Diving mask having a built-in snorkel

Abstract

A diving mask includes a faceplate secured to a frame, a flexible skirt having a partition delimiting an upper viewing chamber from a lower breathing chamber, a snorkel having an inlet channel for inhaled air and at least one escape channel for exhaled air, the snorkel being a continuation of the upper part of the frame, the inlet channel for inhaled air leading into the upper chamber, whilst the first escape channel for exhaled air communicates with the lower chamber. The frame is rigid and inside the frame there is arranged at least one first inner duct for exhaled air having an upper end leading into the escape channel for exhaled air, and a lower end in fluid communication with the lower chamber.

Claims

1. A water-sport mask comprising: a rigid frame; a faceplate surrounded by the rigid frame; a flexible skirt mounted on the rigid frame, the flexible skirt comprising a partition delimiting an upper chamber and a lower chamber, the partition being arranged to bear upon the top of a user's nose when the water-sport mask is worn by the user so that the user's mouth and nose are positioned within the lower chamber, the partition having at least one passageway arranged to allow circulation of air from the upper chamber to the lower chamber during an inhalation phase; a conduit having an inlet channel enabling entry of ambient air and a first escape channel enabling exit of exhaust air, the conduit extending at an upper part of the rigid frame, the inlet channel being in fluid communication with the upper chamber, and the first escape channel being in fluid communication with the lower chamber, the rigid frame comprising at least one first duct, the first duct having an upper end opening into the first escape channel, and a lower end opening into the lower chamber.

2. The water-sport mask according to claim 1, wherein the flexible skirt also comprises at least one first coupling sleeve projecting from a first side edge of the flexible skirt, said at least one first coupling sleeve being in fluid connection with said at least one first duct for exhaust air.

3. The water-sport mask according to claim 1, wherein the rigid frame comprises one or more ribs in contact with at least a portion of the flexible skirt.

4. The water-sport mask according to claim 1, wherein the rigid frame comprises an outer portion, the flexible skirt being arranged between the faceplate and the outer portion of the rigid frame.

5. The water-sport mask according to claim 4, wherein the rigid frame comprises one or more ribs, the flexible skirt being arranged between the outer portion of the rigid frame and the faceplate and in contact with at least a portion of the one or more ribs to prevent slippage of the flexible skirt.

6. The water-sport mask according to claim 1, wherein the rigid frame comprises an outer portion, a lower portion of the outer portion of the rigid frame comprising a first element and a second element which are attached to one another to form the lower portion of the outer portion of the rigid frame.

7. The water-sport mask according to claim 2, wherein the flexible skirt has a peripheral sealing lip arranged to bear against the user's face when the water-sport mask is worn by the user, said at least one first coupling sleeve flanking said peripheral sealing lip.

8. The water-sport mask according to claim 1, wherein the partition forms one and the same part with the flexible skirt.

9. The water-sport mask according to claim 1, wherein the conduit further comprises a second escape channel enabling exit of exhaust air, the second escape channel being in fluid communication with the lower chamber, the rigid frame further comprising a second duct, the second duct having an upper end opening into the second escape channel, and a lower end opening into the lower chamber.

10. The water-sport mask according to claim 9, wherein the flexible skirt also comprises a first and a second coupling sleeves projecting respectively from a first and a second side edges of the flexible skirt, said first and second coupling sleeves being in fluid connection respectively with said first and second ducts for exhaust air.

11. The water-sport mask according to claim 9, wherein the inlet channel is separated from the first and second escape channels via two longitudinal walls.

12. The water-sport mask according to claim 1, wherein the conduit has an upper part provided with an air-permeable cage, the conduit also comprising a float movable within said cage, said float being arranged such that when the conduit is submerged in the water the float is caused to move so that float closes the conduit intake.

13. The water-sport mask according to claim 12, wherein the float has an upper end provided with a shape acting as a shut-off device.

