WO1998003225A1

WO1998003225A1 - Full face mask having isolated vision and breathing compartments with full mouth access

Info

Publication number: WO1998003225A1
Application number: PCT/US1997/013327
Authority: WO
Inventors: William Bevly Morgan; Connie Lyn Morgan
Original assignee: Morgan Diving Corporation
Priority date: 1996-07-22
Filing date: 1997-07-22
Publication date: 1998-01-29
Also published as: AU3742297A

Abstract

This invention is a full face mask (10) for breathing for use in an unsuitable environment. The masks include an upper chamber (25) for the eyes (23) and a lower chamber (32) for the mouth (43), each isolated from the other. The structure closing the lower chamber, in one embodiment, is a removable mouth mask or module (30) sealing attached to full face frame (12), and in a second embodiment is a pair of hinged opening jaws (71, 74). The upper chamber and lower chamber can be isolated with the nose included in the upper chamber such that the mask acts like a scuba diving mask when the mouth mask is removed or open, or included in the lower chamber such that the mouth mask functions like an oral nasal mask.

Description

FULL FACE MASK HAVING ISOLATED VISION AND BREATHING COMPARTMENTS WITH FULL MOUTH ACCESS

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

FTET.n OF THE INVENTION 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 toxic conditions. The mask includes structure enabling full access to the mouth of the wearer while otherwise maintaining the mask in position for continuous vision capabilities.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

It is necessary to supply breathing capabilities when human beings or other animals are positioned in environments in which nonbreathable circumstances exist. Divers, for example, when they submerge below water, must be provided with breathable air to allow survival and function. In addition to providing breathable air, an air space between the eye and the water must be provided. Various types of diving helmets, face masks and the like have been provided that enable underwater breathing and underwater vision. Likewise, breathable air must be provided to individuals subject to environments having toxic conditions.

Various masks have also been provided for use in nonbreathable atmospheres such as those frequently encountered by firemen, chemical warfare participants or those encountering other conditions where an unbreathable environment exists. 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'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'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.

The scuba diver'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'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'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.

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 he called the "Aqua Lung" (now a trademark of USD Corp.). This system has been in use for over 50 years.

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.

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.

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 breathe 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.

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. 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. 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'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's lips and from there to the interior of the mouth.

Another system that can be used by scuba divers is called the full face mask system. The full face mask covers the diver'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 a speech capability.

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'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 of mask have the breathing system access the interior of the mask at a point just in front of the diver's mouth. A mouthpiece on the interior of the mask is sometimes used with a few of these types of masks.

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'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.

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.

The full face mask is used in scuba diving primarily to the 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.

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.

Current full face masks have some serious drawbacks.

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. However, 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. 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.

Another major drawback to scuba diving with a full face mask 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. 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.

As a result of the foregoing drawbacks in the full face 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. The following U.S. patents illustrate developments in the prior art of diving helmets and masks.

3,433,222 3,845,768 4,250,877

3,672,365 3,958,275 5,279,286 3,680,556 4,029,092

The above prior patents relate 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 compartmentalized full face mask or helmet with structure enabling full access to the wearer'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

The present invention provides masks which cover the full face of the wearer and have structure enabling full access to the mouth of the wearer whenever desired without loss of vision when underwater or in other nonbreathable environments. In a first preferred embodiment of the present invention, a full face frame or shell forms the main mask frame. A flexible sealing flange is mounted around the rear periphery of the main mask frame thereof for sealing the main mask frame against the face of the user. The sealing flange extends completely around the face from across the upper forehead, around the outside of the eyes, down across the rear of the cheeks in front of the ears, and under the chin. The main mask frame has an upper facially oriented opening which receives a viewing lens in front of the eyes of the wearer to enable the wearer to maintain visual observation. The main mask frame further includes a resilient flexible seal positioned under the nose and sealingly engaging the upper lip to form the upper chamber or cavity. A similar seal around the chin and sealing against the lower lip thus defines an opening to provide access to the mouth. This main mask frame, viewing lens and flexible sealing form the basic mask structure.

Mounted below the viewing lens in the basic mask structure and in front of the wearer's mouth is a removable frame that forms a lower chamber or cavity from which the user can breathe and into which he or she can speak. The removable frame, or removable mouth module with the breathing system mounted thereon, covers the mouth including the front, sides and bottom and is connected to the main mask frame in a sealed relationship. When the removable mouth module is sealed to the main mask body, it is a full face mask. When the mouth module is removed, full access is provided to the mouth through the lower chamber or cavity, and the basic mask functions as a half mask or scuba mask. The mouth module can be made in various configurations to accommodate many different breathing devices, as well as oral communication equipment.

