Breathing device for divers

Abstract

The breathing device (1) for divers comprises a mouthpiece (2) and a rigid breathing tube (3) with a first end (4) featuring an inclined opening (5), and a second end connected to a joint (6) of the mouthpiece (2), a movable shutter (7) that can move between an open and a closed position of the opening (5) of the first end (4), a float (8) for actuating the shutter (7), first articulation means (9) for connecting the shutter (7) to the tube (3), and second articulation means (10) for connecting the float (8) to the tube (3) wherein the breathing tube (3) is formed from a single tubular piece, externally to which the first and second articulation means (9, 10) are positioned.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a breathing device for divers of the type known by the English name "snorkel," which is intended for surface swimming and shallow free-diving.

[0002] In general, such a device includes a tube equipped at one open end with automatic closure means to prevent water entry in the presence of waves or during free-diving, and at the other open end with a mouthpiece.

[0003] In most cases, the automatic closure means consist of a float that controls a shutter at the first end of the tube.

[0004] According to US Patent 2,815,751, the first end of the tube is semicircular, with its opening facing downward.

[0005] The tube is also equipped with a pair of overlapping brackets that oscillate around the same axis. The bracket closest to the first end of the tube contains the shutter, while the bracket farther from the first end is connected to a float that pushes the shutter to close the opening of the first end of the tube when submerged. When the tube is not in a horizontal position or even upside down during the diver's descent, the float loses its ability to push the shutter against the opening of the breathing tube, and in this case, only hydrostatic pressure keeps the shutter in the closed position.

[0006] Besides the limited functionality of the float when the tube is not vertical with the first end facing upward, the automatic closure means suffer from excessive bulkiness and a heterogeneity of component elements, which are made from different materials. Consequently, the technical solution is relatively costly.

[0007] According to Patent Application WO 96 03313, the float and shutter are directly articulated on the opening of the breathing tube to reduce the bulk of the device. However, this structural simplicity is not accompanied by reliable operational safety due to the precariousness of the articulation means.

[0008] In US Patent 5,960,791, the shutter and float form a single piece, which reduces the bulk but compromises functionality. Since the shutter is rigidly connected to the float, when the float moves due to waves or the swimmer's head movement, there is a risk of unwanted splashes of water entering the tube.

[0009] Patent EP2684796A1 addresses the previous issues with an improved float-shutter system and reduced bulk, but the proposed solution can sometimes cause breathing problems. In fact, to reduce bulk, the solution involves adding a second tube positioned internally at the end of the main tube, which results in a significant reduction of the cross-sectional area. This reduced section increases the effort required for inhaling and exhaling. In other words, the swimmer must exert more effort to breathe compared to a conventional breathing tube, which, however, has other issues explained earlier.

[0010] US2008 / 047552A1 discloses methods for improving the performance and design of snorkels that are arranged to reduce splashes of water from entering the snorkel during use.

[0011] The technical task of this invention, therefore, is to create a breathing device for divers that eliminates the technical drawbacks mentioned in known technology.

[0012] Within this technical task, one objective of the invention is to create a breathing device for divers where the automatic closure means at one end of the tube have reduced bulk, high structural simplicity, high mechanical strength, low cost, reliable operational safety regardless of the orientation of the tube, and that allows the swimmer to breathe with less effort compared to known technology.

[0013] The technical task, as well as these and other objectives, according to the present invention, are achieved by creating a breathing device for divers according to Claim 1.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, at least the terminal portion of the breathing tube that includes the first end and externally features the said first and second articulation means has a tubular internal perimeter profile with a constant cross-sectional area.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment, the entire breathing tube has a constant cross-sectional internal tubular profile.

[0016] Other features of the present invention are further defined in the subsequent claims.

[0017] Additional features and advantages of the invention will become more evident from the description of a preferred but non-exclusive embodiment of the breathing device according to the invention, illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows an isometric view of the breathing device with the shutter in the open position; Figure 1A shows an exploded view of the breathing device; Figure 2 shows a view of the breathing device with the shutter in the open position, sectioned along a plane containing the axis of the breathing tube; Figure 3 shows a view of the breathing device with the shutter in the closed position, sectioned along a plane containing the axis of the breathing tube.

[0018] With reference to the cited figures, a breathing device for divers is shown and generally indicated by reference number 1.

