US3241552A - Mask for a self-contained underwater breathing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

March 1966 HENRY-ANTHONY DEL GIUDICE 3,

MASK FOR A SELF-CONTAINED UNDERWATER BREATHING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 18, 1963 Hmgy-A Mil/01V) ae/ 6/00/55,

., 32 INVENTOR.

,JJZQQ/s Mar/r, 3055541. 5 1659M.

United States Patent 3,241,552 MASK FOR A SELF-CONTAINED UNDERWATER BREATHING APPARATUS Henry-Anthony del Giudice, Long Beach, Calif., asslgnor to Celestronics Inc., Torrance, Calif., a corporation of California Filed Feb. 18, 1963, Ser. No. 259,008 3 Claims. (Cl. 128-142) Thepresent invention relates to a face mask for use .in connection with self-contained underwater breathing .apparatus.

1 Prior face masks used in connection with underwater breathing equipment or apparatus have been of a size .to completely cover the nose and mouth of a user and, ,in some instances, with the aid of a transparent plate, .the eyes, nose and mouth of a user have been enclosed by a single mask. These cumbersome masks obstruct a large area of the .users face and thereby limit the available space to be occupied by a viewing mask. In addition, face masks which enclose the nose and mouth of a user in the same chamber are deficient, in that carbon dioxide which is exhaled from both the oral and nasal breathing passages of the user may not fully escape such chamber before the inhalation process begins.

Accordingly, it is an object of this device to provide a face mask which covers solely the mouth of a user.

It is another object of this invention to provide a small and simple face mask including a housing comprised of a flexible and substantially impermeable material, into which the mouth and chin of the user may be inserted so that the periphery thereof engages and conforms to the contour of the users face.

Another important object of this invention is to provide a mask which covers solely the mouth and chin of a user and which permits the user thereof to have substantially normal use of his tongue, teeth, lips, and lower jaw and thus enable him to talk with others while utilizing his self-contained air supply with the mask secured in watertight breathing position.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a small mask covering that area of the users face below the nose, so that a large unobstructed face area will remain, which area may be occupied by a large viewing mask.

Another object of this invention is to provide a mask which covers solely the mouth of the user so that during the exhalation of carbon dioxide from the breathing passages of such user a portion thereof may emanate from the mouth and through the air regulator opening of such mask, and a portion thereof may pass out through the nose of the user exterior of said face mask. A further object of this invention is to provide a mask which covers solely the mouth of a user and which provides a primary securing means located exterior of the mask and engageable with the head of a user.

A still further object of this invention is, to provide a face mask which covers solely the mouth of a user and which provides an additional flexible securing means removably fastened to the mask and receivable within the mouth of the user.

Still another important object of this invention is to provide a face mask for use in connection with selfcontained underwater breathing apparatus including a housing comprised of a thin, flexible, substantially impermeable material having a face-receiving opening at one end thereof and a smaller opposing air regulator opening at the other end thereof, the face-receiving opening being of a size to cover solely that area of the face below the nose of a user, and a means for holding the mask in watertight breathing position on the users face.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a face mask for use in connection with self-contained underwater breathing apparatus, including a housing comprised of a flexible, substantially impermeable material having a face-receiving opening at one end thereof and a smaller opposing air regulator opening at the other end thereof, the face-receiving opening being of a size to cover solely that area of the face below the nose of a user and the housing providing tapering walls adjacent the face-receiving opening so as to cause the mask to blend into the facial contour of a user, and a means for holding the mask in watertight breathing position on the users face.

Another important object of this invention is to provide a face mask for use in connection with self-contained underwater breathing apparatus, including the combination of a housing comprised of a thin, flexible, substantially impermeable material having a front vertical wall with an air regulator opening therein, an upper wall extending rearwardly from the front wall and terminating in a face-engaging abutment flange, and a pair of side walls extending outwardly and rearwardly from the front vertical wall, each of the side walls terminating in a peripheral edge which defines a face-receiving opening for the mask substantially opposite the air regulator opening, and the face-receiving opening being of a size to cover solely that area of the face below the nose of the user, and a means for holding the mask in watertight breathing position on the wearers face.

