US2237305A

US2237305A - Respirator and the like

Info

Publication number: US2237305A
Application number: US132212A
Authority: US
Inventors: Joseph V Heimann
Original assignee: WILLIAM J WESSELER
Current assignee: WILLIAM J WESSELER
Priority date: 1937-03-22
Filing date: 1937-03-22
Publication date: 1941-04-08
Anticipated expiration: 1958-04-08

Description

April 8, 1941.

J. v. HEIMANN 37.305 RESPIRATOR AND THE LIKE Filed March 22, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. [L70 4 BY JOSEPH VHF/MANN ATTORNEYS April 1941' J. V.HEIMANN 2.237.305

RESPIRATOR AND THE LIKE Filed March 22, 193'? 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 1N VENT OR. J05PH l/ fiE/MAN/V ATTORNEYS.

Patented Apr. 8, 1941 RESPIRATOR AND THE LIKE .l'oseph V. Heimann, Lakewood, Ohio, assignor to William J. Wesseler, East Cleveland, Ohio Application March 22, 1937, Serial No. 132,212

3 Claims.

This invention, as indicated, relates to a respirator and the like. More particularly, it comprises a device adapted to be used in various forms, both as a means for protecting the respiratory passageways from dust or gases or the like, and also as a means for preventing the exhaled breath of the wearer from carrying germs to other persons, particularly in connection with hospital cases and the like.

Heretofore appliances of the character referred to have been difficult to attach, or have been unduly heavy, or have had a tendency to adhere to the face of the wearer after absorbing a certain amount of moisture. Also, such devices have been constructed so that the covering portion could not be readily renewed, and accordingly there were disadvantagesin connection with their use. In many of such devices, particularly those intended for hospital use, there is no rigid frame, and a band of cloth is drawn snugly against the face of the wearer. This has the disadvantage of becoming most uncomfortable when the moisture of the breath causes such cloth to adhere to the face. When efforts have been made to support cloth on a frame over the nose and mouth of the user, it has been found that such frame frequently constitutes an interference with the vision of the wearer, and is particularly objectionable in the event it is being used by an operating surgeon. Likewise, when there is not a close fit, there is a tendency for the breath to form a mist on the eye-glasses of the wearer.

The present invention has in view the obviating of the diificulties referred to, and the provision of a readily applicable respirator, mask, or the like, which may be easily manufactured and which may be supplied with a renewed covering as required.

Another object of the invention is to provide a light frame of wire or similar material, having a pair of spring members adapted to engage the head above the ears, thereby positioning such frame upon the lower portion of the face of the wearer, and providing a support for a flexible covering which may be detachably secured thereto.

Another object of the invention is to provide a structure of the character described wherein a supporting frame is provided, which may be readily applied to the lower portion of the face of the wearer and held in position by bows extending over the ears, such frame fitting beneath the nostrils and having a covering applied thereto, such covering extending somewhat above the frame.

A further object of the invention is to provide a readily detachable frame adapted to be applied to the lower portion of the face of the wearer, said frame being adapted to serve as a support for a receptacle, or body, of a gas filter or neutralizer.

A further object of the invention is to provide a freely applicable gas mask providing a support for a gas filtering element adapted to be engaged beneath the nostrils of the wearer, and also serving as a support for a double-walled covering filled with gas filtering or neutralizing material.

Other and further objects of the invention will appear in the course of the following description.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, said invention then, consists of the means hereinafter fully described and particu larly pointed out in the claims, the annexed drawings and the following description setting forth in detail certain structures embodying the invention, such disclosed means constituting, how ever, but several of various forms in which the principle of the invention may be used.

In said annexed drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a structure embodying the principles of the invention, shown. as-applied to the lower portion of the face of the wearer;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the structure shown in Figure 1, the covering being removed;

Figure 3 is a side elevation of the structure shown in Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a front elevation of the covering member detached from the supporting frame;

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 1, showing a modified form of structure embodying the prin ciples, of the invention;

Figure 6 .is a front elevation of the covering member detached from the supporting frame shown in Figure 5;

Figure "7 is a front elevation of a modified form of covering member having adhesive tabs as securing means;

Figure 8 is a central vertical sectional view, showing a supporting frame of the type illustrated in. Figure 5, with a covering member and gas filtering and neutralizing means of novel character; and

Figure 9 is a. fragmentary detailed view showing a bracing cross bar for a structure of the type shown in Figure 5.

As is clearly shown in Figures 1 to 4 of the drawings, the structure of the respirator comprises a'frame I and the covering member 2. The

frame is provided at its rearward upper portions with angularly extending bows 3 preferably having loops 4, such bows being adapted to engage the head of the wearer above the ears after the manner of spectacle bows to hold the body portion of the frame over the lower portion of the face of the wearer.

The frame may take various forms, that shown more particularly in Figures 2 and 3 comprising a U-shaped wire 5 at the lower edge of the frame, connected with an upper frame wire 6 by means of a central bracing wire 1 and a pair of side bracing wires 8 and 9. is preferably curved intermediate its ends in an upward direction so as to extend to a position spaced from the base of the nostrils of the wearer, and has a central outwardly curved area II adapted to fit against the upper lip immediately below the nose of the wearer. A plurality of stud portions [2 of separable fasteners are firmly secured to the frame, two such fasteners being positioned at the point of connection of the bow portions of the frame with the body portion thereof, and a pair of such stud members being also provided at each of the ends of; the side bracing wires of the frame.

The covering member 2 is provided at appropriately spaced points to engage with the stud members with a series of socket members [3 secured to the margins of such covering member.

