Patent Publication Number: US-2015059737-A1

Title: Retaining ring for mouthpieces attached to diving apparatus

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The present invention is generally related to mouthpieces utilized in underwater diving and specifically to reusable retainers for use in conjunction with mouthpieces. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Skin divers and swimmers use the snorkel as a means to breathe while swimming face down on the water surface. The snorkel functions as a conduit between the diver&#39;s mouth and the overhead air. Typically, the open end of the snorkel conduit extends a short distance above the water surface while the closed end of the snorkel conduit terminates in a mouthpiece. The mouthpiece is adapted to be held in the mouth of the diver and provides a flow path between the conduit and the interior of the diver&#39;s mouth. 
     The development of self-contained breathing systems has enabled humans to dive and remain underwater for several hours. Scuba tanks generally utilize a pressurized source of breathable gas, such as compressed air as well as mixed gas blends, having pressures in the range of 3,000 to 5000 psi. A two stage pressure reduction system is typically used to deliver the gas to a scuba diver at a pressure that is within an appropriate pressure range for underwater diving. A first stage regulator reduces the pressure of gas from the scuba tank to an intermediate pressure range of about 120 to 140 psi, while a second stage regulator, typically incorporated into a breathing mask, regulates the flow of gas delivered to the diver to a pressure that depends on the depth of the diver in the water. A mouthpiece connected to the second stage regulator and/or breathing mask provides a means for the diver to inhale and exhale the breathable gas while performing underwater dives. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Retaining rings for use with mouthpieces utilized in underwater diving in accordance with embodiments of the invention are described. One embodiment of the invention includes a mouthpiece configured to connect to a diving apparatus includes a first end configured to be worn in the mouth of a diver, a second end including an coupling channel and configured to engage with a diving apparatus, and a retaining ring, including a coupling ridge and movably disposed between the first end and the second end from a first position to a second position, wherein when the retaining ring is in the first position the mouthpiece is removably attached to the diving apparatus, wherein when the retaining ring is in the second position the coupling ridge cooperatively engages with the coupling channel, and wherein movably disposing the retaining ring to the second position securely attaches the mouthpiece to the diving apparatus by applying pressure to the mouthpiece and the diving apparatus. 
     Yet another embodiment of the invention includes a mouthpiece configured to engage with a diving apparatus including a first end configured to be worn in the mouth of a diver, a second end configured to engage with a diving apparatus, and a retaining ring movably disposed between the first end and the second end from a first position to a second position, wherein when the retaining ring is in the first position the mouthpiece is removably attached to the diving apparatus, and wherein movably disposing the retaining ring to the second position securely attaches the mouthpiece to the diving apparatus. 
     In another embodiment of the invention, the diving apparatus is a second stage regulator. 
     In an additional embodiment of the invention, the diving apparatus is a snorkel. 
     In yet another additional embodiment of the invention, the retaining ring is configured to apply pressure to the mouthpiece and the diving apparatus in the second position. 
     In still another additional embodiment of the invention, the retaining ring is configured to engage the diving apparatus in the second position. 
     In yet still another additional embodiment of the invention, the diving apparatus includes a coupling end, and the second end of the mouthpiece is configured to engage with the coupling end of the diving apparatus. 
     In yet another embodiment of the invention, the coupling end of the diving apparatus includes an attachment ridge, the second end of the mouthpiece includes an attachment channel, and wherein the attachment channel and attachment ridge cooperatively couple to removably attach the mouthpiece to the diving apparatus. 
     Still another embodiments of the invention includes a retaining ring including an outer portion and an inner portion, wherein the inner portion of the retaining ring is configured to engage with an outer portion of a mouthpiece having a first end configured to be worn in the mouth of a diver and a second end configured to engage with a diving apparatus, wherein the retaining ring is movably disposed along the mouthpiece between the first end and the second end from a first position to a second position, and wherein moving the retaining ring from the first position to the second position applies pressure to the mouthpiece. 
     In still another embodiment of the invention, the inner portion includes a coupling ridge configured to cooperatively engage with a coupling channel on the mouthpiece. 
     In yet still another embodiment of the invention, the inner portion includes a coupling channel configured to cooperatively engage with a coupling ridge on the mouthpiece. 
