Breathing tube assembly and snorkeling equipment comprising same

Abstract

The utility model provides a breathing tube assembly and snorkeling equipment comprising the breathing tube assembly. The breathing tube assembly comprises a mouthpiece and a non-flexible breathing tube. And the mouthpiece is fixedly connected with the lower part of the non-flexible breathing tube. The non-flexible breathing tube defines a central axis which extends along the length direction of the non-flexible breathing tube, and the mouthpiece defines a transverse line which connects the left side and the right side of the mouthpiece. The transverse line forms an angle relative to the central axis, and the angle is between 3 degrees and 70 degrees.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the technical field of water activities (including above-water and underwater activities) such as swimming training, snorkeling, or freediving. Background Technology

[0002] Nowadays, there is a wide variety of equipment for water sports, including swimming goggles, snorkeling masks, and oxygen supply equipment for deep diving. Many activities, such as snorkeling or freediving, use a snorkel with a mouthpiece at the bottom for mouth breathing.

[0003] To enhance both the feel and functionality, breathing tubes on the market vary in form and material. However, as... Figure 1A The compact snorkel assembly 1 shown, although featuring a snorkel 11 made of a relatively rigid material with intake and exhaust solely from the top, and a mouthpiece 13 fixedly mounted or integrally formed at the bottom of the snorkel 11, still enjoys a certain market share due to its simple appearance, portability, and easily controllable manufacturing and sales costs. Therefore, this compact snorkel assembly 1 is favored not only by the freediving market but also by operators providing snorkeling equipment in the tourism and leisure industry.

[0004] However, in all these simplified breathing tube assemblies, the mouthpiece 13 and the breathing tube 11 are aligned, meaning the lateral direction of the mouthpiece 13 is parallel to the axial direction of the breathing tube 11. Figure 1B As shown. When the user wears the mask 15 and attaches the breathing tube 11 to the left side at a high position, and fastens it to the left end 17L of the headband 17, the mouthpiece 13 is actually not parallel to the user's lips, that is, it forms a clockwise tilt when viewed from the user's direction, as shown. Figure 1C As shown. Alternatively, when the user wears the mask 15 and the breathing tube 11 is installed on the lower right side and fastened to the middle area 17M of the headband 17, the mouthpiece 13 is not actually parallel to the direction of the user's lips, thus also forming a clockwise tilt, as shown. Figure 1D As shown.

[0005] The user inserts the crooked mouthpiece 13 into their mouth, which is uncomfortable and significantly increases the burden on the mouth muscles, affecting snorkeling endurance and enjoyment. Furthermore, when the user is snorkeling, due to the backward thrust of the water flow, the underwater portion of the snorkel 11 rotates along a pivot (the point where the snorkel 11 and headband 17 are fastened) and is further pushed towards the user. At this time, if... Figure 1C The situation of the bite plate 13 being misaligned (i.e., misaligned in the clockwise direction) will be more serious.

[0006] In view of this, how to solve the above problems and provide other technological advantages has become the research and development goal of the industry. Utility Model Content

[0007] The main objective of this invention is to provide a snorkel assembly for water activities (especially for snorkeling or freediving), wherein the snorkel extends along one side of the user's head. By forming a specific angle between the transverse line of the mouthpiece and the central axis of the snorkel in a counterclockwise or clockwise direction, the mouthpiece and the user's mouth can be more flush when the user wears a mask and fastens the snorkel to the headband, thereby greatly reducing the user's biting burden and improving comfort during snorkeling.

[0008] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model discloses a breathing tube assembly, comprising a mouthpiece and a non-flexible breathing tube. The non-flexible breathing tube has an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion provides for gas inlet and outlet. The mouthpiece is fixedly connected to the lower portion. The non-flexible breathing tube defines a central axis extending along its length, and the mouthpiece defines a transverse line connecting its left and right sides. The transverse line forms an angle relative to the central axis, the angle being between 3° and 70°.

[0009] In one example, the angle is between 12° and 20°.

[0010] In one example, the angle is formed by the horizontal line counterclockwise relative to the central axis.

[0011] Based on the above examples, in a first instance, the non-flexible breathing tube is suitable for a high-position installation on the left side and extends above a user's left ear.

[0012] Furthermore, based on the above example, in a second instance, the non-flexible breathing tube may be installed in a low position on the right side and extend below a user's right ear.

[0013] For the same purpose described above, this utility model discloses a snorkeling device, comprising a snorkel assembly as described in the first example above, and a mask. The mask comprises a body and a headband. The headband is connected to the body so that the body watertightly covers the user's eyes and nose. The non-flexible snorkel is fastened to the left end of the headband.

