MXPA98009977A - Mask for the face with backing protection against inhalation of smoke, and method of operation - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an integrated breathing apparatus to protect against smoke inhalation for emergency responders in life-threatening situations, and to encourage its limited use to imminent life-threatening situations, the apparatus comprises: mask for use on the face of a fireman, and having a first gate connected to a hose, through which breathable air is supplied to the mask, and having a second gate, a personal filtration device air to protect against the inhalation of smoke in imminent life-threatening situations, after exhaustion or failure of air that can be breathed that is being supplied through the hose, the personal air filtration device comprising a can that has a entry opening through which air enters, and an exit opening that communicates with the second gate of the and a means of fuel inside the canister, and through which air flows between the inlet opening and the outlet opening, and a first use evidence mechanism that closes one of the inlet opening and the outlet opening. of the boat, and is operatively coupled to one of the boat and the mask, to indicate the use of the personal filtration device of ai

Description

MASK FOR THE FACE WITH BACKING PROTECTION AGAINST INHALATION OF SMOKE, AND METHOD OF OPERATION Background of the Invention The present invention relates to fire safety equipment and methods, and more particularly with those to protect firefighters against inhalation of smoke in imminent situations that threaten life. Breathing masks are frequently worn by workers in hazardous environments. A type of that mask extends only over a user's nose and mouth, and contains a carbon filter through which the air that is being breathed passes. The filter removes particles and toxic materials from the air. However, most fire departments typically prohibit the use of this type of breathing apparatus, because it is inadequate, unreliable, or unsafe in many environments where fire and smoke are present. Rather, emergency response personnel, such as firefighters, are commonly authorized to use safer integrated breathing equipment when entering burning buildings. This equipment includes a compressed air tank and a pressure regulator to supply air at a constant pressure that the fire fighter can tolerate. A hose connects the air regulator to a full face mask, which is worn over the firefighter's face. The mask includes an outlet for the air exhaled by the firefighter and a transparent visor. When worn by the user, the mask not only provides a sealed volume of air that can be breathed on the user's face, but also protects the firefighter's eyes from environmental smoke. The breathing apparatus integrated with a full-face mask is typically the only type of equipment to prevent smoke inhalation, which is authorized by a fire department. The firefighter's breathing equipment tank has a finite air supply. Although warning mechanisms are provided to alert the firefighter when the air supply is low, there is always the possibility that the firefighter will not be able to leave a burning structure before the air supply runs out. There is also a possibility that the -bubber may be trapped "inside the burning structure, due to the collapse of the structure, for example, or it may be lost in a large smoke-filled area, such as a shopping center. In these cases, the firefighter may run out of air that can breathe, and be in imminent danger of death.As a consequence, it is desirable to provide an alternative apparatus to breathe that protects against the inhalation of smoke, to be used in those imminent emergencies that threaten life.

Although a charcoal-type muzzle filter can be provided for firefighters, for emergency backup for integrated breathing-enabled devices, fire department officials are often concerned that these devices are routinely used in the normal course of combat. fire, and do not reserve for situations of imminent death, and therefore the officers completely prohibit their use. In accordance with the above ,. it is desirable to provide a way to provide backup devices for breathing for firefighters, in a manner that restricts their use to true emergencies of imminent death. It is also desirable to provide a mechanism by which firefighters can quickly identify their previous use, and fire department officials can detect the unauthorized use of these emergency breathing devices. In U.S. Patent Number 5,524,616 of the applicant, whose "description is incorporated herein by reference, various methods and apparatus are provided to provide the opportunity for the firefighters to breathe., in real emergency situations of imminent death. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A general object of the present invention is to provide a reliable emergency breathing system, and a method to protect firefighters against inhalation of smoke in situations of last resort, of imminent death, in a manner that inhibits the use of that device in the ordinary course of combat against fire. Another object is to provide a container that gives evidence of its use, for use in an emergency method for breathing that provides a clear indication that the apparatus has been used. Still another object of the present invention is to provide another improved apparatus for use in the patented method of emergency air filtration, which lightens the assembly and handling requirements and still maintains the advantages of evidence of use of the invention. Another object of the invention is to provide an emergency air filtration method that can be used quickly by an endangered firefighter. These objects are achieved by an emergency air filtration device to protect a firefighter from inhaling smoke and hazardous chemicals in imminent life-threatening situations. It is recognized that all combat experiences against fire threaten life to different degrees. As used throughout this specification and associated claims, the terms "situations of imminent death" and "imminently threatening life" mean those cases during firefighting in which a firefighter realizes that the circumstances have put him in danger of imminent and difficult death. These terms are intended to be distinguished from the ordinary course of normal firefighting in which a firefighter is aware of the options and opportunities to remain safe against death while performing firefighting tasks. To more rapidly increase the available nature of the emergency smoke filtration system, according to the invention, the improved apparatus provides a smoke backup filter secured to the mask for the face of a conventional integrated breathing system. The smoke backup filter is activated by a switch, valve or other mechanism to transfer air flow from a source of air that can be breathed into a passage through the smoke filter. The critical construction that gives evidence of use of the invention is provided to the switch or transfer mechanism, to make evident when that change is made in the air passage. The switching mechanism and its configuration, which makes its use evident, can be constructed in a variety of ways. For example, the improved smoke filter system can use a multi-gate face mask, which has a central gate to receive a hose from a source of air that can be breathed, such as a tank of compressed air and one or more side gates for fixing smoke filters. The multi-gate filter masks that can be adapted for use with the present invention are known, such as for example the Ultra-Twin® model manufactured by MSA International of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America. The use of a switch or manual valve can be configured to make its use evident through different mechanisms. An example may include a plastic cover or tape that breaks after activation of the switch. Alternatively and more durably, a plate can be slid into a slot that is transverse to the air passage. When the plate is placed to block the air passage, tabs that break in the plate mesh the notches in the wall of the slot, such that the plate is kept in the closed state. When the firefighter manipulates the plate to activate the air filtration device and open its air passage, the tabs are detached providing by the same an indication that the device has been used. Replacing the switch plate to its original position can not return the tabs to their originally unbroken condition. This mechanism is preferred to make the use evident because the tabs are not subject to breaking and tearing easily, as in the case of tapes or covers during the normal use of the mask in the handling during the handling of the equipment by the fireman or her department . The present invention allows the prior use of the breathing device to be visually detected and to be supervised by firefighting supervisory personnel, discouraging the use of unauthorized use for other situations other than imminent death. In addition, indications of use also indicate that the filter material should be replaced, as its ability to remove hazardous substances may have been reduced. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is an illustrated view of one embodiment of a mask of a conventional integrated breathing apparatus, embodying the present invention. Figure 2 illustrates the connection of the emergency air filtration system to the mask of Figure 1. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view along the line 3-3 in Figure 2. Figure 4 is an enlarged view of the chin area of the mask for the face. Figure 5 is a partial cross-sectional view divided into parts of an exhalation gate in the chin area. Detailed Description of the Invention The invention is directed to a method for providing firefighters with an emergency device for supplying air that can be breathed when a standard source for breathing is exhausted, such as an integrated breathing apparatus. It is intended that this method will provide the firefighter with a few extra minutes of breathing to escape situations that imminently threaten life. The invention also resides in the step of configuring the breathing device so that evidence of its use, in order to provide a relationship of use by the firefighter. The method can be performed, for example, by the use of a personal emergency air filtration device with the conventional firefighter's equipment 200, such as that shown in Figure 1. The apparatus includes a tank 202 of compressed air, which is metered through a pressure regulator 204_ in the hose 206. The hose 206 extends from the regulator 204 to a mask 208, which is formed by a rubber half-shell 210, adapted to extend around the portion front of the firefighter's head. The elastic material enables the semicapucha to stretch over, and conform to the user's head, creating a hermetically sealed seal between them. The