Abstract:
An improved pony bottle bracket that is light weight, compact, simple to use, and facilitates a quick and easy set-up is disclosed. A push button latch enables a diver to quickly disconnect the pony bottle from the main bottle. The pony tank bracket and base unit bracket are mounted by use of a belt and adjustable band straps. The locking mechanism is self-contained, thereby eliminating or minimizing the use of separate components (e.g., no clevis, hitch, cotter or quick release pins) which may be lost. The bracket also eliminates or reduces the use of any items which may entangle the diver or entangle other objects in the diver&#39;s surroundings (e.g., no string, cord, chain or lanyards). The bracket is bidirectional (e.g., reversible) such that the top bracket mount may be rotated between about 0 and 180 degrees.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/576,523, filed on Jun. 2, 2004, and entitled “Bi-directional, Reversible, Exchangeable, Interchangeable, Transportable, Carrier, Support, Holster, Holding, Storage, Retention, Attachable, Apparatus, Article(s), Mounting, Quick Release Latch Device(s) or Bracket(s)”, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION  
       [0002]     The invention generally relates to mounting brackets, and more particularly, to a quick-release mounting bracket between a main air tank and a spare tank.  
       BACKGROUND OF INVENTION  
       [0003]     Scuba diving has been continually gaining in popularity and the increased number of divers are always trying to find safer procedures and safer equipment for the sport. One of the common pieces of safety equipment is the spare air tank, often known as a pony bottle tank. A pony bottle tank is typically a separate, self-contained air supply tank system that is completely independent from the main air tank supply unit or system. The pony bottle is often carried for an added measure of protection as a redundant device (e.g., spare) and is usually utilized for emergency situations (e.g., failure of the main tank, low oxygen supply in the main tank, used by a diving partner, etc.). The pony bottle tank is typically attached to the main tank by an inefficient mounting bracket system.  
         [0004]     Scuba diving usually requires the diver to focus attention on the surroundings, with little time or freedom to be concerned about the scuba equipment. Moreover, the scuba diver typically carries other objects in his hands (e.g., flashlight, net, spear, etc), so the scuba diver often is not able to efficiently manipulate his equipment. In that regard, the existing pony bottle mounting brackets have the disadvantages of being difficult to use. The existing brackets also often include small, complicated components. Furthermore, the existing brackets usually include excessive components such as, for example, a clevis, hitch, cotter or quick release pin. These components may be difficult to handle and may be easily lost, particularly when scuba diving in dark, rugged terrain where items can fall into the crevices of the rocks. Additionally, scuba diving equipment should not include items that can entangle the diver, plants, rocks, sea life, a partner diver, the diver&#39;s hands, or the diver&#39;s equipment. Items such as, for example, string, cord, chain or lanyards may get caught or snagged on the diver or the diver&#39;s equipment and restrict the diver&#39;s movement which may be extremely dangerous while the diver is under the water.  
         [0005]     Accordingly, a need exists for a pony bottle having an improved quick-release mounting bracket, wherein the bracket does not include excessive components or items that may entangle a diver.  
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION  
       [0006]     The invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art by including an improved pony bottle bracket that is light weight, compact, simple to use, and facilitates a quick and easy set-up. The invention includes a push button latch  62  such that the diver can quickly disconnect the pony bottle from the main bottle. In emergency situations, the invention is configured such that the pony tank is easily disconnected from the main tank. More specifically, the self-contained locking mechanism  50  is activated by the base unit bracket push button  52 , supporting hardware and sliding lock latch  60  such that the top unit bracket  80  can be removed or separated with one or more tanks from the base unit bracket  10 . The top unit bracket and base unit bracket  10  are mounted, in one embodiment, by use of a belt and adjustable band straps (e.g., hose clamp). The brackets may be attached to any surface, and in one embodiment, to a flat or round surface.  
         [0007]     Locking mechanism  50  is self-contained, thereby eliminating or minimizing the use of separate components (e.g., no clevis, hitch, cotter or quick release pins) which may be lost. The bracket also eliminates or reduces the use of any items which may entangle the diver or entangle other objects in the diver&#39;s surroundings (e.g., no string, cord, chain or lanyards). The bracket is bidirectional (e.g., reversible) such that the top bracket mount may be rotated between about 0 and 180 degrees. With a proper tank setup, the bracket allows the tanks to be exchangeable or interchangeable from an empty tank to a fresh re-filled or new full tank. With a proper tank setup, the bracket also allows the tanks to be transferable from unit to unit or from person to person.  
         [0008]     Only one ⅛ allen key or ⅛ allen wrench is needed to assemble or disassemble the locking mechanism  50  for easy cleaning. The components of the invention are configured in a simplified manner such that the diver may easily service the invention with limited mechanical abilities, along with rebuilding the invention with spare parts which may be re-ordered from the manufacturer. The same bracket may also be utilized for mounting other accessories (e.g., battery packs, lights, canisters, etc.). 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]     A more complete understanding of the present invention may be derived by referring to the detailed description and claims when considered in connection with the Figures. In the Figures, like numerals refer to similar elements, throughout.  
         [0010]      FIG. 1  shows an exemplary main tank and pony tank positioned for being combined in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;  
         [0011]      FIG. 2  shows an exemplary main tank and pony tank in a combined positioned in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;  
         [0012]      FIG. 3A  shows a front view of an exemplary main tank base unit bracket  10  in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;  
         [0013]      FIG. 3B  shows a side view of an exemplary main tank base unit bracket  10  in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;  
         [0014]      FIG. 3C  shows a top side view of an exemplary main tank base unit bracket  10  in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;  
         [0015]      FIG. 4A  shows a front view of an exemplary pony tank top unit bracket  80  in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;  
         [0016]      FIG. 4B  shows a side view of an exemplary pony tank top unit bracket  80  in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;  
         [0017]      FIG. 4C  shows a top side view of an exemplary pony tank top unit bracket  80  in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;  
         [0018]      FIG. 5A  shows a top view of a main tank base unit bracket  10  push button in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;  
         [0019]      FIG. 5B  shows a side view of a main tank base unit bracket  10  push button in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;  
         [0020]      FIG. 6A  shows a front view of an exemplary main tank base unit sliding lock latch  60  in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;  
         [0021]      FIG. 6B  shows a side view of an exemplary main tank base unit sliding lock latch  60  in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; and,  
         [0022]      FIG. 6C  shows a top view of an exemplary main tank base unit sliding lock latch  60  in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0023]     The detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the invention herein makes reference to the accompanying drawings, which show the exemplary embodiment by way of illustration and its best mode. While these exemplary embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, it should be understood that other embodiments may be realized and that logical and mechanical changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the detailed description herein is presented for purposes of illustration only and not of limitation. Moreover, the invention contemplates that any of the components discussed herein in singular form may also include one or more of such components. Similarly, the invention contemplates that any components discussed herein in plural form may also include a single component.  
         [0024]     The invention includes any system or method for attaching, storing, mounting, securing and/or transporting items of similar or different sizes. The items may include, for example, canisters, cylinders, cylindrical objects, tubes, pipes, bars, rods, posts, bottles, and/or tanks. The tanks may include, for example, chemical tanks (e.g., fire extinguishers and related chemicals), gas tanks (e.g., Nitrogen, Helium, Nitrox, Argon, Inert And Oxygen). Such items are typically mounted, fastened, held, secured, safe-guarded, transported and/or located in a manner such that the items are easily accessible. The items may be permanently or removeably mounted by a bracket, wherein the bracket may be attached to any surface such as, for example, a flat surface, round surface, a curved surface, a wall, floor, ceiling, deck, room partition, round cylindrical object, tube, pipe, bar, rod, post, bottle, canister, tank and/or the like.  
         [0025]     The items may be used by, found in, or required by law to be in such places such as, for example, industrial facilities, manufacturing facilities, institutional, schools and office buildings, large and small businesses, emergency vehicles (e.g., police, fire, rescue, ambulance, auxiliary), transportation vehicles (e.g., airplanes, helicopters, boats, ships, trains, cars, trucks and buses), and non-motorized vehicles (e.g., carts, bicycles, hospital beds or wheelchairs). In one embodiment, the invention includes a base unit bracket  10  (or latch device) to mount, attach, store, transport and/or secure a spare tank (e.g., pony bottle tanks) to a main tank used in scuba diving (e.g., recreational or professional). The components of the invention are configured in a simplified manner such that the diver may easily service the invention with limited mechanical abilities, along with rebuilding the invention with spare parts which may be re-ordered from the manufacturer.  
