U.S. patent application number 10/723651 was filed with the patent office on 2005-05-26 for face mask retaining system.
Invention is credited to Morgan, Connie L., Morgan, William B., Schultz, Trent M..
Application Number | 20050108801 10/723651 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34552755 |
Filed Date | 2005-05-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050108801 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Morgan, William B. ; et
al. |
May 26, 2005 |
FACE MASK RETAINING SYSTEM
Abstract
A retaining system for the hood, face seal, and mounting band(s)
of facemasks that have a hood and/or a face seal that are sealed
and securely mounted to the mask using a band type of clamping
method, is provided. The retaining system may include a redundant
system that may not allow the mask to be separated from the hood,
face seal, and the mounting band(s).
Inventors: |
Morgan, William B.; (Santa
Barbara, CA) ; Morgan, Connie L.; (Santa Barbara,
CA) ; Schultz, Trent M.; (Goleta, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CISLO & THOMAS, LLP
233 WILSHIRE BLVD
SUITE 900
SANTA MONICA
CA
90401-1211
US
|
Family ID: |
34552755 |
Appl. No.: |
10/723651 |
Filed: |
November 25, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/9 ; 2/205 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A62B 18/084 20130101;
B63C 11/12 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
002/009 ;
002/205 |
International
Class: |
A42B 001/00 |
Claims
1. (canceled)
2. (canceled)
3. (canceled)
4. (canceled)
5. (canceled)
6. (canceled)
7. (canceled)
8. (canceled)
9. (canceled)
10. A face mask retaining system, comprising: a face mask; a hood
configured as a head cover; a mounting band integral with said hood
and configured to couple to said face mask and form a seal between
said hood and said face mask; a head harness configured to hold
said face mask against the face of a user; and at least one bracket
configured to couple said face mask to said integral mounting band,
said integral mounting band comprising a plurality of spaced apart
coupling structures configured to couple to said head harness and
to said at least one bracket, said at least one bracket being
configured to couple to said coupling structures of said integral
mounting band, said at least one bracket comprising a coupling
structure configured to couple to said head harness, said head
harness comprising a plurality of flanges configured to extend
around said hood, and a plurality of orifices within each of said
flanges configured to couple to said coupling structures of said
integral mounting band and said coupling structure of said at least
one bracket.
11. A face mask retaining system, comprising: a face mask; a hood
configured as a head cover; a mounting band integral with said hood
and configured to couple to said face mask and form a seal between
said hood and said face mask; a head harness configured to hold
said face mask against the face of a user; and at least one bracket
configured to couple said face mask to said integral mounting band,
said integral mounting band comprising a plurality of spaced apart
coupling structures configured to couple to said head harness and
to said at least one bracket, said at least one bracket being
configured to couple to said coupling structures of said integral
mounting band, said at least one bracket comprising a coupling
structure configured to couple to said head harness, said head
harness comprising a plurality of flanges configured to extend
around said hood, and a plurality of orifices within each of said
flanges configured to couple to said coupling structures of said
integral mounting band and said coupling structure of said at least
one bracket, wherein more than one of said plurality of orifices is
adapted to couple to each of said coupling structures.
12. (canceled)
13. (canceled)
14. (canceled)
15. (canceled)
16. (canceled)
17. (canceled)
18. (canceled)
19. (canceled)
20. A face mask retaining system, comprising: a face mask; a hood
configured as a head cover; a mounting band integral with said hood
and configured to couple to said face mask and form a seal between
said hood and said face mask; a head harness configured to couple
to said face mask and to said integral mounting band; and at least
one bracket configured to couple said face mask to said integral
mounting band, said at least one bracket comprising a coupling
structure configured to couple to said head harness, said integral
mounting band comprising a plurality of spaced apart coupling
structures configured to couple to said head harness and to said at
least one bracket, said head harness comprising a plurality of
flanges configured to extend around said hood, and a plurality of
orifices within each of said plurality of flanges configured to
couple to said coupling structure of said integral mounting band
and said coupling structure of said at least one bracket.
21. A system for retaining a mask over the face of a user,
comprising: at least one mounting band; a hood with a substantially
tubular end adapted to receive and hold said at least one mounting
band; a harness adapted to fit over said hood, said harness
configured for coupling to said at least one mounting band; and at
least one bracket adapted to engage said harness and securely
couple the mask to said at least one mounting band when said at
least one mounting band is being held by said hood.
22. The system of claim 21, wherein said at least one mounting band
is equipped with a plurality of mounting studs.
23. The system of claim 22, wherein said at least one bracket is
adapted to engage at least one of said mounting studs.
24. The system of claim 22, wherein said substantially tubular end
of said hood is provided with a plurality of orifices.
25. The system of claim 2, wherein said mounting studs are adapted
to extend through said orifices.
26. The system of claim 2, wherein at least one of said orifices is
adapted to receive said at least one mounting band .
27. A system for retaining a mask over the face of a user,
comprising: at least one mounting band; a hood with a substantially
tubular end adapted to receive and hold said at least one mounting
band; a harness adapted to fit over said hood, said harness
including a plurality of flanges adapted for coupling to said at
least one mounting band; and at least one bracket adapted to engage
at least one of said flanges and securely couple the mask to said
at least one mounting band when said at least one mounting band is
being held by said hood.
28. The system of claim 27, wherein said at least one bracket is
equipped with at least one harness mounting stud.
29. The system of claim 28, wherein at least one of said flanges is
equipped with a plurality of orifices.
30. The system of claim 28, wherein said at least one harness
mounting stud is adapted to engage at least one of said
orifices.
31. (canceled)
32. (canceled)
33. (canceled)
34. (canceled)
35. (canceled)
36. (canceled)
37. A system for retaining a mask over the face of a user,
comprising: a first strap; a second strap adapted to be clamped to
said first strap, each of said first and second straps being
equipped with a plurality of mounting studs; a hood with a
substantially tubular end adapted to receive and hold said first
and second straps, said substantially tubular end being provided
with a plurality of orifices, said mounting studs adapted to extend
through said orifices; a harness adapted to fit over said hood,
said harness including at least one flange adapted to be engaged by
at least one of said mounting studs; and at least one bracket
configured to engage said at least one flange and securely couple
the mask to at least one of said mounting studs when said clamped
first and second straps are being held by said substantially
tubular end of said hood.
38. The system of claim 37, wherein said at least one flange is
equipped with a plurality of orifices.
39. The system of claim 38, wherein said at least one bracket is
equipped with at least one harness mounting stud.
40. The system of claim 39, wherein said at least one harness
mounting stud is adapted to engage at least one of said flange
orifices.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] There may be many different types of personnel protective
masks (diving, firefighting, mining, confined space, etc.) that may
use a mounting band type clamp to securely mount and seal the hood
and/or face seal components to the mask.
[0002] The mount band(s) on these masks may be a hose clamp-type of
design. They may be a long strap that may be configured to couple
the ends together, which is utilized for adjusting or tightening a
hood to the mask. The tightening action of the mounting band(s) may
be what securely clamps and seals the hood, and/or face seals the
mask. This may allow the hood and/or face seals to be regularly
maintained or changed.
[0003] The masks may have a groove or mounting surface around the
back edge of the mask where the hood and/or face seal fit across
and/or into for mounting to the mask. The mounting band(s) then may
fit over the hood and/or face seal into this groove in the mask.
This groove may help to hold everything in place when it has all
been installed and tightened. There may be, however, nothing that
physically or mechanically connects and secures the mounting
band(s) to the mask, it may be merely the clamping force of the
mounting band holding the hood and/or face seal and mounting
band(s) in the groove and sealing them to the mask.
[0004] Some of the mounting band(s) may have head harness mount
studs or buckles attached to them. A problem may arise when masks
using mounting band(s) are not correctly maintained and properly
adjusted, as they may become loose. If the band(s) become loose
there may be the potential that the mask may separate from any
combination of the hood, face seal, or mounting band(s), or the
mask from all of them at once.
[0005] The hoods and/or face seals currently being produced for
personnel protective masks may use the mounting band(s) design to
mount the hood and/or face seal, may have a flat mounting flap-type
of area for the attachment/sealing of the hood and/or face seal to
the mask. This flap area, when installed, may be clamped between
the mounting band(s) and the mask securing and sealing the hood
and/or face seal to the mask.
