BODY STRUCTURE OF A WATER SPORTS BREATHING TUBE

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001]This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Prov. Ser. No. 63/736,846 filed on Dec. 20, 2024, which is incorporated in its entirety by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

[0002]The present invention relates to a body structure design of a breathing tube for an equipment used, for example, for swimming training, snorkeling, or other water sports (including both surface and underwater activities).

Description of the Related Art

[0003]The conventional water sports breathing tube, as illustrated in FIG. 1A, has a body with a substantially circular or elliptical cross-sectional shape SA1 which has a uniform wall thickness. Both of these shapes are easy to manufacture and have low costs in respect of their production, manufacturing and material. However, in use, the side of the body closest to the user is bulging in a rounded shape, which may easily cause a sharp point of contact between the breathing tube and the user, resulting in discomfort. In addition, when choosing a softer material to manufacture the breathing tube, it can be freely bent or curled as desired for convenient storage. However, due to the uniform circular or elliptical shape of the tube wall, the tube has a certain elastic recovery force, which will cause it to tend to return to its original shape and easily pop open after being stored. This will impede the smooth curling and storage of the breathing tube, as well as its stability after being stored. In addition, the body remains rounded and full in the uncurled sections, which also indirectly limits its ability to shrink in size after storage.

[0004]Later, some manufacturers further designed the tube body, modifying the cross-sectional shape SA2 to be irregular (or simply designing it as a triangular cross-section). This means reducing the curvature on the side closest to the user, resulting in a flatter profile FP (as shown in FIG. 1B), while other parts remain round. Nevertheless, this design only makes the side of the body that may come into contact with the user flatter, thereby reducing the impact of the protruding walls on the user's head and making it more comfortable to wear. However, it still does not allow the breathing tube to be flattened, folded, or transformed into other usage forms.

[0005]In view of this, the body structure of the water sports breathing tube still needs further improvement to provide a more comfortable and easy-to-store experience for users, which would be a common goal that manufacturers are striving to achieve.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006]The main objective of this invention is to provide a water sports breathing tube, the body of which includes at least two weak zones formed along its length direction within at least a certain proportion of its length. In this way, the body is collapsible along the weak zones, allowing the body to be easily stored by two steps: “flattening (radial direction)” and “curling (generally axial direction)”. The stored volume of the breathing tube is also smaller in size, and the pop-up force of the body, i.e., the stored elasticity that allows the body to return to its original shape, is reduced, making the breathing tube after storage more stable. In addition, due to the existence of at least two weak zones, the body has an alternating structure of weak zones and non-weak zones along the periphery (i.e., each weak zone adjacently connects to a non-weak zone on the left and right), which is similar to the concept of reinforced ribs. When the breathing tube is to be returned to a position of use, this design can more easily support the breathing tube in forming the required breathing conduit and make the body strong enough to ensure the tube is stiff enough to maintain sufficient strength during use.

[0007]Another objective of the present invention is to provide a water sports breathing tube having a polygonal (e.g., hexagonal) cross-sectional shape. This design allows two opposing weak zones to be coupled together, thereby dividing the body into two independent conduits to provide a shunt function for intake and exhaust airflows.

[0008]To achieve the above objectives, the present invention discloses a body structure of a water sports breathing tube, which includes a wall and a cavity surrounded by the wall. The cavity allows fluid to flow therethrough. The wall is composed of at least two weak zones and at least two non-weak zones. The at least two weak zones are formed along a length direction of the body structure, such that the body structure is collapsible along the at least two weak zones. Each of the at least two weak zones has a thickness ranging from 0.3 mm to 2.5 mm, and 0.5 mm to 5 mm thinner than each of the at least two non-weak zones.

[0009]In an example, the at least two weak zones include two directly opposite weak zones, and the body structure has a cross-sectional shape which is mirror symmetric relative to a line connecting the two directly opposite weak zones.

[0010]In an example, the cross-sectional shape of the body structure is a quadrilateral with one pair of directly opposite angles thereof being equal.

[0011]In an example, the quadrilateral has two opposite sides which are not equal to each other in length.

[0012]In an example, the cross-sectional shape of the body structure is a hexagon with one pair of directly opposite angles thereof being equal.

[0013]In an example, the two directly opposite weak zones are configured to be connected to each other so that the cavity is divided into two independent conduits.

