AU784839B2 - Safety seat - Google Patents

Description

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AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

Name of Applicant: Dydo Manufacturing Co.

Actual Inventor: Adrianus Van Dyk Address for Service: BALDWIN SHELSTON WATERS 60 MARGARET STREET SYDNEY NSW 2000 Invention Title: 'SAFETY SEAT The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us:- File: 31904AUP00 l SAFETY SEAT FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a safety seat intended for use in fire appliances and any other emergency or rescue vehicle, or any other vehicle where it is desired to transport breathing apparatus or similar equipment. In particular, the invention relates to a seat which is constructed to accommodate the breathing apparatus carried on the back of a fire fighter or emergency rescuer.

BACKGROUND

Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of common general knowledge in the field.

There are a variety of circumstances where it is necessary or desirable to transport a breathing apparatus cylinder, or cylinder of any other pressurised liquid or gas, from one location to another. A breathing apparatus is an essential piece of equipment of many modern day fire fighters and other emergency or rescue personnel. It may also be desirable to carry breathing apparatus equipment in nonemergency situations such as on underwater diving trips and related activities where a cylinder of air or oxygen or other gas is needed.

Breathing apparatus cylinders are typically carried in a backpack assembly which is harnessed or strapped to the back of a user. In some situations, particularly non- 30 emergency situations, the breathing apparatus is harnessed to the back of a user just prior to use or on arrival at a location where the breathing apparatus is to be used.

In emergency situations, it is preferable that the breathing apparatus is already strapped to the back of a user so that the user can alight from an emergency vehicle promptly on arrival at an emergency scene. If it is not possible for a user to be

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seated in an emergency vehicle with the breathing apparatus already harnessed, the breathing apparatus is usually mounted to a breathing apparatus bracket fixed internally to the emergency vehicle in order that the breathing apparatus is not free to move when the vehicle is in motion. This is important to avoid the possibility of a breathing apparatus falling or moving about within an emergency vehicle and o* o• 2 presenting a safety hazard to occupants of the vehicle or causing damage to the vehicle.

Safety seats are known which have a back portion constructed to form a cavity so that a fire fighter or other emergency rescuer can be seated with a breathing apparatus harnessed to his or her back. Examples of such seats are described in US 5,213,392, US 5,803,544, US 5,314,233, US 5,681,080, US 5,275,462 and US 5,934,749.

US 5,213,392 discloses a seat construction for use in an emergency vehicle. The seat includes a back with a pair of side pads spaced apart to provide a cavity between them.

The cavity is adapted to store a cylinder. The seat is fitted with a pivoting head pad so that when the fire fighter rises from the seat, with the cylinder strapped on his back, the cylinder will engage the under surface of the head pad, pivoting it to a release position so that the cylinder can be removed from the cavity without catching on the head pad.

The head pad is spring biased to spring back to the head supporting position after removal of the cylinder from the cavity.

US 5,803,544 discloses a seat construction for use in a fire truck. The seat comprises a seat base and a back which extends upwardly from the base with a pair of side members spaced apart to provide a cavity between them. A cylinder can then fit into the cavity. The back has a head pad similar to that of US 5,213,392.

S US 5,314,233 discloses a seat construction for use in an emergency vehicle. The seat comprises a back with a pair of side pads spaced apart to provide a cavity between Sthem. The seat has a head pad which is pivotally mounted. As the fire fighter, with a cylinder strapped to his back, rises from the seat, the upper end of the cylinder engages the under surface of the head pad, pivoting the head pad to the release position so that the cylinder can be removed. The head pad is spring biased and springs back into the head supporting position after removal of the cylinder. The seat also includes a mechanism for storing the cylinder within the cavity, which consists of a series of brackets. A belt is also provided to securely clamp the tank to the seat back.

