Speech diaphragm and exhalation valve

A combined speech diaphragm and exhalation valve for a respirator mask, including:

• a valve body having a central aperture providing an air passage communicating an inside of a respirator mask with an outside thereof;
• a valve seat provided by said valve body;
• a speech diaphragm, an exhalation valve, and a support member for said speech diaphragm and exhalation valve, said speech diaphragm, exhalation valve and support member forming a unitary sub-assembly;
• means for supporting said sub-assembly for movement relative to said valve body and relative to said valve seat between a first position in which said exhalation valve is seated on said valve seat, and a second position in which said exhalation valve is spaced from said valve seat and exhaled air passes from said inside of a respirator mask to said outside thereof;
• and,
• resilient means for imposing a biasing force on said speech diaphragm, exhalation valve and support member sub-assembly and for moving said exhalation valve into seated relationship with said valve seat;
• said speech diaphragm, exhalation valve, and support member forming said sub-assembly moving in unison against said biasing force responsive to pressure modulations in air under pressure exiting said valve body past said exhalation valve.