Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02516889 2005-08-25
TITLE: A PROTECTIVE GARMENT HAVING A DRAG AND RESCUE
DEVICE ACCESSIBLE FROM THE COLLAR
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] The present invention relates to the field of protective garments, and
more
particularly to protective garments that include security drag and rescue
harnesses.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] Firefighters are often exposed to very dangerous situations during the
course
of their work. Not only are they exposed to the immediate danger of the fire
they are
trying to put out, they are also exposed to other dangers such as falling
objects,
explosions, and hazardous debris, that are often present at emergency scenes.
As such,
it is not uncommon for these additional dangers to cause one or more
firefighters to
become incapacitated and/or rendered unconscious during the course of
responding to
an emergency situation.
10031 When a firefighter is down, meaning that he is unconscious or otherwise
incapacitated, it is desirable that his fellow firefighters can get him out of
the
dangerous situation so that he is not exposed to any further harm. As such,
many
protective garments for firefighters are equipped with drag and rescue devices
that can
be used by a rescuer to drag a downed firefighter to safety.
[004] For example, one such drag and rescue device is the Yoc-StrapTM which is
described in U.S. Patent 6,205,584, issued to Yocco. This strap is fitted into
the
firefighter's coat and includes a drag loop that is accessible from the
exterior of the
coat. The drag loop can be grasped and pulled by a rescuer in order to cause a
harness
to secure around the wearer's arms and shoulders. As such, the harness
supports the
wearer's body as the rescuer drags the incapacitated firefighter to safety.
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[005] A deficiency with this device, however, is that it is located at the
base of the
coat's collar. Often, when a firefighter is incapacitated, it is difficult for
a rescuer to
access the base of the wearer's collar due to the firefighter's position, or
due to the
fact that the base of the collar is obstructed by the firefighter's breathing
apparatus.
[006] In light of the above, it can be seen that there is a need in the
industry for a
protective garment that alleviates, at least in part, the deficiencies of the
prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[007] In accordance with a first broad aspect, the present invention provides
a
protective garment that comprises a torso portion for being positioned around
a
wearer's torso, a collar portion extending from the torso portion, and a
security device.
The collar portion includes an opening through which the security device
extends. The
security device comprises a harness portion located on a first side of the
opening, and
a manual activation portion located on a second side of the opening.
[008] In accordance with a second broad aspect, the present invention provides
a
protective garment that comprises a torso portion for being positioned around
a torso
of a wearer, a pair of sleeves and a collar portion extending from the torso
portion,
and a drag harness. The collar portion includes an opening. The drag harness
comprises first and second loop portions positionable within the protective
garment
adjacent respective ones of the pair of sleeves and a drag loop
interconnecting the first
and second loop portions. The drag loop extends through the opening in said
collar
portion. Each of the first and second loop portions is movable from a first
position to a
second position in response to the pulling of the drag loop.
[009] In accordance with another broad aspect, the present invention provides
a
garment that comprises torso covering means for being positioned around at
least a
portion of a torso of a wearer, collar means and drag and rescue means. The
torso
covering means includes an interior side and an exterior side. The collar
means
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extends from the torso covering means and includes an opening. The drag and
rescue
means extends through the opening of the collar means and comprises harness
means and
manual activation means. The harness means are located on the interior side of
the torso
covering means and the manual activation means located on the exterior side of
the torso
covering means. The manual activation means is operative for being pulled so
as to cause
the harness means to tighten around a wearer's body,
[009a] In accordance to still another broad aspect, the present invention
provides a
protective garment that comprises a torso portion for positioning around a
torso of a
wearer and a collar portion extending from the torso portion adapted to cover
at least a
portion of a wearer's neck. The collar portion has an upper edge portion and a
lower edge
portion. The lower edge portion is in proximity to the torso portion, and the
collar portion
includes an opening positioned between the lower edge portion and the upper
edge
portion. A security device extends through the opening of the collar. The
security device
comprises a harness portion located on a first side of the opening. The
harness portion is
operative for moving from a regular position to a rescue position, wherein the
harness
portion forms a drag harness when in the rescue position. The security device
further
comprises a manual activation portion located on a second side of the opening.
The
manual activation portion is operative for causing the harness portion to move
from the
regular position to the rescue position.
[009b] In accordance with yet another broad aspect, the present invention
provides a
protective garment that comprises a torso portion for positioning around a
torso of a
wearer, a pair of sleeves extending from the torso portion and a collar
portion extending
from the torso portion adapted to cover at least a portion of a wearer's neck.
