US3601219A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Air distribution plenum with silencer for head enclosures
Assignee: Bullard Co
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Filing: 1970-06-01
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Granted: 1971-08-24
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Expires: 1990-06-01
Abstract
Abstract A plenum adapted to be mounted in a head protective hood for distributing respiration air to the interior of the hood. The plenum is formed by an air distribution tube that has a plurality of air jet openings in the wall thereof and spaced along the tube to achieve a desired distribution. Fabric in the form of a sleeve disposed within the tube and overlying the air jet openings in the tube so as to break up the airflow through the jet openings to reduce noise level. A fabric sleeve disposed on the outer surface of the tube for breaking up airstreams exiting the jet openings in the tube. Structure for supporting the fabric sleeves in their respective positions.
Inventors
- 👤 Herbert A Raschke
- 👤 Anthony L Moretti
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 10:12
CPC Classifications
A; A42; A42B; A42B3/00; A42B3/04; A42B3/28
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
90 words
Apparatus for distributing air within a closed volume comprising a hollow distribution tube having an inlet end for receiving air, said tube having a wall defining a plurality of air openings for communicating air from the interior of the tube to the volume, an air-pervious fabric sleeve disposed within said distribution tube and extending from said inlet end to said openings, and means for fixing said sleeve adjacent said inlet end of said distribution tube so that air introduced in said inlet flows through said sleeve to said air openings.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
90 words
Apparatus for distributing air within a closed volume comprising a hollow distribution tube having an inlet end for receiving air, said tube having a wall defining a plurality of air openings for communicating air from the interior of the tube to the volume, an air-pervious fabric sleeve disposed within said distribution tube and extending from said inlet end to said openings, and means for fixing said sleeve adjacent said inlet end of said distribution tube so that air introduced in said inlet flows through said sleeve to said air openings.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
71 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said sleeve fixing means comprises a rigid cylinder having an outer surface sized to enter said hollow distribution tube, said cylinder being disposed within said distribution tube at the inlet end thereof and frictionally engaging said sleeve between the outer surface of said cylinder and the inner surface of said distribution tube, said cylinder having an opening therethrough for admitting air interior of said sleeve.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The invention of claim 2 wherein said cylinder includes a circular flange at the outer end thereof for limiting movement of said cylinder inward of said distribution tube.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
64 words
The invention of claim 3 in combination with an air delivery tube for delivering air through the opening in said cylinder, said air delivery tube terminating in a flat face transversely thereof, and means for retaining said air delivery tube so that said flat face bears against said flange to retain said cylinder in place within the inlet end of said air delivery tube.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said air distribution has a closed end remote from said inlet end, and means for supporting said fabric sleeve adjacent said closed end.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
The invention of claim 5 wherein said supporting means comprises an end portion of said sleeve folded back upon itself adjacent said closed end to form a region within said air distribution tube that contains a double thickness of said sleeve.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
The invention of claim 1 in combination with a second fabric sleeve disposed in circumscribing relation to the outer surface of said air distribution tube and overlying the air openings in said tube, and means for securing said second sleeve in place.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
46 words
The invention of claim 7 wherein said second sleeve securing means comprises adhesive bearing tape wrapped around the ends of said second sleeve, said tape overlapping the respective ends of said second sleeve and being adhesively joined to the outer surface of said air distribution tube.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
78 words
A method for reducing the noise level of air supplied to the interior of a head enclosure through an opening in a cylindric wall comprising the steps of providing a fabric sleeve having fibers of a diameter less than the opening that are spaced from one another by an amount less than the opening, inserting the sleeve within the cylindric wall so that the fabric overlies the opening, and confining incoming air to the interior of the sleeve.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
78 words
A method for reducing the noise level of air supplied to the interior of a head enclosure through an opening in a cylindric wall comprising the steps of providing a fabric sleeve having fibers of a diameter less than the opening that are spaced from one another by an amount less than the opening, inserting the sleeve within the cylindric wall so that the fabric overlies the opening, and confining incoming air to the interior of the sleeve.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
55 words
The invention of claim 9 wherein said inserting step comprises providing a relatively rigid rod having an outer dimension less than the inner diameter of the cylindric wall and of the sleeve, inserting the rod in the sleeve, inserting the rod and sleeve into the interior of the cylindric wall, and then removing the rod.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
74 words
The invention of claim 9 wherein air confining step comprises the steps of providing a cylinder having a central opening and an outer diameter slightly smaller than the interior diameter of the cylindric wall, compressing the sleeve between the outer diameter of the cylinder and the interior diameter of the cylindric wall at a site remote from the opening in the cylindric wall, and directing incoming air through the central opening in the cylinder.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-08-23 | 1975-02-22 | 1975-08-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-08-23 | 1979-02-22 | 1979-08-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-08-23 | 1983-02-22 | 1983-08-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |