Abstract:
A receptacle with at least one oxygen mask of an emergency oxygen supply device of an aircraft, said oxygen mask being located in the receptacle and said receptacle comprising an opening, through which the at least one oxygen mask can be led. The receptacle comprises at least one cover for covering the opening at least in sections, and a release device actuated by pull means for the release of the cover.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority from German Patent Application No. 10 2013 220 478.7, filed Oct. 10, 2013 incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The invention relates to a receptacle with at least one oxygen mask of an emergency oxygen supply device, to a personal service unit of an aircraft with such a receptacle, as well as to an aircraft which is provided with such a personal service unit or with a receptacle. 
         [0003]    One or more emergency oxygen supply devices are arranged in an aircraft. For example, a personal service unit, hereinafter also called a PSU (Personal Service Unit), is located in a pressure cabin for passengers, above a seat row. Apart from lighting and ventilation, oxygen masks are also arranged in this PSU, and these oxygen masks are held in the PSU by way of a closed outer cover. In the emergency case, the outer cover of the PSU is opened and the oxygen masks fall out of the PSU. Alternatively, such an oxygen supply unit can also be provided next to the PSU in so-called oxygen boxes which have suitable mask containers. 
         [0004]    From DE 10 2005 044 719 A1, it is counted as belonging to the state of the art, to arrange the oxygen masks with the associated conduits, lanyards and likewise in a receptacle which is closed on one side by a foil. Such an arrangement has the advantage that the installation of the masks into the receptacle does not need to be effected on location in an overhead manner, but can be effected on the part of the factory. On installing the receptacle assembled on the part of the factory, the foil then is merely removed before the complete closure of the outer covering of the PSU, so that the device is ready for use 
         [0005]    It is disadvantageous with the emergency oxygen supply devices known until now, that for example all oxygen masks arranged in the PSU fall out of this PSU for example on inspecting the opening mechanism of the outer cover of the PSU. The oxygen masks thereafter have to be carefully stored away again in the personal service unit, so that the oxygen masks are able to fall out of the PSU in an orderly manner when opening the outer cover again and thus are available to the passengers in the envisaged manner. Thus in particular, one must avoid an entanglement of the oxygen masks with the flexible tubes, lanyards and likewise. 
         [0006]    Proceeding from the initially mentioned state of the art, it is the object of the invention, to improve a receptacle of the known type with at least one oxygen mask, to the extent that the mentioned disadvantages are reduced or avoided. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    According to the invention, this object is achieved by the receptacle with the features specified in claim  1 . A passenger service unit and an aircraft, in which the receptacle according to the invention is arranged, are defined in claim  15  and claim  16  respectively. Advantageous designs of the invention are to be deduced from the dependent claims as well as the subsequent description and the drawing. Hereby, according to the invention, the features specified in the dependent claims and the description, in each case per se but also in a suitable combination can further form the solution according to the invention and according to the claims  1 ,  14  and/or  15 . 
         [0008]    The receptacle according to the invention with at least one oxygen mask of a emergency oxygen supply device of an aircraft, said oxygen mask being arranged therein, comprises an opening, through which the at least one oxygen mask can be led and at least one cover for the at least sectioned covering of the opening, and a release device actuated by pull means, for the release of the cover. 
         [0009]    The basic concept of the invention, is to improve the storage of at least one oxygen mask in the receptacle, to the extent that the opening of the receptacle is covered by way of an additional cover, at least in a manner such that a falling of an oxygen mask out of the receptacle is also prevented when the outer cover of the PSU is opened. The oxygen mask is securely stored in the receptacle until the release device is actuated via a pull means. If the receptacle for example is arranged in a personal service unit (PSU), then the outer cover of the PSU can be opened without an oxygen mask falling downwards through the opening. Only on actuating the release device is the cover released, so that an oxygen mask can fall out of the receptacle or be removed from this. It is to be understood that the receptacle according to the invention can be arranged not only in a PSU, but can also be a part of the mask container of so-called oxygen boxes, as are typically arranged next to these independently of the PSU. 
         [0010]    Preferably, the release device comprises means for the conduit connection of the at least one oxygen mask to an emergency oxygen supply. The actuation of the pull means thus does not only open the cover on the receptacle, but simultaneously also activates the oxygen supply, so that oxygen is led to the at least one oxygen mask. 
