Pseudo-Crossover Safety Harness for Easy Donning and D-Ring Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fall-protection safety harnesses, particularly crossover-style harnesses, are cumbersome to don and can lead to strap tangling, especially for novice users, while H-style harnesses are easier to wear but may not provide optimal D-ring positioning for certain applications.
Innovation Solution
A pseudo-crossover design with ventral straps that deviate transversely inward and outward to form a ventral buckle aligned with the sagittal plane, incorporating 180-degree twists and folds to facilitate easy donning and secure attachment, while maintaining advantageous D-ring positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a crossover-style harness is used, then the D-ring positioning is optimal for certain applications, but the harness is cumbersome to don and can lead to strap tangling
Solution Approach 1:
The ventral strap is divided into multiple segments including a first portion, a second portion, and a connecting portion. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function independently, enabling the strap to achieve the crossover configuration for optimal D-ring positioning while simplifying the donning process through structured routing paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The harness is designed with pre-configured routing paths and attachment points that guide the user through the donning process. The ventral strap's connecting portion is pre-positioned to automatically route between the shoulder straps, eliminating the need for complex manual adjustments and preventing strap tangling before the user even completes the donning process.
2Reliability
If a crossover-style harness is used, then the D-ring positioning is optimal for certain applications, but strap tangling occurs
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the ventral strap into distinct portions with defined routing paths, the design prevents random strap entanglement. Each segment has a predetermined path that guides it away from other straps, eliminating the crossover tangling issue while maintaining the D-ring positioning benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting portion of the ventral strap acts as an intermediary element that mediates between the first and second portions. It provides a controlled transition path that prevents direct interaction and potential tangling between the left and right ventral straps, while still achieving the desired crossover configuration for proper D-ring alignment.
3Ease of operation
If an H-style harness is used, then the harness is easier to don, but the D-ring positioning is not optimal for certain applications
Solution Approach 1:
The ventral strap segmentation enables the harness to combine the ease of H-style donning with the D-ring positioning benefits of crossover designs. The first and second portions can be independently routed for easy donning, while the connecting portion ensures proper crossover configuration for optimal D-ring alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The ventral strap design serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides easy donning like an H-style harness, achieves optimal D-ring positioning like a crossover harness, and prevents strap tangling. This multi-functionality makes the harness universally applicable across different use cases without compromise.
Data Source
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AI summary
A fall-protection safety harness with first and second ventral straps and with a ventral buckle that is at least generally aligned with a sagittal plane of the user.