Firefighter Radio Anti-Sway Strap

Abstract

An anti-sway strap that includes a length of flexible material having an upper end and a lower end, said lower end looped back on itself to form a return portion and a bend; an adjustment buckle disposed on said lower end; a connector disposed on said bend; a magnet disposed on said upper end; and a ferromagnetic connecting element for magnetically engagement with said magnet; wherein said adjustment buckle enables the adjustment of the strap length between said magnet and said connector.

Description

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

THE NAMES OR PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

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INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC

Not applicable.

SEQUENCE LISTING

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention: The present invention relates generally to straps and harnesses for carrying a portable radio, and more particularly to straps for securing communications devices to belts and harnesses, and still more particularly to a firefighter's magnetic stabilizing (anti-sway) strap for reducing radio pendulation.

Background Discussion: Firefighters and other first responders typically carry communications devices, most commonly a two-way radio. The radio may be holstered in a radio case attached directly to a waist belt, or it may be connected to an over-the-shoulder strap worn either outside or inside personal protective equipment, such as a fire kit including a turnout coat and trousers. When deployed on a shoulder strap harness, the radio is subject to swinging and often at the expense of the user's comfort, ease of use, and occasionally safety.

Anti-sway straps are known, all including spring-biased clips (at best, swivel clips or trigger-snap hooks) at each end of the strap. The clips are adapted for coupling to a turnout gear waist belt and/or a shoulder strap. When the user wishes to attach or to detach the radio holster or case from the belt or shoulder strap, the clip must be opened using the thumb and a finger—which is a clumsy and extremely difficult operation to perform in gloves.

It would be desirable, therefore, to provide an anti-sway radio stabilizing strap that facilitates rapid uncoupling from a user's belt or other harness strap without the need to grasp the clip to attach and disengage it. It is to that end that the present invention is directed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is an anti-sway stabilization strap adapted for use with communications devices suspended from harnesses and/or webbing disposed over or under personal protective equipment, such as turnout coats, for firefighters and other emergency first responders or military personnel.

In its most essential aspect, the inventive anti-sway strap includes an elongate flexible strap, adjustable in its length, having a first end and a second end. A magnetic quick release coupling element is disposed on the first end. A snap connector element is disposed on the second end. And a ferromagnetic element configured for attachment to a harness or waist belt is provided for magnetic coupling to the magnetic quick release coupling element.

In embodiments, the anti-sway strap is paired with a ferromagnetic element configured to connect to a wearer's waist belt or shoulder harness. Also, in embodiments, the ferromagnetic element is a flat disc or plate securely incorporated into a retaining clip, which is preferably a foldable nylon or plastic bar with a snap closure that enables the wearer to slidably secure the clip to a belt. Thus, in use, the wearer may adjust the position anywhere along the length of his/her waist belt according to size and device position preferences. The clip positions the ferromagnetic element over the belt material so that the magnet couples without interference and so that the clip itself does not contribute to sway.

This brief summary statement of the invention broadly sets out the more important features of the present invention so that the detailed description that follows may be better understood, and so that the present contributions to the art may be better appreciated. But there are additional features of the invention that will be described in the detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based may readily be used as a basis for designing other structures, methods, and systems for carrying out the purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims are regarded as including such equivalent constructions as far as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Rather, the fundamental aspects of the invention, along with the various features and structures that characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view in elevation of a radio deployed and suspended from a harness system stabilized by the anti-sway of the present invention;

FIG. 2A is a front view in elevation of a retaining clip bearing a ferromagnetic plate or magnet suitable for cooperating with a magnet on the anti-sway strap of the present invention, this view showing the retention clip in an open configuration and disposed laterally across a waist belt;

FIG. 2B is the same view showing the retaining clip closed and secured on the waist belt;

FIG. 2C is the same view showing the magnetic disposed on the upper end of the anti-sway strap coupled to the ferromagnetic plate on the retaining clip;

