Patent Publication Number: US-2012031783-A1

Title: Carry and deploy bag system

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/322,732, filed Apr. 9, 2010 entitled “DESCENT SYSTEM AND METHOD,” which application is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates generally to equipment for individuals who sometimes work at heights, such as construction workers, tower technicians, military and police, firefighters and other rescue professionals. 
     BACKGROUND 
     In some instances, firefighters use safety equipment such as harnesses. In some cases, there is a desire for convenient, easy-to-use harnesses that are comfortable to carry or wear yet can easily be deployed. 
     SUMMARY 
     In some embodiments, the present invention pertains to a carry and deploy bag system that is configured to accommodate a controlled descent device, an anchor and a rope that is securable to the controlled descent device and the anchor. The carry and deploy bag system includes a holster configured to accommodate the controlled descent device and the anchor, a lumbar pouch that is configured to accommodate the rope, and a connecting gooseneck that extends between the holster and the lumbar pouch. 
     In some embodiments, the present invention pertains to a system that includes a controlled descent device and an anchor, a holster for the controlled descent device and the anchor, a rope secured to the controlled descent device and the anchor, a lumbar pouch to hold the rope, a connecting gooseneck between the holster and the lumbar pouch that protects the rope as it runs through the connecting gooseneck from the lumbar pouch to the holster. 
     In some embodiments, some or all of the lumbar pouch, the holster and/or the gooseneck is formed with an low friction inner surface. For example, in some embodiments, parts of the descent system may be formed of polytetrafluoroethylene-impregnated fabric. In some embodiments, the descent system is adapted to be rigged and carried for either right or left side deployment by a user. In other words, the system is optionally reversibly rigged to extend on either side of the user. 
     While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other embodiments of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which shows and describes illustrative embodiments of the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a carry and deploy bag system with a holster in an open position and an anchor and a controlled descent device deployed from the holster, according to some embodiments. 
         FIG. 2  shows the carry and deploy bag system of  FIG. 1  with the holster in a closed position, according to some embodiments. 
         FIG. 3  is an enlarged view of a portion of the carry and deploy bag system of Figure, according to some embodiments. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  shows an illustrative carry and deploy bag system  10  in accordance with some embodiments of the invention. The carry and deploy bag system  10  is configured to accommodate a controlled descent device  12 , an anchor  14 , and a rope  18 . In some embodiments, the system  10  may be considered as including the controller descent device  12 , the anchor  14  and the rope  18 . The carry and deploy bag system includes a holster  16  for the controlled descent device  12  and anchor  14 , a rope  18  secured to the controlled descent device  12  and the anchor  14 , a lumbar pouch  20  to hold the rope  18 , a connecting gooseneck  22  between the holster  16  and the lumbar pouch  20  that covers the rope  18  as it runs through the connecting gooseneck  22  from the lumbar pouch  20  to the holster  16 . In  FIG. 2 , the holster  16  is shown in a closed state while in  FIG. 1  the holster  16  is shown in an open state with the controlled descent device  12  and the anchor  14  removed from the holster  16 . 
     The controlled descent device  12  (also described as a payout control) is adapted to receive the rope  18  and control the payout rate, or speed at which the rope passes through the descent device  12 . Some examples of suitable descent devices are sold under the trade names “DEUS 3100”; “DEUS 3200”; “DEUS 3300”; “DEUS 3700,” available from DEUS Rescue, located at 4 West Coach Road, Boulder, Colo. 80302. 
     In some embodiments, the anchor  14  is a hook or other implement suitable for anchoring the rope  18  during descent of one or more users (e.g., a fireman and an unconscious person). In some embodiments, the rope  18  is of a type typically used in emergency or recreational descent activities. 
     In some embodiments, the holster  16  is formed as a pouch or pocket of material that has a generally closed lower perimeter  24 , an open top  25  with a releasably closable cover flap  26 , a first closable seam  27 , and a second closable seam  28 . The first and second closable seams  27 ,  28  include fastening means  29  on the inner surface of the holster  16  (the fastening means  29  are generally hidden from view, but designated by dashed boxes). The fastening means  29  are optionally hook and loop fastener material (sometimes sold under the trade name “VELCRO”), or any of a variety of other fastening means such as snaps, buttons, pressure sensitive adhesives, or others. As subsequently described, one of the first and second closable seams  27 ,  28  is opened to receive the gooseneck  22  and then closed onto the gooseneck  22  to secure the gooseneck  22  to the holster  16 , according to some embodiments. The back side (not shown) of the holster  16  includes belt loops or other means for securing the holster  16  to a user. The holster  16  is generally worn on a front or side (e.g., hip) of a user. 
