# US 10,864,389 B2 · Respirator system including removable head suspension

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- Number: US 10,864,389 B2
- Document ID: US10864389B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 12/743,372
- Filed: 2008-10-27
- Published: 2010-10-21
- Granted: 2020-12-15
- Earliest claimed: 2007-11-28
- Assignees: 3M Innovative Properties Company
- Applicants: Garry J. Walker; Mark A. J. Fernandes; Richard D. Williams
- Inventors: Garry J. Walker; Mark A. J. Fernandes; Richard D. Williams
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10864389B2

## CPC

- A62B 17/04: Hoods
- A62B: DEVICES, APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR LIFE-SAVING (valves specially adapted for medical use A61M39/00; life-saving devices, apparatus or methods specially adapted for use in water B63C9/00; divers' equipment B63C11/00; specially adopted for use with aircraft, e.g. parachutes, ejector seats, {B64D17/00, B64D25/10}; rescue devices peculiar to mining E21F11/00)

## Abstract

A respirator system is disclosed that includes a foldable head cover assembly including a face seal portion. The respirator assembly further includes a visor assembly attached to the head cover assembly and a head suspension system removably attached to the visor assembly. The visor assembly and the head cover assembly on one hand, and the suspension system on the other, are separable and foldable to enable storing and/or shipping the same separately. A head suspension system is also disclosed.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A respirator system comprising:
a foldable head cover assembly including a head covering portion and a face seal portion integrally attached to the head covering portion, the face seal portion configured to contact a wearer's face during use;
a visor assembly attached to the head cover assembly; and
a head suspension system removably attached to the visor assembly through at least two release mechanisms provided on the head suspension system, wherein the head suspension system is releasably secured to the head cover assembly through at least one retaining member provided on the head suspension member; the head suspension system comprising a headband member, and at least one strap,
wherein the visor assembly is configured to form a curved configuration when attached to the head suspension assembly and wherein the visor assembly is configured to have a generally planar configuration when removed from the head suspension.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein an outer periphery of the face seal portion is configured to be disposed at least in part under the wearer's chin.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the visor assembly includes at least two receiving areas, the receiving areas being located on opposing lateral sides of the visor assembly, wherein the receiving areas releasably attach to the at least two release mechanisms on the head suspension system.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The system of claim 3, wherein each release mechanism is foldable with respect to the headband member.

### Claim 5 (depends on 3)

The system of claim 3, wherein each of the receiving areas comprises a tab and an opening in the tab, and wherein each of the release mechanisms comprises a projection configured to engage with a respective opening.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The system of claim 5, wherein each release mechanism includes at least one channel adapted to slidably receive an edge of the respective tab.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the head suspension system comprises a pair of retaining members and the head cover assembly comprises a pair of tabs, each tab being releasably secured to a respective retaining member.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The system of claim 7, wherein the pair of tabs comprise an elastic material.

### Claim 9 (depends on 7)

The system of claim 7, wherein the pair of tabs extend from an outer periphery of the face seal portion.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the head suspension system includes at least one adjustment strap that allows the head suspension system to be adjusted to a size of the wearer's head.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the head suspension system is a one-piece construction.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, further comprising a shroud attached to the head cover assembly.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, further comprising a fluid coupling arrangement removably attached to the head cover assembly.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The system of claim 13, wherein the head suspension system is directly attached to the visor assembly.

### Claim 15 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the face seal portion comprises an elastic member disposed along an outer periphery of the face seal portion, wherein at least a portion of the face seal portion is configured to fit securely about the wearer's face.