Draw-type Snorkel Patents (Class 128/201.11)
  • Patent number: 11760452
    Abstract: A training mask for the training of the respiratory muscles and/or snorkeling mask with improved air routing of the inhaled and/or exhaled air includes a half mask (8) sealingly closing the mouth and nose area, wherein an air-conducting channel connector (15, 40) with hollow profile is arranged in front of the half mask (8), via which connector at least the inhaled air can be introduced frontally in the half mask (8) via an approximately central inflow opening (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Inventor: Thierry Lucas
  • Patent number: 11655011
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a snorkel, comprising a breathing hose, the breathing hose having a mouthpiece at one end and connected to a buoyant rigid body at the other end, the rigid body comprising an internal cavity, with the breathing hose connected to the internal cavity; a first opening into the internal cavity disposed at a top end of the rigid body, the first opening having a first cover with a diameter greater than the diameter of the opening, and the first cover extending over the first opening; and a weighted ring secured to a bottom end of the rigid body, the weighted ring surrounding the end of the breathing hose connected to the rigid body, wherein the breathing tube and the first opening define an airway permitting a user to breathe through the snorkel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Inventor: Anthony Scheepers
  • Patent number: 11352108
    Abstract: A full-face diving mask includes a mask and a breathing tube. The mask includes an outer frame, a lens housing and a fitting mask. The fitting mask includes a partition plate. The partition plate and the inner surface of the lens housing define an observation chamber on the top and a breathing chamber below. The partition plate includes at least one air intake port to allow inhaled air to be guided and circulated through at least one air intake passageway from the observation chamber toward the breathing chamber. The breathing chamber is further provided with an air compartment partition plate connected to the partition plate to define an air discharge compartment. The air compartment partition plate is provided with at least one air discharge port to allow exhaled air to be guided through at least one air discharge passageway from the air discharge compartment and discharged along the breathing tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: BESTWAY INFLATABLES & MATERIAL CORP.
    Inventors: Shuiyong Huang, Bo Wu, Yuyan Liu
  • Patent number: 11292561
    Abstract: A snorkel mouthpiece assembly, including a main body, a mouthpiece, a connecting component and an accessory, is provided. The mouthpiece is connected to the main body. The connecting component includes a connecting portion and a fixing portion opposite to the connecting portion. The connecting portion is detachably connected to the main body, and the accessory is connected to the fixing portion. In this way, the snorkel mouthpiece assembly could be equipped with a variety of accessories during water or diving activities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: QBAS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Chih-Cheng Shiue
  • Patent number: 11292562
    Abstract: A diving device includes an air pump with a rigid housing including an interior and an opening closed by a sack-shaped flexible part to form a variable pump volume delimited by the housing and the flexible part. The air pump is designed such that if surrounding water causes overpressure, the flexible part is pressed into the interior, thereby reducing the pump volume, and rests against an inner wall of the housing at least partly in a contact section of the interior. The flexible part can be pulled out of the interior against the overpressure by the muscle force of a diver, thereby increasing the pump volume. The air supply line can be releasably secured to a support device, in particular a waist belt of the support device, centrally behind the back of the diver, and a quick ejection device is provided for releasably securing the air supply line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Inventor: Joerg Tragatschnig
  • Patent number: 11286025
    Abstract: Diving gear includes an air pump having a rigid housing with an interior space and an opening closed by a bag-like flexible part to form a variable pump volume delimited by the housing and the flexible part. The air pump is configured so that, if surrounding water causes positive pressure, the flexible part is pressed into the interior space, thus reducing the pump volume, and, at least in sections, lies against a housing inner wall in an interior space contact portion. A diver can pull the flexible part out of the interior space counter to the positive pressure, thus increasing pump volume. An air duct is configured so that, during the suction, air flows from an interior space end region toward a start of the interior space at least into a maximum height region, preferably into the interior space start region, and into the interior space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Inventor: Joerg Tragatschnig
