1910 results about "Safety harness" patented technology

This invention is a vehicle data recorder with the capability to continuously record and store selected data on both driver and vehicle performance that will include but not be limited to, miles driven, speed, acceleration/deceleration, brake activation, seatbelt usage, vehicle direction, steering anomalies, global position, impact forces and direction, transmission status, and alcohol usage. Specifically, this recorder will have extended data storage capacity, a drunk driver prevention smart ignition, real-time GPS data, low-power cell phone jamming, and internal wireless communication capabilities. It uses microprocessor controlled electronics to record, store, and transmit both driver and vehicle performance data in a date and time stamped file which can be utilized to establish personalized insurance rates, assess road tax and use fees, locate “Amber alert” victims or stolen vehicles, and with it's on scene access, provide critical mechanism of injury information to emergency responders.

The child safety seat includes a seat body that is attached to a base that is held in place by the vehicle seat belt. The base provides for movement of the seat body around at least one axis. A turntable allows the seat body to be rotated from a safe-riding position to face the car door to facilitate positioning the child in the seat or to make it easier to grasp and maneuver a separable child carrier with the child in it. Inadvertent rotation of the turntable is prevented by a locking mechanism that remains engaged until released by the parent or caregiver. In one embodiment, a second axis of movement allows the seat body to be reclined so that the child's head is supported when he or she falls asleep. The reclining adjustment is a motorized motion which can be remotely controlled by the parent or caregiver sitting in the front of the vehicle via wires connected to a remote control.

According to one embodiment of the invention, a fitting system for a helmet is provided. The fitting system includes a belt having supported racks coupled to a belt adjustment device. The belt adjustment device is operable to allow a user to tighten the belt, and release the belt at a single touch of a release actuator. The belt adjustment device and the racks are configured to hug the occiput of a user when the helmet is properly worn. The belt adjustment device is also operable to hold the rear straps of the helmet apart but is not attached to the helmet. The belt defines a collapsible button for securing a pad. The pad defines a substantially lateral compressed strip that is operable to urge the pad against the belt. The belt adjustment device and the belt are configured to allow rear straps of the helmet to approximately directly approach the chin of the user.

An occupant monitoring and restraint status system is provided. The system includes an occupant boarding and de-boarding system. The occupant boarding and de-boarding system detects boarding and de-boarding of occupants. The system also includes a bench type seat that has a plurality of seat locations. Each of these seat locations includes a seat belt system which has a status sensor to detect a state of the seat belt system. Each seat location also includes an occupant sensing system. The occupant sensing system detects the presence and identity of an occupant at the seat location. The system further includes a display which includes a seat status indicator for each of the plurality of seat locations. The seat status indicators include information regarding a presence of an occupant, an occupant identity, and a state of a seat belt system.

A seat restraint system whose torso belt includes an inflatable structure that inflates upon impact to protect the occupants of a vehicle such as an automobile. The inflatable structure is linked to a gas generator and crash sensor. When an impact above a predetermined level of severity is detected, the gas generator is ignited, inflating the inflatable structure which contracts in length as it inflates. In a preferred embodiment, the inflatable structure is a braided tube. As the braided tube inflates, the diameter of the tube increases significantly and its length decreases significantly, due to the orientation of the fibers comprising the braided tube. The contraction in length pretensions the seat belt system by pulling any slack out of the seat belt systems. In a frontal impact, the inflated structure restricts the forward motion of an occupant and distributes crash loads over a larger occupant surface area to reduce both primary and secondary injuries. In a side impact, the inflated structure passes over the occupant's shoulder, restricts occupant motion, distributes crash loads and provides head and neck protection.

A boot, such as a snowboard boot, having an outer shell including a flexible upper and a harness assembly disposed in the outer shell. The harness assembly wraps about a user's ankle, includes a plurality of cord keepers. A cord—for example, a lace or a stainless steel cable—slidably engages the cord keepers, for tightening the harness about the user's ankle. A tensioning mechanism such as a spool mechanism or a lace keeper is attached to the flexible upper and engages the cord, such that the user can releasably tension the cord. The cord extends through an aperture in the outer shell whereby the user can tighten or loosen the harness without removing the boot. In an embodiment, the tensioning mechanism is a lace locker fixedly attached to the shell tongue, wherein the tongue includes apertures disposed near the bottom of the lace locker to slidably accommodate the cord.

A recreational assistance device having a streamline shaped substantially open main body with four large pneumatic tires to allow the device to move easily over rough terrain. The device is equipped with a braking system including at least one brake handle. A safety harness may be secured to the braking system and worn by a user to automatically actuate the braking system if the person falls, slips or stumbles when jogging or walking. The handle bars and other upper portions of the device are preferably padded and the rear wheels have associated movable stops to allow the device to be stopped and held in a rest or stop position. The four-wheel recreational assistance device may be provided with telescoping supporting arms for a carrying bag for holding packages or other materials.

