US2060823A - Eyepiece for gas masks - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 17, 1936. OLEARY 2,060,823

EYEPIECE FOR GAS MASKS Filed Aug. 24, 1955 INVENTOR THQMRJ 9. O'L EmQ v ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 17, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 4 Claims.

The invention relatesto the eyepiece portion of a gas mask. One object of the invention is to provide improved means for securing the lens to the tubular members which project forwardly 5 from the body of the mask, and moreparticularly when such parts are of soft molded rubber. A further object is to provide a union for carrying the lens, which shall be permanent and which will not reduce the life of the rubber.

l0 Heretofore the means for mounting the lens in masks has tended to stretch and distort therubber or fabric adjacent thereto to such an extent as to cause an accelerated deadening or deterioration ofthe material resulting often in a failure of the seal at this point and leakage impairing the safety of the mask. The present invention is d signed to overcome this defect-and provide union or mounting forthe lens, which shall be securely sealed, but without imposing upon the rubber any strain which will iimpair its life; which holds the lens very securely against accidental displacement; and

a which permits of ready replacement of the lens "in case of breakage. One embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a section through the tubular member which constitutes the support for the lens. Fig. 21s a similar view showing the parts, including the lens and securing parts, in assembled relation preliminary to clamping them together. And- Fig. '3 is a section showing the completed assembly in clamped relation.

Referring to the drawing, I is one of the tubuof the mask being of soft rubber of the full molded type permitting the employment of thin and thicker portions at will, the material, as shown, being preformed so that it retains its shape. The first step in the assembly is the application of the base ring 2, which is easily positioned by collapsing the end of the rubber tube. This ring may be of any material, but is preferably steel carrying a rust proof coating. The lens of glass, or other transparent material; is then seated on the top of the tube, and a' sealing ring 3 of soft'rubber, or the like, is laid on the glass, followed by the application of the retaining ring 4, as indicated in Fig. 2. This ring may be of any suitable material, preferably brass with good drawing qualities.

The final step isthe crimping over of the lower edge of the ring 4, as indicated in Fig. 3. In such operation the bead 5 and the sealing ring 3 are compressed slightly, so as to insure a seal, such compression not being sufficient, however, to impair the life of the rubber. The bead 5 is preferably wedge-shaped, as shown, so that when the parts are in clamped position, as shown in n Fig. 3, the bead is securely gripped between the lar members for carrying the lens, this portion edge of the lens and the ring 2 and. it is practically impossible to accidentally collapse the wall of the tube so as to release. the head from the retaining ring. This detail of construction renders the mounting of the lens permanent and safe against'leakage under severe conditions of handling and use.

What I claim is:

1. In a gas mask construction, a tubular support of yielding molded material having a laterally projecting bead around its outer end of wedge shape with the portion of least thickness at its inner edge, a lens seated on the end of the tube,- a base ring around the tube fitting against the side .of the bead remote from the lens, and a retaining ring which is angular in cross section having one flange lying over the margin of the lens and the other flange extending across the edge of the bead and having its extreme edge turned inwardly around the edge of the base ring so as to lock it in position.

2. In a gas mask'construction, a tubular support of soft molded rubber having a laterally projecting bead around its outer end of wedge shape with the portion of least thickness at its inner edge, a lens seated on the end of the tube, 'a .base ring around the tube fitting against the side of the bead remote from the lens, and a retaining ring which is angular in cross section having one flange lying over the margin of the lens and the other flange extending across the edge of the bead and having its extreme edge turned inwardly around the edge of the base ring so as to lock it in position.

3. In a gas mask construction, a tubular support of yielding molded material having a laterally projecting bead around its outer end of wedge shape with the portion of least thickness at its inner edge, a lens seated on the end of the tube, a base ring around the tube fitting against the sideof the bead remote from the lens, a sealing ring of yielding material on the margin of the lens, and a retaining ring which is angular in cross section having one flange lying over said sealing ring and the other flange extending across the edge of the bead and having its extreme edge turned inwardly around the edge of the base ring so as to lock it in position.

4. In a gas mask construction, a tubular support of yielding molded material having a laterally projecting bead around its outer end of wedge shape with the portion of least thickness at its inner edge, a pair of clamping rings on opposite sides of the head, a lens on the end of the tube between the rings, a ring of yielding sealing material between the lens and one of the rings, and means for clamping the rings together so as to maintain the bead under compression.

THOMAS A. OLEARY.

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