Abstract:
Described is an underwater oxygen bar. The underwater oxygen bar provides a new recreational experience that unites the unique aquatic experience of being in an underwater environment with the benefits and appeal of an oxygen bar. More specifically, an underwater oxygen bar is provided in which patrons may descend into a water tank wearing a breathing apparatus. Once submerged, the patrons can move about the water tank and interact with an underwater appliance that provides a coupling to a source of an oxygen concentration. Customers can enhance their oxygen experience by using various flavored scents (including, for example, aromatherapy scents) to be added to the oxygen, such as lavender or mint.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to the field of recreational services, and more specifically to the field of aquatic recreational services. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION WITH BACKGROUND INFORMATION 
       [0002]    Oxygen bars are a growing novelty in many areas of the world. An oxygen bar is, typically, a conventional public meeting place at which the proprietors offer their patrons oxygen to breath. 
         [0003]    Oxygen bar guests typically pay a nominal fee to inhale an increased percentage of oxygen compared to the normal atmospheric content of roughly 21% oxygen. This oxygen concentration may be produced from the ambient air using most any acceptable mechanism, such as industrial (non-medical) oxygen concentrators. The oxygen concentration in conventional oxygen bars is typically inhaled through a nasal cannula from a few minutes to about 20 minutes. 
         [0004]    Consuming a concentration of oxygen is considered by some to have several health benefits, such as strengthening the immune system, enhancing concentration, reducing stress, increasing energy and alertness, lessening the effects of hangovers, headaches, and sinus problems, and generally relaxing the body. It has also been alleged to help with altitude sickness. Although these claims may not have been substantiated through medical testing, inhaling an oxygen concentration has become popular. 
         [0005]    Embodiments of the invention provide users a new recreational experience that also incorporates the benefits and appeal of an oxygen bar. More specifically, an underwater oxygen bar assembly is provided in which patrons may descend into a water tank, pool, aquarium, or other aquatic environment wearing a breathing apparatus. Within the submerged environment, patrons can move about the underwater environment and interact with an appliance that provides a coupling to a source of a concentrated supply of oxygen. Customers can enhance their oxygen experience by using scents to be added to the oxygen, such as lavender or mint. Many different implementations of various embodiments are envisioned. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    Embodiments of the invention will be described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, briefly described here: 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of an underwater oxygen bar assembly in accordance with the teachings of the invention. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is another perspective view of an underwater oxygen bar assembly in accordance with the teachings of the invention. 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a rear view of one particular embodiment of an underwater oxygen bar assembly in accordance with the teachings of the invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is another perspective view of one embodiment of the underwater oxygen bar assembly in accordance with the teachings of the invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is yet another perspective view of one embodiment of the underwater oxygen bar assembly in accordance with the teachings of the invention. 
           [0012]      FIGS. 6-8  are illustrations of a preferred breathing apparatus that may be used in various implementations of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0013]    Embodiments of the present invention provide an underwater oxygen bar assembly. Briefly stated, the underwater oxygen bar assembly is designed to operate in an aquarium-like structure sufficiently large to safely accommodate a number of people. The underwater oxygen bar assembly includes an appliance at which a plurality of sources of an oxygen concentration are made available. Each oxygen source is attachable to a breathing apparatus. The breathing apparatus is worn by patrons of the oxygen bar. In practice, patrons may don the breathing apparatus upon entering the underwater oxygen bar assembly. Any patron may wander about the oxygen bar freely, and when desired, may attach an oxygen source to that patron&#39;s breathing apparatus to enjoy the benefits and novelty of the oxygen concentration. 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of an underwater oxygen bar assembly in accordance with the teachings of the invention.  FIG. 1  provides a general overview of one way in which the underwater oxygen bar assembly  100  may preferably be implemented. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the underwater oxygen bar assembly includes a water tank or aquarium environment substantially filled with water (either salt or fresh). Within the tank are several patrons who are enjoying the underwater oxygen bar experience within an underwater oxygen bar  102  of the underwater oxygen bar assembly  100 . 
         [0015]      FIG. 2  is another perspective view of an underwater oxygen bar assembly  200  in accordance with the teachings of the invention. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the underwater oxygen bar assembly  200  includes a water tank  201  that is sufficiently sized to accommodate a number of people. In one particular implementation, the water tank  201  is less than 10,000 gallons and is closed on all sides (e.g., sides  210 ,  212 ,  214 , and  216 ) except the top, which is open. The depth of the water tank is sufficient to accommodate patrons who are standing with sufficient water overhead to provide the aquatic experience, yet not so deep that the quantity of water nor is the experience of sufficient duration to suggest or require a special gas or gas mixture. In one preferred embodiment, the water tank  201  is no greater than one atmosphere deep (roughly 33 feet). At the top of the water tank  201  extending from one side (e.g., side  210 ) is a platform  203  with a ladder  205  that extends downward into the water tank  201 . At one end of the platform  203  is a stairway  207  leading from the lower portion of the underwater oxygen bar assembly  200  up to the platform  203 . 
