Abstract:
A full-body harness, with or without an integral support line, with the harness being adaptable for class I, class II, and/or class III service, and for use by safety personnel (such as firefighters, for example) for situations that call for emergency activity in areas where falls from an unsafe height are possible.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of provisional application Ser. No. 60/434,933 filed on Dec. 19, 2002 and provisional application Ser. No. 60/495,985, filed on Aug. 18, 2003, both documents incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This application relates generally to a body harness, and also to a full body harness with integral support line for emergency crews or for general safety use. 
     More specifically, this application relates to a harness adaptable for class I, class II, and/or class III service for use by safety personnel (such as firefighters, for example) for situations that call for emergency activity in areas where falls from an unsafe height are possible (such as rescues from skyscrapers, cliffs, or other raised locations, for example). 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Firefighters traditionally wear outer clothing that is known in the art as turnout gear. Turnout gear includes a large coat and pants that typically have an inner liner and an outer layer. The outer layer or shell is usually constructed from materials that are resistant to abrasion, flame, heat, and water. 
     In addition to the turnout gear coat and pants, firefighters also wear a helmet, thick gloves, and a large oxygen tank. As can be appreciated, the equipment is heavy and bulky, and there is understandably a great resistance by firefighters to add any further equipment to what is already in use. 
     Unfortunately, for firefighters entering a burning building, especially a high-rise building, the conventional equipment typically does not include means to facilitate escape from a window or roof of the building. Moreover, for a firefighter who is injured and incapable of escaping from the building, the conventional equipment does not include means to facilitate lifting, lowering, or dragging the injured firefighter from the building. 
     In the past, an unsatisfactory solution to this problem has been to carry lengths of rope in a coat pocket (which can be lost or difficult to retrieve) or a coil of rope over-the-shoulder (which can get snagged on things in the building, be dropped, or is otherwise inconvenient for the firefighter to carry). Alternatively, firefighters may utilize bulky and complex body harnesses that may be easily entangled and difficult to put on properly, leading to excessive dress time and delays. Therefore, it is common for firefighters to enter tall buildings during a fire either without a support line or harness, or with an unreliable support line or a harness improperly fitted or fastened together, which can lead to failure of the rescue equipment when it is needed most. Further, when a firefighter is incapacitated, he must be physically lifted and carried, or dragged by his coat by a rescuer, which can greatly burden another rescuer. 
     Therefore, there exists a need in the art for a means to facilitate escape from upper floors of a building which incorporates a full-body harness that meets or exceeds current safety requirements, is easily adjustable for individual firefighters, and is easy to put on and take off. There also exists a need in the art for a means and method for rescuing incapacitated people from buildings. Finally, there exists a need in the art for firefighter turnout gear that incorporates such escape and rescue means. 
     A number of harnesses have been developed in an attempt to satisfy some of the above determined needs. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,970,517 and 6,487,725 to the present inventor, both incorporated herein by reference, disclose a harness with an integrated support line. 
     Many of the harness units that currently exist have a number of problems and shortcomings. For example, the connecting ends of current harnesses, when unbuckled, may lead to the harness device getting separated and spread out, such that it can be difficult for the wearer to easily find the ends to strap the harness together, or the harness might get tangled up in firefighting clothing or in the support lines. Further, many currently available harnesses are limited in their ability to be adjusted to closely fit the individual, and thus can be uncomfortable when worn, or even maladjusted, preventing their proper functioning. Even further, many existing harnesses may become entangled or are difficult to properly adjust and are difficult to put on and/or take off, leading to delays in getting the firefighter to the rescue. 
     Finally, there are three basic types of harnesses for emergency work defined by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) as defined in the NFPA 1983: Standard on Fire Service Life Safety Rope and System Components, incorporated herein by reference. 
     A class I harness is primarily a positioning belt to catch the wearer if he slips, and is for personal egress. A Class I harness fastens around the waist and around thighs or under buttocks, and is designed to be used for emergency escape with a design load of about three hundred Ibf or more. A class II harness is suitable for rappelling work and is one that fastens around the waist and around the thighs or under the buttocks, and is designed for rescue with a design load of six hundred Ibf or more. Finally, a class III harness is a full-body harness that fastens around the waist or chest, around the thighs or under the buttocks, and over the shoulders, and is designed for rescue with a design load of six hundred Ibf or more and which provides maximum fall protection. 
