Dive tank support device

Abstract

A dive tank support device for supporting a dive tank while a diver is attempting to attach the dive tank to the diver's body immediately before jumping from a vessel and beginning a dive. The dive tank support device may be formed from a body having a bottom support adapted to support a dive tank and at least one sidewall extending up from the bottom support and configured to limit tilting of the dive tank relative to the bottom support. The body supports the dive tank and the recess enables the dive tank to be easily pulled from the dive tank support device once a diver has attached the dive tank to himself.

1 . A dive tank support device, comprising: 
 a body having a bottom support adapted to support a dive tank and at least one sidewall extending up from the bottom support and configured to limit tilting of the dive tank relative to the bottom support;    wherein the body has at least one dive tank removal recess in the sidewall of body configured to enable the dive tank to be removed from the support device through the sidewall of the body.    
   
   
       2 . The dive tank support device of  claim 1 , further comprising a support system coupled to the body for supporting the body and a dive tank in the body on a vessel.  
   
   
       3 . The dive tank support device of  claim 2 , wherein the support system is coupled to the body for supporting the body and the dive tank in the body in close proximity to a covering board of a gunnel.  
   
   
       4 . The dive tank support device of  claim 3 , wherein the support system comprises at least one shaft extending from the body and configured to be received within a rod holder attached to a vessel.  
   
   
       5 . The dive tank support device of  claim 4 , wherein the support system further comprises an adjustment system enabling the body to be rotated relative to the support system.  
   
   
       6 . The dive tank support device of  claim 5 , wherein the adjustment system comprises at least one ball joint adapted to enable rotation of the body relative to the support system about two axes.  
   
   
       7 . The dive tank support device of  claim 6 , wherein the adjustment system further comprises at least one locking arm for securing the body in a position relative to the at least one shaft.  
   
   
       8 . The dive tank support device of  claim 4 , wherein the shaft is positioned at an angle of between about ten degrees and about thirty five degrees relative to a longitudinal axis of the body.  
   
   
       9 . The dive tank support device of  claim 8 , wherein the shaft is positioned at an angle of about fifteen degrees relative to the longitudinal axis of the body.  
   
   
       10 . The dive tank support device of  claim 8 , wherein the shaft is positioned at an angle of about thirty degrees relative to the longitudinal axis of the body.  
   
   
       11 . The dive tank support device of  claim 1 , wherein the body is generally cylindrical and has a width that is larger than a dive tank to be received within the body.  
   
   
       12 . The dive tank support device of  claim 1 , wherein the recess in the body extends from an upper edge of the body to a position in close proximity with the bottom support and has a width that is larger than a dive tank to be received within the body.  
   
   
       13 . A dive tank support device, comprising: 
 a body having a bottom support adapted to support a dive tank and at least one generally cylindrical sidewall extending up from the bottom support and configured to limit tilting of the dive tank relative to the bottom support;    wherein the body has at least one dive tank removal recess in the sidewall of body configured to enable the dive tank to be removed from the support device through the sidewall of the body; and    a support system coupled to the body for supporting the body and a dive tank in the body on a vessel.    
   
   
       14 . The dive tank support device of  claim 13 , wherein the support system is coupled to the body for supporting the body and the dive tank in the body in close proximity to a covering board of a gunnel.  
   
   
       15 . The dive tank support device of  claim 14 , wherein the support system comprises at least one shaft extending from the body and configured to be received within a rod holder attached to a vessel.  
   
   
       16 . The dive tank support device of  claim 15 , wherein the support system further comprises an adjustment system enabling the body to be rotated relative to the support system.  
   
   
       17 . The dive tank support device of  claim 16 , wherein the adjustment system comprises at least one ball joint adapted to enable rotation of the body relative to the support system about two axes.  
   
   
       18 . The dive tank support device of  claim 17 , wherein the adjustment system further comprises at least one locking arm for securing the body in a position relative to the at least one shaft.  
   
   
       19 . The dive tank support device of  claim 15 , wherein the shaft is positioned at an angle of between about ten degrees and about thirty five degrees relative to a longitudinal axis of the body.  
   
   
       20 . The dive tank support device of  claim 19 , wherein the shaft is positioned at an angle of about fifteen degrees relative to the longitudinal axis of the body.  
   
   
       21 . The dive tank support device of  claim 19 , wherein the shaft is positioned at an angle of about thirty degrees relative to the longitudinal axis of the body.  
   
   
       22 . The dive tank support device of  claim 13 , wherein the body is generally cylindrical with a diameter larger than a dive tank configured to be received within the body.  
   
   
       23 . The dive tank support device of  claim 13 , wherein the recess in the body extends from an upper edge of the body to a position in close proximity with the bottom support and includes a diameter larger than a dive tank configured to be received within the body.