Quick-donning protective hood assembly

A quick-donning protective hood assembly for respiratory protection from smoke and noxious gases. The assembly consists of a clear "TEFLON" film hood (12) having a scrubber canister (20) and an exhaust valve (42) supported thereon. A neck seal (14) is connected to the lower marginal edge of the hood. A springlike hoop (16) is connected to the lower marginal edge of the hood. A bib (18) is carried by the springlike hoop and supports an oxygen generator (22) which is interconnected with the scrubber canister by an oxygen supply line (24). Waist straps (54) extend from the sides of the bib and may be adjusted to secure the bib about the wearer. The assembly can be stored in a cylindrical storage container with the hoop being collapsed. When the assembly is withdrawn from the storage container, a lanyard (62) will initiate the operation of the chemical oxygen generator. In addition, chemiluminescent devices (64) are secured to the hoop when in the storage container, and the springing open of the hoop when withdrawn from the storage container will initiate a chemiluminescent reaction within the illuminating devices. The springlike hoop will additionally spring the assembly open to position the components for quick donning.

TECHNICAL FIELD 
The present invention relates generally to breathing devices, and more 
particularly to a quick-donning protective hood assembly for respiratory 
protection from smoke and noxious gases. The hood assembly of this 
invention may be used by aircraft passengers. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
In many situations it may be desirable to provide individuals with 
protective hood assemblies for respiratory protection from smoke and 
noxious gases. For example, in an aircraft it may be desirable to provide 
each passenger with a device which will protect the passenger from fires 
within the passenger compartment and which will also protect the passenger 
should the aircraft lose pressure at high altitude. Various such devices 
are well known in the prior art. A mask typically is provided in today's 
commercial aircraft, which mask can be strapped to the passenger's face, 
the mask in turn being connected to a source of oxygen carried by the 
aircraft. While these devices generally function satisfactorily in their 
intended manner, they are not designed for fire protection. Thus, if there 
is a fire within the compartment of the aircraft, it is possible with 
today's typical masks that toxic gases can be inhaled. This is most likely 
to happen if the wearer has a beard. The smoke from the fire will also 
typically cause skin and eye irritation. Severe eye irritation may, of 
course, interfere with one's ability to see. In addition, today's 
passenger compartment masks may not be utilized when exiting from the 
aircraft as no means are provided either for recycling the exhaled gases 
or for providing the mask with oxygen once the passenger leaves the area 
of his or her seat. 
Prior art escape breathing apparatus has been proposed which will provide 
oxygen and some protection from smoke. One such example is shown in 
Swedish Patent 448,681. Another example is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 
2,048,059. Both of these patents disclose the use of a protective hood, an 
oxygen supply interconnected with the hood, and a carbon-dioxide scrubber. 
However, the apparatus shown in both patents would appear to be somewhat 
difficult to don, particularly during night time if there is no available 
lighting. Furthermore, each of these devices would require the operator to 
initiate the flow of oxygen. It has been found that many passengers in an 
aircraft are incapable of following relatively simple instructions during 
an emergency situation, and therefore, it is desirable that the operation 
of any protective equipment be initiated either through the removal of the 
equipment from storage or through the donning process. In addition, the 
apparatus should be designed in such a manner that it is relatively easy 
to don. 
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
It is an object of the present invention to provide a protective hood 
assembly for respiratory protection from smoke and noxious gas which is 
self-contained and which may be readily donned. 
More particularly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a 
self-contained closed-circuit breathing assembly designed to protect an 
aircraft passenger from the harmful effects of smoke and toxic gases 
during an in-flight or ground emergency, which assembly may also provide 
oxygen to the passenger in the event of loss of cabin pressure during 
flight. 
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a self-contained 
closed-circuit breathing assembly which may be stored in a collapsed 
fashion, the operation of which assembly commences when the assembly is 
withdrawn from the storage container, the assembly further providing full 
peripheral vision when worn. 
