Strap for a ventrally attached leash

Description

Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to a roping harness. State of the art

[0002] In many activities such as mountaineering, climbing and working at heights, it is common to use a roping harness. The roping harness has a ventral suspension point that is easily accessible to the user and allows the user to suspend while allowing them to act on their suspension. It is particularly advantageous to use its ventral suspension point in combination with a descender as well as a rope ascent device. It is therefore necessary to have a very versatile ventral suspension point without being very bulky.

[0003] It is known from document US2017 / 0291046 and document US 2018 / 0345053 to form a ventral point formed by two rings which are mounted to rotate around a single rotation shaft. The rotation shaft is fixed to the belt strap so as to form a hanging point above the belt.

[0004] This configuration is interesting but it generally places the ventral suspension point facing the user's navel, which can be annoying when the user has to lean forward. It also appears that this configuration is not very pleasant during walking phases.

[0005] Another prior art harness comprising a ventral attachment point is known from EP 3 919 139 A1. Statement of the invention

[0006] An object of the invention is to provide a roping harness which is more pleasant to use, particularly during phases of position changes and / or during walking phases.

[0007] These drawbacks tend to be resolved by means of a rope harness according to the appended claims and preferably by a harness which comprises: a pair of leg loops and a belt, the leg loops of the pair of leg loops being connected by a leg loop connection; a connector holding the belt and the pair of leg loops together, the leg loop connection and the belt each passing through a first connection ring defined by the connector, the belt and the leg loop connection each being movable within the first connection ring and movable relative to each other.

[0008] The roping harness is remarkable in that: the connector has a body, a rotation shaft and a first die mounted rotatably relative to the body around the rotation shaft, the first die pivoting around a rotation axis which is parallel to a direction which passes through the first connection ring; the first die is connected to the body by means of the rotation shaft; the rotation shaft is fixedly mounted on the body.

[0009] According to one aspect of the invention, the connector defines a second connecting ring distinct from the first connecting ring, the second connecting ring housing the rotation shaft.

[0010] Preferably, the rotation shaft is mounted removably relative to the body.

[0011] Advantageously, the connector is made of a more rigid material than the belt and the leg loop connection.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the first connecting ring has an inner side face which is concave, preferably semi-circular, the inner side face is separated from the rotation shaft by an empty area of ​​the first connecting ring in a sectional view perpendicular to the axis of rotation, the inner side face defining the through hole receiving the belt and the leg loop connection.

[0013] Il It is also of interest to provide a configuration in which the first connecting ring has an internal side wall which has an arcuate shape in a sectional observation perpendicular to the axis of rotation.

[0014] Preferably, the rotation shaft passes through the center of the arc of the circle.

[0015] In an advantageous embodiment, the connector has a convex external section and preferably an arc of a circle when viewed along a section plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation.

[0016] In an advantageous configuration, the first connecting ring is non-openable.

[0017] Preferably, the first die and a second die are mounted on the rotation shaft and are each mounted to rotate around the rotation shaft.

[0018] In a particular embodiment, the connector has a body with a main part and a secondary part, the secondary part being removably mounted relative to the main part to form an openable body and allow the introduction or extraction of a tool into the first connection ring.

[0019] In another development, the connector has a body formed by two flanges and a spacer separating the two flanges, the rotation shaft connecting the two flanges and being accessible between the two flanges. Description of the drawings

[0020] Other advantages and characteristics will emerge more clearly from the following description of particular embodiments and implementations of the invention given as non-limiting examples and represented in the appended drawings, in which: there figure 1 schematically illustrates a view of a roping harness comprising a ventral suspension point according to the invention; the figure 2 schematically illustrates an enlarged view of the ventral suspension point according to the invention; the figure 3 schematically illustrates a side view of a first embodiment of a connector intended to form a ventral suspension point; the figure 4schematically illustrates a front view of the first embodiment of a connector intended to form a ventral suspension point; the Figure 5 schematically illustrates an exploded view of the first embodiment of a connector intended to form a ventral suspension point; the figure 6 schematically illustrates a perspective view of the first embodiment of a connector intended to form a ventral suspension point; the Figures 7A and 7B schematically illustrates a sectional view and a perspective view of the connector body according to the first embodiment; figure 8 schematically illustrates a side view of a second embodiment of a connector intended to form a ventral suspension point; the figure 9 schematically illustrates a front view of the second embodiment of a connector intended to form a ventral suspension point; the figure 10schematically illustrates an exploded view of the second embodiment of a connector intended to form a ventral suspension point; the figure 11 schematically illustrates a perspective view of the second embodiment of a connector intended to form a ventral suspension point. Detailed description

[0021] THE Figures 1 and 2illustrate a roping harness 1 comprising an improved ventral suspension point. The harness 1 comprises a belt 2 and a pair of leg loops 3 connected to each other by a leg loop connection 4, for example in the form of a strap or a rope. The belt 2 is intended to go around the user's waist. The two leg loops 3 each go around one thigh and they are mechanically connected to each other by the leg loop connection 4 which defines a maximum spacing between the leg loops 3. Depending on the configurations, the leg loops 3 may or may not be openable, i.e. have or lack a device for opening and closing the leg loop 3. It is also possible for the leg loops 3 to be adjustable in their circumference or to have a fixed circumference, i.e. non-adjustable.

[0022] Harness 1 is a roping harness, i.e. a harness configured to support a user suspended by means of the harness. Harness 1 can be a harness for mountaineering, for working at height, for tree pruning or even for canyoning.

[0023] Depending on the embodiments, the harness 1 may have or be without shoulder straps 5. In the particular embodiment illustrated in figure 1 , the harness 1 has shoulder straps 5. The harness 1 may have removable shoulder straps 5 or non-removable shoulder straps 5. In some embodiments, the shoulder straps 5 are attached directly to the belt 2 and in other embodiments, the shoulder straps 5 are attached indirectly to the belt 2, that is to say that the mechanical connection between the shoulder straps 5 and the belt 2 is made by means of an intermediate element.

[0024] The harness 1 has a ventral suspension point which allows the mechanical connection to be made between a mooring point and the rest of the harness 1 when the user is suspended in the harness 1. More precisely, the ventral suspension point is formed by a connector 6 which makes the mechanical connection between the belt 2 and the two leg loops 3.

[0025] In one embodiment, the harness 1 may be devoid of means for opening / closing the belt 2, the harness 1 only has a means for adjusting the circumference of the belt 2. If the harness 1 comprises means for opening / closing the belt 2, for example with metal buckles or snap-on systems, the ventral suspension point is separate from the means for opening / closing the belt 2.

[0026] The harness 1 comprises a connector 6 which defines a first fixing ring 7, i.e. a first through-hole. As illustrated in the various figures, the through-hole may have any shape, preferably substantially circular or arc-shaped. In a preferred embodiment, the section plane which allows the annular configuration of the connector 6 with the first through-hole to be observed is the median sagittal plane of the user wearing the harness.

[0027] The leg loop connection 4 and the belt 2 each pass through the first connection ring 7. The belt 2 and the leg loop connection 4 are each movable within the first connection ring 7 and they are movable relative to each other. The first connection ring 7 allows the belt 2 to be mobile relative to the connector 6 and relative to the leg loop connection 4, which makes it possible to better adapt the harness 1 to the walking phases. This also makes it possible to move the connector 6 to better adapt to the position of the user suspended in his harness. The user can be more or less folded over, for example to intervene in a confined space. The belt 2 and the leg loop connection 4 extend in a direction perpendicular to the section plane.

[0028] The connector 6 has a body 8, a rotation shaft 9 and a first die 10. The first die 10 is mounted to rotate relative to the body 8 around the rotation shaft 9. The first die 10 pivots around an axis of rotation which is parallel to a direction which passes through the first connection ring 7 in the through hole which receives the belt 3 and the leg loop connection 4. The first die 10 is intended to rotate around an axis of rotation which is preferably perpendicular to the median sagittal plane of the user wearing the harness. The rotation shaft 9 defines the axis of rotation of the first die 10. As illustrated in the various figures, the first die 10 is attached to the rotation shaft 9 by means of a first attachment point and a second attachment point which are separated by the body 8. The rotation shaft 9 passes through the body 8.The first die is a "connecting die," that is, a connecting element that has a general shape substantially in the form of a "D."

[0029] The connector 6 has a rotation shaft 9 which defines an axis of rotation for the first die 10. The axis of rotation defined by the rotation shaft 9 is preferably the longitudinal axis of the rotation shaft 9, that is to say the axis representing the largest dimension of the rotation shaft 9.

[0030] The first die 10 is intended to be connected to the anchor point. In other words, the first die 10 is attached to the anchor point to ensure the suspension of the rest of the harness 1. The anchor point may be a rope, a lanyard, a point on a wall or any other element suitable for suspending the user. When the user moves, for example he folds up or on the contrary he relaxes, the belt 2 is able to move relative to the leg loop connection 4 inside the first connection ring 7. The belt 2 and the leg loop connection 4 are also able to move relative to the body 8 of the connector 6. The rotation shaft 9 which makes the mechanical connection between the body 8 and the first die 10 does not move or moves little which avoids having a ventral suspension point which moves in a significant way when the user straightens up or leans forward for example.

[0031] The first die 10 is connected to the body 8 by means of the rotation shaft 9 which allows the first die 10 to pivot around the rotation shaft 9 in order to follow the movement of the user's center of gravity and / or the movements between the belt 2 and the leg loop connection 4 without introducing a parasitic movement of the rest of the connector 6 and in particular of the body 8.

[0032] The rotation shaft 9 is fixed to the body 8 so as to have a fixed position. Depending on the configurations, the rotation shaft 9 can be mounted stationary relative to the body 8 or it can be mounted rotatably about an axis of rotation which passes through the rotation shaft 9 which is preferably the axis of rotation of the first die 10.

[0033] Preferably, the connector 6 defines a second connection ring 11 distinct from the first connection ring 7. The second connection ring 11 houses the rotation shaft 9. The rotation shaft can rotate inside the second connection ring 11. Preferably, the external face of the first connection ring is convex, that is to say devoid of a concave zone.

[0034] In a particular embodiment, the rotation shaft 9 is removably mounted relative to the body 8. The removable mounting of the rotation shaft allows greater freedom in the use of the first die 10 and in the mounting of the various tools on the connector 6. The first die 10 is removably mounted relative to the body 8. Preferably, the first die 10 is removably mounted relative to the body 8 without modifying the first connection ring 7. The mounting and dismounting of the first die 10 can be carried out while retaining the mechanical connection between the belt 2 and the leg loop connection 4, which is a gain for the safety of the user.

[0035] Particularly advantageously, the connector 6 is made of a more rigid material than the belt 2 and the leg loop connection 4. The connector 6 is preferably made of a metallic material or an assembly of a metallic material and another material, for example a plastic material or even a composite material. The connector 6 is preferably a non-deformable connector, that is to say one whose deformation is zero or negligible when the user hangs in the harness.

[0036] IlIt is preferable that, under stress, the connector 6 retains its shape and more particularly in the area which defines the shape of the first connection ring 7. Preferably, the external wall of the connector 6 intended to come to bear on the abdomen of the user is curved, the curvature being observed according to a median sagittal section plane of the user when the harness is worn. The curvature of the external face of the connector 6 allows the connector 6 to rotate against the abdomen without forming a hard point. It is possible to form a connector 6 whose external wall is an arc of a circle as illustrated in the figures 3 , 4, 5, 6 And 7 . It is also possible to form a curved external wall which is not a true circular arc as illustrated in figures 8 to 11 The outer wall is convex.

[0037] In a preferred embodiment illustrated in the various figures, the first connecting ring 7 has an inner lateral face which is concave, preferably semi-circular. The inner lateral face is separated from the rotation shaft 9 by an empty area of ​​the first connecting ring in a sectional observation perpendicular to the axis of rotation. The concave lateral face is the face on which the belt 2 and the connection of the leg loops 4 slide when they move under constraint in the first connecting ring 7. The concave inner lateral face is the face closest to the abdomen of the user and it delimits the through hole receiving the belt 2 and the connection of leg loops 4.When the user folds or relaxes this moves the belt 2 relative to the leg loop connection 4, the latter can move in the first connection ring 7 which has a shape favorable to such movement which avoids the formation of a hard point.

[0038] In the illustrated embodiments, the side wall of the first connecting ring 7 is a circular arc, which facilitates movement. It is even more advantageous if the rotation shaft 9 passes through the center of the circular arc.

[0039] In the configuration illustrated in figures 3 to 6 , 7A and 7B, the body 8 is made in two parts with a main part 8a and a secondary part 8b. The secondary part 8b is mounted removably relative to the main part 8a so as to make the first connection ring 7 openable. It is advantageous to form a first connection ring 7 openable so as to be able to mount a tool as close as possible to the axis of rotation so that the transfer of the suspension forces between the first die and the tool does not cause too great a modification of the position of the rotation shaft 9 and therefore an imbalance of the user.

[0040] The secondary part 8b may be fixed to the main part 8a by any suitable means, for example by means of one or more screws 8c or any other fixing element 8c.

[0041] In the embodiment illustrated in figures 8 to 11, the first connecting ring 7 is non-openable. Each flange 12 has a through hole intended to receive the belt 2 and the leg loop connection 4. The two through holes face each other to define the first connecting ring 7. It is also advantageous to separate the two flanges 12 by means of a spacer 13 and to connect the two flanges 12 by the rotation shaft 9. The spacer 13 and the rotation shaft 9 are separated from each other by a space which makes it possible to functionalize the portion of the rotation shaft 9 which is located between the two flanges 12. It is possible to install a tool there, for example a lanyard. In this way, the tool is directly attached to the rotation shaft 9. The spacing between the rotation shaft 9 and the spacer allows the installation of a tool around the rotation shaft 9 without hindering the movement of the belt 3 and the leg loop connection 4 in the first connection ring 7.

[0042] In the embodiment illustrated in figures 8 to 11 , the body 8 of the connector 6 is formed by two flanges 12 separated by a spacer 13. The two flanges 12 are fixed to each other by fixing means 14, for example bolts, screws, rivets.

[0043] It is advantageous to provide that each of the flanges 12 also has a through hole 12a intended to receive the rotation shaft 9 so that the rotation shaft 9 can be mounted removably relative to the body 8 and that the rotation shaft 9 is also mounted movable in rotation relative to the body 8.

[0044] Particularly advantageously, the connector 6 is provided with a second die 15. The second die 15 is rotatably mounted around the rotation shaft 9. By using a second die 15 rotatably around the rotation shaft 9, it is possible to attach a second tool, for example a rope blocker. During use, the user hangs by means of the tool attached to the first die or by means of the tool attached to the second die 15. The tilting of the load from one tool to another does not cause the attachment point to move relative to the user's center of gravity because the tools rotate around the same rotation shaft 9. The second die is a "connecting die", i.e. a connecting element which has a general shape substantially in the form of a "D". The dice are preferably metal dice.

[0045] It is particularly advantageous to provide a harness which has shoulder straps, the front portion of which is attached to one end of a tool 16. The other end of the tool 16 is attached to the second die 15. The tool 16 is preferably a rope blocker, for example a Croll ® type blocker.

[0046] It is even more advantageous if the point of convergence between the front portions of the straps 5 is provided with a third die 17 arranged above the tool 16. The tool 16 and the third die 17 can be connected by a strap 18.

