AU2007202982B2 - Multi-phase headset for pilots - Google Patents

Description

t AUSTRALIA Patents Act COMPLETE SPECIFICATION (ORIGINAL) Class Int. Class Application Number: Lodged: Complete Specification Lodged: Accepted: Published: Priority Related Art: Name of Applicant: BE Intellectual Property, Inc. Actual Inventor(s): Thomas K McDonald, Kirsten Frogley, Gary R Hannah Address for Service and Correspondence: PHILLIPS ORMONDE & FITZPATRICK Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys 367 Collins Street Melbourne 3000 AUSTRALIA Invention Title: MULTI-PHASE HEADSET FOR PILOTS Our Ref: 805455 POF Code: 1008/452077 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to applicant(s): 0- 16- 1a BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present application is a divisional application from Australian patent application number 2002354766, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 5 Field of the Invention The present invention is broadly concerned with improved headsets for aircraft crew members. Description of the Prior Art A reference herein to a patent document or other matter which is given as 10 prior art is not to be taken as an admission that that document or matter was, in Australia, known or that the information it contains was part of the common general knowledge as at the priority date of any of the claims. Pursuant to government regulations, passenger aircraft flight decks are provided with emergency oxygen equipment which is used by the air crew in the 15 event of an emergency such as a depressurization or smoke in the flight deck. Such equipment generally includes a mask (either full-face or covering the nose and mouth region of a wearer) which is stowed adjacent the crew member. When an emergency occurs, the mask is grasped, pulled from stowage and donned by the crew member. The mask is coupled with an oxygen supply hose so that 20 emergency oxygen, or an air-oxygen mixture, is delivered to the mask. Typically, emergency masks of this type must be capable of being donned within five seconds. U.S. Patent No. 4,915,106 describes a crew oxygen mask having an inflatable harness. That is, when the mask is pulled from stowage, the harness 25 straps are inflated and assume a substantially enlarged configuration allowing the mask assembly to be rapidly placed over the user's head. Thereupon, a valve mechanism is actuated to deflate the harness straps so that the harness tightens and securely holds the mask in place. The '106 patent further describes a comfort control feature allowing the crew member to adjust the effective tension of the 30 harness straps. U.S. Patent No. 3,599,636 discloses a similar harness-inflation mask assembly. While these types of crew oxygen masks can permit rapid mask donning, the crew member must find the mask, pull it out of stowage and put it on before the emergency can be addressed. Depending upon aircraft altitude, a slow 35 response on the part of the crew member or failure to recognize oxygen depletion P:\UsertBelinca BEH\710151\710151 Spec, DIV doc 2 can lead to catastrophic results. Moreover, inflatable harness masks require a rather large and bulky stowage device and related equipment, which must be situated in relatively close proximity to each crew member. This takes up valuable space within the already-crowded crew flight deck, and moreover increases 5 aircraft weight. Finally, in large commercial aircraft the oxygen hoses associated with conventional masks have become rather long, which again dictates that the stowage device must be of considerable size. Another hazard sometimes encountered in the flight deck is the presence of smoke, which may result from an electrical fire or the like. While existing crew 10 oxygen equipment supplies breathable gas to the crew members during smoky conditions, the presence of smoke can cause irritation to the eyes (if a half face mask is worn) or significantly obscure the crew member's vision. In light of this problem, a number of visors or other eye protective devices have been proposed. However, in many cases the supplemental smoke-protection equipment takes up 15 still further valuable deck space and requires additional donning time. In large commercial aircraft, there are multiple locations of stowed equipment which may result in the equipment being misplaced, lost, stolen or damaged. Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide improved air crew emergency oxygen and smoke protection equipment which can reduce or eliminate the need 20 for separate stowage devices and long supplemental oxygen hoses typical of inflatable-harness masks, but which can retain the ability to be deployed in a very rapid fashion during flight deck emergencies. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, there is provided a headset including: 25 a mounting assembly adapted to be worn on a user's head; a mask unit supported by said mounting assembly and including a mask body configured to cover at least the nose and mouth region of said user, said mask unit movable between a retracted position where the mask body is proximal to the crown of the user's head, and a deployed position where the 30 mask body is adjacent said nose and mouth region; a motive and control assembly operatively coupled with said mask unit for automatic translatory movement of the mask unit from said retracted position to said deployed position without manual translatory movement of the mask unit by the user, P XUSefnBehndaBEHi7 1015 17 10151 Spec DIV.doC 3 said mask unit including a gas delivery passageway operable to deliver breathable gas to the mask body when the mask body is in said deployed position thereof; and a visor unit supported by said mounting assembly and shiftable between a 5 retracted position where the visor is proximal to the crown of the user's head and a deployed position covering the eyes of the user, said visor including an upper periphery, there being a device adjacent such upper periphery for inhibiting entrance of smoke into the visor, said device including a series of gas outlet openings along said upper 10 periphery, and a conduit for delivery of pressurized gas to said outlet openings. According to the present invention, there is also provided a headset including: a mounting assembly adapted to be worn on a user's head; a mask unit supported by said mounting assembly and including a mask body configured to cover at least the nose and mouth region of said user, 15 said mask unit movable between a retracted position where the mask body is proximal to the crown of the user's head, and a deployed position where the mask body is adjacent said nose and mouth region; a motive and control assembly operatively coupled with said mask unit for automatic translatory movement of the mask unit from said retracted position to 20 said deployed position without manual translatory movement of the mask unit by the user, said mask unit including a gas delivery passageway operable to deliver breathable gas to the mask body when the mask body is in said deployed position thereof; and 25 sealing structure disposed on opposite sides of said mask body and operable to prevent entrance of smoke, said sealing structure including flexible skirt sections secured to opposite sides of said mask body, and an operator coupled with said skirt sections for moving the skirt sections to engage the face of the user. 30 According to the present invention, there is also provided a headset including: a mounting assembly adapted to be worn on a user's head; a mask unit supported by said mounting assembly and including a mask body configured to cover at least the nose and mouth region of said user, P \User\Behn0a\BE M710151\710151 Spea DIV doc 4 said mask unit movable between a retracted position where the mask body is proximal to the crown of the user's head, and a deployed position where the mask body is adjacent said nose and mouth region; a motive and control assembly operatively coupled with said mask unit for 5 automatic translatory movement of the mask unit from said retracted position to said deployed position without manual translatory movement of the mask unit by the user, said mask unit including a gas delivery passageway operable to deliver breathable gas to the mask body when the mask body is in said deployed position 10 thereof; and sealing structure disposed on opposite sides of said mask body and operable to prevent entrance of smoke, said mask unit including an arcuate, pivotally mounted arm supporting mask body, said sealing structure including a series of gas outlet openings along 15 the length of said arm, and a pressurized gas conduit community with the openings for delivery of pressurized gas thereto. According to the present invention, there is further provided a headset including: a mounting assembly adapted to be worn on a user's head; a visor unit supported by said mounting assembly and including a visor 20 configured to cover the eyes of said user, said visor unit movable between a retracted position where the visor unit is proximal to the crown of the user's head, and a deployed position where the visor unit is covering the eyes of said user; and motive and control assembly means operably coupled with said visor unit 25 for selective automatic translatory movement thereof between said retracted and deployed positions thereof without manual translatory movement of the visor unit by the user, said visor including an upper periphery, there being a device adjacent such upper periphery for inhibiting entrance of smoke into the visor, 30 said device including a series of gas outlet openings along said upper periphery, and a conduit for delivery of pressurized gas to said outlet openings. The present invention can provide compact, comfortable to wear crew headsets which can have selectively usable mask and visor units shiftable from upper stored positions atop the wearer's head to lowered, deployed positions. 