SEATBELT WITH COMPACT ADJUSTING DEVICE

Description

technical field

[0001] The invention relates to a rope harness comprising a belt and a pair of thigh bands. Previous technique

[0002] In the fields of climbing, mountaineering, ski touring, or for carrying out work at height, rope harnesses ensure the safety of people.

[0003] Typically, a rope harness consists of a waist belt and leg loops. Depending on the intended use, the waist belt and leg loops can vary in thickness to ensure user comfort. For example, a harness designed for working at heights must be particularly comfortable for extended use. Similarly, in climbing, the harness must be comfortable to prevent injury to the climber who falls while leading a route.

[0004] In mountaineering and ski touring, the harness is primarily designed for tying a rope team. The waist belt and leg loops can be thinner because they are rarely under tension. This results in a weight reduction and a more compact design, appreciated by athletes, but at the expense of comfort. Since the harness is rarely used, the aim is to minimize its weight and bulk. The weight and size of all components, especially the adjustment mechanisms, are all reduced.

[0005] To ensure proper use and, more specifically, easy fitting, it is advantageous for the waist belt and leg loops to be adjustable. This allows the harness to be put on even when the user is wearing crampons or skis. However, in winter conditions, the user often wears gloves, which can restrict dexterity. Adjusting the circumference then becomes very difficult.

[0006] The smaller the elements of the adjustment device are to reduce weight and bulk, the more difficult it is to use the circumference adjustment devices.

[0007] Document EP3549640 discloses a rope harness equipped with a waist belt or leg loop opening / closing device that also serves as an adjustment mechanism for the waist belt or leg loop. The adjustment mechanism consists of a knotted rope and a choke system configured to secure the knotted rope, thus defining the circumference of the waist belt or leg loop. Object of the invention

[0008] The invention aims to remedy these drawbacks and, in particular, to provide a harness which has a device for adjusting the circumference of the belt or at least a thigh circumference which is compact and easy to use even with gloves.

[0009] According to the invention, this objective is achieved by means of a rope harness according to the attached claims, and in particular by means of a rope harness comprising: thigh bands; a belt; and an adjustment device configured to adjust the circumference of one of the belts or one of the thigh bands, the adjustment device comprising a wire element and a connector, the connector defining at least one through hole, the wire element passing through the connector by means of the through hole.

[0010] The rope harness is remarkable in that the wire element is provided with a plurality of protruding elements arranged successively along a longitudinal direction of the wire element, two successive protruding elements being separated by a spacing zone, the spacing zone having a smaller cross-section than a cross-section of the protruding elements.

[0011] The through hole of the connector defines a first portion having a cross-section greater than a cross-section of the protruding elements to allow the wire element to slide through the connector in the longitudinal direction and a second portion having a width greater than the width of the spacing area and less than a width of the protruding elements to prevent the wire element from sliding beyond one of the protruding elements in the longitudinal direction, the second portion opening into the first portion.

[0012] The connector is attached to one end of one of the belts or leg loops. The wire element is attached to the other end of the same belt or leg loop. In the tightened position, a protruding element is positioned against the connector and is designed to be separated from the harness user by the connector.

[0013] Preferably, the wire element is a rope with a plurality of knots, the knots forming the salient elements.

[0014] According to one development of the invention, the adjustment device also forms an opening / closing device configured to define an openable belt or an openable leg loop. In the open position, the wire element is connected to the connector only by one end of the belt or one of the leg loops.

[0015] Advantageously, the connector has a movable locking bar between a locking and an unlocking position. In the locking position, the bar separates the first and second portions to lock the wire element in the second portion, and in the unlocking position, the bar allows the wire element to move between the first and second portions.

[0016] Preferably, the connector has a first attachment point on one of the belt or thigh straps. The second portion is located a distance from an external lateral wall of the connector by a first value in a direction connecting the first attachment point and the second portion. The distance between two protruding elements is at least greater than the sum of the connector thickness and the first value, preferably at least twice that amount.

[0017] The invention also relates to a method for adjusting a belt or a thigh band of a harness that is easy to implement with a compact adjustment device.

