Full face respirator mask having integral connectors disposed in lens area

The present invention relates to a full-face respirator, the one integrated with the face mask protecting the connector for breathing air supply having.

BACKGROUND ART

Ventilators that a carrier provide a breathing air supply, are in for many years known art and in use. Such masks are used by of firefighters, in the military field and in industries where contamination present in the air supply can. additionally offer to provide a clean air source for the nose and mouth to breathe Full face masks and a seal for protecting eyes and Face against harmful or irritating gases and other substances. Such masks typically have a transparent face shield and may also brackets for inclusion removable and replaceable filter elements or connectors to have air supplies. Such holders are often called threaded connector run, the considerably much time and effort require the attachment and removal and not stop when reaching a distinctive safety position offer.

It is to assume that the utility of such a mask increased , when the visual range of the wearer has minimal obstructions. Therefore, the size of the transparent Face protection are maximized. Former full-face masks presented sufficient coverage of the face ready they failed However, in providing a sufficiently large field of view. Fastening devices for the source of breathing air are typically in a upwardly extending, located at the bottom of the mask disposed portion of opaque rubber been with them and the size of the lens portion the field of view at the lower part of the face shield reduced. Due to the weight of removable filters or air hoses and Connectors, it is usually necessary, the thickness of the surrounding the inhalation ports to mask body zoom to provide sufficient stiffness to the connector for the air source to keep or the filter cartridge in the mounting position, what with it leads, that the mask additional added weight becomes. The elimination thick rubber mounting portions reduced the total weight of the mask and provides the wearer greater comfort. It can be assumed, that when such full-face respirator masks worn during extended periods be, the weight of the mask and the comfort for the wearer of increased importance are.

On example for a full-face respirator, the respirator model 7600 North Safety Equipment. The full facepiece of North has therein by the same shaped openings for the Supply to breathing air. require these openings However, the attachment of separately-to-install hardware mechanically for the connection of a breathing air source is attached to the facepiece. The face part of North requires a separate cartridge connector and a passage holder for face part in order to adapt to a connector to a source of breathing air. If the connector pieces not are tightened properly, the mask may be leaking, or the Connector unit may in the opening rotate. Some filter cartridges are in a special position directed and can are misaligned, if you twist what may the field of view of the wearer impaired.

SUMMARY

in the Light of the above discussion it can be seen that a new and improved mask is needed the better visibility providing and their construction has a low weight. A Such a mask should be a fitting of filter elements or air supply connectors allow directly in face protection, of a larger lens portion and a larger field of view provides. Such full-face mask should be composed easily have blank and lightweight to offer the wearer maximum comfort. Furthermore should such a mask full cover and seal the entire Facial surface of carrier provide. connections should for air springs be sure and a quick and easy application and removal allow. The present invention addresses this as well as other Problems associated with full-face masks.

The present invention is directed to a full face mask, the Filters or air supply connectors providing for a Supply of fresh air to breathe. The present invention includes a full facemask with a lens portion, the transparent is and covers the eyes, nose and mouth of the wearer. A frame and a seal is formed around the face shield part around to a toward provide airtight sealing to the face of the wearer. A Rebänderung and a belt are connected to the gasket and the frame around, the mask in immaculate and comfortable position against the Face of the wearer to keep.

Of the Face shield includes a transparent lens portion substantially over the entire face of the wearer extends. openings are in a lower portion of Linsenab-section formed connector for a breathing air source such replaceable and interchangeable filters or pressure air supplies having. In one embodiment, is an opening for the Receiving a nose cup and an exhalation opening exists that a air outflow permits from the respirator. One or more inhalation ports permit inflow of air. In the illustrated embodiment, the openings on both sides of the exhalation port arranged.

The inhalation ports have connectors molded directly into the lens portion are or in a preferred embodiment by ultrasonic welded to the lens portion and form a monolithic lens and connector element. The Connector portions Inhalation valves near the openings exhibit. the air flow to be regulated by the openings and only limit to the inward direction. In one embodiment, each connector has a plug portion which extends outwardly and in a corresponding connector-receiving part on the Wechselfilter- or air supply connectors fit. The exhibit connector mating portions several tabs on which of the around the exterior arranged connector. The tabs extend into slots are formed in the breathing air supply connectors. In a preferred embodiment can the tongues of different widths or heights or different pitch intervals have to for to ensure an alignment or orientation of the filter cartridges. The opening through the connector portion includes cross pieces, which support a barb portion which is inserted into the inhalation valve and this is supported. at another embodiment, each connector to a receiving portion formed in the lens and for receiving a corresponding connector of this a breathing air source is designed.

The Design of the lens, and the connector provides a simpler ready assembly than conventional face mask devices. Furthermore the connectors are formed in the lens unit, by more viewing area around the Connector around provide as well as an overall wider field of view. Also ensure the integrated molded connector for a stronger, yet lighter Weight compound having the face-piece of a Orientation of the connected element and services while the possibility a leak by a mechanical connection off.

