Spring-Loaded Jaw Weight Release for Buoyancy Compensator

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing scuba diving weight systems face issues with quick and reliable release during emergencies, as they often require two hands and can be prone to malfunction due to wear and tear, especially with Velcro flaps losing grip underwater, and buckles being difficult to operate in the swimming position.

Innovation Solution

A weight system with spring-controlled quick-release jaw members attached to a post within the buoyancy compensator's weight pocket, allowing for precise control and easy release of the weight pouch by pulling a handle, ensuring reliable operation and safety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If Velcro flaps are used to secure the weight pouch, then the weight pouch can be readily unhooked and released, but the Velcro tends to lose its holding grip underwater and wears out over time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of releaseVSAvoidholding grip

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the Velcro mechanical fastening system with a spring-loaded jaw member system that uses elastic deformation and mechanical engagement. The jaw members are biased by a spring to maintain constant contact with the weight pouch, providing reliable holding grip underwater while still allowing easy release through a simple pulling motion on the release handle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If a buckle is used to attach the weight pouch, then the weight pouch can be secured, but the user must use two hands to unhook the buckle and the buckle positions in front of the weight pouch causing it to fold over and bunch up

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesecuringVSAvoidease of release

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of having the weight pouch fold over the buckle as in conventional designs, the patent inverts the arrangement by positioning the jaw members at the rear end of the weight pocket and having the weight pouch insert from the front. This inversion prevents the pouch from folding over the attachment mechanism, eliminating the bunching problem while maintaining secure attachment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the two-handed buckle operation with a single-handed release mechanism. The spring-loaded jaw members are designed to be released by a simple pulling motion on a release handle, which actuates the spring to open the jaw members and release the weight pouch, eliminating the need for two-handed operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of manufacture

If the buckle is positioned in front of the weight pouch, then the weight pouch can be attached, but gravity causes the free end of the weight pouch to drop past the securing buckle in the swimming position

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment positioningVSAvoidposition stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional arrangement by positioning the jaw members at the rear end of the weight pocket rather than in front. This inversion ensures that the weight pouch is secured at its rear end, preventing gravity from causing the free end to drop past the attachment mechanism when the diver is in the swimming position.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

4Adaptability or versatility

If diving weights are small shot-filled bags that change shape to conform to the BC's weight pocket, then they can be contained, but this makes the weight pouch susceptible to working its way out of the BC's weight pocket

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconformity to pocketVSAvoidretention

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces passive retention methods with an active mechanical retention system. The spring-loaded jaw members continuously apply clamping force to the weight pouch, preventing it from working its way out of the weight pocket. This active retention mechanism compensates for the pouch's tendency to conform to the pocket shape.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The system enables quick and reliable release of weights during emergencies, with precise control over the release force and guided insertion/extraction, enhancing safety and ease of use both on land and underwater.

Implementation Method 1

The release force necessary to open the jaw members is more precisely controlled with a coil spring

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Data Source

PatentUS9296451B2Weight system for a buoyancy compensator

Publication Date: 2016.03.29 HUISH OUTDOORS LLC

AI summary

A weight system for divers employs both an interior and an exterior weight pocket. The interior weight pocket is secured at the interior distal end of the exterior weight pocket. The attachment point is a post at the interior end of the weight pocket. The weight pouch hangs from this post and is secured in the exterior weight pocket. The release force is more precisely controlled with a coil spring. More control of the opening force translates to reliability of operation and safety of the weight releasing mechanism. The weight pouch is also more precisely guided into and out of the exterior weight pocket and the lock mechanism is self-centering, allowing easy assembly or disassembly of the weight pouch into and out of the exterior weight pocket.