GB2520165A

GB2520165A - Lever element for a compressed-gas bottle carrying device

Info

Publication number: GB2520165A
Application number: GB1416881.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alexander Busch; Adrian Schubert
Original assignee: Draeger Safety AG and Co KGaA
Current assignee: Draeger Safety AG and Co KGaA
Priority date: 2013-09-28
Filing date: 2014-09-24
Publication date: 2015-05-13
Anticipated expiration: 2034-09-24
Also published as: GB2520165B; DE102013016209A1; GB201416881D0

Abstract

A lever element 10 for a compressed-gas bottle carrying device (18, Fig 1) is disclosed. The lever element is for fixing a securing device (12, Fig 1) that engages with the lever element and is intended to hold at least one compressed-gas bottle (16, Fig 1) of a respiratory apparatus on the compressed-gas bottle carrying device. The lever element comprises a strap-guiding element 22 and a toggle lever 24 that can be moved by swiveling on the strap-guiding element. An outer contour of the toggle lever and an inner contour of the strap-guiding element are realized for form-locking engagement of the toggle lever in the strap-guiding element and the toggle lever can be arrested in the strap-guiding element by means of one or more latching means (38, Fig 4) in the state in which it has been swiveled into the strap-guiding element.

Description

LEVER ELEMENT FOR COMPRESSED-GAS BOTTLE CARRYING DEVICE

The invention relates to a lever element for a carrying device for at least one compressed-gas bottle (compressed-gas bottle carrying device), in particularly, to a lever element for fixing a strap or the like that engages with the lever element and is intended to hold at least one compressed-gas bottle of a respiratory apparatus for diving or protective respiratory apparatus on the compressed-gas bottle carrying device.

Such lever elements are known per se. By way of example, for evidence of the prior art, reference can be made to DE 10 2009 024 674 B3. The lever element described there comprises a metal clip, a strap guide, a toggle lever and a metal square. A strap that is guided in sections about the respective compressed-gas bottle engages with the lever element. The lever element makes it possible for the user to secure his diving/protective-respiratory compressed-gas bottle(s) on the carrying device that is usually carried on the back.

An object of the present invention consists in specifying a further embodiment of such a lever element, in particular an embodiment which consists, for example, of fewer individual parts and/or can be operated particularly easily and safely.

In accordance with the invention this object is achieved with a lever element of the kind mentioned at the beginning that has the features of claim 1. For this, in the case of a lever element for fixing a securing device that engages with the lever element, it is provided that the lever element comprises a strap-guiding element and a toggle lever that can be moved by swivelling on the strap-guiding element, that an outer contour of the toggle lever and an inner contour of the strap-guiding element are realized for form-locking engagement of the toggle lever in the strap-guiding element, and that the toggle lever can be arrested in the strap-guiding element by means of one or more latching means in the state in which it has been swivelled into the strap-guiding element.

The securing device mentioned above is intended to hold at least one compressed-gas bottle of a respiratory apparatus on a compressed-gas bottle carrying device, sometimes referred to here as a carrying device for short. The securing device is, for example, a strap. Accordingly, in the following for the sake of improved readability of the description presented here, the securing device is sometimes also referred to as a strap for short, yet without sacrificing further general validity.

Another usual designation in specialist technology for the lever element with the strap-guiding element and the toggle lever is clasp body. The strap-guiding element and the toggle lever of the lever element/clasp body are configured in particular in each case in a U-shaped manner or in accordance with a U-shaped basic contour and in each case have two lateral legs and a transverse section that connects the legs, with a swivel axis of the toggle lever extending through the free ends of the legs. The form-locking engagement of the toggle lever in the strap-guiding element then results in that the toggle lever is swivelled so far until its legs lie parallel to or at least substantially parallel to the legs of the strap-guiding element. The toggle lever is then located inside or at least substantially inside an enveloping contour of the strap-guiding element.

An advantage of the invention lies in the fact that the lever element consists of fewer parts in contrast with the lever element known from the above-mentioned prior art.

