Safety harnesses
A back pad for use in connection with a safety harness including at least two spaced back straps. The back pad includes a shield covering at least a portion of each of the back straps of the safety harness. The shield extends between the back straps to cover a portion of a user's back when the safety harness is worn. A full body safety harness to be worn by a person includes an upper torso portion and a lower seat portion. The upper torso portion is operatively connected to the lower seat portion by a first connector on a first lateral side and a second connector on a second lateral side thereof. The first connector and the second connector can, for example, enable forward and rearward rotation of the upper torso portion relative to the lower seat portion (for example, without causing a significant increase in tension in the upper torso portion or the lower seat portion). At least one of the first connector and the second connector includes a shaft. The upper torso portion includes at least one connecting member having a passage formed therein. The lower seat portion includes at least one connecting member have a passage formed therein. The shaft passes through the passage of the at least one connecting member of the upper torso portion and through the passage of the at least one connecting member of the lower torso portion.
The present invention is a continuation in part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/179,228, filed Jul. 12, 2005, which claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/587,130, filed Jul. 12, 2004, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/611,438, filed Sep. 20, 2004, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates generally to full body safety harnesses, and particularly to safety harnesses which, for example, provide improved or enhanced range of motion, comfort, ease of donning, ease of adjustment and ease of adding accessory equipment as compared to other safety harnesses.
References set forth herein may facilitate understanding of the present invention or the background of the present invention. Inclusion of a reference herein, however, is not intended to and does not constitute an admission that the reference is available as prior art with respect to the present invention.
Safety harnesses are commonly used as part of a fall protection system for persons subjected to the potential of a fall from a height. In the workplace, full-body safety harnesses are required when working at a height of six feet or greater. Such harnesses, which typically include both an upper torso portion (having, for example, shoulder straps) and a lower torso or seat portion (having, for example one or more leg straps and sometimes a seat strap), can be designed in many alternative manners.
Many currently available full-body safety harnesses are manufactured from relatively inelastic, woven webbing materials such as nylon or polyester. A flexible and elastic harness, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,006,700, assigned to the assignee of the present invention, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, has been introduced that greatly improves the comfort of the user during normal use of the safety harness. A safety harness with blunted edges for further increasing the comfort of the user is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,739,427, assigned to the assignee of the present invention, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
Although the comfort of safety harnesses during normal use and even during a fall arrest has been greatly improved in the above-described harnesses, the underlying design of currently available safety harnesses still leads to a number of problems including, for example, range of motion problems, comfort problems, donning problems, adjustment problems and webbing wear problems.
A first end of each of shoulder straps 20 and 30 extends down over the back of the user to form first and second generally longitudinal back straps 22 and 32, respectively. Longitudinal back straps 22 and 32 of shoulder straps 20 and 30 cross through and connect to a typical D-ring 50 as known in the art. D-ring 50 includes a harness connection portion 52 and an anchor portion 54. Harness connection portion 52 enables fastening of D-ring 50 to safety harness 10 via longitudinal back straps 22 and 32. Anchor portion 54 is adapted to be connected to a nylon rope, a chain, webbing or other connector which may be used to anchor the person wearing safety harness 10.
After crossing and passing through D-ring 50, shoulder straps 20 and 30 are connected via a generally latitudinal back strap 60. Latitudinal back strap 60 passes generally latitudinally over a portion of the back of the user.
A second end of each of shoulder straps 20 and 30 extends downward over the front of the user to from generally longitudinal first and second front straps 24 and 34, respectively. A first chest strap portion 42 is attached to front strap 24 and a second chest strap portion 44 is attached to front strap 34. Each of first and second chest straps 42 and 44 have cooperating fastening members 46 and 48 on the ends thereof to enable attachment of first and second chest straps 42 and 44 to form chest strap 40. As known in the art, first and second chest straps 42 and 44, respectively, are preferably attached via an adjustable mating friction buckle mechanism, including, for example, cooperating fastening members 46 and 48.
First and second front straps 24 and 34 of shoulder straps 20 and 30, respectively, extend further downward and preferably include adjustment members 26 and 36 (for example, adjustable friction buckles) as known in the art for adjustment of the fit of safety harness 10 on the upper torso of the user. Extending still further downward, extensions 24a and 34a of first and second front straps 24 and 34 converge and, in connection with several other components of safety harness 10 as described below, form a lower torso, seat or subpelvic portion 70. First and second front extension straps 24a and 34a connect at section 98, passing to the rear and under the seat of the user.
Attached to and extending from seat portion 70 are a first and a second leg strap 80 and 90, respectively. Each of first and second leg straps 80 and 90 pass around the upper leg of the user to be attached to the distal end of first and second longitudinal back straps 22 and 32, respectively. The distal ends of each of first and second leg straps 80 and 90 and the distal ends of each of longitudinal back straps 22 and 32 thus preferably comprise cooperating fastening members (82 and 92 and 28 and 38, respectively) such as adjusting buckle members as known in the art.
A number of previous safety harnesses included connections in the area of the hips of the wearer between an upper portion of the harness and a lower portion of the harness. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,957,091 discloses another design of a body harness including a pair of shoulder straps, a pair of leg straps and a pair of rigid, one-piece hip plates. The shoulder straps are connected at both ends to the hip plates and pass through a back pad and through a shoulder strap retainer (preferably a front or a chest strap). Each leg strap is connected at one end to one of the same rigid hip plates to which the shoulder straps are connected and can be connected at the other end to one of the same rigid hip plates to which the shoulder straps are connected. Adjustment of the fit of the shoulder straps of the body harness of U.S. Pat. No. 5,957,091 is accomplished through the use of a set of three adjacent parallel slots in the rigid hip plates. Adjustment of the leg straps of the body harness of U.S. Pat. No. 5,957,091 is accomplished through the use of a quick fit buckle.
A pair of rigid hip connections to which harness strapping was connected were also incorporated in the sides of, for example, the 1983 safety harness that was available from CAN—Miller Safety, LTD of Canada. Semi-rigid hip plates or members to which harness strapping is connected are likewise found on the 750 and 751 safety harnesses currently available from Bacou-Dalloz Fall Protection, Inc. of Franklin, Pa.
In general, it is difficult, for example, to bend forward or rearward in a harness such as harness 10 and other harnesses because of the resistance of the interconnected strapping material forming the harness. In that regard, a continuous strap or a series of interconnected strap sections from part of the upper torso portion as well as the lower seat section. Use of an elastic strapping material as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,006,700 facilitates such bending, but resistance is still present. In that regard, bending forward and/or rearward causes significant pulling (that is, tension in the strapping) on the lower torso or seat portion of the harness. Moreover, the interconnected, crossing nature of currently available harnesses such as harness 10 causes adjustment of the fit of one portion of harness 10 to affect the fit/tension in other portions of the harness. For example, adjustment of buckle 26 to adjust the length of shoulder strap 20 affect the fit/tension of one or both of leg straps 80 and 90. In harnesses that include rigid or semi-rigid connectors in the area of the hips of the wearer to interconnect straps of the harness, tension is passed through the hip plate or member between the upper and lower portions of the harness and substantial resistance to bending is experienced.
Full body safety harnesses are sometimes provided with a rear pad or back pad that can function, at least in part, to guide the rear strap portions of the shoulder straps in a crossing fashion over the back of the user. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,804,830 and 6,253,874 and U.S. Design Patent No. D454,986.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,804,830 discloses a generally Y-shaped or a generally X-shaped, spreading back pad wherein the upper arms of the X-shaped back pad are longer than the lower arms to spread the shoulder straps of the harness away from the neck area of the body. See, for example, col. 3, lines 3-15. The crossing shoulder straps are connected to slots in the back pads of U.S. Pat. No. 6,804,830.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,253,874 discloses a back pad or connector including a generally rigid connector including a plurality of slots to which crossing shoulder straps are connected. The connector is generally triangular in shape and functions to maintain the crossed straps at a desired spaced distance.
A number of problems exist with current back pad designs. For example, the crossing shoulder straps are maintained by the back pad at a generally defined spacing before and/or after crossing. Maintenance of such predetermined spacing(s) can prevent the harness from fitting properly on widely varying body types. Moreover, current back pad designs provide little if any protection to the safety harness or the user of the safety harness from, for example, impact from sharp and/or heavy equipment such as snap hooks and/or self-retracting lifelines which are typically connected to rear D-rings positioned at the crossing point of the shoulder straps. Such impacts can damage the straps of the safety harness and injure the wearer. Further, current back pads do not adequately provide for the comfort of the user.
In addition to the above-identified problems, users of currently available safety harnesses find it very difficult to adjust the fit of the safety harness and other fall protection safety gear using friction buckles and other types of adjustment mechanisms found on such safety harnesses. Moreover, this difficulty can often be increased with the use of harness webbing material designed to increase the comfort of the user. Furthermore, it is often difficult to don currently available safety harnesses. Although efforts have been made to simplify the donning of a safety harness by, for example, fabricating the harness material so that the harness maintains its form when not worn as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,739,427 or by providing a back connector assembly sufficiently rigid to give an undonned harness some shape (see, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,253,874), problems in donning persist. For example, it is often difficult of the user of the harness to determine which side of the harness material is the outer or inner side, leading to donning of the harness in and inside-out conformation. Moreover, webbing material used in currently available safety harnesses and other fall protection safety gear is susceptible to fraying, particularly at the end thereof.
It is very desirable to develop improved safety harnesses that reduce or eliminate the above and other problems with currently available harnesses.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn one aspect, the present invention provides a full body safety harness to be worn by a person including an upper torso portion and a lower seat portion. The upper torso portion is operatively connected to the lower seat portion by a first connector on a first lateral side and a second connector on a second lateral side thereof. The first connector and the second connector enable forward and rearward rotation of the upper torso portion relative to the lower seat portion (as in the case of forward and rearward bending by a user of the harness) without causing a significant increase in tension in the lower seat portion. The less tension increases in the lower torso portion during bending, the better. Such tension increases in the lower torso portion of the harnesses of the present invention upon bending can, for example, be reduced to less than 10% or even substantially eliminated.
In one embodiment, at least one of the first connector and the second connector includes a rotating joint. Both of the first connector and the second connector can include a rotating joint. In another embodiment, at least one of the first connector and the second connector includes a ring member about which at least one strap of the upper torso portion or the lower seat portion is slidably attached. For example, the first connector can include an upper ring member and a lower ring member, wherein at least one end of a shoulder strap of the upper torso portion is slidably attached to the upper ring member, and at least one strap of leg strap of the lower seat portion is slidably attached to the lower ring member.
The upper torso portion can, for example, include a first shoulder strap adapted to pass over a first shoulder of the person, wherein a first end of the first shoulder strap is adapted to extend over the front of the person to connect to the first connector and a second end of the first shoulder strap is adapted to extend over the back of the person to connect to the second connector. The upper torso portion can further include a second shoulder strap adapted to pass over a second shoulder of the person, wherein a first end of the second shoulder strap is adapted to extend over the front of the person to connect to the second connector and a second end of the second shoulder strap is adapted to extend over the back of the person to connect to the first connector. The safety harness can further include a first leg strap connected to the first connector and a second leg strap connected to the second connector. In one embodiment at least one of the first shoulder strap and the second shoulder strap includes an adjustment mechanism to adjust the length thereof and at least one of the first leg strap and the second leg strap includes an adjustment mechanism to adjust the length thereof. The first shoulder strap can include a first shoulder strap adjustment mechanism to adjust the length of the first shoulder strap, and the second shoulder strap can include a second adjustment mechanism to adjust the length of the second shoulder strap. The first leg strap can include a first leg strap adjustment mechanism to adjust the length of the first leg strap, and the second leg strap can include a second leg strap adjustment mechanism to adjust the length of the second leg strap.
In another aspect, the present invention provides a full body safety harness to be worn by a person including an upper torso portion and a lower seat portion, wherein the upper torso portion is operatively connected to the lower seat by a first rotating connector on a first lateral side and a second rotating connector on a second side thereof. The first rotating connector and the second rotating connector enable rotation of the upper torso portion relative to the lower seat portion (as occurs, for example, upon forward and rearward bending by the person).
The first rotating connector can be positioned to rotate about a point in the vicinity of the axis of rotation of the hips of the person when worn by the person. Likewise, the second rotating connector can be positioned to rotate about a point in the vicinity of the axis of rotation of the hips of the person when worn by the person. In one embodiment, the first rotating connector (and/or the second rotating connector) includes an upper connective member and a lower connective member. The upper connective member is rotatably connected to the lower connective member. The upper connective member can, for example, be connected to the lower connective member by a shaft about which the upper connective member can rotate relative to the lower connective member. The upper connective member can include at least one attachment adapted to connect to harness strapping, and the lower connective member can include at least one attachment adapted to connect to harness strapping. In one embodiment, the upper connective member includes at least two slots formed therein for attachment of harness strapping, and the lower connective member includes at least two slots formed therein of attachment of harness strapping.
The rotating connectors of the present invention can further include an accessory connector attached to an outer surface thereof which is adapted to connect accessories to the full body safety harness. Likewise, the rotating connectors of the present invention can include a belt connector attached to an inner surface thereof which is adapted to connect the full body safety harness to a belt (for example, a safety positioning belt comprising an anchor attachment or a tool belt).
The upper torso portion of the full body safety harness can include a first shoulder strap adapted to pass over a first shoulder of the person, wherein a first end of the first shoulder strap is adapted to extend over the front of the person to connect to the first rotating connector, and a second end of the first shoulder strap is adapted to extend over the back of the person to connect to the second rotating connector. The upper torso portion can further include a second shoulder strap adapted to pass over a second shoulder of the person, wherein a first end of the second shoulder strap is adapted to extend over the front of the person to connect to the second rotating connector, and a second end of the second shoulder strap is adapted to extend over the back of the person to connect to the first rotating connector. In this embodiment, the first shoulder strap and the second shoulder strap cross over each other in the back of the full body safety harness. The lower torso portion can include a first leg strap connected to the first rotating connector and a second leg strap connected to the second rotating connector. At least one of the first shoulder strap and the second shoulder strap can include an adjustment mechanism to adjust the length thereof and at least one of the first leg strap and the second leg strap can include an adjustment mechanism to adjust the length thereof. In one embodiment, the first shoulder strap includes a first shoulder strap adjustment mechanism to adjust the length of the first shoulder strap; the second shoulder strap includes a second adjustment mechanism to adjust the length of the second shoulder strap; the first leg strap include a first leg strap adjustment mechanism to adjust the length of the first leg strap; and the second leg strap includes a second leg strap adjustment mechanism to adjust the length of the second leg strap.
In one embodiment, the full body safety harness of further includes a cam buckle in operative connection with at least one of strap section of the upper torso portion or the lower torso portion to adjust a fit of the strap section. The cam buckle can include a base and a locking member in moveable, operative connection with the base. The locking member can include an abutment surface moveable into and out of contact with the strap. In one embodiment, the locking member is rotatably attached to the base, and the abutment surface is biased in connection with the strap.
The base can include a strap support over which a strap of the safety harness passes. The abutment surface of the locking member can be biased in connection with a first surface of the strap over a section of the strap wherein a second, opposing surface of the strap contacts the support member. The locking member can include a lever arm to which force is applied to move the locking member into a release position in which the abutment surface is out of contact with the strap. The cam buckle can also include an activating mechanism that must be activated to enable the locking member to be moved to a release position.
In another embodiment, the safety harness includes a connector attached to at least one strap section of the upper torso portion or the lower torso portion. The connector includes a first attachment mechanism to attach the connector to the strap and a second attachment mechanism to attach an item to the connector. The connector can, for example, include a base, and the first attachment mechanism can includes a pair of slots formed in the base. The connector can further include a closure in operative connection with the base. In one embodiment, the base and the enclosure at least partially enclose at least one label (including, for example, printed information about or relative to the harness) when the closure in a closed state. In one embodiment, the closure includes a hinge about which the closure is rotatable to the closed state and to an open state. For example, the at least one label can be accessible when the closure is in an open state. The closure can further include a releasable locking mechanism to releasably cooperate with the base to hold the closure in a closed state.
In another embodiment, the safety harness further includes at least one strap section having an interior surface that is adjacent a wearer when the safety harness is worn and an exterior surface generally opposite the interior surface. The interior surface is perceptibly different from the exterior surface so that a wearer can distinguish the interior surface from the exterior surface. The interior surface can, for example, have a different color from the exterior surface. The interior surface can, for example, have a different texture from the exterior surface. The interior surface can, for example, be softer than the exterior surface. The exterior surface can, for example, have a greater abrasion resistance than the interior surface. In one embodiment, the interior surface and the exterior surface are formed about a generally tubular outer shell. In this embodiment, he strap section can further include a flexible inner material.
In a further embodiment, the safety harness further includes at least one strap section having a first end. The first end includes an end member in operative connection therewith. The end member includes a retaining member to connect the end member to the at least one strap or to another strap of the harness. The retaining member can, for example, include an extending arm to extend around the another strap. In one embodiment, the extending member is biased against the another strap when extending around the another strap.
In another aspect, the present invention provides a full body safety harness to be worn by a person including an upper torso portion and a lower seat portion. The upper torso portion is operatively connected to the lower seat by at least one connector adapted to enable rotation of the upper torso portion over a range of positions forward and rearward relative to the lower seat portion without causing significant tension in the lower seat portion.
In a further aspect, the present invention provides a full body safety harness to be worn by a person including an upper torso portion and a lower seat portion. The upper torso portion is removably connected to the lower torso or seat portion via a first connector on a first lateral side of the harness and a second connector on a second lateral side of the harness.
In one embodiment, the first connector includes an first upper connecting member to which at least one strap of the upper torso portion is connected and a first lower connecting member to which at least one strap of the lower torso portion is connected. The first upper connecting member and the first lower connecting member are adapted to be placed in operative connection. The second connector includes a second upper connecting member to which at least one strap of the upper torso portion is connected and a second lower connecting member to which at least one strap of the lower torso portion is connected. The second upper connecting member and the second lower connecting member are adapted to be placed in operative connection.
