Automatic locking scba mounting bracket assembly

[0001] The invention relates to a self-latching gripping apparatus, more specifically to a mounting bracket assembly for an automatic latch used in a vehicle to removably attach objects such as an apparatus of a self-contained breathing apparatus.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] In rescue vehicles, fire brigades etc. it is generally accepted to provide holders for storing objects such as tanks (e.g. cylinders, containers etc) for a self contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). SCBA handles can be mounted in the hole or recess in the rear of the vehicle seat. Storing the SCBA on the back of the seat is intended to allow the occupant of this seat to quickly access the SCBA in the event of an accident. However, applicable regulations usually require SCBAs to be clipped in a manner that ensures SCBA safety during certain situations, such as collisions, sudden vehicle maneuvers, etc.

[0003] Known SCBA handles typically have a SCBA securing attachment until released by the user. For example, one type of handle secures the tank in the longitudinal recess in the seat with straps. Another example of a handle provides a mount having a rotatable shell to hold the tank top in place. However, known SCBA handles require manual intervention in securing the tank to the handle.

[0004] GB 2205733 discloses a support for a pressurized cylinder comprising an extended rear portion. The cylinder is supported by a fixed lower bracket, and the upper element rotating on the lower part under the lower spring is placed in the upper cylinder release position.

[0005] It is therefore desirable to provide a detachable handle or mounting bracket assembly with an automatic snap function for objects like SCBA or the like that would allow easy installation of the SCBA for use in a vehicle and which would be fast, convenient and efficient. It is also desirable to provide a detachable mounting bracket assembly that can be freely adjusted to accommodate various sizes and types of SCBAs. It is also desirable to provide a mounting bracket assembly that is detachable at various locations depending on where the user sits. In addition, it is desirable to provide a spring loaded back liner that can be used both with and without the SCBA in the mounting bracket assembly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0006] According to the invention, a mounting bracket assembly is provided as described in claim 1. The dependent claims define its optional functions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0007] Drawings show the best mode of the invention currently being considered. In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a seat of an emergency vehicle equipped with an SCBA mounting bracket assembly made according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the SCBA mounting bracket assembly showing the oxygen tank installed on it (broken lines);

Figure 3 shows figure 2 seen from the front;

Figures 4 and 4A are longitudinal sections of Figure 2 showing the mounting bracket assembly in the non-latched and latched positions, respectively;

Figure 5 is an exploded sketch of Figure 2;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the first alternative embodiment of Figure 2;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a second alternative embodiment of Figure 2;

Figure 8 is an inverse perspective view of the mounted spring loaded rear insert assembly;

Figure 9 is an exploded sketch of Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing the spring loaded rear insert assembly of Fig. 8 installed in a vehicle seat.

Figure 11 is a view similar to Fig. 10 showing the spring loaded rear insert assembly removed from the vehicle seat;

Figure 12 is an elevational view of the spring loaded rear insert assembly attached to the seat frame in a down position; and

Figure 13 is a view similar to Figure 12 showing the spring loaded rear insert assembly in an upper position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0008] Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 shows a seat 10 of a rescue vehicle that finds application particularly in fire brigade and rescue vehicles. The seat 10 has a rear cavity that is equipped with a mounting bracket assembly 12 used to releasably maintain a self contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) having generally the form of a cylindrical oxygen tank 14 under pressure. Typically, the tank 14 is attached to a harness worn by a fireman or other user located in the seat 10 and is held by the mounting bracket assembly 12 in an inverted position so that the adjusting portion 15 is supported at the bottom of the mounting bracket assembly 12.

