Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
107S0~3
The field of this invention lies within the buoyancy compensator
art. Specifically, it relates to the art of buoyancy compensators which pro-
vide a specific buoyancy to a diver when he is immersedO In addition thereto,
the vest can be utilized for life saving purposes when a diver is incapacita-
ted or immobilized.
The prior art related to buoyancy compensators and certain devices
associated therewith, has generally dealt with life vests, buoyancy compen-
sators and certain floatation and filling devices.
The prior art also shows means for filling the vest from a source
of breathing gas. Specifically, filling can take place by means of a
tubular connection between one's breathing tank and the vestO However, in
such showings of the prior art, the filling of the vest does not take place
except through certain catches, latches, and filling means which are cumber-
some. The coupling means are such that they require snaps, or spring loaded
clips. Furthermore, the check valve which is utilized with the device does
not enable a rapid and easy connection for inflation purposesO
As can be understood, when a diver is in a precarious location, or
requires gas for purposes of acquiring positive buoyancy, the connection and
inflation must be quickly effectuated. The prior art devices do not enable
this in a rapid and facile mannerO Furthermore, the prior art utilizes con-
nections which are cumbersome and are in effect a large valve head and fitting
which swings at the end of a tube between the first stage regulator of the
breathing gas tanks, and the end thereof. As can be appreciated, this is a
pendulous device which oftentimes can foul or get in the way of a diverO To
the contrary, the invention utilizes a single tube with a valve in cooperation
with filling apparatus connected to the vest for easy and positive inflation
at will.
Many of the foregoing advances as recited, as well as other
features, taken singularly and in combination, will become more readily
apparent by reading the following specification.
-- 1 --
1075093
The invention provides the new and novel combination of a
buoyancy compensator and a means for filling said buoyancy compensator from
a source of breathing gas comprising: a fitting within said buoyancy
compensator adapted to receive a threaded member; a housing having a gas
passage therethrough adapted to be threaded to said buoyancy compensator
fitting; a plunger passing through said housing; a spring for biasing said
plunger outwardly from said housing; means within said housing passage adapted
to receive a hose; a hose having a fitting adapted to receive gas under
pressure at one end; a valve fitting at the other end of said hose adapted to
be placed within said housing; means for holding said valve fitting in said
housing; and, valve means within said valve fitting of said hose for operative-
ly being opened by the end of said plunger when it is depressed.
The vest herein described has an optional plug fitting for
implacing apparatus to inflate the vest from a source of breathing gas which
a diver carriesO The apparatus can be threaded into the fitting in the vest
after removal of a threaded plugo When the filling apparatus has been
implaced~ it provides hand controlled filling from the hose connected at one
end thereto. The hose is connected to the filling apparatus housing by a
quick release mechanism having a spring catch which overrides a groove at
the end of the tube fittingO The filling apparatus incorporates a cooperative
valving arrangement which is actuated by a button. The cooperative valving
in part is provided by a shrader type valve which seats positively in the
tube fitting by means of a spring and plunger arrangement. The other end
of the tube is provided with a fitting to seat within the first stage
regulator which is attached to a source of breathing gas
The entire vest can be made from a plastic inner bladder covered
by an outer material which does not substantially stretchO The foregoing outer
material can be provided with drainage holes for purposes of eliminating
-- 2 --
:~075093
water to prevent rottin~ and substantially lon, d~in, periods. Thc confi~ur-
ation also allows for substantially complete inflation to rcduce drag.
The invention will be more clearly understood by reference to thc
description below taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings whcrein:
Figure 1 shows a frontal elevation view of the buoyancy compensator
which has been fragmented in part to show the rapid inflation means;
Figure 2 is a sectional view along lines 2-2 of Figure 1 showing the
adapter plug for the inflation apparatus;
Figure 3 shows an enlarged view of the relief valve that has been
shown enclosed within Circle 3 of Figure l;
Figure 4 shows a side view of the relief valve along lines 4-4 of
Figure 3, and a sectional view of the vest material;
Figure 5 shows a sectional view of the relief valve along lines 5-5
,*~ of Figure 3;
~; Figure 6 (on the third sheet of drawings) shows an inflation appara-
- tus which has been inserted in place of the adapter plug shown in Figure 2;
. . ~ . ~ ~ -
Figure 7 (on the third sheet of drawings) shows a side elevation
view of the vest in its entirety along lines 7-7 of Figure l;
~ Figure 8 shows a rear elevation view of the vest with the support
straps attached thereto;
~ .
