Emergency air supply system for passengers of a submerged land vehicle

Claim 2

Air transmitting means comprising a face mask for enveloping a person''s breathing passages and sealing therearound, a passageway extending through one side of said mask, an opening in said face mask intersecting said passage, a member in said opening movable between a position closing said passageway and a position opening said passageway with positions in between presenting a varying opening, spring means biasing said member to its closed position, a member extending from said member to the exterior of said face mask for operably moving said first member, the free end of said second member having one end of a headstrap connected thereto, the other end of said headstrap being connected to the other side of said face mask.

Claim 3

Air transmitting means comprising a face mask for enveloping a person''s breathing passages and sealing therearound, a passageway extending through one side of said mask, an opening in said face mask intersecting said passage, a member in said opening movable between a position closing said passageway and a position opening said passageway with positions in between presenting a varying opening, spring means biasing said member to its closed position, a member extending from said member to the exterior of said face mask for operably moving said first member, the free end of said second member having one end of a headstrap connected thereto, the other end of said headstrap being connected to the other side of said face mask.

Claim 4

Air transmitting means comprising a face mask for enveloping a person''s breathing passages and sealing therearound, a passageway extending through one side of said mask, an opening in said face mask intersecting said passage, a member in said opening movable between a position closing said passageway and a position opening said passageway with positions in between presenting a varying opening, spring means biasing said member to its closed position, a member extending from said member to the exterior of said face mask for operably moving said first member, the free end of said second member having one end of a headstrap connected thereto, the other end of said headstrap being connected to the other side of said face mask.

Claim 5

means to quickly disconnect said second valve means, said pressure regulating means, said transmitter means, and said air pack member with the portion of the conduit means extending therebetween from the remainder of the system,

Claim 6

means to quickly disconnect said second valve means, said pressure regulating means, said transmitter means, and said air pack member with the portion of the conduit means extending therebetween from the remainder of the system,

Claim 7

means responsive to the actuation of said quick connect-disconnect means to establish communication through said conduit means between said air pack member and said pressure regulating means and transmitter means, H. said pressure regulating means is responsive to the pressure of the surrounding environment, I. unidirectional means located in said conduit means between said pressure regulating means and said air transmitter to permit air flow from said pressure regulating means to said transmitter means solely, J. unidirectional valve means located in said conduit means between said transmitter means and said air pack member to permit air flow from said transmitter means to said air pack member solely, and K. a discharge valve located in said conduit means between said air pack member and said transmitter means and closer to said transmitter means than said unidirectional valve to bleed air from said conduit means when the pressure therein exceeds a predetermined limit.

Claim 8

means responsive to the actuation of said quick connect-disconnect means to establish communication through said conduit means between said air pack member and said pressure regulating means and transmitter means, H. said pressure regulating means is responsive to the pressure of the surrounding environment, I. unidirectional means located in said conduit means between said pressure regulating means and said air transmitter to permit air flow from said pressure regulating means to said transmitter means solely, J. unidirectional valve means located in said conduit means between said transmitter means and said air pack member to permit air flow from said transmitter means to said air pack member solely, and K. a discharge valve located in said conduit means between said air pack member and said transmitter means and closer to said transmitter means than said unidirectional valve to bleed air from said conduit means when the pressure therein exceeds a predetermined limit.

Claim 9

An emergency air supply system for passengers in a submerged land vehicle including: A. a pressurized source of air, B. transmitter means adapted to envelop the breathing passages of the passenger, C. conduit means connecting said pressurized air source to said transmitter means, D. valve means operatively associated with said conduit means to establish communication therethrough between said pressurized air source and said transmitter means, E. pressure regulating means operatively associated with said conduit means to regulate the pressure of the air being transmitted therethrough from said pressurized air source to said transmitter means, and F. wherein said pressurized air source is at least one of the inflated tires operatively mounted on the vehicle wheel and including a pressure transfer member including means mounted for rotation with the tire on the wheel and stationary means connected to the vehicle and constituting part of said conduit means, and means to establish pressure communication between the rotatable portion of the transfer means and the stationary portion thereof.

Claim 10

An emergency air supply system for passengers in a submerged land vehicle including: A. a pressurized source of air, B. transmitter means adapted to envelop the breathing passages of the passenger, C. conduit means connecting said pressurized air source to said transmitter means, D. valve means operatively associated with said conduit means to establish communication therethrough between said pressurized air source and said transmitter means, E. pressure regulating means operatively associated with said conduit means to regulate the pressure of the air being transmitted therethrough from said pressurized air source to said transmitter means, and F. wherein said pressurized air source is at least one of the inflated tires operatively mounted on the vehicle wheel and including a pressure transfer member including means mounted for rotation with the tire on the wheel and stationary means connected to the vehicle and constituting part of said conduit means, and means to establish pressure communication between the rotatable portion of the transfer means and the stationary portion thereof.

