Quick release apparatus for an SCBA frame

A quick release apparatus for selective connection and rapid disconnection of a rescue worker's waist belt from a frame member of a self-contained breathing apparatus frame, said apparatus comprising:

• a belt connection apparatus for connection to a wearer's waist belt;
• a self-contained breathing apparatus frame connection apparatus connected to the frame element of the self-contained breathing apparatus frame;
• a coupling apparatus including at least one pullable rapid release member that moves in a first direction to couple said belt connection apparatus to said self-contained breathing apparatus frame connection apparatus and in a second direction to rapidly decouple said belt connection apparatus from said self-contained breathing apparatus frame connection apparatus in such a manner that the self-contained breathing apparatus frame is disconnected from the waist belt and the wearer can entirely remove the self-contained breathing apparatus from his or her body while leaving the waist belt and any accoutrements attached thereto in place and on his or her person;
• a frame mounted member connected to a self-contained breathing apparatus frame that includes a base with a central opening, first and second slots, a receiver cup disposed over the central opening, a resilient member disposed in said receiver cup, and first and second spring-loaded pull bars slidably inserted in the first and second slots, each of said pull bars having an inboard end shaped into a jaw, each of said pull bars being slidably urged toward the central opening;
• and
• wherein said belt connection apparatus comprises a block having a horizontally disposed belt passageway and an outer surface with an integral male element such that when said male element is inserted into the central opening of said frame mounted member, said jaws of said first and second pull bars engage said male element and thereby releasably hold said belt connection apparatus until said first and second pull bars are pulled laterally away from the central opening.