Abstract:
A dive tank support device for supporting a dive tank while a diver is attempting to attach the dive tank to the diver&#39;s body immediately before jumping from a vessel and beginning a dive. The dive tank support device may be formed from a body having a bottom support adapted to support a dive tank and at least one sidewall extending up from the bottom support and configured to limit tilting of the dive tank relative to the bottom support. The body supports the dive tank and the recess enables the dive tank to be easily pulled from the dive tank support device once a diver has attached the dive tank to himself.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/210,979, filed Aug. 24, 2005, now abandoned. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention is directed generally to underwater diving, and more specifically to devices for supporting dive tanks on a vessel. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Conventional underwater breathing apparatuses typically include a dive tank filled with compressed air or other appropriate gases. Many conventional dive tanks are large, heavy and greatly restrict a diver&#39;s mobility when not in the water. For instance, some conventional dive tanks are cylindrical with a diameter of about one foot and a height of about two and a half feet. Many conventional dive tanks are formed from steel or aluminum; which results in a tank that weighs between about thirty pounds and forty pounds. 
         [0004]    Most conventional underwater diving systems include a system for mounting a dive tank to a diver so that the dive tank rests on the back of the diver. The dive tank is usually mounted so that the control valve is positioned in close proximity to the diver&#39;s head and centered between the diver&#39;s shoulders. The dive tank is typically held in place with a vest that fits around the chest of the diver. The vest often includes bladders and is used as a buoyancy control device (BCD) when the diver is underwater. Because of the position of the control valve on the tank, the tank is not positioned high on the diver&#39;s back. Rather, the dive tank is positioned low on the diver&#39;s back. This position often makes it difficult for a diver to move around a vessel. 
         [0005]    Immediately before a dive, a diver suits up with all of the necessary equipment, including a mask, snorkel, fins, BCD, tank, gauges, and wetsuit, if necessary. While all of these items assist a diver when the diver is underwater, these items are very cumbersome when the diver is not in the water. Most cumbersome is often the combination of the heavy tank on the diver&#39;s back and the fins. Successfully attaching a dive tank to a diver is best accomplished with the assistance of another person. The other person stabilizes the tank while the diver inserts the diver&#39;s arms through the arm holes in the BCD. 
         [0006]    While assistance is easy to find on commercial dive boats and on boats with a large crew, such assistance is not available when diving alone or when diving from a boat with fewer occupants. In such situations, a diver is often faced with the task of attaching a dive tank to the diver with little or inadequate assistance. Such a procedure often includes positioning the tank on the deck or on another stable surface. However, a vessel is often being tossed about by the seas and keeping a tank with a BCD attached in an upright position can be difficult. Without assistance, attaching a dive tank to a diver is a difficult procedure. Thus, a need exists for a device that supports a dive tank while a diver attaches the tank to the diver. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    This invention is directed to a dive tank support device configured to support a dive tank while a diver attaches the tank to the diver. The dive tank support device may enable a diver to attach a dive tank to the diver without other assistance. In at least one embodiment, the dive tank support device is designed to be releasably attached to a gunnel of a vessel so that a diver may place a dive tank in the dive tank support device without the tank falling from the device. The diver may then attach the tank to the diver and stand up with the tank attached to the diver&#39;s back. The motion of standing up or moving away from the dive tank support device removes the tank from the dive tank support device. 
         [0008]    The dive tank support device may be formed from a body having a bottom support adapted to support a dive tank and at least one sidewall extending up from the bottom support and configured to limit tilting of the dive tank relative to the bottom support. The body may be generally cylindrical with a diameter larger than the dive tank to be received within the body. The body may also include at least one dive tank removal recess in the sidewall of the body configured to enable the dive tank to be removed from the support device through the sidewall of the body. The dive tank removal recess in the body may extend from an upper edge of the body to a position in close proximity with the bottom support. The dive tank removal recess may have a width that is larger than a dive tank configured to be received within the body. 
         [0009]    A support system may be coupled to the body of the dive tank support device for supporting a dive tank in the body of the dive tank support device while on a vessel. The support system may be coupled to the body of the dive tank support device for supporting the dive tank in the body and in close proximity to a covering board of a gunnel. In at least one embodiment, the support system may be formed from at least one shaft extending from the body and may be configured to be received within a rod holder attached to a vessel. The support system may include an alignment system configured to adjust the body relative to the support system. The support system may include at least one ball joint coupled to the body and to the shaft to enable rotation of the body about two axes relative to the shaft. The support system may also include at least one locking arm that may be used to secure the body in a position relative to the at least one shaft. 