  • Patent number: 11267545
    Abstract: An improved hydrodynamic sports snorkel for use in swim training, exercise and other recreational activities, which facilitates efficient swimming by eliminating the need for a swimmer to turn their head to the side for breathing. The sport snorkel device provides a novel design that significantly reduces drag and resistance, including by directing breathing tubes down the sides of the chin and under the jaw line toward the neck, around the neck and rejoining and going to the surface at the back of the neck behind the swimmer's head. This novel design with tubes running under the jawline and behind the head significantly reduces the portion of snorkel tubing directly in the water flow stream and thus reduces drag and resistance. The sport snorkel device also allows the swimmer to hold the snorkel solely by the mouthpiece without the need to fixedly attach the device to the swimmer's head or goggles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Inventor: Anthony D. Sainato
  • Patent number: 11225309
    Abstract: Methods and systems to provide breathing air to underwater divers in response to the divers' respiration at pressures less than 25 psi above atmospheric pressure during inspiration while delivering no or minimal air during exhalation, by controlling the actions of a pump during the time course of breathing. Methods and systems that sense a diver's need for breathing air, determine inhalation demand or exhalation state, and control the operation of a pump which delivers breathing gas to the diver via a tube. An integrated system for the same which incorporates at least an energy source (26), pump (28), air tube (30), breathing aperture (10), sensor (20), and logic processor (24) is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: Setaysha Technical Solutions LLC
    Inventor: John Craig Colborn
  • Patent number: 11130552
    Abstract: An underwater recreation system for diving instruction and method of its use. The method includes providing a series of learning steps with diving techniques and instructions to practice at incrementally deeper depths and providing a surface floating depth limitation device that restricts the learning user to the particular maximum depth of their learning step. The apparatus for carrying out the method of diving instruction includes a surface floating depth limitation device with the means to connect to the breathing hose of a surface supplied air supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Inventor: Tiemen Tobias van Dillen
  • Patent number: 11058158
    Abstract: A head protection hood having an outer surface configured to contact a surrounding environment, an inner surface configured to contact the head of a user, a head passage section, a face opening delimited by an edge at the eyes of the user, and a breathing area is provided. The head protection hood includes a frame connected along the edge of the face opening, that receives a visor and that has a first lip resting against the head of the user at an area situated between the root and the tip of the nose, at the front region, at the temples, and at the infra-orbital regions of the face of the user, thus forming a visual compartment separated from said breathing area. The frame further comprises a second peripheral lip situated between the first lip and the visor, the second peripheral lip extending from the frame towards said surrounding environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: BeMicron
    Inventors: Vincent Vanneste, Siegfried De Smet
  • Patent number: 11040760
    Abstract: An underwater mask includes a frame, a transparent portion supported by the frame, a seal portion mounted on the frame and adapted to be positioned on a user's face, and a ventilation tube. The seal portion has a partition wall resting on the user's nose and forming upper and lower chambers, which communicate through a passage in the partition wall and a one-way valve to enable air to flow only from the upper to the lower chamber. The ventilation tube has separate channels providing communication between the upper and respectively the lower chamber and the outer environment, and a hub between tube and mask, fastened to the mask and connected to the tube by a joint, so that in a coupling position the hub and the tube are fastened, and in a releasing position the hub and the tube remain connected but the tube is free to swing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Inventors: Aristide Barone, Marco Barbagelata
  • Patent number: 10994819
    Abstract: The present invention provides a snorkel having smaller respiratory dead space or volume. The snorkel includes a mouthpiece and a tube with an inhalation lumen and an exhalation lumen. A distal one-way inhalation valve is placed inside the inhalation lumen; and a distal one-way exhalation valve is placed inside the exhalation lumen. The invention also provides a method for reducing the volume of a respiratory dead space in a snorkel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Inventors: Kun Yuan Tong, John Tong
  • Patent number: 10870470
