Snorkel with improved purging system
OwnerJohn M. Monnichinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A snorkel for use in swimming. The snorkel includes an elongate breathing tube having an upper portion and a lower portion. A lower opening is formed in the lower portion and an upper opening is formed in the upper portion. A mouthpiece is located at the lower opening of the snorkel. A one-way valve is disposed in the lower portion and is oriented to prevent the flow of fluids into the lower portion, but to permit the flow of gases and fluids out of the lower portion. A check valve is disposed in the upper portion. The check valve includes a plate pivotable from an open position permitting airflow through the upper opening, to a closed position preventing airflow through the upper opening. A spring member contacts the plate, biasing the plate in the open position.
Claims27
A snorkel, comprising:
- an elongate breathing tube having an upper portion and a lower portion, a lower opening formed in the lower portion and an upper opening formed in the upper portion;
- a mouthpiece formed at the lower opening;
- a one-way valve disposed in the lower portion, the one-way valve oriented to prevent the flow of fluids through the valve into the lower portion, but to permit the flow of gases and fluids through the valve and out of the lower portion;
- a check valve disposed in the upper portion, the check valve including a plate pivotable from an open position permitting airflow through the upper opening, and a closed position preventing airflow from the tube through the upper opening;
- and
- a spring member contacting the plate, the spring member biasing the plate in the open position.
A method of purging a snorkel during swimming, comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a snorkel including an elongate breathing tube, a check valve in an upper portion of the breathing tube, a one-way valve in a lower portion of the breathing tube, an opening in a lower portion of the snorkel, and a mouthpiece positioned at the opening;
- (b) positioning the snorkel on the head of a swimmer, with the swimmer's mouth in contact with the mouth piece and in fluid communication with the opening;
- (c) causing the swimmer to inhale and exhale through the mouthpiece, such that inhalation draws into the breathing tube through the check valve and exhalation moves air out of the breathing tube through the check valve;
- (d) causing a volume of liquid to accumulate in the breathing tube;
- and
- (e) causing the swimmer to forcefully exhale a volume of air, the volume of air closing the check valve to create a back-pressure in the breathing tube, resulting in expulsion of water through the one-way valve.
A method of purging a snorkel during swimming, comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a snorkel including an elongate breathing tube, a check valve in an upper portion of the breathing tube and a float coupled to the check valve, a one-way valve in a lower portion of the breathing tube, an opening in a lower portion of the snorkel, and a mouthpiece positioned at the opening;
- (b) positioning the snorkel on the head of a swimmer, with the swimmer's mouth in contact with the mouth piece and in fluid communication with the opening;
- (c) causing the swimmer to inhale and exhale through the mouthpiece;
- (d) causing a volume of liquid to accumulate in the breathing tube;
- (e) causing the swimmer to forcefully exhale a volume of air, the volume of air closing the check valve to create a back-pressure in the breathing tube, resulting in expulsion of water through the one-way valve;
- and submerging the snorkel, causing the float to close the check valve.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.