CARRY AND DEPLOY BAG SYSTEM

Abstract

A carry and deploy bag includes a holster for accommodating a controlled descent device and anchor, a lumbar pouch for accommodating a rope securable to the controlled descent device and the anchor, and a connecting gooseneck that extends between the holster and the lumbar pouch. The connecting gooseneck protects the rope as it runs through the connecting gooseneck from the lumbar pouch to the holster.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/322,732, filed Apr. 9, 2010 entitled “DESCENT SYSTEM AND METHOD,” which application is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

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

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

In some embodiments, the present invention pertains to a carry and deploy bag system that is configured to accommodate a controlled descent device, an anchor and a rope that is securable to the controlled descent device and the anchor. The carry and deploy bag system includes a holster configured to accommodate the controlled descent device and the anchor, a lumbar pouch that is configured to accommodate the rope, and a connecting gooseneck that extends between the holster and the lumbar pouch.

In some embodiments, the present invention pertains to a system that includes a controlled descent device and an anchor, a holster for the controlled descent device and the anchor, a rope secured to the controlled descent device and the anchor, a lumbar pouch to hold the rope, a connecting gooseneck 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.

In some embodiments, some or all of the lumbar pouch, the holster and/or the gooseneck is formed with an low friction inner surface. For example, in some embodiments, parts of the descent system may be formed of polytetrafluoroethylene-impregnated fabric. In some embodiments, the descent system is adapted to be rigged and carried for either right or left side deployment by a user. In other words, the system is optionally reversibly rigged to extend on either side of the user.

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 shows a carry and deploy bag system with a holster in an open position and an anchor and a controlled descent device deployed from the holster, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 2 shows the carry and deploy bag system of FIG. 1 with the holster in a closed position, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a portion of the carry and deploy bag system of Figure, according to some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows an illustrative carry and deploy bag system 10 in accordance with some embodiments of the invention. The carry and deploy bag system 10 is configured to accommodate a controlled descent device 12, an anchor 14, and a rope 18. In some embodiments, the system 10 may be considered as including the controller descent device 12, the anchor 14 and the rope 18. The carry and deploy bag system includes a holster 16 for the controlled descent device 12 and anchor 14, a rope 18 secured to the controlled descent device 12 and the anchor 14, a lumbar pouch 20 to hold the rope 18, a connecting gooseneck 22 between the holster 16 and the lumbar pouch 20 that covers the rope 18 as it runs through the connecting gooseneck 22 from the lumbar pouch 20 to the holster 16. In FIG. 2, the holster 16 is shown in a closed state while in FIG. 1 the holster 16 is shown in an open state with the controlled descent device 12 and the anchor 14 removed from the holster 16.

The controlled descent device 12 (also described as a payout control) is adapted to receive the rope 18 and control the payout rate, or speed at which the rope passes through the descent device 12. Some examples of suitable descent devices are sold under the trade names “DEUS 3100”; “DEUS 3200”; “DEUS 3300”; “DEUS 3700,” available from DEUS Rescue, located at 4 West Coach Road, Boulder, Colo. 80302.

In some embodiments, the anchor 14 is a hook or other implement suitable for anchoring the rope 18 during descent of one or more users (e.g., a fireman and an unconscious person). In some embodiments, the rope 18 is of a type typically used in emergency or recreational descent activities.

In some embodiments, the holster 16 is formed as a pouch or pocket of material that has a generally closed lower perimeter 24, an open top 25 with a releasably closable cover flap 26, a first closable seam 27, and a second closable seam 28. The first and second closable seams 27, 28 include fastening means 29 on the inner surface of the holster 16 (the fastening means 29 are generally hidden from view, but designated by dashed boxes). The fastening means 29 are optionally hook and loop fastener material (sometimes sold under the trade name “VELCRO”), or any of a variety of other fastening means such as snaps, buttons, pressure sensitive adhesives, or others. As subsequently described, one of the first and second closable seams 27, 28 is opened to receive the gooseneck 22 and then closed onto the gooseneck 22 to secure the gooseneck 22 to the holster 16, according to some embodiments. The back side (not shown) of the holster 16 includes belt loops or other means for securing the holster 16 to a user. The holster 16 is generally worn on a front or side (e.g., hip) of a user.

In some embodiments, at least the inner surface (not shown) of the holster 16 is characterized as being low friction. For example, in some embodiments at least the inner surface of the holster 16 is formed of polytetrafluoroethylene-impregnated fabric. In some embodiments, the holster 16 may be formed of a polymeric material such as NYLON® or KEVLAR®. The material used for the holster 16 is optionally a woven matrix of polytetrafluoroethylene strands, incorporate a polytetrafluoroethylene coating, or be extruded of polytetrafluoroethylene, for example. While polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is particularly advantageous (e.g., due to low friction coefficients and high temperature ratings), it is contemplated that other low friction materials and/or coatings may be employed as appropriate. In some embodiments, having a low friction inner surface considerably reduces the friction that might otherwise occur between the rope and the material that is in contact with the rope.

In some embodiments, the lumbar pouch 20 (also described as a back bag, for example) is formed as a tube of material that extends between a first end 30 and a second end 32 and defines a front side 34 and a back side. On the interior of the pouch 20, each of the first and second ends 30, 32 includes fastening means 38, represented schematically by white boxes in FIG. 1. In some embodiments, the fastening means 38 include hook and loop fastener material (sometimes sold under the trade name “VELCRO”) with complementary portions located on the front and back sides, respectively, of the pouch 20. In some embodiments, the back side of the pouch 20 includes belt loops or other means for securing the pouch 20 to a user. The pouch 20 is generally worn on a back (e.g., lumbar region) of a user). In some embodiments, the pouch 20 may instead take other forms, as long as it can accommodate the rope 18. For example, the pouch 20 may instead be formed as a backpack.

In some embodiments, at least the inner surface (not shown) of the pouch 20 is characterized as being low friction. For example, in some embodiments at least the inner surface of the pouch 20 is formed of polytetrafluoroethylene-impregnated fabric. In some embodiments, the pouch 20 may be formed of a polymeric material such as NYLON™ or KEVLAR®. The material used for the pouch 20 is optionally a woven matrix of polytetrafluoroethylene strands, incorporate a polytetrafluoroethylene coating, or be extruded of polytetrafluoroethylene, for example. While polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is particularly advantageous (e.g., due to low friction coefficients and high temperature ratings), it is contemplated that other low friction materials and/or coatings may be employed as appropriate. In some embodiments, having a low friction inner surface considerably reduces the friction that might otherwise occur between the rope and the material that is in contact with the rope.

As subsequently described, one of the first and second ends 30, 32 is closed using the fastening means 38, and the rope 18 is loaded (e.g., stuffed) into the open end of the pouch 20 in such a manner that the rope 18 will not twist and bind upon payout from the pouch 20. Generally, the rope 18 is stuffed into the pouch 20 from the same end that it will be removed, or paid out, though embodiments where the rope 18 is otherwise loaded are contemplated. As subsequently described, incorporation of two openable and releasably closable ends 30, 32 in the pouch 20 helps provide the ability to configure the system 10 for left side or right side use. While the first and second ends 30, 32 are described as being closed using hook and loop fasteners, in other embodiments one or both of the ends 30, 32 include other fastening means such as snaps, buttons, pressure sensitive adhesives, or others are employed.

In some embodiments, the connecting gooseneck 22 is formed as a flap of rectangular material folded over onto itself and releasably secured together using fastening means 40 to form an open-ended, tubular body 42 extending from a first end 44 to a second end 46. For example, the flap is optionally releasably secured together using fasteners (e.g., hook and loop fasteners) or any of the other fastening means previously-referenced. As a result, the connecting gooseneck 22 can easily be field stripped to clear a rope jam, simply by opening the aforementioned flap. In other embodiments, the tubular body 42 is more permanently secured, for example by sewing a piece of material to form the tubular body 42 or by extruding the tubular body 42, for example, or via other methods. In some embodiments, the back side of the gooseneck 22 includes belt loops or other means for securing the gooseneck 22 to a user, though in other embodiments is not directly attached to the user. The gooseneck 22 is generally wrapped around a side of a user from back to front. If desired, the gooseneck 22 is optionally oriented with the closed end facing upwardly or downwardly as desired such that the gooseneck 22 can be easily opened and the rope 18 can be pulled quickly out from the gooseneck 22 should unwanted twisting or other need arise. In embodiments in which the pouch 20 takes the form of a backpack, the gooseneck 22 may be configured to extend around the wearer's waist or perhaps over their shoulder.

In some embodiments, at least the inner surface (not shown) of the tubular body 42 is characterized as being low friction. For example, in some embodiments at least the inner surface of the tubular body 42 is formed of polytetrafluoroethylene-impregnated fabric. In some embodiments, the tubular body 42 may be formed of a polymeric material such as NYLON™ or KEVLAR®. The material used for the tubular body 42 is optionally a woven matrix of polytetrafluoroethylene strands, incorporate a polytetrafluoroethylene coating, or be extruded of polytetrafluoroethylene, for example. While polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is particularly advantageous (e.g., due to low friction coefficients and high temperature ratings), it is contemplated that other low friction materials and/or coatings may be employed as appropriate. In some embodiments, having a low friction inner surface considerably reduces the friction that might otherwise occur between the rope and the material that is in contact with the rope.

In some embodiments, the first and second ends 44, 46 of the tubular body 42 tube have fastening means 48 (e.g., hook and loop fastener material) on the outside surface of the tubular body 42 to attach to complementary fastening means (e.g., hook and loop fastener material) on the interiors of the pouch 20 and holster 16 (e.g., fastening means 29, 38 of the holster 16 and pouch 20, respectively).

Some methods of assembling the system 10 include closing one of the first and second ends 30, 32 of the pouch 20 and using the fastening means 38 and stuffing, or loading the rope 18 into the open end of the pouch 20. In the example that follows, the rope 18 is delivered into the first end 30 to achieve a right hand configuration, but it should be understood that a left hand configuration is achieved going from the opposite end of the pouch 20 using a mirror image approach. In this example, the rope 18 is stuffed into the first end 30 of the pouch 20. A portion of the rope 18 is left free or pulled out from the first end 30 of the pouch 20 and received through the tubular body 42 of the gooseneck 22 (in other embodiments, the gooseneck 22 is simply folded over the rope 18 and secured together). The second end 46 of the gooseneck 22 is inserted into the first end 30 of the pouch 20 and the fastening means 48 at the second end 46 is secured with the fastening means 38 at the first end 30 of the pouch 20. The rope 18 is received through the second closable seam 28 of the holster 16 and the first end 44 of the gooseneck 22 is secured to the holster 16 using the fastening means 29, 48 at the interface between the gooseneck 22 and the holster 16. The anchor and 14 and controlled descent device 12 are secured to the rope 18 as desired. The anchor 14 and the controlled descent device 12 are then received in the holster 16 and the releasably closable cover flap 26 is closed. In order to accomplish a left side configuration, the goose neck 22 is secured to the opposite side of the pouch 20 and the controlled descent device 12 is secured to the opposite end of the gooseneck using the respective fastening means.

Some methods of using the system 10, include a user (e.g., a firefighter) opening the holster 16, reaching inside and taking out the anchor 14 that has been pre-attached to the rope 18, attaching the anchor 14 to a substantial object (e.g., a part of a building), and then bailing out. The portion of the rope 18 stored in the pouch 20 passes through the gooseneck 22 under low friction contact and passes through and out of the open top of the holster 16. The controlled descent device 16 is optionally pre-rigged to the end of the rope 18 next to the anchor 14 and is also optionally pre-rigged to a harness worn by the user.

From the foregoing, various inventive aspects should be understood including separate, reversible pieces including appropriate fastening means for either left or right side oriented use. In other words, the system 10 is optionally interchangeably rigged and carried for either right or left side deployment. Additionally, due to the tubular shape and/or closed top, some embodiments of the lumbar pouch 20 encourage users to stuff the rope 18 into the pouch 20 for non-tangling payout. Some embodiments also promote low drag/friction payout through the gooseneck 22.

In some embodiments, the system 10 is configured such that each of the holster 16, the lumbar pouch 20 and the gooseneck 22 may be separated in the field if it becomes necessary to clear a rope jam. In some embodiments, the system 10 is configured such that the individual components may be field-assembled in a left-hand or right-hand configuration, depending on the preferences of the wearer.

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 above described features.

Claims

1. A carry and deploy bag system comprising:

a holster for housing a controlled descent device and an anchor;

a lumbar 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, the gooseneck, and the lumbar pouch are interchangeably connectable in a right side configuration or a left side configuration.

2. The carry and deploy bag system of claim 1, wherein an inner surface of the gooseneck is formed of a low friction material.

3. The carry and deploy bag system of claim 1, wherein an inner surface of the holster is formed of a low friction material.

4. The carry and deploy bag system of claim 1, wherein an inner surface of the lumbar pouch is formed of a low friction material.

5. The carry and deploy bag system of claim 1, wherein an inner surface of the gooseneck includes polytetrafluoroethylene.

6. The carry and deploy bag system of claim 1, wherein an inner surface of the holster includes polytetrafluoroethylene.

7. The carry and deploy bag system of claim 1, wherein an inner surface of the lumbar pouch includes polytetrafluoroethylene.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. A system comprising:

a controlled descent device;

an anchor;

a holster for housing the controlled descent device and an anchor;

a rope secured to the controlled descent device and the anchor;

a lumbar pouch for receiving the rope; 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, the gooseneck, and the lumbar pouch are interchangeably connectable in a right side configuration or a left side configuration.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein an inner surface of the gooseneck is formed of an low friction material.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein an inner surface of the holster is formed of a low friction material.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein an inner surface of the lumbar pouch is formed of a low friction material.

14. The system of claim 10, wherein an inner surface of the gooseneck includes polytetrafluoroethylene.

15. The system of claim 10, wherein an inner surface of the holster includes polytetrafluoroethylene.

16. The system of claim 10, wherein an inner surface of the lumbar pouch includes polytetrafluoroethylene.

17. The system of claim 10, 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.

18. The system of claim 10, 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.

19. Means for descending including a holster for a controlled descent device and anchor, a lumbar pouch for maintaining a length of rope, and a connecting gooseneck extending between the holster and the lumbar pouch that receives the rope as it runs through the connecting gooseneck from the lumbar pouch to the holster.