This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 of European Patent Application EP 10 154 805.5 filed Feb. 26, 2010 the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
The present invention pertains to a gas mask for normal-pressure and overpressure operation.
Gas masks are used, for example, for fighting unintended fires that may cause damage and when handling hazardous substances and materials. Gas masks with the “normal pressure” and “overpressure” modes are known.
The “normal pressure” mode is present, for example, when a breathing filter is connected to the gas mask. The pressure level in the interior of the gas mask corresponds now to the atmospheric ambient pressure. The “overpressure” mode is present, for example, when a demand oxygen system of a compressed air breathing apparatus is connected to the gas mask. The pressure level in the interior of the gas mask is now higher than that of the atmospheric ambient pressure. Toxic gases are thus effectively prevented from entering the mask.
However, it is not necessary to generate an overpressure for each application. The air breathed in by the user of the mask directly is purified, for example, by a filter located at a breathing port in the “normal pressure” mode. The expiration valve is usually closed and opens only during the expiration phase of the mask user due to the expiration pressure developing in the mask. The pressure level within the mask corresponds to the level of the outside pressure in the “normal pressure” mode.
The pressure level within the mask is shifted in the “overpressure” mode by a certain positive amount compared to the level of the outside atmospheric pressure, so that the internal pressure in the mask is above the respective atmospheric pressure during both inspiration and expiration. The expiration valve opens during the expiration phase here as well due to the expiration pressure generated in the mask. In addition, the expiration valve must close against the now existing pressure gradient.
Thus, different pressures act on the expiration valve as a function of the mode of operation. The expiration valve must consequently be controlled corresponding to the respective mode of operation in case of a gas mask with the “normal pressure” and “overpressure” modes.
IT 1 227 248 discloses a spring, which counteracts the opening of the outlet valve and which acts on a pin projecting towards the outside of the mask. The pin is arranged such that it is pressed to increase the pressure of the spring when the internal pressure of the mask is increased, for example, by connecting a compressed air breathing apparatus.
A gas mask with two series-connected springs having different prestresses is known from EP 0 667 171 B1. The spring with the lower prestress is active when the mask is used in the filter operation, whereas the spring with the higher prestress is activated during use with a demand oxygen system, i.e., with overpressure in the mask.
DE 10 2004 052 173 B3 shows a gas mask of the type mentioned, in which a prestress of a valve spring can be varied by means of an adjusting means, wherein said adjusting means is designed as an angle lever pivotable about an axis of rotation.
The basic object of the present invention is to improve a gas mask with the “normal pressure” and “overpressure” modes such that a switchover between the modes is possible in a simple manner. This object is accomplished by a gas mask for normal-pressure operation and overpressure operation with the features according to the present invention.
The object is accomplished by the gas mask according to the present invention having at least one breathing port, an expiration valve with a valve spring, an adjusting element affecting the prestress of the valve spring, and a pushing element with first and second switching positions. The pushing element is designed, furthermore, to act on the adjusting element during the translatory motion from the first switching position into the second switching position, so that a change in the prestress of the valve spring can be achieved and a switchover from the “normal pressure” mode to the “overpressure” mode can thus be carried out.
A switchover from the “normal pressure” mode into the “overpressure” mode and vice versa can thus be carried out in a simple manner for the user.
In a first advantageous embodiment of the gas mask according to the present invention, the adjusting element may be designed as a pivotable lever arm. The lever arm preferably has a transmission element, which is designed such that it is oblique to the plane of the pushing element in an upper position of the lever arm, wherein the pushing element can be moved over the slope of the transmission element and the transmission element is arranged at the lever arm such that the lever arm presses the valve spring during a motion of the pushing element.
In another advantageous embodiment, the pushing element has on the sides at least one locking element each for locking the pushing element in the first switching position and in the second switching position. Thus, the respective mode can be set securely for the user on the gas mask, on the one hand, and the respective mode can be unambiguously identified, on the other hand.