[0018] According to the invention, this goal is achieved by a method of using a rope harness comprising the following steps: provide a rope harness according to one of the previous configurations; move the wire element inside the first portion of the through hole to define the circumference of one of the waist belts or one of the leg loops; move the wire element from the first portion to the second portion to lock one of the protruding elements against the second portion and lock the circumference of one of the waist belts or one of the leg loops. Brief description of the drawings

[0019] Other advantages and features will become clearer from the following description of particular embodiments and implementations of the invention, given by way of non-limiting examples and shown in the accompanying drawings, in which: there figure 1 illustrates, schematically, a rope harness equipped with a belt and leg loops; the figure 2Figure 3 schematically illustrates a device for adjusting an openable thigh band; Figure 3 schematically illustrates a connector intended to be fixed to a belt or thigh band and intended to cooperate with a wire element. Description of the implementation methods

[0020] A 1-point harness such as the one schematically represented at the figure 1 includes a belt 2 having a waist circumference 2a associated with a circumference adjustment device 3 which is configured to adjust the circumference of the belt 2. The adjustment device 3 can also perform the function of opening / closing the belt 2 to form an openable belt.

[0021] The harness 1 also has a pair of leg loops 4, each leg loop 4 being preferably connected to the dorsal part of the belt 2 advantageously by two elastic or non-elastic straps 5. Each leg loop 4 is connected to the ventral part, for example, by a loop 6 via a central ring 7. Alternatively, each leg loop 4 is attached independently to the front part of the belt 2.

[0022] In the example of implementation illustrated in the figure 1 Each leg band 4 is associated with a circumference adjustment device 8 for the leg band 4. Each adjustment device 8 is configured to adjust the circumference of the leg band. Advantageously, each adjustment device also performs the function of an opening / closing device for the leg band 4. The opening / closing device for the leg band is configured to form an openable leg band.

[0023] As depicted in the figure 1 The adjustment device 3 is fixed in first and second positions A and B on a waist support band 2a. For example, the adjustment device 3 is fixed by sewing to both ends of the waistband 2. Advantageously, the same applies to the adjustment device 8 of a thigh circumference 4.

[0024] Adjustment device 3 is configured to adjust the circumference of the waistband 2 to allow for adjustment to the user's body size. An identical configuration is advantageously used for adjustment device 8 for the thigh circumference 4. Depending on the configuration, adjustment device 3 for the waistband 2 circumference can either open or close the waistband 2 or not. In the latter case, the waistband 2 is always closed and its circumference is adjustable. The same can be true for adjustment devices 8 for the circumference of the thighbands 4.

[0025] Harness 1 is advantageously devoid of shoulder straps in order to reduce the weight and bulk of harness 1.

[0026] In order to have a harness usable in a greater number of situations, it is advantageous to have an adjustment device 3 for the belt 2 and / or an adjustment device 8 for the leg loops 4 compared to an architecture where the belt 3 or the leg loops 4 have a fixed circumference.

[0027] It is particularly advantageous to have a simple and compact adjustment mechanism. For ease of use and compactness, it is beneficial to have fewer parts when adjusting the circumference. It is also important to have a design that ensures sufficient mechanical support for the leg circumference (4) or waistband (2). Finally, it is preferable to have an adjustment mechanism that provides a large number of accessible adjustment positions and therefore a wide range of circumference options.

[0028] In a particular configuration, the adjustment device 3 and / or the adjustment device 8 include a wire element 9 which cooperates with a connector 10 which is a perforated part defining at least one through hole 11.

[0029] The wire element 9 is provided with a plurality of projecting elements 9a arranged successively along the longitudinal direction of the wire element 9. Two successive projecting elements 9a are separated by a gap zone 9b having a smaller cross-section than the cross-section of the projecting elements 9a, i.e., a smaller overall size. The wire element 9 has a plurality of projecting elements 9a that represent a plurality of zones where the cross-section is larger than in the gap zones 9b. There is an alternation between zones with a large cross-section and zones with a small cross-section along the longitudinal axis. The cross-section is observed perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The longitudinal axis is the axis of the longest dimension of the wire element 9. The cross-section of a projecting element 9a is preferably a disk or substantially a disk. The projecting element 9a and the gap zone 9b each have a width.The cross-section of the gap zone 9b is preferably a disk or substantially a disk. When the cross-section is a disk, the gap zone 9b and the salient element 9a each have a diameter that defines the width.

[0030] The connector 10 defines a through hole 11, which can be of any shape. The through hole 11 defines two interconnected portions. The through hole 11 of the connector 10 defines a first portion 11a with a cross-section larger than the cross-section of the protruding elements 9a, allowing the wire element 9 to slide through the connector 10 in the longitudinal direction. The wire element 9 can move along its longitudinal axis within the first portion 11a to define the desired circumference value.

[0031] The through hole 11 of the connector 10 defines a second portion 11b with a width greater than the width of the gap area 9b and less than the width of the protruding elements 9a. This prevents the wire element 9 from sliding past one of the protruding elements 9a in the longitudinal direction. The second portion 11b opens into the first portion 11a to allow the wire element 9 to slide within the connector 10 between the first portion 11a and the second portion 11b. The first portion 11a is wide enough to allow the wire element 9 to slide past the protruding elements 9a, while the second portion 11b is narrow enough to allow only sliding from the gap area 9b to a protruding element 9a in the longitudinal direction, for example, between two protruding elements 9a. The widths are measured in the same direction.

[0032] The connector 10 is fixed to one end of one of the belts 2 or one of the leg loops 4. The wire element 9 is fixed to a second end of one of the belts 2 or one of the leg loops 4. The wire element 9 and the connector 10 are arranged at opposite ends of the belt 2 or the leg loop 4 for which they act in the adjustment device.

[0033] In a tightening or locking position, the wire element 9 is installed in the second portion 11b, and a protruding element 9a is positioned against the connector 10. The protruding element 9a is designed to be separated from the harness user by the connector 10. The protruding element 9a is held against the connector 10 to prevent an increase in the circumference of the waist belt or leg loop 4. During use, the waist belt 2 or leg loop 4 may be under slight tension. A force acts to press the protruding element 9a against the connector 10. The second portion 11b forms an end stop for the wire element 9; the tension in the wire element 9 holds the protruding element 9a against the connector 10, thus limiting the maximum circumference of the waist belt 2 or leg loop 4.

[0034] This solution is very compact and robust because it has a limited number of parts and allows for efficient circumference adjustment.

[0035] When forces are applied to the belt 2 or the thigh band to increase the circumference, the connector 10 is subjected to a tensile stress along the longitudinal axis of the wire element 9. One part of the wire element 9 is under tension, while the other part is at rest. These two parts of the wire element 9 are separated by the connector 10, and more specifically by the protruding element 9a, which bears against the connector 10. The protruding portion of the wire element 9 is not under tension, making it easier to grasp and adjust.

[0036] The wire element 9 can be made of textile or metal. A textile wire element is capable of withstanding significant forces while remaining lightweight. The connector 10 is preferably made of a metallic material, for example, an aluminum alloy. The material can be a standard material used for mountaineering harness buckles. This configuration allows it to withstand the displacement of a perforated part subjected to a mass of 400 kg, which can occur during a fall. The connector 10 is a simple component to manufacture, lightweight, and particularly strong.

[0037] The wire element 9 has a first end that is fixed to a first end of the belt 2 or a leg loop 4. The connector 10 is mounted to move relative to the wire element 9. The connector 10 moves along the longitudinal axis of the wire element 9. The connector 10 is not fixed to the belt 2 or the leg loop 4, which allows for greater freedom in its positioning. When the wire element 9 is located in the first portion 11a of the through hole 11, the wire element 9 can move freely along its longitudinal axis, which allows for partial adjustment of the circumference of the belt 2 or the leg loop 4. Once the desired value is reached, the wire element 9 is moved to the second portion 11b.The spacing zone 9b moves relative to the connector 10 along the longitudinal axis of the wire element 9 until a protruding element 9b comes to rest against the second portion 11b, which fixes the circumference of the belt 2 or the thigh circumference 4.

[0038] The wire element 9 can be a static wire element, i.e. with a maximum elongation rate before breakage less than or equal to 4%, a dynamic wire element with a maximum elongation rate before breakage between 4% and 20% or an elastic wire element which has a maximum elongation rate before breakage greater than 20%, the measurement being carried out at 20°C.

[0039] When the wire element 9 is an elastic element, it is advantageous for the second portion 11b to define a narrowing and a wider area as illustrated in the figure 3The narrowing separates the first portion 11a from the wider area. The narrowing has a width less than the width of the wider area. The width is measured perpendicular to the direction connecting the first portion 11 to the wider area. The width is measured perpendicular to the thickness of the connector 10 and / or perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the wire element 9 passing through the connector 10.

[0040] In a stretched position along the longitudinal direction, the gap zone 9b has a width that is less than the width of the narrowing. In a non-stretched position or with less stretch, the width of the gap zone 9b is greater than the width of the narrowing. This prevents the wire element 9 from protruding from the second portion 11b when the wire element 9 is not under tension or is under low tension. This allows for the formation of a more comfortable waistband 2 or thigh band 4. The wider area has a width greater than or equal to the width of the gap zone when the wire element 9 is not under tension or is under low tension. The width is less than the width of the protruding elements 9a to prevent the protruding element 9a from passing through.

[0041] In an adjustment position, the wire element 9 is pulled. The width of the gap area 9b is less than the width of the constriction. The gap area 9b of the wire element 9 is moved from the first portion 11a to the wider area of ​​the second portion 11b.

[0042] The tensile force applied to the wire element 9 is eliminated or reduced in intensity. The width of the gap zone 9b is greater than the width of the constriction. The gap zone 9b of the wire element 9 is confined within the second portion 11b.

[0043] It is advantageous for the wire element 9 to be a knotted wire element, that is, a wire element 9 that has been knotted to define several knots. For example, the wire element 9 is a knotted rope. The knots form the protruding elements 9a. The cross-section of the rope defines the cross-section of the gap area 9b between the knots. Preferably, the rope has a circular cross-section.

[0044] As previously mentioned, to facilitate harness installation, it is advantageous for at least one of the belt 2 and one of the leg loops 4 to be openable. It is therefore advantageous for the wire element 9 to be separable from the connector 10. In this case, the wire element 9 is connected to the connector 10 only by one of the belt 2 or one of the leg loops 4.

[0045] The belt 2 or the leg loop 4 defines a closed loop. The end of the wire element 9 attached to the belt 2 or the leg loop 4 is opposite the free end of the wire element 9. The connector 10 is attached to the wire element 9 between the two ends when the wire element 9 is positioned in the second portion 11b. When the belt 2 or the leg loop 4 is closed, the portion of the wire element 9 located between the end attached to the belt 2 or the leg loop 4 and the area passing through the second through-hole passes between the connector 10 and the user. The portion of the wire element 9 located between the end attached to the belt 2 or the leg loop 4 and the area passing through the second through-hole 10b leaves the connector 10, moving away from the first portion 10a.When the belt 2 or the leg band 4 is put under tension, the wire element 9 applies a force on the connector 10 which jams the wire element 9 in the second portion 11b which prevents a change in the circumference setting of the belt 2 or the leg band 4.

[0046] In an advantageous embodiment, the second portion 11b has a narrowing and a wider area. The width of the narrowing and the width of the wider area are less than the width of each protruding element 9a. The width is measured perpendicular to the direction connecting the first through hole and the second through hole in the plane defined by the connector 10.

[0047] It is advantageous that the wire element 9 be an elastic wire element and that the width of the shrinkage be greater than the width of the stretched wire element 9 and greater than the width of the wire element 9 at rest.

[0048] When adjusting the waistband 2 or leg loop 4, the wire element 9 moves along its longitudinal axis inside the first through hole 10a. The wire element 9 is then tensioned to stretch it, reducing the width of one or more of the spreader zones 9b. A spreader zone slides along the connector 10 from the first through hole 10a to the second through hole 10b, passing through the narrowing to reach the wider zone. The tension in the wire element 9 is then released or reduced so that the width of the spreader zone 9b is greater than the width of the narrowing. This configuration allows the waistband 2 or leg loop 4 to be closed while maintaining the adjustment without subjecting the user to continuous compression.

[0049] Preferably, the connector 10 has a first attachment point on the belt 2 or on one of the leg loops 4. The second portion 11b is located a distance of a certain value from the outer lateral wall of the connector 10 in a direction connecting the first attachment point and the second portion 11b. The distance between two consecutive protruding elements 9a is at least greater than the sum of the thickness of the connector and the first value, preferably at least twice that amount. When the belt 2 or the leg loop 4 is under tension, no protruding element 9a is located between the connector 10 and the user, thus avoiding the formation of an uncomfortable area.

[0050] The connector 10 can be attached to the belt 2 or the thigh band 4 by a second wire element 12 to form the attachment point. Preferably, the attachment point is separated from the second portion 11b by the first portion 11a.

Claims

1. Roping harness (1) comprising: - leg loops (4); - a belt (2); and - an adjustment device (3) configured to adjust the circumference of either the belt (2) or one of the leg loops (4), the adjustment device (3) comprising a wire element (9) and a connector (10), the connector (10) defining at least one through hole (11), the wire element (9) passing through the connector (10) via the through hole (11); wherein the wire element (9) is provided with a plurality of salient elements (9a) arranged successively along a longitudinal direction of the wire element (9), two successive salient elements (9a) being separated by a separating area (9b), the separating area (9b) having a smaller cross-section than a cross-section of the salient elements (9a); wherein the connector (10) is fixed to a first end of either the belt (2) or one of the leg loops (4); wherein the wire element (9) is fixed to a second end of said either the belt (2) or one of the leg loops (4); characterized in that the through hole (11) of the connector (10) defines a first portion (11a) having a larger width than a width of the salient elements (9a) to allow the wire element (9) to slide through the connector (10) in the longitudinal direction and a second portion (11b) having a width that is larger than the width of the separating area (9b) and smaller than a width of the salient elements (9a) to prevent the wire element (9) from sliding beyond one of the salient elements (9a) in the longitudinal direction, the second portion (11b) opening into the first portion (11a), the width being measured perpendicularly to a longitudinal axis of the wire element (9) passing through the connector (10); in that, in a blocking position, a salient element (9a) is located against the connector (10) and designed to be separated from a user of the roping harness by the connector (10).

2. Roping harness (1) according to claim 1 wherein the wire element (9) is a rope provided with a plurality of knots, the knots forming the salient elements (9a).

3. Roping harness (1) according to one of claims 1 and 2 wherein the adjustment device (3) also forms an opening / closing device configured to define an openable belt (2) or an openable leg loop (4) and wherein, in an open position, the wire element (9) is only connected to the connector (10) by either the belt (2) or said one of the leg loops (4).

4. Roping harness (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the connector (10) has a strip arranged movable between a blocking position and a release position; wherein, in the blocking position, the strip separates the first portion (11a) and the second portion (11b) to block the wire element (9) in the second portion (11b) and in the release position, the strip allows a movement of the wire element (9) between the first portion (11a) and the second portion (11b).

5. Roping harness (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the connector (10) has a first attachment point to said either the belt (2) or one of the leg loops (4); wherein the second portion (11b) is distant from an outer side wall of the connector (10) by a first value in a direction connecting the first attachment point and the second portion (11b); and wherein the distance between two salient elements (9a) is at least larger than the sum of a thickness of the connector (10) and the first value, preferably at least twice as great.

6. Method for using a roping harness comprising the following steps: - providing a roping harness (1) according to one of the preceding claims; - moving the wire element (9) inside the first portion (11a) of the through hole (11) to define the circumference of either the belt (2) or one of the leg loops (4); - moving the wire element (9) from the first portion (11a) to the second portion (11b) to lock one of the salient elements (9a) against the second portion (11b) and lock the circumference of either the belt (2) or one of the leg loops (4).