Head-up display unit

• US 8,082,922 B2
• Filed: 12/21/2007
• Issued: 12/27/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Draeger Safety UK Ltd (FPS Vermögensverwaltung GmbH)
• Original Assignee: Draeger Safety UK Ltd (FPS Vermögensverwaltung GmbH)
• Inventors: McWilliams, Robin
• Primary Examiner(s): Yu, Justine
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ostrup, Clinton T
• Application Number:
  US11/962,694
• Publication Number:
  US 20080185001A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,467 Days
• Field of Search: 128/200.24, 128/201.19, 128/201.25, 128/201.27, 128/201.29, 128/202.22, 128/202.27, 128/204.18, 128/204.23, 128/205.22, 128/205.23, 128/205.25, 128/206.21, 128/206.27, 128/206.28
• US Class Current: 128/205.25
• 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 for a breathing apparatus, a head-up display device located in the face-mask, the head-up display device comprising:

a switch located on a portion of the face-mask and arranged to be closed when the mask is donned by a user;

such that when the mask is donned by the user the switch closes causing power from a power-supply to be supplied to the device, and when the mask is removed the switch opens causing the power-supply to be disconnected from the device; and

,

a temporary power storage device which is arranged to be charged by the power supply 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 mask 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, wherein the head-up display device comprises a display means for indicating one or more conditions relating to data.

5. A face-mask according to claim 4, wherein the display means includes at least one LED.

6. A face-mask according to claim 4, wherein the display element comprises an LED display.

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

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

9. A face-mask according to claim 8, further including a receiver for wirelessly receiving data and transmitting it to the processor.

10. A face-mask according to claim 9, wherein the receiver is an inductive receiver.

11. 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.

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