Novel quick release holster, attachment device, and bag system for rescue rope bags and the like, allowing one handed operation for faster rescue times

Abstract

The present invention comprises a new holster and bag system for use in water rescue situations. The flexible holster is capable of securing to various different watercraft in various ways while holding the corresponding rescue rope bag in place via a shock cord placed within the groove of the circular holster. The end of the rope should also be held in place by a quick release system capable of holding the rope unless released by the rescuer. The holster may be made differently or secured differently to fit different craft. The bag may also be designed differently to hold different amounts or sizes of rope for different applications.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a quicker and more simple holster and bag system for using throw bags and rescue ropes in any water rescue scenario including but not limited to whitewater rafting, search and rescue, ocean rescue, and the like. More specifically this holster is capable of attaching to any inflatable, or rigid tube like structure and holding a pre packed rescue rope bag, securely in place, until deployed by the rescuer. The system in also capable of holding the end of the rope securely and allowing the rope to be released via quick release if need be.

BACKGROUND

Rescue ropes have been widely used in the whitewater and water rescue scene. The Issues with the current rescue ropes specifically in a whitewater rafting scenario is that the rope is often sinched down inside a bag and then buckled to the raft in someway. This leaves the guide or rescuer with the task of letting go of their paddle or other means of controlling the boat, unclipping the rope bag, un-sinching the rope, and holding the free end of the rope with one hand while throwing the rescue bag. This process takes time in a situation where time is not necessarily available.

Current quick release systems for rescue bags address only the issue of quickly having the rescue rope bag in your hand but fail to address the issue that using both hands is not always an option, and holding the end of the rope once the rope has been thrown is not always practical. Devices using velcro or snaps suffer from fast wear and tear and accidental deployment due to forces associated with use in turbulent water.

Therefore a need exists for a rescue rope bag system that can be deployed with one hand, in one swift motion, leaving the end of the rope attached to the rescue craft, allowing the rescuer to safely and swiftly rescue a victim. This bag system will need to be resistant to wear and tear and accidental deployment. Additionally, the attached end of the rope should be able to be quickly released from the craft in the event of a snag.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a holster and bag combination for rapid deployment of rescue ropes. The holster is a firm flexible material that can flex to fit the form of most inflatable and rigid boat tubes associated with water rescue use. The holster is specifically designed to strap around a whitewater raft thwart however could easily be adapted to fit other parts of other crafts. The holster holds the rope bag in place with a circular shock cord that fits into a groove on the holster. The bag is held in place with the pre loaded rope inside, and can only be deployed when pulled directly outward by the rescuer. The rope then spools out of the thrown bag while the end remains attached to the holster with a quick release buckle allowing the rope to be quickly released from the system if need be.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1. FIG. 1 shows a drawing of the bag from the front. (01) is the front face, (02) the reflective straps securing the bag to (03) the shock chord. (02) straps also function as primary handles for deployment of bag. (03) shock cord is intended to fit around the (11) holster depicted in FIGS. 7, 8, 9, and 10 and secure the bag in place. (04) is the fabric top flap of the bag, also secured around the shock cord providing closure to the bag and not allowing the rope to escape. See (Picture 1) for real world view (this picture is an early prototype included to show perspective and general function and not to limit the bag to these exact specifications.)

FIG. 2. FIG. 2 shows a drawing of the bag from the side adding perspective to the placement of (03)shock cord and (02) straps. FIG. 2 also depicts the mesh sidewall (05) for drainage and rope drying as well as the main vertical front grab handle made from the vertical strap of (02). See (picture 2) for real world view (this picture is an early prototype included to show perspective and general function and not to limit the bag to these exact specifications.)

FIG. 3. FIG. 3 shows a drawing of the bag from the back adding perspective to the placement of (03) shock cord. FIG. 2 also depicts the foam lip (06) intended to prevent rope from spilling out of the bag while it is secured to the holster. See (picture 3) for real world view (this picture is an early prototype included to show perspective and general function and not to limit the bag to these exact specifications.)

FIG. 4. FIG. 4 shows a drawing of the bag bottom adding perspective to the placement of (03) shock cord and (02) straps. FIG. 4 also depicts (07) grommets that allow (08) bottom loop of rope to exit and re enter bag for clipping to the rescue rope. See picture 4 for real world view (this picture is an early prototype included to show perspective and general function and not to limit the bag to these exact specifications.)

FIG. 5. FIG. 5 shows a drawing of the top of the bag while the bag is closed (secured to the holster) adding perspective to the placement of (04) top flap, (02) strap, and (03) shock cord. See picture 5 for real world view (this picture is an early prototype included to show perspective and general function and not to limit the bag to these exact specifications.)

FIG. 6. FIG. 6 shows a drawing of the top of the bag while the bag is open with top flap (04) folded back. This figure is intended to display the function referred to as *packing mode, a mode the top flap of the bag can easily be flipped back and rested on the holster backwards to allow for quick two handed repacking of (10) the rescue rope. This drawing also provides perspective to the placement and function of (06) foam lip, (04) top flap, and (03) shock cord. See picture 6 for real world view (this picture is an early prototype included to show perspective and general function and not to limit the bag to these exact specifications.)

FIG. 7. FIG. 7 shows a drawing of the bag on the holster from the side. This drawing is intended to add perspective to the placement and function of the (11) holster, (09) main handle strap, (05) sidewall, (08) bottom loop, and (03) shock cord. See picture 7 for real world view (this picture is an early prototype included to show perspective and general function and not to limit the bag to these exact specifications.)

FIG. 8. FIG. 8 shows a 3d rendering of the (11) holster also depicted in FIGS. 7, 9, and 10. This provides perspective to the curvature profile of the holster as well as shows the two entry and exit slots for (12) the securing strap to pass through.

FIG. 9. FIG. 9 shows a 3d rendered side view of (11) holster and (12) securing strap.

FIG. 10. FIG. 10 shows a 3d rendered top view of (11) holster and (12) securing strap.

FIG. 11. FIG. 11 shows a side view drawing of (11)holster, (12) securing strap, and (13) cam buckle for tightening the securing strap and holster to a raft thwart or other boat tube. See picture 11 for real world view (this picture is an early prototype included to show perspective and general function and not to limit the device to these exact specifications.)

FIG. 12. FIG. 12 shows a front view of the (11) holster and (12) securing strap. FIG. 12 also depicts (14) quick release strap meant to hold the end of the rescue rope and (15) quick release buckle and pull tab meant to provide quick and easy release of rope from the craft with the pull of the (15) pull tab. See picture 12 for real world view (this picture is an early prototype included to show perspective and general function and not to limit the device to these exact specifications.)

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A new holster and bag system for the quick deployment and use of a rescue rope will be discussed herein. The present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the invention, and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrates by the figures, pictures, or description below.

The present invention will now be described by referencing the appended figures and pictures representing preferred embodiments. As seen in (FIG. 7) and (Picture 7), the bag containing the rescue rope is intended to be secured to the (11)holster via a (03) shock cord that fits into a groove on said holster (The holster is depicted in more detail and varying perspectives in FIGS. 8, 9, 10 as well as in FIG. 11, FIG. 12, Picture 11 and Picture 12. The (11) holster is intended to be flexible and therefore able to flex to fit a large variety of tube sizes commonly used in whitewater rafts and other water craft. (In Picture 11 this flexibility is demonstrated on a cylindrical log) The holster is also designed with two slots to allow a (12) securing strap to pass through and secure it to the craft. The holster and shock cord design allow the rescue rope bag to be quickly deployable but also very resistant to accidental deployment due to forces associated with use in turbulent water. Pulling from side to side or top to bottom does not deploy the bag as the shock cord is only more deeply seated into the groove in this situation. The bag must be pulled outward to be deployed.

As seen in (FIG. 12) and (Picture 12) The end of the rescue rope is intended to be secured to the system and be able to be released quickly via (15) a quick release mechanism or something of similar function. This allows for flexibility of the rescuer to throw the rope to a victim while still remaining in control of the craft. The victim can then be pulled in by the rescuer at a safe time or the rescuer can instruct a less qualified passenger to pull in the victim.

As seen in (FIG. 1, FIG. 2) and (Picture 1, Picture 2) any number of reflective or non reflective webbing straps(02) are intended to be used to both secure the bag to the shock cord (and thus to the holster) and to provide a secure grab handle for deployment by the rescuer.

As seen in (FIG. 3) and (Picture 3) there is intended to be a foam lip which, regardless of shape, size or exact placement, is intended to prevent rope from spilling out of the bag while it is secured to the holster.

As seen in (FIG. 4) as well as in (Pictures 4, 2, and 1) a (08) grab loop is intended to enter and exit the bag through (07) grommets or the like. The grab loop can be quickly secured to by clipping or tying and is secured to the rest of the rescue rope by a knot within the bag.

As seen in (FIG. 6) and (Picture 6) the bag is intended to be able to be packed quickly by folding the (04) top flap and connected (03) shock cord backwards and resting the shock cord on the holster backwards. This allows the use of both hands while repacking the rope. This is refereed to as *packing mode.

The materials used to make the bag are almost entirely polyester due to its UV resistance. This allows the bag to be stored on crafts for long periods of time without being removed and without degrading as quickly as nylon or other fabrics. The rope type can vary depending on specific use. The materials used for the holster can be any rubber or plastic. The holster design may be changed to fit other surfaces and secure in other ways. These other designs should be considered within the realm of this invention as long as the holster groove and shock cord concept is still applied.

Although the present invention has been illustrated, described and depicted herein with specific features and embodiments; it should be readily apparent that other features and embodiments may perform similar functions and/or achieve like results. All such equivalent features and embodiments are within the spirit and scope of the present invention, are contemplated thereby, and are intended to be covered by the following claims.

Conclusion:

The disclosed embodiments are illustrative, not restrictive. While specific configurations of the device have been described, it is understood that the present invention can he applied to a wide variety of devices. There are many alternative ways of implementing the invention.

Claims

1. A new holster and bag system for the quick deployment and use of a rescue rope comprising:

a. A bag containing rescue rope, that is capable of attaching to a holster and being rapidly deployed

b. A flexible holster capable of securing to a range of water craft and securing the rope bag in place

c. A quick release system that holds the end of the rescue rope and releases it quickly, under load, if need be