Abstract:
An articulated firefighter breathing pack includes multiple polymeric pressure vessels connected together and to a flexible manifold with sections of flexible conduit. The pressure vessels and sections of flexible conduit are encased in high strength fiber material. The pressure vessels are wrapped in high strength ballistic ribbon material. The manifold provides connections for a high pressure regulator and an air fill source. A low pressure hose is connected to the high pressure regulator, a low pressure regulator is connected to the low pressure hose and a mouthpiece connected to the low pressure regulator. A pressure vessel container attaches the pressure vessels, the flexible conduit and the manifold to a harness having a waist portion and two vertical straps extending upwardly over the shoulders and back down to the waist portion. A utility belt provides mounting for equipment for the breathing pack including hoses, a power supply, electronic sensors and controls.

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
     This invention relates to the field of portable breathing systems, and more specifically to breathing apparatus designed for use by firefighters. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Firefighters regularly enter burning buildings to rescue persons and to protect property. These buildings usually contain large quantities of smoke and/or other gaseous toxic substances. In order to protect the firefighters from such harmful substances, portable breathing devices have been developed. Typically, these breathing devices comprise a high pressure metallic cylinder, a backpack for mounting the cylinder, a first stage regulator attached to the cylinder, a low pressure hose and a second stage regulator attached to a mouth piece. Devices such as this are relatively heavy and bulky. Such systems are potentially dangerous for the firefighter as they can easily snag on building features found in burning and collapsing structures. Further, because of the use of traditional metallic pressure cylinders, such breathing packs are quite heavy, causing undue fatigue to firefighters. Even worse, such pressure cylinders can explode if subjected to excessive heat, should their overpressure safety devices fail. Current designs for firefighter breathing packs are also rigid and uncomfortable for the firefighter to wear as they do not conform to the back of the firefighter. A variety of designs for firefighter packs and the pressure vessels that they require have been developed to address these issues. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,156,094, issued to Chornyj, is directed to a breathing apparatus and pressure vessels therefore. The apparatus is a self-contained vest that is worn by a user and has pressurized cylinders or flasks of breathable air distributed around the garment. The vest may be utilized in a number of situations, including firefighting, or in other hazardous environments where emergency air supply is required. The vest uses a series of interconnected high pressure vessels which are made of a carbon fiber epoxy with a rubber or nylon coating on their inner surface, and a rubber or nylon coating on their outer surface. In order to strengthen the vessels, an over-wrapped layer may be wound around the cord that is made of a carbon composite thread such as Kevlar®. The vessel may be contained within a bag that is made of braided stainless steel cable to resemble a fish net. The vest includes a series of vessels which are interconnected with a series of first stage regulators and hoses that connect to a second stage-regulator on the vest front. The vest may be made of a fire resistant material so that the device may be used in a firefighting clothing situation. High pressure cylinders or flasks are contained within pockets on the vest garment but the design of the device maintains flexibility to provide comfort and ease of use for the user. A combination high-pressure shut-off valve and first stage regulator with a low pressure valve are attached to each cylinder or flask. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,513,522, issued to Izuchukwu et al. is directed to a wearable storage system for pressurized fluids. The pressure vessel is formed from a plurality of polymeric hollow chambers of varying shapes and interconnected by conduit sections between the chambers. The pressure vessels are reinforced by a filament wrapping. A fluid transfer control system is attached to the vessels for controlling the flow thereof. The entire system is incorporated into a wearable garment so that the device is portable and capable of supplying the necessary gas for a patient or other user. An example chamber is depicted as a shell which is molded of a synthetic plastic material that may be welded to another shell by means of an ultrasonic welding device or a radio frequency energy device. The exterior of the shells are wrapped with pressure resistant filaments with a protective synthetic plastic coating that also may be applied. The shells may be either blow molded or injection molded, and various materials such as Teflon or fluorinated ethylene may be used. The pressure resistant filaments may be made of a carbon fiber such as Kevlar®. The inlet of the tubular core may be fitted with a suitable threaded male fitting, whereas the rear end of the core may be provided with a threaded fitting in order to close off the end. These fittings may also be used to incorporate valves or gages. Individual chambers are pneumatically interconnected by means of conduit sections of varying lengths. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,127,399, issued to Scholley is directed to a flexible container for use with compressed gases, and may be utilized in the form of a garment worn by the user such as a firefighter. The system described provides additional examples of a breathing apparatus for compressed gases and include examples of a pressure regulator, a demand flow regulator, and the use of fiber braids or windings. This reference is directed to a flexible container for use with compressed gases and may be utilized in the form of a garment worn by the user such as a firefighter. The system described in this patent provides additional examples of a breathing apparatus for compressed gases and include examples of a pressure regulator, a demand flow regulator, and the use of fiber braids or windings. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,964,405, issued to Arnoth is directed to an emergency respiration apparatus and is simply a lightweight self-contained unit that supplies pressurized breathable gas to be incorporated into a vest or other garment for use in hazardous work areas. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,227,199, issued to Garofalo is directed to a multiple distributor for low-pressure uses to be incorporated into equipment such as a self-contained breathing apparatus. The distributor is connected to a first-stage pressure reducer of the cylinder and fastened or incorporated into a jacket. 
     It is an objective of the present invention to provide a compact, articulated portable breathing system for use by firefighters. It is a further objective to provide such a system that is light weight and conforms to the back of the firefighter. It is a still further objective of the invention to use polymeric pressure vessels that will not explode when exposed to heat. It is yet a further objective to provide pressure vessels that will dissipate pressure in a controlled manner. It is another objective of the present invention to provide a vessel manifold that conforms to the firefighter&#39;s back for maximum comfort. Finally, it is an objective to provide a system that can be rapidly filled, is durable, and is inexpensive to produce. 
     While some of the objectives of the present invention are disclosed in the prior art, none of the inventions found include all of the requirements identified. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention addresses all of the deficiencies of prior art articulated firefighter breathing pack inventions and satisfies all of the objectives described above. 
     (1) An articulated firefighter breathing pack providing the desired features may be constructed from the following components. A plurality of polymeric pressure vessels is provided. Each of the vessels has an elongated cylindrical shape, a first end and a second end. Each of the first and second ends has an attached section of flexible conduit. Each of the sections of flexible conduit is attached to either a sealing fitting, another section of flexible conduit attached to another vessel or a manifold. Each of the pressure vessels is attached to at least one other pressure vessel with one of the sections of flexible conduit. The pressure vessels and the sections of flexible conduit are encased in high strength fiber material. The pressure vessels are wrapped with a high strength ballistic ribbon material. A manifold is provided. The manifold is connected to a plurality of sections of flexible conduit connected to the pressure vessels. The manifold provides connections for a high pressure regulator and an air fill source. A high pressure regulator is provided, as is a low pressure hose connected to the high pressure regulator. A low pressure regulator is connected to the low pressure hose and a mouthpiece is connected to the low pressure regulator. A high pressure regulator manages vessel pressure ranging from approximately 0-6000 psi. Low pressure regulator manage pressures of approximately 100-150 psi. A pressure vessel container is provided. The container is formed of flexible, fireproof material and is sized and shaped to accommodate the plurality of pressure vessels, the sections of flexible conduit and the manifold. The container has a closable opening for introduction and removal of the pressure vessels, the sections of flexible conduit and the manifold. The container has openings sized and shaped to accommodate passage of at least one low pressure hose and for connection to the air fill source. The container has means for removably attaching to a harness. A harness is provided. The harness is formed of flexible, fireproof material and includes a waist portion that has a fastener, a front portion extending upwardly from the waist portion and connecting to a back portion extending downwardly to the waist portion. The back portion has means for removably attaching to the pressure vessel container. 
     The harness is worn over an outer garment of a firefighter, the pressure vessel container is attached to the harness, the manifold is connected to the high pressure regulator, the pressure vessels are filled with air through the connection to the air fill source, rendering the breathing pack ready for use by a firefighter. 