[0019] The breathing device 1 for divers includes a mouthpiece 2 and a rigid breathing tube 3 with a first end 4 featuring an inclined opening 5, and a second end connected to a joint 6 of the mouthpiece 2. The device also includes a movable shutter 7 and a float 8 for operating the shutter 7.

[0020] The shutter 7 is operated by first articulation means 9 connected to the breathing tube 3, while the float 8 is operated by second articulation means 10 connected to the breathing tube 3.

[0021] The shutter 7 can oscillate between an open position and a closed position at the first end 4 of the breathing tube 3, allowing air to pass during breathing while also closing to prevent water from entering during submersion.

[0022] The purpose of the float 8 is to operate the shutter 7 when the breathing device 1 is fully submerged in water. In fact, when the breathing device 1 is fully submerged in water, if it is positioned such that the first end 4 is closer to the water surface than the second end, the float 8, having a lower density than water, tends to rise to the surface and, during its upward movement, intercepts the first articulation means 9.

[0023] The upward movement of the float 8 towards the water surface thus triggers the first articulation means 9, which close the shutter 7.

[0024] The breathing tube 3 is advantageously made from a single tubular piece, on the exterior of which the first and second articulation means are positioned.

[0025] Additionally, the first and second articulation means 9, 10 are advantageously located externally on a terminal section of the breathing tube 3, which includes the first end 4. This terminal section of the breathing tube 3 has a tubular internal perimeter profile with a constant cross-sectional area.

[0026] By "cross-section," we mean a section that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the breathing tube 3.

[0027] Optionally, the entire breathing tube 3 has a tubular internal perimeter profile with a constant cross-sectional area.

[0028] Preferably, the shape of this section is elliptical.

[0029] The first and second articulation means 9, 10 respectively comprise a first and second pair of rotation pins 13, 15, which define a first and second hinge axis 14, 16. The second articulation means 10 include a protective oscillating cap 11 covering the first end 4 of the tube 3. The cap 11 has a positioning seat 12 where the float 8 is fixed.

[0030] The first and second pairs of rotation pins 13, 15 can be integrally formed with the tube 3, as shown in the figures, or they can be formed on a support fitted externally to the said tube 3. Specifically, the rotation pins 13, 15 can be formed as a single piece with the breathing tube 3, particularly by molding, or they can be included in an external support to be fixed to the said tube 3.

[0031] The external support may take the form of an elliptical ring with a rectangular section and can be attached to the breathing tube 3 by welding, interference fitting, gluing, or other coupling methods.

[0032] The second pair of pins 15 hinges the cap 11 to the breathing tube 3, allowing it to oscillate around the second pair of pins 15 and rotate within a limited angle. This angle has been designed by incorporating two end stops for the cap 11's movement so that, regardless of its position within the range between the two stops, it provides protection from potential water splashes at the opening 5 of the first end 4 of the breathing tube 3.

[0033] The first and second hinge axes 14, 16 are parallel. Specifically, the first and second hinge axes 14, 16 are parallel to the major axis of the elliptical cross-section of the internal perimeter profile of the breathing tube 3. This arrangement allows for the reduction of the transverse bulk of the breathing device 1 at the first end 4 of the breathing tube 3.

[0034] The first hinge axis 14 is located between the first end 4 of the tube 3, which is distal from the mouthpiece 2, and the second hinge axis 16. The float 8 is made of a block of deformable material, which is pressure-fitted into the positioning seat 12 located in the cap 11.

[0035] The first articulation means 9 include a bracket 17 with two parallel arms 18 protruding from the tube 3, extending orthogonally from the first hinge axis 14, and connected by a crossbar 19. The bracket 17 rigidly supports both the shutter 7 and a counterweight 20.

[0036] The shutter 7 extends from a flat flange 21 on the crossbar 19 of the bracket 17, perpendicular to the two arms 18. The counterweight 20 helps facilitate the opening of the shutter 7 when the first end 4 of the tube 3, distal from the mouthpiece 2, is out of the water, but it also has an equally important secondary function.

[0037] Indeed, if the breathing device 1 for divers is completely submerged in water and oriented such that the second end of the tube 3, connected to the mouthpiece 2, is closer to the water surface than the other end, the float 8 no longer exerts pressure on the bracket 17 and, consequently, on the shutter 7 because the float 8 naturally tends to return to the surface. Therefore, the addition of the counterweight 20 ensures that the shutter 7 continues to perform its function, keeping the opening 5 of the first end 4 closed and preventing water from entering. In fact, the counterweight 20 tends to sink, unlike the float 8, thus exerting pressure on the shutter 7 beneath it.

