U.S. patent application number 13/207215 was filed with the patent office on 2012-02-16 for multi-part bag system to hold a firefighter's bailout gear.
Invention is credited to Christina E. FAY, James E. FAY.
Application Number | 20120037527 13/207215 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45564022 |
Filed Date | 2012-02-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120037527 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
FAY; James E. ; et
al. |
February 16, 2012 |
MULTI-PART BAG SYSTEM TO HOLD A FIREFIGHTER'S BAILOUT GEAR
Abstract
A carry and deploy bag system according to embodiments of the
present invention includes a holster for housing a controlled
descent device and an anchor; a rope pouch for receiving a rope
that is securable to the controlled descent device and the anchor;
and a connecting gooseneck extending 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; wherein
the holster comprises a tear-away cover flap that can be opened and
disconnected from the holster in one motion.
Inventors: |
FAY; James E.; (Boulder,
CO) ; FAY; Christina E.; (Boulder, CO) |
Family ID: |
45564022 |
Appl. No.: |
13/207215 |
Filed: |
August 10, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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13084312 |
Apr 11, 2011 |
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13207215 |
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61372454 |
Aug 10, 2010 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
206/372 ;
383/38 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A62B 1/14 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/372 ;
383/38 |
International
Class: |
B65D 85/00 20060101
B65D085/00; B65D 30/20 20060101 B65D030/20; B65D 30/22 20060101
B65D030/22 |
Claims
1. A carry and deploy bag system comprising: a holster for housing
a controlled descent device and an anchor; a rope pouch for
receiving a rope that is securable to the controlled descent device
and the anchor; and a connecting gooseneck extending 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; wherein the holster comprises a tear-away cover flap that
can be opened and disconnected from the holster in one motion.
2. The carry and deploy bag system of claim 1, wherein the
tear-away cover flap is secured to the holster with at least one
fold in order to make the tear-away cover flap easier to grab.
3. The carry and deploy bag system of claim 1, wherein the holster
comprises one or more retaining straps configured to attach to an
underside of the tear-away cover flap.
4. The carry and deploy bag system of claim 1, further comprising a
means for holding an anchor hook at an angle to facilitate grasping
the anchor hook.
5. The carry and deploy bag system of claim 4, wherein the holster
further comprises a bottomless pocket to secure a tip of the anchor
hook.
6. The carry and deploy bag system of claim 1, wherein the
tear-away cover flap comprises a multiplicity of waves or ridges
which make the tear-away cover flap easier to feel and grasp.
7. The carry and deploy bag system of claim 6, wherein the
multiplicity of waves or ridges are formed on both sides of the
tear-away cover flap.
8. The carry and deploy bag system of claim 1, wherein a majority
of a length of one or both sides of the holster are closed with a
hook-and-loop material to permit the holster to be pulled open.
9. The carry and deploy bag system of claim 1, wherein an inner
surface of the gooseneck is formed of a low friction material.
10. The carry and deploy bag system of claim 1, wherein an inner
surface of the holster is formed of a low friction material.
11. The carry and deploy bag system of claim 1, wherein an inner
surface of the lumbar pouch is formed of a low friction
material.
12. The carry and deploy bag system of claim 1, wherein the lumbar
pouch comprises a tubular body having a first end and a second end,
each of the first and second ends being releasably closable.
13. The carry and deploy bag system of claim 1, wherein the
holster, the lumbar pouch and the connecting gooseneck are
configured such that they can each be separated from each other in
order to clear a rope jam.
14. A carry and deploy bag system comprising: a holster for housing
a controlled descent device and an anchor; a rope pouch for
receiving a rope that is securable to the controlled descent device
and the anchor; and a connecting gooseneck extending 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; wherein the holster comprises an anchor hook holding
mechanism configured to hold the anchor hook at an angle with
respect to vertical.
15. The carry and deploy bag system of claim 14, wherein the angle
is five to forty-five degrees with respect to vertical.
16. The carry and deploy bag system of claim 15, wherein the angle
is ten to forty degrees with respect to vertical.