     (2) In a variant of the invention, a utility belt is provided. The utility belt has mounting means for accommodating equipment for said breathing pack, a closure means and is worn either under or over the harness. 
     (3) In another variant, the utility belt includes a second low pressure hose, a portable power source, breathing pack electronics and mounting means for said high pressure regulator. 
     (4) In still another variant, the back portion of the harness provides mounting means for accommodating equipment for said breathing pack. 
     (5) In yet another variant, the back portion of the harness includes a flexible mounting plane, a second low pressure hose, a portable power source, breathing pack electronics and mounting means for said high pressure regulator. 
     (6) In a further variant, the high strength fiber material is selected from the group consisting of rayon, nylon, glass or Kevlar® (aramid) fiber. 
     (7) In still a further variant, the high strength ballistic ribbon material is selected from the group consisting of prepreg carbon fiber or prepreg glass fiber. 
     (8) In another variant, the manifold includes a strip of flexible material. The strip mounts a plurality of connections for the sections of flexible conduit connected to the pressure vessels, a connection for the high pressure regulator and the connection for the air fill source. The flexible strip permits the manifold to conform to a back of a firefighter. 
     (9) In yet another variant, the manifold includes an integral high pressure regulator. 
     (10) In a further variant, the high pressure regulator includes a second connection for a low pressure hose. The second connection provides an emergency air source for a second firefighter. 
     (11) In still a further variant, the high pressure regulator includes a high pressure transfer port. The high pressure transfer port provides an emergency air sharing facility for a second firefighter. 
     (12) In yet a further variant, the pressure vessel container further includes a closable side opening. The side opening extends from a top end of the container to a point spaced from a bottom end by a first predetermined distance, leaving an unopened side portion. The unopened side portion prevents the pressure vessels and the manifold from falling out of the container should it be left open. 
     (13) In still another variant, the high pressure regulator is a high pressure transfer block. The high pressure transfer block has a pressure gauge, a fill port with shut off valve, a high pressure connection to the manifold, a high pressure transfer connection for a second firefighter pack, a low pressure connection for a low pressure hose connected to a low pressure regulator  58  and mouthpiece  62 , a second low pressure connection  270  for use by a second firefighter, a high pressure connection for a high pressure hose connected to a remote pressure gauge console, and connections for breathing pack electronics. 
     (14) In yet another variant, the breathing pack electronics include any of a non-breathing alarm, a no motion alarm, a two way radio, a heads-up display providing air level warning lights, and low pressure alarms. 
     (15) In another variant, the breathing pack electronics include any of a non-breathing alarm, a no motion alarm, a two way radio, a heads-up display providing air level warning lights, and low pressure alarms. 
     (16) In a further variant, a remote pressure gauge console is provided. The remote pressure gauge console includes an air pressure gauge and alarm activation indicators. 
     (17) In still a further variant, the articulated firefighter breathing pack includes an air pressure gauge mounted to the manifold. 
     (18) In yet a further variant, the manifold includes an overpressure rupture fitting. 
     (19) In another variant of the invention, each of the pressure vessels includes an overpressure rupture fitting. 
     (20) In still another variant, the polymeric pressure vessels are formed as seamless cylindrical bodies having semi-spherical ends. Each of the ends has a central opening connected to the sections of flexible conduit. 
     (21) In yet another variant, the polymeric pressure vessels are formed as a pair of two part shells. The shells are welded together and reinforced with a two part ring assembly. 
     (22) In a further variant, the articulated firefighter breathing pack includes a fireproof cover for the pressure vessels. 
     (23) In still a further variant of the invention, the fireproof cover includes a pair of mating cover halves. The halves are hingedly attached at a first side edge and detachably fastened at a second side edge. 