[0009] The seat 10 includes a frame for supporting the seat cushion 18 and a removable back housing the side cushion system 20. The frame 16 supports the cover 22 to which the mounting bracket assembly 12 and a pair of safety cages 24 are attached, one of which is coupled to the seat belt structure 26 incorporated in the seat

10. The headrest 28 is rotatably set in a supporting position between the safety cages 24.

[0010] Referring to Figures 2-5, the SCBA mounting bracket assembly generally includes a mounting plate 30, latch system 32, guide 34, and supporting structure 36. [0011] The mounting plate 30 serves to secure the mounting bracket assembly 12 to a supporting surface such like the rear of the seat 10. The fastening bracket 30 is a rigid extruded metal structure having a flat, rectangular base 38 integrally formed with a pair of extended side channels for sliding receiving of the latch system 32, a guide 34 and a supporting structure 36. The fastening plate 30 has a normal length proportional to the seat 10 in which it is installed. However, this length may vary depending on the particular application. The base 38 is formed with a first set of holes 42 that receive connectors to secure the base 38 to the seat cover 26. Alternatively, the base 38 may be attached to another support structure, such as a wall, for example. The base 38 is also formed with a second set of holes 43 to allow adjustable attachment of the guide 34. The base 38 is also formed with a third set of holes 44 to facilitate the adjustable attachment of the support structure 36. The channels 40 are provided with a pair of aligned holes (one of which is visible at 46) which are used in the adjustable locking of the latch system 32.

[0012] The latch system 32 serves to automatically and immobilize engage and disengage the inverted, spherical lower end of the tank 14. The latch system includes a guide carriage 48, a pivot arm 50 and a latch 52.

[0013] The guide carriage 48 has a base plate 54 with an upper edge 56, a lower edge 58 and a pair of side edges 60, 61. The helical spring 62 is attached to the round plane 63 on the base plate 54. The upper edge 56 has a pair of alignment receiving pipes 64, which are separated by a recess 66. Side edges 60, 61 have a pair of top stops 68 and a pair of bottom stops 70 protruding forward from there. An extended strip 72 supporting the latch having a fastening ear 74 is attached by a connector 76 to the lower right corner of the base plate 54. The support strip 72 extends down over the base plate 54 and is provided with a guide hole 78 at the lower end. The latching mechanism 80 is attached with fasteners 82 to the mounting eye 74.

[0014] The latch mechanism 80 is a single-stage low speed lock commercially available from The Eastern Company of Cleveland, Ohio and is described in detail in US Patent Nos. 5884948 and 6471260, which are incorporated herein by reference. As is well known, the latch mechanism 80 includes a rotatable jaw directed by a torsion spring from a latched position to an open position, and a rotatable latch directed by the same or separate coil spring twisted from a jaw release position to a jaw holding position. The latch mechanism 80 further includes an operating arm 84 connected to the rotatable latch and a U-shaped notch 86 that receives the cylindrical pin 88 on the rotatable arm 50. The upper end of the cable 89 passes through the guide hole 78 and is permanently attached to the operating arm 84 on the latch mechanism 80.

[0015] The pivot arm 50 has a vertical portion 90, an angular portion 92 and a horizontal portion 94 and is formed with a pair of horizontally oriented holes 96 and a set of vertically extending holes 98 on opposite sides of the horizontal portion 94. The swivel arm 50 is designed so that its vertical portion 90 is located opposite the spring 62 in the recess 66 in the base plate 54 with the holes 96 synchronized with the passages 100 formed in the receiving tubes 64 and the upper stops 68. The rotary pin 102 passes through the holes 96 and corridors 100 and is constantly mounted in a position such that the pivot arm 50 is pivotally mounted on top of the guide carriage 48. As can be seen, the pivot arm 50 is pivoted between the latched position and the open position, where the cylindrical pin 88 is engaged and disengaged with the latching mechanism.

[0016] The latch 52 has a half-round or curved nut 104 with a flat top 106 provided with a pair of holes 108 that are aligned with any pair of holes 98 on the pivot arm 50. The bottom of the nut 104 is configured to help center the rounded end of the tank and it may, if desired, have an insert to protect the tank 14. The latch 52 further has a rear end 110 that slidably receives the horizontal portion 94 of the pivot arm 50. The latch 52 is attached to the pivot arm 50 by means of connectors 112 that pass through aligned holes 108 and the holes 98. The latch 52 is adjustable in position in front of or behind the horizontal part 94 of the pivot arm 50 by moving the latch 52 to the desired position on the horizontal part 94 of pivot arm 50 and insertion of connectors 112 into aligned holes 98 and holes 108. This adjustment function allows the tanks 14 of different diameters to be closed.

