US2876766A - Face mask - Google Patents

Description

D. l. REBIKO'FF E'II'AL 2,876,766

FACE MASK March 10, 1959 Filed Aug. 17, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Patent FACE MASK Dimitri Issaiewitch Rebikoif, Cannes, and Yves Paul Gaston le Prieur, Nice, France, assignors to Cinefot International Corp., New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application August 17, 1956, Serial No. 604,667 Claims priority, application France September 3, 1954 2 Claims. (Cl. 128-141) The present invention relates generally to an improved face mask and more particularly it relates to an improved face mask of the type employed in an underwater environment.

Personal underwater activities and operations without the use of air pump fed diving suits or helmets have in recent years become highly popular and widespread. These activities include not only underwater sports, such as spear fishing and the like, and exploration and nature study, but operations of a more immediate economic nature, such as salvage operations, ship repairs, underwater inspection, etc. In order to facilitate underwater activity goggles or a face mask is employed so as to provide comfortable underwater vision. The conventional underwater face mask either covers the entire face or leaves the mouth free covering the eyes and nose and is provided with a flexible flange to effect a water tight seal with the head and thereby prevent exposure of the eyes to water. At least that part of the mask confronting the eyes is formed of a transparent material.

The conventional underwater face mask possesses numerous drawbacks and disadvantages. Principal among these is the limited angle of vision allowed the wearer. Another drawback is the inaccessibility of the nose of the wearer thereby preventing the closure of the nostrils attendant to clearance of the Eustachian tubes, a practice widely used by divers upon descent. A further disadvantage of the conventional face mask is the large air cavity between the face and the mask which results in a marked suction cup effect, as well as permitting the presence of larger volumes of carbon dioxide.

It is thus a principal object of the present invention to provide an improved face mask.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved face mask of the underwater type.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved underwater face mask providing improved VlSlOIl.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide an improved underwater face mask which does not restrict the normal ocular angle of vision.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved underwater face mask which permits manipulation of the nose of the wearer without removal of the mask.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improved underwater face mask having a reduced suction cup effect.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved underwater face mask which does not significantly affect the normal buoyancy.

' Still a further object of the present invention is to pro- "ice vide an improved underwater face mask which substantially inhibits the accumulation of carbon dioxide with the mask.

The above and other objects of the present invention will become apparent from a reading of the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a perspective view of an underwater face mask embodying the present invention;

Figure 2 is a top plan view thereof;

Figure 3 is a vertical transverse sectional view of another embodiment of the present invention illustrated on a wearer, shown partially broken away for convenience of illustration;

Figure 4 is a rear view thereof;

Figure 5' is a vertical transverse sectional view of still another embodiment of the present invention shown par-;

tially broken away for convenience of illustration; and

Figure 6 is a similar front elevational view of stillhaving a front face and rear face, rearwardly directed flex ible flanges carried by said frame member and adapted to effect a water tight seal between said face mask and the head of the wearer thereof, and means defining a forwardly directed well located on said face plate, said well being of a size and configuration sufficient to accommodate the nose of said wearer, at least that portion of said face mask located adjacent to the upper portion of said well being formed of a transparent material.

The advantages of this type of face mask are manifold. A principal feature is that there is no impediment to the normal ocular angle of vision which is greatly restricted in the conventional underwater face mask. Another feature is the reduction in the free cavity between the mask and the face of the wearer thereby minimizing the suction cup effect, the accumulation of carbon dioxide, and the adverse modification of buoyancy. Furthermore, by forming the nose well of a flexible material the nose may be manipulated thereby permitting a more,

comfortable underwater descent. It should be noted that the mask may cover the entire face or merely a portion thereof terminating at a point between the lower part of the nose and the upper lip.

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to Figures 1 and 2 thereof which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the present invention as applied to an underwater face mask covering only the upper portion of the face terminating at a point immediately. below the nose, the numeral 10 generally designates the improved face mask which includes a frame member 11 of substantially elliptical configuration and forwardly bowed along a vertical cylindrical plane. Projecting rearwardly of the frame memberll are preferably tapered flexible flanges 12, the inner edge 13 of which approximates the corresponding contour of the wearers face and is adapted to effect a liquid tight seal with the surface of the face. The frame 11 and the flanges 12 are integrally formed of a natural or synthetic rubber or any other suitable elastomeric material.

A face plate 14 of forwardly protruding convexo-con-' cavo configuration has its edge nesting in a corresponding groove formed in the inner wall of the frame member 11' gara es ally-formed in the lower portion of the-face mask and approximates the shape of the nose. The well 16 is surrounded by walls 17 which are formed integral with the wall of the face plate 14. The face plate 14 is preferably made of a relatively stiff transparent plastic material, such as for example methacrylate, polystyrene or the like.

A pair of cylindrical bosses 19 are located at the sides of the flanges 12 and carry wire loops 20. An adjustable strap,2;1 isaprovided at oppositeends thereof-with length adjusting buckles 22, which form theends of; the. strap 21 into loops 23 which engage the wire loops 20.

In use, the mask is placed on the face. ofgthewearer, the .well 16 registering with the nose so that the face plate. ie in close proximity to the face and particularly to the eyes. The flange 12 hermetically engages the surface. of the face and is maintained in close contact therewith by suitable adjustment of the strap 21 by, meansof'the buckles 22. It is apparent from the above that the volume between the face of the, wearer and the mask is kept. at a minimum and that the face plate. is close to the. eyesthereby in no way restricting the ocular angle.

the face along the sides, top and below the. chin thereof l In order. to

toeffect a liquid tight seal with the face. releasably maintain the mask on the head. there are provided a pair of side straps 29 and a top strap 30 which project rearwardly from the top of the flange 28 and the upper sides thereof and are interconnected by the T-shaped member 32 and by means of adjusting buckles 33, as best seen in Figure 4 of the drawing, to permit suitable adjustment.