17. The carry and deploy bag system of claim 16, wherein the angle
is fifteen to twenty-five degrees with respect to vertical.
18. The carry and deploy bag system of claim 14, further comprising
a bottomless pocket configured to receive a tip of the anchor
hook.
19. The carry and deploy bag system of claim 14, further comprising
a tear-away cover flap secured to the holster with at least one
fold in order to make the tear-away cover flap easier to grab.
20. The carry and deploy bag system of claim 14, wherein the
holster comprises one or more retaining straps configured to attach
to an underside of a tear-away cover flap.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 13/084,312, filed on Apr. 11, 2011, and also
claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.
61/372,454, filed on Aug. 10, 2010, both of which are incorporated
by reference herein in their entireties for all purposes.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] 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
[0003] 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
[0004] An embodiment of the invention is a multi-part bag system
designed to hold a firefighter's bailout gear.
[0005] A carry and deploy bag system according to embodiments of
the present invention includes a holster for housing a controlled
descent device and an anchor; a rope pouch for receiving a rope
that is securable to the controlled descent device and the anchor;
and a connecting gooseneck extending 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; wherein
the holster comprises a tear-away cover flap that can be opened and
disconnected from the holster in one motion.
[0006] Another carry and deploy bag system according to embodiments
of the present invention includes a holster for housing a
controlled descent device and an anchor; a rope pouch for receiving
a rope that is securable to the controlled descent device and the
anchor; and a connecting gooseneck extending 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; wherein
the holster comprises an anchor hook holding mechanism configured
to hold the anchor hook at an angle with respect to vertical.
[0007] 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
[0008] FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of a multi-part bag system,
according to embodiments of the present invention.
[0009] FIG. 2 illustrates side perspective view of a tear-away
cover flap attached to a top of a holster, according to embodiments
of the present invention.
[0010] FIG. 3 illustrates a front view of a holster with cover flap
raised, according to embodiments of the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 4 illustrates a front view of a holster with cover flap
raised, according to embodiments of the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of a gooseneck rope
conduit, according to embodiments of the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 6 illustrates a front perspective view of an inside of
a holster, according to embodiments of the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 7 illustrates a front view of a holster cover flap,
according to embodiments of the present invention.
[0015] While the invention is amenable to various modifications and
alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of
example in the drawings and are described in detail below. The
intention, however, is not to limit the invention to the particular
embodiments described. On the contrary, the invention is intended
to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling
within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended
claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] A system according to embodiments of the present invention
may include one or more of the following characteristics and/or
features: [0017] A multi-part bag system to carry bailout gear that
can be field-stripped and disassembled to clear a rope jam. [0018]
A bag system that has substantially all of the parts that contact
rope covered with a material such as Teflon fabric to reduce
friction, prevent jams and protect rope against high heat. [0019] A
holster that holds the controlled descent device that incorporates
a tear-away cover flap that can be opened and completely
disconnected from the holster in one motion. [0020] A holster that
holds the controlled descent device that incorporates one or more
retaining straps that attach to the under-side of the cover flap.
[0021] A holster that holds an anchor hook at an angle to
facilitate grasping the anchor hook and reducing the profile.
[0022] A holster that secures the sharp tip of an anchor hook in
such a way that the sharp tip does not rip or tear the holster
material. The holster incorporates a bottomless pocket to secure
the tip of the hook. The bottomless pocket prevents the hook from
ripping the pocket. [0023] A holster with a cover flap that
incorporates a multiplicity of waves or ridges designed to improve
tactile feel and facilitate grasping the flap with wet, cold or
burned fingers. [0024] Is a pouch with a cover flap that is easy to
grab.
[0025] Embodiments of the present invention may by used by
firefighters, though some embodiments of the invention may be
useful to those who wear gloves or mittens that reduce dexterity.
Ribs 702 on one or both sides of the flap make it easy to grab with
heavy wet gloves.
[0026] Embodiments of the present invention may provide certain
benefits in the context of firefighting, according to embodiments
of the present invention. However, anyone who carries a personal
vertical escape and rescue system may find similar benefits.
[0027] The multi-part bag system 100 according to embodiments of
the present invention can be field stripped and completely
disassembled, mid-descent if necessary, to clear any sort of rope
jam. The multi-part design also makes it easy to use connecting
pieces--for example the rope conduit gooseneck--of different length
to accommodate firefighters of different girth, according to
embodiments of the present invention. Three such goosenecks 106,
108, 110 are shown in FIG. 1. A multi-part bag system where in the
rope bag 102 is essentially a tube sealed on one or both ends with
a material such as Velcro.RTM. that can be opened and closed by the
user makes it much easier to pack rope tightly, quickly and
compactly so that it will deploy without twists or kinks, according
to embodiments of the present invention.
[0028] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the
bag system 100 has rope-contacting parts that contact rope which
are made of a low-friction material such as Teflon fabric. This
low-friction material facilitates rope deployment. Without it,
increased friction in the gooseneck may in some cases cause the
rope to get stuck. A low-friction material in the rope bag 102, for
example, allows rope that is "stuffed" to deploy smoothly without
twists or kinks because it allows rope to untwist as it is pulled
from the bag.
[0029] The holster 104 according to embodiments of the present
invention has a tear-away cover flap 302 that can be opened and
disconnected in one motion. This makes it faster and easier for a
firefighter to access bailout equipment, according to embodiments
of the present invention.
[0030] The holster 104 according to embodiments of the present
invention includes retaining straps 304, 306 that connect to the
under-side 308 of the cover flap 302. Retaining straps 304, 306
keep bailout equipment secure inside the holster 104 and prevent
premature or accidental deployment of the gear. When these straps
304, 306 are fastened to the underside 308 of the cover flap 302,
they are out of the way and less likely to snag as a firefighter
goes about his work. Attaching these cover straps 304, 306 to the
cover flap 302 in the manner indicated allows them to easily
disengage when the cover flap is opened.
[0031] A holster 104 according to embodiments of the present
invention may hold the anchor hook 310 at an angle. The most
advantageous place to grasp an anchor hook 310 is by the portion of
the anchor hook 310 that transitions from the curve to the straight
shaft. Grasping too far onto the curve or too far onto the straight
shaft makes it difficult to position the hook 310 so that it will
drive into a wall. If the hook 310 is positioned in the holster 104
so that the straight shaft 312 is vertical, then the portion of the
hook 310 that is most naturally grasped is the curved portion of
the hook 310. If the hook 310 is positioned in the holster 104 so
that the straight shaft 312 is horizontal, then the portion of the
hook 310 that is most naturally grasped is the straight shaft 312.
Positioning the hook 310 so that it is between ten and forty-five
degrees from vertical (with vertical being a substantially up-down
direction from the nominal orientation of FIG. 3) in a manner that
tips the point 314 of the hook down presents the transition area of
the hook 310 to be most naturally grasped.
[0032] A holster 104 according to embodiments of the present
invention secures the tip 314 of the anchor hook in a bottomless
pocket 316. The tip 314 of a firefighter's anchor hook 310 is sharp
and can easily tear the material of the bag that holds it. The
bottomless-pocket 316 secures the tip 314 of the anchor hook 310 so
that the tip 314 is not in contact with the holster bag 104 and the
holster bag 104 is therefore not in jeopardy of being torn.
[0033] A holster 104 according to embodiments of the present
invention includes a cover flap 302 that incorporates a
multiplicity of waves or ridges 702. A firefighter's hands can be
burned or frozen when a bailout emergency occurs. A holster flap
302 with a multiplicity of waves or ridges 702 makes it easier for
numb fingers to find the appropriate part of the flap to pull.
Also, the three-dimensional waves or ridges 702 reduce the
compression necessary by fingers to prevent fingers from slipping
against the material of the flap. And, the waves or ridges 702
provide tactile feedback to the user to indicate that fingers are
slipping over the surface, which the user can then use to squeeze
the flap more vigorously to prevent slipping.
