Patent Description:
Modern aircraft comprising a pressurized cabin are equipped with emergency oxygen masks, which are deployed for the passengers in case of a loss of cabin pressure during flight. The oxygen masks are part of self-sustained aircraft emergency oxygen supply systems, including oxygen sources that provide oxygen gas to oxygen masks for the passengers, in case cabin pressure is lost.

In case of pressure loss within a passenger cabin of an aircraft, the oxygen masks drop from the ceiling above the passenger seats. The oxygen masks are tied to lanyards, which extend between the oxygen masks and the ceiling for holding the oxygen masks at positions, which are in sight of the passengers and which can be reached easily by the passengers for grabbing the oxygen mask.

<CIT> discloses an emergency breathing assembly adapted for use in an aircraft to automatically present a breathing mask to a user upon a loss of cabin pressurization.

The assembly includes a storage container having an access opening for deployment of the mask stowed within the container. The container is mounted in the aircraft cabin such that the access opening is positioned in a generally vertical plane of orientation relative to the user. The assembly further includes a door connected to the container for closing the access opening and thereby retaining the mask therein, means for moving the door from a closed to an open position relative to the access opening in response to a change in cabin pressurization, and means automatically operable upon movement of the door to an open position to eject the mask from the container through the access opening.

<CIT> discloses an apparatus for an aircraft comprising a spring cart ridge extension device for laterally extending a required number of oxygen masks, upon release of the door to the oxygen mask container; and positioning them over abreast seating arrangements, so that an oxygen mask is within the reach of each of the seated passengers.

The lanyards holding the oxygen masks, however, may entangle. Entangled lanyards may make it difficult for the passengers reach the oxygen masks and/or to put the oxygen masks properly onto their faces, in particular in stressful emergency situations.

It would therefore be beneficial to provide an aircraft emergency oxygen supply system, which allows for positioning the oxygen masks in desired positions next to the passengers, after the aircraft emergency oxygen supply system has been activated, but which also has a low risk of obstructing the use of the oxygen masks, in particular the risk of obstructing a free movement of the oxygen masks, which may be caused by an entanglement of lanyards tied to the oxygen masks.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention include an aircraft emergency oxygen supply system that comprises at least one passenger oxygen mask; a compartment for housing the at least one passenger oxygen mask; at least one oxygen hose and at least one fixing clip. Each of the at least one passenger oxygen mask is coupled to a respective oxygen hose for supplying a gas comprising oxygen to the respective oxygen mask. Each of the at least one fixing clip comprises a lanyard fixing portion, and at least one C-shaped oxygen hose fixing portion for releasably holding one or more oxygen hoses, in order to fix a portion of the at least one oxygen hose to the fixing clip. For each of the at least one fixing clip, the aircraft emergency oxygen supply system further comprises a lanyard having a first end, which is fixed at the compartment, and an opposing second end, which is fixed to the lanyard fixing portion of the respective fixing clip.

For at least a subset of the at least one oxygen hose, the respective oxygen hose comprises a shroud for positioning the fixing clip along the oxygen hose.

The fixing clip couples a lanyard to one or more oxygen hoses, which is/are arranged within the oxygen hose fixing portion. After the aircraft emergency oxygen supply system has been activated and the oxygen masks have dropped out of the compartment of the aircraft emergency oxygen supply system, the lanyard holds the one or more oxygen hoses in a predefined position next to the passengers. In particular, a suitable length of the lanyard and a suitable position of the fixing clip along the oxygen hose(s) may allow for presenting the oxygen mask(s) at a desired vertical position with respect to the passengers. The fixing clip may allow for releasing the one or more oxygen hoses from the lanyard by pulling the oxygen mask(s), which is/are coupled to the one or more oxygen hoses, towards one or more passengers, thus pulling the one or more oxygen hoses out of the fixing clip. Releasing the one or more oxygen hoses from the lanyard may allow for a free movement of the one or more oxygen masks, wherein the movement of the oxygen mask(s) is in particular not restricted by an entanglement of the lanyard with other lanyards or oxygen hoses.

In an embodiment, the at least one C-shaped oxygen hose fixing portion is elastic.

This may allow the one or more oxygen hoses to escape from the at least one C-shaped oxygen hose fixing portion in a particularly convenient manner, when the one or more oxygen hoses is/are pulled. The one or more oxygen hoses may in particular escape from the at least one C-shaped oxygen hose fixing portion when being pulled by a passenger, who grabs one of the oxygen masks attached to the one or more oxygen hoses and puts said oxygen mask onto his/her face. In other words, the one or more oxygen hoses may be released from the fixing clip by applying a pulling force, which corresponds to the force, which is typically applied by a passenger grabbing an oxygen mask and pulling said oxygen mask to his face. The one or more oxygen hoses may also be elastic, with the elasticity of the C-shaped oxygen hose fixing portion and the elasticity of the one or more oxygen hoses cooperating in the release of the oxygen hose(s) from the fixing clip. It is also possible that the C-shaped oxygen hose fixing portion is only little elastic or substantially rigid. In this case, the elasticity of the one or more oxygen hoses may allow for the release of the oxygen hose(s) from the fixing clip.

