EP1935457B1 - Avalanche safety equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

The rescue apparatus has a carrier system (2) consisting of at least one flexible fabric element (7), and fitted with a first connecting element (28) to act with a second connecting element on a separate container (13) so that the carrier system with container forms a common manageable rucksack. The connection can be released.

Description

The invention relates to an avalanche rescue device, which has at least one close to the user connectable inflatable buoyancy body, a filling unit for the buoyancy body, a compressed gas unit with compressed gas tank and a trip unit and is equipped with a support system for supporting the functional parts on the back of the user ,

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

Such a device has been in use for many years and among others in the DE 32 37 060 A described.

An improved avalanche rescue device is in the WO 96/35479 ( PCT / EP 96/01942 ) explained in more detail. The functional parts described therein, for example buoyancy bodies, filling unit for the buoyant body, compressed gas unit with pressurized gas container and triggering unit, can also be used in the avalanche rescue apparatus according to the invention. It is therefore unnecessary to describe these functional parts in detail. Rather, reference is made to the cited document.

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

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

The cited document also describes that it is possible to integrate the functional parts of the avalanche rescue device into a vest or other garment. Also in this case, separate fasteners are required for at least some of the functional parts which must be integrated into said garments.

Incidentally, as functional parts, such elements are referred to here which are technically connected with the actuation of the device and in particular the inflation of the buoyancy bodies.

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

A disadvantage of these known avalanche rescue equipment is the fact that they can always be used only in the respectively selected embodiment. For example, if the avalanche rescue equipment is integrated into a vest or anorak, it must always be used with this garment. If the avalanche rescue device is integrated into a backpack, then this device must always be worn in conjunction with this special, once selected backpack.

The object of the present invention is to provide an avalanche rescue device which 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 by the fact that the carrying system is constructed from at least one flexible fabric element. This carrying system serves to hold the functional parts. In particular, it may be a flexible surface fabric, for example a nylon fabric, or a belt. A combination of a surface fabric or a fabric-like fabric and a belt or more straps is possible. Such fabric elements are known.

It is crucial that the fabric element can absorb the forces that occur, so that the functional safety of the avalanche rescue device is met. This applies in particular to the inflatable buoyancy bodies. Therefore, the thickness and thickness 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 different contours, for example, the back of the user. In addition, such fabric elements are of low weight. Rigid mounting plates and inflexible carrying racks are avoided.

If the present document refers to a belt, then it may be a single, separate belt. However, a belt can also consist of several separate straps that can be sewn together. Also, the individual straps may partially overlap. The only point is that - as already stated above - the resulting "total belt" has sufficient strength to accommodate the stresses that occur when the rescue occurs and the buoyancy bodies are inflated and the user in the avalanche the required To give buoyancy.

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

Viewed from above, in the direction of the user's back, the extension of the additional container can be smaller than or equal to the carrying system. In addition, the container can protrude above and below the support system. However, the container should not protrude laterally beyond the "base" of the carrying system, since this space is required for the deployment of the buoyancy bodies or balloons in the rescue situation.

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

Both the first connection device and the second connection 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 may serve as a connection means which, in cooperation with the associated buttonholes which constitute the second connection means, serve to unite the carrying system and separate additional container. Furthermore, pushbuttons of known type can be used for this purpose. Preferably, however, the two connecting devices form a zipper.

A zipper usually consists of two side strips and associated staples, with the help of a Slider can be joined together or separated. In the described preferred embodiment, a side strip is attached to the support system, while the other side strip is attached to the container. Both side strips preferably run around the carrying system or the container almost completely on the outside.

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

However, 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 consists in the fact that the most diverse containers, for example, packs of different size, design or shape, can be connected to the carrying system quickly and in a simple manner to form a jointly manageable unit in the form of a backpack.

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 surface fabric, which can also be referred to as a carrier fabric. It may be, for example, a nylon fabric. Of course, this surface fabric must then have the appropriate strength in order to transfer the forces occurring.

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

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 may have two free ends, which can be connected to each other by means of conventional means, such as a buckle. If the avalanche rescue device is applied to the user, this buckle is usually in front of the user's body.

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

Furthermore, in the avalanche rescue device according to the invention, the upper end of a left and a right shoulder belt are fastened to the horizontally extending section of the U-shaped base belt. In addition, with the lower end or in the region of the lower end of the vertical leg of the base belt in each case a right or left waist belt connected to this base belt. The right shoulder strap is then connectable to the right waist belt to form a carrying strap, for example by means of a buckle or the like. The same applies to the left shoulder strap and the left hip belt.

