Patent Publication Number: US-8123581-B2

Title: Avalanche rescue device

Description:
The invention relates to an avalanche rescue device comprising as functional parts at least one inflatable buoyant body attachable close to the body of the user, a filling unit for the buoyant body, a compressed gas unit having a compressed gas tank and a release unit, and with the device being provided with a carrier system for the user to carry said functional parts on his/her back. 
     In the present case, an avalanche rescue device denotes a device for rescuing people, in particular from avalanches. 
     Devices of this type have been used for years and are well described including, for example, in the German P 32 37 060 printed publication. 
     An improved avalanche rescue device is described in detail in WO 96/35479 (PCT/EP 96/01942). The functional parts described therein, for example the buoyant body, the filling unit for the buoyant body, the compressed gas unit with its compressed gas tank and release unit, can also be used with the avalanche rescue device according to the present invention. It is therefore unnecessary to provide a detailed description of these functional parts; reference is instead made to the cited printed publication. 
     This known avalanche rescue device is for example provided with a carrying frame for a user&#39;s back so as to mount at least some of the functional parts to same, for example the buoyant body, respectively balloons. The carrying frame with the balloons can thus serve both as a rescue device on its own as well as the basis for a backpack. 
     When the functional parts are mounted in a backpack, for example a rescue backpack, at least some of these functional parts are affixed to a mounting plate integrated into said backpack so as to ensure the necessary stability. 
     The cited printed publication also describes how it is possible to integrate the functional parts of the avalanche rescue device into a vest or another article of clothing. In this case, fastening elements are also required for at least some of the functional parts and need to be integrated into the cited articles of clothing. 
     That which is termed functional parts here are noted to be those elements which have a technical relationship relative the operation of the device, and in particular the inflating of the buoyant body. 
     A further avalanche rescue device of the type at issue here is described in WO 98/33559 (PCT/EP 98/00491). The subject matters specified therein relate to improvements made to the functional parts of such an avalanche rescue device or avalanche rescue system. 
     Disadvantageous with such known avalanche rescue devices is the fact that they can only be used in the respectively selected design. For example, if the avalanche rescue device is integrated into a vest or a parka, then it always has to be used with that specific article of clothing. If, on the other hand, the avalanche rescue device is incorporated into a backpack, then the device will always need to be carried in conjunction with this specific, initially-selected backpack. 
     The object which the present invention addresses is that of providing an all-purpose avalanche rescue device which is universally applicable compared to the previously-known avalanche rescue devices. 
     This object is solved by an avalanche rescue device in accordance with the teaching of the present application. 
     Among other things, the avalanche rescue device according to the invention is characterized by the carrier system being comprised of at least one flexible fabric element. This carrier system serves to secure the functional parts. In particular, this can be a flexible planar textile, for example a woven nylon or a strap. It is also possible to have a combination of a planar textile or a fabric-like planar textile together with a strap or a plurality of straps. Such fabric elements are known. 
     What is crucial is for the fabric element to be able to absorb the forces which occur so as to ensure the operational reliability of the avalanche rescue device. This applies in particular to the inflatable buoyant bodies. Hence, the thickness and strength of the fabric element is to be selected in accordance with expected loads. Since the fabric element is flexible, it can optimally adapt to different contours, for example the user&#39;s back. Moreover, such fabric elements are lightweight. Rigid mounting plates and inflexible supporting frames are thus avoided. 
     When a strap is used in the context of the present documents, this can be a single, separate strap. A strap can however also be comprised of a plurality of separate bands of straps which can be sewn together. The individual strap bands can also overlap to some extent. The only crucial factor is—as stated above—that the resulting “aggregate strap” has sufficient strength to absorb the loads which occur during a rescue situation with the buoyant bodies being inflated and the user being given the necessary buoyancy in the avalanche. 
