Drop-down face mask assembly

• US 6,457,473 B1
• Filed: 04/03/2000
• Issued: 10/01/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/03/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Inventors: Byram, David C., Brostrom, Gerald M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lewis, Aaron J.
• Application Number:
  US09/541,858
• Time in Patent Office: 911 Days
• Field of Search: 128/206.27, 128/206.28, 128/207.11
• US Class Current: 128/207.11
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 13/1146 obtained by moulding
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 18/084 Means for fastening gas-masks to heads or helmets

Abstract

An improved face mask that is retained by a carriage and harness assembly, thereby allowing the face mask to drop down from the face of the wearer.

Claims

1. A carriage for a face mask, the carriage comprising:

a main body having at least four spaced apart engagement points through which straps forming a head harness may be threaded, wherein the four spaced apart engagement points comprise two sets of generally diagonally opposed engagement points;

a strap retainer for guiding straps in a crossed configuration with respect to the four spaced apart engagement points; and

a harness comprising a first and second band, wherein the first and second band cross adjacent the main body.

2. The carriage of claim 1, wherein the main body comprises a front and a back, and the strap retainer is located on the back of the main body.

3. The carriage of claim 2, further comprising an air passage for allowing air to freely pass through the carriage.

4. The carriage of claim 1, wherein the main body comprises an inside, and further wherein the strap retainer is located proximate the inside of the main body.