Patent ID: 7347209

Claim:
A free breathing apparatus comprising: a pair of open-ended tubular elements, each extending along a central tube axis between a relatively large first end and a relatively small second end; a bridge element extending between said first ends of said tubular elements and oriented therewith of a composition to permit relative rotational motion of the central tube axis of each tubular element from a predetermined quiescent angle for each tubular element with respect to said bridge element to a lesser angle for each tubular element with respect to said bridge element upon the application of a pinching pressure from a user's fingers on opposing side surfaces of each of said tubular elements when inserting said tubular elements into the nasal passages of said user's nostrils, and to permit relative rotational motion of the central tube axis of each tubular element with respect to said bridge element back towards said quiescent angle for each tubular element with respect to said bridge element after insertion of said tubular elements into said nasal passages and release of the user's fingers from said opposing side surfaces of said tubular elements; and a strap coupled between said opposing side surfaces of said tubular elements, said strap being of adjustable length to join with said tubular elements in extension about the face and back of the head of the user, below the ears, in holding said tubular elements in inserted position within said nasal passages when the free breathing apparatus is worn; with said strap being selectively shortenable to rotate the central tube axis of each tubular element outwardly to an angle with respect to said bridge element which is greater than said quiescent angle of each tubular element with respect to said bridge element; and with the length of said strap at any instant of wearing and with said predetermined quiescent angle of each tubular element with respect to said bridge element being selected to spread said nasal passages to assist increased breathing ability by the user once said tubular elements are inserted and said strap is in place about the face and back of the head of the user.