         [0026]     The invention generally includes, in one embodiment, release brackets, clamps, and a locking mechanism  50 . The release brackets may include, for example, a base unit bracket  10  and a top unit bracket  80  which may be interlocked, joined, attached, secured, mounted, or assembled together. One or more release brackets may be mounted on either the main tank and/or pony tank. Each of these brackets are permanently or temporarily secured to an item, such as, for example, a pony bottle or main tank via any securing device comprised of any material such as, for example, a cam belt, cam bands, and/or stainless steel straps (e.g., hose clamps). In one embodiment, the surface mount on the base unit bracket  10  includes slots used for screws (or some other type of fastener) to mount the bracket to a surface. In an exemplary embodiment, the bracket includes six or eight slots  12  with three or four slots, respectively, on each side, wherein each slot is 7/32 or 0.225 inches wide. In another embodiment, the bracket may be about 6.0 or 11.75 inches in length and include no slots or any number of slots  12  in any configuration or location.  
         [0027]     The brackets or any other component discussed herein may be comprised of any suitable material or composite of materials such as, for example, aluminum, stainless steal or plastic materials. The aluminum materials may include, for example, 2024, series 6000 and 7000 in billet form, a casting aluminum material, a forged aluminum material.  
         [0028]     The brackets also eliminate or reduce the use of any items which may entangle the diver or entangle other objects in the diver&#39;s surroundings (e.g., no string, cord, chain or lanyards). In one embodiment, the release brackets are bidirectional (e.g., reversible) such that the top bracket mount may be rotated between about 0 and 180 degrees. With a proper tank setup, the bracket allows the tanks to be exchangeable or interchangeable from an empty tank to a fresh re-filled or new full tank. With a proper tank setup, the bracket also allows the tanks to be transferable from unit to unit or from person to person. The same bracket may also be utilized for mounting other accessories (e.g., battery packs, lights, canisters and the like).  
         [0029]     With respect to  FIGS. 3A-3C , in an exemplary embodiment, base unit bracket  10  includes one or more mounting slots  12 , an upper interface hub  14 , a bottom interface hub  16 , pocket  18 . In an exemplary embodiment, base unit bracket  10  starts with material having dimensions of about 1.5×3×6.25 inches, then the finished size is about 1.10×3.0×6.0 inches. Mounting slots  12  are about 0.225 inches wide and 1.210 inches in length with a 0.1125 inside radial curve at the ends of the mounting slots  12 . The center mounting slots  12  are about 2.200 inches in length and may be spaced apart from the other mounting slots  12  by 0.480 inches. In one embodiment, six mounting slots  12  (three on each side) are located on the outer edges of base unit bracket  10 . Pocket  18  is configured to receive locking mechanism  50 , and particularly base unit sliding lock latch  60 . Pocket  18  is configured with dimensions of about 0.645 height×1.000 wide×0.650 Depth (in inches).  
         [0030]     The vertical axis of base unit bracket  10  includes two interfacing or interlocking hubs  14 ,  16  with dimensions of about 0.750×1.25×1.900 inches with a clearance gap  20  (or space) between the two hubs of about 2.2 inches. Hubs  14 ,  16  fit in between the mating part of the top unit bracket  80  (see  FIG. 4A ). Clearance gap  20  is configured to allow straps to wrap around to secure Main Tank and base unit bracket  10 .  
         [0031]     With respect to  FIG. 3B , slot  22  is near a first end and catch  24  is near a second end and are configured to accept either one of the two 3/16 dowel pins  82 ,  84  from top unit bracket  80  upon activation of push button. Catch  24  is about 0.218 inches wide with a chamfer on each side, wherein the chamfer is about 0.125×45 inches. Catch  24  terminates about 0.236 inches from the front face and is located about 0.875 inches from the second end. Slot  22 , in an exemplary embodiment, includes an about 45 degree slot that is about 0.218 wide, with one side of the slot starting about 0.125 inches above the other side of the slot. Slot  22  terminates about 0.236 inches from the front face and is located about 0.875 inches from the first end. Clearance gap  20  is also configured to receive top unit bracket  80 .  
         [0032]     With respect to  FIG. 3C , side flanges  26  are set on both sides of clearance gap  20  and are angled away from each other. Clearance gap  20  is about 1.00 inch wide. In an exemplary embodiment, side flanges  26  are angled away from clearance gap  20 , and in one embodiment, side flanges  26  include about 13 degree angle contours with a total of about 154 degree range of the contour such that side flanges  26  nest against a surface (e.g., of a Main Dive Tank with a standard 7-8 inch diameter). Holes  28  are configured to receive locking mechanism  50 . In one embodiment, holes  28  include two 0.250 inch diameter holes which are each configured to receive a bolt (e.g., stainless shoulder bolt  54 ). In another embodiment, side flanges  26  include one or more notches  30  (e.g., undercut) near long mounting slots  12  to enable strap  9  to be recessed against side flanges  26  such that base unit bracket  10  lays substantially flat against main tank.  
         [0033]     Top unit bracket  80 , with respect to  FIGS. 4A-4C , starts with material having dimensions of about 1.5×2.0×6.0 inches, then the finished size is about 1.017×1.750×6.0 inches. Top unit bracket  80  includes at least one dowel pin  88 ,  89  to engage slots  22 ,  24 , respectively, within base unit bracket  10 . In one embodiment, top unit bracket  80  includes two dowel pins  88 ,  89  and each dowel pin dimensions are about 3/16 inch×1.750 inches. As used herein, dowel pins  88 ,  89  may comprise any shape or material (e.g., hook, ball, peg, block, etc) suitably configured to engage at least one of lock latch  60 , slot  22  and catch  24 . Cross holes  82 ,  84  are configured to receive and hold dowel pins  88 ,  89 , respectively. In one embodiment, cross holes  82 ,  84  are located about 0.875 inches from each end of top unit bracket  80  and about 0.500 inches from the front of top unit bracket  80 . Cross holes  82 ,  84  have a diameter of about 0.187 inches and are separated about 4.250 inches apart from each other. Top unit bracket  80  includes at least one gap  90  which is about 2.200 inches in length with 0.125 inch internal radius corners. Gap  90  is configured to allow the cam band  9  to wrap around top unit bracket  80  to suitably secure the Pony Tank to the top unit bracket  80 . In one embodiment, the width of top unit bracket  80  is 1.750 inches, the height is about 1.017 inches, and the length is about 6.00 inches.  
         [0034]     With respect to  FIG. 4A , top unit bracket  80  includes two interfacing or interlocking slots  86  which are configured to mate with the interfacing or interlocking hubs  14 ,  16  of the base unit bracket  10  when joined. Slots  86  run along the length of top unit bracket  80  along about the vertical axis. Slots  86  are configured with a width of about 1.258 inches and 0.753 inch depth from the top edge. The wall thickness of about 0.246 is between slots  86  with overall outside dimension of about 1.750 inches. The symmetrical dimensions of about 0.875 inches from each end of top unit bracket  80  and the 0.500 inches from the top edge relate to the centerlines of the two cross holes  82 ,  84 , as best shown in  FIG. 4B . Two 0.1875 inch diameter dowel pins are pressed in and straddle across slots  82 ,  84  to form a catch device or a place for which base unit bracket  10 , locking mechanism  50  and base unit sliding lock latch  60  is captured or engaged around one of these two pins.  
         [0035]     With respect to  FIG. 4C , top unit bracket  80  includes two about 13 degree contours  92  (total degree range about 154 degrees) about 0.122 inches thick and configured to abut the outside diameter of an item such as, for example, a Pony Tank with a standard diameter from about 4-8 inches. The angled contours are opposite to each other and terminate at recess gap  86  which is about 0.300 inches in width and 0.75 inches thick. Gap  94  is about 1.258 inches in width and is configured to receive hubs  14 ,  16  when joined with base unit bracket  10 . Side walls  96  surround gap  94  with a 0.032 radial curve at the intersection of side wall  96  and the bottom of gap  94  and a 0.063 radial curve which forms the top of side wall  96 .  
