The following information is provided to assist the reader to understand the invention disclosed below and the environment in which it will typically be used. The terms used herein are not intended to be limited to any particular narrow interpretation unless clearly stated otherwise in this document. References set forth herein may facilitate understanding of the present invention or the background of the present invention. The disclosure of all references cited herein are incorporated by reference.
Firefighters and other emergency responders often wear bulky protective outer garments to protect them from the heat and other dangers associated with fighting fires. The outer protective garments worn by firefighters are often referred to as turnout gear. The turnout gear may, for example, include a large coat, helmet, thick gloves, pants that have an outer layer and a removable inner liner. Firefighters also may wear an air tank that is typically part of a self-contained breathing apparatus or SCBA. An air tank of the SCBA is typically carried on the back of the firefighter via a harness. A firefighter or other emergency responder also typically wears a belt that may include various tools as well as an emergency descent system, which may include a descender and a support line as, for example, disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0011415. The belt is often operatively connected to or integrated with the harness.
In an emergency situation such as the collapse of a building or a collapse of a floor of a building, a firefighter may be required to make a quick escape from very confined and dangerous quarters. However, the harness and air tank of an SCBA worn by a firefighter add substantial weight to the firefighter and increase the bulk of the firefighter. The increased weight and bulk can make escape (which may, for example, include a descent from a height) difficult.
In one aspect, a harness system includes a waist belt assembly, a first releasable retainer attached to the waist belt assembly, shoulder straps, a back plate connected to the shoulder straps, and a release system including at least a first release strap connected to and extending from the back plate. The first release strap includes at least a first releasable connector in operative connection with the first releasable retainer so that actuation of the first release strap causes disconnection of the first releasable connector from operative connection with the first releasable retainer so that the first releasable retainer becomes disconnected from connection with the back plate and the back plate can be removed by a user while the waist belt assembly remains worn by the user.
The first release strap may, for example, include a first section on one side of the first releasable connector. The first section of the first release strap may be connected to the back plate. The first release strap may further include a second section on the other side of the first releasable connector. The second section may be releasably connected to the waist belt assembly.
The second section of the first release strap may, for example, include a first fastener in the vicinity of an end of the first section of the first release strap connecting the first section of the first release strap to the waist belt assembly and a second fastener between the end of the first section of the first release strap and the first releasable connector connecting the first section of the first release strap to the waist belt assembly. In a number of embodiments, the first fastener requires application of force in a first direction by the user to the end of the first section of the first release strap to disconnect the first fastener from connection with the waist belt assembly, and the second fastener requires application of force in a second direction, different from the first direction, by the user to disconnect the second fastener from connection with the waist belt assembly. Each of the first fastener and the second fastener may, for example, be required to be disconnected from connection with the waist belt assembly before the first releasable connector can be disconnected from operative connection with the first releasable retainer.
In a number of embodiments, continued application of force in the second direction after disconnection of the second fastener from the waist belt assembly results in disconnection of the first releasable connector from operative connection with the first releasable retainer.
The second fastener may, for example, include a length of a hook-and-loop-type fastener on the first section of the first release strap which cooperates with a first length of hook-and-loop-type fastener on the waist belt assembly. A generally rearward force on the second section of the first release strap may be required to disconnect the second fastener from connection with the waist belt assembly.
The first releasable connector may, for example, be passed through a passage in the first releasable retainer to operatively connect the first releasable connector to the first releasable retainer and be pulled through the passage in the first releasable retainer in an opposite direction to disconnect the first releasable connector from operative connection with the first releasable retainer.
The first releasable connector may, for example, include a sewn fold in the first release strap. The first releasable retainer may, for example, include a first retainer strap attached at a first end thereof to the waist belt assembly, the first retainer strap being adapted to pass through a back plate connector connected to the back plate.
In a number of embodiments, the system further includes a second releasable retainer attached to the waist belt assembly and a second release strap connected to and extending from the back plate. The second release strap may, for example, include at least a second releasable connector in operative connection with the second releasable retainer so that actuation of the second release strap causes disconnection of the second releasable connector from operative connection with the second releasable retainer so that the second releasable retainer becomes disconnected from connection with the back plate, and the back plate can be removed by a user while the waist belt assembly remains worn by the user after disconnection of both the first releasable retainer and the second releasable retainer from connection with the back plate.
