RESPIRATOR

Abstract: The object of this invention is a combination of a filter bridge type protective device and a conventional gas mask that enables the use of both light and advantageous laterally flush filters used in protective respirators and filter cartridges enclosed in metal or plastic casings protecting the user from special gases. The invention is characterized by the fact that the respirator's ribbing has been formed into a cylinder (2) providing support for the laterally flush type filter (3) when using such a filter (3) and which also acts as an adapter for filter cartridges when using a filter cartridge.

Description: a. RESPIRATOR The object of this invention is a combination of a protecti¬ ve respirator and a conventional gas mask such that both 5 light and cheap laterally flush protective respirator fil¬ ters as well as filters enclosed in metal or plastic cart¬ ridges, and intended to filter special gases, can be used in the said combination. 10 Conventional respirators involve the use of cartridge fil¬ ters. In protective respirators in accordance with Fl patent application No. 900375, only the filters which are laterally flush and concave can be used. The EP-application No. 258508 describes a respirator, too. The respirator includes a 15 central exhalation valve and a concentric inhalation valve. Therefore the filter have to have a circular opening for air to come out from the respirator. The application does not teach the combination of a respirator having a laterally flush filter and a conventional mask having filter cartrid- 20 ge. The Fl publication pr.int No. 69757, which is quite similar with the respirators of above EP application and Fl application, does not either teach our invention, as it describes, how to provide, e.g. a large filtering area, but does not mention the multipurpose respirator according to 25 the invention. The purpose now is to make the above mentioned laterally flush protective respirator into a multi-purpose respirator enabling the use of both cartridge type filters in the event 30 of an emergency and laterally flush type filters that are larger in area than the cartridge type filter. The advantage of the cartridge type filters is that they provide respira¬ tory protection, for a specified time, even against chlorine gas, styrene gas and gases emitted during nuclear power 35 station accidents. The above is achieved mainly by means of the solution pre¬ sented in the characterization part of claim 1. T The purpose is to fabricate the respirator to enable the filter encompassing the filter to be replaced by a cartridge that is fastened to the body by means of threading or a snap-on fastening or the like. As means of describing the invention, we enclose the follo¬ wing diagrams in which: Figure 1 represents a schematic section picture of one advantageous form of implementing the invention. We shall proceed to describe the invention by referring to figure 1. In figure 1, the respirator is indicated by 1, the body part by 12, the supporting ribs are located on said body part, on which ribs the filter can be placed. The filter cloth overlying the body part is indicated by 3. Either a permanently fastened or removable adapter is moun¬ ted at the point where the inhalation valve is located. A filter cartridge can be easily mounted to the said adapter. The adapter can be constructed into a rib structure, cylin¬ drical in shape 2. Additionally, the inside of the cylinder 2 can be provided with transverse brackets or these can be omitted. The sheath of the cylinder can be provided with notches or its perimeters can be threaded to facilitate the mounting of the adapter. The said thread or snap-on fas¬ tening solutions are merely some examples and in no way do they impose limitations on the invention. When using a late¬ rally flush type filter, the said cylindrical adapter acts as a support for the laterally flush type filter. We have, in the above, described the invention by referring to only one of its advantageous implementation examples. All modifications of the inventive idea within the scope defined in the patent claims are, naturally, possible.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A respirator (1) containing inhalation and exhalation valves (6, 4), and which is provided with supporting ribbing for the filter (3) arranged in line with the outer surface of the respirator, characterized in that there in the same protective respirator is possible to use either laterally flush type filters or filter cartridges. 2. A respirator as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the cylinder (2), formed of the protective respirator's rib¬ bing and acting as an adapter, is intended for cartridge type gas filters and to provide support for the laterally flush type filter when using the laterally flush type fil- ter. 3. A respirator as claimed in claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the cylinder (2) , formed of ribbing and acting as an adapter, is inserted into the cylinder (2) in front of the inhalation valve (6). 4. A respirator as claimed in claims 1 - 3, characterized in that the adapter is contiguous with the body or a separate part.

Inventors: INKINEN HANNU, INKINEN, HANNU
Applicants: AIR ACE OY, AIR-ACE OY
Application year: 1991
Main classification: A62B18
IPC codes: A62B9, A62B18