Mounting apparatus for gas containers

[57] ABSTRACT

A mounting apparatus is disclosed for mounting oxygen filled gas containers used in conjunction with breathing apparatus during rescue operations. A base piece includes retaining members for positioning and retaining the gas container in the longitudinal axis. A pair of selectively actuated clamping arms extend from the base piece for positioning and retaining the gas container in the remaining two axes. A manually operated lever mechanism engages each of the clamping arms and locks the clamping arms about the gas container in a first position. In a second position, the manual lever mechanism releases the pair of clamping arms to permit the gas container to be withdrawn from the mounting apparatus. Supporting apparatus is also disclosed for supporting and storing the gas container in either a vertical or a horizontal position. The support apparatus includes quick release locking mechanisms operating in conjunction with pivotable support apparatus to permit quick access to the mounted gas containers.

Claims, 9 Drawing Figures

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PATENTED DEC 2 51373

SHEET 1 GF 3

3,780,972

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/3

PATENTED DEC 2 51973

3,780.972

SHEET 2 GF 3

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PATENTED OK 2 51973

3,780,872

SHEET 3 OF 3

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80

3,780,972

MOUNTING APPARATUS FOR GAS CONTAINERS

The present invention relates to mounting apparatus for gas containers, and more particularly, to readily accessible, quick-release mounting apparatus for oxygenfilled gas containers.

. During rescue operation in inhospitable gaseous environments, such as found in the vicinity of a fire, it is mandatory that the rescuers employ some type of breathing apparatus. Without breathing apparatus to supply the rescuers with an abundance of oxygen gas, the rescuers cannot perform to the full extent of their abilities, or they will succumb to the debilitating effects of the environment.

The breathing apparatus in rescue operations generally includes a supply of oxygen or oxygen enriched air, a regulator for regulating the flow of oxygen and a face mask to direct the oxygen to the nose and/or mouth of the wearer. The supply of oxygen is generally contained within a high pressure gas container. These containers are strapped to the back of the wearer, thereby permitting the wearer to carry his needed oxygen supply wherever he goes and without being dependent upon lengthy oxygen supply lines connected to a central source of oxygen. These so-called self-contained breathing apparatus enable the wearer to move through the rooms of a house, among the trees and shrubbery within a forest, or in any other location where there may exist noxious or poisonous fumes without having any imposed restrictions on his freedom of movement.

The containers for the oxygen are relatively heavy for several reasons. The container must be sufficiently strong to withstand the pressure of the oxygen contained therein. The weight of the filled container includes not only the pressurized oxygen container itself, but the weight of the pressurized oxygen contained therein. In addition, the valve disposed at the outlet of the container contributes to the overall weight. Because of the weight of the self-contained breathing apparatus, rescuers are loathe to wear the apparatus except when there is a distinct hazard to their personal well-being. When such a hazard arises, it is necessary that the breathing apparatus be readily available for use.

In the prior art, various mechanisms have evolved for the storing of breathing apparatus for rescue crews. The gas container is the heaviest item comprising the breathing apparatus and therefore the previously known mounting mechanism have all employed some type of mounting apparatus secured to the gas container. The additional element of the breathing apparatus has usually been strapped to or in some way attached to the gas container. The mounting apparatus in the prior art can be categorized by function into several forms. In one type, the container must be slid along the longitudinal axis to obtain separation from the mounting apparatus. This sliding requirement is unsatisfactory in that the space required for mounting the container must be sufficient to permit the container to be slid, usually for a distance equivalent to the length of the container itself. If the container is first strapped onto the rescuer, the rescuer had to undergo uncomfortable and sometimes impossible contortions to effect a release. In another type of mounting apparatus, a latch-like mechanism was used to effect release of the gas container from the mounting apparatus. Although these systems were capable of working well, they often imposed a severe handicap on the rescuer himself. The latch usually placed so that the rescuer himself could not reach behind him to effect release. Thus, the system required a second person to insure that release was effected. This problem is further aggravated for rescuers, such as firemen, who normally wear heavy and bulky outer garments. In yet another family of gas container release mechanisms, an handle was used to unclamp a set of arms, the latter partially extending about the gas container. This family of release mechanisms operated fairly well in terms of ease of operability and effective release. However, these mechanisms were not suited for use in conjunction with cars or trucks operating upon bumpy roads at high speeds. These mounting apparatus did not have positive means for restraining movement of the gas containers in the longitudinal axis and therefore bumping or jarring of the mounting plate tended to cause the gas container to move axially and possibly slide out of the mounting apparatus.

