1. A wearable device for carrying an elongated structure with opposing ends in a generally vertical orientation, the device comprising:
a harness constructed to attach to a user’s torso when the wearable device is worn in an operative position;
one or more retainers attached to the harness, the one or more retainers being positioned with respect to the harness so as to be located adjacent the user’s back when the wearable device is worn in the operative position, the one or more retainers being constructed to retain a portion of the elongated structure between the opposing ends thereof;
a receptacle constructed to receive one of the opposing ends of the elongated structure; and
one or more support members attaching the receptacle to the harness so as to suspend the receptacle below the one or more retainers and the harness when the wearable device is worn in the operative position;
the one or more retainers and the receptacle being arranged with respect to one another such that, when the wearable device is worn in the operative position, the one or more retainers and the receptacle cooperate to support the elongated structure in the generally vertical orientation with (a) a lower one of the opposing ends of the elongated structure being received in the receptacle so as to be supported by the receptacle, and (b) the one or more retainers engaging a portion of the elongated structure between the opposing ends thereof to retain the elongated structure in the generally vertical orientation.
2. A wearable device according to claim 1, wherein the one or more retainers are constructed to permit limited lateral movement of the elongated structure relative to the main body.
3. A wearable device according to claim 1, wherein the harness includes a main body positioned so as to be located adjacent the user’s back when the wearable device is worn in the operative position, the one or more retainers being attached to the main body.
4. A wearable device according to claim 3, wherein the one or more support members attach the receptacle to the main body.
5. A wearable device according to claim 4, wherein the one or more support members are one or more elongated members.
6. A wearable device according to claim 5, wherein the one or more elongated members includes a plurality of flexible straps connected between the main body and the receptacle.
7. A wearable device according to claim 6, wherein each of the flexible straps have length adjusters to enable adjustment of a distance at which the receptacle is suspended below the main body when the wearable device is worn in the operative position.
8. A wearable device according to claim 7, wherein the length adjusters are buckles.
9. A wearable device according to claim 1, wherein the receptacle is vertically adjustable to enable adjustment of a distance at which the receptacle is suspended below the harness when the wearable device is worn in the operative position.
10. A wearable device according to claim 9, wherein the harness includes a main body positioned so as to be located adjacent the user’s back when the wearable device is worn in the operative position, the one or more retainers being attached to the main body.
11. A wearable device according to claim 10, wherein the one or more support members attach the receptacle to the main body.
12. A wearable device according to claim 11, wherein the one or more support members are one or more elongated members.
13. A wearable device according to claim 12, wherein the one or more elongated members each has a length adjuster to enable adjustment of a distance at which the receptacle suspends below the main body when the wearable device is worn in the operative position.
14. A wearable device according to claim 13, wherein the one or more elongated members includes a plurality of flexible straps connected between the main body and the receptacle.
15. A wearable device according to claim 14, and wherein the length adjusters are buckles.
16. A wearable device according to claim 1, wherein the receptacle is made of a flexible fabric formed to define a pocket for receiving one of the opposing ends of the elongated structure.
17. A wearable device according to claim 6, wherein the receptacle is made of a flexible fabric formed to define a pocket for receiving one of the opposing ends of the elongated structure.
18. A wearable device according to claim 7, wherein the receptacle is made of a flexible fabric formed to define a pocket for receiving one of the opposing ends of the elongated structure.
19. A wearable device according to claim 9, wherein the receptacle is made of a flexible fabric formed to define a pocket for receiving one of the opposing ends of the elongated structure.
20. A wearable device according to claim 13, wherein the receptacle is made of a flexible fabric formed to define a pocket for receiving one of the opposing ends of the elongated structure.
21. A wearable device according to claim 14, wherein the receptacle is made of a flexible fabric formed to define a pocket for receiving one of the opposing ends of the elongated structure.
22. A wearable device according to claim 3 wherein each of the one or more retainers defines an opening that faces generally vertically when the wearable device is worn in the operative position, the generally vertically facing opening enabling the elongated structure to be received therein and extend therethrough.
23. A wearable device according to claim 22, wherein each of the one or more retainers includes a loop attached to the main body, the loop defining the generally vertically facing opening.
24. A wearable device according to claim 23, wherein each loop includes a pair of separable members that releasably attach to one another, the releasable attachment of each loop enabling the separable members to be separated to open the associated loop and accommodate radial receipt of the elongated structure into the opening thereof, and also enabling the separable members to be re-attached to close the associated loop and retain the elongated structure.
25. A wearable device according to claim 24, wherein the separable members of each loop are flexible.
26. A wearable device according to claim 25, wherein the releasable attachment of each loop is provided by a hook and pile fastener having a plurality of hooks on one separable member and a pile on the other separable member.
