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EP-3764834-B1 - HARNESS CONNECTION ARRANGEMENT

EP3764834B1EP 3764834 B1EP3764834 B1EP 3764834B1EP-3764834-B1

Inventors

  • HETRICH, MITCHELL, H.

Dates

Publication Date
20260513
Application Date
20190411

Claims (12)

  1. A connection arrangement (200) for use with a wearable body harness, the connection arrangement comprising: a first connector (202) having a body (206a) with a first portion of a locking mechanism (201); and a second connector (204) having a body (206b) with a second portion of the locking mechanism (201), wherein the first portion of the locking mechanism (201) comprises: a tab (242a) connected to the body (206a) of the first connector and angled at a predetermined angle relative to a plane defined by the body (206a), and a slot (248a) having a first portion (249a) extending through the body (206a) of the first connector and a second portion (251a) extending through the tab (242a), and wherein the second portion of the locking mechanism (201) comprises: a tongue (258b) configured for being received through the first portion (249a) of the slot (248a), and an intermediate connecting element (260b) having a first end (262b) connected to the body (206b) of the second connector and a second end (264b) connected to the tongue (258b), the second end (264b) of the intermediate connecting element (260b) being offset from the body (206b) of the second connector (204) such that the intermediate connecting element (260b) is receivable in the second portion (251a) of the slot (248a) on the tab (242a), wherein the tongue (258b) is connected to the intermediate connecting element (260b) along a first elongated side (263b) that is wider than a width of the intermediate connecting element (260b) wherein the first elongated side (263b) has a first portion (265b) overlapping a first side of the intermediate connecting element (260b) and a second portion (266b) overlapping a second side of the intermediate connecting element (260b) , the connection arrangement being characterized in that a width of the first portion (265b) of the first elongated side (263b) is shorter than a width of the second portion (266b) of the first elongated side (263b).
  2. The connection arrangement of claim 1, wherein the first portion of the locking mechanism (201) is configured for interacting with the second portion of the locking mechanism (201) to removably engage the first connector (202) and the second connector (204) between a first, locked configuration, where the first connector (202) and the second connector (204) are connected to each other, and a second, unlocked configuration, where the first connector (202) and the second connector (204) are disconnected from each other.
  3. The connection arrangement of claim 1, wherein the predetermined angle is 30° to 180°; or wherein the body (206a, 206b) of at least one of the first connector (202) and the second connector (204) is substantially planar.
  4. The connection arrangement of any preceding claim, wherein the first portion (249a) of the slot (248a) has an angled end surface (256a) that is angled at an angle of 90° to 180° relative to lateral surfaces of the first portion (249a) of the slot (248a); or wherein a width of the first portion (249a) of the slot is narrower than a width of the tongue (258b); or wherein a width of the second portion (251a) of the slot is wider than a width of the intermediate connecting element (260b).
  5. The connection arrangement of claim 1, wherein the body (206a, 206b) of each of the first connector (202) and the second connector (204) comprises at least one fixed buckle (214a, 214b) configured for receiving at least a portion of a harness webbing therethrough.
  6. The connection arrangement of claim 5, wherein the at least one fixed buckle (214a, 214b) has a bar (216a, 216b) spaced apart from the body (206a, 206b) of each of the first connector (202) and the second connector (204) by a gap (218a, 218b) and a pair of posts (220a, 220b) connecting terminal ends of the bar (216a, 216b) to the body (206a, 206b) of each of the first connector (202) and the second connector (204).
  7. The connection arrangement of claim 1, wherein the body (206a, 206b) of each of the first connector and the second connector (202, 204) comprises at least one adjustable buckle (222a, 222b) configured for receiving at least a portion of a harness webbing therethrough, the adjustable buckle (222a, 222b) having an adjustment mechanism configured for adjusting a position of at least one strap of the harness by selective frictional engagement with the at least one strap of the harness.
  8. The connection arrangement of claim 7, wherein the adjustment mechanism comprises a frame (224a, 224b) connected at its terminal ends (228a, 228b) to the body (206a, 206b) of each of the first connector and the second connector with an opening (226a, 226b) between a central portion of the frame (224a, 224b) and the body (206a, 206b) of each of the first connector and the second connector, and an adjustment bar (230a, 230b) extending across the opening (226a, 226b) and movably engaged with the terminal ends (228a, 228b) of the frame.
  9. The connection arrangement of claim 8, wherein the adjustment bar (230a, 230b) has an elongated body (272a, 272b) with terminal ends (274a, 274b) curved in a direction toward one another; or wherein the frame (224a, 224b) has a lifting tab (240a, 240b) configured as an arcuate bend in the frame (224a, 224b).
  10. The connection arrangement of claim 1, further comprising a relief opening (212a, 212b) extending through the body (206a, 206b) of at least one of the first connector and the second connector.
