EP3704978B1 - Protective clothing - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to protective clothing, in particular for firefighters, with trousers and a seat belt, the seat belt being arranged inside the trousers, the seat belt having at least one hip belt and at least two leg loops connected to the hip belt in a force-transmitting manner, and the protective clothing having a chest belt, the chest strap has at least one left and at least one right shoulder girdle.

Protective clothing is usually a complex clothing system that has to withstand extreme loads. In particular, protective clothing for fire brigade members has to withstand not only mechanical, but also strong thermal loads. The safety of the user, i.e. usually a firefighter, must be guaranteed against a possible fall from heights. Since they usually have to go into dangerous environments themselves in the course of an operation, safety systems to protect against a possible fall from heights are just as important for users as self-rescue from heights with a permanently available rescue system. For self-rescue from great heights, a permanently available rescue system is necessary for the user. Such safety systems should lengthen the dressing process as little as possible, and also be ready for use as quickly and easily as possible during use, not hinder the work of the fire fighters and enable the fastest possible response to the operating conditions.

the GB, 826,786 A shows a belt system for window cleaners.

the CA 1,286,050 C shows protective clothing that has a multi-layer structure so that it has a thermally insulating effect and is usually equipped with a waterproof, breathable membrane. This protects the user from thermal loads and the ingress of moisture. However, in the course of an operation, the user has to move into a raised, fall-endangered position or flee from such a position, for example via a window or at a position where there is a risk of falling, such as securing against falling on a ladder, or having to rescue himself with a rope , the protective clothing does not offer any possibility of securing the user from the resulting dangers of falling or falling.

The fire brigade has so far usually used an external fire brigade belt according to EN 14927. This belt is usually described in detail in country-specific fire brigade regulations.

"The fire brigade safety belt enables the fire brigade to protect themselves from the danger of falling with the lanyard (safety rope) by holding or holding back. The standard is therefore in the sense of the fire brigade service regulations on securing fire brigade forces as well as securing and moving of loads in emergency situations with the help of the fire brigade lanyard according to DIN 14920 "Fire brigade leash - requirements, testing, treatment". DIN 14927 applies together with DIN EN 358 on "Personal protective equipment for holding functions and for preventing falls - safety belts and lanyards for safety belts" for fire brigades -Retaining belts (FH), type A and type B, with two-pin buckle. Their requirements and tests are specified, taking into account fire-fighting emergency characteristics ng for life and health, self-rescue with the help of the fire brigade belt can be considered as an emergency measure. This must then be carried out in the manner specified in the relevant fire service training regulations. "

the US 6,427,252 B1 discloses a combined belt system which has both leg loops and shoulder girdles, as well as a belt around the torso of the user in the chest area. Together, these belts only secure the user if they are all worn correctly. Such a belt system restricts freedom of movement and is difficult to put on, but secures the user sufficiently to be able to abseil them. The shoulder girdles are connected to the trousers with suspenders. This enables a well-adjustable connection to the trousers and additional suspenders for the trousers are superfluous. As a result, however, the user is forced to put on the complete belt system first and then put on the pants. This is very time consuming. In addition, the belt system must be put on completely, even if situations only require securing the position, i.e. securing in a raised position such as on a ladder, in which a securing device that is not quite as secure but offers more freedom of movement would be sufficient.

In the U.S. 6,490,733 B shows protective clothing in the trousers of which a seat belt is arranged, which can be connected to a chest belt. The seat belt is connected to the trousers via the hip belt, so that the chest strap replaces the suspenders otherwise arranged on the trousers. This means that only the chest strap has to be put on and not additional suspenders, which is less cumbersome to get dressed and reduces the time it takes to get dressed. However, it is disadvantageous that the connection between the hip belt and pants must be very tight so that the weight of the pants can be held via this connection, even if the pants are pulled during an operation, for example by kneeling, crawling and the like. This reinforced connection restricts the user's freedom of movement. In addition, the height of the pants is difficult adjustable and depends on the height of the hip belt. The fixed connection between hip belt and trousers also reduces the exchange of air between the interior of the trousers via the waistband. This reduces the ability of the pants to adapt to rapid movements and changes in position.

