Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The present invention generally relates to full face masks to supply breathable air to humans when in environments where it is not possible to breathe, such as underwater masks, or in environments having toxic gases or similar contaminated conditions.  
           [0003]    2. Description of the Prior Art  
           [0004]    It is necessary to maintain breathing capabilities, vision capabilities and communication capabilities when human beings or other animals are positioned in environments in which unbreathable circumstances exist, such as, but not limited to, underwater, atmospheres of noxious or toxic gases or in atmospheres where the supply of oxygen is insufficient. Divers, for example, when they submerge below water, must be provided with breathable air, vision and communication capabilities for survival and effective function. Various types of diving helmets, face masks and the like have been developed that enable underwater breathing and underwater vision and communication. Likewise, breathable air must be provided to individuals subject to environments having toxic conditions. Various masks have also been provided for use in unbreathable atmospheres such as those frequently encountered by firemen, chemical warfare participants or those encountering other conditions where an unbreathable environment exists.  
           [0005]    In the current state of the art, scuba divers wear a mask that covers his/her eyes and nose. This type of mask is sometimes called a “half mask” to differentiate it from a full face mask that covers the entire face. In a half mask, a rubber skirt seals against the diver&#39;s face around the outer sides of the eyes across the forehead and under the nose across the face above the upper lip. A clear lens through which the diver can see when underwater and when on the surface of the water forms the exterior of the front of the mask. Placing the diver&#39;s nose in the mask protects the nose from the surrounding water and the nose can be used to blow air/gas into the mask to equalize the necessary air/gas cavity space with the increasing water pressure when descending.  
           [0006]    The scuba diver&#39;s mouth is outside of the half mask and is exposed to the water in which he/she swims. A resilient rubber mouthpiece, shaped to fit between the outer side of the teeth and gums and the inside of the lips allows a somewhat tight water seal. The center of the mouthpiece forms a tube that extends forward from the diver&#39;s lips so that the outer end of the mouthpiece can be connected to a breathing system. The diver inhales and exhales through this tube. Adjacent to the center of the inside opening of this tube on each side are located two “bits” which the diver bites down on to retain the mouthpiece in his/her mouth. It is necessary for the diver to keep the mouthpiece bits clamped in his/her teeth with the lips held snug on the mouthpiece to seal out the water. Minor amounts of water leak into the diver&#39;s mouth from time to time. Although irritating, this is not usually a serious concern. The use of the mouthpiece becomes second nature to the diver after a short time, and is not a problem so long as the diver is conscious and coherent, not tired and does not accidentally dislodge the mouthpiece. This system is called an eye/nose mask or half mask and mouthpiece system.  
           [0007]    This mouthpiece system has been in use since the 1930s. It was widely used by World War II underwater combat teams with rebreathers as the breathing system. This mouthpiece system was adapted by J. Y. Cousteau with his invention of an open circuit breathing system called the “Aqua Lung” (now a trademark of USD Corp.). This system has been in use for over 50 years.  
           [0008]    For the conscious, coherent scuba diver who is submerged in clean, warm water, the eye/nose mask and separate mouthpiece is a very good system. Underwater, if the breathing system malfunctions, the diver can open his/her mouth to get rid of the mouthpiece of the malfunctioning breathing device and insert a mouthpiece of another breathing device that he/she carries as a spare, or can use a breathing device provided by another diver. This is an important safety consideration that is part of the training and confidence building necessary for scuba diving.  
           [0009]    Conserving the limited self contained air/gas supply is important for scuba diving. Prior to entering the water, the diver can put on all of his/her equipment without the necessity of using the air/gas supply. Just prior to water entry the breathing regulator mouthpiece is placed in the mouth. After water entry, sometimes a surface swim to the dive site is necessary. The diver can further conserve his air/gas supply by using a snorkel for the swim and later inserting the mouthpiece to dive.  
           [0010]    Upon return to the surface, a scuba diver can drop his/her breathing device mouthpiece and breathe atmospheric air without removing his/her mask. A snorkel can be used to breath while swimming at the surface, thus allowing the diver to continue to see underwater. Not only does this conserve air/gas, but the diver may have no air supply left with which to breathe. Being able to conveniently breathe atmospheric air at such times becomes of utmost importance.  
           [0011]    Although the eye/nose mask and mouthpiece system is the preferred way to scuba dive at the present time, verbal communication cannot be practically accomplished when using it. The electronic/mechanical design and manufacture of wireless underwater communicators is now a practical matter and well within the financial feasibility of scuba divers. The breathing system mouthpiece prevents formation of words and there is no acoustic chamber into which to speak the words so that a microphone can pick up and transmit the signals to another diver or the surface.  
