U.S. patent application number 17/352264 was filed with the patent office on 2021-10-07 for underwater mask.
The applicant listed for this patent is Mares S.p.A.. Invention is credited to Marco Barbagelata, Aristide Barone.
Application Number | 20210309330 17/352264 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005666248 |
Filed Date | 2021-10-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20210309330 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Barone; Aristide ; et
al. |
October 7, 2021 |
Underwater mask
Abstract
An underwater mask includes a frame, a transparent portion
supported by the frame, a seal portion mounted on the frame and
adapted to be positioned on a user's face, and a ventilation tube.
The seal portion has a partition wall resting on the user's nose
and forming upper and lower chambers, which communicate through a
passage in the partition wall and a one-way valve to enable air to
flow only from the upper to the lower chamber. The ventilation tube
has separate channels providing communication between the upper and
respectively the lower chamber and the outer environment, and a hub
between tube and mask, fastened to the mask and connected to the
tube by a joint, so that in a coupling position the hub and the
tube are fastened, and in a releasing position the hub and the tube
remain connected but the tube is free to swing.
Inventors: |
Barone; Aristide; (Rapallo
(GE), IT) ; Barbagelata; Marco; (Genova, IT) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Mares S.p.A. |
Rapallo (GE) |
|
IT |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005666248 |
Appl. No.: |
17/352264 |
Filed: |
June 19, 2021 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
16232002 |
Dec 25, 2018 |
11040760 |
|
|
17352264 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B63C 11/186 20130101;
B63C 2011/165 20130101; B63C 11/205 20130101; B63C 11/16
20130101 |
International
Class: |
B63C 11/20 20060101
B63C011/20; B63C 11/16 20060101 B63C011/16 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 25, 2018 |
IT |
102018000001821 |
Claims
1. A mask comprising: a frame; a transparent portion supported by
the frame; a seal portion mounted on the frame and adapted to be
positioned on a user's face; and a ventilation tube, sealingly and
detachably connected to a hub, the hub being integral with the mask
and comprising passages communicating an inner compartment of the
mask with the ventilation tube to supply breathing air and
discharge expiratory air, wherein the hub is connected to the
ventilation tube by a joint having a coupling position, in which
the hub and the tube are sealingly fastened to one another in an
operating position, and a decoupling position, in which the
ventilation tube and the hub are decoupled, in which the
ventilation tube remains connected to the hub but is free to swing
around an axis transversal to an axis of the ventilation tube or an
axis of the hub, and wherein a first element of the joint comprises
a fin provided with a protuberance and a second element of the
joint comprises a hollow to accommodate the fin, the hollow having
a raised edge interfering with the protuberance of the fin to
provide only for specified movements of the fin inside the
hollow.
2. The mask according to claim 1, wherein the raised edge operates
as a cam path for the protuberance of the fin to enable both
translatory and rotary movements of the fin.
3. The mask according to claim 1, wherein the hollow has a zone
without the raised edge in order to allow the fin to be inserted
into the hollow.
4. The mask according to claim 3, wherein the zone without the
raised edge is placed on a free side of the hub opposite a hub side
coupled to the mask, so that insertion of the fin into the hollow
is allowed by a movement approaching to the mask along a direction
essentially parallel to a median longitudinal axis of the mask.
5. The mask according to claim 1, wherein the joint between the
ventilation tube and the hub is a film joint, and wherein the film
bridge is composed of a portion or branch of a fastening belt of
the mask to the user's head.
6. The mask according to claim 1, wherein the transparent portion
has a polygonal shape with squared radiusing facets.
7. The mask according to claim 6, wherein the transparent portion
is divided into a central portion, in relief, having a planar
development and a polygonal shape, which is radiused with a
perimetric zone, adapted to couple with the frame by way of
surfaces with tilted polygonal shape.
8. The mask according to claim 1, wherein the seal portion
comprises: a partition wall adapted to be sealingly rested on the
user's nose, when the mask is worn, so as to form an upper chamber
and a lower chamber, the lower chamber accommodating the user's
nose and mouth, wherein the upper and the lower chambers
communicate through a passage in the partition wall and through a
one-way valve so that air can flow from the upper chamber to the
lower chamber and not vice versa; and the ventilation tube
comprising at least two separate side channels providing
communication between the upper chamber and respectively the lower
chamber and an outer environment.
9. The mask according to claim 8, wherein the hub has a plurality
of openings for engagement of corresponding ducts, the plurality of
openings providing communication between the lower chamber and the
side channels of the ventilation tube, and wherein the
corresponding ducts are connection tubes arranged outside of both
the frame and the seal portion.