[0014]In an example, the hexagon has two opposite sides which are substantially equal to each other in length.

[0015]In an example, the hexagon has six sides which are substantially equal to one another in length.

[0016]In an example, one of the two directly opposite weak zones is provided with a male fastener and the other of the two directly opposite weak zones is provided with a female fastener being capable of engaging with the male fastener.

[0017]In an example, the at least two weak zones include two directly opposite weak zones, and the body structure has a cross-sectional shape which is inversely symmetric relative to a line connecting the two directly opposite weak zones. In this example, the cross-sectional shape of the body structure may be a quadrilateral, and the quadrilateral has two opposite sides which may be substantially equal to each other in length.

[0018]In any of the above examples, the thickness of each of the at least two weak zones may range from 0.8 mm to 1.5 mm.

[0019]In any of the above examples, the thickness of each of the at least two non-weak zones may range from 0.8 mm to 7.5 mm.

[0020]In any of the above examples, the thickness of each of the at least two non-weak zones may range from 2 mm to 3.5 mm.

[0021]In any of the above examples, the body structure may be made of silicone rubber material, plastic material, rubber material or any combination thereof with a Shore hardness ranging from A50 to A90 or ranging from D10 to D40.

[0022]In any of the above examples, each of the at least two weak zones may extend along the length direction of the body structure, accounting for at least 80% of a total length of the body structure.

[0023]In any of the above examples, each of the at least two weak zones adjacently connects to one of at least two non-weak zones on the left and right.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024]FIG. 1A is a schematic view depicting the curled-up state of a conventional water sports breathing tube.

[0025]FIG. 1B depicts the cross-sectional shape of the body of a conventional water sports breathing tube.

[0026]FIG. 2A is a schematic perspective view of a water sports breathing tube according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2B is a schematic view depicting the water sports breathing tube of FIG. 2A being curled into a stored state.

[0027]FIG. 3A is a schematic view of the body structure of the water sports breathing tube taken along line A-A in FIG. 2A, in which the body structure is composed of at least two weak zones and at least two non-weak zones.

[0028]FIG. 3B depicts the body structure of FIG. 3A in a flattened state along two opposite weak zones.

[0029]FIG. 3C depicts that the body of the water sports breathing tube of FIG. 2A becomes smoother for curling after being flattened.

[0030]FIG. 4 is a schematic view of another implementation of the body structure of the water sports breathing tube taken along line A-A in FIG. 2A.

[0031]FIG. 5A depicts the body structure of FIG. 4 in a collapsible state along two opposite weak zones.

[0032]FIG. 5B depicts the state where the two directly opposite weak zones of the body structure of FIG. 4 are engaged with each other.

[0033]FIG. 5C depicts the state where the two adjacent sidewalls of the male fastener of FIG. 5B are fitted together.

[0034]FIG. 6 is a schematic view of another implementation of the body structure of the water sports breathing tube taken along line A-A in FIG. 2A.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0035]It shall be appreciated that the following description of the embodiments is only to explain the contents of the present invention, but not to limit the invention as claimed. Elements not directly related to the present invention are omitted from the description, and the dimensions as depicted for all elements in the drawings are just for easy understanding and do not intend to limit their actual scales. In addition, the “upper,” “lower,” “front,” “back,” “left,” “right,” “inner,” “outer,” or the like adjectives defined in the descriptions are referred to by the direction of the user himself/herself. They are only relative relationships and are not limitative.

[0036]This invention is primarily directed to improvements in the body structure of breathing tubes for use in water sports or recreational purposes; however, the purpose or form of the breathing tube itself is not limited. Any breathing tube having the body structure further described below falls within the scope of the present invention.

[0037]The first embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 2A, uses a simple type of water sports breathing tube 2 as an example. This breathing tube has a compact volume when stored, achieving maximum storage efficiency. Specifically, this water sports breathing tube 2 typically includes a mouthpiece 2m provided at the lowermost portion for being contained by the user's mouth and a main tube 2t extending upwards. The main tube 2t typically consists of a body 21 which is relatively strong to stand upright. The main function of the body 21 is to keep its top portion normally extended above the water surface for gas exchange with the outside. Its bottom portion is connected to the mouthpiece 2m, and the area connecting to the mouthpiece 2m is designed to be curved, preferably in the corrugated shape, to allow the mouthpiece 2m more room to move and make it more comfortable for the user's mouth to contain. In addition, a keeper 2k (e.g., a figure-8 ring) may be provided on the main tube 2t to secure the water sports breathing tube 2 to water sports goggles or a water sports mask.