[0006] There may be several different types of hoods and/or face
seals. Some may be just a hood or just a face seal. Some may have
the face seal glued to the inside of the hood. Some may stack the
face seal, then the hood under the mounting band(s) on the
mask.
[0007] Some hoods and/or face seals may have a mating groove molded
or created into them for the mounting band(s) to mate or fit into.
Some of them may have a bump or protrusion at the end of the
mounting flap that may help prevent the mounting flap from being
extracted or pulled out from between the mounting band(s) and mask.
Both the mating groove and bump or protrusion at the end of the
flap may fail if the mounting band(s) are not properly maintained,
are out of adjustment, or if there is a catastrophic failure
(broken bolt, stripped nut, etc.).
[0008] What is needed is a retaining system that may provide a
redundant, retrofittable, and safer system for retaining masks, and
the like, a greater level of safety, and may be retrofittable to
existing systems.
SUMMARY
[0009] Exemplary embodiments may include a mask retaining system,
including a mask, a hood configured to cover a head of a user, a
mount band integral with the hood, configured to couple to the
mask, and to form a seal between the hood and the mask, and a
harness configured to couple to the mask and the mount band.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a retaining system according
to an exemplary embodiment.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a close up view of a portion of a system according
to an exemplary embodiment.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a close up view of a portion of a system according
to an exemplary embodiment.
[0013] FIG. 4a is a perspective view of a portion of a system
according to an exemplary embodiment.
[0014] FIG. 4b is a perspective view of a portion of a system
according to an exemplary embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] The detailed description set forth below in connection with
the appended drawings is intended as a description of exemplary
embodiments and is not intended to represent the only forms in
which the embodiments may be constructed and/or utilized. The
description also sets forth the functions and the sequence of steps
for constructing and operating the invention in connection with the
illustrated embodiments. However, it is to be understood that the
same or equivalent functions and sequences may be accomplished by
different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed
within the spirit and scope of the invention.
[0016] Exemplary embodiments may incorporate a hood and/or face
seal that may be produced with the mounting flap area of the hood
and/or face seal being able to securely couple to a mounting band.
The front edge of the mounting flap area of the hood and/or face
seal may be extended, then folded back and attached (sewn, glued,
molded, etc.) to itself creating a strong tube-like hollow area
large enough to be configured to receive the mounting band(s). The
tube-like hollow space may have orifices or apertures, formed
within it, which may allow the mounting band to be slipped into, or
fed therethrough, and into the hollow area, thereby coupling the
mounting band(s) to the hood, within the hollow area. Screw(s) or
other coupling devices and configurations may then be installed
into the mounting band(s). With this configuration, there may be no
possible way for the hood and/or face seal to separate from the
mounting band(s). There may also be additional holes adjacent to
the hollow area, which may allow the head harness mounts, coupling
structures, or buckles that may be attached to the mounting
band(s), to be accessible to a user.
[0017] Once the hood and/or face seal that couples to the mounting
bands are properly fitted and installed onto the mask, the mounting
band(s) may be mechanically coupled to the mask. This may be
achieved with several different methods, including, but not limited
to, connecting plate(s), wire or cable(s), or drilling through the
mounting band itself and using screws, bolts and nuts. The
connecting plate(s) design may be preferred because of ease of
manufacturing, less maintenance, and better sealing arrangement to
the mask, as well as easier retrofitting of existing systems.
[0018] One exemplary embodiment of the connecting plates may allow
for retrofittability to the existing mount bands and masks. This
connecting plate may have an orifice or hole with an elongated slot
at one end. The hole may be slipped over the head of the head
harness mount stud, or coupling structure, on the mounting band(s).
The connecting plate may then be moved, such that the slot is
caught between the head of the head harness mount stud and the
mounting band itself. Using a separate smaller hole in the
connecting plate, the connecting plate may then be securely coupled
to the mask by drilling a hole in the mask and using screws or a
bolt and nut to mechanically fasten the connecting plate to the
mask, or other coupling configuration, as desired.
[0019] An exemplary embodiment of the connecting plate may allow
for retrofitability to the existing mount band(s), and may provide
a head harness mounting stud or head harness adjustment buckle that
may be attached, or an integral part of the connecting plate. This
may allow the force of the pull created by the head harness to be
distributed to the connecting plate rather than the mounting
band(s).
