(19)
(11) EP 3 434 578 B1

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION

(45) Mention of the grant of the patent:
06.05.2020 Bulletin 2020/19

(21) Application number: 17195015.7

(22) Date of filing: 05.10.2017
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC): 
B63C 11/16(2006.01)

(54)

FULL FACE SNORKEL MASK

GANZGESICHTSSCHNORCHELMASKE

MASQUE DE PLONGÉE INTÉGRAL AVEC TUBA


(84) Designated Contracting States:
AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

(30) Priority: 24.07.2017 CN 201710607097

(43) Date of publication of application:
30.01.2019 Bulletin 2019/05

(73) Proprietor: Shenzhen CP-Link Electronic Co., Ltd.
518000 Shajing, Bao'an, Shenzhen Guangdong (CN)

(72) Inventor:
  • Liao, Chaowu
    Shajing Town, Bao'an District, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518000 (CN)

(74) Representative: de Arpe Fernandez, Manuel 
Arpe Patentes y Marcas, S.L.P. C/Proción, 7 Edif. América II Portal 2, 1° C
28023 Madrid-Aravaca
28023 Madrid-Aravaca (ES)


(56) References cited: : 
CN-A- 106 428 476
CN-U- 205 469 729
CN-U- 204 173 146
US-A1- 2016 297 505
   
       
    Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to the European patent granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent Convention).


    Description

    Background of the Present Invention


    Field of Invention



    [0001] The present invention relates to snorkeling equipment. More specifically, the present invention relates to a full-face snorkel mask which provides two discrete channels for air intake and air exhaust respectively, so that a user is adapted for natural breathing through the nose and/or mouth by inhaling fresh air through the fresh air intake channel and discharging waste air through the exhaust air discharging channel in a separated manner.

    Description of Related Arts



    [0002] Snorkeling is one of the most popular recreational activities. There is no training required with snorkeling, wherein people can grab a goggle and a snorkel tube and hop in the water and go. The goggle and snorkel tube allow the user to breathe while face down on the surface of the water. In particular, the goggle and the snorkel tube are always separated from each other so that the user must attach the goggle and the snorkel tube separately. As a result, the user must individually adjust the goggle and the snorkel tube. Another problem is that the user must bite down the mouthpiece of the snorkel tube so that the lips of the user can seal around it and hold the snorkel tube in place. However, the mouthpiece is uncomfortable and unhygienic. The user, especially for the beginner user, may get choke when water leaks into the user's mouth from time to time from the top opening end of the snorkel tube and/or through the mouthpiece thereof. More importantly, the snorkel tube is a single tubular channel device that the user inhales fresh air and exhales waste air at the same channel. The user may accidentally inhale the waste air if the waste air is not totally discharged from the snorkel tube.

    [0003] US 2016/0297505 A1 concerns a diving mask comprising 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 said 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. Similar diving masks are disclosed in CN 204173146 U, CN 106428476 A and CN 205469729 U.

    [0004] An improved snorkel equipment is provided to integrate the goggle and the snorkel tube together in order to form a full-face snorkel mask, wherein the snorkel mask covers the entire face of the user from the forehead to the chin. A sealed chamber is formed after the snorkel mask is worn and the snorkel tube is integrated with the snorkel mask to communicate with the sealed chamber. Therefore, the user is able to breathe in and out through the sealed chamber via the snorkel tube. However, the full-face snorkel mask cannot solve the water leaking problem from the snorkel tube into the sealed chamber. Goggle fog is always caused when the user exhales warm waste air into the sealed chamber. Meanwhile, the exhaust air will be accumulated within the sealed chamber, so that the user will inevitably breathe in the exhaust air in sealed chamber instead of fresh air from the snorkel tube. It will cause dizziness and nausea when repeatedly inhaling the exhaust air from the sealed chamber.

    [0005] Therefore, the conventional snorkel equipment is not designed to maintain breathing capabilities in a comfort manner and vision capabilities at the same time.

    Summary of the Present Invention



    [0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a full-face snorkel mask according to claim 1 which solves the problems of conventional snorkel equipment.

    [0007] Additional advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the description which follows, and may be realized by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particular point out in the appended claims.

    [0008] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a full-face snorkel mask is described. The full-face snorkel mask comprises a mask assembly adapted for extending peripherally in a sealing engagement with a face of a user, wherein the mask assembly has an air intake chamber and a breathing chamber isolated from the air intake chamber when the mask assembly is worn. The full-face snorkel mask further comprises a snorkel assembly which has a fresh air intake channel communicating with the air intake chamber for guiding fresh air thereinto and an exhaust air discharging channel communicating with the breathing chamber for discharging waste air therefrom.

    [0009] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the fresh air intake channel and the exhaust air charging channel are two discrete channels respectively, so that the user is adapted for natural breathing through the nose and/or mouth by inhaling fresh air through the fresh air intake channel and discharging waste air through the exhaust air discharging channel in a separated manner.

    [0010] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a vision section of the mask assembly is located at the air intake chamber. The warm waste air exhaled by the user is guided to discharge from the breathing chamber to the exhaust air discharging channel right away to prevent the warm waste air entering to air intake chamber, so that the vision section of the mask assembly will not be fogged up by the warm waste air exhaled by the user at the breathing chamber.

    [0011] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the mask assembly has a V-shaped face seal for sealing against the user's face and across the nose bridge thereof to not only let the user to wear the mask assembly in a comfortable way but also seal between the air intake chamber and the breathing chamber so as to prevent air being leaked from the breathing chamber to the air intake chamber.

