Abstract:
An integral rescue device preferably worn by a firefighter that includes a shock absorbing descender attached to the rescue device, 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 preferably includes a plurality of holders in which intermediate loops of the support line are retained near the terminus of each of the intermediate loops. In a preferred embodiment, the shock absorbing descender is attached to a waist belt of a self-contained breathing apparatus carrier with 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.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     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. 
     
    
     FILED OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     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.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     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).  
         [0004]     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.  
         [0005]     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.  
         [0006]     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.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     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.  
         [0008]     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.  
         [0009]     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.  
         [0010]     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.  
         [0011]     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.  
         [0012]     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.  
         [0013]     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.  
         [0014]     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.  
         [0015]     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. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0016]      FIGS. 1A through 1F  illustrate an embodiment of an emergency decent system of the present invention designed to be incorporated into or attached to an SCBA carrier.  
         [0017]      FIGS. 2A through 2H  illustrate the packing of a support line into the support line pad assembly of the system of  FIGS. 1A through 1F .  
         [0018]      FIGS. 3A through 3F  illustrate the attachment of the system of  FIGS. 1A through 1F  to an SCBA carrier.  
         [0019]      FIG. 4  illustrates the emergency descent system of the present invention as worn with an SCBA carrier.  
         [0020]      FIGS. 5A through 5G  illustrate another embodiment of an emergency decent system of the present invention designed to be incorporated into or attached to an SCBA carrier.  
         [0021]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  illustrate a preferred embodiment of a shock absorbing descender used in the systems and devices of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0022]     In general, the present invention provides a personal emergency escape or descent system which, can for example, be integrated into a firefighter&#39;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.  
         [0023]      FIGS. 1A through 1F  illustrate the components of one embodiment of a descent system  10  (see, for example,  FIG. 2H  for assembled system  10 ) of the present invention that can be incorporated into an SCBA carrier as a lumbar pad. Descent system  10  includes a waist belt  100  (see  FIG. 1A ), a support line storage/ lumbar pad assembly  200  (see  FIG. 1B ) and a cover  300  (see  FIG. 1C ). Waist belt  100  includes a descender device or belay  110  in operative connection therewith, through which a support or descent line  120  passes. Descender device  110  is attached to waist belt  100  via a shock absorbing element  112 , which can, for example, include a pair of rings and loops of material that are closed by stitching. Support line  120  is preferably of sufficient length to allow descent from a substantial height (for example, 50 to 75 feet in length). In general, a flattened ribbon shape or webbing shape for support line  120  is preferable to provide strength while minimizing packing size and overall weight. Support line  120  must also have a relatively high temperature resistance. A suitable fabric for support line  120  is, for example, KEVLAR® available from E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company of Wilmington, Delaware. KEVLAR is a polymer material that comprises long molecular chains produced from polyparaphenylene terephthalamide. The chains are highly oriented with strong interchain bonding which result in a unique combination of properties. A suitable ribbon-shaped or web-shaped KEVLAR fabric is readily commercially available.  
         [0024]     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 .  
         [0025]     Waist belt  100  further includes a mechanism to secure waist belt  100  around the user. In the embodiment of  FIGS. 1A through 1F , the securing mechanism includes a locking hook  140  that cooperates with a D-ring  150  that is preferably adjustably attached to waist belt  100 .  
         [0026]     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  FIGS. 2A through 2H . Once support line  120  is packed within support line pad assembly  200  as described below, support line pad assembly  200 , support line  120  held thereby and waist belt  100  are removably placed inside a generally tubular cover  300 . Waist belt  100  and support line pad assembly  200  are slid within cover  300  from the right side (in the orientation of  FIG. 1C ). The end of waist belt  100 , including D-ring  150 , is passed through an opening on the left side of cover  300 . This opening is large enough to enable passing of that end of waist belt  100  therethrough, but is not large enough to allow support line pad assembly  200  to pass therethrough. Support line pad assembly  200  is secured within cover  300  by, for example, a releasable closing mechanism such snaps  310 .  
         [0027]     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,  FIGS. 7A and 7B , as described below). For a 50-foot line, a fourth holding position or holder  210  (counting from the center in the top row or group of holders—see, for example,  FIG. 2B ) is first located. Each holder  210  is formed generally as a loop or arc created by spaced stitching along a length of webbing material connecting the webbing material to support line pad assembly  200 . Support line  120  is laid on support line pad assembly  200  and an intermediate loop is formed at fourth holder  210  in a first group of holders. The looped support line  120  is passed through first position straps  220  (see  FIG. 2A ) and then through a second, generally central, position strap  222  (see  FIG. 2B ). The intermediate loop of support line  120  is passed through fourth holder  210  so that end of the intermediate loop protrudes approximately one-half inch through holder  210  (see, for example,  FIG. 2B ). For a 75-five foot support line, the intermediate loop of support line  120  is passed through the first holding position or holder  210  (see, for example,  FIG. 7B ). Support line  120  is then threaded through positioning strap  224  and positioning strap  226  on the opposite side of support line pad assembly  200  as illustrated in  FIG. 2C , forming a u-shaped loop in support line  120 . An intermediate loop is then formed in support line  120  at the end of the u-shaped loop, and the intermediate loop is passed through holder  210  of a second group of holders, positioned, for example, adjacent the first group of holder (see  FIG. 2C ). Once again, the intermediate loop protrudes at least half an inch through holder  210 . Support line  120  is then threaded through positioning straps  220  and  222  and an intermediate loop formed in support line  120  is passed through the next holder  210  of the first group of holders (that is, the fifth holder  210  for a 50-foot line). Support line  120  is then threaded back through the positioning straps  224  and  226  and an intermediate loop passed through the fifth holder  210  of the second group of holders (for a 50-line). One continues threading support line  120  as described above until all holding positions or holders  210  are occupied with intermediate loops (see  FIG. 2D ). After a final loop  120   a  (see  FIG. 2E ) is made in support line  120 , holding straps or webs  230  are passed through it. Holding webs  230  are then passed through each of the half-inch loops formed as described above (see  FIGS. 2F and 2G ). Holding webs  230  are then passed through the holding web holding positions or holders  240 . Holding webs  230  assist in preventing support line  120  from coming out of holders  210  during normal (that is, use other than use in emergency descent) use of system  10 . When force is applied to carabiner  130  to deploy support line  120 , holding webs  230  are pulled from within the intermediate loops. The intermediate loops are then pulled from holders  210  generally sequentially to extend support line  120  without tangling of support line  120 .  
         [0028]     A tamper-evident tag  250  (see, for example,  FIGS. 1E, 1F  and  4 ) can be placed around support line  120 . Descender device  110  is then secured, for example with a hook and loop fastener or snaps. At this point, support line pad assembly  200 , support line  120  held thereby and waist belt  100  are inserted into cover  300 . Carabiner  130  can, for example, be positioned within cover  300 , and cover  300  closed via, for example, snaps  310 . Support line  120  of the present invention can be packed as described above quickly and without the use of tools.  
         [0029]      FIGS. 3A through 3H  illustrate the attachment of system  10  to an SCBA carrier/harness  500  (see  FIG. 5E ). To retrofit/attach system  10  to act as a swiveling lumbar pad (see  FIGS. 3A through 3F ) in an existing SCBA carrier such as the AIRFRAME carrier available from Mine Safety Appliances Company of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, one first disassembles the pull straps of the existing lumbar support pad from the left and right shoulder straps of the carrier by weaving the pull straps through the friction buckles of the carrier. The pull straps are then disassembled from the carrier by removing the tribar slides thereof from the backplate assembly. There is no need to reuse the removed waist belt and pull straps as a waist belt and pull straps are provided with system  10 . System  10  is then oriented so that loops  320  and tribar slides  330  on the outer portion of cover  300  are facing swiveling lumbar pad  510 . One end of swiveling lumbar pad  510  is passed through loop  320  of the outer portion of cover  300 . (see  FIG. 3A ) Loop  320  of outer cover  300  is moved toward the center of swiveling lumbar pad  510  until second loop  320  can be secured (see  FIG. 3B ) Tribar slides  330  are then passed through respective slots  520  in swiveling lumbar pad  510  by turning them at an angle as known in the art. (see  FIG. 3C ) Tribar slides  330  should be confirmed to be fully seated against swiveling lumbar pad  510 . (see  FIG. 3D ) Integrated pull straps  340  are then installed onto the shoulder straps of the carrier by weaving them through friction buckles  530 . System  10  can be attached to a standard or non-swiveling lumbar pad in a similar manner. After attachment of system  10  to SCBA carrier  500 , the SCBA carrier can be donned and doffed generally in accordance with the relevant user&#39;s manual as shown in  FIG. 4 .  
         [0030]      FIGS. 5A through 5G  illustrate another embodiment of a system  10 ′ of the present invention which is similar, in many respects, to system  10 . Components of system  10 ′ are numbered similarly to corresponding components of system  10  with the addition of the designation “′”. Although KEVLAR webs or ribbons exhibit excellent tensile strength and ultimate tensile load, KEVLAR can act as a brittle material and break under a large, quickly applied force or shock force. System  10 ′ of the present invention thus includes a shock absorbing descender that limits the shock force applied to support line  120  (for example, the force experienced at the beginning of a descent). In the embodiment of  FIGS. 5A through 5G , the shock absorbing descender includes descender device  110 ′ which preferably is a plate with a plurality of holes therein through which the support line  120 ′ is threaded, and shock absorbing element  112 ′ which preferably includes a pair of rings  116  and a section of “rip” stitching  114 ′ that rips or tears upon application of a shock force. Rip stitching section  114 ′ and rings  116  act to absorb some of the shock force and prevents damage to the KEVLAR material of support line  120 ′.  
         [0031]     As illustrated more clearly in  FIGS. 6A and 6B , shock absorbing element  112 ′ preferably includes a section of webbing which is doubled back over itself through rings  116 . Rip stitching section  114 ′ sews the two layers of extending member  112 ′ together in this section. Rip stitching  114 ′ begins to rip or tear so that the two layers of extending member  112 ′ begin to separate and the apparent length of extending member  112 ′ increases when a quick load or shock force is applied to descender device  110 ′ as, for example, in the case of a fall. Once the rip stitching  114 ′ is completely torn, rings  116  act to further absorb energy by deforming because one ring is forced into the other. It is desirable that rip stitching  114 ′ stay intact during normal use of system  10 ′, but begin to rip or tear under a shock force associated with a fall to absorb some of the shock force, thereby protecting the KEVLAR support line  120  from breakage. Rip stitching  114 ′ can, for example, begin to rip or tear under a shock force in the range of 500 to 1000 pounds. Of course, other shock absorbing elements such as partially oriented yarn or tear tape can be used as the shock absorbing element in the shock absorbing descender of the present invention.  
         [0032]     As illustrated, for example, in  FIGS. 5A and 5B , a cover such as a shrink wrap covering  128   a ′ can be formed over at least a potion of termination knot  128 ′ of support line  120 ′.  FIG. 5A  illustrates support line pad assembly  200 ′ holding a 50-foot support line  120 ′, while  FIG. 5B  illustrates support line pad assembly  200 ′ holding a 75-foot support line  120 ″. Second or terminal end  126 ′ of support line  120 ′ can also be folded over on itself and shrink wrap  126   a ′ formed as a cover thereover. A “double action” or dual action is thereby required to allow passage of second end  126 ′ of support line  120 ′ through descender device  110 ′ to operatively disengage support line  120 ′ from descender device  110 ′. The user first grasps second end  126 ′ and applies force to open shrink wrap covering  128   a ′. The user can then remove termination knot  128 ′. The requirement of a double action assists in ensuring that termination knot  128 ′ is not inadvertently untied or removed.  
         [0033]     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.  
         [0034]     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.