Untitled record

description

The invention relates to an avalanche rescue device, which has at least one close to the body with the user connectable inflatable buoyancy body, a pressurized gas unit with pressurized gas container and a trigger unit and with a carrying system for carrying the functional parts on the back of the functional parts User is equipped.

An avalanche rescue device is understood here to mean a device for rescuing people in particular in snow avalanches.

Such a device has been in use for many years and is described, inter alia, in DE 32 37 060 A1.

An improved avalanche rescue device is explained in more detail in WO 96/35479 A1 (PCT / EP 96/01942). The functional parts described there, for example a float, filling unit for the float, pressurized gas unit with pressurized gas container and release unit, can also be used in the avalanche rescue device according to the invention. It is therefore unnecessary to describe these functional parts in detail. Rather, reference is made to the cited publication.

This known avalanche rescue device is equipped, for example, with a backpack frame in order to attach at least some of the functional parts, for example the floatation bodies or balloons, to it. The backpack frame with the balloons can serve both as an isolated rescue device and as a base for a backpack.

If the functional parts are attached to a backpack, for example a rescue backpack, at least some of these functional parts are connected to a mounting plate integrated into the backpack in order to ensure the required strength.

In the cited publication it is also described that it is possible to integrate the functional parts of the avalanche rescue device in a vest or other item of clothing. In this case, too, separate fastening elements are required for at least some of the functional parts which have to be integrated into the stated items of clothing.

By the way, such elements are referred to as functional parts here which are technically related to the actuation of the device and in particular to the inflation of the buoyancy bodies.

Another avalanche rescue device of the type in question is described in WO 98/33559 A1 (PCT / EP 98/00491). The subjects explained in more detail there relate to improvements in the functional parts of such an avalanche rescue device or avalanche rescue system.

The disadvantage of these known avalanche rescue devices is the fact that they can only ever be used in the respectively selected configuration. If the avalanche rescue device is integrated into a vest or an anorak, for example, then it must always be used together with this item of clothing. If, on the other hand, the avalanche rescue device is integrated into a backpack, then this device must always be carried in connection with this special backpack that has been selected.

The object of the present invention is to provide an avalanche rescue device that can be used more universally than the previously known avalanche rescue devices.

This object is achieved by an avalanche rescue device according to the teaching of the present application.

The avalanche rescue device according to the invention is characterized, inter alia, in that the carrying system is constructed from at least one flexible fabric element. This carrying system is used to hold the functional parts. In particular, it can be a flexible flat fabric, for example a nylon fabric, or a belt. Even

1/15

AT10 934U1 2010-01-15 Austrian

Patent Office a combination of a fabric or a fabric-like fabric and a belt or several belts is possible. Such fabric elements are known.

It is crucial that the fabric element can absorb the forces that occur, so that the functional reliability of the avalanche rescue device is fulfilled. This applies in particular to the inflatable buoyancy bodies. Therefore, the thickness and strength of the fabric element should be selected according to the expected loads. Since the fabric element is flexible, it can also optimally adapt to the various contours, for example the user's back. In addition, such Gewe beelemente are light weight. Stiff mounting plates and inflexible support frames are avoided.

If in the context of the present documents of a belt, then it can be a single, separate belt. However, a belt can also consist of several separate belt straps that can be sewn together. The individual belt straps can also partially overlap. It is only decisive that - as already explained above - the resulting "overall harness has sufficient strength to be able to absorb the loads that occur when the rescue situation occurs and the buoyancy bodies are inflated and the user in the avalanche has the necessary buoyancy should lend.

The avalanche rescue device according to the invention is further characterized in that the carrying system is equipped with a first connecting device which interacts with a second connecting device of a separate container in such a way that the carrying system can be detachably connected to the container to form a common manageable backpack. The connecting devices are designed or attached that the carrying system with the attached functional parts together with the container attached to it in use, when the avalanche rescue device is on the back of the user, is sandwiched between the back of the user and the container.

Viewed from above, specifically in the direction of the user's back, the expansion of the additional container can be smaller than in the case of the carrying system or its dimensions correspond. In addition, the container can protrude above and below the carrying system. At the side, however, the container should not protrude beyond the "base of the carrying system, since this space is required for the inflation of the floats or balloons in the event of a rescue."

The front of the container is preferably the back of the carrying system and covers this carrying system in the united state from the outside or closes it off.

Both the first connecting device and the second connecting device can be of any type. It only has to be ensured that the additional separate container can be connected to the carrying system in the manner described. For example, buttons can serve as a connecting device which, in cooperation with the associated button holes, which represent the second connecting device, serve to combine the carrying system and a separate additional container. Furthermore, snap fasteners of a known type can be used for this purpose. However, the two connecting devices preferably form a zip fastener.

