A BACK PLATE FOR A BREATHING APPARATUS

Abstract

A back plate for a breathing apparatus comprises a back plate frame for supporting a cylinder of breathable gas; and a pressure reduction valve configured to receive breathing gas from a cylinder of breathable gas; and a resiliently deformable element configured to support the pressure reduction valve on the back plate frame so as to permit relative movement between the pressure reduction valve and the back plate frame.

Claims

1. A back plate for a breathing apparatus, the back plate comprising: a back plate frame for supporting a cylinder of breathable gas; a pressure reduction valve configured to receive breathing gas from a cylinder of breathable gas supported by the back plate frame; and a resiliently deformable element configured to support the pressure reduction valve on the back plate frame so as to permit relative movement between the pressure reduction valve and the back plate frame.

2. A back plate as claimed in claim 1, wherein the resiliently deformable element comprises an elastomeric material.

3. A back plate as claimed in claim 2, wherein the elastomeric material is selected from one of the classes: thermoplastic elastomer, polyurethane thermoplastic elastomers, polyamides, melt processable rubber, thermoplastic vulcanizate, synthetic rubber, or natural rubber.

4. A back plate as claimed in claim 3, wherein the resiliently deformable element comprises silicone rubber.

5. A back plate as claimed in claim 1, wherein the back plate frame is configured to at least partially house the resiliently deformable element.

6. A back plate as claimed in claim 1 wherein the resiliently deformable element is configured to at least partially house the pressure reduction valve.

7. A back plate as claimed in claim 1 wherein the resiliently deformable element extends around a portion of the back plate frame to at least partially house the back plate frame.

8. A back plate as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pressure reduction valve comprises a cylinder connection configured to pneumatically connect the pressure reduction valve and a cylinder of breathable gas, and wherein the resiliently deformable element comprises an opening configured to at least partially accommodate the cylinder connection.

9. A back plate as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pressure reduction valve is retained in the resiliently deformable element via a snap fit or ball-and-socket arrangement.

10. A back plate as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pressure reduction valve is movably housed within the resiliently deformable element.

11. A back plate as claimed in claim 1, wherein the resiliently deformable element is a substantially solid block of resiliently deformable material comprising a cavity for receiving the pressure reduction valve.

12. A back plate as claimed in claim 1, wherein the resiliently deformable element is attached to the back plate frame so as to thereby permit resilient deformation of the resiliently deformable element relative to the back plate frame.

13. A back plate as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pressure reduction valve and the gas vessel are rigidly connected.

14. A breathing apparatus comprising: a back plate according to claim 1; and a cylinder of breathable gas connected to the pressure reduction valve and supported by the back plate; and a harness configured to support the back plate on a user's back.

15. A resiliently deformable element for use with a back plate according to claim 1.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] Examples of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0031] FIG. 1 shows a side view of a back plate according to an example of the invention;

[0032] FIG. 2 shows a side view of a back plate according to a further example of the invention;

[0033] FIG. 3 shows a detailed sectional side view of a back plate according to a yet further example of the invention;

[0034] FIGS. 4A and 4B show perspective views of an example resiliently deformable element and back plate without and with a gas cylinder connected respectively; and

[0035] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a further example back plate comprising a resiliently deformable element for use in the back plate of FIG. 1, 2 or 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0036] FIG. 1 shows an example back plate 101 for a breathing apparatus 100. The back plate comprises a back plate frame 104 for supporting a cylinder 102 of breathable gas, and a pressure reduction valve 106 configured to receive breathing gas from the cylinder 102 of breathable gas. The back plate 101 has two shoulder straps 111 and a waist belt 112 for supporting the breathing apparatus 100 on a user's back in use.

[0037] The back plate 101 comprises a resiliently deformable element 150 configured to support the pressure reduction valve 106, which in this example is a first-stage pressure reduction valve 106, on the back plate frame 104 so as to permit relative movement between the pressure reduction valve 106 and the back plate frame 104. The resiliently deformable element 150 is arranged on an outward-facing lower part of the back plate frame 104 such that a breathing gas cylinder 102 can be connected to the pressure reduction valve 106 and extend longitudinally along the back plate 101. A retaining strap 110 is provided to extend about the cylinder 102 and retain it against the back plate 101.

[0038] A coupling 105 connects the cylinder 102 of breathable gas to the pressure reduction valve 106. In this example, the coupling 105 is a fixed coupling, e.g. a rigid coupling. In other example the coupling 105 may be a flexible coupling, such as a flying lead. Typically, the cylinder 102 comprises a cylinder isolation valve, which is threadedly connected to the cylinder. The cylinder isolation valve incorporates an isolation valve arrangement and typically has a female connection screw thread, which is configured to receive a male connection thread provided on the pressure reduction valve 106 or flying lead connector.