           [0012]    Underwater, if the diver becomes lax and relaxes his teeth and lips, some water will leak into his/her mouth. If the diver becomes unconscious underwater, the mouthpiece will fall out. If the diver is unconscious or incoherent and loses his/her mouthpiece, another diver going to his/her aid cannot replace the mouthpiece and there is no way of connecting any other breathing device to the distressed diver. A spare emergency breathing device cannot be connected to the diver who is in need of breathing while underwater. The unconscious or incoherent diver must be taken to the surface or to an underwater air bubble station, e.g. diving bell, to continue his/her breathing or to attempt resuscitation. Since scuba divers very rarely utilize underwater diving bells, the surface is usually the only option.  
           [0013]    Cold water diving poses its own problems. Cold water exposure of the lips and face area that is outside the half mask and diving suit of the scuba diver is uncomfortable and results in heat loss from the skin area around the mouthpiece. In very cold water, the diver&#39;s lips can lose their ability to retain the breathing system mouthpiece. Scuba diving in polluted water is also very dangerous to the diver using the eye/nose mask and mouthpiece system. Pollutants have full contact to the diver&#39;s lips and from there to the interior of the mouth.  
           [0014]    Another system that can be used by scuba divers is called the full face mask system. The full face mask covers the diver&#39;s entire face from the forehead, around and down the outside of each eye to under the chin. In the past, the full face mask has been used primarily by umbilical equipped, surface supplied divers. With the advent of wireless underwater communication these masks are being used by scuba divers to meet their need for speech capability.  
           [0015]    There are currently three types of underwater full face masks. The first is a full face mask with one chamber. The interior of the full face mask is open without divisions. The diver&#39;s eyes, nose and mouth are all in an undivided sealed interior of the mask. A few masks have breathing regulator systems that access the interior of the mask on the sides, but most designs of this type mask have the breathing system access the interior of the mask at a point just in front of the diver&#39;s mouth. A mouthpiece on the interior of the mask is sometimes used with a few of these types of masks.  
           [0016]    The second type full face mask includes an eyes and nose chamber separate from the mouth chamber. The interior of this full face mask is thus divided into two separate chambers. The nose and the eyes are in a sealed upper cavity with a mask sealing lip running horizontally across the mask along the upper lip under the nose. The bottom cavity seals around the diver&#39;s mouth only. The breathing system is usually attached at the lower front of these masks. Some connect the breathing system at the lower sides. The nose is used to exhale air/gas into the upper chamber to equalize against increasing water pressure upon descent.  
           [0017]    The third full face mask has an eyes chamber separate from a mouth/nose chamber. The interior of this full face mask is thus also divided into two separate cavities. The eyes are in one cavity and the nose and mouth are in another cavity. This type mask is sometimes called the “oral-nasal mask”. The breathing system is usually connected to the mouth/nose chamber, although some masks flow the incoming breathing air across the viewing lens to prevent fogging, and then the breathing air flows into the mouth/nose chamber and to the diver.  
           [0018]    The full face mask is used in scuba diving primarily to facilitate verbal, through water, wireless communications. There is also some use in very cold water, by divers who cannot hold a mouthpiece in place, by divers who dive in polluted water, and by divers who decompress in the water with oxygen as the breathing medium. Breathing oxygen underwater can cause convulsions and unconsciousness. If this happens when the diver is using a mouthpiece, the mouthpiece can be lost which can result in drowning.  
           [0019]    An unconscious or incoherent diver is much safer in a full face mask. He/she can continue to breathe and the breathing system cannot be easily displaced. Another diver can assist the full face mask diver to breathe by pressing the purge button to inject breathing air and squeezing the unconscious diver to help him/her exhale. Also, the full face mask is held in place to the diver by a more secure head harness system that usually is comprised of five straps while the half mask uses only two straps.  
           [0020]    Current full faced masks have some serious drawbacks, however. A back up breathing system that scuba divers are accustomed to and trained in, cannot be used with full face masks. Spare breathing systems cannot be easily used and buddy breathing cannot be done while wearing a full face mask. Removal of the full face mask creates more of a problem than leaving it in place. Loss of vision, and water up the nose are undesired complications to a situation where an alternate breathing system is needed. If the breathing system in the full face mask malfunctions or runs out of breathing air supply, the diver has no choice but to remove the mask to breathe at the surface, or underwater if an alternate breathing supply is at hand. Since the mouth is contained inside the full face mask, spare breathing systems that the scuba diver is trained in cannot be used. There are solutions to these problems but the solutions require additional hardware such as plugging in a breathing air source from another diver, or turning on a self contained emergency source if one is available.  
           [0021]    Further the full face mask cannot be put on or removed while in the water at the surface or underwater in a convenient or comfortable way. Removal and replacement for training and confidence building can be done, but in normal operation this would not be desirable.  
