Homemade Sea Diver (Cartesian Diver)

This is a homemade version of the 1970's Parker Brothers toy "Sea Diver". The Sea Diver toy has a plastic bottle with gravel on the bottom and little plastic items that you pickup with the diving bell. The diving bell is controlled by squeezing the plastic bottle. When you increase the pressure, the diving bell lowers and the claws open. Release pressure and the claws close the bell raises. Sea Diver is basically a Cartesian Diver with some mechanical claws that open when the bell lowers and closes as it raises.

Apologies if the lead-up in this video is a little lengthy but there's a bit of a story to this and hey, this is my first webcam video post and if you want to skip all the blabbing, just roll forward to see the diving action.

Hope you enjoy it.

So, just to be clear, I didn't invent this. I worked out the float mechanism on my own after seeing it work but Mr. John M. Todd is the original inventor and patented it in 1971 under US patent 3,588.099. All credit to the inventor. Thanks for putting out a fun toy that sparked a curiosity.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• cartesian
• diver
• parker
• brothers
• sea
• toy

[mauricemeyer]

Robert, I was thinking the same thing. It will probably have to be a web page rather than a video since it take a while and I probably can't man the camera and make the parts. I think I have it down enough to put something up. I'll do another one and make sure to take pictures of each step. A friend of mine who leads some parents and kids in a kind of science faire may help manufacture some in his machine shop too.

[GStricke]

Loved the video Drob, hope your'e doing well!

[mauricemeyer]

Thanks Greg! Yeah, it's all good over here. Thanks.

[vdogg43]

We were very poor growing up and I always wanted that toy, but my mom could not afford it. You were very lucky to have it.

[mauricemeyer]

Hey Vince, I might be making these with Chris for the Maker Faire. If so, I'll get one to you for sure. Yeah, there were plenty of other toys we didn't get either.

[Monkey1paw]

Can you share a making of the "diver" video, or instructions for myself. gorillaemail@mac.com

Thanks, Robert

[Monkey1paw]

I felt the same way as you as a child I love this Sea Diver. I have sold 3 on E-bay and they all went for around $250. The guy that has his listed at $499 has been listed for a long time, as he keeps listing it. But as I said the true price is around $250. It is so cool that you made one, as I also wondered how to make one before I was able to find some on ebay as a bidding price. Regards to you, Robert