The pushing element is advantageously designed as an elastic double clasp with two locking elements each on the front surfaces, wherein a moving together of the two locking elements of one front surface brings about the moving apart of the locking elements of the other front surface. In the cooperation of this elastic double clasp with a cover with two front-side openings each, which surrounds the pushing element, the respective front-side locking elements pass through the respective opening of the cover in both the first switching position and the second switching position. The locking in the respective desired switching position takes place, by principle, automatically because of the spring action of the double clasp. Locking of the pushing element can thus be brought about in a simple manner in both the first switching position and the second switching position.
For optimally guiding the pushing element from the first switching position into the second switching position and back, the locking elements have a grip area each. By means of the grip area, the pushing element can be released from the locking and displaced manually in a simple manner.
By principle, opposite deflection of both locking elements is necessary for unlocking based on the redundant design of the locking elements in the double clasp. An accidental unlocking of the pushing element can thus be prevented from occurring in a simple manner in both the first switching position and the second switching position.
In another embodiment, at least one locking element is designed as a visual indicator for recognizing a setting of the “normal pressure” and “overpressure” modes. The at least one locking element is preferably arranged at the mask body such that the position of the locking element is recognizable by the user of the mask by means of the mask visor. The particular set mode of the gas mask can thus be recognized by the user of the mask in a simple manner.
As an alternative hereto, a signal transmitter for recognizing the first and second switching positions of the pushing element may be provided at the pushing element. Furthermore, a detection element may be provided, which is preferably designed as an induction proximity switch, a Reed switch or a Hall sensor. The detection element is preferably arranged in a mask body. The “normal pressure” and “overpressure” modes can be advantageously displayed optically in the mask visor.
The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its uses, reference is made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated.
In the drawings:
Referring to the drawings in particular,
A filter is connected at a second port arranged laterally in the mask body in the design embodiment being shown.
A pushing element 22 (shown in
In the embodiment shown in
Pushing element 22 is movably guided within cover 38. Cover 38 has two side openings 40. In the embodiment shown in
The locking elements 32 have, furthermore, a grip area 42. Pushing element 22 can be released with the grip areas 42 from the locking by a motion of the locking elements 32 in the first switching position 24 and displaced manually in the direction of the second switching position 26. Pushing element 22 can be moved under the cover 38 into the second switching position 26. The locking elements 32 protrude through the openings 40 of the cover 38 in the second switching position and thus fix the pushing element 22 in the second switching position 26 (shown in
The pushing element 22 is moved over the slope of the transmission element 30 during the displacement of the pushing element 22 from the first switching position 24 into the second switching position 26, while the transmission element is rigidly coupled with the lever arm 28 and presses same onto the valve spring 20. The opening pressure of the expiration valve 16 is increased due to the compression of the valve spring 20 and the greater prestress acting on the expiration valve 16, which is associated therewith. The prestress of the valve spring 20 and hence the opening pressure of the expiration valve 16 can be affected by varying the slope of the transmission element 30 and the ratio of the length of the transmission element 30 to the length of lever arm 28.
The side locking elements 32 are designed in the first switching position 24 shown in
The locking elements 32 of the first switching position 24 or the visual indicators 44 are outside the visual field of the mask user in the second switching position 26. The mask user can thus advantageously recognize the setting of the gas mask according to the present invention in the “normal pressure” mode and in the “overpressure” mode in a simple manner.
As an alternative hereto, the schematic views in
Detection element 50 may be designed as an induction proximity switch or as a magnetic switch embodied as a Reed switch or Hall sensor.
While the present invention was described with reference to the preferred exemplary embodiments, various changes and modifications are obvious to the person skilled in the art. All these changes and modifications should fall within the scope of protection of the claims given.
While specific embodiments of the invention have been described in detail to illustrate the application of the principles of the invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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10154805 | Feb 2010 | EP | regional |
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Number | Date | Country |
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102004052173 | Jan 2006 | DE |
0 667 171 | Aug 1995 | EP |
2 264 646 | Sep 1993 | GB |
1 227 248 | Mar 1991 | IT |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20110209712 A1 | Sep 2011 | US |