35 Broadly speaking, the headsets of the invention include a mounting assembly P:\User\Behnda\BEH\7 10151\710151 Spec, DIV aoc 5 which supports the movable mask and visor units as well as a motive and control assembly which can be pneumatically or electrically operated. Mask and visor unit movement can be effected manually or automatically via control buttons or the like, or aneroid or voice command operators, or smoke detectors. 5 In one preferred form, the mask unit includes an inflatable mask body or preformed face seal which when deployed can engage the nose and mouth region of the user; a gas passageway can provide breathable gas to the inflated mask. The mask unit can also include means to prevent entrance of smoke into the headset. This may include a series of inwardly directed pressurized air curtain 10 outlet passageways, or flexible sheet-like or bristle barriers on opposite sides of the inflatable mask. The visor unit has a transparent lens and may also include a series of air curtain outlet passageways along the upper periphery thereof. Pressurized gas can be directed to the outlet passageways to create an air curtain directed toward 15 the user's forehead. In this way, the ingress of smoke into the visor unit can be prevented. Inflatable bellows or a flexible curtain may be used in lieu of the air curtain passageways for the same purpose. Advantageously, the present invention can provide a headset which is comfortable to wear and includes shiftable mask and visor units which can be 20 automatically or manually moved from a retracted position over the crown of the wearer's head to lowered, deployed positions. In this way, little or no effort is required by aircraft crew members in emergency situations such as flight deck depressurization or smoke in the flight deck, so that the crew may very rapidly receive breathable gas and have eye protection. 25 As deployment of the mask and visor units is very rapid, and the necessity of physically grasping, donning and adjusting a mask in emergencies can be reduced or entirely eliminated. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 30 Figure 1 is a perspective view of a headset including individually deployable mask and visor units; Fig. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the headset of Fig. 1 mounted on the head of a user; Fig. 3 is a front perspective view of the headset of Fig. 1 shown with the 35 mask and visor units in their deployed condition; P UserBehn2aBEk710151\710151 Spec DIV coc 6 Fig. 4 is a fragmentary side view depicting the headset of Fig. 1 on the head of the user, with the mounting assembly in its initial, retracted position; Fig. 5 is a view similar to that of Fig. 4, but showing the mounting assembly fully deployed and with the mask unit in its lowered position prior to fitting of the 5 mask about the nose and mouth region of the user; Fig. 6 is a side view similar to that of Fig. 5, but showing the mask unit fully deployed and in sealing engagement with the face of the user; Fig. 7 is a side view similar to that of Fig. 6, but showing the complemental visor unit in its lowered, fully deployed position atop the mask unit; 10 Fig. 8 is a greatly enlarged, fragmentary view depicting the use of an air current for inhibiting the entrance of smoke into the visor unit upon deployment thereof; Fig. 9 is a side view similar to that of Fig. 5, but showing the opposite side of the headset; 15 Fig. 10 is a side view similar to that of Fig. 7, but showing the opposite side of the headset with the mask and visor units in their lowered, deployed positions; Fig. 11 is a plan view of the Fig. 1 headset, with the mask unit lowered but not fully deployed as depicted in Fig. 5; Fig. 12 is a view similar to that of Fig. 11, but showing the mask unit in its 20 extended, face-sealing orientation; Fig. 13 is an enlarged, vertical sectional view taken along line 13-13 of Fig. 11 and illustrating in detail the configuration of the mask bellows and the flow paths for gas inflation of the bellows and delivery of breathable gas to the user; Fig. 14 is a vertical sectional view taken along line 14-14 of Fig. 12, 25 depicting the bellows in the extended, face-sealing orientation thereof and also showing the operation of the mask during exhalation; Fig. 15 is a vertical sectional view taken along line 15-15 of Fig. 12 and further depicting the configuration of the gas passageways for inflation and breathable gas; 30 Fig. 16 is a vertical sectional view taken along line 16-16 of Fig. 12, showing the configuration of the pneumatic portion of the motive and control assembly for the headset of Fig. 1; Fig. 17 is a side view of another headset shown with the mask and visor units deployed and including a mounting assembly including stationary, orthogonal 35 head straps; P: Usenehnda\BEH\71015 1\710151Spec DIV Dac 7 Fig. 18 is a side view of another headset shown with the mask and visor units deployed and including a mounting assembly including a stationary skull cap member; Fig. 19 is a side view of another headset shown with the mask and visor 5 units deployed and including a mounting assembly including stationary head straps of "halo" configuration; Fig. 20 is a schematic box diagram illustrating the interrelationship of the components of the preferred motive and control assembly forming a part of the headsets; 10 Fig. 21 is a fragmentary, partially schematic and partially sectional view of one form of drive mechanism used to deploy and retract the mounting assembly and mask; Fig. 22 is a fragmentary, partially schematic and partially sectional view of another form of drive mechanism used to deploy and retract the mounting 15 assembly and mask; Fig. 23 is a view similar to that of Fig. 22, but showing the drive assembly in its extended position upon deployment of the mounting assembly and mask unit; Fig. 24 is a fragmentary, partially schematic and partially sectional view of 20 another form of drive mechanism used to deploy and retract the mounting assembly and mask and/or visor units of the headsets; Fig. 25 is a view similar to that of Fig. 24, but showing the drive assembly in its extended position upon deployment of the mounting assembly and mask unit; 25 Fig. 26 is a fragmentary, partially schematic view of another form of drive mechanism used to deploy and retract the mounting assembly and mask and/or visor units of the headsets; Fig. 27 is a fragmentary, vertical sectional view of the Fig. 1 headset in its fully deployed condition, and illustrating the mask inflation and breathable gas 30 passageways, as well as the use of air curtain assemblies for inhibiting entrance of smoke into the headset; Fig. 28 is a fragmentary top view of the headset illustrated in Fig. 27; Fig. 29 is a vertical sectional view taken along line 29-29 of Fig. 27 and showing the operation of the air curtain assemblies; P\UserBehndBEH710 151710151 Spec. DV doc 7a Fig. 30 is an enlarged, fragmentary vertical sectional view of a modified visor unit making use of an inflatable bellows for face-sealing purposes; Fig. 31 is a view similar to that of Fig. 30, but illustrating the bellows in its inflated condition; 5 Fig. 32 is a fragmentary side view of another headset design, including a manual slider curtain mechanism allowing manual deployment of the mask unit against the face of the user; Fig. 33 is a fragmentary top view of the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 32; Fig. 34 is a view similar to that of Fig. 32, but showing the curtain 10 mechanism in its deployed, face-engaging position; Fig. 35 is a fragmentary top view of the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 34; Fig. 36 is a greatly enlarged, fragmentary view illustrating the construction of the curtain mechanism of Figs. 32-35, in its retracted position; Fig. 37 is a view similar to that of Fig. 36, but with certain parts broken 15 away and showing the curtain mechanism in its deployed position; Fig. 38 is a fragmentary side view of a headset employing a mask unit having a brush-type face sealing unit; Fig. 39 is a fragmentary top view of the headset shown in Fig. 38; Fig. 40 is a sectional view taken along line 40-40 of Fig. 38 and showing 20 the mask and brush unit fully deployed; Fig. 41 is a sectional view taken along line 41-41 of Fig. 41, and depicting the engagement between the brush unit and the face of the user; Fig. 42 is a sectional view taken along line 42-42 of Fig. 41, and depicting the operator associated with the brush unit; 25 Fig. 43 is a view similar to that of Fig. 42, showing the operator in the retracted condition of the brush unit; Fig. 44 is a schematic illustration of one type of pneumatic controller used for selective deployment and retraction of the mask unit, with a manual valve operator; 30 Fig. 45 is a schematic illustration of one type of pneumatic controller used for selective deployment and retraction of the mask unit, with a manual and automatic (aneroid) valve operator; Fig. 46 is a schematic illustration of one type of pneumatic controller used for selective deployment and retraction of the mask unit, with manual and 35 automatic valve operators, and a voice actuated operator; P\UseAeIhnda\BEH710151\710151 Spec DIV ac 7b Fig. 47 is a schematic illustration of one type of pneumatic controller used for selective deployment and retraction of the visor unit, with a manual valve operator; Fig. 48 is a schematic illustration of one type of pneumatic controller used 5 for selective deployment and retraction of the visor unit, with a manual and automatic (smoke detector) valve operator; and Fig. 49 is a schematic illustration of one type of pneumatic controller used for selective deployment and retraction of the visor unit, with manual and automatic valve operators, and a voice actuated operator. 10 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Turning now to the drawings, a preferred headset 50 is illustrated in Figs. 1-16,20, 45 and 48. Broadly speaking, the headset 50 includes a head mounting assembly 52, a mask unit 54, visor unit 56, and a motive and control assembly 58 15 (see Figs. 20-21). The headset 50 is designed to be worn by a user 60 so that the mask and visor units 54, 56 may be selectively maintained in a retracted position (see Fig. 2) or, in the event of an emergency situation, may be deployed (Fig. 3). In more detail, the mounting assembly 52 includes a pair of opposed ear pieces 62,64 oriented to cover the ears of user 60, together with an arcuate strap 20 assembly 66 extending between the ear pieces 62,64 and designed to extend over the crown of the user's head. The ear piece 62 includes an upper, open ended slot 68 as well as fittings 70,72 respectively for coupling of an oxygen line 74 and electrical lead 76 (see Figs. 1-2) The exterior face of the ear piece 62 is equipped with a regulator selector knob 78 and regulator air entrance slots 79, as 25 well as actuator buttons 80 and 82 for operation of the mask and visor units 54, 56, respectively. The opposed ear piece 64 is similar, having an upper, open ended slot 84; this ear piece also pivotally supports a selectively deployable microphone 86 and a retinal scanning display device 88. The inner faces of each of the ear pieces 62,64 is provided with circumscribing padding 90 and earphone 30 92. Such display devices and the use thereof in crew masks is fully described in co- pending and concurrently filed application entitled "Aviation Crew Mask with Retinal Scan Instrument Display for Smoke in Cockpit Emergencies", Patent No. 6,567,220 issued May 20, 2003. The inner faces of each of the ear pieces 62,64 is provided with circumscribing padding 90 and ear phone 92. PUse 8ehnda\BEK710I51\7I0151 Spec, DIV doc 7c The strap assembly 66 includes a stationary, arcuate strap 94 connected to and extending directly upwardly from the ear pieces 62,64, so that the strap passes directly over the crown of the user's head. In addition, the assembly 66 5 has a movable strap 96 pivotally coupled to the ear pieces 62,64 and shiftable within the slots 68, 84 between a retracted or stowed position adjacent stationary strap 94 to a deployed position passing around the back of the user's head (see Figs. P W Aeren BEH7101511710151 Spec, Div doc WO 03/005765 PCT/US02/37235 -8 5-7). Selective movement of the strap 96 is effected during shifting of mask unit 54 as will be described below. The mask unit 54 includes an arcuate. generally U-shaped rigid body 98 presenting a pair of side anis 100, 102 and a central bight section 104. The latter has a series of exhale slots 106, 5 as well as a recess 108 for receiving the end of microphone 86. The inner end of each arm 100, 102 is located within a corresponding ear piece 62 or 64, i.e., the arms 100, 102 extend into the slots 68, 84 and are pivotally connected to the ear piece via pins 110 (see Fig. 16). The arm 100 is provided with a breathable gas passageway 112 terminating in an outlet 113, as well as a smaller mask inflation conduit 114 which extends to the area of bight section 104 and terminates 10 in an inflation opening 115. Finally, both of the arms 100, 102 are provided with elongated slots 116, 118 which receive corresponding, manually operable slide lugs 120, 122 which are important for purposes to be made clear. The overall mask unit further includes a flexible. resilient. inflatable. bellows-type mask body 124 which is mounted to the inner face of U-shaped rigid body 98, at the region of central 15 bight section 104. To this end, the center of mask body 124 includes a projecting bead 126 which is received within a formed channel 128 in the inner face of U-shaped body 98. The outboard ends of the flexible mask body 124 are connected to the slide lugs 120, 122. The mask body 124 is configured so that it may be inflated for use. Specifically, in the retracted position of mask unit 54, the body 124 is not inflated (see, e.g., Figs. I and 2). 20 However, when the unit 54 is in its lowered, deployed position, the mask body 124 is inflated by passage of pressurized gas through conduit 114. This action serves to inflate the mask as shown in Fig. 1 4 so that the inboard surfaces thereof contact the user's face and cover the nose and mouth area. Inflation of the mask 124 in this fashion causes the ends of the mask coupled with slide lugs 120, 122 to move along the length of the arms 100, 102, until the inflated mask extends 25 around and covers the nose and mouth area and face areas on opposite sides thereof as illustrated in Fig. 12. In the event that the user wishes to manually extend the mask body 124, or a hangup occurs, the slide lugs 120, 122 may be manually shifted rearvardly along the respective slots 116, 118 so that the mask body 124 will assume the Fig. 12 position. As is conventional with many mask units, the unit 54 includes a central exhale opening 30 130 formed in the rearward face of bight section 104. in opposition to the exhale slots 106. The ' WO 03/005765 PCTI/US02/7235 -9 opening 130 is normally closed by a diaphragm 132, the latter biased towards the closed position by means of spring 134. The visor unit 56 also includes a somewhat U-shaped main body 136 having elongated side arms 138, 140 which are likewise received within ear piece slots 68, 84; the inboard ends 5 of the arms 13S, 140 are similarly pivotally supported within the ear piece slots. The body 136 may alternately be equipped with an internal conduit 142 as well as a series of laterally spaced apart gas outlet passageways 144 along the inner face thereof (see Fig. S). The visor unit also includes a "wrap around" transparent synthetic resin lens 146 which is supported and depends from body 136. It will be observed that the lower end of the lens 146 is complemental with the 10 upper surface of U-shaped mask body 98. The motive and control assembly 58 is housed within ear piece 62 and is designed to effect manual or automatic phased deployment of the mask unit 54 (together with strap assembly 66) and visor unit 56. That is, depending upon ambient conditions, the mask unit 54 may be deployed along with assembly 66; however, if smoke conditions are encountered, the visor unit 15 56 may also be deployed. In particular, the motive and control assembly 58 broadly includes mask and visor controllers 148, 149, separate drivers 150 for the mask and visor units 54, 56 respectively, and a gas delivery assembly 152. Referring to Figs. 45 and 48, it will be seen that the controllers 148, 149 are substantially identical and each include a pneumatic valve 154 coupled to pressurized 20 oxygen source 156 via input lines 158, 160, as well as output lines 158a, 160a. and exhaust line 161. The valves 154 are shiftable by depression of actuator buttons 80 or 82, and also may be automatically operated through operation of a pressure-responsive aneroid 162 in the case of controller 148, and a solenoid/smoke detector 163 in the case of controller 149. As will be seen, operation of the valve serves to direct pressurized gas to the mask or visor drive mechanism for 25 up or down operation thereof with corresponding exhaust in each case. Now referring to Fig. 21, it will be seen that the output lines I 58a, 160a are coupled to the driver 150 for mask unit 54. An identical operator 150 (not shown) is also provided for operation of the visor unit 56. In this instance, the drive mechanism 150 includes a double acting pneumatic piston and cylinder assembly 164 having an internal piston 166 and an outw'ardly projecting piston rod 168 equipped 30 with rack 170. The overall drive mechanism includes a pair of gears 172, 174 which are WO 03/005765 PCT/US02/17235 -10 respectively coupled to arm 100 of U-shaped mask body 9S and to movable mounting strap 96; these gears are in mesh with rack 170 as shown. It will thus be appreciated that upon movement of piston 166 as dictated by passage of pressurized gas through line 160 and exhaust through line 161, the rod I 68 is extended, thereby 5 causing the gears 172, 174 to rotate to simultaneously move the mask unit 54 and strap 96 to their deployed positions illustrated in Fig. 5 for example. A similar racl and gear drive mechanism is employed for the selective movement of visor unit 56 between the retracted and deployed positions thereof. The gas delivery assembly 152 is likewise housed within ear piece 62 and includes a 10 block 176 including the pressurized oxygen source 156 in the form of a reservoir, regulator 178, valve 180 passageways 182, 184. 