         [0036]     Locking mechanism  50  includes, with respect to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , a base unit sliding lock latch  60 , a push button  52 , shoulder bolts  54 , set screws, set screw holes, and compression springs. In an exemplary embodiment, locking mechanism  50  includes two 0.25 inch×1.5 inch shoulder bolts  54 , two compression springs 0.360 inch×0.5 inch with 0.035 inch diameter wire, and two 0.25-20×0.375 inch set screws. With respect to  FIG. 5 , push button  52  is about 2.000 inches in length, 0.900 inches wide and 0.625 inches in height, with 0.375 radial curves on the side walls. In another embodiment, push button  52  is formed in a bow-tie configuration such that push button  52  includes a larger surface area for easier activation.  
         [0037]     Shoulder bolt  54  is configured with about 0.250 diameter and 1.5 inch in length with a 10-24 thread at the bottom of the bolts. Two about 0.375 inch counter bores  53  are included for the head of the shoulder bolts  54 . The shoulder bolt holes are created using a ¼ drill 0.625 inches deep. The centers of shoulder bolts  54  are about 0.500 inches apart and terminate about 0.100 inches from the bottom of push button  52 . The two ¼-20 tap holes are about 0.200 inches deep and are configured to receive the two set screws that lock against the shoulder bolts  54  to prevent the shoulder bolts  54  from loosening. Counter bores  56  are configured to receive compression springs. With respect to  FIG. 6 , base unit sliding lock latch  60  is about 0.450 inches wide, includes about 0.125 inch radial curves on the outer edges, two 10-24 tap holes 65 spaced apart about 0.500 inches, and a 45 degree chamfer  64  above slot  62 . Slot  62  is about 0.192 inches and is configured such that one of the two 3/16 dowel pins  82 ,  84  from top unit bracket  80  is locked or latched against slot  62 .  
         [0038]     In an exemplary embodiment, certain hardware components (e.g., shoulder bolts, compression springs, set screws and dowel pins) may comprise stainless steel type 18-8, 302, 304 and 316 grade. The locking mechanism  50 , in one embodiment, is self-contained, thereby eliminating or minimizing the use of separate components (e.g., no clevis, hitch, cotter or quick release pins) which may be lost. In an exemplary embodiment, only one ⅛ allen key or ⅛ allen wrench is needed to assemble or disassemble the locking mechanism  50  for easy cleaning.  
         [0039]     To construct push button  52 , one of the two shoulder bolts  54  is placed through one of holes and seated against the counter bores  53 . A set screw is screwed into each hole, but the set screw is not yet tightened against the shoulder bolt  54 . The compression spring is then slid over each bolt (near  56 ) up to the bottom or seat of counter bore of push button  52 . Sliding lock latch  60  is placed into the pocket  1   8  of base unit bracket  10  with threaded holes facing downward and parallel to holes  28 , and with the groove  62  facing upwards to holes  28 . The partially assembled locking mechanism  50  is placed through holes  28 . Shoulder bolts  54  are then screwed (or threaded) and tightened into sliding lock latch  60  until it is fully seated. Set screws are then tightened against shoulder bolts  54 . Upon pushing push button  52 , locking mechanism  50  moves sliding lock latch  60  such that sliding lock latch  60  retracts with minimal or no binding.  
         [0040]     To interlock the brackets, main tank is 90 degrees (or standing straight up) and pony tank is rotated, tilted, or set to about a 5 degree angle. The bottom dowel pin on top unit bracket is inserted into the 45 degree angled slot of the base unit bracket  10 . The base unit bracket  10  Push Button is then pushed to engage the upper dowel pin into the catch of the base unit bracket  10  to form an interlocked unit or system.  
         [0041]     Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described herein with regard to specific embodiments. However, the benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all the claims or the invention. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, indicating exemplary embodiments of the invention, are given for purposes of illustration only and not as limitations. Many changes and modifications within the scope of the invention may be made without departing from the spirit thereof, and the invention includes all such modifications. Corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or acts for performing the functions in combination with other claim elements as specifically claimed. The scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given above.