     (24) In yet a further variant, an articulated firefighter breathing pack, includes a plurality of polymeric pressure vessels. Each of the vessels has an elongated cylindrical shape, a first end and a second end. Each of the first and second ends has an attached section of flexible conduit. Each of the sections of flexible conduit is attached to either a sealing fitting, another section of flexible conduit attached to another vessel or a manifold. Each of the pressure vessels is attached to at least one other pressure vessel with one of the sections of flexible conduit. The pressure vessels and the sections of flexible conduit are encased in high strength fiber material. The pressure vessels are wrapped with a high strength ballistic ribbon material. 
     A manifold is provided. The manifold is connected to a plurality of sections of flexible conduit connected to the pressure vessels. The manifold provides connections for a high pressure regulator and an air fill source. A high pressure regulator is provided. A low pressure hose is connected to the high pressure regulator. A low pressure regulator is connected to the low pressure hose and a mouthpiece is connected to the low pressure regulator. A firefighter turnout coat is provided. The turnout coat is formed of flexible, fireproof material and has a rear pocket. The rear pocket is sized and shaped to accommodate the plurality of pressure vessels, the sections of flexible conduit and the manifold. The rear pocket has a closable upper opening for introduction and removal of the plurality of pressure vessels, the sections of flexible conduit and the manifold. The rear pocket has lower openings for the connections for the high pressure regulator and the air fill source. The turnout coat has front pockets. The front pockets are sized and shaped to contain the high pressure regulator, a portable power source, breathing pack electronics. A front panel of the turnout coat has a mounting point for a gauge console. The plurality of pressure vessels, the sections of flexible conduit and the manifold are placed into the rear pocket of the turnout coat. The manifold is connected to the high pressure regulator, the pressure vessels are filled with air through the connection to the air fill source, rendering the breathing pack ready for use by a firefighter. 
     (25) In another variant, a high pressure transfer module is provided. The transfer module provides a high pressure connection to a remote pressure gauge console, a high pressure connection to the high pressure regulator, a high pressure transfer connection for a second firefighter pack, a low pressure connection to the high pressure regulator for a low pressure hose connected to the low pressure regulator and the mouthpiece, a second low pressure connection for use by a second firefighter, and connections for breathing pack electronics. The turnout coat has a pocket sized and shaped to removably enclose the high pressure transfer module. 
     (26) In a final variant of the invention, the breathing pack electronics include any of a non-breathing alarm, a no motion alarm, a two way radio, a heads-up display providing air level warning lights, and low pressure alarms. 
     An appreciation of the other aims and objectives of the present invention and an understanding of it may be achieved by referring to the accompanying drawings and the detailed description of a preferred embodiment. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a partially cut-away side elevational view of the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrating the flexibly joined pressure vessels, manifold, pressure vessel container and low pressure hose; 
         FIG. 2  is a front view of a firefighter&#39;s turnout coat with attached harness and gauge console of the  FIG. 1  embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a mouthpiece and face shield of the  FIG. 1  embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  is a rear view of the firefighter&#39;s turnout coat with attached harness and utility belt of an alternative embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a detailed view of the utility belt of the  FIG. 4  embodiment, illustrating a high pressure regulator, portable power source, breathing pack electronics, second low pressure hose and attachments for the gauge console and alarms; 
         FIG. 6  is rear view of the firefighter&#39;s turnout coat with the pressure vessel container attached to the harness; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a fixed manifold with attached gauge and overpressure rupture fitting; 
         FIG. 7A  is a partial perspective view of a fixed manifold illustrating a connection for an air fill source; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a flexible manifold having a connection for a high pressure regulator; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a flexible manifold having an integral high pressure regulator; 
         FIG. 10  is a partial cut-away side elevational view of two flexibly joined pressure vessels illustrating an overpressure rupture fitting; 
         FIG. 11  is a rear view of a firefighter&#39;s turnout coat with an alternative embodiment of an attached harness with an integral container for the hardware and electronics for the breathing pack; 
