Patent Description:
Personal protective equipment masks, such as respirator masks are used in environments where individuals are exposed to hazardous materials, such as gases, vapors, aerosols (e.g., dusts, mists, and/or biological agents), and/or the like. Respirator masks come in a large variety of types and sizes, ranging from cheaper, disposable masks to higher cost, reusable masks that include replaceable filtration cartridges. Most masks include a nosecup that encloses and forms an airtight seal around the user's nose and mouth. The nosecup is connected to a source of breathable air.

The nosecup directs that breathable air to the user while sealing the user's nose and mouth from potentially toxic atmospheric air. Therefore, the nosecup must be accurately sized to the user's face to provide an adequate seal against the user's face. So that one mask may be used by a variety of users, or customized for a particular user, the nosecup may be removable from the mask. This also allows for repair or replacement of a nosecup. However, if the nosecup is removable, it is typically attached to the mask body using bolts or screws, making the task difficult and time-consuming.

<CIT> relating to data communication and displays for breathing apparatus facepieces and pressure regulators, describes that in a number of embodiments, the respirator mask may also include a nose cup that may be attached to component housing from the rear by, for example, extending or stretching a forward port or opening of nose cup around a flange which is attached to component housing via threading on flange and cooperating threading on a rearward element of component housing and that a speech voicemitter may be positioned between port and rearward element.

Additionally, some nosecups are attached to the mask body by one or more other components, such as voicemitters. For example, if the mask includes a voicemitter for user communication, connection of the voicemitter to the mask body may also serve to connect the nosecup to the mask body.

<CIT> relating to a breathing aid for patient suffering from respiratory insufficiency, describes a breathing aid including a half mask which goes over the patient's mouth and nose and is connected to a control apparatus which analyses the exhaled air and adjusts the input air accordingly, and an outer mask which covers the whole of the face and has a peripheral rim forming a seal with the face, the inner half-mask being fixed inside the outer mask. It is described that in one embodiment, the inner half-mask has on one side an air outlet orifice, and possibly on the other side an orifice (<NUM>) for sound communication, the outer mask has the two air outlet orifices that are equipped with a common outlet connector which ensures a fixing of the inner half-mask to the outer mask around these orifices and which makes it possible to connect the air outlets to the controller and the two phonic communication orifices are also connected by a common connector which provides a second attachment of the inner half-mask to the outer mask around these holes and which makes it possible to mount a sound device.

Nosecups may also be attached to the mask body using an annular, or circular, spacer between the front of the nosecup and the front of the mask body. However, similar to the issues with nosecups discussed above, voicemitter and/or the spacer are connected to the mask body using screws, bolts, or the like, which makes it difficult to remove not only the voicemitter and/or spacer, but also the nosecup.

Further, many masks also include electrical components that are housed in one or more portions of the mask body, such as in the areas of the user's cheeks. However, it is often difficult to access all of the electronic components for replacement or repair. Also, housing the electronics components in the mask body adds bulk to the mask and can render the mask unbalanced, thereby leading to discomfort for the user.

Some embodiments advantageously provide a system for an item of personal protective equipment, such as a respirator mask, having a nosecup that is removably coupled to the item of personal protective equipment by at least one of an electronics housing and at least one voicemitter. Further, a voicemitter that is removably coupled to the item of personal protective equipment by rotation of the voicemitter within a portion of the mask frame.

In one embodiment, a respirator mask includes a frame including a frame voicemitter aperture, a voicemitter, and a nosecup removably coupled to the frame by a rotation of the voicemitter by a predetermined amount to removably lock the nosecup to the frame voicemitter aperture.

In one aspect of the embodiment, the voicemitter includes a voicemitter head portion and a voicemitter neck portion, at least a portion of the neck portion being within the frame voicemitter aperture when the nosecup is locked to the frame voicemitter aperture. In one aspect of the embodiment, the nosecup includes a first nosecup stalk and a second nosecup stalk.

In one aspect of the embodiment, the mask further comprises a facepiece having a respirator aperture, the second nosecup stalk being configured to be in fluid communication with the respirator aperture.

In one aspect of the embodiment, the voicemitter head portion is located within the first nosecup stalk.

In one aspect of the embodiment, the first nosecup stalk includes a distal end and a voicemitter aperture at the first nosecup stalk distal end. In one aspect of the embodiment, at least a portion of the voicemitter neck portion extends through the voicemitter aperture of the first nosecup stalk. In one aspect of the embodiment, at least a portion of the voicemitter neck portion is within the frame voicemitter aperture when the mask is assembled.

In one aspect of the embodiment, the nosecup is removably coupled to the mask by a quarter turn of the voicemitter within the frame voicemitter aperture in a first direction, and the nosecup is uncoupled from the mask by a quarter turn of the voicemitter within the frame voicemitter aperture in a second direction opposite the first direction.

In one aspect of the embodiment, the mask further comprises an annular electronics housing.

In one aspect of the embodiment, the annular electronics housing includes an annular electronics housing aperture, the second nosecup stalk extending through the annular electronics housing aperture when the mask is assembled.

In one aspect of the embodiment, the frame further includes a frame respirator receiving portion, the annular electronics housing being rotatably couplable to the frame, the nosecup being further removably coupled to the frame when the annular electronics housing is coupled to the frame.

In one aspect of the embodiment, the second nosecup stalk includes a distal end and a respirator aperture at the second nosecup stalk distal end, the second nosecup stalk further including a flange that at least partially encircles the second nosecup stalk respirator aperture.

In one aspect of the embodiment, the flange has a diameter and the annular electronics housing aperture has an inner diameter, the diameter of the flange being greater than the inner diameter of the annular electronics housing aperture such that the flange retains the annular electronics housing to the second nosecup stalk. In one aspect of the embodiment, the nosecup is removably coupled to the mask by rotation of the voicemitter within the frame voicemitter aperture by the predetermined amount in a first direction, and the nosecup is uncoupled from the mask by rotation of the voicemitter within the frame voicemitter aperture by the predetermined amount in a second direction opposite the first direction, the nosecup being uncoupled from the mask when the annular electronics housing is uncoupled from the frame and the voicemitter is rotated within the frame voicemitter aperture by the predetermined amount in the second direction.

In one aspect of the embodiment, the voicemitter is a first voicemitter on a first side of the mask, the mask further comprising a second voicemitter on a second side of the mask opposite the first side.

In one aspect of the embodiment, the frame voicemitter aperture is a first frame voicemitter aperture and the frame further includes a second frame voicemitter aperture, and: the nosecup includes: a first nosecup stalk; a second nosecup stalk; and a third nosecup stalk; and each of the first voicemitter and the second voicemitter including a voicemitter head portion and a voicemitter neck portion, at least a portion of the neck portion of the first voicemitter being within the first frame voicemitter aperture and at least a portion of the neck portion of the second voicemitter being within the second frame voicemitter aperture when the mask is assembled.

In one aspect of the embodiment, the nosecup is removably coupled to the mask by rotation of the first voicemitter within the first frame voicemitter aperture by the predetermined amount in a first direction and a rotation of the second voicemitter within the second frame voicemitter aperture by the predetermined amount in the first direction, and the nosecup is uncoupled from the mask by rotation of the first voicemitter within the first frame voicemitter aperture by the predetermined amount in a second direction opposite the first direction and of the second voicemitter within the second frame voicemitter aperture by the predetermined amount in the second direction.

In one aspect of the embodiment, the frame voicemitter aperture (<NUM>) of the frame is a first frame voicemitter aperture, the frame further includes a second frame voicemitter aperture and a semi-circular frame respirator receiving portion between the first and second frame voicemitter apertures; the voicemitter is a first voicemitter and the respirator mask further comprises a second voicemitter, each of the first and second voicemitters having a head portion and a neck portion; and the nosecup includes a first nosecup stalk with a first nosecup voicemitter aperture, a second nosecup stalk with a respirator aperture, and a third nosecup stalk with a second nosecup voicemitter aperture, the head portion of the first voicemitter being within the first nosecup stalk and at least a portion of the neck portion of the first voicemitter extending through the first nosecup voicemitter aperture and the first frame voicemitter aperture, and the head portion of the second voicemitter being within the third nosecup stalk and at least a portion of the neck portion of the second voicemitter extending through the second nosecup voicemitter aperture and the second frame voicemitter aperture, the nosecup being removably coupled to the frame by a rotation of the first voicemitter within the first frame voicemitter aperture by a predetermined amount in a first direction and a rotation of the second voicemitter within the second frame voicemitter aperture by the predetermined amount in the first direction.

In one aspect of the embodiment, the voicemitter is a first voicemitter and the respirator mask further comprises a second voicemitter; and the nosecup includes: a first nosecup stalk having a first nosecup voicemitter aperture; a second nosecup stalk having a respirator aperture; a third nosecup stalk having a second nosecup voicemitter aperture, each of the first and third nosecup stalks being configured to receive at least a portion of a voicemitter, the nosecup being configured to be removably coupled to a frame of the mask by a rotation of the first and second voicemitters within the first and third nosecup stalks by a predetermined amount in a first direction and uncoupled from the mask by a rotation of the first and second voicemitters within the first third nosecup stalks by the predetermined amount in a second direction opposite the first direction.

The invention advantageously provides a system for an item of personal protective equipment, such as a respirator mask, having modular components that are easily coupled and uncoupled. Some embodiments advantageously provide a system for a respirator mask, having a nosecup that is removably coupled to the item of personal protective equipment by at least one of an electronics housing and at least one voicemitter. Further, some embodiments advantageously provide a voicemitter that is removably coupled to the item of personal protective equipment by threading or other engagement feature(s). Put another way, the voicemitter <NUM> is rotatably couplable to the mask body <NUM>. A voicemitter is a type of transmitter that enhances the clarity of the user's voice and improves communication. For example, it includes a membrane that seals the mask but resonates when stimulated by sound waves such has those emanating from a user speaking. This allows the sound to be broadcast out of the mask at a level that can still be heard by a listener in proximity to the user. A nosecup is a flexible component on the inside of the mask that is sized and configured to create a seal around the user's nose and mouth. The nosecup is typically connected to a respirator and directs breathable air to the user.