[0017] The latch system 32 is installed relative to the mounting plate 30 by sliding the side edges 60, 61 of the base plate 54 into the upper part of the channels 40. The holes 46 in the channels 40 are aligned in between the upper and lower stops 68.70 on the base plate 54. A pair of bolts 114 pass through the seals 116 and holes 46, and then are secured in a pair of adjusting nuts 118 located inside the channels 40. By means of the screws 114 and adjusting nuts 118, the latch system 32 can be adjusted up and down mounted on the mounting plate 30 above the horizontal travel range determined by the length between the upper and lower stops 68, 70 on the base plate 54. Therefore, the mounting bracket 10 is able to accept tanks 14 of different lengths.

[0018] The guide 34 centrally adjusts and holds the central part of the tank 14 when entering and exiting the mounting bracket assembly 12. The guide 34 is a bifurcating or splitting structure provided with an extended central part 120 integral with a pair of separated arms 122 holding the tank, which have lateral extensions 124. The central portion 120 is formed with a vertically extending slot 126 that is in line with the pair of holes 43 formed in the base 38. The guide 34 is installed by sliding the extensions 124 into the channels 40 so that from its bottom into the slot 126 it is positioned in line with holes 43. Then a pair of bolts 130 are passed through the gap 126 and threaded into the threaded walls of the holes 43. By loosening and tightening the screws 130, the guide 34 can be vertically adjusted on the base 38 so as to remove any additional tank equipment while providing additional hold on the tank 14.

[0019] The supporting structure 36 fully and adjustable supports the inverted upper part of the regulating part 15 of the tank 14. The supporting structure 36 comprises a foot

132, foot support 134 and adjustable cradle 136.

[0020] The foot 132 usually consists of plastic material and has an upper part 138 and a lower part 140. The upper part 138 has side edges 142 and is formed with a pair of holes 144 that are designed to be in line with the upper or lower set of holes 44 in the base 38. The bottom portion 140 has side edges 146 and is formed with several holes 148. The foot 132 is reinforced with the support of the foot 134, which runs along the back and side edges of the foot 132. The foot support 134 has a pair of holes 150 at its upper end and a single hole 152 at its bottom. The bed 136 has an angled wall 154 and a hole 156 at the bottom. Screw 158 passes through hole 156, one of several holes 148 and hole 152 to partially connect the foot 132, foot support 134 and bed 136. Figure 5 shows that the bed 136 can be reversibly mounted on the foot 132 to fit a specific reservoir adjusting part 15

14. It should also be obvious that the front and rear position of the cradle 136 can be matched to a particular tank 14 by using the respective holes 148 in the bottom 140 of the foot 132.

[0021] The side edges 142 of the foot 132 are extended from the bottom of the channels 40 until one of the pairs of holes 44 aligns with the holes 150 on the support of the foot 134 and the holes 144 on the foot 132. Then a pair of screws 160 passes through holes 144 and holes 150 and is screwed into holes 44 in base 38 to hold the support structure 36 at the top or bottom position to fit the entire height of the tank 14, Screws 160 may be loose to change the position of the support structure 36 at the discretion.

[0022] With the mounting bracket assembly 12 positioned as described above and installed in the seat 10 as shown in figure 1, the pivot arm 50 has a pin 88 disengaged from the latch mechanism 80 and the latch system 32 assumes the open position shown in figure 4 . In this position, the helical spring 62 forces the pivot arm 50 to rotate around the pin 102 so that the lower part 90 extends forward from the base plate 54, the angled part 92 extends vertically, and the latch 52 moves up above the mounting plate thirty.

[0023] The lower part 90 of the pivot arm 50 defines the actuator plate adapted to adhere to the tank 14 when it is moved back towards the base 38. The contact of the tank 14 with the actuator plate 90 causes the pivot arm 50 to move downwards in the direction shown by arrow A in figure 4. At the same time, the central part of the tank 14 is engaged between the tank holding arms 122 of the guide 34, and the adjusting part 15 of the tank 14 is moved to the cradle 136 of the supporting structure 36.