A second preferred embodiment for the present invention closes the lower chamber or cavity around the user's mouth by a set of artificial jaws, including an upper jaw and a lower jaw. The upper jaw is part of the basic mask structure. The lower jaw forming the mouth module is hingedly supported on each side at the rear and is equipped with a locking device that releasably holds the forward edges of the jaws sealed together until the user releases the locking device. The jaws are sealed to the main mask body or frame so that when the jaws are unlocked and opened, they allow full unimpeded access to the mouth of the user for breathing while maintaining watertight integrity of the upper chamber or cavity. This enables use of snorkels by divers and emergency underwater breathing systems mouthpieces. When the jaws are open, a diver can function as if he or she were wearing a half mask for viewing and using a mouthpiece for breathing. When the jaws are closed, they are sealed such that the mouth chamber of the mask is sealed against the face of the user. The chamber is thus watertight thereby providing the diver with a chamber from which to breathe and into which he or she may talk thereby allowing verbal underwater communications. In the second embodiment there is disclosed a face sealing flange which includes double walled flaps extending over the wearer's ears. The double walls form a pocket to accommodate ear phones or speakers so that the wearer can receive wireless oral communication from other divers, participants or remote locations, such as the surface or a control center.

Other embodiments of the present invention have the separation seal that isolates the upper chamber or cavity on the interior of the main mask from the bottom chamber or cavity, sealing over the nose instead of under the nose. Similar to the under the nose seal in the preferred embodiments, the over the nose seal is part of the basic mask structure and remains sealed when the mouth mask or module is removed or opened. As in the other embodiments, opening the lower chamber or cavity allows direct access to the wearer's mouth, and also the wearer's nose breathing passages.

It is therefore a first object of the present invention to provide a full face mask which has structure enabling full access to the mouth of the wearer whenever desired without loss of vision when underwater or in nonbreathable environments.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a full face mask which includes a sealing system to seal the mask over the wearer's face and divide the mask into an upper chamber or cavity adjacent the wearer's eyes and a lower chamber or cavity which allows full access to the wearer's mouth.

A further object of the present invention in accordance with the preceding object is to provide a mask for use in underwater conditions by a diver or in nonbreathable toxic conditions by emergency personnel or the like in which the mask includes an upper chamber or cavity that is sealed to the face around the eyes and under the nose and is provided with a viewing lens to enable continuous visual observation by the wearer.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a full face mask in accordance with the preceding objects in which the main mask frame is capable of remaining in place on the wearer's face and a mouth mask over the lower chamber is removable to allow full access to the wearer's mouth without removing the main mask frame from the wearer's face. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a full face mask in accordance with the preceding object except the mouth mask or module can be opened, rather than removed, to allow full access to the wearer's mouth without removing the main mask frame from the wearer's face.

Yet a further object of the present invention in accordance with the preceding objects is to provide a full face mask in which the lower chamber includes a breathing system and seals around the mouth, but can be removed or opened 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.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a full face mask in accordance with the preceding objects in which the lower chamber serves as an acoustic chamber and the mask is equipped with wireless underwater communicators, such as microphone and ear phones or speakers.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a full face mask which includes a main mask frame capable of remaining in place on the wearer's face and a removable mouth module which can be replaced with other mouth modules fitted with various other devices or systems to be sealingly attached to the main mask frame without removing the main mask frame from the wearer's face.

Yet a still further object of the present invention is to provide a full face mask in accordance with the preceding objects in which the upper chamber is sealed off above the nose, instead of under the nose, so that breathing through the nose is part of the lower chamber or cavity and the mouth mask or module in effect becomes an oral-nasal mask configuration. A final object of the present invention to be recited herein is to provide a full face mask in accordance with the preceding objects which includes a mouth mask that can be removed in an emergency situation so that an emergency breathing system can be attached to the main mask frame without removing the main mask frame from the wearer ' s face .

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 .

RRTEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of a preferred embodiment of the full face mask of the present invention illustrating the lower removable mouth module installed in its normal sealed relation to the main mask body or frame.

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 but illustrating the mouth module pivoted downwardly to a depending relation to the main mask body or frame to provide free access to the mouth of the wearer and illustrating a wireless underwater communicator assembled with the mask on the wearer.

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view approximately down the center of the full face mask of Figure 1 in an in use position.

Figure 4 is an exploded group perspective view of the components of the basic or main mask structure.

u Figure 5 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the full face mask of the present invention in which the lower chamber includes a pivotal lower jaw, illustrated in closed position. Figure 6 is a side elevational view of the mask of

Figure 5 illustrating the jaws in open position to provide free access to the mouth of the wearer.

Figure 7 is a vertical sectional view similar to Figure 3, except in this embodiment the separation seal, that isolates the upper cavity on the interior of the mask from the bottom cavity, seals over the nose instead of under the nose.

Figure 8 is a side elevational view partially in cross- section of a mask similar to that illustrated in Figures 5 and 6, except the separation seal, that isolates the upper cavity on the interior of the mask from the bottom cavity, seals over the nose instead of under the nose.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In describing the preferred embodiments of the present invention as illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific embodiment illustrated and terms so selected; it being understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose. The embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures

1-4 includes a full face mask generally designated by reference numeral 10 which includes a rigid main frame or shell generally designated by reference numeral 12 which extends across the forehead at 14, downwardly along the sides of the face and under the chin area at 16. A resilient seal member 18, preferably made of rubber or the like, extends around the entire periphery of the frame 12 and engages and seals with the surface of the forehead, downwardly along the face outwardly of the eyes and forwardly of the ears and under the chin 19. The portion of the seal 18 that goes under the chin 19 includes a flexible seal member 20 which extends under and around the chin 19 and upwardly towards the lower lip 21 but terminates just below the lower lip of the mouth 43 as illustrated in Figure 3. Hence, the perimeter of the frame 12 with seal 18 therearound provides an effective watertight and airtight seal peripherally of the face.

A viewing lens frame 22 is attached to the main frame 12 and includes a viewing lens 24 aligned with and spaced forwardly of the eyes 23 to form an upper chamber or cavity and enable visual observation by the person wearing the mask. Also, the lens frame 22 is provided with a rigid outwardly and downwardly projecting nose covering member 26 that is provided with a resilient seal 28 which extends under the nose 27 and sealingly engages the upper lip 29 between the nose 27 and the portion of the lip 29 forming the mouth 43. The seal 28 is preferably a rubber or other elastomeric panel extending horizontally completely across the frame 12 to isolate the upper chamber or cavity 25. Seal 28 is attached along the inside of nose covering member 26 by gluing or the like. This structure provides a complete seal around the eyes 23 and across the front of the face under the nose 27. Similarly, seal member 20 and seal 28 define an opening 41 for lower chamber or cavity 32 which is aligned with the mouth 43.

The mask 10 includes a removable lower mask or mouth mask, generally designated by reference numeral 30, which, in Figures 1 and 3, is in operative sealed position on the mask 10. As illustrated in Figure 2, the mouth mask 30 is in open or removed position, although it is still supported from the lower end of the main mask frame by a separable hinge structure 31. The removable mouth mask 30 which covers or closes the lower compartment 32 includes a rigid frame 33 of generally U-shaped configuration that is sealingly engaged with the chin area 16 of the frame 12 by a resilient seal 34 made of rubber or other elastomer, as illustrated in Figure 3. The upper portion 35 of frame 33 is generally horizontally disposed and includes a projection 36 which underlies the nose covering projection 26 on lens frame 22. The lower edge of the lens frame 22 and projection 26 include a depending flange 37 on which is provided a resilient seal 38 of rubber or other elastomeric material. The seal 38 is mounted on the outer surface of flange 37 by gluing or the like in order to ensure sealing engagement with the inner surface of the projection 36 of upper portion 35 on frame 33 when the mouth mask 30 is mounted on frame 12. The seals 34 and 38 form a watertight seal between the mouth mask 30 and main frame 12 including chin area 16 and lens frame 22. The frame 33, including the upper portion 35, defines the periphery of the mouth mask 30. The frame 33 also defines an open area 39 closed by a resilient flexible panel 40, also made of rubber or the like. The panel 40 has a shape generally similar to the chin, mouth and lower nose area of the wearer but is spaced therefrom to provide an acoustic lower chamber in front of mouth 43. Associated with the mouth mask 30 is a breathing regulator 42 of conventional construction mounted on the outside of panel 40. A mouth piece 44 associated with the regulator 42 extends into the interior of the mouth mask 30 for engagement in the mouth 43 in a well known manner. The mouth mask, with the associated breathing apparatus, form a mouth module generally designated by the number 45. The mask 10 can be secured in place on the wearer by any suitable arrangement, such as for example by conventional harness 47. Harness 47 includes adjustable straps 48 which are connected to the frame 12 by adjustment mechanisms 50 and is of well known construction. Alternatively, harness 47 can be replaced by a head covering helmet as is well known in the art.

The mouthpiece 44 enables the wearer of the mask to breathe through the regulator and exhaust breath in a well known manner with the air regulator including an inlet and discharge. The inlet is typically connected to an air supply tank carried on the back of the wearer or to an umbilical hose connected to an air supply at the surface. In noπpal position, the mouth piece 44 is positioned just outside the diver's mouth 43, preferably about 1/4 - 1/2 inch away from the mouth. This allows the mouth piece 44 to move away from the diver's mouth 43 when released by the diver so that he can orally speak with the lower chamber acting as an acoustic chamber with the mask 10 equipped with a microphone adjacent the diver's mouth as part of underwater wireless communication equipment currently available. Ear phones or speakers can be held adjacent the diver's ears under one or more of the straps 48 of harness 47 in a known manner.

