Snorkel and swimming training method using the same

Abstract

To provide a snorkel capable of preventing the mouthpiece from shifting out of position and to provide a swimming training method using it.SOLUTION: A snorkel 1A comprises a tubular body 3 extending along the front face of the wearer's face, with one end arranged near the wearer's mouth and the other end opening above the head; a mouthpiece 5 provided at one end of the tubular body 3; and a head band 7 that holds a middle part of the tubular body 3 on the wearer's forehead. A flexible part 8 is formed in a region at one end of the tubular body 3 to which the mouthpiece 5 is attached, and a rigid part 9 is formed in a region from the middle part to the other end of the tubular body 3. As a result, even if the tubular body 3 moves carelessly in response to water resistance or the like during training, the bellows-shaped flexible part 8 of the tubular body 3 can absorb the movement, making the mouthpiece 5 less likely to become displaced and allowing the fitted state in the mouth to be maintained, thereby preventing pain caused by misalignment of the mouthpiece 5.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a snorkel for breathing underwater in a pool, river, sea, etc., and a swimming training method using the same.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a snorkel is known in which one end of a main tube is exposed above the water surface, and a mouthpiece attached to the other end of the main tube is placed in the mouth to enable breathing underwater (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, in order to obtain the correct form of swimming without worrying about taking a breath and making the body axis less likely to wobble, a snorkel may be used. In such training, during the swimming motion, the main tube receives water resistance, the position of the mouthpiece shifts and hits the gums, which may cause pain. In particular, in the case of children in the process of changing from baby teeth to permanent teeth, pain is easily felt, so there is room for improvement.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a snorkel capable of preventing displacement of the mouthpiece and a swimming training method using the same.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The invention according to claim 1 is a snorkel comprising a tubular body having one end disposed at the wearer's mouth and extending along the front of the face and the other end opening above the head, a mouthpiece provided at one end of the tubular body, and a holding portion for holding an intermediate portion of the tubular body on the wearer's forehead, wherein a region from the intermediate portion to the other end of the tubular body is formed of a rigid portion having rigidity, and one end of the tubular body is formed of a flexible portion having flexibility and being bendable. According to the invention according to claim 1, during training, even if the tubular body is inadvertently moved under the resistance of water or the like, the flexible portion having flexibility and being bendable can absorb the movement, so that the position of the mouthpiece is less likely to shift, and the state of fitting in the mouth can be maintained, thus preventing pain caused by the shift of the mouthpiece.

[0007] The invention according to claim 2 is the snorkel according to claim 1, wherein the rigid portion is bendable and capable of maintaining its shape. According to the invention according to claim 2, since the rigid portion is bendable and capable of maintaining its shape, the form of the rigid portion can be adjusted according to the growth of children and the size of the head.

[0008] The invention according to claim 3 is the snorkel according to claim 2, wherein the tubular body comprises a flexible tubular flexible member extending from one end to the other end, and a shape-maintaining member that is bendable and capable of maintaining its shape and is attached to a region from the intermediate portion to the other end of the flexible member. According to the invention according to claim 3, by plastically deforming the shape-maintaining member, the shape of the rigid portion of the tubular body can be freely changed, so that the flexibility of the flexible portion can be enhanced.

[0009] The invention according to claim 4 is the snorkel according to claim 3, wherein the flexible member is bellows-shaped. According to the invention according to claim 4, since the flexible member is bellows-shaped, it can be moved freely.

[0010] The invention according to claim 5 is characterized in that it is carried out in a state where breathing is always possible underwater while wearing the snorkel according to any one of claims 1 to 4. According to the invention according to claim 5, swimming training can be carried out in a state where breathing is always possible underwater.

Effect of the Invention

[0011] By configuring the present invention as described above, displacement of the mouthpiece can be prevented.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] The configuration of the snorkel according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. As shown in FIG. 1, the snorkel 1A includes a tubular main body 3, a mouthpiece 5, and a headband 7 (holding portion), and is arranged and used at the center of the face of the wearer 2 (see FIG. 3), that is, a so-called center snorkel.

[0014] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the tubular body 3 is a long tubular member having one end disposed at the mouth of the wearer 2, extending along the front of the face, and the other end opening above the head. The tubular body 3 includes a flexible portion 8 and a rigid portion 9. In this embodiment, the flexible portion 8 and the rigid portion 9 are separate members from each other, and the rigid portion 9 is detachably attached to the other end of the flexible portion 8. The flexible portion 8 forms a region at one end of the tubular body 3 to which the mouthpiece 5 is attached, and the rigid portion 9 forms a region from the middle portion to the other end of the tubular body 3. The flexible portion 8 is a flexible tube made of a synthetic resin material having flexibility (flexibility) and having a bellows shape that can be bent freely. The rigid portion 9 is a tube made of a synthetic resin material such as a rigid plastic and having an arcuate shape.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 2, the mouthpiece 5 is made of a soft synthetic resin material having flexibility such as silicone rubber, and includes a main body portion 11 having upper and lower tooth contact portions 13 for holding in the mouth, and a cylindrical portion 15 having a flow path 17 through which air passes by the breathing of the wearer 2.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 2, the headband 7 is for holding the tubular body 3 on the forehead of the wearer 2, and includes an attachment portion 19 for attaching to the middle portion (rigid portion 9) of the tubular body 3, a contact portion 21 for contacting the forehead of the wearer 2, and a band 23 for fixing the contact portion 21 to the forehead. The attachment portion 19 has a substantially cylindrical shape into which the rigid portion 9 of the tubular body 3 can be inserted. The contact portion 21 is integrally formed with the attachment portion 19 and is a plate member having an arcuate shape, and a cushioning material is provided on the surface that contacts the forehead. The band 23 is made of a rubber member, has a belt shape, and both ends thereof are detachably attached to both ends of the contact portion 21.

