A harness adjuster buckle assembly

Abstract

The present invention relates to a harness adjuster buckle assembly The assembly comprises: a pair of shoulder straps (102); a pair of buckle adjuster (104) attached on front side of each of the shoulder straps (102); a frontal shoulder webbing (106) connected to the pair of adjustable buckles (104); a connector (110) configured to loop the frontal shoulder webbing (106). The buckle adjusters (104) comprising a first end and a second end to receive the frontal shoulder webbing (106). The frontal shoulder webbing (106) passes freely from the first end of the buckle adjusters (104) and locks on the second end of the buckle adjusters (104). The second end of the frontal shoulder webbing (106) is stitched to the buckle adjusters (104) upon looping through a connector (110). The buckle adjuster (104) moves around the harness webbing to adjust the harness (100), allowing adjustment without leaving any extra webbing.

Description

A HARNESS ADJUSTER BUCKLE ASSEMBLYFIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a field of safety harness. Particularly, the present invention relates to a harness adjuster buckle assembly used in fall-protection situation. More particularly, the present invention relates to the harness adjuster buckle assembly design ensuring snug fitment of the safety harness and eliminating extra webbing at the user’s body.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] In the field of safety equipment especially full body harness used specifically in the construction area, wearability is very critical since the harness is supposed to be worn all through the working period. Another weakness that has been associated with traditional harness systems is that harness systems normally have a lot of what is referred to as webbing that once adjusted, hang freely in the air. The stress-skinned surface of the material also forms a several number of safety concerns, which is meant to entangle or catch on nearby objects or machines being used in industries, thus developing danger associated with it. Also, the unused parts of the webbing could affect comfort of the user, restrict movements and decrease effectiveness of the tasks which may be executed in the harness.

[0003] To solve these problems, different measures have been invented: for example, use plastic or elastic loops for extra webbing. However, these solutions are frequently unsatisfactory because the webbing can be loosely connected, so the user feels vulnerable and, in fact, may be in danger. In addition, these methods can complicate the processes of harness design, and make it difficult for the user to modify and put on the harness as may be required.

[0004] There are several patent applications that disclose a harness. One such United States patent application US5615750A titled “Climbing harness having adjustable leg loops and rise” discloses a climbing harness includes a waistband and a pair of leg loops. The leg loops have an adjustable girth for fitting about the user's thigh. The leg loops are joined to the waist band. An adjustment mechanism is provided which allows the user to adjust the rise of the leg loops relative to the waist band and also to adjust the girth of the leg loop.

[0005] Another patent application US8333433B2 titled “Locking harness apparatus and method” discloses a harness apparatus including a first adjustable harness strap, a second adjustable harness strap, and a retainer apparatus. The retainer apparatus includes a first retainer portion slidably attached to the first harness strap, a second retainer portion slidably attached to the second harness strap, and a braking mechanism configured to prevent the first retainer portion and the second retainer portion from moving along the first harness strap and the second harness strap. The first retainer portion is removably attached to the second retainer portion. The braking mechanism includes a braking device configured to apply resistance to the first harness strap and / or the second harness strap and to hold the retainer apparatus in a stationary position along the first harness strap and the second harness strap.

[0006] One another patent application US20200008537A1 titled “Hamess Connection Arrangement” discloses A connection arrangement for use with a wearable body harness has a first connector with a first fixed buckle configured to connect to a first portion of a first shoulder strap of the harness, and a first adjustable buckle configured to connect to a second portion of the first shoulder strap. The connection arrangement further has a second connector removably connectable to the first connector. The second connector has a second fixed buckle configured to connect to a first portion of a second shoulder strap of the harness, and a second adjustable buckle configured to connect to a second portion of the second shoulder strap. Each of the first adjustable buckle and the second adjustable buckle has an adjustment mechanism configured for adjusting a length of the second portion of the first and second shoulder straps by selective frictional engagement with the second portion of the first and second shoulder straps.

[0007] Another patent application US2005139419A1 titled “Support harness” discloses a harness system for supporting a person off of a ground surface. The harness system may include a seat supported by a strap attached to the seat. The strap may form one or more leg containing loops for keeping a person securely positioned in the harness. The harness may also include a climbing strap for securing the harness loosely to a support device, such as a tree, while a person climbs a support device. The harness may be secured to a person by tightening a waist strap around the person's waist. The harness system may include one or more modular pouches releasably coupled to the harness enabling the harness to be customized for a particular use. A shoulder strap may be used to prevent a user from falling out of the harness and to support the harness. However, the cited documents lack in making the full body harness more ergonomic and user friendly to be worn by user for long hours.