One configuration of wireless, underwater communication equipment useful with the masks of the present invention is shown in Figure 2 for illustration purposes and is generally designated by the numeral 120. This communication equipment is not shown in Figures 1 and 3. The battery, electronics, and transmitting/receiving transducer, i.e., underwater antenna and earphone, are all preferably packaged into a single housing 122 that is attached to the mask straps 48 in any suitable fashion, such as with an attachment strap (not shown) that runs to the upper and lower mask harness straps. The wire 124 for the microphone 126 extends from the housing 122 and passes through the frame 12 in order to position the microphone 126 adjacent the wearer's mouth 43 in the lower chamber or cavity 32. Preferably, the microphone is mounted on a small bracket (not shown) which is attached to the interior of the mask frame 12. Mounting the microphone in this fashion allows removal of the mouth module 30, and the associated breathing system, with the communications components 120 staying with the diver and the main mask frame 12. Alternatively, if desired, the microphone can be mounted in the removable mouth module.

Some underwater wireless sets have the microphone wire running with the air supply hose. The main electronic package is mounted on the diver's tank. For such sets, the microphone is preferably mounted in the removable mouth module 30 to allow separation therewith. Usually, the earphone wires run with the microphone wires. The earphones in such circumstances either unplug or slip out of mount pockets that are located on the mask straps 48.

With the mouthpiece 44 away from the diver's mouth 43, and the diver speaking into the microphone 106, the diver can continue breathing through the regulator 42 and mouth piece 44 inasmuch as the mouth mask 30 has formed an airtight seal for lower chamber 32 around the wearer's mouth 43. Once the wearer has completed his oral communication, the mouth piece 44 can be easily inserted into the mouth by pushing on the flexible body 40 of the mouth mask 30 and grasping the mouth piece 44 with the mouth.

When assembled as illustrated in Figure 1, a full face mask is provided with upper and lower chambers or cavities 25 and 32, respectively, which are isolated from each other by resilient seal 28. The upper chamber 25 is always closed when worn and provides a visual observation and nasal mask sealed under the nose. The lower chamber 32 is separate and isolated from the upper chamber 25 and can be readily opened by latch mechanisms 46 interconnecting mouth mask frame 33 to the main frame 12. The latch mechanisms 46 are preferably over center latches which bias the mouth mask 30 into sealed relationship to the frame 12 below the nose and downwardly along and under the chin 19. However, any suitable latch mechanism can be used which removably seals the mouth mask 30 onto main frame 12. The hinge structure 31 is actually a support by which the removable mouth mask 30 can be supported in a convenient place when open and for repositioning it into sealed relation on frame 12 when desired. This removable mouth mask structure enables a diver or wearer of the mask 10 to readily remove the mouth mask 30 in order to breathe normally when not underwater or when not in a nonbreathable environment. This saves air in an air supply tank and enables verbal communication when desired without necessitating removal of the entire mask 10. The structure also enables the wearer to breathe through an emergency breathing system when underwater by removing the mouth mask 30 so that a breathing system with another mouthpiece can be utilized by inserting it into the mouth of the diver. Finally, the lower chamber 32 of the mask can be equipped with wireless underwater communication equipment, either as part of the removable mouth mask 30 or built into the lower part of frame 12, near mouth 43, as hereinbefore described. Turning now to Figure 4, it will be seen that frame 12 is molded in two separate pieces, shell 100 and harness assembly 102. While shell 100 and assembly 102 can be formed as one piece, two pieces are preferred for ease of manufacture and substitution of different harness assemblies. Further, shell 100 is molded with a seal mounting surface 104 and a lip 106 around its periphery to facilitate the attachment of seal 18. The inner surface 108 of seal 18 can be easily sealed to surface 104 by standard gluing techniques or the like, and the harness assembly 102 can be sealed to shell 100 also by standard gluing or other conventional technology. Alternatively, seal 18 can be mechanically secured and sealed between lip 106 of frame 100 and harness assembly 102 so that no gluing is required. In addition, harness 47 and harness assembly 102 can be replaced with a head covering helmet, as is known in the art. The interior lens structure 112 of lens frame 22 is similarly attached on the front of assembly 102 by appropriate sealing and preferably screwed into place by screws 110 (see Figure 1) which extend through assembly 102 and into shell 100. Lens frame 22 is then complete in this embodiment by outer structure 114 which surrounds and attaches lens 24 in place on the front lens surface 116 of interior lens structure 112. Preferably shell 100, assembly 102, and lens frame 22 are all molded from suitable rigid plastic materials well known in the art.