FIG. 3A is a side view in elevation as taken along section line 3A-3A of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 3B is a side view in elevation showing the anti-sway strap magnet poised for engaging the ferromagnetic plate on the retaining clip;

FIG. 3C is a side view in elevation as taken along section line 3C-3C of FIG. 2C;

FIG. 4 is a front view in elevation of the anti-sway strap coupled to the retaining clip, and featuring its potential pivotal motion when not attached to a harness;

FIG. 5A is a perspective view showing the anti-sway strap in use, as coupled to a retaining clip on a waist belt and to a D-ring on a communications device or holster;

FIG. 5B is the same view showing stabilization provided by the anti-sway strap as a user bends and engages in movements that would ordinarily induce pendulation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 5B, wherein like reference numerals refer to like components in the various views, there is illustrated therein a new and improved firefighter radio anti-sway (stabilization) strap, generally denominated 10 herein.

Collectively, the figures show an exemplary embodiment of the inventive strap, which includes a length of flexible material 12 (leather, aramid fiber, polypropylene, PES polyester, PA-nylon, and other fireproof or fire-retardant webbing) having a return portion 14 looped through an adjustment buckle 16. The upper end 18 of the strap is looped over the bar 20 of a rectangular ring 22 on a generally planar disc magnet 24. A bend is formed at a lower end 26, where the return portion 14 loops back on the strap length and has a free end slidingly disposed on and connected over the bar 28 of swiveling trigger snap 30. The adjustment buckle enables the user to adjust the effective length of the strap, i.e., the strap length between the trigger snap and the magnet.

As will be appreciated from FIG. 1, the anti-sway strap extends between and is connected to the D-ring 32 of a radio 34 (or holster supporting a radio). It is coupled to the D-ring at its lower end 26 with the trigger snap 30 and via the disc magnet 24 at its upper end 18 to a suitable ferromagnetic connecting element 36 disposed on a retaining clip 38 clipped onto the waist belt 40 of a user, such as a firefighter FF, which in this illustration is shown encircling the user on the outside of a protective gear. A second anchoring element is provided by another harness strap 42, such as a shoulder strap, as well known in the art.

Looking next at FIGS. 2A-2C, in an embodiment, a retaining clip 44 includes a ferromagnetic connecting element, such as a ferromagnetic plate 46, riveted or otherwise incorporated into the retaining clip 44, which is slidably disposed around the waist belt. This clip may be of the kind described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,823,566, which patent is incorporated in its entirety by reference herein. Such a clip may best be described as an injection molded, heavy duty, reusable connecting clip adapted for attaching modular pouches to modular lightweight load-carrying equipment and pouch attachment ladder system webbings. Use of such a device enables a wearer to position the retaining clip anywhere along the length of the waist belt or other harness strap, such that the anti-sway device can be deployed on and incorporated into nearly any harness configuration. They are manufactured and sold by Tactical Tailor of Lakewood, Wash., USA.

It will be appreciated, moreover, that if desired to have a more fixed location, the ferromagnetic plate may be incorporated into the waist belt itself, thus eliminating the need for an extra element. Indeed, the magnet coupling element may be disposed along the length of any harness strap such that the radio suspension configuration can be tailored to a user's preferences, the only imperative being a two-point connection to the radio with spaced anchor points so as to create a triangular strap geometry [see FIGS. 1, 5A-5B].

In embodiments, elements specifications may include the following: magnets may be neodymium cup magnets comprising round base magnets encased in chrome plated steel cups and bonded to the cup interiors with adhesives. Round base magnets may be termed magnetic cup holders or magnetic cup assembly. Preferably magnets have a diameter approximately ¾ inches and a holding power of approximately 40 lbs. Trigger snaps for the lower end of the strap are preferably standard duty swiveling metal trigger snap hooks. Screws or rivets to couple the magnets to the retaining clip may be ⅛ inch standard slotted screws, though multiple variations are suitable.

Specification variations may be implemented for differing applications, including variations within the personal protective equipment field. For instance, the magnet and ferromagnetic plate may be configured, sized, and of coupling strength sufficient to effectively couple and hold a radio in the attached anti-sway position even when the waist belt is worn under a turnout coat while the anti-sway strap is attached on the exterior side of the side of the coat. This gives the user particular flexibility in donning the PPE kit and entirely eliminates any need for buckle elements outside the coat that can get caught on environmental structure or exposed to heat and flame.

As will be appreciated, the anti-sway strap provides a stabilizing feature that eliminates the shortcomings of conventional anti-sway straps having only clips at the fastening ends. It is an improvement long needed and having a profound practical impact.

The above disclosure is sufficient to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to practice the invention, and provides the best mode of practicing the invention presently contemplated by the inventor. While there is provided herein a full and complete disclosure of the preferred embodiments of this invention, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction, dimensional relationships, and operation shown and described. Various modifications, alternative constructions, changes and equivalents will readily occur to those skilled in the art and may be employed, as suitable, without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. Such changes might involve alternative materials, components, structural arrangements, sizes, shapes, forms, functions, operational features or the like.

Therefore, the above description and illustrations should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention, which is defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An anti-sway strap, comprising: a length of flexible material having an upper end and a lower end, said lower end looped back on itself to form a return portion and a bend;an adjustment buckle disposed on said lower end;a connector disposed on said bend;a magnet disposed on said upper end; anda ferromagnetic connecting element for magnetically engagement with said magnet;wherein said adjustment buckle enables the adjustment of the strap length between said magnet and said connector.

2. The anti-sway strap of claim 1, wherein said strap material is fire retardant.

3. The anti-sway strap of claim 2, wherein said fire retardant strap material is selected from the group consisting of leather, aramid fiber, polypropylene, PES polyester, and PA-nylon.

4. The anti-sway strap of claim 1, wherein said magnet is a plate magnet.

5. The anti-sway strap of claim 4, wherein said plate magnet has an integral ring for connecting to said upper end.

6. The anti-sway strap of claim 1, wherein said connector is trigger snap connector.

7. The anti-sway strap of claim 1, wherein said trigger snap connector is slidingly disposed on said bend.

8. The anti-sway strap of claim 1, wherein said ferromagnetic connecting element is disposed in a slidable retaining clip configured for attachment to a waist belt.

9. The anti-sway strap of claim 9, wherein said retaining clip includes a ferromagnetic ferromagnetic plate incorporated into said retaining clip.

10. The anti-sway strap of claim 1, wherein ferromagnetic connecting element is disposed in a waist belt.

11. The anti-sway strap of claim 1, wherein said ferromagnetic connecting element is disposed in a harness strap.

12. An anti-sway strap, comprising: an elongate flexible strap, adjustable in its length, and having a first end and a second end;a magnetic quick release coupling element disposed on said first end;a snap connector element disposed on said second end; anda ferromagnetic element configured for attachment to a harness or waist belt and for magnetic coupling to said magnetic quick release coupling element.

13. The anti-sway strap of claim 12, wherein said magnetic quick release coupling element is a neodymium magnet.

14. The anti-sway strap of claim 13, wherein said magnetic quick release coupling element is a magnetic cup assembly comprising a round neodymium base magnet encased in a chrome-plated steel cup and bonded to an interior side of said cup with adhesives.

15. The anti-sway strap of claim 12, wherein said snap connector is a trigger snap connector.

16. The anti-sway strap of claim 12, wherein said elongate flexible strap is fire resistant webbing.

17. The anti-sway strap of claim 12, further including a harness strap to provide a second anchoring element.

18. The anti-sway strap of claim 17, wherein said harness strap is configured for attachment to an equipment piece ring.

19. The anti-sway strap of claim 12, wherein said ferromagnetic element is a plate disposed on a retaining clip.

20. The anti-sway strap of claim 19, wherein said removable belt clip is a retaining clip configured for removable and slidable attachment to a waist belt.