[0039] The cylinder 102 of breathable gas may be configured to house a breathable gas at a first pressure. The cylinder 102 may comprise a first valve 103 configured to release the breathable gas at the first pressure. The pressure reduction valve 106 may be configured to release the breathable gas at a second pressure. The second pressure may be lower than the first pressure. The valve 103 of the cylinder is configured to permit opening and closing such that the supply of gas from the cylinder can be stopped and started as desired by the user. In some examples, the cylinder 102 may connect directly to the pressure reduction valve 106 without an intermediate coupling 105. In other examples, the coupling 105 may be integral to the cylinder 102 and may attach to the pressure reduction valve 106.

[0040] In use, one or more hoses (not shown) may be connected to the pressure reduction valve 106 to distribute the breathable gas to a user. The user may inhale the breathing gas using a lung demand valve (not shown).

[0041] The resiliently deformable element 150 is attached to or secured to the back plate frame 104. Alternatively the resiliently deformable element 150 may be part of the back plate frame 104. Accordingly the back plate frame 104 may comprise the resiliently deformable element 150. The resiliently deformable element 150 is configured as a solid block for permitting relative movement between the pressure reduction valve 106 and the back plate frame 104. The resiliently deformable element 150 may be attached to the back plate frame 104 so as to permit resilient deformation of the resiliently deformable element 150 relative to the back plate frame 104. It should be understood that by resiliently deformable, the material of the resiliently deformable element may be elastically deformable such that the pressure reduction valve 106 may move relative to the back plate frame 104. The resiliently deformable element 150 is configured such that the pressure reduction valve 106 has a rest position in which the element 150 is not deformed. When a force is applied to the valve 106, the element 150 may deform elastically and apply a biasing or reverting force to the valve 106 to return the valve to the rest position. In this example, the resiliently deformable element 150 comprises an elastomeric material, for example the resiliently deformable element 150 may be formed from rubber and or silicone. In this particular embodiment, the resiliently deformable element 150 is formed from silicone rubber. Silicone rubber may be particularly advantageous for use in the as it may maintain good flexibility at low temperatures which may be caused by the expansion of breathing gas in the valve 106.

[0042] In use, any shock imparted to the back plate 101, the valve 106, or the cylinder 102 may be transmitted to and at least partially absorbed by the resiliently deformable element 150 resulting in a reduced chance of damage to components of the back plate 101 or the connection between the pressure reduction valve 106 and the cylinder coupling 105.

[0043] Examples of the invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 2, 3, 4, and 5. To avoid unnecessary repetition of subject matter, in these examples like reference numbers, increased by 100, identify generally the same concepts so that the feature with reference number 200 of FIG. 2 corresponds to the feature 100 in FIG. 1 etc.

[0044] FIG. 2 shows a back plate 202 for a breathing apparatus 200. The back plate 202 differs from the example shown in FIG. 1 in that the resiliently deformable element 250 is configured as a housing for the pressure reduction valve 206. Accordingly the resiliently deformable element 250 is configured to at least partially house the pressure reduction valve 206. The resiliently deformable element 250 at least partially surrounds the pressure reduction valve 206. The resiliently deformable element 250 is configured as a substantially solid block of resiliently deformable material comprising a cavity for receipt of the pressure reduction valve 206.

[0045] The pressure reduction valve 206 may be movably disposed within the resiliently deformable element 250. A ball-and-socket or snap-fit arrangement may contain the pressure reduction valve 206 within the resiliently deformable element 250. As the resiliently deformable element 250 is inherently deformable, it may be configured such that it can be deformed to install the valve 206 and then revert to an original shape to thereby grip or cradle the valve 206.

[0046] FIG. 3 shows a back plate 302 for a breathing apparatus 300. The back plate 302 differs from the example shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 in that the back plate frame 304 is configured to at least partially house the resiliently deformable element 350. Accordingly, the back plate frame 304 is configured as a housing for the resiliently deformable element 350.

[0047] The back plate frame 304 therefore comprises a recess 307 configured to at least partially accommodate the resiliently deformable element 350. The back plate frame 304 at least partially surrounds the resiliently deformable element 350.

[0048] In one example the resiliently deformable element 350 is integral with the back plate frame 304. In this and other examples, the resiliently deformable element 350 may extends out and around of a recess of the back plate frame 304 and at least partially surrounds the back plate frame 304 to provide a bumper element on the exterior of the back plate frame 104, for example on a lower portion of the back plate frame.

