US20110005519A1

US20110005519A1 - Floater and Snorkel Comprising the Same

Info

Publication number: US20110005519A1
Application number: US12/535,067
Authority: US
Inventors: Chih-Cheng Shiue
Original assignee: QBAS Co Ltd
Current assignee: QBAS Co Ltd
Priority date: 2009-07-10
Filing date: 2009-08-04
Publication date: 2011-01-13
Also published as: TWM385528U

Abstract

A floater for used in a snorkel is provided. The floater is a porous structure with a plurality of pores for reducing the density of the floater. The density of the floater is substantially less than 1.1 g/cm³so that the floater can float up easily when immersed in water and subjected to buoyancy, and thus, block water flow into the snorkel. Preferably, the floater is a single piece structure to enhance the strength against the water pressure, thereby, preventing the floater from rupturing easily.

Description

This application claims priority to Taiwan Patent Application No. 098212577 filed on Jul. 10, 2009.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention provides a floater for used in a snorkel, and more particularly, a low-density floater for use in a snorkel.
2. Descriptions of the Related Art
Among various recreational activities and water sports, snorkeling is a popular pastime because it does not require complicated equipment and specialized training compared to scuba diving.
The most important equipment for snorkeling is the snorkel, which is used to communicate with the atmosphere through a tube thereof so that the user can keep breathing smoothly. In the prior art, the snorkel may further comprise a floater disposed adjacent to an end of the tube that communicates with the atmosphere. Therefore, if the end of the tube that communicates with the atmosphere comes into contact with the water, the floater will float up, under action of the buoyancy provided by the water, to block the end against the water and prevent moisture from entering the respiratory system of the user.
Conventionally, the floater is formed by injection molding a plurality of components from plastic and then assembling the components into a complete structure having an air chamber to form a floating body. However, because the injection-molded floater has a compact material structure and therefore, a large density, the speed at which it floats up is relatively slow, making it less likely to timely block water from entering the tube. To avoid the undesired result above, the volume of the air chamber within the conventional floater has to be enlarged, however, the size of the conventional floater increases accordingly and the cost of material raises, too. Secondly, to maintain the structural integrity, the amount of raw plastic materials needed to form the injection-molded floater is fixed, so it is impossible to effectively lower the material cost of the floater, making the product less competitive in the market. Additionally, because the conventional floater has poor structural strength, it is liable to be damaged when subjected to a large pressure in water, causing failure to function normally.
Accordingly, efforts still have to be made in the art to provide a novel floater featuring a light weight, low density, small volume, and reduced cost while still providing favorable structural properties.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One objective of the present invention is to provide a floater for use in a snorkel. The floater features a light weight and low density, so it is adapted to float up easily and promptly when subjected to buoyancy provided by water.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a floater for use in a snorkel. The floater features favorable structural properties so that damage to the floater during the diving process can be prevented when subjected to a larger water pressure.
The floater disclosed in the present invention is a porous structure formed through a foaming process. Thereby, the floater is formed with a plurality of pores, which makes the floater lightweight with a density of substantially less than 1.1 g/cm³. When the floater is used in a snorkel and subjected to buoyancy provided by water, the floater will float up easily to block an end of the snorkel communicated with the atmosphere from the surroundings, thereby preventing the moisture from entering the snorkel and causing discomfort to the user. Furthermore, instead of being assembled from a lot of components with insufficient strength, the floater has its major components formed through a foaming process and then assembled together, so it has preferred structural properties. Therefore, with a large compressive strength, the floater is not liable to be damaged when subjected to a larger pressure in water.
The detailed technology and preferred embodiments implemented for the subject invention are described in the following paragraphs accompanying the appended drawings for people skilled in this field to well appreciate the features of the claimed invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a floater of the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a snorkel with the floater of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a floater 1 of the present invention. Formed through a foaming process, the floater 1 is a porous structure with a plurality of pores therein. For purposes of clearer illustration, the pores are shown as a plurality of dots in FIG. 1; however, the distribution density and relative locations of the plurality of pores are not limited to what is shown herein, but can be determined depending on practical processes. Through the formation of the porous structure, solid materials that would otherwise be needed to fill the same volume are replaced by the pores in the floater 1, so the weight and therefore, the density of the floater 1 are decreased. Meanwhile, by controlling the porosity, the adjustment in the density of the floater 1 can be further accomplished. Practically, the floater 1 has a density of substantially less than 1.1 g/cm³so that it can float up easily in response to the buoyancy provided by water when immersed in water. Depending on the physical properties of materials, the floater 1 may be made of a material selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, polyoxymethylene, polycarbonate, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, nylon, ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), rubber, and a combination thereof through a foaming process. It should be noted that only partial of the foaming materials are listed above, there are more foaming materials for people skilled in the art to readily appreciate, and the foaming process may be implemented by using conventional foaming technologies, and will not be further described herein.
Furthermore, by having its major components formed through a foaming process and then assembled together, the floater 1 of the present invention will have favorable structural properties. Preferably the floater 1 is formed as a one-piece structure to provide a more robust structure. When used in water, the robust structure gives the floater 1 better compressive resistance which can prevent damage to the floater 1 by the water pressure.