In an embodiment, the at least one oxygen hose fixing portion comprises an opening for accommodating the portion of the at least one oxygen hose. The at least one oxygen hose fixing portion may in particular comprise two legs defining a C-shaped outer periphery of the opening.

In an embodiment, each of the two legs comprises a free end, and the free ends of the two legs are arranged opposite to each other in a distance from each other, forming a gap between the free ends of the two legs. If only one oxygen hose is arranged within the opening, the width of the gap is smaller than the diameter of the oxygen hose. If a plurality of oxygen hoses are arranged within the opening, the width of the gap is set smaller than the sum of the diameters of the oxygen hoses, which are arranged within the opening.

In an embodiment, at least one of the legs and/or the one or more oxygen hose(s) is/are elastic, so that the oxygen hose(s) is/are allowed to pass through the gap by deforming at least one of the legs and/or the oxygen hose(s). In consequence, the one or more oxygen hose(s) may be released from the lanyard by pulling an oxygen mask, which is coupled to an oxygen hose. While above described release mechanism provides for a particularly flexible handling of the oxygen mask(s), it is also possible that the oxygen mask(s) are used by the passenger(s) with the oxygen hoses(s) still held by the fixing clip.

In an embodiment, for at least a subset of the at least one fixing clip, the fixing clip comprises a single C-shaped oxygen hose fixing portion for releasably holding two oxygen hoses side-by-side within the single C-shaped oxygen hose fixing portion. This may result in a simple structure of the fixing clip, as only a single oxygen hose fixing portion needs to be formed for holding multiple oxygen hoses. It is also possible that the single C-shaped oxygen hose fixing portion is shaped for releasably holding more than two oxygen hoses, such as three or four or more oxygen hoses.

The term at least a subset of the at least one fixing clip means that at least one, a plurality, or all fixing clips of the aircraft emergency oxygen supply system may be provided with a single C-shaped oxygen hose fixing portion for releasably holding two oxygen hoses, as it has been described before.

In an embodiment, the lanyard fixing portion of the fixing clip is arranged at a center portion of the fixing clip, in particular at a center portion of the one C-shaped oxygen hose fixing portion. This may result in a symmetric configuration of the fixing clip. The fixing clip may be well-suited for contributing to the presentation of two oxygen masks side-by-side, because the lanyard may position the center of the fixing clip at a desired position.

In an embodiment, for at least a subset of the at least one fixing clip, the fixing clip comprises two C-shaped oxygen hose fixing portions for releasably holding one oxygen hose each. In other words, in such an embodiment, each oxygen hose is held separately in an individual oxygen hose fixing portion, respectively. As a result, each oxygen hose may be released individually from the fixing clip without simultaneously releasing the other oxygen hose(s) as well.

In an embodiment, which comprises two C-shaped oxygen hose fixing portions, the lanyard fixing portion of the fixing clip may be arranged between the two C-shaped oxygen hose fixing portions. This may result in a symmetric configuration of the fixing clip. The fixing clip may be well-suited for contributing to the presentation of two oxygen masks side-by-side, because the lanyard may position the center of the fixing clip at a desired position.

In an embodiment, the two C-shaped oxygen hose fixing portions are arranged adjacent to each other and have a common orientation. This means that the gaps of the C-shaped oxygen hose fixing portions are oriented parallel to each other in the same direction. In consequence, the oxygen hoses may be released from the oxygen hose fixing portions by pulling the oxygen hoses parallel to each other in the same direction.

In an embodiment, the two C-shaped oxygen hose fixing portions are arranged adjacent to each other and are oriented angled with respect to each other. In other words, the gaps of the C-shaped oxygen hose fixing portions are not oriented in the same direction, but in two different directions, which are inclined with respect to each other, so that the angle between the two different directions is between <NUM>° and <NUM>°.

When projected onto the plane, in which the fixing clip mainly extends, the angle between the two C-shaped oxygen hose fixing portions may in particular be between <NUM>° and <NUM>°, further in particular between <NUM>° and <NUM>°, yet further in particular between <NUM>° and <NUM>°.

A fixing clip, in which the oxygen hose fixing portions are angled with respect to each other, may allow for releasing the oxygen hoses from the fixing clip by pulling the oxygen hoses in two different direction, which are not oriented parallel to each other. This may make the releasing of the oxygen hoses from the fixing clip easier, as the two oxygen hoses may be pulled in opposite directions, or directions which are close to opposite directions, for releasing the oxygen hoses from the fixing clip. This may in particular contribute to a convenient use of the passenger masks in cases where the fixing clip is positioned between two passengers, when the passenger masks drop out of the compartment.