           [0022]    Another major drawback to scuba diving with many full face masks is that there is no way to breathe atmospheric air when the diver is at the surface. Hence, there is no way to save the self contained air supply prior to a dive. At times, the diver must swim some distance on the surface to the dive site after water entry. Many prior art full face masks require use of the air/gas supply because no practical method of breathing atmospheric air when in the water (at the surface) has been provided. Some masks allow an opening while the diver is not in the water, but these will not function when the diver enters the water. This results in the use of more air/gas at the start of the dive and the need to remove the full face mask if the air supply is exhausted at the end of the dive. Some prior art full face masks have been equipped with snorkels, but they did not function in a manner that was acceptable to the scuba diver. Those designs are no longer used.  
           [0023]    International Publication WO 98/03225 discloses one attempt to provide a full face diving mask which includes a rigid frame  12  extending peripherally of the face of the user, a rigid viewing lens frame  22  and a removable mouth mask  30  to provide full access to the mouth of the user. The rigid frame  12  includes a continuous resilient seal member  18  engaging the peripheral surfaces of the facial surfaces of the user and a transverse seal  28  which defines an upper chamber  25  and a lower compartment  32 . However, the seal member  18  is attached to the continuous rigid frame  12  which prevents the seal from conforming with substantial variations in head shape and facial contours of different users. Additionally, the mouth mask  30  is connected to the frame  12  by a pair of over center latches  49  which are somewhat difficult to manipulate in use.  
           [0024]    As a result of the foregoing drawbacks in the full faced masks, the eye/nose masks or half mask and mouthpiece system that is in use by nearly all scuba divers today is the best system that is presently available to the scuba community, despite its own limitations. The full face mask has several desirable features that could improve scuba diving and make it more safe, but only if the negative aspects of the full face mask can be overcome.  
           [0025]    The following patents illustrate other developments in the prior art of diving helmets and masks:  
                                                               2,362,643   3,672,365   4,352,353   5,279,286           2,456,130   3,680,556   4,402,316   5,349,949           2,597,764   3,845,768   4,470,413   5,411,021           3,037,501   3,958,275   4,595,003   5,455,842           3,292,618   4,029,092   4,676,236   GB 2 228 420           3,433,222   4,250,877   5,245,993   WO 98/03225                      
 
           [0026]    The above prior art relates to various aspects of diving masks or helmets which have functioned satisfactorily. However, the present invention introduces features not found in the prior art including a flexible full face mask with structure enabling the mask to seal against the facial surfaces of different individual users regardless of normal variations in such facial surfaces. The present invention also provides for full access to the wearer&#39;s mouth without loss of vision underwater or in nonbreathable environments and thus maintains all of the advantages of the previously known half mask systems and full face mask systems without the drawbacks as discussed above.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0027]    The present invention relates to a flexible full face mask having separate rigid frames for the eyes, nose and/or mouth and chin which enables a wearer to maintain vision, breathing and communication in unbreathable environments including, but not limited to, underwater, atmospheres of noxious gases or where the normal amount of oxygen is not sufficient. The full face mask includes flexible structure enabling the mask to seal against each wearer&#39;s face regardless of conventional differences in facial surfaces. The mask also provides full access to the mouth and chin of the wearer when necessary or desirable, without having to remove the mask from the head of the wearer.  
           [0028]    More particularly, the present invention includes a mask skirt in the form of a full face resilient, flexible one-piece face seal which is capable of sealing the mask against the face of individual users regardless of differences in the contour of the users&#39; facial surfaces. In one preferred embodiment, the face seal extends across the upper forehead, around the outside of the eyes, under the nose and sealingly engages the upper lip to define an upper chamber or cavity. The face seal continues around the chin and includes a curved portion conforming to the chin surface and an upper flange edge in sealing engagement with the lower lip to define a lower chamber or cavity.  
           [0029]    Mounted on the flexible seal in front of the wearer&#39;s mouth is a separate rigid frame oriented peripherally of the mouth and chin seal which forms the lower chamber or cavity aligned with the mouth of the wearer. Mounted on the flexible seal in front of the wearer&#39;s eyes is a separate rigid frame supporting a lens which forms the upper chamber or cavity aligned with the eyes of the wearer. The face seal structure in combination with the separable rigid frames thus define self-contained sealed spaces which can individually adjust and seal each self-contained space of the face to the contours of the facial surfaces of different wearers.  
           [0030]    A removable adaptor pod is mounted on the front of the rigid frame of the lower chamber or cavity. The adaptor pod forms a water-tight sealed closure for the lower cavity and covers the mouth including the front, side and bottom. When the removable adaptor pod is mounted on the lower rigid frame, the mask is a full face mask. When the adaptor pod is removed, full access is provided through the lower cavity, and the mask then functions as a half mask or scuba mask. The adaptor pod can be removed when the mask is on the wearer and replaced without the use of tools. This allows an unconscious wearer to be administered cardio pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) without removing the mask and enables the breathing passage of a wearer to be cleared for rapid use of equipment to resuscitate a victim if necessary. The adaptor pod can be made in various configurations to accommodate different breathing devices as well as oral communication equipment.  
