Abstract:
A scuba tank mobility device and a system comprise a cup member that may be fitted directly over the scuba tank or over a scuba tank boot. A roller member is mounted to rotate with respect to the cup member and positioned vertically with respect to bottom of the cup member so that the roller permits standing support of the scuba tank. The tank is tilted from the standing position to place weight on the roller member for transport. The cup member comprises a projection radially outside its diameter to limit rolling of the scuba tank when on its side. In a further form, a handle may be attached to the cup member and extend axially therefrom. The cup member and handle are dimensioned to provide minimal projection from the contour of the scuba tank, whereby potential for a tangling with underwater vegetation and other objects is minimized.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   The present application claims priority from Provisional Patent Application 60/479,140 filed Jun. 17, 2003, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to a device and system providing for scuba tank transport over land and particularly to a system in which the device may remain connected to the scuba tank during diving. 
   Self-contained underwater breathing apparatus (SCUBA) comprises a cylindrical gas bottle. The cylinder generally has a circular cross section centered about a central axis. Scuba tanks having other cross sections have been provided in the prior art as well. Commonly, the gas bottle is made of steel. Aluminum gas bottles have also been provided. Generally, one end of the cylinder is substantially flat and an opposite end of the cylinder has a dome shape. The center of the dome has an internally threaded aperture that receives a valve assembly. The valve assembly includes an elongated nipple end that is coaxial with the cylinder&#39;s central axis and a valve extending through the nipple end mounted substantially normal to the central axis. The valve may include a regulator. Alternatively, the regulator may external to the scuba tank and be coupled to the valve. Air hoses and a mask are coupled to the valve assembly for use in underwater breathing. Scuba tanks are manufactured in a variety of standardized sizes. 
   A nominal weight for a scuba tank fully charged with air (or other oxygen-containing mixture) is 30 lbs. When the scuba tank is deployed underwater, the weight of the scuba tank is not of concern to a diver. Due to displacement of water, the weight felt by the diver is reduced. Also, divers need to wear weights to offset their own buoyancy. Consequently, the weight of the scuba tank does not adversely affect mobility of a diver in the water. However, on land, the full weight of the scuba tank must be supported. A user may wish to have a convenient way of transporting the scuba tank from one place to another, for example as from a parking lot to a boat marine on a dock, rather than having to carry the scuba tank. A user may need to transport a scuba tank across a parking lot, on a beach or along a dock, for example. Many prior art carriages have been provided for transporting a scuba tank. These carriages include dollies and hand trucks. These carriages are not normally assembled to the scuba tank when then tank is being transported to a diving area, e.g., in the trunk of a car. They must be removed from the scuba tank prior to diving. 
   Prior art carriages are generally stored in transport containers, e.g., car trunks, separately from the scuba tanks. If a the scuba tank is placed in the transport container by itself, the scuba tank is subject to rolling due to its circular cross section. Rolling of the scuba tank can cause damage to it or the container. One way to avoid rolling is by providing a separate device to prevent rolling or a separate box or other enclosure in to which to fit the scuba tank. Use of additional devices presents added inconvenience and expense in preventing the scuba tank from rolling. 
   When a diver reaches a destination, the scuba tank must be assembled to the carriage prior to transporting the scuba tank to a point at or near which the diver will enter the water. Then the scuba tank must be dissembled from the carriage. 
   The diver must then carry the tank from the place of disassembly from the carriage to the location at which the scuba tank will actually be donned. Divers will generally enter the water from a dock, a beach or a boat. They may find it very inconvenient to have to carry the scuba tank from a place of secure storage for a carriage to a water entry point. If they use the carriage to get to the water entry point, the must leave the carriage unattended while diving. Carriages left on a dock may provide an inconvenience or safety hazard to other users of the dock. There may be not article on the dock to which the carriage can be secured. In this case, the carriage could be used or removed by others while the diver is away from the dock. If entering the water from a beach, a diver would have to be able to return to the same spot on the beach from the water to find the carriage and avoid carrying the scuba tank over the beach. On some boats, lack of stowage space may result in great inconvenience in stowing the carriage. On a diving party boat, a number of carriages would have to be stowed, and divers would encounter the usual inconveniences associated with baggage retrieval to find their own carriages. 
   Carriages are not suited for remaining attached to the scuba tank during diving. Their dimensions create the potential for snagging should a swimmer pass through vegetation. Their shapes could project into a volume to be occupied by the body of a diver were they to be strapped to a diver&#39;s body. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is a general advantage of embodiments of the present invention to provide a device and system of which is simple in construction and permits on-shore transport of a scuba tank. 
   It is a particular advantage of embodiments of the present invention to provide a device and system of the type described which acts as an aid in stabilizing a scuba tank during transport of the scuba tank in a container. 
   It is another particular advantage of embodiments of the present invention to provide a device and system providing on-shore mobility for a scuba tank and which may also be conveniently left affixed to a scuba tank during diving. 
   Briefly stated, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention, there are provided a scuba tank mobility device and a system comprising a scuba tank in a mobility device. The transport device is mountable to a first end of a scuba tank remote from a second, valve end of the scuba tank. The first end is often referred to for purposes of the present description as the lower end since it will be on the bottom when the scuba tank is vertically disposed. The transport device fits over the first end of the scuba tank and includes a cup member. The cup member may be fitted directly over the scuba tank or over a scuba tank boot. A tank boot is a flat-bottomed, usually plastic, vinyl or rubber device that fits over the lower end of a scuba tank, allowing the tank to stand up. The boot also protects the bottom of the scuba tank from abrasion and provides some degree of cushioning of the impact of a tank when it strikes a surface. A roller member is mounted to rotate with respect to the cup member and positioned vertically with respect to bottom of the cup member so that the roller permits standing support of the scuba tank. Tilting may be achieved by applying a force to the nipple end of the scuba tank. The tank is tilted from the standing position to place weight on the roller member. Tilting may be achieved by applying a force to the nipple end of the scuba tank. In one form, retaining strap axially surrounds the scuba tank and is axially displaced from the cup member. A connecting member connects the cup member to the retaining strap. The cup member comprises a projection to limit rolling of the scuba tank when its axis is substantially horizontal. In a further form, a handle may be attached to the cup member and extend axially therefrom. The handle may be opened to extend past the valve end of the scuba tank and fold to have a radial extent less than that of the scuba tank. The cup member and handle are dimensioned to provide minimal projection from the contour of the scuba tank, whereby potential for a tangling with underwater vegetation and other objects is minimized. 
   While this Summary of the Invention section lists various aspects of varying embodiments of the present invention, there are other aspects of the present invention, or preferred embodiments thereof, apparent from the following description. This Summary is neither exhaustive nor intended to be determinative of the scope of the invention. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Embodiments of the invention are pointed out in the following description taken in connection with the following drawings. 
     Of the drawings: 
       FIG. 1  is a side elevation of a device and system constructed in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIGS. 2 and 3  are a side elevation and a rear elevation of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 4  is a plan view of a cap member to receive a lower end of a scuba tank; 
       FIG. 5  is an elevation of a further embodiment of the present invention illustrating a handle in a first state; 
       FIG. 6  is a side elevation of the apparatus of  FIG. 4  illustrating the handle in a second state; 
       FIGS. 7 and 8  are a rear elevation and a side elevation of a further embodiment of the present invention in which a handle is provided for use in transport; and 
       FIGS. 9-17  illustrate a further embodiment of the present invention in which  FIG. 9  is a front axonometric view; 
       FIG. 10  is a side elevation; 
       FIG. 11  is a front elevation; 
       FIG. 12  is a rear elevation; 
       FIG. 13  is a rear axonometric view; 
       FIG. 14  is a front axonometric view; 
       FIG. 15  is a plan view; 
       FIG. 16  is a bottom plan view; 
       FIG. 17  is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  17 - 17  of  FIG. 15 ; and 
       FIGS. 18 and 19  are an elevation and a plan of a further form of the embodiment of  FIGS. 9-17 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   In the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , a scuba tank  1  has an axis  2 . Scuba tanks generally comprise cylindrical gas bottles symmetrical about the axis  2 . The scuba tank  1  has an upper end  6  and a lower end  7 . The upper end  6  comprises top part  8  a control valve  9 . Commonly, the lower end  7  is flat. The scuba tank  1  has a horizontal centerline  12  which is approximately a registration with a weight-balanced point of the tank  9  when it is weighed with the axis  2  in a substantially horizontal disposition. 