14. The water-sport mask according to claim 13, wherein the conduit further comprises a plate comprising: a main orifice communicating with the intake of the conduit; an inlet orifice communicating with the inlet of the inlet channel; at least one first outlet orifice communicating with the outlet of the first escape channel; a first check valve arranged to close the inlet orifice during an exhalation phase; a second check valve arranged to close the first outlet orifice during an inhalation phase; the conduit further comprising a fluid communication chamber configured to provide fluid communication between the main orifice, the inlet orifice and the first outlet orifice.

15. The water-sport mask according to claim 14, wherein the conduit comprises a body having a lower end and an upper end, the inlet channel and the first escape channel extending inside the body between the lower end and the upper end, and the fluid communication chamber being arranged in a cap sealingly attached to the upper end of the body.

16. The water-sport mask according to claim 1, wherein the conduit is removable or can be tilted.

17. The water-sport mask according to claim 1, wherein it further comprises an elastic retaining strap which extends between an upper portion of the rigid frame and a lower portion of the rigid frame.

18. The water-sport mask according to claim 17, wherein the elastic strap comprises at least one link point with one or other of the lower or upper portions of the rigid frame, said link point being formed by the cooperation between one folded end of the elastic strap with a slot formed in the lower or upper portion of the rigid frame.

19. The water-sport mask according to claim 18, wherein the elastic strap comprises two upper link points with the upper portion of the rigid frame, and two lower link points with the lower portion of the rigid frame.

20. The water-sport mask according to claim 1, wherein it further comprises a purge valve positioned in the lower chamber to evacuate liquid to outside the water-sport mask.

21. The water-sport mask according to claim 1, wherein the partition comprises a fold forming a lip.

22. The water-sport mask according to claim 1, wherein the passageway of the partition comprises a check valve arranged to allow circulation of ambient air directed solely from the upper chamber to the lower chamber during an inhalation phase.

23. A water-sport mask comprising: a rigid frame; a faceplate surrounded by the rigid frame; a flexible skirt mounted on the rigid frame, the flexible skirt comprising a partition delimiting an upper chamber and a lower chamber, the partition being arranged to bear upon the top of a user's nose when the water-sport mask is worn by the user so that the user's mouth and nose are positioned within the lower chamber, the partition having at least one passageway arranged to allow circulation of air from the upper chamber to the lower chamber during an inhalation phase; a conduit having an inlet channel enabling entry of ambient air and a first escape channel enabling exit of exhaust air, the conduit extending at an upper part of the rigid frame, the inlet channel being in fluid communication with the upper chamber, and the first escape channel being in fluid communication with the lower chamber via a first duct, the first duct having an upper end opening into the escape channel, and a lower end opening into the lower chamber, wherein the flexible skirt comprises a top coupling sleeve cooperating with a top connector of the rigid frame, the top connector projecting at an upper portion of the rigid frame, the top coupling sleeve projecting from an upper edge of the flexible skirt, said top coupling sleeve being in fluid communication with the upper chamber and comprising an inlet channel opening enabling ambient air to enter the upper chamber.

24. The water-sport mask according to claim 23, wherein said top connector is engaged inside the top coupling sleeve.

25. A water-sport mask comprising: a rigid frame; a faceplate surrounded by the rigid frame; a flexible skirt mounted on the rigid frame, the flexible skirt comprising a partition delimiting an upper chamber and a lower chamber, the partition being arranged to bear upon the top of a user's nose when the water-sport mask is worn by the user so that the user's mouth and nose are positioned within the lower chamber, the partition having at least one passageway arranged to allow circulation of air from the upper chamber to the lower chamber during an inhalation phase; a conduit having an inlet channel enabling entry of ambient air and a first escape channel enabling exit of exhaust air, the conduit extending at an upper part of the rigid frame, the inlet channel being in fluid communication with the upper chamber, and the first escape channel being in fluid communication with the lower chamber via a first duct, the first duct having an upper end opening into the first escape channel, and a lower end opening into the lower chamber, the first duct being at least partially surrounded by at least a portion of said rigid frame.

