Harness Deployable Rappelling Assembly Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing harnesses for fall protection and lifting lack a lightweight, simple, and secure design that can be quickly converted for climbing or rappelling applications.
Innovation Solution
A harness with a deployable rappelling assembly integrated into a garment, featuring an upper torso securing portion and a leg securing portion, allowing for easy transition between fall protection and climbing/rappelling modes without the need for tools, using straps and fabric construction with releasable connectors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a harness is designed for fall protection and lifting with full torso securing, then safety and security are improved, but the weight and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The harness is divided into distinct functional segments: an upper torso securing portion for fall protection and a leg securing portion for rappelling. These segments can be independently configured and connected, allowing the user to select only the necessary components for each activity, thereby reducing overall weight while maintaining safety where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The harness incorporates dynamic elements including releasable connectors and a deployable rappelling assembly that can be quickly configured or discarded based on activity requirements. This dynamic design allows the harness to adapt its configuration rather than requiring the user to carry multiple static harness systems.
2Reliability
If a harness is designed with full torso securing structure, then security during lifting is improved, but the ease of conversion to climbing/rappelling mode deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the torso securing and leg securing functions into distinct portions connected by releasable connectors, the harness allows quick reconfiguration. The leg securing portion can be detached from the torso portion when rappelling is needed, enabling easy conversion without requiring tools or complex manipulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The rappelling assembly is pre-configured and stored in a compact form within the harness system. When rappelling is needed, the assembly can be quickly deployed and configured beforehand, eliminating the need for complex on-site assembly and improving ease of conversion.
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional rappelling harnesses are used with seated position design, then climbing performance is improved, but the ability to provide full torso securing deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The harness is designed as a universal system that can perform multiple functions: full torso securing for fall protection and lifting, leg securing for rappelling, and climbing. The modular design with releasable connectors allows the same basic harness structure to adapt to different activities, providing both torso securing and climbing capability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The harness employs dynamic reconfiguration capabilities where the leg securing portion can be connected to or disconnected from the torso portion based on activity requirements. This dynamic connection allows the harness to provide full torso securing during lifting while enabling climbing and rappelling configurations when the leg portion is detached or reconfigured.
4Ease of operation
If a lightweight harness design is used, then ease of movement is improved, but the security and stability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The lightweight design is achieved by segmenting the harness into essential components only - the upper torso securing portion and leg securing portion - removing unnecessary elements while maintaining security where required. Each segment is optimized for its specific function, providing adequate security without excess weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The harness utilizes parameter changes in the connector system, transitioning between locked and releasable states to provide security only when needed. The releasable connectors maintain security during lifting operations but allow quick release for rappelling, providing appropriate security levels without continuous heavy reinforcement.
Data Source
AI summary
A harness having a deployable rappelling assembly is disclosed. The harness includes a strap construction including an upper torso securing portion having shoulder straps that extend from a rear torso portion to a front torso portion, a leg securing portion extending downward from the rear torso portion and having right and left leg straps, each of the left and right leg straps including a releasable connector, and a rappelling assembly connected to the front torso portion. The rappelling assembly may fold from a stowed position to a deployed position, and include loops and a cross member. The leg straps may be passed through the loops to connect the front torso portion to the leg securing portion for climbing or rappelling. The harness also may be incorporated into a garment.