Claim 11

An emergency air supply system for passengers in a submerged land vehicle including: A. a pressurized source of air, B. transmitter means adapted to envelop the breathing passages of the passenger, C. conduit means connecting said pressurized air source to said transmitter means, D. valve means operatively associated with said conduit means to establish communication therethrough between said pressurized air source and said transmitter means, E. pressure regulating means operatively associated with said conduit means to regulate the pressure of the air being transmitted therethrough from said pressurized air source to said transmitter means, F. wherein said conduit means includes a first conduit connected to transmit air from said pressurized air source to said transmitter means and a second conduit connected to transmit breathed air from said transmitter means, G. and including pump means operatively associated with at least one of said conduits to assist in transmitting air therethrough and wherein said pump means includes solenoid means and temperature responsive signal means operatively connected to the solenoid means to cause solenoid actuation and hence pump actuation in response to a selected temperature signal means.

Claim 12

An emergency air supply system for passengers in a submerged land vehicle including: A. a pressurized source of air, B. transmitter means adapted to envelop the breathing passages of the passenger, C. conduit means connecting said pressurized air source to said transmitter means, D. valve means operatively associated with said conduit means to establish communication therethrough between said pressurized air source and said transmitter means, E. pressure regulating means operatively associated with said conduit means to regulate the pressure of the air being transmitted therethrough from said pressurized air source to said transmitter means, F. wherein said conduit means includes a first conduit connected to transmit air from said pressurized air source to said transmitter means and a second conduit connected to transmit breathed air from said transmitter means, G. and including pump means operatively associated with at least one of said conduits to assist in transmitting air therethrough and wherein said pump means includes solenoid means and temperature responsive signal means operatively connected to the solenoid means to cause solenoid actuation and hence pump actuation in response to a selected temperature signal means.

Claim 13

An emergency air supply system for passengers in a submerged vehicle having a passenger compartment with a dashboard and supported on air inflated tires including: A. a pressurized vehicle tire, B. transmitter means adapted to envelope the breathing passages of the passenger, C. quick attach-detach means to store said transmitter means in the passenger compartment, D. conduit means connecting said tire to said transmitter means, E. valve means operatively associated with said conduit means to establish communication therethrough between said tire and said transmitter means, F. pressure regulating means operatively associated with said conduit means to regulate the pressure of the air being transmitted therethrough from said tire to said transmitter means, G. an inflatable portable member located in the passenger compartment and attached to said conduit means and wherein said conduit means is connected to provide pressurized air to both said inflatable member and said transmitter means, and H. quick attach-detach means operatively associated with said conduit means and actuatable to disconnect said portable inflatable member, said transmitter means and the portion of the conduit means therebetween from the remainder of the system.

Claim 14

An emergency air supply system for passengers in a submerged vehicle having a passenger compartment with a dashboard and supported on air inflated tires including: A. a pressurized vehicle tire, B. transmitter means adapted to envelope the breathing passages of the passenger, C. quick attach-detach means to store said transmitter means in the passenger compartment, D. conduit means connecting said tire to said transmitter means, E. valve means operatively associated with said conduit means to establish communication therethrough between said tire and said transmitter means, F. pressure regulating means operatively associated with said conduit means to regulate the pressure of the air being transmitted therethrough from said tire to said transmitter means, G. an inflatable portable member located in the passenger compartment and attached to said conduit means and wherein said conduit means is connected to provide pressurized air to both said inflatable member and said transmitter means, and H. quick attach-detach means operatively associated with said conduit means and actuatable to disconnect said portable inflatable member, said transmitter means and the portion of the conduit means therebetween from the remainder of the system.

Claim 15

An emergency air supply system for a passenger in a submerged vehicle having a passenger compartment including: A. a transmitter means adapted to envelop the breathing passages of a passenger, B. means to store said transmitter means in the passenger compartment, C. a separate inflatable portable member accessible from the passenger compartment, D. first conduit means connecting said transmitter means to said inflatable portable member, E. an inflated vehicle tire providing a pressurized source of air, F. a second conduit means connecting said source to said first conduit means for simultaneous flow of pressurized air to the transmitter means and separate inflatable portable member, G. pressure regulating means operatively associated with said first conduit means to regulate the pressure of the air being transmitted through said second conduit from said source to said transmitter means, H. valve means operatively connected with said second conduit to establish communication therethrough between said source and said second conduit means, and I. quick attach-detach means operatively associated with said second conduit means and actuatable to disconnect said inflatable portable member, said transmitter means and interconnecting conduit means therebetween from the remainder of the system.