straps 212 on the back of the half-hood help secure the face mask to the wearer's head. A transparent plastic window 216 extends through a central opening in the half-hood 210, opposite the firefighter's face. The air hose 206 is connected to a first gate 214 in the area 215 of the chin of the mask 208 for the face, thereby providing air within the envelope formed by the mask. With additional reference to Figure 2, mask 208 for the face also has a second gate 218 for a personal emergency filtering device 220. The second gate 218 has a tubular section 222 with external threads on which an internally threaded outlet tube 223 of the filtering device 220 is fixed, forming an air passage. The filtering device 220 may have, or be connected to an adapter (not shown) to be attached to gates of different shapes and sizes. The emergency personal air filtration device 220 comprises a filter canister 224 of a conventional disk type design, having an entry opening 226 in a front surface 228, and an exit opening 230 in a rear surface 232. A filter element 234, similar to the filter element 134 previously described, is contained inside the can 224 to remove particles, such as smoke or dangerous vapors from the air passing through the can. Before use a self-adhesive cover 236 is applied over the inlet opening 226 of the can, thus providing a hermetically sealed seal of that opening. The firefighter can grasp a large tab 238 to remove the cover 236 from the filter canister 224, in order to use the air filtration device 220 in an emergency. The adhesive used will not allow the cover 236 to be reapplied over the entry opening after the cover has been removed. Alternatively, tape that of evidence of use, leaving a residue carrying a message, color coding or the like, for example along the perimeter of the entry opening, can be used, such as the cover 236 for the entry opening . The air passage formed by the second gate 218 of the mask 208 is also closed before using the personal emergency filtering device 220. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the second "gate 218 has a groove-like opening 240 on one side, with a transverse internal groove 242 extending from this opening and through the interior of the second gate. plastic plate 244 within slot 242, and densely meshes the slot, to act as a valve member that provides a hermetically sealed seal through the outlet of the filtration device, however, the plate is able to slide in The slot 244 has a pair of tabs 246 projecting from opposite sides into the notches 248 in the side walls of the transverse slot 242 in the second slide 218. The two tabs 246 are thinner than the main portion of the slot 246. the plate 244, and may have slots cut along the interconnections between each tab and the main portion, enabling the tabs to break after the Fireman pulls the plate to activate the 220 air filtration device. A pull tab 252 is connected to the plate 244 by a wire 254, to assist the firefighter in sliding the plate in an imminent, life-threatening emergency. A safety tab 250 projects from a larger surface of the plate 244, and prevents the plate from the second gate 218 from being removed. As an alternative to the break tabs 249, a piece of disposable tape can be applied. , similar in character to the cover 238, between the plate 244 and the outer surface of the mask 208. This tape is removed from either or both of the plate and the mask surface after the movement of the plate to open the second gate 218. Alternatively, this tape can be permanently adhered to the plate and the surface of the mask with the tape tearing after the movement of the plate to give evidence of use. Typically, the firefighter receives air from tank 202 through the first gate of the mask in Figure 1. If the firefighter is unable to leave a hazardous environment before the air in the tank runs out, the person removes the air from the tank. cover 238 of the entrance opening of the emergency air filtering device 220, and pull the plate 244 to open the second gate 218 in the mask. This action enables the firefighter to have access to a source of air support that can be breathed, after the air in the tank 202 is exhausted during an imminent life-threatening emergency. Both the cover 236 and the plate 244 provide mechanisms by which the supervising personnel can detect the use of the air filtration device, and through the same, the mechanisms discourage use in other situations that are not imminent situations that threaten life. In addition, these mechanisms indicating use are used to detect which masks require the replacement of your filtering device, after returning to the fire station. With reference to Figures 4 and 5, some masks 208 also have an exhalation gate 260 under the area 215 of the chin, for example. The exhalation gate 260 is formed by a short tubular projection 262 communicating with an opening 264 through the underside of the chin area 215. An exhalation valve body 266 is inserted into the tubular projection 262 until it meets a ledge 274 around the opening 264, and then an exhalation flap valve 268 is inserted against the valve body 266. The outer open end of the tubular projection 262 is the closed valve cover 270, which has a ring 272 that enters the tubular projection 262, and maintains the exhalation valve body 266 and the exhalation flap valve 268, against the flange 274 of mask opening 264. In a situation other than an imminent