           [0031]    It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a full face mask that can be comfortably worn by wearers having different facial contours in order to see, breathe, and communicate in unbreathable environments, such as underwater, in atmospheres of noxious gases, or where the normal amount of oxygen is not sufficient.  
           [0032]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a flexible full face mask having separate compartments for the eyes, nose and/or mouth that allows full access to the wearer&#39;s mouth and chin for things such as, but not limited to, for above surface breathing before or after underwater diving and for emergency breathing apparatus or for clearing the breathing passageway in an unconscious victim.  
           [0033]    A further object of the present invention is to provide a full face mask having a specially shaped one-piece face seal that has self-contained sealed spaces molded into the face seal that can individually adjust and seal each self-contained space of the mask to the wearer&#39;s face. The mask can be configured into several self-contained spaces (eyes, nose, and mouth). For example, a two self-contained space full face mask can have an eye and nose space with an upper lip seal separating it from the lower space that covers the mouth and chin. Both self-contained spaces would be connected by a specially shaped and designed areas in the resilient flexible face seal called adjustment zones to form a single face seal that allows each self-contained space to individually contour and seal on the wearer&#39;s face.  
           [0034]    A still further object of the present invention is to provide a full face mask having rigid components forming mounting areas that are semi-permanently attached to the flexible face seal which help make up the self-contained spaces. These rigid mounting areas can receive different adaptors like viewing lenses, breathing adaptors, head harness placement or accessory adaptors, e.g. for communications, drinking tubes, sensors, etc. The lower rigid mounting area of the full face mask is designed and shaped in such a manner that it allows full access to the wearer&#39;s mouth and chin. The rigid mounting areas are equipped with special hooks and latches that allow for removal and replacement of an adaptor pod being mounted to that area or self-contained space. These hooks and latches allow this to be done by hand, without the use of tools and while the full face mask is in use on the wearer&#39;s face. For example, a breathing adaptor pod can be quickly and easily removed and replaced on the mask as needed by the wearer.  
           [0035]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a full face mask that can be configured in several different ways. Two, three and four self-contained space full face masks can be created with the full face mask design of the present invention. Some of the possible, but not all of the configurations are as follows: An example of a two self-contained space full face mask would be a mask that has a self-contained space for the user&#39;s eyes and nose and another self-contained space for the mouth and chin, both of these self-contained spaces are connected together using a special adjustment zone or zones that create a single face seal design that allows each self-contained space to individually contour and seal against the wearer&#39;s face. Another example of a two self-contained space full face mask would be one where the eyes are in one self-contained space and the nose, mouth and chin are in another self-contained space connected together by the adjustment zone or zones. A three self-contained space full face mask would have a self-contained space for the eyes, a self-contained space for the nose and a self-contained space for the mouth and chin all connected together by the adjustment zones. A four self-contained space full face mask would have each eye in its own self-contained space, the nose in a self-contained space and the mouth and chin in a self-contained space. All of these self-contained spaces are connected together by the adjustment zones to create a single face seal design full face mask.  
           [0036]    Still another object of the invention is to provide a full face mask in which the face seal is made from a soft flexible substance like natural or synthetic rubber, urethane, or silicone rubber. Rigid components are semi-permanently fastened to the soft face seal that have replaceable adaptors that help create the self-contained spaces. Each self-contained space is sealed from the environment that is on the outside of the full face mask and the adjoining self-contained spaces. The face seal is designed in such a manner that each self-contained space of the face seal is specifically shaped to fit and conform to the appropriate mating facial features that it is intended to seal against. Included in each of the self-contained spaces are smaller thin, flexible, resilient flaps (⅛″-{fraction ( 1 / 2 )}″) that are molded into the outer edge of the self-contained space seal, some of them facing in, some of them facing out, that allow that specific self-contained space to correctly seal and conform to the wearer&#39;s face. These small flaps also aid the full face mask to conform and seal during the natural over and under pressures that are experienced during normal use of the full face mask. The self-contained spaces are allowed to extend past adjustment zones and onto the side of the face. This allows each of the self-contained spaces to have its own shape and correct width, height and depth for sealing that specific self-contained space.  
           [0037]    An additional object of the present invention is to provide a full face mask in which adjustment zones are molded into the face seal and take the form of thinner and thicker specially shaped sections of the face seal that either act as a pivot point or as a stretchable adjustment zone of the mask. The adjustment zones connect the self-contained spaces together and aid each one of the self-contained spaces to conform to and individually seal onto the contours of the wearer&#39;s face. The adjustment zones also seal against the face protecting it from contaminates in the areas that they cover. Since the self-contained spaces need to seal against different people at different angles the adjustment zones allow each one of the self-contained spaces to assume the correct sealing angle for that specific self-contained space.  
           [0038]    The adjustment zones are shaped in such a manner as to allow the outer edges of the self-contained spaces to extend out and onto the face correctly sealing each of the self-contained spaces. This creates what is called a scalloped face seal. When viewing the full face mask from a side view the outer edge of the face seal turns in and out creating a “scalloped shape”. This scalloped shape allows each of the self-contained spaces to individually assume its correct position (depth, width, and height) on the face. As the adjustment zones pivot and stretch they aid the fit and seal of the joined self-contained spaces by pulling on the outer edge of the seal portion of the self-contained spaces that are allowed to extend past the adjustment zones, pulling them towards the face creating a better seal and covering more face sizes. As the face goes into the full face mask, and because of where the adjustment zones have been placed and how they have been shaped, the adjustment zones stretch pulling either at the top or the bottom of a self-contained space causing the sides to move inward for better sealing on the face.  
           [0039]    Another additional object of the invention is to provide a full face mask in which rigid components that are attached to the face seal allow different adaptors or adaptor pods to be mounted to them. These adaptors can come in the form of viewing lenses, breathing systems, or other accessories. The lower adaptor pod (usually a breathing/communications adaptor) is easily removed and replaced, by hand, without the use of tools, while the full face mask is in use on the wearer&#39;s face, allowing full access to the user&#39;s mouth and chin. Hence, the mask of the present invention can be used for scuba diving. The training agencies of the scuba industry have taught scuba divers to address emergency situations using specific procedures, techniques and equipment. The present invention allows the scuba diver to use all of these traditional procedures, techniques and equipment.  
           [0040]    The lower removable adaptor also allows access to the mouth and chin, that can be used with all configurations of the full face mask. For situations out of the water, this allows CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) to be administered to an unconscious victim without removing the mask. The lower adaptor pod can be removed on an unconscious victim, the breathing passage can be cleared, then either a special breathing adaptor pod or special equipment or techniques can be used to resuscitate the victim. One of the basic steps of the emergency CPR procedures that is usually taught is to “clear the passageway”. This insures that there is nothing obstructing the breathing passage (foreign object, tongue, vomit, etc..) before the resuscitation begins. It is usually done by rolling the victim&#39;s head to the side, grabbing the chin and opening the victim&#39;s mouth, then visually determining if any obstructions exist and, if so, using a finger to try and sweep the obstruction out. The removable adaptor pod of the present invention allows full access to the mouth and chin so that this part of the CPR procedure can be done without removing the mask. These procedures can be done while the mask remains on the victim minimizing and controlling the exposure to the contaminated surrounding environment. The full face mask can be configured so that a person wearing the mask can administer CPR to a victim that is also wearing a similar mask. By removing both lower adaptor pods, the one on the rescuer and on the victim&#39;s mask, CPR can be performed. Basically, when correctly configured, people wearing a full face mask of the present invention with the lower adaptor pods removed, have the ability to touch lips.  
           [0041]    Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a full face mask in which a lower chamber of the mask seals around the mouth, but includes an adaptor pod that can be removed to enable unimpeded access to the mouth thereby enabling the wearer to breathe, orally communicate, eat or drink and perform other normal oral activities when not underwater or not in a nonbreathable environment.  
           [0042]    A still further object of the present invention is to provide a full face mask which includes a full face seal capable of remaining in place on the wearer&#39;s face and a removable adaptor pod which can be replaced with other adaptor pods fitted with various other devices or systems to be sealingly attached to the face seal without removing the face seal from the wearer&#39;s face.  
           [0043]    A final object of the present invention is to provide a full face mask in accordance with the preceding objects which includes a mouth adaptor pod aligned with the mouth that can be removed in an emergency situation so that an emergency breathing system can be used in association with the mouth or the breathing passage of the wearer can be cleared without removing the full face mask from the wearer&#39;s face. 
       
    
    
       [0044]    These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout.  
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0045]    [0045]FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of one preferred embodiment of a full face mask according to the present invention, illustrating the removable mouth adaptor pod installed in its normal sealed relation to a lower rigid frame.  
         [0046]    [0046]FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 but illustrating the mouth adaptor pod separated from the full face mask of FIG. 1 to provide free access to the mouth and chin of the wearer.  
         [0047]    [0047]FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view of the full face mask of FIG. 1 with the removable mouth adaptor pod removed illustrating the relationship of the rigid frame to the mask skirt.  
         [0048]    [0048]FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view of the full face mask skirt of the present invention with the frames omitted.  
         [0049]    [0049]FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view of the molded resilient flexible cover for the removable mouth adaptor pod for the full face mask of FIG. 1.  
         [0050]    [0050]FIG. 6 is an exploded group perspective view of the components of the full face mask of FIG. 1.  
         [0051]    [0051]FIG. 7 is a schematic rear elevational view of the mask illustrated in FIG. 1, showing the orientation and configuration of a full face seal formed by the mask skirt.  
         [0052]    [0052]FIG. 8 is a schematic side elevational view of the mask of FIG. 1, illustrating the relationship of the mask skirt to the face of a wearer and illustrating the adjustment zones to enable upper and lower components of the full face mask skirt to pivot and stretch to conform with the contours of the face of the wearer to maintain a full face seal.  
         [0053]    [0053]FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the FIG. 1 embodiment of the one-piece face seal of the present invention, sealing one self-contained space containing the eyes and nose and a second self-contained space containing the mouth.  
         [0054]    [0054]FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view illustrating another embodiment of the one-piece face seal of the present invention, sealing an upper self-contained space containing only the eyes and a lower self-contained space containing the nose and mouth.  
         [0055]    [0055]FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective view illustrating yet a further embodiment of the one-piece face seal of the present invention, sealing three self-contained spaces including an upper space for the eyes, an intermediate space for the nose and a lower space for the mouth.  
         [0056]    [0056]FIG. 12 is a schematic perspective view illustrating still another embodiment of the one-piece face seal of the present invention, sealing four self-contained spaces with one space for sealing one eye, a second space sealing the other eye, a third space sealing the nose and a fourth space sealing the mouth.  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0057]    Although several preferred embodiments of the present invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that these embodiments are given by way of illustration only. It is not intended that the invention be limited in its scope to the specific details of construction and arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. Also, in describing the preferred embodiments, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. It is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose.  
         [0058]    The full face mask of the present invention as illustrated in FIG. 1 is generally designated by reference numeral  10  and includes a one-piece mask skirt generally designated by reference numeral  12  constructed of resilient, flexible material which forms a full face seal. The mask skirt or full face seal  12  comprises an upper portion generally designated by reference numeral  15  and a lower portion generally designated by reference number  17 . The upper portion  15  and lower portion  17  are separated by indentations or inwardly curved areas  22  in side edges  20  to define flexible and stretchable resilient adjustment zones  23  (AZ) as indicated in FIGS. 3, 4 and  8 .  
         [0059]    The mask skirt or full face seal  12  extends across the forehead at  14 , downwardly along the sides of the face at  16  and under the chin area at  18 , of the wearer. The mask skirt or full face seal  12  is formed as one piece and is constructed of molded resilient flexible material such as natural or synthetic rubber, urethane, silicone rubber or the like which allows the seal to readily flex and fit to different facial contours. The inwardly extending curved areas  22  in the central area of side edges  20  form so-called “scalloped” side edges, as illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4 and  8 .  
         [0060]    [0060]FIGS. 3 and 7 illustrate the rear edge  28  of the full face seal  12  which is continuous across the forehead  14  with side edges  20  extending downwardly along the side surface of the face. The side edges  20  then extend downwardly and under the chin  18  in a curved lower edge portion  30 . The lower curved portion  30  of the rear edge of the full face seal  12  includes a flexible, resilient forwardly extending cup shaped member  32  which conforms with and engages the chin area  18  of the user. The curved lower portion  30  also includes a curved upper edge  34  engaging the chin below the lower lip  36  of the mouth  38  of the wearer as illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3 and  8 .  
         [0061]    The lower portion  30  of the full face seal  12  includes a continuous flexible inwardly and forwardly extending resilient flap  40  terminating in a thin, flexible resilient inner edge  42 . The inner edge  42  extends under the chin  18 , upwardly along the areas of the face outwardly of the mouth  38 , along the upper lip  44  of the mouth  38  and below the nose  46 , of the wearer. The inner edge  42  of the flap  40  is continuous throughout its extent with the thin flexible inner edge  42  being spaced from the cup shaped member  32 . The cup shaped member  32  includes upper side edges which join with the full face seal  12  between the portion of flap  40  which engages the upper lip  44  and the portion of the full face seal which forms a resilient flexible nose receiving projection  48 . The top edge  34  of cup shaped member  32  is spaced below the edge  42  of the portion of flap  40  which engages the upper lip  44  to form an opening  35  to provide full access to mouth  38 .  
