Safety Harness Weight Distribution Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing safety harnesses cause discomfort and fatigue due to uneven weight distribution, leading to upward movement of shoulder straps and downward sliding of the dorsal D-ring, as they fail to effectively manage the weight of tools and equipment attached, resulting in unnecessary readjustment and potential safety hazards.

Innovation Solution

A safety harness with a semi-rigid to rigid weight distribution assembly that transfers the load from the dorsal pad assembly to the waist belt or hip pad, using a support assembly that includes a support member and adjustable components to redistribute weight from the shoulders to the hip or pelvis area, thereby reducing shoulder and back strain.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional safety harness design is used, then the harness can be simple in structure, but the weight distribution is uneven causing shoulder discomfort and fatigue

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovecomfortVSAvoidstructure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support assembly is divided into multiple components including support members, connectors, and adjustment mechanisms. This segmentation allows the complex weight distribution function to be achieved through modular components that can be independently adjusted and maintained, resolving the contradiction between comfort and structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The support members include adjustable components that allow the harness to adapt dynamically to different user body shapes and weight distributions. This dynamic adjustability enables the complex structure to provide optimal comfort for each user while maintaining ease of operation through user-specific customization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If tools and equipment are attached to the safety harness, then the harness provides necessary functionality, but the weight causes upward movement of shoulder straps and dorsal D-ring sliding

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoidposition stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The support assembly acts as a counterweight system by providing structural support that opposes the downward force of attached tools and equipment. The support members distribute this weight across the user's body, preventing the upward movement of shoulder straps and dorsal D-ring sliding, thus maintaining position stability while preserving functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

Solution Approach 2:

The harness design incorporates localized reinforcement and support structures at critical points where tools and equipment are attached. This local quality enhancement allows the harness to handle variable weights and configurations of attached equipment without compromising overall position stability, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If the dorsal D-ring is positioned to accommodate fall protection equipment, then the harness provides safety functionality, but the weight of equipment causes the D-ring to slide downward and require readjustment

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoidreadjustment time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The support assembly is pre-configured to provide optimal weight distribution and D-ring positioning before the user begins work. This preliminary action ensures that the dorsal D-ring maintains its correct position throughout use, eliminating the need for readjustment and preventing loss of safety functionality, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and time loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3197566B1Safety harness
Publication Date: 2024.03.27 D B INDUSTRIES LLC
  • EP3197566B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP3197566B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6
  • EP3197566B1 patent drawingFigure 7~8

AI summary

A safety harness comprises shoulder straps, a waist strap, and a weight distribution assembly interconnecting the shoulder straps and the waist strap. The weight distribution assembly is configured and arranged to transfer a load from proximate the shoulder straps to proximate the waist strap.