US 5,681,080 discloses a vehicle seat for supporting a person carrying a cylinder. The seat comprises a frame which supports a seat cushion, and a seat back assembly. The seat back assembly includes a pair of seat back cushions which are spaced apart to permit the tank to pass between them. The seat also includes a bracket assembly for receiving the cylinder, the bracket being adjustable for accommodating cylinders of different sizes. The seat further includes a head rest which comprises a pair of movable head rest members which are pivotable relative to the seat back cushions, for permitting the cylinder to be placed between them.

US 5,275,462 discloses a vehicle seat for supporting a person canrrying a cylinder. The vehicle seat comprises a frame with a seat cushion, and a seat back assembly supported by the frame. A pair of seat back members are spaced apart to house a cylinder between them. A bracket is mounted between and behind the seat back members, the bracket being adapted to house a cylinder. The seat also comprises a pivotable head rest.

US 5,934,749 discloses a seat for use in an emergency vehicle. The seat back includes a pair of vertical cushions which are spaced apart'to provide a central recess.

A support assembly for holding the cylinder is located in the recess. The support assembly consists of a bracket system. The seat also includes a pivotable head rest.

The known safety seats incorporate head rests that are movable from a head 20 supporting position to a release position when the fire fighter, carrying a cylinder, rises from the seat. However, these head rests are biased so that they return automatically to the head supporting position. This means that it may be awkward or difficult for the fire fighter to replace the cylinder in the cavity.

The known seats comprise an arrangement of two side portions and a rear portion with S:straps or brackets to support the cylinder. There is likely to be an inherent weakness in the back of the seat. Such seats can become damaged in the event of the vehicle becoming involved in an accident, which happens occasionally. This problem can be avoided by using heavier gauge materials to provide the required strength. However, this results in a heavier than optimum seat.

Some known safety seats have a lever at the side of the seat to enable a cylinder restraining means to move upwardly to a release position. Such restraining means return automatically to a holding position once the user leans forward and stands up, thereby removing the cylinder from the cavity in the back of the seat. However, when the user returns and sits in the seat, the lever must again be operated to move the 4 restraining means from the holding position to the release position so that the cylinder can be returned to its location within the cavity.

On many occasions, the user will no longer wish to have the breathing apparatus harnessed to his or her back but will still need to place the breathing apparatus in the cavity of the seat. In that situation, it is difficult for the user to manhandle the breathing apparatus into its location within the cavity, while at the same time operating the lever to move the restraining means to the release position, thereby allowing the breathing apparatus to be located in position.

In addition, the lever is sometimes not operated fully or is released prematurely and the partially released cylinder becomes jammed in the mechanism, thus trapping the user in the seat.

."15 Some of the known safety seats have a breathing apparatus bracket mounted within the cavity of the back portion of the seat. The bracket is an arrangement of steel tubing designed to accommodate the cylinder of a breathing apparatus. Without the bracket in place, the breathing apparatus would be freely movable within the cavity and would therefore present a safety hazard.

Manufacture of such safety seats is therefore complex and expensive as the back portion comprises separate side portions and a rear portion which must be fitted together, and a separately constructed bracket incorporated and fixed within the cavity "of the back portion. This bracket can also have serious operational limitations if it is designed to accept only a limited range of cylinder sizes.

S" Furthermore, the known safety seats require the breathing apparatus to be fixed in a substantially vertical orientation so that the apparatus is not moveable, except upon release from the seat. This can present considerable discomfort and back pain to a user when sitting in the seat, particularly with the breathing apparatus harnessed to the back of the user. Such problems are particularly evident on long journeys to emergency locations.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a safety seat which goes at least some way to avoiding or overcoming the above disadvantages, or to at least provide a useful alternative.

STATEMENTS OF INVENTION Accordingly, the invention provides a safety seat adapted to accommodate a gas cylinder or compressed liquid cylinder when secured to a person's back, the seat having a base with a seat portion attached thereto and a back portion attached thereto which extends upwardly from the rear of the base, where the back portion includes side portions formed integrally with a rear portion to define a curved cavity of dimensions suitable to accommodate a gas cylinder or compressed liquid cylinder, and where the safety seat includes a securing means for securing the upper end of the cylinder when located within the cavity, and where the safety seat includes a mechanism for raising the securing means from a holding position to a release position where the securing means is retained in the release position.