26. A snorkeling mask comprising: a rigid frame; a faceplate surrounded by the rigid frame; a flexible skirt mounted on the rigid frame, the flexible skirt comprising a partition delimiting an upper chamber and a lower chamber, the partition being arranged to bear upon the top of a user's nose when the snorkeling mask is worn by the user so that the user's mouth and nose are positioned within the lower chamber, the partition having at least one passageway arranged to allow circulation of air from the upper chamber to the lower chamber during an inhalation phase; a conduit having an inlet channel enabling entry of ambient air and a first escape channel enabling exit of exhaust air, the conduit extending at an upper part of the rigid frame, the inlet channel being in fluid communication with the upper chamber, and the first escape channel being in fluid communication with the lower chamber via a pinch resistant first duct, the pinch resistant first duct having an upper end opening into the first escape channel, and a lower end opening into the lower chamber.

27. A snorkeling mask comprising: a rigid frame; a faceplate surrounded by the rigid frame; a flexible skirt mounted on the rigid frame, the flexible skirt comprising a partition delimiting an upper chamber and a lower chamber, the partition being arranged to bear upon the top of a user's nose when the snorkeling mask is worn by the user so that the user's mouth and nose are positioned within the lower chamber, the partition having at least one passageway arranged to allow circulation of air from the upper chamber to the lower chamber during an inhalation phase; a conduit having an inlet channel enabling entry of ambient air and a first escape channel enabling exit of exhaust air, the conduit extending at an upper part of the rigid frame, the inlet channel being in fluid communication with the upper chamber, and the first escape channel being in fluid communication with the lower chamber via a first duct, the first duct having an upper end opening into the first escape channel, and a lower end opening into the lower chamber, the first duct further comprising two opposed longitudinal walls rigidly spaced from each other.

28. A snorkeling mask comprising: a rigid frame; a faceplate surrounded by the rigid frame; a flexible skirt mounted on the rigid frame, the flexible skirt comprising a partition delimiting an upper chamber and a lower chamber, the partition being arranged to bear upon the top of a user's nose when the snorkeling mask is worn by the user so that the user's mouth and nose are positioned within the lower chamber, the partition having at least one passageway arranged to allow circulation of air from the upper chamber to the lower chamber during an inhalation phase; a conduit having an inlet channel enabling entry of ambient air and a first escape channel enabling exit of exhaust air, the conduit extending at an upper part of the rigid frame, the inlet channel being in fluid communication with the upper chamber, and the first escape channel being in fluid communication with the lower chamber via a first duct, the first duct having an upper end opening into the first escape channel, and a lower end opening into the lower chamber, the flexible skirt comprising a peripheral sealing lip arranged to bear against the user's face when the snorkeling mask is worn by the user, said first duct being arranged around the outer edge of the peripheral sealing lip.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The disclosure will be better understood on reading the following description of one embodiment of the disclosure given as a non-limiting example with reference to the appended drawings in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a diving mask of the disclosure;

(3) FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the diving mask in FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 3 is a rear view of the flexible skirt of the mask in FIG. 1;

(5) FIG. 4 is an overhead view of the flexible skirt in FIG. 3;

(6) FIG. 5 is a front view of the flexible skirt assembled onto the frame;

(7) FIG. 6 illustrates the snorkel of the mask in FIG. 1, as seen from its lower end;

(8) FIG. 7 is an overhead view of the flexible skirt assembled onto the frame;

(9) FIG. 8 is a detailed view of the connection of the top coupling sleeve of the flexible skirt with the top connector of the frame;

(10) FIG. 9 is a rear view of the mask in FIG. 1, without the attaching strap;

(11) FIGS. 10A and 10B are detailed views of the connection of the first coupling sleeve of the flexible skirt with the first lateral connector of the frame;

(12) FIG. 11 is an exploded view of the upper part of the snorkel of the mask in FIG. 1;

(13) FIG. 12 illustrates the air inlet circuit into the snorkel;

(14) FIG. 13 shows the situation in which the float shuts off the snorkel intake when it is submerged in water; and

(15) FIG. 14 is a rear view of the mask in FIG. 1, with the attaching strap.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(16) FIG. 1 gives an example of embodiment of a diving mask 10 conforming to embodiments of the present disclosure. The diving mask 10 comprises a frame 12 of general oblong shape having an upper part 12a and a lower part 12b.