     FIG. 2  is an elevation of the scuba tank  1  engaged in a mobility device comprising a transport carrier  20  constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 3  is a rear elevation of the scuba tank  1  partially broken away and engaged in the transport carrier  20 .  FIG. 4  is a plan view of the transport carrier  20  with the scuba tank  1  removed therefrom. 
   The transport carrier  20  comprises a platform section  22  supporting a cup member  25  which receives the lower end  7  of the scuba tank  1 . A brace member  28  extends in an axial direction from the platform member  22  across the cup member  25  to an axial upper position  27 , preferably below the vertical centerline  12 . A strap member  29  is secured to the brace member  28  for maintaining the scuba tank  1  is engagement with the transport carrier  20 . As seen in  FIG. 3 , the strap member  29  may be threaded through slots  31  and  32  at an upper portion of the brace member  28 . A buckle  34  may be used to secure and loosen the strap  29 . 
   For transport, a roller member  40  is provided supported to the platform  22 . As seen in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the roller member  40  may comprise first and second wheels  42  and  43 , each placed on a different horizontal side of the brace  28 . The roller member  40  is sized and positioned to permit the platform  22  to support the scuba tank  1  in a standing position. Additionally, the roller member  40  is vertically positioned to minimize tilting of the axis necessary to transfer weight from a bottom of the platform  22  to the roller member  40 . In a preferred form, the outer diameter of the roller member  40  is tangent to the lower surface  23  of the platform  22 . The wheels  43  and  42  may, for example, comprise urethane wheels. It is desirable to make them large enough to conveniently support the weight of the scuba tank  1  and small enough to minimize their contribution to the size of the transport carrier  20 . In one suitable embodiment, the wheels  42  and  43  are 1½″ wide and 4″ in diameter. The roller member  40  rotates on an axis  46 . Individual axial pins  48  and  49  may secure the wheels  42  and  43  respectively along the axis  46 , as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . Alternatively, as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , a single axle  52  may be provided. 
   It is highly desirable to give the transport carrier  20  a contour such that the shape will minimize engagement with underwater vegetation or any other objects. To this end, projections from the transport carrier  20  are minimized. As seen in  FIG. 4 , the transport carrier  20  has an annular section  54  surrounding the “footprint” of the scuba tank  1  having an inner diameter d 1  and an outer diameter d 2  with a common center point  56 . In order to avoid the use of projections, solid areas  62  and  63  extend from the annular portion  54  to the wheels  31  and  32 . In one suitable embodiment, the areas  61  and  62  each comprise quadrants of a square having a center point  56  and a side d 2  with the central area  53  removed therefrom. A side  64  of the square is substantially normal to the sides  63  and  64 . Arrow shaped cutouts  69  and  70  may be provided adjacent the wheels  31  and  32  respectively. The cutouts  69  and  70  are cut out from corners of the quadrants  61  and  62 . Additionally, bosses  75  and  76  may be provided diametrically interiorly of the wheels  31  and  32  respectively and extending radially away from the side  64  to cover portions of the wheels  31  and  32 . In accordance with the present invention, the dimensions of the transport carrier  20  and wheels  31  and  32  are selected to provide sufficient size to support conveniently the weight of the scope of tank  1  out of the water for minimizing projections from the scuba tank so that the potential for tangling of the transport carrier  20  in the water is minimized. 
   It is noted that in the preferred form, the strap  29  is below the vertical centerline  12  because in customary scuba usage, other apparatus must be affixed thereabove. For example, a shoulder harness worn by the diver (not shown) is affixed above the centerline  12 . This design further accommodates convenience of use. 