Before describing in detail exemplary embodiments that are in accordance with the disclosure, it is noted that components have been represented where appropriate by convention symbols in drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the disclosure so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

Referring now to the drawing figures in which like reference designators refer to like elements, an embodiment of a respirator mask for providing respiratory protection that includes components constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention is shown in the figures and generally designated as "<NUM>. " Referring to <FIG>, the mask <NUM> is a respirator mask configured to be worn by a user in environments where the user is exposed to hazardous materials, such as, but not limited to, gases, vapors, aerosols (such as dusts, mists, and/or biological agents), and/or the like. The mask <NUM> generally includes a body <NUM>, a facepiece or fenestra <NUM> coupled to the body <NUM>, a face seal <NUM> coupled to the body <NUM> and having one or more straps <NUM>, at least one voicemitter <NUM> coupled to the body <NUM> (not shown in <FIG>), an aperture <NUM> in the facepiece <NUM> sized and configured for attachment to a respirator (not shown), a nosecup <NUM> in communication with the aperture <NUM>, and an annular electronics housing <NUM>. The mask <NUM> may also include other components, depending on the conditions and purposes for which the mask <NUM> is used.

In currently known systems, the nosecup <NUM> is permanently affixed to another mask component, such as the body <NUM> and/or facepiece <NUM> or, if the nosecup <NUM> is removable, removal is difficult and/or involves tools. In the present system, the nosecup <NUM> is removably coupled to the mask body <NUM> and/or facepiece <NUM> in a way that enables the nosecup <NUM> to be removed from the mask <NUM> quickly and easily, such as for replacement or repair. In one embodiment, the nosecup <NUM> is coupled to the mask <NUM> by at least one of the at least one voicemitter <NUM> and/or the annular electronics housing <NUM>.

Referring now to <FIG>, an exploded view of a respirator mask <NUM> having a nosecup, annular electronics housing, and voicemitter is shown. The nosecup <NUM> includes at least one aperture, such as a voicemitter aperture <NUM> and a respirator aperture <NUM>. In one embodiment, the voicemitter aperture <NUM> is at a distal end <NUM> of a first nosecup stalk <NUM>. The first nosecup stalk <NUM> also includes a proximal end <NUM> that meets the body of the nosecup <NUM>. Further, the respirator aperture <NUM> is at the distal end <NUM> of a second nosecup stalk <NUM>. The second nosecup stalk <NUM> also includes a proximal end <NUM> that meets the body of the nosecup <NUM>. The first nosecup stalk <NUM> is located a predetermined lateral distance from the second nosecup stalk <NUM>. The mask <NUM> also includes a frame <NUM> for coupling the nosecup <NUM>, annular electronics housing <NUM>, and voicemitter <NUM> to the facepiece <NUM>. The frame <NUM> is located within the body <NUM> when the mask <NUM> is assembled, and the frame <NUM> includes at least one frame voicemitter aperture <NUM> and a portion for receiving the second nosecup stalk <NUM>. In one embodiment, the frame <NUM> includes a frame respirator receiving portion <NUM> that has an at least substantially semi-circular configuration, such that the frame <NUM> at least partially extends around, or is in contact with at least a portion of, the second nosecup stalk <NUM>.

As shown by the dashed connection lines in <FIG>, when the mask <NUM> is assembled the first nosecup stalk <NUM> extends through the frame voicemitter aperture <NUM> and the second nosecup stalk <NUM> extends through or is in contact with the semi-circular frame respirator receiving portion <NUM> of the frame <NUM>. Further, the voicemitter <NUM> is coupled to the frame <NUM> and at least partially extends within the frame voicemitter aperture <NUM>. For example, a voicemitter <NUM> head portion <NUM> is located within the nosecup first stalk <NUM> and at least a portion of a voicemitter neck portion <NUM> extends through a corresponding aperture <NUM> in the facepiece and extends through or is in contact with the frame voicemitter aperture <NUM>. In this configuration, with the voicemitter head portion <NUM> directed toward the interior of the mask <NUM> and the user's mouth, the voicemitter head portion <NUM> is positioned to effectively receive sound from the user. The first nosecup stalk <NUM> includes an inner diameter IDVMstalk that is greater than a diameter DVMaperture of the nosecup voicemitter aperture <NUM>, such that the voicemitter <NUM> can be at least partially located within the first nosecup stalk <NUM> but cannot pass through the nosecup voicemitter aperture <NUM>. For example, as shown in <FIG>, the diameter Dhead of the voicemitter head portion <NUM> is greater than the diameter Dneck of the voicemitter neck portion <NUM>, and the inner diameter DVMstalk of the first nosecup stalk <NUM> is approximately the same as (or slightly larger than) the diameter Dhead voicemitter head portion <NUM> and the diameter DVMaperture of the nosecup voicemitter aperture <NUM> is approximately the same as (or slightly larger than) the diameter Dneck voicemitter neck portion <NUM> diameter. As is discussed in more detail below, the voicemitter <NUM> is removably couplable to the frame <NUM> by rotation of the voicemitter <NUM> by a predetermined amount. In one embodiment, the voicemitter <NUM> is removably couplable by a quarter rotation of the voicemitter <NUM>. In other embodiments, the voicemitter <NUM> is removably couplable to the frame <NUM> by a less-than-full rotation, such as by an eighth rotation, a third rotation, half rotation, or any other rotation that is less than <NUM>°. In some embodiments, the voicemitter <NUM> is threaded on its outer surface and screws into the frame <NUM>, the frame <NUM> having complementary threads to removably engage with the threads on the voicemitter <NUM>. When the nosecup <NUM> is in place and the voicemitter <NUM> has been rotated to be coupled to the frame <NUM>, the nosecup <NUM> is secured to the mask <NUM>.