[0024] Further backward movement of the tank 14 will cause the actuator plate 90 to compress the spring 62 until the pin 88 enters the notch 86 and locks in the latching mechanism 80 in the closed position shown in Figures 2 and 4A. In the closed position, the latch 52 tightly covers the inverted rounded end of the tank

14 in order to optimally secure the tank 14 in the mounting bracket assembly 12. [0025] The invention therefore provides an automatic tank closing function achievable only by moving the tank 14 backwards towards the cylinder 90 of the latch system 32. The rotary arm 50 and the latch 52 rotate around a horizontal axis, defined by the pivot pin 102, while the latch system 32 moves between the open and closed positions. It is not necessary to use your hands to secure the tank 14, which makes the protection quick, effective and convenient.

[0026] If it is desired to release the reservoir 14 from the mounting bracket assembly 12, pull cable 89 to unlock the latch mechanism 80, allowing spring 62 to force the pivot arm 50 and latch 52 to move up to the open position. In figure 1 the outer end of the cable 89 opposite the latch mechanism 80 is attached to the release lever 162 at the front of the seat cushion 18 as shown in figure 1. Cable 89 can be routed through grooves 164 formed in the rear of the guide 34 and in the foot 132. Movement of the lever 162 will cause the cable 89 to release the latch mechanism 80.

It should be obvious, however, that the outer end of the cable 89 may be attached to the release mechanism elsewhere than in the seat cushion 18 or seat 10, or may be routed over the shoulder of the person sitting on the seat

10. The latching mechanism 80 can also be released remotely in other ways. A plurality of cables 89 may extend from the latch mechanism 80 to allow a person in the seat to release the tank 14 from various locations. For example, fig. 10 shows the combination of the release lever 162 on the seat 10 and the second release lever 166 next to the headrest 28 so that a person on the seat can release the latch mechanism 80 from the bottom of the seat 10 or from a position above the person's arm in the seat.

[0027] The operation of the mounting bracket assembly 12 is further facilitated by the ability to adjust the latch system 32, the guide 34 and the supporting structure 36 in the channels 40 in the mounting plate assembly. In addition, the latch 32 is adjustable on the pivot arm 50, and the bed 136 is reversibly mounted to fit the specific structure of the tank.

[0028] Within the mounting bracket assembly 12, alternative embodiments are contemplated for housing various reservoir structures. Figure 6 shows an alternative, two-part support structure 36a used to hold European type tanks 14. Figure 7 shows a further alternative support structure 36b used to hold the double tank or two tanks located side by side.

[0029] The invention also includes a spring-loaded rear insert assembly 168 (Figs. 8-13) which is located in the rear seat recess of the rescue car and can be used to support the back of the occupant of the seat. Rear insert assembly 168 is particularly versatile because it can be used with or without reservoir 14 in mounting bracket assembly 10. Rear inserts known in the art can only be used without the tank 14 in the space provided.

[0030] The rear insert assembly 168 consists of a mounting bracket 170, a lower rotatable support 172, an upper rotatable support 174, an insert support plate 176 and a covered padded rear insert 178.

[0031] The mounting bracket 170 has a flat, horizontal base 180 integrally connected substantially to the vertical wall 182. The base 180 is provided with a pair of spaced apart holes 184, and the wall 182 is also provided with a pair of spaced apart holes 186. Wall 180 it is also formed with a vertical gap 185. The mounting bracket 170 is attached to the seat 10 by threaded pins 187 passing through seals 188, holes 184 and holes in the seat frame 16 and then by applying nuts 189 to the pins 187 (Fig. 12).

[0032] The lower pivot bracket 172 has a main wall 190 formed with a pair of separated holes 192 and a protruding portion 194 having a recess 196 and a small holding hole 198. A pair of side walls 200 extends integrally from the main wall 190, where each side wall 200 has an opening rotational 202 formed in its upper part. The side walls 200 are formed with the stop parts 204 extending inwardly.

