Patent ID: 8297276
Filing Date: 2012-10-30
Classification: B63C

Abstract:
1. A method for providing a snorkel comprising: (a) providing a conduit having a first end and a second end, said first end having an opening, said conduit having a predetermined longitudinal axis near said opening; (b) providing a mouthpiece joined to said second end of said conduit, said mouthpiece being in fluid communication with said opening; (c) providing a predetermined deflection member for at least partially deflecting splashes of water away from said opening, said deflection member having an internal end near said opening; (d) providing a cover member that is connected to said conduit above said opening, said cover member being arranged to cover said opening and being spaced from said opening so as to not excessively obstruct said opening, said cover member being spaced from the exterior of said conduit to create a flow path between said conduit, said cover member having an outer end region that is substantially above said opening when said first end is in a substantially upright orientation during use, said cover member having at least one vent in said cover member that is below said opening when said first end is in said substantially upright orientation; (e) arranging said outer end region of said cover member and internal end of said deflection member to be spaced apart to permit fluid flow thereof; (f) arranging said outer end region of said cover member to sufficiently overlap said internal end of said deflection member so as to block a line of sight between said outer end region of said cover member and said opening in an amount effective to reduce splashes of water from entering said opening; (g) providing a movable member connected to a sealing member, said movable member being arranged to experience predetermined movement between an open position wherein said movable member and said sealing member are remote from said opening and a closed position wherein said sealing member closes said opening, said movable member is arranged to be significantly separated from direct fluid communication with said internal passageway by said sealing member when said sealing member is in said closed position, said movable member and said sealing member forming an active portion; (h) arranging said active portion to move between said open position and said closed position in a transverse direction that is significantly transverse to said predetermined longitudinal axis of said conduit near said opening; (i) providing a predetermined member that is arranged to exert a predetermined non-floatation force against said active portion during the act of submersion of said first end in surrounding water while said first end is in a substantially upright orientation, said predetermined non-floatation force being sufficient to move said sealing member from said open position to said closed position while said snorkel is in said substantially upright orientation during said act of submersion, said predetermined member being arranged to not urge said active portion away from said closed position and toward said open position when said first end is in a substantially inverted orientation while submerged under the surface of the water; (j) providing at least one substantially independent float member that is arranged to experience disengagement from said movable member and said sealing member that is sufficient to not cause said independent float member to exert an opening force upon said movable member that is directed away from said closed position and toward said open position when said first end is in a substantially inverted orientation while submerged underwater, said substantially independent float member being arranged to move toward and engage said active portion during said act of submersion when said first end is in said substantially upright orientation, said independent float member also being arranged to move away from said active portion and disengage from said active portion when said independent float member is out of water and said first end is in said upright orientation, said disengagement being sufficient to not cause said independent float member to exert said opening force upon said active portion; and (k) arranging active portion to have a weighted portion that permits said active portion to have sufficient weight out of water to cause said active portion to automatically move from said closed position to said open position in said transverse direction when said first end and said independent float member are out of water in said upright orientation, said weighted portion being solid, said movable member and said sealing member being arranged to be sufficiently out of the way of said opening during said open position so as to not substantially interfere with the flow of air into and out of said opening when said sealing member is in said open position.