Basic gear from mid-twentieth-century Spain: Other manufacturers

[David Wilson]

I do not have any evidence to confirm or deny the eventual mass-production of Lluch's mask design complete with its nosepiece feature in the lens. However, this unusual design was far from unique. The UK-made Typhoon Surf Star mask came with a similar nose recess between the mid-1950s and 1960:

The Typhoon Surf Star mask may have inspired in turn a Soviet mask:

We shall look into Lluch breathing tube designs at the weekend.

 

[John C. Ratliff]

View attachment 803648
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I would have enjoyed trying out these fins. It looks like a very comfortable design. However, it is for warm water, as there appears not to be enough flexibility in the foot pocket for a pair of booties for cold water.

SeaRat

 

[John C. Ratliff]

Followers of my earlier threads may recall the Hurricane brand "Argonaute" diving mask manufactured by the French diving manufacturer Hurrisport:

The French caption reads roughly as follows in English: "New for 1957. All round visibility with the new “ARGONAUTE” mask. Equipped with side windows, the “ARGONAUTE” guarantees a very wide field of vision. I love the comparison made between the mask and a car windscreen and passenger's window for those who could not see the benefit of the new design straight away. So much for the new technology. As for the mythology, "The Argonauts (who gave the name 'Argonaute' to this diving mask) were a band of heroes in Greek mythology, who in the years before the Trojan War, around 1300 BC, accompanied Jason to Colchis in his quest to find the Golden Fleece. Their name comes from their ship, Argo, named after its builder, Argus. "Argonauts" literally means 'Argo sailors'" (Wikipedia).

The close resemblance between the design and name of the Spanish and French diving masks with their distinctive side windows can hardly be a coincidence.

We'll take a look at another Lluch diving mask patent some time midweek.

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I am a big fan of the various three-window masks, and have several in my collection. This appears to be one of the first out, in 1957. It took Scubapro and other manufactures another decade to come up with their three-window masks. Below are some of my collection.

 

[John C. Ratliff]

I do not have any evidence to confirm or deny the eventual mass-production of Lluch's mask design complete with its nosepiece feature in the lens. However, this unusual design was far from unique. The UK-made Typhoon Surf Star mask came with a similar nose recess between the mid-1950s and 1960:

The Typhoon Surf Star mask may have inspired in turn a Soviet mask:

We shall look into Lluch breathing tube designs at the weekend.

This appears to be one of the first attempts to lower the volume of air in a dive mask, and increase visibility. But being plastic, it would probably have more fogging problems in cooler water.

SeaRat

 

[David Wilson]

Thanks for the posts, John.

Now for Lluch's snorkel patents, very roughly translated into English. No evidence forthcoming of the designs entering production.

Descriptive Report for a twenty-year Utility Model in favour of Mr. Miguel Lluch Codolá, a Spanish national, resident in Barcelona, Ramblas, 27, in the matter of an underwater breathing device.

The present utility model relates to an underwater breathing device enabling the user to breathe when his mouth is adapted to it, while the other end of the device remains out of the water, and that such communication is interrupted when that other end dips below the surface too.

Essentially, the device we are referring to is made up of a tube, which at one end is coupled to another angled semi-circular tube that has, surrounding its mouth, a curved plate that adapts to the user’s lips and that carries in its longitudinal axis two T-section projections, intended to be included between the teeth.

At the other end, the straight tube fits into another elbow with a circular axis with an extension slightly larger than a quadrant, in front of whose mouth a conical saucer is arranged, at the end of an arm, which on the other side is mounted rotatably on the nozzle of the aforementioned elbow.

This rotating arm is attached in its lower part to a float that is barrel-shaped, and in the upper part it has an inclined extension, in which it adjusts the back part of the conical saucer, so that rotating this mobile assembly, because it reaches make contact with the water, the saucer closes the entrance of the tube and cuts off the user's mouth from the water.

The straight tube has a piece attached by a ring for the passage of the strap or similar element with which the assembly is fixed to the user’s head.

