Inlet valve apparatus and valve system

Abstract

An inlet valve apparatus for use with a snorkel comprises a snorkel cap having an air inlet and an air outlet. An air passageway connects the air inlet and the air outlet in fluid communication one with the other. A buoyant float valve is movable between an open position whereat air can pass from the air inlet to the air outlet and a closed position whereat air and water are precluded from passing from the air inlet to the air outlet. The inlet valve apparatus is mounted onto the top end of a snorkel such that the air outlet is in fluid communication with the snorkel. A related valve system comprises a flexible hose member, a floating member, and a diverter valve apparatus that is mounted onto the top end of a snorkel such that its air outlet is in fluid communication with the snorkel.

1 . An inlet valve apparatus for use with a snorkel, said inlet valve apparatus comprising: 
 a snorkel cap having an air inlet and an air outlet;    an air passageway connecting said air inlet and said air outlet in fluid communication one with another; and,    a float valve movable between an open position whereat air can pass from said air inlet to said air outlet and a closed position whereat air and water are precluded from passing from said air inlet to said air outlet;    wherein said float valve is buoyant in water;    means for mounting said inlet valve apparatus onto the top end of a snorkel such that said air outlet is in fluid communication with said snorkel.    
     
     
         2 . The inlet valve apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said snorkel cap comprises a substantially vertically disposed hollow stem having a top end and a bottom end, and an outer cap portion having a roof portion and a sidewall portion and being secured to said hollow stem in surrounding relation over the top end thereof.  
     
     
         3 . The inlet valve apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein said air passageway connecting said air inlet and said air outlet in fluid communication one with the other is disposed in said hollow stem.  
     
     
         4 . The inlet valve apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein said air outlet of said snorkel cap is disposed at the bottom end of said hollow stem.  
     
     
         5 . The inlet valve apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein said air inlet of said snorkel cap is disposed in said sidewall portion of said outer cap portion.  
     
     
         6 . The inlet valve apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein said outer cap portion is secured to said hollow stem by means of an annular ring having at least one air passage aperture therein.  
     
     
         7 . The inlet valve apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein said vertically disposed hollow stem and said outer cap portion are substantially cylindrical.  
     
     
         8 . The inlet valve apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said float valve is mounted in sliding relation on said hollow stem.  
     
     
         9 . The inlet valve apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said float valve substantially surrounds said hollow stem.  
     
     
         10 . The inlet valve apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein said float valve is substantially cylindrical in shape.  
     
     
         11 . The inlet valve apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said float valve is shaped and dimensioned to fit in close fitting relation within said outer cap portion, to thereby cover said air inlet disposed in said sidewall portion of said outer cap portion.  
     
     
         12 . The inlet valve apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein said float valve includes a tray portion for receiving water therein.  
     
     
         13 . The inlet valve apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein said tray portion is disposed at the bottom end of said float valve.  
     
     
         14 . The inlet valve apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein said tray portion is annularly disposed around said hollow stem.  
     
     
         15 . A valve system for use with for use with a snorkel, said valve system comprising: 
 a flexible hose member having an inlet end and an outlet end;    a floating member operatively mounted on said flexible hose member adjacent said inlet end thereof;    an inlet valve apparatus operatively mounted on said flexible hose member adjacent said inlet end thereof;    a diverter valve apparatus operatively mounted on said flexible hose member at said outlet end thereof, said diverter valve apparatus having an air inlet in fluid communication with said outlet end of said flexible hose member, an air outlet connectable in fluid communication with said snorkel, an expired-air outlet in fluid communication with said air outlet, and an air-pressure-operated valve means disposed between said air inlet and said air outlet such that air flow from said air outlet is precluded from travelling to said air inlet and is diverted to said expired-air outlet; and,    means for mounting said diverter valve onto the top end of said snorkel such that said air outlet of said diverter valve is in fluid communication with said snorkel.