The system may further include a second releasable retainer attached to the waist belt assembly and a second release strap connected to and extending from the back plate. The second release strap may, for example, include at least a second releasable connector in operative connection with the second releasable retainer so that actuation of the second release strap causes disconnection of the second releasable connector from operative connection with the second releasable retainer so that the second releasable retainer becomes disconnected from connection with the back plate, and the back plate can be removed by a user while the waist belt assembly remains worn by the user after disconnection of both the first releasable retainer and the second releasable retainer from connection with the back plate.
The second release strap may, for example, include a first section on one side of the second releasable connector. The first section of the second release strap may be connected to the back plate. The second release strap may further include a second section on the other side of the second releasable connector. The second section of the second release strap may be releasably connected to the waist belt assembly.
The second section of the second release strap may, for example, include a first fastener in the vicinity of an end of the first section of the second release strap connecting the first section of the second release strap to the waist belt assembly and a second fastener between the end of the first section of the second release strap and the second releasable connector connecting the first section of the second release strap to the waist belt assembly. In a number of embodiments, the first fastener of the second release strap requires application of force in a first direction by the user to the end of the first section of the second release strap to disconnect the first fastener of the second release strap from connection with the waist belt assembly. In a number of embodiments, the second fastener of the second release strap requires application of force in a second direction, different from the first direction, by the user to disconnect the second fastener of the second release strap from connection with the waist belt assembly. Each of the first fastener of the second release strap and the second fastener of the second release strap may be required to be disconnected from connection with the waist belt assembly before the second releasable connector can be disconnected from operative connection with the second releasable retainer.
In a number of embodiments, continued application of force in the second direction after disconnection of the second fastener of the second release strap from the waist belt assembly results in disconnection of the second releasable connector from operative connection with the second releasable retainer. In a number of embodiments, the second fastener of the second release strap includes a length of a hook-and-loop-type fastener on the first section of the second release strap which cooperates with a second length of hook-and-loop-type fastener on the waist belt assembly. In such embodiments, a generally rearward force on the second section of the second release strap may, for example, be required to disconnect the second fastener of the second release strap from connection with the waist belt assembly.
The second releasable connector may, for example, be passed through a passage in the second releasable retainer to operatively connect the second releasable connector to the second releasable retainer and be pulled through the passage in the second releasable retainer in an opposite direction to disconnect the second releasable connector from operative connection with the second releasable retainer.
In a number of embodiments, the waist belt assembly further includes a descent system comprising a descent line stowed within the waist belt assembly. The back plate may, for example, be adapted to connect an SCBA air tank thereto. In a number of embodiments, the first release is positioned on a first side and the second release strap is positioned on a second, opposite side.
In another aspect a system includes a harness system comprising shoulder straps and a back plate connected to the shoulder straps, a waist belt assembly, a first releasable retainer attached to the waist belt assembly, and a release system including at least a first release strap including at least a first releasable connector in operative connection with the first releasable retainer so that actuation of the first release strap causes disconnection of the first releasable connector from operative connection with the first releasable retainer, so that the first releasable retainer becomes disconnected from connection with the back plate of the harness system, and the harness system can be removed by a user while the waist belt assembly remains worn by the user. The first release strap may further include a first fastener in the vicinity of an end of the first release strap connecting the first release strap to the waist belt assembly and a second fastener between the end of the first release strap and the first releasable connector connecting the first release strap to the waist belt assembly. The first fastener may, for example, require application of force in a first direction by the user to the end of the first release strap to disconnect the first fastener from connection with the waist belt assembly. The second fastener may require application of force in a second direction, different from the first direction, by the user to disconnect the second fastener from connection with the waist belt assembly. Each of the first fastener and the second fastener may, for example, be required to be disconnected from connection with the waist belt assembly before the first releasable connector can be disconnected from operative connection with the first releasable retainer.
