Patent Application
20180279746
The present invention relates generally to tool pouches and carrying cases. More particularly, the present invention relates to a body harness and tool pouch useful for a portable gas detector and like tools
In the regular course of a work day workers may be exposed to airborne contaminants that are harmful or fatal. Confined spaces in chemical plants, paper mills, refineries, underground mines, utility passageways, and other industrial locations may contain air that is contaminated with toxic or combustible gases or air depleted of oxygen. To protect workers, OSHA regulations require the worker to have a way to monitor the air prior to entry and during the entire time the worker occupies a confined space.
Each person entering a confined space should be equipped with a portable gas monitor worn where it can be checked easily and frequently. Typically, the gas detector has a sampling hose and probe attached to the gas monitor. An air sample is brought into the gas monitor by a sample pump. Upon detecting an unsafe condition, the gas monitor will transmit warnings via audible and visible signals, such as alarms and flashing lights.
When using a portable gas detector, the worker typically carries the gas detector in addition to the work tools and other equipment. One approach has been to place the gas monitor in a shoulder bag or holster on a tool belt. In other cases, the gas monitor has a shoulder strap and the worker carries the hose and probe in the hand.
A problem with current equipment is that the gas detector presents a safety hazard itself. For example, when climbing or accessing confined spaces, a gas detector on a shoulder strap is able to swing free from the user's body and get tangled with or caught on the surrounding structures or equipment. Also, a gas monitor carried on a shoulder strap may become damaged when the worker moves about and the monitor makes contact with door frames, ladders, or other structures.
Therefore, what is needed is an improved apparatus for carrying a portable gas detector on one's person while on a jobsite and while retaining the ability to effectively and conveniently use the gas detector.
One aspect of the present invention is directed to a carrying pouch for a portable gas detector or other tool. In one embodiment, a tool pouch includes a support panel having a front face, a back face, a panel first side portion, a panel second side portion, and a panel bottom portion. A pouch body portion attached to the support panel has a first side portion, a second side portion spaced apart from and generally opposing the first side portion, and a bottom portion. The pouch body portion is attached to the support panel along the respective panel first side portion, the panel second side portion, and the panel bottom portion and extends out from the front face of the support panel to define a storage compartment. The pouch body portion defines an open region between the first side portion, the second side portion, and the bottom portion. One or more straps extend across the open region and connect the first side portion to the second side portion. A connector first portion is fixedly secured to the first side portion and/or the second side portion of the pouch body portion, where each connector first portion is positioned on an outside surface of the pouch body portion to releasably engage a corresponding connector second portion.
In some embodiments, each of the straps is convertible between a larger state and a smaller state. For example, each strap is made of a stretchable material.
In another embodiment, the pouch includes a probe pocket made of a pliable material and having a pocket sidewall with an elongated tubular shape extending from a closed bottom end to an open top end. The connector second portion is secured to the probe pocket adjacent the open top end, where the connector second portion is constructed to releasably engage the connector first portion to releasably attach the probe pocket to the main pouch body.
Another embodiment of a tool pouch has a main pouch body with a closed bottom end portion and a sidewall extending up from the closed bottom end portion to define a storage compartment. The sidewall includes a first side portion, a second side portion spaced apart from and generally opposing the first side portion, a front portion, and a rear portion spaced apart from and generally opposing the front portion. A connector first portion is fixedly secured to the sidewall and positioned on an outside surface of the pouch body. A probe pocket is made of a pliable material and has a pocket sidewall with an elongated tubular shape extending from a closed bottom end to an open top end. A connector second portion is secured to the probe pocket adjacent the open top end, where the connector second portion operably engages the connector first portion to releasably attach the probe pocket to the main pouch body.
In another embodiment, the front portion of the main pouch body defines an open region between the first side portion and the second side portion. In some embodiments, the tool pouch has one or more straps extending across the open region and connecting the first side portion to the second side portion. For example, the front portion of the sidewall is replaced substantially or completely by the open region and strap(s).
In some embodiments, each of the straps is convertible between a larger state and a smaller state, such as being made of a stretchable material.
In some embodiments, the pocket sidewall of the probe pocket defines a plurality of through openings. For example, the through openings are defined in a mesh material that allow gases to flow through the sidewall of the probe pocket to a sensor probe disposed in the probe pocket.
Another aspect of the present invention is directed to a body harness wearable by a user. For example, the body harness is configured to retain a pouch for a gas detector and optionally includes a separate pocket for a sensor probe.