[0033] The upper pivot bracket 174 has a main plate 206 configured with a set of holes 208, a restricting hole 210 and a recess 212. The main plate 206 has a pair of dependent side arms 214 formed with rotary holes 216. Side arms 214 are located inside the side walls 200 of the lower bracket rotatable 172 so that the rotary holes 202 and 216 are aligned. The upper pivot bracket 174 is pivotally attached to the lower pivot bracket 172 by passing threaded bolts 218 through aligned holes 202 and 216 and screwing to the bolts 218 of nuts 220. The extension helical spring 222 has one end 224 held in the retaining hole 198 on the lower pivot bracket 172 and the opposite end 226 located in the holding hole 210 of the upper pivot bracket 174. Spring end portions 222 are located in recesses 196 and 212 formed on respective pivot brackets 172, 174.

[0034] The support plate of the insert 176 includes a base plate 228 and a rigid extension extending therefrom substantially disposed about the support wall 230. The base plate 228 is formed with the right side edges 232 and the set of holes 234 at right angles. The support wall 230 has a portion 236 extending upwardly and a vertical portion 238 to which a covered padded back pad 178 is attached to support the lower back of the sitting person. The insert support plate 176 together with the attached rear insert 178 is positioned so that the base plate 228 lies on the main plate 206 and the holes 208 and 234 are aligned. Insert support plate 176 and rear insert 178 are permanently attached to upper pivot bracket 174 by passing threaded screws 240 through aligned holes 208, 234 and screwing nuts 242 to screws 240.

[0035] The upper pivot bracket 174, insert support plate 176 and rear insert 178 are pivotally connected to the lower pivot bracket 172 and form a subassembly that can be attached to the mounting bracket 170 in a removable manner. This is achieved by inserting the main wall 190 into the slot 185 of the wall 182, aligning the holes 192 on the bottom support bracket 172 with the holes 186 on the mounting bracket 170 and passing through the aligned holes 186 and 192 of the pair of pull-out pins 244, as shown in Fig. 8, 12 and 13. Preferably, the withdrawable pins 244 have retaining rings 246 and well-known spring pawl designs that will normally hold components 172, 174, 176, 178 on mounting bracket 170, but will also, if desired, facilitate relatively simple removal of components 172, 174, 176, 178 while the mounting bracket 170 will remain attached to the seat frame 16.

[0036] In use, the spring loaded rear insert set 168 is positioned on the seat frame 16 between the fastening bracket assembly 12 and the lower back of the sitting person. Rear insert assembly 168 has a spring arrangement located above the center formed by components 170, 172, 174, 176, 178 and spring 222 so that rear insert assembly 168 is manually moved and left in the folded position (Fig.

and 12) or in the extended position (Fig. 13). Spring 222 moves rotary components 174, 176, 178 down or up relative to components 170 and 172 depending on the corresponding position of components 174, 176 and 178. In the stowed position shown in Figures 10 and 12, the bottom end 246 of insert 178 is moved down and spring-loaded 222 at the seat cushion 18. When the insert 178 is pivoted up to a specific end point, the spring arrangement above the center will force the insert 178 to rotate to the upper position shown in Fig. 13, which final position is defined by the engagement of the side arms 214 at the stop parts 204.

[0037] If there is no reservoir 14 in the mounting bracket assembly 12, the rear insert assembly 168 provides the back of the seat in an extended position to support the lower back of the person in the seat for comfort and safety. If there is a reservoir 14 in the mounting bracket assembly 12, the rear insert assembly 168 still acts on the back of the person in the seat to provide additional support. When the tank 14 is removed from the mounting bracket assembly 12, the rear insert assembly 168 moves easily downward and folds against the seat cushion 18 to allow removal of the tank 14. The rear insert assembly 168 remains spring-loaded on the seat cushion 18 until it moves. to the extended position.

[0038] The rear insert assembly 168 is particularly novel and versatile because it can be used with the tank 10 installed in or without the mounting bracket assembly 12 as opposed to rear insert designs known in the art.

[0039] While the invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, those skilled in the art will recognize that it is possible to make substitutions, alterations and bypasses without departing from the scope of the invention.