It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide mounting apparatus for gas containers.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a quick-release mechanism for mounted gas containers.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a readily-accessible mounting apparatus for selfcontained breathing apparatus.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide mounting apparatus for gas containers which will not release the gas containers despite bumping and jarring.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a means for storing self-contained breathing apparatus in a horizontal position without sacrificing ready accessibility. .

A yet further object of the present invention is to provide means for storing self-contained breathing apparatus in a vertical position without effecting the accessibility of the self-contained breathing apparatus.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide means for single-handedly removing selfcontained breathing apparatus from a stored position to a position where the apparatus is ready for use.

The present invention may be described with more specificity and clarity with reference to the following drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates the gas container mounting apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of the present invention taken along lines 2—2 as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the present invention taken along lines 3—3 as shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 illustrates storage and retrieval apparatus for storing the present invention in a vertical position.

FIG. 5 illustrates a frontal view of the present invention in the vertical storage position.

FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the locking apparatus taken on lines 6—6 shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a top view of horizontal storage apparatus for the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a side view of horizontal storage apparatus for the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the latching apparatus taken along lines 9—9 shown in FIG. 7.

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown the outline of a gas container 1 mounted within the mounting apparatus of the present invention. A mounting member 2 is shaped as a channel including a base 5 and sides 3 and

4. A retaining arm 6 is secured to one end of base S by

3,780,972 means such as triangular plate 9. In the alternative, retaining arm 6 may be directly connected to plate 5. Each of a pair of retaining rods 7 is connected to one side of mounting member 2. The retaining arm 6 and pair of retaining rods 7 are curved to conform with the generally hemispherical shape of the ends of gas container 1. The extent of the curvature of retaining arm 6 and pair of retaining arms 7 is such that in the vertical position, the gas container 1 cannot be released in the horizontal direction without deforming the retaining arm or retaining rods. However, by pivoting the gas container 1 about either end, the opposite end of the gas container will rotate within either the retaining arm 6 or the retaining rods 7 until that end rotates clear of restraint. The angle of rotation required to be free of further restraint can best be determined through experimentation and is readily understood to those skilled in the art. The width between the pair of retaining rods 7 can vary depending upon the type and make of gas container 1. The governing criteria with respect to the width is that the outlet 10 and valve 11 of gas container 1 does not interfere with the retaining rods 7 on removal of the gas container. It has been found that a width slightly less than the diameter of the gas container 1 is sufficient to clear all presently used outlets 10 and valves 11 for any given size gas container 1.

Each of a pair of clamp arms 12, 13 is mounted to sides 3 and 4, respectively, by a nut and bolt combination 18 and 19, respectively. The clamp arms 12 and 13 are resiliently mounted to sides 3 and 4 through resilient mounts 16 and 17, respectively. Resilient mounts can be of rubber or rubber-like material and are retained in position by the nut and bolt combinations 18 and 19 passing through an aperture disposed within each of the resilient mounts. A pair of U-shaped channels 14 and 15 are permanently secured to sides 3 and 4, respectively. U-shaped channels 14 and 15 receive the apertured ends of clamp arms 12 and 13 and prevent rotation of the clamp arms about the nut and bolt combinations 18 and 19. The resilient mounts are, of course, mounted within the channels 14 and 15 between the apertured ends of clamp arms 12 and 13 and the base of the U-shaped channels, as shown with greater clarity in FIG. 3.

