Rescue harness assembly

Abstract

An assembly including a strap including a loop portion configured to be formed into a closed loop and receive a wearer's leg therein. The strap further includes a gripping portion coupled to the loop portion configured to be selectively coupled to an attachment location located on or coupled to a wearer.

Description

RESCUE HARNESS ASSEMBLY

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 63 / 650,889, filed on May 22, 2024, and entitled PACK CONVERSION STRAP FOR FIREFIGHTER PPE HARNESS, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

[0002] The present invention is directed to a rescue harness assembly, more particularly, to a rescue harness assembly that can be coupled to an attachment location positioned on or coupled to the wearer.BACKGROUND

[0003] Firefighters and other individuals wearing protective garments are often required to enter hazardous locations when carrying out their duties. Accordingly, such protective garments may include components which facilitate the extraction of a downed or incapacitated w earer. For example, a drag harness can be incorporated into a protective garment such that the harness can be utilized to drag the wearer to safety.SUMMARY

[0004] In one embodiment the invention is a harness assembly which can be quickly and easily deployed, and securely coupled. More particularly, in one embodiment the invention is an assembly including a strap having a loop portion configured to be formed into a closed loop and receive a wearer's leg therein. The strap further includes a gripping portion coupled to the loop portion configured to be selectively coupled to an attachment location located on or coupled to a wearer.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0005] Fig. 1 is a front perspective view of a set of turnout gear including pair of trousers including a rescue harness, w ith portions of the trousers cutaw ay for illustrative purposes;

[0006] Fig. 2 is a detail view of the area indicated in Fig. 1;

[0007] Fig. 3 is a cross section taken along line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

[0008] Fig. 4 shows the trousers and rescue harness of Fig. 3, with the gripping portion extracted from the pocket;

[0009] Fig. 5 is a side view of a leg of the trousers of Fig. 1, showing the pocket with a portion of the rescue harness positioned therein;

[0010] Fig. 6 shows the trousers and rescue harness of Fig. 1, with the wearer lying on the ground, and with the rescue harness extracted from the pocket and attached to an attachment location;

[0011] Fig. 7 shows the trousers and rescue harness of Fig. 6, after the rescue harness has been cinched down;

[0012] Fig. 8 shows the trousers and rescue harness of Fig. 7, with a rescuer gripping a shoulder strap to drag the wearer to safety;

[0013] Fig. 9 shows the system of Fig. 8 with an alternate rescue harness;

[0014] Fig. 10 is a front perspective view of the harness assembly of Figs. 1-8;

[0015] Fig. 11 is a front perspective view of an alternate harness assembly ;

[0016] Fig. 12 is a front perspective view of another alternate harness assembly; and

[0017] Fig. 13 is a front perspective view of an yet another alternate harness assembly.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] The attached figures illustrate a strap or rescue harness, generally designated 8, that can be incorporated into and / or used in conjunction with protective or hazardous duty garment in the form of a pair of trousers, generally designated 10. The trousers 10 may include a body portion 12 configured to receive the pelvis and / or lower part of a wearer's torso therein. The trousers 10 can have a pair of tubular legs 14, 16 coupled to the body portion 12 and extending away therefrom. Each leg 14, 16 can be configured to cover at least about 90% of an associated leg of a wearer 15, and define an inner cavity 17 therein. The body portion 12 and legs 14, 16 may be made of separate pieces of material that are joined together, or can be made of a single piece of material, or various pieces of material joined in varying manners, etc. The body portion 12 can include a fly 18 that is releasably openable / closable by a fastener (not shown), such as a zipper, snaps, clasps, clips, hook- and-loop fastening material (i.e., VELCRO® fastening material), combinations of these components or the like, to aid in donning and doffing of the trousers 10.

[0019] With reference to Fig. 1, the trousers 10 may include various layers through its thickness to provide various heat, moisture and abrasion resistant qualities to the trousers10 so that the trousers 10 can be used as a protective, hazardous duty, and / or firefighter garment. For example, the trousers 10 may include an outer shell 20, a moisture barrier / vapor barrier 22 located inside of and adjacent to the outer shell 20, and a thermal liner or barrier 24 located inside of and adjacent to the moisture barrier 22. In the illustrated embodiment the layers 20, 22, 24 are arranged such that the moisture barrier 22 is positioned between the thermal barrier 24 and outer shell 20. If desired, an inner face cloth 28 may be located inside of and adjacent to the thermal bam er 24, forming the innermost layer of the trousers 10, although the inner face cloth 28 may be omitted if desired. The moisture barrier 22, thermal barrier 24 and face cloth 28 can collectively be termed the "inner liner."

[0020] The outer shell 20 may be made of or include a variety of materials, including a flame, heat and abrasion resistant material such as a compact weave of aramid fibers and / or polybenzamidazole fibers. Commercially available aramid materials include NOMEX and KEVLAR fibers (both trademarks of E.I. DuPont de Nemours & Co., Inc. of Wilmington, Delaware), and commercially available polybenzamidazole fibers include PBI fibers (a trademark of PBI Performance Fabrics of Charlotte, North Carolina). Thus, the outer shell 20 may be an aramid material, a blend of aramid materials, a polybenzamidazole material, a blend of polybenzamidazole fibers, a blend of aramid and polybenzamidazole materials, a poly -phenylene benzobisoxazole (PBO) material, a thermostable organic polymer material, such as KERMEL® material sold by Kermel SAS of Colmar, France, a blend of any of the materials listed above, or other appropriate materials.

[0021] If desired, the outer shell 20 may be coated with a polymer, such as a durable, water repellent finish or coating (i.e. a perfluorohydrocarbon finish, such as TEFLON® finish sold by E. I. Du Pont de Nemours and Company of Wilmington. Delaware, or a fluorine free water repellent finish). The materials of the outer shell 20 may have a weight of, for example, between about five and about ten oz. / yd2. Moreover, if desired the outer shell 20 may have a self-decontaminating finish or coating applied thereto.

[0022] The moisture barrier 22 and thermal barrier 24 may be generally coextensive with the outer shell 20 or spaced slightly inwardly from the outer edges of the outer shell 20 (i.e., spaced slightly inwardly from the lower ends of the legs 14, 16 and / or from the waist edge of the body portion 12) to provide moisture and thermal protection throughout the trousers 10. The moisture barrier 22 may include a semi -permeable membrane layer 22a and a substrate 22b.

[0023] The membrane layer 22a may be generally water vapor permeable but generally impermeable to liquid moisture. The membrane layer 22a may be made of or include expanded polytetrafluoroethylene ("PTFE") such as GORE-TEX or CROSSTECH materials (both of which are trademarks ofW.L. Gore & Associates, Inc. of Newark, Delaware), polyurethane-based materials, neoprene-based materials, cross-linked polymers, polyamid, or other materials. The membrane layer 22a may have microscopic openings that permit moisture vapor (such as water vapor) to pass therethrough, but block liquids (such as liquid water) from passing therethrough. The membrane layer 22a may be made of a microporous material that is either hydrophilic, hydrophobic, or somewhere in between. The membrane layer 22a may also be monolithic and may allow moisture vapor transmission therethrough by molecular diffusion. The membrane layer 22a may also be a combination of microporous and monolithic materials (known as a bicomponent moisture barrier), in which the microporous or monolithic materials are layered or intertwined.

[0024] The membrane layer 22a may be bonded, adhered or otherwise coupled to the substrate 22b of a flame and heat resistant material to provide structure and protection to the membrane layer 22a. Thus, either the membrane layer 22a alone, or the membrane layer 22a in combination with the moisture barrier substrate 22b, may be considered to constitute the moisture barrier 22. The substrate 22b may be or include aramid fibers similar to the aramid fibers of the outer shell 20 but may be thinner and lighter in weight. The substrate 22b may be woven, non-woven, spunlace or other materials. In the illustrated embodiment, the membrane layer 22a is located between the outer shell 20 and the substrate 22b. However, the orientation of the moisture barrier 22 may be reversed such that the substrate 22b is located between the outer shell 20 and the membrane layer 22a.

[0025] The thermal barrier 24 may be made of nearly any suitable flame-resistant material that provides sufficient thermal insulation. In one embodiment, the thermal barrier 24 may include a layer of bulk material 24a in the form of relatively thick (i.e. between about l / 16"-3 / 16") batting, felt or needled non-woven bulk or batting material. The bulk material 24a can include aramid fiber batting (such as NOMEX batting), aramid needlepunch material, an aramid non-woven material, an aramid blend needlepunch material, an aramid blend batting material, an aramid blend non-woven material, foam (either open cell or closed cell), or other suitably thermally insulating materials. The bulk material 24a may trap air and possess sufficient loft to provide thermal resistance to the trousers 10.

[0026] The bulk material 24a may be quilted or otherwise coupled to a thermal barrier face cloth 24b which can be a weave of a lightweight aramid material. Thus, either the bulk material 24a alone, or the bulk material 24a in combination with the thermal barrier face cloth 24b, may be considered to constitute the thermal barrier 24. In the illustrated embodiment, the thermal barrier bulk material 24a is located between the outer shell 20 and the thermal barrier face cloth 24b. However, the orientation of the thermal barrier 24 may be reversed such that the thermal barrier face cloth 24b is located between the outer shell 20 and the bulk layer 24a. If desired, the thermal barrier 24 may be treated with a water- resistant or water-repellent finish. In one embodiment, the thermal barrier 24 (or the trousers 10 as a whole) may have a thermal protection performance ("TPP") of at least about twenty, and the trousers 10 as a whole may have a TPP of at least about thirty -five, although the TPP values can vary.