    [0012] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, one or more first non-return valves are provided at the mask assembly to only allow the fresh air entering from the air intake chamber to the breathing chamber. Therefore, once the waste air exhaled by the user is guided to discharge from the breathing chamber, the user always breathes in the fresh air at the breathing chamber from the air intake chamber via the first non-return valves.

    [0013] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the full-face snorkel mask further comprises a purge valve provided at the mask assembly for clearing water that enters the mask assembly.

    [0014] According to a preferred embodiment of the prevent invention, water cannot be entered into the snorkel assembly via a water prevention valve. In one embodiment, the water prevention valve comprises a floatable member provided at the top end of the snorkel assembly to seal at the fresh air intake channel/the exhaust air discharging channel when the top end of the snorkel assembly is submerged below water.

    [0015] The full-face snorkel mask is constructed to have two discrete chambers and two discrete channels to separate the fresh air and the waste air when the user breathes. With such simplified structural configuration, the full-face snorkel mask provides multiple functions of preventing the user repeatedly inhaling back the waste air and minimizing the vision section of the mask assembly being fogged up. The full-face snorkel mask of the prevent invention can maintain breathing capabilities in a comfort manner and vision capabilities at the same time.

    [0016] Still further objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the ensuing description and drawings.

    [0017] These and other objectives, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.

    Brief Description of the Drawings



    [0018] 

    Figure 1 is a rear perspective view of a full-face snorkel mask according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

    Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the full-face snorkel mask according to the above embodiment of the present invention.

    Figure 3 is a sectional view of the full-face snorkel mask according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention, showing the air intake channel of the snorkel assembly.

    Figure 4 is another sectional view of the full-face snorkel mask according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention, showing the exhaust air discharging channel of the snorkel assembly.

    Figure 5 is a perspective view of the top end of the snorkel tube of the full-face snorkel mask according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention, showing the relationship among the air intake channel, the exhaust air discharging channel, and the two air passages.

    Figure 6 shows the sealing element mounted at the top end of the snorkel body to align the sealing openings of the sealing element with the fresh air intake channel, the exhaust air discharging channel, and the air passages respectively.

    Figure 7 is an illustration which shows the airflow of the full-face snorkel mask according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.


    Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment



    [0019] For purposes of description herein the terms "upper," "lower," "right," "left," "rear," "front," "vertical," "horizontal" and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIG. 1. However, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative orientations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

    [0020] As used in this disclosure, the term "comprise" and variations of the term, such as "comprising" and "comprises," are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.

    [0021] The present invention provides a full-face snorkel mask for a user according to an embodiment is disclosed. The full-face snorkel mask comprises a mask assembly 100 adapted for extending peripherally in a sealing engagement with a face of the user, a head securing device 400 provided at the mask assembly 100 for securing the mask assembly 100 to the user's head, and a snorkel assembly 200 upwardly extended from the mask assembly 100. In general, when the mask assembly 100 is worn, the mask assembly 100 of the present invention covers the entire face of the user from the forehead to the chin.

    [0022] Reference is now made to certain specific non-limiting embodiment as shown in Figures. Figures 1 and 2 depict the full-face snorkel mask. The mask assembly 100 comprises a full face outer shell 110 for covering the user's face and a half face inner shell 120 attached thereinto for covering the user's nose and mouth. Specifically, the full face outer shell 110 comprises an outer peripheral shell rim 112, a transparent visor 114 coupled at the outer shell rim 112, and an inner peripheral shell rim 116 coupled at the outer peripheral shell rim 112.

    [0023] The outer peripheral shell rim 112 is sized and shaped for fitting the face of the user, wherein the inner peripheral shell 116 is coupled at an inner side of the outer peripheral shell rim 112. It is preferred that the outer peripheral shell rim 112 is made of rigid material and the inner peripheral shell 116 has a face seal, preferably made of silicone, to seal against the user's face. The transparent shell 114 is preferably made of shatterproof and polycarbonate. A vision section 118 is defined at the transparent shell 114 to provide a 180 degree field of vision. The mask assembly 100 further comprises a camera mount 130 provided at a top end thereof for incorporating with an action camera, such as "GoPro" camera. It is preferred that the camera mount 130 is provided at the top-center portion of the outer peripheral shell rim 112 at the position in front of the snorkel assembly 200.

    [0024] The half face inner shell 120, having a concave shape, is coupled to the inner peripheral shell 116, wherein a top edge of the half face inner shell 120 is extended across the bridge of the nose of the user and a bottom edge of the half face inner shell 120 is extended to the chin of the user. It is preferred that the half face inner shell 120 is made of silicone material.

    [0025] The head securing device 400 comprises one or more length-adjustable straps 410 attached to the mask assembly 100. A plurality of strap slots 420 are provided at the outer peripheral shell rim 112. In the embodiment, each of the straps 410 is made of stretchable and lightweight synthetic fibers, such as "Spandex", wherein two ends of each straps 410 are attached to the outer peripheral shell rim 112 through the strap slots 420, so that the user is able wear the mask assembly 100 via the straps 410 in a comfortable way.

    [0026] The mask assembly 100 further has a breathing chamber 102 defined at a space within the half face inner shell 120, i.e. between the half face inner shell 120 and the user's face, wherein the user breathes in and out through the breathing chamber 102 when the mask assembly 100 is worn.

    [0027] The mask assembly 100 further has an air intake chamber 104 isolated from the breathing chamber 102, wherein the air intake chamber 104 is formed between the full face outer shell 110 and the half face inner shell 120. It is appreciated that the vision section 118 is located at the air intake chamber 104.