The upper frame wire 6 frame structure over the greater portion of its,

extent, but extends somewhat above the lower portion of the nose, and at such point is spaced from the frame member and is held in close contact with the bridge of the nose by means of the separable fastening elements-positioned at If desired, an elastic opposite sides of the nose. element may be incorporated in the hem of the covering portion at the point where it extends across the nose to assist in holding the covering closely against the face of the wearer at such point to prevent any obstruction to the Vision of the user, and to provide a more effective seal about the margins of the covering.

In the form of construction shown in Figures 5, 6 and 9, the respirator comprises a frame member 2i and a covering 22. The frame member is preferably in the form of a wire mesh 23 having a lower frame wire 24 and an upper frame wire 25. No bracing wires similar to those heretofore described are required, inasmuch as the wire mesh is sufficiently rigid to. satisfactorily main tain its shape. However, a central frame wire 26 may be provided to make the structure somewhat more rigid, and, as shown moreparticularly in Figure 9, a bracing cross bar '21 may be used to give the frame resistance to spreading through long continued use.

In order to afford means for readily handling the device, a pair of outwardly bowed

wires

28, 29 is provided to supply finger holds for the user of the device, such finger holds permitting the structure to be readily applied and removed, with one hand, even when beneath the covering.

The separable fastener studs shown in the structure previously described may' be likewise supplied to the frame of the modified type of construction, and the covering member 22 may be provided with the socket elements 3| of such separable fasteners. The covering member 22 may be extended upwardly over the nose of the wearer at its central portion 32, and the entire hem portions of the covering member may have

elastic elements

33, 34 in slightly stretched relation thereto.

In place of providing stud and socket separable fasteners, the covering members may be provided with holes adapted to engage over small hook members provided on the frame. If desired, the frame can be free of fastening elements, and the covering member may be of the type illustrated in Figure 7, wherein such covering member 4| is provided with tabs 42, such tabs having their free portions formed with an adhesive surface, whereby the covering may be applied to the frame by turning such projecting tabs over the margins of the frame and firmly pressing them into adhesive contact with the inner face of the covering member, with portions of such tabs and covering elements engaged over the structural members of the frame.

The masks thus far described may be formed of fabric of fine weave, which, as has been indicated, may be starched or otherwise stifiened to any desired degree. If it is desired to use the device as a gas mask to filter or neutralize the effects of various gases affecting the respiratory passageways, the covering member may be formed as a double-walled member 5|, such as is shown in Figure 8, such member conforming to the shape of the frame member and projecting slightly thereabove to bear against the lower portions of the nose of the user. The frame is preferably of the type shown in Figures 5, 8 and 9, and may be provided with a receptacle 52 for gas filtering or neutralizing material adapted to be positioned immediately beneath the nostrils of the wearer within the central portion of the frame.

With a structure of the type last described having both an outer covering of gas filtering or neutralizing material and an inner receptacle of gas filtering and neutralizing material, the wearer may protect himself against a sudden discharge of gas in his vicinity. In the event the gas is of only a slightly objectionable character, it will be unnecessary to hold the nostrils closely against the inner container of gas filtering or neutralizing material, and the breathing will be somewhat more free than otherwise. If, however, the gas is of a dense and dangerous character, the wearer can force the mask into tight engagement with the lower portion of the nostrils and will be well protected against the dangerous effects of such gas. If desired, the marginal portions of the covering member may be supplied with adhesive on their inner surfaces in addition to. the elastic within the hems of such covering, so that the respiratory passageways of the user will be thoroughly sealed against dangerous gases.

As has been explained, the uses of the structure above described are of a wide variety, the devices being adapted for use to prevent dust entering the lungs in case of machinists carrying on various cutting and grinding operations, or employees working in factories and mills where the air is dust laden as from sand blasting, milling, and the like. It is also adapted for the use of workers in chemical factories and plants wherein dangerous gases are likely to be present.

The device is also of great utility as a preventative of disease germs being transmitted, and is particularly adapted for the use of surgeons and nurses, especially since it is practically free of any obstruction to the vision by reason of the cloth covering being drawn closely into contact with the bridge of the nose and there being no supporting frame at such point.

Other modes of applying the principle of my invention may be employed instead of those explained, change being made as regards the structures herein disclosed, provided the means stated by any of the following claims or the equivalent of such stated means be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention:

1. An apparatus of the character described having in combination, a frame formed of relatively rigid material conforming to the lower portion of the face of the wearer and having a central portion occupying the space between the chin and nose of the wearer, a covering member adapted to engage over said frame and extend- H ing upwardly beyond said frame so as to overlie the nose of the wearer, means for securing said covering member to said frame, a plurality of vertically positioned outwardly bowed members secured to said frame to provide finger holds whereby said frame may be grasped by one hand of the wearer, and means for resiliently engaging said frame in position upon the head of the wearer.

2. An apparatus of the character described having in combination, a frame formed of relatively rigid material preshaped to provide a substantially segmental-spherical shell convex on one side and concave on the other side to receive therein the lower portion of the face of the wearer and having a central portion occupying the space between the chin and nose of the wearer, a covering member adapted to engage over the convex outer surface of said frame and extending upwardly beyond said frame so as to overlie the 'nose of the wearer, said covering member providing a receptacle conforming to the shape of said frame and projecting upwardly over a portion of the nose of the wearer, and means for securing said covering member to said frame.

3. An apparatus of the character described having in combination, a frame formed of relatively rigid material preshaped to provide a substantially segmental-spherical shell convex on one side and concave on the other side to receive therein the lower portion of the face of the wearer and having a central portion occupying the space between the chin and nose of the wearer, a covering member adapted to engage over the convex outer surface of said frame and extending upwardly beyond said frame so as to overlie the nose of the wearer, means for securing said covering member to said frame, and a transversely extending bracing cross bar extending across said frame immediately beneath the nostrils of the wearer.

JOSEPH V. HEIMANN.