Snorkel and diving mask system

Abstract

A snorkel and diving mask is disclosed comprising a faceplate having a lateral partition on an interior surface delineating an upper and lower section, the lower section comprising a region that extends away from the upper section and includes a cutout section fitted with a complementary-shaped flexible insert that enables a user to grasp the nose. The faceplate further includes a snorkel coupling having a passageway contained therein. The snorkel and diving mask further includes a tubular interface sleeve which fluidly connects the snorkel coupling passageway to a mouthpiece receiver tube of a conventional second stage scuba regulator.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A diving mask comprising:
 a faceplate having partition delineating an upper and lower section, said upper section comprising a transparent lens section and said lower section comprising a cutout section having a flexible insert, said faceplate having a flange formed along the outer periphery of said faceplate, said upper section having a snorkel coupling defining a passageway;   a rigid frame bonded to said flange;   a flexible annular skirt fixed to said frame, the skirt being hollow and filled with a cushioning substance, the skirt comprising a lateral nose piece section attached to the partition and forming an upper chamber and a lower chamber, said lateral nose piece having a barrier wall section defining and sealing off the upper chamber from the lower chamber, said lateral nose piece being arranged for bearing upon the top of a user's nose when the mask is worn by the user so that the user's mouth and nose are located in the lower chamber,   wherein the barrier wall section includes at least one aperture arranged to allow the movement of air from the upper chamber to the lower chamber during an inhalation phase,   the barrier wall section further includes at least one exhaust orifice containing an exhaust conduit extending from the lower chamber through the upper chamber to the snorkel coupling passageway to allow the movement of exhaled air from the lower chamber through the upper chamber to the snorkel coupling passageway during an exhalation phase; and   a tubular interface sleeve having a first end attached to said snorkel coupling and a second opposing end dimensioned to connect to a mouthpiece receiver tube of a second stage regulator, said interface sleeve having an auxiliary passageway which fluidly connects said snorkel coupling passageway to said mouthpiece receiver tube.   
     
     
         2 . The snorkel mask of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one aperture has a matching check valve that opens the aperture during the inhalation cycle and closes the aperture during the exhalation cycle. 
     
     
         3 . The snorkel mask of  claim 1 , wherein the cushioning substance comprises a gas. 
     
     
         4 . The snorkel mask of  claim 1 , wherein the cushioning substance comprises a gel material. 
     
     
         5 . The snorkel mask of  claim 1 , wherein said flexible annular skirt further comprises a valve device for varying the amount of cushioning substance in the hollow annular skirt. 
     
     
         6 . The snorkel mask of  claim 1 , wherein said faceplate further comprises two or more buckle devices for attaching an elastic retention strap to the mask. 
     
     
         7 . The snorkel mask of  claim 1 , further comprising two earplugs attached to opposing sides of said mask by connecting straps. 
     
     
         8 . The snorkel mask of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one aperture comprises two apertures having matching check valves. 
     
     
         9 . The snorkel mask of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one exhaust orifice comprises two exhaust orifices haying matching exhaust conduits. 
     
     
         10 . The snorkel mask of  claim 1 , wherein the snorkel coupling passageway includes separate intake and exhaust channels. 
     
     
         11 . The snorkel mask of  claim 1 , wherein said frame is contained within the circumference of an outer periphery of the faceplate. 
     
     
         12 . The snorkel mask of  claim 1 , wherein said faceplate and frame are constructed of a rigid plastic and said tubular interface sleeve is made of flexible elastic plastic. 
     
     
         13 . The snorkel mask of  claim 13 , wherein said rigid plastic comprises polycarbonate. 
     
     
         14 . The snorkel mask of  claim 1 , wherein said flexible insert and flexible annular skirt are constructed of silicone and said tubular interface sleeve is made of flexible elastic plastic. 
     
     
         15 . A tubular interface sleeve, for converting a snorkel mask to a scuba-enabled mask, comprising:
 a tubular body defining an auxiliary passageway therethrough, and having a first end and an opposing second end;   wherein said first end is dimensioned to connect to a snorkel coupling end and said opposing end is dimensioned to connect to a mouthpiece receiver tube of a second stage scuba regulator;   wherein said auxiliary passageway fluidly connects a snorkel coupling passageway of said snorkel mask to said mouthpiece receiver tube of said second stage scuba regulator.   
     
     
         16 . The tubular interface sleeve of  claim 15 , wherein the cross-sectional area of said auxiliary passageway varies along the length of said tubular interface sleeve, 
     
     
         15 . tubular interface sleeve of  claim 15 , wherein said tubular interface sleeve is made of flexible elastic plastic. 
     
     
         18 . The tubular interface sleeve of  claim 15 , wherein said first and second ends are oblong shaped. 
     
     
         19 . The tubular interface sleeve of  claim 15 , further comprising at least one radial channel formed into the exterior of said tubular interface. 
     
     
         20 . The tubular interface sleeve of  claim 15 , further comprising a radial groove formed in an interior surface of said auxiliary passageway.