  11. A wearable body harness (100) having a plurality of straps comprising: a first shoulder strap (126a) and a second shoulder strap (126b); and the connection arrangement (200) of claim 1, wherein: the first connector (202) is on the first shoulder strap (126a); and the second connector (204) is on the second shoulder strap (126b), wherein the first shoulder strap (126a) and the second shoulder strap (126b) are removably connectable to each other with engagement of the first connector (202) and the second connector (204).
  12. The wearable body harness of claim 11, wherein the first shoulder strap (126a) has a first portion connected to a first end of the first connector (202) and a second portion connected to a second end of the first connector (202), and wherein the second shoulder strap (126b) has a first portion connected to a first end of the second connector (204) and a second portion connected to a second end of the second connector (204); or wherein the first shoulder strap and the second shoulder strap (126a, 126b) are arranged in an X-shaped configuration at a front portion of the harness.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE Field of the Disclosure The present disclosure relates generally to wearable body harnesses and, in particular, to a harness connection arrangement for use with wearable body harnesses. Description of the Related Art As is known in the art, there exist various safety devices and arrangements that can be worn by or attached to a user to ensure the wearer's safety in certain situations. Such mechanisms come in many forms, including, but not limited to, harnesses and safety belts. Full body harnesses are widely used for lifting and lowering individuals in dangerous situations and as a primary component in a personal fall arrest system. These harnesses can also be used for work positioning, travel restriction, ladder climbing, rescue retrieval, and evacuation. While these harnesses are used mainly in an industrial setting, and particularly the construction industry where the likelihood and danger of falls from heights is both numerous and significant, a full body harness can be used in various other applications in which total suspension and support of the body must be ensured, either expectedly or unexpectedly. While there are many variations in full body harness construction, all typically include a plurality of elongate straps that are combined together to fit around a user's body. In some embodiments or aspects, a full body harness may have an attachment point (D-ring) typically positioned in a central portion of the user's back or chest, and a plurality of straps routed around predetermined portions of the user's body in such a manner as to hold or suspend the user in the event of a fall. One or more straps of the harness may be removably connected together by a connector, such as a buckle. While a variety of connectors exist in the art for connecting the straps of the harness, there is a continued need in the art for improved connectors. For example, there is a need for improved connectors that prevent tangling of harness straps. There is a further need in the art for improved connectors that can be easily and effectively connected and disconnected to allow quick donning and removal of the harness. There is also a need for improved connectors with increased safety compliance and redundant safety mechanisms. An example of a belt buckle for safety belts, in particular for rescue vests, is described in DE940021 8U1, which discloses the preamble of claim 1. An example of a belt fastener with engageable fastener parts is described in CH619848A5. Another example of a strap fastener is described in US1494610A1. An example of a side loop buckle is described in US2422459A. An example of a tension-free buckle or clip for a safety harness is described in FR1468431A. These documents may be useful in understanding the present invention. SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE Generally, provided is an improved body harness having an improved harness connection arrangement. Preferably, provided is an improved harness having a harness connection arrangement that can be easily and effectively worn by the user in a variety of work environments without compromising the user's ability to move. Preferably, provided is a harness having a connector for connecting at least two straps of the harness, wherein the connector can be easily and effectively connected and disconnected to allow quick donning and removal of the harness. Preferably, provided is an improved harness having a harness connection arrangement that not only leads to increased safety compliance at the worksite, but also provides increased effectiveness and safety to the user. The present invention provides a connection arrangement for use with a wearable body harness as defined in appended claim 1. The connection arrangement comprises a first connector having a body with a first portion of a locking mechanism, and a second connector having a body with a second portion of the locking mechanism. The first portion of the locking mechanism has a tab connected to the body of the first connector and angled at a predetermined angle relative to a plane defined by the body, and a slot having a first portion extending through the body of the first connector and a second portion extending through the tab. The second portion of the locking mechanism has a tongue configured for being received through the first portion of the slot, and an intermediate connecting element having a first end connected to the body of the second connector and a second end connected to the tongue. The second end of the intermediate connecting element is offset from the body of the second connector such that the intermediate connecting element is receivable in the second portion of the slot on the tab. In some embodiments, the first portion of the locking mechanism may be configured for interacting with the second portion of the locking mechanism to removably engage the first connector and the second connector between a first, locked configuration, where the first connector and the sec