Surgery – Respiratory method or device – Underwater exhalation dispersing means
Reexamination Certificate
2000-04-26
2001-07-24
Lewis, Aaron J. (Department: 3761)
Surgery
Respiratory method or device
Underwater exhalation dispersing means
C128S201270
Reexamination Certificate
active
06263871
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to mouthpieces used with breathing devices and, more particularly, to mouthpieces used with second stage regulators in underwater breathing devices.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Regulators are breathing devices that allow scuba divers to breathe air, or the like, while under water. The regulator uses valves to release air from high pressure tanks, typically through the action of an inhalation responsive diaphragm. Most often, a first stage regulator is attached to the tank. A second stage regulator is then connected to the first by a flexible hose and is supported by a mouthpiece retained in the mouth of the diver. This configuration requires minimal breathing effort since it locates the inhalation responsive elements closer to the center of pressure of the diver's lungs.
Regulators are frequently shared by many divers, especially in rental operations and diver training programs. Pathogenic entities from one diver can be transmitted to the next. Some bacteria, such as tuberculosis, have become resistant to antibiotics. Hepatitis is difficult to kill and can survive on dry surfaces for great periods of time. And lethal new viruses, such as HIV, Marburg, and Ebola are emerging with an alarming frequency. Regulators are rinsed with fresh water after use, but this has little pathogen inactivating value. There is growing concern over this problem and some instructional agencies have even discontinued the so-called buddy breathing exercise of passing the same regulator back and forth between two divers.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,755,222, to Pansard and U.S. Pat. No. 5,829,432 to Semeia disclose fasteners to facilitate mouthpiece replacement and many rental operations now require divers to use their own personal mouthpieces. However, it is not enough to simply replace the mouthpiece to prevent the transmission of pathogenic entities between divers who share a common regulator. Pathogenic entities can also be carried past the mouthpiece and into the regulator with exhaled air and saliva, and once there, can be transmitted to the next user. In our previous patent application, we disclosed a mouthpiece having integral unidirectional fluid pathways to prevent pathogens in the divers exhalation and saliva from contaminating the regulator itself.
It is becoming increasingly common for divers to replace the mouthpiece of diving regulators before use. But even with quick release fasteners, it is not always easy to replace the mouthpiece. Not all regulator ports are the same size and it is sometimes difficult to fit a small mouthpiece over a large port and anchor it in place with a fastener, particularly if the divers hands are cold and wet.
One problem encountered when a mouthpiece having an integral exhaust port is used with a second stage diving regulator is that bubbles can pass in front of the diver's face and obscure his line of vision during exhalation. Although not a safety issue, bubbles can be irritating to the diver.
Second stage regulators have an exhaust port built into the regulator housing. When used with a mouthpiece having its own integral exhaust pathway, the exhaust port in the regulator housing can be used to help clear the regulator of water should it become flooded but may allow water to leak into the regulator. One diver may wish to make use of the exhaust port in the regulator while another diver might not. And so the problem arises as to what to do with the exhaust port in the regulator when the regulator is being used with a mouthpiece having its own integral exhaust pathway.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a breathing device with an easily replaceable mouthpiece.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a breathing device with an easily replaceable mouthpiece that prevents the transmission of pathogenic entities between the users of common-use breathing devices.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a mouthpiece for use by student divers that permits practicing buddy-breathing without the risk of transmitting communicable diseases.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a diving regulator for use with a mouthpiece having an integral exhaust pathway that directs bubbles away from the diver's line of vision.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a diver with a regulator having a housing including an exhaust port that the diver can enable or disable at his option.
The present invention accomplishes its intended objectives by providing a breathing device with a detachable mouthpiece having a coupler adapted to quickly and easily attach the mouthpiece to the device. In the preferred, but non-limiting embodiment, a mouthpiece is connected to a second stage diving regulator. The mouthpiece further includes one or more noretum fluid pathways to prevent saliva and exhaled air with their attendant pathogens from entering the body of the regulator. The embodiment further includes a bubble deflector to direct exhaled bubbles away from the diver's line of vision. In addition, the regulator housing includes an exhaust port that can be either sealed or fitted with an exhaust valve at the user's discretion.
Further characteristics and advantages of the mouthpiece and coupler of the present invention will become apparent from a description of the preferred embodiment given hereinafter.
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Brown David S.
Brown Richard I.
Lewis Aaron J.
Mitchell Teena
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