Additionally, when the mask <NUM> is assembled, the second nosecup stalk <NUM> not only extends through or is contact with the semi-circular frame respirator receiving portion <NUM>, but the second stalk <NUM> also extends through the annular electronics housing <NUM>. The distal end <NUM> of the second nosecup stalk <NUM> includes a flange <NUM> that at least partially encircles the respirator aperture <NUM> of the second nosecup stalk <NUM>. In some embodiments, the annular electronics housing <NUM> has a circular cross-sectional shape and an aperture <NUM> at its center. In some embodiments, the annular electronics housing <NUM> is flat on the top and/or bottom surfaces, thereby allowing for mating with adjacent flat surfaces of the mask <NUM>. The annular electronics housing also includes, in some embodiments, electrical connectors and/or wires (not shown) to allow for interconnection with other electronic components of the mask <NUM>. The flange <NUM> has an outer diameter that is greater than the inner diameter of the aperture <NUM> of the annular electronics housing <NUM>. In some embodiments, the nosecup is composed of a flexible material with a lower durometer than a material(s) from which the annular electronics housing <NUM> is composed (and from which the frame <NUM>, body <NUM>, voicemitter(s) <NUM>, and/or facepiece <NUM> is/are composed). For example, the nosecup may be composed of one or more of silicone rubber, thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), rubber (either natural or synthetic), and/or the like, and the annular electronics housing <NUM> may be composed of a rigid plastic such like high-density polyethylene (HDPE). Therefore, the second nosecup stalk <NUM> may be deformed and/or compressed to allow the flange <NUM> to pass through the aperture <NUM> of the annular electronics housing <NUM>. Once the second nosecup stalk <NUM> exits the aperture <NUM>, the flange <NUM> helps lock the annular electronics housing <NUM> onto the nosecup <NUM> (or, viewed another way, helps the nosecup <NUM> remain coupled to the annular electronics housing <NUM>). The annular electronics housing <NUM> is then coupled to the facepiece <NUM> and/or to the frame <NUM>, such as with one or more screws, bolts, clasps, or other securing means. Additionally or alternatively, the annular electronics housing <NUM> may be rotatably couplable to the facepiece <NUM> and/or to the frame <NUM>, such as by corresponding threading or other engagement feature(s) in the annular electronics housing aperture <NUM> and the facepiece respirator aperture <NUM> and/or the frame respirator receiving portion <NUM>. When the annular electronics housing <NUM> is coupled to the mask <NUM>, the nosecup is also secured to the mask <NUM>. In an alternative embodiment, the annular electronics housing <NUM> is not coupled to the facepiece <NUM>. Instead, the nosecup <NUM> is coupled to the mask <NUM> by the voicemitter <NUM>, insertion of the second nosecup stalk <NUM> through the annular electronics housing <NUM> also retaining and supporting the electronics housing <NUM> within the mask <NUM>. The nosecup <NUM> and annular electronics housing <NUM> are further secured by the removable coupling of a respirator to the facepiece <NUM>. When the respirator is coupled to the mask, the respirator is in fluid communication with the second nosecup stalk <NUM> and, therefore, with the interior of the mask <NUM>.

The annular electronics housing <NUM> contains various electronics components, such as printed circuit boards, amplifiers, radio frequency components, processors, data storage units, transceivers, wireless communications units, or the like. The annular electronics housing <NUM> may also contain a power source <NUM> for providing power to the electronics components. In some embodiments, the annular electronics housing <NUM> occupies the space within the mask that is usually occupied by a spacer, such as a spacer used to couple the nosecup <NUM> to the mask body <NUM>. However, including the electronic components in the annular electronics housing <NUM> efficiently uses mask space, allowing the electronic components to be located in an otherwise wasted or unused space instead of the cheek areas of the mask, or in other areas where the electronic components would add bulk and possibly imbalance to the mask <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the nosecup <NUM> is removably coupled to the mask <NUM> by the voicemitter(s) <NUM> only, the annular electronics housing <NUM> only, or both the voicemitter(s) <NUM> and the annular electronics housing <NUM>. As is shown in <FIG>, the frame <NUM> fits within and is coupled to the body <NUM> when the mask is assembled. Any components coupled to the frame <NUM> may also be coupled to the housing <NUM>, or only to the frame <NUM>. A cross-sectional view of the assembled mask <NUM> is shown in <FIG>. Although the mask <NUM> of <FIG> is shown and described as having one voicemitter <NUM>, it will be understood that, in some embodiments, the mask <NUM> optionally includes two voicemitters <NUM>, as shown and described in <FIG>.

Referring now to <FIG>, an exploded view of a respirator mask <NUM> having a nosecup, annular electronics housing, and two voicemitters is shown. The mask <NUM> of <FIG> is substantially the same as the mask <NUM> shown in <FIG>, except that it includes a first voicemitter 22A on a first side of the mask and a second voicemitter 22B on a second side of the mask opposite the first side. In this configuration, each voicemitter 22A and 22B (referred to collectively herein as voicemitter <NUM>) is positioned to receive sound from both sides of the user. To accommodate the second voicemitter, the nosecup <NUM> includes the first nosecup stalk <NUM> on a first side of the nosecup <NUM> and also includes a third nosecup stalk <NUM> on a second side of the nosecup <NUM> opposite the first side that has a second voicemitter aperture 34B (the voicemitter aperture of the first nosecup stalk <NUM> being the first voicemitter aperture 34A). Thus, the first nosecup stalk <NUM> is located a predetermined lateral distance from the second nosecup stalk <NUM> in a first direction and the third nosecup stalk <NUM> is located a predetermined lateral distance from the second nosecup stalk <NUM> in a second direction opposite the first direction. The second nosecup stalk <NUM> is sized and configured like the first nosecup stalk <NUM>, including having a voicemitter aperture <NUM>. Likewise, the frame <NUM> includes a first frame voicemitter aperture 50A and a second frame voicemitter aperture 50B (collectively referred to herein as frame voicemitter aperture <NUM>). Each of the first 22A and second 22B voicemitters may be coupled to the mask in the same manner as is shown and described in <FIG>. Likewise, any features not expressly discussed regarding <FIG> will be understood to be the same as those shown and described in <FIG>.

