GB2187103A

GB2187103A - Snorkel

Info

Publication number: GB2187103A
Application number: GB08703353A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Douglas Wright
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1986-02-28
Filing date: 1987-02-13
Publication date: 1987-09-03
Also published as: GB8605069D0; IT8767136A0; GB8703353D0; GB2187103B; IT1207364B

Abstract

A snorkel which can act also as a buoy comprises a flotation chamber 4 to which is connected an inlet tube 1 the end of which is held above the surface of the water by the chamber, a relatively long flexible breathing tube 12 terminating in a mouthpiece 13 or a face mask. The flotation chamber is provided with a deflector 10 which deflects any water inadvertently passing down the inlet tube away from the breathing tube into the flotation chamber. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Breathing device This invention relates to a breathing device referred to in this specification as a snorkel to enable a person to swim under the surface of water.

Conventional snorkels comprise a short J shaped tube the end of the shorter of the two arms of which terminates either in a mouthpiece to be inserted in the mouth of the user or alternatively the end is fitted to a face piece which covers the whole of the face of the user. In use air is inhaled through the tube and as a result the user is able to swim under the surface of the water to a depth determined by the length of the longer of the two arms which in the case of existing snorkels is short i.e. about 12 inches in length. As a result the wearer of the device is confined to swimming just below the surface of the water if normal breathing is to be maintained. This limitation whilst imposing a severe restriction on the use of the snorkel at least permits the wearer to surface immediately in the event of the breathing tube becoming blocked by accidental flooding by water.The present invention is directed to an improved snorkel which enables a wearer not only to swim at lower depths but also provides a reservoir of air should the tube be flooded temporarily thus ensuring that the user is able to maintain at least limited breathing whilst rising to the surface.

Accordingly this invention provides an improved snorkel comprising a flotation chamber having connected thereto an inlet tube and a flexible breathing tube the end of the breathing tube remote from the flotation chamber incorporating body connecting means the inlet tube and the breathing tube being in communication with one another through the flotation chamber.

This invention is illustrated but not restricted by the following drawings which illustrate a preferred form of invention snorkel.

Figure 1 illustrates a view taken in perspective of the improved snorkel.

Figure 2 illustrates an exploded view taken in vertical section of the snorkel illustrated in Figure 1.

In these drawings the same numerals relate to the same features.

In the drawings an inlet tube (1) which can be made conveniently of a strong thermoplastic material for example a polycarbonate a polyester or a polymide is secured detachably by locating nut (2) to tubulure (3) of flotation chamber (4). The tube is sufficiently rigid so as to enable it to remain upstanding from the flotation chamber even when it may be buffeted by waves. The tubular is provided with external threads which engage with the locating nut (2). The connection is made watertight by means of sealing washer (5).

The flotation chamber (4) is preferably of conical shape and is weighted so as to enable it to maintain an upright position during use even when the surface of the water may be subjected to some disturbance. The chamber is made preferably without joints as a one piece sealed unit by means of blow or spin moulding a thermoplastics material.

It can have any shape provided that it can maintain a stable position in the water. The capacity of the chamber can also vary between wide limits, for example from 2 to 10 litres has been found to be very satisfactory. The chamber is connected by an inwardly directed tubulure (6) which is internally threaded to a breathing inlet (7). The latter is threaded externally and is provided with a sealing washer (8). The end (9) of inlet tube (7) communicates with the interior of chamber (2) and is provided with a deflector (10) which together with end (9) of the tube define a lateral opening (11). The breathing inlet (7) is connected to a breathing tube (12) terminating in a mouthpiece (13). If desired the end of the tube can be fitted to a face mask or less desirably it can be dimensioned so that it can be inserted directly into the mouth.The tube is reinforced by an internal spring (14) so as to prevent the wall of the tube collapsing due to the effects of water pressure or when the tube becomes snagged by underwater objects or manoeuvres by the user.

The length of the tube can vary over fairly wide limits although a maximum length of about three metres has been found very satisfactory. Buoyancy chambers of greater capacity may be desirable for tubes of greater length.

Chamber (2) has in effect three functions in that it can act as a marker buoy indicating the approximate position of the wearer below the surface of the water. It also provides a high degree of buoyancy for the inlet tube (1)the open end of which is held clear of the surface of the water and thirdly the chamber provides a limited supply of air in case the inlet tube becomes blocked. A further advantage of the present snorkel is that if for any reason water does enter the inlet tube it passes down the tube and is deflected by deflector (10) into the hollow body of the flotation chamber where it is retained. At the same time air, largely free of entrained water, passes through lateral opening (11) down the breathing tube (12) to the user.By contrast any water entering the inlet tube of a conventional snorkel is liable to discharge directly into the mouth of the wearer with consequent undesirable results.

Snorkels of the present invention can be supplied as a kit of parts which can be assembled readily.

1. A snorkel comprising a flotation chamber having connected thereto an inlet tube and a flexible breathing tube the end of the breathing tube remote from the flotation chamber incorporating body connecting means, the inlet tube and the breathing tube being in communication with one another through the flotation chamber.

