Abstract:
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for storing breathing masks in a tall and narrow space and deploying the masks from that space. The apparatus may be embodied as a removable cartridge containing a breathing mask assembly housed within a frame. The cartridge is comprised of a first side and second side which can move relative to the frame. The first side includes a hinge. In operation, the cartridge slides relative to the frame and rotatably opens via the hinge after the cartridge substantially exits the frame. A breathing mask is released to a user after the first and second halves rotatably separate.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a method and apparatus for deploying an emergency breathing mask in an aircraft. The apparatus is automatically or manually operable to present the breathing mask to a user upon loss of cabin pressurization. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Typical emergency breathing mask deployment systems (also known as drop out boxes) include a generally rectangular shaped storage container carrying a fluid valve assembly, one or more oronasal breathing masks and means for supporting masks in a stowed condition within container. In a conventional system, the mask deployment system is stowed in an overhead storage container directly over the user. Traditional mask deployment systems are mounted such that a broad side of a container, which houses the mask, is directed toward the cabin space. Upon a sudden loss of pressure, the aforementioned broad side of the container opens automatically and the mask is dropped out of the container and deployed to a user below. 
     However, the configuration of some aircraft prevents the mounting of a typically sized deployment system. Specifically, traditional vertical drop out boxes cannot always be accommodated due to limitations of overhead panel space, limitations in the space available in the airframe cross section, and considerations of the interior aesthetics of passenger aircraft cabins. Accordingly, there is a need for a method and apparatus that allows for the reliable deployment of a typical breathing mask system that reduces the need for overhead panel space, improves deployment reliability by ejecting the mass versus relying on gravity only, and that better fits the aesthetics of the aircraft cabin. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention meets the above-described need by providing a method and apparatus for storing breathing masks in a tall and narrow space and deploying the masks from that space. The system may also provide for a force other than gravity in deploying the masks. The present invention may be used in a ceiling mounted orientation where it can provide a force in addition to gravity for releasing the masks. 
     The apparatus may be embodied as a removable cartridge containing a breathing mask assembly housed within a frame. The cartridge is comprised of a first side and second side which can move relative to the frame. The first side includes a hinge. In operation, the cartridge slides relative to the frame and rotatably opens via the hinge after the cartridge substantially exits the frame. A breathing mask (or multiple masks) is released to a user after the first and second halves rotatably separate. 
     In an embodiment of the apparatus, the deployment of the cartridge is activated by oxygen pressure. In this manner, the cartridge or mask assembly, or both may be actively deployed, instead of being gravity dependent. The apparatus may also allow for an interior cosmetic cover that is independent of the mask deployment device. Further, the mask cartridge may be removable to allow for bench-top repacking of a mask. 
     The invention may also comprise a method of deploying a breathing mask, comprising the steps of: (1) providing a cartridge housed in a frame, the cartridge having a first side and a second side; (2) moving the cartridge substantially out of a frame; (3) rotating the first side and the second side about at least one hinge to separate the cartridge; and (4) deploying a breathing mask from the separated cartridge. 
