Fall Protection Harness Connector With Integrated Bridge Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fall protection belts in tree care and climbing applications are cumbersome due to the need for multiple components and the risk of losing small fastening elements, with complex designs that are difficult to assemble and disassemble, and lack robustness.
Innovation Solution
A belt design featuring a fitting part with an integrally formed body and a bolt, where the bolt is guided into a transverse hole to lock the bridge in place, eliminating the need for additional fastening screws and reducing the number of components, thereby simplifying assembly and enhancing robustness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple separate fastening components (screws, nuts, fastening strips) are used to attach the bridge, then the bridge can be securely fixed, but the assembly becomes complex and time-consuming, and small components can be easily lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate fastening components (screws, nuts, fastening strips) into a single integrated bolt component. The bolt features a head with a bridge hole for attaching the bridge and a shank that fits into a transverse hole in the fitting body, eliminating the need for multiple separate parts and simplifying assembly while maintaining secure fixation.
Solution Approach 2:
The bolt serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a fastening element to secure the bridge, a structural connector joining the bridge to the fitting body, and a positioning element through its transverse orientation. This multi-functionality reduces the overall component count while achieving reliable bridge attachment.
2Reliability
If an external fastening strip is screwed over the bridge hole, then the bridge can be attached, but six individual parts are required and assembly/disassembly becomes time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the fastening strip, screws, and nuts into a single integrated bolt component that can be inserted and secured in one motion. The bolt's head engages with the bridge through the bridge hole while the shank fits into the transverse hole, allowing rapid attachment and detachment without multiple assembly steps.
3Manufacturing precision
If small screws and nuts are used for fastening, then precise fixation is achieved, but the components can easily get lost during assembly and disassembly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple small fastening components into a single larger bolt component that is less prone to being lost. The integrated design maintains precise fixation capability while reducing the number of separate small parts that could be misplaced during assembly or disassembly operations.
4Reliability
If a locking element with a hole is used to separate the bridge hole from the anchor point opening, then the bridge can be secured, but the locking element itself becomes a weak point and additional parts are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the separation function directly into the bolt design rather than using a separate locking element. The bolt's head with bridge hole and its shank fitting into the transverse hole creates the necessary separation between the bridge hole and anchor point opening, eliminating the need for an additional locking element that would create a weak point in the structure.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3a~4b
AI summary
The invention relates to a harness for personal fall protection comprising a fitting part (10) and at least a first and a second body-part encompassing harness lower element, wherein the fitting part (10) has a front (V) and a back (R), wherein the fitting part (10) comprises a one-piece formed body (11) and a bolt (12), wherein the body (11) has a first opening (14) and optionally a second opening (15) for connecting the fitting part (10) to the first harness lower element and for connecting the fitting part (10) to the second harness lower element, a bridge hole (16) for a flexible bridge (7) and optionally a third opening (17) for connecting to an anchor point, wherein the body (11) of the fitting part (10) further comprises a transverse hole (13),wherein a first section (A1) of the transverse aloch (13) extends from a first side surface (S1) of the body (11) of the fitting part (10) to the bridge hole (16) and a second section (A2) of the transverse aloch (13) extends in extension of the first section (A2).