Safety belt for fall protection system

Abstract

A safety belt (100) for a fall protection system includes a number of user-activated features structurally designed to be activated by a user's action, and a locking system (106) including a fall indication suture (148) structurally torn upon occurrence of a fall wherein an element of a selected user-activated feature is connected to the fall indication suture (148), thus, the selected user-enabled feature cannot be activated by the action of the user before the anti-drop indication suture is torn.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63 / 332,420, filed on April 19, 2022, entitled “Safety Belt for Fall Protection System,” the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The disclosed concepts relate generally to fall protection systems and, more particularly, to safety harnesses for use in fall protection systems. Background Art

[0004] In a fall protection system, workers typically wear a safety harness. Some types of safety harnesses include an attachment point, such as a D-ring, typically located on the back of the user and connected to a lifeline in the fall protection system. There are various challenges regarding the strength, safety, and ease of use of safety harnesses in fall protection systems. There is still room for improvement in the strength, safety, and ease of use of safety harnesses. Summary of the invention

[0005] According to one aspect of the disclosed concept, a safety harness for a fall protection system includes: a plurality of user-activated features that are structurally designed to be activated by the action of a user; and a locking system that includes a fall indication stitching that is structurally designed to tear upon a fall, wherein elements of selected user-activated features enter into the fall indication stitching such that the selected user-activated features cannot be activated by the action of the user prior to the tearing of the fall indication stitching.

[0006] According to one aspect of the disclosed concept, a safety belt for a fall protection system includes: a first element; a second element; a third element; and a tri-load capable hardware attachment, wherein the tri-load capable hardware attachment is structurally designed to connect the first element, the second element, and the third element, wherein the tri-load capable hardware attachment is structurally designed to be able to resist loads in three directions, wherein the tri-load capable hardware attachment includes a first webbing layer of the first element and a second webbing layer of the first element, wherein the first webbing layer passes through an opening of the second element and an opening of the third element to form a loop, and the second webbing layer passes through an opening of the second element and an opening of the third element for a first time and passes through an opening of the second element for a second time to form a loop.

[0007] According to one aspect of the disclosed concept, a safety belt for a fall protection system includes: a torso belt composed of multiple layers of webbing; and a chest belt composed of at least one layer of webbing among the multiple layers of webbing of the torso belt, the at least one layer of webbing being folded and arranged perpendicularly relative to the remaining multiple layers of webbing of the torso belt, wherein the at least one layer of webbing among the multiple layers of webbing of the torso belt is folded at approximately 45 degrees relative to the remaining multiple layers of webbing of the torso belt. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] The disclosed concepts may be fully understood by reading the following description of the preferred embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0009] Figure 1 is a view of a back side of a portion of a safety belt according to an example embodiment of the disclosed concept;

[0010] Figure 2 After removing the protective cover Figure 1 view of the seat belt shown;

[0011] Figure 3-5 is a view of a chest strap of a safety harness according to an example embodiment of the disclosed concept;

[0012] Figure 6 is a more complete view of a safety belt according to an example embodiment of the disclosed concept;

[0013] Fig. 7A -C is a diagram of a torso strap and leg loop connection of a safety harness according to an example embodiment of the disclosed concept;

[0014] Figure 8 is a view of a draw cord of a safety belt according to an example embodiment of the disclosed concept;

[0015] Fig. 9A - B is a diagram of a locking system for a seat belt according to an example embodiment of the disclosed concept;

[0016] Fig. 10A - B is an additional view of a locking system for a seat belt according to an example embodiment of the disclosed concept;

[0017] Fig.11A - B is a view of a torn seam of a safety belt according to an example embodiment of the disclosed concept;

[0018] Fig. 12A -C is a diagram of a triple connection point tether of a safety belt according to an example embodiment of the disclosed concept. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] Directional phrases used herein, such as left, right, front, rear, up, down and their derivatives, refer to the orientation of elements shown in the Figures and do not limit the claims unless explicitly stated in the claims.

