Patent ID: 7082944

Claim:
A changeover valve for use in delivering a gas to a gas mask, the changeover valve comprising: a first valve inlet tube defining and enclosing a first valve inlet cavity; a second valve inlet tube defining and enclosing a second valve inlet cavity, the second valve inlet tube being separate and distinct from the first valve inlet tube; a valve outlet tube defining and enclosing an outlet cavity, the valve outlet tube communicating with the first valve inlet tube and the second valve inlet tube; a flap valve actuatable between a first position and a second position about an axis of rotation, wherein the second valve inlet cavity and the outlet cavity define a first flow path allowing a gas to flow between the second valve inlet cavity and the outlet cavity in a direction from the second valve inlet cavity toward the outlet cavity when the flap valve is in the first position, wherein the first valve inlet cavity and the outlet cavity define a second flow path allowing the gas to flow between the first valve inlet cavity and the outlet cavity in a direction from the first valve inlet cavity toward the outlet cavity when the flap valve is in the second position, and wherein the axis of rotation is located at a first end of the flap valve which is opposite a second end of the flap valve; and an actuator to actuate the flap valve between the first position and the second position, wherein the actuator is selected from a group consisting of a pneumatic actuator and a magnetic actuator.