Underwater breathing apparatus

Abstract

A breathing apparatus for providing pressurized air to a swimmer. The breathing apparatus is based on a geometrically shaped structure that provides superior floatation characteristics in all sea conditions. The breathing apparatus includes a spherical shaped buoyant housing that is mounted above a half spherical shaped submersible housing. The buoyant housing provides a reservoir for pressurized air that is delivered to one or more swimmers by use of flexible air hoses. A battery powered air compressor and motor to produce the pressurized air is positioned within the submersible housing. An air intake for the air compressor receives air by a snorkel, the snorkel stores in a second position suitable for use as a handle while towing the apparatus on wheels. A rechargeable battery is positioned within the submersible housing to power the air compressor with cycling provided by use of a pressure switch. The rechargeable battery and air compressor operate as ballast within the submersible housing. The housings include bracket assemblies to provide handholds above and below the surface of the water.

1 . A vertically stacked breathing apparatus for providing pressurized air underwater comprising:
 at least one air tank forming a buoyant housing;   at least one submersible housing coupled to said air tank, said submersible housing having a sealed chamber supporting a battery powered motorized air compressor producing pressurized air for storage within said air tank, said air tank and said submersible housing forming a vertically stacked structure;   a snorkel tube fluidly coupled to said sealed chamber and extending above said air tank;   at least one air hose having a proximal end coupled to said air tank and a distal end coupled to a diving regulator; and   a control means electrically coupled to said air compressor, said control means including a pressure regulator to cause operation of said air compressor between predetermined air pressures;   wherein said air tank forms a buoyant housing for maintaining said vertically stacked breathing apparatus in a vertical plane thereby preventing capsizing and permit self-righting while said apparatus is floating on a body of water, said breathing apparatus drawing air through said snorkel and compressing said air to provide a continuous flow of pressurized air through said air tank and to said diving regulator thereby permitting an extended submergence of a swimmer that employs the diving regulator for breathing.   
   
   
       2 . The vertically stacked breathing apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said air tank is spherical shaped having an internal volume sufficient to provide a peak air requirement for at least one swimmer. 
   
   
       3 . The vertically stacked breathing apparatus according to  claim 2  wherein said air tank volume is between 10 and 50 liters. 
   
   
       4 . The vertically stacked breathing apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said air tank may be pressurized to at about 2 atmospheres. 
   
   
       5 . The vertically stacked breathing apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said submersible housing includes at least one wheel allowing transport of said apparatus over a hard surface. 
   
   
       6 . The vertically stacked breathing apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said sealed chamber includes a water separator operatively associated with said snorkel. 
   
   
       7 . The vertically stacked breathing apparatus according to  claim 5  wherein said snorkel tube is configured to facilitate movement of the apparatus in combination with said wheels, said snorkel tube providing a leverage handle to permit tilting of said apparatus and movement over the surface of the ground in a suit-case style arrangement. 
   
   
       8 . The vertically stacked breathing apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said controller includes a pressure switch, said pressure switch electrically coupling said battery to said motorized air compressor when the air pressure within said air tank falls below a predetermined lower level and uncoupling said battery from said motorized air compressor when the air pressure within said air tank reaches a predetermined upper level. 
   
   
       9 . The vertically stacked breathing apparatus according to  claim 1  including a submerged sounding device for alerting a swimmer. 
   
   
       10 . The vertically stacked breathing apparatus according to  claim 9  wherein said sounding device is an electrically actuated solenoid located along a length of said air line. 
   
   
       11 . The vertically stacked breathing apparatus according to  claim 1  including at least two lower handholds extending outwardly from said submersible chamber, said lower handholds providing a handhold for a submerged swimmer. 
   
   
       12 . The vertically stacked breathing apparatus according to  claim 1  including at least two upper handholds extending outwardly from said air tank, said upper handholds providing a handhold for a surfaced swimmer. 
   
   
       13 . The vertically stacked breathing apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said air tank and said submersible housing is constructed from injection molded plastic. 
   
   
       14 . The vertically stacked breathing apparatus according to  claim 1  including a means for evacuation of water from said sealed chamber. 
   
   
       15 . The vertically stacked breathing apparatus according to  claim 14  wherein said means for evacuation is further defined as a crankshaft driven water pump coupled to the air compressor crankshaft wherein operation of the air compressor allows for evacuation of water from said sealed chamber. 
   
   
       16 . The vertically stacked breathing apparatus according to  claim 1  including a heat sink mounted to the electric motor of said air compressor, said heat sink juxtapositioned with an outer water of said sealed chamber for use in dispersing heat. 
   
   
       17 . The vertically stacked breathing apparatus according to  claim 1  including a speed reduction between the motor and the compressor between the range of 1.5:1 to 5:1. 
   
   
       18 . The vertically stacked breathing apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said battery is lithium ion and rated at about a nominal 3.7 volts per cell. 
   
   
       19 . The vertically stacked breathing apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein at least a portion of said air compressor extends through said sealed chamber whereby said air compressor is cooled through direct contact with water. 
   
   
       20 . The vertically stacked breathing apparatus according to  claim 1  said submersible housing coupled has an unsealed chamber allowing water ingress and a sealed chamber supporting said battery powered motorized air compressor. 
   
   
       21 . A vertically stacked breathing apparatus for providing pressurized air underwater comprising:
 at least one plastic air tank having a volume between 10 and 50 liters forming a buoyant housing;   at least one plastic submersible housing coupled to said air tank, said submersible housing having an unsealed chamber allowing water ingress and a sealed chamber supporting a battery powered motorized air compressor producing pressurized air for storage within said air tank, said air tank and said submersible housing forming a vertically stacked structure;   at least one wheel coupled to said submersible housing allowing ease of transport of said apparatus over hard surface;   a snorkel tube fluidly coupled to said sealed chamber and extending above said air tank;   at least one air hose having a proximal end coupled to said air tank and a distal end coupled to a diving regulator; and   a control means electrically coupled to said air compressor, said control means including a pressure regulator to cause operation of said air compressor between predetermined air pressures;   wherein said air tank forms a buoyant housing for maintaining said vertically stacked breathing apparatus in a vertical plane thereby preventing capsizing and permit self-righting while said apparatus is floating on a body of water, said breathing apparatus drawing air through said snorkel and compressing said air to provide a continuous flow of pressurized air through said air tank and to said diving regulator thereby permitting an extended submergence of a swimmer that employs the diving regulator for breathing.   
   
   
       22 . The vertically stacked breathing apparatus according to  claim 21  wherein said air tank may be pressurized to at about 2 atmospheres. 
   
   
       23 . The vertically stacked breathing apparatus according to  claim 21  wherein said sealed chamber includes a water separator operatively associated with said snorkel. 
   
   
       24 . The vertically stacked breathing apparatus according to  claim 23  wherein said snorkel tube is configured to facilitate movement of the apparatus in combination with said wheels, said snorkel tube providing a leverage handle to permit tilting of said apparatus and movement over the surface of the ground in a suit-case style arrangement. 
   
   
       25 . The vertically stacked breathing apparatus according to  claim 21  including at least two lower handholds extending outwardly from said submersible chamber, said lower handholds providing a handhold for a submerged swimmer. 
   
   
       26 . The vertically stacked breathing apparatus according to  claim 21  including at least two upper handholds extending outwardly from said air tank, said upper handholds providing a handhold for a surfaced swimmer. 
   
   
       27 . The vertically stacked breathing apparatus according to  claim 21  including a pump for evacuation of water from said sealed chamber. 
   
   
       28 . The vertically stacked breathing apparatus according to  claim 27  wherein said pump is crankshaft driven wherein operation of the air compressor allows for evacuation of water from said sealed chamber. 
   
   
       29 . The vertically stacked breathing apparatus according to  claim 21  including a heat sink mounted to the electric motor of said air compressor, said heat sink juxtapositioned with an outer water of said sealed chamber for use in dispersing heat. 
   
   
       30 . The vertically stacked breathing apparatus according to  claim 21  including a speed reduction between the motor and the compressor between the range of 1.5:1 to 5:1. 
   
   
       31 . The vertically stacked breathing apparatus according to  claim 21  wherein said battery is lithium ion and rated at about a nominal 3.7 volts per cell. 
   
   
       32 . The vertically stacked breathing apparatus according to  claim 21  wherein at least a portion of said air compressor extends through said sealed chamber whereby said air compressor is cooled through direct contact with water.