Patent ID: 6901958

Claim:
A filter assembly for use with a regulator device, said filter assembly comprising: a housing defining an internal passageway having a gas inlet opening near an upstream end of said housing, and a gas outlet opening spaced from said gas inlet opening, said housing having a first attachment portion configured for connection of an upstream end of said filter assembly to a pressurized source of breathable gas and a second attachment portion configured for connection of a downstream end of said filter assembly to said regulator device, said gas inlet opening defining an upstream rim which is substantially flush with or upstream of an upstream end of said first attachment portion; a retractable valve member disposed within said passageway, said valve member having a range of motion between (i) a closed position in which said valve member engages said upstream rim and substantially blocks said gas inlet opening and (ii) an open position in which said valve member permits fluid flow through said gas inlet opening, said valve member being biased toward said closed position with a bias exerting mechanism; and a filter disposed in said passageway downstream of said valve member, a retainer device disposed within said passageway and configured to removably secure said filter within said passageway, and said filter is disposed between said bias exerting mechanism and said retainer device proximate said outlet opening.