    Abstract: The invention relates to a valve system (10) for a breathing aid for swimmers, in particular for an inhalation valve, comprising a valve housing (1) and a valve diaphragm (2) in the valve housing (1); in a contact zone (3) preferably located in a central area of the valve diaphragm (2), the valve diaphragm (2) is disposed on a first end (4) of a fastening element (5); furthermore, from the contact zone (3), the valve diaphragm (2) runs at least partially at an angle in the direction of a second end (6) of the fastening element (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: AMEO SPORTS GMBH
    Inventors: Matthias Ocklenburg, Jan Von Hofacker, Andreas Neugebauer, Reinhard Misterek
  • Patent number: 10793240
    Abstract: The present invention provides a snorkel having smaller respiratory dead space or volume. The snorkel includes a mouthpiece and a tube with an inhalation lumen and an exhalation lumen. A distal one-way inhalation valve is placed inside the inhalation lumen; and a distal one-way exhalation valve is placed inside the exhalation lumen. The invention also provides a method for reducing the volume of a respiratory dead space in a snorkel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Inventors: Kun Yuan Tong, John Tong
  • Patent number: 10668999
    Abstract: The mask for surface snorkeling comprises a rigid frame (2), a transparent visor (3), a soft face mask (4) applicable in an airtight way to the face of the user and having a membrane (7) which delimits an upper viewing chamber (8) being shaped to contain the eyes of the user and a lower breathing chamber (9) being shaped to contain the nose and mouth of the user, and a breathing circuit (5) connected to the lower chamber (9), a ventilation circuit of the upper chamber (8) independent and separated from the breathing circuit (5) also being provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Cressi-Sub S.p.A.
    Inventor: Carlos Alberto Godoy
  • Patent number: 10624779
    Abstract: An intraoral device is disclosed. The device includes a curved portion configured to extend along a user's teeth, and first and second back portions connected to the curved portion. In addition, the device includes a plurality of projections extending from each of the first and second back portions, where the projections are positioned such that, when in the user's mouth, the projections are between upper and lower teeth of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Sacks Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Devin S. Chodorow, Ingram S. Chodorow, Christopher G. Ross, Peter M. On
  • Patent number: 10549829
    Abstract: The present technology relates to a snorkel which includes a breathing tube having a first end received in a mouth of a user and an upper opening in a second end opposite the first end. The snorkel further includes a housing around the upper opening which includes a slot. The housing and slot together trap an air pocket within the housing when the housing is submerged underwater, with the upper opening of the breathing tube positioned in the air pocket to prevent water from entering the upper opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Inventors: Anthony Vinokur, Pavel Flider, Galina Levinson
  • Patent number: 10420966
    Abstract: A water survival mask that seals to the user's face covering the nose and mouth and preventing the unwanted inhalation of water. The mask lets air in through slots located at the bottom of the mask that also allow water to drain out. Once through the slots, water is prevented from entering the mask by a water impermeable barrier that selectively allows for air and not water to be inhaled, which may be a float valve. If water penetrates through the water impermeable barrier it is caught by splash guards and funneled back out of the mask before it can enter the primary airway of the user. The water survival mask works exceptionally well at preventing inhalation of windblown water droplets or wave water when floating in rough waters, thereby preventing pulmonary aspiration and pulmonary edema. It also prevents immediate inhalation of water do to submersion in cold water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Inventor: Charlie Strand
  • Patent number: 10358198
    Abstract: A snorkel, including at least one tube, for allowing a user to flow air between a top opening disposed above the water level, and a bottom opening ending with a breathing piece disposed below the water level, a float fixed to the at least one tube, for maintaining the top opening above the water level, while being attached to the user and as well while being separated therefrom, and a valve assembly, disposed adjacent to the breathing piece and communicating therewith, for not allowing water to enter the breathing piece, thereby allowing the user to separate himself from the snorkel, and further to safely attach himself thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Inventor: Cheinan Polak
  • Patent number: 10342998