10. The mask according to claim 1, wherein the film joint is an
upper end member that fastens a fastening belt of the mask to the
user's head, whereby the fastening end member has contemporaneously
a function of fastening the fastening belt of the mask to the
user's head and operates as an articulating material bridge between
the ventilation tube and the hub.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to the field of diving masks,
in particular for the so called "snorkeling" activity i.e. the
practice of observing the marine environment while swimming on the
surface with the head underwater.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Generally, this kind of activity requires a mask provided
with a transparent element to watch and a mouthpiece to breath. A
mouthpiece is a tube having a free upper end adapted to be arranged
out of the water and a lower end provided with a shaped member that
the user places into the mouth in order to inhale and exhale
air.
[0003] Since mouth breathing is not natural and the transparent
element of the mask is prone to get fogged, masks with integral
mouthpiece have been introduced that allow the nose to be also used
for breathing.
[0004] The document WO2015/170013 describes such a mask comprising
a frame fastening a transparent portion to a seal portion adapted
to be positioned on the diver's face. The seal portion has a
partition wall adapted to be rested on the user's nose, when the
mask is worn, so as to form an upper chamber and a lower chamber,
the lower chamber accommodating the nose and the mouth of the user.
The two chambers communicate through a passage provided in the
partition wall and through a one-way valve so that the air can flow
from the upper chamber to the lower chamber and not vice versa.
[0005] The mask comprises a ventilation tube divided in three
dedicated non-communicating channels, the first central one, at the
air inlet and the other two, which are lateral, at the air outlet.
The ventilation tube engages into an upper opening of the frame so
as to communicate the central channel directly with the upper
chamber and the side channels with the lower chamber by means of a
couple of ducts obtained in the frame. This way the air inhaled
reaches the nose and mouth of the user by flowing through the
ventilation tube to the lower chamber by means of the upper chamber
of the mask whereas the exhaled air is directly conveyed from the
lower chamber to the ventilation tube in order to be ejected.
[0006] Although performing its main function pretty well, this mask
has some drawbacks. Firstly, the ventilation tube is prone to break
if the user does not care to pull it off when he/she is not using
the mask, for example during transport. Secondly, a small breaking
in the frame is enough to make the mask useless as this can cause
the outflow of exhaled air inside the upper chamber. In addition,
the transparent element, typically glass, has a considerable size
when compared to traditional masks as it covers the whole user's
face whereby it is more easily prone to accidental breakings.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] It is an object of the present invention to solve, at least
partly, the afore said drawbacks.
[0008] The invention achieves the objects by a mask comprising a
frame, a transparent element supported by the frame, a seal portion
mounted on the frame and adapted to be positioned on the user's
face and a ventilation tube, which ventilation tube is sealingly
and detachably connected to a hub which is integral to said mask
and comprises passages communicating the inner compartment of the
mask with said ventilation tube.
[0009] According to a first embodiment the hub between the
ventilation tube and the mask is connected to the ventilation tube
by a joint having a coupling position, in which the hub and the
tube are sealingly fastened to one another in an operating
position, and a decoupling position of the ventilation tube from
the hub wherein the ventilation tube remains connected to the hub
but is free to swing around an axis transversal to the axis of the
ventilation tube itself and/or the axis of the hub.
[0010] According to a further characteristic, the coupling between
the ventilation tube and the hub on the mask is of the interlocked
type between the tube and the hub, limiting the rotation of the
tube to the releasing position only.
[0011] An embodiment provides that the ventilation tube has an
engagement end engaging into an engagement seat of the hub, said
engagement end and said engagement seat being made of such axial
length to define an engagement and disengagement travels of the
engagement end of the ventilation tube into and from the engagement
seat between two end positions, one of which is an engagement
position wherein the engagement end is completely inserted into the
engagement seat and the other one in which the engagement end is
completely pulled out from said engagement seat, whereas the joint
between the ventilation tube and the hub comprises two parts which
are respectively coupled to one another so as to slide along said
engagement and disengagement travels and which parts, in the
disengagement condition, comprise coupling members reciprocally
rotating and coupling around the joint axis of the ventilation tube
to the hub.
[0012] For this purpose, the joint comprises a first and second
joint elements which are integral, respectively, to the ventilation
tube and the hub or vice versa, which elements are coupled so that
tube and hub can reciprocally roto-translate.
[0013] An embodiment provides that a first joint portion integral
to the ventilation tube or hub consists of at least one axial
length extension substantially corresponding to the corresponding
engagement and disengagement travels, which axial extension extends
beyond the end edge of the engagement end of the ventilation tube
or the engagement seat of the hub, and which axial extension bears,
at its end, at least one transversal tooth engaging in a
cooperating second joint portion consisting of a sliding guide
respectively obtained in the engagement seat of the hub or in the
engagement end of the ventilation tube, which sliding guide is
oriented along the engagement and disengagement directions and has
a length substantially corresponding to said engagement and
disengagement travels, whereas said transversal tooth rotationally
engages with the end of said sliding guide determining the stop of
disengagement travel of the ventilation tube from the hub.
[0014] According to an embodiment, said first joint portion
consists of at least one couple of axial parallel extensions of the
engagement end of the ventilation tube or the engagement seat of
the hub, which extensions are spaced out from one another along the
direction transversal to the engagement/disengagement travel and/or
the joint axis, and each of these extensions comprise at least one
transversal tooth oriented parallel to the joint axis and, by which
tooth, slidingly engage in a corresponding sliding guide.
[0015] An embodiment variation provides that for at least two of
the said axial extensions the corresponding sliding teeth, which
are engaged in the associated sliding guide, are oriented coaxially
to one another but protruding from the corresponding extensions
along reciprocally opposing directions.
[0016] According to an embodiment, the first element of the joint
comprises a fin provided with a protuberance and the second element
of the joint comprises a hollow to accommodate said fin, said
hollow having a raised edge interfering with the protuberance of
the fin to allow only specified movements of the fin inside the
hollow. In the preferred embodiment, the fins are two as well as
the hollows that are arranged at the opposite sides of the central
channel supplying air to the upper chamber of the mask.
[0017] Advantageously, the raised edge of the hollow or hollows
acts like a cam path for the protuberance of the fin or fins to
allow both the translatory and rotary movements thereof
[0018] In order to allow the fin or fins to be inserted, the hollow
or hollows have a zone without raised edge, which is typically
placed on the free side of the hub opposite the hub side coupled to
the mask, so that the coupling is allowed by a movement approaching
to the mask along a direction substantially parallel to the median
longitudinal axis of the mask.
[0019] According to a further embodiment variation, the joint
between ventilation tube and hub is of the film type.
[0020] An embodiment provides that said film-like joint consists of
a bridge of flexible material, which is fastened with the two
opposite ends respectively to the ventilation tube and the hub.
[0021] A variation of the afore said embodiment provides that said
material bridge is further elastically extensible along a direction
moving the ventilation tube away and nearer from and to the hub,
namely along the engagement and disengagement directions of said
two parts to/from one another.
[0022] According to a further variation of this embodiment, the
material bridge is slidingly coupled to the hub and/or the
ventilation tube since it is slidingly engaged in a fastening loop
provided on the ventilation tube and hub and it is provided with a
widening on each end preventing it from slipping off from the
corresponding loop, with reference to the reciprocal moving away
direction of the ventilation tube from the hub.
[0023] The two variations can be provided in combination to one
another as a bridge of elastically flexible and extensible material
can be provided as well as the slidingly fastening of said material
bridge with respect to the ventilation tube and the hub.
[0024] Still according to an embodiment, the material bridge can
consist of a portion or branch of a fastening belt of the mask to
the user's head.
[0025] Advantageously, said material bridge is an upper end member
to fasten said fastening belt of the mask to the user's head,
whereby said fastening end member has contemporaneously the
function of fastening the fastening belt of the mask to the user's
head and serves as articulating material bridge between ventilation
tube and hub.
[0026] From what above it appears clearly that the translatory
movement results in the constraining/releasing of the interlocked
coupling, whereas the rotary movement results in the tube swinging
with respect to the hub such that the tube can lie down, in the
resting position, onto the seal portion of the mask.
[0027] Typically, the interlocked coupling comprises an extension
of the tube/hub that inserts into a corresponding housing provided
on the hub/tube, by an approaching movement along a direction
tilted off the median longitudinal axis of the mask and this
engagement or interlocked coupling keeps the ventilation tube
tightly in position with respect to the hub and thus the mask.
[0028] Still according to a possible embodiment variation that can
be provided in combination with each of the embodiment variations
afore described, the hub can be fastened to the mask or sealingly
and detachably couplable to the mask itself.
[0029] An embodiment variation provides that said hub is made in a
single piece with the rigid frame, whereas a different variation
provides that said hub can be sealingly and separably or detachably
coupled to said rigid frame of the mask.
[0030] An embodiment which can be provided in combination with
anyone of the embodiments and variations described afore, provides
that the seal portion of the mask comprises a partition wall
adapted to be rested on the user's nose, when the mask is worn, so
as to form an upper chamber and a lower chamber, the lower chamber
accommodating the nose and the mouth of the user, whereas the two
chambers communicate through a passage provided in the partition
wall and through an one-way or non-return valve so that the air can
flow from the upper chamber to the lower chamber and not vice
versa, the ventilation tube comprising at least two separate
channels respectively communicating the upper chamber and the lower
chamber with the outer environment. This allows the tube to be
folded so as to ease the mask transportation without the risk of
breaking or losing the ventilation tube.