The device described can be constructed of materials, shapes and sizes that are judged most suitable for each specific application, without such variations, as well as those that can be made in details of presentation and organization, affecting the claimed essentiality, so the devices breathing apparatus that are constructed, within the general order outlined, with any of these modifications, will be nothing more than variants equally understood and protected by these records.

In this idea, the attached figures correspond only to a form of execution, without any imitative character, which is presented as an example of embodiment to specify what is said in this descriptive report.

Figure 1 presents the elevation projection of the underwater breathing device, the model of which is claimed, in a plane parallel to that of the elbow in which the piece that is applied to the mouth is arranged.

Figure 2 shows the view of such a device projected in a plenum perpendicular to the previous one.

Figure 3 details the planar projection seen on the upper part of the piece that is attached to the mouth.

With reference to said figures and the numbers that designate the parts and details of the device that are of interest for the purposes of this report, the description thereof is as follows:

It is made up of the tube -1- that at one end, through the nozzle -10-, receives the elbowed tubular piece -9-, which carries at its other end the curved plate -7-, on which the projections are mounted - 6- with a T-shaped section, whose plate adapts to the user's lips, while said projections are held with the teeth.

At the other end of the tube -1-, another elbow tube -4- is also fitted by means of the nozzle -3-, which at its other end opens in front of the conical saucer -5-, which is like a rubber suction cup, fitted by its other side on the arm -11-, which extends into a slightly curved piece attached by the axis -13- to the nozzle -3-. The barrel-shaped float -12- is integral to the lower part of the arm -11-, which can be seen in -2- in Figure 1.

It complements the device we are referring to, the piece -14-, for passing the belt or similar, with which the respirator is held on the head, which is mounted on the tube -1-, by means of the strap ring -15-.

With such an arrangement, while the upper part remains out of the water, although the user's mouth is below it, he breathes through the tube -9-1-4- as soon as said upper part is submerged, the float -2-12-- It is raised, rotating with the arm -11- around the axis -13-, and the saucer -5- acts as a valve that closes the mouth of the tube -4-, preventing the user from swallowing water.

NOTE

This registration consists of the following claims:

1.- Device for underwater breathing, characterized in that it consists of a straight tube, provided with a clamp for holding the strap pin by means of which the device is mounted on the user's head; whose tube, at one end, fits into the mouthpiece of another semi-circular angled tube, which has its mouth surrounded by a curved plate, which adapts to the user's lips, and in which, on either side of the mouth, two T-section projections are arranged, intended to be included between the teeth.

2.-. Device according to the previous point, characterized in that at the other end of the straight tube the nozzle of another angled one, with a circular axis, and lower development than a quadrant, is fitted, in front of whose mouth a conical rubber saucer is arranged, which is part of a piece that fits on its other side, into the protrusion of an arm, mounted rotatably in the elbow nozzle, whose arm is attached at the bottom to a float, so that when rotating by the action of the water to the assembly: arm , saucer and float, the tube entrance is closed.

3.- Underwater breathing device.

As described and claimed in this specification.

It is detailed and illustrated with the accompanying plans.

And it consists of six pages, paginated and typewritten on only one side.

Madrid, June 12. 1957.

 

[David Wilson]

While the first patent mentioned today relates to a traditional design, the second refers to a unique model:

Descriptive Report for a twenty-year Utility Model in Spain in favour of Mr. Miguel Lluch Codolá, a Spanish national, resident in Barcelona, Balmes, 355 in the matter of a “SWIMMING RESPIRATOR”.

The present utility model relates to a swimming respirator, which has the important advantage over the usual ones in enabling easy evacuation of water that may accidentally enter it, through the end of its tube, which is intended to remain above the surface of the water when swimming.

Essentially, the device claimed consists of a hollow body, which in the upper part has the mouthpiece, by which it is held in the swimmer's mouth, and in the lower part an eyebrow. elastic designed to expel water outside, when it is exercised with the hand it combines alternative pressure; whose body is joined to a tube that forms a right-angled elbow, and is extended to the appropriate length so that its end normally protrudes above the water level, to be used by the swimmer.