In one embodiment, the body harness includes a waist belt configured to form a closed loop around a user's waist. The waist belt has a side portion corresponding to the user's side, a rear portion corresponding to the user's back, and a front portion with a closure. A shoulder strap is constructed to extend over a user's shoulder and has a front portion with a first strap end connected to the side portion of the waist belt and a back portion with a second strap end connected to the rear portion of the waist belt. A side strap is connected to and extends between the front portion and the back portion of the shoulder strap, where the side strap is vertically spaced from and extends generally parallel to the side portion of the waist belt.
In some embodiments of the body harness, a flexible cord-lock strap is secured to the body harness and has a releasable closure configured to releasably fasten the cord-lock strap in a closed loop. For example, the cord-lock strap is secured to the waist belt or to the front portion of the shoulder strap.
In another embodiment, the body harness includes one or more anchor point. For example, the anchor point includes a closed-loop connector, a releasable connector, or a cord loop.
In another embodiment, the body harness includes a tool pouch with a main pouch body, a connector first portion fixedly secured to the sidewall, and an attachment loop secured to the rear portion. For example, the main pouch body has a closed bottom end portion and a sidewall extending up from the closed bottom end portion to define a storage compartment. A connector first portion is fixedly secured to the sidewall and positioned on an outside surface of the pouch body. A selectively-closable attachment loop is secured to the rear portion and sized to extend through the closed-loop connector, the releasable connector, or the cord loop on the anchor point. The selectively-closable attachment loop may be, for example, a side-release buckle and webbing, a carabiner, or a length of webbing or cord with a fastener.
In some embodiments, the tool pouch includes a probe pocket made of a pliable material and having a pocket sidewall with an elongated tubular shape extending from a closed bottom end to an open top end. A connector second portion secured to the probe pocket adjacent the open top end is constructed to operably mate with the connector first portion to releasably secure the probe pocket to the main pouch body.
In some embodiments, the body harness includes a tool pouch releasably attached to the body harness, where the tool pouch includes a support panel having a front face, a back face, a panel first side portion, a panel second side portion, a panel bottom portion, and a pouch body portion attached to the support panel to define a storage compartment. The pouch body portion has a first side portion, a second side portion spaced apart from and generally opposing the first side portion, and a bottom portion. The pouch body portion is attached to the support panel along the respective panel first side portion, the panel second side portion, and the panel bottom portion and extends out from the front face of the support panel to define a storage compartment. The pouch body portion defines an open region between the first side portion, the second side portion, and the bottom portion. One or more straps extend across the open region and connect the first side portion to the second side portion. A connector first portion fixedly secured to one or both of the first and second side portions is positioned on an outside surface of the pouch body portion to releasably engage a corresponding connector second portion.
In some embodiments, each of the one or more straps is convertible between a larger state and a smaller state, such as being made of a stretchable material.
In some embodiments, the pocket sidewall of the probe pocket defines a plurality of through openings.
The preferred embodiment(s) of the present invention is illustrated in
The tool pouch 110 has a sidewall extending up from a closed bottom end portion 113 with a first side portion 132, a second side portion 134, a front portion 135, and a back portion 112. In one embodiment shown in
The pouch body portion 130 has a first side portion 132, a second side portion 134, and a bottom portion 136 that each attach to and extend in a spaced-apart relationship from the respective panel first side portion 122, panel second side portion 124, and panel bottom portion 126. In one embodiment, the first side portion 132 and the second side portion 134 of the pouch body portion 130 are spaced from each other and define an open area 150 between them along the front portion 113 of the tool pouch 110. The open area 150 is useful for viewing a display or visual alerts on the gas detector 5 as well as for accessing controls on the gas detector 5 or other instruments stored in the storage compartment 140. In one embodiment, one or more connecting bands 142 extend across the open area 150 and are connected to the first and second side portions 132, 134. In some embodiments, the connecting bands 142 are made of a stretchable material, such as elasticized cord or the like. When the connecting band(s) 142 are made with a stretchable material, the storage compartment 140 is expandable to facilitate receiving the gas detector 5 while also resiliently returning to smaller state to provide a snug fit on the gas detector 5.
One or more connector first portion 137 of a connector 136 is secured to the pouch body portion 130, such as along the first side portion 132 and/or second side portion 134. A connector second portion 138 on the probe pocket 200 or other accessory mates with and engages the connector first portion 137 to releasably attach the probe pocket 200 or other accessory to the tool pouch 110. The connector first portion 137 is positioned on the pouch body to engage the connector second portion. For example, the connector first portion 137 and connector second portion 138 are the female and male parts, respectively, of a side release buckle as commonly used with webbing. Other forms of the connector 136 are contemplated, including one or more snaps, a hook-and-loop fastener, a spring hook, a strap with rings or buckle, MOLLE webbing attachment system, and the like.
As shown in
In one embodiment, the probe pocket 200 has an elongated, tubular shape that extends from a closed bottom end 202 to an open top end. As shown, the probe pocket 200 is constructed and sized to receive a sensor probe 10 of the portable gas detector 5. The cross-sectional shape of the probe pocket 200 may be circular, rectangular, or other shape as desired and appropriate for the equipment to be stored. In one embodiment, the probe pocket 200 is made of a pliable material, such as nylon, canvas, neoprene, vinyl, or leather. In other embodiments, the probe pocket 200 is made at least in part of a mesh or otherwise defines openings to allow gases to flow through the probe pocket 200 to reach the sensor probe 10 when it is stored in the probe pocket 200.
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The body harness 300 also has a shoulder strap 330 that includes a front portion 330a with a first strap end 330b and a back portion 330c with a second strap end 330d (shown in
The body harness 300 also has a side strap 340 connected to and extending between the front portion 330a and the back portion 330c of the shoulder strap 330. A first side-strap end 340a is connected to the front portion 330a of the shoulder strap 330. A second side-strap end 340b is connected to the back portion 330c of the shoulder strap 330. When worn by the user 301, the side strap 340 is intended to extend horizontally around the user's side 303, where the side strap 340 is vertically spaced from and generally parallel to the side portion 320a of the waist belt 320. In some embodiments, the side strap 340 has an adjustable length. In other embodiments, the side strap 340 is made of a stretchable material, such as elasticized nylon. The first and/or second side-strap ends 340a, 340b may be fixedly attached or releasably attached to the shoulder strap 330. For example, first and second side-strap ends 340a, 340b are secured to the shoulder strap 330 by stitching or mechanical fasteners. The side strap 340 advantageously maintains the shoulder strap 330 from slipping off the user's shoulder 306. Another advantage of the side strap 340 is distributing gravitational forces of equipment attached to the front portion of the shoulder strap 330 so as to resist pulling down on the front portion 330a of the shoulder strap 330 and resist pulling up on the back portion 330c of the shoulder strap 330. Yet another advantage of the side strap 340 is that it maintains the shoulder strap 330 close to the user's body when the user is climbing to prevent a swinging motion of equipment attached to the shoulder strap 306 as occurs with pouches attached to the hip of one's tool belt.
Some embodiments of harness include one or more anchor points 350 for accessories and pouches. For example, anchor points 350 are D-rings, hooks, fasteners, or connectors 136 (or part thereof). In one embodiment, harness 300 includes two D-ring anchor points 350 on the front portion 330a of the shoulder strap 330 for attaching the pouch assembly 110 discussed above or other storage pouch. In one embodiment, harness includes an optional cord-lock 210 strap secured to the front portion 330a of the shoulder strap. For example, the cord-lock 210 is a strap that may be closed around a coil of tubing 7, a length of cord, or other object. In one embodiment, D-ring anchor points 350 are attached to the front portion 330a of the shoulder strap 330, such as adjacent the side portion 320a of the waist belt 320. When positioned as described and shown in
Referring now to
In use, embodiments of the body harness 300 and pouch assembly 100 are useful for working with portable gas detectors 5, radios, electrical test equipment, dictation equipment, and other equipment used by facilities maintenance personnel. Embodiments of the body harness 300 allow for comfortable and convenient placement of the pouch assembly 100 in addition to accepting other tool pouches as desired. The probe pocket 200 provides a convenient storage location of the sensor probe 10, a microphone, test probes, and other equipment connected to an instrument or device retained in the storage compartment 140 of the tool pouch 110 while the user is climbing or working in restricted areas. For example, the user may temporarily use the sensor probe 10 and then replace it into the probe pocket 200 while climbing or performing other tasks. The cord lock 210 on the harness retains tubing 7 and cords out of the way of the user, yet allows the user to release the tubing 7 as needed.
Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described herein, the above description is merely illustrative. Further modification of the invention herein disclosed will occur to those skilled in the respective arts and all such modifications are deemed to be within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