Preferably the mechanism is linked to a release handle or button for operation by a user. It is preferred that the mechanism includes a spring operable to bias the securing means in the release position. It is further preferred that the mechanism enables the securing means to be returned from the release position to the holding position by a ratchet mechanism operable by simply applying downward pressure on the securing means.

Preferably the securing means is a plate held in a horizontal orientation and having slides attached thereto at locations suitable for sliding within vertically orientated ***grooves in the side portions.

.o 25 It is also preferred that the safety seat includes an attachment means for fixing the lower end of the cylinder relative to the base when located within the cavity, and includes an adjustment means to shift the lower end of the cylinder in a forward or rearward direction so that the cylinder can be held in place within the cavity at an angle from vertical. This enables a user to move the lower end of the cylinder forward or rearward relative to the base to minimise any discomfort in the lumbar region of the user.

Preferably the attachment means includes a housing for engaging with the lower end of the cylinder when the cylinder is located within the cavity. The housing will be adjustably fixed to the base.

It is preferred that the adjustment means includes a screw threaded shaft and a rotatable knob which when rotated in one direction will move the lower end of the cylinder forward relative to the base and when rotated in the other direction will move the lower end of the cylinder rearward relative to the base. In one embodiment of the invention the adjustable knob is located proximal to the housing, whereas in an alternative embodiment the shaft is located longitudinally along the base with the adjustable knob located on a front portion of the base.

It is preferred that the seat portion is cushioned for comfort of the user. It is also preferred that the side portions have padded sections fixed thereto for the comfort of the user.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The invention is described by way of example only with reference to: Figure 1 which is a perspective view of a safety seat of this invention.

Figure 2 which is a top view of the safety seat shown in Figure 1.

20 Figure 3 which is a side view of the safety seat shown in Figure 1.

Figure 4 which is a perspective view of an alternative safety seat of this invention.

Figure 1 shows a safety seat having a base 1 and a cushioned seat 2. The upper portion 3 includes side portions 4 and 5 and a rear portion 6 formed integrally and S: having a curved shape of double skinned sandwich construction. The upper portion 3 forms a cavity of dimensions suitable for the location of a cylinder (not shown) within. A head rest 7 is shown attached to the upper region of the back portion 3.

A means for securing a cylinder is located behind the head rest 7. A curved front plate is fixed to slides 8 and 9. The front plate 10 is welded to an oval top plate 11. When a cylinder is located within the cavity, the front plate 10 is located in front of the top end of the cylinder. The top plate 11 lies approximately 10 mm above the top end of the cylinder.

The slides 8 and 9 are attached to a release mechanism (not shown) which is located internally within the walls of the upright portion 5. The release mechanism is a springloaded ratchet mechanism. The springloaded ratchet mechanism is attached to a handle 12. Thus, when the fire fighter raises the handle 12, the slides 8 and 9 spring upwards, lifting the securing means, and allowing the fire fighter to simply lean forward, stand up and alight from the fire appliance.

In addition, the safety seat includes a cup 13 for engaging the lower end of the cylinder.

The cup 13 forms part of a housing 14. The housing 14 is connected to a screw threaded shaft 15 which is attached to a knob 16. By rotation of the knob 16, the fire fighter can move the lower end of the cylinder in a forward or rearward direction so that the cylinder is held at an angle from vertical. This enables the cylinder and breathing apparatus equipment to be adjusted for lumbar support for a particular fire fighter.

The seat includes a cushion 17 for the comfort of the fire fighter. Padded sections 18 and 19, on the side portions 4 and 5, and padded section 20 on the head rest 7 are also provided for the comfort of the fire fighter.

Located on the inner wall of the rear portion 3 is a recess 21. The buckle on the straps 20 which harness a cylinder to the fire fighter fits within the recess 21.