         [0016]    In this particular implementation, the water tank  201  has sides (e.g., sides  212 ,  214 , and  216 ) that are substantially transparent. In other implementations, fewer than all the sides may be substantially transparent, or one or more of the sides may be fully or partially opaque. The transparency characteristic promotes the recreational experience by enabling the patrons of the underwater oxygen bar to view their surroundings while being submerged. Viewers outside of the aquarium can also view the activity, and possibly be motivated to participate. Furthermore, the transparency characteristic provides a supplementary mechanism to monitor the safety of the patrons from outside the tank (in addition to the safety staff inside the tank with the guests). 
         [0017]    When in use, patrons of the underwater oxygen bar typically arrive to the platform  203  via the stairway  207 , at which point the patrons would don a breathing apparatus (shown in  FIGS. 6-8 ), perhaps while descending ladder  205 , to enable breathing underwater. One example of a preferred breathing apparatus is a diving helmet as shown in  FIGS. 6-8  and described below. Generally stated, the breathing apparatus may be any device or system that enables its wearer to receive and breathe compressed air underwater. At a minimum, the breathing apparatus provides a source of breathable air to its wearer. In addition, the breathing apparatus includes a mechanism for introducing a concentrated oxygen source, or that oxygen source may be delivered through the main air breathing source. Although the preferred embodiments of the invention employ a diving helmet, it should be understood that other breathing apparatuses may be used without deviating from the spirit and scope of the invention. 
         [0018]    Once outfitted with the breathing apparatus, the patron submerges into the water tank  201 . The patron may be outfitted with sufficient ballast to overcome the natural buoyancy of a person. In the preferred implementation, the breathing apparatus is a diving helmet which is of sufficient weight to provide adequate ballast for a typical person to descend to the bottom of the tank while remaining negatively buoyant. In this manner, the patron experiences a sensation similar to being in a conventional (non-underwater) bar at which the patrons walk freely about the establishment. 
         [0019]    The water tank  201  includes an underwater oxygen bar (see underwater oxygen bar  102  in  FIG. 1 ) at which is made available a number of oxygen sources. The oxygen sources provide a source of concentrated oxygen at some level greater than the ambient level. For example, the oxygen sources may provide air that includes oxygen in a concentration of roughly 25%, 30%, 45%, or more (up to 95%). Although less preferred, even substantially pure oxygen may be provided at each of the one or more oxygen sources. 
         [0020]    In this particular implementation, the oxygen sources take the form of a detachable hose coupled at one end to a common source of an oxygen concentration, such as provided from an oxygen concentrator. The other end of the oxygen source includes a detachable coupling that mates to a pig tail coupling on a breathing apparatus worn by a patron. The oxygen flows freely into the contained environment of the breathing apparatus worn by the patron, eliminating the need for mechanisms (used to direct the flow of oxygen) stuck into the noses or mouths of the guests. 
         [0021]    In another improvement, the oxygen sources may also provide an ability to introduce an aroma or fragrance into the oxygen source. For example, in one implementation, an aroma diffuser is used to inject a scent into the oxygen source for the purpose of aromatherapy or simply the pleasing experience of breathing scented air. Any type of aroma diffuser could be used, such as cold air diffusers, evaporative diffusers, ultrasonic diffusers, humidifiers, vaporizers, or even heated diffusers. These are but a few examples. 
         [0022]      FIG. 3  is a rear view of one particular embodiment of an underwater oxygen bar assembly  300  in accordance with the teachings of the invention. Visible in the rear view is a generally enclosed area behind the water tank in which are located a source mechanism for providing breathing air (the “breathing source”) and a source mechanism for providing an oxygen concentration (the “oxygen source”). In the preferred embodiment, breathing air is provided using a mechanical system for producing compressed air or a vessel containing a source of compressed air gas, and the oxygen concentration is provided using an oxygen generator or a vessel containing a source of compressed oxygen gas. However, it should be understood that in alternative embodiments, the oxygen concentration and the breathing air could be combined into a single source, although it is generally disfavored to provide a controlled oxygen concentration to patrons within the same air breathing source for any extended length of time. 
         [0023]    Also visible in the rear view is a storage area  330  in which may be stowed various components of the underwater oxygen bar assembly  300  when not in use, such as during transit. For instance, the stairway  315 , the ladder  205  (shown in  FIG. 2 ), and the platform handrails  317  may be detached from the underwater oxygen bar assembly  300  when it is not being used for patrons. Those components may then be stowed away within the storage area  330  for safe keeping. When deployed and the underwater oxygen bar is in its working configuration, the storage area  330  can be used as a work area or break area for people. Although the inside of the storage area  330  of the underwater oxygen bar assembly  300  is visible in the rear view of  FIG. 3 , it should be appreciated that  FIG. 3  presents a cutaway view of the rear of the underwater oxygen bar assembly  300 , and in practice the rear would likely, but not necessarily, be enclosed. 
         [0024]    In the preferred embodiment, the underwater oxygen bar assembly and its various components are designed and sized such that when in its stowed configuration, the outside dimensions of the resultant stowed configuration approximate the size of a typical shipping container. In this way, the underwater oxygen bar assembly can be disassembled into its stowed configuration and relatively easily shipped to distant destinations using standard shipping protocols. In other alternatives, the ability to transport the structure is less desirable or not necessary (such as fixed-location implementations), so the size of the structure would not be based on the size of a typical shipping container. 
