MECHANISM OF BREATHING APPARATUS USER IDENTIFICATION

Abstract

A mechanism with unique identification features, such as color and alphanumeric markings, for back mounted self contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), which couples and uncouples from SCBA air cylinders in a linear fashion and covers at least one end of the cylinder with a rigid body for identification of firefighters while in donned protective gear.

Claims

1. A user identification apparatus for back mounted compressed gas cylinders of self contained breathing units comprising: a. a means of coupling and uncoupling said identification apparatus, b. at least one material to cover at least one end of said compressed gas cylinder, or a portion thereof, and c. at least one unique identifying feature applied to outer face of said identification apparatus to identify the user of said compressed gas cylinder.

2. The user identification apparatus for back mounted compression gas cylinders of self contained breathing apparatus of claim 1, wherein said identification apparatus comprises: a. a shape matching the compressed air cylinder to which it couples for a form, flush fit to said bottle, b. an opening to receive compressed gas cylinder linear to long axis of bottle, c. an opening to receive coupling of the compressed air cylinder similar to, and only slightly larger, the outer diameter of the compressed gas cylinder, d. an opening small enough to ensure minimal space and a flush fit between inside of apparatus and outside of compressed gas cylinder, e. an air exchange hole opposite compressed gas cylinder receiving opening, and f. a rigid body to allow apparatus to be easily slid along body of gas cylinder to couple with said gas cylinder.

3. The user identification apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein said at least one material that retains its integrity in high temperatures to prevent damage to said identifying feature.

4. The user identification apparatus of claim 3, wherein the at least one material is selected from aluminum, thermoplastic such as nylon or thermoplastic elastomer, or vulcanized rubber.

5. The user identification apparatus of claim 3, wherein the at least one material is firm to receive an identifiable sticker made for high temperature and/or reflectivity.

6. The user identification apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein the user identifying feature is capable of visual recognition by other users.

7. The user identification apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein said at least one user identifying feature is a color, alphanumeric, a symbol or a unique marking.

8. The alphanumeric, symbol or unique marking of claim 7, wherein the marking is a sticker.

9. The user identification apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one user identification feature is visual from behind the user.

10. The user identification apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one user identification feature is a semi-permanent marking, such as a sticker, that can be applied by the firefighter or purchasing agency.

11. The user identification apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one user identification feature is a sticker that can be removed.

12. The user identification apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one user identification feature is capable of being changed to reflect updates to user.

13. The user identification apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein the method of tracking the user identity can be applied to said apparatus.

14. The user identification apparatus of any of claims 1-13 wherein the identification apparatus is designed to fit a compressed gas cylinder selected from the following: Drger, MSA, Scott Safety, Honeywell, Interspiro, or Avon self contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) compressed gas cylinder.

15. The user identification apparatus of any of claims 1-14 wherein the identification apparatus is certified by National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) in accordance with 42 CFR 84.

16. The user identification apparatus of any of claims 1-14 wherein the identification apparatus is designed to meet accessory requirements of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1981 SCBA standard.

17. The user identification apparatus of any of claims 1-14 wherein the identification apparatus meets the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1981 test for heat and flame resistance as specified in Section 8.11, Heat and Flame Test, and has an afterflame of no more than 2.2 seconds.

18. The user identification apparatus of any of claims 1-14, wherein the user identification apparatus is able to withstand 15 minutes at 203 degrees Fahrenheit and a direct flame test for 10 seconds with an afterflame of no longer than 2.2 seconds.

19. The user identification apparatus of any of claims 1-14, wherein the user identification apparatus meets the NFPA 1981 design requirements.

20. The user identification apparatus of any of the previous claims, wherein said at least one material retains its integrity in high temperatures to prevent damage to said identifying feature.

21. The user identification apparatus of any of the previous claims, wherein the at least one material is selected from aluminum, thermoplastic such as nylon or thermoplastic elastomer, or vulcanized rubber.

22. The user identification apparatus of any of the previous claims, wherein the user identifying feature is capable of visual recognition by other users.

23. The user identification apparatus of any of the previous claims, wherein said at least one user identifying feature is a color, alphanumeric, a symbol or a unique marking,

24. The user identification apparatus of any of the previous claims, wherein the at least one user identification feature is visual from behind the user.

25. The user identification apparatus of any of the previous claims, wherein the identification apparatus is designed to identify the apparatus for matching to user's additional equipment, such as bluetooth connected devices.

