RESCUE EQUIPMENT BAG

Abstract

A rescue equipment bag and system is provided that is capable running multiple applications from a single rope while also allowing access to both ends of a rope. The rescue equipment bag comprises a primary bag and a secondary bag. The primary bag has a closed bottom and a selectively open top. The primary bag may also be provided with a single closure device for quickly opening or closing the selectively open top. The secondary bag has a closed bottom end and an open top end. The secondary bag is secured to the interior of the primary bag to form a first compartment and a second compartment. The secondary bag does not run the full depth of the primary bag. The secondary bag is provided with at least one attachment point, but preferably two or more attachment points. The rescue equipment system comprises a rescue equipment bag, rope and hardware.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present disclosure relates to a container configured to hold a particular article or set of articles or material, particularly a specially designed rescue equipment bag for rope and other hardware.

2. Description of Related Art

Search and rescue personnel are often required to perform rescue operations in a variety of different situations such as confined spaces, trenches, structural collapses, firefighter escape, tower work/rescue and so forth. Due to the challenging environmental and space constraints posed by these varying situations, personnel must frequently utilize rope and other hardware to construct anchoring, lowering and raising systems to ascend and descend the rope and safely package and attend to patients. These systems often serve as the only means to safely and effectively complete a rescue operation.

Ropes and hardware may become worn or damaged if exposed to outside elements, such as dirt and rocks. Since this equipment is often the only means to rescue a person, any wear or damage that reduces the integrity of the equipment has the potential to put an entire rescue operation at risk. Thus, it is imperative to safely store all rescue equipment to ensure the integrity of the equipment is not compromised.

To prevent wear and damage to rescue equipment, a variety of different rope bags have been designed to safely store and transport ropes and hardware. However, due to the varying equipment requirements and conditions posed by each rescue operation, often times rope bags are only designed to perform one particular type of operation. Thus, personnel are often required to have several different bags depending upon particular type of rescue operation.

In addition, rescue personnel often must be able to quickly and safely access both ends of the rope in very confining and demanding environments. The most prevalent bag for this situation is a double-ended rope bag that opens from both the top and bottom of the bag, which allows rescue personnel to access one end of a rope from the top of the bag and the other end of a rope from the bottom of the bag. However, there are problems associated with these bags. Most notably, the rope may escape from the bottom of the bag during movement, which may waste valuable time or compromise an entire rescue operation.

In light of the foregoing, a need exists for a more versatile rescue equipment bag and system capable of safely storing rescue equipment, allowing multiple applications to run from a single rope, providing a means to complete any rescue no matter the situation, and providing access to both ends of a rope while also eliminating the concern of rope escaping from the bottom end of the bag during movement.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of this invention is to provide a more versatile rescue equipment bag capable of allowing multiple applications to run from a single rope. A further object of this invention is to provide a rescue equipment bag that allows operators to effect any rope rescue (confined space, high angle, etc.) regardless of the situation such as inclement weather, night operations, combat operations, etc. Still a further object of this invention is to provide a rescue equipment bag capable of safely storing rescue equipment. Still a further object of this invention is to provide a rescue equipment bag that provides an operator access to both ends and mid-line section of a rope while eliminating the concern of rope escaping from the bottom end of the bag during movement. Additional objects and advantages of this invention shall become apparent in the ensuing descriptions of the invention.

Accordingly, a rescue equipment bag of this invention comprises a primary bag and a secondary bag. The primary bag has a closed bottom and a selectively open top. The primary bag may also be provided with a single closure device for quickly opening or closing the selectively open top. The secondary bag has a closed bottom end and an open top end. The secondary bag is smaller than the primary bag allowing it to fit inside the primary bag. The secondary bag is secured to the interior of the primary bag and preferably does not run the full depth of the primary bag. The secondary bag may be provided with attachment points, preferably two attachment points located near the top of the open top end of the secondary bag and configured to secure the ends of a rope. The rescue equipment bag further comprises at least one shoulder strap, preferably two shoulder straps, located on the exterior of the primary bag.

The foregoing has broadly outlined the features and technical advantages of the present invention in order for the following detailed description of the invention to be understood. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and specific embodiments disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention.

It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the invention, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIG. 1 shows a front-view of a preferred embodiment of a rescue equipment bag in accordance with this invention.

FIG. 2 shows a top-view of a preferred embodiment of a rescue equipment bag in accordance with this invention.

FIG. 3 shows a back-view of a preferred embodiment of a rescue equipment bag in accordance with this invention.

FIG. 4 shows a bottom-view of a preferred embodiment of a rescue equipment bag in accordance with this invention.

FIG. 5 shows a cut-away view of a preferred embodiment of a rescue equipment system in accordance with this invention.

FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of a rescue equipment system in accordance with this invention.