[0027] Although the moisture barrier 22 is shown as being located betw een the outer shell 20 and the thermal barrier 24, the positions of the moisture barrier 22 and thermal barrier 24 may be reversed such that the thermal barrier 24 is located between the outer shell 20 and the moisture barner 22, or additional moisture barrier 22 and / or thermal barrier layers 24 can be utilized or various other orientations or configurations may be used.

[0028] The face cloth 28 may be the innermost layer of the trouser 10 and configured to contact the w earer and / or the wearer's clothing, located inside the thermal barrier 24 and moisture barrier 22. The face cloth 28 can provide a comfortable surface for the wearer 15 and protect the thermal barrier 24 and / or moisture barrier 22 from abrasion and wear. The face cloth 28 may be quilted to the adjacent layer (i.e. the thermal barrier 24 in the illustrated embodiment). How ever, the face cloth 28 is optional and may be excluded if desired. In addition, the trousers 10 may not necessarily include the moisture barrier 22 and / or the thermal barrier 24 in certain cases.

[0029] Each layer of the trousers 10 disclosed herein, including the layers and components described above, as well as those described below; and the trousers 10 as a whole, may meet the National Fire Protection Association ("NFPA") 1971 standards for protective firefighting garments ("Protective Clothing for Structural Firefighting"), which standards as of the filing date of this application are entirely incorporated by reference herein. The NFPA standards specify various minimum requirements for heat and flame resistance and tear strength. For example, in order to meet the NFPA standards, the outer shell 20, moisture barrier 22, thermal barrier 24 and face cloth 28 must be able to resist igniting,burning, melting, dripping, separation, and / or shrinking more than 10% in any direction after being exposed to a temperature of 500° F for at least five minutes. Furthermore, in order to meet the NFPA standards, the combined layers of the trousers 10 must provide a thermal protective performance rating of at least thirty-five.

[0030] Alternately or in addition to the NFPA Standard 1971, the trousers 10 may meet European Norm ("EN") standards for firefighting garments set by the European Committee for Standardization (also known as Comite Europeen de Normalisation ("CEN")). These standards include EN 469:2005 Level 1 and Level 2 certification. The EN standards for firefighter and protective garments in place as of the filing date of this application are entirely incorporated by reference herein.

[0031] An assembly 30 as shown for example in Fig. 1, can include the strap / rescue harness 8 and / or the trousers 10. The rescue harness 8 can be at least partially positioned in / received in the trousers 10, and more particularly in a leg 16 of the trousers 10. Although Fig. 1 shows the rescue harness 8 positioned in only one leg 16, if desired the rescue harness 8 can be positioned in both legs 14, 16 (e.g. a loop portion 32 (described below) can be positioned in each leg 14, 16). With reference to Fig. 10, the rescue harness 8 can include a loop portion 32 formed into, and / or configured to be formed into, a closed loop to receive a wearer's leg 31 therein, as shown in Fig. 3.

[0032] The rescue harness 8 can further include a gripping portion 34 coupled to the loop portion 32 and configured to be selectively coupled to an attachment location 36 located on or coupled to a wearer 15. In one case, the trousers 10 includes a set of loops (not shown) in the inner cavity 17, through which the loop portion 32 is received to retain the loop portion 32 in place, much like belt loops retain a belt in place. In one case, the strap 8 is removably coupled to the trousers 10 such that the strap 8 can be removed for cleaning, repair or replacement. Alternatively, the strap 8 could be permanently coupled to the trousers 10, such as by stitching or the like.

[0033] The rescue harness 8 (including the loop portion 32 and gripping portion 34) can take any of a wide variety of shapes and configurations, but in the illustrated embodiment is made of a relatively wide, flat webbing or ribbon material, but could also be made of rope, braided material, etc. The rescue harness 8 (including the loop portion 32 and gripping portion 34) can be made of various materials including polyester, nylon, NOMEX or KEVLAR (both trademarks of E.I. DuPont de Nemours & Co., Inc. of Wilmington, Delaware), polypropylene, natural fibers, or combinations thereof. If desired the loopportion 32 and gripping portion 34 can have differing shapes and / or be made of differing materials. In one embodiment the rescue harness 8 meets the standards set forth in NFPA Code 1971 8.58.7. 1 as passing the ASTM D6775 test for breaking strength and elongation of textile webbing, tap and braided materials; the relevant NFPA and ASTM provisions referenced above are hereby incorporated by reference.

[0034] In the embodiment of Fig. 10, the loop portion 32 and gripping portion 34 are made of separate pieces of material and joined together (via stitching 40 in the illustrated embodiment) to form the rescue harness 8. In addition, in this embodiment the rescue harness 8 / 1 oop portion 32 includes a loop portion buckle 42 through which portions of the rescue harness 8 / loop portion 32 are received. The loop portion 32 can include an anchor portion 29 wrapped around a center bar 42a of the buckle 42 and secure to itself, for example via stitching 40 to secure the loop portion 32 to the buckle 42. The loop portion buckle 42 frictionally grips a free end / distal portion of the rescue harness 8 / loop portion 32 received / looped therethrough. The loop portion buckle 42 also permits, upon proper manual manipulation, the free end / distal portion of the rescue harness 8 / loop portion 32 to slide through the loop portion buckle 42, to thereby adjust an increase / decrease, or otherwise adjust, an effective length / circumference of the loop portion 32. Thus, the loop portion 32, when formed in the closed loop, can be manually adjustable to adjust the loop portion 32 to best accommodate the wearer's leg 16 therein. However, it should be understood that the loop portion 32 may have a fixed size and not be adjustable, for example as shown in the embodiment of Fig. 11. In that case the rescue harness 8 / loop portion 32 may lack the loop portion buckle 42, and the loop portion 32 is formed by simply directly securing the rescue harness 8 to itself, for example via stitching 40 or the like.

[0035] The gripping portion 34 can be generally linear or in a a generally linear shape (when stretched / laid flat) and may not be formed in a loop. The gripping portion 34 can also be in certain cases manually cinchable to increase / decrease or otherwise adjust an effective length of the gripping portion 34. In particular, the strap 8 / gripping portion 34 can include a gripping portion buckle 44 with portions of the gripping portion 34 passed through the gripping portion buckle 44, and frictionally gripped by the portion buckle 44, such that the gripping portion 34 can be manually tightened down. The gripping portion 34 can also include a clip 46 coupled to the gripping portion buckle 44 / a remainder of the gripping portion 34, via a connecting strap 45.

[0036] The clip 46 can be configured to be coupled to an attachment location 36 to thereby securely couple the strap 8 to the attachment location 36, as will be described in greater detail below. The clip 46 is shown as a manually operable carabiner clip in the illustrated embodiment, but can take the form of any of a wide variety of clips, clasps, hooks, latches, fasteners, buckles, straps, clasps, male / female connectors, couplings, etc. The clip 46 may be pivotally coupled to the gripping portion buckle 44 / gripping portion 34 to enable the clip 46 to assume any variety of rotational orientations to provide an optimal coupling position. In one embodiment the clip 46 is a double acting carabiner clip, in which case the clip 46 can only be opened when a release latch is manually pressed, to provide additional protection against inadvertent opening of the clip 46.

[0037] With reference to Fig. 3, the strap 8 is configured to be at least partially located in the inner cavity 17 of the trousers 10 / leg 16, positioned inside the outer shell 20. In the illustrated embodiment the strap 8, and in particular an entirety of the loop portion 32 in one case, is located in the inner cavity 17, radially inside the outer shell 20, and radially outside of the moisture barrier 22, thermal barrier 24 and face cloth 28. However, it should be understood that the strap 8 / loop portion 32 can be located in between any of the various layers of the inner liner and / or be located inside the inner liner / face cloth 28 with regard to a thickness direction, and thus be positioned on / forming an innermost layer of the trousers 10 / leg 16.

[0038] The loop portion 32 can be formed in a closed loop and positioned to automatically receive a wearer's leg 31 therein when the trousers 10 are donned. In the illustrated embodiment the loop portion 32 is positioned in the thigh portion of the leg 16 of the trousers 10, configured to receive the thigh of the wearer 15 therein, but could be located at various other locations in or along the leg 16 of the trousers 10.

[0039] The trousers 10, and more particularly the outer shell 20, can include an access slot 50 formed therein and extending therethrough, as shown in Figs 3 and 4. The access slot 50 can be in communication with the inner cavity 17 on one side, and the ambient environment and / or an outer surface of the outer shell 20 on the other side, thereby providing access to the inner cavity 17 from outside the trousers 10 / outer shell 20. If the loop portion 32 is located radially inside any other layers (e.g. the moisture barrier 22, thermal barrier 24 and / or face cloth 28) then those layers 22, 24, 28 may also include an access slot formed therethrough, and in one case all of the access slots are aligned. At least part of the strap 8, and in particular part of the gripping portion 34. can extend through inthe access slot 50 such that part of the strap 8 / gripping portion 34 is located in the inner cavity 17 (inside the outer shell 20). and at least part of the strap / gripping portion 34 is located outside of the inner cavity 17 (outside the outer shell 20). If desired, the slot 50 can be lined with reinforcing material to strengthen the slot 50 and / or increase its durability. In addition, if desired, part of the gripping portion 34, located either inside and / or outside of the slot 50. can have a retaining component (not shown), having a size greater than the size of the slot 50, to prevent the entire gripping portion 34 from being pulled through the slot 50 into or out of the inner cavity 17 of the trousers 10.

