Patent GB-795477-A (GB)
Title: Streamlined diving suits
IPC: B63C11/02
Filed: 1955-07-20
Abstract: 795,477. Diving suits. NEUMARK. O. W. July 20, 1956 [July 20, 1955], No. 20972/55. Class 68(2) A diving suit for substantially enclosing a diver equipped with self-contained breathing apparatus, or Schnorkel breathing tubes, comprises an envelope 10 having a dome part 11 with an opening to receive a wearer's mask 12 and which is removably secured to a body part provided, at the end opposite the dome 11, with a whale-like fluke 13 which extends into the envelope 10 and has foot-engaging straps, not shown, the back of the envelope 'being provided with a fin 14 which resembles the dorsal fin of a porpoise. The dome 11 fits, in watertight fashion, over a stiffened rim 15 which, for purpose of entry into the suit, is discontinuous above a slit in the front of the envelope, the slit, backed by a gusset 18, having hook and eye connectors 19, and the split rim 15 being provided with a pair of pegs 16 at one end which engage in corresponding sockets 17 at the opposite end. A rubber clip, not shown, may be used to urge the stiffened rim 15 together. The end of the fin 14 is provided with an opening to receive the end of an exhaust tube fitted to the mask 12. To maintain the envelope in the desired streamlined shape, the whole of the space between the diver and the envelope is filled with water introduced e.g. through the opening in the fin 14, before the exhaust tube has been located therein. In a modification an inner watertight suit might be secured, in spaced relation to the envelope 10, the space between the two skins being filled with water when the suit is in use. In an arrangement in which separate legs are provided in the envelope, Fig. 2, arm outlet sleeves 20 can be pushed out from inside the suit through slits 20a closable by sliding fasteners, each sleeve having at its end a rubber seal 21 for fitting tightly around the wrist, or in the case of a shorter sleeve, around the elbow of an arm of the diver. The inner end of each sleeve is enlarged and is secured at 22 to the inside of the envelope. Means may be provided for venting gas from the breathing apparatus into the interior of the suit to counterbalance the hydrostatic pressure in order to avoid pressure of the suit upon the diver's skin occurring at considerable depth. In a further modification the suit may be constructed in one piece having a longitudinal slit therein which is closable by a sliding fastener. Sliding fasteners may also be incorporated in the legs to facilitate launching and beaching. The dome 11, Fig. 1, may be formed of flexible, or rigid, plastic which may be filled with water, or air. In the latter case, the dome is isolated by a rubber neck seal, and is provided with appropriate ballast, no separate goggles, or diving mask, however, need be used. A suit according to Fig. 2 may have flaps on the legs so arranged to overlap on each side of the suit. In yet a further modification the suit could terminate at the wearer's neck, a suitable seal being provided at the neck. Water in any of the suits described may be replaced by air, during an emergency, in order to give good flotation on the surface.