     FIGS. 5 and 6  are rear and side elevations of a further embodiment of the present invention. The transport carrier  20  is mechanically coupled to a handle  80  so that a diver may grasp the handle  80  for transporting the scuba tank  1  rather than having to grasp the scuba tank by the top  6  or the valve  8 . The handle  80  is substantially horizontally disposed to first and second arms  83  and  84  which telescope respectively within support arms  85  and  86 . The support arms  85  and  86  are anchored in the platform  20 . Securing means  87  at the top of arm  85  and securing means  88  at the top of arm  86  may be selectively moved between an open position which allows vertical sliding of the handle  80  in a closed position in which the position of the handle  80  is fixed. There are many well-known forms of such couplers. In one common form, they comprise threaded annular nuts which tighten bifurcated ends of the arms  85  and  86 . For overland transport, the handle  80  is moved to its vertically top position for diving or for transport in a container such as car trunk, the handle  80  is moved to its lowest position and the arms  83  and  84  are received inside the arms  85  and  86 . 
     FIGS. 7 and 8  represent a further embodiment in which a handle  180  is affixed to arms  183  and  184  having upper ends joined by the handle  180  and lower ends anchored in the platform  22 . Handles  183  and  184  include pivots  185  and  186  respectively. Additionally, locks  187  and  188  are provided for locking the handle assembly  178  in a closed position or an open position, the closed position being illustrated in  FIG. 8 . 
   The pivots  185  and  186  need not necessarily be placed below the vertical centerline  12 . However, the pivots  185  and  186  should be below the point at which it is expected to attach the harness  17 . 
     FIGS. 9-12  each represent a system  210  comprising a scuba tank  201  having a top  206  and a transport carrier  220  including a cup member  225 . An intermediate member  230  may comprise a boot which a user has placed on the scuba tank  201 . Alternatively, the intermediate member  230  may comprise a shim to be placed intermediate the transport carrier  220  and the scuba tank  201  for a user not having a boot on the scuba tank  201 . 
   Additionally, as better seen in  FIGS. 10 and 12 , protector members  240  may be affixed to the scuba tank  201  to protect the scuba tank  201  when it is being rolled upstairs. The protector members  236  may be affixed to the scuba tank  201  by two-sided tape pieces  237 . In the present embodiment, a roller member  240  comprises first and second wheels  242  and  243 . The wheels are mounted to axle members  244  and  245 , respectively as further explained with respect to  FIG. 17  below. To provide for a convenient means of inserting and removing the scuba tank  201  from the cup member  225 , a vertical recess  250  is cut in the circular periphery of the cup member  225 . The vertical recess  250  is best seen in  FIGS. 12 and 13 .  FIGS. 13-17  are respectively a rear axonometric, front axonometric, plan view, bottom plan view and a section view taken along lines  17 - 17  of  FIG. 15  of the present embodiment with the scuba tank  201  removed there from. The vertical recess  250  is preferably a V-shaped slot. The “V” is selectably closeable to vary the inner diameter of the cup member  225 . An outer periphery  258  of the cup member  225  has a vertically extending channel  260  for receiving an adjustable strap assembly  265 . The adjustable strap assembly  265  includes a strap  266  and a clasp assembly  268 . In a first position, the clasp assembly  268  is open and the strap  266  has a first outer diameter permitting the vertical recess  250  to be open to its full extent and provide a clearance for the scuba tank  201 . In a second position, the clasp assembly  268  is closed. The outer diameter of the strap  266  is reduced, compressing the cup member  225  and reducing the outer diameter of the channel  265 . Consequently, the cup member  225  is moved to a closed position as illustrated in  FIG. 14 . This provides a tight fit retaining the scuba tank  201  in the cup member  225 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 10 , it will be seen that in a preferred form, the roller member  240  cooperates in providing a standing position for the transport system  210 . The bottom of the roller member  240  at a horizontally rear portion of the cup member  225  and the lower extent of the cup member  225  at a horizontally front portion thereof define a horizontal plane  280  on which the system  210  may rest in an upright position. The horizontally rear portion of the cup member  225  has an elevated bottom  290  which serves as a platform for supporting the scuba tank  201 . Vertically projecting below the platform  290  at a forward horizontal extent of the cup member  225  is a lip section  292 . A user may use the lip section  292  as a grip. Consequently, the system  210  may be carried by a user placing one hand at the upper end  206  of the scuba tank  201  and another hand at the lip  292  of the cup member  225 . 
