Surface breathing device

A method for providing ambient air to personnel wearing a full-face mask comprising:

• a) providing a full-face mask and an ambient air valve, said valve having:
• 1) an inner housing of a generally tubular shape defining a conduit therein and having at least one of two ends adapted to allow through passage of fluid into said conduit while supporting a stopper, said inner housing having an outer profile adapted to accept and retain a plurality of seals proving a fluid tight seal, and be mountable in a separate structure having a hole therein of a dimension to accept a portion of said inner housing, said inner housing further including a flange adapted to bear against said separate structure to limit movement;
• 2) an outer housing of tubular shape dimensioned to fit closely perimetrically around said inner housing and be fluid tightly engaged therewith, said outer housing being manually moveable relative to said inner housing between a closed position wherein ambient fluid is prevented from passing into said conduit of said inner housing and an opening position wherein ambient fluid is passable into said conduit in said inner housing, said outer housing having a groove on an inside diameter of said outer housing to receive a seal to fluid tightly seal against said inner housing, said outer housing further including at one end thereof, an opening having a seal perimetrically located therein and dimensioned to fluid sealably engage said stopper when said valve is closed to fluid passage;
• b) mounting said breathing device in said full-face mask which includes said separate structure;
• c) donning said full-faced mask;
• d) opening said breathing device;
• and
• e) breathing ambient air available through said breathing device.

A valve for a self contained breathing apparatus in combination with a full-face mask comprising:

• a) an inner housing of a generally tubular shape defining a conduit therein and having at least one of two ends adapted to allow through passage of fluid into said conduit while supporting a stopper, said inner housing having an outer profile adapted to accept and retain a plurality of seals proving a fluid tight seal, and be mountable in a separate structure having a hole therein of a dimension to accept a portion of said inner housing, said inner housing further including a flange adapted to bear against said separate structure to limit movement;
• b) an outer housing of tubular shape dimensioned to fit closely perimetrically around said inner housing and be fluid tightly engaged therewith, said outer housing being manually moveable relative to said inner housing between a closed position wherein ambient fluid is prevented from passing into said conduit of said inner housing and an open position wherein ambient fluid is passable into said conduit in said inner housing, said outer housing having a groove on said inside diameter of said outer housing to receive a seal to fluid tightly seal against said inner housing, said outer housing further including at one end thereof, an opening having a seal perimetrically located therein and dimensioned to fluid sealably engage said stopper when said valve is closed to fluid passage;
• and
• c) a full-face mask which includes said separate structure, said inner housing being secured within said hole of said separate structure whereby said outer housing is being secured within said hole of said separate structure whereby when said outer housing is in said open position, ambient fluid is passable from an exterior of said mask to an interior of said mask and when said outer housing is in the closed position, fluid on the exterior of said mask is prevented from passing into said interior of said mask.