Snorkeling Device

Abstract

A snorkeling device for breathing underwater at various depths. The snorkeling device includes a mouthpiece and an elongated hose having a first end and a second end, wherein an internal spring is disposed therein to allow for the hose to expand or contract, depending on the desired depth of the user. The device further includes a floatation member having an opening so as to receive the hose therethough. In operation, the flotation member allows the second end of the hose to remain above the water. The second end of the hose includes a splash guard that prevents water from entering the hose. The device further includes a divider extending through the length of the hose and a valve disposed in the mouthpiece, wherein fresh air travels down one side of the hose and expelled air travels up and out of the other side of the hose.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/072,723 filed on Oct. 30, 2014. The above identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to snorkeling devices. More specifically, the present invention provides a snorkeling device comprising a floatation member removably attached to an elongated hose having a first end and a second end, wherein an internal spring is disposed therein to allow for the hose to expand or compress in length, depending on the desired depth of the swimmer.

Many people, including shallow water divers, observe sea life by diving or snorkeling in the ocean or other body of water. The depth of the body of water often dictates what type of sea life an individual can observe. Shallow water divers frequently have to resurface to obtain oxygen, which disrupts their dives and can disturb the sea life thereunder. When a diver has to repeatedly resurface to obtain fresh air, the diver is unable to adequately dive, which leads to an unpleasant experience. Additionally, the snorkeling experience is often disrupted by the inadequate length of a snorkel. An individual snorkeling fails to receive the full experience the ocean has to offer by the limitation of the snorkel length. Therefore, there is a need for a device that provides a diver or snorkeler with adequate air for the duration of an underwater experience without having to continuously swim to the surface for fresh air.

It is submitted that the present invention substantially diverges in design elements from the prior art and consequently it is clear that there is a need in the art for an improvement to existing snorkeling devices. In this regard the instant invention substantially fulfills these needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of snorkeling devices now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new snorkeling device wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when swimming or diving underwater.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved snorkeling device that has all of the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a snorkeling device comprising an elongated hose having an internal spring therein adapted to allow the hose to expand or compress in length, depending on the desired depth of the diver.

Another object of the present invention is to provide snorkeling device further comprising a floatation member having an opening adapted to receive the hose therethrough and allowing the second end of the hose to remain above water.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a snorkeling device wherein the hose comprises a divider extending therethrough and a mouthpiece having a valve therein, whereby the valve controls the flow of fresh air entering one side of the hose and expelled air exiting through the opposite side of the hose.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a snorkeling device comprising a splash guard disposed on the second end of the hose adapted to prevent water from entering the hose.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a snorkeling device that may be readily fabricated from materials that permit relative economy and are commensurate with durability.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.

FIG. 1A shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the snorkeling device wherein the hose is in a compressed configuration.

FIG. 1B shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the snorkeling device wherein the hose is in an expanded configuration.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the floatation member of the snorkeling device.

FIG. 3A shows a transparent view of the internal spring of the snorkeling device with a compacted hose.

FIG. 3B shows a perspective view of the internal spring of the snorkeling device with an expanded hose.

FIG. 4 shows a cross sectional view of an embodiment of the snorkeling device.

FIG. 5A shows a cross sectional view of the hose and mouthpiece of the snorkeling device with fresh air entering the hose.

FIG. 5B shows a cross sectional view of the hose and mouthpiece of the snorkeling device with expelled air exiting the hose.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the snorkeling device. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for swimming and breathing underwater. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.

Referring now to FIGS. 1A and 1B, there are shown perspective views of an embodiment of the snorkeling device with the hose in a compressed and expanded configuration, respectively. The snorkeling device 11 comprises a hose 13 having a first end, and a second end, wherein the first end is attached to a mouthpiece 15. The hose 13 is elongated and removably attached to a floatation member 12 adapted to allow the second end of the hose 13 to remain above the water, helping to prevent water from entering the second end of the hose. The device 11 further includes an internal spring adapted to expand and compress the hose 13, thereby allowing the user to breathe underwater at varying depths. The second end of the hose 13 includes a splash guard 14 adapted to prevent water from entering the second end of the hose 13. The device 11 allows a user to submerge in the water while maintaining the ability to breathe without consistently returning to the surface for air.

The splash guard 14 comprises an open bottom end, one or more sidewalls, and a closed upper end. The splash guard 14 is removably secured on the second end of the hose 13. In this way, the floatation member 12 can be removed from or positioned over the second end of the hose 13 without any obstruction from the splash guard 14. The bottom end is open so as to allow air to flow therethrough. The splash guard 14 further includes a plurality of elongated slots 23 disposed on the upper end thereof adapted to allow air to enter and exit the hose 13. The remaining upper end of the splash guard 14 is enclosed so to prevent water from entering the hose 13. The dimension of the bottom end of the splash guard 14 is substantially identical to the second end of the hose 13 in order to fit securely therein.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a perspective view of the floatation member of the snorkeling device. There is an opening 17 in the center of the floatation member 12 adapted to receive the second end of the hose therethrough. The opening 17 in the floatation member 12 is the same diameter as the diameter of the hose so the hose can fit securely therethrough. In other embodiments, the hose is removably fastened to the floatation member 12 by any suitable fastener, such as clips. The floatation member 12 is preferably flat and can be composed of any suitable buoyant material, such as polyurethane or polystyrene foam. In the illustrated embodiment, the floatation member 12 is a board adapted to be used in the water, such as a body board. The body board comprises a board having a nose end and a tail end, wherein the nose end preferably comprises a convex curve and the tail end preferably comprises a concave curve. The lateral edges of the board positioned between the nose end and tail end each comprise an outward curve disposed near the nose end of the board. In this way, the floatation member 12 is adapted to be used for other purposes, such as body boarding, when the individual is not using the device to snorkel. The hose extends vertically through the floatation member 12 and is perpendicular thereto. The floatation member 12 rests horizontally on the surface of the water. The second end of the hose extends above the surface of the floatation member 12 so the second end of the hose is above the surface of the water.

