A COMMUNICATION INTERFACE FOR BREATHING EQUIPMENT

摘要

This invention concerns all types of breathing equipment, ranging from simple passive systems where air is drawn through a filter in a face-mask by the wearer's breathing action, to sophisticated powered systems which supply clean air at a regulated positive pressure. In all cases, because some form of face-mark or hood must be worn communication by the wearer is severely restricted. The invention provides breathing protection equipment including acoustic coupling to a remotely located microphone. The microphone may, for example, be contained together with its electrical supply and a transmitter in the wearer's breast pocket, and be connected with the face mask of the breathing protection equipment by means of a flexible sound pipe. These arrangements place the microphone, and all other electrical parts remotely from the mask. Among other things this facilitates regular cleaning of the mask, and may improve the reliability of the system generally.