    Abstract: A hood comprising a flexible envelope and a reservoir of oxygen comprising a calibrated outlet orifice that leads into the internal volume of the envelope, the outlet orifice being closed off by a removable stopper, characterized in that the reservoir of pressurized oxygen comprises two independent storage compartments, a first compartment of which communicates with the outlet orifice and a second compartment of which is isolated from the outlet orifice via a sealed partition provided with a member for opening the partition, the opening member being switchable between a first configuration which prevents fluidic communication between the second compartment and the outlet orifice and a second configuration that allows fluidic communication between the second compartment and the outlet orifice, the opening member being sensitive to the pressure difference between the second compartment and the first compartment and being configured to automatically switch from the first to the second configuration when the pres
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme Pour L'Etude Et L'Exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Rachid Makhlouche, Jean-Michel Cazenave, Freddy Dumont, Christian Rolland, Benoit Rossignol
  • Patent number: 10308332
    Abstract: A full face mask and snorkel can include a full face mask and a rigid snorkel attached to the side of the mask. The side location of the ridged snorkel avoids peripheral ducting of air around the full face mask. The full face mask includes a main peripheral full face seal coupled to the mask's rigid support structure. The full face mask includes a separation seal dividing the full face mask into at least an upper chamber. The snorkel is affixed to the side of the full face mask at a location proximate to where the separation seal meets the main seal. A full face mask and snorkel can also include an exhalation valve located within the snorkel and proximate to the mask so as to avoid a volume of respirated air within the snorkel from being reinhaled into the lower chamber of the full face mask.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: Datafly Commerce Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Richard Thomas, Mark Henry Thomas, Gerardo David Ayala, Samuel Joseph Wellskopf
  • Patent number: 10259548
    Abstract: A splash guard for a snorkel tube has an extension pipe, a pivot member pivotally mounted on the extension pipe, a space surrounded by the extension pipe and the pivot member, a float member pivotally mounted on the pivot member and located in the space, a closure member disposed on the pivot member, and a cover disposed on the extension pipe. The extension pipe has a first aperture and a second aperture in opposition. The pivot member has two pivot arms and a support portion. A pivoting limit is formed in a surface of the support portion facing the extension pipe which is selectively abutted by the float member. The closure member selectively seals the first aperture. The cover has a socket selectively engaged by the projection. The present invention can prevent inadequate sealing and has the advantages of light weight and small volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: WATER SQUARE SPORTS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Chen-Lieh Pan
  • Patent number: 10179220
    Abstract: The invention involves masks and systems for providing respiratory treatments to various animals including horses, mules and ponies. The masks are low in cost due to simple designs, a very low thickness requiring less material and the systems include the masks of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Inventor: Rebecca G. Canaday
  • Patent number: 10167062
    Abstract: The invention provides a floatable cable loading facility (3) for receiving and controlling a cable storage tank (1) which can be used without providing additional infrastructure on a quay or vessel. The cable loading facility is able to receive and retain a tank (1) while rotating it to allow loading and unloading of the cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: JDR Cable Systems Ltd.
    Inventors: James Young, Philip Ward, Jeremy Featherstone
  • Patent number: 10080511
    Abstract: A bi-directional oxygenation apparatus for a patient includes a mouthpiece including an intraoral portion for placement in the patient's mouth and defining a center orifice, the mouthpiece including an external portion coupled to the intraoral portion and in fluid communication with the center orifice. A valve port includes a continuous side wall operatively coupled to the external portion of the mouthpiece and defining an interior area in fluid communication with the center orifice, the valve port selectively moved toward or away from the external portion when air is inhaled or exhaled through the center orifice, respectively. A one-way positive-end expiratory pressure (“PEEP”) valve is situated in the interior area of the valve port and configured to resist air exhaled by the patient through the center orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Inventor: Sean Boutros
  • Patent number: 9925399
    Abstract: An emergency breathing apparatus for use in case of burial by an avalanche is described. The breathing apparatus may include a telescoping body configured to transition between a collapsed and extended configuration. The body may include a plurality of tubular members. The breathing apparatus may include a breathing port on one end of the device, a plurality of apertures on the opposite end of the device, and an internal lumen that fluidly connects the breathing port with the plurality of apertures. The breathing apparatus may include a spring assembly, a motorized extension mechanism, a pneumatic extension mechanism, or a combination of these devices, that are configured to extend the body from a collapsed configuration to an extended configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Inventor: Sophie Rose Goldberg