27. A wearable device according to claim 25, wherein each loop is defined by a strap and wherein the separable members are the opposing ends of the strap.
28. A wearable device according to claim 27, wherein the releasable attachment of each loop is provided by hook and pile fasteners having a plurality of hooks on one end of the strap and a pile on the other end of the strap.
29. A wearable device according to claim 22, wherein each of the one or more retainers includes a pair of separable members that releasably attach to one another, the releasable attachment of each retainer enabling the separable members to be separated to open the associated retainer and accommodate radial receipt of the elongated structure into the opening thereof, and also enabling the separable members to be re-attached to close the associated retainer and retain the elongated structure.
30. A wearable device according to claim 29, wherein the separable members of each retainer are flexible.
31. A wearable device according to claim 30, wherein the releasable attachment of each retainer is provided by a hook and pile fastener having a plurality of hooks on one separable member and a pile on the other separable member.
32. A wearable device according to claim 30, wherein each of the one or more retainers includes a loop attached to the main body with the loop defining the generally vertically facing opening, the separable members being parts of the loop.
33. A wearable device according to claim 32, wherein each loop is defined by a strap and wherein the separable members are the opposing ends of the strap.
34. A wearable device according to claim 33, wherein the releasable attachment of each loop is provided by hook and pile fasteners having a plurality of hooks on one end of the strap and a pile on the other end of the strap.
35. A wearable device according to claim 9, wherein each of the one or more retainers defines an opening that faces generally vertically when the wearable device is worn, the generally vertically facing opening enabling the elongated structure to be received therein and extend therethrough.
36. A wearable device according to claim 35, wherein each of the one or more retainers includes a loop attached to the main body, the loop defining the generally vertically facing opening.
37. A wearable device according to claim 36, wherein each loop includes a pair of separable members that releasably attach to one another, the releasable attachment of each loop enabling the separable members to be separated to open the associated loop and accommodate radial receipt of the elongated structure into the opening thereof, and also enabling the separable members to be re-attached to close the associated loop and retain the elongated structure.
38. A wearable device according to claim 37, wherein the separable members of each loop are flexible.
39. A wearable device according to claim 38, wherein the releasable attachment of each loop is provided by a hook and pile fastener having a plurality of hooks on one separable member and a pile on the other separable member.
40. A wearable device according to claim 38, wherein each loop is defined by a strap and wherein the separable members are the opposing ends of the strap.
41. A wearable device according to claim 40, wherein the releasable attachment of each loop is provided by hook and pile fasteners having a plurality of hooks on one end of the strap and a pile on the other end of the strap.
42. A wearable device according to claim 35, wherein each of the one or more retainers includes a pair of separable members that releasably attach to one another, the releasable attachment of each retainer enabling the separable members to be separated to open the associated retainer and accommodate radial receipt of the elongated structure into the opening thereof, and also enabling the separable members to be re-attached to close the associated retainer and retain the elongated structure.
43. A wearable device according to claim 42, wherein the separable members of each retainer are flexible.
44. A wearable device according to claim 43, wherein the releasable attachment of each retainer is provided by a hook and pile fastener having a plurality of hooks on one separable member and a pile on the other separable member.
45. A wearable device according to claim 43, wherein each of the one or more retainers includes a loop attached to the main body with the loop defining the generally vertically facing opening, the separable members being parts of the loop.
46. A wearable device according to claim 45, wherein each loop is defined by a strap and wherein the separable members are the opposing ends of the strap.
47. A wearable device according to claim 46, wherein the releasable attachment of each loop is provided by hook and pile fasteners having a plurality of hooks on one end of the strap and a pile on the other end of the strap.
48. A wearable device according to claim 1, further comprising an outer garment shell configured to cover a user’s torso when the wearable device is worn in the operative position;
the harness being an internal harness mounted interiorly of the outer garment shell;
the one or more retainers, the one or more support members and the receptacle being located in one or more spaces defined between the internal harness an the outer garment shell;
the outer garment shell having one or more access openings for accessing the one or more spaces to permit the one or more retainers, the one or more support members and the receptacle to be positioned exteriorly of the outer garment shell for use.
49. A wearable device for carrying an elongated structure with opposing ends in a generally vertical orientation, the device comprising:
an outer garment shell configured to cover a user’s torso when the wearable device is worn in an operative position;
an internal harness mounted interiorly of the outer garment shell, the internal harness being constructed to attach to the user’s torso when the wearable device is worn in the operative position;
one or more supports attached to the internal harness so as to be located adjacent the user’s back when the wearable device is worn in the operative position, the one or more supports being located in one or more spaces defined between the internal harness and the outer garment shell,
the outer garment shell having one or more access openings for accessing the one or more spaces to permit the one or more supports to be positioned exteriorly of the outer garment shell for use;
the one or more supports being constructed to support the elongated structure on the internal harness in the generally vertical orientation thereof when positioned exteriorly of the outer garment shell for use, thus allowing weight of the elongated structure to the transferred to the user’s torso via the internal harness.
50. A wearable device according to claim 49, wherein the one or more supports comprises:
one or more retainers attached to the internal harness, the one or more retainers being positioned with respect to the internal harness so as to be located adjacent the user’s back when the wearable device is worn in the operative position, the one or more retainers being constructed to retain a portion of the elongated structure between the opposing ends thereof;
a receptacle constructed to receive one of the opposing ends of the elongated structure; and
one or more support members attaching the receptacle to the internal harness so as to suspend the receptacle below the one or more retainers and the internal harness when the wearable device is worn in the operative position;
the one or more retainers and the receptacle being arranged with respect to one another such that, when the wearable device is worn in the operative position, the one or more retainers and the receptacle cooperate to support the elongated structure in the generally vertical orientation with (a) a lower one of the opposing ends of the elongated structure being received in the receptacle so as to be supported by the receptacle, and (b) the one or more retainers engaging a portion of the elongated structure between the opposing ends thereof to retain the elongated structure in the generally vertical orientation.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A double-walled plate heat exchanger comprising:
a first plate comprising:
a first skin;
a second skin;
at least two port holes; and
a leakage escape path between the first and second skins for allowing leaked fluid to exit the double-walled plate heat exchanger, the leakage escape path being in contact with:
a leakage orifice in one of the skins; and
an outer edge of the double-walled plate heat exchanger; and
a second plate in contact with the second skin.
2. The double-walled plate heat exchanger of claim 1, further comprising a separator configured to provide separation between the first and second skins near the at least one separator.
3. The double-walled plate heat exchanger of claim 2, wherein:
the leakage orifice is located in the first plate; and
the second skin comprises:
a depression at least partially surrounding the leakage orifice in the first plate such that the first and second skins are separated near the depression and the leakage orifice; and
the separator.
4. The double-walled plate heat exchanger of claim 2, wherein:
the leakage orifice is located in the second plate;
the second skin comprises the separator; and
the second plate comprises a leakage groove for allowing leaked fluid to exit the double-walled plate heat exchanger.
5. The double-walled plate heat exchanger of claim 2, wherein the separator is provided as part of the leakage escape path.
6. The double-walled plate heat exchanger of claim 5, wherein the leakage escape path further comprises a leakage groove.
7. The double-walled plate heat exchanger of claim 6, wherein the gasket is recessed or eliminated at the leakage groove.
8. The double-walled plate heat exchanger of claim 2, wherein the separator comprises at least one rib pressed into the first skin.
9. The double-walled plate heat exchanger of claim 2, wherein the separator comprises an attachment to the first skin.
10. The double-walled plate heat exchanger of claim 9, wherein the attachment to the first skin is removable.
11. The double-walled plate heat exchanger of claim 9, wherein the attachment to the first skin is permanently attached.
12. The double-walled plate heat exchanger of claim 6, wherein the leakage groove is in contact with an edge of the double-walled plate heat exchanger.
13. A method of managing a leak in a double-walled plate heat exchanger, the method comprising allowing fluid leaked between first and second skins of a first plate in a double-walled plate heat exchanger to exit the double-walled plate heat exchanger via a leakage escape path, the leakage escape path comprising a leakage orifice, the first plate further comprising first and second port holes.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the leakage escape path contacts an outer edge of the double-walled plate heat exchanger.
15. The method of claim 13, wherein the leakage escape path further comprises a depression in the second skin at least partially surrounding the leakage orifice such that the first and second skins are separated near the at least one depression and the leakage orifice, the leakage orifice being located in the first skin.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein the leakage escape path further comprises a separator in a skin of a second plate configured to provide separation between the first and second plates near the separator.
17. The method of claim 16, further comprising collecting the leaked fluid for analysis andor disposal.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein the leaked fluid is collected at a predetermined location on the double-walled plate heat exchanger.
19. A double-walled plate heat exchanger, comprising:
leakage escape means for allowing fluid leaked between first and second skins of a first plate in a double-walled plate heat exchanger to exit the double-walled plate heat exchanger, the leakage escape means comprising leakage orifice means for allowing the leaked fluid to exit from between the first and second skins, the first plate having at least two port holes.
20. The double-walled plate heat exchanger of claim 19, further comprising separating means for providing separation between the first and second skins near the separating means.
21. The double walled plate heat exchanger of claim 2, wherein the separator is located in a heat exchanging portion of the plate.