Oxygen Mask For Supplying Oxygen To A Person

Abstract

The invention relates to an oxygen mask for supplying oxygen to a person, which can be modified for use on differently sized faces. The oxygen mask has a holding frame, which has a first cross-brace and a second cross-brace, a substantially gas-impermeable material arranged on the holding frame and which can be stretched between the first cross-brace and the second cross-brace, a headband connected to the holding frame, an exhalation valve arranged on the material and penetrating the material, and an oxygen supply line for providing oxygen to an inside of the oxygen mask, wherein the first cross-brace and the second cross-brace are arranged in two lateral holders, which are opposite each other, wherein at least the first cross-brace is flexible and wherein the distance of the lateral holders to each other is adjustable at least between a first and a second distance.

Claims

1. An oxygen mask for supplying oxygen to a person, comprising: a holding frame having at least one transverse web; a substantially gas-impermeable fabric arranged on the holding frame and stretchable by the at least one transverse web; a headband connected to the holding frame; an exhalation valve arranged on the fabric and passing through the fabric; and an oxygen supply line for providing oxygen to an inside of the oxygen mask, wherein the at least one transverse web is arranged in first and second lateral holders lying opposite each other, wherein the at least one transverse web is flexible, and wherein the distance of the first and second lateral holders from each other is adjustable at least between a first and a second distance.

2. The oxygen mask as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one transverse web is mounted displaceably on or in the first and second lateral holders.

3. The oxygen mask as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second lateral holders for the at least one transverse web has a rectilinear cavity adapted to the relevant transverse web, such that the relevant transverse web is configured to be pushed into the rectilinear cavity to different depths.

4. The oxygen mask as claimed in claim 3, wherein the rectilinear cavity and the relevant transverse web have a limiting device configured to prevent the transverse web from being pulled out completely.

5. The oxygen mask as claimed in claim 4, wherein the limiting device is in the form of an end-side thickening of the relevant transverse web and an end-side tapering of the rectilinear cavity.

6. The oxygen mask as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fabric is stretchable between a first of the at least one transverse web and a second of the at least one transverse web.

7. The oxygen mask as claimed in claim 7, wherein at least one transverse web comprises a third transverse web arranged between the first transverse web and the second transverse web.

8. The oxygen mask as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and second lateral holders are formed from an elastic material.

9. The oxygen mask as claimed in claim 1, wherein one of the at least one transverse web has a preformed curvature in parts, is the preformed curvature shaped to nestle on a nose of a person.

10. The oxygen mask as claimed in claim 6, wherein the first and second lateral holders have a plurality of holding portions for receiving a respective transverse web, and wherein the holding portions are arranged on a hinge configured to fan the holding portions out variably in relation to one another for adaptation to a person.

11. The oxygen mask as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and second lateral holders and the at least one transverse web are made of silicone, a silicone-like material, an elastomer or a rubber-like material.

12. The oxygen mask as claimed in claim 1, wherein the headband has two stiff end portions which each engage in a toothed recess, wherein the headband and the toothed recesses are configured to change an effective length of the headband in increments.

13. The oxygen mask as claimed in claim 1, wherein the oxygen supply line protrudes through the fabric to the inside of the oxygen mask.

14. A system for providing oxygen to oxygen masks in an aircraft, comprising: an oxygen source; and one or more oxygen masks as claimed in claim 1, wherein the oxygen supply line of the oxygen masks are each connectable to the oxygen source.

15. An aircraft comprising a passenger cabin and at least one system as claimed in claim 14.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0029] Further features, advantages and possible uses of the present invention will emerge from the following description of the exemplary embodiments and from the figures. Here, all of the features described and/or illustrated in the figures form the subject matter of the invention individually and in any desired combination, even independently of the combination of said features in the individual claims or the back-references thereof. Furthermore, in the figures, the same reference signs are used for identical or similar objects.

[0030] FIG. 1 shows an oxygen mask in a front view.

[0031] FIG. 2 shows different states of the transverse webs in three successive schematic illustrations.

[0032] FIG. 3 shows a schematic detailed section through lateral holders and a transverse web.

[0033] FIG. 4 shows a schematic illustration of transverse webs held in a hinged manner.

[0034] FIG. 5 shows two views of the headband in two different positions.

[0035] FIG. 6 shows a schematic detailed section through the attachment of the headband to the lateral holders.

[0036] FIG. 7 shows an aircraft in which oxygen masks are provided.

DETAILED ILLUSTRATION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0037] FIG. 1 shows an oxygen mask 2 for supplying oxygen to a person. The oxygen mask 2 can be provided in particular in a cabin of a means of transport, for example of an aircraft. The oxygen mask 2 has a holding frame 4 with a first transverse web 6 and a second transverse web 8. In addition, in this exemplary embodiment there is a third transverse web 10, which is located between the first transverse web 6 and the second transverse web 8. The transverse webs 6, 8 and 10 are arranged in two mutually opposite lateral holders 12 and are designed to stretch a fabric 14. The fabric 14 is substantially impermeable to gas and, together with the transverse webs 6, 8 and 10, forms the actual mask adapted to the person's face.