[0008] Yielding to the importance of harnesses in the protection of workers from fall and other risks, there is a need for a new design in harnesses that get rid of the disadvantage of extra webbing while at the same time improving on the features which when adjusted enhance comfort for the wearer. This need has been catered for by the present invention by proposing a harness adjuster buckle assembly that allows minimal quantities of webbing to be displayed to improve both the security and functionality of the harness. This innovation in this area of protection is a tremendous improvement that provides a solution to a problem that has existed for some time.OBJECTIVE OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a snug fit harness with adjustable buckle.

[0010] Another objective of the present invention is to enhance the safety of the user by from risk with nearby structure, machineries, fire etc.

[0011] Another objective of the present invention is to provide comfort to the user so that users wear the harness for long hours without discomfort.

[0012] Another objective of the present invention is to provide simple process of adjusting the harness, making it more user-friendly.

[0013] Yet another objective of the present invention is to loop the extra webbing of the harness for snug fitment.

[0014] Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide an innovative buckle assembly for better size adjustment.

[0015] Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide a cost effective alternative harness to the available harnesses in the market.

[0016] Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide prevention from any unwanted risk with nearby structure / machineries / fire / chemicals etc.

[0017] Other objectives and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, the aspects of the present invention are disclosed.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0018] The present invention will be better understood after reading the following detailed description of the presently preferred aspects thereof with reference to the appended drawings, in which the features, other aspects and advantages of certain exemplary embodiments of the invention will be more apparent from the accompanying drawing in which:

[0019] Figure 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of a harness with adjustable buckle.

[0020] Figure 2 illustrates side view of a harness frontal webbing with harness adjuster.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0021] The present invention is a harness adjuster buckle assembly for a webbing configuration that aims at having minimal or no excess webbing. The buckle assembly (100) includes a pair of shoulder straps (102); a pair of buckle adjusters (104) attached on front side of the shoulder straps (102); a frontal shoulder webbing (106) connected to the buckle adjusters (104), and a connector (110). A pair of buckle adjusters (104) attached on front side of each of the shoulder straps (102) comprises two ends: a first end and a second end. The buckle adjuster (104) is linked to the shoulder strap through the frontal shoulder webbing (106) being formed integrally therewith. For convenience, they allow frontal shoulder webbing (106) to slide from the first end of the buckle adjusters (104) and lock firmly on the second end of the buckle adjusters (104). Hanging through a connector (110) the second end of the frontal shoulder webbing (106) loops through the buckle adjusters (108) which are stitched to it. The buckle adjuster assembly helps the user to conveniently adjust the harness to fit tightly round the body without any extra webbing by just moving the buckle adjuster (104) from one end of the shoulder strap (102) to the other.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

[0022] The following detailed description and embodiments set forth herein below are merely exemplary out of the wide variety and arrangement of instructions which can be employed with the present invention. The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. All the features disclosed in this specification may be replaced by similar other or alternative features performing similar orsame or equivalent purposes. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, they all are within the scope of the present invention.

[0023] Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications of the embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions are omitted for clarity and conciseness.

[0024] The terms and words used in the following description and claims are not limited to the bibliographical meanings but are merely used to enable a clear and consistent understanding of the invention. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the following description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention are provided for illustration purpose only and not for the purpose of limiting the invention.

[0025] It is to be understood that the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0026] It should be emphasized that the term “comprises / comprising” when used in this specification is taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components, or groups thereof.

[0027] The present invention relates to a harness adjuster buckle assembly (100). The buckle assembly (100) provides a snug fitment of the safety harness to the user’s body with minimized excess webbing. The loose webbings poses significant risks by getting caught on nearby structures, machinery, or hazards such as fire or chemicals. The harness adjuster buckle assembly (100) enhances the ergonomics and comfort of the user so as to make it suitable for longer use.

[0028] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, Figure 1 illustrates a snug fit harness with an adjustable buckle. The adjustable buckle assembly (100) comprises: a pair of shoulder straps (102); a pair of buckle adjusters (104) attached on front side of the shoulder straps (102); a frontal shoulder webbing (106) connected to the buckle adjusters (104), and a connector (110).

[0029] Figure 1-4 of the present invention illustrates the complete assembly of the present invention including the following components:

[0030] A) Shoulder Straps (102): A pair of shoulder straps (102) enables the user to wear the harness over both shoulders in order to ensure the harness fits snugly against the user's body.

[0031] B) Buckle Adjuster (104): A pair of buckle adjusters (104) movably attached on front side of each of the shoulder straps (102). The buckle adjuster comprises two ends: first end and second end to receive the webbing. The buckle adjuster is configured to slide / move around the harness to snugly fit the harness with the user’s body.

[0032] In an exemplary embodiment, the types of buckles (104) may be such as, but not limited to, ratchet, anchor, pin, clamp closure, reversible, double ring and roller. In another exemplary embodiment, the material of the buckles (104) may include but is not limited to silver, brass, pewter, zinc alloy, and stainless steel.

[0033] C) Frontal Shoulder Webbing (106): A frontal shoulder webbing (106) connected to the pair of adjustable buckles (104) for tightly fitting the harness with the body of the user. The buckle adjuster (104) is connected to the shoulder strap by being integrated directly into the frontal shoulder webbing (106). The frontal shoulder webbing (106) passes freely from the first end of the buckle adjusters (104) and locks securely on the second end of the buckle adjusters (104). The second end, i.e. open end, of the frontal shoulder webbing (106) is stitched to the buckle adjusters (104) upon looping through a connector (110).

[0034] The material used in the frontal shoulder webbing (106) is of a high tensile strength and flexible. The frontal shoulder webbing (106) as shown in Figure 2 ties together all of the weight-bearing components.

[0035] In an exemplary embodiment, the material used for the frontal shoulder webbing (106) may be such as, but not limited to, nylon, polyester.

[0036] D) Connector (110): A Connector (110) acts as an anchor point to receive the frontal shoulder webbing (106) of the harness. The webbing is looped through the connector before being stitched into the harness adjuster body. The connector (110) increases safety and durability of the harness by avoiding webbing slippage and distributing the stresses onto the components, bringing about a more secure and reliable fit without any extra webbing.

[0037] In an exemplary embodiment, the connector is, not limited to, round, oval and d-shaped connector.

[0038] The buckle adjuster in the present invention is connected to the shoulder strap by integrating the buckle adjuster directly into the frontal shoulder webbing. This enables the webbing to slide through the first end and lock tightly at the opposite end freely. The open end of the webbing is looped through the connector to stitch out against the harness adjuster body, further securing the webbing tightly with the buckle.

[0039] The buckle adjustor slides along the shoulder strap, providing a snug fitting of the harness without leaving any extra webbing, thus facilitating ease for the user to adjust the ge harness without any difficulties.

[0040] The present invention provides smooth adjustment of the harness by allowing the webbing to move freely through the buckle adjuster during the fitting of the harness to the user’s body, while also ensuring that once adjusted, the webbing remains firmly in place.

[0041] The advantages of the present invention includes:• The present invention provides a snug fit harness with adjustable buckle.• The present invention enhances the safety of the user by from risk with nearby structure, machineries, fire etc.• The present provides comfort to the user so that users wear the harness for long hours without discomfort.• The present invention provides simple process of adjusting the harness, making it more user-friendly.• The present invention loops the extra webbing of the harness for snug fitment.• The present invention provides an innovative buckle assembly for better size adjustment.• The present invention provides a cost effective alternative harness to the available harnesses in the market.The present invention provides prevention from any unwanted risk with nearby structure / machineries / fire / chemicals etc.

[0042] While the present invention has been described with reference to one or more preferred aspects, which aspects have been set forth in considerable detail for the purposes of making a complete disclosure of the invention, such aspects are merely exemplary and are not intended to be limiting or represent an exhaustive enumeration of all aspects of the invention. The scope of the invention, therefore, shall be defined solely by the following claims. Further, it will be apparent to those of skill in the art that numerous changes may be made in such details without departing from the principles of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A harness adjuster buckle assembly (100), comprising:(a) a pair of shoulder straps (102);(b) a pair of buckle adjuster (104) attached on front side of each of the shoulder straps (102);(c) a frontal shoulder webbing (106) connected to the pair of adjustable buckles (104);(d) a connector (110) configured to loop the frontal shoulder webbing (106); wherein, o the buckle adjusters (104) comprising a first end and a second end to receive the frontal shoulder webbing (106); o the frontal shoulder webbing (106) passes freely from the first end of the buckle adjusters (104) and locks on the second end of the buckle adjusters (104); o the second end of the frontal shoulder webbing (106) is stitched to the buckle adjusters (104) upon looping through a connector (110); and o the buckle adjuster (104) moves around the harness webbing to adjust the harness (100), allowing adjustment without leaving any extra webbing.

2. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the harness (100) includes, not limited to, full body harness, safety belts, single point harness, double point harness,3. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the shoulder straps (102) have a frontal adjustment mechanism connected on the both sides of the shoulder straps (102).

4. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein types of the buckles (104) include, not limited to, ratchet, anchor, pin, clamp closure, reversible, double ring and roller.

5. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein material of the buckles (104) include, not limited to, silver, brass, pewter, zinc alloy and stainless steel.

6. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connector (110) includes, not limited to, round, oval and d-shaped connector.

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