Abstract: A unified filter and connector housing (24) incorporating a diversion valve assembly (74), the housing assembly being usable with a protective breathing mask assembly (12) of the type requiring separate breathing gas and ventilating gas supply lines (18 and 20). The housing assembly includes first and second housing members (26, 32) which receive therebetween a filter (30) in an airtight relationship. The first housing member is provided with inlets (46, 62) to which quick disconnect supply lines (50, 66) for breathing gases and ventilating gases may be secured. Parallel breathing and ventilating gas passageways (42, 58) are disposed within the first housing member, only the breathing gas passageway normally being in a fluid communication with the filter.

Abstract: There is disclosed a helmet useful for crew members of an aircraft from which they may be ejected at high speeds. The helmet comprises a shell which fits over the head in a conventional manner and is provided with a strap which passes beneath the chin to retain the helmet on the head. A visor housing attached to, and spaced from, the shell is positioned to cover the forward crown part of the head and has portions which extend downwardly along the sides of the face of the wearer, which merge into the planes of flat areas at the ears. By this structure the usual bulbous shape at the ears commonly found in helmets is avoided and the side-to-side dimension is reduced.There are formed at the upper part of the visor housing a number of discontinuous louvers forming ridges through forward facing walls of which there are apertures. During an ejection, air scooped into the region between the visor housing and the shell exits through these louver openings.