The foregoing objects, advantages, features, and results of the present invention, together with the various other objects, advantages, features and results thereof which will be evident to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains, may be achieved with the exemplary embodiment described in detail hereinafter and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is an operational View of the present invention, showing the invention mounted on the body of an underwater diver;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the present invention shown as secured to the head of a user;

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view of the invention taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an elevational view of the present invention taken from the rear thereof; and

FIG. 5 is a top elevational view of a securing means which may be utilized in the present invention.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 of the drawings, the numeral 10 designates a selfcontained underwater breathing unit employed here to provide an artificial air supply to an underwater human diver. The self-contained underwater breathing unit 10 includes an air supply unit 12 comprising at least one pressurized air tank 14 mounted on the back of the users body. An air supply regulator unit 16 is connected between the air supply unit 12 and the breathing passages of the diver by a line 18.

The air supply regulator unit 16 may be of the standard design in common use today. The high pressure air inlet line 18 is connected to a one-way inlet valve (not shown) of the regulator unit, which valve is actuated by a demand diaphragm unit 20. The exhaust emanating from the breathing passages of the user may be exhaled from the air supply regulator unit through a one-way outlet valve 21 near the base thereof, which one-way outlet valve empties into a T-shaped dispersing tube 22 having outlets 23 and 24. In addition, the air supply regulator unit 16 provides an air supply conduit 26 extending rearwar-dly toward the face of a user. Further, it should be noted that an air regulator unit 16 mounted adjacent the air supply unit 12 and connected with the breathing passages of the user through a dual hose system, i.e., an air inlet hose and an exhaust hose, could also be used in place of the type illustrated herein.

A face mask 28 is provided as a watertight connecting means between the oral breathing passages of a user and the air supply conduit 26. The face mask 28 includes a housing 30 comprised of a thin, flexible, substantially impermeable material, such as molded neoprene rubber, and defines an air chamber or concavity 32 therewithin. The housing 30 provides a face-receiving opening defined by a peripheral edge 34 located rearwardly of the air supply conduit 26. The housing 30 also provides an air regulator opening 36 defined by a longitudinal neck 38, a front vertical wall 40 extending downwardly from the air regulator opening 36, an upper wall 42 extending rearwardly from the opening 36 and terminating in a flat upper abutment flange 44 at the peripheral edge 34, a pair of curved side walls 46, 47, which extend rearwardly and outwardly from the front vertical wall 4t) terminating in curved side portions 48 of the peripheral edge 34, and a bottom wall 50 extending rearwardly from the front wall 40 and terminating at a bottom portion 52 of the peripheral edge 34.

The housing 30 is designed to provide a mask with a face-receiving opening therein, which mask will fit over the mouth and chin of a user and substantially blend in and conform to the facial configuration of such user to avoid water leakage and any drag that would be caused by a protruding edge. To implement this end, the upper wall 42 terminates in the flat upper abutment flange 44 which has a substantial face-engaging surface and engages that portion of the users face between the nose and the upper lip. The remainder of the housing, i.e., the curved side walls 46 and 47 and the bottom wall 50, tapers so that at the peripheral edge 34 the curved side portions 48 and the bottom portion 52 are comprised of a housing Wall which converges substantially to a feather edge. Further, the bottom wall 50 extends rearwardly toward the face of a user a greater distance than the terminating point of the upper wall 42; and the curved side walls 46 and 47 extend rearwardly toward the face of the user, at their rearwardmost points, a distance greater than either the upper wall 42 or the bottom wall 50. The resulting configuration provides a pcripheral edge 34 having a triangular shape when viewed from the side, to wit: the upper abutment flange 44 engaging that area of the users face just above the upper lip, the curved side portions 48 extending rearwardly and engaging the shallow portions of the users cheeks, and the bottom portion 52 extend-ing rearwardly a distance less than the curved side portions 48 but greater than the upper abutment flange 44 and engaging that portion of the users face below the chin thereof.

The air supply conduit 26 of the air supply regulator unit 16 is adapted to pass through the air regulator opening 36 of the housing 30 and be frictionally secured within the longitudinal neck 38. As a security factor, to insure a sealed fit and thus make the connection watertight, the air supply conduit 26 may have a circumferential bead 54 on the exterior thereof and a collar 56 may be secured about the exterior of the longitudinal neck 38, forwardly of the bead 54, so as to lock the conduit 26 therewithin.

As a primary securing means, the face mask 28 may provide buckles 68 on the exterior of the side wall 47 adapted to receive and secure elastic straps 70 which encircle the head of the user and are fastened to the housing at the curved side wall 46. This primary securing means permits users having artificial dentures or who stiffer from jaw muscle cramps to employ the mask 28 without relying on a securing means which is held solely within the mouth of a user. In addition, the primary securing means will hold the mask 28 in a watertight breathing position in the event the user thereof is rendered unconscious.