2. A snorkel according to Claim 1 wherein the flotation chamber has a conical shape.

3. A snorkel according to Claims 1 and 2 wherein the flotation chamber is weighted.

4. A snorkel according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the flotation chamber has a capacity of from 2 to 10 litres.

5. A snorkel according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the flotation chamber has been made in one piece.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Breathing device This invention relates to a breathing device referred to in this specification as a snorkel to enable a person to swim under the surface of water. Conventional snorkels comprise a short J shaped tube the end of the shorter of the two arms of which terminates either in a mouthpiece to be inserted in the mouth of the user or alternatively the end is fitted to a face piece which covers the whole of the face of the user. In use air is inhaled through the tube and as a result the user is able to swim under the surface of the water to a depth determined by the length of the longer of the two arms which in the case of existing snorkels is short i.e. about 12 inches in length. As a result the wearer of the device is confined to swimming just below the surface of the water if normal breathing is to be maintained. This limitation whilst imposing a severe restriction on the use of the snorkel at least permits the wearer to surface immediately in the event of the breathing tube becoming blocked by accidental flooding by water.The present invention is directed to an improved snorkel which enables a wearer not only to swim at lower depths but also provides a reservoir of air should the tube be flooded temporarily thus ensuring that the user is able to maintain at least limited breathing whilst rising to the surface. Accordingly this invention provides an improved snorkel comprising a flotation chamber having connected thereto an inlet tube and a flexible breathing tube the end of the breathing tube remote from the flotation chamber incorporating body connecting means the inlet tube and the breathing tube being in communication with one another through the flotation chamber. This invention is illustrated but not restricted by the following drawings which illustrate a preferred form of invention snorkel. Figure 1 illustrates a view taken in perspective of the improved snorkel. Figure 2 illustrates an exploded view taken in vertical section of the snorkel illustrated in Figure 1. In these drawings the same numerals relate to the same features. In the drawings an inlet tube (1) which can be made conveniently of a strong thermoplastic material for example a polycarbonate a polyester or a polymide is secured detachably by locating nut (2) to tubulure (3) of flotation chamber (4). The tube is sufficiently rigid so as to enable it to remain upstanding from the flotation chamber even when it may be buffeted by waves. The tubular is provided with external threads which engage with the locating nut (2). The connection is made watertight by means of sealing washer (5). The flotation chamber (4) is preferably of conical shape and is weighted so as to enable it to maintain an upright position during use even when the surface of the water may be subjected to some disturbance. The chamber is made preferably without joints as a one piece sealed unit by means of blow or spin moulding a thermoplastics material. It can have any shape provided that it can maintain a stable position in the water. The capacity of the chamber can also vary between wide limits, for example from 2 to 10 litres has been found to be very satisfactory. The chamber is connected by an inwardly directed tubulure (6) which is internally threaded to a breathing inlet (7). The latter is threaded externally and is provided with a sealing washer (8). The end (9) of inlet tube (7) communicates with the interior of chamber (2) and is provided with a deflector (10) which together with end (9) of the tube define a lateral opening (11). The breathing inlet (7) is connected to a breathing tube (12) terminating in a mouthpiece (13). If desired the end of the tube can be fitted to a face mask or less desirably it can be dimensioned so that it can be inserted directly into the mouth.The tube is reinforced by an internal spring (14) so as to prevent the wall of the tube collapsing due to the effects of water pressure or when the tube becomes snagged by underwater objects or manoeuvres by the user. The length of the tube can vary over fairly wide limits although a maximum length of about three metres has been found very satisfactory. Buoyancy chambers of greater capacity may be desirable for tubes of greater length. Chamber (2) has in effect three functions in that it can act as a marker buoy indicating the approximate position of the wearer below the surface of the water. It also provides a high degree of buoyancy for the inlet tube (1)the open end of which is held clear of the surface of the water and thirdly the chamber provides a limited supply of air in case the inlet tube becomes blocked. A further advantage of the present snorkel is that if for any reason water does enter the inlet tube it passes down the tube and is deflected by deflector (10) into the hollow body of the flotation chamber where it is retained. At the same time air, largely free of entrained water, passes through lateral opening (11) down the breathing tube (12) to the user.By contrast any water entering the inlet tube of a conventional snorkel is liable to discharge directly into the mouth of the wearer with consequent undesirable results. Snorkels of the present invention can be supplied as a kit of parts which can be assembled readily. CLAIMS

6. A snorkel according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the flotation chamber contains means for preventing water flowing down the inlet tube from entering the breathing tube.

7. A snorkel according to Claim 6 wherein the means comprises a tubulure which is directed inwardly of the breathing chamber.

8. A snorkel according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 6 wherein the inlet of the breathing tube located within the flotation chamber is provided with a deflector.

9. Snorkels as herein before claimed in any of the preceding claims.

10. Snorkels as hereinbefore described with particular reference to the drawings.