Figure 9 shows an end view of the rapid inflation means along lines
9_9 of Figure l;
Figure 10 shows a cross-sectional detailed view of the oral inflation
valve attached to the inflation tube along lines 10-10 of Figure 7;
Figure 11 shows a sectional view of the inflation apparatus along
lines 11-11 of Figure 6; and
Figure 12 (on the second sheet of drawings) shows a sectional view
through the quick release means of the gas filling apparatus along lines 12-12
of Figure 11.
A General Confi_uration
The gencral confi~uration of the buoyancy compensator provides for
- a collared type of inflatable vest 10. The vest 10 llaS an opening 12 through
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1075093
which a user's head can project, and surrounds a uscr's neck. A lower torso
portion of the vest 14 provides a main floatation area. The remaining floata-
tion portion of the vest includes a collar portion 16 surrounding the opening
12.
The vest is made from an outer fabric 18 which can be seen in Figure
4 as well as other portions of the figures showing a cross section through the
vest material. The fabric 18 is of a substantially non-stretchable material,
such as nylon, polyesterl or a woven fabric. For that matter, any textile
material will work as long as it provides a certain degree of tensile strength.
A bladder or airtight material 20 is shown, which confines the air in the vest
` in an inner space or void 22.
- The air within the vest expands in the airtight material 20 so that
it is pressed against the non-expandable textile material 18. In this manner,
; ~ the inner and outer portions can be made from separate materials to provide
- separate functions. The outer portion provides tensile strength to prevent
. ~ . - .
inflation beyond the limitations of the strength characteristics of the inner
- airtight material 20 which has been formed into a bladder.
. . ~ .
~ The inner cavity or void 22 is connected to a relief valve 24 which
., .. .~
~ - can be utilized for "dumping" excess amounts of gas within the vest 10. The
. ~
~- ; 20 valve 24 is operated by means of a cord 26 having a handle 28.
In order to provide rapid inflation of the vest 10, a cartridge and
gas valve connection 30 is shown covered by a pouch 32. The pouch 32 has a ~-
flap 34 and serves to cover the rapid inflation means.
~,
- - An oral inflation tube 36 with a mouthpiece and valve connection 38
connects to the bladder space 22. This serves the function of providing an - -
oral inflation capability to the vest.
Looking more particularly at Figure 2, a plug 40 is shown which has
been fitted into the vest in an airtight fitting. The plug 40 is in-a fitting
which is sealed into the bladder material 20 to provide for the insertion of
a breathing gas tank vest filling apparatus 42. The breathing gas tank vest
_ 4 _
1075093
filling apparatus 42 has a hose 44 by l~hich it is connectcd to a source of
brcathing gas for purposes of filling the vest, in this manner, a user can
quickly insert the hose 44 into the filling or inflating apparatus 42 to in-
` flate the vest.
The vest is provided with a waist strap 48 which is secured to the
- lower portion of the vest 14 by means of rings 50 and 52 that have been
`~ stitched to the other material 18 of the vest. The foregoing is reinforced
with a webbing 54 along the stitch lines 56 and 57 generally shown as dotted
portions.
The waist strap has an adjustment loop 58 at one end for adiusting
the length of the waist strap. It also has a releasable hook 60 and an ad-
justing loop 62. The releasable hook 60 can be hooked over the loop 52 and
. .
prevented from removal by means of a spring member which expands into the eye
- of the loop.
- A crotch strap 66 is shown attached to the collar 16 of the vest
by means of webbing 68 stitched down to the outer material 18 of the vest and
- provided with a loop 70 and adjustment loop 72. The lower portion of the
crotch strap hooks onto a loop 74 which is secured and stitched to webbing 76
which is in turn stitched to the outer material 18 of the vest.
-~ 20 A hook 78 is shown with a spring member therein for holding the hook
- on the loop 74. The crotch strap 66 attached to the hook 78 is adjusted by
means of a loop 80.
Drainage holes 71, 73, 75 and 77 are provided in the material 18.