         [0011]    Advantageously, the opening of the receptacle has a rectangular shape, adapted to the likewise typically rectangular shape of the outer cover in the PSU or the oxygen box. Thereby, the cover is advantageously designed in a multi-part manner. Preferably, the cover consists of a first and of a second cover section which each have a triangular shape. The rectangular shape of the opening ensures a hindrance-free dropping of the masks through the opening and the opened outer cover lying therebelow. Thereby, it is particularly advantageous to design the cover of the opening in a multi-part manner, in particular two-part manner, since a stepwise release of the opening is rendered possible by way of this, which in particular with receptacles which receive a multitude of oxygen masks, can prevent these or the flexible tubings connected thereto, the lanyards or likewise from becoming entangled when simultaneously falling through the opening. 
         [0012]    It is preferable for the cover sections to overlap, in order to reliably close the opening of the receptacle. This with a triangular shape is advantageously effected along their longest side which roughly forms the diagonal of the rectangular opening. 
         [0013]    According to an advantageous design of the invention, the cover or a cover section at one side is fixedly connected to the receptacle and is otherwise not connected or releasably connected. Such a fixed connection, given an intrinsically stable design of the cover can moreover be suitably effected in a hinge-like manner, so that the cover or the cover section remains on the receptacle along this fastened side, but the other part of the cover can fall down for the purpose of the release of the opening. A fixed connection to the receptacle is therefore advantageously envisaged only at one side of the cover. 
         [0014]    Preferably, a releasable fastening is provided at a corner region of the cover or of a cover section and is preferably released via the release device actuated by pull means. Thereby, it is usefully the case of the corner region which is arranged on the side of the cover or of the cover section, which is distanced furthest from the side which is fixedly connected to the receptacle. 
         [0015]    If the cover consists of two or more cover sections, it is usefully to fasten the corner regions which overlap, each in a releasable manner, since the fastening can then be effected together, in particular via a common release device actuated by pull means. 
         [0016]    According to an advantageous design of the invention, such an actuation device comprises a spring-biased bolt which is held in a biased manner via a securing element, for example via a bar amid the integration of the part of the cover which is to be fastened in a releasable manner. The securing element, for example in the form of the bar passing through a bore in the bolt, then on the one hand fixedly holds the cover in its position closing the opening and according to an advantageous further development of the invention can simultaneously form the control part of a shut-off valve which is arranged between the oxygen supply and the at least one oxygen mask. In this manner, on releasing the device, thus on removing the bar by way of the pull means, on the one hand one succeeds in the cover in the corner region being released via the bolt and on the other hand in the bolt getting from its spring-biased position into a position in which the shut-off valve is opened. 
         [0017]    Preferably, the securing element is releasably connected to the spring-biased bolt with a non-positive and/or positive fit. The connection for example can be effected mechanically or magnetically. The securing element, thus as a pin, can be arranged transversely to the biasing direction of the spring-biased bolt. The pin and the bolt are held in their position by way of spring force. Alternatively or supplementarily, the securing element and the spring-biased bolt can at least partly be magnetic, so that the spring-biased bolt is held in its spring-biased position by way of magnetic attraction or repulsion. 
         [0018]    Advantageously, the spring-biased bolt is designed as a control part of a shut-off valve between the oxygen supply and the at least one oxygen mask, wherein the valve passage is blocked in the spring-biased position and is open in the relaxed position. The shut-off valve can for example be formed by a rupture disc. The rupture disc is destroyed in a targeted manner by the bolt in the relaxed position of the bolt, and the feed of oxygen to the oxygen masks is released. 
         [0019]    In a preferred embodiment, a deflection for at least one pull means and preferably designed as an eyelet is arranged on the receptacle. If the receptacle is located in a PSU above several passengers, then the pull means for actuating the release device given a sudden pressure drop, after the opening of the outer cover of the PSU, are positioned via the deflection in front of the passengers in a manner such that each passenger can simply and quickly reach at least one pull means and thus the oxygen feed and the release of the oxygen masks from the receptacle are rendered possible. The deflection point this serves for the adaptation of the position of the pull means after the opening of the outer cover of the SU or of the oxygen box. If the deflection is unreleasably arranged on the receptacle, then the force on actuating the pull means is deflected by the defection onto the release device, preferably onto the securing element. If the deflection is releasably fastened on the receptacle, then on actuating the pull means, the deflection is released from the receptacle and the pulling force acts directly on release device, preferably onto the securing element. If the pull means is designed with a lanyard, then this lanyard can be led through the deflection designed as an eyelet and thereafter be connected to the release device. 