26. A method of coupling a user identification apparatus to a compressed gas cylinder comprising coupling a user identification apparatus of any of the previous claims to said compressed gas cylinder.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] The accompanying drawings are used to illustrate the theoretical principals behind the invention and to schematically illustrate various exemplary embodiments of the invention that form part of the specifications. These drawings along with the background given above and detailed description given below provide detailed explanation of the invention, and wherein:

[0041] FIG. 1 shows one example of a user, a firefighter, dressed in protective garments and a self contained breathing unit. The compressed gas cylinder of the self contained breathing apparatus is coupled with one embodiment of the invention.

[0042] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of the invention and a method of placing it on a breathing cylinder linear to long axis of the cylinder.

[0043] FIG. 3 shows a top view of one embodiment of the invention with a hole placed in the top to allow air exchange when coupling and uncoupling.

[0044] FIG. 4 shows a side view of one embodiment of the invention with examples of identifying features, such as colored material and numbering.

[0045] FIG. 5 shows a view of one embodiment of the invention in use, grouping and identifying users with unique features.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0046] Various figures and images are used to schematically illustrate the principal behind the current invention and schematically illustrate various embodiments of the current invention. Hence, the description of the various embodiments of present invention is intended to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings. These drawings and images are to be considered part of the entire written description.

[0047] The descriptions contain many specifics for the purposes of illustration and ease of explanation. However, a person of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate the many variations and alterations to the provided details are within the scope of invention. The following detailed description are not intended to limit the embodiments of the subject matter of the application or uses of such embodiments. As used herein, the word exemplary means serving as an example. Any embodiment that is described as exemplary is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other variations and embodiments.

[0048] In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth, such as specific dimensions and angles, in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that embodiments of the present disclosure may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known techniques are not described in detail in order to not unnecessarily obscure embodiments of the present invention. The feature or features of one embodiment can be applied to other embodiments, even though not described or illustrated, unless expressly prohibited by this disclosure or the nature of the embodiments.

[0049] The field of the current invention relates to a method of identifying personnel when wearing self contained breathing apparatus or units (SCBA). Devices like these are normally worn with other protective garments, which means many identifiable features, such as the face and body, are not visible and identification of users is difficult.

[0050] An embodiment of the invention allows identification of users of self contained breathing apparatus or units (SCBA) to be easily identified with a removable identification mechanism placed over the back mounted SCBA compressed gas bottle (cylinder). This embodiment ensures the information is accurate and allows the information to be easily transferable to SCBA replacement bottles during extended or new work cycles.

[0051] SCBA bottles do not currently have identifiable user information that meets industry heat and flame testing standards, that won't create potential entanglement hazards, that can be easily updated with new insignia and can be readily changed between bottles. This is necessary as workers operate in dangerous fire and heat conditions that often have entanglement hazards, unit numbers change on occasion due to department reorganizations, and air cylinders are regularly changed between work units and users. Organizations use many air cylinders and permanent unit markings on air cylinders are not practical because of the transitory nature of the air cylinders themselves.

[0052] FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of the invention with one example of a user, a firefighter 1, using a self contained breathing apparatus or unit (SCBA) 22. The firefighter 1 is dressed in protective garments 30, and is wearing one self contained breathing unit 22, which includes the air cylinder 21, mechanism to hold the bottle to the user, the harness 23, and a face covering mask 20. The combination of these items makes identification of the user 1 difficult. The embodiment of the current invention 40 covers the compressed air cylinder 21, with a flush fit and is transferable between cylinders 21. Work cycles for personnel often require them to exchange air cylinders 21. When the user, firefighter 1, changes air cylinders 21 during their work cycle, the embodiment of the current invention 40 is removed and placed on the new cylinder 21.

[0053] FIG. 2 shows one embodiment of the invention cover 40 and how it is removed or replaced on a compressed air cylinder 21 in linear, form fitting fashion.

[0054] One embodiment of the invention solves this issue through the coupling of a mechanism for identifying the air cylinders user. This mechanism is slid over the cylinder end linear to the long axis of the cylinder until it sits flush against the outer cylinder surface. The shape of this embodiment is similar to the shell of the compressed air cylinder, with a diameter only slightly larger than the outer diameter of the air cylinder to ensure a form fit. A flush, form fit is essential to ensure no snag hazards are created for the user who may work in areas that such a hazard could cause entanglement and fatal entrapment. The thickness of the embodiment of the invention would be in keeping with a low profile fit and not so great as to inhibit placement of the bottle within the harness of the SCBA. As a snug fit creates vacuum and pressure between two objects in motion, one embodiment of the invention provides an air exchange hole to allow air exchange in the areas between the air cylinder and the invention when coupling and uncoupling.