The holes can have an eyelet inset into the material 18. The holes effectuate
- trainage of water from the interface of the material 18 and 20, as well as
providing better drying of the vest 10.
The foregoing generally describes the general structure of the vest.
The following description will detail each one of the respective appurtenant
portions of the vest which are provided therewith.
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y
107S093
Rapid Inflation System
Looking more particularly at Figures 1, 7 and 9, a rapid inflation
means 30 is shown. The rapid inflation means comprises a Co2 cartridge or
pressurized bottle 88. The cartridge is securcd by means of a collar 90 which
is attached to the vest. The cartridge 88 fits into a combination valve and
- actuator housing 92. The valve and actuator housing 92 has a lever 94 pivot-
ally connected on a pin for purposes of allowing a pointed object ~not shown)
to be driven into the cartridge 88. The lever 94 is actuated by a handle 96
attached to the lever 94 by means of a loop 98. The foregoing elements gener-
ally comprise the outside configuration of the rapid inflation means 30.
The rapid inflation means is secured to the vest material comprlsing
- the outer material 18 and inner material 20 by means of a nut 95 secured to a
nipple 97 which passes into the bladder void 22. The foregoing is secured by
means of a loop 99 to allow passage o gas from the bottle 88 after it is
punctured by operation of the lever 94.
- The foregoing serves to rapidly inflate the vest 10. This can ex-
; tricate a diver in a situation wherein he wants to rapidly rise to the surface.
~` Of course, the bottle 88 can be substituted by any suitable gas capsule or
tank which can be rechargeable or replaced as in the case of a common Co2
20 cartridge. --
Oral Inflation Device
- - Looking more particularly at Figures 1, 7 and 10, an oral inflation
.
tube 36 is shown. The oral inflation tube 36 is of a relatively flexible
, ~. .
material having ribs 100 along its length to provide bending of the tube 36
toward a diver's mouth. The tube 36 is connected by means of a ninety degree
fitting 102 with a flanged attachment base 104 thereof for purposes of seal-
ing it into the bladder material 20 internally of the vest.
At the other end, the rubber hose 36 is sealed to a plastic molded
valve body portion 106 having a mouthpiece 108 for purposes of inflating a
vest in the manner to be described. The mouthpiece 108 is configured to
~075093
provide a propcr seal on a cold diver's lips. The oral inflation valvc body
106 which is attached to the end of the hose 36 has an inner passage with a
valve surface 110, and a valve disc member 112 withan O ring 114 for seating
against the valve surface 110. The valve disc member 112 is attached to a
plunger or stem 116 having a pushbutton 118 for purposes of depressing it with
a user's fingers. The stem 116 is attached to the val~e disc member 112 by
having an extension thereof pass through the valve disc which has been threaded
thereto at 120. The valve disc member 112 has an inner ledge 122 which receives
a coil spring 124 to maintain the O ring 114 against the valve surface 110.
At the base of the oral inflation valve 106 is an insert or washer
126 against which the spring 124 rests. The insert 126 can be in the form of
- any disc or washer which can be either threaded or held in place within the
main body 106 by adhesive or heat setting.
The entire oral inflation means can be operated by merely depressing
the button 118 and blowing through the oral extension 108 into the tube or hose
36 which is in direct connection to the inner portion of the bladder void 22.
This causes a filling of the vest to the extent that one can blow up the vest
by means of his lung capacity. It should be understood that the oral inflation
means represents a safety factor, as well as a back-up system for inflation of
the vest.
Relief valve
~- The relief valve generally shown as valve 24, serves the purpose of
allowing the gas in the vest cavity 22 to be exhausted therethrough and pro-
~- - vidçs water drainage after cleaning and flushing. The relief valve comprises
a plastic housing 130 having a base portion 136 which seats against the materi-
al 18 and 20 of the vest.
The housing or main body portion 130 is provided with threads 134 on
an internal passage or opening therethough for threading it onto the base 136.
The base 136 has a flared circular portion 138 which is sealed to the interior
30 of the bladder material 20. The base 136 has a neck 140 which receives the
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~075093
threads 134 to mate or connect the main portion 130 thereon. The threads 134
are only shown as being exemplary and can be substituted by any suitablc ~eans
for affixing the base 136 to the housing 130.
