slightest leakage can be disastrous.

Seals achieve their integrity by resilient sealing force and area. Both force and area contribute to the necessity for high force of replacement and removal. In a prior underwater motive device, air pressure and a pump were utilized to provide internal assist pressure to unseal the battery and motive compartments. Battery exchange required some setup and interconnectivity time.

In another underwater motive device, a cam system is used to provide significant sealing and un-sealing force. In underwater motive devices which are more oblong, the placement of battery, actuaction switch, sealing member, motor and the like can be arranged in a more orderly fashion. Further, where an underwater motive device is of a larger variety, it is expected that a larger more specialized battery will be supplied and which will have a longer residence time. Further, longer, more powerful devices will achieve greater depth for longer periods of time and the ability to seal out high pressure is paramount.

Where a power supply, typically a battery is to be used, the design of underwater motive devices can generally allow sealing to be accomplished most effectively during manufacturing, but not around the battery. Batteries for such service should be sealed to the extent possible but most are not made for pressurized submersion for any period of time. Any water leakage and especially salt water leakage can ruin a battery. Where an underwater motive device has a larger power supply a larger and more expensive battery is at risk. Further, as the assembly of the underwater motive device is large, larger seals and more complex battery and battery connection arrangements have to be made. For smaller underwater motive devices, there are significant problems associated with the placement of the handles, operating switch, motor and accommodating battery change out.

Another problem for underwater motive devices is the sophistication and time required in battery changeout. For professional divers, a larger more expensive unit which is capable of longer operation is required. Because commercial divers are paid a high hourly contract rate, the equipment used will be dictated by minimizing battery changeout and maintenance time. Underwater motive devices have generally not been available to more economically minded swimmers and skin divers.

Any more simplistic underwater motive device should be more available based upon both cost and operability. To expand the useage of the underwater motive device, younger and weaker users should be able to operate a much more inexpensive device. The aspects to be overcome are cost, ability to access the battery department and the ability to operate from batteries which are less specialized and more common, as well as lowering the sophistication of the individuals who can maintain and operate the underwater motive device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An underwater motive device provides an integrated front cone and handle assembly with a mechanical link between the front cone and handle assembly to the main body of the unit which includes the battery compartment, motor, propeller and guard. The sealing between the cone and handle assembly and main body is accomplished by a double annular projecting seal having a rear ribbed portion extending deep into a slot in the main unit, and a forward more rounded ribbed unit which provides sealing in a front cone and handle assembly chamber.

A battery cassette is provided for loading a number of commercially available flash light type cyclindrical cells, the battery cassette having an uneven pentagonal cross section so that it is inserted into a matching uneven pengagonal cross section within the main unit, but only where the battery cassette is of the proper orientation. The battery cassette also has a female plug which mates with a male plug extending from the rear of the battery cassette matching space within an opening in the main housing. The battery cassette remains unconnected until it is insertion to eliminate any possibility of injury from handling wiring, or manually touching connectors to be connected.

A mechanical link enables handles located on the forward nose cone to mechanically communicate with a switch on the inside of the main housing through a flexible membrane on the seal.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The description and operation of the invention will be best initiated with reference toFIG. 1. An underwater motive device21is shown in exploded view and includes a front cone and handle assembly23, seal25, battery cassette27and main motor and propeller housing29, which contains a motor operably connected to a propeller, with the propeller further surrounded by protective structures which will permit water to enter and be forced out while protecting the user from direct contact with the bladed propeller.

The front cone and handle assembly23has a pair of circular latch members31, only one of which is seen inFIG. 1. Each of the circular latch members31includes a snap cover33which serves to both cover and capture a main threaded member (not seen) which secures the circular latch member31to the front cone and handle assembly23. The circular latch member31has an opening (not seen inFIG. 1) which admits a small latch35seen surrounded by a circular flat area37on the main motor and propeller housing29. Once the circular latch member31is turned, the small latch35is both captured and pulled toward the circular latch member31to complete the attachment and sealing of the front cone and handle assembly23to the main motor and propeller housing29. A portion of motor39is seen.

A pair of handles41and43are seen with handle41having a protruding actuation button45which operates a link located just to the inside of the front cone and handle assembly23and through a specialized actuation area47on the seal25and then to a switch49located on the face of the main motor and propeller housing29. The specialized actuation area47is a structure which can allow the switch49to be actuated without undue force through the seal25. Since the area surrounding specialized actuation area47will not be called upon to seal or to be impressed by any force from either the front cone and handle assembly23or the main motor and propeller housing29, it can be thin enough to provide no significant additional force requirements to operate the switch49beyond the spring loading of switch29itself.

