Self-contained breathing apparatus having a personal alert safety system integrated therewith

• US 5,781,118 A
• Filed: 11/30/1995
• Issued: 07/14/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Mine Safety Appliances Company (MSA Safety, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Mine Safety Appliances Company (MSA Safety, Inc.)
• Inventors: Wise, Layton A., Frank, Peter A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mullen, Thomas
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lefkowitz, Edward
• Application Number:
  US08/565,531
• Time in Patent Office: 957 Days
• Field of Search: 340/517, 340/521, 340/539, 340/540, 340/586, 340/573, 340/626, 340/628, 340/632, 340/691, 340/693
• US Class Current: 340/632
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 9/006 Indicators or warning devices, e.g. of low pressure, contamination

Abstract

The present invention provides a self-contained breathing apparatus ("SCBA") having a personal alert safety system ("PASS") fully integrated therewith. The PASS is structurally integrated with the SCBA such that it is protected from damage by both the air cylinder and the frame. The integrated PASS device is not only automatically activated when the SCBA is being used but can still be activated manually if the SCBA is not in service. Additionally, the integrated PASS device utilizes a unique electrical/mechanical connection assembly between its various parts which greatly increases its ruggedness and durability.

Claims

1. In a self-contained breathing apparatus ("SCBA") having a facepiece and a frame, an air supply cylinder disposed on the frame, and a flow system coupling the air supply cylinder to the facepiece, the improvement wherein a personal alert safety system ("PASS") device is fully integrated with the SCBA such that the PASS device comprises:

a main assembly, including a motion sensor and electronic control circuitry, disposed within the frame of the SCBA and protected by the air supply cylinder;

a separate remote control assembly accessible and visible to a wearer and connected to the main assembly by a waterproof connection assembly; and

a switch assembly connected between the flow system and the main assembly for automatically activating the PASS device when a valve on the air supply cylinder is opened.

2. The SCBA as described in claim 1 wherein the air supply cylinder is adjacent to and covers the main assembly.

3. The SCBA as described in claim 2 wherein the air supply cylinder is adjacent to and covers one side of the main assembly while the frame covers three sides of the main assembly.

4. The SCBA as described in claim 1 wherein the main assembly is located within a recess in the frame.

5. The SCBA as described in claim 1 wherein a portion of the connection assembly is disposed within the frame of the SCBA and protected by the air supply cylinder.

6. The SCBA as described in claim 1 wherein the main assembly further comprises an audible alarm.

7. The SCBA as described in claim 6 wherein the audible alarm is of the piezo electric type.

8. The SCBA as described in claim 1 wherein the separate remote control assembly further comprises a visible alarm.

9. The SCBA as described in claim 8 wherein the visible alarm comprises a plurality of bright LEDs.

10. The SCBA as described in claim 1 wherein the switch assembly comprises a pneumatic pressure switch.

11. In a self-contained breathing apparatus ("SCBA") having a facepiece and a frame, an air supply cylinder disposed on the frame, and a flow system coupling the air supply cylinder to the facepiece, the improvement wherein a personal alert safety system ("PASS") device is structurally integrated with the SCBA such that the PASS device comprises:

a main assembly, including a motion sensor and electronic control circuitry, disposed within a recess in the frame of the SCBA such that it is protected by the air supply cylinder and the frame;

a separate remote control assembly accessible and visible to a wearer and connected to the main assembly by a watertight connection assembly; and

a separate pressure switch assembly connected between the flow system and the main assembly for automatically activating the PASS device when a valve on the air supply cylinder is opened, the PASS device remaining activated unless the valve on the air supply cylinder is closed.

12. The SCBA as described in claim 11 wherein the air supply cylinder is adjacent to and covers the main assembly.

13. The SCBA as described in claim 12 wherein the air supply cylinder is adjacent to and covers one side of the main assembly while the frame covers three sides of the main assembly.

14. The SCBA as described in claim 11 wherein the main assembly is located within a cavity in the frame.

15. The SCBA as described in claim 11 wherein a portion of the connection assembly is disposed within the frame of the SCBA and protected by the air supply cylinder.

16. The SCBA as described in claim 11 wherein the main assembly further comprises an audible alarm.

17. The SCBA as described in claim 16 wherein the audible alarm is of the piezo electric type.

18. The SCBA as described in claim 11 wherein the separate remote control assembly further comprises a visible alarm.

19. The SCBA as described in claim 18 wherein the visible alarm comprises a plurality of bright LEDs.

20. The SCBA as described in claim 11 wherein the pressure switch assembly comprises a pneumatic switch.