Patent ID: 8246189

Claim:
An apparatus for use underwater by a user and for use with an air conduit, an electrical cable, and a light source, the apparatus comprising: a housing defining a first port and a second port; and a mechanical seal, wherein the housing comprises a proximate housing portion and a distal housing portion, wherein the proximate and distal housing portions are configured to be removably secured to one another, and wherein at least a portion of the proximate housing portion is constructed of a material that is transparent, wherein the light source is disposed within the housing and configured so that light from the light source can travel through the transparent material, and wherein the housing is sized for manual carrying by the user, wherein the housing defines a housing interior that is configured for fluid communication with the air conduit to permit air to flow from the housing interior through the first port and through the air conduit, wherein the light source is configured to receive electrical power via the electrical cable so that the electrical power can flow through the second port when the housing is disposed underwater, and wherein at least a portion of the electrical cable is disposed external to the housing when the housing is disposed underwater, wherein the housing is configured to hold a vacuum within the housing interior when the housing is disposed underwater and when the light source receives the electrical power via the electrical cable, wherein the distal housing portion has an inner wall, an outer wall and a proximate wall connecting the inner and outer walls, wherein the proximate housing portion abuts the mechanical seal and the proximate wall of the distal housing portion when the proximate and distal housing portions are secured to one another, and wherein the mechanical seal is disposed between the proximate housing portion and the proximate wall of the distal housing portion when the proximate and distal housing portions are secured to one another.