Package and article carriers – Carried by animate bearer – Article held by receiver
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-12
2001-10-09
Cronin, Stephen K. (Department: 3727)
Package and article carriers
Carried by animate bearer
Article held by receiver
C224S607000, C224S680000, C224S235000, C224S271000, C242S588100, C206S389000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06299043
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a heat insulating and fire resistant container for storing and protecting a life line which can be used by fire-fighting, police and military personnel.
2. Problem to be Solved
Life lines (also known as personal escape ropes) are typically used by fire-fighting personnel, police SWAT units and even special units of the armed forces. Life lines are typically used in situations where it is necessary to quickly descend from a particular location to another location that is lower in elevation. For example, fire-fighting personnel may have to quickly descend from a burning floor of a high-rise structure to a lower floor that is not on fire.
Conventional carrying bags that are used to carry and store life lines are relatively large and bully. Such carrying bags are typically fabricated from Nylon Cordura™ or other materials that can actually melt when subjected to intense heat and fire. Some of these carrying bags are up to about 30 inches in length. Thus, it is also very difficult for fire-fighting personnel to carry such a bag since fire-fighting personnel have to carry other vital equipment such as an air-pack, hoses, medical equipment, tools, etc. Since it is not possible to carry such a large bag, fire-fighting personnel may place the bag away from themselves as they are battling a blaze. Therefore, it is very easy for the fire-fighting personnel to become separated from the bag and unable to retrieve the bag due to the hazardous environment.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a heat insulating and fire resistant container for storing and protecting a life line that solves the problems discussed above.
Still other objects and advantages of the present invention will in part be obvious and will in part be apparent from the specification.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed, in a first aspect, a heat insulating and fire resistant container for storing and protecting a life line, comprising (a) a bottom section fabricated from heat insulating, fire resistant material, (b) a continuous wall section fabricated heat insulating, fire resistant material and having a first end and a second end, the bottom section being attached to the first end of the wall section, the wall section having an interior side and an exterior side, the bottom section and wall section cooperating to define an interior compartment for receiving a life line, (c) means for securing one end of the life line to the container; and (d) closure means for closing the interior compartment.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the wall and bottom sections of the heat insulating and fire resistant container are configured to provide the container with a substantially rectangular shape wherein the wall section comprises a pair of lengthwise wall sections and a pair of widthwise wall sections. In such an embodiment, each of the lengthwise and widthwise wall sections has a first end attached to the bottom section and a second end that forms a portion of the perimeter of the interior compartment opening. The container further comprises a rigid frame conforming to and attached to the container adjacent to the perimeter of the interior compartment opening.
In one embodiment, the closure means comprises (a) a main flap attached to the second end of one of the lengthwise wall sections and extending over the interior compartment opening, the main flap having a portion that extends downward over a portion of the other lengthwise wall section, (b) a pair of flaps, each side flap attached to the second end of a corresponding widthwise wall section, (c) and means for removably attaching the portion of the main flap to the second lengthwise wall section.
In a further embodiment, the wall and bottom sections of the heat insulating and fire resistant container are configured to provide the container with a substantially cylindrical shape. In this embodiment, wall section has a first end attached to the bottom section and a second end that defines the interior compartment opening, the closure means comprises (a) a draw cord movably attached to the container adjacent the interior compartment opening, the draw cord having a pair of ends that, when simultaneously pulled in the same direction and away from the container, tighten the draw cord so as to close the interior compartment opening, (b) and a draw cord adjusting means for regulating the amount of draw cord about the compartment interior opening so as to allow the interior compartment opening to be enlarged or reduced.
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Cronin Stephen K.
Nuzzo Raymond A.
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