The present invention relates to snorkeling equipment. More specifically, the present invention relates to a full-face snorkel mask which provides two discrete channels for air intake and air exhaust respectively, so that a user is adapted for natural breathing through the nose and/or mouth by inhaling fresh air through the fresh air intake channel and discharging waste air through the exhaust air discharging channel in a separated manner.
Snorkeling is one of the most popular recreational activities. There is no training required with snorkeling, wherein people can grab a goggle and a snorkel tube and hop in the water and go. The goggle and snorkel tube allow the user to breathe while face down on the surface of the water. In particular, the goggle and the snorkel tube are always separated from each other so that the user must attach the goggle and the snorkel tube separately. As a result, the user must individually adjust the goggle and the snorkel tube. Another problem is that the user must bite down the mouthpiece of the snorkel tube so that the lips of the user can seal around it and hold the snorkel tube in place. However, the mouthpiece is uncomfortable and unhygienic. The user, especially for the beginner user, may get choke when water leaks into the user's mouth from time to time from the top opening end of the snorkel tube and/or through the mouthpiece thereof. More importantly, the snorkel tube is a single tubular channel device that the user inhales fresh air and exhales waste air at the same channel. The user may accidentally inhale the waste air if the waste air is not totally discharged from the snorkel tube.
An improved snorkel equipment is provided to integrate the goggle and the snorkel tube together in order to form a full-face snorkel mask, wherein the snorkel mask covers the entire face of the user from the forehead to the chin. A sealed chamber is formed after the snorkel mask is worn and the snorkel tube is integrated with the snorkel mask to communicate with the sealed chamber. Therefore, the user is able to breathe in and out through the sealed chamber via the snorkel tube. However, the full-face snorkel mask cannot solve the water leaking problem from the snorkel tube into the sealed chamber. Goggle fog is always caused when the user exhales warm waste air into the sealed chamber. Meanwhile, the exhaust air will be accumulated within the sealed chamber, so that the user will inevitably breathe in the exhaust air in sealed chamber instead of fresh air from the snorkel tube. It will cause dizziness and nausea when repeatedly inhaling the exhaust air from the sealed chamber.
Therefore, the conventional snorkel equipment is not designed to maintain breathing capabilities in a comfort manner and vision capabilities at the same time.
An object of the present invention is to provide a full-face snorkel mask to solve the problems of conventional snorkel equipment.
Additional advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the description which follows, and may be realized by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particular point out in the appended claims.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a full-face snorkel mask is described. The full-face snorkel mask comprises a mask assembly adapted for extending peripherally in a sealing engagement with a face of a user, wherein the mask assembly has an air intake chamber and a breathing chamber isolated from the air intake chamber when the mask assembly is worn. The full-face snorkel mask further comprises a snorkel assembly which has a fresh air intake channel communicating with the air intake chamber for guiding fresh air thereinto and an exhaust air discharging channel communicating with the breathing chamber for discharging waste air therefrom.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the fresh air intake channel and the exhaust air charging channel are two discrete channels respectively, so that the user is adapted for natural breathing through the nose and/or mouth by inhaling fresh air through the fresh air intake channel and discharging waste air through the exhaust air discharging channel in a separated manner.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a vision section of the mask assembly is located at the air intake chamber. The warm waste air exhaled by the user is guided to discharge from the breathing chamber to the exhaust air discharging channel right away to prevent the warm waste air entering to air intake chamber, so that the vision section of the mask assembly will not be fogged up by the warm waste air exhaled by the user at the breathing chamber.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the mask assembly has a V-shaped face seal for sealing against the user's face and across the nose bridge thereof to not only let the user to wear the mask assembly in a comfortable way but also seal between the air intake chamber and the breathing chamber so as to prevent air being leaked from the breathing chamber to the air intake chamber.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, one or more first non-return valves are provided at the mask assembly to only allow the fresh air entering from the air intake chamber to the breathing chamber. Therefore, once the waste air exhaled by the user is guided to discharge from the breathing chamber, the user always breathes in the fresh air at the breathing chamber from the air intake chamber via the first non-return valves.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the full-face snorkel mask further comprises a purge valve provided at the mask assembly for clearing water that enters the mask assembly.
According to a preferred embodiment of the prevent invention, water cannot be entered into the snorkel assembly via a water prevention valve. In one embodiment, the water prevention valve comprises a floatable member provided at the top end of the snorkel assembly to seal at the fresh air intake channel/the exhaust air discharging channel when the top end of the snorkel assembly is submerged below water.
Preferably, the full-face snorkel mask is constructed to have two discrete chambers and two discrete channels to separate the fresh air and the waste air when the user breathes. With such simplified structural configuration, the full-face snorkel mask provides multiple functions of preventing the user repeatedly inhaling back the waste air and minimizing the vision section of the mask assembly being fogged up. The full-face snorkel mask of the prevent invention can maintain breathing capabilities in a comfort manner and vision capabilities at the same time.
Still further objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the ensuing description and drawings.