The structure of this embodiment also enables alternative breathing devices to be used when part of properly matching mouth modules which can be installed in place of the removed mouth module. This is frequently necessary for divers who wish to change their breathing gas mix, such as when they decompress on pure oxygen. Also, firemen or others who need oxygen treatment can receive it quickly by means of a matching mouth module being placed on the full face mask or different breathing apparatus assembled on the mouth mask. The sealing surface of the removable mouth mask must match the opening in the full face mask to achieve a watertight seal. However, the outward body of the mouth mask can be made in different configurations to accommodate various breathing devices. The sealed area below the viewing lens around the diver's chin and mouth provides a chamber in which the diver can speak and through which to breathe. Also, this structure enables the mouth mask to be tensioned tightly against the frame of the full face mask to achieve a watertight seal without discomfort to the diver. The mouth mask can be made with a completely rigid wall of plastic or the like, or made with only a rigid frame to which is attached a soft flexible and stretchable interior structure. Either way, the breathing device is suitably attached to the mouth mask to form the mouth module. On the interior surface of the mouth mask, a mouthpiece that fits into the diver's mouth is mounted.

The hinge 31 allows the mouth mask 30 to open but not detach when the diver holds his/her head in a normal position. When the diver looks up and extends his/her chin as far as possible from the front of the chest area, the hinge can be separated thereby allowing the mouth mask and module to be completely removed from the face mask. Various structures may be provided to enable the mouth mask to be removed or pivoted and the mask can be worn without any breathing device on the diver while changing over or when it is necessary for the diver to move away from a previous breathing supply to a new location for connection with another breathing device.

The second embodiment of a full face mask in accordance with the present invention is illustrated in Figures 5 and 6. The mask is generally designated by reference numeral 60 and includes a rigid full face frame 62. Mounted around the outside periphery of the rigid frame 62 by gluing or the like, is a resilient seal 63 made of rubber, elastomer or other suitable material. The seal 63 extends over the back edge of frame 62 and around the periphery of the interior of the frame for sealing engagement with the face of a wearer. In this embodiment, the seal 63 includes double wall ear extensions 65 integral therewith in juxtaposition to a diver's ears when in use. The ear extensions 65 form pockets open to the interior of the main body of the mask to receive headphones or speakers for hearing wireless transmissions from other divers or the surface. A microphone would also be provided adjacent the diver's mouth in the lower chamber or cavity 81. See, for example, the construction disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 3,680,556. The seal 18 in the first embodiment could be similarly configured and vice versa, as is known in the art.

The rigid frame 62 also includes a forwardly projecting rigid lens frame 64 in alignment with and spaced from the eyes of the wearer. Attached to the front of the lens frame 64, as by screws 67 or the like, is a transparent lens 66 mounted in watertight relation to the frame 62. The lower central portion of the lens frame 64 includes a nose covering projection 68 which extends downwardly and outwardly. The frame 62 also includes a forwardly projecting U-shaped panel 69 which is preferably molded integrally with nose projection 68. Mounted underneath panel 69, as by screws or the like is a generally U-shaped rigid plate 70 with the plate 70 forming an upper jaw 71. A flexible, resilient closure panel or seal 72, preferably made of rubber, elastomer or like material, is connected to the underneath side of plate 70 and extends inwardly in underlying relation to the nose of the wearer. The seal 72 extends throughout the interior of the plate 70 and includes an inner edge that engages the upper lip of the wearer just below the nose in a watertight relationship to thereby seal and isolate upper chamber or cavity 73 for the nose and eyes.

Pivotally connected to upper jaw 71 and plate 70 is a lower jaw 74. Jaw 74 includes at its upper edge a rigid U-shaped lower jaw plate 76 similar to, and configured to mate with, upper jaw plate 70. Lower jaw plate 76 is hingedly connected to the upper jaw plate 70 at hinge points 78 at the rear of the rigid U- shaped plates 70 and 76. The jaw 74 also includes a flexible resilient member 80 attached at the top to the plate 76 and attached at the bottom to the lower portion 82 of the frame 62 and resilient seal 63, as illustrated in Figure 5. The flexible resilient member 80 generally has the configuration of the chin area of the wearer, is spaced from the chin area and mouth, and generally forms the outer wall of the lower chamber 81 when the mask is closed, as shown in Figure 5. The jaw plates 70 and 76 form the jaws which can open and close by pivoting between the closed position in Figure 5 and the open position in Figure 6. When the lower jaw 74 is pivoted downwardly to the open position, the jaws define a full access opening 84 in alignment with the mouth of the wearer.

The facing surfaces of the plates 70 and 76 include seal members 86 and 88 which engage each other when the jaws are in closed position as illustrated in Figure 5. The seal member 86 is preferably a continuation of the flexible resilient seal member 72 and is affixed to the underneath side of jaw plate 70 as by glue or the like. The seal member 88 is preferably a continuation of the flexible resilient member 80 and extends over the rear edge of lower jaw plate 76 and is affixed to its upper surface as by glue or the like. When closed and locked, seal members 86 and 88 seal the jaw plates 70 and 76 together in a watertight relationship.

