Webbing Bridge Buckle Attachment for Replaceable Safety Harnesses

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing webbing bridges in climbing and personal protective equipment are difficult and unsafe to replace, with manual knotting or screwing processes that can lead to improper connections and increased wear, compromising safety.

Innovation Solution

A webbing bridge design featuring a frame buckle and web buckle at its ends, where the web buckle is guided through an eyelet and then the frame buckle, allowing for secure clamping and easy attachment and detachment, reducing the risk of loosening and wear.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If webbing bridges are connected using manual knotting or screwing methods, then the connection can be established, but the replacement process becomes laborious and safety is compromised due to improper connections

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of webbing bridge replacementVSAvoidsafety of connection
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary attachment mechanism consisting of a clamping element and a counter-clamping element that mediate between the webbing bridge end and the belt loop. This mechanical intermediary system replaces manual knotting or screwing operations, providing both ease of operation (simple insertion and release) and high reliability (positive mechanical engagement with friction locking), thereby resolving the contradiction between ease of replacement and connection safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the webbing bridge is made replaceable by users, then maintenance flexibility is improved, but improper installation and insufficient tightening lead to safety issues

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser replaceability of webbing bridgeVSAvoidconnection security
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment mechanism is designed to be self-servicing for the user - the clamping element can be easily inserted through the belt loop and engaged with the counter-clamping element without requiring specialized tools or skills. The system automatically ensures proper engagement through its mechanical design (friction locking, positive engagement), eliminating the need for users to perform complex tightening operations while maintaining high connection security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Device complexity

If traditional eyelet connections are used for webbing bridges, then the structure is simple, but increased wear results in frequent replacement requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidservice life of webbing bridge
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes flexible webbing material with integrated clamping elements that distribute mechanical stresses over larger surface areas compared to traditional rigid eyelet connections. The flexible nature of the webbing and the distributed contact areas reduce point loads and friction concentrations, thereby minimizing wear on both the webbing bridge and the belt loop while extending service life, all while maintaining relatively simple device structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentEP3772363B1Belt for applying to a person that needs to be secured with a belt bridge
Publication Date: 2022.06.08 SKYLOTEC GMBH
  • EP3772363B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3772363B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3772363B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a harness for attaching to a person to be secured, in particular a climbing harness or as personal protective equipment, comprising a waist belt (2), a leg strap (1) and a webbing bridge (3), wherein the waist belt (2) and/or the leg strap (1) each has an eyelet (6) on both sides, the webbing bridge (3) has a frame buckle (9) and a bridge buckle (8) at each of its end regions (4), and the webbing bridge (3) is guided through the respective bridge buckle (8) at its respective end regions (4), the respective end of the webbing bridge (3) is guided through the respective frame buckle (8) and connected to the respective end region of the webbing bridge (3).so that the respective bridge buckle (8) and frame buckle (9) are arranged at a distance from each other and the respective end area (4) of the webbing bridge (3) can be attached to the respective eyelet (6) by first passing the respective bridge buckle (8) through the respective eyelet (6) and then through the respective frame buckle (9).