     In some embodiments, at least the inner surface (not shown) of the holster  16  is characterized as being low friction. For example, in some embodiments at least the inner surface of the holster  16  is formed of polytetrafluoroethylene-impregnated fabric. In some embodiments, the holster  16  may be formed of a polymeric material such as NYLON® or KEVLAR®. The material used for the holster  16  is optionally a woven matrix of polytetrafluoroethylene strands, incorporate a polytetrafluoroethylene coating, or be extruded of polytetrafluoroethylene, for example. While polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is particularly advantageous (e.g., due to low friction coefficients and high temperature ratings), it is contemplated that other low friction materials and/or coatings may be employed as appropriate. In some embodiments, having a low friction inner surface considerably reduces the friction that might otherwise occur between the rope and the material that is in contact with the rope. 
     In some embodiments, the lumbar pouch  20  (also described as a back bag, for example) is formed as a tube of material that extends between a first end  30  and a second end  32  and defines a front side  34  and a back side. On the interior of the pouch  20 , each of the first and second ends  30 ,  32  includes fastening means  38 , represented schematically by white boxes in  FIG. 1 . In some embodiments, the fastening means  38  include hook and loop fastener material (sometimes sold under the trade name “VELCRO”) with complementary portions located on the front and back sides, respectively, of the pouch  20 . In some embodiments, the back side of the pouch  20  includes belt loops or other means for securing the pouch  20  to a user. The pouch  20  is generally worn on a back (e.g., lumbar region) of a user). In some embodiments, the pouch  20  may instead take other forms, as long as it can accommodate the rope  18 . For example, the pouch  20  may instead be formed as a backpack. 
     In some embodiments, at least the inner surface (not shown) of the pouch  20  is characterized as being low friction. For example, in some embodiments at least the inner surface of the pouch  20  is formed of polytetrafluoroethylene-impregnated fabric. In some embodiments, the pouch  20  may be formed of a polymeric material such as NYLON™ or KEVLAR®. The material used for the pouch  20  is optionally a woven matrix of polytetrafluoroethylene strands, incorporate a polytetrafluoroethylene coating, or be extruded of polytetrafluoroethylene, for example. While polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is particularly advantageous (e.g., due to low friction coefficients and high temperature ratings), it is contemplated that other low friction materials and/or coatings may be employed as appropriate. In some embodiments, having a low friction inner surface considerably reduces the friction that might otherwise occur between the rope and the material that is in contact with the rope. 
     As subsequently described, one of the first and second ends  30 ,  32  is closed using the fastening means  38 , and the rope  18  is loaded (e.g., stuffed) into the open end of the pouch  20  in such a manner that the rope  18  will not twist and bind upon payout from the pouch  20 . Generally, the rope  18  is stuffed into the pouch  20  from the same end that it will be removed, or paid out, though embodiments where the rope  18  is otherwise loaded are contemplated. As subsequently described, incorporation of two openable and releasably closable ends  30 ,  32  in the pouch  20  helps provide the ability to configure the system  10  for left side or right side use. While the first and second ends  30 ,  32  are described as being closed using hook and loop fasteners, in other embodiments one or both of the ends  30 ,  32  include other fastening means such as snaps, buttons, pressure sensitive adhesives, or others are employed. 
     In some embodiments, the connecting gooseneck  22  is formed as a flap of rectangular material folded over onto itself and releasably secured together using fastening means  40  to form an open-ended, tubular body  42  extending from a first end  44  to a second end  46 . For example, the flap is optionally releasably secured together using fasteners (e.g., hook and loop fasteners) or any of the other fastening means previously-referenced. As a result, the connecting gooseneck  22  can easily be field stripped to clear a rope jam, simply by opening the aforementioned flap. In other embodiments, the tubular body  42  is more permanently secured, for example by sewing a piece of material to form the tubular body  42  or by extruding the tubular body  42 , for example, or via other methods. In some embodiments, the back side of the gooseneck  22  includes belt loops or other means for securing the gooseneck  22  to a user, though in other embodiments is not directly attached to the user. The gooseneck  22  is generally wrapped around a side of a user from back to front. If desired, the gooseneck  22  is optionally oriented with the closed end facing upwardly or downwardly as desired such that the gooseneck  22  can be easily opened and the rope  18  can be pulled quickly out from the gooseneck  22  should unwanted twisting or other need arise. In embodiments in which the pouch  20  takes the form of a backpack, the gooseneck  22  may be configured to extend around the wearer&#39;s waist or perhaps over their shoulder. 