If in the context of the present documents with regard to the support system and this constituting strap and the cooperating straps (eg base strap) of a connection is mentioned, then this is not a rigid connection to understand. Rather, it is merely intended to express that the connection between the interconnected parts has such a strength that in the case of use of the According to the avalanche rescue device according to the invention forces can be received and the avalanche rescue device with in particular the associated buoyancy bodies remains closely connected to the user and gives him the necessary buoyancy, so that the rescue function is fulfilled.

It is also possible to combine a surface fabric with one or more straps. For example, the U-shaped base belt described above may be sewn or otherwise bonded to the fabric. Further, in the latter embodiment, it is possible to interrupt or completely omit the horizontal portion of this U-shaped base belt. In this case, then the surface fabric must be correspondingly strong and / or dimensioned to meet the requirements.

Fig. 1

ein erfindungsgemäßes Lawinenrettungsgerät, bei dem das Tragesystem mit einem zusätzlichen separaten Behältnis zu einer Gesamteinheit in Form eines Rucksacks vereinigt ist,

Fig. 2

eine Explosionsansicht des in der Fig. 1 gezeigten Lawinenrettungsgerätes,

Fig. 3

einen Schnitt entlang der Linie III-III in den Fig. 1 und 2,

Fig. 4

eine perspektivische Detailansicht der in der Fig. 3 gezeigten Schnittansicht mit entfaltetem Auftriebskörper,

Fig. 5

eine schematische Aufsicht auf den U-förmigen Basisgurt des Tragesystems, vom Benutzer aus gesehen dargestellt,

Fig. 6

eine der Fig. 5 analoge Ansicht in schematischer Darstellung, wobei der Basisgurt mit dem Schultergurt und dem Hüftgurt verbunden ist,

Fig. 7

eine vereinfachte und schematische Ansicht einer Schlingen aufweisenden Halterung für die Auftriebskörper,

Fig. 8

eine vervollständigte Zusammenschau der in den Figuren 5 bis 7 dargestellten Einzelheiten und

Fig. 9

eine der Fig. 6 entsprechende Ansicht, wobei jedoch das Tragesystem lediglich aus einem Flächengewebe aufgebaut ist.

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

Fig. 1

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

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

Fig. 3

a section along the line III-III in the Fig. 1 and 2 .

Fig. 4

a detailed perspective view of the in the Fig. 3 shown sectional view with unfolded buoyant body,

Fig. 5

a schematic plan view of the U-shaped base strap of the carrying system, as seen from the user,

Fig. 6

one of the Fig. 5 similar view in schematic representation, wherein the base belt is connected to the shoulder belt and the hip belt,

Fig. 7

a simplified and schematic view of a loop-containing support for the buoyancy bodies,

Fig. 8

a completed synopsis of the in the FIGS. 5 to 7 presented details and

Fig. 9

one of the Fig. 6 corresponding view, but the support system is constructed only of a surface fabric.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an avalanche rescue device 1 according to the invention, which is constructed from a support system 2 for supporting the functional parts and a container 3 connected thereto. The carrying system 2 and the container 3 are combined into a unit that can be handled together in the form of a backpack to be carried by a user.

As can be seen in particular from the perspective exploded view of FIG. 2 sees, the daytime system 2 is used to hold at least some of the functional parts. These functional parts include, for example, a compressed gas tank 11, an associated line 12 and two of the FIG. 2 not apparent buoyancy bodies 22, which are each inserted in a pocket 13 and 14, which will be discussed later in more detail.

To cover the compressed gas tank 11 is a tab 16 which is equipped with a Velcro strip 17 which can cooperate with a Velcro strip 18 to produce a hook and loop fastener.

On the support system 2, two shoulder straps 19 are arranged in the upper region and two abdominal straps 20 are arranged in the lower region, one of which is arranged on the right and the other on the left. In the FIG. 2 only the respective right shoulder belt 19 or waist belt 20 is shown for the sake of easier representation.

Belongs to the support system 2 in a U-shaped base strap 4, which in particular in the FIG. 5 is shown. The side legs 5 of the base belt 4 extend approximately vertically, while the bottom 6 extends horizontally and above. The opening of the U-shape thus points down.

The base belt 4 is sewn on or otherwise connected to a textile fabric 7. This textile fabric 7 may be of any type and may help to absorb the forces occurring together with the base belt 4. The coordination of the strength and strength of base belt 4 and textile fabric 7 is chosen such that the support system 2 can absorb the largest possible forces and is as light as possible. The textile fabric 7 is in particular one that is already frequently used for the production of backpacks 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 surface fabric or a textile fabric 7 and a base belt 4.

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 both from the inside or from the outside. The feature "from the outside" means that the fabric is located on the side of this fabric 7 facing away from the back of the user, while the feature "from the inside" means that the base belt 4 points to the back of the user and thus between this back and the fabric 7 is arranged. It is also possible, the base belt. 4 aufzudoppeln, in such a way that one webbing inside and the other comes to rest outside.

At the horizontally extending section 6 or bottom strap two shoulder straps 19 are sewn or otherwise connected thereto. These shoulder straps 19 are in the FIGS. 6 and 8th shown only in that area in which they are connected to the base belt 4 and more precisely to the bottom 6 thereof. Of course, these shoulder straps 19 are also connected to the fabric 7 by stitching.

The shoulder straps 19 may each be connected to a hip belt 21 in a manner known per se. For this purpose, for example, buckles or the like 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 region of the associated free end 8 of the base belt 4 with this and also with the fabric 7, expediently also by sewing. These seams 39 are shown with dashes in the figures.

Also, the waist belt 20 has in the illustrated embodiment, two free ends that can be connected to each other in a conventional manner, expediently also by a buckle or the like. In addition, the waist belt 20 is configured continuously behind the back of the user and thus runs behind the back of the user.

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

These loops 15 are spaced apart in the direction of the side leg 5 and together with a rod 9 and other loops 10 which are fixed to the buoyant body 22, a kind of hinge. The rod 9 is inserted through the alternately arranged loops 15 and 10 therethrough, so that the said function of the hinge is realized. The loops 10 are thus spaced apart 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 particular in the FIG. 4 shown. The buoyant body 22 represents a balloon and is of the usual type. In the FIG. 4 This buoyant body 22 is shown in the unfolded, laterally projecting from the carrying system 2, inflated position, which will be discussed in more detail below. By this configuration, it is possible to replace the buoyancy body easily and simply by the rod 9 pulled out of the loops 10 and 15, the buoyant body 22 replaced by a new and the rod 9 is again inserted through the loops 10 and 15.

The textile fabric 7 is provided with an elastic cushioning layer 23. This layer 23 can be arranged between two layers of the fabric, as shown in FIG FIG. 4 is shown. However, this layer can also be sewn on the outside of the fabric 7 or otherwise secured there. It is usually a foam layer. This elastic layer 23 has no supporting function but serves to improve the wearing comfort of the avalanche rescue device 1 according to the invention.

The folded buoyant body 22 is in the FIG. 3 shown. The type of folding of this buoyant body 22 is simplified drawn for reasons of better representability.

The buoyant body 22, which is an inflatable balloon, is in the FIG. 2 shown pocket 14 housed. The inventive avalanche rescue device 1 shown in the figures is equipped with two buoyancy bodies 22, namely a right and a left, which are stowed in a pocket 13,14 in the folded state. If the known release unit, not shown, is actuated by the user, a gas, which is located in the pressurized gas container 11, passes via the line or hoses 12 to the buoyant bodies 22, which are inflated thereby and laterally to the left or right out of the pockets 13, 14 swell left and right and unfold.

The bag 14 (see. Figures 2 and 3 ) is formed between a fabric web 24 and the fabric 7. The fabric web 24 has in plan view in approximately rectangular shape. 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. Fig. 4 ) is sewn to a side strip 29 provided with staples 28. This side strip 29 is provided on its side facing the buoyant body 22 with a Velcro strip 30 which can cooperate with a Velcro strip 31 to produce a hook and loop fastener. This Velcro strip 31 is supported by a second side strip 32, which is sewn laterally outwardly against the lateral edge 33 of the fabric 7. By connecting the Velcro straps 30 and 31 together, the bag 14 is closed, in which the folded buoyancy body 22 is located.

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

The attached to the side strip 29 staples 28 cooperate 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 kind. When in the FIG. 3 illustrated embodiment, these staples 34 are connected by a side strip 35 with the container 3 constituting tissue or the like by sewing.

