CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to German Patent Application No. 10 2018 113 601.3, filed June 07, 2018, and German Patent Application No. 10 2018 132 873.7, filed Dec. 19, 2018, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Field of the Disclosure

[0002] The present application relates generally to a back plate assembly for a breathing apparatus, and, in particular, a back plate assembly for a breathing apparatus having at least one rescue line configured for providing air to another person.

Description of the Related Art

[0003] Breathing apparatuses include a back plate on which, when in use, a compressed air bottle is arranged. The compressed air serves for supplying the person, e.g. a fireman / a tirewoman, who is carrying the breathing apparatus.

[0004] In use, however, it may be necessary for another person, such as for example a colleague, to have to be supplied with breathing air as their breathing apparatus is perhaps faulty or the compressed air bottle of the other person is empty. Said supplying also has to be rapid and secure under operating conditions. Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide air to another person in a rapid and secure manner.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0005] In view of the need in the prior art, an object of the present disclosure is to describe devices by way of which air can be supplied to another person in a rapid and secure manner.

[0006] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects of the present disclosure, at least one rescue line may serve for supplying air to another person, i.e. to a person other than the carrier of the breathing apparatus. The at least one rescue line may have an inlet which is coupled with a pressure reducer of the breathing apparatus. This means that the rescue line may be fed from the breathing air source of the person who is carrying the back plate assembly. [0007] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects of the present disclosure, the at least one rescue line may be connected to the back plate assembly so as to be releasable at least in part. An outlet of the at least one rescue line, when carried by the person, may be arrangeable on the front side of the person. The outlet of the rescue line may be the part which is to be connected to the breathing apparatus of the other person. The assembly on the front side makes it easy for the carrier of the back plate assembly to be able to grip the outlet of the rescue line, at which the connection for the breathing apparatus of the other person may be arranged. As a result of said assembly, the rescue line may be integrated in the back plate assembly such that the rescue line does not have to be carried, for example, in an extra pocket on the strap. In this way, loops are not formed in the rescue line which can become caught on another object in operation.

[0008] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects of the present disclosure, the at least one rescue line may be at least between 1.2 and 2 times as long as the maximum vertical length of the back plate assembly. The rescue line can consequently be run securely from a pressure reducer, located at the bottom, over the back to the front side of the carrying person. The rescue line can thus include a length of between 0.8 and 1.8 m, in particular, between 1 m and 1.5 m.

[0009] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects of the present disclosure, at least one clamping element may serve for the releasable fastening of the at least one rescue line. In this case, the at least one clamping element can be arranged, in particular, in a profile, in particular a U- shaped profile, in the back plate assembly. Clamping elements can thus serve for the purpose of arranging the rescue line securely in the profile when not in use, but at the same time for the purpose of enabling rapid deployment of the rescue line. The profile can have a grip element for easier portability of the back plate assembly.

[0010] So that the at least one rescue line is able to be used in a controlled manner, in some non limiting embodiments or aspects, a security means may be provided on the front side of the person for the releasable connection of the at least one rescue line. The at least one security means can comprise, for example, a snap fastener connection and/or a hook-and-loop fastener connection.

[0011] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects of the present disclosure, the at least one outlet of the rescue line can have a connection for an air supply to the other person. In particular, a rescue hood for another person can be connected or connectable to at least one outlet of the rescue line. A rescue hood can be pulled over the head of the other person if said person does not have their own breathing mask. [0012] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects of the present disclosure, for ease of handing, the at least one outlet of the rescue line may be arranged on the front side of a shoulder strap. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects of the present disclosure, a breathing apparatus may have a back plate assembly having at least one shoulder strap and a pressure reducer arranged on the back plate assembly and configured for fluid communication with a source of compressed air. The breathing apparatus further may have a breathing line having a breathing line inlet connected to the pressure reducer, and at least one rescue line having a rescue line inlet connected to the pressure reducer and a rescue line outlet. At least a portion of the at least one rescue line may be releasably connected to the back plate assembly and the at least one shoulder strap. The at least one rescue line may be configured for providing breathing air from the source of compressed air to a person other than a wearer of the back plate assembly.

[0013] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects of the present disclosure, the back plate assembly may have a profile and at least a portion of the at least one rescue line is arranged within the profile. The profile may be a U-shaped profile. The breathing apparatus further may have at least one clamping element for removably securing the at least one rescue line within the profile. The back plate assembly may have a grip element.

