US 4,414,973 A · Respirator face mask

Abstract

A respirator face mask formed from a silicone or other vulcanized rubber with a multi-compound curved face seal having a superior configuration for facial fit. The mask is held by four support buttons and two straps attached thereto having a reverse leverage pulldown effect to pull the mask into contact with the facial area. The four attachment means for the straps are eccentric buttons having an undercut that overrides a loop that can be easily disassociated when the attachment loop is reversed and pulled over the button. A concave configured sealing diaphragm on the exhalation valve provides for substantially uniform opening with less effort than is normally encountered in such valves. A staggered anti-inversion rib on the concave underside of the exhalation valve prevents the diaphragm from inverting to a convex configuration. The valve includes an exhalation valve stack and vent that can be covered at a sharply chamfered opening to provide for a pressure fit test. The inhalation port features two unique chamfered exterior rings which mate with a reverse chamfered cartridge. The inhalation valve is mounted on the threaded connector so as to form a slightly concave configuration to minimize the objectionable popping sound.

Claims7

Dependent claims

An improved respirator having a facial configuration for covering the oral and nasal areas of a user's face where the improvement comprises:

a respirator mask having a peripheral edge adapted to lie about the oral nasal area of a user's face and an oral and nasal cavity;
passage means for attaching at least one air filtration cartridge to said respirator mask;
inhalation valve means in said passage which upon exhalation will close off the cartridge passage means;
an outlet in said mask having an exhalation valve for exhausting air from a user's lungs;
sealing means extending around the peripheral edge of said mask for sealing the oral nasal cavity when positive or negative pressure is applied internally thereto when the respirator is on one's face;
and,
support means for holding said respirator on a user's face formed with a resilient post attached to said respirator mask having a resilient enlarged head, and an eyelet having an opening which fits snugly about said post removably mounted over said head with a strap attached to said eyelet for attachment to a second resilient post having a resilient enlarged head attached to said respirator mask with an eyelet having an opening which fits snugly about said second post at the other end of said strap removably mounted on said second post, and wherein said heads have an eccentrically shaped portion for overlying a portion of said eyelet and an undercut thereto providing pivotal movement of said eyelet beneath said undercut around said post for various pivotal orientations of the strap.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Respirator face mask

Life of this patent

Respirator face mask

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims7