U.S. patent number 3,733,008 [Application Number 05/143,851] was granted by the patent office on 1973-05-15 for carrying case for oxygen generators.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Life Support, Inc.. Invention is credited to John P. Churchill, William S. McBride, Tommy Lewis Thompson.
United States Patent |
3,733,008 |
Churchill , et al. |
May 15, 1973 |
CARRYING CASE FOR OXYGEN GENERATORS
Abstract
Lightweight, compact, attractive, reliable and convenient to use
carrying cases for replaceable oxygen generating cells or candles
having mechanism for activating or igniting the cells or candles
for delivering oxygen through a carrying strap to a canula or
breathing mask. The carrying cases of this invention are suspended
from a strap also serving as an oxygen conduit and are worn in the
manner of a binoculars case to supply instant oxygen when needed by
the wearer. These carrying cases with their replaceable oxygen
generators or candles release heart and emphysema patients from
heretofore required confinement to the vicinity of large heavy
oxygen bottles.
Inventors: |
Churchill; John P.
(Indiatlantic, FL), Thompson; Tommy Lewis (Melbourne,
FL), McBride; William S. (Melbourne Beach, FL) |
Assignee: |
Life Support, Inc. (Melbourne,
FL)
|
Family
ID: |
22505953 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/143,851 |
Filed: |
May 17, 1971 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
222/6;
128/202.26 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A62B
25/00 (20130101); A62B 7/08 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A62B
25/00 (20060101); A62B 7/00 (20060101); A62B
7/08 (20060101); A61m 015/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;222/6,129,5,175,88,3
;128/203,142.2,142.3 ;62/371,372 ;23/281 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Reeves; Robert B.
Assistant Examiner: Kocovsky; Thomas E.
Claims
We claim as our invention:
1. A heat dissipating case for receiving a plurality of heat
releasing oxygen generating canisters each with an outlet in one
end thereof which comprises a housing having an open end through
which the canisters are easily inserted, a lid closing said open
end and cooperating with said housing to clamp the canisters in
position surrounded by the housing and lid with air spaces around
each canister, said case having ports providing chimney ventilation
for said air spaces around the canisters in the case, a canister
engaging seal means surrounding the outlet of each clamped canister
in the housing, a common outlet for the housing receiving oxygen
from each seal means, and actuators on the case to individually
activate oxygen generation in each canister in the case.
2. A case for replaceably receiving at least one oxygen generating
canister with a port in one end to deliver oxygen from the port to
an outlet which comprises a housing having an open end through
which an oxygen generating canister can be inserted, a lid closing
said end and cooperating with the housing to clamp the canister in
the housing with an air space around the canister vented to the
exterior of the case, seal means in the housing surrounding the
port of the clamped canister, a conduit conveying oxygen from the
seal means to the outlet, and means accessible from outside the
housing for activating the canister in the housing to generate
oxygen.
3. A carrying case for heat releasing chemical oxygen generator
canisters adapted to be worn as a personal accessory and activated
to instantly supply oxygen which comprises a housing, means in the
housing for replaceably mounting a plurality of disposable oxygen
generator orificed canisters in spaced relation from the housing to
provide air spaces around each canister vented to the outside of
the housing, a separate seal in the housing for surrounding the
orifice of each canister, conduit means in the housing for
conveying oxygen generated by the canisters from the separate seals
to an outlet adapted to deliver oxygen to the wearer of the case,
and means carried by the case to activate the canisters
individually when oxygen is needed.
4. A carrying case for a plurality of replaceable oxygen generating
canisters each with an outlet port in an end thereof which
comprises an open topped housing, a lid hinged to the open top of
the housing, a plurality of canister supporting cages in the
housing holding canisters spaced from the housing walls and from
each other to provide air spaces around the canisters, deformable
seal means surrounding the outlet ports of the canisters and
cooperating to hold the canisters in fixed position in the casing,
manifold tubing connecting the seal means with a single outlet from
the housing, and mechanism carried by the case for selectively
activating the canisters.