The invention is directed to a system for detecting the presence of a child in a car, when the driver exits the vehicle. A sensor is connected to the seat belt of the baby's car seat or to the rear seat belts. Once the seat belt is inserted into the belt buckle, an alarm circuit is activated. When the driver enters the vehicle and sits down, the system detects the presence of the driver and de-activates the alarm circuit. When the driver exits, the alarm circuit is then re-activated. The system includes a delay timer that gives the driver time to enter and exit the vehicle without setting off the alarm circuit. When the alarm circuit is activated, a timer for the time delay begins. At the end of the time delay (e.g., relay is transferred), if the driver has not disabled the alarm circuit by re-entering the vehicle or taking the child out of the vehicle, the alarm circuit will be set off warning signals and will remain energized until disabled.

A body worn harness supporting biosensors and devices in a form fitting structure for medical long-term ambulatory operation. The supported devices provide processing, storage, and communicating of the biosensor data captured. Integrated body motion generators generate power. In addition rapid acting zero insertion force mechanical and electrical connectors are provided for the interconnection of the biosensors, devices, and power sources.

The system includes an interior garment, such as a short mesh pant, which fits inside the firefighter pant and over his station wear. The safety harness is removably fixed to the short pant through the harness belt and the short pant harness combination is removably attached to the firefighter pant.

A method comprising the step of using a plurality of doppler radars disposed on the seat belt or integrated into the seat belt for monitoring vital body signs of a person seated in a seat of a motor vehicle is disclosed. The disclosed method unobtrusively monitors vital body signs like heart rate and respiration of the person seated in the motor vehicle. A number of safety applications as well as wellness applications can be enabled. Examples are detection of momentary sleep of the driver, vital sign monitoring in case of an accident as well as relaxation exercise using biofeedback to reduce stress for drivers.

A lightweight child carrier that can be mounted upon the front or the back of a wearer's torso with little or no need to adjust the carrier's harness. The carrier includes a main panel having generally a rectangular shape. The bottom edge of the main panel is joined to the top edge of a padded waist band and the bottom edge of a head restraining panel is joined to the top edge of the main panel. Shoulder straps are connected to the main panel and are cojoined by a chest strap that is slidably mounted upon each shoulder strap. Adjustable restraining straps are connected to the chest strap and to the head restraining panel. An auxiliary waist belt is provided that considerably expands the length of the waist band to allow the carrier to be worn by a woman during pregnancy.

A cover for a child seat in the form of a pad with slots through the pad that facilitate simple removal and reinstallation of the cover. Some of the slots accommodate the seat safety harness and merge with side slots that are held closed by mating separable fastening elements. The side slots extend at least partially along the junction between the backrest portion and the side bolster portions of the pad. A pair of back slots extend from respective strap anchoring locations in the backrest region to respective side slots. A release slot may be included at each side of the pad, extending from the respective side slot to the adjacent outer side edge of the pad—this being especially useful with three-point harness seats. A five-point harness version has a pair of lap strap slots through the pad to accommodate the lap straps of the harness. The lap straps slots extend outwardly to the adjacent side slots. Adding release slots as described gives this latter cover universal application.

A non-choking harness for a pet which evenly distributes stress throughout the chest area and away from the neck area of the pet when the leash is pulled to prevent choking. The non-choking harness comprises a body part, an adjustable strap, and a connection part. The body part comprises a center portion which substantially covers the chest area of the pet, two neck ends configured to wrap around a neck of the pet to provide a neck opening and two torso ends configured to wrap around a torso of the pet to provide a torso opening. The adjustable strap removably connects a first torso end to a second torso end, and adjusts the size of the torso opening to provide a comfortable fit. The connection part is configured to removably connect to the two neck ends, removably connect to the adjustable strap; and to adjust the size of the neck opening. At least one D-ring for attaching a leash is fixedly attached to the connection part. Preferably, the D-ring is fixedly attached to retain pendular motion but inhibit sliding movements. The non-choking harness completely opens up for easy access in fitting the pet.

A preferred embodiment safety harness includes two straps that are operatively connected at a juncture and a D-ring proximate the juncture. A retrofittable, removable back panel padding is configured and arranged to accommodate the straps and the D-ring to aid in the comfort in donning the safety harness.

A baby carrier, useful generally in water environments and featuring an integrated harness-seat-headrest. The carrier is constructed unitarily of a water-proof, flexible fabric, which is, at least in the seat portion, water-permeable, in order to rapidly drain water away from the baby. The harness portion features a main pair of straps adapted to fit over the shoulders, of the carrier bearer, and descend over the bearer's back and chest to join and communicate with the seat. The strap pair is connected by a yoke or at least one transverse strap that restrains either main strap from slipping from the bearer's shoulders; and, absent such, is otherwise restrained in crisscross relationship over the bearer's back. The headrest may be positioned and fixed in a functional posture, or folded down.