The first upper connecting member and the first lower connecting member in one embodiment are adapted to be placed in operative connection such that the first upper connecting member is rotatable about an axis relative to the first lower connecting member. The second upper connecting member and the second lower connecting member can also be adapted to be placed in operative connection such that the second upper connecting member is rotatable about an axis relative to the second lower connecting member.
In still a further aspect, the present invention provides a method of fabricating a full body safety harness, including: forming an upper torso portion of the full body safety harness; forming separately from the upper torso portion a lower seat portion; and connecting the upper torso portion to the lower seat portion via a first connector on a first lateral side of the full body safety harness and a second connector on a second side of the fill body safety harness. In one embodiment, the first connector includes an first upper connecting member to which at least one strap of the upper torso portion is connected and a first lower connecting member to which at least one strap of the lower seat portion is connected. The first upper connecting member and the first lower connecting member are adapted to be placed in operative connection. The second connector can also includes a second upper connecting member to which at least one strap of the upper torso portion is connected and a second lower connecting member to which at least one strap of the lower seat portion is connected. The second upper connecting member and the second lower connecting member are adapted to be placed in operative connection.
The method can further include: forming a plurality of upper torso portions, each have a unique configuration; and selecting one of the plurality of upper torso portions to be connected to the lower seat portion. Likewise, the method can further include: forming a plurality of lower seat portions, each have a unique configuration; and selecting one of the plurality of lower seat portions to be connected to the upper torso portion.
In another aspect, the present invention provides a safety harness to be worn by a person which includes at least one strap section. The strap section includes a cam buckle in operative connection therewith to adjust a fit of the strap section. The can buckle can, for example, include a base and a locking member in moveable, operative connection with the base. The locking member includes an abutment surface moveable into and out of contact with the strap. The locking member can be rotatably attached to the base. The abutment surface can be biased in connection with the strap.
The base can include a strap support over which the strap passes. The abutment surface of the locking member can be biased in connection with a first surface of the strap over a section of the strap wherein a second, opposing surface of the strap contacts the support member. In one embodiment, the locking member includes a lever arm to which force is applied to move the locking member into a release position in which the abutment surface is out of contact with the strap. The cam buckle can also an activating or actuating mechanism that must be activated to enable the locking member to be moved to a release position. Requiring such a dual action to cause a release of the strap section can help prevent accidental release.
In another aspect, the present invention provides a connector for use in connection with a strap of a safety harness. The connector includes a first attachment mechanism to attach the connector to the strap and a second attachment mechanism to attach an item to the connector. In one embodiment, the connector includes a base, and the first attachment mechanism includes a pair of slots formed in the base. In one embodiment, the connector includes a closure in operative connection with the base, and the base and the enclosure at least partially enclose at least one label when the closure in a closed state.
In a further aspect, the present invention provides a label pack system for use in connection with a safety harness. The label pack system includes a base having an attachment mechanism to attach the base to the strap of the safety harness and a closure in operative connection with the base. The base and the enclosure at least partially enclose at least one label (and more typically a plurality of labels) when the closure in a closed state. The labels include, for example, textual and/or graphical information about the safety harness.
The closure can include a hinge about which the closure is rotatable to the closed state and to an open state. The label(s) are accessible when the closure is in an open state. The closure can, for example, include a releasable locking mechanism to releasably cooperate with the base to hold the closure in a closed state.
In another aspect, the present invention provides a safety harness including at least one strap section having a first end; wherein the first end has an end member in operative connection therewith. The end member includes a housing having a seating therein. The end member further includes a clip member having a first extending arm and a second extending arm in between which the first end of the strap is held. The clip is seated within the seating of the housing so that the first extending arm and the second extending arm are forced into contact with first end of the strap. In one embodiment, each of the first extending arm and the second extending arm include teeth that contact the first end of the strap. The clip member can further include a locking member that cooperates with the housing to hold the clip member in operative connection with the seating of the housing. The first extending arm and the second extending arm of the clip can, for example, be formed form an integral or monolithic piece of resilient (for example, polymeric) material. In one embodiment, the housing includes a retaining arm to connect the end member to the strap or to another strap of the harness.
In still a further aspect, the present invention provides a safety harness including a strap section having an interior surface that is adjacent a wearer when the safety harness is worn and an exterior surface generally opposite the interior surface. The interior surface is perceptibly different from the exterior surface so that a wearer can distinguish the interior surface from the exterior surface. In one embodiment, the interior surface has a color different from a color of the exterior surface. The interior surface can also or alternatively have a texture different from a texture of the exterior surface. The interior surface can, for example, be softer than the exterior surface to provide comfort to the wearer. The exterior surface can be of a more durable or rugged material (for example, having greater abrasion resistance than the interior surface).
In one embodiment, the interior surface and the exterior surface can form or be formed about on a generally tubular outer shell. In this embodiment, the strap section can further include a flexible inner material. A wear indicator material can be placed between the outer shell and the inner material such that any opening in the outer shell causes the wear indicator material to be visible.
In another aspect, the present invention provides a safety harness including at least one strap section have a first end. The first end includes an end member in operative connection therewith. The end member includes a retaining member to connect the end member to the strap or to another strap of the harness. The retaining member can, for example, include an extending arm adapted to extend around strap or another strap. In one embodiment, the extending member is adapted to be biased against the strap or against the another strap when extending around the strap or the another strap. The end member can, for example, be fabricated from an integral or monolithic piece of resilient (for example, polymeric) material.
In another aspect, the present invention provides a back pad for use in connection with a safety harness including at least two spaced back straps. The back pad includes a shield covering at least a portion of each of the back straps of the safety harness. The shield extends between the back straps to cover a portion of a user's back when the safety harness is worn.
The shield can, for example, be fabricated from a flexible material to allow bending of the back pad in the vicinity of the shield. In one embodiment, the flexible material of the shield has a hardness of at least 30 Shore durometer. In another embodiment, the flexible material of the shield has a hardness of in the range of approximately 80 to 100 Shore durometer.
The shield can include a first channel and a second channel through which a first strap section and a second strap section, respectively, pass. In one embodiment, the first channel is wider than the first strap section so that the first strap section can move laterally within the first channel, and the second channel is wider than the second strap section so that the second strap section can move laterally within the second channel. The first channel and the second channel can be positioned below a point wherein the first strap section and second strap section cross. A wide variety of body types can thereby be readily accommodated by the strap sections of the harness.