A zipper usually consists of two side strips and associated staples that can be joined or separated with the help of a slider. In the described preferred embodiment, one side strip is attached to the carrying system, while the other side strip is attached to the container.

Both side strips preferably run almost completely around the outside of the carrying system or the container.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the container is essentially self-contained, but provided with at least one closable opening through which the interior of the container is accessible from the outside.

2/15

AT10 934U1 2010-01-15 Austrian

Patent office

The avalanche rescue device according to the invention is not limited to this type of container. One of the main advantages of the avalanche rescue device according to the invention is that the most varied of containers, for example packsacks of different sizes, designs or shapes, can be quickly and easily connected to the carrying system to form a jointly manageable unit in the form of a rucksack.

A user therefore only has to purchase a single carrying system and can combine this with a container of his choice as required and / or desired.

The fabric element of the support system consists in the simplest case of a flat fabric, which can also be referred to as a carrier fabric. It can be a nylon fabric, for example. This surface fabric must then of course have the appropriate strength to be able to transmit the forces that occur.

The carrying system of the avalanche rescue device according to the invention preferably has a base strap that is U-shaped in plan view. The side legs of this base belt run vertically in the position of use, while the bottom of this U-shape forms an approximately horizontal section running above.

In the vicinity of the free ends of the U-shape of the base belt, a waist belt is preferably connected to the base belt. This waist belt can have two free ends which can be connected to one another by means of conventional devices, for example a buckle. If the avalanche rescue device is put on the user, this buckle is usually located in front of the user's body.

The avalanche rescue device according to the invention also preferably has two buoyancy bodies. One of these floats is connected to a vertical leg of the U-shape of the base belt, while the other float is connected to the other vertical leg of the U-shape of the base belt.

In the avalanche rescue device according to the invention, the upper end of a left and a right shoulder belt are also preferably attached to the horizontally extending portion of the U-shaped base belt. In addition, a right or left hip belt is connected to this base belt at the lower end or in the area of ​​the lower end of the vertical leg of the base belt. The right shoulder strap can then be connected to the right hip strap to form a carrying strap, for example with the aid of a buckle or the like. The same applies to the left shoulder belt and the left hip belt.

If in the context of the present documents with regard to the carrying system and the belt making up this as well as the belts interacting with it (eg base belt) there is talk of a connection, then this is not to be understood as a rigid connection. Rather, it is only intended to express that the connection between the interconnected parts has such a strength that the forces occurring when the avalanche rescue device according to the invention is used can be absorbed and the avalanche rescue device, in particular with the associated buoyancy devices, is closely connected to the user remains and gives him the necessary buoyancy so that the rescue function is fulfilled.

It is also possible to combine a flat fabric with one or more belts. For example, the U-shaped base belt described above can be sewn onto the fabric or connected to it in some other way. Furthermore, in the latter embodiment it is possible to interrupt the horizontal section of this U-shaped base belt or to omit it entirely. In this case, the fabric then has to be correspondingly thick and / or dimensioned in order to meet the requirements.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to sketchy and not true to scale drawings, which show a preferred embodiment of the avalanche rescue device according to the invention. The drawings show:

3/15

AT10 934U1 2010-01-15 Austrian patent office

1 shows an avalanche rescue device according to the invention, in which the carrying system is combined with an additional separate container to form an overall unit in the form of a backpack,

Fig. 2 is an exploded view of the avalanche rescue device shown in Fig. 1,

3 shows a section along the line III-III in FIGS. 1 and 2,

4 shows a perspective detailed view of the sectional view shown in FIG. 3 with the float unfolded,

Fig. 5 is a schematic plan view of the U-shaped base strap of the carrying system, shown as seen by the user,

6 shows a view similar to FIG. 5 in a schematic representation, the base belt being connected to the shoulder belt and the hip belt,

7 shows a simplified and schematic view of a holder for the buoyancy bodies having loops,

8 shows a completed synopsis of the details shown in FIGS. 5 to 7 and FIG

FIG. 9 shows a view corresponding to FIG. 6, but the carrying system being made up only of a flat fabric.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an avalanche rescue device 1 according to the invention, which is composed of a carrying system 2 for carrying the functional parts and a container 3 connected to it. The carrying system 2 and the container 3 are combined to form a jointly manageable unit in the form of a rucksack to be carried by a user.

As can be seen in particular from the perspective exploded view of Figure 2, the day system 2 is used to hold at least some of the functional parts. These functional parts include, for example, a pressurized gas container 11, a conduit 12 connected to it, and two buoyancy bodies 22 not shown in FIG.