This elastic box acts as a pump, which allows the water that has penetrated into the respirator to be easily expelled, due to accidental immersion of the end of the tube, thereby achieving easy and perfect breathing through the device we are referring to, which means a considerable advantage over known swimming respirators.

For greater clarity, we will specify the characteristics of the claimed device, with reference to the attached figures that correspond, only, to one form of execution, without any limiting character, that is presented as an example of embodiment for the indicated purpose, and that the shape, dimensions and materials with which the respirator is constructed, will be in each case those deemed pertinent, without such variations, as well as those that may be made in details of presentation and organization, affecting the essentiality claimed, so the that are built, within the general idea outlined, with any of these modifications, will be nothing more than variants, equally understood and protected by this registration.

The fig. 1 represents an overall side view of a swimming respirator, established according to the model claimed.

The fig. 2 corresponds to the front and side view of the respirator, showing the mouthpiece through which the respirator is placed in the swimmer's mouth.

The fig. 3 illustrates the application of the respirator with the user swimming submerged.

With reference to said figures and the numbers that designate the parts and details of the represented respirator, which are of interest for the purposes of this report, the description thereof is as follows:

The respirator consists of the mouthpiece 1, which is held in the user's mouth 9 as seen in fig. 3, and through the threaded part 2 it is joined to the body 3 of the device, which at the bottom has the pump or elastic box 4.

To one side of the body 3, through the mouthpiece 7 and elbow 6, the tube 6 of the respirator is attached, intended for its end 10 to be above the water level 11.

With such an arrangement, as indicated, if when handling the device water enters through the end 10, the swimmer, making alternative pressure with his or her hand on the elastic box 4, projects said water to the outside, allowing this possibility for breathing to take place in the best conditions.

The mouthpiece 1 is adjusted in the mouth by the swimmer biting the projections 8, providing the effect.

NOTE

This utility model includes the following claims:

1.- Swimming respirator for, characterised in that it is made up of a hollow body, which in the upper part has the mouthpiece by which the swimmer is held in the mouth, and in the lower part forms an elastic box, intended to expel the water to the outside, when it is used with at least one alternative pressure; whose body is attached to a tube that forms a right-angled elbow and is extended to the necessary length so that its end protrudes above the water level, the respirator being used by the swimmer.

2.- Swimming respirator

As described and claimed herein and illustrated with the accompanying drawings.

This report consists of five pages numbered and typewritten on one side only.

Madrid, May 8, 1958

We shall review Lluch's snorkel-mask designs midweek.

 

[John C. Ratliff]

While the first patent mentioned today relates to a traditional design, the second refers to a unique model:

Descriptive Report for a twenty-year Utility Model in Spain in favour of Mr. Miguel Lluch Codolá, a Spanish national, resident in Barcelona, Balmes, 355 in the matter of a “SWIMMING RESPIRATOR”.

The present utility model relates to a swimming respirator, which has the important advantage over the usual ones in enabling easy evacuation of water that may accidentally enter it, through the end of its tube, which is intended to remain above the surface of the water when swimming.

Essentially, the device claimed consists of a hollow body, which in the upper part has the mouthpiece, by which it is held in the swimmer's mouth, and in the lower part an eyebrow. elastic designed to expel water outside, when it is exercised with the hand it combines alternative pressure; whose body is joined to a tube that forms a right-angled elbow, and is extended to the appropriate length so that its end normally protrudes above the water level, to be used by the swimmer.

This elastic box acts as a pump, which allows the water that has penetrated into the respirator to be easily expelled, due to accidental immersion of the end of the tube, thereby achieving easy and perfect breathing through the device we are referring to, which means a considerable advantage over known swimming respirators.

