Appeal No. 2001-2543
Application No. 09/225,892
Appellants' invention relates to a counterweight assembly,
best seen in Figures 28 through 31 and 37 through 41, comprising
one or more weight members (460 or 780) and means for attaching
the one or more weight members to a breathing gas cylinder (301)
worn by a diver. The counterweight assembly is specifically used
to provide an enhanced heads up surface positioning of the diver
in emergency situations and is attached to the cylinder (301) at
a position where the diver/user cannot remove the one or more
weight members while the cylinder is attached to the diver/user
and where the weight member or members can rotate the diver to
ensure heads up surface positioning if the diver becomes
incapacitated. The heads up surface positioning, shown generally
in Figures 12 and 43 of the application drawings, provides a way
of keeping the diver/user's airway out of the water when the
diver is unable to. In the embodiment of Figures 28 through 31
the means for attaching includes a pouch member (430) having
pockets (432) for receiving the weight member or members therein
and a tank strap (420) to which the pouch member is either
removably or permanently attached. The pouch member (430)
includes a flap member (440) for covering the pockets and
preventing inadvertent loss of the weight member or members
stored therein. In Figures 37 through 39 the means for attaching
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