  • Patent number: 9878764
    Abstract: A system to prevent water from entering a snorkel breather tube includes a tube, wherein the tube is attached to a snorkel body and a pressure device, wherein the pressure device is attached to the tube at a tube tip. The pressure device comprises an air passage channel extending through an internal portion of the pressure device and an output hole, the output hole enabling entry of air into the air passage channel while preventing water from entering when the equipment of the system is submerged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Inventor: Odil Talles Pereira
  • Patent number: 9849952
    Abstract: A snorkel upper discharging head has a waterproof device. The snorkel upper discharging head comprises a snorkel upper discharging head body and a floating drum, an air inlet hole is arranged at the front end of the snorkel upper discharging head body and is sleeved with a sealing ring, the snorkel upper discharging head body is internally provided with an air duct communicated with the air inlet hole, circular arc sliding slots are arranged at the left and right inner sides of the snorkel upper discharging head body, the floating drum is clamped in the circular arc sliding slots, and a water seal face jointed with the sealing ring is arranged in the middle of the floating drum; the snorkel upper discharging head having the waterproof device not only has simple and compact structure and excellent waterproof effect, but is also eye-pleasing and fashionable in appearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: DONGGUAN LONGWELL SPORTS CO., LTD
    Inventor: Chin Hsien Wung
  • Patent number: 9815534
    Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to a floatation device for a snorkel, including a body made from a buoyant material; and an orifice penetrating through the body, the orifice sized to receive a snorkel, such that the floatation device provides sufficient buoyancy to float a snorkel and an attached mask on the surface of water. More specifically, the body may be brightly colored and the orifice may be sized to cause an interference fit with an inserted snorkel. In accordance with some embodiments, the body may be wrapped or covered in a second material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Inventor: Joanna Elizabeth Diamond
  • Patent number: 9724019
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, computer program, system and device for measuring oscillatory motion comprising: receiving a plurality of signals related to a plurality of measurements of a direction of a vector parameter (at-1, at); determining a predominant measured direction of the vector parameter (?t) based on the plurality of measurements of the direction of the vector parameter; determining an angle of rotation (?t) between: a measured direction of the vector parameter (at) of one of the plurality of measurements of the direction of the vector parameter, and the predominant measured direction of the vector parameter (?t).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: The University Court of the University of Edinburgh
    Inventors: Damal Arvind, Andrew Bates
  • Patent number: 9616981
    Abstract: A dry snorkel for diving comprises a snorkel tube, a float valve and a dry-type top discharge head. A soft plastic waterproof ring is mounted on a top end of the snorkel tube. The soft plastic waterproof ring has an air inlet communicating with the snorkel tube. A curved part is formed on the top end of the snorkel tube. The float valve is pivotally connected to a lower portion of the curved part. When a snorkel is under water, the float valve is turned up by the buoyancy of water to close the air inlet. When the top of the snorkel is above water, the float valve is turned down to open the air inlet. This design is simple and easy to assemble. It has few components and decreases the occurrence of choking on water efficiently whereby the diver breathes easily and comfortably and prolongs the diving time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: DONG GUAN QISHI DONGSHAN JUNMING PLASTIC & METAL FACTORY
    Inventor: Chiencheng Hsu
  • Patent number: 9545982
    Abstract: A breathing device for divers that includes a breathing tube exhibiting an end having an inclined opening, an obturator that is mobile between an open position and a closed position of the opening of the end, a float that activates the obturator, a first articulator that communicates the obturator to the tube, a second articulator that communicates the float to the tube. The first and the second articulators can each exhibit a respective hinge axis to the tube. The hinge axis to the tube of the second articulator can be more greatly distanced from the end of the tube relative to the hinge axis to the tube of the first articulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Cressi-Sub S.p.A.