     The avalanche rescue device according to the invention is further characterized by the carrier system being provided with a first connecting mechanism which interacts with a second connecting mechanism of a separate container such that the carrier system can be detachably connected to the container to form a jointly-manipulable back-pack. The connecting mechanisms are thereby configured or mounted such that the carrier system with the functional parts mounted thereto together with the container affixed thereto is sandwiched between the user&#39;s back and the container when the avalanche rescue device is in use on the user&#39;s back. 
     In plan view, namely the view toward the back of the user, the extension of the additional container can be less than that of the carrier system or can also correspond to its dimensions. The container can additionally protrude above and below the carrier system. Laterally, however, the container should not protrude beyond the “base area” of the carrier system since this area is needed for the expansion of the buoyant bodies, respectively balloons, during a rescue situation. 
     The front face of the container preferably represents the rear face of the carrier system and covers and/or closes this carrier system to the exterior in the conjoined state. 
     Both the first connecting mechanism as well as the second connecting mechanism can be of any arbitrary type. It must only be ensured that the additional separate container can be connected to the carrier system in the manner described. For example, buttons can serve as a connecting mechanism which, in interaction with the associated buttonholes representing the second connecting mechanism, serve to conjoin the carrier system and the separate additional container. Snap fasteners of known type can also be used for this purpose. Preferably, however, the two connecting mechanisms form a zipper. 
     A zipper usually consists of two side strips and associated teeth which can be joined or separated using a slider. In the case of the preferred embodiment as described, one side strip is affixed to the carrier system while the other side strip is affixed to the container. Both side strips preferably run nearly completely around the entire exterior of the carrier system, respectively container. 
     According to a further preferred embodiment, the container is substantially self-contained, however provided with at least one closeable opening through which the container&#39;s interior can be accessed from the outside. 
     The avalanche rescue device according to the invention is not, however, limited to this type of container. One of the substantial advantages of the inventive avalanche rescue device lies precisely in the fact that containers of the most widely varied configurations, for example knapsacks of different sizes, constructions or designs, can be quickly and easily connected to the carrier system by forming a jointly-manipulable unit in the form of a backpack. 
     A user therefore need only purchase one single carrier system and can then connect it to a container of his choice based on his own needs and/or desires. 
     In the simplest case, the fabric element of the carrier system consists of a planar textile, which can also be termed backing fabric. This can be woven nylon, for example. This planar textile of course needs to have the appropriate strength in order to be able to transfer the forces which occur. 
     The carrier system of the inventive avalanche rescue device preferably has a U-shaped base strap in plan view. The side legs of the base strap extend vertically when in the use position while the base of the U-form forms a relatively horizontally-extending segment thereabove. 
     A waist strap is preferably connected to the base strap near the free ends of the U-form. This waist strap can have two free ends which can be connected together by means of customary mechanisms, for example a buckle. When the avalanche rescue device is positioned on the user, this buckle is usually positioned at the front of the user&#39;s body. 
     The avalanche rescue device according to the invention further comprises preferably two buoyant bodies. One of these buoyant bodies is connected to a vertical leg of the base strap U-form while the other buoyant body is connected to the other vertical leg of the base strap U-form. 
     It is furthermore preferred for the inventive avalanche rescue device to have the upper end of a left and a right shoulder strap affixed to the horizontally-extending segment of the U-shaped base strap. A left and right hip strap respectively is moreover connected to the base strap at the lower end or in the area of the lower end of the base strap vertical leg. The right shoulder strap is then connectable to the right hip strap to form a harness, for example using a buckle or the like. The same applies to the left shoulder strap and the left hip strap. 
     The connections in the context of the present documents as regards the carrier system and the strap which constitutes same together with the interacting straps (e.g. base strap) are not to be understood as rigid connections. Instead, all that is intended to be expressed by same is that the connection between the interconnected parts have such a stability that when in use, the inventive avalanche rescue device can absorb the forces which occur and the avalanche rescue device in particular with the associated buoyant bodies remains tightly conjoined to the user and give him the necessary buoyancy such that the rescue function is realized. 