The back pad can further include a reference point thereon adapted to be aligned with a reference point on a wearer of the harness to position a D-ring in operative connection with the back pad on the wearer.
In another aspect, the present invention provides a back pad for use in connection with a safety harness comprising back strap sections that cross in the vicinity of the back pad. The back pad includes at least one channel through which at least one of the back strap sections passes. The channel is wider than the back strap section so that the back strap section can move laterally within the channel. In one embodiment, the channel is at least 20% wider than the back strap section. In another embodiment, the channel is at least 50% wider than the back strap section. The channel can be positioned below a point wherein the back strap sections cross.
In another aspect, the present invention provides a back pad for use in connection with a safety harness. The back pad includes a reference point thereon adapted to be aligned with a reference point on a wearer of the harness to position a D-ring in operative connection with the back pad on the wearer.
In a further aspect, the present invention provides a full body safety harness to be worn by a person, including an upper torso portion and a lower seat portion. The upper torso portion is operatively connected to the lower seat portion by a first connector on a first lateral side and a second connector on a second lateral side thereof. The first connector and the second connector can, for example, enable forward and rearward rotation of the upper torso portion relative to the lower seat portion (for example, without causing a significant increase in tension in the upper torso portion or the lower seat portion). At least one of the first connector and the second connector includes a shaft. The upper torso portion includes at least one connecting member having a passage formed therein. The lower seat portion includes at least one connecting member have a passage formed therein. The shaft passes through the passage of the at least one connecting member of the upper torso portion and through the passage of the at least one connecting member of the lower torso portion.
In one embodiment, the connecting member of the upper torso portion is a strap section of the upper torso portion and the connecting member of the lower seat portion is a strap section of the lower seat portion. The strap section of the upper torso portion can, for example, include a grommet through which the shaft passes, and the strap section of the lower seat portion can, for example, include a grommet through which the shaft passes.
In another embodiment, the (upper) connecting member of the upper torso portion includes a first frame element and a second frame element held in spaced connection by an intermediate element. In this embodiment, the (lower) connecting member of the lower seat portion also includes a first frame element and a second frame element held in spaced connection by an intermediate element. The upper connecting member and the lower connecting member can, for example, be fabricated to be identical. The upper connecting member and the lower connecting member can be rotatably connected about the shaft so that the first and second frame elements are interconnected or intermeshed. The intermediated elements of the upper connecting member and the intermediate element of the lower connecting member can abut during relative rotation of the upper connecting member and the lower connecting member to limit the amount of relative rotation of the connecting members.
In another aspect, the present invention provides a full body safety harness to be worn by a person including an upper torso portion and a lower seat portion. The upper torso portion is operatively connected to the lower seat portion by a first connector on a first lateral side and a second connector on a second lateral side thereof. The first connector and the second connector can, for example, enable forward and rearward rotation of the upper torso portion relative to the lower seat portion (without, for example, causing a significant increase in tension in the upper torso portion or the lower seat portion). The upper torso portion includes at least one strap, and the lower seat portion includes at least one strap. At least one of the first connector and the second connector includes a loop formed on an end of the strap of the upper torso portion and a loop formed on an end of the strap of the lower seat portion. The loop of the strap of the upper torso portion being interconnected with the loop of the strap of the lower torso portion.
In another aspect, the present invention provides a safety harness to be worn by a person including at least a first strap and a second strap. The first strap and the second strap are connected by a cam buckle in operative connection therewith to adjust a fit of the safety harness. The can buckle includes a base and a cam shaped locking member in moveable, operative connection with the base. The locking member includes an abutment surface moveable into and out of contact with the first strap. The base includes a first strap support around which the first strap passes and a second strap support around which the second straps passes. The abutment surface of the locking member is biased in connection with a first surface of the first strap over a section of the strap wherein a second, opposing surface of the first strap contacts the support member. The base is formed from a polymeric material. The base further includes a support member of a material having a higher ultimate tensile load than the polymeric material. The support member has an opening therein through which the first strap passes and through which the second strap passes.
In a further aspect, the present invention provides a full body safety harness to be worn by a person including an upper torso portion and a lower seat portion. The upper torso portion is operatively connected to the lower seat portion by a first connector on a first lateral side and a second connector on a second lateral side thereof. The first connector and the second connector enable forward and rearward rotation of the upper torso portion relative to the lower seat portion. The first connector includes at least one shaft and the second connector includes at least one shaft. At least one of the upper torso portion and the lower seat portion is rotatably connected to or about the shaft of the first connector and at least one of the upper torso portion and the lower torso portion is rotatably connected to or about the shaft of the second connector.
In another aspect, the present invention provides an accessory attachment system for use in connection with worn articles including a strap or a belt. The accessory attachment system includes a connector having a channel therein through which the strap or belt can pass and an attachment member attached to the connector.
In still a further aspect, the present invention provides a full body safety harness system including an accessory attachment system for use in connection with a strap of the safety harness system or a belt worn in connection with the safety harness system. The accessory attachment system includes a connector having a channel therein through which the strap or the belt can pass and an attachment member attached to the connector.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A second end of each of shoulder straps 120 and 130 extends downward over the front of the user to form generally longitudinal first and second front straps 124 and 134, respectively. Chest strap 140 is attached between front strap 124 and front strap 134 of shoulder straps 120 and 130, respectively. At least one fastening member 146 can be provide to enable opening/disconnection of chest strap 140. One or more adjustment mechanisms 148 (for example, adjustable cam buckle mechanisms as discussed further below) can be provided to adjust the length of chest strap 140. In an alternative embodiment, as known in the art, first and second front straps 124 and 134 can cross through a front pad, as known in the art, and chest strap 140 can be eliminated.
