# US 9,433,807 B2 · Self contained breathing apparatus illumination system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,433,807 B2 - Document ID: US9433807B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/494,566 - Filed: 2014-09-23 - Published: 2015-03-26 - Granted: 2016-09-06 - Earliest claimed: 2013-09-23 - Applicants: Michael Joseph Albrecht - Inventors: Michael Joseph Albrecht - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9433807B2 ## CPC - A62B 18/08: Component parts for gas-masks or gas-helmets, e.g. windows, straps, speech transmitters, signal-devices (eye-pieces for protective goggles A61F9/02; composition of materials for the windows or other transparent parts A62D7/00) - A62B 9/04: Couplings; Supporting frames - A62B 18/02: Masks (gas-masks for animals A62B18/06; masks for welders A61F9/06) - F21V 33/0064: {Health, life-saving or fire-fighting equipment} - F21Y 2115/10: Light-emitting diodes [LED] - 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) - F21V: FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - F21Y: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES F21K, F21L, F21S and F21V, RELATING TO THE FORM OR THE KIND OF THE LIGHT SOURCES OR OF THE COLOUR OF THE LIGHT EMITTED ## Abstract A Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) Illumination System utilizing LED (light emitting diode) lights is designed as a modification to attach to a Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) mask to provide increased visibility to Professionals working in an Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health (IDLH) environment. The SCBA illumination System can be easily installed on a typical mask. The SCBA illumination System comprises a strip of lights coupled to a power supply comprising a power button and a battery pack. The power button may include a push button or pressure sensor that allows a Professional to activate the push button or pressure sensor easily with a gloved hand. The power source may also include some type of circuitry that powers down the light after a specified amount of time to avoid draining the power source. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of adding a Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) illumination System to a Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) mask, comprising: removing screws in existing screw locations on the SCBA mask; inserting anchor bolts into the existing screw locations; and coupling the SCBA illumination System to the anchor bolts. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the SCBA illumination System comprises: a strip of lights; a power supply comprising a power button and a battery pack coupled to the lights; and a mounting mechanism for attachment to the existing screw locations of the SCBA mask. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method according to claim 2, wherein the battery pack contains at least one battery. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The method according to claim 2, wherein the power button is a push button or pressure sensor is configured to be activated with a gloved hand. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The method according to claim 2, wherein the power supply is provided a control circuitry that powers down the strip of lights after a configurable or specified amount of time. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The method according to claim 5, wherein the control circuitry comprises a mechanism for adjusting the strip of lights. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the SCBA illumination system includes light emitting diodes. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the SCBA illumination System is supported proximate an upper edge of a facial opening of the SCBA mask. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method according to claim 8, wherein the SCBA illumination system includes a strip of lights to provide a hands free light source directed forward to illuminate an area generally forward of the SCBA mask facial opening, or in whatever direction the SCBA mask facial opening is facing. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The method according to claim 8, wherein the SCBA mask facial opening includes a pane of substantially transparent material having a top molding piece extending along the upper edge, the SCBA illumination System being configured to attach proximate the top molding piece. ### Claim 11 A method to modify a Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) mask, comprising: providing a Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) illumination System, wherein the SCBA illumination system is configured to perform the same structural function as an existing part without affecting the SCBA mask's integrity, wherein the SCBA illumination System comprises: a strip of light emitting diodes; a power supply comprising a power button and a battery pack coupled to the lights; and a mounting mechanism for attachment to screw locations of the SCBA mask; removing the existing part; replacing the existing part with the SCBA illumination system; and securing the SCBA illumination system to the SCBA mask at the screw locations. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method according to claim 11, wherein the existing part is a molding piece extending along at least an upper edge portion on the SCBA mask. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The method according to claim 11, wherein the existing part is a molding piece extending along at least a lower edge portion on the SCBA mask. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The method according to claim 11, wherein the existing part is a nose piece on the SCBA mask. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The method according to claim 11, wherein the strip of lights provide a hands free light source directed forward to illuminate an area generally forward of the of the SCBA mask facial opening or in multiple directions. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The method according to claim 11, wherein the battery pack contains at least one battery. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) The method according to claim 11, wherein the power button is a push button or pressure sensor is configured to be activated with a gloved hand. ### Claim 18 (depends on 11) The method according to claim 11, wherein the power supply is provided a control circuitry that powers down the strip of light emitting diodes after a configurable or specified amount of time. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method according to claim 18, wherein the control circuitry comprises a mechanism for adjusting the strip of light emitting diodes.