     It is also possible to join a planar textile to one or more straps. The above-described U-shaped base strap can thus be, for example, sewn onto the planar textile or connected to same in some other way. Further conceivable with the latter embodiment is to interrupt or completely omit the horizontal segment of said U-shaped base strap. In this case, the planar textile then needs to be appropriately dimensioned and/or strong enough to meet the requirements. 
    
    
     
       In describing the invention in greater detail, the following will make use of simplified figures, not drawn true to scale, which show a preferred embodiment of the avalanche rescue device according to the invention. The figures thereby show: 
         FIG. 1  an inventive avalanche rescue device in which the carrier system is connected with an additional separate container into an aggregate unit in the form of a backpack, 
         FIG. 2  an exploded view of the avalanche rescue device shown in  FIG. 1 , 
         FIG. 3  a section along the line from  FIGS. 1 and 2 , 
         FIG. 4  a perspective detail view of the sectional view shown in  FIG. 3  with unfolded buoyant body, 
         FIG. 5  a schematic view of the U-shaped base strap of the carrier system as seen external the user, 
         FIG. 6  a schematic view similar to that of  FIG. 5 , whereby the base strap is connected to the shoulder strap and the hip strap, 
         FIG. 7  a simplified and schematic view of a mounting for the buoyant bodies exhibiting loops, 
         FIG. 8  a full overview of the details depicted in  FIGS. 5 to 7 , and 
         FIG. 9  a view corresponding to that of  FIG. 6 , however with the carrier system comprised solely of a planar textile. 
     
    
    
       FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of an avalanche rescue device  1  according to the invention, which is composed of a carrier system  2  for carrying the functional parts and a container  3  connected thereto. The carrier system  2  and the container  3  are joined into a jointly-manipulable unit in the form of a backpack to be worn by the user. 
     As can be seen particularly from the perspective exploded view of  FIG. 2 , the carrier system  2  serves to support at least some of the functional parts. Included among these functional parts are, for example, a compressed gas tank  11 , a line  12  connected thereto, and two buoyant bodies  22  (not visible in  FIG. 2 ), each respectively positioned within a pocket  13 ,  14 , as will be described in greater detail below. 
     A flap  16  serves to cover the compressed gas tank  11  and is provided with a Velcro strip  17  which can interact with Velcro strip  18  to produce a hook-and-loop fastening. 
     Two shoulder straps  19  are arranged at the upper area and two waist straps  20  are arranged at the lower area of the carrier system  2 , each being respectively arranged at the right and at the left. In order to simplify the depiction,  FIG. 2  only shows the respective right shoulder strap  19  and waist strap  20 . 
     In plan view, the carrier system  2  has a U-shaped base strap  4 , which can be seen in particular in  FIG. 5 . The side legs  5  of base strap  4  extend relatively vertically while the base  6  extends horizontally and above. Hence, the opening of the U-form points downward. 
     The base strap  4  is sewn onto or otherwise connected to the planar textile  7 . This planar textile  7  can be of any arbitrary type and can contribute, together with the base strap  4 , to absorbing the forces which occur. The strength and stability of the base strap  4  and the planar textile  7  is coordinated such that the carrier system  2  can absorb the greatest amount of force possible and yet still be as lightweight as possible. The planar textile  7  used is in particular that as frequently used in the manufacture of backpacks and the like, for example a fabric made of synthetic fibers, in particular woven nylon. 
     In the embodiment as described here, the carrier system  2  thus consists of a combination of a planar textile, a textile fabric  7  respectively, and a base strap  4 . 
     Said fabric  7  constitutes the rear surface of the inventive avalanche rescue device  1  which rests against the back of the user. The base strap  4  can thereby be sewn onto the fabric  7  both from the inside or from the outside. The feature “from the outside” hereby means that the base strap is on the side of the fabric  7  facing away from the user&#39;s back while the feature “from the inside” means that the base strap  4  faces the user&#39;s back and is thus arranged between the back and the fabric  7 . It is also possible to double-up the base strap  4 , namely in such a manner that one strap band is positioned to the inside and the other to the outside. 
