Surgery – Respiratory method or device
Reexamination Certificate
2002-01-10
2003-03-04
Dawson, Glenn K. (Department: 3761)
Surgery
Respiratory method or device
C128S205240, C128S205250, C128S206270, C128S207120
Reexamination Certificate
active
06526967
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is broadly concerned with improved crew mask and stowage assembly combinations broadly including a stowage box and a crew mask assembly which are designed for ease of the crew mask deployment and use, while also permitting rapid and easy restowage of the mask. More particularly, the invention is concerned with such combinations, as well as stowage assemblies and methods of operation, wherein a shut-off member is operably associated with the crew mask assembly for selective depressurization of mask supply tubing during restowage; when the mask and tubing are restowed, closure of the stowage box door serves to automatically repressurize the mask tubing so that the mask is again ready for use.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Commercial aircraft crew cabins are universally supplied with emergency oxygen systems. Typically, at each crew member station a stowage box is provided which houses a donnable mask and a length of gas-conveying tubing. In the ready condition, the tubing is pressurized so that breathable gas will be immediately delivered to the crew member when the mask is deployed. In an emergency situation, the crew member grasps a protruding portion of the mask and pulls it, along with the tubing, from the confines of the stowage box. Pressurized breathable gas is delivered through the tubing to the crew member once the mask is properly donned.
After use of a crew mask in an emergency situation or after testing, the mask and tubing must be properly restowed within the box in a ready configuration. However, a problem arises during restowing owing to the fact that the elongated tubing remains fully pressurized. That is, crew members often find it difficult to properly coil the tubing in a desirable neat way within the housing, because of the fact that the pressurized tubing is difficult to manipulate. Consequently, either considerable time and effort is required to properly restow the mask assembly, or the crew member simply “stuffs” the tubing into the box without regard to properly coiling the tubing. The latter alternative is very undesirable, given that the tubing may tangle during the next mask deployment.
There is accordingly a need in the art for an improved apparatus and method permitting rapid and easy restowage of crew mask equipment while at the same time ensuring that the equipment is in a full ready condition once restowed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention overcomes the problems outlined above and provides an improved crew mask and stowage assembly combination broadly including a stowage box presenting an open end and having a door adjacent the open end which is movable between a closed, mask stowage position and a open, mask deployment position. The overall combination further includes a crew mask assembly comprising a donnable crew mask, a length of breathable gas-conveying tubing coupled with the mask, and a valve unit operably connected with the tubing for delivery of pressurized breathable gas to the tubing to thereby pressurize the latter. The mask and tubing are normally located within the box and are removable therefrom for deployment and use when the box door is in its open position. Moreover, the mask and tubing are replaceable in the box through the box open end, whereupon the door is returned to its closed position. A shut-offmember is operably associated with the crew mask assembly to selectively depressurize the tubing in order to facilitate restowage of the mask and tubing into the box. However, the door and crew mask assembly are cooperatively configured for repressurization of the tubing in response to movement of the door to its closed position. Thus, in preferred forms, a user may depressurize the mask tubing by manipulation of the shut-off member to a gas-off position, so that the tubing and mask can be easily restowed; thereafter, when the box door is closed, the shut-off member is shifted back to a gas-on position to effect repressurization of the mask tubing.
In preferred forms, the valve unit is secured within the box and includes a shiftable control plunger. The shut-offmember is in the form of a shiftable switch lever engageable with the plunger and having a camming surface. The box door carries a complemental camming member so that, during door closure, the switch lever is cammed to the gas-on position.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3981302 (1976-09-01), Veit
patent: 5954052 (1999-09-01), McDonald et al.
patent: 90/02582 (1990-03-01), None
Cordero Enrique A.
Frogley Kirsten S.
McDonald Thomas K.
Morris James P.
BE Intellectual Property Inc.
Dawson Glenn K.
Hovey & Williams, LLP
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