    Inventor: Carlos Alberto Godoy
  • Patent number: 9333413
    Abstract: A mouth guard includes a pair of spaced-apart molar receiving members with an inner wall extending therebetween. The inner wall is configured for insertion between a user's lips and teeth. An outer wall is configured to confront an exterior surface of the user's lips. A conduit extends between the inner and outer walls and includes a passage formed therethrough. The passage extends through the inner wall between the molar receiving members and extends through the outer wall whereby a user may breathe or drink through the passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: BATTLE SPORTS SCIENCE, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Evans, Christopher W. Circo, Jeffrey M. Evans
  • Patent number: 9278045
    Abstract: A facial rejuvenating apparatus includes a pad having a concavity in an upper surface thereof. The concavity is configured to receive a human face. A pad breathing hole extends through the pad at a location to align with a nose of the face positioned in the concavity. A nonporous lining is provided to nest with the concavity in the pad. A lining breathing opening registers with the pad breathing opening. Stimulators, such as vibrators, are mounted in the pad to stimulate the face of a person using the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Inventor: Louis Scerbo
  • Patent number: 9259347
    Abstract: New bodily cooling techniques are provided. In some aspects of the present invention, a new rapidly-evaporating cooling gel or fluid is sprayed or doused over or about an athlete's body and/or worn garments in thermal-reduction-optimized gravitational, diffusion and movement-induced patterns, to maximize cooling during exercise. In some aspects, a worn garment may serve as the matrix or platform for this distribution of the fluid. In other aspects, tuned, heat-absorbing port-controlling devices cause the release of the cooling gel or fluid from distribution tubes or other channels (e.g., integral to the flexible fabric itself) upon local underlying body heat exceeding a threshold, and resealing (halting release) upon body or regional heat dropping below a threshold. In still other aspects, heat-expanding sub-elements rise away from a body heat source toward a wider region for heat release, while other cooled sub-elements descend and exchange places with them, to absorb more body heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Inventor: Christopher V. Beckman
  • Patent number: 9220861
    Abstract: A pad for a forehead support includes an outer wall having a first side configured to engage a user's forehead and a second side having engaged surfaces configured to rest against engaging surfaces of the forehead support; at least one retaining wall provided between the first side and the second side; and at least one retained portion configured to be retained by a retainer formed on the forehead support, wherein a space is defined between the outer wall and the engaged surfaces. The space has a substantially constant cross sectional profile, and the outer wall, the at least one retaining wall, and the engaged surfaces are formed of a deformable elastomeric material. Deformation of the pad occurs by deflection of at least the outer wall and the at least one retaining wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: ResMed Limited
    Inventors: Philip Rodney Kwok, William Edwin John Grant, Robert Stephen Matchett
  • Patent number: 9183844
    Abstract: Systems and methods for cancelling a near-field noise signal. The methods generally involve: receiving (604), from a first acoustic sensing device (120), a first signal (214) comprising a near-field noise signal (206); synthesizing (320, 420, 520, 606) a replica signal (322, 422, 522) which replicates the near-field noise signal; and communicating (608) the replica signal and the first signal to a far-field noise cancellation process (150). Prior to communicating the replica signal to the far-field noise cancellation process, at least one characteristic of the replica signal is controlled (606) so that the far-field noise cancellation process will identify the near-field noise signal as far-field noise. The far-field noise cancellation process cancels (610) the near-field noise signal and generates (612) an output signal (360, 460, 560) in which the near-field noise signal is reduced in amplitude.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventor: Bryce Tennant
  • Patent number: 9101198
    Abstract: A quick release assembly is provided with a plate member including two bent end loops; an inner plate including a longitudinal channel, a lateral receptacle communicating with the longitudinal channel, and a through hole; a shuttle in the longitudinal channel, an upper tunnel on an edge, a lower tunnel, a lug in the through hole, a slot through the lug, an upper narrow hole in the slot, and a lower circular hole in the slot; a first spring actuated detent in the lateral receptacle and having one end urging against either the upper tunnel or the lower tunnel; an outer plate including a longitudinal recess, and a hole member through the longitudinal recess; a lock mechanism partially disposed in the longitudinal recess and including a lever and a concave part; and a second spring actuated detent in the through hole, the slot, the hole member, and the concave part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: STARJET Technologies Co., LTD
