US2921581A - Adhesive-type oxygen mask - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 19, 1960 J. J SWEARINGEN ETAL 2,921,581

ADHESIVE-TYPE OXYGEN MASK Original Filed Oct. 21, 1955 2 Sheets-$heet 1 INVENTOR imesffl. Mf'adde BY m V fi I 47 TOR/YE) Jan. 19, 1960 J. J- SWEARINGEN ETAL 2,921,581

ADHESIVE-TYPE OXYGEN MASK Original Filed Oct. 21, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY I 1Q nee/v7 United States ADHESIVE-TYPE OXYGEN MASK John J. Swearingen and Ernest B. McFadden, Columbus, Ohio, assignors to the United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Commerce 4 Claims. (Cl. 128-146) This invention relates to breathing apparatus and especially contemplates an oxygen mask assembly in which the mask is automatically presented for use when deviations from specified atmospheric conditions occur. The present invention, is a division of applicants copending application, Serial No. 542,115, filed on October 21, 1955 now Patent No. 2,809,633 of October 15, 1957.

With the advent of pressurized cabins in commercial aviation consequent to the desire to attain greater speeds and flight altitudes, it has become imperative to devise safety measures and equipment to insure the well being of the passenger in the event of cabin pressure failures.

At altitudes in excess of 10,000 feet, the oxygen content of the air becomes sufficiently low so as to affect the physiological processes of the human body in a detrimental manner as is well known. Therefore, in the event of a pressure failure at high altitudes, it is imperative to quickly make oxygen available to the passengers. Existing emergency oxygen equipment is relatively bulky, expensive and requires a certain amount of instruction for proper use. Moreover, since such apparatus cannot be readily concealed, it presents a somewhat formidable appearance to the average passenger, a condition which is clearly not conducive to relaxation while traveling.

The oxygen apparatus comprising the present invention has therefore been devised to provide a cheap, lightweight disposable mask which is normally contained in a small unobtrusive container adapted to be easily mounted inconspicuously adjacent each passenger. The housing or container includes a mechanism for automatically releasing the mask when a pressure drop of predetermined magnitude is detected and presenting the mask to the passenger in a manner that is extremely simple and eflective. The mask is made of a simple cloth-like, molded rubber or plastic material which can readily be disposed of after use. The maintenance of a mask for each passenger on a plane therefore is extremely economical and practicable.

The development of such device therefore provides a safety standard on the basis of which emergency equipment can be prescribed for commercial aviation by regulatory agencies such as the CAB.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an oxygen mask and presentation device which is automatic in operation, economical and sufiiciently compact to make practicable its adaptation to commercial airline use. 7

A further object is to provide an oxygen mask having securing means which adapts it to be secured to the face of the user with a minimum of skill and eifort.

An additional object of. this invention is to provide an oxygen mask which possesses radial symmetry so as to conform to the contour of the users faces and obviates the need of observing physical congruence when applying.

A still further object of this invention is to provide an oxygen mask assembly, in which the mask is normally safely concealed in an inconspicuous receptacle and in which means are provided for automatically releasing the atent O container and presenting the mask for application to the user when a pressure drop in the surrounding atmosphere is detected.

Another object of this invention is to provide a lowcost, disposable oxygen mask having adhesive-like securing means, and in which the means for protecting the adhesive surface is automatically removed upon presentation of the mask.

Other uses and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reference to the specification and drawings.

Fig. 1 is a pictorial representation of the oxygen mask in accordance with the present invention in use and applied to the face of the user;

Fig. 2A is an isometric view of the interior of the maskcontainer showing the mask presentation mechanism in cocked position;

Fig. 2B is a view of a portion of the mechanism shown in Fig. 2A illustrating the position of the operative elements at the start of release;

Fig. 3 represents the mechanism of Fig. 2A showing the position of the operative elements when fully released, the mask being in its final position of presentation;

Fig. 4 is a partialsectional view of a portion of the release mechanism, and

Figs. 5A and 5B are detailed views of the oxygen mask construction in accordance with the invention.

The mask The construction of the mask portion of the apparatus is detailed in Figs. 5A and 5B. The mask 20 may be made of elastic cloth, thin rubber, or plastic and is preferably formedin the shape of a frustum of a right circular cone. It has been determined that a cone-like body having a large diameter of about 4 /2", 21 small diameter 7 of approximately 1%" and a height of approximately 1 /4" allows perfect and comfortable fitting of different facial contours of both children and adults when applied over the nose and mouth. The cone-like shape described results in the mask possessing radial symmetry and eliminates the need for aligning the mask with the face before applying.

As shown in Fig. SE, a portion of the inner surface of the fabric cone 21 is provided with a thin rubber or pliable plastic lining 22 which is suitably cemented to the fabric body. When the cone portion is fabricated out of thin rubber or other plastic material it is preferably made in varying thicknesses, the base of the cone being made thin and flexible so as to be adaptable to the contours of persons faces, the upper portion of the cone being of greater thickness to provide sufficient body to the cone. The center of the cone is provided with an orifice in which a hollow grommet 23 is secured. The grommet provides an anchor for the end of an air hose 26 connected to the oxygen supply line in the plane. The remaining peripheral surface on the inside face of the cone is coated with a tacky adhesive-like material 24 such as Elastopl-ast.

A protective cover strip 25 is applied over the tacky portion as is conventional. As is apparent in Figs. 5A and SE, a tab 21a is formed integral with the cone, and a separate peeling tab 25a is provided on the protecting cover for a purpose to be described.

Since failure of the pressurizing apparatus in a plane is often incidental to failure of other power equipment, either the mask body 21, or the liner 22 may be impregnated or otherwise treated to exhibit fluorescent properties. For example, the use of a substance such as COL- O-VIN as the lining-material 22 not only provides the necessary degree of flexibility but is sutficiently fluorescent to enable the mask to be manipulated in thedark.

Container and release mechanism As indicated in Fig. 3, the oxygen mask container assembly according-to thepresent invention comprises cover plate 1, a base plate 2, and a removable cylindrical closure 3. The base plate includes studs 16 (Fig. 2A).which'fit into bayonet-type slots 16a (Fig. 3) in the cover plate tosecure theacovertonthe-base. The housing contains the previously described oxygen mask together'with-a portion of the-oxygen supply hose and the= automatic pressure responsive. release mechanism which-automatically. opens: the .closure 3 and projects the'mask for immediate use according to the position shown in Fig. 3.

The interiorof thehousing, with the coverplate 1 removed is more clearly illustrated as shown in Fig. 2A. The presentation mechanism is shown in its normal cocked-position ready to be triggered by a pressure change. The cylindrical closure 3 is shown in open position for. purposesofr clarity. lt 'is tobe understood that such closure is normallybanded around the baseplate to form an annular protective wall for the'interior mechanism.

Referring -to Fig; 2A there i is shown aperipheral anchoring block 4 which is rigidly-secured or maybe formed integral with the base plate2} The closure member 3 comprisesia. thin bandof spring-like material, the ends of which are suitably upset as indicated at 3a and 3b to provide-a friction'joint. Theend portion 3b' is adapted to snugly fit within the pocket portiondefined by the'end 3a when itheclqsure '3' is wrappedsnugly around the periphery of thehousing. The base plate' 'Zis suitably ma chined to provide an annular shoulder or ledge 2a extending peripherally around the circumference of the base-plate. The coverplate l is similarly shaped, and it will be apparent that such shoulder portions provide a seat for snugly'accomrnodating the-closure member 3.

The-center portion of the closure 3-is secured to the anchoring-block 4 by means of suitable fasteners 3 in a manner such that the closure will assume theapproximate position indicated in Fig. as will be described.

A triple-leaf volute spring'mask presentation" member 6 is rigidly fastened to the inner surface of the anchoring block bymeans of-fasteners 5a; The-presentation member 6 when untensioned'extends approximately tangentially outwardly from the housing as indicated inPig. 3. The end of the presentation memberis provided with an offset ledge 6a to which the oxygen-mask'is partially secured by means of-a' light adhesive orother readily dis-v connectable securing means. The-previously described tab 21a on the mask shownin-Figs; 5A and 5B provides a convenientmounting means for such purpose; The mask 20occupies the interiorof-the housing and is normally folded to-lie on'the base plate 2 as shownin Fig. 2A; The presentation member 6 is further provided with a catch 7 (Figs. 2A and 3) in the form of'an abutment having a recess (not shown) adapted to seat'over a restraining pinS; The pin 8 forms part of aboss 9secured to the base plate; When the presentation member 6 is retracted within the housing as shown in Fig. 2A, it'

assumes the volute form shown, and is firmly retained in the housingby the engagement between the catch 7' and restraining pin' 8:

A-trigger finger 10 'is provided in order to release the presentation member 6. The trigger finger is shown in Fig. 2A as being pivotally mounted on thebase plate 2 by means of a'pin 10a. One end -ofthe trigger is provided with a nose 10b adapted to engage against a surfaceof thepresentation member 6: The other end of the trigger finger 10 is engaged by a trigger spring 11. For convenience, the trigger spring may be in the form of a leafspring, one'end of which ,is fastened to the anchoring-block'4: The spring is shown in'a tensioned condition bearing against-the end of the trigger finger 10. When theaapparatusnisqin'the,cocked;position illustrated in Fig. 2A, the trigger finger. 10 is,held..against 2A, when it is released the force exerted by spring 11 by means of a sear 12.

