Basic gear from mid-twentieth-century Spain: Other manufacturers

[Popgun Pete]

Jetfin look-alike is the usual no blade overlap version, so vented, but no jetting action as a true Jetfin needs a big entry window to a tapering tunnel with smaller outlets at the rear. No venturi action with this one, just a bypass.

 

[David Wilson]

Thanks for the post, Pete.

Today we move on to the Spanish manufacturer Duarry. The following advertisement appeared in a firefighter-related journal:

This publicity focused on fire rescue cushions with images of the products and their alternatives, while the captions drummed home the message that these pneumatic safety devices could make the difference between life and death in the case of a burning multistorey building.

It may well come as a surprise that a company making firefighters' lifesaving gear should also manufacture diving equipment, but the UK's famous Siebe-Gorman diving standard and scuba diving product manufacturing company eventually left the underwater business to focus entirely on the firefighting sector.

 

[David Wilson]

I found the following in a 2010 thread about Duarry on a Spanish diving forum (my very rough translation):

ASTILLEROS NEUMATICOS DUARRY, S.A., is a 100% Spanish company, established in 1968, founded by Mr. Juan Duarry Serra.

In 1950 Duarry manufactured latex articles, in 1956 the manufacture of inflatable boats made of cotton impregnated with latex began. In 1958 it expanded with sports boats for outboard motors and research studies began for the manufacture of rescue rafts, which ended up being manufactured, being the first and only manufacturer of rescue rafts at that time in Spain.

In 1960, the manufacture of semi-rigid boats began, being pioneers in this type of boat that combines a rigid part (hull and deck) and a pneumatic part (side floats). In 1962, the manufacture and sale of rescue rafts for merchant and fishing vessels and for the Spanish Navy began, being the only national manufacturer until 1966.

From 1966 to 1982 the range of products expanded, producing flexible tanks for liquid containment, manufacturing flexible industrial elements, giving a boost to the manufacturing of inflatable sports boats. In 1982, a specialization in professional semi-rigid boats began.

In February 1987, a fire completely destroyed the 9-storey factory with a surface area of 12,500 m². In April of this same year, with the company established in the current location of Cornellá de Llobregat, a new stage begins, in which the manufacture of rescue rafts, semi-rigid boats for sports and professional uses is undertaken, and the manufacture of latex products, until it stopped production completely in 1991, the year in which the range of boats was expanded, including a new line of folding type boats to its traditional line of Semi-rigid boats. In both cases, only the best materials are used for its manufacture.

Currently Duarry has the most extensive range of boats, since only for sports use it has 30 different models, from 2.00 meters. in length up to 13.5 metres, for rowing, outboard motor or gasoline or diesel inboard outboard motors, propelled by propeller or water-jet.

Duarry has a wide range of rescue rafts approved in accordance with SOLAS and ISO 9650 regulations, to cover both the professional and sports markets.

Duarry's policy has always been to offer, above all, high-quality products and careful after-sales service, being approved by the most prestigious national and international organizations such as rescue vessels, fleet auxiliaries, surveillance, or for sports use, having obtained the ISO 9001-2000 quality certification through the prestigious cataloging company Bureau Veritas.

I'll leave my review of Duarry's contributions to diving equipment until midweek.

 

[David Wilson]

In the light of current file upload restrictions, I shall postpone my intended review of Duarry's snorkel-mask, breathing tube and swim fin patents until the weekend.

 

[David Wilson]

Let's start with Duarry's patents, as these documents are for the most part all that I have been able to find in the way of illustrations. Here's my translation of Duarry's snorkel patent:

DESCRIPTIVE REPORT entitled: «PERFECTED SNORKEL FOR UNDERWATER SWIMMING».
Applicant: Don JUAN DUARRY SERRA, of Spanish nationality, resident in BARCELONA, Calle Rosellón 1.

The present invention relates to a snorkel for underwater swimming of the type that includes a straight section terminated by its upper end in a curved portion shaped like a rod, provided in its mouth with a shut-off valve, and by its lower end in another curved portion associated with the nozzle with its corresponding air expulsion valve.