Claim 16

An emergency air supply system for a passenger in a submerged vehicle having a passenger compartment including: A. a transmitter means adapted to envelop the breathing passages of a passenger, B. means to store said transmitter means in the passenger compartment, C. a separate inflatable portable member accessible from the passenger compartment, D. first conduit means connecting said transmitter means to said inflatable portable member, E. an inflated vehicle tire providing a pressurized source of air, F. a second conduit means connecting said source to said first conduit means for simultaneous flow of pressurized air to the transmitter means and separate inflatable portable member, G. pressure regulating means operatively associated with said first conduit means to regulate the pressure of the air being transmitted through said second conduit from said source to said transmitter means, H. valve means operatively connected with said second conduit to establish communication therethrough between said source and said second conduit means, and I. quick attach-detach means operatively associated with said second conduit means and actuatable to disconnect said inflatable portable member, said transmitter means and interconnecting conduit means therebetween from the remainder of the system.

Claim 17

An emergency air supply system for a passenger in a submerged vehicle having a passenger compartment including: A. a transmitter means adapted to envelop the breathing passages of a passenger, B. means to store said transmitter means in the passenger compartment, C. a separate inflatable portable member accessible from the passenger compartment, D. first conduit means connecting said transmitter means to said inflatable portable member, E. a pressurized source of air, F. a second conduit means connecting said source to said first conduit means for simultaneous flow of pressurized air to the transmitter means and separate inflatable portable member, G. pressure regulating means operatively associated with said first conduit means to regulate the pressure of the air being transmitted through said second conduit from said source to said transmitter means, H. valve means operatively connected with said second conduit to establish communication therethrough between said source and said second conduit means, and I. quick attach-detach means operatively associated with said second conduit means and actuatable to disconnect said inflatable portable member, said transmitter means and interconnecting conduit means therebetween from the remainder of the system, J. said pressure regulating means is responsive to the pressure of the surrounding environment, K. unidirectional means located in said conduit means between said pressure regulating means and said air transmitter to permit air flow from said pressure regulating means to said transmitter means solely, L. unidirectional valve means located in said conduit means between said transmitter means and said inflatable, portable member to permit air flow from said transmitter means to said member solely, and M. a discharge valve located in said conduit means between said member and said transmitter means and closer to said transmitter means than said unidirectional valve to bleed air from said conduit means when the pressure therein exceeds a predetermined limit.

Claim 18

An emergency air supply system for a passenger in a submerged vehicle having a passenger compartment including: A. a transmitter means adapted to envelop the breathing passages of a passenger, B. means to store said transmitter means in the passenger compartment, C. a separate inflatable portable member accessible from the passenger compartment, D. first conduit means connecting said transmitter means to said inflatable portable member, E. a pressurized source of air, F. a second conduit means connecting said source to said first conduit means for simultaneous flow of pressurized air to the transmitter means and separate inflatable portable member, G. pressure regulating means operatively associated with said first conduit means to regulate the pressure of the air being transmitted through said second conduit from said source to said transmitter means, H. valve means operatively connected with said second conduit to establish communication therethrough between said source and said second conduit means, and I. quick attach-detach means operatively associated with said second conduit means and actuatable to disconnect said inflatable portable member, said transmitter means and interconnecting conduit means therebetween from the remainder of the system, J. said pressure regulating means is responsive to the pressure of the surrounding environment, K. unidirectional means located in said conduit means between said pressure regulating means and said air transmitter to permit air flow from said pressure regulating means to said transmitter means solely, L. unidirectional valve means located in said conduit means between said transmitter means and said inflatable, portable member to permit air flow from said transmitter means to said member solely, and M. a discharge valve located in said conduit means between said member and said transmitter means and closer to said transmitter means than said unidirectional valve to bleed air from said conduit means when the pressure therein exceeds a predetermined limit.