[0038] The cap 11 includes a sliding surface for the bracket 17, which, as mentioned above, intercepts the bracket and pushes it to close the shutter 7.

[0039] In an unillustrated solution, it is possible to define a wall or partition that serves to divert the airflow exiting the breathing tube 3. This wall is located inside the tube 3, in a position relatively close to the first end 4, which is closed by the shutter 7. If properly designed, the wall interacts with the outgoing airflow from the breathing tube 3, making it more turbulent. In this way, the opening of the shutter 7, both during resurfacing from the water and in cases where the shutter 7 closes involuntarily, is facilitated by the air turbulence created by this wall. As a result, the swimmer experiences even less effort during breathing.

[0040] It has been practically observed that the breathing device for divers according to the invention is particularly advantageous because it facilitates the swimmer's breathing, as it does not include any narrowing along the airflow path in the breathing tube. Additionally, the breathing device is particularly effective in preventing water from entering the breathing tube.

[0041] The breathing device for divers, as conceived, is subject to numerous modifications and variations, all within the scope of the inventive concept according to the Claims.

Claims

1. Breathing device (1) for divers comprising a mouthpiece (2) and a rigid breathing tube (3) having a first end (4) with an inclined opening (5) and a second end connected to a fitting (6) of the mouthpiece (2), a shutter (7) movable between an open position and a closed position of said opening (5) of said first end (4), a float (8) for actuating said shutter (7), first articulation means (9) of said shutter (7) to said tube (3), second articulation means (10) of said float (8) to said tube (3), wherein said breathing tube (3) is formed from a single tubular piece externally to which said first and second articulation means (9, 10) are positioned, characterized in that the second articulation means (10) comprise a swinging cap (11) for protective covering of said first end (4) of the breathing tube (3), said cap (11) having a positioning seat (12) where the float (8) is fixed.

2. Breathing device (1) for divers according to claim 1, characterized in that at least a terminal portion of the breathing tube (3) comprising said first end (4) and externally presenting said first and second articulation means (9, 10) has a tubular internal perimeter profile with a constant cross-sectional area.

3. Breathing device (1) for divers according to claim 2, characterized in that the entire breathing tube (3) has a tubular internal perimeter profile with a constant cross-sectional area.

4. Breathing device (1) for divers according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the entire breathing tube (3) has a tubular internal perimeter profile with a constant elliptical cross-sectional area.

5. Breathing device (1) for divers according to any preceding claim, characterized in that said first articulation means (9) comprise a first pair of rotation pins (13) defining a first hinge axis (14) integrally formed with said tube (3), and said second articulation means (10) comprise a second pair of rotation pins (15) defining a second hinge axis (16) integrally formed with said tube (3).

6. Breathing device (1) for divers according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said first articulation means (9) comprise a first pair of rotation pins (13) defining a first hinge axis (14), and said second articulation means (10) comprise a second pair of rotation pins (15) defining a second hinge axis (16), said first pair of rotation pins (13) and said second pair of rotation pins (15) being formed on an externally fitted support to said tube (3).

7. Breathing device (1) for divers according to any one of claims 5 and 6, characterized in that said second pair of pins (15) hinge said cap (11) to said breathing tube (3).

8. Breathing device (1) for divers according to any preceding claim 6 and 7, characterized in that said first and second hinge axes (14, 16) are parallel.

9. Breathing device (1) for divers according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said first hinge axis (14) is interposed between said first end (4) and said second hinge axis (16).

10. Breathing device (1) for divers according to any preceding claim , characterized in that said float (8) is made of a closed-porosity deformable material block press-fitted into said positioning seat (12).

11. Breathing device (1) for divers according to any one of claims 6 to 10, characterized in that said first articulation means (9) comprise a bracket (17) having two parallel arms (18) projecting from the tube (3) extending orthogonally from the first hinge axis (14) and connected by a crossbar (19), and in that said shutter (7) is equipped with a counterweight (20) and is rigidly fixed to said bracket (17).

12. Breathing device (1) for divers according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said shutter (7) extends from a flat flange (21) of the crossbar (19) of said bracket (17) orthogonal to the two arms (18) of said bracket (17).

13. Breathing device (1) for divers according to any one of claims 11 to 12, characterized in that the cap (11) has a sliding wall for said bracket (17).

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