U.S. patent application number 11/641640 was filed with the patent office on 2008-06-19 for identification device for scuba divers.
Invention is credited to Jeannette Morgan.
Application Number | 20080141436 11/641640 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39525388 |
Filed Date | 2008-06-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080141436 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Morgan; Jeannette |
June 19, 2008 |
Identification device for scuba divers
Abstract
An elastic band for identification of scuba divers comprising a
layer of neoprene, a layer of brightly colored material affixed to
one or both sides of the neoprene, a piece of elastic trim affixed
to the top and bottom of the material covered neoprene, the two
sides of the material coated neoprene affixed together to form the
elastic band.
Inventors: |
Morgan; Jeannette; (Burbank,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LEWIS, BRISBOIS, BISGAARD & SMITH LLP
221 NORTH FIGUEROA STREET, SUITE 1200
LOS ANGELES
CA
90012
US
|
Family ID: |
39525388 |
Appl. No.: |
11/641640 |
Filed: |
December 18, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/170 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D 13/012 20130101;
B63C 11/02 20130101; A41D 13/01 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/170 |
International
Class: |
A41D 13/01 20060101
A41D013/01 |
Claims
1. An elastic band for use by scuba divers comprising a layer of
neoprene, a layer: of brightly colored material affixed to one or
both surfaces of the neoprene, a piece of elastic trim affixed to
the top and bottom of the material covered neoprene, the two sides
of the material coated neoprene affixed together to form the
elastic band.
2. The elastic band of claim 1 in which the brightly colored
material is nylon, polyester or spandex.
3. The elastic band of claim 1 in which the color of the material
is fluorescent yellow, orange, green or pink.
4. The elastic band of claim 1 in which the color of the material
is non-flourescent, white, yellow or orange.
5. The elastic band of claim 1 in which the colored material is
affixed to the neoprene by an adhesive.
6. The elastic band of claim 1 in which the colored material is
affixed to both sides of the neoprene by an adhesive.
7. The elastic band of claim 6 in which the color of the material
is the same on both sides of the neoprene.
8. The elastic band of claim 6 in which the color of the material
is different on each side of the neoprene.
9. The elastic band of claim 6 in which the trim is attached to the
material covered neoprene by use of an adhesive.
10. The elastic band of claim 6 in which the trim is attached to
the material covered neoprene by use of an adhesive and also by
stitching.
11. A pair of elastic bands for use by a pair of scuba divers
comprising a layer of neoprene, a layer of brightly colored
material visible under water affixed to both sides of the neoprene,
a piece of elastic trim affixed to the top and bottom of the
material covered neoprene, the two sides of the material coated
neoprene affixed together to form the elastic band.
12. The elastic band of claim 11 in which the brightly colored
material is nylon, polyester or spandex.
13. The elastic band of claim 11 in which the color of the material
is fluorescent yellow, orange, green or pink.
14. The elastic band of claim 11 in which the color of the material
is non-flourescent, white, yellow or orange.
15. An elastic band for use by scuba divers comprising a layer of
brightly colored material, a piece of elastic trim affixed to the
top and bottom of the material, the two sides of the material
affixed together to form the elastic band.
16. The elastic band of claim 11 in which the brightly colored
material is nylon, polyester or spandex.
17. The elastic band of claim 11 in which the color of the material
is fluorescent yellow, orange, green or pink.
18. The elastic band of claim 11 in which the color of the material
is non-flourescent, white, yellow or orange.
19. The elastic band of claim 1 further comprising a strip of tape
of the same color or another color wrapped around the elastic band.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to scuba diving and comprises an
identification device for divers using a buddy system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] It is highly recommended by scuba diving experts that divers
use the buddy system and always be prepared to help their buddy,
and others if needed. However, most all wet suits used for diving
are black in color and, once under water, it is very difficult to
recognize your buddy from all of the other divers who are wearing
black and have masks and scuba gear which all look very much the
same.
[0003] It is easier to keep track of your buddy in controlled
conditions where visibility is good and if you stay in a limited
area. Maintaining contact in open water is much more difficult. The
scuba diving experience is not as much fun if you spend most of
your time looking for your buddy, but staying together is necessary
for safety reasons.
[0004] A major factor affecting all dives is underwater visibility,
which can range from near zero to over one hundred feet. Diving in
water which has restricted visibility can be hazardous. In these
conditions divers often hold hands or use a buddy line attached to
each diver. This, however, is restrictive and impractical in some
cases.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0005] This invention comprises wide elastic bands, which are
manufactured in bright colors, easily visible under water. The
bands may be worn over arms or legs and each pair of diving buddies
will wear the same color. The bands stretch so that they can be
slipped over a diver's wet suit but fit tightly enough that they do
not slip or move during the dive.
