FIREFIGHTER HARNESS

Abstract

A firefighter harness can be worn as a belt. If a situation arises that leg loops are desired, the firefighter harness includes a front pouch that can be ripped open to release the leg loops. The leg loops may each be fastened around the appropriate leg and clipped together via standard quick- connect buckles.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/322,758, filed Apr. 9, 2010 entitled “FIREFIGHTER HARNESS,” which application is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to firefighting equipment and more particularly to firefighter safety equipment.

BACKGROUND

In some instances, firefighters use safety equipment such as a firefighter harness. In some cases, firefighter harnesses may be difficult to put on, uncomfortable to wear and do not include the features useful in rescuing an unconscious firefighter.

SUMMARY

The disclosure pertains to a firefighter harness that is very easy to put on and comfortable to wear. In some embodiments, the firefighter harness is worn as a belt that can be put on simply by clipping a buckle. In some embodiments, the firefighter harness is a step-through harness. In either case, if a situation arises that leg loops are desired, the firefighter harness includes a front pouch that can be ripped open to release the leg loops. The leg loops may each be fastened around the appropriate leg and clipped together via standard quick-connect buckles. In some embodiments the front pouch may be opened and the leg loops may be released and connected in a short period of time, in some cases in less than about ten seconds.

It will be appreciated that since in some embodiments the firefighter harness is put on as a belt, it is easy to attach the firefighter harness to an unconscious firefighter or civilian. The belt may be laid out on the ground, perpendicular to the victim and at the victim's waist level. The victim may be rolled onto the belt and the buckle may secured. Subsequently, the front pouch may be opened and the leg loops may be released from the pouch and secured around each of the victim's legs. In some embodiments, if the firefighter harness is configured as a step-through harness, the harness may be secured about the wearer's waist by snugging up one or more quick adjustment mechanisms prior to opening the front pouch and releasing the leg loops.

In some embodiments, the firefighter harness may be pre-rigged with a controlled descent system. The pouch holding the leg loops may be designed such that a front attachment loop of the firefighter harness may be easily accessible. As a result, in some cases, the controlled descent system, if included, may be attached to the front attachment loop before the leg loops are released and connected. Other travel restraint equipment may also be attached to the front attachment loop without having the leg loops released and connected.

In some embodiments, the firefighter harness may be equipped with webbing loops that can be used as haul loops and/or as accessory gear loops. If used as haul loops, the webbing loops may be large enough and positioned appropriately to permit a rescuer to grab one or both of the loops and pull an unconscious firefighter to safety. If used as accessory gear loops, the webbing loops may, for example, be sized to slip an axe handle through. In some cases, the webbing loops may be rated for as much as 5000 pounds.

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 provides a front view of an illustrative firefighter harness prior to deployment.

FIG. 2 provides a rear view of the firefighter harness of FIG. 1, shown prior to deployment.

FIG. 3 provides a front view of the firefighter harness of FIG. 1, shown after deployment.

FIG. 4 provides a rear view of the firefighter harness of FIG. 1, shown after deployment.

FIG. 5 provides a front view of an illustrative firefighter harness prior to deployment.

FIG. 6 provides a disassembled front view of the firefighter harness of FIG. 5, shown after deployment.

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

The disclosure pertains to a firefighter harness that can be worn as a belt. If a situation arises that leg loops are desired, the firefighter harness includes a front pouch that can be ripped open to release the leg loops. The leg loops may each be fastened around the appropriate leg and clipped together via standard quick-connect buckles.

FIG. 1 shows an illustrative firefighter harness 10 shown deployed on a mannequin. The firefighter harness 10 includes a webbed belt 12 and a front pouch 14 that may extend at least partially about a front portion of the webbed belt 12. In some embodiments, the front pouch 14 may include a front flap 16 that may be secured to the front pouch 14 to form a compartment in which the leg loops may be stored.

The front pouch flap 16 may be releasably secured to the front pouch 14 using any desired fastening method. In some embodiments, the front pouch 14 may be held closed via hook-and-loop fasteners more commonly known as VELCRO®. In some embodiments, as illustrated, the front pouch 14 may include a webbed access loop 18 that is secured to the front flap 16 and that provides purchase to the individual wearing the firefighter harness 10 (or the individual securing the firefighter harness 10 to an unconscious victim) so that they can open the front flap 16.

In some embodiments, as illustrated, the front pouch 14 includes an aperture 20 that is sized and positioned to permit a front attachment loop 22 to extend through the aperture 20. This permits the front attachment loop 22, which is secured to the webbed belt 12, to be accessible regardless of whether the front flap 16 on the front pouch 14 is opened or closed. As noted above, this permits easy attachment of additional safety equipment such as a controlled descent system (not illustrated).