         [0062]    A cavity  50  is provided in the inner surface of the full face seal  12  corresponding to projection  48  to receive nose  46  as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 8. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the top of the full face seal  12  includes a relatively wide area  52  which extends downwardly on opposite sides of the eyes  54  of the wearer. The wide area  52  extends into the inwardly curved scalloped edges  22  which form the adjustment zones  23  on each side of the full face seal  12 . This configuration enables the upper portion  15  of the full face seal  12  to pivot in relation to the lower portion  17  generally in an area  45  between the nose  46  and upper lip  44  of the wearer so that the upper portion  15  and the lower portion  17 , can more closely fit the contour of the face of different users. The thickness of the adjustment zones  23 , indicated by AZ in some figures, is less than the other peripheral portions of the resilient full face seal  12 . This reduced thickness facilitates the pivotal movement between the upper portion  15  and lower portion  17  and also enables stretching in the zones  23 . The stretching and pivoting in the adjustment zones  23  permit the resilient full face seal  12  to conform with the various contours of human faces.  
         [0063]    [0063]FIG. 8 illustrates schematically the location of the pivot point  45  and schematically illustrates, by arrow  47 , the angular adjustment provided by the adjustment zones  23  on each side of the mask. The resilient flexibility of the adjustment zones  23  allows for the angular adjustment between the upper portion  15  and lower portion  17 .  
         [0064]    The upper portion  52  of the full face seal  12  engages the forehead  14  and includes an inclined thin, flexible flap  56  as illustrated in FIG. 3. The flap  56  includes a thin and very flexible inner edge  58  which extends downwardly and merges with the area of the full face seal  12  that covers the nose  46 . The inner edge  58  cooperates with the inner surface of the nose receiving projection  48  and the edge  42  of flap  40  to provide a continuous sealing engagement with the area of the face across the forehead, downwardly alongside eyes  54  and inwardly toward the nose  46 . The edge  42  of the flap  40  then cooperates with these components to provide a continuous seal peripherally of the face and chin.  
         [0065]    The forward edge of the full face seal  12  above the nose receiving projection  48  includes a front edge  70  (see FIG. 6) that defines a forwardly opening cavity  72  in alignment with the eyes  54 . The periphery of cavity  72  is provided with an outwardly extending T-shaped lip  73  as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. A rigid lens body  74  is retained on the lip  73  along the edge  70  of the cavity  72  by lens retainer  76 . The lens body  74  and lens retainer  76  are rigidly interconnected and are molded to lip  73  and lens  80  to enable the user to maintain proper vision capabilities.  
         [0066]    The lower portion of the full face seal  12  includes a resilient peripheral flange  82  defining the opening  35  in the area which includes the cup shaped member  32 , flange  40  and lower seal edge  30 . The periphery of resilient flange  82  includes a hook shaped edge or lip  83  as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. A rigid peripheral frame structure, generally designated by reference numeral  84 , is mounted onto the resilient peripheral flange  82  and includes a jaw frame  86  and a haw frame retainer  88 . The jaw frame  86  and jaw frame retainer  88  are provided with recesses shaped to receive lip  83  on resilient flange  82  and are secured together with the lip  83  on the peripheral edge of the flexible flange  82  secured between the rigid jaw frame  86  and frame retainer  88  thus securing the rigid frame  84  to the full face seal  12  as shown in FIG. 3.  
         [0067]    A removable mouth adaptor pod  90  including appropriate breathing apparatus is detachably connected to the outer rigid frame retainer  88 . A harness, generally designated by reference numeral  24 , is adjustably connected to the sides of the rigid eye lens body  74  and the sides of the rigid frame structure  84  as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 6, in order to hold the mask  10  on the head  26  of the wearer.  
         [0068]    The harness  24  includes a flexible annular member  98  having a separable connector  100  at a lower portion thereof when the annular member  98  is engaged with the rear portion of the head  26  of the user. The connector  100  is preferably a squeeze type connector located generally at the base of the skull of the user. The annular member  98  includes upper and lower straps  102  and  104  on each side thereof which extend forwardly adjacent the eye level and adjacent the bottom of the chin area. The inner surface of each of the straps  102  and  104  is corrugated or provided with transverse ribs as indicated by reference numeral  106 . The free ends of the straps  102  and  104  extend through adjustable connectors  108  on opposite ends of the eye lens body  74  and connectors  110  on opposite sides of rigid jaw frame structure  84 , respectively. This enables adjustment of the effective length of the straps in a manner well known with the connector  100  enabling separation of the harness for removal of the mask from the head  26  of the wearer. A flexible tubular sleeve  112  having opening areas  114  in opposite portions thereof may be used to provide a cushion and protection for the connector  100 .  
