Abstract:
An underwater recreation apparatus and method therefor. The apparatus allows a diver to explore varying water depths with a minimal amount of equipment and with manageable equipment. The apparatus also allows the diver to cover substantial distances with minimal physical strain.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application claims priority to a corresponding provisional application U.S. Ser. No. 60/683,819, filed May 23, 2005 in the name of the applicant of this application. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates generally to underwater recreation and, more specifically, to an underwater recreation apparatus that allows a diver to explore varying water depths with minimal and manageable equipment. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Three well-known underwater recreational activities are self-contained underwater breathing apparatus (SCUBA) diving, snorkeling, and Snuba® diving. However, these underwater recreational activities either require burdensome equipment or in some way restrict the diver to shallow depths near the shore. 
   A SCUBA diver is able to reach water depths of greater than one hundred feet. Although the diver is allowed a great amount of mobility, the equipment involved with SCUBA diving is usually very heavy and cumbersome. Typically, a SCUBA diver will carry about sixty to seventy-five pounds of equipment with him/her out into the water. Divers usually breathe compressed air or Nitrox which is contained in a cylinder carried on the diver&#39;s back. The typical cylinder is made of aluminum and weighs about thirty-one pounds when empty. When filled with about 3,000 psi of gas, the cylinder can weigh up to seven pounds more. Divers usually carry additional smaller air tanks, in preparation for any emergencies that may arise. To control buoyancy, a SCUBA diver must also carry a Buoyancy Control Device. The diver must also wear additional lead weights, due to the natural buoyancy of the diver&#39;s wet suit. A SCUBA diver typically also uses a mask, fins to propel him/her, and a regulator which allows the diver to breathe the air from the cylinder. 
   Snorkeling on the other hand, does not require as much equipment as SCUBA diving. A snorkeler typically uses only a mask, a snorkel, and fins. A snorkeler uses a J-shaped hollow snorkel to breathe air directly from the atmosphere. And because a snorkeler does not use any gas cylinders, the snorkeler must keep one end of the snorkel above water-level at all times. Therefore, the snorkeler cannot explore the deeper parts of the water the way a SCUBA diver can. 
   Snuba® is a combination of SCUBA diving and snorkeling. While underwater, a Snuba® diver breathes through a twenty-foot air hose which is connected to a standard SCUBA cylinder located on an inflatable raft. As the Snuba® diver swims, he/she tows the raft along with him/her. Although Snuba® diving relieves the diver from having to carry the heavy SCUBA equipment, it is dangerous for a diver to be coupled to an unattended raft. High winds and strong current may capsize or drag the raft, pulling the Snuba® diver along with it. Furthermore, the Snuba® diver would not know if there are any leaks or other problems with the cylinder, since no one is present on the raft to monitor it or warn the diver. Furthermore, a Snuba® diver may only explore those areas to which he/she can swim. If a Snuba® diver is not a very strong swimmer, he/she may not be able to venture that far away from shore for fear that he/she may not be able to swim the distance back. 
   Therefore a need existed for an underwater recreation apparatus that allows a diver to explore varying water depths with minimal and manageable equipment and that allows the diver to cover substantial distances with minimal physical strain. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   An object of the present invention is to provide an improved underwater recreation apparatus. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide an underwater recreation apparatus that allows a diver to explore varying water depths with a minimal amount of equipment. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide an underwater recreation apparatus that allows a diver to explore varying water depths with manageable equipment. 
   Still another object of the present invention is to provide an underwater recreation apparatus that allows the diver to cover substantial distances with minimal physical strain. 
   BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, an underwater recreation apparatus is disclosed. The underwater recreation apparatus comprises a frame, at least one handle pivotally coupled to the frame, and a rudder coupled to the at least one handle. 
   In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, an underwater recreation apparatus is disclosed. The underwater recreation apparatus comprises a substantially hollow frame, an air hose coupled to a first aperture defined by the frame, a regulator coupled to a second aperture defined by the frame, at least one handle pivotally coupled to the frame, and a rudder coupled to the at least one handle, the rudder being dimensioned to fit within an inner perimeter defined by the frame. 
   In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a method of underwater recreation is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of providing a watercraft and providing an underwater recreation apparatus comprising a frame, at least one handle pivotally coupled to the frame, and a rudder coupled to the at least one handle. The method further comprises the steps of connecting the underwater recreation apparatus to the watercraft, gripping the at least one handle by a user, towing the user of the underwater recreation apparatus by the watercraft, pivoting the at least one handle about the frame, and adjusting an angle of the rudder relative to the frame to affect at least one of an upward direction, a straight direction, and a downward direction of the user during towing. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the underwater recreation apparatus of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the underwater recreation apparatus of  FIG. 1 , shown with the rudder in an upwardly angled position. 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the underwater recreation apparatus of  FIG. 1 , shown in use. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1-3 , an underwater recreation apparatus, hereinafter underwater recreation apparatus  10 , is disclosed. The underwater recreation apparatus  10  comprises, in combination, a watercraft  34  (see  FIG. 3 ), an air hose  12 , a frame  14 , and a regulator  22 . 
   As shown, both the air hose  12  and the regulator  22  are coupled to the frame  14 . Preferably, the air hose  12  is coupled to a first aperture  30  (see  FIG. 1 ) defined by the frame  14  and the regulator  22  is coupled to a second aperture  31  (see  FIG. 1 ) defined by the frame  14 . The frame  14  is substantially hollow so that air may pass from the air hose  12 , through the first aperture  30 , through the frame  14 , through the second aperture  31 , through the regulator  22 , and to the diver  36  (see  FIG. 3 ). It should be clear that for purposes of this invention the word “air” includes all breathable gas combinations, including, but not limited to: pure oxygen, tri-mix (i.e. a mixture of helium, oxygen and nitrogen) and an oxygen-nitrogen combination. Preferably, the frame  14  is constructed of stainless steel tubing, however it should be clearly understood that an alternative material may be used so long as the frame  14  maintains its structural integrity. And although the frame  14  is shown as having a substantially square/rectangular configuration, it should be understood that substantial benefit may be derived from the frame  14  having an alternative shape. 
   The underwater recreation apparatus  10  preferably has a rudder  18  to help the diver  36  navigate underwater. Preferably, the rudder  18  is coupled to two handles  26  and is dimensioned to fit within an inner perimeter  16  of the frame  14 . It should be clearly understood, however, that further substantial benefit may be derived from only one handle  26 . As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the handles  26  may be coupled to an end  15  of the frame  14  proximate the diver  36  or, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the handles  26  may be coupled to the sides  17  of the frame  14 . It should also be clearly understood that further substantial benefit may be derived from the rudder  18  being coupled directly to the frame  14  and from the handles  26  being coupled to the rudder  18  only. 
   Each handle  26  preferably defines a bore  40  (see  FIGS. 1 and 2 ) therethrough, the bore  40  being dimensioned to be rotatably coupled about a portion of the frame  14 . As the diver  36  rotates the handles  26  downwardly, the rudder  18  moves to a downwardly angled position (not shown) and as the diver  36  rotates the handles  26  upwardly, the rudder  18  moves to an upwardly angled position (shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 ). In order to reduce drag on the diver  36  in steering while underwater, one edge  19  (see  FIGS. 1 and 2 ) of the rudder  18  may preferably have a substantially V-shaped notch  20  (see  FIGS. 1 and 2 ). It should be clearly understood, however, that substantial benefit may be derived from an alternatively shaped notch  20 . 
   In order to keep the rudder  18  from angling upwardly and downwardly too quickly, the frame  14  may have at least one restraint  25  (see  FIGS. 1 and 2 ) coupled thereto, confining the movement of the rudder  18  within a certain range of angles. It is preferred that the restraint  25  comprise at least one aperture  24  defined by a portion of the handle  26  proximate the rudder  18  and a ring  27  passing through the aperture  24  and about a portion of the frame  14  proximate the aperture  24 . However, it should be clearly understood that substantial benefit may be derived from an alternative form of restraint  25 , so long as the restraint  25  prevents the rudder  18  from angling upwardly and downwardly too quickly and/or at too great an angle. And while it is preferred that the ring  27  be adjustable, it should be clearly understood that substantial benefit may be derived from a ring  27  that is not adjustable. 
