US2051023A - Gas mask - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 18, 1936. E. w. BULLARD GAS MASK Filed July 23, 1934 Patented Aug. 18, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Edward W. Bullard,

San Francisco, Calif.. as-

signor, by mesne assignments, to E. D. Bullard Company, oi' California San Francisco, Calif., a corporation Application July 23, 1934, Serial No. 736,521

9 Claims.

My invention relates to gas masks, and more particularly to improvements in the face piece and exhalation valve mounting of such masks.

It is among the objects of my invention to simplify the construction and reduce the weight and bulkiness of gas masks.

Another object of my invention is to provide a gas mask construction in which the exhalation valve seat is formed as an integral part of the face piece.

Another object of my invention is to provide means for reenforclng the portions of the face piece which comprise the valve seat.

Still another object of my invention is to provide an improved mounting for the valve guard.

The invention possesses other objects and features of advantage, some of which, with the foregoing, will be set forth in the following description of my invention. It is to be understood that I do not limit myself to this disclosure of species of. my invention, as I may adopt variant embodiments thereof within the scope of the claims.

Referring to the drawing:

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of my improved mask, showing the portions of the face piece embodying the valve; and

Figure 2 is a detailed sectional view showing a modified form of structure.

In terms of broad inclusion, the gas mask embodying my invention comprises a face piece, and an exhalation valve for the mask and comprising a valve seat formed as an integral part of the face piece. A reinforcing ring is preferably provided in the face piece about the valve seat, and means are preferably provided on the face piece for holding the valve guard.

In greater detail, and referring particularly to Figure 1, the gas mask of my invention comprises a face piece 2, preferably of rubber, molded to t over the face of the wearer. A molded rubber face piece of the type disclosed in my copending application, Serial No. 584,353, filed January 2, 1932, is preferably employed.

In my present improved structure the portions 3 of the face piece in front of the wearers mouth are thickened to provide the base portions of the exhalation valve. In other words, the base portions of the valve are molded as an integral part of the rubber face piece. 'I'his eliminates the usual metal nozzle at this point, and provides a mask which is lighter, more compact and not subject to the development of leaw joints.

The portion 3 is of generally circular or disklike formation and is provided with` a plurality (Cl. 12S-140) of breathing apertures 4. These apertures are closed against the entrance of air by a circular diaphragm 6, also preferably of rubber. The diaphragm is held against the valve base or seat 3 by a plug portion i extending through the base. The details of this type of valve structure are disclosed in my copending application, Serial No. 718,652, filed April 2, 1934.

Means are provided for reenforcing the por tions of the face piece about the valve seat. This 1c may be accomplished by embedding a metallic ring 8 in the portions 3 when the face piece is molded. Another way, as shown in Figure 2, is to form a T-shaped recess 9 in the face piece, and then subsequently inserting a reenforcing ring in the recess.

A guard Il, preferably of metal, is provided over the valve structure, and means are provided in the face piece for securing the guard. As shown in Figure 2, a recess l2 is provided inthe 20 face piece about the valve seat and a beaded tongue I3 is provided about the outer edge of the recess. Referring again to Figure 1, the guard Il is provided with a flange i4 adapted to engage the recess I2, and a. retaining ring it, preferably of spring metal, is provided to bear against the tongue to hold the guard securely in position.

By the improved construction, in which the seat of the valve is fo'rmed as an integral part of g@ the face piece, the structure of the mask as a whole is materially simplied, and the added weight and bulkiness of the usual metal nozzle is eliminated. Furthermore, and this is an iinportant point in gas mask design,rthe improved structure is characterized by the absence of possible leaky joints between the valve and the face piece.

I claim:

1. An exhalation valve comprising a base por- 40 tion including a valve seat, and a reenforcing ring, said base portion having an annular T-shaped recess about the seat for receiving the ring, the top portion of the T-shaped recess lying 4 within the body of the base to provide an internal groove for holding the ring and the leg portion of the T-shaped recess opening out on the surface of the base to provide an opening for admitting the ring.

2. An exhalation valve comprising a base portion including a valve seat and having an annular recess aboutl the seat, a guard for the valve and having a flange portion engaging said recess, and a retaining ring surrounding the guard adjacent 55 said recess and bearing against the valve base portion to hold the guard.

l 3. An exhalation valve comprising a base portion including a valve seat, and having an annular recess about the seat, a guard for the valve and Y having a flange portion engaging said recess, said valve base portion having a tongue adjacent the recess and lying against the guard, and a retaining ring surrounding the guard and pressing against said tongue for holding the guard.

4. A gas mask comprising a face piece, an exhalation valve for the mask and comprising a seat formed integrally with the face piece, and a reeniorcing ring embedded in the face piece behind the valve seat.

5. A gas mask comprising a face piece of molded rubber, an exhalation valve for the mask and comprising a seat of rubber molded as an integral part of the face piece, a reenforcing ring in the face piece about the valve seat, said face piece having a recess about about the seat and a tongue adjacent one side of the recess, a guard for the valve and having a ange portion engaging said recess, and a retaining ring surrounding the guard and pressing against said tongue for holding the guard.

6. A gas mask comprising a face piece, an apertured valve seat formed integrally with the face piece and having a concave outer surface, and a resillently flexible diaphragm over the valve seat and exed into conformity with said concave surface.

7. A gas mask comprising a face piece of molded rubber, a valve seat of rubber molded as an integral part of the face piece; said valve seat being apertured and having a concave outer surface, and a resiliently flexible diaphragm over the valve seat and flexed into conformity with said concave surface.

8. An exhalation valve comprising an apertured rubber valve seat having a concave outer surface, a resillently flexible diaphragm over the valve seatand flexed into conformity with said concave surface, and a reinforcing ring in the valve seat for holding the latter in shape.

9. A gas mask comprising a face piece of molded rubber, a valve seat of rubber molded as 20 an integral part of the face piece, said valve seat being apertured and having a concave outer surface, and a resillently flexible diaphragm over the valve seat and flexed into conformity with the valve seat for holding the latter in shape. EDWARD W. BULLARD.

Vsaid concave surface, and a reinforcing ring in 25

Images