The jaws 71 and 74 are retained in closed position by any suitable locking device. One such locking mechanism is generally designated by reference numeral 90 which includes one or more pivotal hooks 92 mounted on the lower jaw 74 for pivotal movement about a hinge axis 94 with an axial spring biasing the hook shaped locks 92 into hooking engagement with the periphery of the upper jaw 71 or plate 70. Thus, the jaws 71 and 74 are maintained closed by the locking devices and can be opened by the wearer or any other person by moving the locking devices 90 so that the hook end thereof disengages from the outer edge of the plate 70. This permits the lower jaw 74 to pivot downwardly thereby providing access opening 84 directly in alignment with the mouth of the wearer.

The mask 60 is secured to the head of a wearer by any suitable harness or the like, such as harness 96 in which the plurality of straps are connected to the frame 62 with strap adjustment mechanisms 98 to enable the mask to be easily placed on the head of a wearer and removed therefrom. The strap adjustment mechanisms 98 enable the mask 60 to be comfortably positioned but securely retained with the mask in watertight relation to the face of the wearer by the seal 63. The resilient member 80 which extends under the chin area is provided with a breathing system, such as a regulator and mouthpiece indicated generally by the numeral 99 in the same manner as the structure described for Figures 1-4, in order to complete the mouth module.

When the lower jaw 74 is in the closed position as illustrated in Figure 5, the access opening 84 is closed with the jaws combined with the frame and the flexible resilient member 80 to define lower chamber 81 that is isolated from the upper chamber 73. Thus, the pivoting jaw structure enables direct and unimpeded access to the mouth of the wearer while maintaining the watertight relationship of the eyes and nose. As such, the mask 60 can be used for both continuous underwater observation and continuous above water observation with the plate structure and hinge structure enabling the mask to be opened when above water thereby utilizing a breathable atmosphere for air and preserving the supply of air available when underwater.

In this embodiment of the invention, as with the first embodiment, the full face mask has an upper chamber 73 that is isolated from the lower chamber 81 by a flexible seal member 72 that extends across the face of the wearer under the nose into sealing engagement with the upper lip. The frame 62 of the full face mask is also sealed to the face of the wearer by seal 63, and the face mask has an upper chamber that is fully sealed and provided with a viewing lens. Located under the viewing lens on the exterior of the lower chamber, an opening 84 is provided which enables access to the mouth of the wearer. However, in this embodiment, the opening is defined by a pair of artificial jaws or purse-like lips, which are hinged at their rear points and equipped with a locking device that holds the jaws sealed together until the locking device is released by the diver or otherwise. The artificial jaws, when unlocked and open allow full unimpeded access to the mouth of the wearer and enable a diver to breathe, use a snorkel or other emergency underwater breathing system mouthpieces. When the jaws are open, the diver can function in the same manner as if wearing a half mask for viewing and using a mouthpiece for breathing. When the jaws are closed, the artificial jaws are sealed. Since the mouth chamber of the mask is sealed around the diver's face, the chamber becomes watertight. This provides the diver with a chamber from which to breathe and an acoustic chamber to enable speech to be formed and conveyed externally by verbal underwater communications. The new mask breathing system of this invention has the advantages of the half mask and mouthpiece system presently used by scuba divers and the known full face masks without their attendant drawbacks. Each embodiment of the invention includes a compartmentalized arrangement with an opening being provided for full access to the mouth of the wearer without loss of vision underwater or in nonbreathable environments. The structure of the present invention includes a sealing flange sealed around the diver's face from the upper forehead, around the outside of the nose, down across the rear of the cheeks in front of the ears, under the chin and up and around the opposite side of the face returning to the forehead. The body of the mask includes the viewing lens. Under the viewing lens, in front of the mouth of the wearer is an isolated chamber from which the diver can breathe into and from which the diver can speak. In one embodiment of this invention illustrated in Figures 1-4, this entire lower chamber is removable and is sealed to the main frame thereby providing a full face mask that includes two isolated chambers and which can be fitted with various devices including various breathing devices and communication equipment. Turning now to Figures 7 and 8 of the drawings, these figures show masks similar to the two previous embodiments of the present invention except the separation seal, that isolates the upper chamber or cavity on the interior of the mask from the lower chamber or cavity, seals over the nose instead of under the nose. These embodiments are better suited for umbilical equipped surface supplied divers, or for use above water, such as firefighters and other users of full face masks. In Figures 7 and 8, like numbers have been used for similar components as previously described with respect to the embodiments of Figures 1-4 and Figures 5-6, respectively, and a description of these components will not be repeated. It will be seen in Figure 7 that viewing lens frame 22 is attached to the main frame 12 and includes a viewing lens 24 aligned with and spaced forwardly of the eyes 23 to enable visual observation by the person wearing the mask. The lens frame 22 is also provided with a rigid outwardly and downwardly projecting nose covering member 26. Mounted on the inside of the nose covering member 26 is resilient seal 109 which extends over the bridge of the nose 27 and sealingly engages the nose and cheeks of the wearer as at 111. The seal 109 is preferably a rubber or other elastomeric panel extending completely across the frame 12 to isolate the upper chamber or cavity 113 from the lower chamber or cavity 115. This sealing structure provides a complete seal around the eyes 23 and across the front of the face of the wearer above the nose 27. Thus, the breathing passages of the nose 27 are included within the lower chamber or cavity 115, and the mouth mask 30 acts in the nature of an oral-nasal mask. Meanwhile, seal 109 is attached to the inside of nose covering member 26 across frame 12 as part of the basic mask structure and, therefore, does not open with the mouth mask.