    Inventor: Jui-Fu Tseng
  • Patent number: 9022025
    Abstract: A combination apparatus integrates the operation of a snorkel with a diving regulator having a breathing chamber and a diaphragm/purge valve chamber. A compressed air tank is in fluid communication with the diving regulator and a normally closed regulator valve is disposed between the compressed air tank and the diving regulator. A regulator valve spring maintains the regulator valve in the normally closed position. In a first embodiment, the regulator valve spring exerts about eight pounds per square inch on the normally closed regulator valve. Air enters into the breathing chamber from the compressed air tank through the diaphragm/purge valve chamber when the submerged diver inhales. The apparatus enables surface snorkeling and underwater diving and the diver need not switch from a snorkel mouthpiece to a diving regulator mouthpiece. Further embodiments re-locate the snorkel tube exhaust valve and add a two-position valve to the snorkel main tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Innovatech Engineering, LLC
    Inventors: Philip J. Hipol, David Haldane, Rick Kearney
  • Publication number: 20150096557
    Abstract: Disclosed is a Laryngectomee Snorkel (100) for allowing a Laryngectomee to breathe while swimming. The Laryngectomee Snorkel (100) comprises a Baseplate (110) is configured to have a water-tight seal with a user while allowing a bidirectional passage of air through the Baseplate (110), a Connector (105) configured to have a water-tight seal with the Baseplate (110) and to allow a bidirectional passage of air with the Baseplate (110), an Elbow Tubing (125) configured to have a water-tight seal with the Connector (105) to have a bidirectional passage of air with the Connector (105), a Flexible Riser Tubing (130) configured to have a water-tight seal with the Elbow Tubing (125) and to have a bidirectional passage of air with the Elbow Tubing (125), and an Air Tube (140) configured to have a water-tight seal with the Flexible Riser Tubing (130) and a bidirectional passage of air with the Flexible Riser Tubing (130) and to allow a water-tight bidirectional passage of air with an open atmosphere.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Inventor: Robert H. Bauer
  • Publication number: 20150059737
    Abstract: Retaining rings for use with mouthpieces utilized in underwater diving in accordance with embodiments of the invention are described. One embodiment of the invention includes a mouthpiece configured to engage with a diving apparatus including a first end configured to be worn in the mouth of a diver, a second end configured to engage with a diving apparatus, and a retaining ring movably disposed between the first end and the second end from a first position to a second position, wherein when the retaining ring is in the first position the mouthpiece is removably attached to the diving apparatus, and wherein movably disposing the retaining ring to the second position securely attaches the mouthpiece to the diving apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: American Underwater Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Zachary Alexander Hollis, Michael John Gunning, Philippe Frasca
  • Publication number: 20150020799
    Abstract: A combination apparatus integrates the operation of a snorkel with a diving regulator having a breathing chamber and a diaphragm/purge valve chamber. A compressed air tank is in fluid communication with the diving regulator and a normally closed regulator valve is disposed between the compressed air tank and the diving regulator. A regulator valve spring maintains the regulator valve in the normally closed position. In a first embodiment, the regulator valve spring exerts about eight pounds per square inch on the normally closed regulator valve. Air enters into the breathing chamber from the compressed air tank through the diaphragm/purge valve chamber when the submerged diver inhales. The apparatus enables surface snorkeling and underwater diving and the diver need not switch from a snorkel mouthpiece to a diving regulator mouthpiece. Further embodiments re-locate the snorkel tube exhaust valve and add a two-position valve to the snorkel main tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Applicant: Innovatech Engineering, LLC
    Inventors: Philip J. Hipol, David Haldane, Rick Kearney
  • Publication number: 20140331997
    Abstract: The invention relates to a breathing aid for swimmers, having a mouthpiece (1) which has an exhalation valve, wherein, starting from the mouthpiece, a two-part air hose (9, 10) leads to a head part (2) which receives the respective hose ends of the two-part air hose. According to the invention, the head part (2) has a frame-like, resilient supporting surface (20) which, when used, rests against the back of the swimmer's head. Provided in the head part is a recess for an inhalation valve (7), wherein the recess having the inhalation valve is located opposite the supporting surface. Furthermore, in at least one of the air hoses there is an insert (8) for length adjustment, and the inhalation and exhalation valves are each embodied in the form of a flutter valve and are also preferably configured with identical structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: GLOBAL BUSINESS & COMMUNICATIONS ( THE NETHERLANDS BV
