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  Rescue harnessUSPTO Application #: 20070117479Title: Rescue harness Abstract: A rescue harness includes an inflatable bladder. Optionally, an inflatable bladder, gas canister and an opening mechanism are held in a container. In one example, at least the inflatable bladder is retained near a predetermined portion of the harness assembly in an inflated condition. The predetermined portion of the harness assembly is remote from the container. In another example, at least the inflatable bladder is movably coupled along a guide portion of the harness assembly in an inflated condition. In still another example, the inflatable bladder substantially envelops a gas canister and an opening mechanism in a storage position. (end of abstract)
Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg, Woessner & Kluth, P.A. - Minneapolis, MN, US Inventors: John Weinel, Thomas Waclo, Will Paden USPTO Applicaton #: 20070117479 - Class: 441117000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Buoys, Rafts, And Aquatic Devices, Water Rescue Or Life Protecting Apparatus, Personal Flotation Device, For Torso, With Buoyancy Means On The Front The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070117479. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] Emergency recovery devices and in particular emergency recovery devices usable in materials slides such as landslides and avalanches. BACKGROUND [0002] Many of the current personal recovery and rescue devices are not compact and portable. For instance, the devices are often cumbersome assemblies carried on the back. The back mounted recovery device includes a large inflatable bladder and a gas canister coupled to the bladder. The size of these back mounted devices precludes using a backpack to store equipment including camping gear, survival gear, food, water and the like. In some examples, skiers, hikers, snowmobilers, rescue personnel and the like use a backpack (e.g., for storage and the like) instead of using a back mounted recovery device. Further, in some examples, the back mounted devices are heavy and limit the amount of equipment the user may comfortably carry in pockets and coats. In still other examples, it is the policy of ferrying services (e.g., helicopter ferries) that transport back country skiers and hikers to remote locations to not allow the use of a cumbersome backpack or back mounted recovery device that can decrease the mobility of the user in an avalanche situation. In yet other examples, ski patrol officers are precluded from wearing back mounted recovery devices because they carry avalanche triggering explosives on their backs. [0003] In operation, the gas canisters of the back mounted device are opened by the user and inflate the bladder on the back of the user. In some examples, the bladder remains directly coupled to the back of the user after inflation. If used during a material slide (e.g., avalanche, landslide, mudslide and the like) because the bladder is lighter than the user, the bladder can turn the user upside down so his face points toward the ground, thereby making breathing and self extrication more difficult. Additionally, the inflated bladder may point the face of the user downward into the material of the slide (e.g., ice, rocks, snow and the like) while it is moving, and may result in additional injury to the user. [0004] In other examples, an inflatable bladder is retained along the hip with a gas canister coupled to the bladder. In one example, when inflated, the bladder remains coupled to the hip (i.e., with a tether), and the bladder can roll the user on to his side thereby pointing the face of the user into the material of the slide. Additionally, while moving in the material slide, because the inflated bladder is coupled at the hip (i.e., at the center of gravity of the user) the body of the user can rotate and the user's head may point downstream of the slide. The inflatable bladder thereby may not protect the head from injury caused by stationary trees, rocks and the like lying in the path of the material slide. [0005] What is needed is rescue harness that overcomes the shortcomings of previous devices. What is further needed is a rescue device that is compact and portable, and provides an increased chance of survival and decreases the severity of injuries in a material slide such as an avalanche or landslide. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0006] FIG. 1 is a front view of one example of a rescue harness. [0007] FIG. 2 is a rear view of one example of the bundle coupled with one example of a harness assembly. [0008] FIG. 3 is a front view of one example of the rescue harness positioned on a user. [0009] FIG. 4 is a rear view of another example of the rescue harness positioned over the user. [0010] FIG. 5 is a front view of one example of the inflatable bladder in an inflated condition. [0011] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of one example of the portable bundle taken along line 6-6 in FIG. 1. [0012] FIG. 7 is a detailed perspective view of one example of the rescue harness including a splittable container. [0013] FIG. 8 is a detailed front view showing one example of a first tether and a second tether extending between the harness assembly and the inflatable bladder. [0014] FIG. 9 is a front view showing one example of the inflatable bladder in an inflated condition and positioned along the first strap. [0015] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing one example of a method for making a rescue harness. DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS [0016] In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the following detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. [0017] One example of a rescue harness is shown in FIG. 1 as rescue harness 100. The rescue harness 100 includes a harness assembly having, in another example, a first strap 102 and a second strap 104 that cooperate to position the rescue harness on a user, for instance around the waist and over a shoulder. Optionally, the harness assembly includes a vest, webbing and the like sized and shaped to position the rescue harness on the user. As shown in FIG. 1, in yet another example, the second strap 104 crosses the first strap 102 (e.g., the second strap is perpendicular to the first strap). The first and second straps 102, 104 are adjustable, in yet another example, to facilitate fitting the rescue harness 100 around a variety of users having different body types, weights, sizes and the like. The rescue harness 100 further includes a bundle 106 that houses at least an inflatable bladder, a gas canister and an opening mechanism coupled thereto in a storage position. As shown in FIG. 1, a portion of the opening mechanism including a manual trigger, such as a rip cord 108 extends outside of the bundle 106. Optionally, the bundle 106 is coupled to at least one of the first strap 102 and the second strap 104. [0018] In another example, the harness assembly including the first strap 102 and the second strap 104 includes quick connect features 110 to facilitate rapid positioning and removal of the rescue harness 100 on the user. For instance, the rescue harness 100 quick connect features include, but are not limited to, buckles, snap-fitting buckles, hook and loop fasteners, laces (e.g., for knotting and/or tying) and the like. [0019] Referring now to FIG. 2, in one example a rear face 200 of the bundle 106 is shown coupled with the second strap 104. The bundle 106 includes, in another option, hoops 202 sized and shaped to pass the second strap 104 therethrough and couple the bundle 106 along the second strap 104. As shown in FIG. 2, the bundle 106 is optionally movably coupled along the second strap 104, for instance the bundle 106 is slidable along the second strap 104 to aid in comfortably positioning the bundle 106 on the waist of a user. In yet another example, the first strap 102 is coupled with the second strap 104 between the hoops 202. The hoops 202 of the bundle 106 retain the first strap 102 therebetween to ensure the first strap 102 extends away from the bundle 106 irrespective of where the bundle 106 is positioned along the second strap 104. In still another example, the first strap 102 is movably coupled with the second strap 104 with a hoop 204 extending around the second strap 104. Optionally, the bundle 106 and the first strap 104 are affixed to the bundle 106, for instance with adhesives, welds, fasteners, stitching and the like. [0020] FIG. 3 shows the rescue harness 100 positioned around a user 300 in one example configuration. The rescue harness 100 is shown with the first strap 102 extending over one shoulder 302 of the user 300. In another example, the first strap 102 extends around the back of the user toward the front and couples with the second strap 104. Positioning the first strap 102 to extend over the chest of the user ensures the inflatable bladder is positioned at a predetermined location when inflated, as further described below. Additionally, extending the first strap 102 around the back of the user toward the front ensures the first strap 102 is retained over the shoulder 302, for instance, during skiing, hiking, snowmobiling, climbing, rescue operations, during a material slide and the like. The first strap 102 is coupled with the second strap 104 near the front of the user, optionally, and thereby loops the opposing shoulder 304 and the neck 306 therebetween to hold the first strap 102 in place (See FIG. 4). In yet another example, the first strap 102 extends from the second strap 104 over the shoulder 302, loops around the neck 306 and extends over the opposing shoulder 304 back toward the second strap 104 where it is coupled with the second strap 104. Other examples of the rescue harness 100 are sized and shaped to fit around the user 300, other users, objects and the like in different configurations. In still another example, the rescue harness 100 includes a vest, webbing and the like. Continue reading... Full patent description for Rescue harness Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Rescue harness patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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