Patent Publication Number: US-2023150628-A1

Title: Buoyancy control device for scuba diving

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims benefit of priority to Italian Patent Application No. 102021000028802, filed Nov. 12, 2021, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a buoyancy control device for scuba diving. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Buoyancy control devices (BCD) have been known and present on the market for some time as individual accessories for scuba diving used to increase the diver’s ability to control the level of depth to be maintained or varied during a dive. 
     A BCD comprises an air bladder, a harness and a backrest which enables the assembly between the cylinder(s), the harness and the air bladder. 
     The expandable air bladder, generally made of synthetic materials, is inflated with air coming from the cylinder(s), and the volume thereof is regulated by inflation and deflation valves directly controlled by the diver: the increase or decrease in volume has a direct effect on hydrostatic thrust and therefore helps the diver to maintain or reach the hydrostatic balance required and desired at the various diving depths. 
     The harness normally comprises two adjustable shoulder straps, an adjustable abdominal strap enabling the device to be secured in the belly area, and an adjustable chest strap enabling a distribution of weight from the shoulders to the chest area. 
     The backrest, generally rigid, has an internal plate provided with various slots for adjusting the harness and a shaped area for lumbar support, and an external plate provided with a shaped area for supporting and constraining the cylinder(s). 
     The rigid backrest is fixed directly to the air bladder in various ways, normally by means of bolts which join the internal plate to the external plate by passing through holes in the air bladder. 
     One of the problems that may be found in the known backrest fixing systems consists in the fact that it transfers the weight of the cylinder(s) to the air bladder, thus generating intense mechanical stresses on the air bladder which may compromise the structural integrity thereof over time. 
     Another problem tied to a traditional backrest is related to its excessive weight and bulk, which may penalise the wearing comfort of the BCD for the diver and complicate packing of the BCD in backpacks or suitcases for transport. 
     SUMMARY 
     The technical task of the present invention is thus to provide a buoyancy control device for scuba diving which enables the aforesaid technical drawbacks of the prior art to be eliminated. 
     Within the scope of this technical task, one object of the invention is to provide a buoyancy control device for scuba diving that is robust and resistant, lightweight, comfortable to wear and practical to pack. 
     The technical task, as well as these and other objects, are achieved according to the present invention by providing a buoyancy control device for scuba diving comprising an air bladder, a harness comprising at least two shoulder straps and an abdominal strap made up of two abdominal half-straps, a backrest provided with first slots engaged by said abdominal half-straps, second slots engaged by at least one retaining strap for retaining at least one air cylinder, and one or more third slots engaged by said two shoulder straps, characterised in that said backrest comprises one or more fourth slots engaged by corresponding straps for connecting said backrest to said air bladder. 
     In one embodiment of the invention, said connecting straps support said backrest floatingly with respect to said air bladder. 
     In one embodiment of the invention, said connecting straps are fastened by stitches to said air bladder. 
     In one embodiment of the invention, said connecting straps are flexible. 
     In one embodiment of the invention, each connecting strap is removably engaged in a fourth corresponding slot. 
     In one embodiment of the invention, at least one connecting strap has an end with a double lip engaged in a fourth corresponding slot. 
     In one embodiment of the invention, said backrest is positioned through a through opening of said air bladder. 
     In one embodiment of the invention, one or more connecting straps are fixed along the perimeter of said through opening. 
     In one embodiment of the invention, said backrest has a fifth slot engaged by a crotch strap. 
     Advantageously, the backrest, not being rigidly connected to the air bladder, is able to transfer the mechanical stresses due to the weight of the cylinder(s) directly to the shoulder straps and abdominal strap, thereby relieving the strain on the air bladder, which can thus maintain its structural integrity for a long time. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Additional features and advantages of the invention will be more apparent from the description of a preferred, but not exclusive embodiment of a buoyancy control device for scuba diving according to the invention, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the appended drawings, in which: 
         FIG.  1    shows an overall internal view of the buoyancy control device; 
         FIG.  2    shows an overall external view, relative to the diver’s body, of the buoyancy control device; 
         FIG.  3    shows an internal view, relative to the diver’s body, of the backrest and the coupling thereof with the BCD; 
         FIG.  4    shows a front view of the backrest; 
         FIG.  4   b    shows a rear view of the backrest; 
         FIG.  5    shows the backrest during the step of fixing to the air bladder. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     With reference to the aforementioned figures, they show a buoyancy control device denoted in its entirety by the reference number  1 . 
     The buoyancy control device  1  substantially comprises a variable volume air chamber or air bladder  10 , a harness  20  enabling the BCD to be worn on the diver’s body, and a backrest  100  for fixing and supporting at least one air cylinder. 
     The harness  20  comprises at least two shoulder straps  21  and an abdominal strap made up of two abdominal half-straps  22 , as well as, optionally, a crotch strap  171 . 
     The backrest  100  is a mechanical component intended to support the cylinder, or also two cylinders, and secure them to the back of the diver’s body and it must thus be particularly robust and offer suitable mechanical characteristics and characteristics of comfort and constraint, consistent with the function to which it is dedicated; it is typically made with a rigid aluminium or technopolymer body. 
     The backrest  100  extends prevalently along a longitudinal axis L oriented in the direction of the diver’s spinal column when the device is worn. 
     The backrest  100  extends with an upper portion of narrower width and a lower portion with lateral wings. 