This facilitates the manufacture and any repair. The known lever element comprises a toggle lever, a strap guide and a metal clip. In the case of the lever element proposed here the previous strap guide and the previous metal clip are combined to form one part, namely the strap-guiding element. A further advantage of the invention lies in the fact that the toggle lever engages in the strap-guiding element in a form-locking manner so that the strap-guiding element encloses the toggle lever. Unintentional opening of the toggle lever is thus almost precluded. The user of a carrying device having such a lever element can thus, for example, in a diving operation or the like proceed on the assumption that the toggle lever of the lever element will not open unintentionally even in the event of the lever element coming into contact with obstacles.

This security is further increased by virtue of the fact that the toggle lever can be arrested in the strap-guiding element by means of one or more latching means in the state in which it has been swivelled into the strap-guiding element. A toggle lever that is arrested in this way can only be swivelled if the arrest is released beforehand. Even if therefore during an operation, for example, a protruding portion of an obstacle comes into contact with the lever element and its toggle lever in an unfavourable manner, it is almost precluded that this could result in the lever element opening since such a contact would also have to result in simultaneous actuation of the or each latching means. Contact with a static obstacle on the one hand can result in pressure forces acting on the lever element. Such pressure forces could actuate a latching means.

For the lever element to open, however, simultaneous action of tensile forces on the lever element would be necessary in order to swivel the toggle lever. Conversely, in the event of contact with a static obstacle and tensile forces acting thereupon no effective actuation of the or each latching element would result so that tensile forces acting normally cannot release the toggle lever from its arrested position and therefore not swivel it. Fixation of the or each compressed-gas bottle on the carrying device is thus guaranteed in a particularly secure manner.

It is to be pointed out in this connection that throughout the protection given by the form-locking engagement of the toggle lever in the strap-guiding element together with the arrest of the toggle lever given in this configuration on account of the over dead-centre position of the toggle lever also guarantees the security outlined above so that a latching means or a plurality of latching means are not required in every case and in this respect represent an optional feature. If, however, the lever element comprises at least one latching means, its or their latching is usually audible so that the acoustic perception of the latching gives the user the security that the lever element is closed correctly.

Advantageous configurations of the invention constitute subject matter of the sub-claims. In this connection, references that are used to what precedes point to the further development of the subject matter of the main claim by the features of the respective sub-claim and are not to be seen as an abandonment of the attainment of independent concrete protection for the combinations of the features of the related sub-claims. Furthermore, as regards interpreting the claims in a more precise concretization of a feature in a subordinate claim it is to be assumed that there is no such limitation in the respective preceding claims.

In an embodiment of the lever element, functioning as a latching means there is a spring arm that is associated with the toggle lever and cooperates with a corresponding latching contour in the strap-guiding element in order to latch the toggle lever in the strap-guiding element. The spring arm has, for example, at its resilient, free and outwardly pointing end a latching lug or a web or the like functioning as a latching lug.

A recess in the manner of a groove or the like then comes into consideration as the latching contour in the strap-guiding element. For the purposes of a kinematic reversal the location of the latching elements described can of course also be interchanged.

Such a spring arm can be fitted laterally or centrally on the toggle lever, that is, in the case of a U-shaped toggle lever on one of its legs (lateral fitting) or on the transverse section connecting the two legs (central fitting). Alternatively or in addition, it is also possible to fit such a spring arm, in particular in the manner described above laterally or centrally, on the strap-guiding element (kinematic reversal).

If the toggle lever that is realized in a U-shaped manner in the sense described above comprises two laterally arranged spring arms as latching means, the lever element can be operated with one hand (single-handedly) in that the latching can be released with one hand, namely by drawing together the two spring arms, and the toggle lever which is then freely movable by swivelling can be swivelled with the same hand. In this connection, an actuation of the spring arms during which both spring arms are moved in the direction of an axis of symmetry of the lever element that is perpendicular to the swivel axis of the toggle lever is what is understood by a drawing together of the spring arms. The two spring arms in this way each become disengaged from the latching contour in the strap-guiding element so that the latching of the toggle lever in the strap-guiding element is released. The toggle lever can then be swivelled relative to the strap-guiding element.

