Scuba diving trim and position control device and method of use

Abstract

A trim and position control device and method comprising a generally ring-shaped, continuous and unbroken weight formed with a central elongated opening therethrough. The opening is preferably shaped like an elliptical diamond and enables placement of the weight over a pillar valve and pillar valve rotatable pressure control handle onto the top surface of a diving tank. The bottom surface of the weight is preferably concave to promote proper nesting upon the top surface of the diving tank. The weight is secured in place by the connection of a primary stage regulator to the pillar valve of the diving tank, wherein the primary stage regulator is connected to a buoyancy compensator device and second stage regulator. This prevents the weight from being inadvertently detached. The weight enables a diver to maintain desired trim and position in conjunction with the inflation of the buoyancy compensator device.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 251,986 filed Oct. 15, 2009, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to SCUBA diving gear, and more particularly, to a device and method for promoting proper trim and position during a dive while underwater and upon surfacing through the use of a specially formed weight installed on the top of a diving tank.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]It is well known in SCUBA diving that a diver must compensate for the natural buoyancy of the diver and the buoyancy of the wet suit typically worn by the diver. This is primarily done with weights. Additionally, when SCUBA diving, a diver should be taught that as soon as he reaches a desired depth, he must add a small amount of air into his buoyancy compensator device (“BC” or “BCD”), such as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,662,433 to Seligman, incorporate...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008]The current invention is an improvement over prior art weighting systems in that it cannot be accidentally detached, it does not require any adjusting during the dive, and it promotes both the proper horizontal trim and position needed at depth and the proper vertical trim and position needed upon surfacing. More particularly, the current invention is a SCUBA diving trim and position control device and method comprising a generally ring-shaped, continuous, unbroken weight formed with a central elongated opening. The opening is preferably shaped like an elliptical diamond with a long axis and a short axis. The weight preferably has a bottom concave surface and a flat top surface.

[0009]Due to the design of the opening of the weight, in a preferred embodiment the weight should normally only be able to be placed over a pillar valve and pillar valve rotatable pressure control handle with the long axis of the opening of the weight in a parallel plane with the pillar valve and rotatable control handle of the tank. However, for example, an alternate design of a weight with an opening in the shape of a circle would function, but it would have several drawbacks including less stability of the weight on the tank.

[0010]In use, the weight is placed over the pillar valve of a diving tank and onto the top surface of the diving tank. It can then be rotated 90 degrees to take advantage of the short axis of the weight opening for purposes of securing the weight underneath the pillar valve rotatable pressure control handle. A primary stage regulator is then attached to the pillar valve, wherein the primary stage regulator is connected to the BCD via a first hose and to a breathing regulator via a second hose. The primary stage regulator can also be attached to other devices, such as a pressure gauge and back-up breathing regulator via additional hoses. Thus, the weight is secured in place, thereby enabling a diver to maintain proper trim in conjunction with inflation of the BCD while avoiding inadvertent detachment of the weight.

[0011]The method and device of the present invention may be achieved at low cost especially due to the invention using inherent properties and qualities already present on a diving tank and a primary stage regulator, thereby eliminating the use of an additional fastening system for the weight.

Problems solved by technology

However, for example, an alternate design of a weight with an opening in the shape of a circle would function, but it would have several drawbacks including less stability of the weight on the tank.

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