[0031] Additional features and refinements are described
hereinafter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0032] The features of the invention and the advantages deriving
therefrom will be much clearer from the following specification of
the accompanying figures, wherein:
[0033] FIG. 1 shows an exploded front view of a mask according to
an embodiment of the invention.
[0034] FIG. 2 shows an exploded end view of the same mask of the
preceding figure.
[0035] FIG. 3 shows the coupling of the transparent element to the
frame of the mask.
[0036] FIG. 4 shows an axonometric end view of the assembled mask
with the exhaust tubes highlighted, which connect the lower chamber
to the hub of the ventilation tube.
[0037] FIG. 5 shows the engagement of the ventilation tube onto the
hub.
[0038] FIG. 6 shows the ventilation tube in the inserted
position.
[0039] FIG. 7 shows a side view of the ventilation tube folded over
on the back of the mask in resting position.
[0040] FIG. 8 shows an end view of the folded ventilation tube.
[0041] FIG. 9 shows a side section of the mask, the tube being
folded.
[0042] FIG. 10 shows a side section of the mask with the tube in
intermediate position.
[0043] FIG. 11 shows the tube that has reached the angular
operating position before its translation for the interlocking into
the hub.
[0044] FIG. 12 shows the mask worn by a user.
[0045] FIGS. 13 to 16 show different views along different
directions of a further embodiment variation of the mask according
to the present invention.
[0046] FIG. 17 shows a view of an enlarged detail of the mask
according to FIGS. 13 to 16 in the zone of a non-return valve
provided in the coupling zone of the exhaust tubes for ejecting the
exhaled air and wherein the direction of view is from the inside of
the mask outwards.
[0047] FIG. 18 shows a section of said detail along the section
plane parallel to the passage axis of the valve and the line
XVIII-XVIII of FIG. 17.
[0048] FIG. 19 shows a perspective view from the rear end of the
mask, wherein a duct for ejecting the exhaled air is shown in an
exploded view.
[0049] FIGS. 20 and 21 show a sectional view and a perspective
exploded view of the tube and the hub thereon.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0050] In reference to FIG. 1, the mask according to an embodiment
comprises a frame 1 having generally elongated shape, for example
oval or the like, which fastens a transparent portion 2 to a seal
portion 3 adapted to be sealingly positioned on and against the
diver's face.
[0051] The seal portion 3, made of rubber or other flexible
material such as for example neoprene, has a partition wall 103
adapted to be rested on the user's nose, when the mask is worn, so
as to form an upper chamber 203 and a lower chamber 303, the lower
chamber 303 accommodating the nose and the mouth whereas the upper
chamber 203 the eyes of the user.
[0052] The two chambers communicate through a passage provided in
the partition wall 103 in which a one-way, in particular a
non-return, valve 403 is housed and oriented so that air can flow
from the upper chamber 203 to the lower chamber 303 and not vice
versa. In the embodiment shown, the valves 403, and the respective
passages, are two and arranged on opposite sides of the partition
wall 103 with respect to a median longitudinal line, i.e. the
sagittal plane of the user's head.
[0053] The mask comprises a ventilation tube 4 communicating the
upper chamber 203 and the lower chamber 303 with the outer
environment and that will be described in detail hereinafter.
[0054] The transparent portion 2, made of glass or plastic
material, is the visor of the mask through which the user is able
to see to explore the marine environment. In its simplest
configuration, the transparent element has a smooth convex surface
having a peripheral edge which follows the contour of the frame 1
to be engaged into a throat thereof. The coupling is of the type
adapted to make a seal and can provide that the edge of the
transparent element is provided with a flange forming a protruding
edge adapted to be engaged into an undercut compartment of the
throat provided in the frame 1.
[0055] The coupling can also take place by snap-fit or shape
coupling as in the mask described in the document
WO2015/170013.
[0056] In the embodiment shown in the figures, the transparent
element 2 has a polygonal shape with squared radiusing facets very
shock- and scratch-resistant, affording a vision similar or even
better than that of traditional masks.
[0057] Specifically, the transparent element 2, typically die
moulded, is divided into a central portion 102, in relief, having
planar development and polygonal shape, which is radiused with the
perimetrical zone 202 adapted to be coupled to the frame 1 by the
surfaces with tilted polygonal shape 302, 402, 502.
[0058] Underneath the central part 102 there is, at the partition
wall 103 of the seal portion 3, when the mask is worn, a zone in
relief 602 having polyhedral shape. Such zone in relief 602,
advantageously consisting of plane surfaces having triangular shape
and radiused reciprocally and with the remaining of the transparent
element 2, frontally delimits the lower chamber 303 and is intended
to accommodate the user's nose.
