# US 5,343,859 A · Passenger oxygen mask having internal flow confirmation balloon

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- Number: US 5,343,859 A
- Document ID: US5343859A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 08/077,604
- Filed: 1993-06-17
- Granted: 1994-09-06
- Earliest claimed: 1993-06-17
- Assignees: Puritan-Bennett Corporation
- Inventors: Aksi Kikut
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5343859A

## CPC

- A62B 7/14: for high-altitude aircraft
- A62B: DEVICES, APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR LIFE-SAVING (valves specially adapted for medical use A61M39/00; life-saving devices, apparatus or methods specially adapted for use in water B63C9/00; divers' equipment B63C11/00; specially adopted for use with aircraft, e.g. parachutes, ejector seats, {B64D17/00, B64D25/10}; rescue devices peculiar to mining E21F11/00)

## Abstract

Oxygen dispensing apparatus (10) is provided which includes a relatively large, primary oxygen chamber (12) operably coupled to a cup-like passenger mask (14), along with a flexible inflatable apertured indicator element (18) positioned within the confines of the chamber (12) and operably coupled with the oxygen supply conduit (16) for the apparatus (10). In use, oxygen flows through the conduit (36) and inflates the element (18) to give a visual indication of proper oxygen flow to the user; the oxygen then flows from the aperture (42) of the element (18) into the primary chamber (12), where it is available for consumption by the passenger. Placement of the element (18) within the confines of primary chamber (12) assures that oxygen flow is maintained to the passenger, even in the event of failure of the indicator element (18).

## Claims

### Claim 1

Oxygen dispensing apparatus, comprising:
means defining a relatively large, primary oxygen supply chamber, including an oxygen inlet and an oxygen outlet;
means operably coupled with said oxygen outlet for delivery of oxygen from said primary chamber to a user;
means including an elongated tubular oxygen supply conduit operably coupled with said oxygen inlet; and
means defining a relatively small, apertured, inflatable indicator element positioned within the confines of said primary chamber and operably coupled with said supply conduit for delivery of oxygen from said conduit into said element for inflation thereof, and for flow of such oxygen through said element aperture to the interior of said primary chamber.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, said indicator element comprising an elongated, tubular, inflatable body, said oxygen supply conduit being operatively coupled to one end of said body, said body having an aperture adjacent the opposed end thereof.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The apparatus of claim 2, said body being formed as an integral, one-piece, monolithic, molded body.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, said primary oxygen supply chamber comprising a pair of peripherally sealed sheets defining a relatively large volume when filled with oxygen.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, said primary chamber having an inflated volume at least ten times greater than the inflated volume of said element.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, including a reinforcing string secured to said oxygen supply conduit, extending out of said element aperture and through said primary chamber and oxygen outlet, and operably coupled with said oxygen delivery means.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, said supply conduit extending through said primary chamber oxygen inlet and into the confines of said indicator element.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, said oxygen delivery means comprising a mask adapted to be worn over the nose and mouth of a user.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, said conduit extending into the confines of said primary chamber, said element being secured to said element within said primary chamber, whereby said element is wholly located within the confines of said primary chamber.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, said indicator element having at least one line of weakness therein operable to open and vent oxygen from the element to the primary chamber, in the event of overpressurization of the element.