In a number of embodiments, continued application of force in the second direction after disconnection of the second fastener from the waist belt assembly results in disconnection of the first releasable connector from operative connection with the first releasable retainer.
In a number of embodiments, the second fastener includes a length of a hook-and-loop-type fastener on the first release strap which cooperates with a first length of hook-and-loop-type fastener on the waist belt assembly. In such embodiments, a generally rearward force on the first release strap may, for example, be required to disconnect the second fastener from connection with the waist belt assembly.
The present invention, along with the attributes and attendant advantages thereof, will best be appreciated and understood in view of the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
As used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an”, and “the” include plural references unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a connector” includes a plurality of such connectors and equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art, and so forth, and reference to “the connector” is a reference to one or more such connectors and equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art, and so forth.
Because a harness system and any equipment associated therewith (for example, a back plate and air tank of an SCBA worn by a firefighter) add substantial weight and bulk, it would be desirable if firefighters and/or other emergency responders had the ability to relatively quickly remove the harness system and associated equipment, without removing a waist belt operatively connected to the harness system. As discussed above, such waist belts may have attached tools that may be very useful in an escape, including, for example, an emergency descent system. Several embodiments of harness systems with release mechanisms and methods of using them are discussed in connection with an SCBA. However, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the harness systems and release mechanisms hereof can be used in connection with many types of harnesses operatively connected to belts.
A self-contained breathing apparatus or SCBA is a system used to enable breathing in environments which are immediately dangerous to life and health (IDLH). For example, firefighters wear an SCBA when fighting a fire. An embodiment of an SCBA system or SCBA 10 is illustrated in
Back plate 40 may, for example, include a frame 44 (see, for example,
In the illustrated embodiment, harness 20 includes or is operatively connected to a waist belt 80. Among other functions, waist belt 80 assists in maintaining the lower portion of back plate 40 adjacent to the user's back. As known in the art, waist belt 80 includes a first end 82 and a second end 84 that are releasably connectable around the waist of the user. First end 82 may, for example, have attached thereto a first connector 82′ such as a D-ring or V-ring, and second end 84 may, for example, have attached thereto a second, cooperating connector 84′ such as a carabiner or snap hook. As clear to one skilled in the art, many other types of cooperating connectors may be used in connection with waist belt 80.
In the illustrated embodiment, waist belt 80 is connected to, passes through or is integrated with a support pad 100, which may, for example, be a lumbar support pad. Support pad 100 may, for example, include a channel 102 (see,
As, for example, illustrated in
Waist belt 80 is connected to back plate 40 via a release system that enables waist belt 80 to be released from connection with back plate 40 in a ready and relatively quick manner without removing waist belt 80 from the user. In the illustrated embodiments, the waist belt assembly including support pad 100 and waist belt 80 is connected to back plate 40 via a release system that enables the assembly of support pad 100 and waist belt 80 to be released from connection with back plate 40 in a ready and relatively quick manner. Although, a number of embodiments are discussed herein for release of a waist belt assembly including support pad 100 and waist belt 80 wherein retainer straps and/or other elements of a release system as described herein are attached to support pad 100, one skilled in the art appreciates that a release system as described herein can be used in connection with a waist belt alone by, for example, attaching various elements of the release system directly to the waist belt. The term “waist belt assembly” as used herein includes a waist belt including various retainer straps and/or other elements of a release system as described herein.
The release system may, for example, include one or more release elements (for example, release or pull straps) that are actuatable by the user. In a number of embodiments, the one or more release elements are connected to back plate 40 and extend therefrom. In a number of embodiments, at least two different actions or types of actions are required by the user to effect release of each of the one or more release elements. Requiring two or more separate and different actions to effect release assists in preventing unintentional or accidental release. One type of action required to effect release may, for example, be limited to application of a force in a specified direction to, for example, assist in preventing unintentional release (for example, in the case of snagging etc.)
A release system including two release or pull straps 300 and 300a, which operate in a generally identical but reciprocal manner, is described in connection with
In the illustrated embodiments, retainer strap 110 cooperates with release strap 300 and retainer strap 110a cooperates with release strap 300a to maintain a connection between retainer straps 110 and 110a and a connector system 370 which connects to back plate 40. In the illustrated embodiment, connector system 370 includes a strap 372 having connectors 374 and 374a at each end thereof. Connectors 374 and 374a are, for example, tri-bar buckle elements which cooperate with slots 46 and 46a in back plate 40 in manner similar to a mating buckle. In that regard, connectors 374 and 374a operate as male members, while slots 46 and 46a and the surrounding portions of back plate 40 operate as female members. Slots 46 and 46a provide openings that allows connectors 374 and 374a, while oriented over a range of positions approximately or generally perpendicular to the planes of slots 46 and 46a and angled with respect to the orientation of slots 46 and 46a, to pass therethrough. After connection, it is difficult to effect disconnection unless one manually reorients connectors 374 and 374a and slides connectors 374 and 374a back through slots 46 and 46a. During use, when connector system 370 is connected to back plate 40 by connectors 374 and 374a and intermediate strap 372, forces upon connector system 370 prevent connectors 374 and 374a from reorienting to a position in which they can be removed from connection with slots 46 and 46a, respectively (see, for example,
In the illustrated embodiments, first (or left side) retainer strap 110 extends from the top of support pad 100 to cooperate or interconnect with a first releasable connector 304 in operative connection with first (or left side) release strap 300. In a number of embodiments, first releasable connector 304 includes a sewn (or otherwise connected) fold in first release strap 300 as, for example, illustrated in
As, for example, illustrated in
To install first release strap 300 in connection with support pad 100, support pad 100 is first placed in the position illustrated in
After the sewn fold of releasable connector 304 is pulled completely through slot 132, first retainer strap 110 is folded over support pad 100 to position slot 112 in the vicinity of connector 304. The folded webbing of first release strap 300 is passed through slot 112 until the sewn fold of releasable connector 304 completely passes through slot 112 (see, for example,
Extending hook-an-loop type fastener 310 is mated or connected with a cooperating hook-and-loop type fastener 138 (see
After attachment of second release strap 300a in the manner described above for first release strap 300, strap 372 of connector system 370 may be passed under retainer straps 110 and 110a to place the waist belt assembly of support pad 100 and waist belt 80 in operative connection with back plate 40. Via slots 112 and 112a, retainer straps 110 and 110a cooperate with first and second release straps 300 and 300a, respectively, to form a releasable connection therewith which prevents disconnection until release straps 300 and 300a are actuated by the user as further described below.
In the illustrated embodiments, the second section of the first release strap 300 is connected to back plate 40 via back plate connector 312 (for example, a tri-bar buckle) which passes through a slot 48 in back plate 40 in a similar manner to that described above in connection with connectors 372 and 372a and slots 42 and 42a, respectively. Further, second end 330 of first release strap is placed in operative connection with (for example, passed through) an adjustment buckle 26 of left shoulder strap 24. Likewise, a second section of second release strap 300a is connected to back plate 40 via back plate connector 312a (for example, a tri-bar buckle) which passes through a slot 48a in back plate 40 in a similar manner to that described above in connection with connectors 372 and 372a and slots 42 and 42a, respectively. Moreover, a second end 330a of second release strap 300a is placed in operative connection with (for example, passed through) an adjustment buckle 26a of left shoulder strap 24. In the illustrated embodiments, the second sections of first and second release straps 300 and 300a are folded at a 90 degree angle and sewn at the fold so that second ends 330 and 330a extend upward from the remainder of first and second release straps 300 and 300a, respectively.
A user may first grasp and apply force to first ends 302 and 302a, respectively, of first and second release straps 300 and 300a, respectively, to actuate release straps 300 and 300a to release the assembly of support pad 100 and waist belt 80 from connection with back plate 80. First ends 302 and 302a may, for example, include sections 303 and 303a, respectively, of reflective or otherwise readily visible material to enable the user to locate first ends 302 and 302a. Upon grasping first ends 302 and 302a, the user pulls first ends 302 and 302a in a laterally outward direction to disconnect fasteners 320 and 320a from cooperating fasteners 140 and 140a, respectively. The laterally outward force applied to first ends 302 and 302a will not, however, cause hook-and-loop type fasteners 310 and 310a to disconnect from cooperating hook-and-loop type fasteners 138 and 138a (or other directional connectors—that is, connectors that require application of force in a defined range of directions to effect disconnection), and release straps 300 and 300a cannot be fully actuated/released merely by applying a laterally outward force to first ends 302 and 302a, respectively, thereof. To fully actuate release straps 300 and 300a, the user must pull first ends 302 and 302a in a rearward direction, away from back plate 40, to first disconnect hook-and-loop type fasteners 310 and 310a of the first sections thereof from cooperating hook-and-loop type fasteners 138 and 138a and then to pull releasable connectors 304 and 304a through slots 112 and 112a, respectively. Separation of fasteners 320 and 320a from cooperating fasteners 140 and 140a thus requires a first action (application of force in a laterally outward direction), while separation of hook-and-loop type fasteners 310 and 310a from cooperating hook-and-loop type fasteners 138 and 138a and separation of releasable connectors 304 and 304a from slots 112 and 112a and slots 132 and 132a requires a second, different action (application of force in a rearward direction). As discussed above, requiring separate and different actions by the user to effect release can assist in preventing unintentional release.
In the illustrated embodiments, first sections of release straps 300 and 300a are maintained in close proximity or contact with support pad 100 of the waist belt assembly between connectors 304 and 304a and first ends 302 and 302a via one or more elements including member 130, webbing loops 126 and 126a, cooperating hook-and-loop fasteners 138 and 138a and fasteners 140 and 140a of webbing loops 120 and 120a. Maintaining release straps 300 and 300a in close proximity or contact with support pad 100 of the waist belt assembly between connectors 304 and 304a and first ends 302 and 302a assists in preventing snagging of one or both of release straps 300 and 300a and associated unintentional actuation/release during normal use of harness system 20.
Lengths of the second sections of release straps 300 and 300a between connectors 304 and 304a and back plate connectors 312 and 312a are also maintained in close proximity with support pad 100 via one or more elements including member 130 and webbing loops 126 and 126a. Further, connection of back plate connectors 312 and 312a to back plate 40 assists in preventing force applied to the second sections of first and second release straps 300 and 300a via, for example, snagging thereof between release connectors 304 and 304a and second ends 330 and 330a from effecting release. Moreover, even if back plate connectors 312 and 312a were to be disconnected from back plate 40, the position of stitching 306 and 306a in the sewn folds of releasable connectors 304 and 304a prevents a tensile force applied to the second sections of release straps 300 and 300a from causing releasable connectors 304 and 304a from being pulled through slots 112 and 112a and slots 132 and 132a, respectively. Such a tensile force results in a flattening of the sewn folds of releasable connectors 304 and 304a against retainer straps 110 and 110a, preventing releasable connectors 304 and 304a from passing through slots 112 and 112a and slots 132 and 132a.
As described above, relatively close contact is preferably maintained between the waist belt assembly and any portion of release straps 300 and 300a over which force can be applied to cause separation to effect release. Gaps between release strap 300 and 300a provide areas over which snagging can occur. Cooperating hook-and-loop-type connectors or fasteners 310, 310a and 138, 138a assist in maintaining such close contact over a length of release straps 300 and 300a while also providing a directionally limited mode of separation/release. In a number of embodiments, release elements such as release straps 300 and 300a hereof are formed in a manner to eliminate areas or sections that increase the likelihood of snagging. For example, release straps 300 and 300a do not include loops or other sections which extend from the waist belt assembly to provide a snagging hazard.
The foregoing description and accompanying drawings set forth the 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 is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/435,175, filed Mar. 30, 2012, which claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/611,773, filed Mar. 16, 2012, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20130240292 A1 | Sep 2013 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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61611773 | Mar 2012 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 13435175 | Mar 2012 | US |
Child | 13717968 | US |