     It would be beneficial to have a single design that could satisfy all of these needs, and be adjustable to be utilized as a Class I, Class II, or a Class III harness. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Provided is a harness comprising: a first configuration for making the harness a class I harness; a second configuration for making the harness a class II harness; and a third configuration for making the harness a class III harness. Each of the configurations can be implemented by a user configuring the harness while putting it on. 
     Also provided is a harness comprising: a harness body portion and one or more of a leg strap, a chest strap, a back strap, and a shoulder strap (with the shoulder strap having a shoulder pull handle for adjusting the shoulder strap). The harness also comprising a support line module including a support line with the support line module and the harness body portion being secured to one another. 
     Further provided is a harness comprising a harness body portion including: a first configuration for making the harness a class I harness; a second configuration for making the harness a class II harness; and a third configuration for making the harness a class III harness. Each of the configurations can be implemented by a user configuring the harness while putting it on. 
     The above harness also comprises a support line module including a support line. The support line module and the harness body portion are secured to one another in the above harness. 
     Also provided is a harness comprising: a harness body portion having a first end and a second end; a fastener for releasably securing the first end to the second end to releasably secure the harness body portion around a user; and a support line module containing a support line. 
     The support line module and the harness body portion of the above harness are releasably secured to one another, and the support line has a first end which can be extended from the support line module and a second end that is releasably secured to one of the harness body portion and the support line module. 
     The above harness also comprises a leg strap, with one part connected to the harness body portion and another part releasably secured to the harness body portion for wearing around the legs of the user. The above harness also comprises a shoulder strap with one part connected to the harness body portion and another part releasably secured to the harness body portion for wearing around the shoulders and chest of the user. 
     Still further provided is harness comprising: a shoulder strap for wearing across the shoulder of a user and a waist strap assembly connected to the shoulder strap. The ends of the waist strap assembly can be buckled across the waist of the user. 
     The harness also comprises a leg strap connected to the shoulder strap. The waist strap is connected to the leg strap. The harness is adjustable for providing: a first configuration for making the harness a class I harness; a second configuration for making the harness a class II harness; and a third configuration for making the harness a class III harness. Each of the configurations can be implemented by a user configuring the harness while putting it on. 
     Also provided is harness comprising: a left shoulder strap for wearing across the left shoulder of a user; a right shoulder strap for wearing across the right shoulder of a user and connected to the left shoulder strap; and a waist strap assembly connected to the left shoulder strap and connected to the right shoulder strap. The waist strap assembly can be buckled across the waist of the user. 
     The harness also comprises a left leg strap for wearing across the left leg or left thigh of the user and connected to the right shoulder strap; and a right leg strap for wearing across a right leg or right thigh of the user and connected to the left shoulder strap. The left leg strap and the right leg strap are connected to each other, and the waist strap is connected to the right leg strap and also connected to the left leg strap. 
     Even further provided is a harness comprising: a left shoulder strap; a right shoulder strap connected to the left shoulder strap for wearing behind a user and also connected to the left shoulder strap for wearing in front of the user; a right waist strap connected to one or both of the right shoulder strap and the left shoulder strap; a left waist strap connected to one or both of the right shoulder strap and the left shoulder strap; a waist buckle assembly for connecting the left waist strap to the right waist strap for wearing around the waist of the user; a leg buckle assembly for connecting to the waist buckle assembly; a left leg strap for crossing a left leg or left thigh of the user connected to the leg buckle assembly and also connected to one or both of the right shoulder strap and the left shoulder strap; and a right leg strap for crossing a right leg or right thigh of the user connected to the leg buckle assembly and also connected to one or both of the right shoulder strap and the left shoulder strap. 
     Also provided is a harness comprising: a left shoulder strap; a right shoulder strap connected to the left shoulder strap at a central back connection point for wearing across the back of a user; a chest strap for wearing across the chest of the user and connected to the right shoulder strap and also connected to the left shoulder strap; a back strap connected to the right shoulder strap and also connected to the left shoulder strap; a right waist strap connected to the back strap; a left waist strap connected to the back strap; a waist buckle assembly for connecting the left waist strap to the right waist strap for wearing around the waist of the user; a leg buckle assembly for connecting to the waist buckle assembly; a left leg strap for wearing across a left leg or left thigh of the user and connected to the leg buckle assembly and also connected to the back strap and also connected to the right shoulders strap; and a right leg strap for wearing across a right leg or right thigh of the user and connected to the leg buckle assembly and also connected to the back strap and also connected to the left shoulder strap. 
