Regulating device for supplying breathable gas to a driver

Abstract

A regulating device for supplying breathable gas to a diver, comprising a housing ( 1 ) which incorporates a regulating valve mechanism ( 3 ) between an inlet port ( 21 ) for the supply gas and an outlet port ( 2 ) where the gas emerges to be breathed, the housing ( 1 ) additionally comprising an exhalation port provided with an exhalation valve ( 4 ) to allow the exhalation gases to be expelled to the outside, the device comprising a deflector ( 5 ) which guides the exhaled gas between a first end connected to the exhalation valve ( 4 ) and a second end ( 15 ) situated in a defined region outside the housing ( 1 ), the gas being conveyed to the inlet port ( 21 ) via a hose ( 6 ) which can be connected to a pressurized gas source, wherein the exhalation port provided with a valve ( 4 ) is situated substantially in the vicinity of a lower end of the housing ( 1 ), and wherein the deflector ( 5 ) has a generally tubular shape, the second end ( 15 ) of the deflector ( 5 ) being open and forming an outlet for the exhaled gas that is situated concentrically around part of the hose ( 6 ).

1 . A regulating device for supplying breathable gas to a diver, comprising housing ( 1 ) which incorporates a regulating valve mechanism ( 3 ) between an inlet port ( 21 ) for the supply gas and an outlet port ( 2 ) where the gas emerges to be breathed, the housing ( 1 ) additionally comprising an exhalation port provided with an exhalation valve ( 4 ) to allow the exhalation gases to be expelled to the outside, the device comprising a deflector ( 5 ) which guides the exhaled gas between a first end connected to the exhalation valve ( 4 ) and a second end ( 15 ) situated in a defined region outside the housing ( 1 ), the gas being conveyed to the inlet port ( 21 ) via a hose ( 6 ) which can be connected to a pressurized gas source, wherein the exhalation port provided with a valve ( 4 ) is situated substantially in the vicinity of a lower end of the housing ( 1 ), and wherein the deflector ( 5 ) has a generally tubular shape, the second end ( 15 ) of the deflector ( 5 ) being open and forming an outlet for the exhaled gas that is situated concentrically around part of the hose ( 6 ). 
     
     
         2 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the hose ( 6 ) is connected to the housing ( 1 ) at the inlet port ( 21 ) via connection means ( 7 ) made of heat-conducting, for example, metal, material, and wherein said connecting means ( 7 ) are situated inside that portion of the deflector concentric to the hose ( 6 ). 
     
     
         3 . The device as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the gas outlet port ( 2 ) is situated substantially in the vicinity of an upper end of the housing ( 1 ). 
     
     
         4 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the inlet port ( 21 ) is situated substantially at a first median lateral end of the housing ( 1 ). 
     
     
         5 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the housing ( 1 ) has a rear face directed toward the user in the use position and a front face arranged on the opposite side to the rear face, and wherein the second end of the deflector ( 5 ) is slightly bent upwardly and rearwardly. 
     
     
         6 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the device has at least one of the follow members: a member for controlling the flow of gas admitted to the outlet port, and a member for controlling the force required to open the regulating valve, and wherein at least one operating element ( 9 ) which can be actuated manually projects at a second lateral end of the housing ( 1 ), said operating element ( 9 ) being designed to operate one or both control members, and wherein the second end ( 15 ) of the deflector ( 5 ) projects from a first lateral end of the housing ( 1 ) situated in an opposite manner to the operating element ( 9 ). 
     
     
         7 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the second end ( 15 ) of the deflector  5  has a single opening situated along the longitudinal axis of the tubular deflector ( 5 ), the opening having a diameter which is substantially equal to the inside diameter of the tubular portion. 
     
     
         8 . The device as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the gas outlet port ( 2 ) is situated substantially in the vicinity of an upper end of the housing ( 1 ). 
     
     
         9 . The device as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the inlet port ( 21 ) is situated substantially at a first median lateral end of the housing ( 1 ). 
     
     
         10 . The device as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the housing ( 1 ) has a rear face directed toward the user in the use position and a front face arranged on the opposite side to the rear face, and wherein the second end of the deflector ( 5 ) is slightly bent upwardly and rearwardly. 
     
     
         11 . The device as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the device has at least one of the follow members: a member for controlling the flow of gas admitted to the outlet port, and a member for controlling the force required to open the regulating valve, and wherein at least one operating element ( 9 ) which can be actuated manually projects at a second lateral end of the housing ( 1 ), said operating element ( 9 ) being designed to operate one or both control members, and wherein the second end ( 15 ) of the deflector ( 5 ) projects from a first lateral end of the housing ( 1 ) situated in an opposite manner to the operating element ( 9 ). 
     
     
         12 . The device as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the second end ( 15 ) of the deflector  5  has a single opening situated along the longitudinal axis of the tubular deflector ( 5 ), the opening having a diameter which is substantially equal to the inside diameter of the tubular portion. 
     
     
         13 . The device as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the inlet port ( 21 ) is situated substantially at a first median lateral end of the housing ( 1 ). 
     
     
         14 . The device as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the housing ( 1 ) has a rear face directed toward the user in the use position and a front face arranged on the opposite side to the rear face, and wherein the second end of the deflector ( 5 ) is slightly bent upwardly and rearwardly. 
     
     
         15 . The device as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the device has at least one of the follow members: a member for controlling the flow of gas admitted to the outlet port, and a member for controlling the force required to open the regulating valve, and wherein at least one operating element ( 9 ) which can be actuated manually projects at a second lateral end of the housing ( 1 ), said operating element ( 9 ) being designed to operate one or both control members, and wherein the second end ( 15 ) of the deflector ( 5 ) projects from a first lateral end of the housing ( 1 ) situated in an opposite manner to the operating element ( 9 ). 
     
     
         16 . The device as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the second end ( 15 ) of the deflector  5  has a single opening situated along the longitudinal axis of the tubular deflector ( 5 ), the opening having a diameter which is substantially equal to the inside diameter of the tubular portion. 
     
     
         17 . The device as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the housing ( 1 ) has a rear face directed toward the user in the use position and a front face arranged on the opposite side to the rear face, and wherein the second end of the deflector ( 5 ) is slightly bent upwardly and rearwardly. 
     
     
         18 . The device as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the device has at least one of the follow members: a member for controlling the flow of gas admitted to the outlet port, and a member for controlling the force required to open the regulating valve, and wherein at least one operating element ( 9 ) which can be actuated manually projects at a second lateral end of the housing ( 1 ), said operating element ( 9 ) being designed to operate one or both control members, and wherein the second end ( 15 ) of the deflector ( 5 ) projects from a first lateral end of the housing ( 1 ) situated in an opposite manner to the operating element ( 9 ). 
     
     
         19 . The device as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the second end ( 15 ) of the deflector  5  has a single opening situated along the longitudinal axis of the tubular deflector ( 5 ), the opening having a diameter which is substantially equal to the inside diameter of the tubular portion. 
     
     
         20 . The device as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the device has at least one of the follow members: a member for controlling the flow of gas admitted to the outlet port, and a member for controlling the force required to open the regulating valve, and wherein at least one operating element ( 9 ) which can be actuated manually projects at a second lateral end of the housing ( 1 ), said operating element ( 9 ) being designed to operate one or both control members, and wherein the second end ( 15 ) of the deflector ( 5 ) projects from a first lateral end of the housing ( 1 ) situated in an opposite manner to the operating element ( 9 ).