US4896664A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Snorkel
Assignee: Junkosha Co Ltd
•
Filing: 1989-04-04
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Granted: 1990-01-30
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Expires: 2009-04-04
Abstract
Abstract A snorkel device for breathing under the surface of water which will allow both inhaling and exhaling of air underwater. A multiplicity of water impermeable tubes, permeable to dissolved or gaseous oxygen, allow underwater passage of oxygen into the snorkel. Preferred tube material is porous expanded polytetrafluoroethylene.
Inventors
- 👤 Chiharu Harayama
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 09:08
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63C; B63C11/00; B63C11/02; B63C11/18; B63C11/20; B63C11/205; B63C11/184
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
82 words
A snorkel comprising: (a) a mouthpiece portion, including a check valve; (b) a breathing tube extending outwardly from said mouthpiece portion; and (c) capping the outward end of said breathing tube a multiplicity of porous tubes which are impermeable to water but permeable to gases, said tubes being sealed at one end and gathered together at the other end of each tube to form an integral unit, said unit being inserted in or affixed to said breathing tube in an airtight manner.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
82 words
A snorkel comprising: (a) a mouthpiece portion, including a check valve; (b) a breathing tube extending outwardly from said mouthpiece portion; and (c) capping the outward end of said breathing tube a multiplicity of porous tubes which are impermeable to water but permeable to gases, said tubes being sealed at one end and gathered together at the other end of each tube to form an integral unit, said unit being inserted in or affixed to said breathing tube in an airtight manner.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The snorkel of claim 1 in which said porous tubes comprise porous polymer having a combination of hydrophobicity and pore size to exclude water at hydrostatic pressures usable by human divers.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The snorkel of claim 2, wherein said porous tubes comprise porous polytetrafluoroethylene, polypropylene, or polyhalogenated hydrocarbon polymers.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The snorkel of claim 3, wherein said porous tubes comprise porous expanded polytetrafluoroethylene.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The snorkel of claim 1, wherein said porous tubes are bonded together at the open end thereof by a heat-sealing process.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The snorkel of claim 1, wherein said porous tubes are bonded together at the open end thereof by an adhesive.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-01-29 | 1993-07-31 | 1994-01-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-01-29 | 1997-07-31 | 1998-01-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-01-29 | 2001-07-31 | 2002-01-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |