Portable smoke and gas dispeller

• US 5,002,049 A
• Filed: 04/04/1989
• Issued: 03/26/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 04/08/1988
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nederlandse Organisatie Voor Toegepast Natuur
• Original Assignee: Nederlandse Organisatie Voor Toegepast Natuur
• Inventors: Knoll, Bas
• Primary Examiner(s): Burr, Edgar S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Asher, Kimberly L.
• Application Number:
  US07/333,138
• Time in Patent Office: 721 Days
• Field of Search: 128/200.24, 128/200.27, 128/200.28
• US Class Current: 128/200.28
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 18/003 having means for creating a fresh air curtain
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 29/00 Devices, e.g. installations, for rendering harmless or for keeping off harmful chemical agents respiratory apparatus A62B7/00; gasproof doors, windows, shutters E06B
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 9/325 Devices for supplying or evacuating shielding gas
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2221/12 transportable
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 9/00 Use of air currents for screening, e.g. air curtains

Abstract

Portable smoke and gas dispeller for use by anyone working in conditions--for instance a welder--in which hindering smoke or gas is developed and serving to prevent the smoke or gas being inhaled by the user. It comprises a housing which is affixed to the chest of the user when in use and hangs with its rear wall in front of or against the chest. It is provided with an inlet orifice and an outlet orifice, the latter being arranged such, that the air streaming out forms sort of an air-screen between the breathing area and the smoke/gas-area. Preferably it is provided with a strip or sheet which in use is affixed against the chest so that it may hinge about a horizontal axis and the direction of the outstreaming airflow remains the same.

Claims

1. A portable smoke and gas dispeller suitable for use by a wearer in conditions in which hindering smoke or gas is developed, said dispeller having means to prevent the smoke or gas from being breathed by the wearer, said means emitting a stable air screen, said dispeller comprising:

a single housing unit having a front wall, side walls and rear wall along with a top and bottom, said housing being positioned during use such that said rear wall is contiguous to the wearer'"'"'s chest, said front and rear walls of said housing being provided with at least one air inlet orifice, a horizontally-lying slot-like air outlet orifice that extends horizontally outward around said housing from one edge of said rear wall along both of said side walls, and said front wall of said housing to the other edge of said rear wall, said orifice being arranged at a constant upward angle of approximately 5°

to 30°

to the horizontal plane for blowing air upward over an arc of 180°

in the horizontal plane for introducing air into said single housing unit and for expelling said air under pressure via said outlet orifice and directing a stable air screen toward the breathing zone of the wearer.

2. The portable smoke and gas dispeller defined in claim 1 wherein said housing is provided on an edge of said rear wall with a strip portion affixed thereto by a hinge about a substantially horizontal axis.

3. The portable smoke and gas dispeller defined in claim 2 wherein light sensor means which is sensitive to welding-arc produced light is disposed on said front wall of said housing and which renders said blower motor operative when exposed to said welding-arc produced light.

4. The portable smoke and gas dispeller defined in claim 3 wherein said outlet orifice is arranged at a constant angle of approximately 15°

.