Patent Application
20070062524
Diving equipment typically includes a diving mask generally covering the eyes and nose of the user and a breathing regulator assembly. The breathing regulator assembly includes a mouthpiece that is connected via a hose to a carry-on air tank. Diving equipment comes in a variety of configurations including FFMs (Full Face Masks), diving helmets, SCUBA (Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus) and/or the like.
One problem currently existing with conventional diving equipment is that underwater breathing creates exhaust air bubbles and attendant noise that may interfere with the diver's vision and ability to communicate. Most air bubbles are exhausted as the diver exhales through a rubber one-way valve that is mounted in the breathing regulator. The exhaust air bubbles tend to travel upward in front of and around the diver's face and head, ending up in front of the eyes and/or traveling past the diver's cheeks, ears and temple area either directly or on the outside of a FFM mask frame or helmet shell obstructing the diver's vision and communication abilities including the diver's auditory ability.
This is especially true when a diver is positioned underwater with the top of his/her head towards the water surface, and looking forward or up, as the air bubbles generally ascend upward along the diver's face, mask frame or helmet shell. Consequently, divers have come to accept exhaust air bubbles as part of the diving experience. To avoid air bubble interference some divers may try to position themselves with their heads facing downward or tilted to one side, or they may hold their breath when trying to hear during diving communications. Apart from being an inconvenience, this positioning may not always be possible especially when divers ascend and have to look up to ensure that they do not collide with object(s) above them.
Exemplary embodiments disclosed herein are generally directed to a bubble diverter for use with diving equipment. The diving equipment includes in part a breathing regulator assembly and a diver's mask.
In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the bubble diverter comprises a front skirt portion and a rear skirt portion. The rear skirt portion is attached to the front skirt portion at one end and adapted for mounting onto the breathing regulator assembly. The attached front and rear skirt portions form at least one side pocket adapted to divert exhaust air bubbles away from the diver's mask during diving activities when the rear skirt portion is mounted onto the breathing regulator assembly. The mounted rear skirt portion forms a protective barrier adapted to prevent air bubbles exiting the breathing regulator assembly from coming into contact with the diving equipment.
This and other aspects of the invention will become apparent from a review of the accompanying drawings and the following detailed description of the invention.
The present invention is generally shown by way of reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of exemplary embodiments and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the exemplary embodiments may be constructed and/or utilized. The description sets forth the functions and the sequence of steps for constructing and operating the exemplary embodiments in connection with the illustrated embodiments. However, it is to be understood that the same or equivalent functions and sequences may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the present invention.
Some embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to a diving helmet bubble deflector, as generally shown in
Front skirt portion 24 may be constructed from flexible materials such as rubber, neoprene, silicone, urethane, cloth and/or the like. Front skirt portion 24 may also be constructed from a combination of rigid and flexible materials, as needed. In one embodiment, front skirt portion 24 may be made of relatively thin and transparent flexible material. Front skirt portion 24 includes a generally curvilinear top edge 34 (
Construction of a diving helmet bubble deflector in accordance with the present invention includes attaching top edge 35 (
A bubble deflector 36 constructed in accordance with the present invention and mounted under the viewing lens 38 of diving helmet 10 is generally depicted in reference to
The mounted bubble deflector (36) partially encloses exhaust whisker 20 (
A person skilled in the art would readily appreciate that the bubble deflector of the present invention may be adapted for use with a full face mask (FFM), SCUBA (Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus) diving equipment and/or the like. The bubble deflector of the present invention may be assembled in other ways and/or with other suitable components and/or materials, as long as there is no departure from the intended purpose and scope of the present invention. The exemplary embodiments described hereinabove are merely illustrative of the general principles of the present invention. Various design modifications may be employed that would reside within the scope of the invention. Thus, by way of example, but not of limitation, alternative configurations may be utilized in accordance with the teachings herein. Accordingly, the drawings and description are illustrative and not meant to be a limitation thereof.
Moreover, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced. Thus, it is intended that the invention cover all embodiments and variations thereof as long as such embodiments and variations come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
