Patent ID: 6089225
Filing Date: 2000-07-18
Classification: B63C

Abstract:
In a system for conveying air to a diver from a second stage regulator that includes an inhalation chamber having a mouthpiece port, a valve that releases air to said mouthpiece port in response to inhalation through said mouthpiece port, and a regulator exhaust pathway communicating with said inhalation chamber that establishes one-way communication from said inhalation chamber to the ambient to convey exhaled air through said mouthpiece port, the improvement comprising:a replaceable mouthpiece comprising a unitary housing including a sleeve adapted to be coupled to said mouthpiece port,a vent opening in said unitary housing,an inhalation pathway in said unitary housing establishing one-way fluid communication through said mouthpiece port to convey air from said mouthpiece port during inhalation and to prevent exhaled air from passing through said mouthpiece port and said regulator exhaust pathway during exhalation, andan exhalation pathway in said unitary housing establishing one-way fluid communication through said vent opening to convey exhaled air to said vent opening during exhalation,whereby, during use, said inhalation chamber remains free of exposure to pathogenic entities in exhaled air.