| Underwater viewing apparatus -> Monitor Keywords |
|
|
  Underwater viewing apparatusUSPTO Application #: 20060035545Title: Underwater viewing apparatus Abstract: An apparatus for viewing underwater environment includes a generally hollow housing having a first end engageable with a water surface, an opposed second end and a sloping conical portion connecting the first end and the second end, elevating the second end to a predetermined distance from the water surface, when the first end is engaged therewith and providing unobstructed viewing of the underwater environment from the second end. A transparent pane member is mounted in a watertight manner with the first end of the housing and is engageable with the water surface for enabling viewing of the underwater environment. A face guard is attached to the second end for preventing light from entering an interior portion of the housing and causing a glare on the pane member. A counterbalance member is integrally disposed within the housing adjacent the first end for maintaining the transparent pane member in engagement with the water surface and preventing forming of air pockets. (end of abstract)
Agent: James Ray & Associates - Monroeville, PA, US Inventors: James D. Boley, Douglas M. Boley USPTO Applicaton #: 20060035545 - Class: 441135000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Buoys, Rafts, And Aquatic Devices, Buoyancy Underwater Viewing Device The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060035545. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is related to and claims priory from a provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/600,665 filed on Aug. 11, 2004. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates, in general, to underwater viewing apparatus and, more particularly, this invention relates to an underwater viewing apparatus which is operable in a free standing fashion and by a person simultaneously operating a movable watercraft. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Underwater viewing devices have been utilized extensively for simply observing underwater environment, photographing the underwater marine life or stalking marine game. U.S. Pat. No. 2,911,878 to Vernier; U.S. Pat. No. 2,778,139 to Furnari; U.S. Pat. No. 2,730,921 to Little; U.S. Pat. No. 2,680,398 to Kohut and U.S. Pat. No. 2,404,556 to Wirth disclose various constructions and uses of such devices and are incorporated into this document by reference thereto. [0004] However, the disadvantage of the existing devices is that they cannot be used in a free standing fashion without support from a person or a structure or cannot be easily used by a person simultaneously operating a movable watercraft. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0005] The invention provides an apparatus for viewing underwater environment which includes a generally hollow housing having a first end engageable with a water surface, an opposed second end and a sloping conical portion connecting the first end and the second end, elevating the second end to a predetermined distance from the water surface, when the first end is engaged therewith and providing unobstructed viewing of the underwater environment from the second end. A transparent pane member is mounted in watertight sealing engagement with the first end of the housing and is in engagement with the water surface for enabling viewing of the underwater environment. A compressible face guard is attached to the second end for preventing light from entering an interior portion of the housing and causing a glare on the pane member. The face guard includes a pair of side members forming an eye shield and a recess portion enabling breathing without causing fog to form within the interior portion of the housing. A counterbalance member is integrally disposed within the housing adjacent the first end for maintaining the transparent pane member in engagement with the water surface and preventing forming of air pockets and maintaining such transparent pane member in engagement with the water surface and preventing forming of air pockets when the apparatus is attached to a small moving watercraft and is operable by a person simultaneously operating such moving watercraft in a sitting position. [0006] Alternatively, the apparatus may be provided with a floating device or attached to such watercraft for maintaining the transparent pane member in engagement with the water surface and preventing forming of air pockets. In one embodiment, the second end is fixed and is disposed at a predetermined angle to the first end and to the water surface. In another embodiment, such second end is adjustable to accommodate various sizes of watercrafts or people. Camera, underwater harpoon gun and light may be attached to such apparatus. OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION [0007] It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the present invention to provide an apparatus for underwater viewing. [0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for underwater viewing which is operable in a free standing fashion. [0009] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for underwater viewing which is operable by a person simultaneously operating a movable watercraft. [0010] A further object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for underwater viewing which is simple and inexpensive to manufacture. [0011] Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for underwater viewing which is easy to carry and handle. [0012] In addition to the several objects and advantages of the present. invention which have been described with some degree of specificity above, various other objects and advantages of the invention will become more readily apparent to those persons who are skilled in the relevant art, particularly, when such description is taken in conjunction with the attached drawing Figures and with the appended claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an underwater viewing apparatus of the present invention; [0014] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the underwater viewing apparatus along lines 2-2 of FIG. 1; [0015] FIG. 3 is a partial perspective end view of the underwater viewing apparatus of the present invention, particularly showing a face guard of a presently preferred embodiment; [0016] FIG. 4 is a partial elevation view of the underwater viewing apparatus of the present invention, particularly showing an adjustable viewing end of one embodiment; and [0017] FIG. 5 is a partial elevation view of the underwater viewing apparatus of the present invention, particularly showing an adjustable viewing end of another embodiment. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION Continue reading... Full patent description for Underwater viewing apparatus Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Underwater viewing apparatus patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Underwater viewing apparatus or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Mimetic gear Next Patent Application: Open-work knitted textile resin infusion medium and reinforcing composite lamina Industry Class: Buoys, rafts, and aquatic devices ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Underwater viewing apparatus patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.30202 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Tyco , Unilever , Warner-lambert , 3m |
||