     And further provided is a harness comprising: a left shoulder strap including: a first left shoulder strap end having a right shoulder strap pull handle; and a second left shoulder strap end; a right shoulder strap including: a first right shoulder strap end having a left shoulder strap pull handle and adjustably connected to the second end of the left shoulder strap for adjusting the left shoulder strap via the left shoulder strap pull handle; and a second right shoulder strap end adjustably connected to the first left shoulder strap end for adjusting the right shoulder strap via the right shoulder strap pull handle. 
     The right shoulder strap of the above harness is connected to the left shoulder strap at a central back connection point for crossing the back of a user. 
     The above harness further comprises a chest strap including a chest pull handle and a buckle at one end for adjusting the chest strap, the chest strap for crossing the chest of the user and being connected to the right shoulder strap at one of the one end and another end and also connected to the left shoulder strap at the other of the one end and the another end; a back strap including: a first back strap end; and a second back strap end. 
     The back strap of the above harness is moveably connected to the right shoulder strap near the first end and moveably connected to the left shoulder strap near the second end. 
     The above harness further comprises a right waist strap including: a first right waist strap end having a right waist strap pull handle; and a second right waist strap end connected to the second end of the back strap. 
     The above harness further comprises a left waist strap including: a first left waist strap end having a left waist strap pull handle; and a second left waist strap end connected to the first end of the back strap. 
     The above harness further comprises a waist buckle assembly for releasably connecting the first left waist strap end to the first right waist strap end across the waist of the user; a leg buckle assembly for releasably connecting to the waist buckle assembly; a left leg strap including: a first left leg strap end having a left leg pull handle; and a second left leg strap end connected to the leg buckle assembly. 
     The left leg strap is for crossing a left leg or left thigh of the user, and the left leg strap is adjustably connected to the back strap for adjusting the left leg strap via the left leg strap pull handle. 
     Finally, the above harness also comprises: a right leg strap including: a first right leg strap end having a right leg pull handle; and a second right leg strap end connected to the leg buckle assembly. 
     The right leg strap of the above harness is for crossing a right leg or right thigh of the user, and the right leg strap is adjustably connected to the back strap for adjusting the right leg strap via the right leg strap pull handle. 
     Further provided is the above harness further comprising a support line module containing a support line, the support line module and the harness being releasably secured to one another, wherein the support line has a first end which can be extended from the support line module and a second end being releasably secured to one of the harness and the support line module. 
     The above harness is adjustable for providing: a first configuration for making the harness a class I harness; a second configuration for making the harness a class II harness; and a third configuration for making the harness a class III harness. Each of the configurations of the above harness can be implemented by a user configuring the harness while putting it on. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a schematic of a front view of an embodiment of the full-body harness being worn by an individual; 
         FIG. 2  shows a schematic of a back view of an embodiment of the full-body harness being worn by an individual; 
         FIG. 3  shows a schematic of a front view of the embodiment of the full-body harness; 
         FIG. 4  shows a schematic of a back view of the embodiment of the full-body harness; 
         FIG. 5  shows a schematic of a close up of an example adjusting buckle for the embodiment of the full-body harness; and 
         FIG. 6  shows a schematic of a close up of an example adjusting buckle for the embodiment of the full-body harness with the straps loosened and in phantom. 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic of a front view of an embodiment of the full-body harness with integral support line being worn by an individual; 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic of an exploded perspective view of the harness body and support line module according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a schematic of a perspective view of a sleeve enclosure for the harness and support line hardware; 
         FIG. 10  is a schematic of a perspective view of the harness body with both leg strap and shoulder strap attachments for adaptation to a class III full body harness. 
