System for housing an audio system in an aquatic environment

• US 6,614,722 B2
• Filed: 08/14/2001
• Issued: 09/02/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/04/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Vinci Brands LLC
• Original Assignee: Diver Entertainment Systems Incorporated
• Inventors: Polany, Rany, Rauhala, Kari Kristian, Pettersen, Carl Wilhelm, Perry, Ryan Austin
• Primary Examiner(s): Pihulic, Daniel T.
• Application Number:
  US09/930,037
• Publication Number:
  US 20020122353A1
• Time in Patent Office: 749 Days
• Field of Search: 367/131, 367/132, 367/141, 367/165, 367/173, 367/188, 381/379, 381/189
• US Class Current: 367/131
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/44 Special adaptations for subaqueous use, e.g. for hydrophone

Abstract

A submersible, hydrostatic pressure tolerant enclosure for a portable audio device is disclosed. Also disclosed is a removable lid allowing for the inserting and removing of the device from the enclosure. The disclosure further provides a connector system and an audio communication link connecting the housing to a device capable of generating sound, and to a device capable of producing sound while being submerged in an aquatic environment. Also disclosed are headsets containing at least one speaker within a waterproof enclosure. The speakers may be positioned in or near the ear canal, and attached to the ear or to the user'"'"'s equipment. The headsets may further comprise devices for controlling power and fidelity. The disclosed invention provides an affordable, easy to use and flexible appliance for utilizing an audio device while being submerged into an aquatic environment.

Claims

1. A housing for receiving an audio device for use by a SCUBA diver, the housing comprising:

a rigid container and a rigid lid adapted to fit the container, wherein the container is adapted to receive the audio device, and wherein a seal between the container and the lid is configured to be waterproof in a SCUBA environment, and wherein the container comprises a lighting device for making the audio device visible;

components which secure the lid to the container; and

components which externally control the device.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said lid has a first level designed to sit on the outer perimeter of the opening of the container, and wherein said lid has a second level designed to sit within a step in the container.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said seal is capable of withstanding underwater pressures encountered by a SCUBA diver.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

components which connect the device to an audio jack, wherein the audio jack is attached to the housing; and

components which connect an audio communication link to the audio jack.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the components which connect an audio communication link to the audio jack comprise:

a male hydraulic nipple;

a female hydraulic coupling; and

a locking bearing mechanism to establish a hydrostatic audio connection between the male hydraulic nipple and the female hydraulic coupler.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein said audio communication link is capable of transmitting an analog signal.

7. The system of claim 4, wherein said audio communication link is capable of transmitting a digital signal.

8. The system of claim 4, wherein said audio communication link is wireless.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein said audio device is selected from the group consisting of:

audio player, MP3 player, CD player, cassette player, DVD player, communication device, telephone, cellular telephone, radio receiver, radio transmitter, computer, laptop computer, palm pilot, personal digital assistant, pager, measuring device, geiger counter, sonar, pH meter, thermometer, luminometer, and magnetometer.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein said audio device recites recorded information on locations and objects encountered during underwater activity in a specific location.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein said container comprises a moisture sensor.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein said lighting device is internal to the housing.

13. The system of claim 1, further comprising components for monitoring the operation of the audio device.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the lighting device comprises an electrical source of light.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the lighting device comprises a chemical source of light.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein the lighting device comprises a biological source of light.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein the components which externally control the device comprise a manual control mechanism capable of horizontal and vertical movement and an internal device capable of horizontal and vertical movement.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein the components which connect an audio communication link to the audio jack are internally sealed.

19. The system of claim 1, wherein the outside of said container is adapted to facilitate attachment to the user.

20. The system of claim 1, wherein the components which secure the lid to the container operate so as to lock the lid to the container.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein said locking components comprise safety features preventing accidental opening.

22. The system of claim 1, further comprising an external volume control.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein said external volume control comprises an amplifier.