     Two shoulder straps  19  are sewn or otherwise connected to the horizontally-extending segment  6 , base strap band respectively. In  FIGS. 6 and 8 , these shoulder straps  19  are only shown in that area in which they are connected to the base strap  4  and, more precisely, with its base  6 . These shoulder straps  19  are of course also sewn to connect to fabric  7 . 
     The shoulder straps  19  can each be connected in a manner known per se to a hip strap  21 . For example, buckles or similar mechanisms can be used as connecting elements for this purpose. It is also conceivable to dispense with such connecting elements such that the shoulder strap  19  simultaneously also constitutes the hip strap  21 . 
     Each of the hip straps  21  is connected to the base strap  4  in the area of its free end  8  associated with same and also connected to fabric  7 , likewise preferably by sewing. The seams  39  are represented in the figures as dashes. 
     In the embodiment as depicted, the waist strap  20  as well has two free ends which can be connected together in customary fashion, preferably likewise by means of a buckle or the like. The waist strap  20  is moreover of continuous configuration behind the back of the user and thus runs behind the back of the user. 
     A plurality of loops  15  are connected to each side leg  5  of the base strap  4 , for example sewn on. These loops  15  can be sewn individually to the side leg  5  or can also be attached to a separate strap band  40  which is then sewn to the respective side leg  5 , such as shown for example in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , each loop  15  is sewn directly to the leg  5  of the base strap  4 . 
     These loops  15  are spaced apart in the side leg  5  direction and, together with a rod  9  and further loops  10  affixed to the buoyant body  22 , form a type of hinge. The rod  9  is hereby extended through alternatingly arranged loops  15  and  10  so as to realize the cited hinge function. Loops  10  are thus also spaced apart from one another longitudinally such that the loops  10  position in the space between the loops  15  and vice versa.  FIG. 4  in particular shows this situation clearly. The buoyant body  22  hereby represents a balloon and is of conventional type. In  FIG. 4 , said buoyant body  22  is shown in the unfolded, inflated position extending laterally from the carrier system  2 , as will be addressed further below. This design enables simple and easy replacing of the buoyant body by pulling the rod  9  out through the loops  10  and  15 , replacing the buoyant body  22  with a new one, and extending the rod  9  back through the loops  10  and  15 . 
     The planar textile  7  is provided with an elastic, cushioning layer  23 . This layer  23  can be arranged between two layers of the fabric, as is shown in  FIG. 4 . This layer can however also be sewn onto the outer side of fabric  7  or affixed thereto in another manner. This layer is customarily a foam material layer. This elastic layer  23  has no supporting function but rather serves to improve the wearing comfort of the inventive avalanche rescue device  1 . 
     The folded buoyant body  22  is shown in  FIG. 3 . The manner in which the buoyant body  22  is folded is hereby shown in simplified depiction for the purpose of better representation. 
     The buoyant body  22 , an inflatable balloon in the present case, is accommodated in pocket  14  as shown in  FIG. 2 . The inventive avalanche rescue device  1  depicted in the figures is thereby equipped with two buoyant bodies  22 ; i.e. a right and a left one, each stored in the folded state in a respective pocket  13 ,  14 . When the user activates the (not shown) known release unit, a gas as contained in compressed gas tank  11  passes through the line or hoses  12  to the buoyant bodies  22 , thereby causing them to inflate and swell laterally to the left and right out of pockets  13 ,  14  and unfold. 
