Abstract: A harness for use with breathing apparatus has: a flexible hip plate 12 and a flexible bandolier-style shoulder panel 14, linked together by a strap 15, and a waist belt 16 fastenable by a sprung fastener. In use, the flexible hip plate 12 rests against the hip of a user (the left hip in this example), the waist belt is fitted around the waist of the user, and the shoulder panel 14 rests against the shoulder opposite to the hip against which the flexible plate is resting (the right shoulder in this example). At least the bandolier-style panel 14, and optionally also the hip plate 12 of the harness 10, are made of a resilient material which, though flexible, allows the harness substantially to retain its operational configuration even when not being worn.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for monitoring a wearer of a breathing apparatus, comprising a pressure detecting device and a mobile monitoring unit. The pressure detecting device comprises a pressure transducer arranged to detect a pressure of a gas supply of the breathing apparatus; and a wireless transmitter arranged to wirelessly transmit a preset number of ON signals when it is determined that the pressure of the gas supply has exceeded a predetermined on threshold. The mobile monitoring unit is arranged to be attached to the wearer and comprises a motion sensor arranged to monitor the motion of the wearer; an alarm; and a wireless receiver arranged to receive signals wirelessly transmitted by the wireless transmitter of the pressure detecting device.

Abstract: A harness 100 for breathing apparatus, comprising: a structural support member 102 having a fixing portion 10, and at least one strap 40 having a loop 42. The strap is arranged to be releasably attached to the structural support member. The fixing portion comprises a first slot 12 through which a portion of the strap is arranged to pass in use; and a first anchor member 16, 18 laterally spaced from the first slot extending in a direction substantially parallel to the first slot and arranged in use to releasably locate at least partly within the loop of the strap through a first side of the loop.

Abstract: A shoulder strap for a harness for breathing apparatus includes a first elongate strap portion generally extending along a first longitudinal axis; a second elongate strap portion attached to the first strap portion and generally extending along a second longitudinal axis that is oblique to the first axis; and a first attachment portion for attaching a first end of the shoulder strap to the harness in use and a second attachment portion for attaching a second end of the shoulder strap to the harness in use.

Abstract: A structural support member 10 for a harness 100 for breathing apparatus, the structural support member being generally elongate and arranged in use to support a cylinder of breathable gas and one or more components operatively associated with the breathing apparatus, wherein the structural support member comprises first and second parts 20, 30 defining therebetween a housing for retaining one or more of the components.

Abstract: A diaphragm for a lung demand valve, including a chemical, biological, radiological and/or nuclear (CBRN) layer which is sufficiently resistant to the permeation of at least some CBRN agents and a resilient layer which is resiliently deformable. The CRBN layer is arranged to restrict the permeation of at least some CBRN agents through the diaphragm, and the resilient layer is arranged to allow the diaphragm to be resiliently deformed.

Abstract: A case for an emergency escape breathing apparatus including a substantially rigid hollow shell defining a cylinder housing portion for retaining a cylinder of breathable gas and a delivery device housing portion for removably housing a delivery device for the breathable gas supplied by the cylinder. An access opening is provided which provides access to the interior of the delivery device housing portion through which a delivery device, such as a hood or mask, can be inserted and removed.

Abstract: A face mask (10) mechanically coupled to a lung demand valve (LDV) (12). The face mask (10) comprises a main mask and an inner mask (15) which fits over the wearer's mouth and nose. The interior of the inner mask (15) is in fluidic communication with the interior of the main mask (10) by means of non-return valves (16). The interior of the main mask is in fluidic communication with an inlet port (18) which is mechanically and fluidically coupled to a supply port (20) of an LDV. The LDV (12) includes a diaphragm and a cover (44) which comprises three parts (44a, 44b) and (44c). Exhaled air is used to flush the space around the diaphragm. Thus, any toxic or undesirable gas in the vicinity of the diaphragm is pushed out to atmosphere by the exhaled air flowing past and around the diaphragm.

Abstract: An adjustable harness 10 for a self contained breathing apparatus, a back plate 12, a sliding plate 16, a pair of shoulder straps 20, 22 and a belt 18. The sliding plate 16 can move longitudinally with respect to the back plate between the extended position and the un-extended position. Shoulder straps 20, 22 are fixed to an upper portion of the sliding plate and a belt 18 is fixed to a lower portion of the back plate. A valve 28 is provided at the bottom of the back plate 12 so that a cylinder of breathable gas connected to the valve may be retained by a retaining strap 13. Hoses 24, 26 are attached to the sliding plate 16, cross over in the region of the opening 14 and as such the side of the sliding plate 16 to which they are attached is different to the side of the valve 28 from which they leave. Guide channels 34 are shaped to retain the hoses 24, 26. The hoses 24, 26 fold and unfold within the confines of the plates 12, 16 to prevent snagging.

Abstract: A cylinder back plate includes a frame member 11 and a cylinder clamp 12 connected to the frame member 11 by means of a pivot 13. The cylinder clamp 12 comprises a band of rigid or semi-rigid material. The cylinder clamp 12 has a retaining position with respect to the frame member 11, wherein the cylinder clamp extends substantially perpendicularly to the plane of the frame member. The frame member 11 lies parallel to a back plate of the harness or is constituted by the back plate of the harness. Thus, when the cylinder clamp 12 is in the retaining position a cylinder can be retained securely to the frame member and sliding of the cylinder relative to the frame member or back plate can be prevented. When it is desired to attach a new cylinder to the harness, the cylinder clamp 12 can be pivoted into a loading position.

Abstract: A head-up display unit 10 comprises a microprocessor 30 which controls four light-emitting diodes (LEDs) which constitute the head-up display 20. The microprocessor 30 and LEDs 20 are powered by a battery 40 and a switch 50 is in series with the battery. A temporary store 60 in the form of a capacitor is in parallel with the battery 40 after the switch 50. A data receiver 32 is connected to the microprocessor 30 and communicates received data 34 to the microprocessor 30. The head-up display unit 10 is located in the face-mask 100 of a self contained breathing apparatus unit. The LEDs 20 are located in the periphery of the viewable region of the face-mask 100 so that they can be seen by the user when the face-mask is worn. The switch 50 comprises two conductive rubber strips which conduct current between them when sufficient pressure is applied. The switch 50 is located on a portion of the face-mask seal 102 such that when the face-mask 100 is worn i.e.

Abstract: A harness (10) for use with breathing apparatus comprises: a back plate (11); two support straps (13, 14), each of which extends between an upper part of the back plate and a lower part of the back plate, the two support straps being disposed on opposite sides of a central axis of the back plate (11); and a tension equalizing mechanism (15, 16; 30, 32) connected to the support straps and being arranged such that, when tension is applied to a first strap (13, 14) of the support straps, it acts to transfer the tension to the other, second strap (13, 14), thereby increasing the tension in the second strap, the tension equalizing mechanism being resiliently biased towards a neutral configuration.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a two-part device arranged for threaded assembly comprising a first part having a first threaded section provided on an external generally cylindrical surface and a second part having a second threaded section arranged for threaded engagement with the first threaded section and provided on an internal generally cylindrical surface. A locking opening is provided on the first or second part and a corresponding locking protrusion is provided on the other of the first or second part. When the first and second parts are threaded together by means of the first and second threaded sections, the locking opening and locking protrusion are drawn closer together and upon reaching a threshold the locking protrusion engages with the locking opening. This inhibits the first and second parts from being threadedly disengaged.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a strap 10 of flexible material for use with a harness for breathing apparatus, the strap comprising a core substrate 12 provided on first and second surfaces with a flame retardant layer 14, 16.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a harness for breathing apparatus, comprising a structural support member 10 having a front for accommodating a gas cylinder and a rear for facing the back of a wearer, and left and right sides. Left and right shoulder straps 110, 120 are disposed towards the left and right sides of the structural support member respectively, and each shoulder strap has a first end attached to an upper portion of the structural support member and a second end attached to a lower portion of the structural support member. A plurality of flexible conduits 140, 150 extend from a lower portion of the structural support member along the structural support member, each to a position on either the left or right shoulder strap. Left and right guide channels 30, 32 extend longitudinally along the structural support member along left and right sides respectively, for accommodating the flexible conduits.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a clip 70 for attaching to a strap 10 in order to hold a flexible conduit 60. The clip has a retaining part 72, for retaining the flexible conduit, and side parts 73, 75, one each side of the retaining part, for engaging the strap. The retaining part 73, 75 is arranged to hold the flexible conduit facing the strap when the clip is fitted to the strap. In use, the retaining part may be offset with respect to the width of the strap, so as to provide more space over the side part of the clip on one side than the other.