These and other objectives, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.
For purposes of description herein the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in
As used in this disclosure, the term “comprise” and variations of the term, such as “comprising” and “comprises,” are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.
The present invention provides a full-face snorkel mask for a user according to an embodiment is disclosed. The full-face snorkel mask comprises a mask assembly 100 adapted for extending peripherally in a sealing engagement with a face of the user, a head securing device 400 provided at the mask assembly 100 for securing the mask assembly 100 to the user's head, and a snorkel assembly 200 upwardly extended from the mask assembly 100. In general, when the mask assembly 100 is worn, the mask assembly 100 of the present invention covers the entire face of the user from the forehead to the chin.
Reference is now made to certain specific non-limiting embodiment as shown in Figures.
The outer peripheral shell rim 112 is sized and shaped for fitting the face of the user, wherein the inner peripheral shell 116 is coupled at an inner side of the outer peripheral shell rim 112. It is preferred that the outer peripheral shell rim 112 is made of rigid material and the inner peripheral shell 116 has a face seal, preferably made of silicone, to seal against the user's face. The transparent shell 114 is preferably made of shatterproof and polycarbonate. A vision section 118 is defined at the transparent shell 114 to provide a 180 degree field of vision. The mask assembly 100 further comprises a camera mount 130 provided at a top end thereof for incorporating with an action camera, such as “GoPro” camera. It is preferred that the camera mount 130 is provided at the top-center portion of the outer peripheral shell rim 112 at the position in front of the snorkel assembly 200.
The half face inner shell 120, having a concave shape, is coupled to the inner peripheral shell 116, wherein a top edge of the half face inner shell 120 is extended across the bridge of the nose of the user and a bottom edge of the half face inner shell 120 is extended to the chin of the user. It is preferred that the half face inner shell 120 is made of silicone material.
The head securing device 400 comprises one or more length-adjustable straps 410 attached to the mask assembly 100. A plurality of strap slots 420 are provided at the outer peripheral shell rim 112. In the embodiment, each of the straps 410 is made of stretchable and lightweight synthetic fibers, such as “Spandex”, wherein two ends of each straps 410 are attached to the outer peripheral shell rim 112 through the strap slots 420, so that the user is able wear the mask assembly 100 via the straps 410 in a comfortable way.
The mask assembly 100 further has a breathing chamber 102 defined at a space within the half face inner shell 120, i.e. between the half face inner shell 120 and the user's face, wherein the user breathes in and out through the breathing chamber 102 when the mask assembly 100 is worn.
The mask assembly 100 further has an air intake chamber 104 isolated from the breathing chamber 102, wherein the air intake chamber 104 is formed between the full face outer shell 110 and the half face inner shell 120. It is appreciated that the vision section 118 is located at the air intake chamber 104.
The fresh air intake channel 220 is arranged for guiding fresh air into the breathing channel 102, wherein the fresh air is sucked from outside into the fresh air intake channel 220 and then to the breathing channel 102 when the user inhales. The exhaust air discharging channel 230 communicates with the breathing chamber 102 for discharging waste air therefrom after the user exhales.
It is worth mentioning that the breathing chamber 102 and the air intake chamber 104 are two discrete chambers that air cannot pass from one to another when the mask assembly 100. A V-shaped face seal 140 is extended along the top edge of the half face inner shell 120 for sealing against the user's face and across the nose bridge thereof to prevent the waste air being leaked from the breathing chamber 102 to the air intake chamber 104. It is preferred that the V-shaped face seal 140 is made of silicone for tight-fitting and sealing against the user's face, so as to seal and separate the breathing chamber 102 from the air intake chamber 104.
In order to communicate the breathing chamber 102 with the air intake chamber 104, the full-face snorkel mask of the present invention further comprises a valve assembly 300. In one embodiment, the valve assembly 300 comprises one or more first non-return air valves 310 provided at the mask assembly 100 for only allowing the fresh air at the air intake chamber 104 from the fresh air intake channel 220 entering to the breathing chamber 220 and for preventing the waste air entering to the air intake chamber 104. In one embodiment, two first non-return air valves 310 are provided at the half face inner shell 120 below two side ends of the V-shaped face seal 140 respectively.
The mask assembly 100 further has an air guiding channel 106 formed at a peripheral portion of the mask assembly 100 and extended from the breathing chamber 102 to the exhaust air discharging channel 230 for guiding the waste air being discharged from the breathing chamber 102 to the exhaust air discharging channel 230. In one embodiment, the air guiding channel 106 is formed between the outer peripheral shell rim 112 and the inner peripheral shell rim 116.