[0014] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects of the present disclosure, the at least one shoulder strap may have at least one fastener for releasably securing at least a portion of the at least one rescue line to the at least one shoulder strap. The at least one fastener may be at least one of a snap fastener or a hook-and-loop fastener.

[0015] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects of the present disclosure, the at least one rescue line may be between 1.2 and 2 times as long as a maximum length of the back plate assembly. The at least one rescue line may be between 0.8 and 1.8 m in length.

[0016] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects of the present disclosure, the at least one rescue line outlet may have a connector configured for connecting to a breathing device. The at least one rescue line outlet may be arranged at a front side of the at least one shoulder strap. The at least one rescue line may be a plurality of rescue lines connected to the pressure reducer.

[0017] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects of the present disclosure, a breathing apparatus may have a back plate assembly having at least one shoulder strap, and at least one source of pressurized air connected to the back plate assembly. The breathing apparatus further may have a pressure reducer arranged on the back plate assembly and in fluid communication with the at least one source of compressed air. The breathing apparatus further may have a breathing line having a breathing line inlet connected to the pressure reducer, and at least one rescue line having a rescue line inlet connected to the pressure reducer and a rescue line outlet. At least a portion of the at least one rescue line may be releasably connected to the back plate assembly and the at least one shoulder strap. The at least one rescue line may be configured for providing breathing air from the at least one source of compressed air to a person other than a wearer of the back plate assembly.

[0018] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects of the present disclosure, the back plate assembly may have a U-shaped profile and at least a portion of the at least one rescue line may be releasably retained within the U-shaped profile by at least one clamping element. The at least one shoulder strap may have at least one fastener for releasably securing at least a portion of the at least one rescue line to the at least one shoulder strap.

[0019] The at least one fastener may be at least one of a snap fastener and a hook-and-loop fastener.

[0020] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects of the present disclosure, the at least one rescue line may be between 1.2 and 2 times as long as a maximum length of the back plate assembly. The at least one rescue line outlet may be arranged at a front side of the at least one shoulder strap and comprises a connector configured for connecting to a breathing device.

[0021] In other non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the present disclosure may be characterized by one or more of the following numbered clauses.

[0022] Clause 1. A breathing apparatus comprising: a back plate assembly having at least one shoulder strap; a pressure reducer arranged on the back plate assembly and configured to fluidly communicate with a source of compressed air; a breathing line having a breathing line inlet connected to the pressure reducer; and at least one rescue line having a rescue line inlet connected to the pressure reducer and a rescue line outlet; wherein at least a portion of the at least one rescue line is releasably connected to the back plate assembly and the at least one shoulder strap.

[0023] Clause 2. The breathing apparatus according to Clause 1, wherein the at least one rescue line is configured to provide breathing air from the source of compressed air to a person other than a wearer of the back plate assembly. [0024] Clause 3. The breathing apparatus according to Clause 1 or 2, wherein the back plate assembly has a profile and wherein at least a portion of the at least one rescue line is arranged within the profile.

[0025] Clause 4. The breathing apparatus according to any of Clauses 1-3, wherein the profile is a U-shaped profile.

[0026] Clause 5. The breathing apparatus according to any of Clauses 1-4, further comprising at least one clamping element for removably securing the at least one rescue line within the profile.

[0027] Clause 6. The breathing apparatus according to any of Clauses 1-5, wherein the back plate assembly comprises a grip element.

[0028] Clause 7. The breathing apparatus according to any of Clauses 1-6, wherein the at least one shoulder strap comprises at least one fastener configured to releasably secure at least a portion of the at least one rescue line to the at least one shoulder strap.

[0029] Clause 8. The breathing apparatus according to any of Clauses 1-7, wherein the at least one fastener is a snap fastener.

[0030] Clause 9. The breathing apparatus according to any of Clauses 1-8, wherein the at least one fastener is a hook-and-loop fastener.

[0031] Clause 10. The breathing apparatus according to any of Clauses 1-9, wherein the at least one rescue line is between 1.2 and 2 times as long as a maximum length of the back plate assembly.

[0032] Clause 11. The breathing apparatus according to any of Clauses 1-10, wherein the at least one rescue line is between 0.8 and 1.8 m in length.

[0033] Clause 12. The breathing apparatus according to any of Clauses 1-11 , wherein the at least one rescue line outlet comprises a connector configured to connect to a breathing device.

[0034] Clause 13. The breathing apparatus according to any of Clauses 1-12, wherein the at least one rescue line outlet is arranged at a front side of the at least one shoulder strap.