An animal harness coat includes a cover and a harness. The cover and harness are attached together. The cover allows the leash to be attached to the harness. The harness includes a front strap that extends entirely around the neck portion of the animal and a second strap that extends entirely around the body of the animal between the front legs and the hind quarters. As such, a force imparted on the harness through a leash is safely transmitted to the collarbone region and ribcage area of the animal.

A rescue lanyard is described herein to be used with a safety harness worn by a person. The lanyard comprises a main strap having a first attachment portion for attaching the main strap to a structure and a second attachment portion for attaching the main strap to the harness, and a secondary strap secured to the main strap adjacent the first attachment portion and having a third attachment portion to be attached to the harness via an emergency descent control device. In a safety mode of operation, the first attachment portion of the main strap is attached to the harness and the second attachment portion is attached to a structure so as to retain the person wearing the harness during a fall. In a self rescue mode of operation following a fall, while the person hang from the main strap, the third attachment portion is first attached to the harness via the emergency descent control device and the main strap is then cut so as to allow the person to descent from the structure using the descending device. The emergency control device includes a rope, a rope friction controller having an attachment portion for securing the device to the harness, a rope friction controller for selectively applying friction on the rope, and a safety element for applying friction on the rope so as to prevent movement thereof in the rope friction controller in a panic mode of operation.

A child restraint system for use in vehicles comprises a seat portion and a base. The base secures the child restraint system to a vehicle seat with a vehicle restraint such as a seat belt or a LATCH system. The base both engages the vehicle restraint and includes a force-multiplying mechanism for tensioning the vehicle restraint. Tensioning the vehicle restraint secures the base by forcing the base against the vehicle seat. An embodiment of the base includes a platform configured to rest on the vehicle seat, an upright member joined to the platform, and a tensioning device, including a force-multiplying mechanism, for tensioning the vehicle restraint.

This multi-purpose child safety harness (10) is wearable and is used to support, hold, restrain, and protect a child (33) during a variety of the child's activities. In FIGS. 1-4, the harness (10) includes a torso band (11), a pair of shoulder straps (19, 21), an inner crotch strap (15), an outer crotch strap (16), and underarm securing straps (23, 25). The outer crotch strap is attached at the rear of the torso band and is used to secure the child to a seat (36) by looping the free end underneath the seat so as to attach it to the chest portion of the torso band thereby securing the child to the seat. The shoulder straps provide ejection protection of the child during swinging and other active pursuits. The securing straps are attached to the harness underneath each arm of the child and are terminated in means for securing the child to swing chains or ropes, and to various types of chairs, shopping carts, strollers, or other fixtures desired to safely retain the child. A stow ring (27) is attached to the rear of the torso band for stowage of ends of the securing straps and or for the attachment of a proximity tether line. An adjustable waist belt (13a-c) at the middle of the band allows for body size adjustments. At the center of the chest portion of the band is a storage pocket (12).

A self-anchoring cardiac harness is configured to fit at least a portion of a patient's heart and includes a tissue engaging element for frictionally engaging an outer surface of a heart. The engaging element produces sufficient friction relative to the outer surface of the heart, so that the harness does not migrate substantially relative to the heart. There is enough force created by the engaging element that there is no need to apply a suture to the heart in order to retain the cardiac harness. Further, the engaging element is adapted to engage the outer surface of the heart without substantially penetrating the outer surface.

A quick release harness system for wind or kite surfers or the like that enables users to manually release themselves from the harness line during a "blow over" event and which can easily reconnect to the harness line when desired. The system includes a quick release, biased lever mounted to a main bracket. The main bracket is attached to a waist support member worn around the waist of the user. Located below the lever and attached to the main bracket is a biased pivoting hook member with a forward extended arcuate section designed to engage a ring or similar structure attached to the distal end of a harness line. Also attached to the main bracket is a biased pivotal latch that selectively moves between engaged and disengaged positions with the hook member. Movement of the latch is manually controlled by pressing downward on the lever which enables the latch to rotate inward and move to a non-blocking position so that the hook member is able to move upward and disengage from the harness line. The lever and the hook member are both biased so that they automatically return to their original positions for re-engagement to the harness line. The latch is also biased so it automatically returns to a locked position.

The sleeping bag is an insulated bag for covering and protecting the body of a user when the user is seated. The bag is formed from front and rear fabric sheets joined to one another and sized and shaped to receive the body of the user. At least one pair of slots is formed through the front fabric sheet to receive a seatbelt attached to a chair, such as an airplane seat, thus selectively securing both the user and the insulating bag to the seat. Alternatively, or in addition to the seatbelt slots, a pair of slots may be formed through the front fabric sheet for providing the user's hands free access to the external environment.