    [0028] Figures 1 to 4 depict that the snorkel assembly 200 comprises a snorkel body 210 upwardly extended from the outer peripheral shell rim 112 of the mask assembly 100, wherein the snorkel body 210 has two end-to-end channels forming a fresh air intake channel 220 and an exhaust air discharging channel 230 respectively. The fresh air intake channel 220 and the exhaust air discharging channel 230 are extended parallelly and upwardly.

    [0029] The fresh air intake channel 220 is arranged for guiding fresh air into the breathing chamber 102, wherein the fresh air is sucked from outside into the fresh air intake channel 220 and then to the breathing chamber 102 when the user inhales. The exhaust air discharging channel 230 communicates with the breathing chamber 102 for discharging waste air therefrom after the user exhales.

    [0030] It is worth mentioning that the breathing chamber 102 and the air intake chamber 104 are two discrete chambers that air cannot pass from one to another when the mask assembly 100. A V-shaped face seal 140 is extended along the top edge of the half face inner shell 120 for sealing against the user's face and across the nose bridge thereof to prevent the waste air being leaked from the breathing chamber 102 to the air intake chamber 104. It is preferred that the V-shaped face seal 140 is made of silicone for tight-fitting and sealing against the user's face, so as to seal and separate the breathing chamber 102 from the air intake chamber 104.

    [0031] In order to communicate the breathing chamber 102 with the air intake chamber 104, the full-face snorkel mask of the present invention further comprises a valve assembly 300. In one embodiment, the valve assembly 300 comprises one or more first non-return air valves 310 provided at the mask assembly 100 for only allowing the fresh air at the air intake chamber 104 from the fresh air intake channel 220 entering to the breathing chamber 220 and for preventing the waste air entering to the air intake chamber 104. In one embodiment, two first non-return air valves 310 are provided at the half face inner shell 120 below two side ends of the V-shaped face seal 140 respectively.

    [0032] Figure 7 depicts the airflow of the full-face snorkel mask of the present invention. When the user inhales, the fresh air is sucked from the fresh air intake channel 220 to the air intake chamber 104. Then, the fresh air passes through the first non-return air valves 310 and enters into the breathing chamber 102. When the user exhales, the user releases the waste air at the breathing chamber 102. Due to the air pressure increase at the breathing chamber 102, the waste air is forced out of the breathing chamber 102 to the exhaust air discharging channel 230 for discharging waste air from the breathing chamber 102 after the user exhales.

    [0033] The mask assembly 100 further has an air guiding channel 106 formed at a peripheral portion of the mask assembly 100 and extended from the breathing chamber 102 to the exhaust air discharging channel 230 for guiding the waste air being discharged from the breathing chamber 102 to the exhaust air discharging channel 230. In one embodiment, the air guiding channel 106 is formed between the outer peripheral shell rim 112 and the inner peripheral shell rim 116.

    [0034] While the V-shaped face seal 140 seals against the user's face and across the nose bridge thereof, the waste air cannot be leaked from the breathing chamber 102 to the air intake chamber 104. Therefore, when the user exhales the waste air at the breathing chamber 102, the waste air cannot enter to the air intake chamber 104. Besides, only fresh air can enter to the air intake chamber 104 from the fresh air intake channel 220. More important, the warm waste air exhaled by the user is guided to discharge from the breathing chamber 102 to the exhaust air discharging channel 230 right away through the air guiding channel 106 to prevent the warm waste air entering to air intake chamber 104 accidentally. Therefore, the warm waste air will never enter to the air intake chamber 104. As a result, the vision section 118 of the mask assembly 100, which is located at the air intake chamber 104, will not be fogged up by the warm waste air exhaled by the user at the breathing chamber 102.

    [0035] Referring to Figure 4 of the drawings, the valve assembly 300 further comprises a second non-return air valve 320 provided at the exhaust air discharging channel 230 for preventing the waste air at the exhaust air discharging channel 230 being returned back to the breathing chamber 102. As it is mentioned above, the first non-return air valve 310 only allows the fresh air entering to the breathing chamber 220 from the air intake chamber. The second non-return air valve 320 only allows the waste air discharging out of the exhaust air discharging channel 230 to prevent the backflow of the waste air along the exhaust air discharging channel 230. Therefore, the first and second non-return air valves 310 and 320 will ensure the airflow of the air within the mask assembly 100.

    [0036] Referring to Figure 5 of the drawings, the snorkel body 210 further has two air passages 240 and 250 discretely formed at a top end of the snorkel body 210, wherein the air passages 240 and 250 are extended parallelly and upwardly.

    [0037] Two top openings of the air passages 240 and 250 communicate with the fresh air intake channel 220 and the exhaust air discharging channel 230 respectively. In one embodiment, each of the air passages 240 and 250 further has a rear opening to communicate with outside, wherein the top openings of the air passages 240 and 250 are located above the rear openings thereof.

    [0038] Referring to Figures 4 and 5, the valve assembly 300 further comprises a water prevention valve 330 provided at the snorkel assembly 200 for preventing water entering into the fresh air intake channel 220 and the exhaust air discharging channel 230 when the snorkel assembly 200 is submerged below water. In one embodiment, the water prevention valve 330 is provided at each of the air passages 240 and 250.