     Pocket  14  (cf.  FIGS. 2 and 3 ) is formed between a band of fabric  24  and the fabric  7 . When viewed directly, the band of fabric  24  has a relatively rectangular form. The left edge  25  of this band of fabric  24  thereby extends fairly vertically and is sewn to the fabric  7  at point  26 . The right vertical edge  27  ( FIG. 4 ) is sewn to the side strip  29  provided with teeth  28 . This side strip  29  is provided with a Velcro strip  30  on its side facing the buoyant body  22  which can interact with Velcro strip  31  to produce a hook-and-loop fastening. Said Velcro strip  31  is supported on a second side strip  32  which is sewn from the outside to the lateral edge  33  of fabric  7 . Connecting the Velcro strips  30  and  31  together closes the pocket  14  accommodating the folded buoyant body  22 . 
     The left pocket  13  with its associated buoyant body  22  is of analogous albeit mirror-symmetrical configuration. The upper and lower side edges of the band of fabric  24  are directly or indirectly connected to the fabric  7  by means of additional fabric elements. 
     The teeth  28  mounted to the side strips  29  interact with teeth  34  to form a zipper which is attached to container  3 . The affixing of the teeth  34  to the container  3  can ensue in any arbitrary manner. In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 3 , these teeth  34  are sewn on via a side strip  35  connecting the fabric or the like comprising the container. 
     As is evident from  FIG. 2 , the side strips  29 ,  32  with the teeth  28 ,  34  of the zipper nearly completely ring the entire exterior of the carrier system  2  and the container  3 , only being interrupted at the lower horizontal area. Said point is where the zipper with teeth  28  and  34  and slider  36  begins and ends from the two side strips. 
     The front side or front face  37  of container  3  defined by the teeth  34  of container  3  roughly corresponds to the area defined by the teeth  34  of carrier system  2  such that upon a closed zipper (formed by side strips  29 , teeth  28 , side strips  32 , teeth  34  and slider  36 ), the container  3  is conjoined to the carrier system  2  yet does not protrude beyond the rear face of the carrier system  2  defined by the teeth  28 . The front face and the rear face correspond approximately in area. 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , the container  3  thereby has a front side  37  (cf. also  FIG. 3 ), which covers the interior of the carrier system  2  to the outside after the zipper formed by the teeth  28  and  34  is closed. 
     In all other respects, the container  3  can be of arbitrary configuration. For example, it can be a closeable container which can also be partitioned. It is only necessary for this container  3  to have a side strip with the associated teeth  34  so to form a connection between the container  3  and the carrier system  2  together with the interacting teeth  28  of carrier system  2 . 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 9 , the carrier system  2  is essentially composed of fabric  7 , which represents the “rear side” of carrier system  2 . The shoulder strap  19 , the waist strap  20  and the hip strap  21  are directly connected to this fabric  7  by seams  39 . The entire force is thereby absorbed by fabric  7 . 
     Loops  15  serve to affix the not shown buoyant body, said loops being likewise directly connected to fabric  7  via seams  39 . 
     Instead of the individual loops  15 , a strap band  40  with associated loops  15  as shown in the  FIG. 8  embodiment can of course also be used. 
     It is furthermore conceivable to join the segments or areas of the previously-described base strap  4  to fabric  7 . 
     LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS 
     
         
         
           
               1  avalanche rescue device 
               2  carrier system 
               3  container 
               4  base strap 
               5  side leg 
               6  base/segment 
               7  planar textile 
               8  end 
               9  rod 
               10  loops 
               11  compressed gas tank 
               12  line 
               13  pocket 
               14  pocket 
               15  loop 
               16  flap 
               17  Velcro strip 
               18  Velcro strip 
               19  shoulder strap 
               20  waist strap 
               21  hip strap 
               22  buoyant body 
               23  elastic layer 
               24  band of fabric 
               25  left edge 
               26  connecting point 
               27  right vertical edge 
               28  teeth 
               29  side strips 
               30  Velcro strip 
               31  Velcro strip 
               32  second side strip 
               33  edge 
               34  teeth 
               35  side strip of container 
               36  slider 
               37  front face 
               38  loop 
               39  seam 
               40  strap band