[0040] Thus, by passing the gripping portion 34 through the slot 50, at least part of the gripping portion 34 is located outside of the inner cavity 17 of the trousers 10, to provide manual access to the gripping portion 34. In one case a majority of the gripping portion 34, as measured along its length, is positioned in the outer pocket 52 / outside the inner cavity' 17. In the illustrated embodiment the trousers 10 include an outer pocket 52 located on the outer shell 20 / outer surface of the trousers 10. The part of the gripping portion 34 located outside of the outer shell 20 can be stored in the pocket 52 for convenient storage, and to avoid the gripping portion 34 hanging down and catching on external catch points. More particularly, in the illustrated embodiment and with reference to Fig. 5, the pocket 52 includes a main compartment 51 and a divider 54 positioned in the main compartment 51 defining a sub-pocket cavity 56, in which the gripping portion 34 is positioned. The main compartment 51 and sub-pocket cavity 56 may each have their own dedicated, independently operable, pocket flap 60 to provide independent access to the two compartments 51, 56.

[0041] In the illustrated embodiment, each flap 60 includes a patch 61 of hook and loop fastener material on an underside thereof, and a main body of the pocket 52 includes a corresponding patch 63 of hook and loop fastener material. The patches 61, 63 can cooperate to releasably retain the flaps 60 in their closed positions. Positioning the gripping portion 34 in the pocket 52 provides a known and convenient storage location for the gripping portion 34, protects the gripping portion 34 from wear and tear, and ensures the gapping portion 34 can be stored in a folded / coiled. easily-deployable manner. This can help to ensure that the gripping portion 34, when deployed, does not get tangled and does not get caught on external surfaces.

[0042] In addition, if desired a portion of the gripping portion 34 can be configured to be coupled to a portion of the pocket 52, to provide predictable and easy location of thegripping portion 34. In particular, a portion of the gripping portion 34 can include a patch of hook-and-loop fastening material at or adjacent to an end thereof, and the pocket 52, for example an underside of the associated pocket flap 60, can include a corresponding patch of hook-and-loop fastening material to thereby secure the gripping portion 34 in place. However, it should be understood that the trousers 10 may not necessarily include the pocket 52 and / or sub-pocket cavity 56, and part of the gripping portion 34 may be located outside the inner cavity 17 and directly accessible by a rescuer.

[0043] Returning to Fig. 1, a firefighter or other wearer 15 of the trousers 10 would normally be expected to wear a hazardous duty turnout coat 64, that can be made of the same materials and layers, and in the various configurations with the same qualities, as the trousers 10 outlined above. The wearer 15 of the coat 64 / trousers 10 can also often wear a backpack 66 or the like, in the form of, or including, a SCBA pack or air pack. The backpack 66 can thus include and / or be coupled to a compressed air source 68 (in the form of air tanks. The backpack 66 can include a pair of shoulder straps 70, coupled to the compressed air source 68, that extend about the shoulders of the wearer 15 when worn. The backpack 66 may also include a waist strap / hip strap 72 extending about the torso of the wearer 15, and a chest strap 74 connecting the shoulder straps 70.

[0044] Since the backpack 66 is worn about the wearer's shoulders, the backpack 66 is securely coupled to the wearer 15. and the backpack 66 as a whole, and / or the straps 70, 72. 74. or portions or components directly or indirectly coupled thereto, can be considered attachment locations 36, for purposes of which are described below. Thus, the attachment locations 36 can be located on or part of the backpack 66, and / or straps 70, 72, 74 thereof, or coupled thereto at any of a wide variety of locations (such as a coupling ring, O-rings, D-rings, webbing, loops, buckles, links or the like, coupled to or forming part of the backpack 66). A wearer 15 / coat 64 may also have various other straps, clips, hooks, clasps or components on the front side and / or back surface thereof that can operate as an attachment location 36. The attachment location(s) 36 can be on an outer surface of a coat 64 or backpack 66 of the wearer 15.

[0045] In order to utilize the strap 8, a wearer 15 may be lying a supine (face up) position shown in Fig. 6 but the wearer 15 could instead be positioned on their side. A rescuer 81 (Fig. 9) then approaches the wearer 15, opens the pocket 52 (if necessary) and accesses the gripping portion 34. When the gripping portion 34 is located in the pocket 52, the pocket 52 can include indicia thereon to attract the rescuer's attention and / or indicate the presenceof the strap 8 / gripping portion 34. The indicia can include or take the form of reflective material, high contrast or bright color, text or the like. The strap / gripping portion 34 may also, or instead, itself include the same or similar indicia thereon.

