Abstract:
The snorkel with a strobe light includes a strobe light mounted in a casing. A transparent cap covers the light at the top of the casing. A controllable strobe circuit also mounted in the casing. The strobe circuit includes a user actuatable switch and a battery which, in connection with the strobe circuit, electrically drives the strobe light to provide periodic illumination. The casing includes a coupler which provides an interference fit over an upper region of the snorkel. The strobe light unit is removably attached to the top end of the snorkel via the coupler.

Description:
The present invention relates to a snorkel with a strobe light attached to the top thereof. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,402,774 to Tiballi discloses a snorkel with a flag attached to the top end of the snorkel. U.S. Pat. No. 3,433,222 to Pinto discloses a diving helmet with a light attached to the top of the helmet. Design Pat. No. D 339,400 discloses a diving snorkel with a cage and valve device attached to the top of the snorkel. 
     OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a snorkel with a strobe light at its top. 
     It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a snorkel wherein the strobe light can be permanently mounted on or be attached or removed from the top end of the snorkel. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to have multiple colors and multiple lights in the strobe light unit for different types of emergencies which may be encountered by the diver using the snorkel. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a snorkel with a strobe light which provides additional protection for the diver by warning others of the location of the diver. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The snorkel with a strobe light includes a strobe light mounted in a casing. A transparent cap covers the light at the top of the casing. A controllable strobe circuit also mounted in the casing. The strobe circuit includes a user actuatable switch and a battery which, in connection with the strobe circuit, electrically drives the strobe light to provide periodic illumination. The casing includes a coupler which provides an interference fit over an upper region of the snorkel. The strobe light unit is removably attached to the top end of the snorkel via the coupler. Alternatively, the strobe light unit is permanently attached to the top of the snorkel. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Further objects and advantages of the present invention can be found in the detailed description of the preferred embodiments when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
     FIG. 1 diagrammatically illustrates a partial, cut-away view of a snorkel and the attached strobe light unit; 
     FIG. 2 diagrammatically illustrates the strobe light unit with two strobe lights; 
     FIG. 3 diagrammatically illustrates another configuration for the strobe light unit using a basket intake and exhaust system; 
     FIG. 4 diagrammatically illustrates the strobe light unit strapped to the top of the snorkel; and 
     FIG. 5 diagrammatically illustrates the strobe light unit as a ring. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The present invention relates to a snorkel with a strobe light. 
     FIG. 1 diagrammatically illustrates snorkel 10 with strobe light device 12 attached to a top region 14 of the snorkel. Conventional snorkels include mouthpiece 16, a generally U-shaped section 18, and elongated, main tubular section 20 leading up to a top region 14. Top region 14 has an open, tubular top 22. As is known in this field, divers place mouthpiece 16 in their mouths and inhale and exhaust air through the tubular snorkel via open tubular top 22 of the snorkel. 
     In a preferred embodiment, a strobe light unit 12 is attached to the top of a snorkel. The snorkel has an upper regional wall with an open side port 34. A diversion wall 36, inside the upright snorkel tube, diverts water and air during use of the snorkel. In another embodiment, the strobe light unit 12 is detachable. 
     Strobe light unit 12 includes, in one embodiment, a bottom coupler section 30 which fits around open tubular top 22 of the snorkel with an interference fit. Strobe light unit 12 includes a mid section region 32 having an open port hole 34 along one arcuate side region. Other portions of mid section 32 are closed such that intake and exhaust air passes from the top of the snorkel via open top 22 and into and out of side port hole 34. In order to easily eject water which may become trapped in snorkel 10, the strobe light unit 12 includes a diversion wall 36 positioned at an angle within the interior of coupler mid section 32. The diversion wall assists in the ejection of water from the snorkel and the exhaust of air. In use, side port 34 is above water level due to elongated snorkel region 20. 