         [0020]    Particularly preferably, at least one pull means is formed by a pull flag and/or an oxygen mask with lanyard. The pull flag is connected to the release device via the lanyard. The pull flag can be arranged in the PSU between the outer cover of the PSU and the cover of the receptacle. When the outer cover opens in the case of an emergency, the pull flag drops out of the PSU or of the oxygen box. Passengers can pull on the pull flag and the oxygen masks are thereupon released. A pull flag due to its simple construction is easier to be arranged again back in the PSU/oxygen box for example when inspecting the release mechanism of the PSU/oxygen box. The pull flag as a whole can be arranged outside the receptacle, but it can also be arranged in regions of the receptacle which are not covered by the cover, for example by the first or the second cover section. The pull flag then falls out of the receptacle after opening the outer cover of the PSU/oxygen box. 
         [0021]    A pull means can also be formed by an oxygen mask with a lanyard. Some passengers intuitively tend to reach for an oxygen mask rather than for a pull flag in the case of a pressure loss. Thus it is further advantageous if at least one oxygen mask firstly remains in the receptacle by way of the cover, and for example one oxygen mask as a pulls means falls out of the receptacle. This stepwise falling-out of the oxygen masks on the one hand can prevent an entanglement of the oxygen masks as well as their feed conduits and lanyards, and on the other hand this simplifies the arrangement of the few dropped-out oxygen masks back in the receptacle on inspecting the opening mechanism of the outer cover of the PSU/oxygen box. 
         [0022]    Alternatively or supplementarily, a pull means can also be formed by an oxygen mask with a lanyard and pull flag, wherein the pull flag is connected to the oxygen mask. It is therefore possible for the passenger to pull the oxygen mask to himself by way of the pull flag and to thus actuate the release mechanism. 
         [0023]    In a preferred embodiment, at least one pressurised oxygen vessel or an oxygen generator is arranged in the receptacle and ensures an oxygen supply to the oxygen masks arranged in the receptacle. Thus several independent oxygen supplies can be realised in an aircraft in a simple manner. 
         [0024]    Particularly preferably, at least one cover section is designed as a two-dimensional material. A flexible material in the context of the invention for example is a two-dimensional, preferably lightweight material, wherein this material can be a foil, a net, a textile material (woven fabric or knitted fabric) or a combination thereof. The two-dimensional material must fulfil the task on the one hand of ensuring the storage of at least one oxygen mask in the receptacle until the release device is actuated. On the other hand, the two-dimensional material must be designed in a manner such that after actuation of the release device, the opening is released for the falling-out of the at least one oxygen mask. Moreover, it is advantageous for the cover which comprises at least one two-dimensional material, to have an as low as possible weight. It is indeed with an aircraft that an as lightweight as possible construction manner is advantageous. 
         [0025]    The receptacle according to the invention is adapted in its shape and designed such that it is envisaged suitable for the arrangement in a PSU or in an oxygen box. 
         [0026]    At least one receptacle according to the invention is arranged in a personal service unit (PSU) or oxygen box, according to the invention, which are for an aircraft and are with at least one moveable outer cover, with which receptacle at least one pull means is arranged within the PSU or the oxygen box, between the outer cover and the cover of the receptacle. The PSU/oxygen box as well as the at least one receptacle can comprise means for fastening the receptacle in the PSU/oxygen box. In the fixed position of the receptacle, its opening is directed in the direction of the outer cover of the PSU/oxygen box. During the assembly, the receptacle is firstly arranged in the PSU/oxygen box. Thereafter, according to the invention, at least one pull means is arranged between the outer cover of the PSU/oxygen box and the cover of the receptacle, in a manner such that the pull means can fall out in a direct manner when opening the outer cover. If one pulls on the pull means, then the cover of the receptacle opens due to the release of the securing pin and due to the folding away of the sections downwards on account of gravity, so that the oxygen masks can fall out of the receptacle. Alternatively or additionally, at least one pull means can be arranged within the receptacle, wherein in the direction of the outer cover of the PSU/oxygen box, it is not hindered by the cover of the receptacle from falling out of the receptacle and the PSU/oxygen box. This simplifies the assembly, storage and transport of the receptacle, since the pull means are not arranged outside the receptacle. The pull means in the closed PSU, bear on the outer cover, but then are still located at least partly in the receptacle. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0027]    The invention is hereinafter described by way of example and by way of the embodiment examples represented in the drawing. There are shown in: 
           [0028]      FIG. 1  is a view of a receptacle according to the invention, for the arrangement in a closed personal service unit, from below, 
           [0029]      FIG. 2  is a lateral view of the receptacle according to  FIG. 1 , in an opened personal service unit, 
           [0030]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the receptacle according to  FIG. 2 , in the installed condition/opened, 
           [0031]      FIG. 4  is in a schematic representation, a release device in a receptacle, 
           [0032]      FIG. 5  is an alternative design of a receptacle in the representation according to  FIG. 1 , and 
           [0033]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the receptacle represented in  FIG. 5 , in an opened personal service unit. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0034]    The receptacle  2  shown in  FIG. 1  roughly has the shape of a cuboid hollow body, which at one side (at the lower side in the installed condition) comprises an opening  4 . The receptacle  2  is designed to be installed in a personal service unit (PSU) (not shown in  FIG. 1 ). For this, in each case two catch holders  10  are arranged on the two transverse sides  6 ,  8  of the receptacle  2  which bear on the opening  4 , and these holders lock into aligned recesses when installing the receptacle  2  into the PSU. After assembly of the receptacle in the PSU, the opening  4  lies aligned to the opening in the PSU, said latter opening being located therebelow and being closed off by the outer cover  11 . 