(17) In this example the frame 12 comprises an upper portion 14 forming an upper rim and a lower portion 16 forming a lower rim.

(18) The upper 14 and lower 16 portions of the frame are secured to one another to form a rim surrounding the user's face.

(19) The diving mask 10 also comprises a faceplate 18 which is secured to the frame 12. In this example, the faceplate 18 is made in a hard, transparent plastic material.

(20) As will be understood with the help of FIG. 1, the frame 12 surrounds the faceplate 18. This mask also comprises a purge valve 17 to evacuate any water which may enter inside the mask.

(21) In addition, the diving mask 10 comprises a snorkel 20 which has a lower part 20a connected to the upper part 12a of the frame. In this example, the snorkel 20 is removable. It can be unclipped from the frame 12, making the mask more compact when not in use. The snorkel 20, more clearly seen in FIG. 2, also has an upper part 20b that is provided with an air-permeable cage 22.

(22) As will be described in more detail below the snorkel 20 also comprises a cap 24 which cooperates with the cage 22.

(23) With reference now to the exploded view, it can be seen that the lower portion 16 of the frame 12 comprises a first element 16 and a second element 16 which are attached to one another to form the lower portion.

(24) It can also be seen that the snorkel 20 comprises an elongate body 26 whose lower end 26a press fits into an extension 28 of the upper portion 14 of the frame 12 which projects from the upper end 12a of the frame.

(25) In addition, the snorkel 20 comprises a float 30 which is mobile inside the cage 22, the float having an upper end 30a provided with a shut-off device 32. As is described in detail below, the float 30 is arranged so that the when the snorkel 20 is submerged in the water, the float is caused to move so that the shut-off device 32, here a flexible diaphragm, closes the snorkel intake.

(26) With reference to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, it can be seen that the flexible skirt 40 is of general oblong shape substantially having the same dimensions as the frame 12 and faceplate 18. The flexible skirt 40 is arranged between the faceplate 18 and the frame 14.

(27) More specifically, the flexible skirt comprises a periphery 42 which has an upper part attached with the lower portion of the frame.

(28) The flexible skirt 40 further comprises a peripheral sealing lip 44 arranged to bear against the user's face, so as to prevent water from entering between the user's face and the faceplate.

(29) The flexible skirt 40 also comprises a partition 46 arranged to bear upon the top of the user's nose. This partition 46 therefore delimits an upper chamber 50 for viewing, from a lower chamber 52 for breathing. As will be understood with reference to FIG. 5, which illustrates the frame 12 assembled with the faceplate 18 and skirt 40, the user's mouth and nose are positioned in the lower chamber 52, whilst the user's eyes are positioned in the upper chamber 50.

(30) In other words, the upper chamber 50 is delimited by the faceplate, the user's eyes, the upper wall 46a of the partition 46, and that part of the flexible skirt extending above the partition 46.

(31) The lower chamber 52 is delimited by the faceplate 18, the user's mouth and nose, the lower part 46b of the partition 46, and by that part of the flexible skirt extending below the partition 46.

(32) In this example, the partition comprises a pair of passageways provided with check valves 54 arranged to allow circulation of inhaled air directed solely from the upper chamber 50 towards the lower chamber 52 during an inhalation phase by the user. In this example, the flexible skirt is made in silicone and forms one and the same part with the partition 46, the sealing lip 44 and the periphery 42.

(33) FIG. 6 illustrates the snorkel 20 as seen from its lower portion 20a.

(34) It can be seen that the snorkel 20 comprises an inlet channel for inhaled air 60 which extends between the lower end 20a of the snorkel and the upper end 20b of the snorkel. This inlet channel for inhaled air therefore extends in a longitudinal direction of the body 26. As will be explained in more detail below, the inlet channel for inhaled air leads into the upper chamber.