First and second front straps 124 and 134 extend further downward from chest strap 140 and can include adjustment members 126 and 136 (for example, adjustable cam buckles as discussed further below) for adjustment of the fit of safety harness 100 on the upper torso of the user. Front straps 124 and 134 are connected at the ends thereof to connectors 200a and 200b, respectively. In that regard front straps 124 and 134 can, for example, be looped through slots 214a and 214b formed in upper connecting members 210a and 210b of connectors 200a and 200b (see, for example,
Lower torso or seat portion 112 of safety harness 100 can, for example, include leg straps 180 and 190. Leg strap 180 is attached to connector 200a at a first or front end thereof via slot 222a formed in a lower connecting member 220a of connector 200a (see, for example,
In the embodiment of
As illustrated in a comparison of
In general, the benefits afforded by connectors 200a and 200b are realized regardless of the material chosen for the straps. In that regard, relatively inelastic, woven webbing materials such as nylon or polyester commonly used in many currently available safety harnesses are well suited for use in the present invention. Moreover, the material described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,006,700 and/or U.S. Pat. No. 6,739,427 can also be used. Such materials are, for example, currently used in the DURAFLEX® and the DURAFLEX PYTHON® harnesses currently available from Bacou-Dalloz Fall Protection of Franklin, Pa.
Connector 300 further includes an inward attachment or connector 350 which includes a flange 352 on an inward projecting end of a shaft 354 thereof to which, for example, a belt such as a positioning safety belt or a tool belt can be attached to connector 300. As clear to one skilled in the art, other attachment mechanisms as known in the art are suitable for use in attaching belts to the connectors of the present invention. As known in the art, safety positioning belts can, for example, include an anchor attachment such as a D-ring as known in the art to connect a lifeline or lanyard thereto. Attachment 350 is maintained in operative connection with upper connecting member 310 by a locking ring 360 which seats in a seating or groove 356 formed in shaft 354. Locking ring 360 abuts a radially inward projecting, annular flange 334 formed on an inner wall of shaft 330 (see
A forward end of shaft 330 can include an attachment or connector through which any of a number of accessories can be attached to connector 300. In the embodiment of
As described above, tension in the straps of a safety harness of the present invention upon forward and rearward bending of a user can thus be reduced or generally eliminated in, for example, two general manners or combinations thereof. In that regard, one can connect in a generally fixed manner (that is, a non-sliding manner) strap ends of the upper torso portion to two upper connecting members. One can also connect in a generally fixed manner (that is, non-sliding manner) strap ends of the lower torso portion to two lower connecting members. The upper connecting member and the lower connecting member are then connected so that the upper connecting member is rotatable relative to the lower connecting member. Alternatively, one or more of the strap ends can be slidably (or movably) attached to a connecting member. In one such embodiment, the connecting member includes an element (which can, for example, be a curved element) about which the a strap end is looped or otherwise connected so that the strap end can slide (or move) along the element. In this embodiment, the connecting member need not be rotatable.
As also described above, various accessories can be attached to the connectors of the present invention.
Before further describing connectors 1900, an embodiment of a safety harness 100a (see, for example,
A second end of each of shoulder straps 120a and 130a extends downward over the front of the user to form generally longitudinal first and second front straps 124a and 134a, respectively. Chest strap 140a is attached between front strap 124a and front strap 134a of shoulder straps 120a and 130a, respectively. One or more adjustable adjustment mechanism can be provided to adjust the length of chest strap 140a.
First and second front straps 124a and 134a extend further downward from chest strap 140a and terminate at and are attached to a cam buckle adjustment mechanisms 1000a (discussed further below) or other adjustment mechanism for adjustment of the fit of safety harness 100a on the upper torso of the user. Lengths of connecting strapping strap 124a′ and 134a′ are connected at a first end thereof to cam buckes 100a and at a second end thereof to connectors 1900 (see, for example,
Lower torso or seat portion 112a of safety harness 100a can, for example, include leg straps 180a and 190a. Leg strap 180a is attached to right side connector 1900 at a first or front end thereof via a slot formed in a lower connecting member 1920 of right side connector 1900 (see, for example,
Each of upper and lower connecting members 1910 of connectors 1900 includes two end or frame elements 1910a, which are identical (see, for example,
As illustrated, for example, in
This interlocking or intermeshing arrangement of frame elements 1910a of upper connecting member 1910 and lower connecting member 1920 assists in preventing disengagement when connector 1900 experiences forces out of the plane of rotation of connecting members 1910 and 1920. The interlocking arrangement also assists in keeping connector 1900 free from dirt and other debris. In that regard, such debris is typically removed or cleared from connector 1900 by the relative rotation of interlocking connecting members 1910 and 1920. Debris is forced out through open sides of connectors 1910 and 1920 and/or through one or more openings or passages 1918a formed in frame elements 1910a in the vicinity of shaft passage 1919a. As illustrated in
In addition to maintaining frame elements 1910a in spaced connection, intermediate element 1940 also acts as a stop or abutment member to limit the range of relative rotation between upper connecting member 1910 and lower connecting member 1920 to, for example, prevent connecting members 1910 and 1920 from contacting the straps of the safety harness and causing excessive wear therein. The range of motion of upper connecting member 1910 relative to lower connecting member 1920 can, for example, be limited to a value in the range of approximately 30° to approximately 40° as described above to prevent such wear while still providing an ample range of motion for bending of the user without causing significant tension in the straps of the safety harness (see, for example,
Connector 1900 further includes an outward projecting attachment member 1970, including, for example, a flange 1972) to which any number of accessories can be attached. Attachment member 1970 is attached to an outer end of shaft 1930. As illustrated, for example, in
The connector for connecting upper torso modules and lower seat modules of the present invention can, for example, be fabricated to be disconnectable only by the manufacturer or can be made to be more readily disconnectable so that disconnection can, for example, be made by those in the field (for example, by an authorized safety officer). In that regard,
In the embodiment of
In several embodiments, the harnesses of the present invention include one or more cam buckles that function as adjustment members such as adjustment members 126 and 136 to adjust the fit of the harnesses. The inventors of the present invention have discovered that such cam buckles provide a significant improvement in the ease of adjustment of the fit of one or more of the straps of the present invention as compared to adjustment mechanisms such as friction buckles previously used in safety harnesses. Moreover, the present inventors have discovered that cam buckles provide suitable locking strength such that the cam buckles do not open under loads experienced under normal conditions of use or under fall conditions.
