Integrated Suspension Trauma Relief Strap Assembly for Snag Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional trauma relief assemblies for fall protection harnesses pose abrasion and snagging hazards and are complex to connect and adjust, particularly when in use by suspended workers.

Innovation Solution

A suspension trauma relief strap assembly with a first housing integrally mounted within the fall protection harness and a connection mechanism on the opposite side, forming a connection assembly with a strap and connector, which can be easily adjusted and connected, reducing potential abrasion and snagging hazards.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional trauma relief assemblies are mounted on exteriors of fall protection harnesses, then they provide trauma relief functionality, but they create potential abrasion or snagging hazards

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetrauma relief functionalityVSAvoidabrasion and snagging hazards

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The trauma relief assembly is nested within the fall protection harness structure. The housing is integrally mounted within one side of the harness, and the connection mechanism is disposed on the opposite side, creating a compact integrated unit that eliminates external mounting hazards while maintaining trauma relief functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the housing, strap, connector, and connection mechanism into a single integrated trauma relief assembly that is incorporated within the harness structure. This merging of components eliminates the need for separate external mounting while providing both trauma relief and structural integration benefits

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If conventional trauma relief assemblies include multiple components, then they provide adjustable trauma relief, but they require workers to use both hands when connecting and adjusting

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadjustable trauma reliefVSAvoidconnection and adjustment complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The trauma relief assembly is segmented into distinct functional components (housing, strap, connector, connection mechanism) that are pre-assembled and integrated. This segmentation allows for simplified one-handed operation while maintaining adjustability, as each component is designed to work independently yet cooperatively within the integrated assembly

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connection mechanism is designed to be self-contained and self-operating, requiring minimal manual intervention. The integrally mounted housing and disposed connection mechanism work together to provide automatic alignment and engagement, reducing the need for complex two-handed manipulation while preserving adjustment capabilities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4051391B1Fall protection suspension trauma relief assembly

Publication Date: 2025.08.27 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES CO

Figure 1
Figure 1B~3
Figure 2A

AI summary

There is provided a suspension trauma relief strap assembly for use in a fall protection harness comprising: a first housing integrally mounted within one side of the fall protection harness and configured to hold a strap, where the strap has a first end and a second end, and where the first end is operably connected to the first housing and the second end includes a connector; and a connection mechanism disposed on a second side of the fall protection harness, where the connection mechanism is configured to connect with the connector to form a connection assembly. There is also provided fall protection harnesses including these suspension trauma relief strap assemblies.