Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
  • B63C—LAUNCHING, HAULING-OUT, OR DRY-DOCKING OF VESSELS; LIFE-SAVING IN WATER; EQUIPMENT FOR DWELLING OR WORKING UNDER WATER; MEANS FOR SALVAGING OR SEARCHING FOR UNDERWATER OBJECTS
  • B63C11/00—Equipment for dwelling or working underwater; Means for searching for underwater objects
  • B63C11/02—Divers' equipment
  • B63C11/12—Diving masks
  • B63C11/16—Diving masks with air supply by suction from diver, e.g. snorkels

Definitions

• the present invention relates to the field of diving masks, and in particular masks used for underwater hiking, also called PMT (for "Palms-Mask-Tuba”; in English: “snorkeling”).
• the underwater hiker equips himself with a mask for vision, and a snorkel for breathing.
• the snorkel consists of a tube, the lower end of which is provided with a buccal portion which fits into the user's mouth, and of an upper end allowing both the admission of fresh air and the exhaust of exhaled air.
• document FR 3 020 620 proposes a diving mask making it possible to breathe through the nose and through the mouth.
• This diving mask comprises: a body provided with a visor and a flexible skirt, said flexible skirt comprising a partition delimiting an upper chamber for viewing a lower chamber for breathing, the partition being arranged for bear above the user's nose so that the user's mouth and nose are located in the lower chamber, while the user's eyes are located in the upper chamber, the partition comprising at the at least one passage arranged to allow a flow of fresh air between the upper chamber and the lower chamber during an inspiration phase of the user; a snorkel arranged as an extension of an upper part of the body, the snorkel comprising at least one air duct; in which the body has an exhaled air exhaust device which fluidly connects the lower chamber with the air duct of the snorkel.
• This mask also comprises a snorkel provided with several channels and a plate which includes non-return valves in order to close the air outlet channels during an inspiration phase, on the one hand , and in order to close the air inlet channel during an expiration phase.
• the upper end of such a snorkel generally includes a valve allowing the snorkel to close when it is completely submerged, in order to prevent water from entering the mask.
• the snorkel valve remains in the closed position, even after the user has returned to the surface of the water. Additionally, in this case, the mask may also be more difficult for the user to remove by hand.
• the present invention aims to solve the various technical problems mentioned above.
• the present invention aims to provide a diving mask making it possible to improve the reopening of the snorkel when the latter comes out of the water after having been completely submerged.
• the present invention also aims to facilitate removal of the mask from the user's face after the snorkel has been completely submerged.
• a diving mask comprising a snorkel with a valve, the valve comprising:
• valve orifice intended to allow fluid circulation
• valve shutter member for example a float, movable between an open position in which the valve orifice is open and a closed position in which the valve orifice is closed by the valve shutter member
• the mask also comprises a balancing means for limiting a pressure difference between the internal pressure of the mask and the external pressure, the balancing means being configured to allow circulation fluidic between the outside of the mask and the inside of the mask when the mask is used by a user and the shutter member is in the closed position.
• the valve generally comprises a float which, when the level of the water reaches the upper end of the snorkel, closes the valve under the effect of Archimedes pressure, and which, when the level of the water comes down again, reopens the valve under the effect of gravity.
• the balancing means makes it possible to compensate for the pressure difference between the inside and the outside of the mask: this avoids a vacuum inside the mask and therefore a maintenance of the valve in the closed position when the snorkel is out of the water.
• the balancing means is configured to allow fluid circulation, in this case a circulation of water and / or outside air, from the outside of the mask to the inside of the mask, when the mask is used by a user and the shutter member is in the closed position.
• the balancing means is mounted on the shutter element.
• the shutter element of the valve incorporates the balancing means: the balancing means is then positioned directly on the element capable of closing the interior volume of the mask.
• the balancing means is then positioned directly on the element capable of closing the interior volume of the mask.
• the valve also comprises a body in which the valve orifice is provided, and the balancing means is mounted on the valve body.
• the balancing means is mounted at the level of the valve, that is to say at the level of the device capable of closing the interior volume of the mask.