The object of the invention is to provide protective clothing which can be adapted to different situations and which provides a high level of safety for a user, but enables better comfort, adjustability and the greatest possible mobility.

According to the invention, this object is achieved in that the chest belt has at least one left and at least one right armpit belt, the shoulder girdle and armpit belt being connected to one another, that the chest belt is releasably or operationally non-releasably connected to the seat belt and that the chest belt has at least one suspender section connected to the pants. The shoulder girdle and armpit girdle are preferably also adjustable in length.

By arranging a seat belt, which is securely connected to the user when it is put on in the hip area and can easily be connected to safety lines or other securing devices, a good height safety of the user is made possible. If the user is on a ladder, for example, he can connect the seat belt to the ladder using a safety line so that he cannot fall off. In addition, additional escape routes are more easily possible. For example, a quick connection to a rappelling device is made possible. A major advantage here is that these connections can be established quickly and easily, since time-optimized action is of the greatest importance, particularly during operations. A safety harness that is always ready for use is also available with the chest strap in connection with the seat harness. A fall arrest system can be instantly connected to the fall arrest system.

The arrangement within the trousers ensures a sufficiently secure connection with the user. At the same time, it is quick and easy to get dressed and put on. The trousers can be put on together with the seat belt that is arranged therein and is already connected to it. This shortens the dressing time.

The chest strap preferably has a front side and a rear side, as seen by the user when he is wearing the chest strap as intended. The shoulder girdle and armpit girdle are preferably connected to one another at the back of the chest girdle.

The detachable connection between the chest strap and the seat strap enables the chest strap to be put on easily and thus more quickly, which can subsequently be connected to the seat strap in a force-transmitting manner. This can preferably be achieved using plug connections. The releasable connection or releasable connections is preferably arranged on the front side so that the user can close and release the connection quickly and independently. With force-transmitting connection is meant a connection over at least a substantial part of the weight of the user of the protective clothing can be derived.

Another advantage is that the protective clothing can be used without a lot of effort without a chest strap when it is not needed. The detachable connection between the chest strap and the seat strap is separated for this. For this purpose, suspenders can be attached to the trousers, which are led from the front of the trousers over the shoulders of the user to the back of the trousers. For this purpose, the trousers preferably have connecting sections for suspenders. The connection sections of the trousers for connection to the suspender sections can also serve as such connection sections for the suspenders. The seat belt can also be used to secure, in particular to secure the position of the user, which requires more freedom of movement for the user. The protective clothing can thus be easily adapted to different situations.

If the seat belt has at least one hip belt and at least two leg loops, it can be carried comfortably but nevertheless safely. Here, the hip belt means a belt that extends around the torso of the user when it is put on, is arranged at the height of the hip or waist of the user and which can also take on the function of a retaining belt. At least one leg loop is intended for the right leg and at least one for the left leg. Thus, the seat belt is fixed at at least three points, the hips and the two legs. This enables an easy-to-create and secure connection.

It is advantageous that the protective clothing has a chest strap with a front side and a rear side, which is connected to the seat belt. The front side and the rear side can be designed to be the same or different. By combining a chest strap with a seat strap, a 5-point fixation of the user can be achieved, which represents a particularly secure connection. Furthermore, it is also advantageous that the chest strap has at least one left and at least one right shoulder girdle and at least one left and at least one right armpit girdle, the shoulder girdle and armpit girdle being connected to one another on the rear side of the chest girdle.

As a result, the chest strap can be attached particularly securely to the user over the shoulders of the user. This is particularly advantageous when the chest strap is being put on when the chest strap is put on independently of the seat belt. With such an embodiment, the chest strap can essentially completely absorb the weight of the trousers without the need for the seat strap. In particular in combination with the seat belt, however, comprehensive securing of the user is possible, who cannot fall out of the belt system.