To cover the pressurized gas container 11, a tab 16 is used, which is equipped with a Velcro strip 17, which can interact with a Velcro strip 18 to produce a Velcro fastener.

On the carrying system 2, two shoulder straps 19 are arranged in the upper region and two waist belts 20 in the lower region, one of which is arranged on the right and the other on the left. In the figure 2 only the right shoulder strap 19 or waist strap 20 is shown for reasons of simplicity.

The carrying system 2 includes a base strap 4 which is U-shaped in plan view and which is shown in particular in FIG. The side legs 5 of the base belt 4 run approximately vertically, while the bottom 6 runs horizontally and above. The opening of the U-shape thus points downwards.

The base belt 4 is sewn onto a textile fabric 7 or connected to it in some other way. This textile fabric 7 can be of any type and can contribute to absorbing the forces that occur together with the base belt 4. The coordination of the strength and firmness of the base belt 4 and the textile fabric 7 is selected in such a way that the carrying system 2 can absorb the greatest possible forces while being as light as possible. The textile fabric 7 is in particular one that is already frequently used for the production of rucksacks and the like, for example a fabric made of a synthetic fiber, in particular a nylon fabric.

In the embodiment described here, the carrying system 2 thus consists of a combination of a flat fabric or a textile fabric 7 and a base belt 4.

4/15

AT10 934U1 2010-01-15 Austrian patent office

This fabric 7 represents the back surface of the avalanche rescue device 1 according to the invention, which comes to lie on the back of the user. The base belt 4 can be sewn onto the fabric 7 either from the inside or from the outside. The feature “from the outside” means that the fabric is on the side of this fabric 7 facing away from the user's back, while the feature “from the inside” means that the base belt 4 points towards the user's back and thus between this back and the fabric 7 is arranged. It is also possible to double the base belt 4 in such a way that one belt strap comes to lie on the inside and the other on the outside.

Two shoulder straps 19 are sewn on or otherwise connected to the horizontally extending section 6 or floor strap. These shoulder straps 19 are shown in FIGS. 6 and 8 only in the area in which they are connected to the base strap 4 and, more precisely, to the base 6 thereof. These shoulder straps 19 are of course also connected to the fabric 7 by the sewing.

The shoulder straps 19 can each be connected to a hip belt 21 in a manner known per se. For this purpose, buckles or the like, for example, can be used as connecting elements. It is also possible to dispense with such connecting elements, so that the shoulder belt 19 also represents the hip belt 21 at the same time.

Each of the hip belts 21 is connected in the area of ​​the associated free end 8 of the base belt 4 to the latter and also to the fabric 7, expediently also by sewing. These seams 39 are shown with lines in the figures.

In the embodiment shown, the waist belt 20 also has two free ends which can be connected to one another in the usual way, expediently also by means of a buckle or the like. In addition, the waist belt 20 is designed to be continuous behind the back of the user and thus runs through behind the back of the user.

With each side leg 5 of the base strap 4, several loops 15 are connected, for example sewn. These loops 15 can be sewn individually to the side limb 5 or can also be attached to a separate belt strap 40, which is then sewn to the associated side limb 5, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, for example. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, each loop 15 is sewn directly to the leg 5 of the base belt 4.

These loops 15 are spaced from one another in the direction of the side limb 5 and, together with a rod 9 and further loops 10 which are attached to the buoyancy body 22, form a type of hinge. The rod 9 is inserted through the alternately arranged loops 15 and 10, so that the mentioned function of the hinge is realized. The loops 10 are thus also arranged at a distance from one another in the longitudinal direction, so that the loops 10 come to lie in the spaces between the loops 15 and vice versa. This situation is shown in particular in FIG. The buoyancy body 22 represents a balloon and is of the usual type. In the figure 4 this buoyancy body 22 is shown in the unfolded, laterally protruding from the carrying system 2, inflated position, which will be discussed in more detail below. This configuration makes it possible to replace the float easily and simply by pulling the rod 9 out of the loops 10 and 15, replacing the float 22 with a new one and inserting the rod 9 through the loops 10 and 15 again.

The textile fabric 7 is equipped with an elastic, cushioning layer 23. This layer 23 can be arranged between two layers of the fabric, as shown in FIG. However, this layer can also be sewn onto the outside of the fabric 7 or fastened there in some other way. It is usually a foam layer. This elastic layer 23 has no load-bearing function but rather serves to improve the wearing comfort of the avalanche rescue device 1 according to the invention.