185 and outlets 186, 188. Referring to Fig. 16, it will be observed that the passageway 185 extends between the source 156 and regulator 178, whereas the passageway 182 extends from the output of the regulator to outlet 1 86. The passageway 1 84 extends from source 156 through the valve 180 and terminates at outlet 188. The valve 180 15 includes an outwardly projecting arn 190 received within opening 192 and a base 194. A coil spring 196 serves to urge the valve outwardly as shown in Fig. 16. When the arm 100 is in its lowered position, i.e., when the mask unit 54 is moved to its deployed location, the breathable gas passageway 112 of the ar comes into communication with outlet 186. Similarly. the inflation conduit 114 comes into communication with outlet 188. 20 Finally, movement of the ain 100 depresses valve arm 190 against the bias of spring 196 so that the valve opens as illustrated in Fig. 16. This allows pressurized oxygen to pass through the inflation conduit 114 and outlet 115 so as to inflate the flexible mask body 124. Also, an appropriate breathable gas (e.g., either pure oxygen or a mixture of air and oxygen as dictated by the position of selector knob 78) is deliverable via passageway 112 to mask outlet 113. 25 In the event that the visor design of Fig. 8 is employed, i.e.. with air outlet openings 144 along the inner surface of the visor body 136, the ear piece 62 would include a block 198 as illustrated in Fig. 27. The block 198 includes all of the components of block 176 previously described (and such common components are identified by identical reference numerals), as well as a conduit 200 extending from source 156 and terminating in an outlet opening 202. The visor 30 body conduit 142 extends along the length of body 136 in communication with the outlet passageways 144 and presents an inlet opening 204. When the visor is lowered, the openings WO 03/005765 PCT/US(2/7235 202, 204 come into communication for passage ofpressurized oxygen to the visor. Although not shown in Fig. 27, the conduit 200 may be valve-controlled via a valve ISO as in the case of conduit 188 of Fig. 16. The operation of this embodiment proceeds as follows. First, the user dons the headset 5 as shown in Fig. 2, with the assembly 52, mask unit 54 and visor uit 56 in their retracted positions over the crown of the user's head. The microphone 86 may be deployed as shown for conumnuication purposes. in the event of a flight deck emergency, the mask unit 54 and strap assembly 66 are deployed. This can be automatic in the case of a depressurization, which would be sensed by 10 aneroid 162. Alternately, if the user perceives an emergency situation, the actuator button 82 may be depressed to achieve this result. In either case. the U-shaped mask body 9S caning the flexible mask 124 is shifted downwardly until the position of Fig. 5 or Fig. 11 is reached. This involves actuation of valve 154 so as to direct pressurized oxygen from source 156 to output line I 60a. This in turn serves to move piston 166 and rod 168, so that the interested gears 172, 174 15 rotate, thereby shifting the body 98 downward1y and also moving the shiftable strap 96 to the deployed position thereof shown in Figs. 9-10. Asthe arn 100 moves downwardly, it encounters the upper end of valve arm 190, moving it against the bias of spring 196 to open the valve. This establishes flow communication with the inflation conduit 114, which thereby initiates inflation of the mask body 124. This continues until the mask assumes the Fig. 14 position, with the outer 20 portions of the mask part body in engagement vith the face of user 60. In the event that the inflation of the mask body 124 is obstructed or otherwise hangs up, the user may manually grasp the slide lugs 120, 122 to pull these rearwardly and thus complete the deployment of the mask 124. Breathable gas flowing through the passageway 112 enters the inflated mask through 25 opening 113 to provide breathable gas to the user. In this connection, flow of breathable gas can be continuous or on a demand basis, at the discretion of the designer. During exhalation (Fig. 14), the diaphragm 132 is shifted allowing exhale gas to pass through opening 130 and out the exhale slots 106. If the emergency condition requires use of visor unit 56, the actuator but-ton 82 may be 30 depressed or automatic operation of valve 154 can be effected through the solenoid/smoke detector 163. In either case, a visor driver 150 is actuated to lower the entire visor unit: 12 specifically, pressurized oxygen is directed through line 160a of the visor controller valve so as to shift the piston 166 of the visor driver mechanism, thereby causing the visor unit to pivot downwardly to the position shown in Fig. 10. As indicated previously, the visor body is pivotally coupled to both of the ear pieces 62,64 by 5 means of pivot pins 206 (Fig. 27). If the Fig. 8 embodiment is employed, making use of the associated block 198 and gas passageways 144, pressurized oxygen is delivered through conduit 200 to conduit 142, with the result that generally horizontally directed airstreams 208 are created which extend towards and impinge upon the forehead of the user. 10 A relatively low pressure stream of such gas effectively prevents the ingress of smoke into the visor unit 56. When the emergency condition is passed, the user may reverse the operation of the mask and visor units 54,56, so that the latter reassume their retracted positions. First, actuator button 82 is engaged to cause the visor control 15 valve 154 to shift (160a to 160 and 158a to 158), which reverses the movement of piston 166 of the visor driver mechanism 150, so that the visor unit is pivoted upwardly to the retracted position thereof. Next, the button 80 is pushed, causing the mask body to deflate and reassume the collapsed condition thereof, and unit driver mechanism 150 is actuated to reverse the movement of both the mask unit 20 54 and the strap assembly 66 of head mounting assembly 52. Some alternative embodiments of mask and visor unit headsets are shown in Figs. 17-19, which illustrate exemplary types of head mounting assemblies 210,212, 214. In Fig. 17, the head mounting assembly 210 includes a pair of substantially orthogonal stationary straps 216, 218 which are fixedly secured to the 25 ear pieces. 11 is contemplated that such straps may be adjustable for different head sizes, but would otherwise be stationary. In Fig. 18, a skull cap 220 is employed as a part of the assembly 212. Here again, the cap 220 is stationary and is secured to the ear pieces. As shown, the cap may be vented as at 222 for comfort purposes. In Fig 19, the assembly 214 30 includes a pair of stationary straps 224,226. The latter passes around the rear of the head of the user whereas strap 224 extends upwardly and obliquely relative to the strap 226 to define a "halo" type of mounting assembly. Here again, the straps 222, 224 are secured to the ear pieces and are stationary. W:1 molhenBE H%10151 AmeneD Pf ges 2 Apr 06,0c WO 03/005765 PCT/US02/1 7235 -13 Figs. 22-26 depict other types of motive and control assemblies 228, 230, 232. In Figs. 22 and 23. the assembly 228 includes previously described controller 148 as well as a drive assembly 236. The drive assembly 236 includes a piston and cylinder assembly 246 including cylinder 248, piston 250 and outwardly extending piston rod 252. The rod 252 is equipped with S an outermost grooved annular head 254. An elongated tie element 256 is secured to the inner pi\oted ends of the arm 100 and strap 96 as shown. In each instance, the tie end is secured about the associated pivot connection, such as pivot pin 110 by way of torsion springs 257. It will further be seen that the head 254 engages the tie element 256 intermediate the ends thereof, i.e., between the arn 100 and strap 96. Fig. 22 illustrates the apparatus in the retracted position. that 10 is, where the mask unit is in its upper position. Fig. 23 on the other hand depicts the configuration of the control assembly 228 upon deployment of the mask. That is. the controller 148 is operated either automatically or manually in order to send pressurized oxygen to cylinder 248, thereby shifting piston 250 and rod 252 upwardly; such movement extends the tie element 256, causing the ann 100 and strap 96 to be shifted downwardly. When it is desired to move the 15 mask unit and strap 96 back to their retracted positions, the pressure within cylinder 248 is exhausted by appropriate manipulation of valve 238. As this point, the torsion springs 257 serve to retract the mask unit and strap 96. Figs. 24 and 25 illustrate an alternative motive and control assembly 230 which includes a controller 148 (see Fig. 45) and a drive assembly 258 comprising four coaxial, rotatable disks 20 259. The outboard disk 259 supports the arm 100, the next adjacent inner disk supports strap 96. The next disk is simply an operator. whereas the innermost disk supports the main body 136 of visor unit 56. Each disk 259 includes an upper and a lower arcuate slot 260a, 260b which are in mated alignment with the slots 260a' and 260b' of the adjacent disk as shown in Figs. 24 and 25 (depicting the outennost and next adjacent disk 259 for movement of the mask unil 54 and strap 25 96 of strap assembly 66). A short passageway 261 extends from the base of the mated disk pair to the corresponding lower arcuate openings 260b and 260b'. Similarly, a passageway 262 extends from this base to the upper arcuate openings 260a, 260a'. The "mask up" output line I 58a from controller 148 is coupled with passageway 262, whereas mask down output line I 60a is connected with passageway 261. Alhough not shown in detail. it will be understood that the 30 third and innennost disks 259 are configured in the same manner as the disks shown in Fig. 24 and 25, and are coupled with a valve controller 149 (Fig. 48).