[0020] As used herein, the statement that “two or more components are 'coupled' together” means that the components are connected directly or connected through one or more intermediate components.

[0021] Figure 1-12C Various views of a seat belt 100 and portions of the seat belt 100 are included according to example embodiments of the disclosed concepts. Figure 1 is a back view of a portion of the safety belt 100, Figure 2 is a view of the seat belt 100 with the protective cover removed. Figure 3-5 is a view of the chest strap 102 of the improved safety harness 100 . Figure 6 is an illustration of a safety belt 100 including a three-load capacity hardware connection 128 . Fig. 7A -C is a view of the torso strap and leg loop connection of the safety belt 100 and shows the three load capacity hardware connection device 128. Figure 8 is a view of the drawstring 102 of the safety belt 10 . Fig. 9A -B and Fig. 10A -B is a view of the locking system 106 of the safety belt 100 . Fig.11A - B is a view of the directional tear feature 108 of the safety belt 100. Fig. 12A - C is a view of the triple connection point tether 108 of the safety belt 100.

[0022] The safety belt 100 includes a switch point feature that allows the user to reposition the connection point from the back to the front of the safety belt after a fall to improve the user's comfort and enable the user to rescue themselves. The safety belt 100 includes several features that improve the strength, safety and ease of use of the safety belt 100. According to an example embodiment of the disclosed concept, the safety belt 100 provides one or more of an improved chest strap 102, a three-load capacity hardware connection device 128, a draw cord 104 designed to interact with the safety belt system, a locking system 106 built into the safety belt fall indication switch, a directional tear feature 108 and a triple connection point tether 110. Various aspects of these features will be described in more detail herein.

[0023] According to some example embodiments of the disclosed concepts, a safety harness 100 includes an improved chest strap 102. The chest strap (the strap that runs across the upper chest) on a fall protection safety harness is typically a separate strap that is connected to the torso strap (the vertical strap on the front of the body). In the safety harness 100 according to some example embodiments of the disclosed concepts, the improved chest strap 102 is created by folding the torso strap to form a right angle. Current chest straps are typically manufactured with a loop at one end that captures the torso strap and allows the chest strap to slide. When a chest strap is used for sternal fall arrest, additional webbing and stitching are required to maintain its position during a fall. In the safety harness 100 according to some example embodiments of the disclosed concepts, the improved chest strap 102 is created by folding the torso strap to redirect it 90 degrees. Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 The creation sequence of the improved chest strap 102 is shown. Figure 3 In the embodiment of the present invention, the chest strap 120 is formed by folding one or more webbing layers of the vertical torso strap at an angle of approximately 45 degrees relative to the remaining webbing layers of the torso strap. The completed fold is as shown in FIG. Figure 4 As shown. Figure 4 As shown, the upper edge of the chest strap 120 created by one or more webbing layers of the torso strap is perpendicular (at a 90 degree angle) to the vertical portion of the torso strap, and the chest strap 120 extends vertically relative to the torso strap. Buckle 122 is also connected to the chest strap 120 by passing the chest strap 120 through the buckle 122. Figure 5 , the complete modified chest strap 102 is shown. The storage ring 124 can also be Figure 5 Connections shown. Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 6 Additional views of the improved chest strap 102 are shown. The improved chest strap 102 allows the chest strap adjustment hardware to be adjusted to a shorter length because the separate chest strap stitching is removed. This allows the user to feel more secure in the harness 100 and reduces unwanted movement / stretching in the harness 100 when using the sternum connection for climbing (or other uses).