The collar
portion has an upper edge portion and a lower edge portion, the lower edge
portion is in
proximity to the torso portion. The collar portion includes an opening
positioned between
the lower edge portion and the upper edge portion. The protective garment
further
comprises a drag harness that comprises first and second loop portions
positionable
within the protective garment adjacent respective ones of the pair of sleeves,
a drag loop
interconnecting the first and second loop portions and is extendable through
the opening
in the collar portion, and wherein each of the first and second loop portions
is movable
from a first position to a second position in response to the pulling of the
drag loop.
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1009c1 In accordance to a further broad aspect, the present invention provides
a garment
that comprises a torso covering arrangement adapted for being positioned
around at least
a portion of a torso of a wearer, the torso covering arrangement includes an
interior side
and an exterior side. The garment further comprises a collar arrangement that
extends
from the torso covering arrangement and is adapted to cover at least a portion
of a
wearer's neck. The collar arrangement has an upper edge portion and a lower
edge
portion. The lower edge portion is in proximity to the torso covering
arrangement. The
collar arrangement includes an opening positioned between the lower edge
portion and
the upper edge portion. The garment comprises a drag and rescue arrangement
extending
through the opening of the collar arrangement. The drag and rescue arrangement
comprises a harness arrangement located on the interior side of the torso
covering
arrangement. The harness arrangement is operative for moving from a regular
position to
a rescue position, wherein the harness arrangement forms a drag harness when
in the
rescue portion. The drag and rescue arrangement further comprises a manual
activation
arrangement located on the exterior side of the torso covering arrangement.
The manual
activation arrangement is operative for being pulled so as to cause the
harness
arrangement to move into the rescue position wherein the harness arrangement
tightens
around a wearer's body for creating the drag harness.
10101 These and other aspects and features of the present invention will now
become
apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon review of the follow
description of
specific embodiments of the invention and the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[011] In the accompanying drawings:
[012] Figure 1 shows a downed firefighter being rescued by a fellow
firefighter via a drag
and rescue device according to the present invention;
[013] Figure 2 shows a front plan view of a garment comprising a security
device in
accordance with a non-limiting example of implementation of the present
invention;
[014] Figure 3 shows a back cut-away view of the collar of the garment shown
in
Figure 1;
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[015] Figure 4 shows a front view of the garment and security device of Figure
2;
10161 Figure 5 shows a front view of the garment and security device of Figure
4 with an
inner lining in accordance with a non-limiting example of implementation of
the present
invention;
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[017] Figure 6 shows a front view of the garment, inner liner and security
device of
Figure 4 in a partially assembled state;
[018] Figure 7 shows a front view of the garment of Figure 4 when the security
1019] Figure 8 shows a back plan view of the garment of Figure 2.
[020] Other aspects and features of the present invention will become apparent
to
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[021] Shown in Figure 1 is an incapacitated firefighter 10 wearing a coat 20
that
includes a drag and rescue security device 14 in accordance with a non-
limiting
example of the present invention. When the firefighter 10 is incapacitated,
the security
device 14 is operative to be deployed by a rescuer 12 for enabling the rescuer
to drag
the downed firefighter 10 to safety.
[022] Shown in Figure 2, is a front view of the coat 20 in accordance with a
non-
limiting example of implementation of the present invention. The coat 20
includes a
torso portion 22, a pair of sleeves 24, a collar portion 26 and a drag and
rescue
security device 14. The torso portion 22 is suitable for covering a wearer's
torso, and
defines an interior side 25 and an exterior side 27. The pair of sleeves 24
and the
collar portion 26 extend from the torso portion 22.
[023] More specifically, the collar portion 26 extends about a neck opening of
the
coat 20. In the non-limiting embodiments shown in Figures 2 and 3, the collar
portion
26 is formed of a separate piece of material that is connected to the torso
portion 22
via stitching 31. It should be understood, however, that the collar portion 26
could be
a continuous piece of material that extends upwards from the torso portion 22.
For the
purposes of the present description, the collar portion 26 is the portion of
the coat 20
that is operative for covering at least a portion of the wearer's neck, or for
folding
over at least a portion of the torso portion 22 of the coat 20.
[024] In accordance with the present invention, and as best shown in Figure 3,
the
collar portion 26 includes an opening 30 through which the security device 14
can
extend. In the non-limiting embodiment shown, the opening 30 includes a first
slit 32a
and a second slit 32b. It should be appreciated however that the opening 30
may
include only a single slit, aperture or hole.
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1025] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the drag and rescue security device 14
includes a
harness portion 34 positioned within the interior side 25 of the coat 20, and
a manual
activation portion 36 positioned on the exterior side 27 of the coat 20.
