Patent Application
20070102240
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to bail out devices and, more specifically, to a bail out device for use by a firefighter to permit repelling from a dangerous situation.
2. Prior Art
It is well known that fire fighters, upon entering a burning structure, face the possibility of their situation turning increasingly unsafe. A rope can be carried to repel from the structure should the situation warrant bailing out. However, securing the rope takes time and time is often not available. A firefighter needs a device for bailing out which is worn on the firefighter's protective gear and that can be quickly implemented with dependability.
3. Objects
The objects of the device are to provide a bail out device as follows:
1. That can be readily used by a fire fighter in an emergency.
2. That can be worn by the firefighter on the protective gear of the fire fighter.
3. That can be very quickly deployed by a fire fighter.
4. That is comparatively safe and dependable.
5. That is economical.
Further objects of the invention will appear as the description proceeds.
To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, this invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only, and that changes may be made in the specific construction illustrated and described within the scope of the attached claims.
A bail out device is provided for rapidly escaping from an unsafe structure. A rope which has an attachment section is and a repelling section is utilized. The attachment section is connected to the repelling section. The repelling section is substantially longer than the attachment section. Attachment means are connected to the attachment section for securing the attachment section to the structure. A descending device, which is a plate with five openings in it is located on the repelling section of the rope. The repelling section extends in and out of four of the five openings of the descending device. An intermediate clip is attached to the descending device and a leash is connected to the intermediate clip. An inner clip attached to the leash.
Referring now to
The repelling section 19 has an outer end 23 and an inner end 25. The outer end 23 of the rope 21 is the end which Is farthest from the point of bail out. A knot 27 is tied at the outer end 23 of the repelling section 19 to provide a warning to a firefighter descending the rope 21 that there is no more rope 21 available. This is intended to prevent a firefighter from falling unexpectedly from the rope 21.
A descending device1 29 is located on the repelling section 19 of the rope 21. The descending device 29 provides a controlled descent down the rope 21. The descending device 29 is a plate with five openings 31 through it. The repelling section 19 of the rope 21 passes through four of the openings 31 in the descending device 29 to control descent without stopping descent.
1The descending device is a product of Pigeon Mountain Industries.
The repelling section 19 of the rope 21 is one of two sections for the bail out device. The other section of the rope 21 is the attachment section 23 which extends from an intermediate clip 35 which is secured to the descending device 29 by use of the one remaining opening 31 in the descending device 29 not occupied by the repelling section 19 of the bail out device. At the outer end 37 of the attachment section 33 of the bail out device is a retainer clip or attachment means 39, which is preferably an extra large D clip. A double figure eight knot 43 is placed in the rope 21 adjacent to the retainer clip 39. The retainer clip 39 is designed to be secured to anything available near the escape point such as a radiator or even an axe forced into a wooden structural member. The double figure eight knot 43 serves as a hand grip to hold the firefighter during the initial departure from the structure. The rope 21 in the attachment section 33 is entirely covered by a sheath 47 which is also fire resistant. The double figure eight knot is tied after the rope 21 is covered by the sheath 47 The sheath 47 also provides additional gripping ability for the firefighter while the firefighter moves toward the repelling section 19 of the rope 21. The repelling section 19 is substantially longer than the attachment section 33.
The opening 31 in the descending device 29 which is not occupied by the rope 21 is connected to the intermediate clip 35 which is preferably a locking carabineer. A leash 51, which is a sewn quick draw string, connects the intermediate clip 35 to an outer clip 53 which is also an outer locking carabineer. The outer clip 53 is connected to the harness 11 worn by the firefighter.
The leash 51 and the outer clip 53 retain the bail out device on the firefighter prior to use by the firefighter and during use of the bail out device. When the firefighter reaches the descending device 29 at the end of the sheath 47, the firefighter descends down the repelling section 19 of the rope 21 on the descending device 29.
It is to be understood that the drawings and description matter are in all cases to be interpreted as merely illustrative of the principles of the invention, rather than as limiting the same in any way, since it is contemplated that various elements exist to achieve like results without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.
