IMPROVEMENT IN RESPIRATORY DEVICES

Abstract: Respirators, particularly powered respirators, used to protect the wearer from contaminated atmospheres. Various types of protective devices are currently available. The negative pressure respirators available are generally uncomfortable and provide low protection because of the difficulties of sealing a large variety of face sizes. Other positive pressure types are generally heavy, rigid and cumbersome being constructed around bulky and heavy helmets and hoods that may require trailing hoses. The invention is a powered filtering respirator comprising of a non-rigid headcover (1), an electric motor and fan unit (10), and at least one filter (14). The electric motor may be connected to an alternating current source or may be powered by a battery. The invention has wide applicability wherever there is a risk of exposure to health and lung damaging particulates or gases during occupations or hobbies, or for allergy sufferers exposed to pollen and spores.

Description: DESCRIPTION IMPROVEMENT IN RESPIRATORY DEVICES Technical Field The invention relates to respirators to be used by individuals to prevent or limit the breathing of contaminated atmospheres. More par¬ ticularly, the invention relates to the use of a power source to ac- tivate a blower which moves the contaminated atmosphere through a filter or filters and provides a flow of purified atmosphere for the wearer to breath as a positive pressure. Existing positive pressure devices are generally heavy, rigid and cumbersome, being designed as helmets or hoods. These are generally expensive. Existing negative, pressure respirators are uncomfortable, and provide lower effective protection because of the difficulties caused by attempting to seal to human faces and heads of all shapes and sizes. The invention is a lightweight, low cost and low maintenance respirator that is comfortable to wear, provides higher protection because its sealing technique does not depend upon fitting to faces or heads and also makes use of any readily available AC power or, alternatively, batteries in order to make the use of the device as flexible and convenient as possible. Background Art Polluted atmospheres threaten the health and safety of many people. Some people are exposed to health and lung damaging particu- lates or gases during their occupations. Others are exposed during their hobbies or spare time activities. Others are allergy sufferers, being affected by pollen and spores. Various types of protective devices are currently available. The negative pressure respirators available are generally ineffective because of the difficulty of sealing to a large variety of face shapes and sizes. Generally people can find them unsuitable to wear for long l periods. The positive pressure devices available are generally heavy, rigid and cumbersome, generally being constructed around bulky and heavy helmets or hoods that may require trailing hoses. Such respirators are generally expensive to purchase and to maintain. ■ 5 The invention claimed and disclosed herein is intended to over¬ come the difficulties of existing respirators and to solve problems that exist for people who are exposed to polluted atmospheres. Disclosure of Invention A powered filtered air respirator comprising of a non-rigid o headcover, an electric motor and fan unit, and at least one filter. The electric motor is connected to an alternating current source or may be powered by a battery. It is the general objective of this invention to provide a low cost, useful means of purifying air before it is breathed. (5 Another objective is to provide a means of connecting to readily available alternating current so as to power the device. Another objective is to provide a l ghtweight, comfortable device, suitable for general use by men and. women, being flexible, light, non- rigid and portable. 2c i is another objective to provide a means of connecting to batteries. Another objective is to cover the entire head including hair, face, ears and nose so that these are also protected from dirt, dust, fibers, fumes, grit, smoke and so on. Another objective is to cover the entire head so that difficulties associated with sealing against the nose, mouth and face are not en¬ countered. Another objective is to use tne extensive power available from alternating current sources to overcome the back pressure associated 3c with filters, particularly with gas filters. Other more specific objectives and advantages of the invention will become apparent after referring to the following description and drawinαs. / Brief Description of Drawings Figure 1 shows one form of the invention. It shows a non-rigid headcover(l) completely covering the wearer's head. A breathing tube (2) connec ts the headcover to the filtration assembly (3). In this 5 instance, the electric blower (IT) is located inside the filtration as¬ sembly with the filter (14). The motor can be powered with electric power through a cord (12) and appropriate plug (13). Figure 2 is an alternative form of the invention in which a rigid headcover section (1) protects the user from sharp blows to the head. 10 Figure 3 is an alternative form of the invention in which the filtration assembly (4) is in combination with the headcover (1). This arrangement eliminates the need for a breathing tube. Best Mode For Carrying Out the Invention This invention will now be described in accordance with the ac- 15 companying drawings. Figure 1 shows a fo.rm of the invention comprising of a headcover (1) which completely encloses the user's head. It con¬ sists of a fabric top (4), visor (5), and inner liner (7). The fabric top (4) can be of a variety of materials depending on durability, costs and application as can the visor and inner liner. An elastic neck 2.0 section (6) is used to restrict the airflow leaving the headcover (4), creating a positive pressure inside. This assures that no contamina¬ tion can enter inside the headcover (1), where the user is breathing. The breathing tube (2) attaches directly to the lower rear of the headcover (1) and consists of a fabric tube (8) with an inner coil 25 expander (9). The inner coil expander (9) keeps the fabric tube from bending or flattening restricting the passage of filtered air to the headcover (1). Through the use of a clamp (7), the filtration assembly (3) is connected to the breathing tube (2). A motor and fan (10) draws air 3o through the filter (14), into the breathing tube (2) and inside the headcover (1). The motor and fan (11) is supplied with electric power through a cord (12) and appropriate plug (13). Various different power sources can be used being alternating or direct current and either mobile or stationary. i The filter (14) can be replaceable or reusable and can remove par- ticulates, gases or both. It is attached to, and sealed by, a filter retainer (15) to the filtration casing (10). A clip (16) is used to attach the filtration assembly (3) to the user. Figure 2 is an alternate form of the invention. In this variation a rigid headcover section (1) incorporating a head harness (2) pro¬ tects the users from sharp blows to the head due to flying objects, falls, etc. A fabric headcover section (3) with visor (4) is attached to the rigid headcover section (1). It is basically of the same con- figuration as seen in Figure 1. The breathing tube (5) attaches to the lower rear of the fabric headcover section (3), again as is seen in Figure 1. An electrical switch (6) can be used to continue or dis¬ continue the flow of power to the motor and fan (not shown). Solar cells (7) located on the top of the rigid headcover section (1) add electrical power to any mobile power source or act in a recharging fashion when the unit is not in operation. Figure 3 is another form of the invention, in which the filtration assembly (4) is in combination with the headcover (1). As was seen be¬ fore, the headcover (1) consists of a fabric top (2), visor (3) and o inner liner (11). The motor and fan (6) draw air through the filter (9) and force it directly inside the headcover (1) eliminating the breathing tube (not shown). To prevent against an influx of contami¬ nation, a filter retainer (10) is used to seal the filter (9) to the casing (5). Power for the motor and fan (6) is supplied through the use of an electrical cord (7) and appropriate plug (8). Industrial Applicabil ty The widespread appl cability of the invention in industry is ob¬ vious. Many occupations involve the exposure or the risk of exposure to potentially harmful atmospheres. The invention provides unique and c useful features and benefits, such as low manufacturing cost, high pro¬ tection factors, high user comfort and flexibility of design to incor¬ porate various power sources, headcover designs and filters.