Turning attention again to the seal25, the seal25has a main planar portion51with a forward projecting generally rounded first annular portion53and a rearward projecting generally housing following second portion55. The forward projecting generally rounded first annular portion53simply engages the gently conically sloping smooth inside portion of the front cone and handle assembly33(not seen inFIG. 1) and forms a seal to protect the battery cassette27from moisture.

Referring to the main motor and propeller housing29, at the left front is a front face57haiving a shaped opening59matching the overall cross section of the battery cassette27. Note that the outermost periphery of the front face57has four corner devices. A thin slot61extends just inside the outermost periphery of the front face. Thin slot61is about one to two centimeters deep and accommodates the about the and accommodates the rearward projecting generally housing following second portion55of the seal25. The rearward projecting generally housing following second portion55has a ribbed shape and is typically packed with silicone on the inside and outside and is also typically installed at the factory although it can be removed and re-packed with silicone if desired. By providing a deep rearward projecting generally housing following second portion55, moisture would have to enter the space between the main planar portion51of the seal25and the thin edge of the front face57outward of the thin slot61, and then past the interface between the inwardly facing wall of the thin slot61and the outward face of the deep rearward projecting generally housing following second portion55of the seal25, and then around the distal edge of the deep rearward projecting generally housing following second portion55of the seal25, and then between the outwardly facing wall of the thin slot61and inward face of the deep rearward projecting generally housing following second portion55of the seal25, before any moisture would be able to enter the shaped opening59.

By providing significant depth of the deep rearward projecting generally housing following second portion55of the seal25, controlled waterproofing is attained without sigificant pressure structures. At the front of the seal25, the forward projecting generally rounded first annular portion53is flexible, but a supporting projection65which is inward of the slot61can provide additional support to the flexible forward projecting generally rounded first annular portion53. As the front cone and handle assembly23is brought onto the front of the forward projecting generally rounded first annular portion53, the ribs of the forward projecting generally rounded first annular portion53begin to frictionally sweep and seat with respect to the internal smooth matching surface of the inside of the front cone and handle assembly23to form a seal. Any moisture entering between the main planar portion51and the rear edge of the front cone and handle assembly23must flow past the forward projecting generally rounded first annular portion53. Any moisture entering would likely not reach the battery cassette27as it is not designed to hold liquid. Any liquid entering the shaped opening59cannot travel farther as the shaped opening59is closed. Only a male electrical plug (now shown) extends from the rear wall of the shaped opening59.

The battery cassette27is seen as containing a number of batteries67. In the preferred embodiment, ten such batteries67will fit into the cassette to give an overall nominal voltage of about 15 volts. Because the cassette27is fitted with tabs and springs, there is no question about the orientation of the batteries, the negative end of the battery67going against a spring with the positive end against a tab.

The exploded view ofFIG. 1illustrates how easy it would be for even a young child or a weak adolescent, to replace the batteries67. Once the underwater motive device21is removed from the water, the pair of circular latch members31are turned to free the front cone and handle assembly23from the main motor and propeller housing29. The battery cassette27is removed and the individual batteries67are removed from the cassette27. A fresh set of batteries are replaced in the battery cassette27and the battery cassette27is replaced into the shaped opening59. The orientation of the battery cassette27can only be two ways. The correct way is for the female plug on the battery cassette27to be directed into the shaped opening59. When this happens, electrical connection is made and the battery cassette27is seated into the shaped opening59.

In the event that the the battery cassette27is inserted into the shaped opening59in a reverse position, the female connector (not shown) would be predominant and, the battery cassette27would not seat and the front cone and handle assembly23would not be able to be moved into position such that the pair of circular latch members31could engage the small latches35to even allow enagement to begin. Thus, the foolproof level of the system of the underwater motive device21is high.

Referring toFIG. 2, a view looking into the front face57of the main motor and propeller housing29illustrates further details thereof. As stated earlier, a very closely following rearward projecting generally housing following second portion55of seal25extends into a thin slot61. The thin slot61is formed by some of the material contiguous to the front face57and by a thin layer of material71of the main motor and propeller housing29.

The seal25also includes a series of insertion tabs73which extend inwardly, inside of the forward projecting generally rounded first annular portion53, and inserted at right angles into support bores (not shown) so as to provide additional fixation for the seal25. As can be seen the seal25can be seen to extend from the tabs73to the forward projecting generally rounded first annular portion53, thence throughout the main planar portion51and then dissappearing at the point of turning toward and into the thin slot61(not seen in FIG.2) adjacent the thin layer of material71.

Also seen inFIG. 2is a rear wall75which supports a two prong plug77which is oriented and positioned to insert into a female plug (not shown) on the battery cassette27. Also shown in plan view is the specialized actuation area47which surrounds the switch49by a thin projecting encasement of material which is preferably completely continuous wiht the material of the seal25.

Referring toFIG. 3, a view looking into the rear portion of the front cone and handle assembly23in a partially transparent view to further illustrate details of the front cone and handle assembly23. A smooth inner surface81of a conical projection83is provided for engagement with the forward projecting generally rounded first annular portion53of seal25. In the embodiment shown, the smooth inner surface81is provided in such a way that a space85exists between the conical projection83and an external wall87of the conical projection83of the front cone and handle assembly23. In the configuration shown, the conical projection83forms a seal for the area surrounding a portion of the battery cassette27. Any water which may enter the space85, especially through the periphery of the protruding actuation button45and the handle41will not be able to enter the space inside the conical projection83.

The view inside the handle41is transparent and although one set of structures will be shown, other structures not shown can be used to actuate the switch49just as well, and these are only one set of structures. The protruding actuation button45is connected to a first pivoting link91which pivots about a rotating link93which may be supported within a rotation sleeve95. Rotation sleeve can be provided for a close fit for rotation sleeve95, or for friction compatibility. A second pivoting link97is connected to the opposite end of the rotating link93. At the distal end of the second pivoting link97a projection finger99which is angled with respect to the second pivoting link97.

The arrangement shown translates depression of the protruding actuation button45into a rearward pivoting action of the first pivoting link91, with resultant rotation of the rotating link93, which causes rearward pivoting of the second pivoting link97which causes the projection finger99to extend rearward and contact the switch49through the specialized actuation area47of the seal23. This mechanical arrangment has allowed the handles41and43to be mounted on the forward cone in this instance. The mechanical arrangement is a novel method of eliminating the problems which would be associated with having an electrical connection between the front cone and handle assembly23and the main motor and propeller housing29. This in turn has allowed an underwater motive device21having an overall shorter length with handles41and43located more forwardly for greater stability. The mechanical arrangement which enables actuation through the seal23without breaching its prophylactic integrity similary does not create the problems which a direct mechanial linkage would create.

Referring toFIG. 4, a sectional view taken through a portion of the main motor and propeller housing29near and slightly rearward of the small latch35, is seen. The small latch35is positioned such that an opening101in the circular latch members31is aligned with the small latch35to enable the main motor and propeller housing29and its small latch35to be brought forward with respect to front cone and handle assembly23.

This action occurs on both sides of the front cone and handle assembly23. Also seen inFIG. 4is an internal table103on the right side of circular latch member31which will be brought underneath an upper projecting portion of the small latch member35. An internal table103on the left side of circular latch member31can be brought underneath a corresponding upper projecting portion of a matching the small latch member (not shown) within the circular latch member31in order that the circular latch member31can act to evenly hold two latch members together, as will be seen.

Referring toFIG. 5, a cross sectional view of the circular latch member31at a right angle to the section seen inFIG. 4illustrates both the small latch member35and an oppositely located internal latch member107. As can be seen the latch members35and107each have an upper projecting portion underneath which the internal tables103and105of the circular latch member31will fit to form a more stable semi-locked position. This enables the circular latch member31to hold the latch members35and107evenly and will not place any tortion on a central threaded member about which the circular latch member31rotates (not shown and removed for simplicity and to enable viewing of the internal table103.

Referring toFIG. 6, once the main motor and propeller housing29is brought forward with respect to front cone and handle assembly23, the circular latch member31can be rotated so that the internal tables105and103of the circular latch member31will fit underneath the latch members107and35, respectively, to hold the main motor and propeller housing29and front cone and handle assembly23together.

Referring toFIG. 7, a view of oone possible configuration of the battery cassette27illustrates an appropriately positioned female plug111which is compatible with and engagable with respect to the male two prong plug77seen inFIG. 2.

While the present invention has been described in terms of an underwater motive device, & more particularly to a particular structure and system which utilizes a user-friendly battery access system, controller which provides power delay, and ease of servicing, this mechanism can be applied to other devices.

Although the invention has been derived with reference to particular illustrative embodiments thereof, many changes and modifications of the invention may become apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, included within the patent warranted hereon are all such changes and modifications as may reasonably and properly be included within the scope of this contribution to the art.