Like from the FIG. 2 the side strips 29 and 32 with the staples 28 and 34 of the zipper on the outside run around the carrying system 2 and the container 3 almost completely. An interruption is only in the lower horizontal area. There begins and ends this zipper from the two side strips with the staples 28 and 34 and the slide 36th

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

When in the FIG. 2 As shown, the container 3 thus has a front side 37 (see also FIG FIG. 3 ), which covers the carrying system 2 after closing the zipper formed from the staples 28 and 34, the interior of the support system 2 to the outside.

The container 3 can be otherwise configured in any way. For example, it may be a closable container, which may also be subdivided. It only matters 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 via cooperating staples 28 of the carrying system 2.

When in the FIG. 9 In the embodiment shown, the carrying system 2 is constructed essentially of the fabric 7, which represents the "back side" of the carrying system 2. With this fabric 7, the shoulder straps 19, the waist belt 20 and the waist straps 21 are connected directly by seams 39. The entire force is thus absorbed by the tissue 7.

For attachment of the buoyancy body, not shown, serve loops 15, which are also connected by seams 39 directly to the fabric 7.

Instead of the individual loops 15 can of course also like in the Fig. 8 shown embodiment, a webbing 40 together with loops 15 are used.

Further, it is possible to combine the portions or regions of the above-described base belt 4 together with the fabric 7.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Avalanche rescue device

2

Carrying System /

3

container

4

Spinal Belt

5

side leg

6

Floor / section

7

textile fabric

8th

The End

9

Rod

10

wrap

11

Compressed gas containers

12

management

13

bag

14

bag

15

loop

16

flap

17

velcro

18

velcro

19

shoulder

20

waist belt

21

hip belt

22

buoyancy

23

elastic layer

24

fabric web

25

left edge

26

connecting location

27

right vertical edge

28

staple

29

shoulder

30

velcro

31

velcro

32

second side strip

33

edge

34

staple

35

Side strips of the container

36

pusher

37

front

38

loop

39

seam

40

webbing

Claims (11)

1. An avalanche rescue device comprising as functional parts at least one inflatable buoyant body (22) attachable close to the body of the user, a filling unit for said buoyant body (22), a compressed gas unit having a compressed gas tank (11) and a release unit, and said device is provided with a carrier system (2) for the user to carry said functional parts on his or her back
   characterized in that
   the carrier system (2) is comprised of at least one flexible fabric element (4, 7) and provided with a first connecting mechanism (28, 29) which interacts with a second connecting mechanism (34, 35) of a separate container (3) such that the carrier system (2) can be detachably connected to the container (3) to form a jointly-manipulable backpack and which is thereby sandwiched between the user's back and the container (3) in the conjoined state.
2. The avalanche rescue device according to claim 1,
   characterized in that
   the flexible fabric element constitutes a planar textile (7).
3. The avalanche rescue device according to claim 1 or 2,
   characterized in that
   the flexible fabric element constitutes a strap (4).
4. The avalanche rescue device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
   characterized in that
   the first and second connecting mechanisms are respectively formed by side strips (29, 35) provided with teeth (28, 34) to form a zipper together with a slider (36).
5. The avalanche rescue device according to claim 4,
   characterized in that
   the side strips (29, 35) of the zipper are mounted on the outer side of the carrier system (2), respectively container (3), and nearly wholly ring same.
6. The avalanche rescue device according to any one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   the container (3) is substantially self-contained, however provided with at least one closeable opening through which the interior of the container (3) can be accessed from the outside.
7. The avalanche rescue device according to any one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   the front face (37) of the container (3) covers and/or closes the rear face of the carrier system (2).
8. The avalanche rescue device according to any one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   the carrier system (2) has a U-shaped base strap (4) in plan view and that the side legs (5) of said base strap (4) extend vertically in the use position while the base of the U-form forms a relatively horizontally-extending segment (6) thereabove.
9. The avalanche rescue device according to claim 8,
   characterized in that
   a waist strap (20) is connected to the base strap (4) near the free ends (8) of the U-form of base strap (4).
10. The avalanche rescue device according to claim 8,
    characterized in that
    two buoyant bodies (22) are provided, each respectively connected to a vertical leg (5) of the U-form of the base strap (4).
11. The avalanche rescue device according to claim 8,
    characterized in that
    the upper ends of a left and a right shoulder strap (19) are affixed to the horizontally-extending segment (6) of the U-shaped base strap (4), that a right and a left hip strap (21) are respectively connected to the base strap (4) at the lower end or in the area of the lower end (8) of the vertical leg, and
    the right shoulder strap (19) is connectable to the right hip strap and the left shoulder strap is connectable to the left hip strap (21) to form a harness.

Images