Harness Integrating Connector Reduces Donning Time and Weight
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing full body harnesses are cumbersome, time-consuming to don and doff, and heavy, which limits user mobility and increases stress on the wearer, posing challenges for efficient fall protection and work positioning.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates upper and lower straps that connect/disconnect easily with the leg strap for user-friendly side donning and doffing, and a single waist buckle for quick size adjustment, reducing the complexity and weight of the harness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing full body harnesses use complex configurations and multiple connections to ensure safety, then fall protection reliability is improved, but device complexity and difficulty of operation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple connection functions into a single integrating connector that simultaneously connects the shoulder strap, chest strap, and waist strap to the leg straps. This merging of multiple connection points into one unified component reduces the overall complexity of the harness configuration while maintaining all necessary safety connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrating connector serves multiple functions: it connects the shoulder strap, chest strap, and waist strap to the leg straps, and also provides adjustment capabilities for all three straps. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate connectors and adjustment mechanisms for each strap, thereby reducing device complexity while ensuring comprehensive fall protection.
2Adaptability or versatility
If existing full body harnesses use multiple adjustment mechanisms to ensure proper fit, then adaptability is improved, but time required for donning and doffing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates adjustment mechanisms for the shoulder strap, chest strap, and waist strap into the single integrating connector. This allows all three straps to be adjusted simultaneously or in sequence through one unified interface, significantly reducing the time required for donning and doffing while maintaining full adaptability for proper fit.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrating connector is designed with pre-configured adjustment ranges and mechanisms that accommodate most body types without requiring extensive customization. The connector includes pre-set adjustment increments and limits that enable quick sizing decisions, reducing the time needed to achieve proper fit while maintaining adaptability.
3Reliability
If existing full body harnesses use multiple straps and connectors to ensure safety, then fall protection reliability is improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces multiple separate connectors and adjustment mechanisms with a single integrating connector that performs all connection and adjustment functions. This consolidation significantly reduces the total weight of the harness while maintaining all necessary safety connections for reliable fall protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrating connector is designed to perform multiple functions (connecting three straps and providing adjustment mechanisms) in a single lightweight component. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for multiple heavy separate components, thereby reducing overall harness weight while ensuring comprehensive fall protection capability.
Data Source
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AI summary
Methods and apparatuses related to harnesses are provided. An example harness may include: a first leg strap comprising a first elongated member, a lower strap comprising a second elongated member, and an upper strap comprising a third elongated member.