Patent ID: 7814903

Claim:
A safety device integrated into the communications and respiratory sub-systems of an aircraft life support system comprising: a respiratory sub-system comprising an oxygen mask having a cup-shaped rigid portion overlying a face mating portion to define a respiratory envelope that is adapted to sealingly engage over a mouth and nose of a user; a communications sub-system comprising a microphone within the respiratory envelope and an electrical connection block mounted to said rigid portion outside of said respiratory envelope and a communications circuit looping through said respiratory envelope to said microphone; and an integrated control circuit electrically coupled to said connection block and looping through said respiratory envelope and a hands-flee, mouth-activated switch disposed within the cup-shaped face mating portion that is electrically coupled to said integrated control circuit; and a cable extending from the connection block, wherein the cable includes: a first branch line adapted to be coupled to an aircraft for carrying microphone and earphone audio signals; a second branch line coupled to an electrical power source for a light emitting source; a central section carrying electrical power and microphone and earphone audio signals, the central section being coupled to each of the first branch line and the second branch line; a third branch line coupled to said electrical connection block carrying the electrical power and the microphone signals, the third branch line being coupled to the central section; and a fourth branch line coupled to an earphone carrying the earphone audio signals, the third branch line being coupled to the central section, the microphone signals being transmitted through the first branch line, the central section, and the third branch line, the audio signals being transmitted through the first branch line, the central section, and the fourth branch line, and the power source being transmitted through the second branch line, the central section, and the third branch line.