A flexible horizontal tab 58 may be removably fastened to the housing 30 and adapted to be received within the mouth of a user to aid in securing and holding the face mask in position. In FIG. 3 of the drawing, the horizontal tab 58 is shown as removably fitting within the longitudinal neck 38 and extending rearwardly therefrom toward the face of a user and terminating in a transverse flange 60. The flange 60 is adapted to be received within the mouth of a user and the adjacent portion of the tab 58 clamped between the users teeth. The opposing end of the tab 58 provides a plurality of transverse ridge 62 extending downwardly therefrom.

The neck 38 provides a longitudinal slot 64 extending the entire length thereof. The slot 64 is adapted to receive the tab 58 therein and provides a plurality of transverse recesses 66 commensurate with the transverse ridges 62 and adapted to receive the ridges 62. Thus, the tab 58 may be removably positioned within the slot 64 with the ridges 62 interlocking with the corresponding recesses 66. In addition, the tab 58 is firmly held in position since the air supply conduit 26, when frictionally engaged with the interior of the neck 38, is in a tight slide fit with the upper side of the tab 58 and urges it downwardly into its interlocked relationship. The tab 58 is not an essential element of the mask and may be omitted when desired.

In actual operation, the user will place the face mask 28 solely over that area of his face below the nose. More specifically, only the mouth and chin of the user will fit into the concavity 32 of the housing 30 leaving the forward portion vacant. The user may place the transverse flange 60 of the horizontal tab 58 within his mouth and bite down on the adjacent portion of the tab 58 so as to aid in securing the face mask to his face. The user may utilize the primary securing means and encircle his head with the elastic straps 70 and secure them at the buckles 68 for complete securing of the face mask.

When the face mask 28 is firmly positioned and secured on the head of the user, the flexible peripheral edge 34 of the face-receiving opening will conform to his facial configuration. For example, the upper abutment flange 44 will engage the area above the upper lip and below the nose, the curved side wall portions 48 taper substantially to a feather edge and engage the shallow portions of the users cheek, and the bottom portion 52, also tapering substantially to a feather edge, engages the users neck area below the chin.

With the face mask 28 positioned in the manner described above, the user is ready to submerge in Water and utilize his self-contained air supply. During normal use of the breathing apparatus, the user may desire to speak with the aid of a throat or mask microphone. In this situation, the flexible tab 58 may remain in the users mouth although such user is permitted substantially normal use of his tongue, teeth, and lips for talking while the securing straps 70 still maintain the housing 30 in pressure contact with his face. In some instances, a user may relay solely on the straps 70 for securing the mask to his head. Thus, the tab 58 could be removed from the longitudinal neck 38 before placing the mask on the face of the user. The neck 38, being comprised of flexible material, would still constrict about the air supply conduit 26 in a watertight fit. In addition, the housing 30, being comprised of a flexible material and adapted to fit under the chin of a user, permits the user to move his lower jaw while speaking without breaking the watertight seal between the mask 28 and the face of such user.

Further, with the face mask 28 secured in watertight position covering solely the mouth and chin of a user, such user may freely clean or adjust his transparent viewing plate while leaving the the breathing unit intact and unmoved. Also, the user, having free access to his nose outside of the mask 28, may clamp his nostrils and thereby clear any congestion collecting in the Eustachian tubes which connect the middle ear of the user with his nasopharynx.

With the face mask 28 firmly secured and with the air supply unit 12 operating, the user upon inhalation will draw fresh air through the air supply conduit 26 into the air chamber or concavity 32. This fresh air will then enter the oral breathing passages of such user. During the exhaust stage of the operation, the user may exhale both through his nasal and oral breathing passages. Thus, some exhaust air may pass through the air supply conduit 26 and out the one-way outlet valve 21, and some exhaust air may pass from the nasal passages of the user directly into the surrounding medium.

Although an exemplary embodiment of the invention has been disclosed herein for purposes of illustration, it will be understood that various changes, modifications and substitutions may be incorporated in such embodiment without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined by the claims which follow.

I claim: 1. A face mask for use with self-contained underwater breathing apparatus, including the combination of I a housing comprised of a flexible, substantially impermeable material defining a face-receiving opening at one end thereof and a smaller air regulator opening at the opposing end thereof, said air regulator opening being defined by an open longitudinal neck extending forwardly from said housing, and said face-receiving opening being of a size to cover solely that area of the face below the nose of a wearer; and

securing means removably fastened to said housing within said longitudinal neck, including a substantially horizontal tab which extends into said longitudinal neck and rearwardly therefrom for being received within the mouth of a wearer, said tab having at least one transverse ridge extending downwardly therefrom, and said housing having at least a pair of recesses located in the bottom portion of said longitudinal neck along the longitudinal axis thereof receiving said ridge in a longitudinally adjustable and removable position.