[0038]As described in the related art, the body 21 can be made of a softer, thicker material to facilitate its curling for storage. However, after curling, there will always be a strong pop-up force, making storage difficult. In view of this, the structure of the body 21 of the water sports breathing tube 2 of the present invention has been improved, such that the curling and bending of the body 21 can be smoother, the storage can be more stable and the stored volume can be more compact, as shown in FIG. 2B.

[0039]Specifically, referring further to FIG. 3A, which depicts the body structure 30 of the body 21 of the water sports breathing tube 2. The body structure 30 includes a wall 30W and a cavity 30C. The cavity 30C is surrounded by the wall 30W and allows fluid to flow therethrough.

[0040]In general, the wall 30W is composed of at least two weak zones and at least two non-weak zones. In this embodiment, the wall 30W is composed of four weak zones WZ1, WZ2, WZ3, WZ4 and four non-weak zones NWZ1, NWZ2, NWZ3, NWZ4.

[0041]In the present invention, the non-weak zones are essentially defined as the zones of the body excluding the weak zones. Each weak zone WZ1, WZ2, WZ3 and WZ4 is formed along a length direction of the body structure 30. Preferably, each weak zone WZ1, WZ2, WZ3 and WZ4 extends along the length direction of the body structure 30, accounting for at least 80% of a total length of the body structure 30. In this way, the body structure 30 is collapsible along the two opposite weak zones, as shown in FIG. 3B, and after being flattened, the body 21 can be smoother for bending or curling, as shown in FIG. 3C.

[0042]The thickness of each weak zone WZ1, WZ2, WZ3, and WZ4 ranges from 0.3 mm to 2.5 mm, such that the body structure 30 can be suitably flattened along its length direction for storage. Preferably, the thickness of each weak zone WZ1, WZ2, WZ3, WZ4 is 0.5 mm to 5 mm thinner than that of the non-weak zones NWZ1, NWZ2, NWZ3, NWZ4, allowing the water sports breathing tube 2 to be straightened and the top thereof can normally protrude from the water surface.

[0043]Preferably, the at least two weak zones include two directly opposite weak zones, and the body structure has a cross-sectional shape which is mirror symmetric relative to a line connecting the two directly opposite weak zones. In this embodiment, among the four weak zones WZ1, WZ2, WZ3, and WZ4, the weak zone WZ1 and the weak zone WZ3 act as the two directly opposite weak zones. Therefore, the cross-sectional shape of the body structure 30 is mirror symmetric relative to the line L1 connecting the weak zone WZ1 and the weak zone WZ3.

[0044]Taking FIG. 3A as an example, the cross-sectional shape of the body structure 30 is a quadrilateral with one pair of directly opposite angles thereof being equal, i.e., with equal opposite angles θ relative to the connecting line L1. More preferably, the lengths of two adjacent sides of the quadrilateral are substantially equal, while the lengths of two opposite sides are not equal, thus forming a kite-shaped quadrilateral. As shown in FIG. 3A, the lengths of sidewall P and its adjacent sidewall P′ are substantially equal, the lengths of sidewall Q and its adjacent sidewall Q′ are substantially equal, the lengths of sidewall P and another adjacent sidewall Q are not equal, and the lengths of sidewall P′ and another adjacent sidewall Q′ are not equal. Preferably, the lengths of sidewalls Q and Q′ are greater than the lengths of sidewalls P and P′.

[0045]In this way, when the water sports breathing tube 2 returns from its flattened, stored state to its usable state, the sidewalls P and Q on one side of the line L1 and the sidewalls P′ and Q′ on the other side of the line L1 can more easily be supported and return to the original size of the cavity 30C. Even if the cavity 30C does not fully return to its original size, it will not collapse completely to block the airflow passing therethrough. In addition, the shorter sidewalls P and P′ form an angle a that is larger than the opposite angle b, such that the side where sidewalls P and P′ are located will not protrude sharply, thereby significantly reducing discomfort when it collides with the user's head. If the body 21 is made of a stiff and elastic material, even if the force of the body 21 hitting the head is large, the sidewalls P and P′ will form a near-plane contact with the head due to the deformation of the weak zone WZ3.