In accordance with the present invention, the mentioned straight section is constituted by several truncated cone-shaped pieces telescopically, and the upper curved portion presents at the place of its start an outer flange of diameter corresponding to the inside of the upper mouth of the lower truncated conical piece , so that by folding the different pieces into each other, said mouth fits hard against the said flange, keeping the assembly firmly attached. This achieves that this perfected breathing tube occupies a small space in the collected position, thus facilitating its comfortable transport in backpacks, bath bags, etc.

Another feature of the invention is that the hollow spherical body of elastic material of the shut-off valve of the air inlet mouth of the upper curved portion is provided with a cylindrical appendix, provided with a head at its free end, which it is slidably fastened in an annular guide disposed inside said mouth, concentrically with respect to its edge, which constitutes the valve seat, and which allows the spherical body to be applied against or separated from said seat, although remaining always linked with said mouth.

The accompanying drawing illustrates by way of example, not limitation, an embodiment of the perfected snorkel in question, showing:
Fig. 1 a side view, partially in vertical section, of said tube with its telescopic section extended;
Fig. 2 a side view analogous to that of Fig. 1, also partially in vertical section, but illustrating its collected telescopic section; and
Fig. 3 a cross-section of the shut-off valve of the air inlet, according to III-III of Fig. 1.

The respirator represented represents a straight section consisting of three truncated conical pieces 1, 2, and 3, telescopically interlocked, a portion curved in the way of a rod, provided in its mouth with a shut-off valve, and a curved portion 5 that carries associated the nozzle 6 with its corresponding air expulsion valve 7. The curved portion 4, firmly attached to the upper end of the tubular frustoconical piece 3, presents at the place of its start an outer flange 8 of diameter corresponding to the inside of the upper mouth 9 of the lower frustoconical piece 1, so that by refolding the different pieces 1, 2 and 3 of the telescopic section as illustrated in Fig. 2, the mentioned mouth of the tubular piece 1 fits hard against the flange 8, maintaining the tightly attached set.

The shut-off valve of the air inlet, which currently has a spherical hollow body 10 intended to act as a float, differs from the known valves by the fact that said spherical body is provided with a cylindrical appendix 11, provided of a head 12 at its free end, which is slidably held in an annular guide 13 disposed inside the mouth of the curved portion l, concentrically with respect to its edge 14, which constitutes the valve seat. Said cylindrical appendix 11 with its head 12 maintains the spherical body 10 permanently connected with the mouth of the curved portion 4, and since said appendix is slidable axially in the annular guide 13, said spherical body 10 is normally maintained, by gravity, at a certain distance from the valve seat 14, as can be seen in the drawing, allowing air to freely enter through said mouth of the portion 4. On the contrary, when the repeated hollow spherical body 10 is submerged in the water, applied as a float against the edge 14 of said mouth, obtaining it and thus preventing water penetration. ¡: Due to the simplicity of this shut-off valve and that the guide members of the spherical body 10 are arranged on the inside of the curved portion 4, its operation is safe and any possibility of failure is excluded.

It is noted that everything that does not alter, change or modify the essence of the invention may be subject to variations in detail.

NOTE

The utility model requested falls on the following claims:

1 °. - Snorkel perfected for underwater swimming, comprising a straight section terminated by its upper end in a curved portion as a rod, provided in its mouth with a shut-off valve that involves a spherical hollow body, and by its lower end In another curved portion, the nozzle is associated with its corresponding air expulsion valve, characterized in that the mentioned straight section is constituted by several truncated conical rods (1, 2, 3) telescopically fitted together, and the upper curved portion (4) it presents at the place of its start an outer flange (8) of diameter corresponding to the inside of the upper mouth (9) of the lower frustoconical piece, so that when folding the different telescopic pieces (1, 2, 3) into each other, said mouth (9) fits hard against the said flange (8), keeping the assembly firmly attached.

