Surface support station

Abstract

An all purpose surface support station for use in dive applications having an inflatable bladder for floating the station, a screw-in type anchor for docking the station, removable pockets for storing dive equipment, and a cover that can store dive equipment, protect the bladder and, upon deflation of the bladder, is also used as a device for transporting dive equipment to and from the dive site.

1 . A surface support station comprising:
 a cover having a plurality of handles and at least one clipping point;   a bladder having an inflation valve and a quick deflation valve; and   at least one pocket in communication with said cover for storing dive equipment.   
   
   
       2 . The surface support station of  claim 1  her comprising an anchor in communication with said clipping point, said anchor comprising:
 a center shaft;   an anchor clipping point at one end of the center shaft for attaching a line from the clipping point to said anchor clipping point;   at least one helical auger extending outward from the center shaft.   
   
   
       3 . The surface support station of  claim 2  wherein the helical auger completes at least two full rotations around the center shaft. 
   
   
       4 . The surface support station of  claim 2  wherein at least one helical auger is two helical augers separated lengthwise on the center shaft by at least 2 inches. 
   
   
       5 . The surface support station of  claim 2  wherein said anchor further comprises a sharpened end at the end of the center shaft opposite the anchor clipping point. 
   
   
       6 . The surface support station of  claim 1  wherein said cover is colored to resemble a dive flag. 
   
   
       7 . The surface support station of  claim 1  wherein said cover, upon deflation of the bladder, can be folded and transported by a single user by grasping the plurality of handles. 
   
   
       8 . The surface support station of  claim 1  wherein said cover further comprises at least one grommet. 
   
   
       9 . The surface support station of  claim 1  wherein at least one pocket is a waterproof pocket. 
   
   
       10 . The surface support station of  claim 1  wherein at least one pocket further comprises a grommet. 
   
   
       11 . The surface support station of  claim 1  wherein at least one pocket is affixed to said cover. 
   
   
       12 . The surface support station of  claim 1  further comprising a retention strap affixed to said cover, wherein at least one pocket is removably attached to the retention strap. 
   
   
       13 . The surface support station of  claim 1  wherein at least one pocket is capable of being attached to a standard dive suit. 
   
   
       14 . A diver awareness station comprising:
 a cover comprising;
 a plurality of handles; 
 a retention strap; 
 at least one station clipping point; 
 at least one grommet; and 
 a sealable bladder opening; 
   at least one removable pocket affixed to the retention strap capable of storing dive equipment;   an inflatable bladder positioned within said cover that is removable through the sealable bladder opening, wherein the inflatable bladder has an inflation valve and a quick deflation valve;   
   
   
       15 . The diver awareness station of  claim 14  wherein at least one removable pocket is affixed the retention strap by looping hook and loop fasteners on the removable pocket around the retention strap and contacting the hook and loop fasteners. 
   
   
       16 . The diver awareness station of  claim 14  further comprising an anchor in communication with said clipping point, said anchor comprising:
 a center shaft;   an anchor clipping point at one end of the center shaft for attaching a line from the station clipping point to the anchor clipping point;   at least one helical auger extending outward from the center shaft.   
   
   
       17 . The diver awareness station of  claim 14  further comprising a dive flag attachment point. 
   
   
       18 . The diver awareness station of  claim 14  wherein said inflatable bladder is an inner tube. 
   
   
       19 . The diver awareness station of  claim 14  wherein the sealable bladder opening further comprises a zipper. 
   
   
       20 . The diver awareness station of  claim 16  wherein, upon deflating the inflatable bladder and folding the cover, said anchor is stored on the cover such that a single diver is capable of transporting the cover, inflatable bladder, and anchor by grasping the plurality of handles.