If the chest strap is connected to the trousers at the rear via at least one suspender section, a stable connection between the chest strap and trousers can thus be established. The braces section can only be made short and parts of the chest strap interact with the braces section. This enables the weight of the trousers to be transferred directly to the chest strap, which is easily adjustable and adjustable. The brace sections themselves can also be easily adjusted in length. This means that the seat belt is no longer necessary to hold the trousers, which means that the connection between the trousers and the seat belt can be made weaker and thus allows more freedom of movement. This means that classic suspenders are no longer necessary here, which lead from the front of the trousers over the shoulders to the back. The suspender section takes on their function much more, in that it is connected to the trousers via at least one connection point and transfers their weight directly to the shoulders of the user. In the case described, this is achieved in that the chest strap, which is well connected to the user's shoulders via the shoulder girdle and armpit belt, is connected to the suspender section.

It can be advantageous if the suspender section is at least partially elastic.

It can also be advantageous if, in addition to the indirect connection, the seat belt is connected to the trousers via the suspender section. The connection of the seat belt to the trousers does not have to be designed in such a way that it transfers the weight of the user or the weight. Since when the seat belt is loaded, for example when abseiling, the weight is applied directly to the seat belt, no connection of this type to the trousers is necessary. The trousers are held in place by the suspender section, so that the weight of the trousers does not have to be transferred directly to the seat belt, but rather hangs on the shoulders of the user.

It is particularly advantageous if the protective clothing has inner pants which are arranged inside the seat belt. You can thread through inner pants the legs can be eased into the seat belt. While the pants primarily provide mechanical and thermal protection, the inner pants accelerate the dressing process.

It can be provided that the inner pants have two inner pants legs, and that each inner pants leg is arranged within at least one leg loop. This enables particularly quick dressing. The risk of not leading a leg through one of the leg loops due to inappropriately tightening is thereby prevented, since the leg is automatically passed through the leg loop when it is inserted into the leg of the inner trousers. This prevents tangling or incorrect or incorrect application.

The inner pants are preferably connected to the seat belt. The connection does not have to be designed in such a way that the weight of the user can be transmitted. This connection can also only be sufficient to hold the trouser belt in a defined position in relation to the inner trousers in order to enable them to be put on. The connection is preferably releasable in order to simplify the maintenance of the seat belt and the cleaning of the inner pants. For example, tabs or loops can be provided in the inner pants through which the seat belt, for example the hip belt, can be threaded.

Furthermore, the inner trousers can be connected to the trousers in the hip area of the trousers, preferably releasably connected and particularly preferably connected via a zip fastener. This is particularly advantageous because trousers, seat belts and inner trousers can be stored as a cohesive structure and put on when needed. This results in an embodiment that is particularly easy to put on, since essentially two holes for the legs are visible to the user - which are lined on the outside from the trousers and on the inside from the inner trousers. He no longer needs to worry about the leg straps, as these are automatically brought into the correct position. A detachable connection is particularly advantageous for cleaning and maintenance, a zip fastener system having proven to be particularly simple, inexpensive and practicable.

The connection between pants and inner pants is preferably established in the waistband area of the pants, particularly preferably at least over a large part of the waistband. It is also advantageous if at least parts of the hip belt of the seat belt are below the connection. It is assumed that the position of use is intended, in which the waistband of the trousers is at the top and the trouser legs are at the bottom. In other words, at least the hip belt is at least partially covered by the inner pants when it is put on.

The trousers and at least one inner trouser leg are preferably detachably connected to one another, preferably via a zip fastener between the inner trouser leg and a trouser leg of the trousers. The connection is particularly preferably arranged at the end of the inner trouser leg facing away from the hip area, that is to say in the area of the thigh. This also prevents the inner pants from being misplaced or creased.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the chest strap and the seat strap are connected to one another in a weight-transmitting manner only on the front side. Weight transferring means that a significant part of the user's weight can be transferred between the chest strap and seat belt via the connection and that this connection can transfer significant parts of the forces when the seat belt or chest strap is loaded, for example when abseiling or falling.

It is particularly advantageous if the right shoulder girdle and the right armpit girdle are connected via a right connection point and the left shoulder girdle and the left armpit girdle are connected via a left connection point on a front side of the chest strap, the connection points preferably being designed as connecting rings. A possible design made of plastic is particularly flexible and resistant.

It can be provided that the connection points are connected to the seat belt via releasable buckle connections. As a result, a secure, force-transmitting but releasable connection can be established between the seat belt and the chest belt.

When putting on the protective clothing with a chest strap, the buckle connections - if present - are preferably opened and the chest strap is connected to the seat belt or the trousers, for example via a non-weight-transferring connection. The legs are preferably first put in the trousers and thus through the leg loops, and then the chest strap is put on. Then the buckle connections can be closed.

In order to enable a simple and easily accessible connection to a safety line or the like, it can be provided that the trousers have at least one first opening in the hip area and the seat belt has at least one seat karabiner loop that can be passed through the first opening, i.e. a holding eyelet for restraint systems and workplace positioning. This means that the seat carabiner loop can be optimally attached to the seat belt without distorting the trousers when the safety loop is loaded.

Furthermore, the protective clothing can have a jacket which has at least one second opening in a chest / stomach area, and the seat belt or the chest belt has at least one chest carabiner loop that can be passed through the second opening. The chest-stomach area here means the area of the jacket which, when the jacket is put on, covers the chest area and stomach area of the user. Such a chest carabiner loop can provide a further means of securing for connection to a securing device, for example a fall arrest system, in which the user is brought into a stable and comfortable position in the event of a fall from a height.

It can also be provided that the protective clothing has a jacket with a connection unit, the connection unit having an inner connection element arranged in the interior of the jacket for connection to the seat belt or the chest belt and an outer connection element arranged in the outer region of the jacket for connection to a securing device . When putting on the jacket after putting on the belts and pants, the inner connecting element can be connected to the seat belt or - if available - the chest belt, for example at a connection point. Since the connection unit is connected to the jacket, it is always in the right place and does not have to be put through the jacket like a carabiner loop. The outer connecting element can protrude or hang out of the jacket or can be pulled out through a gripping tab if necessary. For this purpose, the connecting element can be arranged in a pocket and connected to a gripping tab. If necessary, the gripping tab is pulled, which pulls the connecting element out of the pocket.

For securing other people, it is particularly advantageous if the protective clothing has an additional line and the additional line can be connected to the seat belt or the chest belt and has at least one hooking ring and at least one safety carabiner. People to be rescued can be hooked into the hooking ring. The safety carabiner can also be connected to appropriate lines, etc. to secure it.

It can be provided that the protective clothing has a pull-out cord which has a gripping tab at one end and a connecting tab for connecting to the safety carabiner at the opposite end. This means that the additional line can remain stowed in the jacket where it does not interfere until it is needed. By pulling on the tab, the additional line can then be pulled out via the pull-out line and used. In this case, the grip tab is preferably not the weight of the user transmitted with the jacket connected, as this would unnecessarily strain the jacket and the securing via the chest strap is sufficient.

Fig. 1

eine Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Schutzbekleidung in einer Ansicht von vorne;

Fig. 2

die Ausführungsform in einer Ansicht von hinten; und

Fig. 3

ein Detail einer Schnallenverbindung.

The present invention is explained in more detail below with reference to an embodiment variant shown in the figures. Show it:

Fig. 1

an embodiment of protective clothing according to the invention in a view from the front;

Fig. 2

the embodiment in a view from behind; and

Fig. 3

a detail of a buckle connection.

The embodiment shown in the figures has a pair of pants 1 and a seat belt 2, which is arranged inside the pants 1 in the hip area thereof. Furthermore, a chest strap 3 is connected to the trousers 1 on a rear side 5 of the chest strap 3 via two partially elastic suspender sections 4.

