Patent ID: 7836886

Claim:
An auxiliary breathing flow channel apparatus for an oxygen mask for pilots and crew of an airplane, the oxygen mask having an oronasal face seal defining an oronasal cavity, and an oxygen supply regulator, the auxiliary breathing flow channel apparatus comprising: an ambient air flow channel defined through a portion of the oxygen mask, said ambient air flow channel being connected to ambient air and configured to deliver ambient air through said ambient air flow channel to the oxygen mask; flow regulating means for regulating flow through the air flow channel, the flow regulating means being movable between at least one closed position in which flow through the ambient air flow channel is blocked and an open position in which flow through the ambient air flow channel is enabled; biasing means for applying a biasing force to the flow regulating means to maintain the flow regulating means in the at least one closed position, such that the ambient air flow channel is normally blocked; means for moving the flow regulating means into the open position; latching means for releasably retaining the flow regulating means in the open position; and means for releasing the latching means to allow the flow regulating means to revert to the closed position.