Regulating membrane for the second-stage regulator of two stage underwater breathing apparatuses

Abstract

A regulating membrane for a second stage regulator of two-stage underwater breathing apparatuses includes a continuous flexible side wall, tapered from the peripheral edge towards the top, that has a rigid plate disposed in central position and coaxial to the flexible sidewall, the flexible side wall being provided with at least one continuous or discontinuous lateral reinforcing element, possibly protruding outwardly and/or inwardly from the regulating membrane, to support and guide the collapsing movements of the plate with respect to the regulating membrane.

The invention claimed is: 
     
         1 . A regulating membrane for a second stage regulator of two-stage underwater breathing apparatuses, comprising:
 a continuous flexible side wall tapered from a peripheral edge toward a top; and   a rigid or semi-rigid plate, in central and coaxial position to the continuous flexible side wall,   wherein the flexible side wall is provided with at least one continuous or discontinuous lateral reinforcing member, which may protrude outwardly and/or inwardly.   
     
     
         2 . The regulating membrane according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one lateral reinforcing member is arranged in a plane substantially parallel to the plate and subdivides the lateral wall into annular bands of various heights, even if the annular bands are not equivalent to each other. 
     
     
         3 . The regulating membrane according to  claim 1  wherein the at least one lateral reinforcing member has an extended shape of predetermined length and is disposed in a rib-like manner on the side wall along a reinforcing path articulating from a first zone in proximity to the peripheral edge to a second zone in proximity to the plate. 
     
     
         4 . The regulating membrane according to  claim 3 , wherein the reinforcing path runs along a helical curve wrapped around at least part of the side wall, the helical curve having a predetermined angle of wrap greater than zero decimal degrees and less than 180 decimal degrees and preferably less than 90 decimal degrees, the helical curve running coaxially to the plate. 
     
     
         5 . The regulating membrane according to  claim 1  wherein the at least one lateral reinforcing member comprises a plurality of risers, preferably of semi-ellipsoidal shape and even more preferably of substantially hemispherical shape, distributed on the side wall according to a predetermined distribution and preferably comprising a repeating pattern of mutually staggered risers along one or more annular bands of the side wall. 
     
     
         6 . The regulating membrane according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one lateral reinforcing member is made a a single piece piece with the flexible side wall of the regulating membrane. 
     
     
         7 . The regulating membrane according to  claim 1 , wherein the flexible side wall is shaped as a hyperboloid. 
     
     
         8 . The regulating membrane according to  claim 1 , wherein a material, of which the side wall is made, is an elastomeric polymer having a hardness degree between 20 and 80 Shore A, and preferably 40 Shore A, the elastomeric polymer being preferably a liquid silicone rubber (LSR). 
     
     
         9 . The regulating membrane according to  claim 1 , wherein the lateral reinforcing member has a thickness larger than a thickness of the flexible side wall, and has a width at a base greater than the thickness of the lateral reinforcing member. 
     
     
         10 . The regulating membrane according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one lateral reinforcing member has a semi-toroidal profile.