Abstract:
A mask and regulator for a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) having a lens and a nozzle, the regulator being adapted for connection to the nozzle. A bifurcated display is mounted on the regulator for displaying amounts of pressure through a port communicating with the lens on either side of the nozzle. A high pressure connection to the source of breathing gas is connected to a transducer assembly for indicating the pressure to the bifurcated display on the regulator on either side. The display provides pressure values through the exterior of the lens in a bifurcated manner analogous to an arcuate gauge display.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims the benefit and priority of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/391,102; filed Jun. 24, 2002; entitled: Display for Breathing Apparatus Mask, Applicants: David V. Haston, Glendora, Calif.; Nicolo J. Luzie Jr, Mission Viejo, Calif.; Carl E. Schaefer, Tustin, Calif.; and, Carl Toft, Vista, Calif.  
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    The field of this invention lies within the art of self contained breathing apparatus sometimes referred to as an SCBA. Such self contained breathing apparatus generally has a pressurized tank of air that is regulated through a first stage regulation to an intermediate pressure which is thereafter regulated to the user by a demand or second stage regulator. The SCBA&#39;s of the prior art have incorporated a mask or lens having a nozzle or connector for delivering gas from the second stage regulator to the interior of the mask. The user relies upon a given pressure being provided from the pressurized breathing gas tank, which can be monitored to provide a given reading to the user of the amount of pressure in the tank. This invention specifically relates to the use of SCBA&#39;s and the monitoring of the tank pressure through a logical visually readable output.  
           [0004]    2. The Prior Art  
           [0005]    The prior art with regard to displays for self contained breathing apparatus, (SCBA) have fallen into a number of categories.  
           [0006]    Some of these categories have provided an analog display that can be lit or the use of a simple gauge like device. Others use analog pressure gauges which are connected to the tank of air. Still further, some utilize the aspects of a shutter or a series of lights that show a respective amount of air in the breathing gas tank and move in response to a pre-established position to indicate a particular amount of gas remaining.  
           [0007]    In some cases, displays have incorporated a moving dial for indicating a particular amount of pressure established from a pressure transducer or other interconnect.  
           [0008]    Some of the most recent efforts in this regard to provide a display have been enunciated in U.S. Pat. No. 5,097,826 issued to Robert E. Gray, et al issued Mar. 24, 1992 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,032,664 issued to Robert E. Gray, et al issued Mar. 7, 2000.  
           [0009]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,097,826 sets forth a pressure monitoring device. This particular pressure monitoring device while incorporating a transducer and a lighting display is such where it does not logically function for purposes of providing a readable output. One of the problems with U.S. Pat. No. 5,097,826 is that it shows a series of lights along side a user which can occlude the user&#39;s field of view. Occluding the user&#39;s field of view results in loss of vision. The diminution of the field of vision creates a problem for the user. Also, the U.S. Pat. No. 5,097,826 does not have a logic system for determining the particular gauge like functions which can be responded to in a substantially more user friendly relationship.  
           [0010]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,032,664 incorporates a display for an SCBA. However, in this particular patent it is specifically directed toward the aspects of providing a display that can be seen within the field of vision of a single eye of a user. It is stated that by doing this, the position is preferred and prevents the user from seeing a double image.  
           [0011]    To the contrary, this invention specifically does not limit the view to a user&#39;s single eye as in U.S. Pat. No. 6,032,664.  
           [0012]    When considering the non-logical aspects of the prior art displays as well as the reduction in the field of vision and other characteristics that do not provide adequate spacing and reading of a display, it will be seen that this invention is a substantial step over the art for allowing a user to quickly determine remaining air supply.  
           [0013]    This improved display does not reduce the field of vision and can be easily seen by a user by looking downwardly into the mask.  
           [0014]    Another object of this invention is that the split display is logically intuitive. A user knows readily whether or not the air supply is greater or less than fifty percent. The fifty percent threshold is an important decision point for the user during fire suppression and rescue activities.  
           [0015]    A further object of this invention is for the display to provide an external low air alarm so that others can determine if the user&#39;s air supply is below a pre-determined level.  
           [0016]    Another object of this invention is to eliminate the reduction of the field of vision by those displays which are placed around a lens which obstructs the field of vision.  
           [0017]    A further object of this invention is to provide a split display which is incremental on either side in a logical manner within a user&#39;s field of vision.  
           [0018]    A further object of this invention is to sense the ambient light to regulate the amount of light of the display.  
           [0019]    Another object of this invention is to provide a mechanical engagement of the nozzle system and display so that it is oriented correctly and cannot be placed in an upside down or offset position.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0020]    In summation, this invention provides for a self contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) display to determine the amount of pressure in a source (i.e. a cylinder) of breathing gas which does not occlude the field of vision to provide a bifurcated incremental display oriented for logical view with a mechanical engagement to index the orientation of the display.  
           [0021]    More specifically, this invention provides for a display of pressure in a breathing gas source such as a cylinder or tank for a user of a self contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). The display mounts to the second stage regulator and nozzle configuration. It is indexed so as to be properly aligned when the regulator is connected to the nozzle and face piece.  
           [0022]    The display is viewed through two windows in the normally opaque cover or nozzle structure of the mask.  
           [0023]    A further enhancement is that the pressure display is split or bifurcated into left and right portions. This orients the logical aspects of the display so that when the air supply is greater than fifty percent, the display is illuminated on both sides of the display. When the air supply is less than fifty percent, the display is illuminated on the left side only.  
           [0024]    An additional feature is that the display has an external visual alarm to alert others to the lessening of a user&#39;s air supply.  
           [0025]    The field of vision is not reduced by this invention. When looking inwardly into the mask, the user is provided with an intuitive display to readily determine whether an air supply is greater or less than fifty percent in order to make an important decision as to leaving an untenable position.  
           [0026]    It will be seen from the following description of the preferred embodiments, that this invention is a substantial step over the art for displays when interconnected to a user&#39;s breathing mask of an SCBA.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0027]    [0027]FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an SCBA mask of this invention with a nozzle connection and structure for receipt of a regulator and display of this invention.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the SCBA mask of this invention with the nozzle connection for receipt of a disconnected regulator and interconnect as separated and established for placement by the dotted indexing lines for receipt by the mask.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 3 shows a fragmented sectional view in the direction of lines  3 - 3  of FIG. 1 with the respective portions of the nozzle and regulator interconnect separated.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 4 shows a fragmented sectional view in the direction of lines  4 - 4  of FIG. 2.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 5 shows a view of the flex cable and electronic circuitry for the display on either side of the mask.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 6 shows the interconnect orientation between the respective portions of FIG. 5 that have been interconnected.  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 7 shows a block diagram of the system incorporating this invention.  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 8 shows a logic diagram for the implementation of the display of this invention.  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 9 shows a sectional view of the transducer module or assembly of this invention.  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 10 shows a sectional view in the direction of lines  10 - 10  of FIG. 9.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0037]    [0037]FIG. 1 shows the mask and regulator with this invention. A mask  10  is shown with a lens  12 . The lens  12  can be of a quality of plastic or other material through which viewing can take place.  
         [0038]    Surrounding the lens  12  is a rim  14 . The rim  14  allows for a retention of the lens  12  within the mask  10  configuration.  
         [0039]    In order to secure the mask  10  to a user&#39;s face, straps  16  and  18  are shown. These straps  16  and  18  can be duplicated on the opposite side as shown in FIG. 1 for tensioning of the mask on a user&#39;s head and face. Preferably, the lens  12  has a seal around the rim in the form of a seal  20  which seals the mask  10  against a user&#39;s face.  