Referring now to <FIG>, a voicemitter according to the present invention is shown in greater detail. As discussed above, in some embodiments, the voicemitter <NUM> is configured to be removably coupled to the frame <NUM> by rotating the voicemitter <NUM> in a first direction by rotation by a predetermined amount. In one embodiment, the predetermined amount is a quarter rotation (for example, <NUM>° ± <NUM>°), and the voicemitter <NUM> is referred to as a quarter-turn voicemitter. The voicemitter <NUM> includes a head portion <NUM> having a plurality of apertures <NUM> and a neck portion <NUM> having engagement features <NUM>. The voicemitter <NUM> may also include a gasket <NUM> around at least a portion of the voicemitter neck portion <NUM> to provide an airtight seal between the voicemitter <NUM> and the frame <NUM> and/or other mask component to which the voicemitter <NUM> is attached. When the mask <NUM> is assembled, the neck portion <NUM> of the voicemitter <NUM> (or each voicemitter 22A, 22B if the mask includes two voicemitters) extends through the voicemitter aperture <NUM> of the nosecup <NUM> and through the frame voicemitter aperture <NUM>. In one embodiment, the neck portion <NUM> is couplable to the facepiece <NUM>. For example, the facepiece voicemitter aperture <NUM> may include engagement features <NUM> that are matable with the engagement features <NUM> on the voicemitter neck portion <NUM>. In another embodiment, the neck portion <NUM> is couplable to the frame <NUM> and/or the body <NUM>. For example, the frame <NUM>, body <NUM>, or both may include engagement features <NUM> that are matable with the engagement features <NUM> on the voicemitter neck portion <NUM>, as is described in more detail below. In another embodiment, the neck portion <NUM> is similarly couplable to both the facepiece <NUM> and the frame <NUM> and/or the body <NUM>. The engagement features <NUM> on the voicemitter neck portion <NUM>, and any corresponding engagement features <NUM> on the facepiece <NUM>, frame <NUM>, and/or body <NUM>, are configured such that when the voicemitter <NUM> is positioned in matable contact with the engagement features of the facepiece <NUM>, frame <NUM>, and/or body <NUM>, rotation of the voicemitter <NUM> by approximately <NUM>° (± <NUM>°) couples and secures the voicemitter <NUM> to the frame <NUM> and/or other mask component to which the voicemitter <NUM> is attached (and no further rotation of the voicemitter <NUM> is possible). Likewise, the same configuration of the engagement features <NUM> on the voicemitter neck portion <NUM>, and any corresponding engagement features <NUM> on the facepiece <NUM>, frame <NUM>, and/or body <NUM>, allows the voicemitter <NUM> to be uncoupled from the mask <NUM> by a rotation of as little as <NUM>° (± <NUM>°) in a second direction opposite the first direction. In one embodiment, the nosecup <NUM> is coupled to the body <NUM> by a quarter rotation of the voicemitter <NUM> within both the frame voicemitter aperture <NUM> and within the facepiece voicemitter aperture <NUM>. Thus, each of the frame voicemitter aperture <NUM> and the facepiece voicemitter aperture <NUM> have complementary engagement features <NUM> to the engagement features <NUM> of the voicemitter <NUM>. In another embodiment, the nosecup <NUM> is coupled to the body <NUM> by a quarter rotation of the voicemitter <NUM> within the frame voicemitter aperture <NUM> to lock the voicemitter <NUM> to the frame voicemitter aperture <NUM>, the frame voicemitter aperture <NUM> having complementary engagement features <NUM> to the engagement features <NUM> of the voicemitter <NUM>.

In one embodiment, the engagement features <NUM> on the voicemitter neck portion <NUM> includes a plurality of protrusions <NUM> on the circumference on the neck portion <NUM>. Each of the plurality of protrusions <NUM> extends away from the lateral surface of the voicemitter neck portion <NUM>. In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, the voicemitter <NUM> includes a first protrusion 82A, a second protrusion 82B diametrically opposite the first protrusion 82A, and a third protrusion 82C on the circumference of the voicemitter neck portion <NUM> centered between the first 82A and second 82B protrusions. The first 82A, second 82B, and third 82C protrusions have the same or approximately the same circumferential length. Further, the space 84A between the first 82A and third 82C protrusions, and the space 84B between the second 82B and third 82C protrusions, have the same or approximately the same circumferential length as each of the first 82A, second 82B, and third 82C protrusions. The voicemitter <NUM> also includes a fourth 82D protrusion and a fifth 82E protrusion, and a space 84C between the fourth 82D and fifth 82E protrusions that are diametrically opposite the third protrusion 82C. The fourth 82D and fifth 82E protrusions, and space 84C therebetween, may have the same or approximately the same circumferential length as one of the protrusions 82A-82C. Additionally, the space 84D between the first protrusion 82A and the fourth protrusion 82D, and the space 84E between the second protrusion 82B and the fifth protrusion 82E, each has a circumferential length that is the same or approximately the same as the circumferential length of each of the spaces 84A and 84B (the spaces between the first 82A, second 82B, and third 82C protrusions), and greater than the circumferential length of the space 84C (the space between the fourth 82D and fifth 82E protrusions). Further, each of the fourth 82D and fifth 82E protrusion has a circumferential length that is less than the circumferential length of each of the first 82A, second 82B, and third 82C protrusions. The protrusions 82A-82E are collectively referred to as voicemitter neck portion protrusions <NUM>. In some embodiments, the protrusions <NUM> are coplanar (that is, the protrusions <NUM> lie in a common axial plane).

