WO1999008926A1

WO1999008926A1 - Dedicated divers equipment carrier

Info

Publication number: WO1999008926A1
Application number: PCT/ZW1998/000014
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alfredo Ilvo Aldo Stefanini
Original assignee: Chengeta, Cuthbert
Priority date: 1997-08-15
Filing date: 1998-08-14
Publication date: 1999-02-25
Also published as: AU9043398A

Abstract

The invention relates to a dedicated item of luggage. The luggage is designed to carry diving equipment and is an open topped con tainer (1) with a lid (4). The container (1) has a storage zone for diving bottles of air/or oxygen as well as a plurality of compartments for receiving other items of diving equipment. The lid (4) is adapted to hold further items of diving equipment.

Description

DEDICATED DIVERS EQUIPMENT CARRIER

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to dedicated divers' luggage which is particularly designed to enable a diver, in particular a scubadiver, to transport all necessary and required equipment in a neat and easy manner.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Scubadivers in particular, usually travel to and from diving sites with their equipment, such as fins, masks, valves, tanks etc. all separately stored in the luggage compartment of a motor car or load carrying body of a transport vehicle.

This is generally inconvenient, can result in items being left behind; can also lead to undue wear and tear or damage to the various items and is generally untidy in any event.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is the object of this invention to provide a dedicated item of luggage which will enable a diver to overcome these disadvantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with this invention there is provided a dedicated item of luggage comprising a container having at least one open side and a lid for closing said open side and wherein the container itself has a stowage zone for at least one diving bottle of air and/or oxygen and a plurality of compartments adapted to receive other items of diving equipment and wherein the lid is adapted to support further items of diving equipment.

There is further provided for the stowage zone to be located either on the inside or on the outside of the container. Further features of the invention provide for the lid to be removable from the container itself; for the various compartments in the container to be adapted to receive and locate individually of each other a mask; a wet suit; a mouth piece; and also a weight belt; and for the lid to be adapted to receive, suspended from suitable suspension units therefor, a pair of fins and a buoyancy compensator jacket or the like.

Still further features of the invention provide for the container to have wheels and an optionally retractable handle whereby the item of luggage can be manually towed in conventional manner.

In order that the invention may be more fully understood one embodiment thereof will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:-

FIG.1 is a side view of the item of luggage showing the container in exploded relationship relative to the lid;

FIG.2 is a front elevation of the container part of the item of luggage illustrating items of diving equipment in position therein; and

FIG 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 but of the interior of the lid.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION WITH REFERENCE TO THE DRAWINGS

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, and more particularly as illustrated in Figure 1, an item of luggage, generally indicated by numeral (1), comprises a container (2), preferably made of fairly rigid material and having at least one open side (3) (illustrated in the vertical flame in Figure 1) with which is associated a removable lid (4). Catches (5) on the body co-operate with hooks (6) on the lid to releasably lock it in position to close the item of luggage. The catches are preferably lockable in the closed condition for security purposes

Referring now more particularly to Figure 2, the container (2) has a central pair of supports (7) to which may be releasably strapped an oxygen or air bottle (8). Because of the heavy nature of this bottle it is preferably centrally located, as illustrated, and its base may be supported on a weight belt (9) also located centrally and at the bottom of the container in the upright position illustrated.

Various other compartments are formed in the container and these may be especially formed to receive a mask (10), a wet suit (11), a mouth piece (12), gas gauges (13) etc. An additional compartment (14) may be provided for sundry items.

Referring now more particularly to Figure 3, the lid, on the other hand, is adapted to support, in a suspended condition in the upright orientation, a pair of spaced fins (15) and a buoyancy compensator vest (16). Other items of divers' equipment can be accommodated as and where necessary.

It will be understood that, in use, the use of an item of luggage as described above will be highly convenient for a scubadiver, for example, in that his entire kit can be accommodated within the single item of luggage in which it is both protected and secure against loss.

For ease of manual transport of the container it is preferably provided with wheels

(17) and an optionally retractable handle (18) whereby it can be manually towed in conventional manner.

The invention therefore provides an extremely simple yet highly useful dedicated item of luggage particularly aimed at diving equipment. Also, use of such an item of luggage enables the equipment contained in it to be locked and the luggage itself can be locked to an immovable object as may be required.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A dedicated item of luggage comprising a container having at least one open side and a lid for closing said open side, characterized in that the container has a stowage zone for at least one diving bottle of air and/or oxygen and a plurality of compartments adapted to receive other items of diving equipment and the lid is adapted to support further items of diving equipment.

2. A dedicated item of luggage as claimed in claim 1 characterized in that the stowage zone is located on the inside of the container.

3. A dedicated item of luggage as claimed in claim 1 characterized in that the stowage zone is located on the outside of the container.

4. A dedicated item of luggage as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 characterized in that the lid is removable from the container itself.

5. A dedicated item of luggage as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 characterized in that the various compartments in the container are adapted to receive and locate individually of each other a mask; a wet suit; a mouth piece; and also a weight belt.

6. A dedicated item of luggage as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 characterized in that the lid is adapted to receive, suspended from suitable suspension units therefore, a pair of fins and a buoyancy compensator jacket or the like.

7. A dedicated item of luggage as claimed in any one of the above mentioned claims characterized in that the container has wheels whereby the item of luggage can be manually towed in conventional manner.

8. A dedicated item of luggage as claimed in any one of the above mentioned claims characterized in that the container has a handle whereby the item of luggage can be carried or towed. A dedicated item of luggage as claimed in claim 8 characterized in that the handle is retractable.