Buckle 1000 further includes a cam-shaped locking member 1040 that operates to lock strapping section 1100 in a desired position and to enable release of strapping section 1100 to allow adjustment of the fit of a harness by moving or sliding strapping section 1100 around or over support 1020. Locking member 1040 includes a passage 1042 through which a rod 1050 (around which locking member 1040 is rotatable) passes. Rod 1050 includes a first end section 1052 of generally reduced radius that passes through a passage or seating 1072 in a first side member 1070 of base 1010 and is held in position therein by bearing 1056. On the opposite end, rod 1050 includes a second end section 1054 of generally reduced radius that passes through a passage or seating 1082 in a second side member 1080 of base 1010 and is held in position by bearing 1058. A biasing element can be used to bias locking member in a locking position in which strap 1100 is prevented from moving or sliding relative to first strap support member 1020. In the embodiment of
To place locking member 1040 in a release position as illustrated in
A dual or double action can be required to place locking member 1040 in a release position. As illustrated in
One strapping section of a safety harness loops around first support 1020a and a first side 1014a′ of reinforcement member 1014a, passing through opening 1015a. A second strapping section of a safety harness loops around second support 1030a and a second side 1014a″ of reinforcement member 1014a, passing through opening 1015a. Support member 1014a is preferably fabricated from a high-strength material such that base 1010a in combination with support member 1014a thereof provides a relatively high ultimate tensile load (for example, of at least 4000 pounds or at least 5000 pounds).
Reinforcement member 1014a can, for example, be fabricated from a high-strength metallic material. Use or reinforcement member 10104a enables fabrication of the remainder of buckle 1000a from a relatively low-weight material that need not exhibit as high an ultimate tensile load as reinforcement member 1014a. Fabrication of cam buckle 1000a from relatively low-weight materials reduces or minimizes the overall weight of cam buckle 1000a and the safety harness within which cam buckle 1000a is used.
As the strapping sections of the safety harness pass around opposite sides of reinforcement member 1014a, tension forces on the strapping sections connected to buckle 1000a will be distributed around reinforcement member 1014a and buckle 1000a will exhibit the ultimate tensile load of reinforcement member 1014a. In one embodiment, reinforcement member 1014a was fabricated from aluminum, which exhibits a high ultimate tensile load and relatively low weight. The remainder of base 1010a was fabricated from a relatively high strength, low weight polymeric material such as VERTON, a polymer composite including relatively long glass fibers, available from LNP Engineering Plastics, of Exton, Pa.
Like buckle 1000, buckle 1000a further includes a cam-shaped locking member 1040a that operates to lock strapping section 1100a (see
Under current law in the United States and other countries, a number of labels are required to be attached to safety harnesses. In currently available safety harnesses, label packs are typically sewn to the harness. Such label packs often become loose, damaged or lost.
Base 1310 further includes an attachment mechanism for attaching an item such as a label pack system 1400 and/or other items thereto. In the embodiment of
Labels 1410 can, for example, be permanently attached to base 1310 via stitching or via an adhesive. Labels 1410 can alternatively be attached to closure 1420. Base 1310 and closure 1420 act together to protect labels 1410 and prevent loosening, detachment or damage of labels 1410.
Connector 1300 can be used to attach other items such as a cell phone holder 1500 (see
In the embodiment of
Strap end 142 is first placed within clip 1650 so that, for example, strap end 142 abuts hinging area 1680. Clip 1650, with strap end 142 therein, is then pushed into an opening 1620 in housing 1610 which leads to a hollow portion or seating portion 1624 within housing 1610. Opening 1620 and seating 1624 are dimensioned to force lever arms 1660 and 1670 toward each other so that strap end 142 is securely gripped by the toothed ends of lever arms 1660 and 1670.
At least one of first lever arm 1660 and second lever arm 1670 can, for example, include a retaining mechanism to retain clip 1650 in operative connection with housing 1610. In the embodiment of
Housing 1610 can further include a retaining arm 1630 that can be slipped over or around a strap to hold end member 1600 in connection with the strap (see, for example,
In the embodiment of
Providing a harness including strapping sections having interior surfaces and exterior surfaces which are perceptibly different from each other facilitates donning the harness. In that regard, in currently available harnesses, it is quite difficult for a user to determine the interior and exterior surfaces of the harness, thereby making donning of the harness quite difficult. The interior surface and the exterior surface of the entire length of one or more straps (for example, the entire length of shoulder strap 120, including back strap 122 and front strap 124, and shoulder strap 130, including back strap 132 and front strap 134) can be perceptibly different as described above. Preferably, the interior surface and the exterior surface of a strap over a substantial portion (for example, at least 50%) of the length of the strap is perceptibly different such that donning is facilitated. In one embodiment, the entire length of each shoulder strap 120 and 130 and each leg strap 180 and 190 of safety harness 100 was formed of strapping having interior surfaces and exterior surfaces which were perceptibly different.
In the embodiment, of
Inner surface 1810 and outer surface 1820 can, for example, be formed/woven separately and sewn together on the lateral sides of outer shell 1804 of strap 1800. Alternatively, inner surface 1810 and outer surface 1820 can be woven integrally using methods known in the weaving arts. In the embodiment of
In general, the material(s) for shield 2520, and particularly contact surface 2521, are preferably durable and resistant over extended use. In that regard, the materials are preferably chemically resistant (for example, to substances that may be encountered during use). Moreover, the materials preferably retain both flexibility and energy absorption/distribution properties over an extended temperature range (for example, from −20° F. to 100° F. and, more preferably from −50° F. to 140° F.).