In an embodiment of the lever element the or each spring arm is connected in one piece with the toggle lever or the strap-guiding element. If a spring arm is associated with the strap-guiding element, the one-piece connection of the spring arm with the "base portion", with which the spring arm is associated, also holds good for the strap-guiding element. Reference is not always explicitly made to these possible variations in the following. Nevertheless, they are always to be read along therewith on the basis of the possibilities described further above under the key expression "kinematic reversal".

Such a one-piece embodiment of the relevant portion of the lever element and of the or each spring arm provided thereon facilitates the assembly of the lever element. The resilient property of the or each spring arm then results on the basis of the properties of the respective material used, that is, for example, on the basis of the resilient elasticity of a plastics material used. Spring arms that are connected in one piece with the toggle lever (or the strap-guiding element) can be obtained advantageously relatively easily in that the spring arm forms a portion of the outer contour of the relevant portion of the lever element and is separated therefrom by means of a slot, with the depth of the slot determining the length of the spring arm and its resilient mobility.

In a particular embodiment of the lever element which, if applicable, also has independent inventive quality irrespective of the features previously explained, the strap-guiding element and the toggle lever are connected by means of two pegs functioning as the swivel axis of the toggle lever. Each peg is then inserted or can be inserted into a corresponding bore. Furthermore, at least one of the pegs has at its end a radial set-off portion. Accordingly, at least one of the bores has a radial recess.

A radius of the bore that is enlarged in sections along the circumferential line is understood by a radial recess. A radial recess is consequently, for example, a groove issuing from the lateral surface of the bore. The bore with its recess and the peg with its set-off portion can then cooperate like a key and a keyhole in the sense that the key (peg with set-off portion) can only be inserted into the keyhole (bore with recess) in a quite specific rotational position.

Accordingly, in the case of a lever element that is configured in this way the toggle lever and the strap-guiding element can only be connected together when the toggle lever and the strap-guiding element are positioned in relation to each other in such a way that the set-off portion on the peg can be inserted through the recess in the bore (aligned arrangement of the set-off portion and recess). What is more important than such an unequivocal position of the two portions in relation to each other during the assembly of the lever element, however, is that the toggle lever can also only be separated from the strap-guiding element in this unequivocal position. This signifies corresponding security for the support of the or each compressed-gas bottle on the carrying device. Even if namely the lever element is opened unintentionally and the strap tension given when the lever element is closed and the resultant fixation of the compressed-gas bottle(s) therefore no longer exist, the strap nevertheless remains in position and whilst it is no longer effective for the purposes of fixation it is nonetheless still effective for the support of the compressed-gas bottle(s) on the carrying device.

In an embodiment of this variant of the lever element the strap-guiding element has two facing, coaxially arranged pegs, and the toggle lever has two corresponding coaxial bores. The pegs are then, for example, connected in one piece with the strap-guiding element. It is admittedly also possible, for the purposes of a kinematic reversal, for the toggle lever to have the pegs and for the strap-guiding element to have the bores.

However, it has been found that the pegs can be fitted or formed in a favourable manner on the strap-guiding element, since on the strap-guiding element the two pegs point inwards and are thus exposed to less risk during manufacture, for example.

Moreover, a strap-guiding element that has two inwardly pointing pegs can be removed from the mould more easily during manufacture than a toggle lever that has two outwardly pointing pegs.