[0038] At least the first transverse web 6 is flexible. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the two other transverse webs 8 and 10 are also flexible and allow relatively free shaping. The transverse webs 6, 8 and 10 are mounted displaceably in the holders 12. For this purpose, the lateral holders 12 have for each transverse web 6, 8 and a rectilinear cavity 16 into which the relevant transverse web 6, 8 and 10 is inserted. By pulling the lateral holders 12 outward and apart, the transverse webs 6 slide partially out from the cavities 16, such that the width of the oxygen mask 2 is thereby increased, if necessary.

[0039] In the fabric 14 there is an exhalation valve 18, which is provided to lead used air out of the mask. An oxygen supply line 20 extends from an oxygen source (not shown here) through the fabric 14 and, on an inside 22 (concealed in the plane of the drawing) directed toward the person, generates an oxygen-enriched atmosphere.

[0040] Furthermore, the oxygen mask 2 has a headband 24, which is mounted on the lateral holders 12 and is able to secure the oxygen mask 2 to a person's head. As is shown at schematically indicated attachment points 26 in the form of elongate recesses, the headband 24 is also able to be pulled out slightly from the lateral holders 12 in order to increase its effective length.

[0041] FIG. 2 shows the oxygen mask 2 in different states in three illustrations I, II and III. In illustration I, the oxygen mask 2 corresponds substantially to the illustration from FIG. 1. The transverse webs 6, 8 and 10 are at relatively large distances from each other, and therefore a fairly large face can be assumed. In II, the distances between the transverse webs 6, 8 and 10 are small. The flexibility of the transverse webs 6, 8 and 10 permits very easy deformation, such that, among other things, the distance between the transverse webs is variable. It is shown here, by way of example, that the first transverse web 6 has a region 28 which is preformed for adaptation to a person's nose or which has a preformed curvature. In III, a short distance between the lateral holders is shown, and at the same time a short distance between the transverse webs 6, 8 and 10. In this state, the oxygen mask 2 could be suitable in particular for the care of babies or infants.

[0042] FIG. 3 shows a detail of a lateral holder 12 and of the first transverse web 6. The designs can also be applied to the other transverse webs 8 and 10. By way of example, the lateral holder 12 has a plurality of holding portions 30, in each of which the aforementioned cavity 16 is formed. An end 32 of the first transverse web 6 runs in the cavity 30 and is able to adopt a variable insertion depth. To prevent the end 32 from being pulled completely out of the cavity 16, a limiting device 34 is provided. The latter is in the form of an end-side thickening 36 on the first transverse web 6 and an end-side tapering 38 on the cavity 16. If the first transverse web 6 is pulled out from the cavity 30, the end-side thickening 36 and the end-side tapering 38 of the cavity 16 come into surface contact and prevent further movement. This is provided on both sides of the first transverse web 6, i.e. on both lateral holders 12 or on holding portions 30 arranged thereon.

[0043] FIG. 4 shows the three transverse webs 6, 8 and 10, each arranged in a respective holding portion 30. The three holding portions 30 are connected to one another by a hinge 40 which, in the case shown, has a pin-like component 42 and extends all the way through the three holding portions 30. The holding portions 30 can then be fanned out to different extents and thus increase or decrease the surface area spanned by the transverse webs 6, 8 and 10. The headband 24 could also be secured at the hinge 40.

[0044] FIG. 5 shows the headband 24 in two different illustrations I and II. In I, the headband 24 is shortened by being pushed into the lateral holders 12 or the attachment points 26, whereas in II the headband 24 is pulled out. This therefore permits an adaptation to different head sizes.

[0045] FIG. 6 shows, by way of example, that the headband 24 has a stiffened end portion 44 that engages in the attachment point 26. In the cavity present there, sawtooth-like projections 46, for example, are provided which act radially on the stiffened portions 44. This generates a certain mechanical resistance. It is also conceivable here that an incremental displacement is obtained in which the stiffened portions 44 are provided with grooves that are able to come into engagement with the projections 46. To prevent the stiffened portions 44 from being pulled out completely, end stops 48 are provided. These can come into surface contact with the innermost projections 46 in order thereby to limit the pulling out.

[0046] FIG. 7, finally, shows a passenger aircraft 50 that has a fuselage 52 with a cabin 54 formed therein. A plurality of oxygen masks 2 can be arranged there.

[0047] It will additionally be noted that “having” is not exclusive of other elements or steps, and “a” or “an” is not exclusive of a multiplicity. Furthermore, it will be noted that features that have been described with reference to one of the exemplary embodiments above can also be used in combination with other features of other exemplary embodiments described above. Reference signs in the claims should not be regarded as a limitation.

REFERENCE SIGNS

[0048] 2 oxygen mask [0049] 4 holding frame [0050] 6 first transverse web [0051] 8 second transverse web [0052] 10 third transverse web [0053] 12 lateral holder [0054] 14 fabric [0055] 16 cavity [0056] 18 exhalation valve [0057] 20 oxygen supply line [0058] 22 inside [0059] 24 headband [0060] 26 attachment point/recess [0061] 28 region with preformed curvature [0062] 30 holding portion [0063] 32 end [0064] 34 limiting device [0065] 36 thickening [0066] 38 tapering [0067] 40 hinge [0068] 42 pin-like component [0069] 44 stiffened end portion [0070] 46 projection [0071] 48 end stop [0072] 50 passenger aircraft/aircraft [0073] 52 fuselage [0074] 54 cabin