In the embodiment illustrated in
In the embodiment illustrated in
In the illustrated embodiment, shield 2520 is positioned below (in, for example, the orientation of
In the illustrated embodiment, back shield 2520 also functions to channel crossing webbing straps 122a and 132a in a manner to fit body types of a wide range of sizes. In that regard, unlike a number of available back pads, straps 122a and 132a are not connected or fixed in position within channels 2522 and 2524 and are free to move over a range of positions as they pass through channels 2522 and 2524 formed in shield 2500. In that regard, channels 2522 and 2524 are preferably at least 20% wider than straps 122a and 132a. More preferably, channels 2522 and 2524 are preferably at least 50% wider than straps 122a and 132a. As illustrated in
In alternative embodiment, as, for example, illustrated in
As illustrated, for example, in
Base 2510 of back pad 2500 further includes an upper section over which straps 122a and 132a pass before crossing through D-ring 150 (see, for example,
D-ring 150 and D-ring pad 2600 are positioned over an intermediate section of base 2510 between meshed section 2536 and shield 2520. In the illustrated embodiments, D-ring 150 and D-ring pad 2600 were not attached to base 2510. As known in the art, D-ring pad includes six slots 2610 through which straps 122a and 132a cross and pass through a channel 152 of D-ring 150 (see, for example,
The foregoing description and accompanying drawings set forth preferred embodiments of the invention at the present time. Various modifications, additions and alternative designs will, of course, become apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing teachings without departing from the scope of the invention. The scope of the invention is indicated by the following claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes and variations that fall within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.
Claims
1. A back pad for use in connection with a safety harness comprising at least two spaced back straps, the back pad comprising a shield covering at least a portion of each of the back straps of the safety harness, the shield extending between the back straps to cover a portion of a user's back when the safety harness is worn.
2. The back pad of claim 1 wherein the shield is flexible and has a hardness of at least 30 Shore durometer.
3. The back pad of claim 1 wherein shield is flexible and has a hardness of in the range of approximately 80 to 100 Shore durometer.
4. The back pad of claim 1 wherein the shield comprises a first channel and a second channel through which a first strap section and a second strap section, respectively, pass.
5. The back pad of claim 4 wherein the first channel is wider than the first strap section so that the first strap section can move laterally within the first channel and the second channel is wider than the second strap section so that the second strap section can move laterally within the second channel.
6. The back pad of claim 1 further comprising a reference point thereon adapted to be aligned with a reference point on a wearer of the harness to position a D-ring in operative connection with the back pad on the wearer.
7. A back pad for use in connection with a safety harness comprising back strap sections that cross in the vicinity of the back pad, the back pad comprising at least one channel through which at least one of the back strap sections passes, the channel being wider than the back strap section so that the back strap section can move laterally within the channel.
8. The back pad of claim 7 wherein the channel is at least 20% wider than the back strap section.
9. The back pad of claim 7 wherein the channel is at least 50% wider than the back strap section.
10. A back pad for use in connection with a safety harness, the back pad comprising a reference point thereon adapted to be aligned with a reference point on a wearer of the harness to position a D-ring in operative connection with the back pad on the wearer.
11. A full body safety harness to be worn by a person, comprising: an upper torso portion and a lower seat portion, the upper torso portion being operatively connected to the lower seat portion by a first connector on a first lateral side and a second connector on a second lateral side thereof, the first connector and the second connector enabling forward and rearward rotation of the upper torso portion relative to the lower seat portion, at least one of the first connector and the second connector comprising a shaft, the upper torso portion comprising at least one connecting member having a passage formed therein, the lower seat portion comprising at least one connecting member have a passage formed therein, the shaft passing through the passage of the at least one connecting member of the upper torso portion and through the passage of the at least one connecting member of the lower torso portion.
12. The full body safety harness of claim 11 wherein the connecting member of the upper torso portion is a strap section of the upper torso portion and the connecting member of the lower seat portion is a strap section of the lower seat portion.
13. The full body safety harness of claim 13 wherein the strap section of the upper torso portion comprises a grommet through which the shaft passes and the strap section of the lower seat portion comprises a grommet through which the shaft passes.
14. A full body safety harness to be worn by a person, comprising: an upper torso portion and a lower seat portion, the upper torso portion being operatively connected to the lower seat portion by a first connector on a first lateral side and a second connector on a second lateral side thereof, the first connector and the second connector enabling forward and rearward rotation of the upper torso portion relative to the lower seat portion, the upper torso portion including at least one strap, the lower seat portion including at least one strap, at least one of the first connector and the second connector comprising a loop formed on an end of the strap of the upper torso portion and a loop formed on an end of the strap of the lower seat portion, the loop of the strap of the upper torso portion being interconnected with the loop of the strap of the lower torso portion.
15. A safety harness to be worn by a person, comprising at least a first strap and a second strap, the first strap and the second strap being connected by a cam buckle in operative connection therewith to adjust a fit of the safety harness, the can buckle comprising a base and a cam shaped locking member in moveable, operative connection with the base, the locking member comprising an abutment surface moveable into and out of contact with the first strap, the base comprises a first strap support around which the first strap passes and a second strap support around which the second straps passes, the abutment surface of the locking member being biased in connection with a first surface of the first strap over a section of the strap wherein a second, opposing surface of the first strap contacts the support member, the base being formed from a polymeric material, the base further comprising a support member of a material having a higher ultimate tensile load than the polymeric material, the support member having an opening therein through which the first strap passes and through which the second strap passes.
16. A full body safety harness to be worn by a person, comprising: an upper torso portion and a lower seat portion, the upper torso portion being operatively connected to the lower seat portion by a first connector on a first lateral side and a second connector on a second lateral side thereof, the first connector and the second connector enabling forward and rearward rotation of the upper torso portion relative to the lower seat portion, the first connector comprising at least one shaft and the second connector comprising at least one shaft, at least one of the upper torso portion and the lower seat portion being rotatably connected to the shaft of the first connector and at least one of the upper torso portion and the lower torso portion being rotatably connected to the shaft of the second connector.
17. An accessory attachment system for use in connection with worn articles comprising a strap or a belt, the accessory attachment system comprising: a connector having a channel therein through which the strap or belt can pass and an attachment member attached to the connector.
18. A full body safety harness system comprising an accessory attachment system for use in connection with a strap of the safety harness system or a belt worn in connection with the safety harness system, the accessory attachment system comprising: a connector having a channel therein through which the strap or the belt can pass and an attachment member attached to the connector.
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 20, 2005
Publication Date: May 18, 2006
Inventors: Tracy Lang (Mercer, PA), John Frey (Franklin, PA), Preston Anderson (Cranberry, PA)
Application Number: 11/231,020
International Classification: E04G 3/28 (20060101);