[0034] As illustrated in FIG. 1, a three-part bag system according
to embodiments of the present invention may include a rope bag 102,
a connecting gooseneck 106, and holster 104. In some cases the
gooseneck 106 is made so that it can fasten and unfasten,
reversibly to the rope bag 102 and holster 104, but also so the
gooseneck 106 can be opened completely. FIG. 5 illustrates
gooseneck 106 being opened partially. The gooseneck 106 may be a
tube that is fastened on one of the long seems with a material such
as Velcro that allows the gooseneck 106 to be opened completely to
clear a rope jam. The rope bag 102 is designed so that it can be
opened at either end. This allows the user to open either end to
pull out rope to clear a rope jam. According to some embodiments of
the present invention, the rope bag may optionally be opened
completely by using a material such as Velcro along one of the long
seems. The holster 104 is designed with a cover flap 302 that can
optionally be removed completely, according to embodiments of the
present invention. Once the cover flap 302 is opened, the front of
the holster 104 can be ripped down so that the entire bag lays flat
or substantially flat; this is illustrated in FIG. 6. In some
embodiments the bag can be opened completely flat. In some
embodiments the bag is not closed by more than one inch when opened
to maximum. In some embodiments the bag is closed by not more than
two inches when opened to maximum.
[0035] Bag system 100 may have parts which contact rope made of a
low-friction material such as Teflon fabric. The coefficient of
friction of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene may also be
suitable, though the melt temperature of UHMWP is less than ideal
in some situations.
[0036] A holster 104 according to embodiments of the present
invention may include a tear-away cover flap 302 that can be opened
and disconnected in one motion. The cover flap 302 of this
embodiment is folded over and attached on the "wrong side" to the
top of the holster with Velcro as shown in FIG. 2. The shear force
to pull off the cover flap when it is attached in this manner is
less than half of what it would be if the extra fold were not put
into the top of the cover flap, according to embodiments of the
present invention. The result is that pulling up on the cover flap
302 of the holster 104 makes it easy to open the holster and
entirely remove the cover flap.
[0037] The holster 104 has retaining straps 304, 306 that connect
to the under-side 308 of the cover flap 302, according to
embodiments of the present invention. The retaining straps 304, 306
of this embodiment are sewn to the back side of the holster 104 and
then wrap around the side of the holster that has the protruding
carabiner, as illustrated in FIG. 3. Rather than then attaching to
the front side of the holster 104, the free end of the retaining
straps 304, 306 of this embodiment fasten with a material such as
Velcro to the under-side 308 of the cover flap 302 rather than to
the main body of the holster 104. This method allows the retaining
straps 304, 306 to be disengaged when the cover flap 302 is
opened.
[0038] As described above, the holster 104 may be configured to
hold the anchor hook 310 at an angle. Some embodiments feature an
anchor hook 310 angle of five to forty-five degrees from vertical
with the tip 314 of the hook 310 angled downwardly, as illustrated
in FIG. 3. Some embodiments feature an angle of ten to forty
degrees. Some embodiments feature an angle of fifteen to
twenty-five degrees.
[0039] The holster 104 may secures the tip 314 of the anchor hook
310 in a bottomless pocket 316, according to embodiments of the
present invention. This "bottomless pocket" may be a pocket with a
either no bottom or a bottom that is substantially deeper than it
is possible for the tip 314 of the hook to penetrate into the
pocket. An easy way to make a bottomless pocket is simply to attach
a piece of webbing to the holster leaving an un-sewn gap (for
example along the top edge) for the tip 314 of the hook 310.
