Patent ID: 7341361

Claim:
A device attachable to an existing self-contained breathing mask having a support rim and transparent shield supported thereby along a frontal portion of the mask, said device comprising: a plurality of illuminable light-emitting sources; a plurality of opaque reflectors positioned rearwardly of said light-emitting sources for directing light rays forwardly therefrom along a predetermined line of sight defined in front of a user; a plurality of substantially rectangular transparent lenses positioned over selected groups of said light-emitting sources respectively and being spaced apart along a width of the mask such that said lenses are attached to the mask support rim, each said lens comprising a plurality of integrally disposed finger portions defining mounting brackets, said mounting brackets extending rearwardly of said lenses and being engaged with the mask support rim for assisting to maintain said lenses at a substantially stable position during operating conditions; a central panel secured to the mask support rim by a fastening member, said panel be medially positioned between said lenses, said panel being formed from non-corrosive material so that said light-emitting sources do not become contaminated in the presence of atmospheric moisture; a plurality of flexible rubber seals sandwiched between said panel and said lenses respectively such that the light rays are directed forwardly of the mask and not laterally across a central portion of the mask shield; and a control switch and a power supply source electrically coupled thereto and to said light-emitting sources respectively such that a user may readily toggle said device between operating and non-operating modes while the mask is positioned over the user's head; wherein said light emitting sources are displayed along a plurality of vertically stacked linear rows extending laterally towards outer edges of said mask; each of said light emitting sources maintain a static relationship with said finger portions; wherein said reflectors are directly abutted against a rear side of said light emitting sources and travel along a vertical plane; wherein each of said finger portions extend upwardly and rearwardly about a top edge of said mask support rim such that said finger portions maintain direct frictional contact therewith; wherein said rubber seals are directly abutted against said panel and said lenses respectively; wherein said control switch and said battery supply source are directly connected to said lens and positioned adjacent to a top end of said mask support rim; wherein said central panel has directly opposed ends directly abutted with inner said walls with said lenses such that said lenses maintain a spatial distance equal to a width of said central panel.