• the balancing means is therefore positioned to be submerged only when the valve is also submerged, that is to say is in the closed position. This prevents premature immersion of the balancing means, as long as the valve is not in the closed position.
• the snorkel also comprises a wall delimiting the inside of the snorkel from the outside, and the balancing means is mounted on the wall of the snorkel.
• the balancing means is mounted on the snorkel, between the valve and the body of the mask. This makes it possible in particular, when the snorkel has both an inspired air intake channel and at least a first expired air exhaust channel, to provide the balancing means on the air exhaust channel. expired to prevent water from entering through the upper chamber of the mask.
• the tuba comprises a proximal part and a part
• the snorkel is mounted on the body of the mask from the proximal part.
• the balancing means is preferably mounted on the wall of the distal part of the tuba.
• the balancing means is mounted on the wall of the distal part of the tuba so that the valve is located between the proximal part and the balancing means.
• the mask also comprises a body delimiting the inside of the mask with respect to the outside, and the balancing means is mounted on the body of the mask.
• the balancing means is mounted directly on the body of the mask, that is to say on the submerged part when the mask is in use.
• Such an embodiment makes it possible in particular to make the water enter the mask, in the event of depression, at the desired location, preferably in the lower part of the mask, that is to say in the lower chamber of the mask. .
• the balancing means has a tubular shape or is in the form of a hole.
• the purpose of the balancing means is to allow balancing between the
• one embodiment of the balancing means consists of an opening between the interior of the mask and the exterior, in order to allow fluid circulation between the two under the effect of a pressure difference.
• the opening can thus be in the form of a hole, preferably of reduced size, of a tube or channel.
• the balancing means has a geometry configured to allow fluid circulation through the balancing means only when the pressure difference is greater than a determined value.
• the balancing between the pressure inside the mask and the outside takes place only when the pressure difference is greater than a given value.
• a given pressure difference value may in particular be due to the geometry of the balancing means.
• the opening of the balancing means is particularly small, this causes a significant pressure drop on either side of the balancing means: it is then necessary to have a minimum pressure difference on either side. 'other of the way balancing to allow fluid circulation through said balancing means.
• the balancing means also comprises a valve, for example a flexible membrane, configured to allow fluid circulation through the balancing means only when the pressure difference is greater than a determined value.
• a valve for example a flexible membrane
• the opening of the balancing means not only results from the geometry of the balancing means, but also from the presence of a valve in the balancing means.
• the addition of a valve allows better control of the amount of pressure difference required to achieve fluid circulation between the inside and the outside of the mask.
• the balancing means is configured to allow circulation of a liquid between the outside of the mask and the inside of the mask, is greater than the determined value of the pressure difference for which the balancing means is configured to allow air circulation between the outside of the mask and the inside of the mask.
• the balancing of the pressure difference can be done in two stages, when the depression inside the mask is high: firstly, when the balancing means is submerged , the pressure difference will decrease by water entering the mask until the pressure difference reaches the determined value allowing a liquid to circulate through the balancing means, then, in a second step, when the balancing means is once again outside the water, the pressure difference will continue to decrease by air entering the mask until the pressure difference reaches the determined value allowing circulation of 'a gas through the balancing means. This limits the amount of water entering the mask under the effect of the pressure difference, while allowing the reopening of the valve and the easy removal of the mask by hand by the user when the mask is out again. some water.
• the balancing means comprises a through channel.
• Such an embodiment is particularly advantageous when the balancing means is mounted in the float which generally has an elongated shape.
• the ratio of the area of the valve orifice to the area, in particular the cross section, of the balancing means is greater than 1, preferably between 1 and 1,000,000, more
• the balancing means is not intended to allow fluid circulation with a flow rate similar to that of the valve.
• the balancing means is intended, or configured, to decrease a pressure difference, not to allow the user to continue breathing normally when the valve is in the closed position.
• the balancing means has a flow rate allowing pressure balancing, but lower than that of human respiration. The user will thus be able to realize, in use, the closing of the valve, while having a pressure inside the mask that differs little from that outside.