These and various other advantages and features of novelty which the Invention featuring, be attached with accuracy in the herein claims that a part hereof constitute represented. For a better understanding of the Invention, its advantages, and the obtained by its use However purposes should to the drawings, the another part thereof represent, and on the descriptive part, in which a preferred embodiment is the invention illustrated and described, reference can be made.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, in which like all representations Reference letters and characters denote the corresponding elements, show:

<figref idrefs="S14">1</figref> in perspective front view a full-face respirator according to the principles the present invention;

<figref idrefs="S15">2</figref> in Front View in the <figref idrefs="S14">1</figref> Respirator shown;

<figref idrefs="S16">3</figref> in exploded perspective view of the in <figref idrefs="S14">1</figref> illustrated Respirator;

<figref idrefs="S17">4</figref> in perspective view of a first embodiment of a lens and an opening element for the in <figref idrefs="S14">1</figref> Respirator shown;

<figref idrefs="S17">5</figref> in perspective view of a bayonet connector for in <figref idrefs="S14">1</figref> illustrated Respirator;

<figref idrefs="S18">6</figref> in exploded perspective view of a second embodiment of accordance with the principles the present invention;

<figref idrefs="S19">7</figref> in exploded perspective view of a second embodiment of a lens and an aperture element for the in <figref idrefs="S14">1</figref> Respirator shown;

<figref idrefs="S20">8th</figref> in side detail view of the opening portion and the connector of the in <figref idrefs="S19">7</figref> Lens shown.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Among with reference to <figref idrefs="S14">1</figref> and <figref idrefs="S15">2</figref> is a Respirator with the general reference <figref>10</figref> shown. When the respirator <figref>10</figref> is it a full-face respirator, a cover of substantially the entire surface of Face of a wearer, including a covering of the eyes, nose and mouth, provides. The respirator <figref>10</figref> has a face protection <figref>12</figref> With a rigid plastic lens <figref>14</figref> surrounding facial seal <figref>20</figref> on. The face seal <figref>20</figref> prevents Fumes, smoke, dust, fog and other irritants and health hazardous gases and fluids because with the wearer's face to come into contact. The rigid plastic lens<figref>14</figref> has a transparent viewing section <figref>15</figref> and an opening portion <figref>17</figref> on. The opening portion <figref>17</figref> is gem when viewing the mask in front view. <figref idrefs="S15">2</figref> below the display portion <figref>15</figref> arranged. The opening portion<figref>17</figref> includes first and second inlet ports <figref>16</figref>. opposite to each other opposite sides of an exhalation <figref>18</figref> arranged are.

As in <figref idrefs="S16">3</figref> shown, the full-face respirator <figref>10</figref> a Banding unit <figref>26</figref> on, which connects to the mask and extends around the back of the wearer, around the mask <figref>10</figref> about the face of the wearer support. The respirator also includes an upper frame part <figref>22</figref> on, of a lower frame portion <figref>24</figref> followed that around the face shield <figref>12</figref> and the face seal <figref>20</figref> extends.

The exhalation <figref>18</figref> for recording and aligning a medium adapter <figref>30</figref>To which a nose cup <figref>40</figref> fits, on the face of the wearer fits and covers generally the mouth and nose. As in<figref idrefs="S18">6</figref> shown, , the resource adapter <figref>30</figref> one against the periphery of the exhalation <figref>18</figref> fitting Central adapter seal <figref>32</figref> and a Mitteladapterfuß <figref>34</figref> on. The Mitteladapterfuß <figref>34</figref> takes a exhalation valve <figref>38</figref> on, but the flow outwardly not allowed inside, and thereby the support an improved breathing offers. A medium adapter cover<figref>36</figref> is above the Mitteladapterfuß <figref>34</figref> appropriate. The resource adapter <figref>30</figref> can also be a (not shown) having opening device which improved communication at selected Applications provides.

In one embodiment has the nose shell <figref>40</figref> a central opening <figref>42</figref> in which the resource adapter <figref>30</figref> fits. The nose shell<figref>40</figref> has also Einatemventilöffnungen <figref>44</figref> to Low Einatemventilen <figref>46</figref>That flow towards but inwardly not outwardly allow to. In the illustrated embodiment, the valves<figref>46</figref> on both sides of the inside of the nose shell <figref>40</figref> arranged.

Each inhalation opening <figref>16</figref> of Face shield includes a bayonet connector <figref>50</figref> on, the for the inclusion of a supplementary Connector portion of a breathable air source such as a replaceable and replaceable filter cartridge, or an air supply connector is designed. The connector<figref>50</figref> are with the lens <figref>14</figref> "Integrated," that is, the connector <figref>50</figref> are more glued, welded, molded, or otherwise the lens <figref>14</figref> shaped as mechanically attached. The bayonet connector<figref>50</figref> is made of plastic preferably either with ultrasound directly to the plastic lens <figref>14</figref> welded or otherwise so with the lens <figref>14</figref> shaped to a monolithic, interruption-free element is formed. A seal ring<figref>51</figref>. on the surface of the Lens protrudes and the inhalation opening <figref>16</figref> surrounds, can be utilized to the formation of a hermetic seal between the lens <figref>14</figref> and the connector <figref>50</figref> to support.