     In yet another additional embodiment of the invention, the retaining ring further includes a locking member configured to engage with a diving apparatus. 
     In still another additional embodiment of the invention, the locking member is located on the outer portion of the retaining ring. 
     In yet still another additional embodiment of the invention, the locking member is located on the inner portion of the retaining ring. 
     In yet another embodiment of the invention, the mouthpiece engages with the diving apparatus and the locking member engages with the diving apparatus when the locking member is in the second position. 
     In still another embodiment of the invention, the mouthpiece engages with a diving apparatus and the retaining ring applies pressure to the mouthpiece and the diving apparatus securely attaching the mouthpiece to the diving apparatus. 
     In yet still another embodiment of the invention, the retaining ring is constructed using plastics. 
     In yet another additional embodiment of the invention, the retaining ring is constructed using a metal selected from the group consisting of titanium and stainless steel. 
     In still another additional embodiment of the invention, the retaining ring is constructed using rubber. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a conceptual illustration of a mouthpiece with a retaining ring in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2A  is a conceptual illustration of a cross-section of a mouthpiece with a retaining ring engaged in a first position with a diving apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2B  is a conceptual illustration of a cross-section of a mouthpiece with a retaining ring engaged in a second position with a diving apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 3A  is a conceptual illustration of a top view of cutaway of a mouthpiece with a retaining ring engaged with a diving apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 3B  is a conceptual illustration of a bottom view of cutaway of a mouthpiece with a retaining ring engaged with a diving apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 4A  is a conceptual illustration of a retainer ring having a coupling ridge with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 4B  is a conceptual illustration of a retainer ring having a coupling channel in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Turning now to the drawings, retaining rings for use with mouthpieces utilized in underwater diving in accordance with embodiments of the invention are illustrated. Divers commonly use diving apparatus to breathe underwater, allowing the diver to spend more time underwater and/or dive to deeper depths. A variety of diving apparatus can be utilized by divers as appropriate to the requirements of specific applications in accordance with embodiments of the invention, including snorkels and self-contained breathing systems. In a variety of embodiments, a self-contained breathing system includes a second stage regulator that regulates the flow of gas delivered to the diver. A diving apparatus includes a mouthpiece that allows a diver to breathe through the diving apparatus. Mouthpieces are commonly affixed to a diving apparatus using a disposable securing means, such as a zip tie, a c-clip, or a hose clamp, that must be secured and removed from the mouthpiece on a regular basis. Significant damage can result to the mouthpiece and/or the diving apparatus if the disposable securing means is not fastened and/or removed properly. Additionally, the disposable nature of these securing means results in having to regularly replace the disposable securing means to ensure that the securing means does not fail during a dive. This also necessitates having a constant supply of replacement disposable securing means on hand in order to perform dives. 
     Retaining rings in accordance with embodiments of the invention are designed to reusably secure mouthpieces to diving apparatus. A conceptual illustration of a mouthpiece with a retaining ring in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is shown in  FIG. 1 . The mouthpiece  100  has a first end  102  configured to be worn in the mouth of the diver, allowing the diver to breathe through the diving apparatus  120 . The mouthpiece  100  is securely attached to the diving apparatus  120  via the retaining ring  110 . The retaining ring  110  includes a coupling member designed to engage with the mouthpiece  100  and/or the diving apparatus  120  to securely attach the mouthpiece  100  to the diving apparatus  120 . The retaining ring can be constructed from any of a variety of materials as appropriate to the requirements of specific applications in accordance with embodiments of the invention. Materials commonly utilized include a variety of plastics (such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, and polyvinyl chloride), rubber, and metals (including metal alloys) including stainless steel and titanium; other materials and combinations of materials suitable to use underwater can be utilized. 
     A variety of retaining rings can be utilized as appropriate to the requirements of specific applications in accordance with embodiments of the invention. Retaining rings with coupling ridges and coupling channels in accordance with embodiments of the invention are described below. 
     Securing Mouthpieces with Retaining Rings 
     Turning now to  FIG. 2A , a mouthpiece  200  is attached to a diving apparatus  220 . The mouthpiece  200  includes a first end  208  configured to be worn in the mouth of a diver. The mouthpiece  200  also has a second end  206  engaged with the coupling end  222  of the diving apparatus  220 . The coupling end  222  includes an attachment ridge  224 . The second end  206  of mouthpiece  200  includes an attachment channel  202 . When the mouthpiece  200  is engaged with the diving apparatus  220 , the attachment ridge  224  cooperatively couples with the attachment channel  202 , removably securing the mouthpiece  200  to the diving apparatus  220 . 