[0035] Clause 14. The breathing apparatus according to any of Clauses 1-13, wherein the at least one rescue line is a plurality of rescue lines connected to the pressure reducer.

[0036] Clause 15. A breathing apparatus comprising: a back plate assembly having at least one shoulder strap; at least one source of pressurized air connected to the back plate assembly; a pressure reducer arranged on the back plate assembly and in fluid communication with the at least one source of compressed air; a breathing line having a breathing line inlet connected to the pressure reducer; and at least one rescue line having a rescue line inlet connected to the pressure reducer and a rescue line outlet; wherein at least a portion of the at least one rescue line is releasably connected to the back plate assembly and the at least one shoulder strap, and wherein the at least one rescue line is configured to provide breathing air from the at least one source of compressed air to a person other than a wearer of the back plate assembly.

[0037] Clause 16. The breathing apparatus according to Clause 15, wherein the back plate assembly has a U-shaped profile and wherein at least a portion of the at least one rescue line is releasably retained within the U-shaped profile by at least one clamping element.

[0038] Clause 17. The breathing apparatus according to Clause 15 or 16, wherein the at least one shoulder strap comprises at least one fastener for releasably securing at least a portion of the at least one rescue line to the at least one shoulder strap.

[0039] Clause 18. The breathing apparatus according to any of Clauses 15-17, wherein the at least one fastener is at least one of a snap fastener and a hook-and-loop fastener.

[0040] Clause 19. The breathing apparatus according to any of Clauses 15-18, wherein the at least one rescue line is between 1.2 and 2 times as long as a maximum length of the back plate assembly.

[0041] Clause 20. The breathing apparatus according to any of Clauses 15-19, wherein the at least one rescue line outlet is arranged at a front side of the at least one shoulder strap and comprises a connector configured to connect to a breathing device.

[0042] Clause 21. A breathing apparatus comprising: a back plate assembly having at least one shoulder strap; a pressure reducer arranged on the back plate assembly and configured to fluidly communicate with a source of compressed air; a breathing line having a breathing line inlet connected to the pressure reducer; and at least one rescue line having a rescue line inlet connected to the pressure reducer and a rescue line outlet; wherein at least a portion of the at least one rescue line is releasably connected to the back plate assembly and the at least one shoulder strap.

[0043] Clause 22. The breathing apparatus according to Clause 21 , wherein the at least one rescue line is configured to provide breathing air from the source of compressed air to a person other than a wearer of the back plate assembly.

[0044] Clause 23. The breathing apparatus according to Clause 21 or 22, wherein the back plate assembly has a profile and wherein at least a portion of the at least one rescue line is arranged within the profile. [0045] Clause 24. The breathing apparatus according to any of Clauses 21-23 wherein the profile is a U-shaped profile.

[0046] Clause 25. The breathing apparatus according to any of Clauses 21-24, further comprising at least one clamping element for removably securing the at least one rescue line within the profile.

[0047] Clause 26. The breathing apparatus according to any of Clauses 21-25, wherein the back plate assembly comprises a grip element.

[0048] Clause 27. The breathing apparatus according to any of Clauses 21-26, wherein the at least one shoulder strap comprises at least one fastener configured to releasably secure at least a portion of the at least one rescue line to the at least one shoulder strap.

[0049] Clause 28. The breathing apparatus according to any of Clauses 21-27, wherein the at least one fastener is a snap fastener.

[0050] Clause 29. The breathing apparatus according to any of Clauses 21-28, wherein the at least one fastener is a hook-and-loop fastener.

[0051] Clause 30. The breathing apparatus according to any of Clauses 21-29, wherein the at least one rescue line is between 1.2 and 2 times as long as a maximum length of the back plate assembly.

[0052] Clause 31. The breathing apparatus according to any of Clauses 21-30, wherein the at least one rescue line is between 0.8 and 1.8 m in length.

[0053] Clause 32. The breathing apparatus according to any of Clauses 21-31 , wherein the at least one rescue line outlet comprises a connector configured to connect to a breathing device.

[0054] Clause 33. The breathing apparatus according to any of Clauses 21-32, wherein the at least one rescue line outlet is arranged at a front side of the at least one shoulder strap.

[0055] Clause 34. The breathing apparatus according to any of Clauses 21-33, wherein the at least one rescue line is a plurality of rescue lines connected to the pressure reducer.

