Self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) with safety quick disconnect for permitting safe and ready access to a replacement breathing component

Abstract

A self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) comprising: a mouthpiece; a breathing component; and a safety quick disconnect comprising: a valve body; a valve spool comprising an L-shaped channel formed such that when the valve spool is appropriately rotated, the L-shaped channel (i) places an opening of the valve body in communication with a first port, or (ii) places the opening in communication with a second port; and a lock mechanism for (i) preventing the valve spool from rotating unless the breathing component is positioned in one of first and second mounts formed on the valve body adjacent the first and second ports, and a replacement breathing component is positioned in the other of the first and second mounts, and (ii) preventing the removal of a breathing component from a mount adjacent to a port which is in communication with the opening.

1 .- 16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . A self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) comprising:
 a mouthpiece;   a counterlung; and   a breathing component interposed between the mouthpiece and the counterlung, the breathing component being adapted to provide breathable air;   wherein the counterlung is sized so as to have a volume which is approximately equal to the tidal volume of a pair of adult lungs.   
     
     
         18 . Apparatus according to  claim 17  wherein the breathing component comprises a carbon dioxide scrubber. 
     
     
         19 . Apparatus according to  claim 18  wherein a demand regulator is disposed between the mouthpiece and the carbon dioxide scrubber. 
     
     
         20 . Apparatus according to  claim 19  wherein an oxygen supply is connected to the demand regulator, and further wherein the demand regulator is configured to release oxygen from the oxygen supply when the pressure in the demand regulator falls below a given threshold.