The folded-up buoyancy body 22 is shown in FIG. 3. The type of folding of this buoyancy body 22 is simplified for reasons of better representation

5/15

<img file="AT10934U1_D0001.tif" />

AT10 934U1 2010-01-15 Austrian patent office signed.

The buoyancy body 22, which is an inflatable balloon, is accommodated in the pocket 14 shown in FIG. The avalanche rescue device 1 according to the invention shown in the figures is equipped with two buoyancy bodies 22, namely a right and a left, which are each stowed in a pocket 13, 14 in the folded state. If the known trigger unit, not shown, is actuated by the user, a gas that is in the pressurized gas container 11 passes through the line or hoses 12 to the buoyancy bodies 22, which are thereby inflated and laterally to the left or right out of the pockets 13, 14 gush out to the left or right and unfold.

The pocket 14 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) is formed between a fabric web 24 and the fabric 7. The fabric web 24 has an approximately rectangular shape in plan view. The left edge 25 of this fabric web 24 extends approximately perpendicularly and is sewn onto the fabric 7 at 26. The right, vertical edge 27 (FIG. 4) is sewn with a side strip 29 provided with staples 28. This side strip 29 is provided on its side facing the buoyancy body 22 with a Velcro strip 30 which can interact with a Velcro strip 31 to produce a Velcro fastener. This Velcro tape 31 is carried by a second side strip 32 which is sewn on the outside of the side edge 33 of the fabric 7. By connecting the Velcro strips 30 and 31 to one another, the pocket 14 in which the folded buoyancy body 22 is located is closed.

The left pocket 13 with the associated buoyancy body 22 is analogous, but designed as a mirror image of it. The upper and lower side edges of the fabric webs 24 are connected to the fabric 7 directly or indirectly via additional fabric parts.

The staples 28 attached to the side strip 29 interact with staples 34 to form a zipper, which are attached to a container 3. The attachment of the staples 34 to the container 3 can be of any type. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, these staples 34 are connected via a side strip 35 to the fabric or the like making up the container 3 by sewing.

As can be seen from Figure 2, the side strips 29 and 32 with the staples 28 and 34 of the zipper run around the outside of the carrying system 2 and the container 3 almost completely. There is only an interruption in the lower horizontal area.

This zipper made of the two side strips with the staples 28 and 34 and the slider 36 begins and ends there.

The front or front 37 of the container 3 bounded by the staples 34 of the container 3 corresponds approximately to the area bounded by the staples 28 of the carrying system 2, so that when the zipper is closed (formed from side strips 29, staples 28, side strips 32, staples 34 and slider 36) the container 3 is combined with the carrying system 2, but does not protrude beyond the back front of the carrying system 2, which is bounded by the staples 28. The front and back front roughly correspond in terms of area.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the container 3 thus has a front 37 (see. Also Figure 3), which the inside of the support system 2 after closing the zipper formed from the staples 28 and 34, the inside of the support system 2 to the outside covers.

The container 3 can also be designed in any way. For example, it can be a closable container that can also be subdivided. It is only important that this container 3 has a side strip with associated staples 34, which form a connection between the container 3 and the carrying system 2 by means of staples 28 of the carrying system 2 that cooperate therewith.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the carrying system 2 is essentially

6/15

<img file="AT10934U1_D0002.tif" />

AT10 934U1 2010-01-15 Austrian

Patent office constructed from the fabric 7, which represents the “back side of the carrying system 2”. The shoulder belts 19, the waist belt 20 and the hip belts 21 are directly connected to this fabric 7 by seams 39. The entire force is thus absorbed by the tissue 7.

Loops 15, which are also connected directly to the fabric 7 by seams 39, are used to fasten the buoyancy bodies (not shown).

Instead of the individual loops 15, a belt strap 40 together with loops 15 can of course also be used, as in the embodiment shown in FIG.

It is also possible to combine the sections or areas of the previously described basic belt 4 with the fabric 7.

REFERENCE LIST

Avalanche rescue device

Carrying system /

container

Base belt

Side thighs

Floor / section of textile fabric

The End

11 12

21 22

Rod

Loops

Pressurized gas container

management

pocket

pocket

loop

Tab

Velcro

Velcro

Shoulder strap

Waist belt

Waist belt

Buoyancy elastic layer

Left edge of fabric

Connection point right vertical edge

Cramp

Hard shoulder

Velcro

Velcro tape on the second side strip

edge

Cramp

Side strips of the container

Slider

Front

loop

seam

Webbing

7/15

<img file="AT10934U1_D0003.tif" />

AT10 934U1 2010-01-15 Austrian

Patent office