HARNESS WITH COMPACT ADJUSTMENT DEVICE

Abstract

COMPACT ADJUSTING HARNESS A harness adjustment device (3) (1) is configured to adjust the circumference of the waist belt (2) or a leg loop (4). A connector defines a through hole, and a wire element passes through the through hole. The wire element has protruding elements and a small spreader zone. The through hole defines a first portion with a cross-section larger than the protruding elements and a second portion with a dimension larger than the cross-section of the spreader zone and smaller than the protruding elements. The second portion terminates in the first portion. The connector is attached to one end of the waist belt (2) or leg loop (4). The wire element is attached to the other end. Figure for the abbreviation: Figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: HARNESS WITH COMPACT ADJUSTMENT DEVICE technical field

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

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

[0003] Typically, a rope harness consists of a waist belt and a pair of leg loops. Depending on the type of use, the waist belt and leg loops can be more or less thick to ensure the user's comfort. For example, a harness intended for work at height must be particularly comfortable to allow for prolonged use. In climbing, the harness must also be comfortable to avoid injuring 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 compactness appreciated by athletes, but at the expense of comfort. Since the harness is rarely used, efforts are made to limit its weight and bulk. The aim is to reduce the weight and size of all components, particularly the adjustment mechanisms.

[0005] To ensure proper use and, more specifically, ease of fitting, it is advantageous for the waist belt and leg loops to be openable. This allows the harness to be put on even when the user is wearing crampons or skis. However, in winter conditions, the user wears gloves, which hinders 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. Object of the invention

[0007] 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 one thigh circumference which is compact and easy to use including with gloves.

[0008] According to the invention, this goal is achieved by a rope harness comprising: - thigh loops; - 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.

[0009] The harness is remarkable in that the wire element is provided with a plurality of salient elements arranged successively along a longitudinal direction of the wire element, two successive salient elements being separated by a spacing zone, the spacing zone having a smaller cross-section than a cross-section of the salient elements.

[0010] 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.

[0011] The connector is attached to one end of one of the belts or leg loops. The wire element is attached to a second end of said belt or leg loop. In a tightened position, a protruding element is positioned against the connector and is intended to be separated from a harness user by the connector.

[0012] Preferably, the wire element is a rope with a plurality of knots, the knots forming the salient elements.

[0013] 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 thigh band and in which, in an open position, the wire element is only connected to the connector by one of the belt or said one of the thigh bands.

[0014] Advantageously, the connector has a movable bar mounted between a locking position 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 movement of the wire element between the first and second portions.

[0015] Preferably, the connector has a first attachment point to one of the belt or one of the thigh bands; in which the second portion is distant from an external side wall of the connector by a first value in a direction that connects the first fixing point and the second portion; and the distance between two protruding elements is at least greater than the sum of the thickness of the connector and the first value, preferably at least twice greater.

[0016] The invention also relates to a method for adjusting a belt or a leg loop of a harness that is easy to implement with a compact adjustment device.

[0017] 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 belt or one of the thigh bands; - move the wire element from the first portion to the second portion to block one of the protruding elements against the second portion and block the circumference of one of the belt or one of the thigh bands. Brief description of the drawings

[0018] 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:

[0019] [Fig-1]: [Fig.1] schematically illustrates a rope harness equipped of a belt and thigh bands;

[0020] [Fig.2]: [Fig.2] schematically illustrates a lathe adjustment device of openable thigh;

[0021] [Fig.3]: [Fig.3] schematically illustrates a connector intended to be fixed on a belt or thigh band and designed to cooperate with a wire element. Description of embodiments

[0022] A rope harness 1 such as that shown schematically in [Fig.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 an opening / closing device for the belt 2 to form an openable belt.

[0023] 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 bridge 6 via a central ring 7. Alternatively, each thigh band 4 is attached independently to the front part of the belt 2.

[0024] In the embodiment illustrated in [Fig. 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.

[0025] As shown in [Fig. 1], the adjustment device 3 is fixed in first and second positions A and B on a waistband 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 band 4.