    [0039] Specifically, the water prevention valve 330 comprises a floatable member 340 movably disposed at each of the air passages 240 and 250. When the snorkel assembly 200 is submerged below water, water will enter into the air passages 240 and 250 through the rear openings thereof. The floatable members 340 float and seal at the top openings of the air passages when the snorkel assembly 200 is submerged below water in order to prevent water entering into the fresh air intake channel 220 and the exhaust air discharging channel 230. When the top end of the snorkel assembly 200 is located above water, water in the air passages 240 and 250 are drained out through the rear openings thereof. Therefore, the floatable members 340 drop down by their own weight at the air passages 240 and 250 respectively when the top end of the snorkel assembly is located above water in order to open up the top openings of the air passages 240 and 250. Once the top openings of the air passages 230 are opened, fresh air is guided to enter into the corresponding air passage 240 at the rear opening thereof and is then guided to enter into the fresh air intake channel 220. Meanwhile, exhaust air can be discharged from the exhaust air discharging channel 230 to the corresponding air passage 250 to outside through the rear opening thereof.

    [0040] In one embodiment, each of the floatable members 340 has a conical shape that bases of the floatable members 340 upwardly face toward the top openings of the air passages respectively and apexes of the floatable members 340 face downwardly. It is appreciated that the diameter size of the base of the floatable member 340 is larger than that of the apex thereof. Once the water fills into the air passages 240 and 250, the floatable members 340 provide enlarged contacting surfaces for being upwardly pushed by the water to ensure the floatable members 340 being floated properly within the air passages 240 and 250. It should be appreciated that the floatable members 340 are two weighting members being naturally dropped down by gravity when there is no water in the air passages 240 and 250.

    [0041] The water prevention valve 330 further comprises two sealing rings 350 coupled at the top openings of the air passages 240 and 250 to seal and engage with the floatable members 340 when the snorkel assembly 200 is submerged below water. In other words, the floatable members 340 upwardly float and seal at the sealing rings 350 to close the fresh air intake channel 220 and the exhaust air discharging channel 230.

    [0042] Referring to Figures 2 to 4 of the drawings, the snorkel assembly 200 further comprises a top snorkel cap 260 coupled at the top end of the snorkel body 210, wherein the top snorkel cap 260 has two individual air chambers 262 and 264 that one of the air chambers 262 communicates between the fresh air intake channel 220 and one of the air passages 240 and another air chamber 264 communicates between the exhaust air discharging channel 230 and another air passage 250. It is appreciated that the air chambers 262 and 264 of the top snorkel cap 260 are considered as two airflow detouring paths, wherein the fresh air is detoured 180 degrees from the air passage 240 to the fresh air intake channel 220 while the waste air is detoured 180 degrees from the exhaust air discharging channel 230 to the air passage 250. These airflow detouring paths will eliminate water entering into the fresh air intake channel 220 and the exhaust air discharging channel 230 from the air passages 240 and 250 when the snorkel assembly 200 is submerged below water.

    [0043] Referring to Figures 3, 4 and 6 of the drawings, for achieving a better sealing effect, the snorkel assembly 200 further comprises a sealing element 270 mounted and sealed between the top snorkel cap 260 and the top end of the snorkel body 210. The sealing element 270 has four sealing openings 272, 274, 276, and 278 aligned with the fresh air intake channel 220, the exhaust air discharging channel 230, and the air passages 240 and 250 respectively to prevent any water and air leakage between the top snorkel cap 260 and the snorkel body 210.

    [0044] The valve assembly 300 further comprises a purge valve 360 provided at a bottom side of the mask assembly 100 for clearing water that enters the mask assembly 100.

    [0045] According to the present invention, the user is able to wear the full-face snorkel mask for snorkeling, wherein the user can natural breath through the nose and/or mouth by inhaling fresh air through the fresh air intake channel 220 and discharging waste air through the exhaust air discharging channel 230 in a separated manner. During snorkeling, the top end of the snorkel assembly 200 is located above water. Then, the floatable members 340 drop down by their own weight at the air passages 240 and 250 respectively to open up the fresh air intake channel 220 and the exhaust air discharging channel 230. Fresh air is supplied from the rear opening of one of the corresponding air passages 240 to the fresh air intake channel 220, to the air intake chamber 104, and then to the breathing chamber 102 via the first non-return valve 310. Therefore, the user is able to breathe in the fresh air within the breathing chamber 102. Meanwhile, when the user breathes out the waste air to the breathing chamber 102, the waste air is forced out of the breathing chamber 102 to the air guiding channel 106, to the exhaust air discharging channel 230, and to the corresponding air passage 250. Then, the waste air is discharged from the rear opening of the air passage 250. Therefore, the present invention provides a one-in-on-out airflow configuration in a single tubular structure, i.e. the snorkel body 210 with the fresh air intake channel 220 and the exhaust air discharging channel 230, to separate the fresh air and the waste air, so as to prevent the user from repeatedly inhaling the waste air in the breathing chamber 102.

    [0046] Once the snorkel assembly 200 is submerged below water, the floatable members 340 float and seal at the top openings of the air passages 240 and 250 to close the fresh air intake channel 220 and the exhaust air discharging channel 230, so as to prevent water entering thereinto.

    [0047] One skilled in the art will understand that the embodiment of the present invention as shown in the drawings and described above is exemplary only and not intended to be limiting.

    [0048] It will thus be seen that the objects of the present invention have been fully and effectively accomplished. It embodiments have been shown and described for the purposes of illustrating the functional and structural principles of the present invention and is subject to change without departure from such principles. Therefore, this invention includes all modifications encompassed within the scope of the following claims.


    Claims

    1. A full-face snorkel mask, comprising:

    a mask assembly (100) adapted for extending peripherally in a sealing engagement with a face of a user, wherein said mask assembly (100) has a breathing chamber (102); a snorkel assembly (200) upwardly extended from said mask assembly (100), wherein said snorkel assembly (200) has a fresh air intake channel (220) for guiding fresh air into said breathing chamber (102) and an exhaust air discharging channel (230) communicating with said breathing chamber (102) for discharging waste air therefrom; and

    a valve assembly (300);

    wherein said mask assembly (100) further has an air intake chamber (104) isolated from said breathing chamber (102) and communicated with said fresh air intake channel (220),

    wherein said valve assembly (300) comprises one or more first non-return air valves (310) provided at said mask assembly (100) for only allowing the fresh air at said air intake chamber (104) from said fresh air intake channel (220) entering to said breathing chamber (102) and for preventing the waste air entering to said air intake chamber (104),

    wherein said fresh air intake channel (220) and said exhaust air discharging channel (230) are extended parallelly and upwardly,

    wherein said valve assembly (300) further comprises a second non-return air valve (320) provided at said exhaust air discharging channel (230) for preventing the waste air at said exhaust air discharging channel (230) being returned back to said breathing chamber (102) and a water prevention valve (330) provided at said snorkel assembly (200) for preventing water entering into said fresh air intake channel (220) and said exhaust air discharging channel (230) when said snorkel assembly (200) is submerged below water,

    wherein said snorkel assembly (200) comprises a snorkel body (210) with two end-to-end channels to form said fresh air intake channel (220) and said exhaust air discharging channel (230) respectively and two air passages (240, 250) discretely formed at a top end of said snorkel body (210) that two top openings of said air passages (240, 250) communicate with said fresh air intake channel (220) and said exhaust air discharging channel (230) respectively, wherein said water prevention valve (330) is provided at each of said air passages (240, 250).


     
    2. The full-face snorkel mask according to claim 1, wherein said mask assembly (100) further has a vision section (118) located at said air intake chamber (104), wherein said mask assembly (100) comprises a full face outer shell (110) for covering the user's face and a half face inner shell (120) attached thereinto for covering the user's nose and mouth, wherein said breathing chamber (102) is formed between said half face inner shell (120) and the user's face, and said air intake chamber (104) is formed between said full face outer shell (110) and said half face inner shell (120).
     
    3. The full-face snorkel mask according to claim 2, wherein said mask assembly (100) further comprises a V-shaped face seal (140) extended along a top edge of said half face inner shell (120) for sealing against the user's face and across the nose bridge thereof to prevent the waste air being leaked from said breathing chamber (102) to said air intake chamber (104).
     
    4. The full-face snorkel mask according to claim 3, wherein two of said first non-return air valves (310) are provided at said half face inner shell (120) below two side ends of said V-shaped face seal (140) respectively.
     
    5. The full-face snorkel mask according to claim 3, wherein said mask assembly (100) further has an air guiding channel (106) formed at a peripheral portion of said mask assembly (100) and extended from said breathing chamber (102) to said exhaust air discharging channel (230) for guiding the waste air to be discharged from said breathing chamber (102) to said exhaust air discharging channel (230).
     
    6. The full-face snorkel mask according to claim 5, wherein said full face outer shell (110) comprises an outer peripheral shell rim (112), a transparent visor (114) coupled at said outer shell rim (112), and an inner peripheral shell rim (116) coupled at said outer peripheral shell rim (112), wherein said air guiding channel (106) is formed between said outer peripheral shell rim (112) and said inner peripheral shell rim (116), and said half face inner shell (120) is coupled at said inner peripheral shell rim (116).
     
    7. The full-face snorkel mask according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said water prevention valve (330) comprises a floatable member (340) movably disposed at each of said air passages (240, 250) and arranged in such a manner that:

    said floatable members (340) float and seal at said top openings of said air passages (240, 250) when said snorkel assembly (200) is submerged below water in order to prevent water entering into said fresh air intake channel (220) and said exhaust air discharging channel (230), and

    said floatable members (340) drop down by their own weight at said air passages (240, 250) respectively when said top end of said snorkel assembly (200) is located above water in order to open up said top openings of said air passages (240, 250) to let the fresh air entering into said fresh air intake channel (220) and to discharge the exhaust air from said exhaust air discharging channel (230).


     
    8. The full-face snorkel mask according to claim 7, wherein said water prevention valve (330) further comprises two sealing rings (350) coupled at said top openings of said air passages (240, 250) to seal and engage with said floatable members (340) when said snorkel assembly (200) is submerged below water.
     
    9. The full-face snorkel mask according to claim 8, wherein said snorkel assembly (200) further comprises a top snorkel cap (260) coupled at said top end of said snorkel body (210), wherein said top snorkel cap (260) has two individual air chambers (262, 264) that one of said air chambers (262, 264) communicates between said fresh air intake channel (220) and one of said air passages (240) and another said air chamber communicates between said exhaust air discharging channel (230) and another said air passage (250).
     
    10. The full-face snorkel mask according to claim 7, wherein each of said floatable members (340) has a conical shape that bases of said floatable members face toward said top openings of said air passages (240, 250) respectively to ensure said floatable members (340) being floated properly there within, wherein said air passages (240, 250) are extended parallelly and upwardly.
     
    11. The full-face snorkel mask according to claim 3, wherein said valve assembly (300) further comprises a purge valve (360) provided at a bottom side of said mask assembly (100) for clearing water that enters said mask assembly (100), wherein said mask assembly (100) further comprises a camera mount (130) provided at a top end thereof for incorporating with an action camera.
     


    Ansprüche

    1. Eine Vollgesichtsschnorchelmaske, die Folgendes umfasst:

    Eine Maskeneinheit (100), die so angepasst ist, dass sie sich peripherisch in eine am Gebrauchergesicht verdichtende Befestigung erstreckt, wobei besagte Maskeneinheit (100) eine Atmungskammer (102) aufweist; eine Schnorchelgruppe (200), die sich nach oben von besagter Maskeneinheit (100) erstreckt, wobei besagte Schnorchelgruppe (200) einen Frischlufteintrittskanal (220) aufweist zwecks Einleitung der Frischluft in besagte Atmungskammer (102) und einen Abluftkanal (230), der mit besagter Atmungskammer (102) in Verbindung steht und die verbrauchte Luft aus derselben ableitet; und

    Eine Ventilgruppe (300);

    wobei besagte Maskeneinheit (100) ausserdem eine Lufteintrittskammer (104) einschliesst, die von besagter Atmungskammer (102) getrennt ist und an den besagten Eintrittskanal für die Frischluft (220) angeschlossen ist,

    wobei besagte Ventilgruppe (300) eins oder mehrere erste Luftrückschlagventile (310) einschliesst, die mit besagter Maskeneinheit (100) bereitgestellt werden, um nur den Eintritt in besagte Atmungskammer (102) der Frischluft in besagter Lufteintrittskammer (104) aus besagtem Eintrittskanal für die Frischluft (220) zu erlauben und zu verhindern, dass die verbrauchte Luft in besagte Lufteintrittskammer (104) eindringt,

    wobei besagter Eintrittskanal für die Frischlust (220) und besagter Abluftkanal (230) sich parallel und nach oben erstrecken,

    wobei besagte Ventilgruppe (300) weiterhin ein zweites Luftrückschlagventil (320) an besagtem Abluftkanal (230) umfasst, um zu verhindern, dass die verbrauchte Luft in besagtem Abluftkanal (230) zu besagter Atmungskammer (102) zurückgeleitet wird, und ein Rückhalteventil (330) an besagter Schnorchelgruppe (200), um den Eitnritt von Wasser in besagten Eintrittskanal für die Frischluft (220) zu verhindern und

    besagter Abluftkanal (230), wenn besagte Schnorchelgruppe (200) unter Wasser taucht,

    wobei die Schnorchelgruppe (200) einen Schnorchelkörper (210) mit zwei durchgehenden Kanälen aufweist, um besagten Eintrittskanal für die Frischluft (220) beziehungsweise besagten Abluftkanal (230) zu bilden, und zwei Luftdurchgänge (240, 250) die einzeln am oberen Ende von besagtem Schnorchelkörper (210) angeformt sind, so dass zwei obere Öffnungen von diesen Luftdurchgängen (240, 250) mit besagtem Eintrittskanal für die Frischluft (220) beziehungsweise mit besagtem Abluftkanal (230) kommunizieren, wobei besagtes Wasserrückhalteventil (330) an jedem dieser Luftdurchgänge (240, 250) vorgesehen ist.


     
    2. Eine Vollgesichtsschnorchelmaske gemäss Anspruch 1, wobei besagte Maskeneinheit (100) ausserdem ein Gesichtsfeld (118) aufweist, das an besagter Lufteintrittskammer (104) angeordnet ist, wobei besagte Maskeneinheit (100) eine äussere Vollgesichtsschale (110) zum Bedecken des Gesichtes des Gebrauchers aufweist und eine innere Halgesichtsschale (120), die an derselben befestigt ist, um die Nase und den Mund des Gebrauchers zu bedecken, wobei besagte Atmungskammer (102) zwischen dieser inneren Halbgesichtsschale (120) und dem Gesicht des Gebrauchers ausgebildet ist, und wobei besagte Lufteintrittskammer (104) zwischen besagter äusseren Vollgesichtsschale (110) und besagter inneren Halbgesichtsschale (120) geformet wird.
     
    3. Die Vollgesichtsschnorchelmaske gemäss Anspruch 2, bei der besagte Maskeneinheit (100) weiterhin eine V-förmige Gesichtsdichtung (140) aufweist, die sich längs der oberen Kante besagter innerer Halbgesichtsschale (120) erstreckt, um gegen das Gesicht und über den Nasenrücken des Gebrauchers dicht zu schliessen und zu verhindern, dass die verbrauchte Luft aus besagter Atmungskammer (102 in besagte Lufteintrittskammer (104) eindringt.
     
    4. Die Vollgesichtsschnorchelmaske gemäss Anspruch 3, bei der zwei von besagten ersten Rückschlagsluftventilen (310) an besagter innerer Halbgesichtsschale (120) jeweils unter zwei Seitenenden besagter V-förmigen Gesichtsdichtung (140) vorgesehen sind.
     
    5. Die Vollgesichtsschnorchelmaske gemäss Anspruch 3, bei der besagte Maskeneinheit (100) weiter einen Luftförderungskanal (106) ausweist, der an einem peripheren Teil besagter Maskeneinheit (100) angeformet ist und sich von besagter Atmungskammer (102) zu besagtem Abluftkanal (230) ertreckt, und zwar zur Förderung der verbrauchten Luft, die aus der Atmungskammer (102) zu besagtem Abluftkanal (230) abgeführt wird.
     
    6. Die Vollgesichtsschnorchelmaske gemäss Anspruch 5, bei der besagte äussere Vollgesichtsschale (110) einen äusseren Schalenrandkranz (112), einen durchsichtigen Schirm (114), der an diesem äusseren Schalenkranz (112) angeschlossen ist, und einen inneren Schalenrandkranz (116), der an besagtem äusseren Schalenrandkranz (112) angebracht ist, ausweist, wobei besagter Luftförderungskanal (106) zwischen diesem äusseren Schalenrandkranz (112) und diesem inneren Schalderandkranz (116) gebildet wird und wobei besagte innere Halbgesichtsschale (120) mit diesem inneren Schalenrandkranz (116) verbunden ist.
     
    7. Die Vollgesichtsschnorchelmaske gemäss einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, bei der besagtes Wasserrückhalteventil (330) ein bewegliches Schwimmglied (340) aufweist, das an jedem besagter Luftdurchgänge (240,250) so angeordnet ist, dass
    besagtes Schwimmglied (340) an den erwähnten oberen Öffnungen der erwähnten Luftdruchgänge (240, 250) schwimmt und dichtet, wenn die erwähnte Schnorchelgruppe (200) ins Wasser getaucht wird, um zu verhindern, dass das Wasser in besagten Frischlufteingrittskanal (200) und in den erwähnten Abluftkanal (230) eindringt und
    besagtes Schwimmelement (340) in den erwähnten, entsprechenden Luftdurchgängen (240, 250) durch das eigene Gewicht nach unten sinkt, wenn das erwähnte obere Ende der erwähnten Schnorchelgruppe (200) sich über dem Wasser befindet, um diese oberen Öffnungen von diesen Luftdurchgängen (240, 250) zu öffen und frische Luft in den erwähnten Frischluftkanal (220) einzulassen und die Abluft aus dem erwähnten Abluftkanal abzulassen (230).
     
    8. Die Vollgesichtschnorkelmaske gemäss Anspruch 7, bei der das erwähnte Wasserrückhalteventil (330) ausserdem zwei Dichtringe (350) umfasst, die an besagten oberen Öffnungen von den erwähnten Luftdurhcgängen (240, 250) angekuppelt sind, um diese Schwimmelemente (340) abzudichten und in besagte Schwimmelemente einzugreifen, wenn besagte Schnorchelgruppe (200) ins Wasser eintaucht.
     
    9. Die Vollgesichtsschnorchelmaske gemäss Anspruch 8, bei der besagte Schnorchelgruppe (200) ausserdem eine obere Schnorchelkappe (260) ausweist, die an besagtem oberen Ende des Schnorchelkörpers (210) angebracht ist, wobei diese obere Schnorchelkappe (260) zwei separate Luftkammern (262, 264) aufweist, so dass eine von besagten Luftkammern (262, 264) zwischen dem erwähnten Frischlufteintrittskanal (220) und einer der Luftdurchgänge (240) kommuniziert und die andere der Luftkammern zwischen besagtem Abluftkanal (230) und dem anderen erwähnten Luftdurchgang (250) kommuniziert.
     
    10. Die Vollgesichtsschnorchelmaske gemäss Anspruch 7, bei der jedes der besagten Schwimmglieder (340) ein Kegelprofil hat, so dass die Grundflächen besagter Schwimmglieder hin zu den oberen Öffnungen dieser Luftdurchgänge (240, 250) ausgerichtet sind, um sicherzustellen, dass diese Schwimmglieder (340) richtig darin schwimmen, wobei besagte Luftdurchgänge (240, 250) sich parallel und nach oben erstrecken.
     
    11. Die Vollgesichtsschnorchelmaske gemäss Anspruch 3, bei der besagte Ventilglruppe (300) weiterhin ein Absaugventil (360) umfasst, das an der unteren Seite besagter Maskeneinheit (100) zum Entfernen des Wassers, das in diese Maskeneinheit (100) eindringt, vorgesehen ist, wobei diese Maskeneinheit (100) ausserdem eine Kamerafassung (130) umfasst, die am oberen Ende derselben zwecks Einbau einer Aktionskamera vorgesehen ist.
     


    Revendications

    1. Un masque facial complet de plongée avec tuba, comprenant :

    un assemblage de masque (100) adapté pour s'élargir de manière périphérique pour un engagement étanche avec le visage de l'usager, où le dit assemblage de masque (100) a une chambre respiratoire (102) ; un assemblage de tuba (200) qui s'élargit vers le haut par rapport à l'assemblage de masque (100), où le dit assemblage de tuba (200) a une prise d'air frais (220) pour conduire ledit air frais vers la chambre respiratoire (102) et une sortie d'air évacué (230) qui communique avec ladite chambre respiratoire (102) pour évacuer l'air rejeté ; et

    un assemblage de vanne (300) ;

    où ledit assemblage de masque (100) a en outre une chambre d'entrée d'air (104) isolée de ladite chambre respiratoire (102) et qui communique avec ladite prise d'air frais (220),

    où ledit assemblage de vanne (300) comprend un premier clapet anti-retour d'air (310) (ou plus), qui est fourni avec ledit assemblage de masque (100), afin de faciliter l'air frais uniquement pour ladite chambre d'entrée d'air (104) de la prise d'air frais (220) qui entre dans la chambre respiratoire (102) et pour éviter que l'air rejeté ne s'introduise dans la chambre d'entrée d'air (104),

    où ladite prise d'air frais (220) et la sortie d'air évacué (230) s'étendent de manière parallèle et vers le haut,

    où ledit assemblage de vanne (300) comprend en outre un deuxième clapet anti-retour d'air (320), situé à ladite sortie d'air évacué (230) pour éviter que l'air rejeté par la sortie d'air évacué (230) ne soit retourné vers ladite chambre respiratoire (102) et un clapet anti-retour d'eau (330) situé dans ledit assemblage de tuba (200) pour éviter que l'eau ne rentre dans ladite prise d'air frais (220) ; et

    ladite sortie d'air évacué (230) lorsque ledit assemblage de tuba (200) est submergé sous l'eau ;

    où ledit assemblage de tuba (200) comprend un corps de tuba (210) avec deux canaux de bout en bout pour former ladite prise d'air frais (220) et ladite sortie d'air évacué (230), respectivement, et deux conduits d'air (240, 250) situés distinctement sur l'extrémité supérieure dudit corps de tuba (210) et où deux ouvertures supérieures desdits conduits d'air (240, 250) communiquent avec la prise d'air frais(220) et la sortie d'air évacué (230), respectivement ; où le clapet anti-retour d'eau (330) est situé sur chaque conduit d'air (240, 250).