Referring now to FIGS. 3A and 3B, there is shown a transparent view of the internal spring of the snorkeling device with a compressed spring and a perspective view of the internal spring of the snorkeling device with an expanded spring, respectively. The hose 13 comprises an internal spring 19 adapted to expand when the user submerges and compress when the user approaches the surface of the water. In operation, as the user provides tension to the spring 19 by pulling on the hose 13, the spring 19 expands. As the user swims towards the surface, the spring 19 automatically compresses. The spring 19 preferably maintains a compressed configuration when not in use. The internal spring 19 allows the hose 13 to remain at the desired length between the user and the flotation member for comfortable positioning. The hose 13 comprises a sidewall 18 having a hollow interior. The interior of the sidewall 18 comprises a spring 19 extending the length of the first end of the hose 13, which is from the mouthpiece to the floatation member. The sidewall 18 of the hose 13 comprises a plurality of ridges 21, wherein each loop 16 of the spring 19 is secured in a ridge 21. The spring 19 exerts outward force creating tension against the sidewall 18 of the hose 13, whereby the ridge 21 provides an obstacle that prevents the spring 19 from moving beyond the ridge 21 of the hose 13. Any suitable spring 19 is disposed within the hose 13, such as a coil spring, as long as the spring 19 is adapted to remain expanded when the length of the hose 13 is increased and remain compressed when the length of the hose 13 is reduced.

Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown a cross sectional view of an embodiment of the snorkeling device. The snorkeling device 11 further includes an elongated divider 20 that extends the length of the hose 13 and continues into the mouthpiece 15. In some embodiments, the divider extends into the second end of the hose 13. The lateral edges of the divider 20 attach to the interior sidewall of the hose 13 and mouthpiece 15. The divider 20 is preferably positioned along the diameter of the hose 13 in order to separate the hose 13 into a pair of sides with equivalent dimensions. The lower end of the divider 20 is disposed in the mouthpiece 15, wherein the divider is disposed at a 90 degree angle toward the opening 28 of the mouthpiece 15, thereby continuing the partition initiated in the hose 13.

The mouthpiece 15 is tubular and L-shaped comprising a first end and a second end. The first end of the mouthpiece 15 attaches to the first end of the hose 13 by any suitable fastener, such as adhesive, or is integral thereto. The second end of the mouthpiece comprises an opening 28 adapted to receive a user's mouth thereon. The interior of the mouthpiece 15 comprises a valve 27 having a wall 26 that is perpendicularly engaged with the divider 20 and parallel to the opening 28 of the mouthpiece 15. The wall 26 extends the width of the mouthpiece 15. The valve 27 further comprises a pair of apertures disposed on the wall 26, wherein each aperture is positioned on either side of the divider 20. The apertures are pivotally covered by a pair of baffles 24, 25. The baffles 24, 25 are adapted to control the flow of air through the mouthpiece 15 and the hose 13. The mouthpiece 15 can be composed of any suitable material adapted for comfort when positioned in a user's mouth, such as rubber.

Referring now to FIG. 5A and 5B, there is shown a cross sectional view of the hose and the mouthpiece of the snorkeling device with fresh air entering the hose and expelled air exiting the hose, respectively. The first side 40 of the divider 20 allows for the entry of fresh air to travel down to the user and the opposing, second side 41 of the divider 20 allows for expelled air to be released out of the hose 13. In operation, as the user inhales, the first baffle 24 on the first side 40 of the divider 20 is adapted to open allowing fresh air to flow through the first aperture 30 and enter into the opening 28 of the mouthpiece 15. As the user exhales, the second baffle 25 on the second side 41 of the divider 20 is adapted to open allowing expelled air to flow through the second aperture 31 and exit the mouthpiece 15.

It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1) A snorkeling device, comprising:

a hose having a first end and a second end;

a tubular mouthpiece having a first end and a second end, wherein said second end is connected to said first end of said hose and said second end is adapted for a user to place his or her mouth thereon;

a floatation member removably attached to said hose, wherein said floatation member comprises an opening through which said hose is inserted;

a spring positioned within said hose and movable between a compressed configuration and an expanded configuration so as to allow a length of said hose to be adjusted;

a divider extends vertically in said hose and is disposed at a 90 degree angle into said mouthpiece, wherein said divider separates said hose and a portion of said mouthpiece into a pair of sides.

2) The snorkeling device of claim 1, wherein said hose comprises a plurality of ridges adapted to secure said spring to an interior of said hose.

3) The snorkeling device of claim 1, wherein said mouthpiece comprises a valve adapted to control the flow of air in said mouthpiece.

4) The snorkeling device of claim 3, wherein said valve comprises a wall extending perpendicularly from said divider, wherein said wall includes a first aperture and a second aperture disposed on either side of said divider adapted to allow fresh air and expelled air to enter and exit said mouthpiece, respectively.

5) The snorkeling device of claim 4, further comprising a first baffle and second baffle adapted to open and close, wherein said first baffle pivotally covers said first aperture and said second baffle pivotally covers said second aperture.

6) The snorkeling device of claim 1, further comprising a splash guard attached to said second end of said hose adapted to prevent water from entering said hose.

7) The snorkeling device of claim 1, wherein said flotation member is shaped as a body board adapted to be detached from said hose and used as a body board.