FIG. 7 shows a cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of a rescue equipment system in accordance with this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of a rescue equipment bag in accordance with this invention is shown generally in FIGS. 1 through 7 at 100. The rescue equipment bag 100 comprises a primary bag 101, a secondary bag 102, and at least one shoulder strap, but preferably two shoulder straps 103. The primary bag has a closed bottom 107 and a selectively open top 108. In a preferred embodiment, the primary bag 101 may be a pouch constructed from a front piece 104, a back piece 105, and a bottom piece 106. The front piece 104 is preferably substantially congruent to the back piece 105. The front piece 104, back piece 105, and bottom piece 106 are secured to together to form a primary bag 101 having a closed bottom 107 and a selectively open top 108. In an alternate embodiment, the primary bag 101 may be fabricated from a single unitary piece or from two substantially congruent pieces secured together to form a bag or a pouch. The pieces may be constructed of fabric and sewn together using double stitching. The fabric may be a strong resistant water proof fabric such as nylon 1200 denier but the fabric is not limited only to these materials. The fabric may be constructed of other suitable strong resistant natural and synthetic fibers or blends thereof.

The primary bag 101 may also be provided with a single closure device 109 configured for quickly opening or closing the selectively open top 108. The single closure device 109 is located substantially near the selectively open top 108. The rescue equipment bag may be provided with a protective layer 111 for covering the single closure device 109 and ensuring it is not exposed. In a preferred embodiment, the single closure device 109 is preferably a drawstring, but may be any conventional means such as a zipper, button, and so forth. The drawstring may be covered with the protective layer 111 thereby preventing the drawstring from catching on a snag, such as rocks, tree branches, etc., while scaling rock faces or hill sides.

The ends of the drawstring may be secured together by a clamp 112 to form a loop.

The drawstring may also be provided with a slidable clamp 113 configured to slide away and towards the clamp 112 near the end of the drawstring. The clamp 112 serves as a means for preventing the slidable clamp from disengaging the drawstring. As the slidable clamp 113 moves towards the clamp 112 located near the end of the drawstring, the drawstring may be loosened allowing the selectively open top 109 to open. As the slidable clamp 113 moves away from the clamp 112 located near the end of the drawstring, the drawstring may be tightened allowing selectively open top 108 to close. Alternatively, instead of securing the ends of the drawstring together with a clamp 112, the ends of the drawstring may be knotted or tied together to form a loop.

The rescue equipment bag may also include a grommet 114 for feeding rope through to facilitate deployment at both ends of the rescue bag when necessary. The grommet 114 may be located on the primary bag 101 near the closed bottom 108. Additional grommets may be provided on the primary bag 101 as necessary where additional securing locations are desired.

In a preferred embodiment, the internal dimensions of the primary bag 101 may be 21 inches by 19 inches by 19 inches to allow for approximately 61 meters of 11 millimeter rope to be stored comfortably and back coiled so that both ends are exposed to the operator when the bag is opened. However, the internal dimensions of the primary bag 101 are not limited to this size. The internal dimension of the primary bag 101 may be adjusted as necessary to comfortably store more or less rope. For example, the size of the primary bag 101 may be increased as necessary to comfortably store a greater length or diameter of rope. Conversely, the size of the primary bag 101 may be decreased as necessary to comfortably store a smaller length or diameter of rope.

The secondary bag 102 has a closed bottom end 123 and an open top end 124. The secondary bag 102 may be a pocket, which provides an area 126 for storing hardware, rope or other equipment. The secondary bag 102 is smaller than the primary bag 101 allowing it to fit inside the primary bag 101. The secondary bag 102 is secured to the interior of the primary bag 101 to form a first compartment 127 and a second compartment 128. The compartments 127, 128 formed may be substantially the same size. These two compartments 127, 128 along with storage area 127 of the secondary bag 102 provide the rescue equipment bag 100 with three areas for storing rope or hardware. As shown in FIG. 1, the secondary bag 102 is preferably secured to the primary bag 101 in such a manner that forms a common conduit between the first compartment 127 and a second compartment 128 in the interior of the primary bag 101, preferably at the bottom of the primary bag 101. In a preferred embodiment, the secondary bag 102 may not be as deep as the primary bag 101. In other words, the secondary bag 102 is preferably sized so it does not extend to the bottom the primary bag 101.

The secondary bag 102 may be secured near the center of the primary bag 101. In a preferred embodiment, the side seams of the secondary bag 102 are secured to the center of the interior of the primary bag 101 to create two compartments that are substantially the same size. In a preferred embodiment, the primary bag 101 may be split in the center by a 13 inch deep pocket. However, the internal dimensions of the secondary bag 102 are not limited to this size. The internal dimensions of the secondary bag 102 may be adjusted as necessary to comfortably store more or less rope and hardware.

In a preferred embodiment, the secondary bag 102 is formed by two pieces of fabric are secured to one another. The two pieces of fabric are preferably substantially congruent to one another and sewn together using double stitching. Alternatively, the secondary bag 102 may be fabricated from a single unitary piece of fabric to form a bag or a pocket. The fabric is preferably a strong resistant water proof fabric such as nylon 1200 denier but the fabric is not limited only to these materials. The fabric may be constructed of other suitable strong and resistant natural and synthetic fibers or blends thereof.

The rescue equipment bag also includes at least one attachment point, but preferably two or more attachment points 125a, 125b. The attachment points 125a, 125b may be provided on the secondary bag 102. The attachment points 125a, 125b are preferably located near the open top end 124 of the secondary bag 102 and may be located on opposite ends of the secondary bag 102. The attachment points are preferably secured to the interior of the secondary bag 102 near the open top end 124; however, the attachments points 125a, 125b may be located in any suitable location that is easily accessible when the selectively open top 108 of the primary bag 101 is opened. The attachment points 125a, 125b may be secured to the secondary bag 102 by any conventional means such as sewing, fusing, and so forth.

The attachments points 125a, 125b are configured to secure the ends of ropes. The attachment points 125a, 125b may comprise any conventional means such as loops, ties, and so forth. The attachment points 125a, 125b are preferably a strong resistant water proof fabric such as nylon 1200 denier but the fabric is not limited only to these materials. The fabric may be constructed of other suitable strong resistant natural and synthetic fibers or blends thereof.

The rescue equipment bag 100 has at least one shoulder strap, but preferably two shoulder straps 103, and may include a bag handle 122. The shoulder straps 103 may be provided with a cushioned section comprising a layer of fabric over padding. The shoulder straps 103 may be configured to secure equipment. In a preferred embodiment, the exterior surfaces of the shoulder straps may include an equipment attachment strip 116. The equipment attachment strip 116 may be secured to the exterior surface of the shoulder straps that faces away from the back piece 105. The equipment attachment strip 116 may longitudinally traverse the shoulder strap 103 and may be stitched along the width of the shoulder strap 103 at predetermined distances to create loops 117 for attaching equipment. The bag handle 122 may be secured to the primary bag, preferably near the top of the back piece 105. The bag handle may comprise an elongated strip of material. The material may be a strong resistant water proof fabric such as nylon 1200 denier but the material is not limited only to fabric. The material may be constructed of other any suitable strong resistant natural and synthetic fibers or blends thereof.

In a preferred embodiment, the top end 118 of the shoulder straps 103 may be secured near to the primary bag 101 near the top of the back piece 105. The shoulder straps 103 may be secured with a strip of fabric 120 stitched over the top end 118. The bottom end 119 of the shoulder strap may be secured near the bottom of the back piece 105. The shoulder straps 103 may also include side release buckles 121 for quickly and easily adjusting the length of the shoulder strap 103.

The rescue equipment bag 100 may also include a clear window pocket 126 for displaying a rope activity log. The clear pocket window 126 may be located anywhere on the primary bag 101 or secondary bag 102. In a preferred embodiment, the clear pocket window 126 may be located inside the primary bag 101 on the exterior of the secondary bag 102, which prevents the clear pocket window 126 from being exposed to the elements thereby reducing wear and tear to the rope activity log.

As shown in FIG. 5, another aspect of this invention is a rescue equipment system utilizing the rescue equipment bag 100 as disclosed herein, a rope, and hardware (not shown). In operation, an operator is provided with a rope and a rescue equipment bag 100. The operator locates the middle of the rope, ties a center knot in the rope at this location, and places the center knot in the secondary bag 102. Alternatively, the operator may clip the center knot onto the rescue equipment bag 100 rather than placing the center knot into the secondary bag 102. This will allow the operator the ability to know when he is at half rope during an execution of a rope rescue when rope length is critical. Hardware may be stored in the secondary bag 102.

The operator then back coils the first end of the rope into the first compartment 127 starting at the center knot and working towards the first end of the rope. The operator then back coils the second end of the rope into the second compartment 128 starting at the center knot and working towards the second end of the rope. The first end of the rope is secured to the first attachment point 125a, and the second end of the rope is secured to the second attachment point 125b. With the first end and second end of the rope secured to the attachment points, an operator can quickly find the ends of the rope under stress, at night, and while wearing gloves.

Using this rescue equipment system, the operator may build multiple rope systems. For example, one part of the rope may be used to build an anchoring system, another part of the rope may be used to build a system to lower the operator to a patient, and a third part of the rope may be used to build a haul system to recover the patient and rescuer. Without this rescue equipment system, three separate ropes must be used build these systems. The operator can also build midline systems. Without this rescue equipment system, three or more separate ropes must be used to build these systems.