         FIG. 12  is a partially cut-away side elevational view of a triple pressure vessel embodiment of the invention disposed within a hinged fireproof cover; 
         FIG. 13  is a side elevational view of a plurality of two part pressure vessel halves prior to welding; 
         FIG. 14  is a cross-sectional view of the  FIG. 13  pressure vessel taken along the line  14 - 14 ; 
         FIG. 15  is a partial plan view of the  FIG. 13  pressure vessel with two part ring assembly prior to attachment of the assembly; 
         FIG. 16  is a partial plan view of the  FIG. 13  pressure vessel with two part ring assembly after attachment of the assembly; 
         FIG. 17  is a side elavational view of the  FIG. 13  pressure vessels with two part ring assembly attached; 
         FIG. 18  is a rear view of a turnout coat with integrated pockets showing the loading of the flexibly joined pressure vessels and manifold into the rear pocket; 
         FIG. 19  is a rear view of a turnout coat with integrated pockets showing the flexibly joined pressure vessels and manifold in the closed rear pocket; and 
         FIG. 20  is a rear view of a turnout coat with integrated pockets illustrating a high pressure transfer module and connections to the manifold and high and low pressure regulators. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     (1)  FIGS. 1-20  illustrate an articulated firefighter breathing pack  10  providing the desired features that may be constructed from the following components. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , a plurality of polymeric pressure vessels  14  is provided. Each of the vessels  14  has an elongated cylindrical shape, a first end  18  and a second end  22 . Each of the first  18  and second  22  ends has an attached section of flexible conduit  26 . Each of the sections of flexible conduit  26  is attached to either a sealing fitting  30 , another section of flexible conduit  26  attached to another vessel  14  or a manifold  34 . Each of the pressure vessels  14  is attached to at least one other pressure vessel  14  with one of the sections of flexible conduit  26 . The pressure vessels  14  and the sections of flexible conduit  26  are encased in high strength fiber material  38 . The pressure vessels  14  are wrapped with a high strength ballistic ribbon material  42 . A manifold  34  is provided. The manifold  34  is connected to a plurality of sections of flexible conduit  26  connected to the pressure vessels  14 . The manifold  34  provides connections  36 ,  40  for a high pressure regulator  46  and an air fill source (not shown). As illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , a high pressure regulator  46  is provided, as is a low pressure hose  54  connected to the high pressure regulator  46 . A low pressure regulator  58  is connected to the low pressure hose  54  and a mouthpiece  62  is connected to the low pressure regulator  58 . A high pressure regulator  46  manages vessel pressure ranging from approximately 0-6000 psi. Low pressure regulator  58  manage pressures of approximately 100-150 psi. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , a pressure vessel container  66  is provided. The container  66  is formed of flexible, fireproof material  70  and is sized and shaped to accommodate the plurality of pressure vessels  14 , the sections of flexible conduit  26  and the manifold  34 . The container  66  has a closable opening  74  for introduction and removal of the pressure vessels  14 , the sections of flexible conduit  26  and the manifold  34 . The container  66  has openings  78 ,  82  sized and shaped to accommodate passage of at least one low pressure hose  54  and for connection to the air fill source. The container has means  90  for removably attaching to a harness  94 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 2 ,  4 ,  6  and  11 , a harness  94  is provided. The harness  94  includes a waist portion  98  that has a fastener  102 , a front portion  106  extending upwardly from the waist portion  98  and connecting to a back portion  114  extending downwardly to the waist portion  98 . The back portion  114  has means  90  for removably attaching to the pressure vessel container  66 . 
     The harness  94  is worn over an outer garment  118  of a firefighter (not shown), the pressure vessel container  66  is attached to the harness  94 , the manifold  34  is connected to the high pressure regulator  46 , the pressure vessels  14  are filled with air through the connection to the air fill source, rendering the breathing pack  10  ready for use by a firefighter. 
     (2) In a variant of the invention, as illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , a utility belt  126  is provided. The utility belt  126  has mounting means  130  for accommodating equipment for said breathing pack  10 , a closure means  134  and is worn either under or over the harness  94 . 
     (3) In another variant, the utility belt  126  includes a second low pressure hose  138 , a portable power source  142 , breathing pack electronics  146  and mounting means  150  for said high pressure regulator  46 . 
     (4) In still another variant, as illustrated in  FIG. 11 , the back portion  114  of the harness  94  provides mounting means  154  for accommodating equipment for said breathing pack  10 . 
     (5) In yet another variant, the back portion  114  of the harness  94  includes a flexible mounting plane  158 , a second low pressure hose  162 , a portable power source  166 , breathing pack electronics  170  and mounting means  174  for said high pressure regulator  46 . 
     (6) In a further variant, the high strength fiber material  38  is selected from the group consisting of rayon, nylon, glass or Kevlar® fiber (aramid). 
     (7) In still a further variant, the high strength ballistic ribbon material  42  is selected from the group consisting of prepreg carbon fiber or prepreg glass fiber. 
     (8) In still another variant, as illustrated in  FIGS. 7-9 , the manifold  34  includes a strip of flexible material  178 . The strip  178  mounts a plurality of connections  182  for the sections of flexible conduit  26  connected to the pressure vessels  14 , a connection  186  for the high pressure regulator  46  and the connection  190  for the air fill source. The flexible strip  178  permits the manifold  34  to conform to a back (not shown) of a firefighter. 
     (9) In yet another variant, as illustrated in  FIG. 9 , the manifold  34  includes an integral high pressure regulator  198 . 
     (10) In a further variant, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the high pressure regulator  46  includes a second connection  202  for a low pressure hose  54 . The second connection  202  provides an emergency air source for a second firefighter (not shown). 
     (11) In still a further variant, the high pressure regulator  46  includes a high pressure transfer port  210 . The high pressure transfer port  210  provides an emergency air sharing facility for a second firefighter. 
     (12) In yet a further variant, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the pressure vessel container  66  further includes a closable side opening  214 . The side opening  214  extends from a top end  218  of the container  66  to a point  222  spaced from a bottom end  226  by a first predetermined distance  230 , leaving an unopened side portion  234 . The unopened side portion  234  prevents the pressure vessels  14  and the manifold  34  from falling out of the container  66  should it be left open. 
     (13) In still another variant, as illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the high pressure regulator  46  is a high pressure transfer block  238 . The high pressure transfer block  238  has a pressure gauge  242 , a fill port  246  with shut off valve  250 , a high pressure connection  254  to the manifold  34 , a high pressure transfer connection  210  for a second firefighter pack (not shown), a low pressure connection  266  for a low pressure hose  54  connected to a low pressure regulator  58  and mouthpiece  62 , a second low pressure connection  202  for use by a second firefighter, a high pressure connection  274  for a high pressure hose  278  connected to a remote pressure gauge console  282 , and connections for breathing pack electronics  146 . 
     (14) In yet another variant, as illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the breathing pack electronics  146  include any of a non-breathing alarm  286 , a no motion alarm  290 , a two way radio  294 , a heads-up display  298  providing air level warning lights  302 , and low pressure alarms  306 . 
     (15) In another variant, the breathing pack electronics  146  include any of a non-breathing alarm  286 , a no motion alarm  290 , a two way radio  294 , a heads-up display  298  providing air level warning lights  302 , and low pressure alarms  306 . 
     (16) In a further variant, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , a remote pressure gauge console  282  is provided. The remote pressure gauge console  282  includes an air pressure gauge  310  and alarm activation indicators  314 . 
     (17) In still a further variant, as illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the articulated firefighter breathing pack  10  includes an air pressure gauge  318  mounted to the manifold  34 . 
     (18) In yet a further variant, the manifold  34  includes an overpressure rupture fitting  322 . 
     (19) In another variant of the invention, as illustrated in  FIG. 10 , each of the pressure vessels  14  includes an overpressure rupture fitting  326 . 
     (20) In still another variant, the polymeric pressure vessels  14  are formed as seamless cylindrical bodies  330  having semi-spherical ends  334 . Each of the ends  334  has a central opening  338  connected to the sections of flexible conduit  26 . 
