Underwater navigation device

• US 5,187,871 A
• Filed: 01/27/1992
• Issued: 02/23/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 01/27/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Damien Mcdermott
• Original Assignee: Damien Mcdermott
• Inventors: McDermott, Damien
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuchlinski, Jr., William A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): FULTON, CHRISTOPHER W
• Application Number:
  US07/826,467
• Time in Patent Office: 393 Days
• Field of Search: 33/354, 33/319, 33/333, 33/347, 33/349, 33/351, 33/352, 33/355 R, 33/365, 33/370, 33/391, 2/2.1 R, 2/426-430
• US Class Current: 33/354
• CPC Class Codes: B63C 11/12 Diving masks
• CPC Class Codes: B63C 2011/121 comprising integrated optical signalling means or displays for data or images
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 17/08 by flotation
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 17/20 Observing the compass card or needle

Abstract

A navigation device for personal use includes a face mask with a transparent window for binocular vision when the device is worn by the user. The face mask has a directional indicator attachement with a multiplicity of symbols to identify the directional orientation of the mask. The directional indicator is attached at a stable location and distance for continuous availability of direct binocular viewing.

Claims

1. A navigational device for personal use, comprising:

a) a face mask with a transparent window for binocular vision when said device is worn by a user;

b) a directional indicator for attachment to said face mask;

c) a multiplicity of symbols displayed on said indicator to identify the directional orientation of said indicator and said mask; and

d) a means for attaching said directional indicator to said mask at a stable location and distance from said mask to permit a user to focus his eyes upon said directional indicator for continuous availability of direct binocular viewing of said directional symbols.

2. A navigational device, as described in claim 1,.wherein said directional indicator comprises:

a) an electronic compass sensitive to the earth'"'"'s magnetic field, and

b) a digital display of directional headings, responsive to the physical orientation of said diver'"'"'s mask in said earth'"'"'s magnetic field.

3. A navigational device, as described in claim 1, wherein said directional indicator comprises:

a) a permanent magnet sensitive to the earth'"'"'s magnetic force field; and

b) a means for rotation of said magnet in horizontal and vertical planes relative to said mask.

4. A navigational device, as described in claim 3, wherein said indicator further comprises:

a) a holder for said magnet which has an outside configuration at least a portion of which approximates a sphere;

b) a sealed transparent container for said holder;

c) a transparent liquid within said sealed container, said liquid with physical characteristics that support said holder and permit rotation of said mask in roll, pitch, and yaw about said magnet, said magnet responsive to said earth'"'"'s magnetic force; and

d) a ballast for said holder for stabilizing said magnet in the local horizontal plane, said ballast responsive to the earth'"'"'s gravitational force.

5. A navigational device, as described in claim 4, which further comprises:

a) a multiplicity of display symbols on said holder which permit said user to gauge the angular orientation of said mask relative to said holder.

6. A navigational device, as described in claim 5, wherein said display symbols comprise:

a) ascent reference symbols.

7. A navigational device, as described in claim 5, wherein said display symbols further comprise:

a) visible light radiating inscriptions responsive to absorption of incident radiation from external sources.

8. A navigational device, as described in claim 5, wherein said sealed transparent container comprises:

a) a magnifying optical lens integrated in a sector of said transparent container for enhanced viewing of said directional symbols.

9. A navigational device, as described in claim 5, wherein said means for attaching said indicator to said mask comprises:

a) a bracket interposed between said mask and said indicator, adjustable by said user within a range of distances of said display symbols from said user'"'"'s eyes; and

b) means, operable by said user, for storage of said indicator in near proximity of said mask for protection of said indicator and for reduction of the volume of space

10. A navigational device, as described in claim 9, wherein said bracket comprises:

a) an elongated bar comprising;

means at a first end of said bar for attaching said directional indicator;

means near a second end of said bar for rotation of said bar about a pivot axle that is secured on said face mask; and

means near said second end of said bar for locking said adjustable bracket at multiple positions, selectable by said user.

11. A navigational device, as described in claim 9, further comprising:

a) a mounting block affixed to said face mask for assembling said bracket to said mask, said block comprising;

a threaded cavity for receiving a pivot axle that is engaged in said bracket;

a multiplicity of depressions in said block distributed at a uniform radius about said threaded cavity in said block; and

b) a spring loaded detent for engagement with said multiplicity of block depressions for securing said bracket at discrete positions selectable by said user.

12. A navigational device, as described in claim 9, wherein said bracket comprises:

a) at least one slot in said bracket for continuous forward and rearward adjustment of said directional indicator relative to the plane of the viewing window of said face mask.

13. A navigational device, as described in claim 9, wherein said bracket comprises:

a) a central segment for bridging said face mask comprising;

means for centrally attaching said directional indicator for said binocular viewing by said user;

b) a first side segment interposed between said bridging central segment and said face mask; and

c) a second side segment interposed between said bridging central segment and said face mask.

