Device Providing Filtered Air for a User
A device for filtering air for a user comprising a frame formed in a generally oval-shaped band, the band encircling the user’s head with an upper portion extending from the user’s ear to a point above and to the rear of the user’s head and a lower portion extending from the user’s ear to a point below and in front of the user’s mouth. The device includes an air inlet filter mounted on the frame and communicating on one side with ambient air outside the device and on the other side with an inlet duct and an air outlet filter mounted on the frame and communicating on one side with air inside the device and on the other side with ambient air outside the device. The device also includes a battery-powered air mover mounted on the frame and operable to move intake air through the air inlet filter through the inlet duct and into the inside of the device. A rechargeable battery is mounted on the frame to power the air mover. The device further includes a transparent face shield mounted on one side of the frame in such a way as to create an airtight seal between the visor and the one side of the frame, a fabric component made from an air impermeable fabric and mounted on an opposite side of the frame in such a way as to create an airtight seal between the fabric component and the opposite side of the frame, and to encircle the user’s neck, and a head harness configured to rest on the user’s head and support the frame with its components mounted thereon.
1 . A device for filtering air for a user comprising:
a frame formed in a generally oval-shaped band, the band encircling the user’s head, with an upper portion extending from the user’s ear to a point above and to the rear of the user’s head and a lower portion extending from the user’s ear to a point below and in front of the user’s mouth;
an air inlet filter mounted on the frame and communicating on one side with ambient air outside the device and on the other side with an inlet duct;
an air outlet filter mounted on the frame and communicating on one side with air inside the device and on the other side with ambient air outside the device;
a battery-powered air mover mounted on the frame and operable to move intake air through the air inlet filter, through the inlet duct and into the inside of the device;
a rechargeable battery mounted on the frame to power the air mover;
a transparent face shield mounted on one side of the frame in such a way as to create an airtight seal between the visor and the one side of the frame;
a fabric component made from an air impermeable fabric and mounted on an opposite side of the frame in such a way as to create an airtight seal between the fabric component and the opposite side of the frame, and to encircle the user’s neck; and
a head harness configured to rest on the user’s head and support the frame with its components mounted thereon.
2 . The device of claim 1 , further comprising:
an additional air inlet filter mounted to the frame, and wherein the air inlet filter and the additional air inlet filter are mounted on opposite sides of the user’s head; and
an additional air outlet filter mounted to the frame, and wherein the air outlet filter and the additional air outlet filter are mounted on opposite sides of the user’s head.
3 . The device of claim 2 , wherein the air inlet filter and the air outlet filter are held in a first filter housing configured to removably mount to the frame, and wherein the additional air inlet filter and the additional air outlet filter are held in a second filter housing configured to removably mount to the frame.
4 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the air mover comprises a fan mounted to the upper portion of the frame at its top.
5 . The device of claim 4 , wherein the fan pushes the intake air over the user’s forehead.
6 . The device of claim 4 , wherein the rechargeable battery is mounted to the lower portion of the frame at its bottom.
7 . The device of claim 4 , wherein the fan is a variable speed fan.
8 . The device of claim 7 , further comprising a sensor to detect air pressure inside the device and wherein the speed of the fan is automatically adjusted responsive to signals from the sensor to maintain the air pressure inside the device within a predetermined range.
9 . The device of claim 7 , further comprising a first sensor to detect air pressure inside the device and a second sensor to detect air pressure outside the device, and wherein the speed of the fan is automatically adjusted responsive to signals from the first and second sensor to maintain the air pressure inside the device within a predetermined range.
10 . The device of claim 7 , further comprising a microphone inside the device, wherein a respiration rate of the user is detected acoustically, and wherein the speed of the fan is adjusted to accommodate different respiration rates of the user.
11 . The device of claim 7 , wherein the user can manually control the speed of the fan.
12 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the head harness comprises a band that fits around and rests upon a top portion of the user’s head.
13 . The device of claim 12 , wherein the band of the head harness is adjustable in diameter to accommodate different sizes of user’s heads.
14 . The device of claim 12 , wherein the head harness further comprises a strap that passes over a top portion of the user’s head.
15 . The device of claim 14 , wherein the strap of the head harness is adjustable in length to accommodate different sizes of user’s heads.
16 . The device of claim 14 , further comprising at least one additional strap that passes over a top portion of the user’s head.
17 . The device of claim 1 , further comprising a head harness cover disposed between the transparent face shield and the head harness.
18 . The device of claim 1 , further comprising a microphone inside the device and a speaker outside the device to facilitate the user’s voice being heard outside the device.
19 . The device of claim 18 , further comprising a microphone outside the device and a speaker inside the device to facilitate the user hearing voices and other sounds originating outside the device.
20 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the air inlet filter is a 99.97% particulate filter.
21 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the upper portion of the frame has a height (Hu) and the lower portion of the frame has a height (H L ), and wherein the ratio of Hu to H L is in the range of 1.9-2.9.
22 . A device for filtering air for a user comprising:
a frame formed in a generally oval-shaped band, the band encircling the user’s head, with an upper portion extending from the user’s ear to a point above and to the rear of the user’s head and a lower portion extending from the user’s ear to a point below and in front of the user’s mouth;
a first air inlet filter mounted on the frame so as to be on one side of the user’s head, and communicating on one side with ambient air outside the device and on the other side with a first inlet duct;
a second air inlet mounted on the frame so as to be on an opposite side of the user’s head, and communicating on one side with ambient air outside the device and on the other side with a second inlet duct;
a first air outlet filter mounted on the frame so as to be on the one side of the user’s head and communicating on one side with air inside the device and on the other side with ambient air outside the device;
a second air outlet filter mounted on the frame so as to be on the opposite side of the user’s head and communicating on one side with air inside the device and on the other side with ambient air outside the device;
a battery-powered fan mounted on the frame and operable to move intake air through the first and second air inlet filter, through the first and second inlet duct and into the inside of the device;
a rechargeable battery mounted on the frame to power the fan;
a transparent face shield mounted on one side of the frame in such a way as to create an airtight seal between the visor and the one side of the frame;
a fabric component made from an air impermeable fabric and mounted on an opposite side of the frame in such a way as to create an airtight seal between the fabric component and the opposite side of the frame, and to encircle the user’s neck; and
a head harness configured to rest on the user’s head and support the frame with its components mounted thereon.
23 . The device of claim 22 wherein the fan is mounted to the upper portion of the frame at its top and the battery is mounted to the lower portion of the frame at its bottom.
24 . The device of claim 23 , wherein the fan pushes the intake air over the user’s forehead.