For at least a subset of the at least one oxygen hose, the respective oxygen hose comprises a shroud for positioning the fixing clip along the oxygen hose. The shroud may have a larger diameter than other portions of the oxygen hose. The shroud may in particular have a slot for accommodating the fixing clip. More particularly, the shroud may include two shroud portions, and the slot may be formed in between said two shroud portions. The shroud and/or the shroud portions may be formed integrally with the oxygen hose or they may be attached, in particular glued, to the oxygen hose.

When the fixing clip is inserted into a slot formed within the shroud, the fixing clip is prevented from moving along the longitudinal direction of the oxygen hose. The position of the fixing clip along the longitudinal direction may be well defined and fixed in a reliable and convenient manner. A well defined and fixed position of the fixing clip along the longitudinal direction of the one or more oxygen hoses may be beneficial for positioning the one or more oxygen masks, which is/are coupled to the oxygen hose(s), in a desired position in front of the passengers.

In an embodiment, the at least one fixing clip is made of a plastics material, in particular polyamide, such as polyamide <NUM>. A plastics material, for example a polyamide, such as polyamide <NUM>, has been found as well suited for forming the fixing clip.

In an embodiment, the lanyard fixing portion comprises an lanyard fixing opening, to which the second end of the lanyard is fixed. The second end of the lanyard may, in particular, be tied to the lanyard fixing opening. Tying an end of the lanyard to a lanyard fixing opening, which is formed in the fixing clip, may provide for an easy, inexpensive and reliable way of fixing the lanyard to the fixing clip.

In an embodiment, the aircraft emergency oxygen supply system comprises at least two oxygen masks, at least two oxygen hoses, at least one lanyard and at least one fixing clip for releasably coupling the at least one lanyard with at least one of the oxygen hoses. In such an embodiment, one oxygen hose is fluidly coupled with one oxygen mask, respectively.

The aircraft emergency oxygen supply system may comprise at least one fixing clip, which may be releasably attached to two oxygen hoses, or the aircraft emergency oxygen supply system may comprise at least two fixing clips, wherein each of the two fixing clips may be releasably attached to only one oxygen hose, respectively.

In an embodiment, the aircraft emergency oxygen supply system comprises a plurality of lanyards and a plurality of fixing clips. The aircraft emergency oxygen supply system may in particular comprise the same number of lanyards and fixing clips, and each oxygen hose may be releasably held by one of the fixing clips, respectively.

In an embodiment, the aircraft emergency oxygen supply system comprises at least two fixing clips and at least two lanyards, wherein the first ends of the at least two lanyards are in particular fixed to spatially separated fixing portions of the compartment. With such an arrangement, the oxygen masks may be presented to the passengers at desired horizontal distances in a particularly effective and reliable manner. Stated differently, attaching the first ends of the lanyards to different, spaced portions of the compartment may allow for the fixing clips to have laterally offset positions, when the oxygen masks drop out of the compartment, such that an easy-to-use horizontal distribution of the oxygen masks may be achieved.

In an embodiment, the aircraft emergency oxygen supply system comprises an oxygen supply, coupled to the at least one oxygen hose, wherein the oxygen supply is electrically triggered and/or electrically controlled during the supply of oxygen to the at least one passenger oxygen mask. The oxygen supply may in particular be triggered and/or controlled in response to a breath detection, when the passenger oxygen mask(s) is/are in use. In such an arrangement, the lanyard may be freed from the task of mechanically triggering the oxygen supply, as was the lanyard's task in many previous approaches. The lanyard may thus be specifically adapted to ensure a good relative positioning between the compartment and the fixing clip, when the oxygen masks drop out of the compartment. The compartment and the fixing clip may remain fixed to each other via the lanyard throughout the use of the aircraft emergency oxygen supply system, with the flexibility in positioning the oxygen mask(s) stemming from the possibility of moving the lanyard with respect to the compartment, which is limited due to the fixed length of the lanyard, and from the release of the oxygen hose(s) from the fixing clip, which makes the movement of the oxygen hose(s) independent from the fixing clip and, thus, from the lanyard.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention also include an aircraft, which comprises a passenger cabin and a plurality of aircraft emergency oxygen supply systems according to exemplary embodiments of the invention. The additional features, modifications and effects, as described above with respect to the aircraft emergency oxygen supply system, apply to the aircraft in an analogous manner.

In an embodiment, the passenger cabin has multiple rows of passenger seats, and at least one aircraft emergency oxygen supply system may be provided for each row of passenger seats.

Each row of passenger seats may comprise a plurality of groups of adjacent passenger seats. The groups of adjacent passenger seats may be separated by one or more aisles, extending between the groups of passengers seats.

An aircraft emergency oxygen supply system according to an embodiment of the invention may be associated with each group of adjacent passenger seats, respectively.

The aircraft may also be equipped with one or more aircraft emergency oxygen supply systems that are associated with one passenger seat only.

Further exemplary embodiments of the invention are described below with respect to the accompanying drawings, wherein:.