2 .- Improved snorkel for underwater swimming according to claim 14, characterized in that the spherical hollow body (10) of the shut-off valve of the air inlet mouth of the upper curved portion (4) is provided with a cylindrical appendix ( 11), provided with a head (12) at its free end, which is slidably held in an annular guide (13) arranged inside said mouth, concentrically with respect to its edge (14), which constitutes the valve seat, and which allows the mentioned spherical body (10) to be applied against said seat (14) or separated from it, although always remaining connected with said mouth.

3 .- SNORKEL PERFECTED FOR UNDERWATER SWIMMING, as described and claimed herein that consists of six sheets typed on one side and a sheet of drawings.
BARCELONA, May 16, 1957.
JUAN DUARRY SIERRA
P.P.

 

[David Wilson]

1/2/3 — truncated conical pieces; 4 — curved portion; 5 — curved portion; 6 — mouthpiece; 7 — air expulsion valve; 8 — outer flange; 9 — upper mouth; 10 — spherical hollow body; 11 — cylindrical appendix; 12 — head; 13 — annular guide; 14 — seat.

 

[David Wilson]

Duarry's snorkel-valve patent:

UTILITY MODEL

SPECIFICATION on “IMPROVED AIR INTAKE VALVE FOR UNDERWATER SWIMMING BREATHING TUBES».

Applicant: Mr. JUAN DUARRY SERRA, of Spanish nationality, resident in BARCELONA, Calle Rosellón, 1.
Underwater swimming breathing tubes comprise at their upper end a curved portion in the form of a staff, provided at its mouth with an obturation valve adapted to prevent the penetration of water when said curved portion is submerged in water.
Known valves of this type comprise a float constituted by a hollow spherical body made of elastic material, rubber for example, freely disposed below a fixed valve seat and which is applied against this seat, sealing the inlet orifice when it is left open, submerged in the water, but separated by gravity from said seat, leaving said hole open for the free entry of air, when it is out of the water.

For the proper functioning of these known valves, it is necessary for the breathing tube to which they are applied to be always maintained in a substantially vertical position with the end provided with the obturation valve directed upwards. It happens, however, that the swimmer, when submerged in the water, frequently changes the position of his head, so that the breathing tube may be oriented with its obturation valve downwards, in which case the mentioned float separates from its seat. valve, allowing water to enter.

The improved valve according to the present invention completely avoids this drawback, being characterized, in its essence, by being provided with two valve seats, one of them combined with a float adapted to act in the normal position of the breathing tube, and the other with them combined with a spherical body heavier than water, adapted to act in the inverted position of the snorkel.

This valve acts with absolute safety, allowing the free entry of air when it is out of the water, but preventing its penetration in any submerged position of the snorkel.

For a better understanding of the invention, a sheet of drawings is attached that illustrates, by way of non-limiting example, an embodiment. In these drawings:
Fig. 1 is a vertical section of the valve in question, illustrated in normal position out of the water.
Fig. 2 is a section similar to Fig. 1, but showing the valve in an inverted position.

The valve represented is made up of two bodies 1 and 2, firmly joined together as can be seen at 3. Body 1 has a throat followed by an open head 5 through which its coupling to the breathing tube is established, whose curved terminal portion is designated 6. Inside the body there is a blind tubular appendage 7 which forms an extension of the throat h and which has radial holes 8 near its start, a body being housed inside said spherical body appendix 9, of any material heavier than water, generally metallic. The body 2 has at its end adjacent to the body 1 a transverse partition 10 that in its central portion determines a kind of cup 11 provided at its bottom with a through hole 12. In the wall of the body 2 itself there are wide openings 13, while its bottom has a 14 hole. Inside the body 2 there is housed a hollow spherical body or float 15 made of an elastic material, rubber for example.

