Avalanche survival vest

Claim 2

A breathing apparatus comprising in combination: an air reservoir bag to be worn around the users chest or back, an inhalation duct having one end connected to said reservoir bag, a mouthpiece connected to the other end of said inhalation duct, a CO 2 absorber chamber mounted within the reservoir bag between the inhalation duct and the reservoir air supply to absorb CO 2 from the recycled air, a special set of external breathing ports in said inhalation duct near said mouthpiece to allow breathing of external atmospheric air, valve means slidably mounted over said ports from a first position in which said ports are open to atmosphere to a second position closing said ports, a cylinder of compressed breathing gas attached to the reservoir bag, said cylinder having a puncturable cap, a spring loaded puncture pin mounted adjacent said cap to puncture said cap when activated, a bite activation means consisting of lever arms built into the mouthpiece and a mechanical cable mechanism connected between said lever arms and said valve means to instantly release the external breathing port valve cover and close the external ports and between said lever arms and said spring loaded puncture pin to simultaneously release said spring loaded puncture pin which will open the compressed breathing gas cylinder allowing the breathing gas to fill the reservoir bag.

Claim 3

A breathing apparatus comprising in combination: an air reservoir bag to be worn around the users chest or back, an inhalation duct having one end connected to said reservoir bag, a mouthpiece connected to the other end of said inhalation duct, a CO 2 absorber chamber mounted within the reservoir bag between the inhalation duct and the reservoir air supply to absorb CO 2 from the recycled air, an external breathing port in said inhalation duct near said mouthpiece to allow breathing of external atmospheric air, a cylinder of compressed breathing gas attached to the reservoir bag, said cylinder having a puncturable cap, a spring loaded puncture pin mounted adjacent said cap to puncture said cap when activated, pushbutton release means consisting of a valve shaft slidably mounted through said inhalation duct in alignment with said external breathing port, a valve plug mounted on one end of said shaft to close said port and a thumb pressure plate mounted on the other end of said shaft and a mechanical cable mechanism connected between said valve shaft and said spring loaded puncture pin to simultaneously release said spring loaded puncture pin when said external breathing port is closed which will open the compressed breathing gas cylinder allowing the breathing gas to fill the reservoir bag.

Claim 4

A breathing apparatus comprising in combination: an air reservoir bag to be worn around the users chest or back, an inhalation duct having one end connected to said reservoir bag, a mouthpiece connected to the other end of said inhalation duct, a CO 2 absorber chamber mounted within the reservoir bag between the inhalation duct and the reservoir air supply to absorb CO 2 from the recycled air, an external breathing port in said inhalation duct near said mouthpiece to allow breathing of external atmospheric air, a cylinder of compressed breathing gas attached to the reservoir bag, said cylinder having a puncturable cap, a spring loaded puncture pin mounted adjacent said cap to puncture said cap when activated, pushbutton release means consisting of a valve shaft slidably mounted through said inhalation duct in alignment with said external breathing port, a valve plug mounted on one end of said shaft to close said port and a thumb pressure plate mounted on the other end of said shaft and a mechanical cable mechanism connected between said valve shaft and said spring loaded puncture pin to simultaneously release said spring loaded puncture pin when said external breathing port is closed which will open the compressed breathing gas cylinder allowing the breathing gas to fill the reservoir bag.

Claim 5

A breathing apparatus comprising in combination: an air reservoir bag to be worn around the users chest or back, an inhalation duct having one end connected to said reservoir bag, a mouthpiece connected to the other end of said inhalation duct, a CO 2 absorber chamber mounted within the reservoir bag between the inhalation duct and the reservoir air supply to absorb CO 2 from the recycled air, a special set of external breathing ports in said inhalation duct near said mouthpiece to allow breathing of external atmospheric air, valve means slidably mounted over said ports from a first position in which said ports are open to atmosphere to a second position closing said ports, a cylinder of compressed breathing gas attached to the reservoir bag, said cylinder having a puncturable cap, a spring loaded puncture pin mounted adjacent said cap to puncture said cap when activated, bite activation means consisting of lever arms built into the mouthpiece and a mechanical cable mechanism connected between said lever arms and said valve means to instantly release the external breathing port valve cover and close the external ports and between said lever arms and said spring loaded puncture pin to simultaneously release said spring loaded puncture pin which will open the compressed breathing gas cylinder allowing the breathing gas to fill the reservoir bag, surge flow valve means mounted in said inhalation duct to temporarily close during short sudden periods of high compression on the reservoir bag and prevent rapid loss of breathing gas from the reservoir bag and a by-pass duct around said surge flow valve means to provide limited flow in said inhalation duct during said periods.

Claim 6

A breathing apparatus comprising in combination: an air reservoir bag to be worn around the users chest or back, an inhalation duct having one end connected to said reservoir bag, a mouthpiece connected to the other end of said inhalation duct, a CO 2 absorber chamber mounted within the reservoir bag between the inhalation duct and the reservoir air supply to absorb CO 2 from the recycled air, a special set of external breathing ports in said inhalation duct near said mouthpiece to allow breathing of external atmospheric air, valve means slidably mounted over said ports from a first position in which said ports are open to atmosphere to a second position closing said ports, a cylinder of compressed breathing gas attached to the reservoir bag, said cylinder having a puncturable cap, a spring loaded puncture pin mounted adjacent said cap to puncture said cap when activated, bite activation means consisting of lever arms built into the mouthpiece and a mechanical cable mechanism connected between said lever arms and said valve means to instantly release the external breathing port valve cover and close the external ports and between said lever arms and said spring loaded puncture pin to simultaneously release said spring loaded puncture pin which will open the compressed breathing gas cylinder allowing the breathing gas to fill the reservoir bag, surge flow valve means mounted in said inhalation duct to temporarily close during short sudden periods of high compression on the reservoir bag and prevent rapid loss of breathing gas from the reservoir bag and a by-pass duct around said surge flow valve means to provide limited flow in said inhalation duct during said periods.

Claim 7

A breathing apparatus comprising in combination: an air reservoir bag to be worn around the users chest and back, an inhalation duct having one end connected to said reservoir bag, a mouthpiece connected to the other end of said inhalation duct, a CO 2 absorber chamber mounted within the reservoir bag between the inhalation duct and the reservoir air supply to absorb CO 2 from the recycled air, an external breathing port in said inhalation duct near said mouthpiece to allow breathing of external atmospheric air, a cylinder of compressed gas attached to the reservoir bag, said cylinder having a puncturable cap, a spring loaded puncture pin mounted adjacent said cap to puncture said cap when activated, pushbutton release means consisting of a valve shaft slidably mounted through said inhalation duct in alignment with said external breathing port, a valve plug mounted on one end of said shaft to close said port and a thumb pressure plate mounted on the other end of said shaft and a mechanical cable mechanism connected between said valve shaft and said spring loaded puncture pin to simultaneously release said spring loaded puncture pin when said external breathing port is closed which will open the compressed breathing gas cylinder allowing the breathing gas to fill the reservoir bag, and surge flow valve means mounted in said inhalation duct to temporarily close during short sudden periods of high compression on the reservoir bag and prevent rapid loss of breathing gas from the reservoir bag and a by-pass duct around surge flow valve means to provide limited flow in said inhalation duct during said periods.

Claim 8

A breathing apparatus comprising in combination: an air reservoir bag to be worn around the users chest and back, an inhalation duct having one end connected to said reservoir bag, a mouthpiece connected to the other end of said inhalation duct, a CO 2 absorber chamber mounted within the reservoir bag between the inhalation duct and the reservoir air supply to absorb CO 2 from the recycled air, an external breathing port in said inhalation duct near said mouthpiece to allow breathing of external atmospheric air, a cylinder of compressed gas attached to the reservoir bag, said cylinder having a puncturable cap, a spring loaded puncture pin mounted adjacent said cap to puncture said cap when activated, pushbutton release means consisting of a valve shaft slidably mounted through said inhalation duct in alignment with said external breathing port, a valve plug mounted on one end of said shaft to close said port and a thumb pressure plate mounted on the other end of said shaft and a mechanical cable mechanism connected between said valve shaft and said spring loaded puncture pin to simultaneously release said spring loaded puncture pin when said external breathing port is closed which will open the compressed breathing gas cylinder allowing the breathing gas to fill the reservoir bag, and surge flow valve means mounted in said inhalation duct to temporarily close during short sudden periods of high compression on the reservoir bag and prevent rapid loss of breathing gas from the reservoir bag and a by-pass duct around surge flow valve means to provide limited flow in said inhalation duct during said periods.

Claim 9

A breathing apparatus comprising in combination: an air reservoir bag to be worn around the users chest or back, an inhalation duct having one end connected to said reservoir bag, a mouthpiece connected to the other end of said inhalation duct, a CO 2 absorber chamber mounted within the reservoir bag between the inhalation duct and the reservoir air supply to absorb CO 2 from the recycled air, a special set of external breathing ports in said inhalation duct near said mouthpiece to allow breathing of external atmospheric air, valve means slidably mounted over said ports from a first position in which said ports are open to atmosphere to a second position closing said ports, a cylinder of compressed breathing gas attached to the reservoir bag, said cylinder having a puncturable cap, a spring loaded puncture pin mounted adjacent said cap to puncture said cap when activated, bite activation means consisting of lever arms built into the mouthpiece and a mechanical cable mechanism connected between said lever arms and said valve means to instantly release the external breathing port valve cover and close the external ports between said lever arms and said spring loaded puncture pin to simultaneously release said spring loaded puncture pin which will open the compressed breathing gas cylinder allowing the breathing gas to fill the reservoir bag, surge flow valve means mounted in said inhalation duct to temporarily close during short sudden periods of high compression on the reservoir bag and prevent rapid loss of breathing gas from the reservoir bag, a by-pass duct around said surge flow valve means to provide limited flow in said inhalation duct during said periods, and a high pressure vest air relief valve means attached to the reservoir bag wall, said relief valve means allowing breathing gas to excape from the reservoir bag to the atmosphere during periods of sudden extreme compressing of the reservoir bag and thereby preventing rupture of the reservoir bag.