The rope should be long enough to access and extract patients at any expected height or depth while not being too large and heavy that an operator is inhibiting from easily carrying the rope in the rescue equipment bag or on their back. At a minimum, the rope should be strong enough to withstand a typical rescue load plus an appropriate or desired safety factor. The diameter of the rope may be minimized to achieve a lighter overall weight; however, the operator must consider the ability to handle the rope while building systems and grab the rope while hauling. In addition, an operator must also consider the dangers from abrasion where edge protection cannot be placed.

The hardware included with the rescue equipment system should provide the means for building a wide variety of insertion and extraction systems. Systems include simple systems as well as compound systems, such as “piggy back” systems, “Z-rig” systems, haul systems and so forth, with minimal friction. All haul systems should have the ability to capture progress “hands free” while hauling. One or more “rope grabs” of appropriate size are included and may be of any conventional type known in the art. The rescue equipment system may also include the means to build an anchor, as well as the means to keep multiple connections organized and separate. The rescue equipment system may also include one or more descent control devices or the means to lower rescuers and/or patients. All hardware may be stowed inside the rescue equipment bag 100, either separately or pre-rigged on the rope.

Any reference to patents, documents and other writings contained herein shall not be construed as an admission as to their status with respect to being or not being prior art. Although the present invention and its advantages have been described in detail, it is understood that the array of features and embodiments taught herein may be combined and rearranged in a large number of additional combinations not directly disclosed, as will be apparent to one having ordinary skill in the art.

Moreover, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims. There are, of course, other alternate embodiments, which are obvious from the foregoing descriptions of the invention, which are intended to be included within the scope of the invention, as defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. A rescue equipment bag comprising:

a. a primary bag having a closed bottom and a selectively open top;

b. a secondary bag having a closed bottom, an open top and at least one attachment point configured to secure the ends of a rope, wherein said secondary bag is secured to the interior of said primary bag forming a first compartment and a second compartment inside said primary bag; and

c. at least one shoulder strap secured to the exterior of said primary bag.

2. The rescue equipment bag of claim 1, wherein said first compartment and said second compartment are connected together.

3. The rescue equipment bag of claim 2, wherein said secondary bag is provided with at least two attachment points located near said open top of said secondary bag.

4. The rescue equipment bag of claim 3, further comprising a single closure device configured for quickly opening or closing said selectively open top.

5. The rescue equipment bag of claim 4, wherein said shoulder strap configured to allow equipment to be attached.

6. The rescue equipment bag of claim 5, further comprising a grommet configured to facilitate deployment at both ends of the rescue bag said grommet located on the exterior of said primary bag.

7. The rescue equipment bag of claim 6, wherein said grommet is located on said closed bottom of said primary bag.

8. The rescue equipment bag of claim 7, further comprising a clear window pocket located on the interior of said primary bag.

9. The rescue equipment bag of claim 8, wherein said single closure device is a drawstring secured by a clamp, and said drawstring is protected by a

10. The rescue equipment bag of claim 9, further comprising a bag handle secured to the exterior of said primary bag.

11. A rescue equipment bag comprising:

a. a primary bag having a closed bottom and a selectively open top;

b. a secondary bag having a closed bottom, an open top and at least two attachment points located near said open top of said secondary bag and configured to secure the ends of a rope, wherein said secondary bag is secured to the interior of said primary bag forming a first compartment and a second compartment inside said primary bag, wherein said first compartment and said second compartment are connected together;

c. at least one shoulder strap configured to allow equipment to be attached, said shoulder strap secured to the exterior of said primary bag; and

d. a single closure device configured for quickly opening or closing said selectively open top.

12. The rescue equipment bag of claim 11, further comprising a grommet configured to facilitate deployment at both ends of the rescue bag said grommet located on the exterior of said primary bag, said grommet located on said closed bottom of said primary bag.

13. The rescue equipment bag of claim 12, further comprising a clear window pocket located on the interior of said primary bag.

14. A rescue equipment system comprising:

a. a primary bag having a closed bottom and a selectively open top;

b. a secondary bag having a closed bottom, an open top and at least two attachment points configured to secure the ends of a rope, wherein said secondary bag is secured to the interior of said primary bag forming a first compartment and a second compartment inside said primary bag, wherein said first compartment and said second compartment are connected together;

c. at least one shoulder strap configured to allow equipment to be attached, said shoulder strap secured to the exterior of said primary bag;

d. a single closure device configured for quickly opening or closing said selectively open top;

e. at least one rope long enough to access and extract a patient at any expected height or depth; and

f. hardware providing the means for constructing simple and compound insertion and extraction systems.

15. The rescue equipment system of claim 14, further comprising a grommet configured to facilitate deployment at both ends of the rescue bag said grommet located on the exterior of said primary bag, said grommet located on said closed bottom of said primary bag.

16. The rescue equipment system of claim 15, further comprising a clear window pocket located on the interior of said primary bag.