US4373520A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Respirator speech unit/outlet valve
Assignee: Department of National Defence
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Filing: 1980-08-14
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Granted: 1983-02-15
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Expires: 2000-08-14
Abstract
Abstract An improved respirator speech unit for the light-type or other model of respirator. The unit has a speech transmitter disc positioned within a frame. To the speech transmitter disc is secured a rigid valve seat disc. This valve seat disc is secured parallel to and coaxial with the transmitter disc so that, in position, it will be externally positioned in the frame. The valve seat disc is transversely seatable in the frame with its periphery cooperating with seal means in the frame to prevent passage of air between its periphery and the frame. The valve seat disc has a circular aperture for passage of exhaled air from the mask and defines, with the speech transmitter disc in position in the frame, an air passage from within the mask to this aperture. A flexible circular outlet valve is secured at its center to the other end of the frame, the valve being aligned with the aperture and resting thereon so that, when in position, this valve permits passage of air from the mask through the aperture, but seals the aperture to prevent entry of outside air into the mask. A respirator speech unit according to this construction is more reliable and more serviceable than the previously known constructions of respirator speech units which had a peripheral aperture for passage of air between the edge of the speech transmitter disc and the frame and an annular flexible seal operating to close that passage.
Inventors
- 👤 Roland H. Arbique
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 10:29
CPC Classifications
A; A62; A62B; A62B18/00; A62B18/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
315 words
A speech transmitting unit for use with a respirator, said respirator including an air inlet and an air outlet, said unit comprising a cylindrical open-ended frame, one end of which is to be connected to said air outlet; a rigid valve seat disc transversely disposed in said frame adjacent the other end of the frame, providing an air-tight seal between said frame and said valve seat disc; first and second openings in said valve seat disc, said first opening being in the form of a circular aperture; a one-way valve associated with said circular aperture to permit the exit of exhaled air from said respirator and to prevent the entry of outside air into said respirator when the wearer thereof is not exhaling; a speech transmitter disc including a diaphragm, transversely disposed in said frame adjacent said one end of the frame and spaced from said valve seat disc, said transmitter disc being of a diameter somewhat smaller than the diameter of said frame, to define together with said valve seat disc and said frame, a peripheral exhaled air-flow path between said one end of the frame and said circular aperture; an opening in said speech transmitter disc; and conduit means for connecting said opening in said speech transmitter disc with said second opening in said valve seat disc to provide an outlet path for speech transmission, wherein said valve is in the form of a flexible disc secured at its center to an outer end of the frame, the valve in operative position being concentric with and covering the aperture to cooperate therewith, at least a portion of the periphery of the valve overlapping the edges of the aperture, the valve, when in operation, flexing to permit passage of exhaled air from the respirator through said aperture and then sealing the aperture to prevent entry through the aperture into the respirator of outside air.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
315 words
A speech transmitting unit for use with a respirator, said respirator including an air inlet and an air outlet, said unit comprising a cylindrical open-ended frame, one end of which is to be connected to said air outlet; a rigid valve seat disc transversely disposed in said frame adjacent the other end of the frame, providing an air-tight seal between said frame and said valve seat disc; first and second openings in said valve seat disc, said first opening being in the form of a circular aperture; a one-way valve associated with said circular aperture to permit the exit of exhaled air from said respirator and to prevent the entry of outside air into said respirator when the wearer thereof is not exhaling; a speech transmitter disc including a diaphragm, transversely disposed in said frame adjacent said one end of the frame and spaced from said valve seat disc, said transmitter disc being of a diameter somewhat smaller than the diameter of said frame, to define together with said valve seat disc and said frame, a peripheral exhaled air-flow path between said one end of the frame and said circular aperture; an opening in said speech transmitter disc; and conduit means for connecting said opening in said speech transmitter disc with said second opening in said valve seat disc to provide an outlet path for speech transmission, wherein said valve is in the form of a flexible disc secured at its center to an outer end of the frame, the valve in operative position being concentric with and covering the aperture to cooperate therewith, at least a portion of the periphery of the valve overlapping the edges of the aperture, the valve, when in operation, flexing to permit passage of exhaled air from the respirator through said aperture and then sealing the aperture to prevent entry through the aperture into the respirator of outside air.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
112 words
A speech unit according to claim 1 wherein the frame includes a base portion in the form of an outward extension beyond said valve seat disc and wherein said base portion has a centrally located circular opening which is coaxial with said circular aperture and wherein a circular valve holder means to which said valve is attached is hinged to said base portion, the valve holders means, when in open position permitting entry of air from the atmosphere through the circular aperture into the respirator and, when closed, holding the valve in position against the circular aperture to prevent entry of air into the respirator when the wearer thereof is not exhaling.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
A speech unit according to claim 1, wherein the valve is provided with an annular peripheral flange, at least a portion of the flange overlapping the edges of the aperture when in operative position to seal it against passage of outside air into the respirator.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
A speech unit according to claim 3, wherein the valve has a plurality of concentric annular sections extending, in stepped fashion, with diminishing diameter from the flange up to the center of the valve.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
A speech unit according to claim 4, wherein the annular sections of the valve are joined to adjacent sections by externally inwardly bevelled edges.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
A speech unit according to claim 1, wherein the circular aperture and valve are positioned centrally within the frame when in operation.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
A speech unit according to claim 1, wherein the frame is further provided with latch means to hold the hinged valve holder tightly closed when in closed position, and to hold it open when in open position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
A speech unit according to claim 1, wherein the peripheral edge on the external side of the aperture are slightly raised towards the valve to improve the seal therewith.
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) | 1986-02-14 | 1986-08-16 | 1987-02-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-02-14 | 1990-08-16 | 1991-02-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-02-14 | 1994-08-16 | 1995-02-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |