Leg Pad Assembly with Handles for Safety Harness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Safety harnesses for fall protection systems can cause discomfort and health issues due to the prolonged force applied by leg straps when a worker is suspended vertically, as they are difficult to adjust to reduce this force effectively.
Innovation Solution
A leg pad assembly with handles and elastic cording that allows users to adjust the position of the safety harness, reducing the force applied by leg straps by enabling a transition from a vertical to a seated position, thereby distributing the weight more naturally and comfortably.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the worker remains suspended in a vertical position, then the fall protection function is maintained, but the force applied by leg straps becomes uncomfortable and unhealthy for extended periods
Solution Approach 1:
The leg pad assembly incorporates movable handles connected via elastic cording that allows the leg straps to dynamically adjust from a vertical configuration to a more horizontal configuration. This dynamic adjustment enables the worker to transition from an uncomfortable vertical suspension position to a more comfortable seated position, reducing the harmful force on the legs while maintaining fall protection reliability.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If the worker needs to remain suspended for an extended period, then the fall protection system must maintain reliability, but the worker experiences discomfort and health issues
Solution Approach 1:
The leg pad assembly enables dynamic repositioning of the leg straps during extended suspension periods. The movable handles with elastic cording allow the worker to adjust the leg strap angle from vertical to horizontal, enabling comfortable extended suspension by reducing the harmful force on the legs.
3Reliability
If the leg straps apply force to support the worker's weight in vertical position, then the fall protection function works, but it is difficult for the worker to reduce the force applied
Solution Approach 1:
The leg pad assembly introduces handles as intermediary elements between the worker's hands and the leg straps. These handles, connected via elastic cording to the leg pad portions, serve as leverage points that enable the worker to easily adjust and reposition the leg straps from vertical to horizontal configuration, making it simple to reduce the force applied while maintaining fall protection.
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
The leg pad assembly with handles and elastic cording allows users to comfortably and safely suspend for extended periods by reducing the force on leg straps, making the suspension more natural and less hazardous.
Implementation Method 1
elastic cording attached to each of the pair of handles and being structured to bias the pair of handles toward each other and against the pair of leg pad portions
Data Source
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AI summary
A leg pad assembly (10) for a safety harness (1), the leg pad assembly including a pair of leg pad portions (16) structured to receive leg straps (12) of the safety harness, a central pad portion (18) connecting the pair of leg pad portions and structured to receive a seat strap (14) of the safety harness, a pair of handles (30), wherein each handle is attached to one of the pair of leg pad portions, and elastic cording (40) attached to each of the pair of handles and being structured to bias the pair of handles toward each other and against the pair of leg pad portions.