Mask retaining lanyard device

Abstract

Apparatus and associated methods relate to a mask retaining lanyard device. In an illustrative example, the mask retaining lanyard device may include an accessory retaining lanyard, an accessory retaining module coupled to the accessory retaining lanyard for releasably couple to an accessory object, and a mask retaining lanyard portion coupled distally to the accessory retaining lanyard and configured to releasably couple to a facemask. The mask retaining lanyard portion, for example, may include two mask retaining arms. For example, each of the mask retaining arms may be fixedly attached to the accessory retaining lanyard in one end and configured to releasably couple to the facemask in the other end. Various embodiments may advantageously allow the facemask to be selectively operated between a stowage mode and a deployed mode while providing convenient access to often used accessories.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A mask retaining lanyard device, comprising:
 an accessory retaining lanyard;   an accessory retaining module coupled to the accessory retaining lanyard and configured to releasably couple to an accessory object; and,   a mask retaining lanyard portion coupled distally to the accessory retaining lanyard and configured to releasably couple to a facemask, wherein the mask retaining lanyard portion comprises:
 a first mask retaining arm; and 
 a second mask retaining arm; 
   wherein a proximal end of each of the first mask retaining arm and the second mask retaining arm is fixedly attached to the accessory retaining lanyard, and a distal end of each of the first mask retaining arm and the second mask retaining arm is provided with a corresponding distal coupling module configured to releasably couple to the facemask, such that, when the facemask is coupled to the distal coupling modules, the facemask may be selectively operated at least between:
 a deployed mode over a face of a wearer, and 
 a stowage mode wherein the first mask retaining arm and the second mask retaining arm retains the facemask below the face of the wearer and cranially to the accessory retaining module. 
   
     
     
         2 . The mask retaining lanyard device of  claim 1 , wherein the accessory retaining lanyard further comprises a coupling device at each end of the accessory retaining lanyard, the coupling device configured such that the ends of the accessory retaining lanyard are selectively connected. 
     
     
         3 . The mask retaining lanyard device of  claim 1 , further comprising an outer sleeve configured such that the mask retaining lanyard portion is coupled distally to the accessory retaining lanyard by the outer sleeve. 
     
     
         4 . The mask retaining lanyard device of  claim 1 , wherein the mask retaining lanyard portion is coupled distally to the accessory retaining lanyard by a pattern of filament repeatedly passing at least partially through the accessory retaining lanyard and the mask retaining lanyard portion. 
     
     
         5 . The mask retaining lanyard device of  claim 1 , wherein the mask retaining lanyard portion is coupled distally to the accessory retaining lanyard by at least one malleable coupling member passing through each of the accessory retaining lanyard and the mask retaining lanyard portion. 
     
     
         6 . The mask retaining lanyard device of  claim 1 , wherein the distal coupling modules each comprise a spring-loaded clip. 
     
     
         7 . The mask retaining lanyard device of  claim 1 , wherein the distal coupling modules each comprise a hook. 
     
     
         8 . The mask retaining lanyard device of  claim 1 , wherein the distal coupling modules each comprise a magnetic element. 
     
     
         9 . The mask retaining lanyard device of  claim 1 , wherein the distal coupling modules each comprise a first snap element configured to releasably engage the facemask when brought into register with a corresponding second snap element coupled to the facemask and a predetermined minimum force is applied urging each first snap element into engagement with the corresponding second snap element. 
     
     
         10 . A mask retaining lanyard device, comprising:
 an accessory retaining lanyard;   an accessory retaining module coupled to the accessory retaining lanyard and configured to releasably couple to an accessory object; and,   a mask retaining lanyard portion coupled distally to the accessory retaining lanyard and configured to releasably couple to a facemask, wherein the mask retaining lanyard portion comprises:
 a first mask retaining arm; and 
 a second mask retaining arm; 
   wherein a proximal end of each of the first mask retaining arm and the second mask retaining arm is fixedly attached to the accessory retaining lanyard, and a distal end of each of the first mask retaining arm and the second mask retaining arm is provided with a corresponding distal coupling module configured to releasably couple to the facemask.   
     
     
         11 . The mask retaining lanyard device of  claim 10 , wherein, when the facemask is couple to the distal coupling module, the facemask may be selectively operated at least between:
 a deployed mode over a face of a wearer, and   a stowage mode when the first mask retaining arm and the second mask retaining arm retains the facemask below the face of the wearer and cranially to the accessory retaining module.   
     
     
         12 . The mask retaining lanyard device of  claim 10 , wherein the accessory retaining lanyard further comprises a coupling device at each end of the accessory retaining lanyard, the coupling device configured such that the ends of the accessory retaining lanyard are selectively connected. 
     
     
         13 . The mask retaining lanyard device of  claim 10 , further comprising an outer sleeve configured such that the mask retaining lanyard portion is coupled distally to the accessory retaining lanyard by the outer sleeve. 
     
     
         14 . The mask retaining lanyard device of  claim 10 , wherein the mask retaining lanyard portion is coupled distally to the accessory retaining lanyard by a pattern of filament repeatedly passing at least partially through the accessory retaining lanyard and the mask retaining lanyard portion. 
     
     
         15 . The mask retaining lanyard device of  claim 10 , wherein the mask retaining lanyard portion is coupled distally to the accessory retaining lanyard by at least one malleable coupling member passing through each of the accessory retaining lanyard and the mask retaining lanyard portion. 
     
     
         16 . The mask retaining lanyard device of  claim 10 , wherein the distal coupling modules each comprise a spring-loaded clip. 
     
     
         17 . The mask retaining lanyard device of  claim 10 , wherein the distal coupling modules each comprise a hook. 
     
     
         18 . The mask retaining lanyard device of  claim 10 , wherein the distal coupling modules each comprise a magnetic element. 
     
     
         19 . The mask retaining lanyard device of  claim 10 , wherein the distal coupling modules each comprise a first snap element configured to releasably engage the facemask when brought into register with a corresponding second snap element coupled to the facemask and a predetermined minimum force is applied urging each first snap element into engagement with the corresponding second snap element. 
     
     
         20 . A mask retaining lanyard device, comprising:
 an accessory retaining lanyard;   an accessory retaining module coupled to the accessory retaining lanyard and configured to releasably couple to an accessory object; and,   means for releasably coupling a facemask to the accessory retaining lanyard such that, when the facemask is coupled to the means for releasably coupling the facemask, the facemask may be selectively operated at least between:
 a deployed mode over a face of a wearer, and 
 a stowage mode wherein the means for releasably coupling the facemask retains the facemask below the face of the wearer and cranially to the accessory retaining module.