Patent ID: 6408844
Filing Date: 2002-06-25
Classification: B63C

Abstract:
A breathing apparatus for use in combination with a tube for swimming, the breathing apparatus comprising:a floatable body having a hollow case for floating over water level and an opening; and a breathing assembly for providing fresh air from the outside to a swimmer's mouth, the breathing assembly having: a connector having a connecting pipe to be inserted within the opening of the floatable body and a flexible connecting hose having an end portion connected to a lower end portion of the connecting pipe; a fixing cap for providing fresh air from the outside to the breathing assembly, the fixing cap being mounted on an upper central portion of the floatable body and removably attached to the connecting pipe to prevent separation of the connecting pipe from the fixing cap, wherein the fixing cap has an upper member and a lower member which may be separated from each other, the lower member of the fixing cap having at least two or more protrusions from a lower outer surface thereof in contact with the upper central portion of the floatable body, at least two or more spaces between the protrusions, and a plurality of holes, said protrusions, spaces, and holes defining a passageway to allow fresh air from the outside into the breathing assembly; a mouth connecting member connected to the other end portion of the connecting hose, the mouth connecting member having an air entry portion positioned near the connected portion of the connecting hose and the mouth connecting member, an air exit portion positioned near a lower end portion of the mouth connecting member, and a mouth piece formed integrally with the mouth connecting member, the mouth piece positioned between the air entry portion and the air exit portion, the mouth connecting member providing air from the fixing cap to the swimmer's mouth through the mouth piece; an air intake check member arranged at the air entry portion, the air intake check member having an inlet check valve opened only in the direction of the air entry to prevent counterflow of exhausted air; a water intake check member arranged at the air exit portion, the water intake check member having an outlet check valve for discharging exhausted air outside and for preventing entry of water from outside into the breathing assembly, wherein the inlet check valve is opened for breathing in of the swimmer, the outlet check valve is shut for preventing upward flow of exhausted air and entry of water, and when the outlet check valve is opened for discharging exhausted air, the inlet check valve is shut; and a bendable guide hose connected to the air exit portion at the lower end portion of the mouth connecting member, wherein the guide hose is bendable by the swimmer to direct exhausted air away from the swimmer's field of vision.