Patent Application
20170129576
The embodiments shown herein relate to a breathing port isolation apparatus, in particular, a breathing port isolation apparatus which allows a diver to transition between breathing ports within an integrated snorkel and dive regulator using an actuator.
Today most underwater breathing apparatuses enable divers to remain underwater for extended periods without having to replace compressed air systems. However, these modern systems still require the diver to manipulate equipment and transition between the mouthpieces of the snorkel and the dive regulator.
In addition, the challenge that remains most prominent is the inability to create an integrated snorkel and dive regulator that maintains watertight integrity as the diver descends and the components are exposed to increased pressure.
This negative pressure and the free-flow phenomenon continue to create minor leaks in many dive regulators and diaphragms because of the pressure differences inside and outside the regulator and diaphragm. Although these leaks may be minor during shallow dives, they are exacerbated as the diver descends. Further, the inability to create an integrated system that enables a user to continuously breathe through a single mouthpiece using a snorkel and dive regulator will continue to make the recreational sport dangerous.
Embodiments described herein include a breathing port isolation apparatus for use within an integrated snorkel and dive regulator which uses a single mouthpiece. Further, some embodiments relate to an apparatus that enables a user (i.e., diver) to use an actuator to transition a valve between a first and second position, which correspond to the snorkel and dive regulator, while maintaining continuous fluid communication with the lungs of the diver via a single mouthpiece. Some embodiments shown herein include a housing, valve, and actuator in mechanical communication with a splined shaft, piston, and spring to provide the diver with an actuation mechanism that controls the valve between a first and second position, which correspond to a first and second port. Further, some embodiments include an apparatus that maintains watertight integrity using a pressure relief mechanism to clear any negative pressure accumulation while descending to a depth. The spring and piston are mechanically connected between the actuator and valve assembly, and transfer an exerted force from a depression of the actuator to the valve body, enabling the diver to transition between the breathing port of a snorkel and dive regulator by depressing the actuator with a finger while maintaining fluid contact with the mouthpiece.
Other aspects, advantages, and novel features of the embodiments shown herein will become apparent from the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings.
A more complete understanding of the embodiments shown, and the attendant advantages and features thereof, will be more readily understood by reference to the following detailed descriptions when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:
The specific details of a single embodiment or variety of embodiments described herein are set forth in this application. Any specific details of the embodiments are used for demonstration purposes only and no unnecessary limitations or inferences are to be understood therefrom.
The embodiments shown relate to a breathing port isolation apparatus for an integrated snorkel and dive regulator, which may be transitioned between a first and second port using a valve. Further, the embodiments shown enable the diver to isolate a desired breathing port within the apparatus by easily depressing the first end of an actuator, configured in a push-button orientation, eliminating the traditional requirements of having to manipulate air tanks and multiple mouthpieces. The apparatus includes a housing, valve body, and actuator in mechanical communication to transition a valve to either a first or second port, corresponding to a first (i.e., snorkel) or second (i.e., dive regulator) position. Further, the apparatus and all discussed elements, with the exception of the spring, may be composed from the same high durometer material, which provides an ergonomic and watertight design.
The embodiments shown further provide the ability to descend from the surface to a greater depth without the adverse effects of negative pressure accumulation within the housing, while continuously maintaining watertight integrity between the valve and housing using at least one mechanical gasket.
Referring to the drawings, like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the views. There is shown in
The housing includes a first and second end 18, 20 as well as a set of outwardly protruding apertures 21 on opposite sides of housing 12 configured to releasably affix a mouthpiece 22 and regulator 23. The first end 18 is elongated and substantially cylindrical, and configured to releasably engage a portion of the actuator 16, and valve 14. Specifically, the first end of the housing 18 is configured to releasably engage a push-button 24 attached to the actuator 16, splined shaft 26, piston 28, and spring 29, while linearly transitioning the valve 14 between the first and second ports 30, 31. For illustration purposes, the first port 30 enables the user to isolate the snorkel, and the second port 31 enables the user to isolate the dive regulator. The second end of the housing 20 is configured in a substantially perpendicular orientation to the first end of the housing 18, and configured to releasably engage a snorkel tube 32 and purge valve 34. The purge valve 34 in fluid communication with the valve 14 provides the primary means of relieving any pressure accumulation or water intrusion in the housing 12.
The set of outwardly protruding apertures 21 are substantially elliptical and extend outward from the center housing 12 and enable the user to releasably attach a mouthpiece 22 and dive regulator 23 by aligning with their respective protruding apertures 21 and fitting a collar around a portion of the outwardly protruding apertures 21, creating a watertight male-female connection.
The valve 14 further includes at least one leading edge 36 protruding outward from a portion of the valve 14. The leading edge 36 is configured to transfer any water or pressure accumulation when the valve is transitioned between the first 30 and second 31 ports. The leading edge 36 prevents a vacuum from being created in the housing, causing the valve 14 to stick to the housing 12.
The valve 14 also includes a plurality of indentations 38. The plurality of indentations 38 are further dimensioned to releasably engage at least one mechanical gasket 40 and provide a secondary means of watertight integrity to the housing 12 and valve 14. Further, the valve 14 has a first side 41 and second side 42 and trailing end 43 and leading end 44. The first side 41 and leading surface 44 further include an opening to enable fluid communication between the lungs of the user and the snorkel when the valve 14 is placed in the first position 30.
The actuator 16 provides the diver with the ability to transition the valve 14 between the first 30 and second 31 ports using one finger. For example, the compact design of the apparatus 10 enables the diver to hold the housing 12 with two fingers and depress the push-button 24 on the actuator 16 using their thumb. The unique design of the apparatus 10 provides a portable solution to the traditional methods of manipulating compressed air tanks, hoses, and multiple mouthpieces, which require the diver to remove their mouthpiece and turn on/off an air supply, which occupies both hands.
The actuator 16 has an elongated and substantially cylindrical configuration, including a first and second end 46, 48 as well as a plurality of protruding strips 49. The push-button 24, which is located at the first end of the actuator 46, enables the diver to shift the actuator 16 between an extended and depressed position by depressing the push-button 24. For illustration purposes, the extended position aligns to the first port 30, and the depressed position aligns to the second port 31 (further illustrated in
The second end 48 of the actuator 16 includes a tabbed portion 50 to releasably engage a portion of the first end of the splined shaft 51 within a hollow region of the actuator 52. When the splined shaft 26 is engaged within the hollow region of the actuator 52, the tabbed portion at the second end of the actuator 50 releasably engages a plurality of extended splines 54 located at a second end of the splined shaft 55. While secured within the hollow region of the actuator 52, the tabbed portion 50 releasably engages a plurality of extended splines 54 to rotate the splined shaft 26 a set angle and direction and engage the plurality of extended splines 54 rotated about its axis through the grooved portion 54 and plurality of protruding strips 49 within a channeled portion of the housing 56. This mechanical communication between the plurality of extended splines 54 and channeled portion 56 of the housing 12 enables the actuator 16 to be secured in the depressed position (i.e., second port 31).
Specifically, when the actuator 16 is shifted from the extended to the depressed position, the plurality of extended splines 54 and plurality of protruding strips 49 are pushed in a linear direction toward the valve 14 until they are released from the channeled portion of the housing 56. Upon being released, the plurality of extended splines 54 rotate through the tabbed portion 50 and rest with a set of tabs. At the same time the splined shaft 26 is pushed back into the channeled portion of the housing 56, with the actuator 16 locked in the depressed position, and the valve 14 secured to the second port 31.
Conversely, when the diver ascends to the surface and would like to isolate the snorkel port (i.e., first port 30), he or she would simply depress the push-button 24, which disengages a plurality of extended splines 54 and a plurality of protruding strips 49 from the channeled portion of the housing 56 and shifts the actuator 16 to the extended position. Furthermore, the mechanical communication between the plurality of protruding strips 49 and the channeled portion of the housing 56 restricts any rotational movement of the actuator 16 when shifting between the depressed and extended positions.
The apparatus 10 further includes a piston 28 in mechanical communication with the splined shaft 26 and valve 14. The piston 28 has an elongated body, which transfers the force exerted by a user, who depresses the push-button 24, and transfers the force onto the valve 14, transitioning it between the first and second ports.
The first end 60 of the piston 28 includes an integrated anchor 62, protruding outward in a substantially perpendicular orientation from the body of the piston 28, which provides a footing to the spring 30 to ensure linear movement of the spring 30 on the piston 28 when shifting the actuator from the extended to the depressed position.
The spring 30 is composed of an elastic material in a traditional helix configuration, including a plurality of coils which move about the piston 28 in a linear motion to evenly transfer a force onto a washer 64, creating a hermetic seal between the housing 12 and valve 14. The force exerted from the spring 30 onto the washer 64 is proportional to the length of the spring 30.
Shown in
Shown in
It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. In addition, unless mention was made above to the contrary, it should be noted that all of the accompanying drawings are not to scale. A variety of modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings without departing from the following claims.