<FIG> shows an aircraft <NUM>, in particular an air plane, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention in a schematic side view. In the exemplary embodiment shown in <FIG>, the aircraft <NUM> is a large passenger air plane, comprising a cockpit <NUM> and a passenger cabin <NUM>, housing a plurality of passenger seats <NUM>. In general, the aircraft <NUM> may be a commercial passenger air plane, a private air plane, a military aircraft, or a rotorcraft, such as a helicopter.

In an exemplary configuration, in which the aircraft <NUM> comprises six passenger seats <NUM> in every row, each row of passenger seats <NUM> may have two aircraft emergency oxygen supply systems <NUM> in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the invention associated therewith, one aircraft emergency oxygen supply system <NUM> assigned to the passenger seats <NUM> on the left side of a center aisle and one aircraft emergency oxygen supply system <NUM> assigned to the passenger seats <NUM> on the right side of the center aisle.

For the exemplary embodiment of each row of passenger seats <NUM> having six seats, every aircraft emergency oxygen supply system <NUM> may include one oxygen supply / oxygen generator and three oxygen masks, coupled to the oxygen supply / oxygen generator. Such a set-up is schematically illustrated in <FIG> via three exemplary passenger windows <NUM>, each being associated with a row of passenger seats <NUM>, and via three exemplary aircraft emergency oxygen supply systems <NUM>, depicted in phantom due to their arrangement within the aircraft <NUM>.

<FIG> depicts an aircraft emergency oxygen supply system <NUM> in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention, as it may be installed in the passenger cabin <NUM> of an aircraft <NUM>. The aircraft emergency oxygen supply system <NUM> depicted in <FIG> comprises an oxygen generator <NUM> and three oxygen masks <NUM>. The oxygen generator <NUM> may be a device that generates oxygen in a chemical reaction. It is also possible that the oxygen generator is a local oxygen supply that releases oxygen over time, e.g. a local oxygen supply in the form of an oxygen tank.

Alternative embodiments, which are not explicitly shown in the Figures, may comprise more or less than three oxygen masks <NUM>. Instead of comprising an oxygen generator <NUM>, the aircraft emergency oxygen supply system <NUM> may be coupled to an external oxygen supply, provided within the aircraft <NUM> separately from the aircraft emergency oxygen supply system <NUM>.

During normal operation of the aircraft <NUM>, when the air pressure within the passenger cabin <NUM> is sufficiently high, the oxygen masks <NUM> are stored within a compartment <NUM> of the aircraft emergency oxygen supply system <NUM>, which is installed above the passenger seats <NUM>. In such a configuration, a movable door <NUM> of the aircraft emergency oxygen supply system <NUM> is in a closed position, in which it covers the oxygen generator <NUM> and prevents the oxygen masks <NUM> from dropping out of the compartment <NUM>.

In case of pressure loss within the passenger cabin <NUM>, the movable door <NUM> opens, allowing the oxygen masks <NUM> to drop out of the compartment <NUM>, so that passengers sitting on the passenger seats <NUM> below the aircraft emergency oxygen supply system <NUM> may grab the oxygen masks <NUM>.

Each oxygen mask <NUM> is fluidly coupled with the oxygen generator <NUM> by an oxygen hose <NUM>, which allows the oxygen generator <NUM> to supply oxygen rich gas via the oxygen hose <NUM> to the respective oxygen mask <NUM>.

Each oxygen hose <NUM> comprises a clip fixing portion <NUM>, which may in particular have the form of a shroud <NUM>. The clip fixing portion <NUM> may be a portion of the oxygen hose <NUM> having an increased diameter.

A respective fixing clip <NUM>, which will be discussed in more detail below, is releasable coupled with, in particular clipped to, each clip fixing portion <NUM>.

A lanyard <NUM> extends between each fixing clip <NUM> and the compartment <NUM>. A first end 15a of each lanyard <NUM> is attached to a lanyard fixing point <NUM> within or at the compartment <NUM>, and an opposing second end 15b of each lanyard <NUM> is fixed to the respective fixing clip <NUM>.

As a result, each oxygen mask <NUM> is held by one of the lanyards <NUM> above the passenger seats <NUM> (see <FIG>), after the movable door <NUM> has been opened and the oxygen masks <NUM> have dropped out of the compartment <NUM>. The oxygen masks <NUM> may in particular be held in positions in front of the passengers in the passenger's field of view and reach. This allows passengers, sitting on the passenger seats <NUM>, to easily see and grab one of the oxygen masks <NUM>, which are positioned in front of them.

All lanyards <NUM> of the aircraft emergency oxygen supply system <NUM> may be attached to a common lanyard fixing point <NUM> in or at the compartment <NUM>. Alternatively, a plurality of lanyard fixing points <NUM> may be provided in or at the compartment <NUM>. This may allow for fixing different lanyards <NUM> to different lanyard fixing points <NUM>, in particular to different lanyard fixing points <NUM> which are spatially separated from each other.

Attaching different lanyards <NUM> to different lanyard fixing points <NUM> may allow for distributing the positions of the oxygen masks <NUM>, hanging from the aircraft emergency oxygen supply system <NUM>, in a beneficial spatial configuration above the passenger seats <NUM>. In particular, such an arrangement may allow for spatially distributing the positions of the oxygen masks <NUM> over a plurality of passenger seats <NUM>, which are installed below the emergency oxygen supply systems <NUM>.