2. A face mask as set forth in claim 1, wherein said horizontal tab provides a plurality of downwardly extending transverse ridges, and wherein the bottom portion of said longitudinal neck is provided with a longitudinal groove throughout the length thereof adapted to receive said tab, said groove having a plurality of transverse recesses therein commensurate with said transverse ridges in said horizontal tab and interlocking with at least one of said ridges when said longitudinal tab is positioned within said groove.

3. In a self-contained means for breathing under water, the combination of:

an air supply unit adapted to be mounted on the body of a user;

an air supply regulator unit connected to said air sup ply unit and adapted to be mounted adjacent the face of a user and providing a conduit means for connecting with the breathing passages of said user;

a face mask including a housing defining a concavity therewithin and comprised of a flexible, substantially impermeable material, said housing defining a facereceiving opening at the rearward end thereof communicating with said concavity of a size to receive solely the mouth and chin of a user and a smaller air regulator opening for communicating with said conduit means of said air supply regulator unit and said concavity, and including a front vertical wall extending downwardly from said air regulator opening, an upper wall extending rearwardly from said air regulator opening and terminating at said face-receiving opening in a substantially vertical flat upper abutment edge, a pair of curved side walls extending rearwardly and outwardly from said front vertical wall and terminating at said face-receiving opening in curved side edges contiguous with said upper abutment edge, and a substantially horizontal bottom wall extending rearwardly from said front vertical wall and terminating at said face-receiving opening at the bottom edge thereof contiguous with said side edges;

first securing means removably fastened to said housing adjacent said air regulator opening and. adapted to be received and held within the mouth of a user, said securing means including a horizontal tab having a plurality of downwardly extending transverse ridges thereon and said air regulator opening defined by an open longitudinal neck extending forwardly from said housing in communication with said air supply conduit means, said longitudinal neck having a bottom portion with a longitudinal groove therein extending throughout the length thereof and receiving said tab therein, and said groove having a plurality of transverse recesses therein commensurate with said ridges on said tab and interlocking therewith when said tab is positioned within said groove, and said air supply conduit means is received within said longitudinal neck and engages the upper side of the horizontal tab; and

second securing means on the exterior of said housing engageable with the head of said user.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,139,850 5/1915 Conkle 128145 2,949,113 8/1960 Bisset 128-142 3,101,732 8/1963 Dalla Valle 128-145 XR 3,123,680 3/1964 Minton 12814'7 XR 3,174,129 3/1965 Laughlin et a1.

RICHARD A. GAUDET, Primary Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. A FACE MASK FOR USE WITH SELF-CONTAINED UNDERWATER BREATHING APPARATUS, INCLUDING THE COMBINATION OF: A HOUSING COMRPISED ON A FLEXIBLE, SUBSTANTIALLY IMPERMEABLE MATERIAL DEFINING A FACE-RECEIVING OPENING AT ONE END THEREOF AND A SMALLER AIR REGULATOR OPENING AT THE OPPOSING END THEREOF, SAID AIR REGULATOR OPENING BEING DEFINED BY AN OPEN LONGITUDINAL NECK EXTENDING FORWARDLY FROM SAID HOUSING, AND SAID FACE-RECEIVING OPENING BEING OF A SIZE TO COVER SOLELY THAT AREA OF THE FACE BELOW THE NOSE OF A WEARER; AND SECURING MEANS REMOVABLY FASTENED TO SAID HOUSING WITHIN SAID LONGITUDINAL NECK, INCLUDING A SUBSTANTIALLY HORIZONTAL TAB WHICH EXTENDS INTO SAID LONGITUDINAL NECK AND REARWARDLY THEREFROM FOR BEING RECEIVED WITHIN THE MOUTH OF A WEARER, SAID TAB HAVING AT LEAST ONE TRANSVERSE RIDGE EXTENDING DOWNWARDLY THEREFROM, AND SAID HOUSING HAVING AT LEAST A PAIR OF RECESSES LOCATED IN THE BOTTOM PORTION OF SAID LONGITUDINAL NECK ALONG THE LONGITUDINAL AXIS THEREOF RECEIVING SAID RIDGE IN A LONGITUDINALLY ADJUSTABLE AND REMOVABLE POSITION.

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