Abstract: A full body emergency descent system (EDS) for incorporating into a firefighter's coat and pants set outside the interior heat protective barrier liner for said coat and pants to enable safe descent from elevated heights in an emergency. The EDS includes: a panel housing a section of continuous flame resistant rope wrapped vertically between a plurality of horizontally extending elastic loops. The panel also includes a pair of chest straps stored in the coat interior until needed and left and right leg straps with buckles that connect to matching buckles in the lower coat interior for forming a full body harness with both upper and lower harness portions.

Abstract: A full body emergency descent system (EDS) for incorporating into the coat and pants of a firefighter, outside the protective interior liners for same, to allow for safe escape from elevated heights. The EDS includes: a panel housing flame resistant rope or cable into the coat with a pair of chest straps, and a pair of leg straps having lower buckles that can be fastened through pocket accesses to buckle connectors extending from each of a pair of leg loops incorporated into the pants thus forming a full body harness. The EDS further includes a purposefully designed control descent rack in and through which the rope/cable is wound and a friction braking handle.

Abstract: A full body emergency descent system (EDS) for incorporating into the coat and pants of a firefighter for allowing for safe escape from elevated heights. The EDS includes: a panel housing flame resistant rope or cable into the coat, outside of its internal protective liner, with a pair of chest straps, and leg straps having lower buckles that can be fastened through pocket accesses to buckle connectors extending from each of a pair of leg loops incorporated into the pants to form a full body harness. The EDS further includes a purposefully designed control descent rack in and through which the rope/cable is wound and a friction braking handle. Preferred embodiments further incorporate a drag strap loop.

Abstract: A tactical descent system harness adapted for wearing to rapidly descend from a height of twenty to several hundred feet by moving a wearer's shoulders forward to slow or completely stop descent and by moving the wearer's shoulders backward to allow for a faster controlled descent. The harness includes a rack having a plurality of apertures through which an elongated section of line is threaded and then stored in a bag for positioning on a lower rear section of the harness. In addition, the harness includes a braking strap located on a rear of the harness, attached at both ends with a strap of webbing that passes under each of the wearer's arm and to each front upper shoulder strap.

Abstract: An emergency descent system for use by an individual to effect escape from a building or other elevated structure. The system comprises: an upper vest component for securing about the individual's chest, said vest component including an integral rack; a lower component for securing about both upper legs of the individual; and an elongate section of rope for securing at one end to a fixture on the structure from which the individual can effect gradual descent along said rope as it frictionally engages with the integral rack of the upper vest component. A method of use is also disclosed.

Abstract: An industrial safety harness for allowing a distressed worker to lower him or herself from a distance at least six feet above ground. The harness comprises adjustable belt sections for the worker's upper chest, waist and upper thighs. In a grommet strap on the left shoulder of this harness, there is stored a brake pin guide and shortened brake pin and secondary brake strap. A triangular shaped panel for the worker's back holds a smaller diameter, lighter weight safety line, at least about 40 feet in length. One preferred line, made from Aramid®, passes through a modified delta cross brake that includes a Kevlar® component with a brake line guide that prevents line twisting. The improved brake applies frictional pressure from different directions at the same time.

Abstract: A full body emergency descent system (EDS) for incorporating into the coat and pants of a firefighter for allowing for safe escape from elevated heights. The EDS includes: a panel housing flame resistant rope or cable into the coat with a pair of chest straps that store away until needed and fasten together when needed; a pair of leg straps incorporated into the pants, said leg straps connecting to said chest straps through pocket accesses to form a full body harness. The EDS further includes a purposefully designed control descent rack in and through which the rope/cable is wound and a friction braking handle. Preferred embodiments further incorporate a drag strap loop.

Abstract: A lightweight safety harness comprises adjustable belt sections for the upper chest, waist and upper thighs. In one of two shoulder straps, there is stored a primary release pin and secondary brake strap. The shoulder straps criss-cross to form a soft, triangular shaped panel on the harness wearer's back. A spine brace divides that triangle in two. Near the top of that spine brace is a rack. A long nylon rope serpentines back-and-forth, between sets of elastic loops running down opposed legs to the triangular panel before being threaded through the rack in a preferred pattern. At the base of that triangular panel, there is attached one end to a reserve suspension relief strap (RSRS). A cover extends the triangular panel but can be removed for inspection before every use.

Abstract: A lightweight safety harness comprises adjustable belt sections for the upper chest, waist and upper thighs. In one of two shoulder straps, there is stored a primary release pin and secondary brake strap. The shoulder straps criss-cross to form a soft, triangular shaped panel on the harness wearer's back. A spine brace divides that triangle in two. Near the top of that spine brace is a rack. A long, thin composite rope serpentines back-and-forth, between sets of elastic loops running down opposed legs to the triangular panel before being threaded through the rack in a preferred pattern. At the base of that triangular panel, there is attached one end to a reserve suspension relief strap (RSRS). A cover extends the triangular panel but can be removed for inspection before every use.

Abstract: A lightweight safety harness comprises adjustable belt sections for the upper chest, waist and upper thighs. In one of two shoulder straps, there is stored a primary release pin and secondary brake strap. The shoulder straps criss-cross to form a soft, triangular shaped panel on the harness wearer's back. A spine brace divides that triangle in two. Near the top of that spine brace is a rack having at least one aperture wrapped with Kevlar® webbing. A long nylon rope serpentines back-and-forth, between sets of elastic loops running down opposed legs to the triangular panel before being threaded through the rack in a preferred pattern. At the base of that triangular panel, there is attached one end to a reserve suspension relief strap (RSRS). A cover extends the triangular panel but can be removed for inspection before every use.

Abstract: A lightweight safety harness comprises adjustable belt sections for the upper chest, waist and upper thighs. In one of two shoulder straps, there is stored a primary release pin and secondary brake strap. The shoulder straps criss-cross to form a soft, triangular shaped panel on the harness wearer's back. A spine brace divides that triangle in two. Near the top of that spine brace is a rack having at least one aperture wrapped with Kevlar® webbing. A long, thin composite rope serpentines back-and-forth, between sets of elastic loops running down opposed legs to the triangular panel before being threaded through the rack in a preferred pattern. At the base of that triangular panel, there is attached one end to a reserve suspension relief strap (RSRS). A cover extends the triangular panel but can be removed for inspection before every use.

Abstract: An emergency descent system for use by an individual to effect escape from a building or other elevated structure. The system comprises: an upper vest component for securing about the individual's chest, said vest component including an integral rack; a lower component for securing about both upper legs of the individual; and an elongate section of rope for securing at one end to a fixture on the structure from which the individual can effect gradual descent along said rope as it frictionally engages with the integral rack of the upper vest component. A method of use is also disclosed.

Abstract: A lightweight safety harness comprises adjustable belt sections for the upper chest, waist and upper thighs. In one of two shoulder straps, there is stored a primary release pin and secondary brake strap. The shoulder straps criss-cross to form a soft, triangular shaped panel on the harness wearer's back. A spine brace divides that triangle in two. Near the top of that spine brace is a rack having at least one aperture wrapped with Kevlar® webbing. A long, thin composite rope serpentines back-and-forth, between sets of elastic loops running down opposed legs to the triangular panel before being threaded through the rack in a preferred pattern. At the base of that triangular panel, there is attached one end to a reserve suspension relief strap (RSRS). A cover extends the triangular panel but can be removed for inspection before every use.

Abstract: A lightweight safety harness comprises adjustable belt sections for the upper chest, waist and upper thighs. In one of two shoulder straps, there is stored a primary release pin and secondary brake strap. The shoulder straps criss-cross to form a soft, triangular shaped panel on the harness wearer's back. A spine brace divides that triangle in two. Near the top of that spine brace is a rack having at least one aperture wrapped with Kevlar® webbing. A long nylon rope serpentines back-and-forth, between sets of elastic loops running down opposed legs to the triangular panel before being threaded through the rack in a preferred pattern. At the base of that triangular panel, there is attached one end to a reserve suspension relief strap (RSRS). A cover extends the triangular panel but can be removed for inspection before every use.

Abstract: A Tree Stand Safety Belt device prevents a person (wearer/user) from falling out of a tree stand used for viewing or hunting wildlife. When properly positioned and securely attached, the device of this invention maintains substantially continuous contact of the wearer's back to a tree trunk. This contact not only provides a physical barrier to moving; that sense of contact also protects its wearer/user from experiencing height disorientation and possibly losing their balance. The device is designed for its wearer to use in either a sitting or standing position.

Abstract: A lightweight safety harness comprises adjustable belt sections for the upper chest, waist and upper thighs. In one of two shoulder straps, there is stored a primary release pin and secondary brake strap. The shoulder straps criss-cross to form a soft, triangular shaped panel on the harness wearer's back. A spine brace divides that triangle in two. Near the top of that spine brace is a rack having at least one aperture wrapped with Kevlar® webbing. A long, thin composite rope serpentines back-and-forth, between sets of elastic loops running down opposed legs to the triangular panel before being threaded through the rack in a preferred pattern. At the base of that triangular panel, there is attached one end to a reserve suspension relief strap (RSRS). A cover extends the triangular panel but can be removed for inspection before every use.

Abstract: A lightweight safety harness comprises adjustable belt sections for the upper chest, waist and upper thighs. In one of two shoulder straps, there is stored a primary release pin and secondary brake strap. The shoulder straps criss-cross to form a soft, triangular shaped panel on the harness wearer's back. A spine brace divides that triangle in two. Near the top of that spine brace is a rack having at least one aperture wrapped with Kevlar® webbing. A long nylon rope serpentines back-and-forth, between sets of elastic loops running down opposed legs to the triangular panel before being threaded through the rack in a preferred pattern. At the base of that triangular panel, there is attached one end to a reserve suspension relief strap (RSRS). A cover extends the triangular panel but can be removed for inspection before every use.

Abstract: A Tree Stand Safety Belt device prevents a person (wearer/user) from falling out of a tree stand used for viewing or hunting wildlife. When properly positioned and securely attached, the device of this invention maintains substantially continuous contact of the wearer's back to a tree trunk. This contact not only provides a physical barrier to moving; that sense of contact also protects its wearer/user from experiencing height disorientation and possibly losing their balance. The device is designed for its wearer to use in either a sitting or standing position.

Abstract: In a system having a fluid filter that is automatically backwashed each time the differential pressure thereacross reaches a predetermined value, the desired base rate at which the drop across the filter should increase during its initial filtering sequence (i.e., before backwash) is determined and stored in digital format in a process controller along with a preset maximum differential pressure at which backwash is set to occur. During use of the filter the actual rate of change of the pressure drop thereacross is monitored continuously and compared with the rate that is stored in the controller. Whenever the actual rate of change of the pressure drop across the filter differs from the base rate, which is the usual case, the present backwashing pressure is automatically adjusted--usually downwardly. This reduction continues until the actual drop across the filter finally reaches the adjusted value of the preset backwashing pressure, at which time backwashing of the filter is automatically commenced.