(35) The snorkel 20 further comprises a first escape channel for exhaled air 62, which also extends in the longitudinal direction of the body 26 between the lower part 20a and the upper part 20b of the snorkel 20. This first escape channel for exhaled air 62 communicates with the lower chamber 52.

(36) In this example, the snorkel 20 comprises a second escape channel for exhaled air 64 similar to the first channel for exhaled air.

(37) As seen in FIG. 6, the inlet channel for inhaled air 60 is separated from the first and second escape channels for exhaled air 62, 64 via two longitudinal walls 66, 68.

(38) As seen in FIG. 7, which illustrates an overhead view of the frame 12 assembled onto the flexible skirt 40, the extension 28 also comprises a central channel 70 arranged to communicate with the inlet channel for inhaled air 60 when the snorkel is attached to the frame, and two exhalation channels 72, 74 arranged to communicate with the first and second escape channels for exhaled air 62, 64 respectively.

(39) With reference now to FIG. 8, it can be seen that the frame 12 also comprises a top connector 80 projecting from the upper portion 14 of the frame 12. The flexible skirt 40 has a top coupling sleeve 82 projecting from an upper part of the flexible skirt 40 leading into the upper chamber 50. It can be seen that the top connector 80 engages inside the top coupling sleeve 82 to form a sealed connection between these two elements. In FIG. 8, the arrow F1 symbolises the flow of inhaled fresh air.

(40) It will be understood that during an inhalation phase, fresh air enters the snorkel, flows along the inlet channel for inhaled air, then into the upper chamber 50 passing through the top coupling sleeve 82.

(41) We will now turn our attention to the exhaled air circuit.

(42) According to the disclosure, inside the frame 12, and more specifically inside the upper part 14 of the said frame there is arranged a first inner duct 90 for exhaled air and a second inner duct 92 for exhaled air. As seen in FIG. 9, these first and second inner ducts are arranged either side of a longitudinal plane P of the mask. This plane P here forms the plane of symmetry of the mask.

(43) Insofar as the first and second inner ducts 90, 92 are identical, a description is given solely of the first inner duct 90. This duct has an upper end 90a which corresponds to the outlet of the channel 72 illustrated in FIG. 7. The first inner duct 90 also has a lower end 90b.

(44) In addition, according to the disclosure, the flexible skirt 40 also comprises a first coupling sleeve 100 projecting from a first side edge 41 of the flexible skirt 40 and extending towards the upper part 12a of the frame 12. The first coupling sleeve, which forms one and the same part with the flexible skirt, has a lower end 100a leading into the lower chamber 52 and an upper end 100b, opposite the lower end, which is in fluid communication with the lower end of the first inner duct. It will be understood that the coupling sleeve forms a duct for exhaled air.

(45) The flexible skirt also comprises a second coupling sleeve 200, identical to the first coupling sleeve 100, the second coupling sleeve 200 projecting from a second side edge 43 of the skirt 40, opposite the first side edge. The second coupling sleeve has a lower end 200a leading into the lower chamber 52 and an upper end 200b, opposite the lower end, which is in fluid communication with the lower end 92b of the second inner duct 92.

(46) With reference to FIG. 9, it can be seen that the first inner duct 90 extends between the top of the frame and a lower end 14a of the upper portion 14 of the frame.

(47) With reference to FIGS. 9, 10A and 10B, it is seen that the frame 12, and more specifically the lower end of the upper portion 14 of the frame 12, comprises a first lateral connector 110 which is engaged in the second end 100b of the first coupling sleeve. To improve strength and sealing, the first lateral connector 110 is provided with ribs 112 on its outer surface 110a, the ribs 112 cooperating with the inner surface 101 of the second end of the first coupling sleeve. Again with reference to FIG. 9, it can be seen that the second end of the first coupling sleeve lies flush with a side 12c of the frame 12.

(48) It will therefore be understood that exhaled air successively flows through the first coupling sleeve 100, through the first inner duct 90 then through the first escape channel for exhaled air 62. This outflow of air is illustrated by the arrow F2. The arrow F3 illustrates the other circuit for outflowing air which flows via the second coupling sleeve 200 and the second inner duct 92.