     (21) In yet another variant, as illustrated in  FIGS. 13-17 , the polymeric pressure vessels  14  are formed as a pair of two part shells  342 . The shells  342  are welded together and reinforced with a two part ring assembly  346 . 
     (22) In a further variant, as illustrated in  FIG. 12 , the articulated firefighter breathing pack  10  includes a fireproof cover  350  for the pressure vessels  14 . 
     (23) In still a further variant of the invention, as illustrated in  FIG. 12 , the fireproof cover  350  includes a pair of mating cover halves  354 . The halves  354  are hingedly attached at a first side edge  358  and detachably fastened at a second side edge  362 . 
     (24) In yet a further variant, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , an articulated firefighter breathing pack  10 , includes a plurality of polymeric pressure vessels  14 . Each of the vessels  14  has an elongated cylindrical shape, a first end  18  and a second end  22 . Each of the first  18  and second  22  ends has an attached section of flexible conduit  26 . Each of the sections of flexible conduit  26  is attached to either a sealing fitting  30 , another section of flexible conduit  26  attached to another vessel  14  or a manifold  34 . Each of the pressure vessels  14  is attached to at least one other pressure vessel  14  with one of the sections of flexible conduit  26 . The pressure vessels  14  and the sections of flexible conduit  26  are encased in high strength fiber material  38 . The pressure vessels  14  are wrapped with a high strength ballistic ribbon material  42 . 
     A manifold  34  is provided. The manifold  34  is connected to a plurality of sections of flexible conduit  26  connected to the pressure vessels  14 . The manifold  34  provides connections  36 ,  40  for a high pressure regulator  46  and an air fill source (not shown). A high pressure regulator  46  is provided. A low pressure hose  54  is connected to the high pressure regulator  46 . A low pressure regulator  58  is connected to the low pressure hose  54  and a mouthpiece  62  is connected to the low pressure regulator  58 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 18 and 19 , a firefighter turnout coat  366  is provided. The turnout coat  366  is formed of flexible, fireproof material  370  and has a rear pocket  374 . The rear pocket  374  is sized and shaped to accommodate the plurality of pressure vessels  14 , the sections of flexible conduit  26  and the manifold  34 . The rear pocket  374  has a closable upper opening  378  for introduction and removal of the plurality of pressure vessels  14 , the sections of flexible conduit  26  and the manifold  34 . The rear pocket  374  has lower openings  382 ,  386  for the connections for the high pressure regulator  46  and the air fill source. As illustrated in  FIG. 20 , the turnout coat  366  has front pockets  390 . The front pockets  390  are sized and shaped to contain the high pressure regulator  46 , a portable power source  142  and breathing pack electronics  170 . A front panel  394  of the turnout coat  366  has a mounting point  398  for a gauge console  282 . The plurality of pressure vessels  14 , the sections of flexible conduit  26  and the manifold  34  are placed into the rear pocket  374  of the turnout coat  366 . The manifold  34  is connected to the high pressure regulator  46 , the pressure vessels  14  are filled with air through the connection  40  to the air fill source, rendering the breathing pack  10  ready for use by a firefighter. 
     (25) In another variant, a high pressure transfer module  402  is provided. The transfer module  402  provides a high pressure connection  274  to a remote pressure gauge console  282 , a high pressure connection  406  to the high pressure regulator  46 , a high pressure transfer connection  210  for a second firefighter pack (not shown), a low pressure connection  266  to the high pressure regulator  46  for a low pressure hose  54  connected to the low pressure regulator  58  and the mouthpiece  62 , a second low pressure connection  202  for use by a second firefighter, and connections for breathing pack electronics  146 . The turnout coat  366  has a pocket  410  sized and shaped to removably enclose the high pressure transfer module  402 . 
     (26) In a final variant of the invention, the breathing pack electronics  170  include any of a non-breathing alarm  286 , a no motion alarm  290 , a two way radio  294 , a heads-up display  298  providing air level warning lights  302 , and low pressure alarms  306 . 
     The articulated firefighter breathing pack  10  has been described with reference to particular embodiments. Other modifications and enhancements can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims that follow.