AN INTERNAL PADDING ARRANGEMENT OF A DIVING HELMET, A DIVING HELMET AND A METHOD FOR REDUCING BUOYANCY OF THE DIVING HELMET

Abstract

Generally, the present invention relates to an internal padding arrangement (100) for a diving helmet for reducing buoyancy of the diving helmet. Buoyancy of a diving helmet is typically compensated with ballast weights, which makes the helmet heavy outside of the water. In the present invention, buoyancy of the helmet is reduced with the internal padding arrangement comprising compartments (104) in padding parts (102), which compartments are inflatable with fluid.

Claims

1-6. (canceled)

7. An internal padding arrangement of a diving helmet, comprising a padding part arranged inside of the diving helmet, and a number of compartments arranged in said padding part, wherein said compartments are arranged to be inflatable with fluid for reducing buoyancy of the diving helmet, and wherein said padding part is shaped like a hood.

8. An internal padding arrangement of a diving helmet, comprising a padding part arranged inside of the diving helmet, and a number of compartments arranged in said padding part, wherein said compartments are arranged to be inflatable with fluid for reducing buoyancy of the diving helmet, and wherein said padding part is a separate part from the diving helmet.

9. The internal padding arrangement according to claim 8, wherein said arrangement further comprises means for removably fastening said padding part to the diving helmet.

10-14. (canceled)

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED DRAWINGS

[0027] Next the invention is described in more detail with reference to the appended drawings in which

[0028] FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of an internal padding arrangement in accordance with the present invention,

[0029] FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of a helmet with internal padding arrangement in accordance with the present invention, and

[0030] FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of an embodiment of a method in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0031] FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of an internal padding arrangement in accordance with the present invention. An internal padding arrangement 100 of a diving helmet according to the present invention comprises a padding part 102 and a number of compartments 104 arranged in the padding part 102.

[0032] The padding part 102 can be made of any suitable material, such as fabrics, plasticized and/or wax coated fabrics and/or synthetic fabrics, such as polyester, acrylic and nylon, for example. Preferably, the padding part is malleable, so that it can adapt to the shape of the inner part of the helmet.

[0033] Preferably, the inner surface of the padding part, i.e. the surface against the diver's head, is chosen to be hygienic and comfortable for the skin and hair. Furthermore, the outer surface of the padding part, i.e. the surface against the helmet, is chosen in such a way that it contributes to the padding part staying in place inside the helmet.

[0034] In an embodiment, the padding part is shaped like a hood.

[0035] In an embodiment, the padding part is arranged as an integral part of the helmet.

[0036] In another embodiment, the padding part is a separate part from the diving helmet. Yet, in an embodiment, the internal padding arrangement further comprises means for removably fastening the padding part to the diving helmet. The means for fastening the padding part to the diving helmet can be carried out in several ways, such as such as snap button fasteners, buttons, hook-and-loop fasteners, or a zipper, for example.

[0037] The padding part 102 of the present invention comprises a number of compartments 104, which are arranged in the padding part. The compartments 104 are arranged to be inflatable with fluid for reducing buoyancy of the diving helmet. In an embodiment, the compartments are inflated with fluid during the manufacturing phase. In another embodiment, the compartments are inflated by the diver (or another user) the first time the internal padding is used. Yet, in another embodiment the compartments are arranged to be inflatable and deflatable.

[0038] The person skilled in the art understands that the number of compartments can vary from one compartment to as many compartments as wanted to be arranged in the padding part. However, the number of the compartments in the padding part is preferably e.g. 3-15, and more preferably 5-10. In an embodiment, the number of the compartments can be used for a sufficient control in inflating the compartments. In other words, one or more compartments can be arranged to be more inflated than others, for example.

[0039] A person skilled in the art understands that the shape and size of the compartments can vary.

[0040] In an embodiment, the compartments are connected to adjacent compartments for spreading and/or levelling out the fluid in the compartments.

[0041] In an embodiment, the compartments comprise a suitable hydrophilic material that forwards the spreading of the fluid in the compartment, such as polyethylene and polyacrylamides, for example.

[0042] In an embodiment, the compartments comprise a hygroscopic material that swells due to the effect of the liquid, such as silica and nylon, for example.

[0043] In an embodiment, the fluid used for inflating the compartments is water, which can be freshwater or sea water. The person skilled in the art understands that other fluids can also be used for inflating the compartments, such as antifreeze solution and/or various types of gels, for example. The preferable fluids for inflating the compartments are those having the density equal or more than the density of the water.

[0044] In an embodiment, the internal padding arrangement further comprises a connection (not shown) between the compartments and surroundings for inflating the compartments with fluid from surroundings via said connection.

[0045] The connection can be arranged in various ways. In an embodiment, the connection is connected to more than one compartment. In another embodiment, the connection is connected to one compartment in a suitable position in the internal padding and the compartments are connected to adjacent compartments for spreading and/or levelling out the fluid in the compartments.

[0046] In an embodiment, the inflating of the compartments is arranged to be adjustable.

[0047] In an embodiment, the connection is openable and closable. The connection can be opened in water to inflate the compartments and closed when the compartments are fully inflated, or when the compartments are inflated as desired.

[0048] In an embodiment, the compartments are arranged to be deflatable via said connection. The person skilled in the art understands that deflating the compartments is advantageously arranged to be performed above the water surface after diving.

[0049] FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of a diving helmet with internal padding arrangement in accordance with the present invention. The padding part 102 according to the present invention is arranged inside of the diving helmet 106. In an embodiment, the padding part is arranged as an integral part of the helmet, and in another embodiment, the padding part is a separate part from the diving helmet, which can be arranged inside of the helmet and remove from the helmet.

[0050] FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of an embodiment of a method in accordance with the present invention.

[0051] A method for reducing buoyancy of a diving helmet, comprising an internal padding arrangement according to the present invention, comprises at least the step of arranging 302 the padding part inside of a diving helmet.

[0052] In an embodiment, the method further comprises the step of arranging 304 the connection into fluid of surroundings. The internal padding according to the present invention can be arranged to inflate the compartments, when the connection is arranged into a suitable fluid, such as water.

[0053] In an embodiment, the steps 302 and 304 are performed in different order, i.e. the step of arranging 304 the connection into fluid of surroundings is performed before the padding part is arranged inside of a diving helmet 302.

[0054] In an embodiment, the method further comprises the step of opening 306 the connection in order to inflate the compartments with fluid of surroundings, and the step of closing 308 the connection when the compartments are inflated.

[0055] Yet, in another embodiment, the method further comprises the step of deflating 310 the compartments via said connection. This step is preferably executed after diving, when the padding arrangement of the present invention is arranged above the surface of the water. Deflating of the compartments can be arranged in various ways, such as by squeezing the compartments empty of fluid and/or emptying the compartments by the force of gravity, where in the latter the fluid is arranged to flow out of the compartments under the influence of gravity.

[0056] Consequently, a skilled person may on the basis of this disclosure and general knowledge apply the provided teachings in order to implement the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims in each particular use case with necessary modifications, deletions, and additions.