In reference to FIG. 2 as well, the floater 1 of the present invention is used in a snorkel 2. The snorkel 2 comprises a tube 21 and a waterproof device 22, wherein the waterproof device 22 and the tube 21 are connected with each other. The waterproof device 22 comprises a receiving structure 221, a receiving space 222, a fluid passageway 223 and the floater 1. The receiving space 222 is defined by the receiving structure 221, and the floater 1 is received in the receiving space 222, in which the floater 1 moves in the receiving space 222 when being subjected to buoyancy. The receiving structure 221 has an opening portion 221 a for the receiving space 222 communicating to the surrounding air. The fluid passageway 223 is defined between an upper periphery 223 a and a lower periphery 223 b, and each of the upper periphery 223 a and the lower periphery 223 b defines a hole (not shown), wherein the upper periphery 223 a is connected to the top end of the receiving structure 221 in a configuration of the hole facing downwards, while the lower periphery 223 b is connected to the tube 21 in a configuration of the hole facing downwards. Thereby, the receiving space 222, the fluid passageway 223 and the tube 21 are fluid communicating with each other. With this arrangement, the fluid (e.g., air or water) from the surroundings is adapted to flow through the opening portion 221 a into the receiving space 222, and then through the upper periphery 223 a into the fluid passageway 223, and sequentially into the tube 21 after passing through the lower periphery 223 b (the flow path as shown by the dashed line in FIG. 2). Under practical snorkeling conditions, the user sucks in the air from the receiving space 222 (typically above the water) through a mouth engaging end 24 (typically under the water and communicates with the tube 21) along the aforesaid flow path to breathe air from the atmosphere. However, what is described above is for illustration, but not for limitation. For example, the tube 21 and the lower periphery 223 b are formed integrally (i.e. the tube 21 and the fluid passageway 223 can be provided as a whole structure) to provide a better structural properties.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the floater 1 comprises at least one protrusion 11 which, in this embodiment, may be a plurality of long protruded columns spaced apart on a lateral surface 15 of the floater 1. Additionally, the floater 1 may be further divided into a first portion 12 and a second portion 13. In this embodiment, the first portion 12 is formed into a cylindrical shape while the second portion 13 is formed into a semi-spherical shape, both of which are received in the receiving space 222. Correspondingly, the receiving structure 221 may comprise at least one groove (not shown) disposed with respect to the at least one protrusion 11 so that the floater 1 is adapted to move along the at least one groove.
Furthermore, in particular cases, e.g., if the user dives to a relatively large depth under the water or there are high waves on the sea, the snorkel 2 (especially the receiving space 222 containing the floater 1) may be immersed in water. In such cases, under the action of the buoyancy provided by water, the floater 1 is adapted to move along the groove within the receiving space 222. It should be particularly noted that as being formed through the foaming process, the floater 1 is formed with a plurality of pores. With such a structural feature, the buoyancy can float up the floater 1 easily without an air chamber having a great volume that usually exists in conventional floater. In case the floater 1 is immersed completely into water, it will float up until it makes contact with the upper periphery 223 a, thereby blocking the water from entering the tube 21 through the upper periphery 223 a. On the other hand, by having the second portion 13 formed into a semi-spherical shape in this embodiment, the second portion 13 will be subjected to the buoyancy more uniform when the floater 1 is immersed in water, thereby driving the floater 1 to float up promptly and easily and maintain its flotation on water. Furthermore, through the coupling of the protrusion 11 with the groove of the receiving structure 221, the floater 1 moves along a predetermined path within the receiving space 222 to block the upper periphery 223 a completely. It should be noted that the shape of the floater 1 as well as the arrangement of the protrusion 11 and the groove are not merely limited to what is described herein; rather, modification may be readily made thereto by those skilled in the art. Also, the protrusion 11 may be preferably formed integrally with the floater 1.
The floater 1 may further comprise a sealing element 14 which, in this embodiment, is an O-ring disposed on an upper surface 16 of the floater 1. When, under the action of buoyancy, the floater 1 floats up and moves along the groove to contact with the upper periphery 223 a, the sealing element 14 is adapted to abut tightly against the upper periphery 223 a, thus providing a desirable seal to block water from entering the tube 21. However, rather than being limited thereto, the sealing element 14 may also be disposed at the upper periphery 223 a of the tube 21, and when the floater 1 floats up under the action of buoyancy, the upper surface 16 of the floater 1 is adapted to abut tightly against the sealing element 14. In other embodiments, the sealing element 14 may further be disposed depending on the relative relationships between the floater 1 and the upper periphery 223 a while still blocking the entry of water into the tube 21. Furthermore, on the condition that the receiving structure 221 does not comprise the groove, the sealing element 14 still can provide enhanced function of blocking the entry of water into the tube 21 by foresaid arrangement, and thus, will not be further described herein.
According to the above descriptions, the floater of the present invention has its major components formed through a foaming process and then assembled together, so it has favorable structural properties. Furthermore, the floater itself and at least one protrusion is preferably constructed in a one-piece structure. As compared to the conventional floater comprised of a plurality of components, this invention can prevent insufficient structural strength and prevent damage to the floater when subjected to an external force, however, in the conventional art, the external force would cause the floaters to rupture at the assembling joints. In contrast, the floater of the present invention has a greater compressive strength, so it is less liable to rupture when subjected to a high water pressure. In addition, due to the properties of the foamed structure, the floater can float up easily to block the entry of water into the snorkel. On the other hand, by using the foaming process, the floater comprises a plurality of pores to lower the density of the floater efficiently and the floater does not have to comprise an air chamber having a large volume as that of the conventional floater. In addition, by the usage of the foaming material, the market competitiveness of the floater can be enhanced by lowering the material cost effectively.
The above disclosure is related to the detailed technical contents and inventive features thereof. People skilled in this field may proceed with a variety of modifications and replacements based on the disclosures and suggestions of the invention as described without departing from the characteristics thereof. Nevertheless, although such modifications and replacements are not fully disclosed in the above descriptions, they have substantially been covered in the following claims as appended.