The housing or main body portion 130 has a wall 141 which surrounds
the opening provided between it and the connection point with the neck of the
base 136. The wall 141 has a high semicircular portion 142 which slopes up-
wardly from a lower portion. The high portion 142 is approximately semiciru-
lar to the point of an angular section 144, where it meets a lower portion 145.
~ ithin the wall 141, a groove 146 is provided. The groove 146 re-
ceives an elastomeric seal 148 which overiies an inner wall 150. In this
manner, the skirt of the seal is depressed into the groove 146. A sealing
circumferential protuberance or ring 152 formed in the seal rests on the wall
150 to provide a seal against a valve cover plate 156.
The valve cover plate 156 is shown with a cross sectional groove 158
which receives a cross member 160 of a spring 162. The spring 162 has a loop
therein and is secured for bias within tabs 164 which keep the spring cross-
arm 160 within the groove 158 of the valve cover 156. The valve cover 156
pivotally hinges over an intermediate point provided by the seal or ring 152.
,
- In this manner, it rests on the seal 152 over the wall 150 in a substantially
equiplanar manner across the flats of the seal.
In order to hold the plate or valve cover 156 in place, the spring
162 forces it down on the seal 152 as well as controlling its location. Also~ -
~ the plate is guided by means of the outer surrounding wall of the housing 130
and a triangularly shaped wall 168 which receives a triangular portion of the
plate or valve cover 156. The triangular portion of the valve cover has a
.
- ~ groove 170. The groove 170 has a cross member 172 which passes across the
base of the groove. The cover plate 156 also has a hole 174 which serves to
receive a cord 176 which is either heatset or knotted into an expanded form
as a bulbous member 178 so that it is secured within the hole 174 of the plate
156. In this manner, the plate 156 can be pulled by the cord 176 against the
pressure of the spring 162 so that it pivots backwardly on the circumferential
,
~ - ,
~ - 8 -
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1075093
seal 152. Thus, the plate or valve cover 156 is held in a planar rclation-
ship across the seal by spring 160 until the cord 176 pulls it downwardly and
backwardly.
In order to prevent water from flowing into the vest within the void
or cavity 22, a mushroom seal 182 is supported on a series of spokes 184, which
bridge the neck 140 of the base 136. The mushroom 182 has a stem which extends
inwardly into the neck 140 and has a round flapper valve surface 188 which
rests across the top of the neck 140. The entire foregoing relief device
allows for a release of pressure when the interior void 22 in the bladder 20
increases its pressure beyond the pivotal force of spring 162.
As can be appreciated, the spring 162 can be conformed to any con-
figuration as a leaf spring or other spring biasing means to maintain the valve
cover 156 against bladder pressure. In addition thereto, the entire relief
valve configuration can be formed in any suitable manner, providing the valve
- cover plate 156 can pivot backwardly and relieve excess pressure within the
bladder. The valve plate, of course, can be pivotally mounted by any means
: -
and need not merely rest on the valve surface 152 for its support. However,
in this particular embodiment it is deemed to be a simple and expedient way
as well as providing superior operative characteristics.
The valve cover plate 156 can be hand operated by the cord 26 by
merely pulling the knob 28 attached to the cord 26.
In order to guide the cord 26, a fabric encasement 194 is stitched
to the outer vest material 18. In addition to the fabric encasement 194, a
plastic guide tube 196 can be affixed to the outside of the vest within thc
- encasement 194. The plastic tube 196 can be affixed by any suitable attach-
.
- ment means such as metal clamps, clips, adhesives, heat setting, or friction-
- ally held in the cover 194.
The main function of the encasement 194 and tube 196 is to provide
guidance of the cord 26 therethrough. In this manner, a smooth and efficient
operation of the cord is provided by merely pulling it, eliminating any bind-
` ,~' ''
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f
~75093
ing, or sags, or causing it to get in the way of a diver.
Filling Apparatus
Looking more particularly at Figures 2, 6, 11 and 12, the filling
apparatus 42 is shown which can be threadedly inserted in place of the plug 40.
Specifically, a plug fitting 200 is shown adhered to the bladder material 20.
The fitting 200 is provided with threads 202 which receive the plug 40. The
plug 40 can accommodate an 0-ring 204 for sealing the plug 40 into the fitting
200 to prevent the passage of gas through the fitting 200.
When the vest is used without the filling apparatus 42, it can be
- 10 optionally provided with the plug 40 inserted into the fitting 200. In this
manner, the filling apparatus 42 can be used as a separate apparatus affixed
to the vest material and removed at will. This, of course, provides a vest
or buoyancy compensator without any encumbrances. Also, certain first stage
regulators do not co~e equipped with appropriate fittings for connecting the
hose 44 thereto. In such cases, the filling apparatus 42 might not be capable
of being used. As can be appreciated, if the first stage regulator does not
have a fitting for connecting the hose 44 thereto, the filling apparatus 42
` of this device cannot be used. In this mode, the plug 40 is inserted in the
. . . .
` threads 202 of the fitting 200 thereby sealing the interior void 22 of the
- 20 vest.
Looking more specifically at the apparatus 42, a showing is made of
it attached to the vest. The apparatus has a main body portion 210 which has
a cavity or passage 212 passing therethrough. The cavity 212 has a tapered
end portion 214 which can receive an end fitting 216 of the hose 44.
The hose 44 is provided with a circumferential metal end cap fitting
218 which has a threaded portion 220 extending therefrom. The threaded portion
` 220 has an integral nut 222 with an 0 ring 224 for sealing purposes. This en-
ables the threaded portion 220 to be fitted into an outlet of a first stage
regulator, or any other source of pressurized gas, for conduction thereof
through the opening in the tube 44.
: .
- 1 0
` ~075093
The fitting or threaded portion 220 when placcd in thc opcning of a
first stage regulator, provides a source of gas. However, it should bc under-
stood that the source of gas can cm~nate from any particular location. In
othcr words, as long as a source of pressure is provided in a fitting into
which the threaded portion 220 of the end fitting 218 can be threaded, there
will be sufficient gas to operate the filling apparatus 42 which is connected
at the other end thereof.
Looking more specifically at the other end of the hose 44, a second
end fitting 228 is utilized to hold the hose to the insertable portion 216.
The insertable fitting 216 is held in place by means of a spring 230. The
spring 230 is placed and held within a groove 232 of the main body portion 210.
The spring 230 has a handle or tab 234 for purposes of expanding the spring
into the dotted configuration shown in the direction of arrow A of Figure 12.
The spring 230 when expanded circumferentially outwardly in the direction of
` arrow A, relieves the spring 230 from engaging a groove 236 of the insertable
end fitting 216. This consequently enables the insertable end fitting 216 to
` slide into the cavity 212 and be quickly inserted therein. More particularly,
the insertable end fitting 216 has a tapered angular portion 238 which bears
against the spring 230 when it is being inserted into the openings 212. The
slanted surface 238 cams the spring 230 upwardly as it glides thereunder. As
the insertable end portion 216 moves into the cavity 212, the spring 230 fin-
:: , :
ally comes to rest within a groove 236 of the insertable end portion.
The insertable end portion 216 is held in place by the spring 230
, ~
until the handle or tab 234 is rotated in the direction of arrow A of Figure
12. At ~his time, it will relieve the spring grip on the groove 236 of the
insertable member 216.
The insertable member 216 is partially sealed in the opening of
cavity 212 of the main body portion 210 by means of an 0-ring 240. When em-
placed, the O ring is depressed into a sealing relationship with the side
walls of the cavity 212.
1 1
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`' :
: ~'
1075093
The insertablc end portion 216 has a Shrader v~lve 242 threaded by
means of threads 2~4 into a threaded opening of the insertable end portion.
The Shrader valve is commonly used for inflatable tire valving and is also
known for other sealing means when a depressable spring biased item is required
for opening the valve. More specifically, a depressable plunger 248 of a
Shrader valve having a mushroom head is biased by a spring 250 therein. The
spring 250 allows a circumferential elastomeric sealing portion generally
shown at 252 to seal itself against the interior walls of the cavity within
the insertable portion 216. This permits the passage of gas from an opening
254 in connected relationship to the hose 44, so that the passage of gas can
pass from the hose 44 through the interior portion of the insertable member
216 when the Shrader valve plunger 248 is depressed. In the normal position
without the Shrader valve plunger 248 depressed, there is a seal provided by
the valve so that no gas will emanate from the hose 44 through the opening 254.
