This application is a C-I-P of two prior applications: U.S. application Ser. No. 12/075,687 filed Mar. 13, 2008 entitled “Protective Garment Adapted for Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus” and U.S. application Ser. No. 12/242,262 filed Sep. 30, 2008 entitled “Breathing Apparatus with Sensor”, both incorporated herein by reference.
The invention relates to protective garments worn by firefighters and other emergency workers and to self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) that are used by firefighters and other emergency workers.
It is common for firefighters and other emergency workers to wear a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) which has a cylindrical air tank that is carried on the back of a firefighter by a framework, a harness that will typically include shoulder straps, and a waist strap worn over the coat of their turnout gear. Such tanks are disadvantageous in that being cylindrical, they protrude from the back of the user.
While embodiments of this invention can take many different forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown in the drawings and will be described herein in detail with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention, as well as the best mode of practicing same, and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiment illustrated.
In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a protective coat and self-contained breathing apparatus system is provided for a firefighter or other emergency worker. The system includes an oxygen/air tank, a regulator, a high pressure hose connected to the tank and the regulator to provide a flow of oxygen/air from the tank to the regulator, and a garment having an outer shell having a torso covering with a back and a front, a pair of sleeves extending from the torso covering portion, and a releasible harness carrying the oxygen/air tank. The harness releasibly engages the outer shell.
With reference to
Together, the coat 10 and the SCBA 12 form a system 20 that allows a firefighter or other emergency worker to perform in hazardous environments. Except as described herein, the coat 10 may be substantially similar to prior garments and coats designed for firefighters and rescue workers, such as those manufactured and sold by Morning Pride Manufacturing, Inc. of Dayton, Ohio.
As best seen in
In
The tank system 18 is carried on a substrate 18-1. The bladders 30 are arranged on and carried by the substrate 18-1. Additionally, the substrate 18-1 has connected thereto shoulder straps 40a, b. The shoulder straps 40a, b terminate in the connector elements 18a, b.
As illustrated in
The connection of the two elements 46a, 46b around the waist of the first responder on the coat 10 in combination with the elements 40a, b which extend over the first responder's shoulder region 10d provide a secure and comfortable connection of the tank system 18 to the first responder's coat 10.
From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific apparatus illustrated herein is intended or should be inferred. It is, of course, intended to cover by the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the scope of the claims.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20090229603 A1 | Sep 2009 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 12075687 | Mar 2008 | US |
Child | 12427871 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 12242262 | Sep 2008 | US |
Child | 12075687 | US |