Patent ID: 6907878
Filing Date: 2005-06-21
Classification: A62B

Abstract:
1. A protective apparatus, comprising: a flexible hood adapted to fully encapsulate a head of a user in a substantially airtight seal; said flexible hood having an upper part and a lower part; said upper part including a transparent visor adapted to enable a user to see therethrough when the flexible hood is worn; a lower part formed integrally with said upper part; said upper part having a first, extended position where said visor is adapted to be spaced a first predetermined distance from said user's eyes, said first, extended position being a position of repose of said upper part; said upper part having a second, retracted position where said visor is adapted to be spaced a second predetermined distance from said user's eyes, said second predetermined distance being less than said first predetermined distance; said upper part being adjustable between said extended position and said retracted position; said lower part having a fixed position; said protective apparatus adapted to protect said user when said upper part is in said extended position, when said upper part is in said retracted position, and when said upper part is in any preselected position between said extended and retracted positions; at least one filter housing secured to an external side of said lower part, said at least one filter housing adapted to house at least one filter; a breathing means positioned primarily in an interior of said flexible hood; said breathing means including a part thereof positioned externally to said flexible hood; a first loop member adapted to slidingly receive a strap therethrough; said first loop member being mounted to said part of said breathing means positioned externally to said flexible hood in depending relation thereto; a second loop member adapted to slidingly receive a strap therethrough being mounted to a top wall of said at least one filter housing at a rearward end thereof; a third loop member adapted to slidingly receive a strap therethrough being mounted to a top wall of said at least one filter housing at a forward end thereof; a strap in the form of a continuous loop being received within said first, second, and third loop members; said first and third loop members being in closely spaced relation to one another when said upper part of said flexible hood is in said first, extended position; said first and second loop members being in closely spaced relation to one another when said upper part of said flexible hood is in said second, retracted position; whereby said flexible hood is adapted to accommodate the head of a user having a large head and wearing spectacles when said upper part is in said first, extended position; whereby said flexible hood is adapted to accommodate the head of a user having a small head and not wearing spectacles when said upper part is in said second, retracted position; whereby there are an infinite number of positions of adjustment between said first, extended position and said second, retracted position so that said flexible hood is adapted to accommodate users having a wide variety of head sizes and users both wearing and not wearing spectacles; and whereby each user may adjust the position of said upper part of said flexible hood to optimize the field of vision by donning the flexible hood with the upper part in the first, extended position, and by retracting the upper part until further retraction is prevented by a user's head or spectacles.