Closure device of a second-stage regulator for scuba divers

• US 7,617,825 B2
• Filed: 07/26/2004
• Issued: 11/17/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/25/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Cressi-Sub S.P.A.
• Original Assignee: Cressi-Sub S.P.A.
• Inventors: Pedemonte, Stefano
• Primary Examiner(s): Bianco; Patricia
• Assistant Examiner(s): PATEL, NIHIR B
• Application Number:
  US10/899,204
• Publication Number:
  US 20050016539A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,940 Days
• Field of Search: 128/201.11, 128/201.27, 128/201.28, 128/201.29, 128/204.22, 128/204.26, 128/204.27, 128/204.29, 128/205.11, 128/205.24
• US Class Current: 128/204.26
• CPC Class Codes: B63C 11/2227 Second-stage regulators B63C11/2245 takes precedence

Abstract

A closure device of a second-stage regulator for scuba divers, the regulator comprising a regulator body with an inlet conduit for connection to a first-stage regulator which supplies a breathable gaseous mixture at relatively constant pressure, an outlet conduit for connection to a mouthpiece of the users, and an opening closed by a deformable diaphragm. The device comprises a locking frame connected in an articulated manner or jointedly to the regulator body to lock the diaphragm in the opening, and a member for fastening the frame to the regulator body.

Claims

1. A closure device of a second-stage regulator for scuba diving, the regulator comprising a regulator body with an inlet conduit for connection to a first-stage regulator which supplies a breathable gaseous mixture at constant pressure, an outlet conduit for connection to a mouthpiece of a user, and an opening closed by a deformable diaphragm, the device comprising a locking frame connected in an articulated manner to the regulator body to lock the diaphragm in the opening, a member being provided for fastening the frame to the regulator body, wherein the frame is connected in an articulated manner to a bracket having a free end which can be snap-attached to the regulator body.

2. A closure device of a second-stage regulator for scuba diving, the regulator comprising a regulator body with an inlet conduit for connection to a first-stage regulator which supplies a breathable gaseous mixture at constant pressure, an outlet conduit for connection to a mouthpiece of a user, and an opening closed by a deformable diaphragm, the device comprising a locking frame connected jointedly to the regulator body to lock the diaphragm in the opening, a member being provided for fastening the frame to the regulator body, wherein the member for attaching the frame to the regulator body comprises a pin with an enlarged substantially T-shaped end, passing through the free end of the bracket for snap-engagement with a seat of the regulator body as a result of its rotation around its longitudinal axis, an elastic member being provided coaxially to the pin, for opposing disengagement of the enlarged end from the seat.

8. The device set forth in claim 2, wherein the pin has a head with prismatic seat for its operation.

3. A closure device of a second-stage regulator for scuba diving, the regulator comprising a regulator body with an inlet conduit for connection to a first-stage regulator which supplies a breathable gaseous mixture at constant pressure, an outlet conduit for connection to a mouthpiece of a user, and an opening closed by a deformable diaphragm, the device comprising a locking frame connected jointedly to the regulator body to lock the diaphragm in the opening, a member being provided for fastening the frame to the regulator body, wherein the member comprises a pin with an enlarged substantially T-shaped end, passing through the free end of the bracket for snap-engagement with a seat of the regulator body as a result of its rotation around its longitudinal axis, an elastic member being provided coaxially to the pin, for opposing disengagement of the enlarged end from the seat, and wherein the seat of the regulator body is formed between two symmetrical cam profiles acting as a guide for the enlarged end of the pin when, as a result of axial angular displacement of the latter, the enlarged end moves from a position of free axial sliding to a position of engagement within the seat.

4. The closure device set forth in claim 3, wherein the pin has a head with a generally prismatic seat for device operation.

5. A closure device of a second-stage regulator for scuba diving, the regulator comprising a regulator body with an inlet conduit for connection to a first-stage regulator which supplies a breathable gaseous mixture at constant pressure, an outlet conduit for connection to a mouthpiece of a user, and an opening closed by a deformable diaphragm, the closure device comprising a locking frame for locking the diaphragm in the opening, the locking frame being connected in an articulated manner to the regulator body, and a member for fastening the frame to the regulator body, the member comprising a bracket connected in an articulated manner to the frame and snap-attachable to the regulator body.

9. The device set forth in claim 5, wherein an elongated through hole is formed on the free end of the bracket for allowing the passage of the enlarged end therethrough when the enlarged end is axially aligned therewith.

6. A closure device of a second-stage regulator for scuba diving, the regulator comprising a regulator body with an inlet conduit for connection to a first-stage regulator which supplies a breathable gaseous mixture at constant pressure, an outlet conduit for connection to a mouthpiece of a user, and an opening closed by a deformable diaphragm, the device comprising a locking frame connected jointedly to the regulator body to lock the diaphragm in the opening, a member being provided for fastening the frame to the regulator body, wherein the member comprises a pin with an enlarged, substantially T-shaped end, the bracket having a free end with a through hole, through which the enlarged end passes, to snap-enagage in a seat of the regulator body as a result of rotation of a pin around its longitudinal axis, an elastic member being provided coaxially to the pin, for opposing disengagement of the enlarged end from the seat.

7. The device set forth in claim 6, wherein the regulator body is formed with a hole aligned with the through hole of the free end of the bracket when the bracket is snap-engaged with the regulator body, and wherein the seat is formed at one end of the regulator body between two symmetrical cam profiles acting as a guide for the enlarged end of the pin when, as a result of axial angular displacement of the latter, the enlarged end moves from a position of free axial sliding to a position of engagement with the seat.