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a quick-donning 
protective hood assembly including a clear "TEFLON" hood providing a full 
peripheral vision, which assembly will accommodate beards and glasses, and 
which will protect the wearer in an oxygen-deficient atmosphere or during 
decompression of a passenger compartment during flight of an aircraft, the 
device being completely self-contained to allow unrestricted mobility, 
which will be quick-donning with minimal training and which will 
additionally be provided with its own light source, the initiation of the 
operation of the light source taking place as the assembly is withdrawn 
from its storage container. 
In accordance with the present invention the assembly consists of a clear 
"TEFLON" film hood having a scrubber canister and an exhaust valve 
supported thereon, the hood terminating in a lower open marginal edge, 
there being a neck seal connected to the lower marginal edge, and wherein 
a springlike hoop is connected to the open lower marginal edge. A bib is 
carried by the springlike hoop and supports an oxygen generator which is 
interconnected with the scrubber canister by an oxygen supply line. Waist 
straps extend from the sides of the bib and may be used to secure the bib 
about the wearer. The assembly can be stored in a cylindrical storage 
container with the hoop being collapsed. A lanyard will initiate the 
operation of the chemical-oxygen generator when the assembly is withdrawn 
from the container. In addition, the assembly is provided with one or more 
chemiluminescent devices, preferably in the form of light sticks secured 
to the neck hoop, which chemiluminescent devices will be caused to become 
operative at the same time the protective hood assembly is withdrawn from 
the storage container. The springlike hoop will spring the assembly open 
to position the components for quick donning.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
The quick-donning protective hood assembly of this invention is indicated 
generally at 10. It includes, as its major components, a hood 12, a neck 
seal 14, a springlike neck hoop interconnected with the hood and neck 
seal, and a bib 18 supported by the neck hoop. A scrubber canister 20 is 
carried by the hood 12 and an oxygen generator 22 is carried by the bib 
18, the canister and generator being interconnected by an oxygen supply 
line 24. The hood 12 is preferably made from a clear "TEFLON" film. 
"TEFLON" is a preferred material because of its high heat resistance, high 
oxygen index, and excellent optical clarity. The hood is preferably made 
from a single sheet of "TEFLON" film; the sheet being formed into a 
hoodlike shape and heat sealed along the seam 26. The hood 12 terminates 
at its lower edge in an open lower marginal edge portion 28 (FIG. 1b). The 
upper portion of a coated fabric tape 30 is heat sealed to the lower 
marginal edge portion 28 of the hood. An outer surface portion of the 
urethane film strip 32 is heat sealed to the lower inner portion of tape 
30. The neck seal 14 is formed from a neoprene foam sheet and is provided 
with a neck opening 34, the neck opening in the sheet fitting the 5 to 95 
percentile adult population (11.8 to 16.6 inch neck circumference). The 
periphery of foam sheet 14 is secured to an inner surface of the film 
strip 32 by a urethane adhesive. 
The scrubber canister 20 may be of the type shown in FIG. 2 of copending 
U.S. application Ser. No. 07/403,303 filed Sep. 1, 1989. This form of 
scrubber canister includes a sorbent bed 36, filter 38, and venturi 
ejector 40 or pump which causes gas from the hood to be recirculated 
through the scrubber for the purpose of removing the wearer's exhaled 
carbon dioxide. The sorbent bed 36 includes anhydrous lithium hydroxide 
which is also capable of absorbing many toxic acid gases that may be 
introduced into the hood during donning. As the scrubber canister is more 
fully described in the foregoing U.S. patent application, the subject 
matter of which is incorporated herein by reference, it will not be 
described in greater detail. The hood is also provided with an exhaust 
valve 42 of conventional construction. 
The springlike neck hoop 16 is disposed outside of the tape 30, the neck 
hoop being capable of being collapsed in the manner indicated in FIG. 2 
when it is placed in a storage container. When the assembly of this 
invention is removed from the storage container, the neck hoop will spring 
open to a generally circular configuration as indicated in FIGS. 1, 4, and 
5. A fabric tape 44 extends along the sides and back of the neck hoop, the 
tape 44 having sewn thereon elongated fabric elements 46 in the nature of 
belt loops, the hoop passing through the belt loops. Hook and loop pile 
fasteners, such as the type sold under the tradename "VELCRO", are secured 
to spaced apart locations of the fabric tape 44 and also to the tape 30 so 
that the neck hoop may be secured to the lower end of the hood 12. The 
ends of the fabric tape 44 are sewn to the top edge of the bib 16 so that 
the bib is supported by the neck hoop. 