         [0035]    An oxygen pressure vessel  12  is arranged in the receptacle  2  in a stationary manner, and four ready-to-use oxygen masks  14 . An oxygen generator can also be arranged in the receptacle  2 , or a connection to a central oxygen supply can be provided, alternatively to the oxygen pressure vessel  12 . The oxygen masks  14  are located in pairs in the receptacle in a space-saving manner. The oxygen masks  14  each comprise a mask body  15  with the usual valves and a breathing bag  17  and are conduit-connected to the oxygen pressure vessel  12  via flexible tubes  16 . A valve  13  is arranged in the receptacle  2  in the conduit connection between the oxygen pressure vessel  12  and the oxygen masks  14 . In a first position of the valve  13 , the valve passage and thus the oxygen conduit between the oxygen pressure vessel  12  and the oxygen masks  14  is blocked and it is open in a second position. 
         [0036]    The opening  4  is covered by a cover  18 . The cover  18  prevents the oxygen masks  14  from falling out of the receptacle  2 . For this, the cover  18  comprise a first cover section  20  and a second cover section  22  which are each designed a triangular foil and are arranged on the receptacle  2  in a manner such that they overlap along their respective longest side, wherein the arising overlapping region  24  extends diagonally over the opening  4  of the receptacle  2 . The second cover section  22  along the transverse side  8  of the receptacle  2  is fixedly connected to the receptacle  2  at two corners via split rivets  26 . The first cover section  20  is connected along a longitudinal side to the receptacle  2  via split rivets  26 . 
         [0037]    In the overlapping region  24 , in a common corner region  25 , the first cover section  20  and the second cover section  22  are releasably connected to a release device  30  via a securing pin  28 , wherein the release device is fixedly arranged in the container. The corner region  25  thereby bears on the transverse side and longitudinal side of the receptacle  2 , which are not fixedly connected to the first cover section  20  or to the second cover section  22  via split rivets  26 . The securing pin  28  thus holds the first as well as the second cover section  20 ,  22  on the receptacle. 
         [0038]    The first and the second cover section  20 ,  22  are designed as lightweight triangular plastic foils in a manner such that they securely hold the oxygen masks  14  arranged in the receptacle  2 , as well as their flexible tubes  16 . 
         [0039]    Two rectangular, longitudinally extended pull flags  32 ,  34  are arranged between the closed outer cover  11  of the PSU and the cover  18  of the receptacle  2 , and these pull flags are connected via lanyards  36 ,  38  to the securing pin  28 . An eyelet  40  is arranged as a deflection on the receptacle  2  on the transverse side  8  laterally of the opening  4 , so that the pull flag  34  assumes a different position than the pull flag  32  on falling out of the PSU. The lanyard  38  of the pull flag  34  is led through the eyelet  40 , before it ends at the securing pin  28 . The eyelet  40  is releasably fastened on the receptacle  2 , so that the eyelet  40  releases from the receptacle  2  on pulling on the pull flag  34 . 
         [0040]    If the outer cover  11  of the PSU is located its opened position  42  ( FIG. 2 ), for example after a suddenly occurring pressure drop in the cabin, then both pull flags  32 ,  34  drop out of the PSU. Whereas the pull flag  32  positions itself below the securing pin  28  on account of the direct connection of the lanyard  36  to the securing pin  28 , the pull flag  34  arranges itself below the eyelet  40  due to the deflection by this. If one of the two pull flags  32 ,  34  is pulled by a passenger, then the securing pin  28  releases from the release device  30 , and the pull flags  32 ,  34  together with the lanyards  36 ,  38  as well as the with eyelet  40  and with the securing pin  28  fall further downwards due to gravity or by way of puling. The release of the securing pin  28  from the release device  30  has the effect of the first cover section  20  and the second cover section  22  fold away downwards due to gravity, in a manner releasing the opening  4  and the oxygen masks  14  falling out of the receptacle  2 , as is represented in  FIG. 3 . The position of the oxygen masks  14  below the receptacle thereby results from the length of the respective flexible tube  16  which is connected to the oxygen mask  14  via the breaching bag  17 . The release of the securing pin  28  effects the activation by the release device  30  and thus the switching-over of the valve  13  and the release of the oxygen supply from the oxygen pressure vessel  12  to the oxygen masks  14 . 
