The present invention relates generally to devices, systems and methods for emergency decent from a height, and, particularly, to devices, systems and methods for use by firefighters in a descent escape from a height.
The outer, protective garments worn by firefighters (commonly referred to as turnout gear) typically include a large coat and pants that have an outer layer and a removable inner liner. The outer layer is fabricated from materials that are resistant to heat, flame, abrasion and water. Firefighters also wear other protective gear, including a helmet, thick gloves, and an air tank that is typically part of a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).
In executing their duty, firefighters often enter burning buildings, including multilevel or high-rise buildings. It is desirable that a firefighter be equipped with equipment to enable escape from a height (for example, from a rooftop or window). Without such escape equipment, a firefighter trapped at a height above the ground, must find a suitable escape point and await a ladder from a fellow firefighter to escape injury.
Harnesses have been incorporated into the outer garments worn by a firefighter, but such harnesses have been generally inadequate to provide an escape or rescue from a height. Recently, U.S. Pat. No. 6,487,725 disclosed a harness assembly 16 for use by a firefighter having an integral support line 20 that can be used to escape from a height. That harness assembly includes a harness body having first and second ends and a hollow interior which receives the support line. The support line has first and second ends that extend from the harness body. A large portion of the support line, which is preferably shaped as a flat ribbon, is disposed within each of multiple elongated chambers or sleeves provided on the harness body using a rod-shaped tool. Several loops of the support line may be received in each of the chambers. Separating the support line into a series of individual pockets or chambers purportedly reduces the probability of tangling, twisting, or knotting of the support line, and the support line can be readily withdrawn from the harness body. The first end of the support line may be pulled away from the harness to extend the support line therefrom. The second end of the support line is releasably secured to the harness.
Although attempts have been made to provide devices and systems for escape from a height for use by firefighters and others, it remains desirable to provide improved devices, systems and methods to facilitate escape from a height.
Generally, the present invention provides a personal emergency escape or descent system including an article to be worn by a user comprising: a shock absorbing descender attached to the article, a support line passing through the shock absorbing descender, an anchor connection attached to a first end of the support line in the vicinity of the shock absorbing descender, and an assembly for holding the support line. The assembly for holding the support line can take any number of forms including those shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,487,725, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
In one embodiment, the assembly includes a plurality of holders in which intermediate loops of the support line are retained near the terminus of each of the intermediate loops. The assembly can, for example, include a first group of holders and a second group of holders, wherein each group of holders includes at least two holders. A first intermediate loop of the support line can be passed through a first holder of the first group of holders. The support line is then looped in an extended, generally u-shaped loop. A second intermediate loop is formed in the support line and is passed through a first holder of the second group of holders. The support line is then looped back in an extended, generally u-shaped loop. A third intermediate loop of the support line is formed and is passed through a second holder of the first group of holders. The support line is then looped in an extended u-shaped loop, and a fourth intermediate loop formed in the support line is passed through a second holder of the second group of holders. This packing or holding pattern can be repeated until the desired length of the support line is held in the assembly.
The assembly can further include a first retainer and a second retainer. The first retainer includes a first length of material attached to the assembly that is adapted to be threaded through the intermediate loops passing through the holders of the first group of holders. The second retainer includes a second length of material attached to the assembly that is adapted to be threaded through the intermediate loops passing through the holders of the second group of holders. The support line can be in operative connection with each of the first retainer and the second retainer so that application of force to the first end of the support line causes the first retainer to be withdrawn from the intermediate loops passing through the first group of holders and the second retainer to be withdrawn from the intermediate loops passing through the second group of holders. Further application of force to the first end of the support line, after the first retainer and the second retainer are withdrawn from the intermediate loops, causes the intermediate loops to be withdrawn from the holders of the first group of holders and the second group of holders.
The second end of the support line is not attached tro the assembly for holding the support line. Preferably, the support line can have formed in the vicinity of the second end a termination knot that prevents passage of the second end of the support line through the shock absorbing descender. The termination knot can, for example, be one-time releasable so that the support line can pass through the shock absorbing descender and the support line can be operatively disengaged from the shock absorbing descender. Such one-time release can, for example, be accomplished under load. In one embodiment, a cover is formed over at least a portion of the knotted section of the termination knot of the support line so that the cover must be removed before the termination knot is released. The cover can include a shrink wrap. Once the termination knot is released, the support line may not be reattached to the shock absorbing descender.
The shock absorbing descender comprises a shock absorbing element and a descender device. In one embodiment, the descender device is a plate that is attached to an article worn by a user by a shock-absorbing element that includes an extending section of material which absorbs energy, for example, upon initial descent. Preferably, the extending section of material is threaded through a pair of rings and then doubled over on itself and stitched together with rip stitching. The rip stitching can be adapted to rip under a certain force to absorb energy while the rings are adapted to deform under a certain force to absorb energy. Various descender devices can be used including a plate with holes, tubes and friction disks.
The support line is made from a flame and heat-resistant material. In one embodiment, the support line is fabricated from KEVLAR material. The support line can, for example, be formed in the flattened shape of a ribbon.
In another embodiment, at least one indicator is placed in operative connection with the support line, wherein deployment of the support line requires a readily viewable alteration of the indicator. The indicator can, for example, be a tag that is wrapped around a portion of the support line.
In another aspect, the present invention provides a rescue garment to be worn by a user, including: a shock absorbing descender attached to the rescue garment, a support line passing through the shock absorbing descender, an anchor connection attached to a first end of the support line in the vicinity of the shock absorbing descender, and an assembly for holding the support line. The second end of the support line is not attached to the assembly, and the support line has formed in the vicinity of the second end a termination knot that prevents passage of the second end of the support line through the descender device. As described above, the termination knot can be released one time so that the support line can pass through the descender and thereby be operatively disengaged from descender device.
In another aspect, the present invention provides a self-contained breathing apparatus carrier, including: a waist belt, a shock absorbing descender in operative connection with the waist belt, a support line passing through the shock absorbing descender, an anchor connection attached to a first end of the support line in the vicinity of the shock absorbing descender, and an assembly for holding the support line. The shock absorbing descender includes a shock absorbing element and a descender device. In one embodiment, as described above, the assembly includes a plurality of holders in which intermediate loops of the support line are retained near the terminus of each of the looped ends.
In general, the present invention provides a personal emergency escape or descent system which, can for example, be integrated into a firefighter's existing gear. In one embodiment, the emergency descent system of the present invention is integrated into an SCBA carrier such as the AIRFRAME™ SCBA carrier or the VULCAN™ SCBA carrier, both available from Mine Safety Appliances Company of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The emergency descent systems of the present invention provide the user with a means of escape from an elevated position. Typically, the systems of the present invention are used as emergency devices when all other escape options have been exhausted. Although representative embodiments of the descent systems of the present invention are discussed for incorporation into an SCBA carrier as a lumbar pad, one skilled in the art appreciates that the systems of the present invention are readily incorporated into other equipment or garments.
Support line 120 includes a first end 122 which is attached to a carabiner 130 via a knot 124. After passing through descender device 110, support line 120 preferably terminates in a second, free or unattached end 126. In that regard, second end 126 is not attached to waist belt 100 or other component of system 10. A termination knot 128 (for example, a slip knot) is formed near second end 126 which prevents second end 126 from passing through descender device 110.
Waist belt 100 further includes a mechanism to secure waist belt 100 around the user. In the embodiment of
Waist belt 100 passes through a passage 205 formed in support line pad assembly 200. Support line pad assembly 200 is designed to hold support line 120 as described below in connection with
To pack support line 120 in support line pad assembly 200, support line pad assembly 200 is preferably first placed upon a generally flat surface. Support line 120 is first passed through descender device 110 until descender device 110 is within approximately six inches of carabiner 130. In several embodiments of the present invention, support line pad assembly 200 is designed to accommodate either a 50-foot line or a 75-foot line (see, for example,
A tamper-evident tag 250 (see, for example,
As illustrated more clearly in
As illustrated, for example, in
As discussed above in connection with system 10, a tamper-evident tag 250′ can be place around support line 120′ of system 10′. A tamper-evident tag 252 can also be place upon termination knot 128′. Tamper-evident tags 250′ and 252′ provide confirmation upon very quick inspection as to whether support line 120′ has ever been deployed. In that regard, tamper-evident tags 250′ and 252′ (which can, for example, be formed from a length of self-adhesive material that is wrapped around portions of support line 120′) must be torn or ripped to deploy support line 120′. If support line 120′ has been previous deployed, it is preferably replaced. In that regard, waist belt 100, including shock absorbing element 112′ and descender device 110′, as well as support line 120′ can be replaced after a single deployment thereof.
The foregoing description and accompanying drawings set forth preferred embodiments of the invention at the present time. Various modifications, additions and alternative designs will, of course, become apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing teachings without departing from the scope of the invention. The scope of the invention is indicated by the following claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes and variations that fall within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.
This application claims priority on U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/565,885 filed Apr. 28, 2004, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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60565885 | Apr 2004 | US |