In Figure 8 it will be seen that the full face mask 60 includes a flexible, resilient closure panel or seal 117 which is mounted on and extends completely across the main frame 62 and nose covering projection 68. The seal 117 sealingly engages in a water-tight relationship the wearer's face along the cheeks and up the sides and over the bridge of the nose, thus dividing the upper chamber 119 from the lower chamber 121 above the nose. Seal 117 is also preferably made of rubber, elastomer, or like material, and is affixed to the inner surface of nose projection 68 and frame 62 by gluing or the like. As will be seen, seal 117 isolates the upper chamber or cavity 119 for the eyes, while the breathing passages of the nose are included in the lower chamber or cavity 121. As such, the opening and closing of the lower chamber 121 by pivoting lower jaw plate 76 downwardly and away from upper jaw plate 70 provides a structure in the nature of an oral-nasal mask. Removing or opening the mouth mask of the configurations illustrated in Figures 7 and 8 allows conservation of the breathing supply when not needed, provides a mechanism for the wearer to eat and drink, and permits rapid access to emergency breathing systems without loss of vision. In addition, the wearer can be fully "dressed in", i.e., the mask and/or helmet in place on the wearer, ready to go with the mouth or lower chamber open. This allows full, direct communication with others around the wearer and saves the self-contained air supply worn by the diver, firefighter, etc. By near instantaneous closing of the lower chamber and positioning the mouth module in place with the fastening mechanism, the wearer is ready for his/her mission. The over the nose sealing mechanism provided by the configurations illustrated in Figures 7 and 8 provides slightly better verbal communications when the mouth mask is closed due to the nose being included in the sound path of the vocal cords. It also makes breathing and talking more comfortable when the mouth cavity is open, as compared to the under the nose seal configurations of Figures 1-4 and 5-6.

In the embodiments shown in Figures 7 and 8 , a respirator, such as respirator 42 or respirator 123, are mounted on the lower mask to form the lower module. However, in these configurations, a mouthpiece, such as mouthpiece 44, is generally not provided for the breathing system. When the lower mask is closed, the wearer is able to breath both through his/her mouth and nose due to the water-tight sealing of the main mask to the wearer's face and the mouth mask to the main mask.

In addition to the above described embodiments, it may be possible to achieve some of the benefits of the present invention, especially for uses of the masks in above water environments, by configuring the masks illustrated in Figures 1-4 and 5-6 without any across the mask division seal, such as seal 28 in the Figures 1-4 configuration and seal 72 in the Figures 5-6 configuration. The inside of the mask is a single chamber. Instead of the mask dividing seal, a separate, interior oral-nasal mask is positioned in the chamber to cover the nose and mouth. Such an interior oral-nasal mask is illustrated, for example, by the numeral 76 in U.S. Patent No. 3,680,556. In the present invention, the separate interior oral-nasal mask is attached to the mouth mask. When the mouth mask opens or is removed, the oral-nasal mask also opens or is removed along with it. The masks of this invention can be mounted by various structures including a head mount harness or spider that includes a plurality of straps that radiate from a central point at the rear of the head of the diver around the sides of the head and attached in an adjustable manner to the top and sides of the mask frame. The mask of this invention can also be incorporated into a helmet configuration with the helmet being held in place by means of a chin strap, rear hinge section that close on the diver's head or adjustable interior head clamping devices. A rubberized neck dam may seal around the diver's neck to maintain a dry interior for the helmet.

The masks of this invention also enable immediate start of resuscitation by a rescuer of an unconscious diver. Current scuba equipment, wherein only a mouthpiece is used makes it impossible to assist an unconscious diver since it is impossible to connect an unconscious diver to his breathing system by means of a mouthpiece which has been dropped from the diver's mouth. This invention provides the unconscious, incoherent, panicky or confused diver with a continuous dry connection to his/her breathing supply as long as the lower chamber remains in sealed relation to the mouth thereby providing a greater chance of survival .

