Self-elongating oxygen hose for stowable aviation crew oxygen mask

摘要

A supplemental gas assembly (10) such as used for aircraft crews is provided which includes a mask (12) adapted to fit over at least the nose and mouth of a wearer, together with a flexible, self-elongating hose assembly (14) and a stowage box (16) for receiving the mask (12) and hose assembly (14); the assembly (14) is designed so that when the mask (12) is pulled from the box (16), pressurized gas passing through the hose assembly (14) serves to inflate and axially expand the assembly (14) to a deployed length greater than the relaxed length thereof. The assembly (14) preferably includes an inflatable elastomeric inner tube (30) together with an exterior sheath (36) of woven or braided material which restricts radial expansion of the tube (30) while permitting axial expansion thereof. In preferred forms, the deployed length of the assembly (14) is up to three times greater than the relaxed length thereof.