Face mask hood sealing and retaining system and method

• Main Authors: MORGAN, CONNIE L, MORGAN, WILLIAM B, SCHULTZ, TRENT M
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 24.12.2008
• Edition: 7
• Subjects: DEVICES, APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR LIFE-SAVING; EQUIPMENT FOR DWELLING OR WORKING UNDER WATER; FIRE-FIGHTING; HUMAN NECESSITIES; LAUNCHING, HAULING-OUT, OR DRY-DOCKING OF VESSELS; LIFE-SAVING; LIFE-SAVING IN WATER; MEANS FOR SALVAGING OR SEARCHING FOR UNDERWATER OBJECTS; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; RELATED EQUIPMENT; SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; TRANSPORTING

A face mask retaining system is disclosed. The face mask retaining system comprises a face mask (14), a hood (12) configured as a head cover, a mounting band (16) integral with the hood (12), a head harness (18) and at least one bracket (20). These five parts work together to secure the mask to the face of the user. The hood (12) is configured to couple to the face mask (14) and form a seal between the hood (12) and the face mask (14). The head harness (18) is configured to hold the face mask (14) against the face of a user and comprises a plurality of flanges (70) configured to extend around the hood (12). It also has a plurality of orifices (72) within each of the flanges (70) configured to couple to the coupling structures (30) of the integral mounting band (16) and the coupling structure (50) of the at least one bracket (20). The at least one bracket (20) is configured to couple the face mask (14) to the integral mounting band (16), the integral mounting band (16) comprising a plurality of spaced apart coupling structures (30) configured to couple to the head harness (18) to the at least one bracket (20).