In the case of a particular embodiment of the variant of the lever element that is based on the key/keyhole joint, orientation of the radial set-off portion on the peg and orientation of the radial recess inside the bore are chosen so that in a usual swivel range of the toggle lever relative to the strap-guiding element -namely starting from a position in which it has been swivelled into the strap-guiding element as far as a position lying opposite by 1800 or approximately 1800 in the swivelling direction -the connection of the toggle lever and the strap-guiding element cannot be undone. Such an orientation of the set-off portion and recess increases the security already outlined above, with regard to the lever element "coming apart' unintentionally, further considerably. During use, the lever element is located on the outer surface of a compressed-gas bottle fitted on the carrying device. This limits the swivel range of the toggle lever. Depending on the radius of curvature of the compressed-gas bottle, the toggle lever, starting from the position in which it has been swivelled into the strap-guiding element, can only be swivelled by approximately 180° or slightly more than 180° until the surface of the compressed-gas bottle makes further swivelling impossible. If within this swivel range there is not at any time a configuration in which the set-off portion on the peg is aligned with the recess in the bore, this means that within the whole swivel range there is no possibility of the toggle lever being released from the strap-guiding element. The toggle lever is thus always held on the strap-guiding element in a captive manner. Should disassembly of the lever element be desired, the compressed-gas bottle would, for example, have to be removed from the carrying device so that a larger swivel range is available and then the toggle lever can be swivelled so far that the aligned arrangement of the set-off portion and the recess (key and keyhole) is achieved.

In yet a further embodiment of this variant of the lever element a guide groove, which in particular is bevelled, is associated with each bore. The guide groove facilitates the insertion of the peg into the respective bore. The guide groove does, however, also protect the strap-guiding element when joining the strap-guiding element and the toggle lever together. The strap-guiding element must namely be expanded when being joined together with the toggle lever so that its pegs can be inserted into the bores.

The guide groove reduces the extent to which the strap-guiding element has to be expanded during the joining. If the guide groove is bevelled, the expansion takes places continuously and thus prevents instances of temporary overloading of the strap-guiding element.

For both variants of the lever element described here and its embodiments (form-locking accommodation of the toggle lever in the strap-guiding element and also combination and captive support of the toggle lever and the strap-guiding element by means of the key/keyhole connection) what comes into consideration is that the lever element is produced from a non-magnetic material, in particular in that corresponding injection-moulded plastics portions with pegs and/or spring arms, formed thereon, for example, in one piece therewith, function as the strap-guiding element and as the toggle lever. The lever element can then also be used in critical operations such as, for example, mine-sweeping work, where detonating mechanisms that react to changing

magnetic fields are to be reckoned with.

An exemplary embodiment of the invention is explained in greater detail in the following with the aid of the drawing. Corresponding subject matter or elements is/are provided with the same reference numerals in all of the figures.

The or each exemplary embodiment is not to be seen as a limitation of the invention.

On the contrary, within the scope of the present disclosure changes and modifications are possible, in particular such variants and combinations are possible which the person skilled in the art can infer with a view to achieving the object through, for example, combination or modification of individual features that are described in connection with those in the general or specific part of the description and are also contained in the claims and/or the drawing and lead, by means of features that can be combined, to new subject matter.

Figure 1 shows a carrying device for a compressed-gas bottle, wherein the carrying device comprises a lever element that is provided to tighten a strap fastened on the carrying device; Figure 2 shows a lever element in accordance with the approach proposed here; Figure 3 shows a strap-guiding element of the lever element in Figure 2; Figure 4 shows a toggle lever of the lever element in Figure 2; Figure 5 shows the strap-guiding element from Figure 3 in a top view; and Figure 6 shows the toggle lever from Figure 4 in a side view.

The representation in Figure 1 shows a lever element 10 as described in DE 10 2009 024 674 B3, dispensing with a designation of all the details. In this respect reference is made to DE 102009024674 B3. A strap 14 is shown as the securing device 12 that engages with the lever element 10. The securing device 12, here therefore the strap 14, is intended to hold at least one compressed-gas bottle 16 of a respiratory apparatus on a carrying device 18 which is only shown in part here. The carrying device 18 in the example shown comprises a bottle support 20.

The lever element 10 comprises a strap-guiding element 22 and a toggle lever 24 which can be moved by swivelling on the strap-guiding element 22. The securing device 12, here therefore the strap 14, is tightened by means of the lever element 10.

The strap 14, in the situation shown in Figure 1, extends between a first holding point 26 formed in each case on the carrying device 18 and a second holding point 28 lying opposite on the carrying device 18. A configuration is shown here in which the strap 14 is fastened at the first holding point 26 by means of a hook or the like. The strap 14 extends from the first holding point 26 by way of the lever element 10 to the second holding point 28 which also functions as a deflection. In this respect the strap 14 extends from the second holding point 28 back to the lever element 10. There the end of the strap 14 is fixed, for example by means of repeated stitching.

The representation in Figure 2 shows an embodiment of a lever element 10 according to the approach put forward here. This lever element 10 also comprises a strap- guiding element 22 and a toggle lever 24 that can be moved by swivelling on the strap-guiding element 22. The representations in Figure 3 and Figure 4 in each case individually show the strap-guiding element 22 and the toggle lever 24 respectively.

The representation in Figure 2 shows the lever element 10 (without a strap 14; in this respect reference is made to DE 10 2009 024 674 B3) in a closed configuration. In this situation a strap 14 guided through the lever element 10 in the manner shown in Figure 1 would thus be tightened and as a result a compressed-gas bottle 16 held on a carrying device 18 with the strap 14 and the lever element 10 would be fixed there.

The representations in Figure 3 and Figure 4 show that the strap-guiding element 22 and the toggle lever 24 each have a U-shaped basic contour. This can be seen particularly well for the strap-guiding element 22. This comprises two legs and a transverse section connecting the legs. Located in the transverse section there is a slot 32 through which the strap 14 extending through the lever element 10 is guided.

The toggle lever 24 also has a U-shaped basic contour. Located between the two legs of the toggle lever 24, however, there is also a clamping element 34 for clamping the strap 14, which is guided through the lever element 10, on a metal square 36. For the purposes of explaining how the strap 14 is clamped in the toggle lever 24, reference is made to DE 102009 024 674 B3 which has already been mentioned.

In the closed state of the lever element 10 on the one hand the legs of the toggle lever 24 lie parallel to or substantially parallel to the legs of the strap-guiding element 22 and on the other hand the transverse section of the toggle lever 24 lies parallel to the transverse section of the strap-guiding element 22. In the case of such an embodiment an outer contour of the toggle lever 24 and an inner contour of the strap-guiding element 22 are realized for form-locking engagement of the toggle lever 24 in the strap-guiding element 22. What is meant by form-locking in this connection is that the toggle lever 24 lies inside an enveloping contour around the strap-guiding element 22.

In the embodiment shown, the toggle lever 24 can be arrested in the strap-guiding element 22 by means of one or more latching means 38 in the state in which it has been swivelled into the strap-guiding element 22. Here two spring arms 40, formed laterally on the toggle lever 24, which can be seen particularly well in the representation in Figure 4, function as latching means 38. The spring arms 40 are connected in one piece with the toggle lever 24, being separated from the rest of the body of the toggle lever 24 by means of a slot. The slot determines the length of the spring arms 40 and, together with the material properties, the resilient mobility of the spring arms 40. A gripping surface 42 is further associated with each spring arm 40.

These gripping surfaces 42 permit the actuation of the spring arms 40 and the release of the latching of the toggle lever 24 in the strap-guiding element 22. The two gripping surfaces 42 are actuated with one hand (single-handedly) for this and moved, for example, by means of the thumb and index finger in the direction of an axis of symmetry that is perpendicular to a rotational axis of the toggle lever 24. As a result, a latching contour that is formed on the outside of the spring arms 40 is disengaged from a corresponding latching contour in the strap-guiding element 22. In the embodiment shown a latching lug 44 functions as a latching contour in the spring arm 40, and a recess 46 into which the latching lug 44 engages to arrest the toggle lever 24 in the strap-guiding element 22 functions as the corresponding latching contour in the strap-guiding element 22.

If the latching of the toggle lever 24 in the strap-guiding element 22 is released, the toggle lever 24 can be swivelled in the strap-guiding element 22. When the strap 14 is pulled tight and the toggle lever 24 is swivelled into the strap-guiding element 22, as shown in Figure 2, the latching contour on the spring arms 40 is re-engaged with the corresponding latching contour in the strap-guiding element 22, and the latching of the toggle lever 24 in the strap-guiding element 22 is re-established. The latching, that is, the "snapping in" of the latching contour on the spring arms 40 into the corresponding latching contour in the strap-guiding element 22, is audible so that the user of such a lever element 10 to a certain extent obtains an acoustic confirmation with regard to the latching of the lever element 10 that has taken place.

In order that the toggle lever 24 can be moved by swivelling in the strap-guiding element 22, the toggle lever 24 and the strap-guiding element 22 are connected by means of two pegs 48 that also function as the swivel axis of the toggle lever 24 by inserting each peg 48 into a corresponding bore 50 and inserting it into such a bore 50 during the assembly of the lever element 10. In the embodiment shown the pegs 48 on the strap-guiding element 22 are formed at the free end of its legs and are connected in one piece therewith. The bores 50 are accordingly located at the free end of the legs of the toggle lever 24.

The toggle lever 24 is, however, mounted by means of the pegs 48 and the corresponding bores 50 not only so that it can be moved by swivelling on the strap- guiding element 22, but also so that in usual swivel positions it is captive on the strap-guiding element 22. For this, the representation in Figure 5 shows a top view of the strap-guiding element 22, and the representation in Figure 6 shows a side view of the toggle lever 24.

The coaxially facing pegs 48 can be seen in the top view of the strap-guiding element 22 (Figure 5). A set-off portion 52 is formed in each case at the outer end of the two pegs 48. So that each peg 48 together with its radial set-off portion 52 can be inserted into a bore 50 on the toggle lever 24, each bore 50 has a corresponding radial recess 54, that is, to a certain extent a groove, as shown in Figure 6. The bore 50 together with the radial recess 54 functions like a keyhole into which a respective peg 48 with its radial set-off portion 52 (key) can only be inserted in precisely one orientation, namely if the orientation of the set-off portion 52 on the peg 48 and the orientation of the recess 54 in the bore 50 are aligned with each other. This combination of the toggle lever 24 and the strap-guiding element 22 is referred to here and in the following as a key-keyhole joint or key-keyhole connection.

As soon as the peg 48 with its set-off portion 52 is inserted into the bore 50, when the toggle lever 24 is swivelled relative to the strap-guiding element 22 the set-off portion 52 engages with the rearward wall of that section of the toggle lever 24 in which the bore 50 is formed and thus gives rise to a situation where the peg 48 cannot be drawn back out of the bore 50 again. Separation of the toggle lever 24 and the strap-guiding element 22 is only possible when the aligned correspondence of the orientation of the set-off portion 52 and the recess 54 is re-established.

As soon as the peg 48 with its set-off portion 52 is inserted into the respective bore 50 and is swivelled at least minimally, the normal radius of the bore 50 that is then effective prevents the peg 48 from being drawn back out of the bore 50. The portions 22, 24 of the lever element 10 connected in this way can thus be swivelled and can only be separated again when a swivel position is taken up in which the set-off portion 52 on the peg 48 and the recess 54 in the bore 50 are in alignment with each other. In all the other swivel positions the toggle lever 24 which can be swivelled is held on the strap-guiding element 22 in a captive manner.

The orientation of the set-off portion 52 relative to the orientation of the recess 54, in the embodiment shown, is chosen so that a separation of the toggle lever 24 from the strap-guiding element 22 is only possible in one configuration in which the toggle lever 24, starting from a position (0°) in which it has been swivelled into the strap-guiding element 22, is swivelled by more than 1800. As can easily be understood with the aid of the representation in Figure 1 which shows a swivel position of the toggle lever 24 of the order of magnitude of 180°, a swivel position of significantly more than 180° is only possible if sufficient slack in the strap 14 allows this. This is specifically the case when there is no compressed-gas bottle 16 on the carrying device 18. The key/keyhole joint together with the orientation of the set-off portion 52 outlined above relative to the orientation of the recess 54 thus guarantees that the toggle lever 24 is held in a captive manner on the strap-guiding element 22 in all the swivel positions that are relevant when carrying a carrying device 18 with a compressed-gas bottle 16 fitted thereon.

The representation in Figure 6 also shows that a guide groove 56 is associated with each bore 50. The fact that the guide groove 56 is bevelled in a particular embodiment, that is, the depth of the guide groove 56 decreases in the direction of the bore 50, cannot be seen in the representation in Figure 6. In any case, the guide groove 56 is effective for the ease of insertion of the pegs 48 into the respective bore 50. In order to insert the pegs 48 into the bores 50 the strap-guiding element 22 must namely be expanded slightly so that the end faces of the pegs 48 can be set onto the lateral outer faces of the toggle lever 24. When they are set down in the region of the guide groove 56, a smaller amount of expansion suffices than would be necessary if they were set down on another outer face of the toggle lever 24. If the guide groove 56 is also bevelled moreover, with the initial insertion of the pegs 48 into the guide groove 56 only a minimum expansion of the strap-guiding element 22 is required and as the pegs 48 are pushed further into the guide groove 56 the strap-guiding element 22 is continuously expanded further until finally the pegs 48 engage into the bores 50. This continuous expansion of the strap-guiding element 22 prevents the strap-guiding element 22 from becoming damaged by the expansion.

Individual aspects to the foregoing description filed here can thus be summarized briefly as follows: a lever element 10 is specified for a compressed-gas bottle carrying device 18 for fixing a securing device 12 that engages with the lever element 10, wherein the lever element 10 together with the securing device 12 is intended to hold at least one compressed-gas bottle 16 of a respiratory apparatus on the compressed-gas bottle carrying device 18. The lever element 10 comprises a strap-guiding element 22 and a toggle lever 24 which can be moved by swivelling on the strap-guiding element 22, wherein an outer contour of the toggle lever 24 and an inner contour of the strap-guiding element 22 are realized for form-locking engagement of the toggle lever 24 in the strap-guiding element 22, and wherein the toggle lever 24 can be arrested in the strap-guiding element 22 by means of one or more latching means 38 in the state in which it has been swivelled into the strap-guiding element 22. Alternatively or in addition, the strap-guiding element 22 and the toggle lever 24 are connected by means of two pegs 48, also functioning as the swivel axis of the toggle lever 24, by inserting each peg 48 into a corresponding bore 50, wherein at least one of the pegs 48 has a radial set-off portion 52 and wherein one of the bores 50 has a radial recess 54 in the form of a radius that is enlarged in sections along the circumferential line.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

Lever element 12 Securing device 14 Strap 16 Compressed-gas bottle 18 Carrying device Bottle support 22 Strap-guiding element 24 Toggle lever 26 First holding point 28 Second holding point 32 Slot 34 Clamping element 36 Metal square 38 Latching means Spring arm 42 Gripping surface (on the spring arm) 44 Latching lug 46 Recess 48 Peg Bore 52 Set-off portion 54 Recess 56 Guide groove

