Methods for snorkels and mouthpiece systems

Abstract

Methods and designs are disclosed for providing a chin rest member ( 138 ) for reducing, distribution or alleviating loading forces ( 82 ) applied on a breathing device member ( 124 ) such as a snorkel ( 38 ), a second stage regulator ( 146 ) or other breathing devices using a mouthpiece ( 30 ) that is held inside the mouth of a swimmer. Methods for using a chin rest member ( 138 ) for reducing deformation of a mouthpiece ( 30 ), reducing jaw fatigue, reducing abrasion to the soft tissues of the mouth, improving air flow alignment, positioning and contouring of the mouthpiece ( 30 ) under the exertion of loading forces ( 82 ) are disclosed. Methods are also disclosed for adjusting the position the chin rest member ( 138 ) relative to the mouthpiece ( 30 ) as well as for accommodating different users having different size chins and, or overbite conditions, as well as methods for accommodating a major portion of majority of user's with one size. Methods are provided for reducing or eliminating bending and collapsing of the mouthpiece ( 30 ) around a transverse axis under loading forces ( 82 ) created during use. Methods are also provided for providing a chin rest member ( 138 ) that is made with a relatively soft material to provide cushioning and, or contouring to the chin of a swimmer. Molding methods and designs are also disclosed for providing improved leverage and control over the mouthpiece ( 30 ) and breathing tube ( 34 ) connected to the mouthpiece ( 30 ), reduced muscle strain, reduced jaw fatigue and reduced mouth pain during diving. Methods are also provided for other mouthpiece systems.

1 . A method for providing an underwater breathing device, comprising providing a mouthpiece having a U-shaped member that is arranged to be retained inside of the mouth of a swimmer, said mouthpiece being connected to a predetermined body that is arranged to provide breathable gas to the swimmer through said mouthpiece, said U-shaped member having a sealing flange member that is arranged to create a water tight seal within the mouth of the user during use as said swimmer breathes said breathable gas while at least one external portion of the lips of the swimmer is in contact with water, said mouthpiece having bite tab members arranged to be positioned between the teeth of the swimmer, at least one external force being applied to said predetermined body during use, and providing said predetermined body with a chin rest member that is arranged to contact at least one portion of the chin region of the face of the swimmer while said mouthpiece is in a substantially comfortable alignment within the swimmer's mouth. 
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said chin rest member is arranged to create a reduction in the amount of said external force applied to said mouthpiece. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said chin rest member is arranged to increase the stability of said mouthpiece within the mouth of the swimmer during use. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said chin rest member is arranged to create a reduction in jaw fatigue during use. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said chin rest member is arranged to create a reduction in jaw fatigue during use. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said chin rest member is arranged to reduce the tendency for said mouthpiece to pivot around a transverse axis within the mouth of the swimmer during use. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the position of said chin rest member is arranged to be adjustable. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said chin rest member has an adjustable member that is arranged to permit the position of said chin rest member relative to said mouthpiece to be adjustable. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said chin rest member is made with a relatively soft material. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said chin rest member has a curved contour. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said predetermined body is selected from the group consisting of snorkels, diving regulators, and rebreathers. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said chin rest member has a rearward portion that contacts at least one the chin region of the swimmer's face, said predetermined body having a predetermined gap between said rearward portion of said chin rest member and said sealing flange of said U-shaped member, and said gap having a forward end portion that is sufficiently forward of said rearward portion of said chin rest member to permit the lower lip of the swimmer to comfortably fit within said gap without being excessively compressed by said forward end portion. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said chin rest member has a rearward portion that is arranged to contact at least one portion of the chin of the swimmer in an area below the lower lip of the swimmer while said mouthpiece is in a substantially comfortable alignment within the swimmer's mouth during use, said predetermined body having a predetermined gap having a forward portion that is positioned substantially vertically between said rearward portion of said chin rest member and said sealing flange of said U-shaped member, and said gap being arranged to provide an area in which the lower lip of the user can occupy without being excessively compressed by said forward end portion during use. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said chin rest member is arranged to create a reduction in the amount of biting tension required by the swimmer on said bite tab members to retain said mouthpiece within the mouth of the swimmer during use. 
   
   
       15 . A method for providing a mouthpiece tube, comprising providing a mouthpiece tube having at least one portion that is arranged to extend inside of the mouth of a user, said mouthpiece tube being connected to a predetermined body that is arranged to deliver a predetermined medium to the mouth of the user through said mouthpiece tube, at least one external force being applied to said predetermined body during use, and said predetermined body having a chin rest member that is arranged to contact at least one portion of the chin region of the face of the user while said mouthpiece is in a substantially comfortable alignment within the user's mouth and while at least one external portion of the lips of the user is exposed to the environment, said chin rest member being arranged to increase the stability of said mouthpiece tube within the mouth of the user during use. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein said chin rest member has an adjustable member that is arranged to permit the position of said chin rest member relative to said mouthpiece to be adjustable. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 15  wherein said chin rest member has a rearward portion that contacts at least one the chin region of the user's face, said predetermined body having a predetermined gap between said rearward portion of said chin rest member and mouthpiece tube, and said predetermined gap having a forward end portion that is sufficiently forward of said rearward portion of said chin rest member to permit the lower lip of the user to comfortably fit within said gap without being excessively compressed by said forward end portion. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 15  wherein said chin rest member has a rearward portion that is arranged to contact at least one portion of the chin of the user in an area below the lower lip of the user while said mouthpiece tube is in a substantially comfortable alignment with the user's mouth during use, said predetermined body having a predetermined gap having a forward portion that is positioned substantially vertically between said rearward portion of said chin rest member and mouthpiece tube, and said gap being arranged to provide an area in which the lower lip of the user can occupy without being excessively compressed by said forward end portion during use. 
   
   
       19 . A method for providing an underwater breathing device, comprising providing a mouthpiece having at least one engaging portion that is arranged to extend inside of the mouth of a swimmer, said mouthpiece being connected to a predetermined body that is arranged to provide breathable gas to the swimmer through said mouthpiece, said predetermined body being subjected to predetermined loading forces during use, said at least one engaging portion being arranged to create a water tight seal within the mouth of the user during use as said swimmer breathes said breathable gas, and said predetermined body having a chin rest member having a rearward portion that is arranged to contact at least one the chin region of the user's face while said at least one engaging portion is arranged to be in a substantially comfortable alignment within the mouth of the user, said predetermined body having a predetermined gap between said rearward portion of said chin rest member and mouthpiece tube, and said predetermined gap having a forward end portion that is sufficiently forward of said rearward portion of said chin rest member to permit the lower lip of the user to comfortably fit within said gap without being excessively compressed by said forward end portion. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein said chin rest member is arranged to permit a sufficient amount of said predetermined loading forces to be applied to the chin area of the swimmer to increase the stability of said mouthpiece under the exertion of said predetermined loading forces.