   The roller member  240  is further described with reference to  FIGS. 15 and 17 . The axle members  244  and  245  may each comprise an L-shaped member  300  with a horizontal arm  301  projecting from the cup member  225  and a vertical arm  302  projecting from an upper surface of the cup member  225 . The horizontal arms  301  are disposed along and axis  304  which intersects an interior of the cup member  225 . This disposition of the axis  304  allows for a reduced radial distance of the axle  304  from a center of the cup member  225 . Consequently, a wheel  242  and a wheel  243  do not project as far from the cup member  225  as they would if the axle  304  were outside the circular contour of the cup member  225 . A smaller profile is thus provided to underwater vegetation and other objects. 
   The wheels  242  and  243  are each secured to one arm  301  by a securing means  306  such as a washer press fit onto the arm  301 . Other well-known securing means may be used. The vertical arm  302  may be threaded at an upper-end thereof and receive a lock nut  310 . The lock nut  310  may be an individual lock nut as illustrated in  FIG. 17 . Alternatively, the lock nut  310  can be secured to a handle assembly such as that illustrated in  FIG. 5  in order to prevent securing a handle assembly to the cup member  225 . The wheels  242  and  243  in one form are made of polycarbonate resin. 
   As seen in the embodiment of  FIG. 17 , the wheels may have an oval cross section with a recess  315  formed at an outer periphery thereof. The wheels  242  and  243  have one thickness at the center, or inner diameter, and a smaller thickness at their outer diameters. The recess  315  may receive an o-ring  318 . A suitable material for the o-ring  318  is hard rubber. The o-ring  318  provides traction. The o-ring  318  is also easily replaceable so that where at the outer periphery of the roller member  240  does not require replacement of an entire wheel  242  or  243 . The recess  315  is formed to accommodate different size o-rings which may serve different purposes. For example, a smaller diameter o-ring  318  may be more suitable for use over docks and parking lots. A larger o-ring  318  may be more suitable for use on a beach. 
   The L-shaped members  300  are received in projections  322  and  323  extending from the circular contour of the cup member  225 . As best seen in  FIG. 17 , each vertical arm  302  extends through a bore  325 . The horizontal arms  301  are each received in a slot  327 . The slots  327  have a top end  328  against which the arms  301  stop when the vertical arms  302  are secured by the lock nuts  319 . The positions of the slot top ends  328  are dimensioned to place the horizontal arms  301  on the axis  304 . 
   As seen in  FIG. 14 , the platform portion  290  of the cup member  225  need not extend across the total horizontal extent of the inner diameter of the cup member  225 . The platform member  19  includes a central aperture  330  defining an annular member  332  between the aperture  330  and vertical wall of the cup member  225 . Additionally, circumferentially spaced apertures  334  are placed in the annual section  332 , further reducing weight of the cup member  225 . 
   As will be seen in  FIGS. 15 and 16 , the structure of the transport assembly  220  will prevent rotation when the assembly  210  is restored in a horizontal position in a storage means. The cup member  225  and roller member  240  comprise means for preventing rotation. In other words, either a roller member  240  may provide a stop to prevent rotation or a corner member  340  projecting from a circular portion of the cup member  225  or both may prevent rotation. The description of stop means being comprised in the roller member and cup member  225  is used to denote that either or both of the members may be utilized to prevent rotation. 
     FIGS. 18 and 19  are an elevation and a plan view of a further embodiment in which wheels  242  and  243  are mounted to a one-piece axle  350 . Projections  322  and  323  are dimensioned to provide bores  352  to locate the axle  350  outside the circular contour of the cup member  225 . 
   Many departures may be made to provide a transport apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention as well as a system comprising a transport apparatus and scuba tank. If desired, further aerodynamic shaping could be provided. For example, the upper surface of the annular section  54  could be rounded rather than flat. The entire transport mechanism  20  could be surrounded in a spherical, teardrop or other rounded shape. Fins could be provided. The restraining strap  28  could be a unitary elastomeric member. Many further modifications may be made in accordance with the above teachings to provide an apparatus and system which provides for convenient transportation and for unobtrusive use underwater. 
   Embodiments of the invention can be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications are intended to be within the scope of the invention.