Surgery – Respiratory method or device – Draw-type snorkel
Patent
1996-03-11
1999-04-13
Millin, Vincent
Surgery
Respiratory method or device
Draw-type snorkel
12820029, 12820127, B63C 1116
Patent
active
058933620
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an improved snorkelling device for supplying air directly to a person by unassisted lung function on or below the water surface to an approximate depth of one meter and to allow the person to descend without benefit of respiration to free diving depths.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
A prior art breathing apparatus is described by J. L. Belcher in U.S. Pat. No. 1,901,219 which issued on Mar. 14, 1933. With the apparatus of Belcher a person is able to swim upon the surface of the water and descend to shallow depths while maintaining a cycle of unassisted respiration. The apparatus of Belcher consists of a float arranged to normally retain the open ends of an air intake tube and exhaled gases tube projecting above the surface of the water. The other end of the air intake tube is bifurcated with respective branches connecting into a pair of inlet ports provided in the sides of a breathing mask that covers the divers nose and mouth. Each inlet port is fitted with a one way flap-valve. The exhaled gases tube is connected to an exhaust port provided in the base of the mask and is fitted with a similar one-way flap-valve. The valve configuration and tubes of the apparatus of Belcher provide the wearer with a source of fresh air by the natural breathing process, while also prohibiting the rebreathing of exhaled gases.
One of the disadvantages of the apparatus of Belcher is that if the float supporting the air intake and exhaust tube is accidentally or deliberately pulled under the water surface, the entire apparatus will flood making it unusable until the water has been purged from the tubes. A further disadvantage is that the wearer's limit of descent is controlled by the overall length of the apparatus. Another disadvantage is the provision of the air intake tube, exhaust tube and non-return valves in connection with a breathing mask covering the wearer's nose and mouth. This prevents the person from wearing a conventional face mask. A still further disadvantage is the relative complexity of construction of the apparatus of Belcher, in particular the multiplicity of tubes, which makes the apparatus more expensive to make and clumsy to use.
The present invention was developed with a view to providing an improved snorkelling device for supplying air to a person by unassisted lung function to a depth of approximately one meter.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a snorkelling device for supplying air to a person by unassisted lung function to a depth of approximately one meter, the device comprising:
an air intake incorporating a float valve for closing the air intake when it becomes submerged;
a mouth piece connected to the air intake by a flexible hose, the mouth piece having an inlet valve adapted to prevent the return of expelled gases up the flexible hose during exhalation and an outlet valve adapted to allow expelled gases to escape to ambient water during exhalation;
a float provided adjacent the air intake and adapted to normally hold the air intake above the surface of the water; and, distance from the float, the weight being sufficiently heavy to exert a downward force on the flexible hose so as to cause the float and the air intake to maintain a generally upright position whereby, in use, the person can breath air at atmospheric pressure whilst submerged to depths of up to approximately one meter and can descend without breathing to free diving depths by drawing the float with the air intake down below the surface of the water.
Advantageously the device also includes a vacuum control means for eliminating any partial vacuum that may be formed within the flexible hose in the event the person inhales through the mouthpiece whilst the air intake is fully submerged.
In a preferred embodiment the inlet valve is in the form of a flexible diaphragm mounted on a support grid provided in connection with a valve seat, and wherein said vacuum control means operates by causing the diaphragm to be at least pa
REFERENCES:
patent: 1197115 (1916-09-01), Fell et al.
patent: 1946126 (1934-02-01), Black
patent: 3721235 (1973-03-01), Ball et al.
patent: 5027805 (1991-07-01), Kung
patent: 5117817 (1992-06-01), Lin
patent: 5193530 (1993-03-01), Gamow et al.
patent: 5351681 (1994-10-01), Hudson
Deane, Jr. William J.
Millin Vincent
LandOfFree
Snorkelling device does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Snorkelling device, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Snorkelling device will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-220132