Device for releasing the fastener of an accessory such as an oxygen mask on a helmet

Abstract

A device for fastening ( 1 ) fastens an accessory ( 2 ) such as an oxygen mask on a helmet ( 3 ). A main assembly (MP) arranged on the helmet co-operates with a complementary assembly (MC) integral with the accessory ( 2 ). A safety device unfastens the accessory when it is in contact with a liquid. The safety device comprises at least an element ( 4 ) designed to trigger unlocking of the main and complementary assemblies (MP, MC) by the action of an electromechanical unlocking mechanism.

1 . An attaching device for an accessory such as a oxygen mask on a helmet, including: 
 a principle assembly system on the helmet to cooperate with a complementary assembly system connected with the accessory; and    a security device causes detachment of the accessory when in contact with water, the security device at least includes: 
 a release element, and  
 an electro-mechanic unlocking system which acts on the release element.  
   
   
   
       2 . The attaching device according to  claim 1 , wherein the electro-mechanic unlocking system includes: 
 an electric motor by a which controls the release element by acting on mechanical unlocking parts which are connected with the helmet to engage attaching elements of the accessory, to release the locking parts.    
   
   
       3 . The attaching device according to  claim 1  , wherein the unlocking element and the electromechanical unlocking system are located in the device and further including: 
 a base plate fixed to the helmet and detachable from a removable case and designed to be released from is attachment with the base, when the device is in contact with water.    
   
   
       4 . The attaching device according to  claim 2 , wherein the attaching elements fastened to the accessory are formed by two movable teeth which cooperate with two toothed jaws forming the locking parts positioned in the base plate of the device.  
   
   
       5 . The attaching device according to  claim 2 , wherein the locking parts are resiliently biased by resilient elements against a stop system formed by a removable case, so as to release the locking parts when the release of the case takes place in response to contact with water.  
   
   
       6 . The attaching device according to  claim 2 , wherein the mechanical unlocking parts are placed in a removable case and are formed by two actuating rods, controlled by translation of a movable carriage connected to an electric motor which drives a central threaded shaft.  
   
   
       7 . The attaching device according to  claim 6 , wherein ends of the actuating rods of the case cooperate with hollow recesses in lateral sides of the base plate, pivoting the rods around pivot axes providing translational displacement of the case and consequently disengagement of interacting hooks connected to the base plate from complementary hooks connected to the case causing the release of the case and the locking parts by resilient biasing action of springs between the base plate and the case.  
   
   
       8 . The attaching device according to  claim 1 , wherein the release element includes: 
 an immersion sensor connected to an electronic circuit which selectively supplies power to an electric motor for controlling the electromechanical unlocking system.    
   
   
       9 . The attaching device according to  claim 8 , wherein the immersion sensor includes: 
 two electrodes, and    a transistor.    
   
   
       10 . The attaching device according to  claim 8 , wherein the electronic circuit includes: 
 an integrator,    a power supply switch,    an electric power switch,    a microcontroller,    an optocouplor, and    a comparator.    
   
   
       11 . An attaching device for attaching an accessory to a helmet, the attaching device comprising: 
 a principle assembly detachably connected to the helmet for manual connection and release from the helmet;    a complementary assembly connected with the accessory, such that the accessory can be manually connected to and released from the helmet by the principle assembly;    a security device which interconnects the principle assembly and the complementary assembly, the security device disconnecting the complementary assembly from the principle assembly in response to contact with water, the security device including: 
 an electrical sensor for sensing the presence of water,  
 an electrical circuit connected with the sensor to provide a motive power output in response to the sensor sensing water, and  
 an electromechanical device which causes disconnection of the principle and complementary assemblies in response to receiving motive power from the electrical circuit.  
   
   
   
       12 . The attaching device according to  claim 11  wherein the security device includes: 
 a cover and base plate which have an engaged position and a disengaged position, the electromechanical device being connected with the base and cover to cause movement from the connected position to the disconnected position;    locking parts which engage and hold the complementary assembly in the connected configuration, the locking parts being held between the cover and the base in their closed configuration and being biased to separate from the base and cover when the base and cover are in the released position.