Controlled Descent Harness with Reserve Suspension Relief Strap
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional fall protection devices, such as safety belts and harnesses, often lead to serious injuries and fatalities due to inadequate control over descent and increased risk of suspension trauma during falls from elevated positions, particularly in tree stands and industrial applications, as they lack controlled descent capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A lightweight controlled descent safety harness with snap-around belt sections, a primary release pin, and secondary brake handle, featuring a rack and Kevlar webbing design to prevent rope tangling and facilitate gradual, controlled descent, along with a reserve suspension relief strap for emergency pressure relief.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional safety belts or harnesses are used for fall protection, then fall arrest capability is provided, but controlled descent capability is lacking and suspension trauma risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fall protection system is divided into separate functional components: a fall arrest harness, a controlled descent device with brake mechanisms, and a reserve suspension relief strap. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in its specific function while working together as an integrated system, resolving the contradiction between reliable fall arrest and controlled descent capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The harness system is designed to perform multiple functions: initial fall arrest, controlled descent to safety, and emergency suspension relief. By integrating these functions into a single universal system, the invention eliminates the need for separate devices and ensures that controlled descent capability is inherent to the fall protection equipment itself.
2Device complexity
If simple safety belts are used, then device complexity is minimized, but suspension trauma risk and lack of descent control increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controlled descent device is pre-configured with brake mechanisms and routing guides that automatically engage when deployed. The system is prepared in advance with all necessary components positioned to immediately provide controlled descent, eliminating the need for complex user actions during emergency deployment while reducing suspension trauma risk.
Solution Approach 2:
The controlled descent device acts as an intermediary between the fall arrest harness and the user's body. It mediates the descent process by controlling rope pay-out through brake mechanisms, providing a buffer that prevents direct, uncontrolled forces on the user while simplifying the overall system architecture.
3Reliability
If no reserve suspension relief mechanism is provided, then device complexity is reduced, but risk of serious injury or death from suspension trauma increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reserve suspension relief strap is integrated into the harness as a pre-positioned emergency backup system. It is configured in advance to automatically or manually deploy if the primary controlled descent system fails, providing a cushioning safety net that prevents suspension trauma without requiring complex additional mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The reserve suspension relief mechanism changes the safety system's operational parameters by providing an alternative load-bearing configuration. When activated, it redistributes suspension forces through different harness points, fundamentally altering the stress distribution to prevent suspension trauma while adding minimal structural complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables safe, gradual, and controlled descent from elevated heights, minimizing exposure to suspension trauma and reducing the risk of serious injury or death, while allowing users to self-recover without external assistance.
Implementation Method 1
A lightweight controlled descent safety harness with snap-around belt sections, a primary release pin, and secondary brake handle, featuring a rack and Kevlar webbing design to prevent rope tangling and facilitate gradual, controlled descent
Implementation Method 2
secondary brake handle, featuring a rack and Kevlar webbing design to prevent rope tangling and facilitate gradual, controlled descent
Data Source
AI summary
A lightweight safety harness comprises adjustable belt sections for the upper chest, waist and upper thighs. In one of two shoulder straps, there is stored a primary release pin and secondary brake strap. The shoulder straps criss-cross to form a soft, triangular shaped panel on the harness wearer's back. A spine brace divides that triangle in two. Near the top of that spine brace is a rack having at least one aperture wrapped with Kevlar® webbing. A long nylon rope serpentines back-and-forth, between sets of elastic loops running down opposed legs to the triangular panel before being threaded through the rack in a preferred pattern. At the base of that triangular panel, there is attached one end to a reserve suspension relief strap (RSRS). A cover extends the triangular panel but can be removed for inspection before every use.