Patent Publication Number: US-2009229613-A1

Title: Protective garment adapted for self-contained breathing apparatus

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not Applicable. 
     FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable. 
     MICROFICHE/COPYRIGHT REFERENCE 
     Not Applicable. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to protective garments worn by firefighters and other emergency workers and to self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) that are used by firefighters and other emergency workers. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     It is common for firefighters and other emergency workers to wear a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) having an air tank that is carried on the back of a firefighter by a framework, a harness that will typically include shoulder straps, and a waist strap worn over the coat of their turnout gear. While such set-ups have performed well for their intended function, there is always room for improvement. For example, one problem that can occasionally occur is that the harness can snag or otherwise become entangled with objects during an emergency. Another problem is that the framework, harness, and waist strap add to the weight that must be carried by the firefighter. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with one feature of the invention, a protective coat and self-contained breathing apparatus system is provided for a firefighter or other emergency worker. The system includes an oxygen/air tank, a regulator, a high pressure hose connected to the tank and the regulator to provide a flow of oxygen/air from the tank to the regulator, and a garment having an outer shell having a torso covering portion with a back and a front, a pair of sleeves extending from the torso covering portion, and a pocket located in the back of the torso covering portion and carrying the oxygen/air tank. 
     As one feature, the high pressure hose extends through an opening from an interior of the pocket and an interior side of the outer shell. 
     In one feature, the high pressure hose extends through a port in the front of the torso covering portion from the interior side of the outer shell to an exterior of the outer shell. 
     According to one feature, the system further includes a low pressure line extending from the regulator to inside of the outer shell to direct expelled air from the regulator to inside of the outer shell. 
     As a further feature, the low pressure line extends through the second opening. 
     In one feature, the high pressure line extends inside of the low pressure line from inside of the outer shell to the regulator. 
     In accordance with one feature, the pocket is located on the interior side of the outer shell. 
     According to one feature, the pocket is located on the exterior side of the outer shell. 
     As one feature, the pocket includes two longitudinal gussets spaced on opposite sides of the pocket, the gussets configured to allow the pocket to lay flat along the back of the coat with the tank removed from the pocket. 
     In one feature, one of the gussets has an opening to the pocket provided in the gusset, the opening sized to allow the tank to be loaded into the pocket, and further including a closure element in the gusset to provide a closed state and an open state for the opening. 
     As one feature, the closure element is a zipper extending along the one of the gussets. 
     According to one feature, the tank has a flattened cross-section. 
     In one feature, the coat further includes a liner and the high pressure hose extends between the outer shell and the liner. 
     In accordance with one feature of the invention, a protective coat is provided for use with a self-contained breathing apparatus system for a firefighter or other emergency worker. The coat includes an outer shell having a torso covering portion with a back and a front, a pair of sleeves extending from the torso covering portion, and a pocket fixed to the outer shell and adapted to carry an oxygen/air tank of the self-contained breathing apparatus. An opening extends between an interior of the pocket and an interior side of the outer shell to allow passage of a high pressure hose of the self-contained breathing apparatus, and a port is provided in the torso covering portion and is adapted to allow the high pressure hose to pass from the inside of the outer shell to an exterior of the outer shell for connection with a regulator of the self-containing breathing apparatus. 
     As one feature, the pocket is located on the torso portion. 
     In accordance with one feature of the invention, a protective coat is provided for use with self-contained breathing apparatus system for a firefighter or other emergency worker. The coat includes an outer shell having a torso covering portion with a back and a front, a pair of sleeves extending from the torso covering portion, and a pocket adapted to carry an oxygen/air tank of the self-contained breathing apparatus. The pocket includes two longitudinal gussets spaced on opposite sides of the pocket, the gussets configured to allow the pocket to lay flat against the outer shell with the tank removed from the pocket and to expand outwardly with the tank inserted in the pocket. 
     In one feature, one of the gussets has an opening to the pocket sized to allow the tank to be inserted into and removed from the pocket, and further comprising a closure element in the gusset to provide a closed state and an open state for the opening. 
     As one feature, the closure element is a zipper extending along the one of the gussets. 
     Other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a review of the entire specification, including the appended claims and drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view from the side of a fireman or other emergency worker wearing a protective coat and SCBA system embodying the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a partial, section view generally taken along line  2 - 2  in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is an elevation view of an oxygen/air tank of the SCBA of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of the oxygen/air tank of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view from the side of a fireman or other emergency worker wearing another protective coat and SCBA system embodying the present invention; 
         FIGS. 6 and 7  are partial, perspective views from the side of a fireman or other emergency worker wearing another version of a protective coat and SCBA system embodying the present invention, with  FIG. 6  showing the coat in one state and  FIG. 7  showing the coat in another state; 
         FIG. 8  is a back view of a protective coat embodying the present invention; 
         FIGS. 9A and 9B  are section views taken along line  9 - 9  in  FIG. 8  showing the protective coat in different states. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     With reference to  FIG. 1 , a firefighter or other emergency worker is shown wearing a protective garment in the form of a protective coat  10 , and a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA)  12  that includes a regulator  14  connected by a high pressure hose  16  to an oxygen/air tank  18  that is carried on the back of the firefighter by the coat  10 . Together, the coat  10  and the SCBA  12  form a system  20  that allows a firefighter or other emergency worker to perform in hazardous environments. Except as described herein, the coat  10  may be substantially similar to prior garments and coats designed for firefighters and rescue workers, such as those manufactured and sold by Morning Pride Manufacturing, Inc. of Dayton, Ohio. 
     As best seen in  FIG. 2 , the coat  10  is preferably a multi-layered construction consisting of an outer shell  24 , a moisture barrier and/or chemical barrier liner  26 , and optionally, but preferred, an thermal insulating barrier liner  28 . Each of the layers  24 ,  26  and  28  can be made from suitable fabrics for each of their particular functions, many of which are known. For example, the outer shell  24  can be made from any suitable fire resistant, thermal resistant and/or wear resistant (i.e., resistant to cuts, snags, tears, and abrasions) material, some examples of which include Kevlar®, Nomex®, Basofil, PBI (polybenzimidazole), and PBO (poly(p-phenylene-benzobisoxazole)) materials. The moisture barrier liner  26  can be made of any suitable material that will be highly resistant to passage of liquid, particularly liquid water, through the material, some examples of which include Crosstech® material (breathable) or Neoprin® (non-breathable). Furthermore, if chemical resistance is desired, the liner  26  can be made from a suitable material, such as a material supplied by W. L. Gore &amp; Associates, Inc. under the CHEMPAK® trademark. The thermal insulative liner  28  can be made of a suitable thermal insulating material or construction, such as nonwoven batting, closed cell foam, and/or Basofil/Aramid batting sandwiched between face layers of a suitable breathable fabric. 
     As best seen in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the tank  18  is preferably of a new type that is recently being developed to have a lower profile, with a flattened cross-section in comparison to the more conventional cylindrical oxygen/air tanks. In the illustrated embodiment, the tank  18  has two rows of interconnected, vertically extending, semi-cylindrical oxygen/air compartments or bladders  30  arranged, with a somewhat flexible “hinge” portion  32  that allows the tank to partially conform to and/or bend with the wearer&#39;s body. It should be appreciated that while a particular embodiment of the tank  18  is shown, in some applications it will be desirable to use other forms and types of oxygen/air tanks  18 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 1 , the outer shell  24  has a torso covering portion  33  with a back  34  and a front  36 , a pair of sleeves  38  (only one shown in  FIG. 1 ) extending from the torso covering portion  32 , and a pocket  40  that carries the oxygen/air tank  18 , thereby replacing the harness that has conventionally been used in connection with SCBA&#39;s. As best seen in  FIG. 2 , the interior  42  of the pocket  40  is preferably configured to somewhat closely conform to the shape of the tank  18 , which as previously discussed, preferably has a flattened cross-section such as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . 
     As best seen in  FIG. 2 , the high pressure hose  16  extends through an opening  44  from the interior  42  of the pocket  40  to an interior side  46  of the outer shell  24 , extends on the inside of the outer shell  24  from the back  34  to the front  36 , and exits through a port  48  to the exterior of the outer shell  24  for connection with the regulator  14 . Preferably, a suitable connector or gasket, shown generally at  50 , is provided in the port  48  to provide a sealed pass through for the hose  16 . Another embodiment of the system is shown in  FIG. 5  wherein a low pressure hose or line  52  extends from an exhalation valve in the regulator  14  to the inside of the outer shell  24  via the port  48  to direct expelled air from the regulator  14  to the inside of the outer shell  24  and create a positive pressure therein. In this regard, if the either or both of the liners  26  and  28  are used, the line  52  can be configure to direct the air either to the inside of either liner  26 ,  28  if desirable for a particular application. As illustrated, it is preferred in this embodiment for the high pressure hose  16  to extend inside of the low pressure hose  52  from the inside of the outer shell  24  to the regulator  14 . This provides a system  20  wherein there is only one SCBA line or hose exposed on the exterior of the coat  10 . 
