Floater and Snorkel Comprising the Same

Abstract

A floater for used in a snorkel is provided. The floater is a porous structure with a plurality of pores for reducing the density of the floater. The density of the floater is substantially less than 1.1 g/cm 3 so that the floater can float up easily when immersed in water and subjected to buoyancy, and thus, block water flow into the snorkel. Preferably, the floater is a single piece structure to enhance the strength against the water pressure, thereby, preventing the floater from rupturing easily.

1 . A floater for a snorkel, wherein the floater is a porous structure, and has a density less than 1.1 g/cm 3 . 
     
     
         2 . The floater as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the floater is a single piece structure. 
     
     
         3 . The floater as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the floater is made of a material selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyoxymethylene, polycarbonate, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, polystyrene, nylon, ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), rubber, and a combination thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The floater as claimed in  claim 3 , further comprising at least one protrusion formed on a lateral surface of the floater, wherein the at least one protrusion and the floater are formed integrally. 
     
     
         5 . The floater as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the floater comprises a first portion formed of a cylindrical shape and a second portion formed of a semi-spherical shape. 
     
     
         6 . The floater as claimed in  claim 3 , further comprising a sealing element disposed on an upper surface of the floater. 
     
     
         7 . A snorkel, comprising:
 a tube; and   a waterproof device connected to the tube, comprising:
 a receiving structure having an opening portion; 
 a receiving space defined by the receiving structure, and the receiving space communicating with the surrounding air via the opening portion; 
 a fluid passageway defined between an upper periphery and a lower periphery, wherein the upper periphery is connected to the receiving structure, and the lower periphery is connected to the tube; and 
 a floater received in the receiving space, wherein the floater is a porous structure, and has a density less than 1.1 g/cm 3  substantially, 
   wherein the receiving space, the fluid passageway and the tube are fluid communicating with each other, and the floater moves in the receiving space when being subjected to buoyancy.   
     
     
         8 . The snorkel as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the floater is a single piece structure. 
     
     
         9 . The snorkel as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the floater is made of a material selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyoxymethylene, polycarbonate, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, polystyrene, nylon, ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), rubber, and a combination thereof. 
     
     
         10 . The snorkel as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the floater further comprises at least one protrusion formed on a lateral surface of the floater, in which the floater and the at least one protrusion are formed integrally. 
     
     
         11 . The snorkel as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the receiving structure further comprises at least one groove disposed with respect to the at least one protrusion for the floater moving along the at least one groove. 
     
     
         12 . The snorkel as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the floater further comprises a sealing element disposed on an upper surface of the floater. 
     
     
         13 . The snorkel as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the sealing element abuts against the upper periphery after the floater moving along the at least one groove. 
     
     
         14 . The snorkel as claimed in  claim 11 , further comprising a sealing element disposed around the upper periphery. 
     
     
         15 . The snorkel as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the sealing element abuts against the floater after the floater moving along the at least one groove. 
     
     
         16 . The snorkel as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the tube and the lower periphery are formed integrally.