It is to assume that the direct attachment of an enlarged transparent lens <figref>14</figref> and a larger viewing area directly subsequently the bayonet connector portion <figref>50</figref> and those surrounding, thereby increasing the visibility improve the wearer. The integral lens <figref>14</figref> and the connector <figref>50</figref> offer a stronger Connection than the mechanical connections of the prior Technology. The face shield is also represented in the US utility model registration Serial no. D-29 / 060,111 entitled "Full face respirator lens" filed on same date as this application, and the disclosure is in their Entirety incorporated herein by reference.

As out <figref idrefs="S17">4</figref> and <figref idrefs="S17">5</figref> be seen, each of the connector portions <figref>50</figref> a connector plug part <figref>58</figref> on, the radially extending tongues <figref>60</figref> having, in the matching slots in the male connector to the (not shown) Breathing air supply connectors for Connecting the cartridge directly to the lens portion <figref>14</figref> fit. The bayonet connector <figref>50</figref> is inserted into a matching Connector portion a connector of a breathing air source and rotated, so that the tongues <figref>60</figref> engage until the tongues with Ends of the respective slots are engaged, whereby a form-fitting Rotational stop point is provided. In a preferred embodiment the tongues <figref>60</figref> at different distances from each other arranged, or they have different heights or widths to an alignment in supplementary Slots in the connectors for Breathing air sources allow. This design creates conditions for automatically aligning and preliminary air filter cartridges, since certain cartridges may are not symmetrical or in another respect a specific Positioning in relation to the breathing mask <figref>10</figref> require.

As out <figref idrefs="S18">6</figref> apparent, each bayonet connector portion <figref>50</figref> a poetry <figref>52</figref> , which on the connector plug-in section <figref>58</figref> fits. an inhalation valve<figref>62</figref> is preferably a flexible planar member to the inside the inhalation opening <figref>16</figref> followed and central opening which the barbs approach a <figref>64</figref> receives. The barb approach<figref>64</figref> becomes by a crosspiece <figref>56</figref> in the opening <figref>54</figref> of bayonet connector <figref>50</figref> Having what most clearly in <figref idrefs="S17">4</figref> and <figref idrefs="S17">5</figref> recognizable is.

In <figref idrefs="S19">7</figref> is a second embodiment, eggnes face protection <figref>112</figref> shown. The face shield<figref>112</figref> has a lens <figref>114</figref> on the display portion a <figref>115</figref> and a lower opening portion <figref>117</figref> having. In a preferred embodiment, the face shield <figref>112</figref> a lens <figref>114</figref> with a Central adapter <figref>130</figref> and a pair of on each side the adapter means arranged inhalation ports <figref>116</figref> on. The face shield <figref>112</figref> is equal to the face shield <figref>12</figref> with the Except that the inhalation ports <figref>116</figref> each a male connector <figref>150</figref> for receiving a corresponding connector <figref>160</figref> have a source of breathing air. The connector<figref>160</figref> the Breathing air source includes radially outward extending tabs <figref>162</figref> on. The connector <figref>160</figref> holds an inhalation valve and a seal. The opening the male connector <figref>150</figref> has radially outwardly extending recesses <figref>152</figref> on which the corresponding for recording shaped tongues <figref>162</figref> are designed. Furthermore has the male type <figref>150</figref> Tongue retaining parts <figref>154</figref> as in <figref idrefs="S20">8th</figref> displayed on, the slots for receiving the radially outwardly extending tongues <figref>162</figref> form. It is likely that the connector <figref>160</figref> the breathing air source by inserting the radially outwardly extending tongues <figref>162</figref> through the recesses <figref>152</figref> at the male connector <figref>150</figref> be connected. The connector is then rotated to the tongues <figref>162</figref> in the tongue of the holding parts <figref>154</figref> formed slots introduce, the end of the slots, a positive locking position provide. A separation is by turning the parts set in counter Direction and pulling the connector <figref>160</figref> of the lens <figref>114</figref> reached, wherein the tongues <figref>162</figref> through the recesses <figref>152</figref> drawn will. In a preferred embodiment, the tongues<figref>162</figref> different Heights and / or widths on, or they are arranged at different distances from each other, and the tongue retaining parts <figref>154</figref> form corresponding slots for the orientation connector <figref>160</figref>,

As in <figref idrefs="S18">6</figref> illustrated, the present invention also an embodiment for receiving comprise a pair of glasses. The additional eyeglass<figref>70</figref> connects to the Interior of the lens portion <figref>14</figref> to order glasses properly before the eyes of a wearer align. About that also serves a neckband <figref>74</figref> around the back of the wearer's head to Wear the respirator <figref>10</figref>When it is not used. For certain Applications fit a lens cover <figref>72</figref> an outer top Area of ​​the lens portion <figref>14</figref> for extra protection.

It should be understood that even among the many characterizing features and advantages of the present invention, in the preceding Description, together with details of the structure and operation the invention have been set forth, are illustrative only and changes in detail, particularly with regard to shape, size and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full Screen done the indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms is, appended to the claims expressed.