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GB2262239A - An oxygen mask provided with inflation means to tighten fit to the wearer - Google Patents

An oxygen mask provided with inflation means to tighten fit to the wearer Download PDF

Info

Publication number
GB2262239A
GB2262239A GB9225558A GB9225558A GB2262239A GB 2262239 A GB2262239 A GB 2262239A GB 9225558 A GB9225558 A GB 9225558A GB 9225558 A GB9225558 A GB 9225558A GB 2262239 A GB2262239 A GB 2262239A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
oxygen
exoskeleton
mask
bladder
facepiece
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB9225558A
Other versions
GB9225558D0 (en
Inventor
Roger Joseph Croft
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
UK Secretary of State for Defence
Original Assignee
UK Secretary of State for Defence
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from GB919126258A external-priority patent/GB9126258D0/en
Application filed by UK Secretary of State for Defence filed Critical UK Secretary of State for Defence
Priority to GB9225558A priority Critical patent/GB2262239A/en
Publication of GB9225558D0 publication Critical patent/GB9225558D0/en
Publication of GB2262239A publication Critical patent/GB2262239A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A62LIFE-SAVING; FIRE-FIGHTING
    • A62BDEVICES, APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR LIFE-SAVING
    • A62B18/00Breathing masks or helmets, e.g. affording protection against chemical agents or for use at high altitudes or incorporating a pump or compressor for reducing the inhalation effort
    • A62B18/02Masks
    • A62B18/025Halfmasks

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Zoology (AREA)
  • Pulmonology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Emergency Management (AREA)
  • Respiratory Apparatuses And Protective Means (AREA)

Abstract

An oxygen mask includes an exoskeleton 10, a flexible facepiece 11 with an oxygen delivery connection (15), an inflatable bladder 20 positioned between the exoskeleton 10 and the facepiece 15, and means (21, 23) for automatically inflating the bladder 20 when oxygen is delivered under pressure to the mask. <IMAGE>

Description

OXYGEN MASKS The present invention relates to oxygen masks of the type used by military aircrew.
It is well known that human life relies on the absorption of oxygen by the lungs. For absorption to take place the partial pressure of oxygen in the lungs must be above a certain minimum pressure.
It is also well known that one effect of increasing altitude is a reduction in air density (and hence in air pressure). To compensate for this effect aircrew are provided, through specially designed masks, known as oxygen masks, with an air supply having an enhanced, eventually pure, oxygen content. However an altitude, normally about 37,000 feet, is eventually reached where the pressure of even pure oxygen is insufficient for it to be absorbed. To overcome this problem aircraft cabins are pressurised.
The effect of loss of pressure in the cabin of an aircraft flying above the critical altitude is that occupants of the cabin rapidly become hypoxic (from lack of oxygen) and the consequent loss of consciousness can occur very quickly. To cope with this eventuality systems have been developed whereby loss of cabin pressure results in the supply to oxygen masks of pure oxygen at increased pressure relative to ambient pressure, sufficient for it to be absorbed by the lungs in an amount sufficient to prevent hypoxia. For this pressurised breathing to be effective an oxygen mask must clearly form a gas tight seal with its wearer's face. Masks held in position sufficiently tightly to fulfil this condition would be unbearably uncomfortable at this tightness, so masks have been developed which can be tightened when the wearer notices the onset of pressure breathing.Currently used masks each have a rigid exoskeleton, normally of a Fibre (usually glass fibre) Reinforced Plastic Material, to which is attached a flexible face piece. The exoskeleton is attached to a helmet by a mechanism which can be tightened to bring the facepiece into tighter contact with a wearer's face. The conventional arrangement includes a toggle bar which the wearer moves physically with his fingers.
Over recent years, pressure breathing has been introduced to help counter the effects of acceleration, in addition to the traditional role as a protection against hypoxia at high altitude.
Thus, modern high speed aircraft, particularly military fighter aircraft, have reached a state of development where the gravitational forces imposed on their crew can reach levels where, were pressure breathing to be introduced whilst manoeuvring, the physical task of tightening the oxygen masks would be difficult or even impossible.
There are known oxygen masks designed to tighten automatically when pressure breathing is applied, but these are complicated and expensive, relying on a bladder system, positioned at the rear of the helmet, which upon inflation re-orientates the helmet position and alters the whole geometry of the whole helmet/mask system. This can have a detrimental effect upon any helmet mounted device such as, for example, a weapons sight or visual display.
There is, therefore, a need for a simple and inexpensive automatically tensioning oxygen mask that functions independently of the helmet.
According to the present invention an oxygen mask includes an exoskeleton, means for attaching the exoskeleton to a helmet in a manner allowing a degree of movement relative thereto, the movement being limited to a predetermined maximum distance therefrom, a flexible facepiece with an oxygen delivery connection, an inflatable bladder positioned between the exoskeleton and the facepiece, and means for automatically inflating the bladder when oxygen is delivered under pressure to the mask.
The means for automatically inflating the bladder preferably comprise a connection to the oxygen delivery system.
One embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, of which; Figure 1 is a front elevation of a mask according to the invention, Figure 2 is a side elevation of the mask shown in Figure 1, Figure 3 is a side elevation, in section along line I-I of Figure 1, and Figure 4 is a sketch illustrating the operation of a tightening toggle of a conventional mask.
A conventional oxygen mask for use with a pressure breathing system has an exoskeleton 10, formed of, for example, Glass Fibre Reinforced Plastic (GRP) to which is secured a flexible facepiece 11 made from, for example, silicone rubber. The mask will normally contain radio transmission equipment at position 12, details of which are omitted for clarity.
The exoskeleton 10 has oxygen tube access ports by means of one of which an oxygen tube can be connected via inlet 15 (Figure 2) to the inside of the facepiece 11, and the exoskeleton 10 and facepiece 11 have exhaust valves 18, 19 respectively.
The mask exo-skeleton 10 of the mask has connecting chains 16 by means of which it can be secured to a helmet. The chains 16 are mounted on a toggle system 17 which, in use, can be rotated through 180 degrees (see Figure 4) to tighten the facepiece, via the exo-skeleton, against the face of a wearer (not shown).
In a mask according to the invention the facepiece 11 is secured to an inflatable bladder 20 which itself is secured to the exoskeleton 10. A connector 21 (Figure 1) allows a access to the bladder.
In use a wearer (not shown) dons a helmet (not shown) and attaches a mask to the helmet by means of the chains 16 in the usual way. An oxygen pipe 22 is connected to the facepiece 11 by means of the ports 14, and is also connected by means of a tube 23 and the connector 21 to the bladder 20. Whenever the oxygen system switches to the pressure breathing mode oxygen under pressure will be supplied not only to the wearer via the inside of the facepiece 11 but also to the bladder 20. The bladder 20 will inflate, so forcing the facepiece against the face of the wearer.
It will be realised that many variations are possible within the scope of the invention. For example an independent gas supply, preferably operated by the same actuation means as the pressurised oxygen supply, may be used for pressurising the bladder. Although more complicated, this arrangement allows for different pressurisation levels of the oxygen to the user and of gas to the bladder.
Whilst the chains 16 are illustrated as being attached to a toggle 17 this may be dispensed with in masks according to the invention, with the chains 16 being attached directly to the exoskeleton 10. Alternatively the toggle 17 may be retained as a back-up in case of failure of the bladder 20.
Versions of the mask other than for attachment to a helmet are possible.
Preferably the bladder 20 should cover the maximum area of the facepiece 11 , though clearly some uncovered areas must remain to allow, for example, for an exhaust valve.