For greater clarity, we will specify the characteristics of the claimed device, with reference to the attached figures that correspond, only, to one form of execution, without any limiting character, that is presented as an example of embodiment for the indicated purpose, and that the shape, dimensions and materials with which the respirator is constructed, will be in each case those deemed pertinent, without such variations, as well as those that may be made in details of presentation and organization, affecting the essentiality claimed, so the that are built, within the general idea outlined, with any of these modifications, will be nothing more than variants, equally understood and protected by this registration.

The fig. 1 represents an overall side view of a swimming respirator, established according to the model claimed.

The fig. 2 corresponds to the front and side view of the respirator, showing the mouthpiece through which the respirator is placed in the swimmer's mouth.

The fig. 3 illustrates the application of the respirator with the user swimming submerged.

With reference to said figures and the numbers that designate the parts and details of the represented respirator, which are of interest for the purposes of this report, the description thereof is as follows:

The respirator consists of the mouthpiece 1, which is held in the user's mouth 9 as seen in fig. 3, and through the threaded part 2 it is joined to the body 3 of the device, which at the bottom has the pump or elastic box 4.

To one side of the body 3, through the mouthpiece 7 and elbow 6, the tube 6 of the respirator is attached, intended for its end 10 to be above the water level 11.

With such an arrangement, as indicated, if when handling the device water enters through the end 10, the swimmer, making alternative pressure with his or her hand on the elastic box 4, projects said water to the outside, allowing this possibility for breathing to take place in the best conditions.

The mouthpiece 1 is adjusted in the mouth by the swimmer biting the projections 8, providing the effect.

NOTE

This utility model includes the following claims:

1.- Swimming respirator for, characterised in that it is made up of a hollow body, which in the upper part has the mouthpiece by which the swimmer is held in the mouth, and in the lower part forms an elastic box, intended to expel the water to the outside, when it is used with at least one alternative pressure; whose body is attached to a tube that forms a right-angled elbow and is extended to the necessary length so that its end protrudes above the water level, the respirator being used by the swimmer.

2.- Swimming respirator

As described and claimed herein and illustrated with the accompanying drawings.

This report consists of five pages numbered and typewritten on one side only.

Madrid, May 8, 1958

View attachment 805063​

We shall review Lluch's snorkel-mask designs midweek.

This looks like one of the first attempts to deal with water inside the snorkel. But I think for actual surface dives to the bottom, the only method of expelling the water would be displacement, as normal blowing of the water out of the tube would not work. Perhaps blowing and at the same time working the pump would eliminate the water from the tube, but that seems excessive to me as the normal way of clearing the snorkel would be more efficient.

SeaRat

 

[David Wilson]

Thanks for the post, John.

Today we have the first of three Lluch snorkel-mask patents:

Descriptive Report for Utility Model for a period of twenty-years in Spain in favour of Mr. Miguel Lluch Codolá (of Spanish nationality) residing in Barcelona, Ramblas No. 27 for:

“UNDERWATER HUNTING MASK”

This utility model references an underwater hunting mask adapting to and perfectly covering the user’s face while protecting their ears by means of cups attached to the harness of the mask, which cover them. Said mask extends in its upper part into a conduit, having a device mounted on its end allowing the user to breathe while it is kept out of the water.

On its front, the mask has a wide ellipsoidal window, whose minor axis is large enough behind the lens enclosing the mask for it to cover the area from the middle of the user’s forehead to his mouth, allowing a wide view. The lens is held in a groove surrounding the edge of the mask window on the inside, while closure is achieved by a metal rim, whose ends are joined together by a nut and screw device.

In its upper part, behind the centre of the window, there is a hollow cylindrical appendage, internally reinforced with a metal cap, to take the end of the breathing tube, whose first part is made of flexible rubber, and extends into a metal tube, attached to the upper part of the mask’s harness. The metal tube has the breathing device mounted on its other end.