Looking more particularly at the main body portion 210, an opening
having a stem 260 therethrough, is shown with a button 262 threaded thereon
by threads 264. The button 262 has a rounded, disc-shaped bottom 266 which
receives a coil spring 268 between it and a washer 270. The washer 270
allows a sliding movement of the stem 260 through the passage provided in the
t, ~ 20 main body portion 210. In order to seal the stem 260, in the main body por-
tion 210, an O ring 274 is placed around the stem. The stem 260 terminates
. .: .`- ~ in a valve member formed as an enlarged end portion 276 having a forward and
rearward taper. Inbetween the tapering ends, a groove 278 is cut which re-
- ceives an 0 ring 280. The O ring fits against a sloping portion 284 of the
. . ~, . .
" cavity 212 so that it can provide a seal when it is thereagainst. The seal
- ~ serves basically as a back pressure seal so that gas within the vest cavity
.~ ~ , . - .
22 will not pass out of the filling apparatus 42.
When the plug 40 is removed, either as an optional removal, or dur-
ing manufacture, a stud 288 with a cap 290 having a screw slot 292 therein is
threaded into the threads 202 of the fitting 200. The stud 288, of course,
'' ;~ ' '
~; - 12 -
: ' ' .
. .
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~075093
has threads 294 which match thc threads 202. In addition thereto, a hcxagonal
nut 300 is utili~ed for holding the stud -88 in a secured relationship within
the threads 202. The stud 288 has a diametrical passage or slit cut therein,
permitting passage of stem 260 therethrough.
- The stud and cap 290 is sealed by means of 0 rings 304, 306 and 308
within the respective portions of the main body 210 of the filling apparatus
42 as well as the fitting 200. A passage 310 allows the passages 254 and
; cavity 212 to pass gas through the bore of the passage.
In operation, the main body portion 210 of the filling apparatus 43
is threaded to the fitting 200. I~hen it is desired to fill the vest from the
breathing gas tank, the threaded end fitting 220 of the hose is inserted into
an opening or port within the first stage regulator or any other place where
gas can be derived from a diver's breathin8 gas tank.
If the insertable portion 216 has not been inserted in the main
body member 210, it is inserted by pushing the sloping edge 238 against the
spring 230 until the spring is received in the groove 236 and the insertable
.: ~
portion 216 is secured thereby in the opening of the cavity 212.
. ~ .
hen filling of the vest or buoyancy compensator 10 is desired, the
button 262 is depressed, thereby allowing the passage of gas from cavity 212
into the bore 310 of the stud 288. Of course, the passage of gas cannot take
~ place until the leading end of the expanded portion 276 of the stem 260 con-
- ~ tacts the stem 248 of the Shrader valve 242. The leading end of protuberance
276 thus displaces the Shrader valve seal 252 sufficiently to allow the pass-
- ,,
- `~ age of gas. However, as can be understood, the passage of gas is controll-
~ ` able, depending upon the amount of displacement of the Shrader valve by the
. . .
~ amount of depression of the button 262.
.-~ After a sufficient amount of gas has been delivered to the vest
cavity 22, the button 262 is released allowing the usage of the vest as a
buoyancy compensator or general floatation means. If the gas pressure ex-
ceeds the spring loading of the spring 162 of the relief valve, the valve
:~ ~
- 13 -
:
:`
~ ' . .
-
~075093
plate 156 will open and "dump" the gas from the interior void 22 of thc vcst
to the surrounding ~ater. The forcgoing effcctuatcs a balance of thc amount
of gas the vest can accommodate itsclf to and also the particular level at
which the diver is diving.
As can be understood, the buoyancy compensator of this invention can
be utilized with and without the filling apparatus 42 and in various modes.
Furthermore, it can be utilized as a combination of all of the forcgoing
elements, or with certain singular elements which provide the novel features
for filling and gas pressure control. As a consequence, this vest has substan-
tial variety in its uses and application, as well as the mode in which thevest can be manufactured. Thus, this invention is only to be ~ead in light
of the following claims as to its breadth and scope.
:
;~ .
:,~- - ,
.
. ~.: -
.,
` 20
... . .
'~ `' " .
~ .
:- .
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