The oxygen generator <NUM> may include an activation mechanism / trigger mechanism, which starts to supply oxygen rich gas to an oxygen mask <NUM>. In particular, the oxygen generator <NUM> may be an oxygen generator that is electrically triggered and/or electrically controlled during use of the oxygen masks <NUM>. Further in particular, the oxygen generator <NUM> may be an oxygen generator that is triggered via the detection of a passenger breath by a suitable sensor and that controls the supply of oxygen during use of the oxygen mask via the continuous detection of passenger breaths. In such an arrangement, the lanyard does not form the mechanical trigger for the oxygen generator, and the oxygen masks are ready to be used, irrespective of whether and how strongly they are pulled towards the passengers' faces.

Each fixing clip <NUM>, which is releasably attached to a clip fixing portion <NUM> of an oxygen hose <NUM>, is configured such that it releases the clip fixing portion <NUM> of the oxygen hose <NUM>, when a passenger grabs an oxygen mask <NUM> and pulls the oxygen mask <NUM> towards his/her face. After the clip fixing portion <NUM> has been released from the fixing clip <NUM>, the passenger is able to move the oxygen mask <NUM> freely into a desired position, in particular in a position in which the oxygen mask <NUM> is properly positioned on the passenger's face, without being restricted by the lanyard <NUM>.

In the following, the structure of the fixing clips <NUM> will be discussed in more detail with reference to <FIG>.

Four exemplary fixing clips <NUM>, which may be part of aircraft emergency oxygen supply systems according to exemplary embodiments of the invention, are depicted in <FIG>.

The fixing clips <NUM> depicted in <FIG> all have a basically planar or flat structure, i.e. a structure in which the fixing clip <NUM> basically extends in a plane, which is oriented orthogonal to the direction of view in <FIG>.

Each fixing clips <NUM> may have a thickness, i.e. an extension perpendicular to the main plane of extension, between <NUM> and <NUM>, in particular between <NUM> and <NUM>.

Within the main plane of extension, the fixing clip <NUM> may have an extension x between <NUM> and <NUM>, in particular an extension x between <NUM> and <NUM> in a first direction, and the fixing clip <NUM> may have an extension y between <NUM> and <NUM>, in particular an extension y between <NUM> and <NUM> in a second direction, which is perpendicular to the first direction.

The fixing clips <NUM> may be made of a plastic material, the fixing clips <NUM> may in particular be made of polyamide, such as polyamide <NUM>.

The fixing clip <NUM>, which is depicted in <FIG>, comprises a lanyard fixing portion <NUM>, which allows for fixing the second end 15b of a lanyard <NUM> to the fixing clip <NUM>. In the embodiment depicted in <FIG>, the lanyard fixing portion <NUM> comprises a lanyard fixing opening <NUM>, extending through the fixing clip <NUM>. The second end 15b of the lanyard <NUM> is passed through said lanyard fixing opening <NUM>, and the lanyard <NUM> is fastened to the fixing clip <NUM> with a knot. Other types of lanyard fixing portions <NUM>, such as clamps, which are configured for fixing the second end 15b of the lanyard <NUM> by other suitable means, such as clamping, may be employed as well.

The fixing clip <NUM> further comprises a C-shaped oxygen hose fixing portion <NUM>. The oxygen hose fixing portion <NUM> is configured for releasably accommodating and holding at least one oxygen hose <NUM> (not shown in <FIG>). In particular, the oxygen hose fixing portion <NUM> may be configured for releasably accommodating and holding at least one oxygen hose <NUM> at an oxygen hose portion <NUM> with the regular oxygen hose diameter or may be configured for releasably accommodating and holding at least one oxygen hose <NUM> at a specifically designed clip fixing portion <NUM>, such as at a shroud <NUM>, which is formed on the respective oxygen hose <NUM>.

In the embodiment of the fixing clip <NUM> depicted in <FIG>, the C-shaped oxygen hose fixing portion <NUM> is configured for simultaneously accommodating and holding two oxygen hoses <NUM>.

In the embodiment depicted in <FIG>, the C-shaped oxygen hose fixing portion <NUM> has two legs <NUM>, <NUM>, which define a C-shaped outer periphery of an opening <NUM>. The two legs <NUM>, <NUM> have a curved shape. In an alternative embodiment, which is not explicitly shown in the figures, the two legs <NUM>, <NUM> may have a polygonal shape, i.e. each of the two legs <NUM>, <NUM> may comprise a plurality of straight or curved leg portions, which are connected with each other in a configuration, in which two adjacent leg portions are inclined with respect to each other. The term C-shaped oxygen hose fixing portion encompasses geometries with inner contours that are fully curved or partly curved or contain curved and straight sections or are assembled from various straight sections. The term C-shaped oxygen hose fixing portion is intended to encompass all geometries that substantially resemble a C.

