Patent ID: 8336171

Claim:
A quick release apparatus for selective connection and rapid disconnection of a rescue worker's waist belt from a lower lumbar support plate of a self-contained breathing apparatus support frame, comprising: a frame-connecting lumbar support pad for attachment to the interior side of the lower lumbar support plate, said lumbar support pad including a front side, a rear side; a belt-capturing element disposed on said front side of said frame-connecting lumbar support pad; at least one frame connector disposed on said rear side of said frame-connecting lumbar support pad for releasable connection to the self-contained breathing apparatus lower lumbar support plate; a rapid release member slidably inserted through a portion of either of said frame connecting lumbar support pad or said belt-capturing member, or both, such that pulling said rapid release member away from said lower lumbar support pad effects a rapid release of said apparatus from the self-contained breathing apparatus support frame; and wherein said belt-capturing element is a selectively openable sleeve.