Again referring to FIG. 3, the central part of clamp arms 12 and 13 are arcuate-shaped to conform with the cylindrical surface of gas container 1. The pivoting ends of clamp arms 12 and 13 are straight and bent away from the central part to permit the pivoting end to be parallel with the respective sides 3 and 4. The free ends of clamp arms 12 and 13 are bent away from the central part so that the free ends will aid in laterally displacing the clamp arms when a gas container 1 is inserted therebetween, as will be explained in more detail below. A generally U-shaped, manually operated lever 22, including a base 23 and a pair of arms 24 and 25 has its base 23 pivotally mounted within apertures 26 and 27 disposed in sides 3 and 4 respectively. The lever 22 further includes a handle 28 secured to arm 24 via extension 29. As shown in FIG. 2, a first limiter 30 is secured to base 23. Limiter 30 extends from base 23 and contacts base 5 to limit the clockwise rotational movement of lever 22. A second limiter 31 also extends from base 23 and contacts base 5 to limit counterclockwise rotational movement of lever 22. A yet third limiter 32 (as shown more clearly in FIG. 3) is disposed on clamp arm 12. Limiter 32 co-acts with limiter 30 to limit the clockwise rotational movement of lever 22. A bias spring 34 is secured to both base 5 and base 23 of lever 22 to bias lever 22 in the most counterclockwise position when a gas container 1 is not mounted within the mounting apparatus of the present invention. By biasing lever arm 22, the lever arm is inhibited from flopping about and possibly causing damage to the mounting apparatus.

The gas container 1 is inserted and removed from the mounting member 2 in the following manner. When the mounting member 2 is empty, the lever 22 and handle 28 are biased by bias spring 34 so that the lever and handle are essentially parallel to base 5 of mounting member 2, as shown in FIG. 2. The gas container 1 is inserted within mounting member 2 by positioning the valved end of gas container 1 adjacent the retaining rods 7. The gas container 1 is thence rotated such that the remaining end of the gas container engages and is retained by retaining arm 6. As described above, these arms prevent axial movement of the gas container 1. As the gas container 1 is rotated to engage retaining arm 6, the sides of the gas container engage the free end of clamp arms 12 and 13, forcing them to move laterally outwardly. The lateral movement of clamp arms 12 and 13 is possible due to the resilient mounts 16 and 17. There may also be some outward flexing of the clamp arms 12 and 13. When the bottle is positioned within the retaining arm 6 and retaining rods 7, the central part of clamp arms 12 and 13, conforming to a part of the periphery of gas container 1, are held adjacent thereto by the previously compressed resilient mounts 16 and 17. The gas container 1 is locked into position between clamp arms 12 and 13 by raising lever 22. That is, by grasping handle 28 and rotating lever 22 is the clockwise direction, as shown in FIG. 2. The distance between the ends 20 and 21 of arms 24 and 25, respectively, is such that the ends will provide a compressive force against clamp arms 12 and 13 to position clamp arms firmly against the periphery of gas container 1. The rotationl movement of lever 22 causes the ends 20 and 21 to engage clamp arms 12 and 13 and exert pressure thereon. The extent of rotational movement of lever 22 is such that ends 20 and 21 travel beyond the lateral apex of clamp arms 12 and 13, that is, the greatest lateral width presented by the clamp arms. The rotational movement of lever 22 is inhibited by limiter 30, as previously discussed, and by limiter 32. Limiter 32 is secured to clamp arm 12 and cooperates with end 20 of arm 24. As the ends 20 and 21 travel beyond the apex of the clamp arms 12 and 13, there may be some flexing of arms 24 and 25 to accommodate the increased width at the apex. Thus, when lever 22 is in the limited position as shown in FIG. 3, arms 24 and 25 exert a compressive force upon the clamp arms 12 and 13. The compressive force prevents inadvertent travel of ends 20 and 21 toward the base 5 as they must travel up to and beyond the apex of the clamp arms 12 and 13. Such travel would increase the compressive force exerted by the ends 20 and 21 and the travel is therefore prevented.