• the mask comprises a body delimiting the inside of the mask from the outside, the body comprising:
• the skirt fixed to the frame, the skirt comprising a partition delimiting an upper chamber for viewing a lower chamber for breathing, the partition being arranged to rest above the user's nose so that the the user's mouth and nose are located in the lower chamber, the partition comprising at least one passage arranged to allow inhaled air circulation directed from the upper chamber to the lower chamber during an inspiration phase of the 'user,
• the frame in which the frame, in particular rigid, comprises at least a first duct for the exhaled air, said first duct having an upper end opening out inside the snorkel, and a lower end fluidly communicating with the lower chamber.
• the snorkel has an inspired air intake channel and at least a first expired air exhaust channel, said snorkel being the extension of an upper part of the frame, the intake channel d 'inspired air opening into the upper chamber while the first exhaust duct of exhaled air communicates with the lower chamber, and in which the first duct of the frame has an upper end opening into the channel
• a valve comprising:
• valve orifice intended to allow fluid circulation between the exterior of the snorkel and the interior of the snorkel
• valve shutter member for example a float, movable between an open position in which the valve port is open and a closed position in which the valve port is closed by the valve gate member
• the snorkel also comprises a balancing means for limiting a pressure difference between the internal pressure of the snorkel and the external pressure, the balancing means being configured to allow fluid circulation between the exterior of the tuba and the interior of the snorkel when the mask is used by a user and the obturator element is in the closed position.
• the balancing means is configured to allow fluid circulation, in this case a circulation of water and / or outside air, from the outside of the snorkel to the inside of the snorkel, when the mask is used by a user and the shutter member is in the closed position.
• Figure 1 is a perspective view of a diving mask according to
• the invention comprising a tuba
• Figure 2 is a sectional view of the snorkel of the mask of Figure 1, when the valve is in the open position;
• Figure 3 is a partial exploded view of the snorkel of Figure 2;
• Figure 4 is a partial sectional view of the snorkel of the mask of Figure 1, when the valve is in the closed position.
• FIG. 1 there is shown an embodiment of a diving mask 1 according to the present invention.
• the diving mask 1 comprises a body 2 and a snorkel 4 mounted on the body 2, preferably removably.
• the body 2 comprises in particular a frame 6, a visor 8 and a flexible skirt 10.
• the frame 6 is generally oblong in shape with an upper part 6a and a lower part 6b, and forms, in use, a rim surrounding the face of the user.
• the frame 6 may also include a first duct for the exhaled air (not shown) making it possible to convey, at least in part, the air exhaled by the user to the snorkel 4, in particular from the defined lower chamber lower, and a first duct for the inspired air (not shown) making it possible to convey, at least in part, the inspired air from the snorkel 4 to the user, in particular to the upper chamber defined below.
• a first duct for the exhaled air (not shown) making it possible to convey, at least in part, the air exhaled by the user to the snorkel 4, in particular from the defined lower chamber lower
• a first duct for the inspired air (not shown) making it possible to convey, at least in part, the inspired air from the snorkel 4 to the user, in particular to the upper chamber defined below.
• the frame 6 finally comprises slots 1 1 intended to receive one or
• the visor 8 is integral with the frame 6.
• the visor 8 is
• the frame 6 surrounds the visor 8.
• the frame 6 is a separate part from the visor. Without departing from the scope of the invention, the frame could however form a single piece with the visor.
• the visor 8 is shaped to cover the face of the user.
• the visor comprises a flat transparent portion 8a intended to be located substantially at the level of the eyes of the
• a curved portion 8b intended to be located at the level of the nose and from the user's mouth.
• the curved portion 8b is transparent.
• the curved portion 8b could be opaque or else transparent and covered with an opaque cover.
• the visor 8 can also include a purge valve 12 for
• the purge valve 12 can be mounted on the visor 8, in its lower part, on the side of the lower part 6b of the frame 6.
• the skirt 10 is made of a flexible material, for example in a
• the skirt 10 is fixed to the visor 8 in particular by means of the frame 6 and is intended to provide a seal between the inside of the mask 1 and the outside, in an efficient and comfortable manner for the user.