Claim 19

An emergency air supply system for a passenger in a submerged vehicle having a passenger compartment including: A. a transmitter means adapted to envelop the breathing passages of a passenger, B. means to store said transmitter means in the passenger compartment, C. a separate inflatable portable member accessible from the passenger compartment, D. first conduit means connecting said transmitter means to said inflatable portable member, E. a pressurized source of air, F. a second conduit means connecting said source to said first conduit means for simultaneous flow of pressurized air to the transmitter means and separate inflatable portable member, G. pressure regulating means operatively associated with said first conduit means to regulate the pressure of the air being transmitted through said second conduit from said source to said transmitter means, H. valve means operatively connected with said second conduit to establish communication therethrough between said source and said second conduit means, and I. quick attach-detach means operatively associated with said second conduit means and actuatable to disconnect said inflatable portable member, said transmitter means and interconnecting conduit means therebetween from the remainder of the system, J. said transmitting means comprising a face mask for enveloping a person''s breathing passages and sealing therearound, a passageway extending through one side of said mask, an opening in said face mask intersecting said passage, a member in said opening movable between a position closing said passageway and a position opening said passageway with positions in between presenting a varying opening, spring means biasing said member to its closed position, a member extending from said member to the exterior of said face mask for operably moving said first member, the free end of said second member having one end of a headstrap connected thereto, the other end of said headstrap being connected to the other side of said face mask.

Claim 20

An emergency air supply system for a passenger in a submerged vehicle having a passenger compartment including: A. a transmitter means adapted to envelop the breathing passages of a passenger, B. means to store said transmitter means in the passenger compartment, C. a separate inflatable portable member accessible from the passenger compartment, D. first conduit means connecting said transmitter means to said inflatable portable member, E. a pressurized source of air, F. a second conduit means connecting said source to said first conduit means for simultaneous flow of pressurized air to the transmitter means and separate inflatable portable member, G. pressure regulating means operatively associated with said first conduit means to regulate the pressure of the air being transmitted through said second conduit from said source to said transmitter means, H. valve means operatively connected with said second conduit to establish communication therethrough between said source and said second conduit means, and I. quick attach-detach means operatively associated with said second conduit means and actuatable to disconnect said inflatable portable member, said transmitter means and interconnecting conduit means therebetween from the remainder of the system, J. said transmitting means comprising a face mask for enveloping a person''s breathing passages and sealing therearound, a passageway extending through one side of said mask, an opening in said face mask intersecting said passage, a member in said opening movable between a position closing said passageway and a position opening said passageway with positions in between presenting a varying opening, spring means biasing said member to its closed position, a member extending from said member to the exterior of said face mask for operably moving said first member, the free end of said second member having one end of a headstrap connected thereto, the other end of said headstrap being connected to the other side of said face mask.

Claim 21

An emergency air supply system for a passenger in a submerged vehicle having a passenger compartment including: A. a transmitter means adapted to envelop the breathing passages of a passenger, B. means to store said transmitter means in the passenger compartment, C. a separate inflatable portable member accessible from the passenger compartment, D. first conduit means connecting said transmitter means to said inflatable portable member, E. a pressurized source of air, F. a second conduit means connecting said source to said first conduit means for simultaneous flow of pressurized air to the transmitter means and separate inflatable portable member, G. pressure regulating means operatively associated with said first conduit means to regulate the pressure of the air being transmitted through said second conduit from said source to said transmitter means, H. valve means operatively connected with said second conduit to establish communication therethrough between said source and said second Conduit means, I. quick attach-detach means operatively associated with said second conduit means and actuatable to disconnect said inflatable portable member, said transmitter means and interconnecting conduit means therebetween from the remainder of the system, and J. pump means operatively associated with at least one of said conduits to assist in transmitting air therethrough.

Claim 22

An emergency air supply system for a passenger in a submerged vehicle having a passenger compartment including: A. a transmitter means adapted to envelop the breathing passages of a passenger, B. means to store said transmitter means in the passenger compartment, C. a separate inflatable portable member accessible from the passenger compartment, D. first conduit means connecting said transmitter means to said inflatable portable member, E. a pressurized source of air, F. a second conduit means connecting said source to said first conduit means for simultaneous flow of pressurized air to the transmitter means and separate inflatable portable member, G. pressure regulating means operatively associated with said first conduit means to regulate the pressure of the air being transmitted through said second conduit from said source to said transmitter means, H. valve means operatively connected with said second conduit to establish communication therethrough between said source and said second Conduit means, I. quick attach-detach means operatively associated with said second conduit means and actuatable to disconnect said inflatable portable member, said transmitter means and interconnecting conduit means therebetween from the remainder of the system, and J. pump means operatively associated with at least one of said conduits to assist in transmitting air therethrough.

Claim 23

Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said pressurized source of air is at least one of the vehicle inflated tires.

Claim 24

Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said pump means is of the manually operated volume displacement type.