To remove the gas container 1 from the mounting member 2, the handle 28 is grasped and forced in a counterclockwise direction (see FIG. 2) toward base 5.

Such movement of lever 22 will cause arms 24 and 25 to expand and accommodate the travel of ends 20 and beyond the apex of clamp arms 12 and 13. Lever 22 is rotated counterclockwise until limiter 31 contacts

3,780,972 base 5 and prevents further rotational movement of lever 22. With the lever arm 22 in this position, gas container 1 may be grasped, usually at the end adjacent retaining arm 6, and pulled away from mounting member 2. The valved end of gas container 1 will rotate within retaining rods 7 until the other end is free of retaining arm 6. Further pulling of gas container 1 will force the gas container clear of clamp arms 12 and 13. As the gas container 1 is removed from mounting member 2, clamp arms 12 and 13 will be forced outwardly to permit the free ends of clamp arms 12 and 13 to accommodate the width of the gas container 1. There may be some flexing of the clamp arms 12 and 13 themselves; however, the major outward movement of clamp arms 12 and 13 is accommodated by the compressing of the resilient mounts 16 and 17. As previously discussed, lever 22 is maintained essentially parallel to base 5 by means of bias spring 34 maintaining limiter 31 in contact with base 5.

Referring to FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, there is shown apparatus for storing the mounting member 2 within an enclosure and yet permitting quick access to the gas container 1. The enclosure, pictorially defined by top 40, bottom 41 and side 42 can be a compartment within a rescue vehicle such as an ambulance or a fire truck. It is intended that this compartment open at the side of the vehicle. A brace 43, shown as a triangular structure, is secured to side 42. Brace 43 houses and supports a pivoting member 44. The rear side of base 5 has attached thereto a flange 45 extending away from base 5. A cylindrical member 48 is secured to flange 45. The internal dimension of cylindrical member 48 permits the cylindrical member to fit about the extending portion of pivoting member 44. A cap 46 secured to pivoting member 44 retains the cylindrical member 48 between the cap 46 and brace 43 and prevents axial movement of the cylindrical member. In this manner, mounting member 2 is pivotally secured within the compartment. The weight of the pivoted combination of mounting member 2 and gas container 1 will tend to cause the combination to rotate counterclockwise (see FIG. 4) until a state of equilibrium is reached. Such a state normally causes the combination to extend outside of the confines of the compartment. In addition, the pivoting capability of the combination will permit the combination to swing in response to movement of the vehicle and cause damage to the compartment itself or to the combination. To prevent such free pivoting movement and to secure the combination within the compartment, a latching mechanism is used.

The latching mechanism includes an extension 52 welded or bolted (as shown) to the bottom of base 5. The extension 52 extends to one side of the mounting member 2. At the extremity of the extension, there is attached a latch mechanism shown in FIG. 6. The latch mechanism includes a cylinder 53 attached at the approximate extremity of extension 52. A spring 54 is disposed within the central part of cylinder 53. A pair of latches 50 and 51 are disposed within opposite open ends of cylinder 53. Each of the latches 50 and 51 includes a guide 50 and 56, respectively, extending through slots 57 and 58 within cylinder 53. The latches 50 and 51 are retained within the cylinder 53 by the guides 55 and 56 being constrained to limited axial movement by slots 57 and 58. The spring 54 acts against the inner extremities of latches 50 and 51 and applies a force tending to maintain the latches 50 and in their outermost permissible position. A lip 46 is secured to the bottom 41 of the compartment. Latch 50, as shown in FIG. 4, engages lip 46 and thereby prevents rotational movement of the mounting member 2 and gas container 1 combination in response to the weight of the combination pivoting about pivoting member 44. To withdraw the gas container 1 from within the compartment, guide 55 is grasped and moved upwrdly within slot 57. The upward movement of guide 55 forces latch 50 to move upwardly, compressing spring 54. The upward movement of latch 50 disengages latch 50 from lip 46 and permits the gas container to be swung outwardly from within the compartment.