Each of the two legs <NUM>, <NUM> has a free end 32a, 34a, respectively. The free ends 32a, 34a of the two legs <NUM>, <NUM> are arranged opposite to each other in a distance d from each other, so that the two legs <NUM>, <NUM> form a gap <NUM>, having a width d, between the free ends 32a, 34a of the two legs <NUM>, <NUM>.

The distance d between the free ends 32a, 34a of the two legs <NUM>, <NUM>, i.e. the width d of the gap <NUM>, is set smaller than the sum of the diameters of two oxygen hoses <NUM>. In consequence, two oxygen hoses <NUM> may not pass simultaneously through the gap <NUM>. Thus, when two oxygen hoses <NUM> are commonly accommodated next to each other within the opening <NUM> of the C-shaped oxygen hose fixing portion <NUM>, the oxygen hoses <NUM> block each other from passing the gap <NUM>, so that the oxygen hoses <NUM> are not able to exit from the opening <NUM> via the gap <NUM> without the application of an external force.

At least one of the legs <NUM>, <NUM> and/or at least one of the oxygen hoses <NUM> is elastic. Thus, at least one of the legs <NUM>, <NUM> and/or at least one of the oxygen hoses <NUM> is elastically deformable by applying a sufficiently large force.

An elastic deformation of at least one of the legs <NUM>, <NUM> and/or an elastic deformation of at least one of the oxygen hoses <NUM> may allow for the oxygen hoses <NUM> to exit from the opening <NUM> by passing through the gap <NUM>.

The elastic properties of the legs <NUM>, <NUM> and/or the elastic properties of the oxygen hoses <NUM> are set so that the forces that act onto the legs <NUM>, <NUM>, when the oxygen masks <NUM> dangle from the aircraft emergency oxygen supply systems <NUM>, as it is depicted in <FIG>, are not sufficient for deforming at least one of the legs <NUM>, <NUM> and/or at least one of the oxygen hoses <NUM> sufficiently for allowing the oxygen hoses <NUM> to pass through the gap <NUM>.

Further, the elastic properties of the legs <NUM>, <NUM> and/or the elastic properties of the oxygen hoses <NUM> are set so that at least one of the legs <NUM>, <NUM> and/or at least one of the oxygen hoses <NUM> is sufficiently deformed for allowing the oxygen hoses <NUM> to pass through the gap <NUM>, when a passenger pulls at least one of the oxygen masks <NUM> coupled to the oxygen hoses <NUM> extending through the fixing clip <NUM>.

In consequence, the passengers may release an oxygen hose <NUM> easily from a fixing clip <NUM> by puling an oxygen mask <NUM>, which is coupled to the oxygen hose <NUM>. As a result, the movement of the oxygen masks <NUM> is not restricted by the lanyards <NUM>, and the passengers are able to move the oxygen masks <NUM> freely.

In the embodiment depicted in <FIG>, the lanyard fixing portion <NUM> of the fixing clip <NUM> is formed at a central position between the two legs <NUM>, <NUM> along the second direction, which is the vertical direction in the orientation depicted in <FIG>. As a result, the fixing clip <NUM> is symmetric with respect to a symmetry line S, which extends through the center of the C-shaped opening <NUM> along the first direction. In the orientation of the fixing clip <NUM>, as depicted in <FIG>, the first direction and the symmetry line S extend horizontally. In other embodiments, which are not explicitly depicted in the figures, the lanyard fixing portion <NUM> may be formed at another position, in particular at a position, which is not positioned on the symmetry line S of the C-shaped opening <NUM>. This would result in a fixing clip <NUM>, which is not fully symmetrical with respect to the symmetry line S.

The lanyard fixing portion <NUM> also may be positioned closer to the C-shaped opening <NUM> than it is depicted in <FIG>. In yet another embodiment, the lanyard fixing opening <NUM> may be formed in one of the legs <NUM>, <NUM>.

<FIG> depict fixings clips <NUM>, which may also be part of aircraft emergency oxygen supply systems in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the invention.

Each of the fixing clips <NUM> depicted in <FIG> comprises two C-shaped oxygen hose fixing portions 28a, 28b. Each oxygen hose fixing portion 28a, 28b comprises a C-shaped opening 30a, 30b, wherein each C-shaped opening 30a, 30b is configured for accommodating and fixing a single oxygen hose <NUM>, in particular a clip fixing portion <NUM> of a single oxygen hose <NUM>, respectively.

Each of the fixing clips <NUM> depicted in <FIG> comprises two outer legs <NUM>, <NUM>, wherein each of the outer legs <NUM>, <NUM> is associated with one of the openings 30a, 30b defining a section of the periphery of said opening 30a, 30b. Each of the fixing clips <NUM> further comprises a central portion <NUM>, which is formed between the two openings 30a, 30b. The two lateral outer edges 38a, 38b of the central portion <NUM> form respective sections of the outer periphery of the two openings 30a, 30b.