WO 03/005765 PCT/USO2/]7235 -14 In Fig 24, the headset is shown with the mask and visor units in their upper, retracted positions. In the event of a flight deck emergency, either by actuation of button 80 or via automatic control through aneroid 262, the valve 154 is shifted so that pressurized oxygen is directed to output line 160a. This causes the pressurized oxygen to enter the small chamber 263 5 formed between the adjacent ends of the lower arcuate slots 260b, thereby rotating the disks in opposite rotational directions until the disks assume the Fig. 25 position. In this position, the arm 100 is lowered along with strap 96. A further consequence of this movement is the formiation of another small chamber 264 between the adjacent ends of the upper mating arcuate slots 260a. When it is desired to retract the mask unit 54, it is only necessary to manipulate button 80 to shift 10 valve 154 so that pressurized oxygen is delivered to line 158a and passageway 262 for delivery to chamber 264. This in turn causes reverse relative rotation of the adjacent disks 259. so that the strap 96 and arm 100 are returned to their Fig. 24 retracted position. Of course, the operation of visor unit 56 is identical, in that the valve 154 of controller 149 is manipulated to ahernately deliver pressurized oxygen to the output lines 160a or 158a for visor down and visor up 1 5 operation. Fig. 26 depicts a still further motive and control assembly 232. in this case, the assembly 232 includes stepper motors 270, 272 respectively mounted on the pivot pins 212 0, 206 associated with the mask unit 54 and visor unit 56, respectively. Additionally, the assembly 232 includes a pair of intermeshed gears 274, 276 coupled to pin 120 and the pivot mount for movable strap 20 96. The electrical lead 76 is connected to oxygen mask switch 278 which is in tum operably coupled with visor switch 280, as well as two limit switches 282, 284. The switches 278, 280 are also operably coupled with the corresponding stepper motors 270. 272. In operation. when the switches 278 and/or 280 are actuated (either manually via the buttons 80, 82 or automatically through an aneroid or similar controller), an appropriate electrical 25 signal is sent to the stepper motor 270, which causes arn 100 to pivot down and also, via the gears 274, 276, effects downward movement of the strap 96. Up and down movement of the ann 100 is controlled by means of the limit switches previously described. In the case of visor unit 56, closing of switch 280 causes actuation of stepper motor 272, so that the visor unit is moved to its deployed condition. Of course, the steppermotors 270, 272 may be reversed by appropriate 30 manipulation of the switches 278, 280. to selectively retract the visor unit 56 and mask unit 54.