     The retaining ring  210  is located between the first end  208  and the second end  206  of the mouthpiece  200 . In  FIG. 2A , the retaining ring  210  is in a first position where the retaining ridge  212  on the inner portion of the retaining ring  210  is not engaged with the coupling channel  204  on mouthpiece  200 . While in the first position, the retaining ring  210  is removably attached the mouthpiece  200  to the diving apparatus  220 . A variety of techniques can be utilized as appropriate to the requirements of specific applications in accordance with embodiments of the invention to movably dispose the retaining ring  210  from the first position to a second position. These techniques include, but are not limited to, sliding the retaining ring from the first position to the second position along the mouthpiece  200 . 
     Turning now to  FIG. 2B , the retaining ring  210  has been movably disposed to a second position. In movably disposing the retaining ring  210  to the second position, the retaining ridge  212  cooperatively engages with the coupling channel  204 , securely attaching the mouthpiece  200  to the diving apparatus  220 . In a variety of embodiments, the retaining ring  210  applies pressure to the second end  206  of the mouthpiece  200  and/or the coupling end  222  of the diving apparatus  220  to securely attach the mouthpiece  200  to the diving apparatus  220 . In several embodiments, the applied pressure compresses the mouthpiece  200  into the coupling end  222  of the diving apparatus  220 . 
     Although the retaining ring conceptually illustrated in  FIGS. 2A and 2B  is configured to slide between the first position and the second position, it should be appreciated that any form of movement, including those retaining rings configured to rotate around the mouthpiece from a first position to a second position, can be utilized as appropriate to the requirements of specific applications in accordance with embodiments of the invention. Retaining rings with coupling channels and retaining rings with locking members in accordance with embodiments of the invention are described below. 
     Securing Mouthpieces with Retaining Rings with Coupling Channels 
     Turning now to  FIG. 3A , a top view of a retaining ring  310  engaged in a second position with a mouthpiece  300  securely attached to a diving apparatus  320  is conceptually illustrated. The second end  306  of mouthpiece  300  is engaged with the coupling end  322  of diving apparatus  320 . In several embodiments, the coupling end  322  includes an attachment ridge  324  configured to cooperatively engage with the attachment channel  302  within the second end of the mouthpiece  300 , removably securing the mouthpiece  300  to the diving apparatus  320 . The mouthpiece  300  further includes a coupling ridge  304  configured to cooperatively engage with a coupling channel  312  in the inner portion of the retaining ring  310  when the retaining ring  310  has been movably disposed to the second position. In a number of embodiments, the retaining ring  310  applies pressure to the second end  306  of the mouthpiece  300  and/or the coupling end  322  of the diving apparatus  320  to securely attach the mouthpiece  300  to the diving apparatus  320 . 
     Turning now to  FIG. 3B , a bottom view of the retaining ring engaged in a second position with a mouthpiece and a diving apparatus is conceptually illustrated. While in  FIG. 3A and 3B  the coupling ridge  304  and coupling channel  312  encircling the entire retaining ring  310  and mouthpiece  300 , it should be noted that a portion of the coupling ridge  304  can be contained on the retaining ring  310  and/or a portion of the coupling channel  312  can be contained on the second end  306  of the mouthpiece  300  as appropriate to the requirements of specific applications in accordance with embodiments of the invention. Similarly, the attachment ridge  324  can be partially (or fully) contained within the second end  306  of the mouthpiece  300 , while the corresponding attachment channel  302  can be partially (or fully) contained within the coupling end  322  of the diving apparatus  320  as appropriate to the requirements of specific applications in accordance with embodiments of the invention. In a variety of embodiments, the coupling ridge  304  and/or the coupling channel  312  can be contained on the coupling end  322  of the diving apparatus  320 . In this way, the retaining ring  310  engages with the diving apparatus  320  to securely attach the mouthpiece  300  to the diving apparatus  320  as the retaining ring  310  is movably disposed from the first position to the second position. In many embodiments, the engagement of the retaining ring  310  to the coupling end  322  blocks the second end  306  of the mouthpiece  300  from being removed from the coupling end  322 . In a variety of embodiments, the retaining ring  310  blocks the second end  306  of the mouthpiece  300  from being removed from the coupling end  322  by physically obstructing the movement of the second end  306 , thereby physically preventing the mouthpiece  300  from being removed from the coupling end  322 . 