[0020] A diving mask retaining system according to an exemplary
embodiment is shown in FIG. 1, generally at 10. FIG. 1 is an
exploded view of a system according to an exemplary embodiment.
System 10 may include a hood 12, a mask 14, and a band 16
configured to couple the hood 12 to mask 14. System 10 may further
include a harness 18 configured to couple to band 16, such that an
airtight and/or watertight seal is created and maintained between
mask 14 and hood 12, as well as between hood 12 and/or mask 14, and
a user.
[0021] System 10 may also include a top bracket 20 that may be
configured to couple to mask 14 and to band 16, as well as hood 12.
System 10 may further include one or more side brackets 22
configured to couple to mask 14, band 16, and hood 12. With this
configuration, mask 14 and hood 12 may be securely coupled together
such that when a user is using this system in water or other areas,
the portions may be coupled together safely such that air or water
may not enter.
[0022] Furthermore, band 16 may be integral with hood 12 in that it
may be coupled to hood 12 such that if band 16 loosens, it will not
allow band 16 and hood 12 to separate. It may also not allow hood
12 to separate from mask 14. Hood 12 may be configured in a
loop-like configuration to receive band 16, and may include
orifices 40 to allow coupling structure 30 of band 16 to extend
therethrough. Hood 12 may also include a seam 46 which may secure
the hood to itself. This configuration may secure band 16 to hood
12. It will be appreciated that other hood and band configurations,
as well as different coupling configurations may be utilized, as
desired.
[0023] Band 16 may include coupling structures 30 that may be
configured to couple to harness 18 and brackets 20 and 22 such that
an airtight and/or watertight seal may be maintained between hood
12 and mask 14.
[0024] Hood 12 may be a diving hood such that it may be configured
to enclose the head of a user. Furthermore, hood 12 may be made
from neoprene, or other material that may be used for diving,
firefighting, or other activity. Hood 12 may further include face
seal 34 that may be configured to contact the face of a user such
that when the system is utilized, an airtight and/or watertight
seal will be maintained between seal 34 and the face of a user such
that an alternative breathing apparatus may be utilized for
breathing in water, near a fire, or other situation where an
alternative breathing apparatus is desired. It will be appreciated
that other configurations may be utilized, as desired.
[0025] Hood 12 may also be configured with orifices 40 that will
allow coupling structures 30 to extend therethrough. Furthermore,
hood 12 may be configured to be coupled to band 16 such that band
16 and hood 12 are integral with each other. This coupling may be
via a sewn loop within hood 12, such that band 16 may reside in the
area created by the loop, and band 16 may be selectively removable
therefrom. In this manner, a band 16 may be removed from a hood
such that when a new one is needed or desired, it may be
replaced.
[0026] Band 16 is typically a hose clamp-type configuration that
may be coupled and tightened such that an airtight and/or
watertight seal may be created between hood 12 and mask 14. It will
be appreciated that other coupling configurations and designs may
be utilized for band 16, as desired. Band 16 is typically made of
metal, but also may be made of other materials such as plastic
compounds, rubber compounds, metal compounds, and combinations
thereof.
[0027] Mask 14 may be a mask utilized for diving, for firefighting,
or other activity where an airtight and/or watertight seal is
necessary, or when an alternative breathing apparatus is required,
desired, or needed, or for other activities.
[0028] Top bracket 20 may couple to mask 14 via a screw, bolt,
rivet, adhesive, or may be integrally formed with mask 14, or other
coupling configuration, as desired. Top bracket 20 may include an
orifice 50 that may be configured to allow coupling structure 30 to
extend therethrough to secure band 16 to mask 14 and top bracket
20. Top bracket 20 may be made from metal, plastic compounds,
rubber compounds, and combinations thereof, or other materials, as
desired.
[0029] Side bracket 22 is configured to couple to mask 14 and to
band 16 via coupling structures 30. Side bracket 22 typically
includes an orifice 52 to allow coupling structure 30 to extend
therethrough and to slide into a second position such that side
bracket 22 and mask 14 are securely coupled to band 16.