The configuration shown for the latching mechanism is such that an operator, wishing to withdraw the gas container 1, can grasp the latch mechanism with one hand, release the latch 50 from lip 46 and withdraw the gas container. The importance of the one-hand operation is made more significant by realizing that the total weight of the mounting member 2 and the gas container 1 may be fifty pounds or more. Should this weight unexpectedly swing out as the latching mechanism is released, injury to the operator or adjacent persons might occur. By grasping the latching mechanism with one hand and using the fingers or thumb of that hand to release the latch insures that the operator will be able to control the sudden outward swinging of the mounting member 2 and gas container 1.

In order to remove the gas container 1 from the mounting member 2, the combination is rotated one hundred and eighty degrees, as shown in FIG. 4. The top of a compartment 40 includes a second lip 59 positioned proximate to the outside edge of the compartment. The 180° rotation of the mounting member 2 causes latch 51 of the latching mechanism to engage lip 59. The weight of the mounting member and gas container will tend to swing the combination in a counterclockwise direction. The counterclockwise swinging is inhibited by latch 51 locked against lip 59. The gas container 1 may now be removed from the mounting member 2 as previously discussed with respect to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3.

Hamess 60 is secured to gas container 1 and is used to mount the gas container 1 onto the back of the user. As previously discussed and shown in FIG. 4, the assembly carried by the user includes not only the gas container 1, but outlet 10, valve 11, oxygen hose 63, regulator 61 and face mask 62. All of these elements are strapped to the gas container 1 by straps 64. The straps 64 are secured to base 5 of mounting member 2 and wrap around gas container 1 to secure the abovementioned elements thereto and thereby provide a convenient unitary module. After the gas container 1 has been removed from within the compartment and locked in the upright position, straps 64 are unwound from about the harness 60 and the gas container. The user dons the harness 60 and thereby straps the gas container 1 to his back. The gas container 1 is then released by grasping handle 28 and forcing lever 22 toward the mounting member 2. This lever movement unlocks clamp arms 12 and 13 from about the gas container 1 and permits the user to withdraw the gas container from the mounting member 2. The face mask 62 and regulator 61 are, of course, also released when straps 64 are unwrapped and they may be used when needed by the user. After the oxygen supply from the

3,780,972 gas container is no longer needed, the harness 60 can be unfastened and the container replaced within the mounting member as previously described.

After the gas container has been replaced within mounting member 2, the gas container and attached harness are once again stored within the compartment of the vehicle. The replacement of the mounting member 2 and gas container 1 within the compartment can be simply effected by an operator grasping the latch mechanism and disengaging latch 51 from lip 59. The disengaging operation is performed by grasping or simply forcing guide 56 toward the central part of cylinder 53, thereby partially withdrawing latch 51 within cylinder 53. As the mounting member 2 and gas container 1 swings downwardly, latch 50 will once again engage lip 46 and lock the unit within the compartment.

Referring to FIGS. 7, 8 and 9, there is shown apparatus for storing the present invention in a horizontal position and yet permit easy access to the gas container 1. The horizontal platform 70 upon which the gas container 1 is stored, may be the top of a fender of a rescue vehicle or the top of a cabinet mounted onto the rescue vehicle. The side 71 can be the front side or rear of the vehicle. The mounting member 2 is secured to platform 70 via a hinge 72, which hinge is similar to a standard door hinge. One side of the hinge 72 is secured to the bottom of base 5, with the other side of the hinge being pivotally attached to platform 70. The pivotal attachment includes a bolt 73 extending through an aperture within the hinge side and an aperture within platform 70. A washer 75 is disposed between the hinge side and platform 70 to reduce rotational friction therebetween. A nut 74 secures the bolt 73 to platform 70. The purpose of the pivotal attachment between hinge 72 and platform 70 is best illustrated in FIG. 7, which figure shows one position of mounting member 2 being generally parallel with platform 70 and the second position wherein the mounting member extends beyond side 71.