     The pocket  40  can be located on exterior side of the outer shell  24 , as shown in  FIG. 1 , or on the interior side  46  of the outer shell  24 , as shown in  FIG. 5 . As seen in  FIG. 1 , the pocket  40  includes an opening or mouth  60 , a bottom portion  62 , a main body panel  64  defining the back of the pocket  40 , and a pair of side portions  66  (only one shown in  FIG. 1  on either lateral side of the panel  64 , with a closure or flap  68  to cover the mouth  60 , The pocket components  62 ,  66  and  68  are sewn, bonding or otherwise suitably fixed to the exterior of the outer shell  24 , and the panel  64  is sewn, bonded, or otherwise suitably fixed to the components  62  and  66 . The mouth  60  is sized to allow the tank  18  to be inserted into and removed from the interior  42  of the pocket  40 , and the flap  68  preferably includes a suitable closure element  69 , such as mating hook and loop members, buttons, or snap fasteners, for releasable retention of the flap  68  in a closed position covering the mouth  60 . The construction of  FIG. 1  is replicated on the inside of the outer shell  24  in the embodiment of  FIG. 5 , with the components  62  and  66  being sewn, bonded, or otherwise suitably fixed to the interior side  46  of the outer shell  24 , the mouth  60  being provided as an opening passing through the outer shell  24 , and the flap  68  being sewn, bonded or otherwise suitably fixed to the exterior of the outer shell  24 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 6-10 , in another embodiment of the coat  10 , the pocket  40  includes two longitudinal gussets  70  located on opposite lateral sides of the pocket  40 , with the gussets  70  configured to allow the pocket  40  to lay flat along the back  34  of the coat  10  when the tank  18  is removed from the pocket  40 , as shown in  FIGS. 7 and 9A , but to expand outwardly when the tank  18  is carried in the pocket  40 , as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 9B . Preferably, the pocket  40  includes a main panel  72  having its top and bottom edges  74  and  76  sewn, bonded otherwise suitable fixed to the outer shell  24 , as best seen in  FIG. 8 , and with its side edges  78  and  80  being folded to form the gussets  70 , as best seen in  FIGS. 8 and 9A , before being sewn, bonded, or otherwise suitably fixed to the outer shell  24 . As best seen in  FIGS. 9A and 9B , an interior panel  81  can be provided opposite the panel  72  to enclose the interior of the pocket  40 , or the material of the outer shell can be extended across the pocket  40  from one gusset  70  to the other to enclose the interior of the pocket  40 . Preferably, one of the gussets  70  has an opening or mouth  82  sized for insertion and removal of the tank  18  to and from the interior  42  of the pocket  40 , with a suitable closure element, such as a zipper  84  extending along the gusset  70  to provide the opening  82  with a closed state for retaining the tank  18  in the pocket  40  and an open state for allowing insertion and removal of the tank  18 . 
     As best seen in  FIG. 1 , in some applications it might be desirable to include a belt  86  at the waist or elsewhere, either on the interior of the outer shell  24  as shown, or on the exterior of the outer shell  24 , to help support and/or secure the tank  18  to the wearer. 
     It should be understood that while several embodiments of the pocket have been illustrated and described herein, other suitable constructions may be utilized according to the invention to carry the tank  18 . In this regard, it should further be understood that depending on the specific size and configuration of the tank  18 , it may be desirable to locate the pocket  40  somewhere other than at the back  34 , such as for example, at the front  36  or on one of the arm portions  38 . It should also be understood that while it is preferred that the high pressure hose  16  extend from the tank  18  through the inside of the outer shell  24 , in some applications it may be desirable to for the hose  16  to extend directly to the exterior from the pocket  40  and then extend onward over the exterior to connect with the regulator  14 . It should further be understood that the configuration of the hoses  16  and  52  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 5  are compatible with any of the pocket  40  and coat  10  embodiments described herein. 
     It should be appreciated that the disclosed embodiments of the system  20  can provide a number of advantages. For example, by carrying the tank  18  with the outer shell  24 , the need for a conventional harness is eliminated together with the potential for snagging such a harness on an object during an emergency. The risk for such snagging can be further reduced by extending the hose  16  from the tank  18  through the inside of the outer shell  24 , and even further reduced by extending the hose  16  inside of the hose  52 . Additionally, the elimination of the harness can reduce the compression of the underlying garment(s), thereby improving the insulation performance of the garment and reducing the wear of the garments. Further more, interference with reflectors and other visual indicia on the exterior of the coat can be minimized with the elimination of the harness and/or reduction in the amount of external hose runs and/or enclosing the oxygen/air tank  18  in a pocket of the coat.