Abstract:
A retaining system for the hood, face seal, and mounting band(s) of facemasks that have a hood and/or a face seal that are sealed and securely mounted to the mask using a band type of clamping method, is provided. The retaining system may include a redundant system that may not allow the mask to be separated from the hood, face seal, and the mounting band(s).

Description:
BACKGROUND  
       [0001]     There may be many different types of personnel protective masks (diving, firefighting, mining, confined space, etc.) that may use a mounting band type clamp to securely mount and seal the hood and/or face seal components to the mask.  
         [0002]     The mount band(s) on these masks may be a hose clamp-type of design. They may be a long strap that may be configured to couple the ends together, which is utilized for adjusting or tightening a hood to the mask. The tightening action of the mounting band(s) may be what securely clamps and seals the hood, and/or face seals the mask. This may allow the hood and/or face seals to be regularly maintained or changed.  
         [0003]     The masks may have a groove or mounting surface around the back edge of the mask where the hood and/or face seal fit across and/or into for mounting to the mask. The mounting band(s) then may fit over the hood and/or face seal into this groove in the mask. This groove may help to hold everything in place when it has all been installed and tightened. There may be, however, nothing that physically or mechanically connects and secures the mounting band(s) to the mask, it may be merely the clamping force of the mounting band holding the hood and/or face seal and mounting band(s) in the groove and sealing them to the mask.  
         [0004]     Some of the mounting band(s) may have head harness mount studs or buckles attached to them. A problem may arise when masks using mounting band(s) are not correctly maintained and properly adjusted, as they may become loose. If the band(s) become loose there may be the potential that the mask may separate from any combination of the hood, face seal, or mounting band(s), or the mask from all of them at once.  
         [0005]     The hoods and/or face seals currently being produced for personnel protective masks may use the mounting band(s) design to mount the hood and/or face seal, may have a flat mounting flap-type of area for the attachment/sealing of the hood and/or face seal to the mask. This flap area, when installed, may be clamped between the mounting band(s) and the mask securing and sealing the hood and/or face seal to the mask.  
         [0006]     There may be several different types of hoods and/or face seals. Some may be just a hood or just a face seal. Some may have the face seal glued to the inside of the hood. Some may stack the face seal, then the hood under the mounting band(s) on the mask.  
         [0007]     Some hoods and/or face seals may have a mating groove molded or created into them for the mounting band(s) to mate or fit into. Some of them may have a bump or protrusion at the end of the mounting flap that may help prevent the mounting flap from being extracted or pulled out from between the mounting band(s) and mask. Both the mating groove and bump or protrusion at the end of the flap may fail if the mounting band(s) are not properly maintained, are out of adjustment, or if there is a catastrophic failure (broken bolt, stripped nut, etc.).  
         [0008]     What is needed is a retaining system that may provide a redundant, retrofittable, and safer system for retaining masks, and the like, a greater level of safety, and may be retrofittable to existing systems.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0009]     Exemplary embodiments may include a mask retaining system, including a mask, a hood configured to cover a head of a user, a mount band integral with the hood, configured to couple to the mask, and to form a seal between the hood and the mask, and a harness configured to couple to the mask and the mount band. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a retaining system according to an exemplary embodiment.  
         [0011]      FIG. 2  is a close up view of a portion of a system according to an exemplary embodiment.  
         [0012]      FIG. 3  is a close up view of a portion of a system according to an exemplary embodiment.  
         [0013]      FIG. 4   a  is a perspective view of a portion of a system according to an exemplary embodiment.  
         [0014]      FIG. 4   b  is a perspective view of a portion of a system according to an exemplary embodiment.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0015]     The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of exemplary embodiments and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the embodiments may be constructed and/or utilized. The description also sets forth the functions and the sequence of steps for constructing and operating the invention in connection with the illustrated embodiments. However, it is to be understood that the same or equivalent functions and sequences may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention.  
         [0016]     Exemplary embodiments may incorporate a hood and/or face seal that may be produced with the mounting flap area of the hood and/or face seal being able to securely couple to a mounting band. The front edge of the mounting flap area of the hood and/or face seal may be extended, then folded back and attached (sewn, glued, molded, etc.) to itself creating a strong tube-like hollow area large enough to be configured to receive the mounting band(s). The tube-like hollow space may have orifices or apertures, formed within it, which may allow the mounting band to be slipped into, or fed therethrough, and into the hollow area, thereby coupling the mounting band(s) to the hood, within the hollow area. Screw(s) or other coupling devices and configurations may then be installed into the mounting band(s). With this configuration, there may be no possible way for the hood and/or face seal to separate from the mounting band(s). There may also be additional holes adjacent to the hollow area, which may allow the head harness mounts, coupling structures, or buckles that may be attached to the mounting band(s), to be accessible to a user.  