[0014] Furthermore, this utility model discloses a snorkeling device comprising a snorkel assembly as described in the second example above and a mask. The mask comprises a body and a headband. The headband is connected to the body so that the body watertightly covers the user's eyes and nose. The non-flexible snorkel is fastened to a central area of ​​the headband. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1AThis is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a known breathing tube assembly.

[0016] Figure 1B for Figure 1A A magnified view of the mouthpiece parallel to the breathing tube, viewed from the user's perspective.

[0017] Figure 1C For the user to wear Figure 1A When the breathing tube assembly is in a high position on the left side, the mouthpiece is tilted relative to the mouth.

[0018] Figure 1D For the user to wear Figure 1A When the breathing tube assembly is in the lower right position, the mouthpiece is tilted relative to the mouth.

[0019] Figure 2A This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a breathing tube assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 2B for Figure 2A A magnified partial diagram showing the mouthpiece forming an angle counterclockwise relative to the breathing tube, viewed from the user's perspective.

[0021] Figure 3 For the user to wear Figure 2A When the breathing tube assembly is in the high position on the left side, the mouthpiece is aligned with the mouth.

[0022] Figure 4 For the user to wear Figure 2A When the breathing tube assembly is in the lower right position, the mouthpiece is aligned with the mouth.

[0023] The attached figures are labeled as follows:

[0024] 1: Breathing tube assembly

[0025] 2: Breathing tube assembly

[0026] 3, 4: Snorkeling equipment

[0027] 11: Breathing tube

[0028] 13: Biting mouth

[0029] 15: Face mask

[0030] 17: Headband

[0031] 21: Non-flexible breathing tube

[0032] 21a: Upper part

[0033] 21b: Lower part

[0034] 23: Biting Mouth

[0035] 35, 45: Face mask

[0036] 35a, 45a: Ontology

[0037] 35b, 45b: Headband

[0038] 17L, 35L: Left end

[0039] 17M, 45M: Intermediate area

[0040] CA: Central Axis

[0041] TL: Horizontal line

[0042] FA: Ventilation shaft

[0043] θ: Angle Detailed Implementation

[0044] The following description of the embodiments is merely illustrative of the present invention and not intended to limit it. Components not directly related to the present invention are not shown, and the dimensional relationships between the components in the drawings are for ease of understanding only and are not intended to limit actual proportions. Furthermore, terms such as up, down, front, back, left, right, inner, outer, clockwise, or counterclockwise in the descriptions are defined based on the user's orientation and are only relative relationships, not limitations. When a component name involves both a first and a second, and only the detailed structure of one is described, it means that both have the same structure, especially a symmetrical structure, and therefore will not be repeated below.

[0045] When snorkeling or freediving, snorkelers often selectively fasten the snorkel to the end of the headband, resulting in a high-mounted position where the snorkel passes above the ears. Alternatively, they often selectively fasten the snorkel to the middle of the headband, resulting in a low-mounted position where the snorkel extends below the ears.

[0046] However, the most common way to wear a breathing tube is to place it above the user's left ear and fasten it to the left side of the mask (usually the headband), forming a so-called "high left-side installation". Therefore, the breathing tube of this invention will be described using this high left-side installation as an example; however, the same effect can be achieved by installing it in a low right-side position.

[0047] Figure 2AA breathing tube assembly 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a non-flexible breathing tube 21 and a mouthpiece 23. The non-flexible breathing tube 21 has an upper portion 21a and a lower portion 21b opposite to the upper portion 21a. The upper portion 21a of the non-flexible breathing tube 21 provides for gas inlet and outlet. The mouthpiece 23 is fixedly connected to the lower portion 21b of the non-flexible breathing tube 21. In addition, the lower portion 21b of the non-flexible breathing tube 21 may be provided with a drain valve (not shown in the figure), however, this is not a key technical feature of the present invention.

[0048] In this invention, the non-flexible breathing tube 21 defines a central axis CA extending along its length. The mouthpiece 23 defines a transverse line TL connecting its left and right sides. Based on this, the mouthpiece 23 is pre-formed with an angle relative to the non-flexible breathing tube 21, that is, the transverse line TL forms an angle θ counterclockwise relative to the central axis CA. The angle θ can be between 3° and 70° to achieve the effect of pre-correcting the orientation of the mouthpiece 23. Figure 2B As shown. In this way, when the user wears the mask, and the non-flexible breathing tube 21 is positioned above the user's left ear and restrained at the left end of the mask, the mouthpiece 23 will further tend to be parallel and aligned with the user's mouth (as shown). Figure 3 As shown), this design further enhances user comfort and snorkeling endurance. Moreover, during underwater activities, even when encountering water currents from the front, pushing the lower part 21b of the non-flexible snorkel 21 inwards prevents the mouthpiece 23 from becoming excessively skewed relative to the mouth due to the pre-formed angle θ, thus avoiding discomfort.