[0006] To manufacture the bands, a piece of nylon, polyester or
spandex is glued to one or both side of a piece of neoprene. The
nylon material is made in one of the bright colors easily visible
under water. The neoprene is black in color. The nylon may have a
different color on each side of the neoprene, the band being
reversible. The nylon layered neoprene is cut in a pattern which is
contoured to fit an arm or a leg.
[0007] A piece of trim is then attached to the top and the bottom
edge of the nylon layered neoprene. The trim is an elongated piece
of neoprene, having nylon on one side and rubber on the other. The
rubber side is coated with glue, and then the strip is folded in
half width-wise, leaving nylon on the outside. Then the strip is
cut down to about 1/2 inch wide, and cut to size lengthwise. The
piece of trim is cut 1 inch shorter than the length of the pattern,
then pulled to create elasticity. One piece of trim is glued to the
top and one piece to the bottom of the pattern described above.
Then the trim is also stitched, such as by zig-zag stitching, to
the pattern. The glue helps to provide a water-tight seal. Then,
the two sides of the pattern are abutted, end to end, glued
together and then sewn together, to create an anatomically
contoured elastic sleeve.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0008] It is an object of the invention to provide a method for
easily recognizing a diver under water during a scuba dive.
[0009] Another object of the invention is to provide an
identification device for pairs of divers to recognize each other
and distinguish each other from other divers in the same area.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a plan view of the components of the elastic band
of this invention, prior to assembly;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the completed elastic
band;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a scuba diver wearing the
elastic band; and,
[0013] FIG. 4 is a cross-section view taken on lines 4-4 of FIG.
2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0014] Referring now to FIGS. 1-4, there is shown an elastic band
10 made of an elastic, nylon material, commonly available. Other
elastic materials, such as, polyester, or spandex may be used
instead. FIG. 1 shows the body 12 of band 10 and trim 14 and 16,
prior to assembly. Trim 14 and 16 will be attached to body 12, as
explained below.
[0015] Elastic band 10, optionally and preferably, comprises a
layer of neoprene 18, whose surface has an attached outer layer 12
of nylon. The neoprene is about 2 mm thick, the nylon is thin, less
than about 1 mm. The nylon is glued to the neoprene by any
appropriate adhesive, such as neoprene cement, commonly available.
Alternatively, there may be a layer of neoprene sandwiched between
two layers of nylon, polyester, or spandex material. Both the
inside and outside layer are glued to the neoprene. The neoprene
may be any type of neoprene commonly available, such as regular
grade neoprene, super-stretch neoprene, skin neoprene or rubber
neoprene. Spandex is sold under various trademarks, such as
Lycra.RTM., Elaspon.RTM. and others.
[0016] Trim 14 and 16 has two layers, about one to two inches wide,
a layer of nylon 26 glued to a layer of rubber neoprene 28. The
rubber neoprene layer 28 is coated with glue and then is folded in
half, width-wise, leaving the nylon layer 26 outside. Then the
strip of trim is cut down to about one-half inch wide and cut
lengthwise, to the size needed for attachment to edges 22 and 24.
Trim 14 and 16 is cut about one inch short of the length needed and
stretched to size to create elasticity, which prevents slippage,
and then the trim is glued to edges 22 and 24 of body 12. After
gluing, the trim is stitched 30 and 32.
[0017] After the trim has been attached, side edges 34 and 36 of
body 12 are glued together and then stitched 38 to create an
anatomically contoured band or sleeve.
[0018] The band is worn on an arm or leg. The outer layers of
nylon, polyester, or spandex are made of a bright color, which is
visible under water. The color may be white or various fluorescent
colors including yellow, orange, green and pink. The inner layer of
material could have a universal fluorescent orange color. The bands
are reversible and can be worn showing the color that is on the
outer layer or a different color that is on the inner layer, which
may be universal orange, or any other color desired.
[0019] The Journal of the Optical Society of America in Volume 57,
Number 6, 1967, reported on a study of the "Visibility of Colors
Underwater". The article states that fourteen paints were tested
for underwater visibility in both fluorescent and nonfluorescent
varieties, plus white, gray and black. The colors of highest
visibility were the fluorescent oranges (yellow-orange, orange, and
red-orange). In the non-fluorescent colors, white was by far the
best, with yellow and orange next. These are the colors most
desirable for the elastic bands of this invention.
[0020] Optionally, an extra piece of narrow tape of the same color
or another color may be wrapped around the elastic band. The tape
is about two inches wide and would give additional differentiation
with other elastic bands.
[0021] As scuba divers pair up as buddies for safety's sake in a
dive, two buddy divers will wear bands of the same color, so that
they can recognize each other easily under water. Each buddy pair
will wear a color different from each other pair. The divers can
wear one or more bands, for instance, one on each arm and one on
each leg, if desired. They will then be able to easily keep in
visual contact with their buddy and avoid confusion in large dive
groups or classes.
[0022] The bands are about 4 to 7 inches long, normally shorter for
women and longer for men. They come in various sizes, such as small
to extra-large.
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