         [0010]    In another embodiment, the shaft may be positioned at an angle of between about ten degrees and about thirty five degrees relative to a longitudinal axis of the body. In one embodiment, the shaft may be positioned at an angle of about fifteen degrees or thirty degrees relative to the longitudinal axis of the body to conform with conventional rod holder configurations. 
         [0011]    The dive tank support device may be used by a diver to assist the diver in attaching a dive tank to the diver. A diver may secure an attachment device, such as a BCD, to a dive tank. The dive tank support device may be attached to a vessel in a location near the gunnel of the vessel. In at least one embodiment, a shaft of the dive tank support device may be inserted into a rod holder in the gunnel of the vessel, thereby releasably attaching the dive tank support device to the vessel. The diver may position the dive tank in the dive tank support device by inserting the dive tank into the dive tank removal recess. The diver may then attach the dive tank to the diver by inserting the diver&#39;s arms through the arm holes in the BCD and securing the appropriate straps. Once the dive tank is attached to the diver, the diver may move away from the dive tank support device, such as by leaning forward, to remove the dive tank from the dive tank support device. As the diver moves from the dive tank support device, the tank is supported by the diver&#39;s shoulders and back. The diver may then move next to the gunnel and fall over the gunnel to begin a dive. The diver is not required to walk a distance to be able to enter the water and begin a dive. 
         [0012]    An advantage of this invention is that the dive tank support device assists a diver in enabling the diver to attach a dive tank and BCD to the diver without assistance from another person. 
         [0013]    Another advantage of this invention is that the dive tank support device enables a diver to attach a dive tank to the diver in close proximity to the location where the diver will enter the water, thereby reducing the distance the diver travels to enter the water and the awkwardness associated with such movement. 
         [0014]    Yet another advantage of the dive tank support device is that the dive tank support device is removable and configured to fit within a conventional rod holder. Thus, a vessel having conventional rod holders does not need to be adapted. Rather, a dive tank support device may be attached to the vessel quickly by simply inserting a shaft of the dive tank support device into the rod holder. A removable dive tank support device is very desirable for vessels that are not used as dive boats all of the time. The dive tank support device can be quickly installed in a rod holder when needed and can be removed as easily. 
         [0015]    These and other embodiments will be described in more detail below. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0016]    The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the presently disclosed invention and, together with the description, disclose the principles of the invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a dive tank support device according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a front view of the dive tank support device shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a right side view of the dive tank support device shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the support system of the dive tank support device. 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the dive tank support device attached to a rod holder on a vessel. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0022]    As shown in  FIGS. 1-5 , this invention is directed to a dive tank support device  10  configured to support a dive tank  12  while a diver attaches the tank  12  to the diver. The dive tank support device  10  may support a dive tank  12  without other assistance and may enable the dive tank  12  to be pulled from the dive tank support device  10  by a diver to which the dive tank  12  is attached. In at least one embodiment, the dive tank support device  10  is designed to be releasably attached to a gunnel  14  of a vessel  16  so that a diver may place a dive tank  12  in the dive tank support device  10  without the tank  12  falling from the device  10 . The diver may then attach the tank  10  to the diver and stand up with the tank  12  attached to the diver&#39;s back. The motion of a diver standing up or moving away from the dive tank support device  10  may remove the tank  12  from the dive tank support device  10 . 
         [0023]    The dive tank support device  10  may be formed from a body  18  having a bottom support  20  adapted to support a dive tank  12 . The bottom support  20  may be formed form any configuration capable of supporting a dive tank  12 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the bottom support  20  may be a solid surface. The bottom support  20  may include drainage holes  22  for removing water from the device  10 . The body  18  of the device  10  may include one or more sidewalls  24  for retaining a dive tank  12 . The sidewalls  24  may extend up from the bottom support  20  and may be configured to limit tilting of the dive tank  12  out of alignment with a longitudinal axis  26 . 
         [0024]    The body  18  may have any appropriate size and shape for containing the dive tank  12 . It is well understood that dive tanks  12  are made in numerous heights and diameters. Thus, the dive tank support device  10  may have numerous embodiments configured to receive different sized tanks  12 . In at least one embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the body  18  may be generally cylindrical. The body  18  may have a diameter larger than a dive tank  12  configured to be received within the body  18 . The body  18  may be formed from materials appropriate to handle the load of a dive tank  12  and the corrosive effects of saltwater. In at least one embodiment, the body  18  may be formed from a marine grade polymer material. 
