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  Device for releasably fastening mask strap to breathing tube of snorkelUSPTO Application #: 20070272237Title: Device for releasably fastening mask strap to breathing tube of snorkel Abstract: A flexible fastening device in one embodiment includes a male fastening unit including a hook member securely looped around a mask strap, and a slotted stud having two side trigger members; and a female fastening unit including a clip put on a breathing tube of snorkel, and a hollow clasp projected from the clip and including an internal space and an opening in communication with the external and the space. Pressing the trigger members will decrease the size of the stud, inserting the stud into the space by passing the opening, and stopping the pressing will expand the stud to lock the stud in the space. Pressing the trigger members again will decrease the size of the stud, and pulling the stud will remove same out of the space by passing the opening. (end of abstract) Agent: Bruce H. Troxell - Falls Church, VA, US Inventor: Chih-Cheng Shiue USPTO Applicaton #: 20070272237 - Class: 128201110 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Surgery, Respiratory Method Or Device, Draw-type Snorkel The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070272237. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of Invention [0002] The present invention relates to snorkels and more particularly to a device for releasably fastening a head strap of a mask for swimming (including a face mask) to a breathing tube of snorkel for a diver engaging in deep diving, surface diving or the like with improved characteristics (e.g., safety and quick fastening and releasing). [0003] 2. Related Art [0004] Snorkels are ubiquitous tools for divers engaging in deep diving, surface diving or the like. A snorkel typically comprises a breathing tube secured to a head strap of a mask for swimming (including a face mask) such that a diver may freely inhale and exhale. Also, the breathing tube together with a mask strap retaining clip are detached from the mask strap for ease of storage. [0005] A conventional snorkel is shown in FIG. 1 and comprises a clip A attached to a head strap by looping around it, and a sleeve-like retaining member B integrally formed with the clip A and tightly put on a breathing tube. Both the clip A and the retaining member B are attached onto the breathing tube in a storage state of the snorkel. In use, hold the head strap around the head and open an opening C of the clip A to allow the head strap to pass. The head strap is thus attached to the clip A. To the contrary, open an opening C of the clip A to allow the head strap to exit from the clip A. It is understood that it may be difficult of detaching the breathing tube from the head strap if opening C of the clip A is relatively small. To the contrary, the head strap may be disengaged with the breathing tube unintentionally or slide relative to the breathing tube if the opening C of the clip A is relatively large. [0006] Preferably, the head strap is held in position by the clip A. Also, the retaining member B is secured to the breathing tube in a predetermined position. Further, a simple engaging or disengaging operation of the breathing tube and the head strap is able to achieve its purpose quickly. Furthermore, the fastening of the breathing tube and the head strap is reliable (i.e., an unintentional disengagement of the breathing tube with the head strap is not possible). It is clear that the prior arrangement shown in FIG. 1 is not able to achieve that goal. Thus, a need for improvement exists. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0007] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a snapping based device for quickly fastening or unfastening a head strap of a mask for swimming and a breathing tube of a snorkel. [0008] It is another object of the present invention to provide a flexible device for reliably fastening or unfastening a head strap of a mask for swimming to a breathing tube of a snorkel such that the head strap is prevented from unintentionally disengaging with the breathing tube or sliding relative to the breathing tube. [0009] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a device comprising a flexible male fastening unit including a hook member securely loop around a head strap of a mask for swimming, and a flexible stud, and a flexible female fastening unit including a clip tightly put on a breathing tube of a snorkel, and a hollow claps including a space open to the external through an opening. A diver may use the hand to either press the stud to insert same into the space for locking or press the stud to remove same from the space. [0010] In one aspect of the present invention the male fastening unit includes a stud including a gap for separating the stud into two identical halves each having an extended trigger member such that a diver may press the trigger members to easily fasten the male and the female fastening units together or unfasten same. [0011] In another aspect of the present invention position of the stud of the male fastening unit is exchanged with that of the clasp of the female fastening unit wherein the female fastening unit includes a hook member securely loop around a head strap of a mask for swimming, and a hollow claps including a space open to the external through an opening, and the male fastening unit includes a clip tightly put on a breathing tube of a snorkel, and a flexible stud. A diver may use the hand to either press the stud to insert same into the space for locking or press the stud to remove same from the space. As an end, the purpose of quickly fastening or unfastening the head strap and the breathing tube is achieved. [0012] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0013] FIG. 1 is a front view of a conventional snorkel; [0014] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of device for releasably fastening a head strap of a mask for swimming to a breathing tube of a snorkel according to the invention; [0015] FIG. 3 is a side elevation of the fastened male and female fastening units of FIG. 2; [0016] FIGS. 4, 5, and 6 are sectional views showing the male fastening unit prior to securing to the female fastening unit, the male fastening unit being secured to the female fastening unit, and the male fastening unit secured to the female fastening unit respectively; [0017] FIGS. 7 and 8 are sectional views showing the male fastening unit being compressed to flexibly deform prior to disengagement with the female fastening unit, and the male fastening unit cleared the female fastening unit respectively; and [0018] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a second preferred embodiment of device for releasably fastening a head strap of a mask for swimming to a breathing tube of a snorkel according to the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0019] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, a first preferred embodiment of the invention is shown and comprises a male fastening unit 10 and a female fastening unit 20. A head strap 30 of a mask for swimming is adapted to pass through the male fastening unit 10 for attachment and the female fastening unit 20 is adapted to tightly put on a predetermined position of the breathing tube 40. [0020] The C-shaped male fastening unit 10 comprises a hook member 11 and a stud 12. The hook member 11 is constructed similar to one well known in the art but has a narrow opening such that the head strap 30 is prevented from unintentionally disengaging with the male fastening unit 10 by passing the opening. The stud 12 is shaped as a mushroom and comprises two identical halves and a gap 13 separated the halves. The halves are served as detents in which one half comprises a first enlargement 12a, a first post 12f including a first latched member 12e in its open end, the latched member 12e having an inclined surface for ease of insertion, and a first connection 12c interconnected the first enlargement 12a and the first post 12f, and the other half comprises a second enlargement 12b, a second post 12f including a second latched member 12e in its open end, the latched member 12e having an inclined surface for ease of insertion, and a second connection 12d interconnected the second enlargement 12b and the second post 12f. Pressing the first and second enlargements 12a and 12b will flexibly compress the first and second posts 12f toward each other so as to decrease the gap 13 between the first and the second latched members 12e as detailed later. Continue reading... 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