[0056] Clause 35. A breathing apparatus comprising: a back plate assembly having at least one shoulder strap; at least one source of pressurized air connected to the back plate assembly; a pressure reducer arranged on the back plate assembly and in fluid communication with the at least one source of compressed air; a breathing line having a breathing line inlet connected to the pressure reducer; and at least one rescue line having a rescue line inlet connected to the pressure reducer and a rescue line outlet; wherein at least a portion of the at least one rescue line is releasably connected to the back plate assembly and the at least one shoulder strap, and wherein the at least one rescue line is configured to provide breathing air from the at least one source of compressed air to a person other than a wearer of the back plate assembly.

[0057] Clause 36. The breathing apparatus according to Clause 35, wherein the back plate assembly has a U-shaped profile and wherein at least a portion of the at least one rescue line is releasably retained within the U-shaped profile by at least one clamping element.

[0058] Clause 37. The breathing apparatus according to Clause 35 or 36, wherein the at least one shoulder strap comprises at least one fastener for releasably securing at least a portion of the at least one rescue line to the at least one shoulder strap.

[0059] Clause 38. The breathing apparatus according to any of Clauses 35-37, wherein the at least one fastener is at least one of a snap fastener and a hook-and-loop fastener.

[0060] Clause 39. The breathing apparatus according to any of Clauses 35-38, wherein the at least one rescue line is between 1.2 and 2 times as long as a maximum length of the back plate assembly.

[0061] Clause 40. The breathing apparatus according to any of Clauses 35-39, wherein the at least one rescue line outlet is arranged at a front side of the at least one shoulder strap and comprises a connector configured to connect to a breathing device.

[0062] Clause 41. A back plate assembly (10) for a breathing apparatus for one person (20), the back plate assembly comprising: at least one rescue line (1) for providing air to another person, the at least one rescue line (1) comprising an inlet (2) which is coupled with a pressure reducer (11) of the breathing apparatus, wherein the at least one rescue line (1) is connected to the back plate assembly (10) so as to be releasable at least in part and at least one outlet (3) of the at least one rescue line (1), when carried by the person (20), is arrangeable on the front side of the person (20).

[0063] Clause 42. The back plate assembly according to Clause 41 , wherein the at least one rescue line (1) is at least between 1.2 and 2 times as long as a maximum vertical length (L) of the back plate assembly (10).

[0064] Clause 43. The back plate assembly according to Clause 41 or 42, wherein the rescue line (1) is between 0.8 and 1.8 m in length.

[0065] Clause 44. The back plate assembly according to any of Clauses 41-43, further comprising at least one clamping element (4) for the at least one rescue line (1). [0066] Clause 45. The back plate assembly according to any of Clauses 41-44, wherein the at least one clamping element (4) is arranged in a profile (5) in the back plate assembly (10).

[0067] Clause 46. The back plate assembly according to any of Clauses 41-45, wherein the profile (5) is a U-shaped profile.

[0068] Clause 47. The back plate assembly according to any of Clauses 41-46, wherein the profile (5) comprises a grip element (6).

[0069] Clause 48. The back plate assembly according to any of Clauses 41-47, wherein at least one security means (7) on the front side of the person (20) for the releasable connection of the at least one rescue line (1).

[0070] Clause 49. The back plate assembly according to any of Clauses 41-48, wherein the at least one security means (7) comprises a snap fastener connection.

[0071] Clause 50. The back plate assembly according to any of Clauses 41-49, wherein the at least one security means (7) comprises a hook-and-loop fastener connection.

[0072] Clause 51. The back plate assembly according to any of Clauses 41-50, wherein the at least one outlet (3) of the rescue line (1) comprises a connection for supplying air to the other person.

[0073] Clause 52. The back plate assembly according to any of Clauses 41-51 , wherein a rescue hood for another person is connected or connectable to at least one outlet (3) of the rescue line (1).

[0074] Clause 53. The back plate assembly according to any of Clauses 41-52, wherein the at least one outlet (3) of the rescue line (1) is arranged on the front side of a shoulder strap (12).

[0075] Clause 54. A breathing apparatus having a back plate assembly (10) according to any of Clauses 41 to 53.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0076] Some non-limiting embodiments or aspects of the disclosure are shown as an example by way of figures, in which:

[0077] Fig. 1 shows a rear view of an embodiment or aspect of a back plate assembly (without a breathing air bottle);

[0078] Fig. 2 shows a view from the front side of a person with a back plate assembly according to Fig. 1 in a first operating position; [0079] Fig. 3 shows a view from the rear side of the person with a back plate assembly according to Fig.1 in the first operating position;

[0080] Fig. 3A shows a view of a detail of a section through part of the back plate assembly;

[0081] Fig. 4 shows the person with a back plate assembly according to Fig. 2 in a second operating position; and

[0082] Fig. 5 shows the person with a back plate assembly according to Fig. 2 in a third operating position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0083] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, Fig. 1 shows a side view of a back plate assembly 10 of a breathing apparatus, on which a compressed air bottle is arranged in operation. The compressed air bottle is not shown here for reasons of clarity.

