Latching device for attaching a breathing mask to a helmet

Details Latching device for attaching a breathing mask to a helmet Latching device for attaching a breathing mask to a helmet

1996-06-24

2001-02-06

Neas, Michael A. (Department: 3408)

Apparel

Guard or protector

For wearer's head

C292S005000, C292S010000, C024S584100, C024S607000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06182298

ABSTRACT:

This invention relates to a latching device, preferred embodiments of which are for use in attaching a breathing mask to a helmet for example as used by military aircrew.
Known helmet and breathing mask assemblies employ two-part latches one on each side of the helmet. One part of each latch, a receptacle, is fixed to the helmet and the other, an insert, is attached to a strap of the breathing mask so that when the latches are assembled the mask is held to the wearer's face.
The service requirements of these latches are demanding. They must be capable of fast and positive engagement so that the wearer can fit his mask quickly, they must be robust to withstand rough handling, and they must not come undone under any likely service condition.
These requirements have led to prior art latches being of metal construction and of considerable length, with the result that the end of the latch projects, causing a potential snagging hazard for parachute lines.
These latches embody pivoted levers on the insert portion, carrying teeth which engage detents on the receptacle. Positive latching depends on forces being transmitted through the length of the levers to the teeth, and sometimes these levers fail in service due to the bending stresses imposed upon them.
At least the preferred embodiments of the present invention are directed to avoiding these problems of the prior art.
In one aspect the invention provides a latching device comprising first and second portions slidably receivable one in the other, the portions having detachably engageable parts for latching the portions together, one said part being carried on its said portion by a carrier member and being arranged to abut fixed structure of said portion so that in-service loads are transmitted to the fixed structure without being transmitted to the carrier member, the one detachably engaged part being slidable on said fixed structure to effect disengagement.
In another aspect the Invention provides a latching device comprising first and second portions slidably receivable one in the other, the portions having detachably engageable parts for latching the portions together, one said part being carried by a carrier member moveable along an arcuate path to disengage said parts, the detachably engageable parts having conforming contacting surfaces disposed relative to the centre of revolution of said arcuate path to resist separation of the first and second portions.
Resistance to separation is achieved in a preferred embodiment by arranging that a normal to the conforming contacting surfaces passes between said path and the said centre of revolution thereof.
The said one part may be supported by a said first or second portion so that latching forces are not transmitted to the carrier member.
The carrier member may be disposed in a groove defining the said arcuate path.
The device may comprise a release member for applying a force to the carrier member substantially tangentially to the arcuate path to disengage said parts.
The release member may be slidably mounted on a said portion.
There may be means for limiting the travel of the release member.
Preferably there are means for displacing the carrier member along the arcuate path to permit the first and second portions to be received one in the other.
A preferred embodiment has two oppositely-facing sets of engageable parts disposed one set on each side of the first and second portions.
There may be common resilient means for biasing the engageable parts of each set into engagement.
The detachably engageable parts may be a tooth and a detent.
There may be a plurality of detents permitting the first and second portions to be latched in different relative positions.
The first portion may be a receptacle and the second portion an insert receivable therein.
The first portion may comprise means for attaching it to a helmet, and the second portion may comprise means for attaching it to a strap of a breathing mask.
The invention also includes a helmet and mask assembly comprising a latching device as set forth above.


REFERENCES:
patent: 2867812 (1959-01-01), Roth et al.
patent: 3035573 (1962-05-01), Morton, Jr. et al.
patent: 4084298 (1978-04-01), Fohl
patent: 4208771 (1980-06-01), Biller
patent: 4625371 (1986-12-01), Ueda
patent: 4648138 (1987-03-01), Brigden et al.
patent: 4803980 (1989-02-01), Nowakowski et al.
patent: 652513 (1951-04-01), None
patent: 2179092 (1987-02-01), None
patent: 2287745 (1995-09-01), None

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