         [0040]    Attached to the mask  10  is a source of breathing gas that is delivered through a hose  24 . This source of breathing gas is delivered at an intermediate pressure from a high pressure source such as a tank or cylinder of gas. The intermediate pressure hose  24  connects to a swivel  26  through a fitting  28  which connects the gas to an intermediate, second stage, or demand regulator which will be described hereinafter.  
         [0041]    A connecting cable  30  is provided which connects the electrical system in a manner to be described hereinafter. The cable  30  and the hose  24  are encapsulated in a sheath  32  in order to retain them. The sheath  32  has been fragmented away from the hose  24  and cable  30  for purposes of viewing.  
         [0042]    The interior of the mask  10  has an oral nasal cover or nose cup  34 . This surrounds the nose and mouth of the user so that breathing gas can be inhaled.  
         [0043]    Gas is inhaled by inhalation through an inhalation valve  36 . The inhalation valve  36  has a web configuration  38  which supports a poppet, mushroom or flapper valve so that air can be inhaled into the oral nasal or nose cup portion  34 . This allows the air to be delivered into the mask  10  within the lens area  12  so that condensation and other moisture including exhalation moisture can be diminished and a defogging of the lens  12  can be effected.  
         [0044]    A bypass valve operable by a knob  40  is shown. The bypass valve allows for delivery of gas through the hose  24  when the second stage regulator fails or further gas is needed. The knob  40  operating the valve can also throttle the amount of gas that is being delivered.  
         [0045]    Attached to the mask  10  is the regulator with its attendant fixtures and other portions to be described hereinafter. The regulator can generally be described as a regulator  44  that is a second stage, demand, or intermediate pressure regulator.  
         [0046]    In order to place the regulator  44  on the mask, a pair of spring loaded release buttons  46  and  48  are shown in order to allow for impressment and release of the regulator latch as shown in the figures hereinafter.  
         [0047]    An exhalation port with a number of vents  50  is shown. The exhalation port  50  is overlying an exhaust valve so that pressure can be exerted against the interior portion of the exhaust valve and vented through the vents  50 .  
         [0048]    Overlying the front of the regulator is a purge button or button  56  which can operate a purge valve on a stem  58  underlying the purge button  56 . This allows for air to flow into the mask by a manual pressure against the purge button  56  and the underlying valve  58  stem.  
         [0049]    The display of this invention is not seen in FIG. 1 due to the fact that the regulator  44  is emplaced thereover and the display is seen from the interior of the mask  10 . To this extent, FIG. 2 and the remaining figures show the display as seen within the mask  10 .  
         [0050]    Looking more particularly at FIG. 2 it can be seen where the regulator  44  has been removed from the mask  10  as shown by the dotted line removal exploded configuration. This shows the interior portion of the regulator  44  where it seats against the mask  10 . Here again, the regulator  44  has release buttons  46  and  48  shown as well as the bypass knob  40 . The sheath  32  is shown surrounding the respective hose and cable.  
         [0051]    Again, looking at FIG. 2 it can be seen wherein the regulator  44  has bifurcated indicator LEDs on its display that have been split. In particular, the display on the right side is shown as display  64  while the one on the left side is shown as display  66 . The displays  64  and  66 , although bifurcated, provide a continuity going from one side to the other.  
         [0052]    Display  64  has light emitting diodes or other sources for providing a reading of pressure. The display  64  also has a low battery reading indicator  67 . Moving around the initial arc of the display  64  is an LED  68  indicating a full tank pressure.  
         [0053]    LED  70  indicates three quarters of full tank pressure. Moving to the left side, LED  72  shows one half tank pressure, while LED  74  shows one quarter tank pressure. LED or light  74  is a two color LED which turns from green to red and is flashed for a prescribed period to indicate the one quarter tank pressure. Two color LEDs can also be used to provide initial red flashings with respect to LEDs  68 ,  70  and  72 , or intermittent flashings with the green.  
         [0054]    These respective displays  64  and  66  are seated so that they can be viewed through the viewing ports, passages or windows  80  and  82  respectively. The viewing ports  80  and  82  have an opening which passes in toward the lens  12  so that the interior portions  84  and  86  are sealed from the outside and from the displays  64  and  66 .  
         [0055]    A nozzle assembly, structure or configuration  90  is formed from a plastic with the ports  80  and  82  on either side of the nozzle.  
         [0056]    In order to seat the regulator  44  against the mask, it seats within a nozzle fixture  90  of the assembly  89 . The nozzle fixture  90  has two offset indexing recesses  92  and  94 . The offset recesses are spaced more or less than 180° apart so as to not be bi-laterally symmetrical.  
         [0057]    In order to seat and index the regulator  44  into the nozzle fixture  90 , a pair of protuberances, engagement extensions, or offset lugs  96  and  98  are provided. These offset lugs  96  and  98  seat within the respective recesses  92  and  94 .  
         [0058]    The nozzle fixture  90  has an engagement seal, or rim and flange  100  which receives the projections of the release buttons  46  and  48 . As can be seen, the release buttons  46  and  48  have arcuate upright projections  104  and  106  which seat behind the engagement seal, or rim and flange  100 .  
         [0059]    Thus, in order to seat the regulator  44  into the nozzle fixture  90 , it is only necessary to rotate the regulator  44  until it seats and indexes the male lugs  96  and  98  into the female indentations  92  and  94 . This action automatically depresses buttons  46  and  48 , and engage flange  100 . As can be seen and referred to here and before, this seating is such where the offset nature of the lugs  96  and  98  is such that they are approximately 130° apart. This prevents the regulator  44  from being seated upside down on the nozzle portion  90 . The offset of less than 180° effects the proper indexing of the regulator  44  and nozzle fixture  90 .  
         [0060]    It should be understood that the nozzle portion or fixture  90  is made of an opaque or nontransparent portion. It can be made transparent if necessary. Nevertheless, it would be difficult to have a transparent nozzle portion  90 , due to the internal features but certain types of plastics can be utilized so that much of it is transparent. With a non-transparent nozzle portion  90 , the view of the displays  64  and  66  can take place through the ports  80  and  82  which have the lens portion backs  84  and  86  for viewing the displays  64  and  66 . Ports  80  and  82  can be fitted with individual focusing lenses (inserts) to enhance viewing of the display LED&#39;s.  
         [0061]    Looking more particularly at FIG. 3, it can be seen wherein the spring loaded buttons  46  and  48  are shown. These spring loaded buttons  46  and  48  are biased outwardly by coil springs  47  and  49 . At the ends of the buttons  46  and  48  are a pair of upstanding catches  104  and  106 . These upstanding catches are received within the engagement seal, rim or flange  100 . This is based upon the undercut of the engagement seal  100  and flange in the form of a circular undercut  101  that is provided with a sloping ramp  103  for the respective sloping portions  104  and  106  which slide and engage within the undercut  101 .  
         [0062]    In order to lock the regulator portion  44  into the nozzle fixture  90 , it is merely necessary to rotate the regulator until it seats and indexes within the depressions  92  and  94 . This action automatically depresses buttons  46  and  48  and engage flange  100 . At this point, an O-ring within a ring seal  105  seals the regulator  44  for the flow of air into the interior of the mask  10  through a nozzle air passage  111 .  
         [0063]    Looking more particularly at FIG. 4, it can be seen wherein the lens  12  has a nozzle cover portion  13  which has the viewing port  80  with the transparent view portion  84 . This allows the two respective LEDs  68  and  70  to be viewed through the portion  84 . Thus, the sealed integrity of the mask  10  is retained and the lens  12  receives the lighting of displays  64  and  66  through the mask viewed through the lens portions  84  and  86 .  
         [0064]    In order to have an understanding of the entire system, FIG. 7 shows the system of the entire self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) with the respective portions that constitute the invention. In particular, a cylinder  140  with a turn off valve having cylinder pressure (PC) is connected to a first stage regulator assembly  142 . The first stage regulator assembly  142  comprises a filter  144  connected to a pressure regulator or first stage regulator  146 . The first stage regulator  146  delivers intermediate pressure (IP) through the hose  24  to the second stage or demand regulator  44 .  
         [0065]    After the air in the line passes through the filter  144 , it is bifurcated and received at a high pressure hose connection  150 . The high pressure (HP) hose  150  is connected to a combination assembly or transducer module  152  having a pressure transducer  154 . The pressure transducer  154  transduces the pressure of the high pressure hose  150  which is equivalent to the cylinder pressure in the cylinder  140 .  
         [0066]    Within assembly or transducer module  152  is a battery power supply  156  and a microprocessor circuit  158  in order to process the pressure that has been sensed by the pressure transducer  154  into a signal. This particular signal is received at the respective displays  64  and  66  which have conditioning circuitry including a microprocessor and the LED array which constitutes the displays  64  and  66 . Of course, the displays  64  and  66  are mounted on the regulator  44  to the nozzle assembly  90  which is connected to the mask  10 .  
         [0067]    The first stage regular portion  142  can also be provided with an audible alarm  170  that monitors when the cylinder pressure drops below a certain amount. Also, this can be activated when the cylinder pressure (PC) is less than 25%.  
         [0068]    Assembly or transducer module  152  is fundamentally connected to the high pressure hose  150  with an interconnect. The power supply, microprocessor and pressure transducer can be in a single assembly  152  connected to the high pressure hose  150 . The data output and battery power to the displays  64  and  66  from the assembly  152  is through the wire cable or bundle  30  that is connected to the display.  
         [0069]    Looking more particularly at FIGS. 9 and 10, it can be seen that the pressure transducer module or assembly  152  has been shown. As can be seen it is connected to an output cable which is the electrical and data output on cable  30 . This cable  30  is interconnected with the interconnect  302 , which has the respective three leads of the cable or bundle. The transducer module  152  is mounted by means of a belt or other assembly that can receive a belt through the loops  304  and  306 .  
         [0070]    The power supply is in the form of a battery within a battery case  308  into which the battery  156  is inserted. In order to enclose the battery  156 , a screw top  310  is utilized for sealing the battery  156  in place.  
         [0071]    Looking downwardly into the battery case  308 , it can be seen that a battery clip  312  is shown for providing the contacts of the battery terminals.  
         [0072]    The high pressure line in the form of the high pressure hose  150  is connected to a cavity or inlet port  316  through which high pressure is delivered to the transducer  154 . The transducer  154  provides for pressure measurement so that the microprocessor circuitry  158  can impart the output on the cable  30 .  
         [0073]    Looking more specifically at FIGS. 5 and 6, the display circuitry, circuit boards and related items can be seen. In particular, FIG. 5 shows the flex wire connection  200  between the respective left and right sides of the displays  64  and  66 . The flex cable  200  interconnects the right side which is interconnected to three particular lines shown as lines  1 ,  2  and  3  originating from cable  30 . Lines  1 ,  2  and  3  are interconnected by an interconnect via cable  30  to the combination transducer assembly  152  comprising the pressure transducer  154 , microprocessor  158 , and power (battery) supply  156 .  
         [0074]    The power supply  156  is shown as VCC battery in FIG. 6 and is connected on line  1 . Line  2  is the signal line with respect to the output of the microprocessor circuit  158  that specifically provides for the output on the right and left side of the display, namely right side  64  and left side  66 .  
         [0075]    The right side  64  with the interconnect has a low battery LED  67 . The full pressure LED  68  is shown along with the three-quarter pressure LED  70 . These are respectively emplaced on the board which has transistors and other circuit conditioning components.  
         [0076]    Interconnected to the right display  64  is the left display  66 . The left display  66  has a one-half pressure LED  72  and a one-quarter pressure LED  74 . In addition thereto, an external LED  75  is shown. The external LED  75  specifically allows for a display through the regulator  44 . A red light or other warning light can be seen by external viewers to determine the fact that the user is running low or approximately at one-quarter pressure in the tank and can be apprised thereof by a party not using the equipment.  
         [0077]    A light sensor  79  can be seen. This light sensor  79  is specifically for purposes of determining how much light there is external to the regulator  44 . This external light is utilized to determine how bright it is outside and accordingly raise or lower the brightness of the LEDs  68 ,  70 ,  72 ,  74 , and  75 . In addition thereto, the circuit board for the display  66  has a number of conditioning circuit components such as the transistors seen thereon.  
         [0078]    [0078]FIG. 6 shows the interconnect to the circuit using a multi-conductor interconnect so that the lines  1 ,  2 ,  3  are relatively interconnected by the interfacing connecting portions  1 ,  2 ,  3  on cable  30 .  
         [0079]    The display board  64   a  on the right receives the signal as well as battery power. Also, battery power is provided from the board  64   a  through the flex line  200  to the left hand display board  66   a.  It can be seen that a ground line  3  is also interconnected between the plug  30 P and the left and right display boards  64   a  and  66   a.    
         [0080]    The controlling circuitry is on the right hand display board  64   a.  This controlling circuit on board  64   a  communicates the signal for the outer red flashing light or external LED  75  as well as the respective outputs of LEDs  72  and  74  for the fifty percent and twenty-five percent warning as sensed. Finally, in as much as the light sensor  79  is on the left hand side display board  66   a,  it imparts a signal through the flex line  200  back to the circuit board of the display board  64   a  so that it can be processed by the microprocessor circuitry and LED array of the display board  64   a.    
         [0081]    In essence, the output of the transducer module or assembly  152  to the displays along line  30  provides a respective communication line for both processing and power.  
         [0082]    [0082]FIG. 8 shows the logic of the system with regard to the processor and the respective elements. The system starts when the transducer module or assembly senses pressure in the cylinder or tank  140 . At this point, if the power is on it will continue, if not, it will not start until there is pressure sensed.  
         [0083]    If the power is on, it initializes the variables in the processor  158 . This is fundamentally by zeroing out and ringing out any aspects of the processor  158  in the system which need to start from an initialized format.  
         [0084]    After the processor  158  and the system is initialized, it communicates the data information including the pressure, the battery state, the reading of the displays and the other elements to determine if a valid packet of data has been received. If so, the output is passed to the timer to determine if a 3 second delay has been effected since the start of the powering up. If not, the system reverts back to the display scan and the loop continues.  
         [0085]    In the eventuality that a valid display packet has not been received, and 60 seconds have passed since the start of the display scan, the display will become blank. This is based upon the fact that interference might take place such as high RF or electromagnetic interference. In the eventuality such interference takes place, the time period of 60 seconds will hopefully avoid the continuation thereof.  
         [0086]    If the foregoing criteria are established, then the display starts to function to show the full scale output (FSO) across the respective displays  64  and  66 . Here again, the respective 100%, 75%, 50%, 25% and 10% displays are shown. This is based upon the respective pressures being slightly greater i.e. 77%, 52%, 27%, and 12%. The reason for the pressure differential of 2% being sensed greater than the display is to allow for transducer variables in as much as some transducers cannot effect a readout with an error ratio of less than 2%. Therefore, the ±2% error rate of the transducer can be compensated by reading pressures above the respective displays that are to be maintained.  
         [0087]    When the pressure is less than 100 psi, the entire display  64  and  66  shut down. This is in order to alert the user to depart since the air is substantially depleted.  
         [0088]    In the eventuality of a low battery, the low battery display  67  flashes on so that the display module indicates the low battery. If there is no low battery, and the pressure is less than 52%, the 50% display begins to flash for 20 seconds. This 20 second alarm alerts the user to the fact that the pressure is at approximately 50%.  
         [0089]    The continuity of the loops and the connections of the logic are seen with respect to the interconnects encircled in circle  1  and circle  2  to complete the logic loop.