[0059] The seal portion 3, having an elongated configuration
following the contour of the frame 1 and, more generally, the
user's face, has a perimetrical edge 503 with four openings. The
first one, positioned at the zone adapted to be arranged near the
user's mouth, accommodates a purge valve 603 to eject possible
water that can enter the mask.
[0060] The second opening 703 is arranged on the top of the
perimetrical edge to receive air to convey into the upper chamber
203 from the ventilation tube 4.
[0061] The other two openings 803 are positioned on opposite sides
of the perimetrical edge 503 and lead to the lower chamber so as to
receive exhaled air that is conveyed towards the ventilation tube 4
by means of a couple of exhaust tubes 903 arranged on the
perimetrical edge 503 and adjacent thereto, as shown in the
figures.
[0062] For this purpose, the ventilation tube 4 is divided in three
dedicated non-communicating channels, the first central one 104 at
the air inlet and the other two 204, which are lateral, at the air
outlet. The ventilation tube 4 engages into the upper opening of
the frame 703 so as to communicate the central channel 104 directly
with the upper chamber 203 and the side channels 204 with the lower
chamber 303 by means of the couple of exhaust tubes 903. This way
the inhaled air reaches the nose and the mouth of the user by
flowing through the ventilation tube 4 to the lower chamber 303 by
means of the upper chamber 203 of the mask, whereas the exhaled air
is directly conveyed from the lower chamber 303 to the ventilation
tube 4, in the side channels 204 to be ejected.
[0063] As better shown in FIGS. 4 to 11, the ventilation tube 4 has
a hub 5 between tube and mask, which hub is intended to remain
fastened to the mask and connects to the ventilation tube 4 by
means of a joint having a coupling position in which the hub 5 and
the ventilation tube 4 are fastened in operating position and a
releasing position of the ventilation tube 4 from the hub 5 in
which the ventilation tube 4 remains however connected to the hub
5, but is free to swing. In the embodiment depicted, the swing of
the ventilation tube 4 with respect to the hub 5, and thus the
mask, takes place along an axis perpendicular to the axis of the
ventilation tube and oriented along a frontal slice plane of the
head wherein the term frontal plane refers to the definition of the
slice planes of the human body used in medicine.
[0064] An alternative definition of the direction of the swing axis
refers to the plane central portion 102 of the frontal element 2,
such a swing axis being contained in a plane parallel to said plane
portion 102 of the frontal element.
[0065] When the transparent element is curved, the aforesaid
definition can be extended to the plane tangential to said curved
surface which, in addition, is perpendicular to the plane passing
by the central axis of the ventilation tube 4.
[0066] The hub 5 consists of a central duct 105 and two side ducts
205 in which corresponding extensions of the central channel 104
and side channels 204 of the tube 4 are engaged, at an end.
[0067] The opposite end of the hub 5 is closed and has fins 405 for
the engagement with corresponding fins 101 that are on the frame 1,
which are kept in position by a hooking surface 702 that is on the
transparent element 2 when the mask is assembled.
[0068] The central duct 305 of the hub 5, at the opposite end to
the tube 4, has an opening below which engages into the hole 703 on
the top of the perimetrical edge 503, whereas each one of the two
side ducts 205 leads to a corresponding radiusing side branch 605
onto which the corresponding exhaust tube 903 is engaged, the seal
being generated by one or more gaskets 705.
[0069] Between the central duct 105 and the two side ducts 205
there is a gap 305 intended to accommodate corresponding fins 304
that are on the tube 4, so as to form simultaneously a sliding
guide and a joint. The fins 304 are flattened appendices having a
protuberance with button configuration 404 on the side facing the
inside.
[0070] As shown in FIG. 6, the gap 305 between the central duct 105
and each side duct 205 of the hub 5 has a rectangular section
following the side contour of the central duct 105 with the longest
sides facing, respectively, upwards and downwards when the mask is
in vertical position.
[0071] There is a perimetrical raised edge 505 on the shortest
sides and the longest side facing downwards, acting like a cam path
for the button 404 of the fins 304.
[0072] Thanks to this expedient the ventilation tube 4 can be
inserted into the hub 5 from the top, as shown in FIG. 5, until the
button 404 of the fins 304 abuts against the lower perimetrical
edge 505. The tube 4 can thus be translated until reaching the
position shown in FIG. 6, i.e. until bringing the button 404 in
abutment against the side perimetrical edge 505. In this position
the tube 4 can rotate in order to align the extensions of the
central 104 and side 204 channels of the tube 4 to the
corresponding central 105 and side 205 ducts of the hub (see FIG.
11). An additional translation in the direction shown by the arrows
results in the coupling of the tube 4 with the hub 5 in the
operating position (shown in FIG. 12).
