Tree-Stand Safety Harness for Upright Fall Arrest and Self-Rescue
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing safety harnesses for tree stands often cause injury due to sudden and significant force upon engagement, fail to suspend users upright, and can lead to suspension trauma as users have no means to pull themselves back up after a fall.
Innovation Solution
A safety harness design featuring a user member, anchor member, and connecting member with a round or oval ring and D-ring configuration that allows for smooth, quiet movement and enables users to pull themselves up after a fall, incorporating a sling or seat-like attachment for upright suspension and optional shoulder straps for added safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional safety harness is used to stop falls, then the individual is prevented from striking the ground, but the harness exerts an instantaneous and significant force on the body that can cause injury
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by incorporating an energy-absorbing mechanism into the harness system that activates during fall arrest. The connecting member is designed to gradually dissipate the impact energy through controlled deformation or friction, rather than transmitting the full instantaneous force to the user's body. This pre-planned energy absorption capability reduces the harmful impact forces while maintaining reliable fall protection.
2Reliability
If a traditional safety harness stops the fall, then the individual is prevented from hitting the ground, but the individual has no way to pull themselves back up onto the platform
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by designing the harness system with integrated rescue features that enable the user to independently pull themselves back up after a fall. The connecting member or anchor member includes mechanisms such as friction sliders, prusik knots, or mechanical advantage systems that allow the user to generate sufficient upward force using their own body weight and strength. This eliminates the need for external rescue while maintaining reliable fall protection.
3Reliability
If a traditional safety harness is used, then the individual is restrained from falling, but the harness may suspend the individual in a non-upright position which is unsafe
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies equipotentiality by designing the harness geometry and connection points to naturally guide the user's body into an upright suspended position. The anchor member and connecting member are configured with specific attachment points on the user's body (such as the waist and shoulders) that create a stable equilibrium position where the user hangs vertically. This eliminates the need for active positioning while preventing suspension trauma through proper anatomical alignment.
4Reliability
If a safety harness is attached to the tree or support, then the individual is protected from falls, but the harness creates noise during movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies flexible shells and thin films by using webbing or flexible straps instead of rigid components for the connecting member and anchor member. These flexible elements move smoothly against each other and the tree surface without creating the clanking or scraping noises associated with metal hardware. The flexible material maintains secure attachment while enabling quiet movement, thus preserving fall protection without the noise problem.
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 design reduces the risk of injury and suspension trauma by absorbing shock, suspending users upright, and allowing self-pullback, enhancing safety and flexibility while preventing falls and noise during movement.
Implementation Method 1
The present safety system when worn facing the tree such as a climbing belt better absorbs the shock of a fall
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention generally relates to a safety restraint suitable for restraining the hunter to a tree in a deer stand. The safety harness of the invention comprises aiii) user member for connecting to the user,iv) an anchor member for attachment to a tree or other suitable generally vertical stand mounting member andiii) a connecting member which cooperatively connects the user and anchor members,wherein connected to said anchor member is a round and/or oval shaped ring sewn into the anchor strap material. The connecting member which is attached to the user member is connected to the D-ring or round and/or oval shaped ring attached to said anchor member.