This is made up of a piece of rubber that has two parallel cylindrical housings joined together at their bases. One has a smaller diameter to take the end of the tube indicated. The other houses, from its mouth to its bases, a disc of light material. The latter is encased by its edge in a slot arranged in the body of the device, whose disc has windows separated by radial ribs and between them a conical taper towards the interior to take a metal piece, which with its other side holds the moulding in which a hollow celluloid ball sits. That metal piece, in the moulding part, has some radial perforations; and the ball is contained between longitudinal wings by its housing in the body of the device, and its movement is limited by an annular rim thereof.

We shall specify the characteristics of the underwater hunting mask that is claimed with reference to the attached figures. The latter correspond only to one embodiment, without any limiting character that is presented as an example for the purpose indicated. The shape, dimensions and materials used to construct the mask in each case will therefore be those that are deemed pertinent, without such variations. This also applies to anything involving details of presentation or organisation affecting the claimed essentials, so that any masks that are built within the general idea outlined, with any of these modifications, will only be variants, equally understood and protected by this registration.

Figure 1 presents the joint side view of an underwater hunting mask, established in accordance with what is claimed and placed on the user’s head.

Figure 2 shows its front and side view.

Figure 3 corresponds to the rear view.

Figure 4 illustrates its longitudinal arrangement, in section through its plane of symmetry, and projection of the side elements onto it.

Figure 5 presents the diametric section of the head of the breathing device.

Similarly, Figure 6 references the section of the piece that houses this device.

Figures 7 to 14 detail complementary aspects of the parts that make up the device.

With reference to such figures and the numbers on them designating the different parts and elements of the represented mask, which are of interest for the purposes of this report, whose description is as follows;

It is made up of the mask 1 itself, made of rubber, whose top 2 fits the user’s forehead and wings 3 fit on the sides of the face, up to the proximity of the head, while the bottom 4 fits under the chin of the same.

On its front, it is open and surrounded by the metal rim 5, provided with ears 6 that are held together by a nut and screw device 7, whose ring holds the lens 8 in a groove on the edges of the mask (Fig. 2), which enables the user to see.

In the upper part, the mask has a cylindrical appendage 9 that takes the end of the rubber hose 10 intended for breathing.

On the sides 3, the mask has some extensions 11. The latter have the fasteners or buckles 12 mounted on them that, through the crossbar 13, hold in the desired position, through its projections 15, the strap 14 of the harness of the mask, which it extends in 16 behind the head (Fig. 5) to be held in the same way at the other end.

Said harness is complemented by the straps 17, which cross over the head, crossing the part 18 that has the supports 19, of the metal tube 20 of the breathing device. These straps 17 are fastened by their ends 21 in the front part of the mask, by means of other fasteners 22 analogous to 12.

The cups 23 are mounted on the side straps 14-16, which have the projection 24 at their bottom, crossed in the grooves 25 by said straps, and which are intended to cover and protect the user’s ears.

As for the breathing device 26, mounted on the end of the metal tube 20, it is made up of a rubber part, marked 26 in the figures. The latter has cylindrical seats 28 and 29, with parallel axes, the first of which fits into the tube 20 through the flanged mouth 27, whose ducts communicate with each other through the part 44 of the base.

The cavity 29 houses: the disc 30, which by its edge 31 is centred in the groove 32 of the piece 26; the metallic and cylindrical part 36; and the hollow celluloid ball 40.

The disk 30, in addition to the rim 31, has grooves 34, separated by radial ribs 41, and the cup 35 that forms the projection 33 on the other side to take the conical part 38, hollowed out in the metal part 36.

This part 36 carries on its other side the cavity 37 housing the ball 40 and having the radial cavities 38. The cavities 37 and 38 communicate with each other through the orifice 45.

The ball 40 is contained within its contour between the radial fins 42, inside the duct 29 and this too has the annular rim 43 limiting the movement of the ball during breathing.

The metal part 36, when the breathing device 26 is in its normal position, out of the water, due to its weight rests on the 30. The ball 40 can carry out the alternative movement corresponding to breathing; when, on the other hand, the water enters through the grooves 34 and 39, the ball is pressed against the annular base 43 and the water never enters the mask interior.

