Abstract: The head harness includes at least one expandable strap whose ends are connected to the mask for constituting a loop. The strap includes an element which is inflatable by pressurized gas for lengthening the strap up to a size sufficient for the user to locate the harness over his head. Pressurized gas is supplied to the element for increasing its size upon actuating of a manually controlled valve. Upon release of the valve, the strap contacts the head and maintains the mask. A selection valve authorizes venting of the inflatable element when in an "emergency" position and maintains a residual pressure in the inflatable element when in a "comfort" position. The harness or a storage box for the mask are designed for preventing storing of the mask in "comfort" position.

Abstract: In order to make a personalised helmet liner using a rigid injection shell, a cast of the user's skull is made from a quick-setting product; the desired position of the user's head and the cast relative to a predetermined helmet reference frame is determined on an optical bench and a reference support (30) is fixed to the cast; a dummy head provided with a positioning support relative to the rigid shell is moulded in the cast by comparison with the reference support; the dummy head is placed inside the rigid shell and the dummy head and the shell are positioned relative to one another by using an indicator (31) on the support, and an expandable foam is injected into the space between the rigid shell and the dummy head.

Abstract: The equipment for military aircraft pilots comprises a helmet (10) having a shell and a visor (18) for placing in front of the eyes. A central portion of the visor is of a shape such that at each point its minimum radius of curvature is substantially in a vertical plane and its maximum radius of curvature is in a plane substantially orthogonal to the preceding plane. The radius of curvature of the visor in the horizontal plane lies in the range 110 mm to 145 mm and its radius of curvature in a vertical plane parallel to the midplane of the helmet varies from about 135 mm in the center to about 75 mm in lateral zones.

Abstract: The head harness includes at least one expandable strap whose ends are connected to the mask for constituting a loop. The strap includes an element which is inflatable by pressurized gas for lengthening the strap up to a size sufficient for the user to locate the harness over his head, pressurized gas is supplied to the element for increasing its size upon actuation of a manually controlled valve. Upon release of the valve, the strap contacts the head and maintains the mask. A selection valve authorizes venting of the inflatable element when in an "emergency" position and maintains a residual pressure in the inflatable element when in a "comfort" position.

Abstract: A respiratory mask adapted to be fit against the face of a user is provided with a demand regulator connectable to a pressurized respiratory gas source. An extensible harness, having end portions connected to said mask, includes an inflatable element. A manually actuatable valve delivers pressurized respiratory gas from the source to the inflatable element to extend the harness when actuated and reduces the pressure in said inflatable element to retract said harness and to cause the mask to engage the face of the wearer when released. A sensor delivers an information representative of a force with which said mask engages the face to a valve for automatic control of exhaust of pressurized gas to atmosphere and admission of pressurized gas from the source, upon release of the manually actuatable valve to adjust the reduced pressure and to maintain the force at a value which is lower than the force exerted when the inflatable element is at an ambient pressure.

Abstract: A respiratory mask adapted to be fit against the face of a user is provided with a demand regulator connectable to a pressurized respiratory gas source. An extensible harness, having end portions connected to said mask, includes an inflatable element. A manually actuatable valve delivers pressurized respiratory gas from the source to the inflatable element to extend the harness when actuated and reduces the pressure in said inflatable element to retract said harness and to cause the mask to engage the face of the wearer when released. A sensor delivers an information representative of a force with which said mask engages the face to a valve for automatic control of exhaust of pressurized gas to atmosphere and admission of pressurized gas from the source, upon release of the manually actuatable valve to adjust the reduced pressure and to maintain the force at a value which is lower than the force exerted when the inflatable element is at an ambient pressure.

Abstract: An oxygen breathing apparatus for protection of aircraft passengers against aircraft depressurization has a pressurized oxygen storage and a distribution unit operated responsive to loss of pressurization at high altitude for feeding a pipe with pressurized oxygen from the storage. The passenger masks have a face cover which is formed with an inwardly directed circumferential flexible sealing lip and are each connected to the pipe by a flexible hose having a metering orifice. The distribution unit delivers pressurized oxygen under a pressure which increases up to a first value which is reached when loss of pressurization occurs immediately under a predetermined altitude (about 40,000 ft) and has a second value, of about two times the first value as long as the altitude exceeds the predetermined value. In a modification, the second pressure is delivered for a given period, typically about 3 mn.