15 Figs. 27-29 depict a further modified embodiment. In this instance, the mask unit 54 is equipped with a series of lower, inwardly directed air passageways 286 similar to the visor passageways 144 previously described (see Fig. 8). Additionally, the mask unit has an elongated conduit 288 in communication with the 5 passageways 286. As illustrated in Fig. 27, when the mask unit 54 is in its lowered, deployed condition, the conduit 288 comes into communication with a similar conduit 290 formed in block 198, the latter being operatively coupled with pressurized oxygen source 156. Thus, as best seen in Fig. 29, when the mask and visor units are in their lower, deployed condition, upper and lower air currents 208 10 and 292 are directed from the passageways 144, 286, thereby preventing ingress of smoke into the mask and visor units. It will be observed (Fig. 28) that in this embodiment, the mask 124 need only cover the nose and mouth region of the user, there being no need for the extensible side margins of the embodiment depicted for example in Fig. 12 for the purpose of preventing ingress of smoke into the device. 15 Figs. 30 and 31 illustrate another mechanism used to prevent smoke ingress into the visor unit 56. In this instance, an expandable, elongated bellows 293 is provided, mounted to the inner face of body 136 and in communication with conduit 142 via opening 294. As shown in Fig. 31, upon inflation of the bellows 293, the inner surface thereof comes into engagement with the forehead of the user 20 thereby preventing smoke ingress. Figs. 32-37 illustrate another modified embodiment, wherein the mask unit 54 has the central mask 124, but with a pair of flexible synthetic resin or elastomeric skirts 296,298 secured to the opposite side margins of the mask body. Additionally, each of the arms 100,102 is equipped with a substantially flat piston 25 and cylinder assembly 300, cylinder 302, piston 304 and selectively extensible piston rod 306; the rod 306 is in turn coupled with the adjacent skirt 296 or 298. Appropriate pneumatic passageways 308,310 extend from opposite ends of the cylinder 302, and communicate with appropriate conduits provided in block 198 (not shown). It will be appreciated that the assembly 300 mounted in arm 100 is the 30 master, whereas the assembly 300 mounted in arm 102 is a slave. Referring to Figs. 36 and 37, it will be seen that in the retracted position, the skirts 296,298 are spaced forwardly from the user's face. However, when deployed, the skirts are moved rearwardly as best seen in Fig. 35 in order to engage the cheek regions of the user. 35 Figs. 38-43 depict a still further embodiment. In this instance, a pair of bristle assemblies 312, 314 are provided on opposite sides of the mask body 124. The W:\E onMolheriBEH%710151 Amenaea Pppe- 24 A~pr O~COtc 16 assemblies 312, 314 are designed to be moved from the retracted position thereof shown in phantom in Fig. 41 in close adjacency to the associated arms 100,102, to the deployed position. Such movement is effected by the mechanism illustiated in Figs. 42 and 43. Specifically, each of the bristle assemblies is mounted on a 5 rotatable shaft 316 equipped with an outwardly projecting lug 318. The end of the shaft 316 is coupled with piston 320, housed within a pneumatic cylinder 322 having ports 324,326. The cylinder includes an elongated, tubular extension 328 having a spiral groove 330 formed therein. The ports 324,326 are operably coupled with the pneumatic system for the mask, so that, when it is desired to deploy the 10 bristle assemblies 312, 314, pressurized oxygen is directed to the ports 324, thereby causing the shaft 316 to follow the arcuate path defined by groove 330; this causes the brush units to move from their retracted positions to their operative, lowered positions shown in Figs. 40 and 41 where the inner ends of the bristles engage the user's face. Retraction of the bristle assemblies involves simply a 15 reversal of the foregoing procedure, so that the shafts 316 rotate in the opposite direction to move the associated bristle assemblies to their stored positions. Figs. 44, 47 and 46, 49 depict other types of controllers which can be used in lieu of the previously described controllers 148 and 149. Turning first to Figs. 44 and 47, it will be observed that the controllers 332,334 for the mask and visor units includes a 20 valve 154 as previously described, together with oxygen inlets 156, lines 158, 160 and outlet lines 158a, 160a and exhaust lines 161. In this case, the only operator for the valve assemblies 154 are the actuator buttons 80,82. That is, this embodiment does not include any automatic operation as in the case of controllers 148,149. 25 Referring to Figs. 46 and 48, the controllers 336 and 338 for the mask and visor units are identical with the assemblies 332,334, with the exception that automatic control is provided by means of a voice signal-actuated operator 340. That is, actuation of the valve assemblies 154 may be effected manually by manipulation of the buttons 80,82, through the aneroids 162, solenoid/smoke 30 detector 163 or by the user simply speaking the appropriate command such as "drop mask" or "drop visor". In all other respects, the operation of these controllers is idential to that described in connection with Figs. 45 and 48. The invention described herein is susceptible to variations, modifications and/or additions other than those specifically described and it is to be understood 35 that the invention includes all such variations, modifications and/or additions vhich fall within the spirit and scope of the above description. we E rio ne 17 10151 A nengeo Pap e 2 A P Otbo-t