Retained by the frame member 27 is an outwardly bowed face plate 34 whose peripheral edge registers with the corresponding groove36 formed on the inner face of the frame member 27 and is hermetically sealed therein. Formed in the face plate 34 is a nose shaped well 27 approximately centrally disposed on the face plate 34. An opening 38 is formed in the face plate 34 directly below the nose well 37 and has registering therewith a bushing 39 through which passes a tube 45), which in turn is connected to a source of air under suitable pressure.

breathing tube or snorkle 41 is disposed directly rear ward ly of the upper portion of the frame member 27 and communicates with the forward part ofthe interior of the mask 26. The breathing tube 41 may be, of;any conventional construction or may besitnilar to that described in the copending patent application of Dimitri Issaiewitch Rebikoff and Yves Paul Gaston lePrieurfiled- August 30, 1955 and bearing Serial No. 531,386.

In use, the improved mask 26 is applied to the. head in the manner illustrated in Figure 3 of the drawing. It will be noted that the face plate 34 is in close proximity to the eyes to thereby afford a Wide angle of vision and that the space within the mask is at a minimum.

The embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figure of the drawings is similar to thatlast described differing therefrom only in the fconstruction of the faeeplate 42 and the nose well. The general configuration of 'the-face plate 42 is similar to the faceplate. 34 previously de Projecting rearwardly from the frame 27 and which is formed of aflexible material such as natural or synthetic rubber.or, other.suitableelastomer. The. edges.

of the receptacle 44 are of enlarged cross section as at 46 and have an outwardly directed peripheral groove formed therein which engages the edges of the opening 43 in liquid tight relationship. The provision of the flexible nose receptacle permits the manipulation of the nose without removal of the mask for the purposes hereinbefore set forth. In all other respects, the mask illustrated in Figure 5 of the drawing is similar to that illustrated in Figures 3 and 4- of the drawings. In Figure 6 of the drawing there is illustrated a further embodiment of the present invention which is similar in construction to that illustrated in Figure 5 of the draw ing differing therefrom in that the air supply is fed into the interiorof the mask. by way ofa pressure regulating valve 50 which is mounted on the side of the mask and has an outlet port communicating with the interior'of the mask. The valve 50. is of, conventional and well known construction and is connected by way of a pipe 51 to a source of air under pressure. On the mouth piece of the mask illustrated in Figure 6 is mounted a water discharge pump 52 which communicates with the lower portion of the interior of the mask and is of the type described in the abovefidentified copending patent application. i i ii i It should be noted that the frame member and flange of each of the face masks above described are preferably formed of natural or synthetic rubber or other suitable. flexible elastomeric material, whereas the face plateis formed of a relatively stiff transparent material such as an organic plastic, for example methyl methacrylate.

The present patent application is a continuation-in-part of the copending, application of Dimitri Issaiewitch;

Rebikoff and Yves Pauli Gaston le Prieur, Serial No. 531,386 filed, August 30, 1955, now Patent No. 2,818,067.

While there have been described and illustrated several embodiments of the present invention it is apparent that numerous, alterations and omissions may be made with out departing from the spirit thereof.

What is claimed is:

1. An improved underwater face mask comprising a frame member, a face plate, formed of a relatively stiff transparent material, carried by said frame member and hermetically sealed thereto, said face, plate having a front, faceand rear face, rearwardly directed flexible flanges carried byjsaid frame member and adapted to effect'fa water tight seal between said face mask and the head of the wearer thereof, said face plate, having a triangular. opening formed therein, and means defining a forwardly. directed well located onsaid face plate, said means i115. eluding a nose shaped receptacle having, outwardly directed flanges engaging the edges of said triangular opening in liquid; tight relationship thereto, said well being of a size and configuration to accommodate the nose of said wearer in close proximity to therear face. of said well, at least that portion of said face. mask located adjacent to theupper portion of said well and confronting the wearers eyes being formed of a transparent material, said face plate being located relative said flanges to position said portion confronting said wearer-ls eyes closely proximate said wearers. eyes,

2. An improved underwater face mask comprising a frame member, a face plate carried by said frame member and hermetically sealed thereto, said face plate having a frontface and rear face, rearwardly directed flex ible flanges carried by said frame member and adapted to effect a watertight seal between said face mask and the. head of the, wearer thereof, said faceplate being ragareaor a relatively st'iff tr anspar e nt materialandhav;

ing atriangular openingformed therein, andmeans de; fining a forwardly. directed well located onsaid faceplate, said means including a nose-shaped receptacle having out wardly directed flanges engaging the edges of said triangular opening in liquid type. relationship thereto, said receptacle being formed of an elastomeric material, said well being of a size and configuration to accommodate the nose of said wearer in close proximity to the rear face of said well, at least that portion of said face mask located adjacent to the upper portion of said well and confronting the wearers eyes being formed of a transparent material, said face plate being located relative said flanges to position said portion confronting said wearers eyes closely proximate said wearers eyes.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Palij Dec. 27, 1921 Wilen Apr. 20, 1943 FOREIGN PATENTS France June 6, 1936 Switzerland Aug. 17, 1942

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