[0024] According to some example embodiments of the disclosed concepts, the safety belt 100 includes a three-load capacity hardware connection device 128. Fixed safety belt hardware is usually connected to the safety belt by passing one end of the webbing through the hardware's anchor point and sewing the webbing end back to itself. Example embodiments of the disclosed concepts introduce additional webbing into the connection to provide a favorable load when a load in a third direction is introduced. This is achieved by redirecting the forces applied by the load in the third direction using the three-load capacity hardware connection device 128. The additional webbing uses the friction generated by the first two load directions to resist the forces of the third load that may damage the anchoring sutures. Typical three-load safety belt components require round webbing loops or additional external webbing to reduce peeling forces on the sutures. Example embodiments of the disclosed concepts pack the webbing inside and generate significant internal friction to reduce peeling forces on the sutures.

[0025] The three-load capacity hardware connection device 128 includes a first element having first and second webbing layers, a second element having an opening, and a third element having an opening. The three-load capacity hardware connection device is structurally designed to connect the first element, the second element, and the third element, and is structurally designed to resist loads in three directions. The first webbing layer of the first element passes through the opening of the second element and the opening of the third element to form a loop, and the second webbing layer of the first element passes through the opening of the second element and the opening of the third element for the first time to form a loop, and then passes through the opening of the second element for the second time to return to form a loop. The additional loop uses the friction generated by the first two load directions to resist the force of the third load that may damage the anchor suture.

[0026] The three-load capacity hardware connection 128 can be used at any connection point where three-way loading is applicable. In one exemplary embodiment, the three-load capacity hardware connection 128 is used at the location where the torso strap connects to the leg loops. Figure 6 An example of a triple load capacity hardware connection 128 is shown where the torso strap connects to the leg loops. Figures 7A-7C Another view of a three-load capacity hardware connection device 128 is provided in an exemplary embodiment. In this exemplary embodiment, the torso strap 126 is used as a first component, the buckle 130 is used as a second component, and the leg loop 132 is used as a third component. Fig. 7A As shown, the three-load capacity hardware connection device 128 is located at the connection between the torso belt 126 and the leg loop 132. Figure 7B As shown, an additional loop of the torso strap 126 captures the leg loop 132. The buckle 130 is also connected to connect to a corresponding buckle 130 elsewhere on the safety belt 100. In particular, the triple load capacity hardware connection 128 is formed by looping one layer of webbing of the torso strap 126 through the buckle 130 and the leg loop 132, and looping another layer of webbing of the torso strap 126 through the buckle 130 and the leg loop 132 for the first time, and then looping back through the buckle 130 for a second time. Figure 7C The completed three-load capacity hardware connection 128 is shown. The three-load capacity hardware connection 128 allows for three-way loading on the seat belt straps and the strap intersections and reduces peeling forces on the stitching. Compared to closed loops, the three-load capacity hardware connection is easier to manufacture on a CNC sewing machine and can be made in smaller sizes.

[0027] In some example embodiments, a triple load capacity hardware connection may be used at the connection between the chest strap 102, the chest strap buckle 122, and the chest strap D-ring 123. In an example embodiment of such a triple load capacity hardware connection, the first element is the chest strap 102, the second element is the chest strap buckle 122, and the third element is the chest strap D-ring 123. That is, the first webbing layer of the chest strap 102 is looped through the opening of the chest strap buckle 122 and the opening of the chest strap D-ring 123, and the second webbing layer of the chest strap 102 is looped through the opening of the chest strap buckle 122 and the opening of the chest strap D-ring 123, and then looped back through the opening of the chest strap buckle 122 again. By looping back through the opening of the chest strap buckle 122, the force applied to the chest strap D-ring 123 in the third direction will cause additional friction between the webbing layers and reduce stress on any stitching.