         [0017]     Once the hood and/or face seal that couples to the mounting bands are properly fitted and installed onto the mask, the mounting band(s) may be mechanically coupled to the mask. This may be achieved with several different methods, including, but not limited to, connecting plate(s), wire or cable(s), or drilling through the mounting band itself and using screws, bolts and nuts. The connecting plate(s) design may be preferred because of ease of manufacturing, less maintenance, and better sealing arrangement to the mask, as well as easier retrofitting of existing systems.  
         [0018]     One exemplary embodiment of the connecting plates may allow for retrofittability to the existing mount bands and masks. This connecting plate may have an orifice or hole with an elongated slot at one end. The hole may be slipped over the head of the head harness mount stud, or coupling structure, on the mounting band(s). The connecting plate may then be moved, such that the slot is caught between the head of the head harness mount stud and the mounting band itself. Using a separate smaller hole in the connecting plate, the connecting plate may then be securely coupled to the mask by drilling a hole in the mask and using screws or a bolt and nut to mechanically fasten the connecting plate to the mask, or other coupling configuration, as desired.  
         [0019]     An exemplary embodiment of the connecting plate may allow for retrofitability to the existing mount band(s), and may provide a head harness mounting stud or head harness adjustment buckle that may be attached, or an integral part of the connecting plate. This may allow the force of the pull created by the head harness to be distributed to the connecting plate rather than the mounting band(s).  
         [0020]     A diving mask retaining system according to an exemplary embodiment is shown in  FIG. 1 , generally at  10 .  FIG. 1  is an exploded view of a system according to an exemplary embodiment. System  10  may include a hood  12 , a mask  14 , and a band  16  configured to couple the hood  12  to mask  14 . System  10  may further include a harness  18  configured to couple to band  16 , such that an airtight and/or watertight seal is created and maintained between mask  14  and hood  12 , as well as between hood  12  and/or mask  14 , and a user.  
         [0021]     System  10  may also include a top bracket  20  that may be configured to couple to mask  14  and to band  16 , as well as hood  12 . System  10  may further include one or more side brackets  22  configured to couple to mask  14 , band  16 , and hood  12 . With this configuration, mask  14  and hood  12  may be securely coupled together such that when a user is using this system in water or other areas, the portions may be coupled together safely such that air or water may not enter.  
         [0022]     Furthermore, band  16  may be integral with hood  12  in that it may be coupled to hood  12  such that if band  16  loosens, it will not allow band  16  and hood  12  to separate. It may also not allow hood  12  to separate from mask  14 . Hood  12  may be configured in a loop-like configuration to receive band  16 , and may include orifices  40  to allow coupling structure  30  of band  16  to extend therethrough. Hood  12  may also include a seam  46  which may secure the hood to itself. This configuration may secure band  16  to hood  12 . It will be appreciated that other hood and band configurations, as well as different coupling configurations may be utilized, as desired.  
         [0023]     Band  16  may include coupling structures  30  that may be configured to couple to harness  18  and brackets  20  and  22  such that an airtight and/or watertight seal may be maintained between hood  12  and mask  14 .  
         [0024]     Hood  12  may be a diving hood such that it may be configured to enclose the head of a user. Furthermore, hood  12  may be made from neoprene, or other material that may be used for diving, firefighting, or other activity. Hood  12  may further include face seal  34  that may be configured to contact the face of a user such that when the system is utilized, an airtight and/or watertight seal will be maintained between seal  34  and the face of a user such that an alternative breathing apparatus may be utilized for breathing in water, near a fire, or other situation where an alternative breathing apparatus is desired. It will be appreciated that other configurations may be utilized, as desired.  
         [0025]     Hood  12  may also be configured with orifices  40  that will allow coupling structures  30  to extend therethrough. Furthermore, hood  12  may be configured to be coupled to band  16  such that band  16  and hood  12  are integral with each other. This coupling may be via a sewn loop within hood  12 , such that band  16  may reside in the area created by the loop, and band  16  may be selectively removable therefrom. In this manner, a band  16  may be removed from a hood such that when a new one is needed or desired, it may be replaced.  
         [0026]     Band  16  is typically a hose clamp-type configuration that may be coupled and tightened such that an airtight and/or watertight seal may be created between hood  12  and mask  14 . It will be appreciated that other coupling configurations and designs may be utilized for band  16 , as desired. Band  16  is typically made of metal, but also may be made of other materials such as plastic compounds, rubber compounds, metal compounds, and combinations thereof.  
         [0027]     Mask  14  may be a mask utilized for diving, for firefighting, or other activity where an airtight and/or watertight seal is necessary, or when an alternative breathing apparatus is required, desired, or needed, or for other activities.  
