Strap Apparatus and Method for Carrying A Firefighter's Personal Protective Equipment

Abstract

A strap apparatus for carrying a firefighter's personal protective equipment comprised of: a strap with a first end and a second end; a buckle for temporarily securing the first and second ends of the strap; at least one integrated loop integrated into the strap; at least one retaining ring, each permanently integrated into the strap and adapted to receive the personal protective equipment; at least one release ring non-permanently secured to the strap and adapted to receive the personal protective equipment; and a handle that a user to carry the strap apparatus. The strap apparatus can further include a shoulder harness and include an additional strength or water-resistant layer.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/838,410, filed on 17 Aug. 2006 and incorporated herein in its entirety.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates generally to the field of storing and transporting protective clothing, gear, and equipment, and in particular to a strap or belt apparatus to which such clothing and equipment can be secured and supported during storage or transport of firefighting equipment.

BACKGROUND

In many professions, individuals, such as firefighters, are required to use specialized clothing, equipment, and gear in engaging in the activity or in performance of their duties, and to transport such items from one location to another. Traditionally, firefighters have used duffel bags to store their firefighting gear, which cannot aerate wet and/or smokey gear. Firefighters also have difficulty accessing gear stored in a duffel bag.

The term “firefighter's personal protective equipment” (PPE), as used herein, shall refer to a helmet, face piece, coat, boots, pants, gloves, hood, flashlight, cutting tools, carabiners, and any other protective gear, clothing, supplies, paraphernalia, materials, or equipment commonly used by firefighters.

The term “strap,” as used herein, shall generally refer to an elongated strip or tubular webbing. A strap may also be made of any man-made or natural material capable of being formed into a strap.

The term “retaining ring,” as used herein refers to any type of metal, plastic, leather, string, cable, cord, webbing, or other ring or loop capable of being used to hold objects, including combinations thereof. Retaining rings are a permanent part of the strap apparatus and may also include loops secured with fasteners or other configured or molded structures of any material capable of being formed into a closed loop through which a strap, another loop, a hook, rope, or clothing may be drawn.

The term “release ring,” as used herein refers to any type of metal, plastic, leather, string, cable, cord, webbing rings, or other ring(s) capable of being opened and closed to hold objects, including combinations thereof. A release ring may also be a loop secured with a fastener or other configured or molded structure of any material capable of forming a closed loop through which a strap, another loop, a hook, rope, or clothing may be drawn. A release ring may include, but is not limited to, a metal ring which may be opened or closed by a clasp, spring, screw, gate, or other device, a carabiner, a key ring, a dog leash hook, or any other type of loop or hoop structure made of any material.

The term “integrated loop” shall generally refer to a configuration of a strap to form the appearance of a loop or aperture, held in place by sewing, gluing, molding, soldering, melting, or any other method of securing a loop structure in a strap, including combinations thereof.

The term “buckle” shall generally refer to a device capable of joining or connecting two ends or portions of a strap.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top view of one exemplary embodiment of the strap apparatus showing a sample configuration of sewn integrated and metal loops.

FIG. 2 is a side view of one embodiment of the strap apparatus, to which protective equipment has been secured.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of one embodiment of a method for securing protective equipment to the strap apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the present invention, references are made in the text hereof to embodiments of a strap apparatus and method of using same, only some of which are depicted in the figures. It should nevertheless be understood that no limitations on the scope of the invention are thereby intended. One of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that modifications such as the dimensions, size, and shape of the components, alternate but functionally similar materials from which the strap apparatus is made, and the inclusion of additional elements are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the written description do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Some of these possible modifications are mentioned in the following description. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one of ordinary skill in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed apparatus or manner.

It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. In addition, in the embodiments depicted herein, like reference numerals in the various drawings refer to identical or near identical structural elements.

Moreover, the term “substantially” or “approximately” as used herein may be applied to modify any quantitative representation that could permissibly vary without resulting in a change in the basic function to which it is related. For example, one embodiment of the strap apparatus is disclosed herein as including a shoulder strap to allow the strap apparatus to hang approximately to a user's hip. The shoulder strap might permissibly be somewhat shorter or longer to allow the strap assembly to hang either above or below the user's hip and still be within the scope of the invention if its functionality is not materially altered.

Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a top view of one (1) embodiment of strap apparatus 100. As can be appreciated, strap apparatus 100 is comprised of strap 101, several integrated loops 102, a buckle comprised of insertion member 103 and receiving member 104, retaining rings 108, release rings 110, and carrying handle 105. In the embodiment shown, strap 101 is approximately sixty-four inches (64″) long and two inches (2″) wide and is made of a double layer of heavy-weight nylon webbing. Such a construction allows strap apparatus 100 to be strong enough and have sufficient space to carry protective clothing, gear, and equipment (as described in detail infra). However, it should be understood that alternate embodiments of strap 110 can be one inch (1″) wide, one and one half inches (1½″) wide, or any other width that provides sufficient strength to support the firefighter's PPE as well as be made of a light-weight webbing. It should also be understood that strap 100 may also be made of plastic, fabric, metal, lycra, polyester, polypropylene, cotton, poly-cotton blend, seat belt material, dive belt material, wool, metal chain, cable wire, hemp, leather, rubber or other elastomeric material, inner tube material, or any other man-made or natural material known and used in the art, including combinations thereof and may also be constructed of a single or multiple layers. Also in the embodiment shown, strap 101 is colored black. However, in alternate embodiments of strap apparatus 100, strap 101 can have any color, combination of colors, or patterns, including yellow, orange, or hunter red to indicate safety, color combinations to represent a sports team, striped, camouflaged, paisley, or any other color or pattern, including combinations thereof. In addition, strap 101 can include words, including the owner's name, the firefighting unit (e.g., house number), promotional advertisement, or any other words, letters, or numbers, including combinations thereof. In addition, integrated loop(s) 102, carrying handle 105, and/or shoulder harness 107 (all described in detail infra) can also include the words, letters, numbers, colors, and patters provided.

In other embodiments, strap 101 may further include an additional layer (not shown). Such an additional layer can provide additional strength to strap apparatus 100 and/or waterproofing or water-resistance. However, an additional layer solely for waterproofing or water-resistance would not be necessary if the material chosen (as listed above or other) is already waterproof and/or water-resistant.

Also shown in the embodiment of strap apparatus 100 of FIG. 1 are integrated loops 102. In the embodiment shown, integrated loops 102 are integrally sewn right in to strap 101 and are made of the same material as the material from which strap 101 is made. However, integrated loops 102 can be made of any of the same materials from which strap 101 can be made and need not be of the same material as strap 101, nor need each integrated loop 102 be made of the same material. That is, alternate embodiments of strap apparatus 100 can include one (1) or more integrated loops 102 made of one (1) material and one (1) or more integrated loops 102 be made of another material. In addition, it should be understood that any number of integrated loops 102 could be integrated into strap 101. Finally, it should be understood that integrated loops 102, in addition to being sewn to strap 101, can be secured to strap 101 by any mechanism, including but not limited to snaps, buttons, rivets, or a hook and latch mechanism, including combinations thereof. The term “integrated” is used herein to refer collectively to any permanent or semi-permanent securing mechanism.

Also visible in FIG. 1 is a buckle, comprised of insertion member 103 and receiving member 104. The buckle allows strap 101 to be closed in to a circular shape, increasing the stability and ease of carrying strap apparatus 100 when holding the protective equipment (not shown; see FIG. 2). In the embodiment shown, insertion member 103 and receiving member 104 are made of plastic and mate to lock together such that when insertion member 103 is squeezed, insertion member 103 can be removed from receiving member 104. It should be understood, however, that other buckles can be used that temporarily secure the two (2) ends of strap 101 to each other.

Also visible in the embodiment of strap apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1 are retaining rings 108. Retaining rings 108 provide an additional point to which the protective equipment can be secured to strap 101 of strap apparatus 100, but cannot be removed from strap 101. In the embodiment shown, strap apparatus 100 has two (2) retaining rings 108, each secured to strap 101 by passing through one (1) integrated loop 102. In the embodiment shown, each retaining ring is made of the same material from which strap 101 is made, but may alternately be made of any alternate and functional similar material, including any type of metal, plastic, leather, string, cable, cord, webbing rings, or other ring(s) capable of holding objects. Retaining ring 108 may also be a loop secured with a fastener or other configured or molded structure of any material capable of forming a closed loop through which a strap, another loop, a hook, rope, or clothing may be drawn. It should be understood that every embodiment of strap apparatus 100 need not include retaining rings 108 or could have fewer or a greater number of retaining rings 108.

Also visible in the embodiment of strap apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1 are release rings 110. Release rings 110 function like retaining rings 108, but be removed from strap 101. In the embodiment shown, retaining rings 108 are each a carabiner. However, alternate embodiments of release rings 110 may alternately be, but are not limited to, a metal ring which may be opened or closed by a clasp, spring, screw, gate, or other device, a key ring, a dog leash hook, or any other type of loop or hoop structure made of any material. It should be understood that every embodiment of strap apparatus 100 need not include release rings 110 or could have fewer or a greater number of release rings 108.

Also visible in the embodiment of strap apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1 is carrying handle 105. Carrying handle 105 allows strap apparatus to be lifted and carried. In the embodiment shown, carrying handle 105 is sewn directly to strap 101 and made of the same material as strap 101, but can be made of any of the same alternate materials from which strap 101 can be made and need not be made of the same material as strap 101 in any particular alternate embodiment of strap apparatus 100. Moreover, carrying handle 105, like strap 101, can further include an additional layer to provide additional strength and/or waterproofing or water-resistance and can be secured to strap 101 by any mechanism, including but not limited to snaps, buttons, rivets, or a hook and latch mechanism, including combinations thereof.

Finally shown in the embodiment of strap apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1 is shoulder harness 107. Shoulder harness 107 can be permanently or temporarily secured to strap 101 at any point, but in the embodiment shown, shoulder harness 107 is intended to be secured to release rings 110 to allow it to be removed as necessary. Shoulder harness 107 allows the user of strap apparatus 100 to hang or carry strap apparatus 100 and keep both hands free. In the embodiment shown, shoulder harness 107 is longer than the distance between retaining rings 108 to allow strap apparatus 100 to hang over the user's shoulder to approximately the user's hips. However, shoulder harness 107 can be of almost any length. In the embodiment of strap apparatus 100 shown, shoulder harness is made of the same material as strap 101, but can be made of any of the alternate materials from which strap 101 can be made and can include an additional layer to provide additional strength and/or waterproofing or water-resistance to strap apparatus 100.

FIG. 2 is a side view of one (1) embodiment of strap apparatus 100. In the embodiment shown, strap apparatus 100 is intended for use by a firefighter and to which firefighter protective equipment has been secured. As can be seen in FIG. 2, the protective clothing includes boots 201, helmet 202, and rain jacket 203. In the embodiment shown, boots 201 are secured to strap apparatus 100 via release rings 110, helmet 202 is secured to strap apparatus 100 via retaining ring 108, and rain jacket 203 is secured to strap apparatus 100 via integrated loop 102. However, it should be understood that each element of protective equipment could be secured to strap apparatus 100 via any of the various engagement members, i.e., integrated loops 102, retaining rings 108, and release rings 110. In addition, the protective equipment that can be temporarily secured to strap apparatus 100 can also include masks, face pieces, gloves, and other types of protective clothing as well as flashlights, cameras, measuring or recording equipment, carrying cases, supplies, or other types of safety equipment, all collectively referred to herein as “protective equipment.” As can be appreciated, insertion member 103 has been attached to receiving member 104 to form strap apparatus 100 into a closed loop, allowing strap apparatus 100 to be carried by hand. Also visible in FIG. 2 is shoulder harness 107, which allows strap apparatus 100 to be carried over the shoulder and without the need of hands, though FIG. 2 shows strap apparatus 100 being carried by hand 50 grasping shoulder harness 107 (rather than over the user's shoulder).

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of one (1) embodiment of method 300 for securing protective equipment to the strap apparatus. Method 300 includes the steps of placing the strap apparatus on the ground 301, placing the boot soles on the strap apparatus 302 so that the strap catches in the heels of the boots, placing a folded coat lengthwise between the boots 303, sliding the insertion member of the buckle through the boot loops or stirrups and attaching it to the receiving member of the buckle 304, hooking the boots to a release ring 305, hooking the helmet to a release ring 306, securing any other equipment to other retaining rings or release rings 307, and hooking the shoulder harness to the strap 308. This allows all protective equipment to be secured to the strap apparatus and be readily accessible to the user. However, it should be understood that with less or other types of protective equipment, additional, alternate, or fewer steps would be required. In addition, although the steps are numbered sequentially and FIG. 3 shows the steps as being in a particular order, it should be understood that the steps need not be performed in any particular order and that some steps could permissibly be performed simultaneously without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

While the strap apparatus for carrying protective equipment has been shown and described with respect to several embodiments and uses in accordance with the present invention, it is to be understood that the same is not limited thereto, but is susceptible to numerous changes and modifications as known to a person of ordinary skill in the art, and it is intended that the present invention not be limited to the details shown and described herein, but rather cover all such changes and modifications obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprised of:

a strap, said strap having a first end and a second end;

a buckle, said buckle temporarily securing said first end of said strap to said second end of said strap;

at least one integrated loop integrated into said strap;

at least one retaining ring, each of said at least one retaining ring permanently integrated into said strap and adapted to receive said protective equipment;

at least one release ring, each of said at least one release ring non-permanently secured to said strap and adapted to receive said protective equipment; and

a handle, said handle allowing a user to carry said apparatus;

wherein said apparatus is adapted to temporarily support and carry a firefighter's personal protective equipment.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said firefighter's personal protective equipment is selected from a group consisting of a helmet, a face piece, a coat, boots, pants, gloves, a hood, a flashlight, one or more cutting tools, and one or more carabiners.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said strap, each of said at least one integrated loop, and said handle are made of a material selected from a group consisting of nylon, nylon webbing, plastic, fabric, metal, metal chain, lycra, polyester, polypropylene, cotton, poly-cotton blend, seat belt material, dive belt material, wool, cable wire, hemp, leather, rubber, elastomeric material, inner tube material, and combinations thereof.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said strap, each of said at least one integrated loop, and said handle are made of a waterproof or water-resistant material.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of said at least one integrated loop is secured to said strap by a process selected from a group consisting of sewing, gluing, molding, soldering, riveting, melting, and combinations thereof.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of said at least one retaining ring and each of said at least one release ring are made of a material selected from a group consisting of metal, plastic, leather, string, cable, cord, webbing, and combinations thereof.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said apparatus is further includes a shoulder harness, said shoulder harness secured to said apparatus.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said strap, said at least one integrated loop, and said handle further include an additional layer, said additional layer providing at least one feature selected from a group consisting of additional strength, water-resistance, and water proofing.

9. An apparatus for carrying a firefighter's personal protective equipment comprised of:

a strap, said strap having a first end and a second end;

a buckle, said buckle temporarily securing said first end of said strap to said second end of said strap;

at least one integrated loop integrated into said strap;

at least one retaining ring, each of said at least one retaining ring permanently integrated into said strap and adapted to receive said personal protective equipment;

at least one release ring, each of said at least one release ring non-permanently secured to said strap and adapted to receive said protective equipment;

a handle, said handle allowing a user to carry said apparatus; and

a shoulder harness, said shoulder harness secured to said apparatus,

wherein said apparatus is adapted to temporarily support and carry said personal protective equipment.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said firefighter's personal protective equipment is selected from a group consisting of a helmet, a face piece, a coat, boots, pants, gloves, a hood, a flashlight, one or more cutting tools, and one or more carabiners.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said strap, each of said at least one integrated loop, and said handle are made of a material selected from a group consisting of nylon, nylon webbing, plastic, fabric, metal, metal chain, lycra, polyester, polypropylene, cotton, poly-cotton blend, seat belt material, dive belt material, wool, cable wire, hemp, leather, rubber, elastomeric material, inner tube material, and combinations thereof.

12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said strap, each of said at least one integrated loop, said handle, and said shoulder harness are made of a waterproof or water-resistant material.

13. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein each of said at least one integrated loop is secured to said strap by a process selected from a group consisting of sewing, gluing, molding, soldering, riveting, melting, and combinations thereof.

14. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein each of said at least one retaining ring and each of said at least one release ring are made of a material selected from a group consisting of metal, plastic, leather, string, cable, cord, webbing, and combinations thereof.

15. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said strap, said at least one integrated loop, and said handle further include an additional layer, said additional layer providing at least one feature selected from a group consisting of additional strength, water-resistance, and water proofing

16. An apparatus for carrying a firefighter's personal protective equipment comprised of:

a strap, said strap having a first end and a second end;

a buckle, said buckle temporarily securing said first end of said strap to said second end of said strap;

at least one integrated loop integrated into said strap;

at least one retaining ring, each of said at least one retaining ring permanently integrated into said strap and adapted to receive said personal protective equipment, said personal protective equipment selected from a group consisting of a helmet, a face piece, a coat, boots, pants, gloves, a hood, a flashlight, one or more cutting tools, one or more carabiners, and combinations thereof.

at least one release ring, each of said at least one release ring non-permanently secured to said strap and adapted to receive said personal protective equipment

a handle, said handle allowing a user to carry said apparatus; and

a shoulder harness, said shoulder harness adapted to be secured to said apparatus;

wherein at least one of said at least one integrated loop, said handle, and said shoulder harness are made of a waterproof or water-resistant material.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said strap, each of said at least one integrated loop, and said handle are made of a material selected from a group consisting of nylon, nylon webbing, plastic, fabric, metal, metal chain, lycra, polyester, polypropylene, cotton, poly-cotton blend, seat belt material, dive belt material, wool, cable wire, hemp, leather, rubber, elastomeric material, inner tube material, and combinations thereof.

18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said strap, each of said at least one integrated loop, said handle, and said shoulder harness are made of a waterproof or water-resistant material.

19. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein each of said at least one integrated loop is secured to said strap by a process selected from a group consisting of sewing, gluing, molding, soldering, riveting, melting, and combinations thereof.

20. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein each of said at least one retaining ring and each of said at least one release ring are made of a material selected from a group consisting of metal, plastic, leather, string, cable, cord, webbing, and combinations thereof.

21. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said strap, said at least one integrated loop, and said handle further include an additional layer, said additional layer providing at least one feature selected from a group consisting of additional strength, water-resistance, and water proofing.