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A lever element (10) for fixing a securing device (12) that engages with the lever element (10) and is intended to hold at least one compressed-gas bottle (16) of a respiratory apparatus on a carrying device (18), wherein the lever element (10) comprises a strap-guiding element (22) and a toggle lever (24) that can be moved by swivelling on the strap-guiding element (22), wherein an outer contour of the toggle lever (24) and an inner contour of the strap-guiding element (22) are realized for form-locking engagement of the toggle lever (24) in the strap-guiding element (22), and wherein the toggle lever (24) can be arrested in the strap-guiding element (22) by means of one or more latching means (38) in the state in which it has been swivelled into the strap-guiding element (22).
2. A lever element (10) according to claim 1, wherein functioning as a latching means (38) there is a spring arm (40) that is associated with the toggle lever (24) and cooperates with a corresponding latching contour in the strap-guiding element (22) for latching purposes.
3. A lever element (10) according to claim 2, wherein the toggle lever (24) comprises as latching means (38) two laterally arranged spring arms (40).
4. A lever element (10) according to claim 1 or2, wherein the or each spring arm (40) is connected in one piece with the toggle lever (24).
5. A lever element (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the strap-guiding element (22) and the toggle lever (24) are connected by means of two pegs (48) also functioning as the swivel axis of the toggle lever (24), in that each peg (48) is inserted into a corresponding bore (50), wherein at least one of the pegs (48) has a radial set-off portion (52), and wherein one of the bores (50) has a radial recess (54) in the form of a radius that is enlarged in sections along the circumferential line.
6. A lever element (10) according to claim 5, wherein the strap-guiding element (22) has two facing, coaxially arranged pegs (48), wherein the pegs are connected in particular in one piece with the strap-guiding element (22), and wherein the toggle lever (24) has two coaxial bores (50).
7. A lever element (10) according to claim 5 or6, wherein an orientation of the radial set-off portion (52) and an orientation of the radial recess (54) are chosen so that in a usual swivel range of the toggle lever (24) relative to the strap-guiding element (22), namely starting from a position in which it has been swivelled into the strap-guiding element (22) as far as a position lying opposite by 180° in the swivelling direction, the connection of the toggle lever (24) and the strap-guiding element (22) cannot be undone.
8. A lever element (10) according to claim 5, 6 or 7, wherein a guide groove (56), which in particular is bevelled, is associated with each bore (50).
9. A lever element (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lever element (10) is produced from a non-magnetic material, in particular in that corresponding injection-moulded plastics portions function as the strap-guiding element (22) and as the toggle lever (24).
10. A lever element substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 2-6.Amended claims have been filed as follows:-CLAIMS: 1. A lever element (10) for fixing a securing device (12) that engages with the lever element (10) and is intended to hold at least one compressed-gas bottle (16) of a respiratory apparatus on a carrying device (18), wherein the lever element (10) comprises a strap-guiding element (22) and a toggle lever (24) that can be moved by swivelling on the strap-guiding element (22), wherein an outer contour of the toggle lever (24) and an inner contour of the strap-guiding element (22) are realized for form-locking engagement of the toggle lever (24) in the strap-guiding element (22), and wherein the toggle lever (24) can be arrested in the strap-guiding element (22) by means of one or more latching means (38) in the state in which it has been swivelled into the strap-guiding element (22).LCD 15 2. A lever element (10) according to claim 1, wherein functioning as the latching means (38) there is a spring arm (40) that is associated with the toggle lever (24) and cooperates with a corresponding latching contour in the strap-guiding element (22) for o atc ing purposes.3. A lever element (10) according to claim 2, wherein the toggle lever (24) comprises as latching means (38) two laterally arranged spring arms (40).4. A lever element (10) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the or each spring arm (40) is connected in one piece with the toggle lever (24).5. A lever element (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the strap-guiding element (22) and the toggle lever (24) are connected by means of two pegs (48) also functioning as the swivel axis of the toggle lever (24), in that each peg (48) is inserted into a corresponding bore (50), wherein at least one of the pegs (48) has a radial set-off portion (52), and wherein one of the bores (50) has a radial recess (54) in the form of a radius that is enlarged in sections along the circumferential line.6. A lever element (10) according to claim 5, wherein the strap-guiding element (22) has two facing, coaxially arranged pegs (48), wherein the pegs are connected in particular in one piece with the strap-guiding element (22), and wherein the toggle lever (24) has two coaxial bores (50).7. A lever element (10) according to claimS or6, wherein an orientation of the radial set-off portion (52) and an orientation of the radial recess (54) are chosen so that in a usual swivel range of the toggle lever (24) relative to the strap-guiding element (22), namely starting from a position in which it has been swivelled into the strap-guiding element (22) as far as a position lying opposite by 180° in the swivelling direction, the connection of the toggle lever (24) and the strap-guiding element (22) cannot be undone.8. A lever element (10) according to claim 5, 6 or 7, wherein a guide groove (56) is associated with each bore (50).9. A lever element (10) according to claim 8, wherein the guide groove (56) is bevelled.10. A lever element (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the C) lever element (10) is produced from a non-magnetic material.
11. A lever element (10) according to claim 10, wherein corresponding injection-moulded plastics portions function as the strap-guiding element (22) and as the toggle lever (24).
12. A lever element substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 2-6.