Integrated Safety Belt in Fire Jacket for Load Distribution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional fire brigade belts and rescue loops certified to EN 358 and EN 1498 standards burden wearers with weight, restrict mobility, and compromise breathability, while also being limited in application due to weight distribution and lack of stability, especially when used with compressed air breathing apparatus.

Innovation Solution

A protective jacket with an integrated belt featuring loops at both ends accessible through a front opening, incorporating a safety sling and belay system that meets EN 358, EN 1498, and EN 469 standards, providing enhanced safety, mobility, and breathability by distributing weight evenly and allowing secure attachment points for fall prevention and rescue operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional fire brigade belt is worn on the outside of clothing, then the wearer is secured and held, but the breathability of the clothing is reduced and air circulation is prevented

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecuring and holding functionVSAvoidbreathability and air circulation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The belt is integrated into the protective jacket by being received within an integrated channel running along the inside of the jacket, allowing the belt to be nested within the jacket structure rather than worn externally, thus maintaining breathability while providing securing functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated channel acts as an intermediary structure that holds the belt in a stowed position during normal wear, allowing air circulation, while still enabling access to the belt ends through openings when needed for securing or rescue functions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a conventional fire brigade belt is worn on the outside of clothing, then the wearer is secured, but the mobility of the clothing and freedom of movement are restricted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecuring functionVSAvoidmobility and freedom of movement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The belt is nested within the jacket's integrated channel, allowing it to remain concealed and non-intrusive during normal movement, while still being accessible when needed, thus maintaining full mobility without compromising securing functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The belt system allows dynamic transition between stowed (during normal activity) and deployed (during emergency) states, with the ends accessible through openings, enabling the wearer to move freely while maintaining the capability to be secured when needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If a conventional fire brigade belt is used for self-rescue, then the wearer can be rescued, but the load occurs exclusively in the stomach and back area with high risk of injury

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverescue functionVSAvoidinjury risk from concentrated load

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The belt is designed with multiple attachment points and integrated channels that distribute the load across the torso and shoulders rather than concentrating it on the stomach and back, reducing the risk of injury during self-rescue operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated belt system serves multiple functions including normal wear integration, securing, and self-rescue, with design features that address both rescue effectiveness and wearer safety by distributing loads appropriately

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Reliability

If a conventional fire brigade belt is worn with compressed air breathing apparatus, then the wearer is secured, but space problems and collisions with the breathing apparatus belt occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecuring functionVSAvoidspace conflicts and collisions

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The belt is nested within the protective jacket's integrated channel, positioning it internally rather than externally, which eliminates space conflicts with the breathing apparatus belt worn by the wearer

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentEP2468119B1Safety jacket, in particular fire safety jacket with an integrated belt

Publication Date: 2015.09.09 CONSULTIV

Figure 1~2

AI summary

The jacket (10) has an integrated belt (12) comprising ends (18a, 18b) accessed by a user through apertures (16a, 16b) formed at a front side (14) of the jacket. A backup loop (20) is arranged between the ends of the belt and accessed through the apertures. Tapes are fastened at the jacket using a Velcro(RTM: Hook and loop fastener) fastener part. A D-shaped rope guiding ring (22) and a twist lock carabiner (24) are secured on a supporting point of the ends of the belt, where the jacket conforms to EN 469:2005standard.