NOTE

This utility model comprises the following claims.

1.- Underwater hunting mask characterised as comprising the rubber mask itself, adaptable to the user’s face, from his forehead to below his chin. The mask has a wide ellipsoidal window on the front, whose minor axis extends from above the eyes to below the mouth, enclosed by glass. The latter is contoured to fit in a groove within the edge of the window, which is surrounded by a metal rim, whose ends are joined together by means of a nut and screw device.

2.- Underwater hunting mask as claimed in the previous point, characterised by the upper part of the mask behind the centre of the window having a hollow cylindrical appendage. The latter is reinforced inside by a metal cap, which takes the end of the breathing tube, whose first part is made of flexible rubber, and a metal tube attached to the upper part of the mask strap and attached at the other end to the breathing device.

3.- Underwater hunting mask as claimed in the previous points, characterised by the breathing device comprising a rubber part. The latter has two parallel cylindrical housings, joined together by their bases. The smaller-diameter one is embedded in said metal tube. The larger one houses, from its mouth to the base, a disk of light material, embedded in a groove in the body of the device, a cylindrical metal part and a hollow celluloid ball. The disc has grooves separated by radial ribs, and a conical bulge in its centre with a cavity of the same shape to take the metal part. The latter, on its other side, presents the cavity to take the ball. Both cavities communicate with each other through a central moulding, and the orifice being provided with two radial perforations.

4.- Underwater hunting mask as claimed in point 3, characterised by the celluloid ball moving between longitudinal fins arranged within its housing and its travel is limited by a base emulating said housing.

5.- Underwater hunting mask as claimed in the previous points, characterised by the lateral parts of the mask having extensions on which the fasteners of the ends of the harness strap surrounding the user’s neck are mounted, in which cups are mounted, intended to cover the ears, which have a protrusion at the base crossed by said straps.

7.- Underwater hunting mask.

As described and claimed in this specification and illustrated with the accompanying regulatory plans.

This report consists of seven pages, numbered and typewritten on one side only.

Madrid, 13 November 1956.

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[David Wilson]

The patent drawings bear a close resemblance to a couple of other companies' snorkel-masks:

Typhoon Universal Ball Valve

The Universal Ball Valve appeared as follows in Skinner's handbook for skin divers:

yphoon patented the automatic valve in 1957. Here are the patent drawings of British Patent GB781597A, "Improvements in or relating to Valves for Underwater Breathing Apparatus":

The Typhoon Automatic Valve was by no means unique for its time. The French diving equipment Hurricane, whose products were carried by Typhoon, had a similar device in its repertoire:

More Lluch snorkel-mask designs at the weekend.

 

[David Wilson]

On to another Lluch snorkel-mask. First, the patent:

A Descriptive Report for a utility model of an “UNDERWATER HUNTING MASK” valid for twenty-years within Spain to support Mr. Miguel Lluch Codolé, a Spanish national resident at Ramblas 27 in BARCELONA.

The present utility model references an underwater hunting mask, whose advantage over known ones lies in the user’s breathing being secured by two independent ducts, connected at different places in the mask itself and each one provided with its corresponding valve, which shuts them off when they are submerged in the water, preventing the latter from reaching the user.

In addition to the advantage of having a double breathing duct, such an arrangement means that even if the user swims on his side, one of the valves always remains open and out of the water.

As far as the valves are concerned, they are very simple in organisation and safe in operation. They comprise a cup-shaped hollow body of elastic material, whose narrower side takes the end of a metal tube opening into the mask interior. Near the mouth of the wider side, there is a circular recess to take the edge of a disk, in which several orifices have been created. These surround another central orifice through which an offshoot passes, which on the outside is integral with the centre of a slightly conical plate, which constitutes the valve itself, while at the other end it has a projection, limiting the outlet of said valve.