In the embodiment depicted in <FIG>, the two legs <NUM>, <NUM> have a curved shape. In an alternative embodiment, which is not explicitly shown in the figures, the two legs <NUM>, <NUM> may have a polygonal shape, i.e. each of the two legs <NUM>, <NUM> may comprise a plurality of straight or curved leg portions, which are connected with each other in a configuration, in which two adjacent leg portions are inclined with respect to each other, so that the two legs <NUM>, <NUM> define a basically C-shaped outer periphery of the opening <NUM>.

In the embodiments depicted in <FIG>, the two gaps 36a, 36b, which are formed between the central portion <NUM> and the two legs <NUM>, <NUM>, are facing in the same direction, i.e. the gaps 36a, 36b are oriented parallel to each other in a direction R, which faces away from the lanyard fixing portion <NUM> of the fixing clip <NUM>.

In the embodiment depicted in <FIG>, the fixing clip <NUM> further comprises a protrusion <NUM>, which extends from the fixing clip <NUM> on the side opposite to the gaps 36a, 36b. The lanyard fixing opening <NUM>, which provides the lanyard fixing portion <NUM>, is formed within said protrusion <NUM> or in a transition portion between the protrusion <NUM> and the central portion <NUM>.

In the embodiment depicted in <FIG>, the fixing clip <NUM> does not comprise a protrusion <NUM>. In the embodiment depicted in <FIG>, the lanyard fixing opening <NUM>, providing the lanyard fixing portion <NUM>, is formed within the central portion <NUM> between the two openings 30a, 30b.

The fixing clips <NUM> depicted in <FIG> are symmetrical with respect to a symmetry line S extending in the first direction along the central portion <NUM>, and the lanyard fixing opening <NUM> is formed on said symmetry lines S.

In alternative embodiments, which are not explicitly shown in the figures, the lanyard fixing opening <NUM> may be formed offset from the symmetry line S. This would result in an asymmetric configuration of the fixing clip <NUM>. In yet another embodiment, a respective lanyard fixing opening <NUM> may be formed on each side of the symmetry line S. The two lanyard fixing openings <NUM> may in particular be formed in a configuration, which is symmetric with respect to the symmetry line S.

<FIG> depicts an embodiment of a fixing clip <NUM> with two oxygen hose fixing portions 28a, 28b, wherein each oxygen hose fixing portion 28a, 28b has a respective opening 30a, 30b, which is configured for receiving a portion of an oxygen hose <NUM>, respectively.

The structure of the fixing clip <NUM> depicted in <FIG> is very similar to the structure of the fixing clip <NUM> depicted in <FIG>. However, contrary to the fixing clips <NUM> depicted in <FIG>, in the fixing clip <NUM> depicted in <FIG>, the gaps 36a, 36b between the opposing ends 32a, 34a of the legs <NUM>, <NUM> and the central portion <NUM> are not oriented parallel to each other. Instead, when projected onto the main plane of extension of the fixing clip <NUM>, the gaps 36a, 36b are oriented at an angle α between <NUM>° and <NUM>° (<NUM>° < α < <NUM>°) with respect to each other. The angle α may be measured between the two lines connecting a respective center of a gap 36a, 36b and a respective center of an opening 30a, 30b. In <FIG>, these two lines are indicated as dashed lines. In the depicted exemplary embodiment, the dashed lines also run through the lanyard fixing opening <NUM>. However, they may also be offset from the lanyard fixing opening <NUM>.

The angle α between the orientations of the gaps 36a, 36b may in particular be between <NUM>° and <NUM>°, further in particular between <NUM>° and <NUM>°, yet further in particular between <NUM>° and <NUM>°.

As a result, two oxygen hoses <NUM>, which extend through the two openings 30a, 30b, may be pulled in different direction R<NUM>, R<NUM>, in order to pass through the gaps 36a, 36b for leaving the openings 30a, 30b. In consequence, two oxygen hoses <NUM>, which extend through the two openings 30a, 30b, may be separated from the fixing clip <NUM> by pulling the two oxygen hoses <NUM> apart from each other to the left and right sides of the fixing clip <NUM>. With the passengers being laterally offset from each other in different seats, the angled orientations of the gaps 36a, 36b may provide for a particularly convenient set-up for pulling the oxygen masks towards the passengers.

<FIG> shows a perspective view of a fixing clip <NUM>, as it is depicted in <FIG>, which is fixed to two oxygen hoses <NUM>. The two oxygen hoses <NUM> extend parallel to each other through the fixing clip <NUM>. The two oxygen hoses <NUM> extend in particular through the opening <NUM> of the oxygen hose fixing portion <NUM> of the fixing clip <NUM>.

As in the configuration depicted in <FIG>, the second end 15b of the lanyard <NUM> extends through the lanyard fixing opening <NUM> of the lanyard fixing portion <NUM>, and is fixed to the fixing clip <NUM> by means of a knot.

<FIG> further shows that a clip fixing portion <NUM>, which has the shape of a shroud <NUM>, is formed on each oxygen hose <NUM>, respectively, and that the shrouds <NUM>, which are formed on the two oxygen hoses <NUM>, cooperate with the oxygen hose fixing portion <NUM> of the fixing clip <NUM>.