[0046] The gripping portion 34 is then extracted out of the pocket 52 and coupled to the desired attachment location 36 via the clip 46 by the rescuer 81, as shown in Fig. 6. As outlined above, various attachment locations 36 could be utilized, including attachment locations 36 on the waist strap 72 and / or chest strap 74. or other portions of the backpack 66. In the illustrated embodiment the gripping portion 34 / clip 46 is connected directly to the attachment location 36 in the form of a shoulder strap 70, in the shortest direction across the top of the wearer 15. In an alternate configuration how ever, if desired, the gripping portion 34 / clip 46 could be passed underneath the leg 16 of the wearer 15 before being attached to the attachment location 36 / shoulder strap 70 such that the gripping portion 34 is received through and then passes over the crotch of the trousers.

[0047] Once the gripping portion 34 is coupled to the attachment location 36, the gripping portion 34 is cinched down / pulled tight. In particular, the gripping portion 34, can include a main portion 34a and a cinch strap portion 34b. located at a distal end extending through the gripping portion buckle 44, that is manually pullable to cinch the gripping portion 34. The rescuer 81 can pull on the cinch strap portion 34b to cinch / tighten, shorten the effective length of, and remove slack in, the gripping portion 34, as shown in Fig. 7. If desired, the cinch strap portion 34b can include a grip aid 80 at an end thereof to aid in gripping and pulling the gripping portion 34 tight. In the illustrated handle, the gripping portion 34 is folded over and stitched to itself at its end to form the grip aid 80. However, the grip aid 80 can take any of a wide variety of forms, such as a ball, a "T" grip or the like located at or adjacent to a distal end of the gripping portion 34, to provide ease of gripping / cinching.

[0048] At this time the gripping portion 34 is securely coupled to the attachment location 36 / backpack 66, which is securely coupled to the wearer 15 by the straps 70. The gripping portion 34 is also securely coupled to the wearer's leg 31. via the loop portion 32 that is looped about the w earer's leg 31. Thus, the strap 8 provides a strong and stable interconnected system of connections to the attachment location 36 / backpack 66 to the wearer 15.

[0049] Fig. 8 illustrates the strap 8 once it has been secured to the backpack 66 system in the proper manner, and the wearer 15 is thereby "packaged." In this manner, as shown inFig. 8, a rescuer can grasp one or more shoulder straps 70 of the backpack 66 and pull / drag the wearer 15 to safety by the shoulder straps 70 by pulling in a direction toward the top of the wearer 15. At this time, the backpack 66 is securely coupled to the wearer 15 such that any pulling forces applied to the shoulder straps 70 or other portions of the backpack 66 are relatively rigidly transmitted to the body of the wearer 15. The rescue harness 8 ensures that such pulling forces are properly transmitted to the wearer's body, and that the backpack 66 and / or coat 64 are not pulled off of the wearer 15. The rescuer 81 can then grab the backpack 66 (as shown in Fig. 8) and / or gripping portion 34, and drag the wearer 15 to safety.

[0050] Thus, as can be seen the rescue harness 8 helps to further secure the backpack 66 / air source 68 to the wearer 15, to ensure the backpack 66 / air source 68 is not removed when the wearer 15 is dragged to safety, thereby ensuring the ability to provide an uninterrupted supply of oxygen to the wearer 15 during rescue. In addition, deploy ment / operation of the rescue harness 8 is relatively easy and intuitive and does not require complex steps which can be important when time is of the essence, when used in stressful situations and / or when visibility can be poor. In addition, the trousers 10 can be donned, doffed and worn in the standard manner, and the rescue harness 8 does not interfere with normal wear and use of the trousers 10, and the rescue harness 8 is ready to be deployed for use at any time.

[0051] The rescue harness 8 can be sold in new trousers 10 / tumout gear. Alternatively, existing gear / trousers 10 may be able to be easily retrofitted to utilize the rescue harness 8 disclosed herein. In particular, the loop portion 32 can be positioned in the inner cavity 17 of the trousers 10. A slot 50 can be formed in the outer shell 20 (and other layers, as needed) of the trousers 10. and the gripping portion 34 passed through the slot 50. The protruding portion of the gripping portion 34 can then be coiled and positioned in adjacent pocket 52, if desired. The rescue harness 8 can then be utilized in the manner described herein, providing the benefits noted above.

[0052] Fig. 9 illustrates an alternative embodiment and configuration. In that case the gripping portion 34 includes a supplemental strap 84 that is coupled to the gripping portion buckle 44, where the supplemental strap 84 includes a clip 46 at each end thereof. Thus, the gripping portion 34 in this embodiment forms a generally "Y" shape and provides points of connection to two attachment locations 36 which can provide a stronger and more secure connection. In the illustrated embodiment the supplemental strap 84 is slidablepassed through an opening of the gripping portion buckle 44 and take the form of a single continuous strap. However, if desired the supplemental strap 84 can be made of two separate supplemental strap portions, each of which is directly coupled to the gripping portion buckle 44.