     
    2. Le masque facial complet de plongée avec tuba conformément à la revendication 1, où ledit assemblage de masque (100) comprend en outre une section de vision (118) située sur la chambre d'entrée d'air (104), où ledit assemblage de masque (100) comprend une coque extérieure faciale complète (110) pour couvrir le visage de l'usager et une demi-coque intérieure faciale (120) intégrée à la coque précédente pour couvrir le nez et la bouche de l'usager, où la chambre respiratoire (102) est située entre la demi-coque intérieure faciale (120) et le visage de l'usager, et ladite chambre d'entrée d'air (104) est située entre la coque extérieure faciale complète (110) et la demi-coque intérieure faciale (120).
     
    3. Le masque facial complet de plongée avec tuba conformément à la revendication 2, où l'assemblage de masque (100) comprend en outre une étanchéité faciale en forme de V (140) qui s'étend sur l'extrémité supérieure de la demi-coque intérieure faciale (120) pour une isolation du visage de l'usager et de l'arête nasale pour éviter que l'air évacué ne passe de la chambre respiratoire (102) vers la chambre d'entrée d'air (104).
     
    4. Le masque facial complet de plongée avec tuba conformément à la revendication 3, où deux des premiers clapets anti-retour d'air (310) sont situés sur la demi-coque intérieure faciale (120) sous les deux extrémités latérales de l'étanchéité faciale en forme de V (140) respectivement.
     
    5. Le masque facial complet de plongée avec tuba conformément à la revendication 3, où ledit assemblage de masque (100) comprend en outre un canal de guidage d'air (106) situé sur la partie périphérique de l'assemblage de masque (100) et qui s'étend depuis la chambre respiratoire (102) vers la sortie d'air évacué (230) pour guider l'air évacué et qu'il soit rejeté depuis la chambre respiratoire (102) vers la sortie d'air évacué (230).
     
    6. Le masque facial complet de plongée avec tuba conformément à la revendication 5, où la coque extérieure faciale complète (110) comprend une bordure de coque extérieure périphérique (112), une visière transparente (114) couplée à la bordure de coque extérieure (112), et une bordure de coque intérieure périphérique (116) couplée à la bordure de coque extérieure périphérique (112), où le canal de guidage d'air (106) est situé entre la bordure de coque extérieure périphérique (112) et la bordure de coque intérieure périphérique (116), et la demi-coque intérieure faciale (120) est couplée à la bordure de coque intérieure périphérique (116).
     
    7. Le masque facial complet de plongée avec tuba conformément à l'une des revendications précédentes, où le clapet anti-retour d'eau (330) comprend un élément flottable (340) déplaçable situé sur chaque conduit d'air (240, 250) et disposé de telle manière que :

    lesdits éléments flottables (340) flottent et scellent les ouvertures supérieures des conduits d'air (240, 250) lorsque l'assemblage de tuba (200) est submergé sous l'eau, afin d'éviter que l'eau ne rentre dans la prise d'air frais (220) et ladite sortie d'air évacué (230), et

    lesdits éléments flottables (340) descendent de leur propre poids sur les conduits d'air (240, 250) respectivement lorsque l'extrémité supérieure de l'assemblage de tuba (200) est située au-dessus de l'eau afin d'ouvrir les ouvertures supérieures des conduits d'air (240, 250) pour laisser entrer l'air frais dans la prise d'air frais (220) et rejeter l'air évacué de la sortie d'air évacué (230).


     
    8. Le masque facial complet de plongée avec tuba conformément à la revendication 7, où le clapet anti-retour d'eau (330) comprend en outre deux bagues d'étanchéité (350) couplées sur les ouvertures supérieures des conduits d'air (240, 250) pour sceller et s'engager aux éléments flottables (340) lorsque l'assemblage de tuba (200) est submergé sous l'eau.
     
    9. Le masque facial complet de plongée avec tuba conformément à la revendication 8, où l'assemblage de tuba (200) comprend en outre un couvercle supérieur du tuba (260) couplé à l'extrémité supérieure du corps de tuba (210), où ledit couvercle supérieur du tuba (260) a deux chambres à air individuelles (262,264) dont l'une des chambres à air (262,264) communique entre la prise d'air frais (220) et l'un des conduits d'air (240), et l'autre chambre à air communique entre la sortie d'air évacué (230) et un autre passage d'air (250).
     
    10. Le masque facial complet de plongée avec tuba conformément à la revendication 7, où les éléments flottables (340) ont une forme conique dont les bases desdits éléments flottables sont orientées vers les ouvertures supérieures des conduits d'air (240, 250) respectivement afin d'assurer que les éléments flottables (340) flottent adéquatement lorsque les dits conduits d'air (240, 250) sont étendus de manière parallèle et vers le haut.
     
    11. Le masque facial complet de plongée avec tuba conformément à la revendication 3, où ledit assemblage de vanne (300) comprend en outre une soupape de purge (360) situé sur la partie inférieure de l'assemblage de masque (100) pour évacuer l'eau qui rentre dans l'assemblage de masque (100), où ledit assemblage de masque (100) comprend en outre une fixation pour caméra (130) sur l'extrémité supérieure pour incorporer une caméra d'action.
     




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    Cited references

    REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION



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    Patent documents cited in the description