     Retaining rings that utilize coupling channels to securely affix a mouthpiece to a diving apparatus in accordance with embodiments of the invention are described above with respect to  FIGS. 3A and 3B . However, it should be noted that retaining rings that both apply pressure and utilize blocking techniques to securely attach the mouthpiece to the diving apparatus could be utilized as appropriate to the requirements of specific applications in accordance with embodiments of the invention. Retaining rings with locking apparatus in accordance with embodiments of the invention are described below. 
     Locking Retaining Rings 
     Turning now to  FIG. 4A , a retaining ring having a locking member is conceptually illustrated. The retaining ring  400  includes an outer portion  404  and an inner portion having a coupling ridge  402  located on the inner portion  408  of the retaining ring  400 . The internal coupling ridge  402  is designed to cooperatively couple with a coupling channel on a mouthpiece to securely attach the mouthpiece to a diving apparatus as the retaining ring  400  is movably disposed from a first position to a second position along the mouthpiece. In several embodiments, the retaining ring  400  further includes a locking member  406  designed to engage with a diving apparatus. When the locking member  406  is engaged with the diving apparatus, the retaining ring  400  is securely attached to the diving apparatus until the locking member is disengaged from the diving apparatus. Disengaging the locking member from the diving apparatus can be performed in a variety of ways as appropriate to the requirements of specific applications in accordance with embodiments of the invention, such as by pressing a disengagement button or physically disengaging the locking member. The locking member provides additional support for the secure attachment of the mouthpiece to the diving apparatus by the retaining ring in the second position and/or helps prevent the accidental disposition of the retaining ring from the second position to the first position while the mouthpiece and/or diving apparatus is being utilized by a diver. In this way, the locking member  406  provides support to maintain the secure attachment of the mouthpiece to the diving apparatus by limiting the ability of the retaining ring to be movably disposed to the first position while the locking member  406  is engaged with the diving apparatus. The locking member can be located on the outer portion  404 , the inner portion  408 , and/or in between the outer potion  404  and the inner portion  408 . 
     Turning now to  FIG. 4B , a retaining ring  450  includes an outer portion  454  and an inner potion  458  including a coupling channel  452 . The coupling channel  452  is designed to cooperatively couple with a coupling ridge on a mouthpiece to securely attach the mouthpiece to a diving apparatus as the retaining ring  450  is movably disposed from a first position to a second position along the mouthpiece. In several embodiments, the retaining ring  400  further includes a locking member  406  designed to engage with a diving apparatus. When the locking member  456  is engaged with the diving apparatus, the retaining ring  450  is securely attached to the diving apparatus until the locking member is disengaged from the diving apparatus similar to the locking mechanism described above. It should be appreciated that a retaining ring can include a combination of coupling channels and coupling ridges as appropriate to the requirements of specific applications in accordance with embodiments of the invention. For example, a retaining ring can include multiple coupling ridges and/or coupling channels. Additionally, a retaining ring can include a coupling member that includes both ridges and channels, either in parallel, similar to having multiple coupling ridges and coupling channels, and/or in series, giving a coupling means that can be indexed and/or interlocked in a particular position with a mouthpiece and/or a diving apparatus. 
     Specific retaining rings are described above with respect to  FIGS. 4A and 4B ; however, it should be appreciated that a retaining ring can engage with a mouthpiece and/or a diving apparatus utilizing pressure and/or blocking techniques to securely attach the mouthpiece to the diving apparatus as appropriate to the requirements of specific applications in accordance with embodiments of the invention. 
     Although the present invention has been described in certain specific aspects, many additional modifications and variations would be apparent to those skilled in the art. It is therefore to be understood that the present invention can be practiced otherwise than specifically described without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. Thus, embodiments of the present invention should be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined not by the embodiments illustrated, but by the appended claims and their equivalents.