The operation of this valve is as follows:

When the breathing tube is in a normal vertical position as illustrated in Fig. 1, the ball 9 rests on the bottom of the blind appendage 7 and the hollow spherical body 15 is partially embedded in the hole 11, allowing the breather to pass freely air through the ports 13, the passage hole 12, the holes 8 and the throat k towards the tube 6, as indicated by arrows in the aforementioned Fig. 1. When the valve is immersed in this position in the water, the floating body 15 rises, occupying the position illustrated with broken lines and plugging the orifice 12. This prevents the penetration of water.
By changing the position of the snorkel in the water, tilting it with the curved portion 6 downwards, as illustrated in Fig. 2, the ball 9 fits inside the throat h, preventing water penetration. In this position of the valve, the floating spherical body 15 will occupy in the water the position illustrated in broken lines in Fig. 2. From what has been described, it follows that when the valve is out of the water in the normal position, the air can penetrate freely, while being submerged in the water, its penetration is prevented whatever the position of the tube, either by the effect of the floating body 15 in the normal position (Fig. 1), or by the ball 9 in the inverted position (Fig. 2).

It is stated that everything that does not alter, change or modify the essence of the invention may be subject to variations in detail.

NOTE

The Utility Model that is requested falls on the following claims:

1.- Improved air inlet valve for underwater swimming snorkels, characterized by being provided with two valve seats (11, 4), one of them (11) combined with a float (15) adapted to act in normal position of the breathing tube, and the other one (4) combined with a spherical body (9) heavier than water, adapted to act in an inverted position of the breathing tube.

2.- Improved air inlet valve for underwater swimming snorkels, according to claim 1%, characterized by being made up of two bodies (1, 2) firmly joined together, one of which (1) has a throat ( 4) followed by an open head (5) for coupling to the breathing tube (6), and is internally provided with a blind tubular appendage (7) that has radial holes (8) near its start and that is housed in it said spherical body (9) heavier than water, while the other body (2) carries at its end adjacent to the first-mentioned body (1) a transverse partition (10), which in its central portion determines a species cup (11) provided at its bottom with a passage hole (12), as well as wide openings (13) on its wall and a large hole (14) at its bottom, and a hollow spherical body being housed inside o float (15), freely slidable between the bowl (11) and the or background office (11) mentioned.

3.- PERFECTED AIR INTAKE VALVE FOR UNDERWATER SWIMMING BREATHING TUBES, as described and claimed herein, consisting of six sheets typed on one side and a sheet of drawings.

Barcelona, 23 April 1958, JUAN DUARRY SERRA. PP GOMEZ ACEBO AND MODE.

 

[David Wilson]

 

[David Wilson]

Back with Duarry's snorkel-mask patent midweek.

 

[John C. Ratliff]

Thanks for the post, Pete.

Today we move on to the Spanish manufacturer Duarry. The following advertisement appeared in a firefighter-related journal:

View attachment 802799​

This publicity focused on fire rescue cushions with images of the products and their alternatives, while the captions drummed home the message that these pneumatic safety devices could make the difference between life and death in the case of a burning multistorey building.

It may well come as a surprise that a company making firefighters' lifesaving gear should also manufacture diving equipment, but the UK's famous Siebe-Gorman diving standard and scuba diving product manufacturing company eventually left the underwater business to focus entirely on the firefighting sector.

So did the American company, Scott. The Scott Hydropack was a wonderful SCUBA unit, but was so expensive no one could afford it. Comedian/actor Jerry Lewis used this unit in at least two movies, one of which was “Don’t Give Up The Ship,” (see the photo below.)

When I was at my last place of employment, as an Environmental Health and Safety Manager, we had Scott AirPack equipment. I also found a hose-line system by Scott that we put back into service (it had been stored away and forgotten about) for our Emergency Response Team (ERT). We were a high tech chemical manufacturer, and had numerous times where the ERT was needed.

Kanto ERT by John Ratliff, on Flickr

Scott still makes the Air-Pak for firefighters, and is very successful at that. I just looked it up and from what I can tell Scott was bought by 3M:

https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/p/d/b5005047169/

SeaRat