Claims: CLAIMS ; I claim: 1. A respirator comprising of a headcover incorporating at least one transparent section, ' at 5 least one inlet and at least one outlet. an electric motor and fan unit providing air moving means to said headcover. a substantially non-rigid airpath or fluid path means between said electric motor and fan unit and said headcover. \ at least one filter in combination with said motor and fan unit, said airpath means and said headcover. Said filter or filters to remove particulates, gases or both. 2. The respirator of Claim 1 in which said electric motor and fan unit are powered by alternating current from a fixed or portable source, '5 connected by obvious means. 3. The resprator of Claim 1 in which said electric motor and fan unit are powered by direct current from a fixed or portable source, con¬ nected by obvious means. 4. The respirator of Claim 1 in which at least one section of said 2° headcover is substantially rigid. 5. The respirator of Claim 1 in which the headcover is substantially non-rigid. 6. The respirator of Claim 1 in which at least one section of said airpath means is substantially rigid. 5 7. The respirator of Claim 1 in which said headcover incorporates an inner lining. Said inner lining being a portion of said air¬ path. 8. The respirator of Claim 1 in which the said airpath is continuous from said motor and fan unit into said headcover. Said airpath 3σ being functionally and materially independent of the said head¬ cover. / 9. The respirator of Claim 1 in which said electric motor and fan unit and said filter are located outside said headcover. 10. The respirator of Claim 1 in which one or both said electric motor and fan unit and said filter are located inside or attached to s said headcover. 11. The respirator of Claim 3 in which said electric motor is powered by direct current from a portable source located on or inside said headcover. 12. The respirator of Claim 1 incorporating an electrical switch for ■o manually or automatically for turning on and off said electric motor and fan unit. 13. The respirator of Claim I incorporating a securing means for at¬ taching said headcover to user's head. 14. The respirator of Claim 1 in which said headcover covers the corn¬ 's plete head and face of the wearer and extends on all sides down to and around the wearer's neck. 15. The respirator of Claim 1 incorporating hearing protection devices attached to said headcover or any other obvious part. 16. The respirator of Claim 1 in which said electric motor is powered & by a power source incorporating an energy conversion device. Said energy conversion device could be at least one solar cell. 17. A respirator comprising of: a substantially non-rigid headcover incorporating one trans¬ parent section, said headcover covering the complete head and 2ό face of the wearer and extending on all sides down to and around the wearer's neck. An electric motor and fan unit providing air .moving means to said cover, said electric motor and fan unit being located outside said headcover. '• - c A substantially non-rigid continuous airpath means between said electric motor and fan unit and said headcover. An outlet or outlets adjacent to the wearer's neck. ' A means of powering said electric motor and fan unit by con¬ necting to a fixed or portable alternating current source. At least one filter in combination with said motor and fan unit, said airpath means and said headcover. Said filter or s filters to remove particulates, gases or both. 18. The respirator of Claim 17 in which said electric motor and fan unit and said filter are located inside said headcover. 19. The respirator of Claim 17 in which said electric motor and fan unit is powered by connecting said motor to a direct current source. Said source being located either inside or outside said headcover. 20. The respirator of Claim 17 in which at least one section of said headcover is substantially rigid. SU! TE SHEET ι K_fc.

Inventors: VAUGHAN KENNETH V, WIGGINS JAMES R, VAUGHAN, KENNETH, V., WIGGINS, JAMES, R.
Applicants: VAUGHAN KENNETH V, WIGGINS JAMES R, VAUGHAN, KENNETH, V., WIGGINS, JAMES, R.
Application year: 1982
Main classification: A62B7
IPC codes: A41D13, A62B18