         [0028]     Top bracket  20  may couple to mask  14  via a screw, bolt, rivet, adhesive, or may be integrally formed with mask  14 , or other coupling configuration, as desired. Top bracket  20  may include an orifice  50  that may be configured to allow coupling structure  30  to extend therethrough to secure band  16  to mask  14  and top bracket  20 . Top bracket  20  may be made from metal, plastic compounds, rubber compounds, and combinations thereof, or other materials, as desired.  
         [0029]     Side bracket  22  is configured to couple to mask  14  and to band  16  via coupling structures  30 . Side bracket  22  typically includes an orifice  52  to allow coupling structure  30  to extend therethrough and to slide into a second position such that side bracket  22  and mask  14  are securely coupled to band  16 . Furthermore, since band  16  may be integrally coupled with hood  12 , hood  12  may be coupled to mask  14  in an airtight and/or watertight manner. Side bracket  22  may be coupled to mask  14  via a screw, bolt, rivet, adhesive, or other coupling configuration, as desired. Mask  14  is typically a mask used in firefighting, diving, or other activity.  
         [0030]     Harness  18  is configured to couple to coupling structures  30  such that an airtight and/or watertight seal may be maintained between face seal  34  and the user&#39;s face, and also an airtight and/or watertight seal between mask  14  and hood  12 . Harness  18  may include flanges  70  and orifices  72 . Flanges  70  may be configured to extend around a head of a user, however, other configurations may be utilized, as desired. Orifices  72  may be configured to couple to coupling structures  30 . More than one orifice may be couple to a single coupling structure  30 , which may be more safe such that harness  18  may be less likely to uncouple from coupling structures  30 . Harness  18  is typically made from a rubber and/or plastic compound; however, other materials may be utilized, as desired.  
         [0031]      FIG. 2  shows a close-up view of an exemplary embodiment of the system. The system may include hood  12 , mask  14 , and band  16 . The system may also include top bracket  20 , and band  16  may include coupling structure  30 . In this embodiment, hood  12  is configured to receive band  16  such that coupling structure  30  will extend through an orifice in hood  12  such that top bracket  20  may couple to coupling structure  30 . Top bracket  20  may also couple to mask  14  via a nut-and-bolt configuration, as shown, however, other coupling configurations may be utilized, as desired, including, but not limited to screw, rivet, adhesive, and the like. In this manner when top bracket  20  is coupled to mask  14  and to band  16 , and consequently hood  12  via coupling structure  30 , an airtight and/or watertight seal may be created between hood  12  and mask  14  when band  16  is tightened sufficiently to create a compression coupling between hood  12  and mask  14 .  
         [0032]      FIG. 3  shows an exemplary embodiment again including hood  12 , mask  14 , and band  16 , as well as coupling structure  30 . This system may also include a top bracket  60  that is configured to couple to mask  14 , as well as coupling structure  32 . Furthermore, top bracket  60  may include a coupling structure  32  that is configured to couple to the flanges  70  and orifices  72  of harness  18  to securely couple mask  14  to hood  12  and to create an airtight and/or watertight seal between hood  12  and mask  14 , as well as between the user and the face seal. Coupling structure  30  may also be configured to couple to harness  18  to securely couple hood  12  to mask  14  and to securely couple the system to a user.  
         [0033]      FIG. 4   a  shows a hood according to an exemplary embodiment, generally at  12 . Hood  12  may include orifices  40  that are configured to allow a band  16  to be inserted into a space created when hood  12  is folded over and secured to itself. Furthermore, orifices  40  are configured to allow coupling structures to extend therethrough to allow coupling to the mask and the harness of a system. Hood  12  may also include a seam  46 , which may be configured to allow an area for securely receiving a band of the system. Seam  46  may be sewn, however, an adhesive may also be used as well as other coupling configurations, as desired. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that although hood  12  is shown folded over to create the area to receive a band, other configurations may be utilized, such as other devices coupled to hood  12 , among others, as desired.  
         [0034]      FIG. 4   b  shows an exemplary embodiment including a user  38 . The face of user  38  is typically adjacent to seal  34  such that an airtight and/or watertight seal may be created between seal  34  and the user  38 . Hood  12  may include a face seal  34 , however it will be appreciated that face seal  34  may be coupled to other parts of the system including the mask and others, as desired. Again, hood  12  includes orifices  40  to allow the harness to be received and for coupling structures to extend therethrough to allow coupling of the mask  14  to band  16 , as well as harness  18  and hood  12 .  
         [0035]     With these configurations, the force of the harness may be distributed to parts of the system other than the mount band. This may increase the safety of the system, and allow the band to last longer before being replaced.  
         [0036]     In closing, it is to be understood that the exemplary embodiments described herein are illustrative of the principles of the present invention. Other modifications that may be employed are within the scope of the invention. Thus, by way of example, but not of limitation, alternative configurations may be utilized in accordance with the teachings herein. Accordingly, the drawings and description are illustrative and not meant to be a limitation thereof.