The invention presents devices for controlled descent from buildings. Such a device includes a housing having a primary spool about which a cord is wound, a payload coupler for attaching a harness assembly to the housing, and an unwind control assembly for controlling the rate of exit of the cord from the housing. An inventive device kit may include a convertible storage unit used to protectively store a device and which, upon deployment, may be used as a protective helmet. In using an inventive device, a user attaches the device to a fixture in a building, dons a harness and the converted helmet, attaches the device to the harness, and exits the building from a window or roof.

A retractable leash assembly structured to facilitate quick connection of an animal to a lead which is interconnected at a proximal end to an activation assembly and to a quick connect coupling assembly at a distal end. The leash assembly includes a release structure disposed in a communicative relation with the coupling assembly structured to removably connect a collar, harness, or similar attachment assembly to the distal end of the lead. The activation assembly, upon actuation, transmits a signal to the release structure to dispose the components of the coupling assembly into a release orientation such that the components may be easily disconnected from one another. The activation assembly may also include a drive mechanism, a release control mechanism, and/or a lead aligning mechanism to improve a handler's control of an animal attached to the retractable leash assembly of the present invention.

A safety vest incorporates a safety harness between a vest inner lining and a vest outer shell with attachment couplers and rings incorporated in the vest in vest pockets that store the attachment couplers and rings out of sight in communicating between harness and a lanyard external to the vest. Thus, the attachment rings are stored in vest pockets except during use, making the vest appear as a normal garment suitable for general wear off a work location or during general harness nonuse periods. Storing the rings in vest pockets also avoids the rings becoming annoyances or hazards. The harness is multiuse and versatile with attachment rings and couplers in various locations on the harness so a wearer can move between different applications, including a ring on the dorsal back for use in fall arrest, rings on waist sides so the vest can be used for work positioning, a coupler at the sternum, a ring at the waist buckle for repel attachments, and leg straps for support below the waist when required. In each case, the attachment ring is conveniently stored out of sight during nonuse in a vest pocket. The safety harness can be inspected through the lumbar pocket.

An apparatus and method for monitoring seat belt use in a vehicle from the exterior of the vehicle is provided. Seat belt use indicator lights are positioned on the exterior of a vehicle and wirelessly connected to or hardwired to sensors located in seat belt buckle assemblies to provide information about the use of the seatbelt. One or multiple indicator lights grouped in cluster arrangements to simulate the seat arrangement in a vehicle can be implemented. The apparatus may also be used in aircraft to monitor seat belt use remotely from within the aircraft.

A seat belt buckle switch is disclosed. This switch provides multiple discrete output states, including buckled, unbuckled, open loop and shorted. This switch works in association with a control module which uses the buckle switch state to detect a failure condition, execute an appropriate driver warning and, in an adaptive restraints application, to deploy other safety devices based on whether the seat belt is fastened.

A universal compression undergarment holster apparatus, pant/shorts and shirts worn under a users clothing for the concealment and simultaneous carry of more then two weapons and other items such as handcuffs, extra ammunitions, batons, flashlights, knives, radios, pen, and the process that permits for weapons and or other items located in the apparatus to be safely carried and quickly drawn from the users outer clothing from over 12 conventional modes on the human body, such as but not limited to under the arm on either side thereof, on the chest thereof, on either leg thereof, on the back thereof, on either waist thereof, also having a safety straps integrated with a quick release mechanism. The holster system covering the upper and lower body and includes an integral holsters/pouches stitched and fastened using alternative fasteners to secure the hostlers pouch to the under garment having a receiving pockets, and an outer accessible garment with quick access detachable fasteners features, that is comfortable and convenient for the wearer and conceal from view the weapon located in the undergarment holster apparatus in a secure but in a quick and easy accessible locations on the body, unknown to any even the most careful observe.

Improvements in fall protection are disclosed, including a method for providing fall protection for human and non-human loads in elevated environments. The load is equipped with a safety harness and lanyard apparatus having first and second lanyards attached thereto. A method is disclosed for providing fall protection for human and non-human loads in an elevated environment wherein the load is primarily supported by an aerial lift vehicle or structure generally adjacent to a second structure. The method includes the steps of: (1) connecting a safety lanyard apparatus to the load, said safety lanyard apparatus including first and second lanyards, each of said first and second lanyards having one end connected to the load and an opposing connectable free end, said first lanyard incorporating a means for automatic release of said connectable free end thereof in response to a predetermined tensional force; (2) connecting said first lanyard connectable free end to the aerial lift vehicle; (3) connecting said second lanyard connectable free end the structure, whereby the application of a tensional force, greater than or equal to a predetermined force, to said first and second lanyard ends results in activation of said means for automatic release thereby separating said connectable free end of said first lanyard from said safety lanyard apparatus thereby leaving said load suspended from said structure.