[0084] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, compressed breathing air is transported to a breathing mask for a person in a known manner by means of lines via a pressure reducer 11 at the bottom end of the back plate assembly (on the right in Fig. 1). The back plate assembly 10 is produced substantially of plastics material, straps or bands arranged thereon serving in particular for holding the breathing air bottle and as straps for the person (see Fig. 2). A grip element 6 is integrated into the back plate assembly 10.

[0085] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, a shoulder strap is arranged at the top end of the back plate assembly 10. The overall length L of the back plate assembly 10 is approximately 90 cm.

[0086] The focus here is on providing another person with breathing air in an efficient manner, said breathing air being branched off from the pressure reducer 11 via a rescue line 1. An inlet 2 of the rescue line 1 is connected to the pressure reducer for this purpose. The rescue line 1 is then run upward (to the left in Fig. 1) via a U-shaped profile 5 (see Fig. 3 also). The rescue line 1 is produced - as are other lines on breathing apparatuses - from relatively soft plastics material.

[0087] Figs. 2 to 5 describe the function of the rescue line 1 in more detail in the case of one embodiment of the back plate assembly 10.

[0088] In Fig. 2 the back plate assembly 10 is arranged on the back of a person 20 by way of shoulder straps 12. It is not possible to see the back plate assembly from said front view. [0089] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the outlet 3 of the rescue line 1 can be seen on the right-hand shoulder strap 12. The rescue line 1 itself runs on the outside of the shoulder strap 12. A connection for other breathing apparatuses is arranged on the end 3, the end 3 being releasably fastened on the shoulder strap 12 by a security means 7. In the embodiment shown, the security means 7 comprises a snap fastener which opens as a result of a light tug and thus releases the end of the rescue means (see Figs. 4 and 5). Further security means 7, which ensure that the rescue line 1 cannot become caught in operation, are also arranged along the shoulder strap 12.

[0090] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, Fig. 3 shows the back plate assembly 10 in the same operating position as Fig. 2, only here in a rear view. In this case, it can be seen that the rescue line 1 is held tightly to the shoulder strap 12. Behind the shoulder of the person 20, the rescue line is run downward to the pressure reducer 11. It is run through a U-shaped profile 5, the open sides of which point to the back of the person 20. Fig. 3A shows a sectional view. The rescue line 1 is held by clamping element 4 in the U-shaped profile 5. In normal use, the rescue line 1 remains arranged in said profile. However, it can also be removed from said profile, as is shown below, if this is necessary in operation.

[0091] As an alternative to this, it is possible for the clamping elements, for example in the form of eyelets, to be realized on the back plate assembly 10. The rescue line 1 can then be clamped into said eyelets.

[0092] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, only one rescue line 1 is used in the embodiment shown here. However, it is perfectly possible for more than one rescue line 1 to be coupled with the pressure reducer 11 such that the person 20 is also able to supply more than one other person with breathing air.

[0093] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the outlet of the at least one rescue line is arranged, as can be seen in particular in Fig. 2, on the front side of the person when being carried by the person, i.e. on the front side of the shoulder strap 12.

[0094] This is shown in Fig. 4. The person 20 has released the rescue line 1 from the security means 7 on the front side of the shoulder strap 12 and from the security means 7 on the top side of the shoulder strap 12 by means of a tug at the outlet 3 such that the rescue line 1 is also easy to release from the U-shaped profile 5 of the back plate assembly 10.

[0095] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the full length of the rescue line 1 can then be pulled outwards by hand as a result of a further tug at the end 3 of the rescue line (see Fig. 5). The person 20 can consequently connect the outlet 3 to the connection for a further breathing apparatus. The rescue line 1 has a length of between 1.5 and 2 times the maximum vertical length L of the back plate assembly for this purpose. Said length is easily manageable by the person 20.

[0096] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the rescue line 1 is normally fastened securely in or on the back plate assembly 10. The rescue line 1 is able to be deployed rapidly and in a controlled manner when it is used.