The protective ear-cups project outwards at the bottom with facing slits through which the strap or band passes behind the neck to hold the mask on the user’s face. The strap is fixed with the buckle placed on the appropriately sized mask. This strap is covered at centre rear by a riveted fold, whose strap on its other side is fixed at the mask top with another buckle.

We shall specify the characteristics of the layout claimed with reference to the attached figures, which correspond to one embodiment only, without any limitation. This is because the different parts of the mask can be manufactured in whatever shapes, sizes and materials are judged adequate in each case for the specific application in question without any variations. The same applies to any practicable details in presentation or organisation affecting the essence of the claim. Therefore, masks that are built within the general idea outlined and with any of these modifications will not be but variants equally understood and protected by the terms of this registration.

Fig. 1 presents the side view of an underwater hunting mask assembly established according to what is claimed:

Fig. 2 shows its front view.

Fig. 3 illustrates the placement of the mask on the user’s head.

Fig. 4 details, in diametric section and front view, one of the breathing valves.

Fig. 5 presents two complementary aspects of the protective ear-cups.

With reference to said figures and the numbers designating parts and details of the mask represented, which are of interest for the purposes of this report, description of same is as follows:

This comprises the rubber mask 1 itself, which fits onto the user’s forehead at the top and which by means of skirt 20 covers the chin at the bottom, completely fitting the entire face. This mask is reinforced by ribs 3 and at the sides carry supports 4, which end in reinforcements 5, which take buckles 6 to join strap 16, which carries ribs 21 which with crossbar of said buckle enables the strap to be fastened with a similar arrangement at its other end.

Mounted on these straps are ear-cups 15 (fig. 5), which are concave, to surround and protect the ears and have circular outward projections 26, with slit or space 27 for aforementioned strap 16 to pass through.

At rear, strap 11 is joined by means of riveted fold 17 to strap 16. Strap 11 is fixed to mask top with a buckle similar to 6 described above.

The mask front is surrounded by metal rim 2, sealed by lugs 9 and screw and nut device 8, whose rim holds lens 22 covering the upper face (fig. 3), allowing a wide field of vision.

The mask itself has appendages 7, which take curved ends of metal tubes 10 at right angles, which at their other end have a double elbow, following which they take valve bodies 13, whose tubes converge towards their upper part, to be joined by rubber crosspiece 14 (fig. 3).

Body 13 of each valve houses, within a socket arranged for that purpose, the edge of disk 23, which has holes 18, surrounding another arranged at centre for passage of offshoot 24, integral with slightly conical plate 12, designed to act as closure for mouth of said body 13. Offshoot 24 has inward projection 25, limiting separation between plate 12 and mouth of body 13.

In fig. 2, the fittings of metal tubes 10 in mask itself are indicated at 19.

NOTE

This Utility Model comprises the following claims:

1.- An underwater hunting mask, characterised in upper part of rubber mask itself having two hollow appendages. in which the ends of two metal tubes are fitted under pressure, which are curved to be arranged parallel to the upper part of the head and bend, at a certain distance from it, in a double elbow to receive the bodies of the breathing valves coupled to their extremities.

2.- A mask as claimed in previous point, characterised in each of these valves being arranged symmetrically on either side of the upper part of head. It consists of a cup-shaped hollow body of elastic material, which on its narrower side takes end of corresponding metal tube opening into mask interior. Near mouth of wider side, there is a circular recess to take edge of a disk, which has several orifices surrounding another central one having an offshoot integral with the centre of a slightly conical plate, which constitutes valve itself, while there is a projection at other end, limiting the outlet of said valve.

3.- A mask as claimed in previous points, characterised in having ear-covering cups projecting outwards at their bottom with facing slots through which a strap passes, which behind the nape holds the mask onto the user’s face. This strap is fixed by a buckle on each side of said mask and in its centre rear it is covered by a riveted fold of a strap that is fixed on its other side to mask top with another buckle.

4.- Underwater hunting mask.

As described, claimed herein and illustrated with accompanying drawings.

This report consists of seven pages, numbered and typewritten on one side.

Madrid, 14 June 1957.