         [0041]    One embodiment of a release device  30  is represented schematically in  FIG. 4 , and this is arranged in the receptacle  2  above the opening  4 . The release device  30  comprises a valve  13 , whose valve housing  13   a  is arranged on the oxygen pressure vessel  12  at the face side. A spring-biased bolt  42  as a control part of the valve  13  is arranged in the valve  13 , wherein an axial end of the bolt  42  is dieted towards the oxygen pressure vessel  12  and the other free end (lying remotely opposite) comprises a transverse bore  46 , through which the securing pin  28  passes. The bolt  42  is held in its spring-biased position by way of this. The valve  13  furthermore comprises a connection  19 , at which the flexible tubes  16  are connected. A valve passage to the oxygen pressure vessel  12  is formed within the valve  13  in a manner such that the valve  13  is located in its first position, in which the valve passage is blocked, in the spring-biased position of the bolt  42 . If the securing pin  28  is removed from the bore  46  for example by way of pulling on one of the pull flags  32 ,  34 , then the bolt  42  is impinged by spring force and is moved into a position, in which the valve  13  ins in a second position, in which the valve passage is opened. The oxygen is then led out of the oxygen pressure vessel  12  via the opened valve  13  to the flexible tubes  16  and thus to the oxygen masks  14 . 
         [0042]    An alternative embodiment of the cover and of the pull elements is represented in  FIG. 5 . The cover  18 ′ hereby comprises only a first cover section  20 ′ which in accordance with the preceding description is arranged on the receptacle  2  as with the cover section  20 , but with respect to the cover  20  differs in its extension and thus in the covering area or surface. Thus receptacle  2  can be applied inexpensively with both covers  18 ,  18 ′. Only part of the oxygen masks  14 ′ which are located below the first cover section  20 ′ in the receptacle  2  are held by the cover  18 ′. The pull elements are formed in each case by an oxygen mask  48 ,  50 , their flexible tubes and lanyards which are arranged in the part of the receptacle  2  which is not covered to the outside by the cover  18 ′. The oxygen masks  48 ,  50  are directly connected with their mask body  15 ′ in each case to a lanyard  36 ′,  38 ′, wherein the lanyard  36 ′ is directly connected to the securing pin  28 , whereas the lanyard  38 ′ is connected to the securing pin  28  via the deflection  40 . As is the case with the oxygen masks  14 ′, the conduit tubings  16 ′ connect the oxygen masks  48 ,  50  via their breathing bags  17 ′ to the oxygen pressure vessel  12 . 
         [0043]    If the outer cover  11  of the PSU is opened, the two oxygen masks  48 ,  50  then fall out of the receptacle  2 . The oxygen mask  48  hangs on the lanyard  36  below the securing pin  28 , whilst the oxygen mask  50  hangs with the lanyard  38  below the deflection  40  ( FIG. 6 ). If now a passenger pulls on an oxygen mask  48  or  50 , then the securing pin  28  releases from the release device, the oxygen supply to the oxygen masks  14 ′ and  48 ,  50  is activated by the valve  13 , the first cover section  20 ′ folds downwards away from the receptacle  2  due to gravity, and the oxygen masks  14 ′ fall out of the receptacle  2 . All oxygen masks  14 ,  48 ,  50  now in each case hang on their flexible tubes  16 ′ and are ready for dispensing oxygen to the passengers. 
       LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS 
       [0000]    
       
           2 —receptacle 
           4 —opening 
           6 —transverse side 
           8 —transverse side 
           10 —catch holder 
           11 —outer cover of the PSU 
           12 —oxygen pressure vessel 
           13 —valve 
           13   a  - valve housing 
           14 ,  14 ′ - oxygen mask 
           15 ,  15 ′ - mask body 
           16 ,  16 ′ - two-dimensional tube 
           17 ,  17 ′ - breathing bag 
           18 ,  18 ′ - cover 
           19 —connection 
           20 ,  20 ′—first cover section 
           22 —second cover section 
           24 —overlapping region 
           25 —corner region 
           26 —split rivet 
           28 —securing pin 
           30 —release device 
           32 —pull flag 
           34 —pull flag 
           36 ,  36 ′—lanyard 
           38 ,  38 ′—lanyard 
           40 —eyelet 
           42 —spring-biased bolt 
           46 —bore 
           48 —oxygen mask 
           50 —oxygen mask