SPLASH GUARD FOR A SNORKEL

• US 20050274380A1
• Filed: 08/18/2004
• Published: 12/15/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/15/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ods Injection Molding LLC
• Original Assignee: QDS Injection Molding LLC
• Inventors: Shiue, Chih-Cheng
• Granted Patent: US 6,994,085 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/201.110
• CPC Class Codes: B63C 11/205 with air supply by suction from diver, e.g. snorkels B63C11/16 takes precedence

Abstract

A splash prevention device, mounted on top of the breathing tube of a snorkel, including a housing having an oblique opening in communication with the breathing tube, a U-shaped pivotal member pivotally mounted on the housing, a float member pivotally located on two ends of a cross member of the pivotal member and including a top stop, a pivotal cover pivotally located on the cross member and including a tab and a projection at both ends, and a mask partially enclosed the housing and mounted thereon. The float member and the pivotal member pivot about the housing and the pivotal cover pivots about the cross member when the splash prevention device is submerged below a water surface. The pivotal actions are stopped when the opening is closed by the projection of the pivot cover to prevent splashed water from entering the breathing tube of the snorkel.

Claims

1. -2. (canceled)

3. A splash prevention device for a snorkel having a breathing tube, the splash prevention device comprising:

a) a hollow housing located on a top end of the breathing tube and having a top opening located in an interior of the hollow housing opposite the breathing tube and communicating with an interior of the breathing tube;

b) a U-shaped pivotal member pivotally connected to the housing and having a cross member;

c) a float member pivotally connected to the cross member of the pivotal member; and

d) a pivotal cover connected to the U-shaped pivotal member and having a projection;

wherein the float member and the pivotal member pivot relative to the housing between open and closed positions, in the open position the projection of the pivot cover is spaced apart from the top opening of the housing and in the closed position the projection of the pivot cover covers and seals the top opening of the housing such that the projection prevents splashed water from entering the top opening, wherein the pivotal cover is pivotally connected to an intermediate portion of the cross member, wherein the pivotal cover includes a tab extending opposite to the projection, and the float member includes a top stop, whereby, the tab engages the top stop to limit pivotal movement.

4. (canceled)

5. A splash prevention device for a snorkel having a breathing tube, the splash prevention device comprising:

a) a hollow housing located on a top end of the breathing tube and having a top opening located in an interior of the hollow housing opposite the breathing tube and communicating with an interior of the breathing tube;

b) a U-shaped pivotal member pivotally connected to the housing and having a cross member;

c) a float member pivotally connected to the cross member of the pivotal member; and

d) a pivotal cover connected to the U-shaped pivotal member and having a projection;

wherein the float member and the pivotal member pivot relative to the housing between open and closed positions, in the open position the projection of the pivot cover is spaced apart from the top opening of the housing and in the closed position the projection of the pivot cover covers and seals the top opening of the housing such that the projection prevents splashed water from entering the top opening, further comprising a mask connected to and enclosing a predetermined portion of the hollow housing.

6. The splash prevention device of claim 5, wherein the mask includes a plurality of curved edges and a plurality of curved openings communicating with the interior of the hollow housing.

7. The splash prevention device of claim 5, further comprising a mask opening located between the mask and the hollow housing.

8. -10. (canceled)

11. A splash prevention device for a snorkel having a breathing tube, the splash prevention device comprising:

a) a hollow housing located on a top end of the breathing tube and having a top opening located in an interior of the hollow housing opposite the breathing tube and communicating with an interior of the breathing tube;

b) a U-shaped pivotal member pivotally connected to the housing and having a cross member;

c) a float member pivotally connected to the cross member of the pivotal member; and

d) a pivotal cover connected to the U-shaped pivotal member and having a projection;

wherein the float member and the pivotal member pivot relative to the housing between open and closed positions, in the open position the projection of the pivot cover is spaced apart from the top opening of the housing and in the closed position the projection of the pivot cover covers and seals the top opening of the housing such that the projection prevents splashed water from entering the top opening, wherein the pivotal cover is fixedly connected to the U-shaped pivotal member, further comprising a mask connected to and enclosing a predetermined portion of the housing.

12. The splash prevention device of claim 11, wherein the mask includes a plurality of curved edges and a plurality of curved openings communicating with the interior of the hollow housing.

13. The splash prevention device of claim 11, further comprising a mask opening located between the mask and the hollow housing.