life-threatening situation, a strip of adhesive tape 280 is applied in Figure 8, between the valve cover 270 and the mask body 208 for the face, to hold the cover in this position . The valve cover 270 has openings 276 therethrough, to allow discharge air to exit the mask, as will be described. In the normal use of the mask 208, when air is being supplied from the tangue 202, the components 266 and 288 of the valve are compressed between the lid 270 and the rim 274 of the mask. In this state, the exhalation valve body 266 is tilted by a constituent spring that closes the exhalation gate 260, when the firefighter is inhaling air from the tank. The air pressure that increases in the mask when the fireman exhales exceeds the force of the spring, thereby opening the valve assembly to form a discharge passage for the exhaled air. In an imminent life-threatening situation when the air in the tank 202 is exhausted, the firefighter pulls the valve cover 270 down, in addition to activating the emergency air filtering device 220 described above. A latching mechanism (not shown) prevents the lid from completely pulling on the tubular projection 262. This action causes the belt 270 to either tear or peel off the cap or mask, thereby providing evidence that the exhalation gate was placed in a state in which to use the emergency device 220 for air filtration. . In this way, the movement of the lid 270 releases the inclination of the spring in the exhalation valve body 266, and therefore, the compression of the valve components between the cover and the rim 274 of the opening of the mask . With the inclination of the released spring, the exhalation flap valve 268 controls the opening and closing of the exhalation gate 260 as the firefighter breathes. Although the specific embodiments of the invention have been stated with a relatively high degree of particularity, it is intended that the scope of the invention not be limited in that manner. Rather, the appropriate scope of the invention includes alternatives that are now within the competence of a person skilled in the art. Therefore, the scope should be ascertained by reading the following claims.

Claims (18)

1. NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION Having described the above invention, it is considered as a novelty, and therefore, the content of the following is claimed as property: CLAIMS 1. An integrated breathing apparatus to protect against smoke inhalation for emergency responders in life-threatening situations, and to encourage its limited use in imminent life-threatening situations, the apparatus comprises: a mask for used on the face of a firefighter, and having a first gate connected to a hose, through which breathable air is supplied to the mask, and having a second gate; a personal air filtration device to protect against smoke inhalation in imminent life-threatening situations, after exhaustion or air failure that can be breathed that is being delivered through the hose, the personal filtration device air comprising a can that has an inlet opening through which air enters, and an outlet opening communicating with the second hatch of the mask, and a filter means inside the can, and through which the air flows between the entrance opening and the exit opening; and a first evidence of use mechanism that closes one of the inlet opening and the outlet opening of the can, and is operatively coupled to one of the can and mask, to indicate the use of the personal air filtration device.
2. 2. The integrated breathing apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein the first mechanism of evidence of use comprises a removable cover applied over the inlet opening of a "-preventing that that cover is reapplied after its removal 3. The integrated breathing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first mechanism of evidence of use comprises a valve member that closes so that the second gate of said mask can be released. integrated breathing apparatus, according to claim 3, wherein said use evidence mechanism comprises a tongue extending from the valve member and that can be broken therefrom after use of the personal air filtration device. 5. The integrated breathing apparatus, according to claim 1, characterized in that it also comprises a second mechanism of evidence of use that it closes the other of the inlet opening and the outlet opening of the can, and that is operatively coupled to the other of the can and the mask, to indicate the use of the personal air filtration device. 6. The integrated breathing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the second mechanism of evidence of use comprises a valve member that closes so that the second gate of the mask can be released. The integrated breathing apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein the mask also comprises: an exhalation gate with a valve mechanism having a first state when air is supplied to the mask through the first gate, and a second state when air is supplied to the mask through the second gate; and another mechanism of evidence of use indicating whether the valve mechanism of the exhalation gate has been placed in the second state. 