In some embodiments, as illustrated, the firefighter harness 10 may include additional connections points for other equipment. In some cases, the firefighter harness 10 may include a webbed loop 24 disposed on the wearer's right side of the firefighter harness 10 as well as a webbed loop 26 disposed on the wearer's left side. The firefighter harness 10 may also include metal loops 28 and 30, which may be used for attaching other equipment. The webbed loops 24 and 26 may be used either as haul loops or as accessory gear loops, as desired. In some embodiments, the webbed loops 24 and 26 may be large enough to permit a gloved hand to grasp the loops, but not so large that they can easily snag on protrusions.

In some cases, the webbed loops 24 and 26 may each independently have a length that is between about 2.5 inches and about 8 inches. In some cases, the webbed loops 24 and 26 may each independently have a length that is between about 3.5 inches and about 6 inches. In some cases, the webbed loops 24 and 26 may each independently have a length that is between about 4 and about 5 inches.

In some embodiments, the webbed loops 24 and 26 may extend outwardly from the webbed belt 12 so that a gloved hand can slip between the loops and the webbed belt 12. In some cases, the extension of each of the webbed loops 24 and 26 may be between about 0.5 inches and about 4 inches. In some cases, the extension of each of the webbed loops 24 and 26 may be between about 1 inch and about 3 inches. In some cases, the extension of each of the webbed loops 24 and 26 may be between about 1.5 inches and about 2 inches.

FIG. 2 shows a rear view of the firefighter harness 10. In FIG. 2, several additional features are visible. It can be seen that the webbed belt 12 includes a clippable buckle 32 that the wearer can use to easily attach or remove the firefighter harness 10. The webbed belt 12 also includes an adjustment region 34 that can be used to size the webbed belt 12 in accordance with the wearer's waistline. In some embodiments, the adjustment region 34 may be releasably secured (and thus adjustable) to the webbed belt 12 via hook-and-loop fasteners such as those commercially available under the VELCRO® name. In some embodiments, the webbed belt 12 may also include a third webbed loop 36.

FIG. 3 shows a front view while FIG. 4 shows a rear view of the firefighter harness 10, shown in a deployed configuration in which the leg loops have been released from the front pouch 12 and secured about the mannequin's legs. In particular, a leg loop 38 has been secured about the mannequin's right leg while a leg loop 40 has been secured about the mannequin's left leg. It can be seen that the leg loop 38 has a single attachment point 39 to the webbed belt 12 while the leg loop 40 has a single attachment point 41 to the webbed belt 12. This permits the leg loops 38 and 40 to be stored within the front pouch 14 and deployed when desired.

The leg loop 38 includes a longer portion 42 that extends from the attachment point 39 and wraps around the mannequin's right leg on the outside of the leg. A shorter portion 44 extends partially around on the inside of the leg and meets the longer portion 42. A quick-connect buckle 46 secures the longer portion 42 to the shorter portion 44. Similarly, the leg loop 40 includes a longer portion 48 that extends from the attachment point 41 and wraps around the mannequin's left leg on the outside of the leg. A shorter portion 50 extends partially around on the inside of the leg and meets the longer portion 48. A quick-connect buckle 52 secures the longer portion 48 to the shorter portion 50. The longer portion 42 (of leg loop 38) and the longer portion 48 (of leg loop 40) can be seen in FIG. 4.

FIG. 5 shows an illustrative firefighter harness 100. The firefighter harness 100 includes a webbed belt 112 and a front pouch 114 that may extend at least partially about a front portion of the webbed belt 112. In some embodiments, the front pouch 114 may include a front flap 116 that may be secured to the front pouch 114 to form a compartment in which the leg loops may be stored.

The front pouch flap 116 may be releasably secured to the front pouch 114 using any desired fastening method. In some embodiments, the front pouch 114 may be held closed via hook-and-loop fasteners more commonly known as VELCRO®. In some embodiments, as illustrated, the front pouch 114 may include a webbed access loop 118 that is secured to the front flap 116 and that provides purchase to the individual wearing the firefighter harness 100 so that they can open the front flap 116.

In some embodiments, as illustrated, the front pouch 114 includes an aperture 120 that is sized and positioned to permit a front attachment loop 122 to extend through the aperture 120. This permits the front attachment loop 122, which is secured to the webbed belt 112, to be accessible regardless of whether the front flap 116 on the front pouch 114 is opened or closed. As noted above, this permits easy attachment of additional safety equipment such as a controlled descent system (not illustrated).

In some embodiments, as illustrated, the firefighter harness 100 may include additional connections points for other equipment. In some cases, the firefighter harness 100 may include a webbed loop 124 disposed on one side of the firefighter harness 100 as well as a webbed loop 126 disposed on an opposing side of the firefighter harness 100. The firefighter harness 100 may also include metal loops 128 and 130, which may be used for attaching other equipment. The webbed loops 124 and 126 may be used either as haul loops or as accessory gear loops, as desired. In some embodiments, the webbed loops 124 and 126 may be large enough to permit a gloved hand to grasp the loops, but not so large that they can easily snag on protrusions. In some embodiments, the webbed belt 112 may also include a third webbed loop 136.

In some cases, the webbed loops 124 and 126 may each independently have a length that is between about 2.5 inches and about 8 inches. In some cases, the webbed loops 124 and 126 may each independently have a length that is between about 3.5 inches and about 6 inches. In some cases, the webbed loops 124 and 126 may each independently have a length that is between about 4 and about 5 inches.

In some embodiments, the webbed loops 124 and 126 may extend outwardly from the webbed belt 112 so that a gloved hand can slip between the loops and the webbed belt 112. In some cases, the extension of each of the webbed loops 124 and 126 may be between about 0.5 inches and about 4 inches. In some cases, the extension of each of the webbed loops 124 and 126 may be between about 1 inch and about 3 inches. In some cases, the extension of each of the webbed loops 124 and 126 may be between about 1.5 inches and about 2 inches.

In some embodiments, as illustrated, the firefighter harness 100 includes a first quick adjustment mechanism 160 and a second quick adjustment mechanism 162. The first and second quick adjustment mechanisms 160, 162 may be used to quickly snug up the firefighter harness 100. In some embodiments, as illustrated, a first belt 164 extends through the first quick adjustment mechanism 160 and a second belt 166 extends through the second quick adjustment mechanism 162. In some embodiments, a firefighter may have his or her pants tucked into their boots. When they receive a call, they jump into their boots and pull their pants up to their waist. The firefighter harness 100 may, for example, be loosely secured about their pants. Once they pull up their pants, they can tighten the firefighter harness 100 by pulling on the first belt 164 and the second belt 166.

FIG. 6 shows an expanded view of the firefighter harness 100, with the pouch 114 removed to better illustrate the individual components. As illustrated, a leg loop 138 and a leg loop 140 extend from the webbed belt 112. It can be seen that the leg loop 138 has a single attachment point 139 to the webbed belt 112 while the leg loop 140 has a single attachment point 141 to the webbed belt 112. This permits the leg loops 138 and 140 to be stored within the front pouch 114 and deployed when desired.

The leg loop 138 includes a longer portion 142 that extends from the attachment point 139 and is configured to wrap around the wearer's right leg on the outside of the leg. A shorter portion 144 is configured to extend partially around on the inside of the leg and meets the longer portion 142. A quick-connect buckle 146 secures the longer portion 142 to the shorter portion 144. Similarly, the leg loop 140 includes a longer portion 148 that extends from the attachment point 141 and is configured to wrap around the wearer's left leg on the outside of the leg. A shorter portion 150 is configured to extend partially around on the inside of the leg and meets the longer portion 148. A quick-connect buckle 152 secures the longer portion 148 to the shorter portion 150.

The firefighter harnesses 10 and 100 may be made of any desired material. In some embodiments, at least portions of the firefighter harnesses 10 and 100 are made of NYLON®. In some embodiments, at least portions of the firefighter harnesses 10 and 100 are made of KEVLAR®.

Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. 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.

Claims

1. A firefighter harness comprising:

a webbed belt configured to encircle a wearer's waist;

a pair of leg loops secured to the webbed belt; and

a front pouch configured to releasably store the pair of leg loops.

2. The firefighter harness of claim 1, further comprising a front attachment loop extending from the webbed belt, the front attachment loop being configured to be accessible even when the pair of leg loops are stored within the front pouch.

3. The firefighter harness of claim 1, further comprising webbed loops secured to the webbed belt, the webbed loops being configured to be suitable for use either as haul loops or as gear loops.

4. The firefighter harness of claim 1, wherein the webbed belt is configured as a belt-style harness.

5. The firefighter harness of claim 4, wherein the webbed belt comprises a buckle.

6. The firefighter harness of claim 1, wherein the webbed belt is configured as a step-through harness.

7. The firefighter harness of claim 6, wherein the webbed belt includes at least one quick adjustment mechanism configured to allow a user to quickly cinch up the firefighter harness.

8. A method of securing a firefighter harness having a belt and a front pouch storing a pair of leg loops, the method comprising steps of:

fastening the belt about a wearer's waist by buckling a buckle attached to the belt;

opening the front pouch to release the pair of leg loops; and

securing each of the pair of leg loops to a leg of the wearer.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the belt is fastened about the wearer's waist by rolling the wearer onto the belt.

10. A method of securing a firefighter harness having a belt including a quick adjustment mechanism and a front pouch storing a pair of leg loops, the method comprising steps of:

disposing the belt about a wearer's waist;

cinching up the belt by engaging the quick adjustment mechanism;

opening the front pouch to release the pair of leg loops; and

securing each of the pair of leg loops to a leg of the wearer.