[0073] The resting tilted position can be reached by making a
translation in opposite direction such that the tube 4 is spaced
out from the hub 5. During this translation of the ventilation tube
4, the engaging end formed by the ends of the channels 204 and 104
is slipped off the ducts 105 and 205 of the hub 5 having such a
section to allow the ends of the channels 204, 104 to be inserted.
In the disengaged position the tube is free with respect to a
rotation around the hub 5, which allows bringing the ventilation
tube 4 to be rested on the back of the mask as shown in FIG. 8.
[0074] It is apparent how the sliding travel of the fins 304
between the two ends of the sliding guides consisting of the slits
or gaps 305 is substantially corresponding to the engagement and
disengagement travels of the ends of the channels 204 and 104 of
the ventilation tube 4 into and from the ducts 105, 205 of the hub
5.
[0075] By reverse operation, i.e. rotating in the opposite way and
translating the tube in the engagement position with the hub, the
tube can be brought back to the operating position.
[0076] In practice the tube can be brought from an operating
position to a resting position and vice versa thanks to the use of
a combined translatory and rotary movement, wherein the translatory
movement has the function of releasing the tube 4 from the hub 5
albeit keeping it connected thereto, so as to prevent the
accidental loss thereof.
[0077] An embodiment variation of the present invention can provide
that the joint axis of the ventilation tube 4 to the hub 5 has a
different orientation, for example parallel to the sagittal plane
and that therefore the swing of the ventilation tube 4 takes place
laterally and not along the direction of the rear side of the
mask.
[0078] FIGS. 13 to 19 show a further embodiment of the mask
according to the present invention.
[0079] In FIGS. 13 to 19 the same reference numerals as in the
example of FIGS. 1 to 12 will be used for the same portions or
having the same function.
[0080] As it is apparent, the ventilation tube 4 is connected to
the hub 5 by means of a film hinge.
[0081] This consists of a tongue or a bridge of flexible and
elastic material that is fastened with one of its two opposite ends
respectively to the ventilation tube 4 and the hub 5.
[0082] The material tongue 110 passes inside a loop 804 and 805
provided respectively on the rear or lower side of the ventilation
tube 4 and the hub 5, while a thickness widening 210 like a tooth
or the like on the portion of said tongue 110 protruding beyond the
side of the corresponding loop 804, 805 opposite the facing loop,
respectively 805, 804, being provided.
[0083] The loops can have in the middle zone an opening 814, 815
for inserting the tongue and having a length slightly larger than
the thickness of the tongue 110 and remarkably smaller than the
width of said tongue, such as to allow the tongue to be inserted in
said loops.
[0084] The tongue 110 can slide in the two loops 804, 805, but
cannot slip off the same thanks to the thickenings 210.
[0085] Advantageously, the tongue is also elastically extensible to
such an extent to ensure the slip-off travel of the ends of the
channels 204, 104 of the ventilation tube 4 from the ducts 105, 205
of the hub 5.
[0086] Advantageously, the distance of the loops 804, 805 and the
position of the widenings 210 on the tongue 110 are such that, in
the completely engaged condition of the ends of the channels 204,
104 into the corresponding ducts 105, 205, the tongue remains still
tensioned at a predetermined degree such to generate a tension
force along the engagement direction of the ventilation tube 4 into
the hub 5. This allows applying a force which permanently stresses
said ventilation tube 4 in the operating position, i.e. in the
condition of complete engagement into the hub 5.
[0087] By suitably selecting the elastic characteristics of the
tongue and the elongation conditions thereof in the two end
positions of complete engagement of the ventilation tube 4 in the
hub 5 and of complete disengagement of the ventilation tube 4 from
the hub 5, a disengagement force to disengage the ventilation tube
4 from the hub 5 can be applied manually, which force counters and
overcomes the force applied by the tongue 110 along the engagement
direction.
[0088] Once the ventilation tube 4 has been disengaged from the hub
5, the tongue 110 reverts to the neutral condition in which it is
not restrained in an elongation position and only acts as
connection of the ventilation tube 4 to the hub 5, which connection
allows a reciprocal relative swing of these portions.
[0089] As it is apparent from FIGS. 13 to 19, in an embodiment the
tongue 110 is formed by the upper fastening end member of a
fastening belt 10 to fasten the mask to the user's face, for
example in the form of a fastening extension.
[0090] According to a further characteristic that can also be
provided in the embodiment according to FIGS. 1 to 12, the
ventilation tube 4 has, at the end opposite the frame 1 of the
mask, i.e. the hub 5, an end member 11 housing in its inside a
float valve which closes at least the air suctioning channel 404
when the end of the ventilation tube 4, i.e. the end member 11
mounted on said end, takes a position with respect to the surface
of water in which water can penetrate inside at least said channel
104.