Claims (31)

1. A headset including: a mounting assembly adapted to be worn on a user's head; 5 a mask unit supported by said mounting assembly and including a mask body configured to cover at least the nose and mouth region of said user, said mask unit movable between a retracted position where the mask body is proximal to the crown of the user's head, and a deployed position where the mask body is adjacent said nose and mouth region; 10 a motive and control assembly operatively coupled with said mask unit for automatic translatory movement of the mask unit from said retracted position to said deployed position without manual translatory movement of the mask unit by the user, said mask unit including a gas delivery passageway operable to deliver 15 breathable gas to the mask body when the mask body is in said deployed position thereof; and a visor unit supported by said mounting assembly and shiftable between a retracted position where the visor is proximal to the crown of the user's head and a deployed position covering the eyes of the user, 20 said visor including an upper periphery, there being a device adjacent such upper periphery for inhibiting entrance of smoke into the visor, said device including a series of gas outlet openings along said upper periphery, and a conduit for delivery of pressurized gas to said outlet openings. 25

2. A headset including: a mounting assembly adapted to be worn on a user's head; a mask unit supported by said mounting assembly and including a mask body configured to cover at least the nose and mouth region of said user, said mask unit movable between a retracted position where the mask body 30 is proximal to the crown of the user's head, and a deployed position where the mask body is adjacent said nose and mouth region; a motive and control assembly operatively coupled with said mask unit for automatic translatory movement of the mask unit from said retracted position to said deployed position without manual translatory movement of the mask unit by 35 the user, PosenebndaBEMG, 116 -5ecDI c 18 said mask unit including a gas delivery passageway operable to deliver breathable gas to the mask body when the mask body is in said deployed position thereof; and sealing structure disposed on opposite sides of said mask body and 5 operable to prevent entrance of smoke, said sealing structure including flexible skirt sections secured to opposite sides of said mask body, and an operator coupled with said skirt sections for moving the skirt sections to engage the face of the user. 10