[0017] Next, a training method using the snorkel 1A will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 3. First, during use, adjust the attachment position of the headband 7 so that the rigid portion 9 of the tubular body 3 is disposed beyond the head of the wearer 2. Bring the contact portion 21 of the headband 7 into contact with the forehead, and fix the headband 7 to the head by the band 23. Thereafter, hold the mouthpiece 5 and breathe through the flow path 17 of the cylindrical portion 15 and the tubular body 3. As shown in FIG. 3, during swimming training, since the opening 10 on the other end side (rigid portion 9 side) of the tubular body 3 faces rearward or vertically with respect to the traveling direction, it is difficult for water to enter from the opening 10.

[0018] As described above, according to the snorkel 1A according to the first embodiment, the following operational effects can be obtained. Since the rigid portion 9 of the tubular body 3 is disposed beyond the head of the wearer 2, it is possible to breathe constantly even in water. As a result, there is no need to take a breath, so the head does not move, making it difficult for the body axis to deviate and allowing concentration on training to acquire an ideal swimming form.

[0019] Further, even if the tubular body 3 moves inadvertently under the influence of water resistance or the like during training, the bellows-like flexible portion 8 of the tubular body 3 can absorb the movement. As a result, the mouthpiece 5 is less likely to be displaced and can be maintained in a state of fitting in the mouth, thus preventing pain caused by displacement of the mouthpiece 5. In particular, it is possible to effectively prevent pain in the gums, which is particularly likely to be felt, and in the gums of children in the process of changing from deciduous teeth to permanent teeth.

[0020] Furthermore, the mouthpiece 5 can be easily held at the mouth of the wearer 2 and easily held in the mouth.

[0021] Next, the snorkel 1B according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. In the following description, the same reference numerals are used for the same parts as those of the snorkel 1A of the first embodiment, and only the different parts will be described in detail.

[0022] The snorkel 1B according to the second embodiment is different from the snorkel 1A of the first embodiment in that the flexible portion 34 and the rigid portion 36 of the tubular body 3 are of an integral structure, and the other structures are the same. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the tubular body 3 is a long tube with one end disposed at the mouth of the wearer 2, extending along the front of the face, and the other end opening above the head. The tubular body 3 includes a flexible tubular member 31 having flexibility and being bendable from one end to the other end, and at least one shape-maintaining member 33 (see the broken line in FIG. 4) that is attachable to the outer peripheral surface of the tubular body 3 in a region from approximately the middle portion to the other end and is capable of being bent and maintaining its shape. The shape-maintaining member 33 has a certain degree of rigidity, prevents the tubular body 3 from bending, and is for plastically deforming and maintaining the flexible member 31 in a desired shape. In this embodiment, the shape-maintaining member 33 is a wire that can maintain a desired shape and is not easily deformed by water resistance or the like during training, but can be easily deformed even by children. The tubular body 3 is wound with a waterproof tape 35 at the location where the shape-maintaining member 33 is provided so that the shape-maintaining member 33 is not exposed. Here, the portion of the tubular body 3 where the shape-maintaining member 33 is not provided is configured as the flexible portion 34, and the portion where the shape-maintaining member 33 is provided is configured as the rigid portion 36 that is bendable and can maintain its shape.

[0023] Next, the method of using the snorkel 1B will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. First, the wearer 2 deforms the rigid portion 36 of the tubular body 3 according to his / her own swimming form. Then, the contact portion 21 of the headband 7 is abutted against the forehead, and the headband 7 is fixed to the head by the band 23, and the mouthpiece 5 is held, and breathing can be performed through the flow path 17 of the cylindrical portion 15 and the tubular body 3.

[0024] As described above, according to the snorkel 1B according to the second embodiment, the following operational effects can be obtained. Since the wearer 2 can freely change the shape of the rigid portion 36 of the tubular body 3 by plastically deforming the shape - maintaining member 33 himself / herself, the form of the snorkel 1B can be adjusted according to the growth of the child and the size of the head. Also, the same operational effects as those of the snorkel 1A according to the first embodiment can be achieved.

[0025] In the snorkel 1B according to the second embodiment, it may be configured with separated tubes like the tubular body 3 of the snorkel 1A according to the first embodiment.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0026] 1A, 1B... snorkels, 3... tubular body, 5... mouthpiece, 7... headband (holding portion), 8, 34... flexible portions, 9, 36... rigid portions

Claims

1. A snorkel comprising: a tubular body having one end disposed at the wearer's mouth and extending along the front of the face, and the other end opening above the head; a mouthpiece provided at one end of the tubular body; and a holding portion for holding an intermediate portion of the tubular body on the wearer's forehead. The intermediate portion to the other end region of the tubular body is formed of a rigid portion having rigidity, and one end of the tubular body is formed of a flexible portion having flexibility and being bendable. A snorkel characterized in that

2. The snorkel according to claim 1, wherein the rigid portion is bendable and capable of maintaining its shape.

3. The tubular body includes a flexible tubular flexible member extending from one end to the other end, and a shape-maintaining member that is bendable and capable of maintaining its shape and is attached to a region from the intermediate portion to the other end of the flexible member. The snorkel according to claim 2, characterized in that

4. The snorkel according to claim 3, wherein the flexible member is bellows-shaped.

5. A swimming training method characterized by wearing the snorkel according to any one of claims 1 to 4 and performing it in a state where breathing is always possible underwater.

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