Referring now to Figure 2, the head rest 7 is shown attached to the side portions 4 and 5. The two slides 8 and 9 fit into grooves 22 and 23 on the inner walls of side portions 4 and 5. The two slides move upward or downward in tandem, within the grooves 22 and 23. When the fire fighter raises the handle 12, the slides 8 and 9 spring upwards, under bias of the spring of the springloaded ratchet mechanism. Attached to the slides 8 and 9 are the front plate 10 and the oval top plate 11. Thus, when the slides 8 and 9 move upward or downward, the front plate 10 and oval top plate 11 move with them. When the front plate 10 and oval top plate 11 are in the release position, the fire fighter may alight from the seat, with the cylinder harnessed to his or her back.

In addition, because the slides 8 and 9 may be located at any position along grooves 22 and 23, the seat can accommodate cylinders of different sizes.

Referring to Figure 4, this alternative embodiment is a safety seat having a base 24 and a cushioned seat 25. As is the case for the safety seat shown in Figure 1, the upper portion 26 includes side portions 27 and 28 and a rear portion 29 formed integrally and having a curved shape of double skinned sandwich construction. The upper portion 26 forms a cavity of dimensions suitable for the location of the cylinder 30 within.

A head rest 31 is shown attached to the upper region of the back portion 26. The head rest 31 includes a cylinder cap (not shown) fixed to the head rest 31. A release mechanism is located internally within the walls of the upright portion linking the head rest 31 and cylinder cap with a release button (not shown) on the outside of the upright portion 26 at a location easily accessible by a fire fighter.

The release button operates a springloaded ratchet mechanism. Thus, when the fire fighter-pushes the release button the head rest 31 and cylinder cap spring upwards and :the fire fighter can simply lean forward, stand up and alight from the fire appliance:.: In addition the safety seat includes an attachment means for fixing the lower end 32 of the cylinder 30 to the base 24. A housing 33 is shown which holds the lower end 32 of the cylinder 30 in place. The housing 33 is connected to a shaft 34. By rotation of the knob 35, the fire fighter can move the lower end 32 of the cylinder 30 in a forward or rearward direction so that the cylinder is held at an angle from vertical. As noted above, !20 this enables the cylinder and breathing apparatus equipment to be adjusted for lumbar support for a particular fire fighter.

Mounts 36 and 37 are for mounting a seatbelt to the seat. Suitable mounts can also be located on the other side of the seat if desired.

The seat includes a cushion 38 for the comfort of the fire fighter. Padded sections 39 and 40, on the side portions 27 and 28, and padded section 41 on the head rest are also provided for the comfort of the fire fighter.

The seat can be located at any position in a fire appliance, although the seat would not normally be appropriate for the driver. Although the seat shown does not include a seat belt, the seat will normally be supplied with a seatbelt. A seatbelt located in an appropriate position in a fire appliance can also be utilised.

With appropriate mounting plinths or brackets the seat is suitable for flat floor, raised floor and boxed floor type fire appliance cabs. In many cases, plinths will be able to include lockable storage boxes if required. This versatility means there is no constraint on the fire fighter as to which type of cab to use.

The integration of the breathing apparatus mounting and release mechanisms enables the seat to be lightweight and compact. This has particular importance for space restrictions in fire appliances and for weight limitations on the front axle of fire appliances.

The seat is lighter compared with other seats currently in use in New Zealand and Australia. It allows for greater leg room (approximately 20mm). The seat also has a lower shoulder height and therefore does not obstruct the sight of those seated behind.

The seat has fewer moving parts than other seats. The release mechanism makes loading of the breathing apparatus into the cavity of the seat straightforward as, once 15 released, the securing means does:not automatically return to the loaded position. The user can have both hands free to install the cylinder into the seat, reducing the risk of accident or strain injury.

In addition, some seats of the invention have the advantage that when the securing 20 means is released, the head rest remains fixed and does not spring forward and possibly catch on the helmet of the fire fighter.

