Breathing apparatus held in a convertible case and garment assembly

Claim 1

A self-contained breathing assembly comprising: a portable source of breathing gas; breathing interface means adapted to be worn by a user for supplying breathing gas to the respiratory passages of the user; conduit means connected to said source and to said interface means defining a flowpath for leading breathing gas from said group to said interface means; means for opening and closing said flowpath; and a reversibly convertible assembly being in a first configuration a case, and in a second configuration a garment, said reversibly convertible assembly in said case configuration having a size and strength to enclose said gas source, interface means, conduit means, and means for opening and closing said flowpath, for storage and transportation of said breathing assembly with said conduit means connected as aforesaid and said flowpath closed, said reversibly convertible assembly in said garment configuration adapted to be worn over the torso of a user, and supporting said gas source when in use; said reversibly convertible case and garment assembly further comprising: a first element of flexible sheet material having at least two mating edges foldable to place said edges in close proximity to form said case; first fastening means for maintaining said edges in close proximity when said case is closed; second and third elements of flexible sheet material each of which is attached to said first element in the region of a respective one of said mating edges thereof; second fastening means for association with said second and third elements; and supporting means for said gas source attached to said first element; said second and third elements being positioned to lie interiorly of said case when said case is closed but, when said case is opened, and reversibly converted to said garment configuration said second and third elements defining flaps to fold forwardly around the user's torso while said first element lies at the rear of the user's torso with a surface of said first element which defines an interior surface of said case defining an exterior surface of said garment and arm holes being formed between said first element and said second and third elements respectively; said second fastening means being operable to hold said flaps in place when folded forwardly around the user's torso; and said supporting means being configured to position said gas source along a base region of said case and to support said gas source in a vertical position upon the user's back when said assembly is reversibly converted into said garment; whereby said breathing apparatus is ready for use by the user subject to opening said case, converting said case into said garment, donning said garment and interface means, and placing said means for opening and closing said flowpath in an open position.