    Inventor: Mathias Weigner
  • Patent number: 8857427
    Abstract: A snorkel and a mouthpiece assembly of the snorkel are disclosed, in which the mouthpiece assembly includes a main body, a mouthpiece and a whistle. The mouthpiece is connected to the main body; and the whistle has a pivoting portion and a blowing portion opposite to the pivoting portion, in which the pivoting portion is pivotally connected to the main body. The snorkel further includes a tube connected to the main body and communicating with the mouthpiece. In this way, the user can rotate the whistle against the main body for making the whistle face the mouth of the user, instead of greatly rotating the mouthpiece assembly against the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: QBAS Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Chih-Cheng Shiue
  • Publication number: 20140238391
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a snorkel includes a conduit having a first end and a second end, a mouthpiece joined to the conduit second end, an arm adjacent the conduit first end and connected to a seal, wherein the seal is configured to pivot with respect to the conduit from a first position where the seal does not obstruct an opening in the first end of the conduit, to a second position, where the seal covers the opening in the first end of the conduit, and a float configured to control movement of the arm, wherein the float and conduit are configured so that movement of the float is guided along the length of the conduit and submerging the float causes the float to move along the conduit toward the first end of the conduit, which pivots the arm from the first position to the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Inventor: Tony Christianson
  • Publication number: 20140158120
    Abstract: A snorkel adapter apparatus is disclosed. The snorkel adapter apparatus includes a snorkel tube, a float, a mouthpiece, and a single pivot point. These pieces combined together create a snorkel breathing apparatus that allows the user to submerge the snorkel in water and prevent water from entering the snorkel tube and mouthpiece. When the snorkel is submerged in water, the float rotates around a coupler attached to the pivot attachment point and closes the open end of the snorkel tube. The buoyancy of the float in the water causes it to rotate and seal the snorkel tube closed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2013
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: Aqua Lung America, Inc.
    Inventor: Glen Keith
  • Publication number: 20140014097
    Abstract: A system to prevent water from entering a snorkel breather tube includes a tube, wherein the tube is attached to a snorkel body and a pressure device, wherein the pressure device is attached to the tube at a tube tip. The pressure device comprises an air passage channel extending through an internal portion of the pressure device and an output hole, the output hole enabling entry of air into the air passage channel while preventing water from entering when the equipment of the system is submerged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Inventor: Maria Julia OLLER PEREIRA
  • Publication number: 20140014096
    Abstract: A breathing device for divers that includes a breathing tube exhibiting an end having an inclined opening, an obturator that is mobile between an open position and a closed position of the opening of the end, a float that activates the obturator, a first articulator that communicates the obturator to the tube, a second articulator that communicates the float to the tube. The first and the second articulators can each exhibit a respective hinge axis to the tube. The hinge axis to the tube of the second articulator can be more greatly distanced from the end of the tube relative to the hinge axis to the tube of the first articulator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: Cressi-Sub S.p.A.
    Inventor: Carlos Alberto Godoy
  • Patent number: 8496000
    Abstract: A snorkel adapter apparatus is disclosed. The snorkel adapter apparatus includes a snorkel tube, a float, a mouthpiece, and a single pivot point. These pieces combined together create a snorkel breathing apparatus that allows the user to submerge the snorkel in water and prevent water from entering the snorkel tube and mouthpiece. When the snorkel is submerged in water, the float rotates around a coupler attached to the pivot attachment point and closes the open end of the snorkel tube. The buoyancy of the float in the water causes it to rotate and seal the snorkel tube closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Inventor: Glen Keith
  • Patent number: 8479726
    Abstract: The breathing assistance apparatus has a patient interface with a body section adapted to cover the nose, or nose and mouth of the patient. The apparatus includes a sealing interface, including at least an outer sealing member. The outer sealing member has a periphery that is attached to the body section in a sealing manner. The periphery is substantially rigid compared to the remainder of the outer sealing member. The outer sealing member is adapted to substantially seal around the facial contours of the patient to provide a sealed fluid communication to the respiratory tract of the patient. The sealing interface may also include an inner sealing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Limited
    Inventor: Alastair Edwin McAuley