A generally cylindrical tubular nylon mesh element, provided with 
drawstrings 52 at one end is sewn or otherwise secured to the bib 18. In 
addition, the bib is also provided with waist straps 54. The oxygen 
generator is held in the nylon bib by drawing tight the drawstrings 52, 
the generator being within an insulated heat shield 56 concentric with the 
generator to protect the wearer from excess heat. 
The springlike hoop may be formed of differing materials. Thus, it may be 
plastic or alternatively it may be a composite including a spring wire. 
The sides of the neck hoop may be positioned parallel to each other with 
the generator 22, canister 20, and hood 12 positioned between the sides 
when stored in a storage container 58. The neck hoop will expand when 
withdrawn from a storage container 58. Thus, if a spring wire is utilized, 
the spring wire in the neck hoop will cause the hood and bib to assume 
their unfolded shape when the neck hoop is pulled from its storage 
container 58 as indicated in FIG. 4, the unfolding facilitating donning. 
The protective hood assembly of this invention is preferably stored for use 
in a cylindrical canister 58 with a pull-type foil cover 60. When it is 
desirable to utilize the protective hood assembly, it is necessary to 
first remove the cover 60 by pulling as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 2. 
This will expose one end of the neck hoop which will then be engaged by 
one hand of the user, the other hand of the user holding the canister as 
illustrated in FIG. 3. As the unit is withdrawn from the container, a 
firing lanyard 62 will automatically actuate the oxygen generator 22 as 
the unit is removed from its storage container. One end of the lanyard 
being secured to the inside of the base of the storage container 58 and at 
the other end to the oxygen generator. Thus, the chemical production of 
oxygen by the oxygen generator is automatically initiated by a percussion 
cap when the unit is removed from the storage container. Oxygen will now 
flow at a set flow rate to the scrubber canister where the oxygen powers 
the venturi ejector or pump. The venturi causes gases to be recirculated 
from the hood through the scrubber where the passenger's exhaled carbon 
dioxide is removed. The oxygen generator is preferably designed to produce 
an initial high oxygen flow rate immediately after donning to purge the 
hood 12 and fill it with a respirable gas. The vent valve or exhaust valve 
42 in the hood allows excess oxygen to escape to the atmosphere. 
It is an additional feature of the present invention to provide one or more 
chemiluminescent devices which are connected to the hood assembly, the 
operation of the devices being initiated when the protective hood assembly 
is withdrawn from the storage container to facilitate the donning of the 
device, particularly when dark. Such devices may also be used for finding 
the wearer by rescue personnel. While various such devices may be 
utilized, a preferred form of the device is a CYALUME light stick 
manufactured by the American Cyanamid Company, Chemical Light Department, 
1 Cyanamid Plaza, Wayne, N.J. 07470. These devices when bent will initiate 
a chemiluminescent reaction. A pair of light sticks 64 may be mounted on 
the sides of the hoop 16, as shown in FIG. 2, with each light stick 
passing through a pair of loops 46. Thus, at least two light sticks may be 
mounted onto the hoop 16 when it is compressed in its storage position, 
the sticks being mounted without initiating the chemiluminescent reaction. 
When the protective hood assembly is withdrawn from the canister, the 
chemiluminescent reaction will be initiated providing suitable lighting to 
facilitate donning and finding of the wearer by rescue personnel. While 
the use of CYALUME light sticks is presently contemplated, it should be 
appreciated that other chemiluminescent devices may be developed in the 
future which may also have application to the present invention. 
While a preferred construction in which the principles of the present 
invention have been incorporated are shown and described above, it is to 
be understood that the present invention is not to be limited to the 
particular details, shown and described above, but that, in fact, widely 
differing means may be employed in the practice of the broader aspects of 
this invention.