[0046]A second embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 4, which depicts the body structure 40 of the body 21 of the water sports breathing tube 2. Similarly, the body structure 40 includes a wall 40W and a cavity 40C. The cavity 40C is surrounded by the wall 40W and allows fluid to flow therethrough.

[0047]In this embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the body structure 40 is designed to be a hexagon. The wall 40W is composed of six weak zones WZ1, WZ2, WZ3, WZ4, WZ5, WZ6 and six non-weak zones NWZ1, NWZ2, NWZ3, NWZ4, NWZ5, NWZ6. Among the six weak zones WZ1, WZ2, WZ3, WZ4, WZ5, and WZ6, the weak zone WZ1 and the weak zone WZ4 act as two directly opposite weak zones.

[0048]Preferably, as shown in FIG. 4, the cross-sectional shape of the body structure 40 is designed to be a hexagon with one pair of directly opposite angles thereof being equal. The hexagon has two pairs of equal opposite angles, i.e., one pair of equal opposite angles θ1 and the other pair of equal opposite angles θ2 relative to the line L2. Therefore, the cross-sectional shape of the body structure 40 is mirror symmetric with respect to the line L2 connecting the weak zone WZ1 and the weak zone WZ4, i.e., the lengths of the sidewalls U, V, and W are substantially equal to the lengths of the sidewalls U′, V′, and W′ on the other side, respectively, but the lengths of the sidewalls U, V, and W are not equal to one another.

[0049]However, in other embodiments, two of the sidewalls U, V, and W may have substantially equal lengths, while the remaining sidewall has a different length (e.g., the sidewalls U and W have substantially equal lengths that differ from the length of the sidewall V). Of course, in other embodiments, the lengths of the sides of the hexagon can also be substantially equal to form a regular hexagon, that is, the lengths of the sidewalls U, V, W are substantially equal to the lengths of the sidewalls U′, V′, W′ on the other side.

[0050]In this way, when the water sports breathing tube 2 returns from its flattened, stored state to its usable state, the sidewalls U, V, W on one side of the line L2 and the sidewalls U′, V′, W′ on the other side of the line L2 can more easily be supported and return to the original size of the cavity 40C. Even if the cavity 40C does not fully return to its original size, it will not collapse completely to block the airflow passing therethrough. In addition, the shorter sidewalls U and U′ form a larger interior angle c in the hexagon, such that the side where the sidewalls U and U′ are located will not be protruded sharply, thereby significantly reducing discomfort when it collides with the user's head. If the body 21 is made of a stiff and elastic material, even if the force of the body 21 hitting the head is large, the sidewalls U and U′ will form a near-plane contact with the head due to the deformation of the weak zone WZ4.

[0051]Similarly, in this embodiment, the wall 40W allows the user to flatten the body 21 along the two opposite weak zones for storage, as shown in FIG. 5A.

[0052]Furthermore, the two directly opposite weak zones WZ1 and WZ4 are capable of being connected to each other, dividing the cavity 40C into two independent conduits C1 and C2. Preferably, the weak zone WZ4 is provided with a male fastener F1, and the weak zone WZ1 is provided with a female fastener F2, which is capable of forming a detachable connection with the male fastener F1. When the male fastener F1 and the female fastener F2 are engaged with each other, the structure shown in FIG. 5B is formed. At this time, if the two adjacent sidewalls U and U′ of the male fastener F1 are fitted together, the structure shown in FIG. 5C will be formed, thereby enhancing the overall stability and integrity of the body 21. This facilitates the attachment of other accessories and the shunt of intake and exhaust airflows passing through the body 21.

[0053]It should be noted that FIG. 4 shows a weak zone WZ4 with a male fastener F1 and another opposite weak zone WZ1 with a female fastener F2 for illustration; however, the male fastener F1 and female fastener F2 in FIG. 4 can also be omitted, in which case these zones would have a structure similar to that of other weak zones, and would simply function as weak zones.