24. The system of claim 5, further comprising a device generating audible sound connected to the communication link.

25. The system of claim 24, wherein said sound-generating device comprises earphones, and wherein the operative components of the earphone are contained within a sealed enclosure.

26. An underwater audio headset comprising:

at least two speakers within a waterproof enclosure, said waterproof enclosure mounted on a frame that is adapted for vertical and horizontal positioning;

wherein at least one of the two speakers is configured to compensate for a dampening of sound frequencies underwater.

27. The headset of claim 26, wherein said enclosure comprises an audio-permeable and water-resistant membrane.

28. The headset of claim 26, further comprising an on/off switch.

29. The headset of claim 26, further comprising a volume control.

47. The headset of claim 26, further comprising a third speaker, wherein a first speaker is a low range speaker, a second speaker is a mid-range speaker, and a third speaker is a high range speaker.

48. The headset of claim 26, wherein at least one speaker is configured to compensate for the dampening of sound frequencies underwater by overamplification of its output sound frequencies.

30. An underwater audio headset comprising:

at least one speaker within a waterproof enclosure;

a mask clip configured for removable attachment to the waterproof enclosure, and wherein the mask clip is further configured for removable attachment to a face mask of a SCUBA diver; and

wherein the mask clip comprises at least one arm that removably attaches to the face mask.

31. The headset of claim 30 wherein the at least one speaker is configured to compensate for a dampening of sound frequencies underwater.

32. The headset of claim 30, further comprising an on/off switch.

33. The headset of claim 30, further comprising a volume control.

49. The headset of claim 30, wherein the mask clip comprises at least two distinct arms that removably attach to the face mask.

50. The headset of claim 30, wherein the mask clip comprises at least two distinct arms, and wherein at least one of the two arms is substantially u-shaped.

34. A housing for receiving an audio device for use by SCUBA divers, the housing comprising:

a rigid container adapted to receive the audio device;

a rigid lid adapted to fit the container;

a seal between the container and the lid that is configured to be waterproof in a SCUBA environment;

a valve attached to the housing; and

components which externally control the device.

35. The system of claim 34, wherein the valve comprises a pressure release valve.

36. The system of claim 34, wherein the valve comprises a vacuum release valve.

37. The system of claim 34, wherein the valve comprises a one-way valve configured to allow water to exit a chamber of the housing.

38. The system of claim 34, further comprising:

components which connect the device to an audio jack, wherein the audio jack is attached to the housing; and

components which connect an audio communication link to the audio jack.

39. The system of claim 38, wherein the components which connect the audio communication link to the audio jack comprise:

a male hydraulic nipple;

a female hydraulic coupling; and

a locking bearing mechanism to establish a hydrostatic audio connection between the male hydraulic nipple and the female hydraulic coupler.

40. The system of claim 38, wherein said audio communication link is capable of transmitting an analog signal.

41. The system of claim 38, wherein said audio communication link is capable of transmitting a digital signal.

42. The system of claim 38, wherein said audio communication link is wireless.

43. The system of claim 34, wherein said audio device is selected from the group consisting of:

audio player, MP3 player, CD player, cassette player, DVD player, telephone, cellular telephone, radio receiver, radio transmitter, computer, laptop computer, palm pilot, personal digital assistant, pager, geiger counter.

44. A housing for receiving an audio system for use by SCUBA divers, the housing comprising:

a rigid container adapted to receive the audio device;

a rigid lid adapted to fit the container;

a seal between the container and the lid configured to be waterproof in a SCUBA environment;

at least one component within the housing which substantially prevents water from reaching the audio device; and

at least one component which externally controls the device.

45. The system of claim 44, wherein said at least one component which substantially prevents water from reaching the audio device comprises a water-absorbing material.

46. The system of claim 44, wherein said at least one component which substantially prevents water from reaching the audio device comprises at least one chamber in the housing for receiving water from the container, wherein the chamber and the container are in fluid communication via a one-way valve.