The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 18, 2000
Filed:
Oct. 29, 1998
Richard I Brown, Northbrook, IL (US);
David S Brown, Gurnee, IL (US);
Other;
Abstract
A mouthpiece for use with breathing devices of the type used by scuba divers is provided. The mouthpiece includes-at least one no-return valve to allow exhalation directly into the ambient environment. Additional no-return valves can be incorporated into the inhalation pathway to prevent fluids from flowing back into the regulator housing. In one embodiment, an inlet no-return valve is located in the respiratory port tube of the regulator. In other embodiments, an inlet no-return valve is located in the mouthpiece itself. The disclosed invention keeps the interior spaces of the regulator clean and dry even when the regulator is not in place, thus extending regulator life and preventing a dangerous and irritating free-flow condition from occurring due to icing during cold water use. Saliva and expired air with its attendant moistures and pathogenic entities are prevented from entering the regulator housing. The mouthpiece is easily detachable and can be sanitized between uses, making it particularly well suited for rental and instructional purposes. The mouthpiece can be variously constructed to differentiate common-use mouthpieces from those owned individually.