[0047] In a preferred embodiment, the rotation shaft 9 is provided at each of its ends with a fixing device for a saddle 19. In the embodiment illustrated in the various figures, the fixing device for the saddle 19 is formed by two through holes located at the opposite ends of the rotation shaft 9.

[0048] It is then possible for the user to mount a harness and hook it into each of the through holes. During prolonged use, the user can sit on his harness and the force is applied directly into the rotation shaft 9 so that the displacement of the center of gravity of the user's use does not cause a displacement of the ventral attachment point.

[0049] In the particular embodiment illustrated in Figure 5 and to the figure 10 , the rotation shaft 9 is provided with an annular groove 20 which goes around the rotation shaft 9 around the axis of rotation of the first die 10. The annular groove 20 cooperates with a fixing screw 21 so as to fix the first die 10 on the rotation shaft 9 while allowing its rotation relative to the rotation shaft 9. The fixing screw 21 can be replaced by any suitable means, for example a nut or a rivet.

Claims

1. Roping harness (1) comprising: - a pair of leg loops (3) and a belt (2), the leg loops (3) of the pair of leg loops (3) being connected by a leg loop connection (4); - a connector (6) having a body (8, 8a, 8b), a shaft (9) and a first connecting member (10); wherein the body (8, 8a, 8b) defines a first through hole and the belt (2) passes through the body (8, 8a, 8b) via the first through hole; wherein the body (8, 8a, 8b) defines a housing for the shaft (9); wherein the first connecting member (10) is connected to the body (8, 8a, 8b) by means of the rotation shaft (9); wherein the leg loop connection (4) and the belt (2) both pass through the first through hole, the body (8) keeping the belt (2) and the pair of leg loops (3) together, the belt (2) and the leg loop connection (4) both being movable inside the first through hole and movable with respect to one another; roping harness (1) characterised in that: - the shaft (9) is a rotation shaft and the first connecting member (10) is mounted rotatable with respect to the body (8, 8a, 8b) around the rotation shaft; - the first connecting member (10) is fixed to the shaft (9) by a first attachment point and a second attachment point separated by the body (8), the first connecting member (10) being mounted pivoting around an axis of rotation that is parallel to a direction passing through the first through hole.

2. Roping harness (1) according to claim 1 wherein the shaft (9) is mounted removable with respect to the body (8).

3. Roping harness (1) according to one of claims 1 and 2 wherein the connector (6) is made from a material that is more rigid than the belt (2) and the leg loop connection (4).

4. Roping harness (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the body (8, 8a, 8b) has an inner lateral surface delineating the first through hole, the inner lateral surface having a concave shape from the housing of the shaft (9), preferably semicircular, the inner lateral surface is separated from the shaft (9) by an empty area of the first through hole in a cross-sectional observation perpendicularly to the axis of rotation.

5. Roping harness (1) according to claim 4 wherein the first through hole presents the shape of an arc of a circle in a cross-sectional observation perpendicularly to the axis of rotation.

6. Roping harness (1) according to claim 5 wherein the shaft (9) passes through the centre of the arc of a circle.

7. Roping harness (1) according to one of claims 5 and 6 wherein the connector (6) has a convex external cross-section and preferentially in the shape of an arc of a circle in an observation along a sectional plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation.

8. Roping harness (1) according to any of the preceding claims wherein the first connecting member (10) and a second connecting member (15) are fitted on the shaft (9) and are each mounted rotatable around the shaft (9).

9. Roping harness (1) according to any of the preceding claims wherein the body (8) is non-openable for accessing the first through hole.

10. Roping harness (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein the connector (6) has a body (8) with a main part (8a) and a secondary part (8b), the secondary part (8b) being mounted removable with respect to the main part (8a) to form an openable body (8) and enable a tool to be inserted in and extracted from the first through hole.

11. Roping harness (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein the connector (6) has a body (8) formed by two flanges (12) and a spacer (13) separating the two flanges (12), the shaft (9) connecting the two flanges (12) and being accessible between the two flanges (12).