Referring now to <FIG>, an exemplary coupling between the voicemitter <NUM> and the frame <NUM> is shown in more detail. In one embodiment (for example, as shown in <FIG>), the frame voicemitter aperture <NUM> includes engagement features <NUM> that are complementary to the engagement features <NUM> on the voicemitter <NUM>. In one embodiment, the frame voicemitter aperture <NUM> includes a plurality of protrusions <NUM> on the circumference on the frame voicemitter aperture <NUM>. In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, the frame voicemitter aperture <NUM> includes a first protrusion 86A, a second protrusion 86B diametrically opposite the first protrusion 86A, a third protrusion 86C on the circumference of the frame voicemitter aperture <NUM> centered between the first 84A and second 86B protrusions, and a fourth protrusion 86D diametrically opposite the third protrusion 86C. The first 86A, second 86B, third 86C, and fourth 86D protrusions have the same or approximately the same circumferential length. Further, the space 88A between the first 86A and third 86C protrusions, the space 88B between the second 86B and third 86C protrusions, and the space 88C between the second 86B and fourth 86D protrusions have the same or approximately the same circumferential length as each of the first 86A, second 86B, third 86C, and fourth 86D protrusions. The frame voicemitter aperture <NUM> also includes a fifth 86E protrusion between the first 86A and fourth 86D protrusions. The fifth protrusion 86E is diametrically opposite the space 88B between the second 86B and third 86C protrusions. The fifth 86E protrusion, and the spaces between the fifth protrusion 84E and each of the first 86A and fourth 86D protrusions (88D and 88E, respectively), have the same or approximately the same circumferential length as one of the protrusions 86A-86D. The protrusions 86A-86E are collectively referred to as frame voicemitter aperture protrusions <NUM>. In some embodiments, each of the plurality of protrusions <NUM> is coplanar with the surface of the frame <NUM> in which the frame voicemitter aperture <NUM> lies. In other embodiments, the first 86A, second 86B, third 86C, and fourth 86D protrusions may each have a ramped configuration. For example, each of the first 86A, second 86B, third 86C, and fourth 86D protrusions may have a first end 87A and a second end 87B, with the first end 87A being closer to the voicemitter neck portion protrusions <NUM> when the voicemitter <NUM> is inserted into the frame voicemitter aperture <NUM>. In one embodiment, the second end 87B of the protrusions are ramped or canted toward the voicemitter neck portion protrusions <NUM> by approximately <NUM>° (± <NUM>°). Further, each of the first 86A, second 86B, third 86C, and fourth 86D protrusions may have at least one rotational stop feature <NUM> on the second end 87B. Although not shows, the voicemitter neck portion protrusions <NUM> may also include at least one corresponding stop feature. As is described in more detail below, this configuration of the frame voicemitter aperture protrusions <NUM> helps keep the voicemitter <NUM> locked to the frame <NUM>.

<FIG> shows the voicemitter neck portion <NUM> positioned within the frame voicemitter aperture <NUM> such that the voicemitter <NUM> could be removed from the frame voicemitter aperture <NUM> without further rotation of the voicemitter <NUM>. This may be referred to as the release position. When in the release position, the voicemitter neck portion protrusions <NUM> are aligned with the frame voicemitter aperture protrusion spaces <NUM>. In one embodiment, protrusion 82A is aligned with space 88A, protrusion 82B is aligned with space 88C, protrusion 82C is aligned with space 88B, protrusion 82D is aligned with space 88D, and protrusion 82E is aligned with space 88E. Likewise, protrusion 86A is aligned with space 84D, protrusion 86B is aligned with space 84B, protrusion 86C is aligned with space 84A, protrusion 86D is aligned with space 84E, and protrusion 86E is aligned with space 84C.

