Vertically Adjustable Belt Safety Harness

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current full-body safety harnesses face comfort and adjustment issues, particularly with the anchor connection's proper location being compromised when the belt position is altered after donning, which is critical for safety during falls.

Innovation Solution

The safety harness design includes a D-ring fixed to the upper torso portion, elongate waist straps with a load distributing member, and a securing member that allows the belt to translate vertically while maintaining anchor connections' proper location, ensuring the D-ring remains on the upper back and distributing forces effectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the belt position is altered after donning the harness, then user comfort is improved, but the anchor connection location is compromised from its proper position

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebelt adjustabilityVSAvoidanchor connection positioning
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The harness is divided into functionally independent segments: the upper torso portion with fixed anchor connections (D-rings) and the belt portion with vertical adjustability. This segmentation allows the belt to be repositioned for comfort while the anchor connections remain stationary at their proper locations for safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The belt is designed with dynamic vertical adjustability, allowing it to move up and down along the torso for comfort optimization, while the anchor connections maintain static positioning at their critical safety locations on the upper torso.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the D-ring is fixed to the upper torso portion, then anchor connection reliability is improved, but the belt cannot be repositioned for comfort

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanchor connection positioningVSAvoidbelt adjustability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The harness structure separates the anchor connection system (fixed to upper torso) from the belt system (vertically adjustable), allowing each to independently fulfill its function without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The upper torso portion acts as an intermediary structure that anchors the D-rings in fixed positions while providing attachment points for the adjustable belt, mediating between the need for fixed anchor connections and adjustable belt positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If the belt is made vertically adjustable, then user comfort is improved, but the structural complexity of the harness increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebelt adjustabilityVSAvoidharness structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The belt incorporates simple vertical adjustment mechanisms that allow dynamic repositioning without requiring complex systems, maintaining structural simplicity while providing adjustability functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The belt's vertical position parameter can be changed by the user through simple adjustment mechanisms, providing comfort optimization without fundamentally altering the harness's overall structure or requiring complex systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3034133B1Safety harness with vertically adjustable belt
Publication Date: 2020.09.09 HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC
  • EP3034133B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3034133B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3034133B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A safety harness (10) is provided to be worn by a person for fall protection. The safety harness includes an upper leg portion (98) adapted to secure the harness (10) to the upper legs of a person wearing the harness (10), an upper torso portion (12) operatively connected to the upper leg portion (98) and adapted to secure the harness (10) to the upper torso of a person wearing the harness (10). The upper torso portion (12) includes at least one anchor connection component (50,56,58) for receiving a connector that is attached to an anchor for fall protection, and a belt (100) adapted to secure the harness (10) around the waist of a person wearing the harness (10). The belt (100) is mounted on the upper torso portion (12) for vertical translation relative to the at least one anchor connection component (50,56,58) after the upper leg and upper torso portions (98,12) are secured to a person.