Furthermore, since band 16 may be integrally coupled with hood 12,
hood 12 may be coupled to mask 14 in an airtight and/or watertight
manner. Side bracket 22 may be coupled to mask 14 via a screw,
bolt, rivet, adhesive, or other coupling configuration, as desired.
Mask 14 is typically a mask used in firefighting, diving, or other
activity.
[0030] Harness 18 is configured to couple to coupling structures 30
such that an airtight and/or watertight seal may be maintained
between face seal 34 and the user's face, and also an airtight
and/or watertight seal between mask 14 and hood 12. Harness 18 may
include flanges 70 and orifices 72. Flanges 70 may be configured to
extend around a head of a user, however, other configurations may
be utilized, as desired. Orifices 72 may be configured to couple to
coupling structures 30. More than one orifice may be couple to a
single coupling structure 30, which may be more safe such that
harness 18 may be less likely to uncouple from coupling structures
30. Harness 18 is typically made from a rubber and/or plastic
compound; however, other materials may be utilized, as desired.
[0031] FIG. 2 shows a close-up view of an exemplary embodiment of
the system. The system may include hood 12, mask 14, and band 16.
The system may also include top bracket 20, and band 16 may include
coupling structure 30. In this embodiment, hood 12 is configured to
receive band 16 such that coupling structure 30 will extend through
an orifice in hood 12 such that top bracket 20 may couple to
coupling structure 30. Top bracket 20 may also couple to mask 14
via a nut-and-bolt configuration, as shown, however, other coupling
configurations may be utilized, as desired, including, but not
limited to screw, rivet, adhesive, and the like. In this manner
when top bracket 20 is coupled to mask 14 and to band 16, and
consequently hood 12 via coupling structure 30, an airtight and/or
watertight seal may be created between hood 12 and mask 14 when
band 16 is tightened sufficiently to create a compression coupling
between hood 12 and mask 14.
[0032] FIG. 3 shows an exemplary embodiment again including hood
12, mask 14, and band 16, as well as coupling structure 30. This
system may also include a top bracket 60 that is configured to
couple to mask 14, as well as coupling structure 32. Furthermore,
top bracket 60 may include a coupling structure 32 that is
configured to couple to the flanges 70 and orifices 72 of harness
18 to securely couple mask 14 to hood 12 and to create an airtight
and/or watertight seal between hood 12 and mask 14, as well as
between the user and the face seal. Coupling structure 30 may also
be configured to couple to harness 18 to securely couple hood 12 to
mask 14 and to securely couple the system to a user.
[0033] FIG. 4a shows a hood according to an exemplary embodiment,
generally at 12. Hood 12 may include orifices 40 that are
configured to allow a band 16 to be inserted into a space created
when hood 12 is folded over and secured to itself. Furthermore,
orifices 40 are configured to allow coupling structures to extend
therethrough to allow coupling to the mask and the harness of a
system. Hood 12 may also include a seam 46, which may be configured
to allow an area for securely receiving a band of the system. Seam
46 may be sewn, however, an adhesive may also be used as well as
other coupling configurations, as desired. Furthermore, it will be
appreciated that although hood 12 is shown folded over to create
the area to receive a band, other configurations may be utilized,
such as other devices coupled to hood 12, among others, as
desired.
[0034] FIG. 4b shows an exemplary embodiment including a user 38.
The face of user 38 is typically adjacent to seal 34 such that an
airtight and/or watertight seal may be created between seal 34 and
the user 38. Hood 12 may include a face seal 34, however it will be
appreciated that face seal 34 may be coupled to other parts of the
system including the mask and others, as desired. Again, hood 12
includes orifices 40 to allow the harness to be received and for
coupling structures to extend therethrough to allow coupling of the
mask 14 to band 16, as well as harness 18 and hood 12.
[0035] With these configurations, the force of the harness may be
distributed to parts of the system other than the mount band. This
may increase the safety of the system, and allow the band to last
longer before being replaced.
[0036] In closing, it is to be understood that the exemplary
embodiments described herein are illustrative of the principles of
the present invention. Other modifications that may be employed are
within the scope of the invention. Thus, by way of example, but not
of limitation, alternative configurations may be utilized in
accordance with the teachings herein. Accordingly, the drawings and
description are illustrative and not meant to be a limitation
thereof.
* * * * *