Furthermore, the safety seat of this invention has an advantage over some known seats in that operation of the handle means that the securing means will be released to its full extent. Some known mechanisms allow the securing means to be only partially released if the handle is not operated correctly. This can mean that the cylinder S"becomes jammed in its cavity when the fire fighter attempts to stand up from the seat.

The cushioning and the padded sections are all easily replaceable clip-on pads.

One key advantage of the seat of this invention is that no breathing apparatus bracket is needed, as is required with some known seats. The seat is therefore simpler, easier to manufacture, and lighter in weight.

The adjustable lumbar support mechanism is another key advantage which provides for greater comfort and minimises the likelihood of back pain of the fire fighter, particularly on longer journeys.

While the invention is described with reference to the use of the safety seat and breathing apparatus by fire fighters in fire appliances, it is to be appreciated that the invention also relates to safety seats used in any other location where it is necessary or desirable for a user to be seated with a breathing apparatus, or any other cylinder or pack of compressed liquid or gas, harnessed to the back of the user or at least held in the seat ready for prompt harnessing to the user before standing up from the seat.

Although the invention has been described with reference to embodiments thereof, it is to .be appreciated that variations and/or modifications may be made withoutdeparting .,from the scope of the invention. In the foregoing description, where known equivalents :151; ;exist-to components or integers, those equivalents are incorporated.within: the invention as if specifically referred to.

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Claims (9)

1. A safety seat adapted to accommodate a gas cylinder or compressed liquid cylinder when secured to a person's back, the seat having a base with a seat portion attached thereto and a back portion attached thereto which extends upwardly from the rear of the base, where the back portion includes side portions formed integrally with a rear portion to define a curved cavity of dimensions suitable to accommodate a gas cylinder or compressed liquid cylinder, and where the safety seat includes a securing means for securing the upper end of the cylinder when located within the cavity, and where the safety seat includes a mechanism for raising the securing means from a holding position to a release position where the securing means is retained in the release position.

2. The safety seat as claimed in claim 1 wherein the mechanism is linked to a release handle or button for operation by a user.

3. The safety seat as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the mechanism includes a spring operable to bias the-securing means in the release position. The safety seat as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the mechanism enables the securing means to be returned from the release position to the holding position by applying downward pressure on the securing means. 25 5. The safety seat as claimed in claim 4 wherein the mechanism is a ratchet mechanism.

6. The safety seat as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the securing means is a plate held in a horizontal orientation and having slides attached thereto at locations suitable for sliding within vertically orientated grooves in the side portions.

7. The safety seat as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 further including an attachment means for fixing the lower end of the cylinder relative to the base when located within the cavity, and including an adjustment means to shift the lower end of the cylinder in a forward or rearward direction so that the cylinder can be held in place within the cavity at an angle from vertical.

8. The safety seat as claimed in claim 7 wherein the attachment means includes a housing for engaging with the lower end of the cylinder when the cylinder is located within the cavity.

9. The safety seat as claimed in claim 7 or claim 8 wherein the adjustment means includes a screw threaded shaft and a rotatable knob which when rotated in one direction will move the lower end of the cylinder forward relative to the base and when rotated in the other direction will move the lower end of the cylinder rearward relative to the base. The safety seat as claimed in claim 9 wherein the rotatable knob is located proximal to the housing. The safety seat as claimed in claim 9 wherein the shaft is located longitudinally 1 i along the base with the rotatable knob located on a front portion of the base.

12. The safety seat as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11 wherein the seat portion has a cushioned upper portion. 20 13. The safety seat as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12 wherein the side portions have padded sections attached thereto.

14. A safety seat substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1 to 3 or Figure 4 of the accompanying drawings. Dated this 29 th day of May 2001 DYDO MANUFACTURING CO. Attorney: STUART M. SMITH Fellow Institute of Patent Attorneys of Australia of BALDWIN SHELSTON WATERS