[0028] According to some example embodiments of the disclosed concepts, the safety belt 100 includes a draw cord 104 designed to interact with the safety belt 100. The draw cord 104 has features that do not have open loops that could accidentally get caught on an object, but can be intentionally engaged. The draw cord 104 can be pulled to interact with the safety belt 100, or extended to expose more active features to make it easier to apply force. The draw cord 104 is used to deploy user-activated features of the safety belt 100. In some example embodiments of the disclosed concepts, the draw cord 104 is used to deploy a switch point feature that allows the connection point to be moved from the back to the front of the safety belt 100. Figure 8An example of a draw cord 104 is shown. The draw cord 104 includes a draw cord first end 140 that is accessible to the user and is located at a lower point of the harness 100 and extends through the harness webbing through a draw cord redirection attachment 146 that is connected to a fall indication stitching 148 located at a central portion of the harness 100. At the draw cord redirection attachment 146, the draw cord 104 is redirected downward and extends through a release loop 142. The draw cord 104 continues to extend through the release loop 142 to a draw cord second end sewn to the leg strap of the harness. The purpose of the draw cord 104 is to allow the user to pull the release loop 142 through the draw cord 104 after a fall occurs. During a fall, the fall indication stitching 148 tears and releases the draw cord redirection attachment 146. This allows the draw cord first end 140 to be pulled downward until the middle portion of the draw cord 104 engages the release loop 142. This engagement provides a 2:1 mechanical advantage, with force input at the draw cord first end 140 and force output at the release loop 142. The force applied to the release loop 142 causes the switch point feature to be deployed, such as by causing the D-ring 112 to be released from its dorsal position and moved to a forward position. However, it should be understood that the draw cord 104 can be adapted to deploy different seat belt features without departing from the scope of the disclosed concept.

[0029] According to some example embodiments of the disclosed concepts, the safety belt 100 includes a locking system 106 built into the fall indication stitching 148 of the safety belt. The safety belt 100 includes several user-activated features that are structurally designed to be activated by the action of the user. In an example embodiment, the user-activated feature is a switch point feature activated by the draw cord 104. However, it should be understood that other user-activated features can also be used in the safety belt 100. The locking system 106 is used to prevent the selected user-activated feature from being activated before a fall. For example, the elements of the selected user-activated feature are connected (e.g., sewn) to the fall indication stitching 148, so that the selected user-activated feature cannot be activated by the action of the user before the fall indication stitching is torn by the fall. Any system sewn in the fall indication stitching 148 cannot be engaged before the fall indication stitching 148 breaks.

[0030] In one exemplary embodiment of the disclosed concept, the selected user-initiated feature is a toggle point feature activated by the draw cord 104. In this exemplary embodiment, the draw cord redirection attachment 146 is an element attached to the fall indication stitching 148. Fig. 9A -B and Fig. 10A -B shows in more detail this example embodiment of the locking system 106 for the draw cord 104. In this case, the locking system 106 prevents the draw cord 104 from being used to deploy the switch point feature prior to a fall and before the fall indicating stitching 148 tears. Fig. 9A-B illustrates the pre-fall locking system 106 , wherein the fall indicating stitching 148 prevents operation of the draw cord 104 by securing the draw cord redirecting attachment 146 . Fig. 10A -B shows the locking system 106 after a fall, where the fall indication stitching 148 has been torn, the draw cord redirection attachment 146 is released, and the draw cord 104 can be used to deploy the switch point feature. The locking system 106 consists of the fall indication stitching 148, which is torn apart by the force of the fall. Once the stitching is torn, the draw cord 104 can be pulled freely and engage the release ring 144. Figure 2 Additional views of the locking system 106 are shown. The locking system 106 locks engagement of a user-activated seat belt feature prior to a fall at minimal cost. While the example embodiment is shown with respect to a switch point feature, it should be understood that the locking system 106 may be used with other user-activated seat belt features without departing from the scope of the disclosed concept.