3. A headset including: a mounting assembly adapted to be worn on a user's head; a mask unit supported by said mounting assembly and including a mask body configured to cover at least the nose and mouth region of said user, said mask unit movable between a retracted position where the mask body 15 is proximal to the crown of the user's head, and a deployed position where the mask body is adjacent said nose and mouth region; a motive and control assembly operatively coupled with said mask unit for automatic translatory movement of the mask unit from said retracted position to said deployed position without manual translatory movement of the mask unit by 20 the user, said mask unit including a gas delivery passageway operable to deliver breathable gas to the mask body when the mask body is in said deployed position thereof; and sealing structure disposed on opposite sides of said mask body and 25 operable to prevent entrance of smoke, said mask unit including an arcuate, pivotally mounted arm supporting mask body, said sealing structure including a series of gas outlet openings along the length of said arm, and a pressurized gas conduit community with the openings for delivery of pressurized gas thereto. 30

4. The headset of any one of claims 1 to 3, said mounting assembly including a pair of opposed ear pieces, and an elongated, stationary arcuate strap secured to said ear pieces and configured to pass over the crown of the user's head. 35

5. The headset of claim 4, said mounting assembly including a movable arcuate strap shiftable between a retracted position proximal to said stationary P 'use ana E,101, 0,51 5pet35 D S eDNt 19 strap and a deployed position wherein the movable strap passes around the back of the user's head.

6. The headset of any one of claims 1 to 3, said mounting assembly including 5 a pair of opposed ear pieces, with a pair of fixed, arcuate straps secured to said ear pieces and respectively extending over the crown of the user's head, and around the back of the user's head.

7. The headset of any one of claims 1 to 3, said mounting assembly including 10 a pair of opposed ear pieces, with an arcuate skull cap body secured to the ear pieces and configured for extending over the rear half of the user's head.

8. The headset of any one of claims 1 to 3, said mounting assembly including a pair of opposed ear pieces, with a pair of fixed, arcuate straps secured to said ear 15 pieces, one of said straps extending around the back of the user's head, and the other of said straps extending upwardly from the ear pieces at an oblique angle relative to the one strap.

9. The headset of claims 2 or 3, including a visor unit supported by said 20 mounting assembly and shiftable between a retracted position where the visor is proximal to the crown of the user's head and a deployed position covering the eyes of the user.

10. The headset of claim 1 or 9, said visor unit in the deployed position thereof 25 being disposed atop said mask body.

11. The headset of claim 9, said visor including an upper periphery, there being a device adjacent such upper periphery for inhibiting entrance of smoke into the visor. 30

12. The headset of claim 11, said device including a series of gas outlet openings along said upper periphery, and a conduit for delivery of pressurized gas to said outlet openings. 35

13. The headset of claim 11 or 12, said device including selectively inflatable bellows which in the inflated condition thereof will engage the forehead of the user. P 1 E- 101 0 SpI c DIVdoc 20

14. The headset of any one of claims 1 to 3, said mask unit having a collapsed configuration when the mask unit is in said retracted position, said mask unit movable to a face-engaging position when the mask unit is moved to said, 5 deployed position.

15. The headset of claim 14, said mask body including inflatable bellows, there being a pressurized gas conduit operably coupled with said bellows for selected inflation thereof when the mask body is in said deployed position. 10

16. The headset of any one of claims 1 to 15, including sealing structure disposed on opposite sides of said mask body and operable to prevent entrance of smoke. 15

17. The headset of claim 16, said sealing structure including flexible skirt sections secured to opposite sides of said mask body, and an operator coupled with said skirt sections for moving the skirt sections to engage the face of the user.

18. The headset of claim 16 or 17, said sealing structure including a pair of 20 brush sections on opposite sides of said mask body, and an operator coupled with the brush sections for moving the latter to engage the face of the user.

19. The headset of claim 1 or 2, said mask unit including an arcuate, pivotally mounted arm supporting mask body, said sealing structure including a series of gas 25 outlet openings along the length of said arm, and a pressurized gas conduit community with the openings for delivery of pressurized gas thereto.

20. The headset of any one of claims 1 to 19, said motive and control assembly means including a controller and a driver, the driver operably connected with said 30 mask unit.

21. The headset of claim 20, said driver including a shiftable rack and a mating gear coupled with said mask unit, said controller including a pneumatic valve assembly for selective shifting of the rack. 35 21

22. The headset of claim 21, said rack operably coupled with a pneumatic cylinder, said pneumatic valve assembly coupled with the cylinder.

23. The headset of claim 20, the driver including a piston and cylinder 5 assembly, the rod of said assembly operably coupled with an elongated tie element connected to said mask unit, said controller including a pneumatic valve assembly coupled with said piston and cylinder assembly.

24. The headset of claim 20, the driver including a pair of relatively shiftable, 10 slotted disks cooperatively defining a pneumatic chamber, said controller including a pneumatic valve assembly coupled with said chamber whereby upon application of pressurized gas in said chamber, at least one of said disks shift relative to the other disk. 15

25. The headset of claim 20, said driver including a pair of intermeshed gears, one of said gears coupled with said mask unit, an electric drive motor coupled with said one gear and electrical circuitry for selective operation of said drive motor.

26. The headset of any one of claims 20 to 25, said controller including a 20 pneumatic valve assembly, said valve assembly being manually operable.

27. The headset of claim 26, said valve assembly including an override for automatic operation of the valve assembly. 25

28. The headset of claim 27, said override including an aneroid.

29. The headset of claim 27, said override including a voice-actuated operator.

30. A headset including: 30 a mounting assembly adapted to be worn on a user's head; a visor unit supported by said mounting assembly and including a visor configured to cover the eyes of said user, said visor unit movable between a retracted position where the visor unit is proximal to the crown of the user's head, and a deployed position where the visor 35 unit is covering the eyes of said user; and 22 motive and control assembly means operably coupled with said visor unit for selective automatic translatory movement thereof between said retracted and deployed positions thereof without manual translatory movement of the visor unit by the user, 5 said visor including an upper periphery, there being a device adjacent such upper periphery for inhibiting entrance of smoke into the visor, said device including a series of gas outlet openings along said upper periphery, and a conduit for delivery of pressurized gas to said outlet openings. 10

31. A headset according to any one of the embodiments substantially as herein described and illustrated.