[0055] FIG. 3 is an illustration of one embodiment of the invention viewed from the top. It shows the invention 40 and an example of a hole 41 that would allow air to move freely between the invention shell 40 and air cylinder 21 when coupling and uncoupling so as to disperse pressure or limit vacuum in the limited space between the cylinder 21 and invention shell 40 during linear motion.

[0056] Visibility is limited in the harsh environment of firefighting. It is extremely difficult for supervisors (i.e. captain, company officer) or fellow firefighters to identify individuals wearing full protective garments and SCBA. The embodiment of the current invention is located on the SCBA compressed air cylinder of the user and is easily seen with visually identifiable information on the outer surface of the invention that includes but is not limited to: (1) color of apparatus; (2) or alpha, numeric or other identifying data on the apparatus.

[0057] An example of the benefit of one embodiment can be illustrated when fire personnel are working in a hazardous environment that requires full protective clothing, including donning of the self contained breathing unit. A supervisor (i.e. captain, company officer) responsible for the oversight of a group of personnel can easily see this embodiment of the invention placed on the air cylinder of the SCBA. The unique information found on the embodiment of the invention would inform the supervisor of which unit the worker was assigned and the embodiment of the invention that uses colors could also provide information on their work position (i.e. engineer, paramedic, firefighter).

[0058] FIG. 4 shows one embodiment of the invention and some examples of how unique identifiers can be used. Numbers 42 are just one example and any variance of marking on the cylinder cover 40 that identifies a user 1 is practical within the embodiment of the current invention. Cover 40 color 43 may also provide identification and serve to parse down the group more precisely. These methods are just some of the examples and the embodiment of the current invention is not limited to these methods.

[0059] FIG. 5 shows one embodiment of the invention on numerous users 1. Multiple users 1 are identifiable through invention cover 40 which contains identifiers 42 and 43. This view is one frequently encountered by supervising personnel.

[0060] Numerous industry documents, including minimum operational standards and post fatality report recommendations, underscore the importance of dependable worker identification and accountability. Examples of how users may be identified and grouped by unit are not limited to the following visible markings on an embodiment of the invention: 213 on red surface (captain), 213 on orange surface (lieutenant or engineer), 213 on black surface (firefighter), 213A on black surface (firefighter), 213 on blue surface (paramedic). This embodiment would allow rapid and accurate identification of all firefighters (the term firefighters is a generic industry term that applies to all personnel including but not limited to engineer, lieutenant, firefighter, paramedic, etc) assigned to the 213 captain.

[0061] It is essential that workers within high risk environments are readily identified by peers and accounted for by supervising personnel according to their work units. Crews working in the same group take equipment, such as self contained breathing units (SCBA), from the same location (SCBA stored together on respective fire apparatus). This allows SCBA to be uniquely marked as grouped together (211 red, 211 black, 211 orange) and provides a significant improvement to safety. Highly visual, an embodiment of the invention allows a supervisor to accurately note the location and identification of several workers in proximity. As bottles are often required to be changed during or between work assignments, an embodiment of the invention would allow this information to be easily transferred when exchanging air cylinders, significantly improving worker safety.

[0062] Any apparatus attached to an SCBA would be exposed to the harsh conditions found in fire suppression and rescue. As such, it is essential that it be capable of approval by appropriate regulatory bodies that establish standards to prevent firefighter injuries. The NFPA (National

[0063] Fire Protection Association) and NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) are two such agencies that establish standards to keep firefighters safe. NFPA's rugged standards include tests such as continued exposure temperatures of up to 500*F and direct flame contact. The harsh work environments of firefighters requires accessories that are able to meet these regulatory agency safety benchmarks.

[0064] The apparatus can be made from a variety of items, including plastic compounds or metals suited for the appropriate environment (i.e. heat and or water) and to ensure the apparatus meets NFPA and NIOSH SCBA accessory standards.

[0065] Thus, it is appreciated that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variation in size, materials, shape, form, function, and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the above description are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

[0066] Furthermore, other areas of art may benefit from this method and adjustments to the design are anticipated. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given.