While the V-shaped face seal 140 seals against the user's face and across the nose bridge thereof, the waste air cannot be leaked from the breathing chamber 102 to the air intake chamber 104. Therefore, when the user exhales the waste air at the breathing chamber 102, the waste air cannot enter to the air intake chamber 104. Besides, only fresh air can enter to the air intake chamber 104 from the fresh air intake channel 220. More important, the warm waste air exhaled by the user is guided to discharge from the breathing chamber 102 to the exhaust air discharging channel 230 right away through the air guiding channel 106 to prevent the warm waste air entering to air intake chamber 104 accidentally. Therefore, the warm waste air will never enter to the air intake chamber 104. As a result, the vision section 118 of the mask assembly 100, which is located at the air intake chamber 104, will not be fogged up by the warm waste air exhaled by the user at the breathing chamber 102.
Referring to
Referring to
Two top openings of the air passages 240 and 250 communicate with the fresh air intake channel 220 and the exhaust air discharging channel 230 respectively. In one embodiment, each of the air passages 240 and 250 further has a rear opening to communicate with outside, wherein the top openings of the air passages 240 and 250 are located above the rear openings thereof.
Referring to
Specifically, the water prevention valve 330 comprises a floatable member 340 movably disposed at each of the air passages 240 and 250. When the snorkel assembly 200 is submerged below water, water will enter into the air passages 240 and 250 through the rear openings thereof. The floatable members 340 float and seal at the top openings of the air passages when the snorkel assembly 200 is submerged below water in order to prevent water entering into the fresh air intake channel 220 and the exhaust air discharging channel 230. When the top end of the snorkel assembly 200 is located above water, water in the air passages 240 and 250 are drained out through the rear openings thereof. Therefore, the floatable members 340 drop down by their own weight at the air passages 240 and 250 respectively when the top end of the snorkel assembly is located above water in order to open up the top openings of the air passages 240 and 250. Once the top openings of the air passages 230 are opened, fresh air is guided to enter into the corresponding air passage 240 at the rear opening thereof and is then guided to enter into the fresh air intake channel 220. Meanwhile, exhaust air can be discharged from the exhaust air discharging channel 230 to the corresponding air passage 250 to outside through the rear opening thereof.
In one embodiment, each of the floatable members 340 has a conical shape that bases of the floatable members 340 upwardly face toward the top openings of the air passages respectively and apexes of the floatable members 340 face downwardly. It is appreciated that the diameter size of the base of the floatable member 340 is larger than that of the apex thereof. Once the water fills into the air passages 240 and 250, the floatable members 340 provide enlarged contacting surfaces for being upwardly pushed by the water to ensure the floatable members 340 being floated properly within the air passages 240 and 250. It should be appreciated that the floatable members 340 are two weighting members being naturally dropped down by gravity when there is no water in the air passages 240 and 250.
The water prevention valve 330 further comprises two sealing rings 350 coupled at the top openings of the air passages 240 and 250 to seal and engage with the floatable members 340 when the snorkel assembly 200 is submerged below water. In other words, the floatable members 340 upwardly float and seal at the sealing rings 350 to close the fresh air intake channel 220 and the exhaust air discharging channel 230.
Referring to
Referring to
The valve assembly 300 further comprises a purge valve 360 provided at a bottom side of the mask assembly 100 for clearing water that enters the mask assembly 100.
According to the present invention, the user is able to wear the full-face snorkel mask for snorkeling, wherein the user can natural breath through the nose and/or mouth by inhaling fresh air through the fresh air intake channel 220 and discharging waste air through the exhaust air discharging channel 230 in a separated manner. During snorkeling, the top end of the snorkel assembly 200 is located above water. Then, the floatable members 340 drop down by their own weight at the air passages 240 and 250 respectively to open up the fresh air intake channel 220 and the exhaust air discharging channel 230. Fresh air is supplied from the rear opening of one of the corresponding air passages 240 to the fresh air intake channel 220, to the air intake chamber 104, and then to the breathing chamber 102 via the first non-return valve 310. Therefore, the user is able to breathe in the fresh air within the breathing chamber 102. Meanwhile, when the user breathes out the waste air to the breathing chamber 102, the waste air is forced out of the breathing chamber 102 to the air guiding channel 106, to the exhaust air discharging channel 230, and to the corresponding air passage 250. Then, the waste air is discharged from the rear opening of the air passage 250. Therefore, the present invention provides a one-in-on-out airflow configuration in a single tubular structure, i.e. the snorkel body 210 with the fresh air intake channel 220 and the exhaust air discharging channel 230, to separate the fresh air and the waste air, so as to prevent the user from repeatedly inhaling the waste air in the breathing chamber 102.
Once the snorkel assembly 200 is submerged below water, the floatable members 340 float and seal at the top openings of the air passages 240 and 250 to close the fresh air intake channel 220 and the exhaust air discharging channel 230, so as to prevent water entering thereinto.
One skilled in the art will understand that the embodiment of the present invention as shown in the drawings and described above is exemplary only and not intended to be limiting.
It will thus be seen that the objects of the present invention have been fully and effectively accomplished. It embodiments have been shown and described for the purposes of illustrating the functional and structural principles of the present invention and is subject to change without departure from such principles. Therefore, this invention includes all modifications encompassed within the spirit and scope of the following claims.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
201710607097.6 | Jul 2017 | CN | national |