Respirator headpiece and release mechanism
First Claim
1. A respirator to be worn on the head of a wearer, the respirator having a face mask portion to seal against the face of the wearer and cartridge type filters mounted on opposing sides of the mask, the respirator comprising:
- a yoke attached to the face mask, the yoke having a pair of openings fitting over the filters, a hinge disposed on a front portion of the yoke, and a pair of guide holes positioned in the yoke;
a latch pivotally attached to the hinge, the latch pivoting between an unlatched and latched position and having a pair of lock holes positioned at an end portion opposite the hinge;
a headpiece forming a continuous substantially ring shape having a crown portion fitting over a top portion of the head, a base portion fitting over a back portion of the head, a side portion positioned on opposite sides of the ring between the crown portion and the base portion, an upper cord attachment hole positioned between each of the side portions and the crown portion, and a lower strap attachment loop positioned between each of the side portions and the base portion;
a pair of upper cords attached to the headpiece at the upper attachment holes and passing through the guide holes and the lock holes; and
a pair of lower straps disposed between the lower strap attachment loops and a pair of attachment points positioned at a bottom portion of the yoke.
13 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A quick release mechanism and headpiece for use with a respirator. The quick release mechanism uses an over center latch pivotly attached to a yoke to control the tension in a pair of upper tension cords. In the latched position the upper tension cords traverse the yoke and together with a pair of lower tension cords support and seal the respirator mask against the face of the wearer. In the unlatched position the upper tension cords loosely support the mask below the chin of the wearer in a parked position. The upper and lower tension cords are attached to a circular shaped headpiece having a crown piece fitting to the top of the head of the wearer and a base portion fitting to the back of the head of the wearer. The headpiece is advantageously comprised of multiple layers wherein the outer layer is comprised of a rigid material and the inner layer is comprised of a compliant material. The rigid layer provides necessary structure to headpiece and the inner layer provides compliance and comfort to the head of the wearer.
187 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A respirator to be worn on the head of a wearer, the respirator having a face mask portion to seal against the face of the wearer and cartridge type filters mounted on opposing sides of the mask, the respirator comprising:
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a yoke attached to the face mask, the yoke having a pair of openings fitting over the filters, a hinge disposed on a front portion of the yoke, and a pair of guide holes positioned in the yoke;
a latch pivotally attached to the hinge, the latch pivoting between an unlatched and latched position and having a pair of lock holes positioned at an end portion opposite the hinge;
a headpiece forming a continuous substantially ring shape having a crown portion fitting over a top portion of the head, a base portion fitting over a back portion of the head, a side portion positioned on opposite sides of the ring between the crown portion and the base portion, an upper cord attachment hole positioned between each of the side portions and the crown portion, and a lower strap attachment loop positioned between each of the side portions and the base portion;
a pair of upper cords attached to the headpiece at the upper attachment holes and passing through the guide holes and the lock holes; and
a pair of lower straps disposed between the lower strap attachment loops and a pair of attachment points positioned at a bottom portion of the yoke. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification