Harness Leg Strap Orientation for Comfort and Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fall protection harnesses, such as those with a 'bikini' cut leg strap arrangement, cause discomfort due to straps riding up and pinching the groin area, leading to improper wear and reduced safety compliance, while 'sit' harnesses are difficult to don and adjust.
Innovation Solution
The design features leg straps that extend around the leg in a direction of equal to or less than 30° from a horizontal line, avoiding the V-shape and using adjustable straps with D-ring members and attachment structures for secure and comfortable attachment, allowing easier donning and reduced groin area contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a 'bikini' cut leg strap arrangement is used, then the harness provides support to the user's lower body, but the straps ride up and contact the groin area causing discomfort and improper wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameter of the leg strap orientation from a V-shape configuration to a horizontal configuration (equal to or less than 30° from horizontal). This parameter change redirects the strap path to avoid the groin area while maintaining leg support functionality, resolving the contradiction between support effectiveness and comfort.
2Reliability
If a 'sit' harness is used, then the leg loops provide support, but the leg loops do not fully open making donning difficult and requiring balance maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the leg strap into multiple adjustable sections with independent attachment points. This segmentation allows the leg strap to fully open during donning while maintaining proper leg support when worn, eliminating the need to maintain balance during the donning process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic adjustability to the leg strap through movable attachment points and adjustable mechanisms. This allows the leg strap to transition from a closed configuration during donning to a properly positioned open configuration during wear, resolving the contradiction between support and donning ease.
3Adaptability or versatility
If adjustable straps are used to fit different wearers, then the harness can accommodate variations in body size and clothing, but the straps may not remain properly positioned leading to riding up
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates preliminary positioning features in the leg strap design, such as pre-configured attachment points and orientation guides, that ensure the strap maintains its horizontal position once adjusted. This preliminary action prevents the strap from riding up during subsequent use, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and position stability.
Data Source
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AI summary
An attachable arrangement (10), including a plurality of straps (12) removably attachable to a body of a user. The plurality of straps includes: at least one strap removably attachable around a first leg (LI) of the user; and at least one strap removably attachable around a second leg(L2) of the user. When attached, the at least one strap extends around the leg of the user in a direction of equal to or less than about 30° (4) from a substantially horizontal line (B) perpendicular to a substantially vertical axis extending down the leg of the user. A full body harness is also disclosed.