[0049] Although FIG. 3 shows the resiliently deformable element 350 being configured to at least partially house the pressure reduction valve 306 it will be appreciated that in other examples the resiliently deformable element 350 may not be configured as a housing for the pressure reduction valve 306. According to one example, a back plate may comprise a resiliently deformable element as described with reference to, and as shown in FIG. 1, the resiliently deformable element being provided within a recess of the back plate frame.

[0050] FIG. 4A shows an example resiliently deformable element 450 which may be used in any of the examples shown in FIG. 1, 2 or 3. As illustrated in this figure, a cylinder is not installed to the breathing apparatus.

[0051] The resiliently deformable element 450 is configured as a housing for a pressure reduction valve 406. The pressure reduction valve 406 comprises a gas cylinder connection 409 for connection with the first valve on the cylinder of breathable gas (not shown in FIG. 4) and a breathing hose 410 for suppling breathing gas at the second, lower, pressure to the user so that the user may breathe the breathable gas.

[0052] The resiliently deformable element 450 comprises a body 451 which comprises the resiliently deformable material. The body 451 at least partially surrounds the pressure reduction valve 406. The body 451 comprises an orifice 452, in the form an elongate channel, for receiving the pressure reduction valve 406 and an opening 453 configured to accommodate the gas cylinder connection 409 of the pressure reduction valve 406. The pressure reduction valve 406 may therefore be accommodated in the resiliently deformable element 450 such that pneumatic connection is maintained between the pressure reduction valve 406 and the cylinder of breathable gas, as will be described below.

[0053] The orifice 452 may be configured as a cutaway in the body 451 such that the pressure reduction valve 406 is not wholly, by rather partially, surrounded by the resiliently deformable element 450. The breathing hose 410 extends away from the pressure reduction valve 406 through the orifice 452. In an alternative arrangement, the resiliently deformable element 450 may be configured to substantially or completely surround the pressure reduction valve 406 and may be provided with at least one opening or orifice for allowing at least one of the gas cylinder connection and breathing hose therethrough.

[0054] Any mechanism of retaining the pressure reduction valve 406 within the resiliently deformable element 450 is within the scope of this disclosure. For example, the pressure reduction valve 406 may be movably disposed in the resiliently deformable element 450 to permit relative movement therebetween. A snap-fit may retain the pressure reduction valve 406 in the resiliently deformable element 450, for example within an orifice 452 of the connection. Accordingly, the orifice 452 may be complementarily designed relative to the pressure reduction valve. A ball-and-socket arrangement may also be employed to receive the pressure reduction valve within the orifice of the resiliently deformable element 550.

[0055] In examples where the pressure reduction valve comprises more than one breathing hose, further openings in the connection may be provided for accommodating these additional hoses.

[0056] The body 451 may be integrally moulded. The body 451 may be a single piece. In one example, the body may substantially completely surround the pressure reduction valve 406.

[0057] The body may be configured as a clip for retaining the pressure reduction valve.

[0058] FIG. 4B shows the example arrangement of FIG. 4A with a cylinder 402 connected to the pressure reduction valve 406. As can be appreciated, an impact on the cylinder 402, the cylinder valve 403, or the pressure reduction valve 406 would result in movement of the pressure reduction valve 406, which is permitted to move relative to the back plate frame 404 by elastic deformation of the body 451 of the element 450.

[0059] FIG. 5 shows a cut-away view of the lower portion of an example back plate 501 comprising a resiliently deformable element 550 which may be used in either of the examples shown in FIG. 1, 2 or 3.

[0060] The resiliently deformable element 550 comprises a body 551 configured to house the pressure reduction valve 506. The body 551 at least partially surrounds the pressure reduction valve 506. The pressure reduction valve 506 may be at least partially received in an orifice or cavity of the element 550. The pressure reduction valve 506 comprises a gas cylinder connection 509. The body 551 comprises an opening 553 configured to accommodate the gas cylinder connection 509. The gas cylinder connection 509 is configured as a threaded wheel. Accordingly a gas cylinder (not shown) may be threadedly connected to the pressure reduction valve 506 and rotation of the wheel may tighten or loosen the connection of the gas cylinder to the pressure reduction valve 506. As discussed above, the cylinder may compromise a cylinder valve, which has a separate rotational hand wheel, which opens and closes an isolation valve.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 5, the resiliently deformable element 550 at least partially surrounds the back plate frame 504. Specifically, the body 551 comprises an external portion 552, in particular a bumper portion 552, that surrounds an external part, and in particular the lower part, of the back plate frame 504. Accordingly the resiliently deformable element 550 is provided within a portion of the back plate frame 504 and extends out and around a portion of the back plate frame 504. Such a configuration enhances the shock absorptive properties of the back plate 501.

