Convertible Harness Coupling Without Carabiner Cross-Loading

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional harness systems face issues such as reduced connection capacity due to a single carabiner being used for both leg loop assembly attachment and primary attachment, potential inadvertent opening of carabiners, and increased wear from cross-loading, which are problematic in dynamic environments like rescue or tactical operations.

Innovation Solution

A harness system with a utility belt and leg loop assembly that uses a primary attachment point coupled via a girth-hitch through an attachment slot, eliminating the need for carabiners and providing a closed ring attachment, allowing rapid conversion between utility belt, sit-harness, and full body harness configurations without the risk of inadvertent uncoupling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a single carabiner is used to reversibly couple the leg loop assembly to the waistband and as the primary attachment point, then the harness can be quickly assembled, but the carabiner accommodates a reduced number of connections and has increased risk of failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvequick assemblyVSAvoidcarabiner connection capacity and safety

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention separates the coupling function from the attachment point function. The leg loop assembly is coupled to the waistband through a girth-hitching mechanism that uses the attachment loop and waistband material itself, rather than a separate carabiner. This segmentation allows the primary attachment point (captive eye) to be dedicated solely to load-bearing connections, eliminating the conflict of using a single carabiner for both purposes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges the coupling mechanism with the attachment loop structure. The attachment loop serves dual purposes: it forms the girth-hitch connection to the waistband and simultaneously provides the primary attachment point for load-bearing connections. This eliminates the need for a separate carabiner and maximizes connection capacity at the primary attachment point.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of operation

If a carabiner is used as the primary attachment point, then the harness can be quickly assembled, but there is a potential for the carabiner to inadvertently open

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvequick assemblyVSAvoidattachment point security

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces the reusable carabiner with a non-openable captive eye structure. The captive eye is a closed-loop component that cannot accidentally open, eliminating the risk of inadvertent release. While this reduces the ability to quickly detach and reattach, it dramatically improves safety by eliminating the failure mode of accidental opening.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Device complexity

If a carabiner is used for both coupling and attachment, then the device complexity is reduced, but the carabiner may become cross loaded increasing probability of failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of componentsVSAvoidcarabiner load capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the load paths by separating the coupling function (girth-hitching) from the load-bearing function (captive eye attachment). The girth-hitch uses the attachment loop and waistband material to couple the leg loop assembly, while the captive eye handles all load-bearing connections. This segmentation prevents cross-loading and allows each component to be optimized for its specific function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces the attachment loop as an intermediary element between the leg loop assembly and the primary attachment point. The attachment loop forms the girth-hitch connection to the waistband, acting as a mediator that separates the coupling loads from the primary attachment point, preventing cross-loading of the captive eye.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12558581B2Convertible harness

Publication Date: 2026.02.24 CMC RESCUE INC

AI summary

A convertible harness system which may be selectively transitioned between a utility belt, sit-harness, and full body harness, is herein disclosed. The convertible harness system may include a utility belt, a leg loop assembly, and a chest harness, wherein the leg loop assembly may be reversibly coupled to the utility belt by passing a primary attachment point of the leg loop assembly through an attachment slot/opening in the utility belt and securing the primary attachment point to the utility belt by girth-hitching the primary attachment point to the utility belt using a primary attachment loop coupled to the primary attachment point. The convertible harness system disclosed herein may enable a wearer rapidly and reversibly couple a leg loop assembly to a utility belt, without removing or unbuckling the utility belt, and without use of a carabiner or other conventional locking device.