8. An integrated breathing apparatus to protect against smoke inhalation for emergency response personnel in imminently life-threatening situations, and to encourage its limited use to imminent, life-threatening situations, the apparatus comprises: a mask for use on the face of an emergency response person, and who has a first hatch connected to a hose, through which air is supplied that can be breathed into the mask, and that has a second hatch; a personal air filtration device to protect against inhalation of smoke in imminent, life-threatening situations, after exhaustion or failure of breathable air that is being supplied through the hose, the personal filtration device air comprising a can that has an inlet opening through which air enters, and an outlet opening communicating with the second hatch of the mask, and a filter means inside the can, and through which the air flows between the entrance opening and the exit opening; and a first use evidence mechanism that seals the can entry opening, and is operatively coupled to the can, to indicate the use of the personal air filtration device. 9. The integrated breathing apparatus, according to claim 8, wherein the first evidence of use mechanism comprises a removable cover applied over the entry opening in a manner that prevents re-application of said cover after application. its removal. The integrated breathing apparatus, according to claim 8, characterized in that it also comprises a valve member that closes so that the second gate of the mask can be released. The integrated breathing apparatus, according to claim 10, characterized in that it also comprises a second evidence of use mechanism that is operatively coupled to the valve member to indicate the use of the personal air filtration device. The integrated breathing apparatus, according to claim 11, wherein the second evidence of use mechanism comprises a tongue extending from the valve member and that can be broken therefrom after use of the personal device of the device. air filtration. The integrated breathing apparatus, according to claim 8, wherein the mask also comprises: an exhalation gate with a valve mechanism having a first state when air is supplied to the mask through the first gate, and a second state when air is supplied to the mask through the second gate; and another mechanism of evidence of use indicating whether the valve mechanism of the exhalation gate has been placed in the second state T 14. A method for storing and preparing an integrated breathing apparatus to protect against smoke inhalation for personnel of emergency response in situations that imminently threaten life, the method includes the steps of: configuring a smoke filter in a way that evidence of use, so that the use of the smoke filter to breathe is permanently indicated; join a conduit between a first hatch of a mask of the apparatus, and a tank of air that can be breathed; Attach the smoke filter to a second gate of the mask to filter the air breathed by the firefighter, when you exhaust the air tank that you can breathe. 15. The method for storing and preparing an integrated breathing apparatus for protection against smoke inhalation, according to claim 14, wherein the step of joining the smoke filter comprises sealing so that the second gate can be released with a mechanism of evidence of use, operatively coupled to the second gate to indicate the use of the smoke filter. 16. The method for storing and preparing "an integrated breathing apparatus for protection against smoke inhalation, according to claim 15, wherein the step of attaching the smoke filter also comprises placing a cover that can be released on a smoke filter inlet opening, wherein the releasable cover includes an operational evidence mechanism operatively coupled to indicate the use of the smoke filter 17. The method to store and prepare an integrated breathing apparatus to protect against smoke inhalation, according to claim 14, wherein the step of joining the smoke filter comprises placing a cover that can be released over an entrance opening of the smoke filter, wherein the releasable cover includes a mechanism of evidence of use operatively coupled to indicate the use of the smoke filter. 18. A method for storing and preparing a personal air filtration device to protect against smoke inhalation for a firefighter in situations that are imminently life threatening, and to encourage their limited use by the firefighter to situations that imminently threaten life, the method includes the steps of: configuring a smoke filter with a mechanism of evidence of use, in such a way that it is permanently indicated the use of the smoke filter to breathe; provide the firefighter with an integrated breathing apparatus that includes a mask having a first gate connected through the conduit to a breathable air tank, for primary use during exposure to an environment in which it is not possible to breathe, and a second gate to which the smoke filter is connected to filter the air breathed by the firefighter, when the air tank that can be breathed is exhausted; the firefighter, when in an environment where you can not breathe, first use the integrated breathing apparatus to breathe the air from that tank; the firefighter, after exhausting the air in the tank, activates the smoke filter as a source of air that can be breathed, where the activation involves the breaking of that mechanism of evidence of use to have access to the smoke filter, with which becomes evident the use of that smoke filter; after leaving the environment where you can not breathe, a third party inspects the mechanism of evidence of use; and the firefighter gives an account for the use of the smoke filter.