[0040] The holster 104 may include a cover flap 302 that
incorporates a multiplicity of waves or ridges 702. The portion of
the cover flap 302 designed to be grasped to open the holster 104
can contain a single or plurality of parallel, concentric or random
ridges or protrusions 702 that facilitate grasping and pulling or
lifting of the flap 302. The ridges 702 can be on either or both
sides of the flap 302, according to embodiments of the present
invention. A "negative ridge" or "indent" functions the same as a
"positive ridge" because the point is to create contrast for
fingers and palm to feel, according to embodiments of the present
invention. Ridge or protrusion effectiveness is determined by
amplitude, wavelength and shape. Amplitude is defined as the
difference between the base material and the height or depth of the
ridge or protrusion. Wavelength is defined as the distance between
amplitude crests or troughs. Shape is defined by the cross-section
of the ridge or protrusion. A singular ridge or protrusion is less
effective than a correctly designed plurality of ridges or
protrusions 702. A ridge is most effective when it is substantially
perpendicular to the user's fingers as the user grabs the flap. The
effective amplitude for a ridge or protrusion is 0.25 mm to 13 mm
in some embodiments, is 2 mm to 10 mm in other embodiments, and is
4 mm to 7 mm in other embodiments. Frequency is a function of
amplitude. The effective frequency is 1.times. to 10.times. the
amplitude in some embodiments, is 2.times. to 7.times. in some
embodiments, and is 3.times. to 5.times. in some embodiments. One
effective shape has a profile that has one or more acute angles.
Another factor that affects the ability of a user to grab a flap is
the flexibility of the part of the flap that is grasped. Stiffer is
better when the size of the portion of the flap to be grasped is
small relative to the size of the user's hand, according to
embodiments of the present invention.
[0041] Specific ways to create these ridges 702 include, without
limitation: (1) gathering and sewing small flaps of fabric to
create ridges or protrusions on either or both sides of the flap,
(2) sewing pieces of cord or rope into the flap so that the rope
creates a ridge on either or both sides of the flap (the rope
diameter used to create ridges can be as large as 12.5 mm or as
small as 2 mm), and/or (3) attaching an extruded profile that has
ridges or protrusions on either or both sides of the flap.
[0042] FIG. 1 illustrates the Teflon-line rope storage bag 102 at
left. This bag 102 is a tube closed at each end with Velcro. The
straps 112 protruding from the rope bag 102 are used to attach the
rope bag to the user's harness. The connecting, Teflon-lined
gooseneck 106 is in the middle. Two goosenecks 108, 110 of other
lengths are below. The gooseneck 106 is attached to the rope bag
102 and the holster 104 with Velcro. The holster 104 containing the
controlled descent device and anchor hook is at the right.
Protruding from the right side of the holster is the carabiner 114
used to attach the controlled descent device to the user's
harness.
[0043] FIG. 2 illustrates how the tear-away cover flap 302 is
attached at the top of the holster 104. The cover flap 302 is the
portion with the reflective tape and logo. Note the extra fold in
the way it is attached with Velcro to the top of the holster 104.
The back edge of the cover flap 302 has been deliberately torn
slightly off of the holster 104 to show how it is attached.
[0044] FIG. 3 shows the inside 308 of the holster 104. Note the
"bottomless pocket" 316 that holds the sharp tip 314 of the anchor
hook 310. Note the angle of the hook 310 in the holster 104--it is
rotated sixteen degrees from vertical with the tip 314 of the
anchor hook 310 rotated down. Note the two retaining straps 304,
306 on the right edge of the holster 104. These straps attach with
Velcro to the under-side 308 of cover flap 302.
[0045] FIG. 4 is another illustration showing the holster 104 with
the cover flap 302 raised. Note the angle of the anchor hook 310,
which is set at sixteen degrees with the point 314 of the hook 310
rotated down.
[0046] FIG. 5 illustrates the gooseneck 106. Note that it opens on
three sides to lay flat, which allows it to be completely opened in
case of a rope jam. Note the Teflon lining on the inside of the
gooseneck 106.
[0047] FIG. 6 illustrates the inside of the holster 104. The cover
flap 302 is at right. Note how the bag can be field-stripped and
opened so the controlled descent device can be pulled out.
[0048] FIG. 7 shows the grab-portion 702 of the cover flap 302 on
the holster 104. Note the waves or ridges 702 on the lower portion
that make the cover flap 302 easier to grab.
[0049] 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 described features.
Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to
embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as
fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents
thereof.
* * * * *