In the embodiment depicted in <FIG>, each shroud <NUM> has two shroud portions 42a, 42b having a diameter, which is larger than the diameter of the other portions of the oxygen hose <NUM>, i.e. a diameter, which is larger than the diameter of those portions of the oxygen hose <NUM>, on which no shrouds <NUM> are formed.

The two shroud portions 42a, 42b of the shroud <NUM> are formed proximate each other along a longitudinal direction of the oxygen hose <NUM>. A slot <NUM>, which extends orthogonally to the longitudinal direction of the oxygen hose <NUM>, is formed between the two shroud portions 42a, 42b. Within the slot <NUM>, the shroud <NUM> has a smaller diameter than the two adjacent shroud portions 42a, 42b. At the slot, the shroud <NUM> may have a diameter that is similar to the diameter of the oxygen hose <NUM> or may have a diameter that is in between the diameter of the oxygen hose and the diameter of the two shroud portions 42a, 42b.

When the fixing clip <NUM> is releasably attached to a shroud <NUM> of an oxygen hose <NUM>, the fixing clip <NUM> is inserted into the slots <NUM>, so that the oxygen hose fixing portion <NUM> of the fixing clip <NUM> is sandwiched between the two shroud portions 42a, 42b.

When the oxygen hose fixing portion of the fixing clip <NUM> is inserted into the slot <NUM>, formed between adjacent shroud portions 42a, 42b, the fixing clip <NUM> is not able to slide along the longitudinal direction of the oxygen hoses <NUM>. As a result, the position of the fixing clip <NUM> along the longitudinal direction of the oxygen hoses <NUM> is well defined and fixed.

The shroud portions 42a, 42b may be formed integrally with the respective oxygen hose <NUM>. Alternatively, the shroud portions 42a, 42b may be attached to the respective oxygen hose <NUM>. The shroud portions 42a, 42b may, for example, be glued to the oxygen hose <NUM>.

A plurality of clip fixing portions / shrouds <NUM> may be formed at different positions along the longitudinal direction of each oxygen hose <NUM>. Providing a plurality of clip fixing portions / shrouds <NUM> may allow for selectively fixing the lanyard <NUM> to one of a plurality positions of the oxygen hose <NUM> by attaching the fixing clip <NUM> to different clip fixing portions <NUM>, which are provided at different positions along the oxygen hose <NUM>. The particular clip fixing portion <NUM>, to which a fixing clip <NUM> is releasably attached, may for example be selected depending on the positions of the passengers seats <NUM> with respect to the aircraft emergency oxygen supply system <NUM>, in order to adapt the positions of the oxygen masks <NUM>, when dangling from the aircraft emergency oxygen supply systems <NUM>, to the respective passenger seat configuration.

<FIG> shows a perspective view of a fixing clip <NUM>, as it is depicted in <FIG>, wherein two oxygen hoses <NUM> are received within the two openings 30a, 30b of the two oxygen hose fixing portions 28a, 28b of the fixing clip <NUM>.

A second end 15b of a lanyard <NUM> extends through the lanyard fixing opening <NUM> of the lanyard fixing portion <NUM>, and the lanyard <NUM> is fixed to the fixing clip <NUM> by a knot.

The shrouds <NUM>, which are formed on the oxygen hoses <NUM> and cooperate with the oxygen hose fixing portions 28a, 28b of the fixing clip <NUM>, are identical with the shrouds <NUM>, depicted in <FIG>. Therefore, they are not discussed in detail again. Each of the oxygen hose fixing portions 28a, 28b cooperates with an associated slot <NUM> between respective shroud portions 42a, 42b.

Claim 1:
Aircraft emergency oxygen supply system (<NUM>) comprising:
at least one passenger oxygen mask (<NUM>);
a compartment (<NUM>) for housing the at least one passenger oxygen mask (<NUM>);
at least one oxygen hose (<NUM>), wherein each of the at least one passenger oxygen mask (<NUM>) is coupled to a respective oxygen hose (<NUM>) for supplying a gas comprising oxygen to the respective oxygen mask (<NUM>);
at least one fixing clip (<NUM>), wherein each of the at least one fixing clip (<NUM>) comprises:
a lanyard fixing portion (<NUM>); and
at least one C-shaped oxygen hose fixing portion (<NUM>; 28a, 28b) for releasably holding one or more oxygen hoses (<NUM>);
for each of the at least one fixing clip (<NUM>), a lanyard (<NUM>) having a first end (15a), which is fixed at the compartment (<NUM>), and an opposing second end (15b), which is fixed to the lanyard fixing portion (<NUM>) of the respective fixing clip (<NUM>);
wherein, for at least a subset of the at least one oxygen hose (<NUM>), the respective oxygen hose (<NUM>) comprises a shroud (<NUM>) for positioning the fixing clip (<NUM>) along the oxygen hose (<NUM>).