• the flexible skirt 10 comprises a partition 14 delimiting a chamber
• the partition 14 being arranged to rest above the user's nose so that the user's mouth and nose lie in the chamber lower 18, while the user's eyes are in the upper chamber 16.
• the upper chamber 16 is in fluid communication with the first duct for the air inspired by the frame 6, while the lower chamber 18 is in fluid communication with the first duct for the exhaled air of the frame 6.
• the partition 14 is fixed to the visor 8 by an attached fastening piece which is clipped to fixing lugs 20 projecting from an internal face of the curved portion 8b of the visor 8.
• the partition 14 has two orifices which engage with the lugs of
• the partition 14 also comprises two non-return valves 22 which are
• the exhaled air has the effect of closing the non-return valves 22, which has the effect of preventing the exhaled air from passing from the lower chamber 18 to the upper chamber 16.
• the exhaled air will therefore be routed from the lower chamber 18 to the snorkel 4 via the first duct for the exhaled air.
• the pressure drop which occurs in the lower chamber 18 has the effect of opening the non-return valves 22, thanks to which the fresh air can flow from the snorkel 4 towards the lower chamber 18 through the first duct for inspired air and the upper chamber 16.
• the diving mask 1 also comprises the snorkel 4, of generally tubular shape, with a proximal part 4a connected to the upper part 6a of the frame 6, and a distal part 4b opposite to the proximal part 4a.
• the proximal part 4a of the snorkel 4 is mounted on the body 2 of the mask, and more particularly on the frame 6, in a removable manner.
• the snorkel 4 can therefore be unclipped from the frame 6, which makes it possible to reduce the size of the mask 1 when the latter is not in use.
• the distal part 4b has a generally tubular shape delimited by a wall 24 and extending to the distal part 4b.
• the distal part 4b is closed by a cover 26, or end piece, and comprises an internal chamber 28 and a cage 30 with
• the valve 34 allows the snorkel 4 to be closed when the latter is found submerged, in order to prevent water from entering the mask 1, and notably comprises a body 36 with a valve port 38 and a valve plug member 40.
• the snorkel 4 includes an inspired air intake channel 42 and at least one
• exhaled air exhaust channel 44 The inspired air intake channel 42 and the exhaled air exhaust channel 44 both extend between the proximal portion 4a of the snorkel 4 and the internal chamber 28 of the. distal part 4b.
• the inspired air intake channel 42 of the snorkel is in fluid communication, at the level of the proximal part 4a of the snorkel 4, with the first duct for the snorkel.
• inhaled air from the frame 6, and the exhaled air exhaust channel 44 is in fluid communication, at of the proximal part 4a of the snorkel, with the first duct for the exhaled air of the frame 6.
• the inspired air intake channel 42 and the exhaled air exhaust channel 44 both open into the internal chamber 28, respectively through the 'intermediary of non-return valves 46 and 48 making it possible to fluidly connect the internal chamber 28 to the inspired air intake channel 42 when the user inhales, and to the exhaled air exhaust channel 44 when the user exhales .
• the internal chamber 28 is delimited on the one hand by the cover 26 and on the other hand by the valve body 36 and by the non-return valves 46, 48.
• the valves 46, 48 and the valve orifice 38 may be made in one and the same part, for example in the form of a plate, forming the body of the valve 36.
• the valve orifice 38 allows fluid circulation between the outside and the inside of the snorkel 4, and more precisely between the outside and the internal chamber 28 of the snorkel 4.
• the shutter element 40 for example a float, is mounted movable in translation, in the cage 30, relative to the valve body 36.
• the shutter element 40 has in particular an open position (see Figure 2) in which the valve orifice 38 is open, and a position closed (see figure 4) in which it closes the valve orifice 38.
• the float 40 When the snorkel 4 is out of the water, the float 40 is in the low position, so that the air can flow from the inspired air intake channel 42 or from the exhaust channel of exhaled air 44, to the internal chamber 28 then to the atmosphere via the valve 34 and the openings 32 of the cage 30.
