SCBA Rescue Apparatus with Rolling Wheel Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for extracting injured emergency workers from hostile environments, such as fire zones and industrial contamination sites, are cumbersome and require multiple rescuers due to the weight and equipment burden, making it difficult to efficiently and safely remove individuals wearing self-contained breathing apparatuses.
Innovation Solution
A rescue apparatus with frictional drag-reducing elements like rolling wheel systems, track systems, and skid plates is attached to the self-contained breathing apparatus frame, allowing a single rescuer to efficiently extract injured workers by reducing frictional drag and distributing the load.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If multiple rescuers are used to extract injured workers, then the extraction capability is improved, but the device complexity and operational difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the anti-weight principle by using wheeled mobility elements (wheels, rollers, skid plates) to counteract the weight of the injured worker and SCBA equipment. Instead of relying on multiple rescuers to physically lift and carry the heavy load (250-300 lbs), the wheeled system provides mechanical assistance that reduces the effective weight burden on rescuers, enabling easier extraction with fewer personnel.
Solution Approach 2:
The wheeled mobility elements serve as an intermediary mechanism between the injured worker and the rescuers. Rather than direct manual handling, the wheels/rollers/skid plates act as a mediating system that facilitates movement, reducing the complexity of direct human-to-human lifting operations and enabling more efficient extraction procedures.
2Reliability
If multiple rescuers are deployed, then the safety of extraction is improved, but the time required for extraction increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wheeled mobility elements enable the extraction system to be more self-service oriented. The wheels, rollers, and skid plates automatically provide mobility and reduction of frictional drag without requiring additional rescuers to manually assist with movement. This self-propelled capability reduces extraction time while maintaining safety, as the mechanical assistance is inherently available without requiring coordination of multiple personnel for the movement task.
3Weight of moving object
If the weight of injured worker with SCBA is considered, then the extraction difficulty increases, but the use of wheeled mobility elements reduces the frictional drag
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical lifting and dragging system with a wheeled mobility system. Instead of rescuers directly manipulating the heavy worker-SCBA combination through manual lifting and dragging, the wheels, rollers, and skid plates provide a mechanical substitution that converts difficult friction-based dragging into easier rolling or wheeled movement, significantly reducing the effort required despite the heavy weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The wheeled mobility elements change the physical parameters of the extraction system by introducing rolling friction instead of sliding friction. This parameter change from high-friction dragging to low-friction rolling dramatically reduces the force required to move the heavy worker-SCBA combination, making extraction easier despite the substantial weight involved.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables safe and efficient extraction of injured emergency workers from hostile environments with reduced physical effort, minimizing the risk of further injury and facilitating solo rescues by reducing the frictional drag and weight distribution.
Implementation Method 1
frictional drag-reducing elements like rolling wheel systems
Implementation Method 2
frictional drag-reducing elements like rolling wheel systems, track systems
Implementation Method 3
frictional drag-reducing elements like rolling wheel systems, track systems, and skid plates
Data Source
AI summary
A rescue device which attaches to the frame of a self-contained breathing apparatus carried on the back of emergency workers such as firemen, hazardous-waste cleanup crews, and other individuals entering into hostile environments. The rescue device is adapted to connect to the frame of existing self-contained breathing apparatus frames or racks. In one form, the rescue device has a top and bottom frame which connects to the SCBA tank at the top and bottom locations. The frames project around the body of the SCBA tank and extend out to position rolling elements for providing the transportation needs. The frames are connected to the tank of an SCBA by way of a quick-release linkage system. The frames have at the rolling elements ends wheel forks which contain wheels having axles. In another embodiment a skid plate is attached to the ends of the frames in conjunction with the protruding wheels or by itself without rolling elements. Other ways of creating the reduction in frictional drag are provided such as a sled type configuration and a track system.