[0091] A further characteristic that can be provided in combination
with both the variations of the joint devices that are in the two
embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 12 and 13 to 19 is the particular
implementation of the exhaust tubes 903.
[0092] While in the embodiment according to FIGS. 1 to 12, the two
exhaust tubes 903 branch off in a single piece from the gasket 3
and directly communicate with the lower chamber 303, in the
embodiment of FIGS. 13 to 19, the exhaust tubes 903 are made as
separate construction portions that removably connect with an end
at an opening communicating with the lower chamber 303 and provided
in the gasket 3, and with the other end at the hub 5 similarly to
the embodiment according to FIGS. 1 to 12.
[0093] The coupling takes place by a snap-fit interlocking coupling
end member consisting of a ring provided with a crown of radial
teeth provided at the ends with axial tongues elastically flexible
in radial direction, the teeth and tongues engaging with the edge
delimiting an opening provided in the gasket 3.
[0094] According to still a further characteristic, between the end
of the exhaust tube 903 and the opening in the gasket 3 a
non-return valve is advantageously provided with diaphragm shutter
that is oriented to not allow the return flow from the exhaust tube
903 to the lower chamber 303.
[0095] Different embodiment variations are possible, which can
comprise a separate non-return valve consisting of an independent
construction part and mounted at said opening in the gasket 3.
[0096] The embodiment depicted shows a particularly advantageous
embodiment variation, which provides the diaphragm shutter 130
integrated with the wall of the gasket 3 at the through opening 30
and communicating with the lower chamber 303.
[0097] As it is apparent from FIGS. 17, 18 and 19, in the opening
30 a disk 130 is restrained in coaxial position, which disk is
constituted by the same material as the gasket 3. The disk 130 has
a smaller diameter than the diameter of the opening 30 and forms an
annular slit 230 with the edge thereof. The disk 130 is restrained
in a centered position with respect to the opening 30 thanks to two
material bridges 330 reciprocally diametrically opposite.
[0098] A locking bushing of rigid material having a predetermined
elasticity denoted by 40 forms a snap-fit coupling fastening end
member of the end of the exhaust tube 903 to the gasket 3 in the
zone of said opening 30.
[0099] In particular, said bushing 40 forms at the same time the
fastening element of a valve seat 50 cooperating with the diaphragm
shutter 130 to the gasket 3. The valve seat 50 consists of a ring
restrained in position against the diaphragm shutter 130 by the
locking bushing 40. This has, on the side facing the gasket 3, a
crown of flexible axial tongues 140 having external radial teeth
240 at their ends. The tongues are arranged along a circumference
line having such a radius and such an axial length that, in
assembled condition, they penetrate through the slit 230 between
diaphragm shutter 130 and edge of the opening 30 and overlap the
end teeth 240 on the side of the ring forming the valve seat 50 and
facing the inside of the lower chamber 303.
[0100] The axial length of the flexible tongues 140, compared to
the overall thickness of the wall of the gasket 3 at the opening 30
and the ring constituting the valve seat 50, is such that the
bushing 40 and the ring constituting the valve seat 50 are
sealingly tightened against the wall of the gasket 3 at the zone
surrounding said opening 30.
[0101] According to a possible further characteristic, the ring
constituting the valve seat 50 can further have a central
diametrical rib 150 forming an intermediate support for the two
halves of the disk constituting the diaphragm shutter 130, said rib
150 being oriented transversally to the diametrical axis along
which the material bridges 330 that fasten the disk to the edge of
the opening 30 are aligned.
[0102] The locking bushing 40 can be made in a single piece or
permanently fastened to the end of the exhaust tube 903, or said
bushing 40 can be sealingly fixable by interlocked coupling or by
shape coupling or by elastic force fit. The coupling is sealingly
made between the exhaust tube 903 and the locking bushing 40.
[0103] An embodiment of this last variation is depicted in FIG. 19.
In this case, the bushing 40 has on the side for coupling with an
interlocking seat 1003, at the end of the exhaust tube 903, an
annular flange 440 forming an outer radial fin intended to be
engaged by elastic forcing into a corresponding annular inner
throat 1103 provided in the end of the tube 903. The throat 1103 is
provided at such a distance from the head side of the end of the
exhaust tube 903, corresponding to the distance of the annular
flange 440 from an annular countercheck surface 540, that in the
condition wherein the locking bushing 40 is coupled to the end of
the exhaust tube 903, the head side 1203 of said end is sealingly
compressed against the annular countercheck surface 540 and
possibly further by tightening the wall of the tubular length
between the throat 1103 and the head side 1203 at the end of the
tube 903 sealingly against the tubular length connecting the
annular flange 440 to the annular countercheck 540.