[0053] Fig. 11 illustrates an alternative embodiment, as briefly described above. In this embodiment the strap 8 is formed of a single, unitary, seamless, continuous structure / strap attached to itself via stitching 40 to form the loop portion 32. In particular the loop portion 32 and the gripping portion 34 are made of a single, continuous, unitary piece of material. This embodiment is relatively strong and relatively simple to manufacture, but may lack adjustability.

[0054] Fig. 12 illustrates another alternative embodiment, the loop portion 32 can include a pair of loop portion segments 32a, 32b, where the loop portion segments 32a, 32b are releasably attachable to each other via a fastener buckle, clasp or the like 86 to form a closed loop. In particular, each loop portion segment 32a, 32b can have fastener portion 86a, 86b located at or adjacent to a distal end thereof, and the fastener portions 86a, 86b can be selectively attachable together such that the loop portion 32 is in a first (closed) configuration, where the loop portion 32 forms a closed loop. The loop portion 32 is also movable to a second (open) configuration, where the loop portion 32 does not form a closed loop, and can be laid flat in a linear orientation.

[0055] The fastener portions 86a. 86b can be used to quickly and releasably secure the loop portion 32 to itself to form a loop, or assume a linear / flat configuration. In the illustrated embodiment the fastener portions 86a, 86b take the form of a male and female buckle portion that are releasable attachable together to form the closed loop. However the fastener portions 86a, 86b can take any of a wide variety of other forms, including for example hook-and-loop fastening material (such as VELCRO® material), hooks, latches, fasteners, buckles, straps, buttons, zippers, ties, snaps, clasps, clips, buttons, tabs, frictional engagements, magnetic couplings, releasable adhesives, etc.

[0056] The embodiment of Fig. 12 enables ease of removable of the strap 8 for cleaning, repair and replacement, and also enables adjustment of the size of the loop portion 32 by passing the strap through the slots 88 of the fastener portion 86a. However, this embodiment may be more expensive and complex to manufacture, and the fastener portions 86a. 86b may be uncomfortable for the wearer 15. In addition, the embodiment of Fig. 12 provides increased flexibility, in that the strap 8 can be used on the outside of thetrousers 10 of a wearer 15. In particular, the loop portion 32 can be passed around the outside of a leg 14, 16 of a wearer 15 and secured in place via the fastener portions 86a, 86b. The gripping portion 34 can be secured to the attachment location 36 as described above. Thus, the embodiment of Fig. 12 can be used as a on-location retrofit such that the rescue harness 8 can be used on-demand. The embodiment of Fig. 10 can also be similarly used, by passing the loop portion 32 through the loop portion buckle 42 to form a closed loop.

[0057] Fig. 13 illustrates yet another alternative embodiment. In this embodiment the strap 8 is formed of a single, continuous strap and in particular the loop portion 32 and the gripping portion 34 are made of a single, continuous, unitary piece of material. In addition, the strap 8 includes a loop portion buckle 42 through which the strap 8 passes to enable the size of the loop portion 32 to be adjusted as desired. This embodiment is relatively strong and simple to manufacture, but the loop portion 32 and gripping portion 34 may not be separable, which may limit cleaning and repair options. In addition, in this embodiment the loop portion buckle 42 may enable the loop portion 32 to be cinched / tightened down around the leg 31 of the wearer 15, for example during cinching / tightenmg of the gripping portion buckle 44, which can provide a more secure attachment of the strap 8 to the wearer 15.

[0058] Although the invention is shown and described with respect to certain embodiments, it should be clear that modifications will occur to those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding the specification, and the present invention includes all such modifications.

Claims

AMENDED CLAIMS received by the International Bureau on 28 Aug. 2025 (28.08.2025)What is claimed is:

1. An assembly comprising: a strap including a loop portion configured to be formed into a closed loop and receive a wearer's leg therein, the strap further including a gripping portion coupled to the loop portion configured to be selectively coupled to an attachment location located on or coupled to a wearer.

2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the loop portion is formed into a closed loop, and wherein the strap portion is not formed into a closed loop and is configurable in a linear shape.

3. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the loop portion is configured to have an adjustable effective length.

4. The assembly of claim 3 wherein the loop portion includes a loop portion buckle through which part of the loop portion is passed to provide the adjustable effective length.

5. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the loop portion and the gripping portion are made from separate pieces of material that are permanently coupled together.

6. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the loop portion and the gripping portion are made of separate pieces of material that are releasably coupled together.

7. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the strap, including the loop portion and the gripping portion, is a single unitary continuous structure.

8. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the strap includes a manually operable clip coupled to the gripping portion that is configured to be coupled to the attachment location to thereby removably couple the strap to the attachment location.

9. The assembly of claim 8 wherein the strap is configured such that the gripping portion, when coupled to the attachment location, is manually cinchable to decrease an effective length of the gripping portion.

10. The assembly of claim 9 wherein the strap is configured such that the gripping portion, when coupled to the attachment location, includes a main portion, a gripping portion buckle and a cinch strap portion extending through the gripping portion buckle, wherein the cinch strap portion is manually pullable to cinch the gripping portion.

11. The assembly of claim 8 wherein the strap includes a supplemental clip coupled to the gripping portion that is configured to coupled to a supplemental attachment location to thereby securely couple the strap to the supplemental attachment location.

12. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the loop portion is configured to be selectively movable between a first configuration where the loop portion forms the closed loop, and a second configuration where the loop portion does not form the closed loop.

13. The assembly of claim 12 wherein the loop portion includes a pair of loop portion segments, each loop portion segment having a fastener portion, wherein the fastener portions are selectively attachable together when the loop portion is in the first configuration, and wherein the fastener portions are not attached together when the loop portion is in the second configuration.

14. The assembly of claim 1 further comprising a pair of trousers, wherein the loop portion is formed in the closed loop, and wherein the loop portion is positioned in a leg of the trousers and configured to receive the wearer's leg therein.

15. The assembly of claim 14 wherein the loop portion is entirely positioned inside an outer shell of the pair of trousers.

16. The assembly of claim 14 wherein the trousers include an inner cavity and an access slot providing access to the inner cavity from outside the trousers, and wherein at least part of the strap extends through in the access slot.

17. The assembly of claim 16 wherein the trousers include an outer pocket positioned outside the inner cavity, and wherein a majority of the gripping portion, as measured along its length, is positioned in the outer pocket.

18. The assembly of claim 14 wherein the trousers includes an outer shell and an inner liner, and wherein the loop portion is positioned between the outer shell and the inner liner.

19. The assembly of claim 18 wherein the outer shell resists igniting, burning, melting, dripping or separation when exposed to a temperature of 500° F for at least five minutes, wherein the inner liner includes a thermal barrier located generally inside the outer shell such that the thermal barrier is positioned between the outer shell and a wearer when the trousers are worn, wherein the thermal barrier has a thermal protection performance of at least about twenty, and wherein the inner liner further includes a moisture barrier located generally inside the outer shell such that the moisture barrier is positioned between the outer shell and a wearer when the trousers are worn, the moisture barrier being generally liquid impermeable and generally moisture vapor permeable.

20. The assembly of claim 14 further comprising a coat that is worn by the wearer, wherein the attachment location is located on an outer surface of the coat, and wherein the gripping portion is coupled to the attachment location.

21. The assembly of claim 14 further comprising a backpack that is worn over the shoulders of the wearer, wherein the attachment location is at least one of located on, part of or coupled to the backpack, and wherein the backpack includes or is coupled to a compressed air source.

22. The assembly of claim 14 wherein the loop portion is entirely positioned outside an outer shell of the pair of trousers.

23. An assembly comprising: a pair of trousers; and a strap including a loop portion positioned in the trousers and configured to receive a wearer's leg therein, the strap further including a gripping portion coupled to the loop portion and configured to be selectively coupled to an attachment location located on or coupled to a wearer.

24. A method comprising: accessing a pair of trousers including a strap having a loop portion formed in a closed loop and receiving a wearer's leg therein, the strap further including a gripping portion coupled to the loop portion; and manually connecting the gripping portion to an attachment location located on or coupled to a wearer.

25. The method of claim 24 further comprising, after the connecting step, manually cinching the gripping portion to thereby shorten an effective length thereof.

26. The method of claim 25 further comprising, after the cinching step, dragging a wearer, wearing the pair of trousers, via a backpack including the attachment location.

27. The method of claim 24 wherein the attachment location is located on an outer surface of a coat.

28. The method of claim 24 wherein the method further includes, prior to the connecting step, accessing a pocket in which at least part of the gripping portion is located and extracting at least part of the gripping portion from the pocket, wherein the wearer is wearing a backpack over the shoulders of the wearer, wherein the attachment location is located on, part of or coupled to the backpack.

29. The assembly of claim 16 wherein the strap includes a manually operable clip coupled to the gripping portion that is configured to be coupled to the attachment location to thereby removably couple the strap to the attachment location, wherein the clip is positioned outside the inner cavity.

30. The assembly of claim 20 wherein the strap is configured such that the gripping portion, when coupled to the attachment location, is manually cinchable, at a location external of the coat and the trousers, to decrease an effective length of the gripping portion.

Images