36 of the safety device 14 is in the form of a drag loop that is formed by a
strap that
extends from the first slit 32a over the exterior of the collar to the second
slit 32b. As
will be described below, the drag loop can be grabbed and pulled by a rescuer
in order
to deploy the harness portion 34 of the safety device 14.
[027] Although a drag loop is shown in Figure 3, it should be appreciated that
the
manual activation portion 36 of the security device 14 can be of many
different forms
and configurations. For example, in a first alternative example, the manual
activation
portion 36 may be in the form of a fire and flame resistant material or handle
that is
10281 In yet another alternative embodiment, the manual activation portion 36
may
be in the form of a large loop formed from a strap of material such as the one
shown
in Figure 3. In such an embodiment, the collar portion 26 may include only a
single
slit, such that the loop is positioned on the exterior side 27 of the coat 20,
and the two
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[029] Regardless of the shape and configuration of the manual activation
device 36,
it should be suitable for supporting the body weight of a wearer of the coat
20. In this
manner, the manual activation device 36 can be pulled by a rescuer, and used
to drag
the wearer of the safety device 14 to safety, without the manual activation
device 36
breaking under the weight of the user.
[030] As mentioned above, the harness portion 34 of the security device 14 is
adapted for being positioned within the interior side 25 of the coat 20, such
that it can
be in proximity to the torso of a wearer of the coat. When a wearer pulls on
the
manual activation device 36, the harness is operative to capture at least a
portion of
the wearer's body so as to create a drag harness that is able to support the
wearer's
body when the wearer is being dragged to safety.
[031] In the non-limiting example of implementation shown in Figure 2, the
harness
portion 34 of the safety device 14 is in the form of a strap that extends down
from the
two slits 32a and 32b (not shown) in the collar portion 26. More specifically,
in
accordance with the non-limiting embodiment shown, both the harness portion 34
and
the manual activation portion 36 are formed of a single strap of material.
Preferably,
the strap of material is made of a strong, fire-resistant material.
[032] In order to form both the manual activation portion 36 and the harness
portion
34, one end of the strap of material is threaded through the slits 32a and 32b
in the
collar portion 16, so as to form the drag loop as described above. Then, the
two ends
of the strap are joined together at a connection region 40, as shown in Figure
2, in
order to form the harness portion 34. In a non-limiting example of
implementation,
the connection region 40 can include stitching, and/or tacking, such that the
two ends
of the strap are permanently joined together. Alternatively, the connection
region 40
can include buttons and/or poppers such that the two ends of the straps are
not
permanently attached, and can be disconnected in the case where the security
device
14 needs to be removed from the coat 20. It should however be appreciated that
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however the two ends of the strap are connected, it should be a strong enough
connection to support the body weight of the wearer of the coat 20.
[033] As shown in Figure 2, once the strap has been looped through slits 32a
and
32b and connected at connection region 40, the harness portion 34 simply hangs
down
within the interior side 25 of the coat 20. In the non-limiting embodiment
shown, the
coat 20 includes two positioning loops 42 within the interior side 25 of the
coat 20 for
keeping the harness portion 34 in place.
[034] In order to create a drag harness that will be able to tighten around
the wearer's
body, the lower end of the harness portion 34 is moved upwards, and positioned
behind positioning loops 42, thereby forming first and second loop portions 44
and
46. In order to position the strap behind the positioning loops 42, the first
and second
loop portions 44 and 46 may need to be formed prior to connecting the two ends
of the
strap together at the connection region 40.
1035] Connecting the two loop portions 44 and 46 is a cross strap 47. The
cross strap
47 extends along the interior side 25 of the torso portion 22 of the coat 20.
This cross
strap 47 will provide additional support to the wearer's body in the case
where the
security device 14 is used to drag the wearer to safety.
[036] As shown, the first and second loop portions 44 and 46 are positioned
adjacent
respective ones of the pair of sleeves 24, such that they can receive the
wearer's arms
when the wearer's arms are placed within the pair of sleeves 24. The manner in
which
the first and second loops 44 and 46 are positioned adjacent the opening to
the sleeves
24 can be done in a plurality of ways. For example, the interior side 25 of
the coat 20
may include additional positioning loops (not shown) surrounding the entrance
to the
sleeves 24. As such, the loop portions 44 and 46 can be inserted within these
positioning loops such as to keep them in place adjacent to the entrance of
the sleeves
24. In this manner, when a wearer places his/her arms into the respective
sleeves 24,
their arims are automatically put through the first and second loops 44 and
46.
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[037] Alternatively, in the non-limiting embodiment shown in Figure 5, the
coat 20
includes an inner lining 50. In this embodiment, the first and second loop
portions 44
and 46 are positioned around the sleeves 48 of the inner lining 50. As shown
in Figure
6, the sleeves 48 of the inner lining 50 are then inserted into the sleeves 24
of coat 20.
In this manner, the harness portion 34 of the safety device 14 is positioned
between
the inner lining 50 and the coat 20. As such, when the inner lining 50 and the
outer
coat 20 are assembled, as shown in Figure 7, the wearer cannot tell that there
is a
safety device 14 positioned between the torso portion 22 of the coat and the
inner
lining 50. Therefore, when the wearer places his/her arms within sleeves 48
and 24
simultaneously, the first and second loop portions 44 and 46 automatically
receive the
wearer's arms.
1038] In normal operation, when the wearer of the coat is conscious and able-
bodied,
the manual activation portion 36 of the safety device 14 is in the non-
deployed
position, which is the position shown in Figure 3. Likewise, the harness
portion 34 of
the safety device is in a normal position. When the harness portion 34 is in
the normal
position, the firefighter can go about his/her normal tasks without being
constrained
by the harness portion 34. In most cases, the firefighter will not even notice
that the
harness portion 34 is present.
[039] However, in the case where a firefighter is knocked unconscious, or is
incapacitated in any other manner, a rescuer activates the manual activation
portion 36
by pulling on it firmly. The act of pulling on the manual activation portion
34 causes
the harness portion 34 to tighten around at least a portion of the wearer's
body so as to
create a drag harness that is able to help a rescuer drag the downed
firefighter to
safety. While the firefighter is being dragged to safety using the security
device 14, the
coat 20 stays on the wearer, thereby protecting the wearer from debris on the
ground.
[040] When rescuing a downed firefighter, the rescuer must be able to access
the
manual activation device 36 relatively easily. As described above, the opening
30
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through which the manual activation device 36 extends is located in the collar
portion
26 of the coat. An advantage of placing the manual activation device 36 in the
collar
portion 26 is that it is almost always accessible to a rescuer, regardless of
the position
of the incapacitated firefighter, and regardless of the type of equipment the
firefighter
is wearing.
[041] In the case where the harness portion 34 is formed of a single strap, as
described above, when the rescuer pulls on the manual activation portion 36,
the first
and second loop portions 44 and 46 of the harness portion 34 tighten around
the
wearer's arms and shoulders. This not only provides support for the downed
firefighter while being dragged, but also increases the length of the manual
activation
portion 36 that extends from the opening 30 in the collar. This length makes
it easier
for the rescuer to drag the downed firefighter.
[042] Although the harness portion 34 shown in Figures 2, 4, 5 and 6 is formed
of a
single strap of material, it should be appreciated that other types of
harnesses can also
be included within the spirit of the invention. For example, the harness could
be in the
form of a vest that replaces the inner coat portion 50. Or the harness could
include a
plurality of straps, some of which extend across the wearer's chest. Any
harness that
can move from a normal position to a rescue position upon deployment of a
manual
activation portion that is situated in the collar portion 26 of the coat 20,
is included
within the scope of the present invention.
[043] In accordance with a non-limiting embodiment of the invention, and as
shown
in Figure 3, the collar portion 26 of the coat 20 includes a flap 60 for
covering the
manual activation portion 36 of the safety device 14 when not in use. In this
manner,
the flap 60 helps to protect the manual activation portion 36 from getting
damaged
during the course of normal wear.
[044] The flap 60 is shown in the open position in Figure 3, and in the closed
position in Figure 8. The flap 60 can be of any shape and size suitable for
covering the
CA 02516889 2012-08-07
manual activation portion 36. In addition, the flap can include a closing
mechanism 62
that is suitable for keeping the flap 60 in the closed position when it is not
necessary
to access the manual activation portion 36. In the non-limiting embodiment
shown in
Figure 3, the closing mechanism 62 is in the form of a hook and loop fastener,
such as
VelcroTM. It should however be appreciated that any other type of closing
mechanism,
such as buttons or poppers that are known in the art could also be used
without
departing from the spirit of the invention.
[045] In a further non-limiting example of implementation, the flap 60 can
include
text advising of the location of the safety device 14. In this manner, a
rescuer will
know that the coat includes a safety device 14, and that the safety device 14
can be
accessed via the collar portion 26.
[046] Although the coat 20 has been described above as being suitable for
being
worn by a firefighter, it should be appreciated that garments that include
such a
security device may also be used for soldiers, construction workers, and other
emergency responders. In addition, the drag and rescue security device 14 can
also be
included in garments such as vests and sweaters.
[0471 Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail
above,
the scope of the claims should not be limited by any preferred embodiment or
example
as set forth, but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with
the
description as a whole.
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