The sear 12 extends through an opening 12a formed in The. pressure'sensing means comprisesa conventional aneroid element 13 whichis fastened to'the baseplate 2 by means of a fastener-13a-(Fig. 4). Anoperating crank 14 is mounted on a rocker 14a which is pivotally mounted on the base plate 2-by a pintle 14b. One end of the operating crank 14 is'disposed in alignment with the aneroid element, while the remote end of the crank extends downwardly through an opening inthe base plate as is more clearly shown in Fig. 4 and abuts the sear leaf spring 12b. It will be apparent from such described construction that expansion and contraction of the aneroid 13 will be reflected as a rocking movement of the crank 14 about the pintle 14b with consequent displacing of the'sear 12.

Operation The release mechanism is normally in cocked position within the housing as shown in Fig.- 2A. The mask 20 is neatly and compactly folded so as to be within the receptacle as shown in-Fig. 2A. The hose portion 26 extends out through the opening 15 in the base plate 2. With the flexible closure 3 and the cover plate 1 in place, the entire assembly has-a relatively fiat cylindrical appearance as indicated by the receptacle portion of the assembly shown'in Fig. 3. The unit may therefore be conveniently mounted on a portion of the seat occupied by the passenger won the bulkhead adjacent the seat. In any event the unit occupies verylittle room and is quite inconspicuous. The outwardly extending hose may be connected to the oxygen supply main of the plane or vehicle.

The tab 21a forming part of the cone portion of the mask 20 is suitably fastened to the ledge 6a on the presentationmember 6;. The tab may be adhesively joined to the ledge or may be otherwise tacked on so as to be readily removable therefrom. Alternately a spring clip fastener-or any suitable securing means may be employed, The tab forming part of the protective. cover for the adhesive surface 21 is engaged to be gripped by the jaws of the alligator clip 17.

The aneroid member 13 will tend to contract toward the base plate upon increase of the ambient or atmospheric pressure and to expand away therefrom when the atmospheric pressure decreases. The connecting arm 14 is cooperatively related with the aneroid 13 and the sear 12 as described. Hence, when the aneroid member is extended a predetermined amount consequent to a pressure drop as would be occasioned by a failure in the pressurizing system of the plane or vehicle or a voluntary dumping of pressure due to smoke or toxic gases, the pivoting of the member 14 will retract the sear pin and undog the restrained end of the trigger finger. The trigger will then be abruptly rotated by the trigger spring 11 and the nose portion 10b will force the catch 7 from engagement with the restraining pin 8. The position assumedby the trigger finger 10, andthe endof the presentation member 6 is diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 2B which shows catch.7 just after it is disengaged from the pin 8. Since the presentation member 6 is no longer constrained its unsecured end will fly outwardly, disengaging the frictionally held ends of the closure 3a and the mechanism will assume the position illustrated in Fig. 3. It will be apparent, that in such final position of presentment, the mask 20 is extended in a position most appropriate to removal by the user. As the mask 20 is jerked outwardly from the container by the spring action of the presentation member 6 the peeling tab 25a will be firmly held in the alligator clip and hence, the protective covering 25 will be automatically stripped, exposing the tacky or adhesive surface 24. The mask is thus rendered ready for use. The user merely removes the mask from the presentation member and applies it to his face in the manner indicated in Fig. l. The adhesive surface provides an efiicient anchoring means and seal, while the flexible construction and shape of the mask as described adapts it to various facial contours.

While an exemplary embodiment of the principles underlying the present invention has been shown and described it will be apparent that the invention is susceptible of many construction variations. The mask as described is constructed of elasticized gauze to which a rubber lining is applied. It is entirely feasible, however, to form the mask out of a molded rubber or pliable plastic composition. Moreover, the rubber lining may be applied to the fabric body by spraying, dipping, or other conventional methods. It is therefore not intended to limit the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. For use in a respiratory apparatus having a normal- 1y closed container which is automatically opened at a predetermined pressure and having an extendable mask presentation member and an anchoring means, a breathing mask comprising a body portion of substantially frustroconical shape and made of pliable material having elastic properties such that it may be stored in said container in flattened condition; the large diameter of said body portion being of a size sufiicient to cover the nasal and oral portions of the face and being deformable to the contours thereof, means for securing said mask to the face comprising a surface of tacky, adhesive-like material provided on the inner marginal area of said body portion adjacent the large diameter and a peelable protecting strip in said surface having a peeling tab secured to said anchoring means and adapted to be stripped to ready the mask for application and means for detachably securing said body portion to said presentation member.

2. The invention of claim 1 in which the small diameter of said cone is terminated in a. conduit adapted to be coupled to an oxygen source.

3. The invention of claim 1 in which said body portion comprises elastic-cloth material, the interior surface of said body portion being lined with a thin, pliable elastic material.

4. The invention of claim 1 in which a fluorescent material is incorporated in the mask,

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,247,925 Sebrell July 1, 1941 2,431,169 Dice Nov. 18, 1947 2,730,720 Saunders .Ian. 17, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 636,117 Germany Oct. 2, 1936

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