Rotating Harness Attachment for Tangle-Resistant Gear Carry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing harnesses for climbers and workers at height are inflexible, leading to equipment entanglement and clutter due to fixed load-bearing structures, which do not support or position the user effectively.
Innovation Solution
A harness system with a flexible, resilient elastomeric connecting component and rotating mounting arrangement using rigid threaded fasteners, allowing equipment to be securely attached and rotated relative to the substrate, minimizing torsion loads and enabling versatile configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional fixed load-bearing structures are used in harnesses, then equipment can be securely attached, but the harness becomes cluttered and equipment becomes entangled due to inflexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the load-bearing structure flexible rather than fixed. The elastomeric webbing can dynamically adjust its configuration, allowing equipment to be securely attached while preventing entanglement through controlled flexibility. The webbing maintains attachment reliability while improving ease of operation by reducing clutter and allowing equipment to move independently.
2Reliability
If rigid threaded fasteners are used to mount connecting components, then secure attachment is achieved, but torsion loads are applied to the substrate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the mechanical properties of the mounting system. The elastomeric material changes the load transmission characteristics, allowing the threaded fastener to secure the connecting component while the elastomeric webbing absorbs torsion loads through its elastic properties, preventing these loads from being transmitted to the substrate.
3Quantity of substance
If multiple fixed mounting points are provided on the harness, then equipment carrying capacity increases, but the harness structure becomes more complex and less adaptable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by creating a multi-functional elastomeric webbing system that serves multiple purposes: it provides load-bearing support, acts as a flexible mounting surface, and allows multiple equipment items to be attached at different positions. The single elastomeric webbing structure replaces multiple fixed mounting points, reducing harness complexity while maintaining equipment carrying capacity through its adaptable nature.
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 system provides a flexible and versatile way to carry equipment, reducing entanglement and clutter while maintaining user support, allowing easy reconfiguration and secure attachment of items up to 5kg without applying torsion loads to the harness substrate.
Implementation Method 1
The resilient material of the mounting arrangement minimises the risk that it can be sufficiently flexible to allow the loop to flex out of the way of passing objects and not create a rigid fixing to the harness
Data Source
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AI summary
Apparatus for carrying equipment on a harness is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a connecting component (10), typically U-shaped, of resilient elastomeric material to which equipment to be carried can be connected and mounting arrangements. The mounting arrangements include a ferrule (20) and a bolt whereby the connecting component can be releasably connected to a substrate of a harness. The mounting arrangement is configured to permit rotation between the connecting component (10) and a substrate about an axis of the bolt. The connecting component can rotate with respect to the mounting arrangement Embodiments of the invention are suitable for use with a harness that includes a flexible semi-load-bearing substrate through which multiple mounting holes are formed