5. A lightweight compact portable case for carrying as a personal
accessory to release a gas when needed which comprises a housing, a
closure for said housing, said closure and housing being sized and
shaped to hold a plurality of gas releasing cans, a tube having an
inlet in the case for each can and a common outlet, seal means at
each inlet to sealingly engage the adjacent can so that gas from
each can must flow into the tube, and a separate manually actuated
means on the case for each can to selectively release gas from the
cans to the tube.
6. A lightweight compact portable case adapted to be worn as a
personal accessory to dispense oxygen when needed by the wearer
which comprises a housing, a closure for the housing cooperating
therewith to surround a plurality of chemical oxygen generator cans
in side-by-side up-right position with each can having a discharge
orifice in one end thereof, sealing inlets in the case position to
surround each can orifice for sealingly engaging the orificed end
of the can, a carrying strap for said case having an oxygen flow
conduit associated therewith receiving oxygen from the inlets, and
a separate generator activating means on the case for each can
adapted to be manually actuated from outside the housing and
closure to selectively activate each generator.
7. The case of claim 6 wherein said activating means are manually
operated singly or in multiple for sequential or simultaneous
release of oxygen from the cans.
8. A lightweight carrying case for wearing as a personal accessory
to dispense oxygen when needed from a plurality of relatively small
lightweight orificed cans each containing a chlorate candle
releasing oxygen to the orifice when activated which comprises a
housing having an open top and a ported bottom, a ported lid hinged
to said housing to close the open top, a plurality of can supports
in said housing for holding the cans in upright spaced relation
from the housing walls and from each other to provide air spaces
around the cans vented to the ports in the bottom of the housing
and to the ports in the lid, seals in the case engaging each can in
the case around the orifice thereof, a manifold tube in the housing
having inlets communicating with the seals and a common outlet, and
means manually operated from outside the case to activate each
chlorate candle in the cans for generating oxygen and releasing it
through the can orifices to the tube inlets for flow to the common
outlet.
9. The case of claim 8, wherein the means manually operated from
outside of the case is a button actuated pin for each can.
10. The case of claim 8 including a carrying strap and a tube
extending through said strap connected with said common outlet.
11. A carrying case for chemical gas generator cells which
comprises a housing having an open end through which the cells may
be inserted and a ported opposite end, a ported lid selectively
overlying said open end and cooperating with the ported end to
provide a free air passage through the housing, cell support means
in the housing, a carrying strap for the housing having a gas
passage therein, a conduit having inlet means receiving gas from a
cell in the support means communicating with the gas passage in the
strap, and mechanism accessible from outside of the casing
selectively activating a cell in the support means to flow gas
therefrom through the conduit to the strap passage.
12. The carrying case of claim 11 wherein a plurality of cells in
the case generate oxygen for breathing and the strap passage has a
fitting adapted to be connected with a breathing device.
13. The carrying case of claim 11 wherein the lid when closed
clamps the cells in position in the support means.
14. The carrying case of claim 11 wherein the cell support means
are spaced upright wires defining cell receiving cages.
15. The carrying case of claim 11 wherein the conduit includes a
resilient cup for each cell surrounding the cell outlet to
sealingly connect the outlet with the conduit.
16. The carrying case of claim 11 wherein said mechanism includes a
battery charged electric circuit and a separate switch for each
cell.
17. The carrying case of claim 11 wherein said mechanism includes a
manually depressed button for each cell.
18. The carrying case of claim 11 wherein the lid is hinged to the
open end of the housing and has depending plugs bottomed on the lid
of each cell.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention deals with carrying cases adapted to be worn in the
manner of a purse or binoculars case detachably mounting a
plurality of oxygen generator cells or candles and having mechanism
for triggering the activation or ignitions of the cells or candles
to supply oxygen as needed for breathing by the wearer.
Specifically, the invention relates to lightweight, compact, easy
to use, heat dissipating carriers for oxygen generating candles
having push-button actuated igniters for the candles and an oxygen
delivery manifold delivering oxygen through the carrying strap to a
canula or oxygen mask and having sealing seats for the candles
insuring delivery of all of the oxygen from the candles to the
manifold. The carrying cases with their replaceable oxygen
generator cells of this invention are also useful for emergency
oxygen supply sources in rescue work and in mountain climbing, high
altitude aircraft usage, mining, and submarine usage.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Oxygen generator apparatus for breathing purposes is known, for
example, in the prior art Hausmann U.S. Pat. No. 2,121,347 dated
June 21, 1938 and the C. B. Jackson et al. U.S. Pat. No. 2,558,756
dated July 3, 1951. These prior generators, however, were
cumbersome, had only a single cell or candle and were unsuited for
carrying as a personal accessory by a person who might require
oxygen at unpredictable times.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to this invention, there is now provided carrying cases
adapted to be worn as a personal accessory in the manner of a purse
or binoculars case by a person who might be in need of oxygen to
sustain life. The cases of this invention detachably mount a
plurality of cells which are more easily replaced than flashlight
batteries and have mechanism for selectively triggering or igniting
each cell whenever oxygen is needed. The preferred cells are in the
form of relatively small tin cans, each carrying a chlorate type
oxygen generating candle and having its own candle igniting
mechanism triggered by push-button controls on the carrying case.
Each tin can cell has an oxygen delivery orifice registering with
and sealingly surrounded by a flexible lip-type seal serving as the
entrance mouth to a manifold delivery system supplying all of the
oxygen without leakage to the carrying strap of the case from which
it is delivered to a mask or canula fitting the nose of the wearer.
The carrying cases are vented through the top and bottom to create
a chimney around the cells for dissipating heat generated by the
ignition and burning of the candles. The cases of this invention
are preferably made of lightweight heat dissipating materials such
as aluminum, magnesium or the like.
The preferred carrying cases of this invention have top lids which
when opened expose open topped supports into which the can-like
cells are easily dropped. When the lid is closed, the cells are
resiliently clamped in fixed position so that their outlet orifices
can only deliver to the outlet manifold system and so that their
candle igniting mechanism will be positioned for actuation from the
case carried push-button actuators.
In one embodiment of the invention, the carrying case has an
electrical firing arrangement for selectively igniting the oxygen
generating cells. This arrangement includes a circuit activated by
a dry cell flashlight type battery, a resistance element, and a
capacitor discharging through push-button like switches to a bridge
wire in each cell which will ignite a pyrotechnic mixture to ignite
the candle and initiate the decomposition of the chlorate to
liberate the oxygen. A separate switch is provided for each cell.
Three cells are preferably mounted in the case, each capable of
delivering about a ten-minute supply of substantially pure oxygen
for breathing.
In another embodiment of the invention the cells are activated by
injection of a chemical and the carrying case has push-buttons for
effecting the chemical injection.
While it is preferred to mount three cells in a carrying case, it
will be readily appreciated that any number of cells may be
accommodated without departing from this invention.
It is then an object of this invention to provide carrying cases
for replaceable oxygen generator cells having mechanism for
activating the cells and a carrying strap for conveying oxygen from
the cells to a canula or oxygen mask.
Another object of the invention is to provide an easily worn
personal accessory carrying case for oxygen generator cells with
mechanism for selectively triggering the cells and with a manifold
delivery system insuring delivery of all of the oxygen from the
cells to the desired point of delivery.
Another object of this invention is to provide a lightweight,
attractive, compact, heat dissipating carrying case for replaceable
oxygen generator cells.
A further object of the invention is to provide a carrying case
detachably mounting a plurality of small oxygen generating
canisters, each with its own oxygen delivery outlet registering
with a manifold system of the case and each with its own firing
mechanism registering with an activator on the case.
A further object of this invention is to provide a lightweight,
personal accessory carrying case for oxygen generator cells acting
as a chimney to dissipate heat generated by the cells.
A further object of the invention is to provide a strap suspended
carrying case for oxygen generator cells which delivers oxygen
through the strap.
A specific object of the invention is to provide a carrying case
for a plurality of oxygen generator cells having an electrical
system for activating the cells.
Another specific object of the invention is to provide a carrying
case for detachably mounting a plurality of oxygen generating cells
and having push-buttons for triggering the activation of the
cells.
A still further specific object of the invention is to provide a
carrying case for a plurality of oxygen generator cells having an
easily opened and closed top lid and open topped receptacles into
which the cells can be dropped when the lid is opened, together
with mechanism on the lid for activating the cells.
Other and further objects of this invention will become apparent to
those skilled in this art from the following detailed description
of the annexed sheets of drawings which, by way of preferred
examples, illustrate two embodiments of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of one form of carrying case
according to this invention in its closed position;
FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 but showing the opened position
of the carrying case;
FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the carrying case of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the carrying case of FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a fragmental top perspective view with the button
covering lid in open position to show the push-button actuators of
the case of FIGS. 1 to 4;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the cell holders in the case of
FIGS. 1 to 5 and showing the manifold oxygen delivery assembly to
the carry strap;
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view along the line VII--VII of FIG. 1
with an oxygen generator cell in position;
FIG. 8 is a wiring diagram of the electrical system of the carrying
case of FIGS. 1 to 5;
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another form of carrying case
according to this invention in closed position;
FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 9 but showing the carrying case
in opened position; and
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view along the line XI--XI of FIG.
9.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS with
The carrying case 10 of FIGS. 1 to 5 is composed of a kidney-shaped
open topped upright housing 11 with a hinged top cover or lid 12
and a perforate bottom 13 from which depends a plurality of legs
14. The housing 11 has a generally cylindrical upright front wall
15 of relatively large radius which cylindrical rear end walls 16,
16 of smaller radius merged into the ends of the front wall 15 and
also joined by a central bridge wall 17 of outwardly bowed
cylindrical configuration as best shown in FIGS. 2 and 5. The front
and rear walls cooperate to define three communicating open topped
generally cylindrical wells 18, 19 and 20.
The lid or cover 12 is also kidney-shaped to fit the open top of
the housing 11 and has a flat perforated top wall 21 from which
depends a flange 21a for overlying the top marginal end of the
housing 11. A pair of hinges 22 connect the lid 12 with the tops of
the cylindrical walls 16, 16.
A rear wall 23 overlies the central rear wall portion 17 and
extends from the bottom 13 into spaced relation from the top of the
housing to provide a narrow compartment 24 having a top wall 25
supporting three push-button switches 26 as shown in FIG. 5. A
cover or lid 27 hinged to the rear wall 23 by means of hinges 28
covers and uncovers the top wall 25 and switches 26.
The cover 12 has three circular disk stacks 29 mounted thereon, and
each disk stack is composed of three circular plastic plates 30, 31
and 32.
As shown in FIG. 7, the bottom plate 30 of the disk stack 29 is
relatively thin and underlies a thicker plate 31 which is under the
top wall 21 of the cover. The top plate 32 overlies the top wall of
the cover 21. The plate 30 is connected to the plate 31 by snap-in
headed buttons 33 extending from the top face of the plate 30 and
seated in mating recesses 34 in the bottom face of the plate 31. In
turn, the plate 31 has a headed button tab 35 extending through a
hole 36 in the cover wall 21 and snapped in a button conforming
recess 37 in the top plate 32 which rests on top of the wall 21. In
this manner, a top plate 29 overlies the wall 21 while a bottom
plate 31 underlies this wall and clamps the stack 29 to the cover
while also carrying the thinner plate 30. The plate 30 is
preferably composed of "Teflon," while the plates 31 and 32 are
somewhat thicker and are composed of polycarbonate plastic
insulators.
A copper contact disk 38 is secured on the bottom face of the
"Teflon" plate 30 at the center thereof and has a lead wire 39
connected thereto and extending between the plates 30 and 31 to be
connected into the circuit shown in FIG. 8 as will be more fully
hereinafter described.
As best shown in FIG. 3, the top wall 21 of the cover 12 is slotted
around each disk stack 29 as at 40 to provide vents for the top of
each well 18, 19 and 20 when the cover is closed.
As shown in FIG. 4, the bottom 13 of the housing has similar slots
or ports 41 aligned with the ports 40 to provide chimney-like
ventilation through each well 18, 19 and 20.
The cover 12 is held in closed position on the housing 11 by any
suitable spring latch and keeper assembly 42 including, for
example, a latch 43 on the flange 21a of the cover 12 and a catch
on the front wall 15 of the housing 11.
A manifold assembly 45 shown in FIG. 6 is mounted on the bottom
wall 13 of the housing 11 and includes three cylindrical base
members 46, each resting on the bottom 13 surrounded by the ports
or slots 41. Each base member 46, as shown in FIG. 7, has a
circular recess 47 in the top face thereof snugly receiving a
silicone rubber tube 48 with an outwardly flared mouth 49
converging to a central passage 50 that mates with an upstanding
bore 51 in the base member 46. The bore 51 has a valve seat 52
receiving a spring pressed ball check valve 53 thereagainst
controlling flow to lateral passages 54.
The passages 54 of the base members 46 are connected by tubing 55
and a passage 54 in one end base member 46 is connected to a
discharge tube 56 as shown in FIG. 6. It will be understood that
the passage 54 in the base member 46 at the righthand end of FIG. 6
is joined through the tube 55 with the center base member 46 which
in turn has a through passage 54 connected to the other tube 55.
The base member 46 at the lefthand end of the assembly has its
passage 54 communicating not only with the tube 55 but also with
the tube 56. The tube 56 spans the length of the housing 11 and
follows the contour of the front wall 15 thereof adjacent the
bottom wall 13. The tube 56 is in heat transfer relation with the
casing walls 13 and 15 and serves as a heat dissipating coolant
tube for the oxygen, as will be hereinafter described.
Each base member 46 has four wire guides 57 with horizontal base
portions 57a radiating from the side walls thereof in 90.degree.
spaced relation and with upstanding elongated legs 57b extending in
each well 18, 19 and 20 into closely spaced relation adjacent the
open top of the housing 11. The upper ends of the wires are hooked
outwardly and downwardly as at 57c. The wire portions 57b are so
spaced as to form a cage tightly engaging the side walls of an
oxygen generator canister or cell 58 as best shown in FIG. 7. The
canisters 58 contain oxygen generating sodium chlorate candles and
are easily pressed into the open top ends of the cages formed by
the wire guides 57 to rest on the bevelled mouths 49 of the rubber
tubes 48.
The case 10 is conveniently carried by a shoulder strap 60 secured
to the ends of the housing 11. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, the strap
60 preferably has one end portion 61 composed of molded plastic
with a plurality of impervious cylindrical passages 62 therethrough
in side-by-side relation. A manifold fitting 63 is secured over the
open end of the tube 56 and has a slotted leg 64 piercing the strap
portion 61 with a slot 65 registering with the passages 62. The leg
64 may be cemented in sealed relation with the strap so that all of
the oxygen flow from the tube 56 will enter the passages 62.
At a convenient level in the strap, an outlet manifold fitting 66
has a slotted leg 67 piercing the strap with the slot 68 thereof
registering with all of the passages 62. The fitting 66 has a
nipple end 69 over which the plastic feed tube 70 of an oxygen mask
or canula may be easily fitted as shown in FIG. 1. The fitting 66
may be transparent and, as shown in FIG. 6, a flow indicator ball
71 is mounted therein to show when oxygen is passing into the inlet
tube 70 of a canula 72.
The canula 72 or oxygen mask may be conveniently stored in a small
pouch or casing 73 snapped on the strap 60 as shown in FIG. 1.
In place of the molded strap portion 61, the strap 60 may have the
feed tube 70 extending therethrough from the tube 56 to a
convenient level for supplying the mask or canula.
The case 10 of this invention is wired to have a circuit 75, shown
in FIG. 8, with a flashlight type battery 76 mounted in the
compartment 24. The three switches 26 are connected in this circuit
75 to selectively energize the lead wires 39 to the contact spots
38 of each disk assembly 29. A resistance coil 77 is provided in
the circuit with a capacitor 78. Each canister 58 has a contact
point 78 engaging the contact 38 and connected through a bridge
wire 79 with a pyrotechnic igniting cone 80 in the canister.
In operation, the oxygen generating canisters 58 are dropped into
the cages in the wells 18, 19 and 20 of the casing 11 to be held by
the guide wires 57 so that orifices 81 in the bottoms of the
canisters will register with the passage 50 through the rubber tube
49. When the lid or cover 12 is closed, the "Teflon" plates 30 will
seat in the recessed tops of the canisters 58 and each contact 38
will engage a canister contact 78. Then when a switch 26 is closed
to energize a particular contact point 38, current will flow
through the bridge wire, heating the same sufficiently to ignite
the pyrotechnic starting cone for the sodium chlorate oxygen candle
in the canister 58. This will cause the chlorate to decompose,
liberating oxygen through the orifice 81 in the bottom of the
canister. The oxygen discharged through the orifice will flow
through the manifold tubing into the strap to be discharged as
needed through the canula or oxygen mask. The candle in the
canister will burn at a desired flow rate to produce oxygen at
slightly above ambient pressure for depressing the check valve 53.
When the oxygen supply from one canister is exhausted, another
canister can be ignited to continue the oxygen flow. The ball check
53 and each base 46 will permit replacement of a spent canister
without loss of oxygen from a generating canister.
The wire guides 57 hold the canisters in the central portions of
each well 18, 19 and 20 so that each canister has an open air gap
therearound vented both at the bottom and top to provide a chimney
for free flow of hot air upwardly from the ports in the bottom
through the ports in the lid. The legs 14 hold the bottom 13 above
a supporting base for free like circulation through the case. The
covers 32 of the disk stacks 29 serve as insulators above the
hottest portions of the lid.
The rubber tubes 48 with their bevelled mouths 49 serve not only as
resilient supports for the canisters 58 to sealingly engage the
bottoms of the same surrounding the orifices 81, but the lips of
the tapered mouths of these tubes can deflect in the event of
sudden increases in pressure to serve as relief valves.
From the above description it will be understood that the carrying
case 10 conveniently receives three replaceable oxygen generator
cells and has its own circuitry for selectively igniting these
cells together with a manifold distribution assembly discharging
the oxygen through a shoulder carrying strap to the breathing
apparatus as needed. The canisters are easily dropped into and
removed from the case.
In the second embodiment of this invention shown in FIGS. 9 to 11,
the carrying case 90 has a rectangular lightweight metal housing 91
with an overlying rectangular metal lid or cover 92 hinged thereto
at the back end thereof. The housing has an open grid bottom 93
with depending legs 94 adjacent the corners thereof. The housing 91
has generally flat elongated imperforate front the rear walls 95
connected by flat imperforate end walls 96. The lid 92 has an open
grid top 97 with a dependent peripheral flange 98 overlying the
open top of the housing 91. Hinges 99 connect the rear flange 98
with the rear wall 95 and a spring latching device 100 secures the
lid in closed position over the top of the housing with a latch 101
secured on the front flange 98 fitting in a spring catch 102
secured on the front wall 95 of the housing 91.
Three sets of guide wires 103 similar to the wires 57 of the
carrying case 10 are mounted on the bottom 93 of the housing 91 and
project upwardly therefrom adjacent the open top of the housing to
receive three oxygen generator cells or canisters 104 in spaced
side-by-side relation as shown in FIG. 10. These canisters 104
differ from the canisters 58 of the device 10 in that they have
closed bottoms with the outlet orifices 105 in the tops thereof.
These orifices are arranged in a ring surrounding a central plunger
106 carried by each canister.
The lid 92 carries three push-button actuated pin assemblies 107
aligned with the plungers 106 of the canisters 104.
As shown in FIG. 11, each actuator 107 includes a rigid plastic
plug 108 with a cylindrical top lug 109 pressed into recesses
formed in grid walls 97 surrounding one of the grid openings that
is aligned with the center of an underlying canister when the lid
is closed. The plug 108 has a central open topped well 110 slidably
supporting a push-button 111. The bottom wall 112 of the well has a
ring of openings 113 therethrough covered by a flexible rubber-like
washer 114 forming a flap valve permitting only upward flow through
the orifices 113.
The plug 108 has a circular depending rim bottom 115 with a flat
end 116 resting on the top lid of the canister 104. Radial grooves
117 are formed through this face 116 to vent an open bottom recess
118 surrounded by the rim 115. The central portion of the top of
the recess 118 is counterbored at 119 and a rubber tube 120 is
sealed in this counterbore to depend therefrom below the level of
the flat bottom 116 of the rim 115. The rubber tube has a flared
mouth 121 providing a lip seal 122 resting on the lid of the
canister 104 and surrounding the orifices 105 in the lid. The tube
thus forms a cylindrical seal isolating an inner recess 123 over
the top of the canister which is vented through the orifices 113 to
the flap valve 114. The recess 110 above the flap valve 114
communicates with nipples 124 extending radially therefrom and
having connecting passages 125 communicating with the recess.
The button 111 has a frusto-conical side wall 126 terminating in a
rounded external shoulder 127. A rubber O-ring 128 is seated in a
groove 129 in the lug portion 109 of the plug 108 and extends into
the recess 110 to seal against the side wall 126 of the button and
to form an abutment for the shoulder 127 limiting the outward
movement of the button.
A compression coil spring 130 surrounds a central stem 131 in the
button and acts between the button and the inner marginal portion
of the washer flap 114 to simultaneously hold the flap on the wall
112 and to urge the button 111 to its extended position with its
shoulder 127 bottomed on the O-ring 128.
A metal pin 132 has one end threaded in the stem 131 and depends
therefrom through a bore 133 in the wall 112 to terminate in a
rounded nose 134 in the recess 123 that is surrounded by the rubber
tube seal 120.
The lid of each canister 104 has a thimble 135 depending from the
central portion thereof and soldered to the lid in sealed relation.
The thimble slidably supports the plunger 106 with a piercing pin
136 depending therefrom. The plunger 106 is composed of a plastic
such as "Teflon" and has deformable teeth-like circular beads 138
therearound providing seals between the thimble and the plug.
The end or bottom wall 139 of the thimble 135 is relatively thin
and is adapted to be pierced by the pin 136 when the plunger 106 is
depressed in the thimble.
A chemical 140 is sealed in the thimble 135 under the plunger
106.
The nose 134 of the button actuated pin 132 is adapted to engage
the top end face of the plunger 136 and force the plunger to the
bottom of the thimble 135 whereupon the pin 136 will pierce the
thin bottom wall 139 of the thimble forcing the chemical 140 into
the interior of the canister. The chemical 140 will initiate a
chemical reaction generating heat to ignite the chlorate candle in
the canister releasing oxygen through the orifices 105 into the
recess 123 and thence through the orifices 113 to unseat the flap
valve 114 and enter the recess 110 for flow through the nipples 124
and through connecting tubing 141 as shown in FIG. 10 to an outlet
142 at one end of the lid. This outlet 142 registers with a
resilient sealing mouth 143 of an outlet tube 144 extending through
an end wall 96 of the housing 91. This tube 144 discharges through
passages in the carrying strap 145 for the casing as described in
connection with the device 10. The oxygen can then be bled off from
the strap passages at any desired level into the feed tube to a
canula or oxygen mask as described above.
It will thus be understood that the carrying case 90 of FIGS. 9 to
11 detachably mounts three oxygen generator cells activated by a
chemical injected into the chlorate candle of the cell by buttons
carried in the grid-like top or lid 92 of the case. The open grid
top and bottom of the case and the spaced wire supports for the
canister cells provide open chimneys surrounding each canister for
rapid dissipation of heat. In addition, the casing itself is
preferably composed of heat dissipating metal such as aluminum or
magnesium, but it should also be understood that temperature
resisting plastics can be used. To ready the casing for instant
generation of oxygen it is only necessary to drop the canisters in
the wire guides, snap the lid closed and depress one of the buttons
107. Upon exhausting the oxygen supply from one of the canisters,
another button is depressed to initiate oxygen generation from
another canister. The oxygen flow through the rigid plastic plugs
108 cannot flow back through the bottom of the plug because the
flap valves in each plug will permit oxygen flow only from the
canister immediately underneath the plug. Excessive pressures from
the canister are released past the lip seal end 122 of the sealing
tube 120 and then vented through the grooves 117 in the rim 115 as
described above.
It will be understood that many variations in shapes, sizes and
designs of the casings can be made without departing from the scope
of this invention. It will also be understood that while the
carrying cases are especially adapted for chemical oxygen
generators, they are also useful for other gaseous generators.
* * * * *