[0031] According to some exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the safety belt 100 includes a directional tear feature 108. The directional tear feature 108 uses a stitch pattern and thread size to maintain the position of the integrated features under normal use loads, but will tear when body weight is applied in the appropriate direction. The directional tear feature 108 combines a load-bearing anchor to maintain the position of the integrated system with a tear stitch that tears directionally at forces less than body weight. Other safety belts do not have stitches designed to tear at such low forces. Fig.11A -B shows the directional tear feature 108 in more detail. The directional tear feature 108 includes a tear seam that connects the tether 110 to the belt of the safety belt 100. A D-ring 112 is connected to the end of the tether 110. When the D-ring 112 is pulled downward (see Fig. 11B ), the tear stitching resists tearing, but when the user pulls on the draw cord 104 to release the anchor strap 150 and pulls upward (see Fig. 11B ), the tear seam will tear. When the user pulls the draw cord 104 to deploy the switch point feature, the tether 110 will move upward during the transition of the D-ring 112 from the back to the front of the safety belt 100 (see Fig. 11B ). This is also the direction that allows the tear stitch to tear and release the tether 110 from its position sewn to the webbing of the safety belt 100. Thus, the directional tear feature 108 will hold the tether 110 against the webbing of the safety belt 100 prior to the deployment of the switch point feature and allow the tether 110 to tear from the webbing of the safety belt 100 after the deployment of the switch point feature. Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 6 Additional views showing directional tear feature 108. Directional tear feature 108 holds the system in place in a clean and tamper-proof manner. Under the right conditions, it tears at low forces (body weight).

[0032] According to some exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the safety belt 100 includes a triple connection point tether 110. The triple connection point tether 110 allows the tether to have three connection points, while standard tethers only have two connection points. Any combination of two different connection points can be safely used. The triple connection point tether 110 uses a single strap and two load-bearing stitch patterns, as is sometimes used in tethers, but combines the ability to connect to multiple items at one end and securely load any combination of connections. Fig. 12A -C includes an illustration of a triple connection point tether 110 used on a safety harness 100 in some exemplary embodiments. As shown, the loops and stitching of the tether webbing form three different locations 152, 154, 156 for applying loads. The first location 152 is at the D-ring 112. The second location 154 is near the D-ring 112. The third location 156 is at the far end of the tether 110 and can be connected to a Figure 1 Improved chest strap 102 is shown. Triple attachment point strap 110 uses a single strap and two load bearing stitch patterns but combines the ability to attach to multiple items at one end and securely load any combination or connection.

[0033] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the safety belt provides one or more of an improved chest strap, a triple load capacity hardware connection device, a draw cord designed to interact with the safety belt system, a locking system built into the safety belt fall indication switch, a directional tear feature, and a triple connection point lanyard. It is understood that the present invention includes safety belts that have one, several, or all of these features, as well as any combination of these features.

[0034] Although the specific embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and alternatives to these details may be developed based on the teachings of the overall disclosure. Therefore, the specific arrangements disclosed are only for illustrative purposes and should not limit the scope of the present invention, which should be determined by the full scope of the appended claims and any and all equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. A safety belt (100) for a fall protection system, comprising: Several user-initiated features that are structurally designed to be activated by user action; as well as A locking system (106) comprising a fall-indicating suture (148) structurally designed to tear in response to a fall, Wherein an element of the selected user-initiated feature is connected to the fall indicating stitching such that the selected user-initiated feature cannot be activated by an action of the user until the fall indicating stitching is torn.

2. The safety belt (100) according to claim 1, further comprising: A pull cord (104) is structurally configured to activate one of the user-activated features.

3. The safety belt (100) of claim 2, wherein said one of said user-activated features is a switch point feature that allows the attachment point of the safety belt to be moved from the back to the front.

4. The safety belt (100) of claim 2, wherein said one of said user-activated features is said selected user-activated feature.

5. The safety belt (100) of claim 4, wherein the draw cord (104) includes a first draw cord end (140) accessible to a user, and wherein the draw cord (104) extends through a release loop (142) structurally designed to activate the user-initiated feature.

6. The safety harness (100) of claim 5, wherein the element of the user-activated feature is a draw cord redirection attachment (146) connected to a fall indication stitching (148), and the draw cord (104) extends from a first draw cord end (140) through a release loop (142) and the draw cord redirection attachment (146) to a draw cord second end connected to the safety harness, wherein the draw cord redirection attachment (146) and the fall indication stitching (148) prevent the draw cord (104) from engaging the release loop (142) when the fall indication stitching is intact, and wherein the draw cord redirection attachment (146) and the fall indication stitching (148) release after a fall and allow the draw cord (104) to engage the release loop (142).

7. The safety belt (100) according to claim 1, further comprising: A directional tear feature (108) includes a directionally sensitive seam that is structurally designed to resist tearing in a first direction and to be susceptible to tearing in a second direction.

8. The safety belt (100) according to claim 1, further comprising: A lanyard (110) consisting of a single strap having three attachment points.

9. The safety belt according to claim 8, further comprising: a directional tear feature (108) comprising a direction-sensitive stitching that is structurally designed to resist tearing in a first direction and to be susceptible to tearing in a second direction, The directional tear feature includes a direction-sensitive stitching that connects a portion of the tether (100) to the belt of the safety belt.

10. The safety belt (100) according to claim 1, further comprising: a torso strap (126) composed of multiple layers of webbing; and A chest strap (102) is formed by at least one layer of webbing among the multiple layers of webbing of the torso strap (126), wherein the at least one layer of webbing is arranged perpendicularly relative to the remaining multiple layers of webbing of the torso strap.

11. The safety belt (100) according to claim 10, further comprising: Buckle (122), The chest strap (102) passes through the buckle.

12. The safety belt (100) of claim 10, wherein the at least one layer of the multiple layers of webbing of the torso belt (126) is folded at approximately 45 degrees relative to the remaining multiple layers of webbing of the torso belt (126).

13. The safety belt (100) according to claim 1, further comprising: first element; The second element; The third element; and A three-load capacity hardware connection device (128) is structurally designed to connect a first element, a second element, and a third element, wherein the three-load capacity hardware connection device is structurally designed to resist loads in three directions.

14. The safety belt (100) according to claim 13, wherein the three-load capacity hardware connection device includes a first webbing layer of the first element and a second webbing layer of the first element, the first webbing layer passes through the opening of the second element and the opening of the third element to form a loop, the second webbing layer passes through the opening of the second element and the opening of the third element for the first time to form a loop, and passes through the opening of the second element for the second time to return to form a loop.

15. The safety belt (100) of claim 14, wherein the first element is a torso strap (126), the second element is a buckle (130), and the third element is a leg loop (132).

16. The safety belt (100) of claim 14, wherein the first element is a chest strap (102), the second element is a chest strap buckle (122), and the third element is a chest strap D-ring (132).

17. A safety belt (100) for a fall protection system, comprising: first element; The second element; The third element; and a three-load capacity hardware connection device, which is structurally designed to connect the first element, the second element and the third element, wherein the three-load capacity hardware connection device is structurally designed to resist loads in three directions, The three-load capacity hardware connection device includes a first webbing layer of the first element and a second webbing layer of the first element, the first webbing layer passes through the opening of the second element and the opening of the third element to form a loop, the second webbing layer passes through the opening of the second element and the opening of the third element for the first time to form a loop, and passes through the opening of the second element for the second time and returns to form a loop.

18. The safety belt of claim 17, wherein the first element is a torso strap (126), the second element is a buckle (130), and the third element is a leg loop (132).

19. The safety belt of claim 17, wherein the first element is a chest strap (102), the second element is a chest strap buckle (122), and the third element is a chest strap D-ring (123).

20. A safety belt (100) for a fall protection system, comprising: a torso strap (126) composed of multiple layers of webbing; and a chest strap (102) composed of at least one layer of webbing among the multiple layers of webbing of the torso strap, the at least one layer of webbing being folded and arranged perpendicularly relative to the remaining multiple layers of webbing of the torso strap (126), At least one layer of the webbing in the multiple layers of the torso belt (126) is folded at about 45 degrees relative to the remaining multiple layers of the webbing in the torso belt (126).

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