         [0025]    The body  18  may also include at least one dive tank removal recess  28  in the sidewall  24  of the body  18 . The dive tank removal recess  28  may be configured to enable a dive tank  12  to be removed from the dive tank support device  10  through the sidewall  24  of the body  18 . The dive tank removal recess  28  in the body  18  may extend from an upper edge  30  of the body  18  to a position in close proximity with the bottom support  20 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . A dive tank retaining wall  32  of the body  18  may remain under the dive tank removal recess  28  to retain a dive tank  12  in the body  18 . The dive tank removal recess  28  may have a width that is larger than a dive tank  12  that is capable of being configured to be received within the body. In at least one embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the dive tank removal recess  28  may extend approximately 180 degrees of a cylindrical sidewall  24 . In another embodiment, the dive tank removal recess  28  may extend around an arcuate path greater than 180 degrees. If the dive tank removal recess  28  is smaller than 180 degrees, the sidewall  24  should be formed from a flexible material to enable the sidewalls to flex to enable a dive tank  12  to be pulled through the dive tank removal recess  28 . 
         [0026]    The dive tank support device  10  may also include a support system  34  that may be coupled to the body  18  for supporting a dive tank  12  in the body  18  on a vessel  16 . In at least one embodiment, the support system  34  may be coupled to the body  18  for supporting a dive tank  12  in close proximity to a covering board  36  of a gunnel  14 . The support system  34  may be formed from at least one shaft  38  extending from the body  18 . In at least one embodiment, the shaft  38  may be configured to be received within a rod holder  40  attached to a vessel  16 . The shaft  38  may include a plurality of slots  42  in a lower edge  44  of the shaft  38  enabling the shaft  38  to engage a cross-support (not shown) in the rod holder  40  to increase stability of the shaft  38  in the rod holder  40 . The shaft  38  may be formed from materials appropriate to handle the load of a dive tank  12  and the corrosive effects of saltwater. In at least one embodiment, the shaft  38  may be formed from a stainless steel or other appropriate material. 
         [0027]    The support system  34  may also include an adjustment system  46  configured to move the body  18  relative to the shaft  38 . The adjustment system  46  enables the bottom support  20  to be positioned relatively horizontal regardless of the angle at which the shaft  38  is attached to a vessel  16 . The adjustment system  46  may also enable the bottom surface  20  to be slightly tilted away from the side of the dive tank removal recess  28  to create a force pushing a dive tank  12  away from the dive tank removal recess  28 . In at least one embodiment, the adjustment system  46  may be formed from at least one ball joint  48  positioned between the shaft  38  and the body  18 . The ball joint  48  may enable rotation of the body  18  relative to the shaft  38  about two axes. The position of the body  18  relative to the shaft  38  may be held in position using a locking arm  50 . The locking arm  50  may be rotated in a first direction to release the body  18  to rotate and tilt relative to the shaft  38  and the locking arm  50  may be rotated in a second direction to affix the body  18  in a position relative to the shaft  38 . 
         [0028]    The support system  18 , as shown in  FIG. 5 , may position the body  18  at an angle  52  of between about ten degrees and about thirty five degrees relative to the longitudinal axis  26  of the body  18 . In one embodiment, the shaft  38  may be positioned at an angle  52  of about fifteen degrees or thirty degrees relative to the longitudinal axis  26  of the body  18  to conform with conventional rod holder  40  configurations. 
         [0029]    The dive tank support device  10  may be used by a diver to assist the diver in attaching a dive tank  12  to the diver. A diver may first secure an attachment device, such as a BCD (not shown), to a dive tank  12  if not already done so. The dive tank support device  10  may be attached to a vessel  16 , such as near the gunnel  14  of the vessel  16 . In at least one embodiment, a shaft  38  of the dive tank support device  10  may be inserted into a rod holder  40  in the gunnel  14  of the vessel  16 . The diver may position the dive tank  12  in the dive tank support device  10  by inserting the dive tank through the dive tank removal recess. The diver may then attach the dive tank  12  to the diver by inserting the diver&#39;s arms through the arm holes in the BCD and securing the appropriate straps. Once the dive tank  12  is attached to the diver, the diver may move away from the dive tank support device  10  to remove the dive tank  12  from the dive tank support device. The diver may take a step in the direction the diver is facing so that the dive tank  12  is pulled from the body  18 . As the diver moves from the dive tank support device  10 , the dive tank  12  is supported by the diver&#39;s shoulders and back. The diver may then move next to the gunnel  14  and fall over the gunnel  14  into the water to begin a dive. 
         [0030]    It should be understood that the examples and embodiments described herein are for illustrative purposes only and that various modifications or changes in light thereof will be obvious to persons skilled in the art, and that such modifications or changes are to be included within the spirit and purview of this application. Moreover, the invention can take other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof.