Abstract:
A quick release apparatus for rapid disconnection of a waist belt from a self-contained breathing apparatus support frame, including first and second connector elements disposed on either of the support frame or the waist belt for selective connection of the support frame to the waist belt, first and second quick release pull straps releasably coupled to the first and second connectors, each of the pull straps having a quick release handle portion for grasping with a hand. A users pulls one of the quick release handle portions away from the waist belt to accomplish a partial release of the waist belt from the support frame, and by pulling both of said handle portions, the waist belt is fully decoupled from the support frame, such that the self-contained breathing apparatus may be removed by the wearer without also having to unbuckle or to remove the waist belt.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application is a continuation of U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 12/105,696, filed Apr. 18, 2008 (Apr. 18, 2008), and issued Dec. 25, 2012 (Dec. 25, 2012) as U.S. Pat. No. 8,336,171; which, in turn, claims the benefit of the filing dates of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/913,230, filed Apr. 20, 2007 (Apr. 20, 2007), and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/985,948, filed Nov. 6, 2007 (Nov. 6, 2007). 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not applicable. 
       THE NAMES OR PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT 
       [0003]    Not applicable. 
       INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC 
       [0004]    Not applicable. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0006]    This invention relates to firefighter safety equipment, and more particularly to a harness system for a self-contained breathing apparatus (hereinafter referred to as an “SCBA”). Even more particularly, the present invention relates to a quick-release harness system for connecting an SCBA to a firefighter or rescue worker&#39;s turnout gear trucker&#39;s belt such that the quick-release system may be disconnected and separated from the trucker&#39;s belt in a matter of only a few seconds. 
         [0007]    2. Discussion of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97, 1.98 
         [0008]    People celebrate and wonder at the heroics of firefighters. At the same time, they often romanticize firefighting work, imagining it to be some kind of athletic adventurism that provides an opportunity to show bravery and save people without having to be shot at. In truth, firefighters bear a heavy burden: Their jobs do not include the mere opportunity to rescue people and property from peril; they include the duty to rescue. And in discharging that duty, firefighters regularly inhabit a chaotic and terrifying hell world of flames and superheated air that blisters their skin and sears their eyes, billowing clouds of toxic smoke that instantly burns and damages their lungs, floors that collapse under them to bone breaking effect, roofs and ceilings that collapse over them to bone crushing effect. All the while, firefighters have to maintain their cool, in every respect, and act in the interests of others. 
         [0009]    To make such a world navigable and survivable, firefighters don safety and operational equipment that is designed to strike a balance between providing physical maneuverability and providing protection from heat, fire and smoke. Due to the stakes, ongoing efforts are made to incorporate improved technology in firefighter turnout gear and firefighting equipment, and a very high state of maturity has been achieved. Among the many technical improvements are improvements related to the waist belts firefighters wear either inside or outside their turnout coat. Indeed, the present inventor has made contributions to the art in this field, including a combination trucker&#39;s belt and extrication harness combination shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,732,834, comprising a waistband having a number of integral features, including ax holder rings, and a strip of fabric sewn into the waistband so as to form a succession of fabric loops adapted for carrying equipment and tools. The apparatus shown in the &#39;834 patent provided improved means for carrying and deploying an extrication line in the event it was necessary to rapidly egress from a multistory building. A better balance was struck. 
         [0010]    However, a perfect balance remains elusive, and one circumstance in which is it particularly difficult to strike the right balance between safety and function is where rescue operations are undertaken in confined spaces, such as collapsed or collapsing buildings. Breathing apparatus is necessary in many or most of those situations, and to provide assisted breathing a firefighter or rescue worker must wear some kind of self-contained breathing apparatus (or “SCBA”). The typical apparatus include three principal components, including a tank containing breathable air under high pressure (typically 2200 psi to 4500 psi), a pressure regulator, and an inhalation mouthpiece, mouth mask, or face mask. These elements are operatively coupled and mounted on an SCBA carrying frame, which generally resembles a backpack frame, including shoulder straps, a rigid mid-frame member, a lower lumbar support, and a hip/waist belt (refer to  FIG. 1 ). 
         [0011]    While the SCBA provides breathable air for hostile environments, it also greatly limits movement, and in some circumstances it can impede passage into or through a confined space. For instance, when a roof or ceiling collapses, some structures within the building (sturdy desks, filing cabinets, tables, and the like) may actually support a substantial portion of the roof or ceiling slightly above the floor, possibly saving a person from being crushed. It thus may also provide a rescue worker with a narrow passage through which to get to the trapped person. However, the sheer bulk of the SBCA can prevent such passage, and the rescue worker may be forced to remove the SCBA by unbuckling the waist belt and slipping off the shoulder straps. This is a cumbersome and time-consuming maneuver. 
         [0012]    Furthermore, in some instances, to effect an escape or to make passage through a confined space, it may be necessary to abandon the SCBA. When this dire action is taken, the rescue worker may be left without numerous tools and safety equipment disposed on his waist belt, and the rescue worker may be left without the means to carry critical gear other than by using his hands. This greatly handicaps the rescue worker and limits the tasks he can perform and the safety under which he can operate. 
         [0013]    It would therefore be desirable to have means to rapidly release an SCBA unit from a waist belt while also retaining the waist belt with its attached tools. While several firefighter/rescue worker support harnesses have been proposed to provide easy removal and adjustment, to the knowledge of the present inventor, none disclose, teach, or suggest a quick release system for selectively attaching and detaching a trucker&#39;s belt from an SCBA support frame. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    The present invention is an improved system for connecting an SCBA frame to a waist belt. 
         [0015]    It is a first object of the present invention to provide a quick release system for selectively detaching a rescue worker SCBA frame from a hip/waist belt to which it is connected. 
         [0016]    It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved method and apparatus for rapid release and detachment of an SCBA breathing apparatus to facilitate unfettered movement in confined spaces. 
         [0017]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved hip and waist belt connection apparatus for connecting the lower lumbar support member of an SCBA frame to a turnout gear hip and waist belt. 
         [0018]    A further object or feature of the present invention is a novel method and apparatus for selective disengagement from an SCBA unit having safety features that require a conscious intention to remove the unit and prevent the inadvertent release of the unit. 
         [0019]    Other novel features which are characteristic of the invention, as to organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof will be better understood from the following description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for illustration and description only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. The various features of novelty that characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming part of this disclosure. The invention does not reside in any one of these features taken alone, but rather in the particular combination of all of its structures for the functions specified. 
         [0020]    There has thus been broadly outlined the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form additional subject matter of the claims appended hereto. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based readily may be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0021]    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: 
           [0022]      FIG. 1  is a schematic side view in elevation showing a firefighter wearing a self-contained breathing apparatus, which is attached at the lower lumbar support member of the SCBA frame to a trucker&#39;s belt using the quick release system of the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 2A  is an upper front right perspective view showing the novel quick release system disposed on a trucker&#39;s belt; 
           [0024]      FIG. 2B  is an upper front right perspective view of the lumbar support pad element detached from a trucker&#39;s belt; 
           [0025]      FIG. 3A  is an upper front left exploded view of the quick release system for an SCBA frame of the present invention; 
           [0026]      FIG. 3B  is a partial front left perspective view showing the elements for connecting the lumbar support pad to the lumbar portion of an SCBA frame; 
           [0027]      FIG. 3C  is an upper left perspective view showing the lumbar pad connecting and secured with pins to the lumbar portion of the SCBA frame; 
           [0028]      FIG. 4A  is a top plan view corresponding to  FIG. 3B ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 4B  is a top plan view corresponding to  FIG. 3C ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 5  is a schematic side view in elevation showing a firefighter wearing a second preferred embodiment of the self-contained breathing apparatus of the present invention, again showing the apparatus attached at the lower lumbar support member of the SCBA frame to a trucker&#39;s belt using the quick release system of the present invention; 
           [0031]      FIG. 6A  is a perspective view showing the second preferred embodiment disposed on a trucker&#39;s belt; 
           [0032]      FIG. 6B  is an exploded view thereof; 
           [0033]      FIG. 7A  is a front view in elevation of the second preferred embodiment of the quick release system for an SCBA frame of the present invention; 
           [0034]      FIG. 7B  is a front view in elevation showing the SCBA lumbar support frame-connecting member of the inventive apparatus, with one quick release strap removed; 
           [0035]      FIG. 8A  is a cross-sectional top view taken along section line  8 - 8  of  FIG. 7A , showing the frame-connecting member disposed on an SCBA lumbar support member, and the belt connection member of the second preferred embodiment demountably interwoven to the frame-connecting member using first and second quick release straps (one strap is shown unsnapped from the frame-connecting member and poised for removal); 
           [0036]      FIG. 8B  is a cross-sectional top view taken along section line  8 - 8  of  FIG. 7A , showing one quick release strap being slidably removed while a second quick release strap is unsnapped and positioned for removal; 
           [0037]      FIG. 8C  is a cross-sectional top view taken along section line  8 - 8  of  FIG. 7A , showing the second quick release strap being slidably removed; 
           [0038]      FIG. 8D  is a cross-sectional top view taken along section line  8 - 8  of  FIG. 7A , showing both quick release straps fully removed and the belt connection member and trucker&#39;s belt separating from the frame-connecting member and SCBA frame; 
           [0039]      FIG. 8E  is a cross-sectional top view taken along section line  8 - 8  of  FIG. 7A , showing further separation of the belt-capturing member and belt from the frame-connecting member and frame; 
           [0040]      FIG. 8F  is a cross-sectional top view taken showing the frame-connecting member being detached from the SCBA frame lower lumbar support plate; 
           [0041]      FIG. 9A  is a front view in elevation showing the belt-capturing member foldably capturing a trucker&#39;s waist belt, one quick release strap slidably inserted into the loop connection elements; 
           [0042]      FIG. 9B  shows the exterior flap of the belt-connection member opened; 
           [0043]      FIG. 9C  shows the interior flap of the belt-connection member opened, exposing the loop connection elements and the single quick release strap slidably inserted into the loop connection elements; 
           [0044]      FIG. 10  is a rear view in elevation of the belt-connection member as shown in  FIG. 9A ; and 
           [0045]      FIGS. 11A-C  are upper rear perspective views showing detail of a firefighter pulling out one quick release strap from the quick release apparatus of the present invention while donning an SCBA unit. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0046]    Referring first to  FIGS. 1 through 4B , wherein like reference numerals refer to like components in the various views, there is illustrated therein a first preferred embodiment of a new and improved quick release apparatus for an SCBA frame, generally denominated  100  herein. 
         [0047]      FIG. 1  shows a firefighter F wearing a self-contained breathing apparatus  10 , which includes a tank  20  with a pressure regulator  30 , an air line  40 , and a protective inhalation face mask  50 . The tank is mounted and supported on a rigid frame  60  having, among other things, a lower lumbar support plate  70  and shoulder straps  80 . The frame is connected at its lower lumbar support plate to a trucker&#39;s belt  90  using the quick release apparatus of the present invention  100 . 
         [0048]      FIG. 2A  is an upper right perspective view showing the lumbar pad portion of the novel quick release system releasably disposed on a trucker&#39;s belt, while  FIG. 2B  is the same view showing the lumbar pad portion detached from the trucker&#39;s belt. These views show the structural and operational features of a principal unit of the present invention and the general manner in which it is coupled to a trucker&#39;s belt  90 . The elements include a generally rectangular frame-connecting lumbar support pad  110  for attachment to the interior side of the lower lumbar support plate  70 . The lumbar support pad includes a front side  120 , a rear side  130 , and a selectively openable belt capturing sleeve  140  having an upper fold  150 , a lower fold  160 , upper and lower flaps,  170 ,  180 , each having hook and loop fastener material,  190 ,  200 , respectively (the former in phantom), and snaps  210 . The frame-connecting lumbar support pad is preferably fabricated of aramid fiber webbing (such as KEVLAR® or NOMEX®) or other suitably sturdy natural or synthetic, heat and fire resistant material, and the webbing may cover a padding of some kind, according to the comfort needs and preferences of the wearer. [KEVLAR and NOMEX are both registered trademarks of E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company.] 
         [0049]    Referring now to  FIGS. 3A through 4B , the frame-connecting lumbar support pad also includes frame connectors  220  for releasable connection to the SCBA lower lumbar support plate  70 . It will be noted that the SCBA lower lumbar support plate must be modified and adapted to accommodate the frame connectors, and such modification preferably includes the provision of two generally vertically disposed slots  75  and the provision of snap elements  85  riveted to the SCBA frame. 
         [0050]    In the preferred embodiment, the frame connectors comprise first and second fabric sleeves  220 ,  230  sewn into the rear side  130  of the lumbar pad  110 , a strap  240  inserted through the sleeves and having loop ends  250 ,  260  adapted for insertion through slots  75  and to accommodate removable pins  270 ,  280 , which, when inserted through the loop ends of strap  240  affixes the lumbar pad to the SCBA frame and effectively prevents removal of the lumbar pad unless the pins are removed from the loop ends. The lower ends of each pin includes a pin ring  290 ,  300 , to which a pull strap  310 ,  320  is attached, and a snap element  330  is disposed along the length of each of the pull straps. The snap elements mate with corresponding snap elements riveted to the SCBA frame to prevent inadvertent removal of the pins from the loop ends. 
         [0051]    As will be readily appreciated, installation of the quick release system is a simple matter. First, the loop ends  250  and  260  are inserted through slots  75 , and pins  270 ,  280  are inserted into the bottom opening of the loop ends. Next, snap elements  330  on pull straps  310 ,  320  are mated to the corresponding snap elements  85  on the lumbar support  70  of SCBA frame  60 . At this point, the lumbar pad is fully installed on the SCBA frame. 
         [0052]    Next, to connect the SCBA frame to a trucker&#39;s belt, the belt-capturing member  140  is opened and a length of the trucker&#39;s belt is placed between the upper and lower folds  150 ,  160 . The upper and lower flaps  170 ,  180 , are folded over, pressed together to approximate the hook and loop fastener surfaces, and the flaps are then snapped shut using snaps  210 . 
         [0053]    If a firefighter encounters a situation in which his safety could depend upon quickly jettisoning the SCBA and its frame while still keeping the trucker&#39;s belt and any gear carried on the belt, he need only grab pull straps  310 ,  320  to release snaps  330  and then pull the pins  270 ,  280  downwardly and out of loop ends  250 ,  260 . Once the pins are pulled, the SCBA frame is physically released from the waist belt and the firefighter need only slip off the shoulder straps to free himself from the SCBA unit. The trucker&#39;s waist belt remains around his waist and provides easy access to any tools the worker has carried on his person into the perilous circumstances. 
         [0054]    Referring next to  FIGS. 5 through 11C , wherein like reference numerals refer to like components in the various views, there is illustrated therein a second preferred embodiment of the new and improved quick release apparatus for an SCBA frame, generally denominated  500  herein. 
         [0055]      FIG. 5  shows a firefighter F wearing a self-contained breathing apparatus  410 , which includes a tank  420  with a pressure regulator  430 , an air line  440 , and a protective inhalation face mask  450 . The tank is mounted and supported on a rigid frame  460  having, among other things, a lower lumbar support plate  470  and shoulder straps  480 . The frame is connected at its lower lumbar support plate  470  to a trucker&#39;s belt  490  using the quick release apparatus of the present invention  500 . 
         [0056]      FIG. 6A  is a perspective view showing the second preferred embodiment of the novel quick release system disposed on a trucker&#39;s belt, while  FIG. 6B  is an exploded view thereof. These views show the structural and operational features of the present invention and the general manner in which the quick release apparatus is coupled to a trucker&#39;s belt  490 . The elements include a generally rectangular frame-connecting lumbar support pad  510  having a front side  520 , a rear side  530 , and a medial longitudinally disposed linear array of loops  540  defined by spaced-apart parallel slots  550  cut into the front side. The frame-connecting lumbar support pad is preferably fabricated of the same materials as that of the first preferred embodiment, namely, aramid fiber webbing or another sturdy natural or synthetic, heat and fire resistant material. Further, the addition of padding is an option, albeit a desirable one. 
         [0057]    Referring now to  FIGS. 8 through 8F , the frame-connecting lumbar support pad also includes a plurality of frame connectors  560  for releasable connection to the SCBA lower lumbar support plate  470 . The frame connectors may include one-way snaps, rivets, bolts, and the like, and the frame-connecting member may also be tailored and configured to include foldable elements which fold around and cooperate with structural elements of the lower lumbar support to provide a secure connection between the frame-connecting lumbar support pad and the lower lumbar support that will not become inadvertently disconnected during use. In the views, simple snaps are shown by way of illustration only, but such should be understood to comprise a schematic representation of the kinds of connectors described and well known in the art. 
         [0058]    Still referring to  FIGS. 6A and 6B , and now also to  FIGS. 9A and 9B , the quick release system next includes a generally rectangular belt-capturing member  570  having a front side  580 , a rear side  590 , a lower (interior) flap  600  having hook and loop material  610  disposed on the rear side, an upper (exterior) flap  620  having hook and loop material  630  disposed on the front side that is complementary to the hook and loop material on the lower flap, and a medial portion  640  having a longitudinally disposed array of loops  650  defined by spaced-apart parallel slots  660 . A hole or slot  670  may be cut along the lower flap fold  680  through which a tool ring and strap  495  sewn onto the trucker&#39;s belt may be inserted. This configuration provides means to prevent slippage of the belt-capturing member when worn. 
         [0059]    The apparatus next includes at least one, and preferably two, quick release straps,  690 ,  700 . Each strap includes a semi-flexible smooth plastic or metal planar portion  710 ,  720 , respectively, and a loop or handle  730 ,  740 , respectively, at its outboard end. 
         [0060]      FIG. 7A  is a front view in elevation of the quick release system for an SCBA frame of the present invention, showing the belt-capturing member demountably coupled to the frame-connecting lower lumbar support pad, and both quick release straps inserted into the entire array of interwoven loops.  FIG. 7B  is the same view with the belt-capturing member and one quick release strap removed, the removed elements each shown in phantom lines. 
         [0061]    As will be readily appreciated by reference now to  FIGS. 8A through 8F , the belt-capturing member is selectively and demountably attached to the lower lumbar support pad by approximating the frame-connecting lower lumbar support pad front side and the belt-capturing member rear side and threadably inserting one or both of the straps through the parallel slots in each member in an interchanging sequence. This effectively interweaves the loops in the two elements. For increased security and to prevent the quick release straps from being inadvertently pulled out from the attached elements, snaps or other connection apparatus  750  may be disposed on the quick release handles for connection to a complementary connector or structure  760  on the frame-connecting lower lumbar support pad. 
         [0062]    Referring now to both  FIGS. 8A through 8F  and  FIGS. 11A through 11C , it will be seen that the belt-capturing member is rapidly released from the frame-connecting lower lumbar support pad (and thus from the SCBA unit) simply by uncoupling the quick release strap handles and pulling them outwardly and away from one another, i.e., away from the body of the wearer and in opposite directions. 
         [0063]    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. 
         [0064]    Therefore, the above description and illustrations should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention, which is defined by the appended claims.