<FIG> shows the voicemitter neck portion <NUM> positioned within the frame voicemitter aperture <NUM> such that the voicemitter <NUM> is locked onto the frame <NUM> by the configuration of protrusions <NUM>, <NUM> and spaces <NUM>, <NUM> of the voicemitter <NUM> and frame voicemitter aperture <NUM>. This may be referred to as the locked position. When in the release position, the voicemitter neck portion threading <NUM> is extended through the frame voicemitter aperture <NUM> so that subsequent rotation of the voicemitter <NUM> positions the protrusions <NUM> of the voicemitter on top of the protrusions <NUM> of the frame voicemitter aperture <NUM> (for example, as shown in <FIG>). Further, in one embodiment, the ramped configuration of the frame voicemitter aperture protrusions <NUM> causes the voicemitter <NUM> to draw closer to, or tighten against, the frame <NUM> as the voicemitter <NUM> is rotated. Additionally, the at least one stop feature of the voicemitter neck portion protrusions <NUM> pass over are secured by the at least one rotational stop feature <NUM> of the frame voicemitter aperture protrusions <NUM>. In one embodiment, each of the first 86A, second 86B, third 86C, and fourth 86D frame voicemitter aperture protrusions includes two rotational stop features <NUM>, and each of the first 82A, second 82B, and third 82C voicemitter neck portion protrusions includes one rotational stop feature. When the voicemitter <NUM> is in the locked position, the rotational stop feature of each voicemitter neck portion protrusion <NUM> is retained between the two rotational stop features <NUM> of the frame voicemitter aperture protrusions <NUM>. This configuration prevents the voicemitter <NUM> from being disengaged from the frame <NUM>. In one embodiment, the protrusions <NUM>, <NUM> are aligned and overlapping when the voicemitter <NUM> is rotated by an eighth rotation (that is, by rotation of <NUM>°). However, the configuration of the protrusions <NUM>, <NUM> allows the voicemitter <NUM> to be coupled to the frame <NUM> by a rotation of less than or more than an eighth rotation (for example, <NUM>° ± <NUM>°). Further, the voicemitter <NUM> may pass from the release position to the locked position every eighth rotation.

However, it will be understood that the voicemitter neck portion protrusions <NUM> and the frame voicemitter aperture protrusions <NUM> may be of any number and configuration that allows the voicemitter <NUM> to be quickly and easily coupled to the frame <NUM>. In one embodiment, the voicemitter neck portion <NUM> and the frame voicemitter aperture <NUM> include complementing protrusions <NUM>, <NUM> that allow the voicemitter <NUM> to be coupled to the frame <NUM> by a quarter rotation (that is, rotation of approximately <NUM>° ± <NUM>°) of the voicemitter neck portion <NUM> within the frame voicemitter aperture <NUM>.

In one embodiment, a respirator mask <NUM> includes a frame <NUM> including a frame voicemitter aperture <NUM>, a voicemitter <NUM>, and a nosecup <NUM> removably coupled to the frame <NUM> by a rotation of the voicemitter <NUM> by a predetermined amount to removably lock the nosecup <NUM> to the frame voicemitter aperture <NUM>.

In one aspect of the embodiment, the voicemitter <NUM> includes a voicemitter head portion <NUM> and a voicemitter neck portion <NUM>, at least a portion of the neck portion <NUM> being within the frame voicemitter aperture <NUM> when the nosecup <NUM> is locked to the frame voicemitter aperture <NUM>. In one aspect of the embodiment, the nosecup <NUM> includes a first nosecup stalk <NUM> and a second nosecup stalk <NUM>.

In one aspect of the embodiment, the mask <NUM> further comprises a facepiece <NUM> having a respirator aperture <NUM>, the second nosecup stalk <NUM> being configured to be in fluid communication with the respirator aperture <NUM>.

In one aspect of the embodiment, the voicemitter head portion <NUM> is located within the first nosecup stalk <NUM>.

In one aspect of the embodiment, the first nosecup stalk <NUM> includes a distal end <NUM> and a voicemitter aperture <NUM> at the first nosecup stalk distal end <NUM>. In one aspect of the embodiment, at least a portion of the voicemitter neck portion <NUM> extends through the voicemitter aperture <NUM> of the first nosecup stalk <NUM>. In one aspect of the embodiment, at least a portion of the voicemitter neck portion <NUM> is within the frame voicemitter aperture <NUM> when the mask <NUM> is assembled.

In one aspect of the embodiment, the nosecup <NUM> is removably coupled to the mask <NUM> by a quarter turn of the voicemitter <NUM> within the frame voicemitter aperture <NUM> in a first direction, and the nosecup <NUM> is uncoupled from the mask <NUM> by a quarter turn of the voicemitter <NUM> within the frame voicemitter aperture <NUM> in a second direction opposite the first direction.

In one aspect of the embodiment, the mask <NUM> further comprises an annular electronics housing <NUM>.

In one aspect of the embodiment, the annular electronics housing <NUM> includes an annular electronics housing aperture <NUM>, the second nosecup stalk <NUM> extending through the annular electronics housing aperture <NUM> when the mask <NUM> is assembled.

In one aspect of the embodiment, the frame <NUM> further includes a frame respirator receiving portion <NUM>, the annular electronics housing <NUM> being rotatably couplable to the frame <NUM>, the nosecup <NUM> being further removably coupled to the frame <NUM> when the annular electronics housing <NUM> is coupled to the frame <NUM>.

In one aspect of the embodiment, the second nosecup stalk <NUM> includes a distal end <NUM> and a respirator aperture <NUM> at the second nosecup stalk distal end <NUM>, the second nosecup stalk <NUM> further including a flange <NUM> that at least partially encircles the second nosecup stalk respirator aperture <NUM>.

