SCBA Mask Shield

Abstract

A protective shield is provided for covering a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) mask or a full- face air purifying respirator (APR) lens to prevent damage and scratching. The shield consists of a die cut shape of thermoplastic sheet that duplicates the outline of the self-contained breathing apparatus mask lens and/or frame. The protective shield can be produced using various grades, colors and/or densities of material replicating limited visibility or blackout conditions. To protect the majority of the plastic lens, the shape of the shield includes a peripheral overlap onto the mask utilizing the SCBA lens frame. The shield can be attached to the self-contained breathing apparatus face mask by means of any of the following: bungee, hook, or elastic cord; all of which allows the shield to be attached or removed quickly. Many SCBA/APR training exercises require limited visibility. The invention can be used as an effective training tool to prevent light transmission and simulate extremely limited visibility.

Claims

1. A training cover for placement over an outer surface of a lens of a mask or respirator, the training cover configured for replicating limited visibility or black out conditions, the training cover comprising: (a) a thermoplastic sheet having an outline conforming to an outline of the lens of the mask or respirator; and (b) the thermoplastic sheet having a light penetration density concentration as a result of printing or coating a material on a surface of the thermoplastic sheet, wherein the printing or coating results in a pattern on the surface of the thermoplastic sheet that provides reduced visibility through the training cover.

2. The training cover according to claim 1, wherein the training cover is formed by injection molding.

3. The training cover according to claim 1, wherein the training cover has a thickness of 1 to 15 mm.

4. The training cover according to claim 1, wherein the thermoplastic sheet comprises polyethylene, cellulose acetate, polycarbonate, acrylic, acetyl, or polyester.

5. The training cover according to claim 1, wherein an ink is printed on the surface of the thermoplastic sheet.

6. The training cover according to claim 5, wherein the ink has a base color of black.

7. The training cover according to claim 6, wherein the ink is printed by at least one of silk screening, lithography, flexography, or rotography.

8. The training cover according to claim 1, wherein the light density is a result of the coating on the surface of the thermoplastic sheet.

9. The training cover according to claim 8, wherein the coating is discontinuous.

10. The training cover according to claim 1, wherein the pattern comprises a plurality of shapes.

11. A training cover for placement over an outer surface of a lens of a mask or respirator, the training cover configured for replicating limited visibility or black out conditions, the training cover comprising: (a) a thermoplastic sheet having an outline conforming to an outline of the lens of the mask or respirator; and (b) the thermoplastic sheet having a light penetration density concentration as a result of printing or coating an ink having a base color of black on a surface of the thermoplastic sheet, wherein the printing or coating results in a pattern on the surface of the thermoplastic sheet that provides reduced visibility through the training cover, wherein the pattern comprises a plurality of shapes.

12. The training cover according to claim 11, wherein the training cover has a thickness of 1 to 15 mm.

13. The training cover according to claim 12, wherein the thermoplastic sheet comprises polyethylene, cellulose acetate, polycarbonate, acrylic, acetyl, or polyester.

14. A combination mask or respirator and training cover for placement over an outer surface of a lens of the mask or respirator, the combination provided for replicating limited visibility or black out conditions, wherein: (a) the mask or respirator comprising the lens and a frame for holding the lens in place, wherein the lens has an inside surface and an outside surface; and (b) the training cover comprising: (i) a thermoplastic sheet having an outline conforming to an outline of the lens of the mask or respirator; and (ii) the thermoplastic sheet having a light penetration density concentration as a result of printing or coating a material on a surface of the thermoplastic sheet, wherein the printing or coating results in a pattern on the surface of the thermoplastic sheet that provides reduced visibility through the training cover.

15. The combination according to claim 14, wherein the training cover has a thickness of 1 to 15 mm.

16. The combination according to claim 14, wherein the thermoplastic sheet comprises polyethylene, cellulose acetate, polycarbonate, acrylic, acetyl, or polyester.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] FIG. 1 is a perspective front and bottom view of a commercially manufactured mask with voice emitter and with the shield attached thereto according to the principles of the present invention.

[0026] FIG. 2 is a perspective side and bottom view of the combination mask and shield according to FIG. 1.

[0027] FIG. 3 is a side view of the combination mask and shield according to FIG. 1.

[0028] FIG. 4 is a rear and side view of the combination mask and shield according to FIG. 1.

[0029] FIG. 5 is a side exploded view of the combination mask and shield according to FIG. 1.

[0030] FIG. 6 is an internal view of the shield according to FIG. 1 illustrating pads, which prevent the shield from rubbing against the SCBA mask lens within the main field of view.

[0031] FIG. 7 is a rear and side view of an alternative embodiment of a mask according to principles of the present invention and is shown attached to a commercially manufactured masked.

