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.

1 . An apparatus for at least viewing an underwater environment, said apparatus comprising: 
 (a) a generally hollow housing having each of a predetermined shape and predetermined size and having a first end engageable with a water surface, an opposed second end disposed at a first predetermined angle to said first end and to such water surface, and an elongated member connecting said first end and said second end, said member extends at a second predetermined angle from said first end and elevates said second end a predetermined distance from such water surface when said first end is engaged therewith for providing unobstructed viewing of such underwater environment from said second end;    (b) a transparent pane member mounted in a watertight sealing engagement with said first end of said housing and in engagement with such water surface for enabling viewing of such underwater environment; and    (c) means engageable with said second end and with at least a portion of a face of a person, viewing such underwater environment from said second end, for preventing light from entering an interior portion of said housing and causing a glare on said transparent pane member.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus, according to  claim 1 , wherein said apparatus further includes means at least one of attached to and formed integral with a predetermined portion of said housing adjacent said first end thereof for counterbalancing such water surface and for maintaining said engagement of said transparent pane member with such water surface in a substantially air pocket free fashion.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus, according to  claim 1 , wherein said means for counterbalancing said apparatus maintains said engagement of said transparent pane member with such water surface in a substantially air pocket free fashion during movement of said apparatus when it is attached to a moving watercraft and for enabling viewing of such underwater environment during such movement.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus, according to  claim 3 , wherein movement of said watercraft is generated by a trolling motor operable by said person simultaneously viewing such underwater environment.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus, according to  claim 1 , wherein said apparatus further includes a flotation means attached to said housing adjacent said first end thereof and engageable with such water surface for maintaining said engagement of said transparent pane member with such water surface in a substantially air pocket free fashion.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus, according to  claim 1 , wherein a size of said second end is smaller than a size of said first end and said elongated member has a substantially conical shape.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus, according to  claim 1 , wherein said glare prevention means is a compressible guard attached to said second end.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus, according to  claim 1 , wherein said glare prevention means is a predetermined shape of said second end.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus, according to  claim 1 , wherein said apparatus further includes at least one vent means disposed in said housing adjacent said second end.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus, according to  claim 1 , wherein a color of at least said interior portion of said housing is black.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus, according to  claim 1 , wherein a material of said housing is a rigid plastic.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus, according to  claim 1 , wherein a material of said transparent pane member is one of a plastic and glass.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus, according to  claim 1 , wherein said apparatus further includes a handle means attached to an exterior surface of said housing for carrying and handling said apparatus.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus, according to  claim 1 , wherein said apparatus further includes means connected to said housing for attaching said apparatus to one of a watercraft and structure.  
   
   
       15 . The apparatus, according to  claim 1 , wherein said apparatus further includes a camera attached to said second end.  
   
   
       16 . An apparatus for at least viewing an underwater environment, said apparatus comprising: 
 (a) a generally hollow housing having each of a predetermined shape and predetermined size and having a first end engageable with a water surface and an opposed second end disposed at an angle to said first end and to such water surface for viewing such underwater environment;    (b) a transparent pane member mounted in a watertight sealing engagement with said first end of said housing and in engagement with such water surface for enabling viewing of such underwater environment;    (c) means engageable with said second end and with at least a portion of a face of a person viewing such underwater environment from said second end for preventing light from entering an interior portion of said housing and causing a glare on said transparent pane member; and    (d) means engageable with said housing for adjusting said angle of said second end within a predetermined range.    
   
   
       17 . The apparatus, according to  claim 16 , wherein said adjusting means includes an accordion-like pleat region disposed within said housing adjacent said second end for enabling one of a flexing and bending of said housing in said region.  
   
   
       18 . The apparatus, according to  claim 16 , wherein said adjusting means includes a pivoting means engageable with said housing for pivotally connecting said second end to said housing.  
   
   
       19 . An apparatus for at least viewing an underwater environment, said apparatus comprising: 
 (a) a generally hollow housing having each of a predetermined shape and predetermined size and having a first end engageable with a water surface and an opposed second end disposed at an angle to said first end and to such water surface for viewing such underwater environment;    (b) a transparent pane member mounted in a watertight sealing engagement with said first end of said housing and disposed in engagement with such water surface for enabling viewing of such underwater environment; and    (c) means engageable with a predetermined portion of said housing adjacent said first end thereof for counterbalancing said apparatus when said apparatus is free standing on such water surface and for maintaining said engagement of said transparent pane member with such water surface in a substantially air pocket free fashion.    
   
   
       20 . The apparatus, according to  claim 19 , wherein said apparatus further includes means engageable with said second end and with at least a portion of a face of a person viewing such underwater environment from said second end for preventing light from entering an interior portion of said housing and causing a glare on said transparent pane member.