Claims

1. A floater for a snorkel, wherein the floater is a porous structure, and has a density less than 1.1 g/cm³.

2. The floater as claimed in claim 1, wherein the floater is a single piece structure.

3. The floater as claimed in claim 2, wherein the floater is made of a material selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyoxymethylene, polycarbonate, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, polystyrene, nylon, ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), rubber, and a combination thereof.

4. The floater as claimed in claim 3, further comprising at least one protrusion formed on a lateral surface of the floater, wherein the at least one protrusion and the floater are formed integrally.

5. The floater as claimed in claim 3, wherein the floater comprises a first portion formed of a cylindrical shape and a second portion formed of a semi-spherical shape.

6. The floater as claimed in claim 3, further comprising a sealing element disposed on an upper surface of the floater.

7. A snorkel, comprising:

a tube; and

a waterproof device connected to the tube, comprising:

a receiving structure having an opening portion;

a receiving space defined by the receiving structure, and the receiving space communicating with the surrounding air via the opening portion;

a fluid passageway defined between an upper periphery and a lower periphery, wherein the upper periphery is connected to the receiving structure, and the lower periphery is connected to the tube; and

a floater received in the receiving space, wherein the floater is a porous structure, and has a density less than 1.1 g/cm³substantially,

wherein the receiving space, the fluid passageway and the tube are fluid communicating with each other, and the floater moves in the receiving space when being subjected to buoyancy.

8. The snorkel as claimed in claim 7, wherein the floater is a single piece structure.

9. The snorkel as claimed in claim 8, wherein the floater is made of a material selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyoxymethylene, polycarbonate, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, polystyrene, nylon, ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), rubber, and a combination thereof.

10. The snorkel as claimed in claim 9, wherein the floater further comprises at least one protrusion formed on a lateral surface of the floater, in which the floater and the at least one protrusion are formed integrally.

11. The snorkel as claimed in claim 10, wherein the receiving structure further comprises at least one groove disposed with respect to the at least one protrusion for the floater moving along the at least one groove.

12. The snorkel as claimed in claim 11, wherein the floater further comprises a sealing element disposed on an upper surface of the floater.

13. The snorkel as claimed in claim 12, wherein the sealing element abuts against the upper periphery after the floater moving along the at least one groove.

14. The snorkel as claimed in claim 11, further comprising a sealing element disposed around the upper periphery.

15. The snorkel as claimed in claim 14, wherein the sealing element abuts against the floater after the floater moving along the at least one groove.

16. The snorkel as claimed in claim 7, wherein the tube and the lower periphery are formed integrally.