(49) With the help of FIGS. 11 to 13, it is the upper portion of the snorkel 20 that will now be more particularly described.

(50) The snorkel 20 of the mask according to the disclosure and at its upper end comprises means for regulating air entering and leaving the snorkel. For this purpose, the snorkel 20 comprises a plate 300 which is sealingly arranged between the cap 24 and the upper end 26b of the body 26 of the snorkel 20.

(51) This plate comprises a main orifice 302 communicating with the intake E of the snorkel. In this example, the intake E of the snorkel is formed by slits 23 arranged in the cage 22.

(52) The plate 300 also comprises an inlet orifice 304 communicating with the inlet 60a of the inhaled air channel 60.

(53) The plate 300 further comprises a first outlet orifice 306 which communicates with the outlet 62a of the first escape channel 62.

(54) The plate 300 further comprises a second outlet orifice 308 which communicates with the outlet 64a of the second escape channel for exhaled air.

(55) As will be understood with the help of FIG. 11, the cross-sections of the main orifice 302, of the inlet orifice 304 and of the two outlet orifices 306, 308 substantially correspond to the cross-sections of the inlet channel for inhaled air 60 and of the escape channels 62, 64 for exhaled air.

(56) The plate 300 also comprises a first check valve 310 arranged facing the first inlet orifice 304, to shut off the said inlet orifice during an exhalation phase. The plate 300 also has a second check valve 312, arranged facing the first outlet orifice to close the said outlet orifice during an inhalation phase. And in this example the plate 300 also has a third check valve 312 arranged to close the second outlet orifice during an inhalation phase.

(57) The snorkel 20 further comprises a fluid communication chamber 350 into which the main orifice 302, the inlet orifice 304, the first outlet orifice 306 and the second outlet orifice 308 all lead. The fluid communication chamber 350 is arranged in the cap 24 which is sealingly attached to the upper end of the body 26.

(58) FIG. 12 illustrates the configuration of the snorkel during an inhalation phase. It will be understood that inhaled fresh air, illustrated by the arrow F1, enters the cage 22 via the slits 23 then enters the fluid communication chamber 350 via the main orifice 302 and then into the inlet channel for inhaled air 60 passing through the inlet orifice 304, the first check valve 310 being open to allow the passing of the air flow.

(59) FIG. 13 illustrates the case in which the snorkel is submerged in the water. The float 30, under the effect of Archimedes' thrust, rises inside the cage 22 until the shut-off device 32 closes the main orifice 302, thereby closing the snorkel intake.

(60) As illustrated in FIG. 14, according to another aspect of the disclosure, the diving mask 10 further comprises a retaining elastic strap 400 extending between the upper portion 14 of the frame and the lower portion 16. The elastic strap 400 comprises two link points 402, 404 with the upper portion 14 and two link points 406, 408 with the lower portion 16. It is therefore seen that the elastic strap is X-shaped.

(61) The upper portion 14 of the frame 12 has two loops 410, 412 through which the ends are passed of the two upper parts of the strap portions 414, 416. It can be seen that the ends of these two strap portions 414, 416 form bulges 418, 420 which are larger than the slots 422, 424 arranged in the loops, thereby ensuring the retaining of the elastic strap 400 on the frame.

(62) Throughout the description, including the claims, the term comprising a should be understood as being synonymous with comprising at least one unless otherwise stated. In addition, any range set forth in the description, including the claims should be understood as including its end value(s) unless otherwise stated. Specific values for described elements should be understood to be within accepted manufacturing or industry tolerances known to one of skill in the art, and any use of the terms substantially and/or approximately and/or generally should be understood to mean falling within such accepted tolerances.

(63) Where any standards of national, international, or other standards body are referenced (e.g., ISO, etc.), such references are intended to refer to the standard as defined by the national or international standards body as of the priority date of the present specification. Any subsequent substantive changes to such standards are not intended to modify the scope and/or definitions of the present disclosure and/or claims.

(64) It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope of the disclosure being indicated by the following claims.