     The apparatus and method reduces the area required in the overhead compartment of the interior of an aircraft. Furthermore, the invention may improve the aesthetics and minimize the size of the opening required to deploy the breathing mask. An additional benefit of the invention is that sliding movement of the cartridge may cause positive mask deployment without relying solely on gravity. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1A  is a top view of a breathing gas deployment system according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 1B  is a side view of the breathing gas deployment system of  FIG. 1A  with the cartridge depicted in an initial, stowed position; 
         FIG. 1C  is an end view of the breathing gas deployment system of  FIGS. 1A and 1B ; 
         FIG. 2A  is a side view of the breathing gas deployment system of  FIGS. 1A-1C  with the cartridge depicted in a partially extended position; 
         FIG. 2B  is an end view of the breathing gas deployment system of  FIG. 2A ; 
         FIG. 3A  is a side view of the breathing gas deployment system of  FIGS. 1A-1C  with the cartridge depicted in an extended position; 
         FIG. 3B  is an end view of the breathing gas deployment system of  FIG. 3A ; 
         FIG. 4A  is a side view of the breathing gas deployment system of  FIGS. 1A-1C  with the cartridge depicted in a partially opened position (the breathing mask assembly is not shown); 
         FIG. 4B  is an end view of the breathing gas deployment system of  FIG. 4A ; 
         FIG. 5A  is a side view of the breathing gas deployment system of  FIGS. 1A-1C  with the cartridge depicted in a fully opened position and the breathing mask assembly released; 
         FIG. 5B  is an end view of the breathing gas deployment system of  FIG. 5A ; and 
         FIG. 6  is a flowchart depicting a method according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a breathing gas deployment system  10  is depicted comprising a cartridge  12  housed within a rectangular frame  14 . The cartridge  12  is displaceable relative to the frame  14  and may include guides  16  to allow the cartridge  12  to slide from an initial position within the frame  14  to a position outside of the frame (see, e.g.,  FIG. 5 ). The cartridge  12  contains at least one breathing mask assembly  50 . Multiple breathing mask assemblies may also be stowed within a single cartridge  12 . As will be evident to those of ordinary skill in the art, the breathing mask assembly  50  may include the following major components: a folded reservoir bag  52 , an oronasal mask  54 , a strap  56 , and breathing conduit  58 . The cartridge  12  may be configured to be removable from the frame  14  to allow for bench-top repacking of the breathing mask assembly  50  or assemblies after deployment. The cartridge  12  may be replaced by a replacement cartridge pre-packed with a breathing mask assembly. 
     The cartridge  12  comprises a first side  20  and a second side  22 . The first and second sides  20 ,  22  may be configured such that the sides form a cavity when the sides are adjacent to one another. The cartridge  12  may also include an end wall  24 , adjacent to the first side  20  and the second side  22 . In this embodiment, the first side  20  and second side  22  each include a hinge  26  that connects the respective side  20 ,  22  to the end wall  24  (best shown in  FIG. 5 ). Alternatively, the cartridge  12  may include only one hinge  26  which attaches the first side  20  to the end wall  24  or only one hinge  26  that attaches the first side  20  to the second side  22 . 
     Regardless of the placement or number of hinges  26 , the hinge  26  or hinges allow the first and second sides  20 ,  22  to rotate apart from one another once the cartridge  12  substantially exits the frame  14 . The position at which the cartridge  12  must be displaced from the frame  14  such that the cartridge  12  can rotatably open, will depend on at least the placement of the hinge  26  or hinges, the size of the frame  14 , and the size of the cartridge. In other words, the cartridge  12  may open when it has clearance to do so with respect to the frame  14 . The cartridge  12  may also be configured to open once the cartridge  12  reaches a specific position (e.g. after the cartridge  12  has reached a bottom flange  28  of the frame  14 ). 
     The frame  14  houses the cartridge  12 , and the frame is configured to be mounted in an overhead compartment of an aircraft. A bottom flange  28  may be configured to affix the frame to a panel of the overhead compartment. The dimensions of the envelope of an embodiment of the present invention may be, for example but not limited to, approximately 8.5 inches long by 5.5 inches tall by 2 inches wide. In such an embodiment, the cartridge  12  may be configured, for example, to be ejected from the side of the frame  14  which measures 8.5 inches by 2 inches. A top portion  30  of the frame  14  may be provided with an opening  32  for receiving a quick connect fitting that is in pneumatic communication with the oxygen delivery manifold such that, when connected, the oxygen delivery manifold of the aircraft is in pneumatic communication with the mask assembly  50 . Opposite from the top portion  30  of the frame  14  is the bottom flange  28  of the frame  14  where the cartridge  12  exits the frame  14 , and the mask assembly  50  exits the cartridge  12  during deployment. The bottom flange  28  may initially be covered by a removable substrate or cosmetic cover  34 . 
