US4610246A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Snorkel valve assembly
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1985-03-18
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Granted: 1986-09-09
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Expires: 2005-03-18
Abstract
Abstract A snorkel valve assembly (34) including a sleeve (28) having a rim (30) and defining an opening (32). The assembly (34) includes a diaphragm member (36) having a peripheral sealing surface (38) for selectively sealing off the opening (32) by sealing engagement of the sealing surface (38) with the rim (30). The diaphragm member (36) has a pushed closed position wherein fluid flow within the sleeve (28) draws the sealing surface (38) of the diaphragm member (36) into sealing engagement with the rim (30) and a neutral position when there is no fluid flow within the sleeve (28) space wherein at least a portion of the sealing surface (38) is spaced from the seating rim (30).
Inventors
- 👤 John B. Delphia
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 17:32
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63C; B63C11/00; B63C11/02; B63C11/18; B63C11/20; B63C11/205
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
186 words
A diving snorkel assembly (10) comprising: a snorkel tube (12) having an air inlet at one end (14) and a mouth piece (16) at the opposite end, said tube (12) defining a fluid passageway (18) extending between said inlet end (14) of said tube (12) and said mouth piece (16), said one end (14) including a sleeve mounted thereon and (28) having a seating rim (30,30') defining said air inlet (32); exhaust means (24) spaced from said mouthpiece (16) and said inlet end (14) of said tube (12) for allowing one way exhaust of fluid from said fluid passageway (18); and a diaphragm member having a sealing surface (38) mounted in said sleeve transverses to such rim and spaced therefrom such that said diaphragm member has a pushed closed position wherein fluid flow within said sleeve (28) draws said sealing surface (38) of said diaphragm member (36) into sealing engagement with said seating rim (30,30') and a neutral position when there is no fluid flow within said sleeve (28) wherein at least a portion of said sealing surface (38) is spaced from said seating rim (30).
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
186 words
A diving snorkel assembly (10) comprising: a snorkel tube (12) having an air inlet at one end (14) and a mouth piece (16) at the opposite end, said tube (12) defining a fluid passageway (18) extending between said inlet end (14) of said tube (12) and said mouth piece (16), said one end (14) including a sleeve mounted thereon and (28) having a seating rim (30,30') defining said air inlet (32); exhaust means (24) spaced from said mouthpiece (16) and said inlet end (14) of said tube (12) for allowing one way exhaust of fluid from said fluid passageway (18); and a diaphragm member having a sealing surface (38) mounted in said sleeve transverses to such rim and spaced therefrom such that said diaphragm member has a pushed closed position wherein fluid flow within said sleeve (28) draws said sealing surface (38) of said diaphragm member (36) into sealing engagement with said seating rim (30,30') and a neutral position when there is no fluid flow within said sleeve (28) wherein at least a portion of said sealing surface (38) is spaced from said seating rim (30).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 1 further characterized by diaphragm member (36) including biasing means for biasing said portion of said sealing surface (38) away from said seating rim (30,30') to said neutral position when there is no fluid flow through said sleeve (28).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
68 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 2 further characterized by including support means (40) for supporting said diaphragm member (36) within said opening (32) of said sleeve (28), said support means (40) including at least one arm (42) extending across said opening (32) and adjacent to at least a portion of said seating rim (30,30') and said diaphragm member (36) being operatively connected to said arm (40).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
95 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 3 further characterized by said biasing means including a pair of flexible wings (48,48') of said diaphragm member (36) extending away from said arm (40) and each of said wings (48,48') including a portion of said sealing surface (38), said sealing surface (38) of said flexible wings (48,48') being spaced from said seating rim (30,30') when said diaphragm member (36) is in the neutral position and flexing in response to fluid flow to seat said sealing surfaces (38) against said seating rim (30,30') in said pushed closed position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 4 further characterized by said diaphragm member (36) including a pushed open position wherein fluid flow flexes said wings (48,48') away from said seating rim (30,30').
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 5 further characterized by said sleeve (28) having an end portion (50) projecting into said opening (32) and having a peripheral edge defining said seating rim (30,30').
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 6 further characterized by said diaphragm member (36) including a flat middle portion (52) defining a plane and operatively connected to said arm (42), said flexible wings (48,48') extending away from said middle portion (52).
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 7 further characterized by said flexible wings (48') being angled relative to said plane and away from said seating rim (30').
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 8 further characterized by said seating rim (30') being flat and disposed adjacent to said plane.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 7 including anti-rotation means for preventing rotation of said diaphragm member (36) relative to said seating rim (30').
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
41 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 10 further characterized by said anti-rotation means including a support member (55) having a groove (56), said middle portion (52) of said diaphragm member (36) having a rib (58) seated in said groove (56).
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
60 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 11 further characterized by said mounting means including a pair of arms (42,55), one of said arms (55) including said groove (56), said middle portion (52) of said diaphragm member (36) being clamped between said arms (42,55), said middle portion (52) including said rib (58) projecting therefrom and seated within said groove (56).
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
36 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 7 further characterized by said flexible wings (48) extending from said middle portion (52) of said diaphragm member (36) along said plane defining a substantially flat diaphragm member (36).
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
62 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 13 further characterized by said seating rim (30) being substantially circular about said opening (32) and including two substantially semicircular portion (54,56) interconnected by an intermediate portion disposed substantially on said plane, each of said semicircular sections (54,56) angling relative to said plane and away from said sealing surfaces (38) of said flexible wings (48).
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-09-08 | 1990-03-10 | 1990-09-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-09-08 | 1994-03-10 | 1994-09-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-09-08 | 1998-03-10 | 1998-09-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |