HEAD-UP DISPLAY UNIT

• US 20080185001A1
• Filed: 12/21/2007
• Published: 08/07/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Draeger Safety UK Ltd (FPS Vermögensverwaltung GmbH)
• Original Assignee: Draeger Safety UK Ltd (FPS Vermögensverwaltung GmbH)
• Inventors: McWilliams, Robin
• Granted Patent: US 8,082,922 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/204.21
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 18/08 Component parts for gas-masks or gas-helmets, e.g. windows, straps, speech transmitters, signal-devices eye-pieces for protective goggles A61F9/02; composition of materials for the windows or other transparent parts A62D7/00
• CPC Class Codes: B63C 11/12 Diving masks
• CPC Class Codes: B63C 2011/121 comprising integrated optical signalling means or displays for data or images
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/017 Head mounted

Abstract

A head-up display unit 10 comprises a microprocessor 30 which controls four light-emitting diodes (LEDs) which constitute the head-up display 20. The microprocessor 30 and LEDs 20 are powered by a battery 40 and a switch 50 is in series with the battery. A temporary store 60 in the form of a capacitor is in parallel with the battery 40 after the switch 50. A data receiver 32 is connected to the microprocessor 30 and communicates received data 34 to the microprocessor 30. The head-up display unit 10 is located in the face-mask 100 of a self contained breathing apparatus unit. The LEDs 20 are located in the periphery of the viewable region of the face-mask 100 so that they can be seen by the user when the face-mask is worn. The switch 50 comprises two conductive rubber strips which conduct current between them when sufficient pressure is applied. The switch 50 is located on a portion of the face-mask seal 102 such that when the face-mask 100 is worn i.e. held against the face of the wearer, the rubber strips conduct current between them and when the face-mask is not being worn the rubber strips do not conduct. The switch 50 is embedded in the face-mask seal 102 in such a way that a tight seal between the user and the face-mask 100 is still achieved when the face-mask is worn.

Claims

1. A face-mask of a breathing apparatus comprising:

a face mask unit;

a switch located on a portion of the face mask unit arranged such that when the unit is donned by a user the switch closes causing power from a power-supply to be supplied to the unit, and when the unit is removed the switch is opened causing the power-supply to be disconnected from the unit; and

,

a temporary power storage device which is charged when the switch is closed and which powers the unit when the switch is opened.

2. A face mask according to claim 1, wherein the switch is arranged to be closed by pressure when the unit is donned by the user.

3. A face mask according to claim 1 wherein the temporary power storage device comprises a capacitor.

4. A face mask according to claim 1 including a display element for indicating one or more conditions relating to data.

5. A face mask according to claim 1 including an electronic processor means for processing data.

6. A face mask according to claim 1, wherein the switch comprises conductive rubber strips which conduct current between them when sufficient pressure is applied to at least one strip.

7. A face mark according to claim 4, wherein the display element includes at least one LED.

8. A face mask according to claim 4, wherein the display element comprises an LCD display.

9. A face mask according to claim 1, wherein the power-supply is a battery located within the unit.

10. A face mask according to claim 1, further including a receiver for wirelessly receiving data and transmitting it to a processor.

11. A face mask according to claim 10, wherein the receiver is an inductive receiver.

12. A face mask according to claim 4, wherein the data displayed by the display element relates to the pressure in a cylinder of pressurised gas.