[0104] Still according to a further characteristic, the annular
flange 440 has at least one radial notch 640 in which a radial rib
provided in the annular throat 1103 for engaging said annular
flange 440 is engaged.
[0105] As it is apparent, the different embodiments of the joint of
the ventilation tube to the mask and the different embodiment
variations of the exhaust tubes 903 can be provided in any
reciprocal combination and in particular the embodiment of the
joint according to FIGS. 1 to 12 can be provided in combination
with the embodiment variations of the coupling of the exhaust tubes
903 to the gasket 3 according to FIGS. 13 to 19 and the embodiments
of the joint of the ventilation tube according to FIGS. 13 to 19
can be provided in combination with the embodiment variation of the
exhaust tubes according to FIGS. 1 to 12.
[0106] FIGS. 20 and 21 show an embodiment of the valve at the end
of the tube, which valve can be provided in combination with any of
the preceding embodiments.
[0107] In addition, FIGS. 20 and 21 also show an embodiment
variation of the joint that is implemented according to the
principle of the preceding embodiment of FIGS. 13 to 19, this
variation or that of FIGS. 13 to 19 being suitable to be adopted
indifferently in the two embodiments of tube.
[0108] As regard to the end member 11 on the tube 4, an embodiment
provides that along an ending length of predetermined length of the
tube 4, a tubular length 44 is provided and has a pierced or grid
wall and generates an additional duct.
[0109] The duct forms a housing cage for a float 47, in particular
with the shape of a sphere, allowing its displacement along the
longitudinal axis of said tubular length 44, in this case upon the
water force at immersion. The duct is positioned with respect to
the tube 4 so to provide the assembly with a substantially T-shaped
cross section, wherein the leg of the T consists of said tubular
length 44. The tubular length is closed by the pierced wall at the
end facing the mask, whereas it is open at the end facing the end
member 11.
[0110] The end member 11 has a cross section having a shape
substantially corresponding to the T one of the ending length of
the tube with the tubular segment 44 and axially extends said
assembly up to a head wall closed to the outside.
[0111] The end member 44 is permanently or removably sealingly
fastened, for example by sealingly fitting onto an engagement end
extension of the tube 4 and the tubular length 44. Between the end
member 11 and the port of the tube 4 and length 44 an element 45 is
provided and forms a diaphragm shutter acting as a non-return
valve, which is configured so that to prevent the return flow into
the exhaust ducts of the tube 4. An appendix 46 coinciding with the
port of the tubular length 44 forms a valve seat like an annular
gasket, which is intended to cooperate with the shutter consisting
of the spherical float 47.
[0112] When the tube is immersed, the water pushes the float 47
towards the end member 11 and along the direction of the annular
seat 46 with which there is a contact, closing the passage of water
towards the inside of the tube 4. In the condition in which the
float 47 is not immersed, the weight of the float 47 moves it away
by gravity from the valve seat 46 in the opening condition of the
tube 4.
[0113] In connection with what above, it is relevant that the
floating 47, shutter 45 and valve seat 46 assembly is made as an
integral construction piece having a cross section with shape
substantially the same as that of the tube 4 and end length 44
assembly and with sizes suitable to be restrained in position
between the end member 11 and the end of said tube 4.
[0114] In an embodiment, the valve seat can be in form of an O-ring
with a mantle surface with a circular cross section, at least for a
part of the mantle surface facing the inside of the said seat of
annular valve.
[0115] According to an additional characteristic which does not
need to be provided in combination with the characteristics
described in reference to the tube 4, at the end member 47 and the
members 45 to 47, but can also be provided in combination with any
of the preceding embodiments of the mask, the tongue 110 forming
the film hinge between the tube 4 and the mask, i.e. the hub 5, has
in the length comprised between the loop 804 on the tube 4 and the
loop 805 on the hub 5, a wavy length 500 increasing the elastic
flexibility in relation to curvatures along axes parallel to the
faces of the tongue 110 and perpendicular to the longitudinal
extension thereof and increasing the elastic extensibility
thereof.
[0116] In the example the length 500 is wavy like a sinusoid, but
it can also be zigzag or fret shaped or the like.
[0117] Although the description mostly refers to a mask with double
channel for ejecting the air, the teachings of the present
invention can also be applied in simpler masks providing the use of
a single duct for the exhaled air both at the ventilation tube
level and the duct conveying the air from the lower chamber to the
ventilation tube. Such a duct can, inter alia, be of any type and
can also be obtained inside the mask, for example in an interspace
of the seal portion, or in the frame.
[0118] All without departing from the afore-stated guiding
principle and claimed as follows.
* * * * *