• valve 34 when the valve 34 is closed, the inside of the mask becomes a closed space which can end up in depression if the user continues to inhale. We then observe a more pronounced crushing of the skirt 10 of the mask (suction cup effect), which can be unpleasant for the user.
• the valve 34 can also remain in the closed position once the snorkel 4 has emerged, if the depression inside the mask 1 is greater than the weight of the float 40.
• the mask 1 comprises a balancing means 46.
• the balancing means 46 is in the form of a channel. through 47 disposed on the float 40 of the valve 34.
• the through channel 47 opens on one side to the outside of the mask 1, and on the other side, to the orifice of valve 38.
• the balancing means 46 therefore makes it possible to compensate a pressure difference between the inside and the outside of the snorkel 4, in order to avoid the suction effect or the maintenance of the valve 34 in the closed position.
• the through channel 47 of the balancing means 46 has a cross section much smaller than the area of the valve orifice 38.
• the ratio of the area of the valve orifice 38 over the cross section of the through channel 47 may be greater than 1, preferably between 1 and 1,000,000, plus
• the balancing means 46 can also comprise a valve 48, mounted in the through channel 47, and making it possible to create the fluidic connection only when the pressure difference on either side of the balancing means 46 is greater than or equal to a determined pressure.
• the shape of the balancing means 46 for example its form factor such as the ratio of the cross section over the length of the through channel 47, can also make it possible to introduce a pressure difference minimum on either side of the balancing means 46 in order to obtain a fluid connection.
• the balancing means 46 makes it possible to limit the pressure difference which may exist between the inside and the outside of the mask 1, by allowing fluid (air or water) to enter inside the snorkel 4 , under the effect of the existing vacuum, when the valve 34 is in the closed state.
• the invention is not limited to this single embodiment, but also covers its variations.
• the balancing means can be mounted on the body 36 of the valve 34, for example in the form of a hole, possibly with a valve, positioned next to the valve orifice 38 and allowing the fluid entry from the outside into the internal chamber 28.
• the balancing means can be mounted on the cover 26, so as to create a fluid connection between the outside and the internal chamber 28.
• the balancing means can allow the entry of air into the snorkel 4 if only the valve 34 is submerged, but not the entire cover 26.
• the balancing means can be mounted on the wall 24 of the snorkel, in the proximal part 4a, preferably between the outside and the exhaust channel of the exhaled air 44, so that the water that can enter the mask 1 via the balancing means is found in the lower chamber 18 of the mask and not in the upper chamber 16.
• the balancing means can be mounted on the body 2 of the mask, for example on the visor 8, in the lower part next to the bleed valve 12.
• the balancing means according to the present invention it becomes possible to limit the pressure difference between the inside of the mask and the outside, when the valve is in the closed position. A potential blockage of the valve in the closed position when the mask is out of the water is then avoided, as well as the difficulties in removing the mask by hand by the user, while limiting and controlling the possible quantity of water. entering the mask.
• the mask thus becomes more comfortable and more pleasant to use, while providing the same functions and advantages as before.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
• Respiratory Apparatuses And Protective Means (AREA)
• Self-Closing Valves And Venting Or Aerating Valves (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=67441322

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (8)

Families Citing this family (4)

Family Cites Families (17)

• 2019
  • 2019-03-06 FR FR1902284A patent/FR3093498B1/fr active Active
• 2020
  • 2020-03-05 TW TW109107248A patent/TWI744814B/zh active
  • 2020-03-05 WO PCT/FR2020/050440 patent/WO2020178529A1/fr unknown
  • 2020-03-05 CN CN202080019094.0A patent/CN113544054B/zh active Active
  • 2020-03-05 US US17/431,469 patent/US12043357B2/en active Active
  • 2020-03-05 AU AU2020231147A patent/AU2020231147B2/en active Active
  • 2020-03-05 EP EP20725826.0A patent/EP3934971A1/fr active Pending
  • 2020-03-05 SG SG11202108830RA patent/SG11202108830RA/en unknown

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