14. A navigational device, as described in claim 13, wherein said bracket further comprises:

a) a slot in said first side segment for adjustment of said directional indicator in a range of one to four inches forward of the viewing window of said face mask; and

b) a slot in said second side segment for coordinated adjustment of said directional indicator in said range of one to four inches forward of said mask viewing, window.

15. A navigational device, as described in claim 14, wherein said means for attaching said indicator to said mask further comprises:

a) a first screw for projection through said adjustment slot in said first side segment for attachment of said bracket to said mask;

b) a second screw for projection through said adjustment slot in said second side segment for attachment of said bracket to said mask;

c) a third screw for projection through said first side segment adjustment slot for stabilizing said bracket in an adjusted position selected by said user; and

d) a fourth screw for projection through said second side segment adjustment slot for stabilizing said bracket in said adjusted position selected by said user.

16. A device for underwater navigation of a diver, comprising:

a) a diver'"'"'s face mask;

b) a directional indicator responsive, when said device is worn by said user, to movements of said diver and said mask in roll, pitch, and yaw in reference to the geodetic coordinate system, said directional indicator comprising;

a compass sensitive to the earth'"'"'s magnetic forces;

a visible display of heading reference symbols relative to the earth'"'"'s north, south, east, and west coordinates; and

c) a means of adjustable attachment of said directional indicator to said diver'"'"'s face mask for forward and rearward movement of said directional indicator relative to the viewing window of said face mask and for locating said directional indicator display of heading reference symbols within the binocular field of view of said diver'"'"'s eyes.

17. A device for underwater navigation of a diver, as described in claim 16, further comprising:

a) an inclinometer sensitive to the earth'"'"'s gravitational forces; and

b) a visible display of diving and ascending reference symbols relative to the local horizontal plane at the location of said diver.

18. A device for underwater navigation of a diver, as described in claim 17, wherein said displays of heading, diving and ascending references, comprise:

a) visible light radiating symbols responsive to absorption of incident radiation from the diver'"'"'s lamp and from external sources for enhanced readability of said directional indicator in turbid waters and in nighttime diving.

19. A device for underwater navigation of a diver, as described in claim 16, further comprising:

a) a magnifying optical lens interposed in said field of view between said diver'"'"'s eyes and said heading reference symbols for enhanced acuity in the diver'"'"'s near field of vision.

20. A device for underwater navigation of a diver, as described in claim 16, wherein said means of attachment of said directional indicator to said face mask comprises:

a) a range of at least one inch in reciprocal adjustment of the separation distance between said directional indicator and the viewing window of said face mask.

21. A device for underwater navigation of a diver, as described in claim 20, wherein said means of attachment comprises:

a) an elongated bracket, responsive to said diver, for pivoting said directional indicator from a storage location at the side of said face mask to selectable positions within said diver'"'"'s field of vision.

22. A device, for underwater navigation of a diver, as described in claim 20, wherein said means of attachment comprises:

a) a bridging bracket in a U-configuration, responsive to said user, for advancing said directional indicator forward from a centered storage location into a continuum of positions within said diver'"'"'s field of vision.

23. A device for underwater navigation of a diver, comprising:

a) a diver'"'"'s face mask including a transparent viewing window said mask to be worn by said diver;

b) a directional indicator responsive to movements of said diver and said mask in roll, pitch, and yaw in reference to the geodetic coordinate system, said directional indicator comprising;

a compass sensitive to the earth'"'"'s magnetic forces;

a visible display of heading reference symbols relative to the earth'"'"'s north, south, east, and west coordinates, said display located within said diver'"'"'s field of view;

c) a means of attachment of said directional indicator to said diver'"'"'s face mask for locating said directional indicator display of heading constantly within the direct binocular field of view of said diver'"'"'s eyes for all motions and orientations of said diver'"'"'s head; and

d) a magnifying optical lens interposed in said field of view between said diver'"'"'s eye and said heading reference display for enhanced acuity in the diver'"'"'s near field of vision, said lens positioned to maintain a constant distance between said display and said lens regardless of the orientation of said diver.

24. A device for underwater navigation of a diver, as described in claim 23, further comprising:

a) an inclinometer sensitive to the earth'"'"'s gravitational forces; and

b) a visible display of diving and ascending reference symbols relative to the local horizontal plane at the location of said diver.

25. A device for underwater navigation of a diver, as described in claim 23, wherein said magnifying optical lens is directly attached to said compass.

26. A device for underwater navigation of a diver, as described in claim 23, wherein said displays of heading, diving and ascending references, comprise:

a) visible light radiating symbols responsive to absorption of incident radiation from the diver'"'"'s lamp and from external sources for enhanced readability of said directional indicator in turbid waters and in nighttime diving.