     The backrest  100  is provided with first slots  110  engaged by the abdominal half-straps  22 , second slots  120  engaged by at least one retaining strap  121  for retaining at least one air cylinder and one or more third slots  130   engaged by the two shoulder straps  21 . 
     Advantageously, according to the present invention, the backrest  100  comprises one or more fourth slots  140 ,  141 ,  142  engaged by corresponding straps  150 ,  151 ,  152  for connecting the backrest  100  to the air bladder  10 . 
     Advantageously the connecting straps  150 ,  151 ,  152  support the backrest  100  floatingly with respect to the air bladder  10 . 
     The connecting straps  150 ,  151 ,  152  are fastened by stitches to the air bladder  10 . 
     The connecting straps  150 ,  151 ,  152  are advantageously flexible. 
     Each connecting strap  150 ,  151 ,  152  advantageously removably engages in a fourth corresponding slot  140 ,  141 ,  142 . 
     At least one connecting strap  150 ,  151  has an end with a double lip engaged in a fourth corresponding slot  140 ,  141 . 
     In particular, the connecting straps  150 ,  151  have an end with a double lip engaged in the fourth corresponding slot  140 ,  141  whilst each connecting strap  152  has a hook-and-loop fastening system for connecting to the corresponding fourth slot  142 . 
     In order to connect each connecting strap  150 ,  151  to the corresponding fourth slot  140 ,  141 , one lip is folded back and in sequence the front lip and then the folded back one are introduced by pressing them through the slot. The advantage, as noted, is that the connection is not permanent, and the connecting strap can be disengaged from and reengaged to the slot when necessary. 
     The backrest  100  is positioned through a through opening  160  of the air bladder  10 . 
     One or more connecting straps  150 ,  151  are fixed along the perimeter of the through opening  160 . 
     In particular, the through opening  160  has a quadrangular shape with two connecting straps  151  positioned on two lateral perimeter sides of the through opening  160  and a connecting strap  150  positioned on an upper perimeter side of the through opening  160 . 
     The backrest  100  may also have a fifth slot  170  engaged by a crotch strap  171 . 
     In practical terms, with reference to the longitudinal axis L of the backrest  100 , the first slots  110  extend at least prevalently in the direction of the axis L along the lower lateral wings of the backrest  100 , the third slot  130  extends transversely to the axis L adjacent to an upper perimeter side of the backrest  100 , the fifth slot  170  extends transversely to the axis L adjacent to a lower perimeter side of the backrest  100 , the second slots  120  extend at least prevalently in the direction of the axis L in an intermediate position between the third slot  130  and the fifth slot  170 , the fourth slot  140  extends transversely to the axis L in a position interposed between the second slots  120  and the third slot  130 , the fourth slots  141  extend at least prevalently in the direction of the axis L, in an internal position, each adjacent to a corresponding first slot  110 , and the fourth slots  142  extend at least prevalently in the direction of the axis L in a position interposed between the third slot  130  and the fourth slot  140 . 
     As mentioned, said backrest  100  is floating with respect to the air bladder  10 , being partially housed inside the through opening  160  on the back of the air bladder  10 , thus having a portion of the outer face directly on the outside of the device  1  for supporting and fixing at least one air cylinder. 
     The operation of the buoyancy control device  1  for scuba diving according to the invention appears clear from what is described and illustrated and, in particular, is substantially the following. 
     The user/diver positions the first cylinder against the outer portion of the backrest  100  configured to directly support the cylinder and secures it with the retaining strap  121 . 
     He or she proceeds in a similar manner in the event of positioning a second cylinder, independently supported and constrained in a position alongside and parallel to the first cylinder. 
     The user/diver dons the device  1 . 
     The weight of the cylinder, or cylinders, constrained as described above to the backrest  100  not rigidly connected to the air bladder  1 , but rather floatingly fixed by the connecting straps  150 ,  151 ,  152 , is directly transferred from the backrest  100  to the shoulder straps  21 . 
     The mechanical stresses due to the weight of the cylinder(s) are thus directly transferred to the shoulder straps  21 , completely relieving the strain on the air bladder  10 , which can thus maintain its structural integrity for a long time. 
     The user/diver completes the donning of the device  1  with the reciprocal engagement and closure of the two abdominal half-straps  22 , and the engagement, adjustment and closure of all the known elements provided on the harness. 
     Advantageously, the reduced size of the backrest  100 , the only rigid element of the entire device  1 , which is made with substantially flexible materials, facilitates the folding and packing of the entire device, thus facilitating the transport thereof in situations of travel of the user/diver and/or shipment. 
     In order to improve the convenience of using the buoyancy control device  1 , the backrest can have, on the front and back sides thereof, protuberances  200  made of non-slip material, for example obtained from a rubber material co-moulded with the backrest or applied on the backrest, which on the one hand help to keep the cylinder in position against the backrest, and on the other hand help to maintain the backrest comfortably in position against the diver’s back. 
     It has been ascertained in practice that a buoyancy control device  1  according to the invention is particularly advantageous, since it is robust and resistant, long-lasting, lightweight, comfortable to wear and practical to pack. 
     A buoyancy control device thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variants, all falling within the scope of the inventive concept as defined in the claims; furthermore, all of the details are replaceable by technically equivalent elements. 
     The materials used, as well as the dimensions, may in practice be any whatsoever, according to needs and the state of the art.