Snorkel with light-emitting device

A snorkel light-emitting device having a light-emitting unit, a float, an inner cap, a circuit board, an upper cap and a button. The light-emitting device is fastened to a topmost portion of a snorkel tube. When a user is diving, the light-emitting device is entirely out of the water, and is so constructed to be absolutely watertight.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(a) Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a watertight light-emitting device configured on a snorkel tube, and more particularly to providing an emitting light or flashing light from the snorkel tube for when a diver is floating on the water surface. The light-emitting device is advantageous to the diver by providing a warning sign easily seen by sailing vessels, speeding motorboats or other companions, thereby safeguarding the safety of the diver.

(b) Description of the Prior Art

Referring toFIG. 1, for safety considerations, a typical diver when floating on the water surface adheres a strip of light-reflecting tape200around the topmost of the snorkel tube. The reflecting light emanating from the light-reflecting tape200relies on sunlight, whereby sailing vessels, speeding motorboats or accompanying companions are enabled to clearly see the location of the diver, thereby safeguarding the safety of the diver, and preventing any sailing vessels or motorboats from colliding with the diver, as well as facilitating companions locating the position of the diver. However, the light-reflecting tape200still possesses shortcomings, for example, when being used on cloudy days or at night time when sunlight is lacking, making it impossible to implement the effectiveness of the light-reflecting warning, resulting in accidents often occur whereby the diver is hit by a sailing vessel or speeding motorboat. Difficulties even arise because the diver has lost direction and unable to locate their companions.

Referring to prior art U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,622,422, 5,553,606, and 5,701,884, the light-emitting devices are all for usage under the water surface, resulting in the brightness of the emitting light being insufficient for anyone above the surface to notice, and only able to provide sufficient light for companions in the vicinity to see. Moreover, the structure of the aforementioned patents are very simple, only taking into consideration the light-emitting feature of the light bulb or LED, and not enhancing the water proofing effectiveness of the unit itself, thus resulting in the light-emitting device easily faltering or failing upon immersing in the water.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a light-emitting device attached to a topmost portion of snorkel. The light-emitting device comprises batteries to supply electricity to LEDs. Upon pressing down on a button configured on the head of the light-emitting device, a switch on a circuit board is actuated, thereupon light is emitted through the transparent light-emitting device thereof. The light-emitting device is applicable for usage by divers on cloudy days or when diving at night, whereby a safety warning effectiveness is maintained, thus preventing being hit by sailing vessels or speeding motorboats, and safeguarding the safety of the diver thereof. Moreover, the light-emitting device facilitates fellow companions finding a diver should the diver lose their direction.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring toFIGS. 2,3and4, two tapered catches111are configured on inner edges of a topmost open-end of a snorkel tube1, two catch slots211defined in a lower end of a light-emitting unit21of a light-emitting device2facilitates the catches111slotting into thereof, thereby securing the fastening. The main features of the present invention include:

A transparent light-emitting device2mounted on the topmost portion of a snorkel tube. The light-emitting device2comprises and is constructed from a light-emitting unit21, a float22, an inner cap23, a circuit board24, an upper cap25, and a button26. In one section of the light-emitting unit21is defined a tubular hole212, one side of which is attached a compartment213defined to dispose a float22therein. The bottom and sidings of the compartment213are configured with a plurality of openings2131, which facilitate entry of air or water into the float22allowing the float22to rise upward. The inner cap23is designed to be circular in shape, whereby it can be lodged into a circular valve214defined in the topmost portion of the light-emitting unit21. A cut-off tube231is affixed to the lower end of the inner cap23, and is designed to fit into the compartment213. An air hole232is defined in the siding of the cut-off tube231, and is configured to orient a passageway with the circular valve214and the tubular hole212. In case of the snorkel light-emitting device immersing below the water surface, the float22thereupon floats upwards and obstructs a hole at the lower end of the cut-off tube231, thereby preventing water in the compartment213from entering the tubular hole212and consequently stopping water from flowing into the mouth of the diver (seeFIG. 4).

A PC circuit slot233defined in a top end of the inner cap23is configured for the circuit board24to be fitted into thereof. Batteries241are installed at the bottom of the circuit board24(see FIG.4). A switch242and two LED lights243are configured on top of the PC circuit24. Outer threads215configured on outside of an upper section of the light-emitting unit21are designed such that inner threads251configured on a lower edge of the upper cap25can be screwed tight onto thereof. Moreover, a watertight washer2151is slipped onto a lower end of the outer threads215of the light-emitting unit21, thereby preventing water from permeating into the light-emitting unit21thereof. A round aperture252defined in a topmost of the upper cap25is configured to allow a soft, rubber button26to protrude and be depressible therein. A lower end of the button26is designed to lodge into a disc253thereof. The disc253can be tightly joined to the upper cap25by means of machine thermal compression. Upon depressing the button26, a switch242is actuated; thereby the LED lights243commence emitting light. Pressing the button26once more de-actuates the LED lights and turns off their lights thereon.

In conclusion, the present invention comprises a watertight light-emitting device configured on the topmost of a snorkel tube, and distinct from the aforementioned cited patents, which are configured, for usage under the water surface. The objective of the present invention is to provide the topmost of a snorkel tube with a device enabled to emit light or strobe lighting for when a diver is on the water surface. On cloudy days or at nighttime when sunlight is lacking, the emitting light facilitates being seen by sailing vessels or speeding motorboats, thereby safeguarding the safety of the diver.