US838434A - Respirator. - Google Patents

Description

6 0 9 1 1 l HUI E D D E T N B T A P J. MORGAN.

RESPIRATOR.

PPLIoATIoN nun P111314, 190a.

JAMES MORGAN, OF RANDFONTEIN, TRANSVAAL.

RESPIBATOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 11, 1906.

Application filed February 14, 1906- Serial No. 301.093.

T0 at whom, it may concern: I

Be it known that I, JAMES MORGAN, a subject of the King of Great Britain, residing at Randfontein, Transvaal, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Respirators, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to respirators primarily intended for the use of miners.

As is well known, the inhalation by miners of dust-laden air produced by rock-drilling operations is largely responsible for the high rate of mortality among such workers resulting from miners phthisis, tuberculosis, and other pulmonary diseases. A respirator constructed in accordance with my invention may be also used by millers or flour or other mill workers, file-cutters, dry-grinders in cutlery-works, and other persons the nature of whose. occupation owing to the dissemination of dust in the surrounding atmosphere is such as to cause a high rate of mortality from the causes hereinbefore enumerated. The respirator may also be treated so as to neutralize any noxious or poisonous fumes or gases which may have deleterious effects on such workers by lowering'their vitality or otherwise.

In respirators heretofore provided for the purposes above specified they have mostly been so constructed as to envelop the greater portion of the face and in particular the nose and mouth. This form of respirator is oppressive to the wearer, as it overheats that portion of the face covered by it, and owing to the air exhaled, in particular from the mouth, passing directly through the filtering medium said medium is moistened or dampened, which moistens the dust deposited on said medium and causes it to clog or close the interstices of the latter. Such respirators are objectionable from the users point of view, as owing to their completely covering the mouth they render expectoration and speaking inconvenient, if not almost impossible. Finally, such respirators render breathing much more difficult, so that they are frequently discarded by miners and other workers on that account, more particularly in deep-level mines, where greater heat is encountered in the workings.

Now my invention is designed to obviate the above defects and to provide a more durable respirator and one in using which it will be possible for the miner or other user to smoke, if he so desire. It allows the user to speak freely.

To facilitate the furtherand detailed description of my invention, I will make reference to the accompanying sheet of drawings, forming part of this specification.

In the drawings, Figure 1 represents a side elevation of my improved respirator in use and Fig. 2 is an elevation, looking into the nosepiece, with the filtering medium removed.

1 represents the nosepiece, which, as shown, is shaped to fit the face, so as to inclose the nose and in particular the nostrils, 1 being the flexible padding lining the outer edge of the same. In the bottom of this nose-piece 1, immediately below the nostrils, is formed an aperture 2. fitted a rigid hollow cylindrical piece 3.

4 represents the filter proper, which consists of the perforated metal or other suitable case fitted with the covers 5 6, top and bottom. 0 Wrapped round the casing 4 of the filter is a piece of flannel or other suitable closely-woven textile material or fabric 7.

In the aperture is This fabric 7 is secured by means of elastic bands 8 or in any other convenient manner. If desired, a sponge may be placed inside the casing 4, through which the air drawn in by the act of breathing will have to pass. The textile fabric 7, wrapped round the casing 4, and the sponge, if the latter is employed, may be moistened with a suitable antiseptic or other fluid with the object, of neutralizing or rendering foul gases innocuous. To the bottom cover 6 of the casing 4 is attached a chain 9 and bar 10, which serve for securing the filter to a buttonhole of a shirt or coat or otherwise to the person of the user. The

top cover 5 of the casing 4 is constructed with a rigid hollow cylindrical projection 11.

12 is a flexible tube of rubber or other suitable material, which at one end fits over the cylindrical projection 3 on the nose-piece 1 and at its other extremity projects over the cylindrical projection 11 on the top cover 5. This tube 12 serves for placing the interior of the nose-piece 1 in communication with the interior of the casing 4 of the filter. The tube 12 at or in proximity to its upper end or point of attachment to the nose-piece 1 is constructed with a branch 13, which is fitted over a mouthpiece 14. The provision of the mouthpiece 14 allows the user either to inhale or exhale through the mouth in addition to or instead of through the nose. Should the user desire to speak, themouthpiece 14 may be removed and the aperture 15 in the same temporarily closed by means of the thumb or finger. the mouthpiece 14 may be removed and closed by means of a temporary plug.

The respirator is secured on the face of the wearer by means of an elastic or other suitable band 16, which is attached to the nosepiece 1 at opposite sides and passes round the back of the head.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to protect by Letters Patent, is

1. In a respirator of the nature indicated, the combination with a nose-piece constructed with an aperture beneath the nostrils and with a rigid cylindricalpro'jection around said aperture, a filter-separate from said nose-piece and Consisting of a perfo rated casing, textile material covering the perforations in said casing and means for retaining said material thereon, said casing be ing closed top and bottom and constructed at one end with a hollow cylindrical exten- 'sion communicating with the interior, a flexible tube fitting at one end the projection'on the nose-apiece and at the other end the extension on the cover of-the filter-casing, the tube being formed with a branch in proXim-' ity to'its upper end and a mouthpiece'fitted in said branch, and means for securingthe Should he desire to smoke,

casing and elastic bands for retaining @said material round said casing, a chain andbar for attaching the filter to the clothing of the wearer, on the bottom cover of the casing and a hollow cylindrical extensioncommunieating with said casing, a flexible tube tightly fitting at one end the cylindrical pro jection on the nose-piece and at the other end the cylindrical extension of the filter-casing cover, a branch on said tube and a mouthpiece fitted in said branch, substantially as described. v

' In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

- JAMES MORGAN. Witnesses:

CHAs; OVENDALE, R. OVENDALE.

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