     A cartridge ejection device  60  may be formed as part of the frame  14  or cartridge  12  or both. In a non-limiting example, a piston  62  may be placed on the top portion  30 , the piston  62  having a latch  64  that communicates with a catch  66  located on the cartridge  12 . In another embodiment, a solenoid-operated actuator may be used to release the cartridge from its stowed position within the frame. In another embodiment, the cartridge may be held by a mechanically operated latch capable of being released by the force of oxygen pressure. Other release mechanisms will be apparent to those having skill in the art. 
     The cartridge may include a supplemental mask ejection device such as a spring-biased piston. In this embodiment, a spring is released from a retention mechanism and provides a force on the piston when an electrical signal is given or when the oxygen flow is activated. This force ejects the cartridge from its stowed position. 
     One or more springs  70  may provide pre-loaded compression between the frame  14  and the cartridge  12 . In such embodiments, once the cartridge  12  is released from its stowed position, for example by the release of a latch  64 , the spring force will eject the cartridge  12  from its stowed position. 
       FIGS. 1 to 5  depict the apparatus  10  in various stages of deployment.  FIG. 1  depicts the apparatus  10  in its stowed position. In this position, the cartridge  12  is housed within the frame  14 . In this embodiment, the cartridge  12  is held in place by a piston  62  having a latch  64  that communicates with a catch  66  located on the cartridge  12 .  FIG. 2  shows the cartridge  12  after being released from the stowed position. In this non-limiting example, an oxygen line was pressurized which released the latch  64  to deploy the cartridge  12 .  FIG. 3  shows the cartridge  12  after substantially exiting the frame  14 . Here, the cartridge  12  has stopped sliding at the bottom flange  28  of the frame  14 .  FIG. 4  shows the first side  20  and the second side  22  of the cartridge  12  beginning to open. Here, the first side  20  and the second side  22  have both begun to rotate relative to their respective hinges  26  that connect the first and second sides  20 ,  22  to the end wall  24 . Lastly,  FIG. 5  shows the cartridge  12  in a deployed position. At this point, both the first and second sides  20 ,  22  have rotated apart, and the breathing mask assembly  50  is deployed to a user. 
       FIG. 6  depicts one example wherein the present invention is embodied as a method  100  for deploying a breathing mask. The method  100  comprises providing  103  a cartridge housed in a frame similar to that described above. The cartridge has a first side and a second side. The breathing mask to be deployed is contained within the cartridge. The cartridge is moved  106  substantially out of the frame. The movement may be actuated automatically or manually through action of an individual. The cartridge may slide from the frame to a point where the first and second sides are able to rotate. The first side is rotated  109  about a hinge. In this way, the first side may rotate with respect to the second side in order to expose the inside of the cartridge and the contents contained within. The second side may also be provided with a hinge and able to rotate with respect to the first side. The breathing mask is deployed  112  from within the cartridge. For example, when the first side is rotated with respect to the second side, the breathing mask may deploy by gravitational force, dropping down to the user below. 
     The cartridge may be pushed from an initial position within the frame by a biasing member. The biasing member may be a spring. The biasing member may be a force generating member. In another embodiment, the cartridge may be pushed from an initial position by way of gas pressure from an oxygen system. 
     The present invention may be embodied as a cartridge for use with a breathing gas deployment system having a frame. The cartridge has an end wall and a first side connected to the end wall by a hinge. The cartridge has a second side connected to the end wall by a hinge. The first side and the second side are configured such that the sides form a cavity when the sides are adjacent one another. A breathing mask assembly is housed within the cavity. The cartridge is configured for slidable insertion into the frame of the breathing gas deployment system. 
     Although the present invention has been described with respect to one or more particular embodiments, it will be understood that other embodiments of the present invention may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Hence, the present invention is deemed limited only by the appended claims and the reasonable interpretation thereof.