     In some embodiments, at least the inner surface (not shown) of the tubular body  42  is characterized as being low friction. For example, in some embodiments at least the inner surface of the tubular body  42  is formed of polytetrafluoroethylene-impregnated fabric. In some embodiments, the tubular body  42  may be formed of a polymeric material such as NYLON™ or KEVLAR®. The material used for the tubular body  42  is optionally a woven matrix of polytetrafluoroethylene strands, incorporate a polytetrafluoroethylene coating, or be extruded of polytetrafluoroethylene, for example. While polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is particularly advantageous (e.g., due to low friction coefficients and high temperature ratings), it is contemplated that other low friction materials and/or coatings may be employed as appropriate. In some embodiments, having a low friction inner surface considerably reduces the friction that might otherwise occur between the rope and the material that is in contact with the rope. 
     In some embodiments, the first and second ends  44 ,  46  of the tubular body  42  tube have fastening means  48  (e.g., hook and loop fastener material) on the outside surface of the tubular body  42  to attach to complementary fastening means (e.g., hook and loop fastener material) on the interiors of the pouch  20  and holster  16  (e.g., fastening means  29 ,  38  of the holster  16  and pouch  20 , respectively). 
     Some methods of assembling the system  10  include closing one of the first and second ends  30 ,  32  of the pouch  20  and using the fastening means  38  and stuffing, or loading the rope  18  into the open end of the pouch  20 . In the example that follows, the rope  18  is delivered into the first end  30  to achieve a right hand configuration, but it should be understood that a left hand configuration is achieved going from the opposite end of the pouch  20  using a mirror image approach. In this example, the rope  18  is stuffed into the first end  30  of the pouch  20 . A portion of the rope  18  is left free or pulled out from the first end  30  of the pouch  20  and received through the tubular body  42  of the gooseneck  22  (in other embodiments, the gooseneck  22  is simply folded over the rope  18  and secured together). The second end  46  of the gooseneck  22  is inserted into the first end  30  of the pouch  20  and the fastening means  48  at the second end  46  is secured with the fastening means  38  at the first end  30  of the pouch  20 . The rope  18  is received through the second closable seam  28  of the holster  16  and the first end  44  of the gooseneck  22  is secured to the holster  16  using the fastening means  29 ,  48  at the interface between the gooseneck  22  and the holster  16 . The anchor and  14  and controlled descent device  12  are secured to the rope  18  as desired. The anchor  14  and the controlled descent device  12  are then received in the holster  16  and the releasably closable cover flap  26  is closed. In order to accomplish a left side configuration, the goose neck  22  is secured to the opposite side of the pouch  20  and the controlled descent device  12  is secured to the opposite end of the gooseneck using the respective fastening means. 
     Some methods of using the system  10 , include a user (e.g., a firefighter) opening the holster  16 , reaching inside and taking out the anchor  14  that has been pre-attached to the rope  18 , attaching the anchor  14  to a substantial object (e.g., a part of a building), and then bailing out. The portion of the rope  18  stored in the pouch  20  passes through the gooseneck  22  under low friction contact and passes through and out of the open top of the holster  16 . The controlled descent device  16  is optionally pre-rigged to the end of the rope  18  next to the anchor  14  and is also optionally pre-rigged to a harness worn by the user. 
     From the foregoing, various inventive aspects should be understood including separate, reversible pieces including appropriate fastening means for either left or right side oriented use. In other words, the system  10  is optionally interchangeably rigged and carried for either right or left side deployment. Additionally, due to the tubular shape and/or closed top, some embodiments of the lumbar pouch  20  encourage users to stuff the rope  18  into the pouch  20  for non-tangling payout. Some embodiments also promote low drag/friction payout through the gooseneck  22 . 
     In some embodiments, the system  10  is configured such that each of the holster  16 , the lumbar pouch  20  and the gooseneck  22  may be separated in the field if it becomes necessary to clear a rope jam. In some embodiments, the system  10  is configured such that the individual components may be field-assembled in a left-hand or right-hand configuration, depending on the preferences of the wearer. 
     Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, while the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the above described features.