     Strobe light unit 12 also includes a strobe light casing 40. Disposed within strobe light casing 40 is a battery 42 retained by clips 44 (or other retaining mechanisms), an electronic strobe circuit 46 and switch body 48. A user actuated switch lever 50 extends beyond strobe light casing 40. The user moves switch 50 in the direction shown by arrow 52 thereby turning ON or OFF strobe light 60. Strobe light 60 is sealed by transparent cap 62. Various electrical connections are shown only to illustrate the common connections and electrical couplings between battery 42, strobe circuit 46, switch 48 and strobe light 60. 
     In use, the diver can turn ON and OFF the strobe light by manually moving switch 50 in the direction shown by double-headed arrow 52. When in use, strobe light 60 periodically emits light thereby notifying anyone in the vicinity of the diver of the diver&#39;s location. This can be helpful in order to ensure the safety of the diver and avoid collision with boats, rafts, etc. Also, in an emergency situation, strobe light 60 can be activated simply by moving switch 48 to an ON position. 
     The strobe light unit 12 can be removably attached or detached from the upper region 14 of snorkel 10. This is accomplished by the interference fit between the lower end 30 of the coupler and the upper end 14 of snorkel 10. The light and the electronics are sealed in the casing. A watertight seal is suggested. It may be necessary to seal the switch lever from the water or to use a push-button type switch. 
     In a preferred embodiment, strobe light unit 12 is permanently attached to the top of the snorkel. In this embodiment, upper regional wall 14 of snorkel 10 forms lower regional wall 32 of unit 14. Diversion wall 36 diverts air and water from snorkel top 14 through open side port 34. To replace the battery or strobe lamp 60, a watertight screw fitting between casing 40 and regional wall 32 may be appropriate. 
     FIG. 2 diagrammatically illustrates another configuration for strobe light unit 70. In this configuration, a white strobe light 72 is mounted adjacent a red strobe light 74. Both strobe lights are sealed within a transparent cap 76. Switch 78 is a three position switch which can be moved in the direction as shown by the double-headed arrow 80. As an example, switch position a could be the OFF position, switch position b could be the white strobe light ON and switch position c could be the red strobe light ON position. Strobe circuit 82 is utilized to electrically power and drive strobe lights 72 and 74. A pair of batteries 84 is shown in connection with strobe light unit 70. The strobe circuit may alternatively illuminate the strobe lights in a RED-WHITE-RED sequence. 
     FIG. 3 diagrammatically illustrates a further embodiment of strobe light unit 90. In this embodiment, the coupler has a lower section 92 which attaches to upper end 14 of snorkel 10 with an interference fit. Strobe light casing 94 is spaced away from the open, upper end 96 of coupler 92 via support elements, one of which is support element 98. In general, support element 98 and the other support elements form a &#34;basket&#34; or cage which permits the intake and exhaust of air through the snorkel and coupler 92. The air is exhausted over 360° around the snorkel. The remaining components of strobe light unit 90 are similar to the components discussed above in connection with FIGS. 1 and 2. 
     FIG. 4 illustrates that snorkel 110 has a top region 112 and a tubular, open top 114. Strobe light unit 116 is mounted in an offset position and is attached to top region 112 of snorkel 110 by a pair of straps 118 and 120. These straps may be elastic rings or other type of straps which mount strobe unit 116 onto the top region 112 of snorkel 110. Rings 118 and 120 form an interference fit and are part of the coupling mechanism for strobe light unit 116. 
     FIG. 5 diagrammatically illustrates snorkel 130 having a top region 132 and an open tubular top 134. The strobe light unit 136 is formed as a ring which is attached to top region 132 of snorkel 130 by an interference fit. This interference fit is provided by a radially inward retaining wall 140 of the ring. The ring may have an inward lip (not shown) which mates with the top of the snorkel. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, a plurality of strobe lights, one of which is strobe light 144, are circumferentially disposed about the strobe light unit 136. Switch 146 can be moved by the diver in direction shown by double-headed arrows 142. 
     The claims appended hereto are meant to cover modifications and changes within the spirit and scope of the present invention.