         [0069]    As illustrated, the straps  102  and  104  have the serrations or ridges  106  on the inner surface thereof and each of the connectors  108  and  110  include a passageway  112  therethrough with the free end of the strap extending outwardly through the passageway  112  and rearwardly under a pivotal latch  114 . The latch  114  is constructed with a rib  116  to engage the ribs or serrations  106  on straps  102  and  104  thereby allowing the straps to be pulled through the passageways  112  to tighten the harness without any manipulation of the connectors. However, when it is desired to pull the straps back through the connectors, it is necessary to pivot the latch  114  outwardly in order to release the straps  102  and  104  for movement toward a loosened position when placing the mask on the head or removing it.  
         [0070]    The removable mouth adaptor pod  90  includes a rigid external frame  118  that is oval shaped and arcuately curved from end to end to fit around and be attached to an inner edge of a flexible cover  120 , both of which are configured to fit against the rigid frame structure  84 . The inner edge of the resilient cover  120  includes a peripheral groove  121  which receives the inner peripheral edge  119  of rigid frame  118 . The groove  121  has one surface formed by a flap seal  122  that extends inwardly in overlying relation to the inner surface of frame  118  to a thin resilient edge  123  for sealing engagement with the rigid frame structure  84 , as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6. The cover  121  includes a central resilient flexible member  124  forming a closure for frame  118  and an outwardly extending bellows portion  125  at its upper end portion to which a breathing apparatus  126  can be connected. The bellows portion  125  thus enables flexible movement between the breathing apparatus  126  and the rigid frame  118 .  
         [0071]    The bellows portion  125  includes a forwardly projecting tubular sleeve  127  which is connected to the breathing apparatus  126  and receives a tubular mouthpiece  128  connected to the breathing apparatus  126 . The mouthpiece  128  is flexible and resilient and includes bits  130  to enable the wearer to retain the mouthpiece gripped between the teeth in a known manner. The resilient flexible cover  120  also includes an outwardly extending lower portion  146  having an opening  148  in which a purge valve  150  may be mounted.  
         [0072]    In order to removably mount the mouth adaptor pod  90  on the frame structure  84 , one end of the rigid frame  118  is provided with a hook shaped member  132  which engages with a notched edge at  134  on the mating side of the rigid frame member  86 . The other end of frame  118  has a catch  136  mounted thereon. The catch  136  is preferably in the form of a substantially rigid strap constructed of plastic or other suitable material in which the surfaces are serrated or grooved at  138  and provided with an inturned hook  140  at the free end thereof. The inturned hook  140  lockingly engages one of a plurality of sloped serrations or notches  142  on the other side of the rigid frame member  86  when the sealing flap  122  comes into sealing engagement with the rigid frame structure  84 . The catch  136  also includes a pair of projecting tabs or handles  144  adjacent opposite ends thereof. The limited flexibility of the strap forming the catch  136  enables the tabs  144  to be squeezed toward each other sufficiently to move the hook  140  out of engagement with the serrations or notches  142 . The hook member  132  and the catch  136  mounted on the rigid frame  118  enables the mouth adaptor pod  90  to be easily mounted on and released from rigid peripheral frame structure  84  on the lower portion  17  of the full face seal  12 .  
         [0073]    FIGS.  1 - 8  disclose an embodiment of the invention in which two self-contained spaces are defined with the full face seal  12  having an adjustment zone  23  between the two spaces to enable adjustment of the sealed spaces to fit the contour of the wearer&#39;s face. As illustrated in FIG. 9, the upper self-contained sealed space  151  encloses the eyes and nose of the user and the lower sealed self-contained space  152  covers the mouth of the user. In FIG. 10, the upper sealed self-contained space  154  covers only the eyes of the user and the lower self-contained sealed space  156  covers the nose and mouth of the user. In FIG. 11, three separate self-contained sealed spaces are illustrated with the upper space  158  covering the eyes, the middle space  160  covering only the nose and the lower space  162  covering the mouth. In this embodiment of the invention, an adjustment zone  164  (AZ) is provided between each adjacent self-contained sealed space. In FIG. 12, four sealed self-contained spaces are provided with two separate upper sealed self-contained spaces  166  and  168  provided with one covering one eye and one covering the other eye. An intermediate sealed self-contained space  170  covers only the nose and a lower self-contained space  172  covers only the mouth. Adjustment zones  174  (AZ) are provided between the two eye covering spaces and between the two eye covering spaces and the intermediate space and between the intermediate space and the lower self-contained space.  
         [0074]    The adjustment zones enable each of the separate, sealed self-contained spaces to be adjusted or moved by exerting forces thereon. The forces can serve to pivot the spaces in relation to each other and to move the spaces in relation to each other by stretching the adjustment zones. The forces can also cause the full face seal  12  to stretch by exerting tension on the opposite ends or tension on the opposite sides. Further, twisting movements and the like enable the full face seal  12  to vary its contour to adapt it to the surface contours of the facial areas to be sealingly engaged by the full face seal which defines the separate self-contained spaces.  
         [0075]    The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and, accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Technology Category: 1