Claim 10

A breathing apparatus comprising in combination: an air reservoir bag to be worn around the users chest or back, an inhalation duct having one end connected to said reservoir bag, a mouthpiece connected to the other end of said inhalation duct, a CO 2 absorber chamber mounted within the reservoir bag between the inhalation duct and the reservoir air supply to absorb CO 2 from the recycled air, a special set of external breathing ports in said inhalation duct near said mouthpiece to allow breathing of external atmospheric air, valve means slidably mounted over said ports from a first position in which said ports are open to atmosphere to a second position closing said ports, a cylinder of compressed breathing gas attached to the reservoir bag, said cylinder having a puncturable cap, a spring loaded puncture pin mounted adjacent said cap to puncture said cap when activated, bite activation means consisting of lever arms built into the mouthpiece and a mechanical cable mechanism connected between said lever arms and said valve means to instantly release the external breathing port valve cover and close the external ports between said lever arms and said spring loaded puncture pin to simultaneously release said spring loaded puncture pin which will open the compressed breathing gas cylinder allowing the breathing gas to fill the reservoir bag, surge flow valve means mounted in said inhalation duct to temporarily close during short sudden periods of high compression on the reservoir bag and prevent rapid loss of breathing gas from the reservoir bag, a by-pass duct around said surge flow valve means to provide limited flow in said inhalation duct during said periods, and a high pressure vest air relief valve means attached to the reservoir bag wall, said relief valve means allowing breathing gas to excape from the reservoir bag to the atmosphere during periods of sudden extreme compressing of the reservoir bag and thereby preventing rupture of the reservoir bag.

Claim 11

A breathing apparatus comprising in combination: an air reservoir bag to be worn around the users chest or back, an inhalation duct having one end connected to said reservoir bag, a mouthpiece connected to the other end of said inhalation duct, a CO 2 absorber chamber mounted within the reservoir bag between the inhalation duct and the reservoir air supply to absorb CO 2 from the recycled air, an external breathing port in said inhalation duct near said mouthpiece to allow breathing of external atmospheric air, a cylinder of compressed breathing gas attached to the reservoir bag, said cylinder having a puncturable cap, a spring loaded puncture pin mounted adjacent said cap to puncture said cap when activated, pushbutton release means consisting of a valve shaft slidably mounted through said inhalation duct in alignment with said external breathing port, a valve plug mounted on one end of said shaft to close said port and a thumb pressure plate mounted on the other end of said shaft and a mechanical cable mechanism connected between said valve shaft and said spring loaded puncture pin to simultaneously release said spring loaded puncture pin when said external breathing port is closed which will open the compressed breathing gas cylinder allowing the breathing gas to fill the reservoir bag, surge flow valve means mounted in said inhalation duct to temporarily close during short sudden periods of high compression on the reservoir bag and prevent rapid loss of breathing gas from the reservoir bag, a by-pass duct around said surge flow valve means to provide limited flow in said inhalation duct during said periods, and a high pressure vest air relief valve means attached to the reservoir bag wall, said relief valve means allowing breathing gas to escape from the reservoir bag to the atmosphere during periods of sudden extreme compression of the reservoir bag and thereby preventing rupture of the reservoir bag.

Claim 12

A breathing apparatus comprising in combination: an air reservoir bag to be worn around the users chest or back, an inhalation duct having one end connected to said reservoir bag, a mouthpiece connected to the other end of said inhalation duct, a CO 2 absorber chamber mounted within the reservoir bag between the inhalation duct and the reservoir air supply to absorb CO 2 from the recycled air, an external breathing port in said inhalation duct near said mouthpiece to allow breathing of external atmospheric air, a cylinder of compressed breathing gas attached to the reservoir bag, said cylinder having a puncturable cap, a spring loaded puncture pin mounted adjacent said cap to puncture said cap when activated, pushbutton release means consisting of a valve shaft slidably mounted through said inhalation duct in alignment with said external breathing port, a valve plug mounted on one end of said shaft to close said port and a thumb pressure plate mounted on the other end of said shaft and a mechanical cable mechanism connected between said valve shaft and said spring loaded puncture pin to simultaneously release said spring loaded puncture pin when said external breathing port is closed which will open the compressed breathing gas cylinder allowing the breathing gas to fill the reservoir bag, surge flow valve means mounted in said inhalation duct to temporarily close during short sudden periods of high compression on the reservoir bag and prevent rapid loss of breathing gas from the reservoir bag, a by-pass duct around said surge flow valve means to provide limited flow in said inhalation duct during said periods, and a high pressure vest air relief valve means attached to the reservoir bag wall, said relief valve means allowing breathing gas to escape from the reservoir bag to the atmosphere during periods of sudden extreme compression of the reservoir bag and thereby preventing rupture of the reservoir bag.