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.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED AS NEW IS AS FOLLOWS:

1. A full face mask for use underwater and in nonbreathable environments which comprises a frame structure sealable to the facial area of a wearer and including a viewing lens in alignment with the eyes of the wearer to maintain the eyes of the wearer in a watertight condition to enable continuous visual observation, and a separate mouth mask supported on said frame structure in watertight relation to the mouth of the wearer and covering an area isolated from the viewing lens which can be opened to provide full access to the mouth of the wearer while maintaining vision through the viewing lens.

2. The full face mask as defined in claim 1 wherein said mouth mask is removably attached to said frame structure to enable the mouth mask to be separated from the frame structure to provide free access to the mouth.

3. The full face mask as defined in claim 1 wherein said mouth mask includes a pair of artificial jaws, at least one of said jaws being hingedly supported in relation to the other to move to an open position to provide free access to the mouth of a wearer.

4. The full face mask as defined in claim 3 wherein said jaws include a locking device manipulatable by the wearer to lock the jaws in closed, sealed relation to maintain watertight integrity of the mouth mask and enable the jaws to move to an open position to form an opening having unimpeded access to the mouth of a wearer.

5. The full face mask as defined in claim 1 wherein the full face mask includes a breathing system associated therewith including a mouthpiece mounted on the mouth mask in alignment with the mouth of a wearer to enable a wearer to insert the mouthpiece into the mouth to breathe from an external air supply .

6. The full face mask as defined in claim 1 wherein said frame includes a seal structure that engages the upper lip and lower lip of the wearer to maintain watertight integrity of the mask above the upper lip and below the lower lip thereby enabling continuous isolation of the portion of the mask outwardly of the periphery of the mouth of the wearer.

7. The full face mask as defined in claim 1, wherein said frame includes a seal structure that extends over the nose and around the lower lip of the wearer to maintain water-tight integrity of the mask above and below the nose, thereby enabling continuous isolation of the portion of the mask outwardly of the eyes of the wearer.

8. The full face mask as defined in claim 1 together with a head engaging harness adjustably connected to the mask for securing the mask to the facial area of a wearer.

9. The full face mask as defined in claim 1 wherein said mouth mask includes a breathing system with an air regulator including an air intake and exhaust, said breathing system including a mouthpiece interiorly of the mouth mask for reception in and retention in the mouth of a wearer.

10. The full face mask as defined in claim 1 and further including a microphone in said area adjacent the mouth of the wearer and a speaker adjacent an ear of the wearer whereby the wearer can orally communicate by wireless communication with others .

11. A full face mask for use in nonbreathable environments which comprises a rigid frame extending peripherally around the face region of a wearer and including a viewing lens in alignment with the eyes of the wearer, a seal on said frame in sealing engagement with the face region of the wearer and including a seal dividing said mask into an upper chamber surrounding the eyes of the wearer and a lower chamber surrounding at least the mouth of the wearer, and a mouth mask sealingly mounted on said frame below the viewing lens which enables complete access to the mouth of the wearer while maintaining isolation of the upper chamber.

12. The full face mask as defined in claim 11 wherein said mouth mask is removable and includes fastening devices removably securing the mouth mask to the frame to enable removal of the mask and full access to the mouth of the wearer.

13. The mask as defined in claim 11 wherein said mouth mask includes a pair of jaws, at least one of said jaws being pivotally mounted, and a locking device securing said jaws in closed position, said locking device being releasable to enable the jaws to be oriented in open position to enable full access to the mouth of the wearer.

14. The mask as defined in claim 11 wherein said mouth mask includes a breathing system mounted thereon and a mouthpiece on said mouth mask in position to be gripped in the mouth of the wearer.

15. The mask as defined in claim 11 wherein the seal isolating said upper and lower chambers is a transversely extending resilient flexible member having an inner edge sealingly engaging the upper lip of the wearer below the nose.

16. The mask as defined in claim 15 together with a resilient flexible member covering the chiή area and terminating in an edge in sealing engagement adjacent the lower lip of the wearer.

17. The full face mask as defined in claim 11, wherein the seal isolating said upper and lower chambers is a transversely extending resilient flexible member having an inner edge sealingly engaging the nose and cheeks of the wearer above the breathing passages of the nose.

18. The full face mask as defined in claim 11 and further including a microphone in said area adjacent the mouth of the wearer whereby the wearer can orally communicate by wireless communication with others.

19. The full face mask as defined in claim 18, and further including a speaker adjacent an ear of the wearer whereby the wearer can also receive oral communication from others.

20. A full face mask for use in nonbreathable environments which comprises a main frame extending peripherally around the face region of a wearer in a water-tight sealing relationship therewith, an upper chamber adjacent the wearer's eyes and including a viewing lens for continuous vision by the wearer therethrough, a lower chamber isolated from said upper chamber and adjacent the wearer's mouth, and a mouth module having a breathing system associated therewith mounted on said main frame and operable to enable complete access to the mouth of the wearer while maintaining isolation of the upper chamber.