Claims (3)

CLAIMS What is claimed is:
1. An oxygen mask including an exoskeleton, means for attaching the exoskeleton to a helmet in a manner allowing a degree of movement relative thereto, the movement being limited to a predetermined maximum distance therefrom, a flexible facepiece with an oxygen delivery connection, an inflatable bladder positioned between the exoskeleton and the facepiece, and means for automatically inflating the bladder when oxygen is delivered under pressure to the mask.
2. An oxygen mask as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the means for automatically inflating the bladder comprise a connection to the oxygen delivery system.
3. An oxygen mask substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings
3. An oxygen mask as claimed in Claim 1 or in Claim 2 wherein the exoskeleton is attached to the helmet by means of a chain.
4. An oxygen mask as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3 wherein the exoskeleton is attached to the helmet by means including a toggle arrangement.
GB9225558A 1991-12-11 1992-12-05 An oxygen mask provided with inflation means to tighten fit to the wearer Withdrawn GB2262239A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9225558A GB2262239A (en) 1991-12-11 1992-12-05 An oxygen mask provided with inflation means to tighten fit to the wearer

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB919126258A GB9126258D0 (en) 1991-12-11 1991-12-11 Oxygen masks
GB9225558A GB2262239A (en) 1991-12-11 1992-12-05 An oxygen mask provided with inflation means to tighten fit to the wearer

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB9225558D0 GB9225558D0 (en) 1993-01-27
GB2262239A true GB2262239A (en) 1993-06-16

Family

ID=26299987

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB9225558A Withdrawn GB2262239A (en) 1991-12-11 1992-12-05 An oxygen mask provided with inflation means to tighten fit to the wearer

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2262239A (en)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2271285A (en) * 1992-10-09 1994-04-13 Michael Beard Automatic tensioner for a face mask harness
GB2393126A (en) * 2002-09-18 2004-03-24 Joseph Anthony Griffiths Flexible face mask having a variable extending seal arrangement
GB2409817A (en) * 2004-01-12 2005-07-13 Helmet Integrated Syst Ltd Fitted cap for use in helmet

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB826198A (en) * 1957-06-07 1959-12-31 Frankenstein & Sons Manchester Improvements in or relating to oxygen breathing masks and helmets
FR2657264A1 (en) * 1990-01-25 1991-07-26 Ulmer Aeronautique Sa Improvement to breathing masks
WO1992000120A1 (en) * 1990-06-26 1992-01-09 Cam Lock (Uk) Ltd. Improved breathing equipment for aircrew

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB826198A (en) * 1957-06-07 1959-12-31 Frankenstein & Sons Manchester Improvements in or relating to oxygen breathing masks and helmets
FR2657264A1 (en) * 1990-01-25 1991-07-26 Ulmer Aeronautique Sa Improvement to breathing masks
WO1992000120A1 (en) * 1990-06-26 1992-01-09 Cam Lock (Uk) Ltd. Improved breathing equipment for aircrew

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2271285A (en) * 1992-10-09 1994-04-13 Michael Beard Automatic tensioner for a face mask harness
GB2393126A (en) * 2002-09-18 2004-03-24 Joseph Anthony Griffiths Flexible face mask having a variable extending seal arrangement
GB2393126B (en) * 2002-09-18 2004-11-03 Joseph Anthony Griffiths High G oxygen mask for aircrew
US6892730B2 (en) 2002-09-18 2005-05-17 Joseph Anthony Griffiths High G oxygen mask for aircrew
GB2409817A (en) * 2004-01-12 2005-07-13 Helmet Integrated Syst Ltd Fitted cap for use in helmet
GB2409817B (en) * 2004-01-12 2009-02-18 Helmet Integrated Syst Ltd Headgear

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB9225558D0 (en) 1993-01-27

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
WAP Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1)