[0026] The adjustment device 3 is configured to adjust the circumference of the waistband 2 to allow for adjustment of the circumference to the user's body size. An identical configuration is advantageously used for the adjustment device 8 for the thigh circumference 4. Depending on the configuration, the adjustment device 3 for the circumference of the waistband 2 may or may not act as an opening / closing device for the waistband 2. In the latter case, the waistband 2 is always closed and its circumference is adjustable. The same may apply to the adjustment devices 8 for the circumference of the thigh bands 4.

[0027] The harness 1 is advantageously devoid of straps in order to reduce the weight of the harness 1 and its bulk.

[0028] 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.

[0029] It is particularly advantageous to have a simple and compact adjustment device. To facilitate use and maintain a compact design, it is beneficial to have fewer parts when adjusting the circumference. It is also important to have a configuration that ensures sufficient mechanical support for the leg circumference 4 or the waistband 2. Finally, it is preferable to have an adjustment device that provides a large number of accessible adjustment positions and therefore a large number of circumferences available.

[0030] In a particular configuration, the adjustment device 3 and / or the adjustment device 8 comprise a wire element 9 which cooperates with a connector 10 which is a perforated part defining at least one through hole 11.

[0031] The wire element 9 is provided with a plurality of protruding elements 9a arranged successively along the longitudinal direction of the wire element 9. Two protruding elements The successive 9a are separated by a gap zone 9b having a smaller cross-section than the salient elements 9a. The wire element 9 has a plurality of salient elements 9a, which 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 largest dimension of the wire element 9. The cross-section of a salient element 9a is preferably a disk or substantially a disk. The cross-section of the gap zone 9b is preferably a disk or substantially a disk.

[0032] 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 1la having a cross-section greater than a cross-section of the protruding elements 9a to allow 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 lia to define the desired circumference value.

[0033] The through hole 11 of the connector 10 defines a second portion 11b having a width greater than the width of the gap area 9b and less than the width of the protruding elements 9a to prevent the wire element 9 from sliding beyond one of the protruding elements 9a in the longitudinal direction. The second portion 11b opens into the first portion 1la to allow the wire element 9 to slide inside the connector 10 between the first portion 1la and the second portion 11b. The first portion 1la is wide enough to allow the wire element 9 to slide including the protruding elements 9a, while the second portion 11b is narrow enough to allow only the gap area 9b to slide to a protruding element 9a in the longitudinal direction, for example, between two protruding elements 9a.

[0034] The connector 10 is fixed to a first end of one of the belt 2 or one of the thigh bands 4. The wire element 9 is fixed to a second end of one of the belt 2 or one of the thigh bands 4. The wire element 9 and the connector 10 are arranged at opposite ends of the belt 2 or the thigh band 4 for which they act in the adjustment device.

[0035] 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 intended to be separated from the user of the harness by the connector 10. The protruding element 9a is locked against the connector 10 to prevent an increase in the circumference of the waist belt or the leg loop 4. In use, the waist belt 2 or the leg loop 4 may be under slight tension. There is a force that presses a protruding element 9a against the connector 10. The second portion 11b forms an end stop for the wire element 9, the tension present in the wire element 9 blocks the protruding element 9a against the connector 10 which imposes the maximum circumference of the belt 2 or the thigh circumference 4.

[0036] This solution is very compact and robust because it has a limited number of parts and allows for efficient adjustment of the circumference.

[0037] When the forces applied to the belt 2 or the thigh band aim 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, which facilitates its grasping for adjustment.

[0038] The wire element 9 can be a textile or metallic wire element. 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 the buckles of mountaineering harnesses. This configuration allows the connector 10 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 part to manufacture, lightweight, and particularly strong.

[0039] 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 fixedly mounted on 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 1a 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. 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 against the second portion 11b, which fixes the circumference of the belt 2 or the thigh circumference 4.

[0040] The wire element can be a static wire element, that is, with a maximum elongation before breakage less than or equal to 4%, a dynamic wire element with a maximum elongation before breakage between 4% and 20%, or an elastic wire element which has a maximum elongation before breakage of 4% to 20%. rupture greater than 20%, the measurement being carried out at 20°C.

[0041] When the wire element is an elastic element, it is advantageous for the second portion 11b to define a narrowing and a wider area, as illustrated in [Fig. 3]. The narrowing separates the first portion 11 and 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.

[0042] 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 subjected to tensile stress or is subjected to low tension. This allows for the formation of a more comfortable belt or thigh band. The wider area has a width greater than or equal to the width of the gap zone when the wire element 9 is not subjected to tensile stress or is subjected to low tension. The width is less than the width of the protruding elements to prevent the passage of a protruding element 9a.

[0043] 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.

[0044] 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.

[0045] 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.

[0046] As previously stated, to facilitate harness installation, it is advantageous that at least one of the belt 2 and one of the leg loops 4 be openable. It is therefore advantageous that the wire element 9 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 said one of the leg loops 4.

[0047] 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 or leg loop 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 loop 4 is put under tension, the wire element 9 applies a force on the connector 10 which wedges the wire element 9 in the second portion 11b which prevents a change in the circumference setting of the belt 2 or the leg loop 4.

[0048] 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.

[0049] 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.

[0050] When adjusting the circumference of the belt 2 or the leg loop 4, the wire element moves along its longitudinal axis inside the first through hole 10a. The wire element 9 is tensioned to stretch it, which reduces the width of one or more of the spacing zones 9b. A spacing 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 removed or reduced so that the width of the spacing zone 9b is greater than the width of the narrowing. This configuration allows the belt 2 or leg loop 4 to be closed while maintaining the adjustment without the user being subjected to continuous compression.

[0051] Preferably, the connector 10 has a first attachment point on the belt 2 or on one of the thigh loops 4. The second portion 11b is located from an external lateral wall of the connector 10 by a first value in a direction that connects 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 a thickness of the connector and the first value, preferably at least twice greater. When the belt or thigh band is under tension, no protruding element 9a is between the connector 10 and the user, thus avoiding the formation of an uncomfortable area.

[0052] 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 1a.

Claims

Demands

1. Rope harness (1) comprising: - thigh measurements (4); - a belt (2); and - an adjustment device (3) configured to adjust the circumference of one of the belts (2) or one of the thigh bands (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) by means of the through hole (11); characterized in that 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 spacing zone (9b), the spacing zone (9b) having a smaller cross-section than a cross-section of the salient elements (9a); in that the through hole (11) of the connector (10) defines a first portion (11a) having a width greater than a width of the protruding 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 greater than the width of the gap area (9b) and less than a width of the protruding elements (9b) to prevent the wire element (9) from sliding beyond one of the protruding elements (9) in the longitudinal direction, the second portion (11b) opening into the first portion (11a), the width being measured perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the wire element (9) passing through the connector (10); in which the connector (10) is fixed to a first end of one of the belt (2) or one of the thigh bands (4); in which the wire element (9) is fixed to a second end of said one of the belt (2) or one of the leg loops (4); and in which, in a tightening position, a protruding element (9a) is disposed against the connector (10) and intended to be separated from a harness user by the connector (10).

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

3. A lanyard harness (1) according to any one of claims 1 and 2 wherein the adjustment device 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 is only connected to the connector (10) by one of the belt (2) or said one of the leg loops (4).

4. A rope harness (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the connector (10) has a movable mounted bar between a locking position and an unlocking position; wherein in the locking position, the bar separates the first portion (1la) and the second portion (11b) to lock the wire element (9) in the second portion (11b) and in the unlocking portion, the bar allows movement of the wire element (9) between the first portion (1la) and the second portion (11b).

5. A rope harness (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the connector (10) has a first attachment point said on one of the belt (2) or on one of the leg loops (4); wherein the second portion (11b) is distant from an external lateral wall of the connector (10) by a first value in a direction which connects the first attachment point and the second portion (11b); and wherein the distance between two protruding elements (9a) is at least greater than the sum of a thickness of the connector and the first value, preferably at least twice greater.

6. A method of using a rope harness comprising the following steps: - providing a rope harness according to one of the preceding claims; - moving the wire element (9) inside the first portion of the through hole to define the circumference of one of the waist belts (2) or one of the leg loops (4); - moving 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 (2) or one of the leg loops (4).

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