[0054]A third embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 6, which depicts the body structure 60 of the body 21 of the water sports breathing tube 2. Similarly, the body structure 60 includes a wall 60W and a cavity 60C. The cavity 60C is surrounded by the wall 60W and allows fluid to flow therethrough. In this embodiment, the wall 60W is composed of four weak zones WZ1, WZ2, WZ3, WZ4 and four non-weak zones NWZ1, NWZ2, NWZ3, NWZ4. Among the four weak zones WZ1, WZ2, WZ3, and WZ4, the weak zone WZ1 and the weak zone WZ3 act as the two directly opposite weak zones.

[0055]Unlike the first embodiment, in this embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the body structure 60 is inversely symmetric relative to a line L3 connecting the two directly opposite weak zones WZ1 and WZ3. As shown in FIG. 6, the lengths of sidewall R and its opposite sidewall R′ are substantially equal, the lengths of sidewall S and its opposite sidewall S′ are substantially equal, the lengths of sidewalls R and S on the same side are different from each other, and the lengths of sidewalls R′ and S′ on the same side are different from each other. Preferably, the length of sidewall S is greater than the length of sidewall R.

[0056]However, since the cross-sectional shape of the body structure 60 is inversely symmetric relative to the line L3, the ability of the sidewalls R and S on one side of the line L3 and the sidewalls R′ and S′ on the other side to support the body 21 is slightly inferior to that of the body structure 30 shown in FIG. 3A, which has a mirror symmetric cross-sectional shape.

[0057]Similarly, in the case of a hexagon, the cross-sectional shape of the body structure may also be inversely symmetric relative to the line connecting two directly opposite weak zones. For example, the sidewalls U, V, W on one side of line L2 in FIG. 4 can be arranged in the reverse order in relation to the sidewalls U′, V′, and W′ on the other side. Specifically, by swapping the positions of the sidewalls U′ and W′, the sidewall U and the sidewall U′ become non-adjacent, and the sidewall W and the sidewall W′ also become non-adjacent.

[0058]The above description uses quadrilaterals and hexagons as examples. However, other polygons can also be implemented in the present invention, as long as at least two weak zones include two directly opposite weak zones, and a cross-sectional shape of the body structure is not completely symmetric relative to the line connecting the two directly opposite weak zones, e.g., the aforementioned inversely symmetric or other forms of symmetry (such as rotationally symmetric, translationally symmetric, etc.).

[0059]Regardless of the cross-sectional shape adopted for the body 21, each weak zone preferably has a thickness ranging from 0.8 mm to 1.5 mm, and each the non-weak zone preferably has a thickness ranging from 0.8 mm to 7.5 mm, more preferably from 2 mm to 3.5 mm. In addition, regardless of the cross-sectional shape or thickness adopted for the body 21, the body structure may be preferably made of silicone rubber material, plastic material, rubber material or any combination thereof with a Shore hardness ranging from A50 to A90 or ranging from D10 to D40.

[0060]The body structure of the water sports breathing tube 2 of the present invention can be applied not only to breathing tubes for snorkeling and swimming training, but also to other equipments for water sports, and even equipments not for water sports. Whenever there is a need for the body of the tube to be curled up for storage, the body can be designed with opposite weak zones to form a polygonal cross-sectional shape. Furthermore, the number of weak zones is not limited to the implementations shown in the above embodiments. Each corner of the polygon can be a location where a weak zone can be formed. As long as there are at least two weak zones opposite each other (even-numbered polygons usually have directly opposite weak zones, while odd-numbered polygons usually have diagonally opposite weak zones), the effect of being collapsible along the two opposite weak zones can be achieved. Therefore, in other embodiments, the cross-sectional shape of the body can also be an odd number of polygons (e.g., a pentagon), in which case any two weak zones are diagonally opposite.

[0061]Any modifications based on the above core technology of the present invention are intended to be protected. Consequently, the above embodiments are used only to illustrate the implementations of the present invention and to explain the technical features of the present invention, and are not used to limit the scope of the present invention. Any modifications or equivalent arrangements that can be easily accomplished by those skilled in the art are considered to fall within the scope of the present invention. For example, applying the body structures 30, 40, 60 described in the foregoing embodiments to variations including breathing tubes with a dry top at the uppermost portion also falls within the scope of the present invention. The scope of the present invention should be limited by the claims of the patent application.