The vehicle carrying the gas container 1 must of course travel over rough roads. These roads will jar the gas container 1 and may cause damage unless the gas container and its mounting apparatus is secured to the vehicle. The means for securing the mounting member 2 to the platform 70 is illustrated in FIG. 7 in combination with FIG. 9. An extension 78, generally resembling a truncated triangle, is secured to the underside of base 5 by bolts 79 engaging matched apertures within the base and the extension. A latch 80 is secured to extensions 78 by screws 84. Catch 82 of latch 80 engages vertical member 83 of striker plate 85, the latter being secured to platform 70. When thus engaged, the extension 78, and hence mounting member 2 is prevented from rotating beyond side 71 of platform 70. A handle 81 is secured to latch 80. The purpose of handle 81 is to provide an operator with a means for grasping the apparatus upon which the gas container 1 is mounted to swing the apparatus about the pivot point. A second function of handle 81 is that of disengaging latch 80 from striker plate 85 by lifting latch 80 until catch 82 is free of vertical member 83. Necessarily, this requires that the latch 80 be of resilient material. However, latch 80 must be sufficiently rigid to prevent the bumping or jarring of the vehicle from inadvertently raising latch 80 to free it from striker plate 85.

When an operator desires to remove the gas container 1 from the mounting member 2, he performs a simple operation of simply grasping the handle 81 and lifting upwardly to release the latch 80 from the striker plate 85. Without letting go of the handle 81, the operator swings the mounting member 2 about the pivot point until the mounting member is approximately perpendicular to side 71. The length of side 77 of hinge 72 in combination with the location of pivot point 76 in platform 70 is such that as the mounting member 2 is approximately perpendicular to side 71, the pivot of the hinge permits the mounting member 2 to rotate downwardly to the vertical position as shown in FIG. 8. Further rotation beyond the vertical position is of course inhibited by the base 5 of mounting member 2 contacting side 71. During the above described operation, the operator has continuous grasp of handle 81 and therefore is able to control the movement of the gas container 1 to prevent inadvertent dropping or dislocation which might cause injury or damage.

Although not shown in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9, gas container 1 has attached thereto the harness and other accouterments mentioned with respect to FIGS. 4, 5 and 6. These attachments are similarly secured to the gas container by similar straps. When the gas container 1 has been positioned in the vertical position as shown in FIG. 8, the rescuer can don the harness and strap the gas container 1 to his back. Release of the gas container 1 from the mounting member 2 can again be effected by rotating lever 22 as described above.

After use, the gas container 1 and the attendant harness can be replaced within mounting member 2 as described above. After being secured within mounting member 2, an operator would grasp handle 81, lift on handle to rotate the mounting member 2 to the horizontal position, rotate the mounting member through 90° in the horizontal plane to engage latch 80 with striker plate 85. Thus, the mounting member is once again securely attached to and stored upon platform 70.

In the preferred embodiment for storing the gas containers, whether it be in a vertical or horizontal position, is such as to place the gas container, when ready for use, at a vertical height approximately equivalent to the middle of a rescuer’s back. Such an arrangement permits the rescuer to don the harness before the gas container 1 is released from the mounting member 2. When release is effected, the weight of the gas container 1 will be already supported by the rescuer’s back and thereby reduce the danger of dropping or otherwise manhandling the heavy gas container.

While the principles of the invention have now been made clear in an illustrative embodiment, there will be immediately obvious to those skilled in the art many modifications of structure, arrangement, proportions, the elements, materials, and components, used in the practice of the invention which are particularly adapted for specific environments and operating requirements without departing from those principles.