Abstract: A safety breathing apparatus has a sensor for measuring the difference in pressure between two point in the gas delivered to a head unit. The sensor is used to measure the difference in the pressure of the gas supplied through the apparatus between the two points in the gas flow, and the pressure difference is then used to calculate the gas flow rate.

Abstract: A valve assembly including a mask end and a supply end is provided. The valve assembly includes a housing assembly, an inhale valve, and an exhale valve. The housing assembly defines a first air passageway configured for inhalation and a second air passageway configured for exhalation. At least a portion of the second air passageway is disposed peripherally around the first air passageway. The inhale valve is configured to be biased to an open position when subject to a reduction in pressure due to inhalation, and to be biased to a closed position when subject to an increase in pressure proximate due to exhalation. The exhale valve is configured to be biased to a closed position when subject to a reduction in pressure due to inhalation, and to be biased to an open position when subject to an increase in pressure due to exhalation.

Abstract: A carrying system is provided for use with breathing apparatus. The carrying system includes a backplate and a plurality of straps adapted to hold the backplate on the back of a user when the carrying system is worn. The backplate includes at least one plate of a plastics material. The at least one plate having a predetermined shape and the at least one plate being adapted to provide impact protection to a user during use by at least partially absorbing and/or dispersing impact forces, and to deform resiliency in response to external forces imposed by bending and/or twisting of a user during use and return substantially to its predetermined shape when not subjected to an external force.

Abstract: A mounting assembly for a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) includes a back plate defining a plurality of apertures therethrough arranged in first and second columns. The apertures in the columns are sized and spaced to receive corresponding first and second mounting straps woven therethrough that are configured to extend around webbing straps of a carrying jacket to fasten the back plate to the carrying jacket. The back plate includes a first press stud associated with the first column and a second press stud associated with the second column, which are configured to engage ends of the respective first and second mounting straps to releasably secure the mounting straps to the back plate. A tank securing strap on the back plate releasably fastens a supply tank to the back plate. A valve retaining mount on the back plate releasably secures an air supply valve for engagement with the supply tank.

Abstract: A method of forming a conformal filter includes a snowstorm filling technique with a reduced sized filling tube and/or the application of ultrasonics.

Abstract: A mounting assembly for a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) includes a back plate defining a plurality of apertures therein that are arranged in two columns extending down opposing side edges of the back plate. The apertures are sized and spaced to receive mounting straps that are configured to interface with webbing straps of a carrying jacket to fasten the back plate to the jacket. The mounting assembly also includes a tank securing strap with a quick release mechanism that is fastened to the back plate. The tank securing strap is configured to engage a supply tank to releasably fasten the tank to the back plate. The mounting assembly further includes a valve retaining mount disposed on the plate. The valve retaining mount is configured to releasably secure an air supply valve to the back plate for engagement with the supply tank.

Abstract: A safety breathing apparatus has a sensor for measuring the difference in pressure between two points in the gas delivered to a head unit. The sensor is used to measure the difference in the pressure of the gas supplied through the apparatus between the two points in the gas flow, and the pressure difference is then used to calculate the gas flow rate.

Abstract: A mounting assembly for a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) includes a back plate defining a plurality of apertures therein that are arranged in two columns extending down opposing side edges of the back plate. The apertures are sized and spaced to receive mounting straps that are configured to interface with webbing straps of a carrying jacket to fasten the back plate to the jacket. The mounting assembly also includes a tank securing strap with a quick release mechanism that is fastened to the back plate. The tank securing strap is configured to engage a supply tank to releasably fasten the tank to the back plate. The mounting assembly further includes a valve retaining mount disposed on the plate. The valve retaining mount is configured to releasably secure an air supply valve to the back plate for engagement with the supply tank.

Abstract: A protective breathing mask assembly comprises a face mask portion 10 having a brow support 5 at the top thereof which, in use, extends around the brow of the wearer, and a face seal 6 which extends around the back edge of the mask portion 10 so as, in use, to engage around the sides of the wearers face to prevent the ingress of material into the mask portion. The mask assembly further includes a rear of head strap 4 which extends between the ends of the brow support 5, in use, around the back of the wearers head. A crown strap 2 is connected to opposing sides of the mask assembly so as, in use, to extend across the top of the wearers head in opposing relation to the face seal 6, thereby pulling the face seal up against the wearers face.

Abstract: An exhalation valve assembly for a respirator, said assembly comprising an upstream one-way flap valve and a downstream one-way flap valve, both mounted within a housing. The valves are 5 spaced apart to define therebetween a volume which acts as a ‘dead space’ in which a portion of the just-exhaled air will rest so that, should the upstream valve leak for any reason, any leakage air drawn back into the respirator will be taken from this just-exhaled air, and will thus not be contaminated by the ambient air.

Abstract: A respirator comprising an outer mask in which is defined a main volume and an oronasal mask located within the outer mask and defining a secondary volume. Air for breathing enters the mask via a one-way valve and filter. Exhaled air exits the mask via an exhale conduit fitted with an exhale valve. A conduit is provided for the passage of air from the outer mask to the oronasal mask. The conduit is fitted with a one-way valve and a filter. The filter is such as to filter either particular or vapour challenges, or a mixture of these, as required.