In one aspect of the embodiment, the flange <NUM> has a diameter and the annular electronics housing aperture <NUM> has an inner diameter, the diameter of the flange <NUM> being greater than the inner diameter of the annular electronics housing aperture <NUM> such that the flange <NUM> retains the annular electronics housing <NUM> to the second nosecup stalk <NUM>. In one aspect of the embodiment, the nosecup <NUM> is removably coupled to the mask <NUM> by rotation of the voicemitter <NUM> within the frame voicemitter aperture <NUM> by the predetermined amount in a first direction, and the nosecup <NUM> is uncoupled from the mask <NUM> by rotation of the voicemitter <NUM> within the frame voicemitter aperture <NUM> by the predetermined amount in a second direction opposite the first direction, the nosecup <NUM> being uncoupled from the mask <NUM> when the annular electronics housing <NUM> is uncoupled from the frame <NUM> and the voicemitter <NUM> is rotated within the frame voicemitter aperture <NUM> by the predetermined amount in the second direction.

In one aspect of the embodiment, the voicemitter <NUM> is a first voicemitter 22A on a first side of the mask <NUM>, the mask further comprising a second voicemitter 22B on a second side of the mask <NUM> opposite the first side.

In one aspect of the embodiment, the frame voicemitter aperture 50A is a first frame voicemitter aperture 50A and the frame further includes a second frame voicemitter aperture 50B, and: the nosecup <NUM> includes: a first nosecup stalk <NUM>; a second nosecup stalk <NUM>; and a third nosecup stalk <NUM>; and each of the first voicemitter 22A and the second voicemitter 22B including a voicemitter head portion <NUM> and a voicemitter neck portion <NUM>, at least a portion of the neck portion <NUM> of the first voicemitter 22A being within the first frame voicemitter aperture 50A and at least a portion of the neck portion <NUM> of the second voicemitter 22B being within the second frame voicemitter aperture 50B when the mask <NUM> is assembled.

In one aspect of the embodiment, the nosecup <NUM> is removably coupled to the mask <NUM> by rotation of the first voicemitter 22A within the first frame voicemitter aperture 50A by the predetermined amount in a first direction and a rotation of the second voicemitter 22B within the second frame voicemitter aperture 50B by the predetermined amount in the first direction, and the nosecup <NUM> is uncoupled from the mask <NUM> by rotation of the first voicemitter 22A within the first frame voicemitter aperture 50A by the predetermined amount in a second direction opposite the first direction and of the second voicemitter 22B within the second frame voicemitter aperture 50B by the predetermined amount in the second direction.

In one aspect of the embodiment, the frame voicemitter aperture <NUM> of the frame <NUM> is a first frame voicemitter aperture 50A and the frame further includes a second frame voicemitter aperture 50B and a semi-circular frame respirator receiving portion <NUM> between the first 50A and second 50B frame voicemitter apertures; the voicemitter <NUM> is a first voicemitter 22A and the respirator mask <NUM> further comprises a second voicemitter 22B, each of the first 22A and second 22B voicemitters having a head portion <NUM> and a neck portion <NUM>; and the nosecup <NUM> includes a first nosecup stalk <NUM> with a first nosecup voicemitter aperture 34A, a second nosecup stalk <NUM> with a respirator aperture <NUM>, and a third nosecup stalk <NUM> with a second nosecup voicemitter aperture 34B, the head portion <NUM> of the first voicemitter 22A being within the first nosecup stalk <NUM> and at least a portion of the neck portion <NUM> of the first voicemitter 22A extending through the first nosecup voicemitter aperture 34A and the first frame voicemitter aperture 50A, and the head portion <NUM> of the second voicemitter 22B being within the third nosecup stalk <NUM> and at least a portion of the neck portion <NUM> of the second voicemitter 22B extending through the second nosecup voicemitter aperture 34B and the second frame voicemitter aperture 50B, the nosecup <NUM> being removably coupled to the frame <NUM> by a rotation of the first voicemitter 22A within the first frame voicemitter aperture 50A by a predetermined amount in a first direction and a rotation of the second voicemitter 22B within the second frame voicemitter aperture 50B by the predetermined amount in the first direction.

Claim 1:
A respirator mask (<NUM>) comprising:
a frame (<NUM>) including a frame voicemitter aperture (<NUM>);
a voicemitter (<NUM>); and
a nosecup (<NUM>) removably coupled to the frame (<NUM>)
characterized in that
the removable coupling of the nosecup (<NUM>) to the frame (<NUM>) is achieved by a rotation of the voicemitter (<NUM>) within the frame voicemitter aperture (<NUM>) by a predetermined amount to removably lock the nosecup (<NUM>) via the voicemitter (<NUM>) to the frame voicemitter aperture (<NUM>),
the respirator mask being further characterized in that
the voicemitter (<NUM>) includes a voicemitter head portion (<NUM>) and a voicemitter neck portion (<NUM>) having engagement features (<NUM>);
the nosecup includes a first nosecup stalk (<NUM>) and a second nosecup stalk (<NUM>), said first nosecup stalk (<NUM>) including a distal end (<NUM>) and a voicemitter aperture (<NUM>) at the first nosecup stalk distal end (<NUM>); and
the head portion (<NUM>) of the voicemitter (<NUM>) being located within the first nosecup stalk (<NUM>) and at least a portion of the neck portion (<NUM>) of the voicemitter (<NUM>) extending through the nosecup voicemitter aperture (<NUM>) and being within the frame voicemitter aperture (<NUM>) when the mask (<NUM>) is assembled and when the nosecup (<NUM>) is locked to the frame voicemitter aperture (<NUM>), the frame voicemitter aperture having complementary engagement features (<NUM>) to the engagement features (<NUM>) of the voicemitter (<NUM>).