[0049] When the non-flexible breathing tube is installed in a low position on the right side, the lower part 21b of the non-flexible breathing tube 21 will also be geometrically tilted clockwise. By pre-forming an angle θ between the transverse line TL and the central axis CA in a counterclockwise direction, the same effect of aligning the user's mouth with the mouthpiece can be achieved. Figure 4 As shown.

[0050] It is understood that if the user installs the non-flexible breathing tube 21 with the right side higher or the left side lower, the aforementioned pre-formed angle, i.e., the horizontal line TL, needs to form a specific angle θ clockwise relative to the central axis CA, which can also be between 3° and 70°. Details and accompanying drawings will not be elaborated further. In a preferred embodiment, the angle θ can be between 10° and 30°, while an angle θ between 12° and 20° is the best implementation.

[0051] The following details the snorkeling equipment of this invention, which is mounted on the left side at a high position and on the right side at a low position. Figure 3 and Figure 4 This is to clarify their structural relationships. In detail, such as... Figure 3The snorkeling equipment 3 shown includes, for example: Figure 2A and Figure 2B The breathing tube assembly 2 and the mask 35. The mask 35 includes a body 35a and a headband 35b. The headband 35b is connected to the body 35a so that the body 35a watertightly covers the user's eyes and nose. The non-flexible breathing tube 21 is fastened to one left end 35L of the headband 35b, forming a left-side high-position installation.

[0052] In addition, such as Figure 4 The snorkeling equipment 4 shown also includes, as shown in the image, snorkeling gear 4. Figure 2A and Figure 2B The breathing tube assembly 2 and the mask 45. Similarly, the mask 45 includes a body 45a and a headband 45b. The headband 45b is connected to the body 45a so that the body 45a watertightly covers the user's eyes and nose. Figure 3 The only difference between the snorkeling equipment 3 and the snorkeling equipment 4 is that the non-flexible snorkel 21 is fastened to the middle area 45M (near the back of the user's head) of the headband 45b, forming a low-mounted configuration on the right side.

[0053] The "non-flexible" snorkel defined in this invention is not limited to the material of the snorkel. It may be made of rigid material (such as PC or PP), flexible material (such as thick-walled rubber), or both molded together. As long as the snorkel can maintain its shape firmly and stably without collapsing when the user holds the mouthpiece in their mouth, and is not fixed to the mask, it belongs to the type of snorkel described in this invention. This invention improves upon existing methods where a flexible mouthpiece is fixed to this type of non-flexible snorkel, and the mouthpiece cannot rotate along its own ventilation axis FA. The key improvement lies in pre-forming a specific angle between the lateral line of the mouthpiece and the central axis of the snorkel, so that when the user holds the mouthpiece in their mouth and is snorkeling in the water, the mouthpiece and the user's mouth can be nearly aligned. The design of other parts or the type of snorkeling equipment used are not relevant.

[0054] Any changes to the mechanism based on the aforementioned core technology of this utility model, such as a fixed pre-formed angle or an adjustable angle within a specific range, are protected by this utility model. Therefore, the above embodiments are merely illustrative of the implementation methods of this utility model and to explain its technical features, and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this utility model. Any modifications or equivalent arrangements that can be easily made by those skilled in the art are within the scope of this utility model, and the scope of protection of this utility model should be determined by the claims.

Claims

1. A breathing tube assembly, comprising: A bite of the lips; and A non-flexible breathing tube having an upper part and a lower part, wherein, The upper part provides gas inlet and outlet, and the bite is fixedly connected to the lower part; Its features are: The non-flexible breathing tube defines a central axis extending along its length, and the mouthpiece defines a transverse line connecting its left and right sides; and The horizontal line forms an angle with respect to the central axis, which is between 3° and 70°.

2. The breathing tube assembly as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The angle is between 12° and 20°.

3. The breathing tube assembly as described in claim 2, characterized in that, This angle is formed by the horizontal line counterclockwise relative to the central axis.

4. The breathing tube assembly as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The non-flexible breathing tube is suitable for high placement on the left side and extends above a user's left ear.

5. The breathing tube assembly as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The non-flexible breathing tube is suitable for a low-lying installation on the right side and extends below a user's right ear.

6. A snorkeling device, comprising: One mask, including: One entity; and A strap is attached to the main body to watertightly cover the user's eyes and nose. Its features are, The snorkeling equipment also includes the snorkel assembly as described in claim 4, and the non-flexible snorkel is fastened to a left end of the headband.

7. A snorkeling device, comprising: One mask, including: One entity; and A strap is attached to the main body to watertightly cover the user's eyes and nose. Its features are, The snorkeling equipment also includes the snorkel assembly as described in claim 5, and The non-flexible breathing tube is fastened to a central area of ​​the headband.

Images