   Preferably, the underwater recreation apparatus  10  is equipped with a latch  28  (see  FIGS. 1 and 2 ). The latch  28  is dimensioned to secure the ends of a body strap  42  (see  FIG. 3 ) that is wrapped about the body of the diver  36 . The body strap  42  and latch  28  allow the diver  36  to be pulled by the moving watercraft  34 , thereby minimizing the amount of physical strain on the diver  36 . Further preferably, the body strap  42  will be equipped with a quick-release mechanism  44  (see  FIG. 3 ) that will allow the diver  36  to quickly remove the body strap  42  from around his/her body in the event of an emergency or merely for convenience. 
   STATEMENT OF OPERATION 
   The air hose  12  of the underwater recreation apparatus  10  is preferably coupled to at least one air cylinder (not shown) located on a watercraft  34 . Although it is preferred that the watercraft  34  be an inflatable watercraft with an electric motor, it should be clearly understood that the underwater recreation apparatus  10  may be towed by any watercraft, so long as the watercraft is powerful enough to tow the underwater recreation apparatus  10  and divers  36  and is capable of maintaining a safe speed for the divers  36 . The length of the air hose  12  may vary depending upon the diver  36 . For example, if a diver  36  is not certified, the diver  36  is legally required to use an air hose  12  no longer than twenty feet. If a diver  36  is certified, he/she may use an air hose  12  of any length. It should be clearly understood that the underwater recreation apparatus  10  may be used to allow the diver  36  to explore varying water depths, depending upon the diver&#39;s  36  ability and certification. 
   In the preferred embodiment, the air hose  12  both delivers a breathable gas mixture and serves as a towing cable for towing the underwater recreation apparatus  10 . However, it should be clear that substantial benefit could be derived from an alternative embodiment of the present invention in which two or more towing cables are used, one or more for delivering breathable gas and one or more for towing the underwater recreation apparatus  10 . It should also be clearly understood that substantial benefit may also be derived from the underwater recreation apparatus  10  wherein the air hose  12  was replaced by a towing cable, and the diver  36  received air from an air canister worn on his/her person. 
   As the watercraft  34  moves, the divers  36  grip the handles  26  of the underwater recreation apparatus  10 . If the diver  36  wishes to maintain a straight course, the diver  36  will simply keep the rudder  18  level with the frame  14 . If the diver  36  wishes to ascend in the water, the diver  36  will rotate the handles  26  upwardly so that the rudder  18  is angled upwardly. As the diver  34  is pulled by the watercraft  34 , the water pushes against a bottom surface  21  (see  FIGS. 2 and 3 ) of the rudder  18 , therefore causing the diver  36  to ascend. And if the diver  36  wishes to descend in the water, the diver  36  will rotate the handles  26  downwardly so that the rudder  18  is angled downwardly. As the diver  36  is pulled by the watercraft  34 , the water pushes against a top surface  23  (see  FIGS. 1 and 2 ) of the rudder  18 , therefore causing the diver  36  to descend. 
   The diver  36  may also tilt the frame  14  in order steer either to the left or to the right. If the diver  36  wishes to maintain a straight course, the diver  36  will simply refrain from tilting the frame  14 . Thus, because he/she is being pulled by the watercraft  34 , the diver  36  is not required to swim. 
   While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, while the divers  36  are shown as using fins  38  (see  FIG. 3 ) to help propel them through the water, it should be understood that substantial benefit may still be derived without the use of fins  38 , as the momentum of the watercraft  34  would be sufficient to move the divers  36  through the water. And while a safety vest  32  (see  FIG. 3 ) is recommended and possibly required for a diver  36 , the safety vest  32  is not necessary to the function of the underwater recreation apparatus  10 . And finally, although it is preferred that a latch  28  and body strap  28  be used, it should be clearly understood that substantial benefit may still be derived if the latch  28  were connected directly to the diver&#39;s  36  safety vest  32  or if the underwater recreation apparatus  10  did not have a latch  28  or body strap  28 .