[0062] Accordingly, the resiliently deformable element 550 at least partially protrudes form the back plate frame 504.

[0063] The resiliently deformable element 550 may be fixed within a recess 507 of the back plate frame 504. Alternatively, the resiliently deformable element 550 may be movably housed within the back plate frame 504. The pressure reduction valve 506 may be movably housed within the body 551.

[0064] In some examples, such as the configuration of FIG. 5, the back plate frame 504 is configured to house the resiliently deformable element in a recess 507 in a removable manner. The resiliently deformable element 550 comprises a cavity 555 for receiving and at least partially enclosing the pressure reduction valve. In some examples, the element 550 may further comprise a closure portion, such as a resiliently deformable flap, for retaining the valve in the cavity 555. When the resiliently deformable element is outside of the recess of the back plate frame, the closure portion may be biased into an open position in which it does not retain the valve in the cavity 555 of the resiliently deformable element. In such examples, installing the resiliently deformable element into the back plate may cause a portion of the back plate frame to deform or move the closure element towards a closed position in which it retains the valve in the cavity 555, for example by pressing a deformable flap against the cavity 555.

[0065] While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive; the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Various alternative examples are discussed through the detailed description. Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word “comprising” does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article “a” or “an” does not exclude a plurality. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.

[0066] For the avoidance of doubt, the present disclosure extends to the subject matter recited in the following numbered Paras: [0067] Para 1. A back plate for a breathing apparatus, the back plate comprising: [0068] a back plate frame for supporting a cylinder of breathable gas; [0069] a pressure reduction valve configured to receive breathing gas from a cylinder of breathable [0070] gas supported by the back plate frame; and [0071] a resiliently deformable element configured to support the pressure reduction valve on the back plate frame so as to permit relative movement between the pressure reduction valve and the back plate frame. [0072] Para 2. A back plate as claimed in Para 1 wherein the resiliently deformable element comprises an elastomeric material. [0073] Para 3. A back plate as claimed in Para 2, wherein the elastomeric material is selected from one of the classes: thermoplastic elastomer, polyurethane thermoplastic elastomers, polyamides, melt processable rubber, thermoplastic vulcanizate, synthetic rubber, or natural rubber. [0074] Para 4. A back plate as claimed in Para 3, wherein the resiliently deformable element comprises silicone rubber. [0075] Para 5. A back plate as claimed in any preceding Para wherein the back plate frame is configured to at least partially house the resiliently deformable element. [0076] Para 6. A back plate as claimed in any preceding Para wherein the resiliently deformable element is configured to at least partially house the pressure reduction valve. [0077] Para 7. A back plate as claimed in any preceding Para wherein the resiliently deformable element extends around a portion of the back plate frame to at least partially house the back plate frame. [0078] Para 8. A back plate as claimed in any preceding Para wherein the pressure reduction valve comprises a cylinder connection configured to pneumatically connect the pressure reduction valve and a cylinder of breathable gas, and wherein the resiliently deformable element comprises an opening configured to at least partially accommodate the cylinder connection. [0079] Para 9. A back plate as claimed in any preceding Para wherein the pressure reduction valve is retained in the resiliently deformable element via a snap fit or ball-and-socket arrangement. [0080] Para 10. A back plate as claimed in any preceding Para wherein the pressure reduction valve is movably housed within the resiliently deformable element. [0081] Para 11. A back plate as claimed in any preceding Para wherein the resiliently deformable element is a substantially solid block of resiliently deformable material comprising a cavity for receiving the pressure reduction valve. [0082] Para 12. A back plate as claimed in any preceding Para wherein the resiliently deformable element is attached to the back plate frame so as to thereby permit resilient deformation of the resiliently deformable element relative to the back plate frame. [0083] Para 13. A back plate as claimed in any preceding Para wherein the pressure reduction valve and the gas vessel are rigidly connected. [0084] Para 14. A breathing apparatus comprising: [0085] a back plate according to any preceding Para; and [0086] a cylinder of breathable gas connected to the pressure reduction valve and supported by the back plate; and [0087] a harness configured to support the back plate on a user's back. [0088] Para 15. A resiliently deformable element for use with a back plate according to any of Paras 1-13.