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. 24, 2001
Filed:
Apr. 26, 2000
Richard I. Brown, Northbrook, IL (US);
David S. Brown, Gurnee, IL (US);
Other;
Abstract
A mouthpiece is provided having a quick connect coupler to facilitate the rapid replacement of mouthpieces for use with breathing devices that may be used by many different individuals, such as in diver training classes and rental operations. In a preferred embodiment, the mouthpiece has a coupler including a pin to engage and lock with a slot in an opening of the regulator housing. The mouthpiece can further include one-way inhalation and exhalation pathways to prevent pathogenic entities in the exhalation and saliva of the diver from contaminated the body of the regulator. An exhaust tee is provided to direct bubbles away from the diver's line of vision. The regulator housing can further include an independent exhaust valve opening. A seal is provided to prevent the regulator body from flooding through the exhaust valve opening when the regulator is used with a mouthpiece having its own exhalation pathway. A flapper valve replaces the exhaust valve opening seal to permit conventional operation when the regulator is used with a conventional mouthpiece after being taken out of service for use by multiple users.