The seat belt 2 has a right leg strap 21a and a left leg strap 21b, which are connected to a hip belt 22 in the front area. Inside the seat belt 2 are inner pants 6 which have two inner pants legs 7a, 7b, a right inner pants leg 7a leading through the right leg flap 21a and a left inner pants leg 7b through the left leg flap 21b. The inner trouser legs 7a, 7b and thus also the leg tabs 21a, 21b run in the respective trouser legs of the trousers 1. The inner trouser legs 7a, 7b are only short in relation to the trouser legs of the trousers 1 and end a few centimeters below the crotch seam. A longer version is not necessary, as it only serves to better insert the legs. The inner pants are connected to the pants 1 in the area of the waistband of the pants 1 over a large part of the waistband, the connection being partially interrupted in the area of the buckles and similar adjustment devices. This enables the straps and the trousers 1 to be put on and adjusted properly. Since the hip belt 22 is arranged deeper in the trousers 1, it is covered by the inner trousers 7 when the trousers are put on from the perspective of the user. The seat belt 2 preferably has two seat carabiner loops 23 on the hip belt 22, which are guided through first openings 8. These can easily be connected with carabiners or the like and a user of the protective clothing can be secured against falling.

The hip belt 22 is preferably guided outside the trousers 1 in the area of an opening mechanism 22a. For this purpose, openings 1 a can be provided in the trousers, through which the hip belt can be passed. These openings 1 a are preferably arranged on the front of the trousers 1. The opening mechanism 22a can be a snap connection such as a buckle system or the like be. In addition, a connecting element for connection to a safety line or the like can be provided in the area of the opening mechanism 22a. In this connection element, for example a D-ring, a carabiner of a safety line can be arranged, for example, in order to secure the person to be used.

The inner trouser legs 7a, 7b have on their side facing away from the waistband, that is to say the lower side, a connection point 7c for connection to a corresponding connection point in the trouser legs of the trousers 1 at a corresponding height. These connection points are preferably designed as zip fasteners. The inner pants legs 7a, 7b are thus connected to the pants 1 and cannot slip. In the case of adjustment of the seat belt 2, however, it can easily be removed by loosening the zip fasteners.

The inner pants 7 have lead-through openings in the hip area, through which the hip belt 22 of the seat belt 2 can be passed. This fixes its position in the trousers and prevents it from slipping while you put it on. If necessary, the hip belt 22 can be threaded out of the inner pants 7.

The chest belt 3 has a right and left shoulder belt 31a, 31b and armpit belt 32a, 32b. The shoulder girdle 31a, 31b is intended to be guided over the shoulders by the user when it is put on, while the armpit girdle 32a, 32b is intended to be guided obliquely over the torso below the armpits. This fixes the upper body in addition to the seat belt 2. The right shoulder girdle 31a and the right armpit girdle 32a converge in the chest area on a front side 9 of the chest strap 3 at a connecting ring 10, as do the left shoulder girdle 31b and the left armpit girdle 32b. The connecting rings 10 are designed as flexible connecting rings and are connected to one another via an openable chest fastener 11. The chest fastener has a chest carabiner loop 33, which can be connected to a rescue device or personal protective equipment against falls, for example via a carabiner. Such a connection can be used to secure the user or to be caught in the event of a fall. In addition, each connecting ring 10 is connected to a respective connecting strap 13 which is detachably connected to the hip belt 22 via a buckle connection 12. This is in Fig. 3 shown in more detail. At the rear 5, the shoulder girdles 31a, 31b and armpit girdles 32a, 32b converge in a node, the right shoulder girdle 31a and the left armpit girdle 32b being designed as a single piece and the left shoulder girdle 31b and the right armpit girdle 32a being designed as a single piece.

The seat belt 2 is thus connected to the trousers 1 via the chest belt 3 and the suspender sections 4.

The suspender sections 4 arise on the back of the trousers 1 and are designed as two elastic, preferably adjustable-length, carrier straps 14. These open into a shoulder sleeve 15 of the chest strap 3, through which the shoulder girdles 31a, 31b and the armpit girdles 32a, 32b run. The shoulder cover 15 increases the wearing comfort and enables a flexible connection of the belt. The shoulder sleeve 15 ends at the front 9. The suspender sections 4 with the shoulder girdle 31a, 31b, or the armpit girdle 32a, 32b thus act together in the derivation of the weight of the trousers on the shoulders of the user. In this way, the position of the trousers is secured by means of the suspender sections 4, on the one hand, over the shoulders of the user. The carrier straps 14 are connected to the trousers 1 via carrier flaps 34 of the trousers 1 that can be closed with Velcro. This connection can be released by opening the Velcro fastener, with classic braces instead of the chest strap being able to be connected to the trousers 1 via these tabs if necessary.

The shoulder girdles 31a, 31b have adjustment tabs on the front 9 in the chest area for adjusting the length.

Claims (13)

1. Protective clothing, in particular for firefighters, having a pair of trousers (1) and a seat harness (2), wherein the seat harness (2) is arranged inside the trousers (1), the seat harness (2) comprises at least one hip strap (22) and at least two leg loops (21a, 21b) connected in a force-transmitting manner to the hip strap (22), and wherein the protective clothing comprises a chest harness (3), the chest harness (3) comprises at least one left and at least one right shoulder strap (31a, 31b), characterised in that the chest harness (3) comprises at least one left and at least one right underarm strap (32a, 32b), wherein the shoulder straps (31a, 31b) and underarm straps (32a, 32b) are connected to one another, in that the chest harness (3) is connected to the seat harness (2) in a releasable or operationally non-releasable manner, and in that the chest harness (3) is connected to the pair of trousers (1) via at least one suspenders section (4).
2. Protective clothing according to claim 1, characterised in that the protective clothing comprises inner trousers (7) arranged inside the seat harness (2).
3. Protective clothing according to claim 2, characterised in that the inner trousers (7) comprise two inner trouser legs (7a, 7b), and in that each inner trouser leg (7a, 7b) is arranged within at least one leg loop (21a, 21b) each.
4. Protective clothing according to claim 2 or 3, characterised in that the inner trousers (7) are connected to the trousers (1) in the hip region of the trousers (1), preferably detachably connected, and particularly preferably connected via a zipper fastener.
5. Protective clothing according to one of the claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the chest harness (3) and the seat harness (2) are connected to each other in a weight-transmitting manner only at the front side (9).
6. Protective clothing according to claim 5, characterised in that the right shoulder strap (31a) and the right underarm strap (32a) are connected via a right connection point (10) and the left shoulder strap (31b) and the left underarm strap (32b) are connected via a left connection point (10) at the front side (9) of the chest harness (3), wherein the connection points (10) are preferably designed as connection rings preferably made of plastic.
7. Protective clothing according to claim 6, characterised in that the connection points (10) are connected to the seat harness (2) via releasable buckle connections (12).
8. Protective clothing according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the trousers (1) have at least one first opening (8) in the hip region and the seat harness (2) has at least one seat carabiner loop (23) which can be passed through the first opening (8).
9. Protective clothing according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the protective clothing comprises a jacket which has at least one second opening in a chest-abdominal region, and the seat harness (2) or the chest harness (3) comprises at least one chest carabiner loop (33) which can be passed through the second opening.
10. Protective clothing according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the protective clothing comprises a jacket having a connection unit, wherein the connection unit comprises an inner connection element arranged in the inner region of the jacket for connection to the seat harness (2) or the chest harness (3) and an outer connection element arranged in the outer region of the jacket for connection to a securing device.
11. Protective clothing according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that the protective clothing comprises an additional leash, in that the additional leash is connectable to the seat harness (2) or the chest harness (3) and comprises at least one hook-in ring and at least one securing carabiner.
12. Protective clothing according to claim 11, characterised in that the protective clothing comprises an extension leash having a grasping tab at one end and a connecting tab at the opposite end for connection to the securing carabiner.
13. Protective clothing according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that the shoulder straps (31a, 31b) and underarm straps (32a, 32b) are adjustable in length.

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