[0032] FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a portion of the combination mask and shield according to FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] The shield, the combination mask and shield, and the method of manufacturing and using the shield are described with reference to FIGS. 1-8. A shield 01 is shown covering a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), self contained underwater breathing apparatus, gas mask or any other respiratory protection mask lens 02 and/or frame 03. The shield 01 is used for scratch and impact protection of the lens while the mask 07 is not in use and could be used for black-out or limited visibility training exercises for firefighters, SCUBA divers, police, military, etc. The shield 01 is 100 percent light blocking material or translucent material and has a shape that simulates the outline or frame 03 of the self contained breathing apparatus, self contained underwater breathing apparatus or gas mask lens 02 and/or frame 03. On the inside of the shield 08, around the outside edges, there is a felt, suede, rubber, etc. strip 04 to raise the shield slightly off the frame 03 and lens 02 of the mask 07 as to prevent any contact with the main viewing area of the mask lens 02. As there are numerous original equipment manufacturers of the breathing apparatus/respiratory protection (mask 07), the drawings illustrate only one mask, which represents a very common device in domestic and professional usage. The mask 07 of FIGS. 1-6 is an exemplary mask made by Scott in the Scott-AV-3000 model. It will be realized that there are many more models available and normally each are offered in small, medium, and large sizes. It will be appreciated that the shield according to the invention can be modified with slight variations to accommodate the various masks available on the market and sizes. It is additionally noted that the SCBA mask illustrated in the figures is provided without a rubber face seal that is required for the mask to function properly. One would understand that the mask would include the rubber face seal during operation.

[0034] In a preferred embodiment, the shield 01 is formed of rigid thermoplastic (such as Kydex) or injection-molded plastic to a thickness of 1 to 15 millimeters, however other types and sizes of thermoplastic would be acceptable substitutes such as polyethylene, cellulose acetate, polycarbonate, acrylic, acetyl or polyester etc. An exemplary method of manufacturer is to die cut the shield 01 to a shape duplicating or following the outline of the mask and/or frame 03.

[0035] As stated above, the shield 01 may or may not have light penetration density concentration. This light penetration density is achieved using a process consisting of silk screening, lithography, flexography, or rotography etc., coating the surface of the parent thermoplastic material of the shield 01 with any mixture of any color ink.

[0036] It should not be overlooked that the base thermoplastic or injection-molded material may be produced with the color integrally formed during the manufacturing process by formulating a predetermined mixture of any color ink and transparent additives.

[0037] The shape of the shield 01 may include some overlap onto the mask frame 03 to preclude most light penetration. Some light leakage around the periphery is not problematic since the main purpose of the shield 01 would be lens 02 protection, and using the product for training would be a secondary benefit. The overlap of the shield 01 on the frame 03 can be non-existent or it can cover any portion of the frame 03 of the mask 07 including 100 percent coverage.

[0038] The shield 01 can be attached to the mask 07 using two or more elastic cords, straps, etc. and/or tabs, hooks 06 that use pressure to attach to any part of the mask frame 03 or any other component of the mask 07 as seen in FIGS. 4-6. This means of attachment allows the user unlimited reapplications. The shield 01 will be held securely in place but the user can easily and quickly remove the shield 01 from the mask 07 prior to using the mask 07 in the field or leave it in place for training exercises and for protection while not in use. It is also noted that FIG. 6 illustrates the shield from the inside which is the surface that would abut against the lens.

[0039] The installation of the shield 01 to the mask 07 is easy to accomplish and understand as shown in FIG. 3-4. The shield 01 is fit to the specific shape of each model of mask 07 and will self-position when the straps, cords, hooks, etc. 06 are secured to the predetermined locations 05 on the mask 07 and the shield 01 will remain in place.

[0040] Now referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, an alternative shield 20 is shown attached to a mask 27 by a hook construction 30. The shield 20 is similar to the shield 01 except for the presence of hook construction 30 that extend from sides of the shield 20 and wrap the frame 23 that holds the lens 22. The hook construction 30 includes a flange 32 that extends away from the lens covering portion 21 of the shield 20 and includes a catch 34 that wraps around the frame 23. As shown in FIG. 7, the flanges 32 extend from the first side 36 of the shield 20 on both sides of the clamp 40 of the mask 27. It should be appreciate that the opposite side can be provided as a mirror image and includes flanges and catches that wrap the frame 23. One attaching or detaching the shield 20 to the mask 27 can permit the hooks construction 30 to flex and snap fit over the frame 23 when attaching, and can be pulled back to permit detaching the shield 20 from the mask 27. It is noted that the clamp 40 can be present to clamp the pieces of the frame 23 around the lens 22. Certain masks may not include a clamp, and certain other masks that include a clamp may locate the clamp at a different position. Although the shield 20 is shown having flanges 32 extending on both sides of the clamp 40, it is possible for the shield 20 to have a flange extending on only one side of the clamp 40. Furthermore, when a clamp is not present, the shield can have one or more flanges on each side for wrapping around and attaching to the mask 27.

[0041] The hook construction 30 can be provided as an integral part of the shield 20 extending from the lens covering portion 21. By integral, it is meant that the hook construction 30 is formed from the same material as the lens covering portion 21 and is not separately attached. It should be appreciated, however, that the hook construction 30 can be provided as non-integral with the lens covering portion 21. For example, the hook construction 30 can be adhered or welded to the lens covering portion 21.

[0042] While the invention has been described in complete detail and pictorially shown in the provided drawings, it is not to be limited to such details, since many changes and modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Hence, it is described to cover any and all modifications and forms, which may come within the language and scope of the appended claims.