         [0025]      FIG. 4  is another perspective view of one embodiment of the underwater oxygen bar assembly in accordance with the teachings of the invention.  FIG. 4  shows in greater detail the stairway  415  that leads from generally the ground up to the platform. In use, patrons who desire to experience the underwater oxygen bar mount the stairway to the platform, where they would enter the water tank from above the water tank using the ladder. In other implementations, the water tank could be an in-ground facility or perhaps an aquarium, in which case the stairway could be unnecessary. 
         [0026]      FIG. 5  is yet another perspective view of one embodiment of the underwater oxygen bar assembly in accordance with the teachings of the invention. Shown in  FIG. 5  is a view of the underwater oxygen bar assembly as may be viewed from so-called street level or as passers-by may encounter the facility. As shown in  FIG. 5 , a person walking by the facility has a view into the water tank  503  through the transparent walls. In that way, the underwater oxygen bar assembly provides substantial promotional benefits and curb appeal in areas having a nautical or aquatic theme, such as a beach area, boardwalk, water park, aquarium, or resort destination. 
         [0027]      FIGS. 6-8  are illustrations of a preferred breathing apparatus that may be used in various implementations of the invention. As shown in  FIG. 6 , the preferred breathing apparatus is a diving helmet  600  having one or two couplings for air and an oxygen concentration. In the preferred implementation, a first connector  601  provides ordinary breathable air such as may be provided with a typical underwater breathing apparatus that uses a remote compressed air source. Alternatively, the first connector  601  could be an attachment for coupling to a compressed air canister or diving cylinder as may be used with scuba equipment. 
         [0028]    The second connector  603  may be a pigtail connector to which may be mated an oxygen source that provides an oxygen concentration. In this implementation, the diving helmet  600  introduces both the air from the first connector  601  and the oxygen concentration from the second connector  603  into the breathing space  605  within the diving helmet  600 . In addition, any scent or other additive may be introduced with the oxygen concentration through the second connector  603  and/or may be introduced through the first connector. 
         [0029]    The diving helmet  600  is worn over the head, resting on the shoulders of the patron so as to provide a breathing environment. Through the first and second connectors, a mixture of air, an oxygen concentration, and (optionally) scents may be introduced into the breathing environment. Although other breathing apparatuses may be used, the diving helmet is preferred because it simplifies the underwater oxygen bar experience. For instance, a diving helmet is simpler and easier to place over one&#39;s head (resting on the shoulders), and reduces the anxiety that frequently occurs when people who are unfamiliar with scuba diving are first introduced to breathing underwater. 
         [0030]    Still further, the diving helmet  600  does not obstruct the face of the wearer, which enables even more opportunities. For example, in addition to (or as a possible alternative to) a breathable oxygen concentration introduced through the second connector, the wearer could perhaps be provided with a drinking tube that extends from a sealed beverage. In this way, the underwater oxygen bar could even serve beverages in the nature of a typical bar or pub. In still another enhancement, the diving helmet could include a wireless short-range communication system that enables multiple patrons to speak to each other, thus further enhancing the enjoyment of the experience. 
         [0031]    Returning again to  FIG. 1 , the underwater oxygen bar experience is generally described as providing a new aquatic recreational experience. Patrons of the underwater oxygen bar would mount the stairway (if the water tank is above ground) to the platform where they would don a breathing apparatus, such as the preferred diving helmet. The patron would descend into the water tank using the ladder, if necessary. In the preferred implementation, the breathing apparatus would be lowered onto the shoulders of the patron as he or she entered the water because of the weight of the diving helmet, which provides the ballast to enable the patron to descend to the bottom of the water tank or aquarium structure. In alternative embodiments, the patrons could wear scuba gear, which would eliminate any need for the ladder. 
         [0032]    Once fully submerged, the patron descends to the bottom of the water tank and can move about the bottom. Of course, the patrons&#39; movement through the water density is not identical to movement on dry land, which is the purpose of the experience. When desired, the patron can move to a location proximate to the underwater oxygen bar at the bottom of the water tank or aquarium environment. Perhaps with the assistance of a “bartender,” the patron connects the breathing apparatus to an oxygen source exposed at the underwater oxygen bar. In this way, the patrons can each enjoy their concentrated oxygen experience while submerged. And if the breathing apparatus is outfitted with a wireless intercom system, they can communicate with each other. 
         [0033]    It is envisioned that the proprietor of the underwater oxygen bar will make use of safety divers within the water tank while any patrons are submerged. Those safety divers could also serve additional, ancillary roles as a bartender (as discussed above) and even, perhaps, a photographer to capture pictures of the patrons during their experience. Many different alternatives are possible. 
         [0034]    Although the invention has been described in the context of certain preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand that these embodiments are merely illustrative and that many alternative embodiments are taught and suggested by this disclosure. Accordingly, the invention is not limited to these specific preferred embodiments, and rather, the invention is limited only by the following claims, which alone define the full scope of the invention.