         FIG. 11  is a schematic of a perspective view of the harness body with leg strap attachment for adaptation to a class II harness; and 
         FIG. 12  is a schematic of a perspective view of a cover for the support line module that provides for mounting of a self contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) unit. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Provided is an adaptable full-body harness with integral support line, as described hereinbelow, which can be worn as a class I, class II, and/or class III harness, depending on the straps that are buckled. The harness assembly can be removably fastened to the interior of an outer garment, such as a firefighter&#39;s turnout gear, or to a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). 
     The harness assembly includes a harness body which is primarily a waist or chest belt meeting the requirements of a class I harness. The harness body may include a support line module, in which the support line is received and stored, is movable relative to the harness body, is accessible from an exterior of the outer garment, and is more easily deployed. 
     The harness further includes leg straps that, when utilized as specified herein, transform the harness into a class II harness. Further included are shoulder straps that may be attached to the harness body for modification to a class III harness. These straps may be stored in pouches attached to the harness when not in use. Thus, by varying the components being fastened and utilized, the harness can be converted from a class I harness (e.g., using the harness body only) to a class II harness (e.g., adding use of the leg/buttocks straps), and finally to a class III harness (e.g., utilizing the shoulder straps) for maximum fall protection. 
     The full-body harness is substantially constructed from a sufficiently strong strap material to support a firefighter carrying firefighter equipment, with various portions of the strap sewn together in a manner to maintain the proper strength, such as the device described above. Further, various portions of the straps can be further covered with a material to protect the strap, avoid chafing human skin, or to protect other garments against abrading and/or chafing during use, for example. Additional material can also be added with padding, if desired, for a more comfortable wearing experience, and the harness can be modified to integrate with additional firefighting equipment, for example. 
       FIG. 1  shows one possible preferred embodiment of the full-body harness being worn by an individual  1 , while  FIG. 2  shows a corresponding back view. Additional embodiments are also contemplated that are within the scope of the invention but not necessarily shown. Note that directions (such as front and back, up and down, or left and right) are taken from the perspective of the individual  1  who is properly wearing the full-body harness. 
     The individual  1  is shown in  FIG. 1  with the preferred embodiment of the full-body harness  100  (hereinafter the full-body harness) (see also  FIG. 3 ); worn in a proper fashion. The full-body harness is substantially constructed from a sufficiently strong strap material to support a firefighter carrying firefighter equipment, with various portions of the strap sewn together in a manner to maintain the proper strength. Further, various portions of the straps can be further covered with a material to protect the strap, avoid chafing human skin, or to protect other garments against abrading and/or chafing during use, for example. Additional material can also be added with padding, if desired, for a more comfortable wearing experience, and the harness can be modified to integrate with additional firefighting equipment, for example. 
       FIG. 3  shows a front view of the full-body harness  100  without the individual  1 . As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the full-body harness has a right shoulder strap  105 , covered with a right shoulder pad  101 , said right shoulder strap  105  going through the right shoulder pad  101 , over the individual&#39;s right shoulder. Also shown is a left shoulder strap  104 , covered with and going through a left shoulder pad  102 , said left shoulder strap  104  going over the individual&#39;s left shoulder. The shoulder pads  101 ,  102  are provided to increase comfort by distributing shoulder strap forces across a larger area, and the shoulder pads  101 ,  102  can be padded for additional comfort. 
     Shoulder straps  104  and  105  are connected to opposite ends of a chest strap  103 , respectively, near first ends of shoulder straps  104 ,  105 . A first end of left shoulder strap  104  is connected to a left shoulder adjusting buckle  125 , while a first end of right shoulder strap  105  is similarly connected to a right shoulder adjusting buckle  124 . Each first end is preferably connected to the corresponding shoulder buckle  124 ,  125  by looping the first end through the corresponding buckle and then sewing the end of each strap at a respective right and left connection point  111 ,  110 . 
     The chest strap  103  can be tightened by pulling a chest pull handle  113  connected to a first end of the chest strap  103 . Pulling the chest pull handle  113  pulls a portion of the chest strap  103  through a chest buckle  123 , which, when the full-body harness is worn, grips and holds the chest strap  103  in a tightened position. The chest strap  103  can be loosened by pushing the chest strap  103  back through the chest buckle  123 , for example. Tightening the chest strap  103  also tends to tighten the right and left shoulder straps  104 ,  105  to some extent, and tends to bring their ends closer together. 
     The chest buckle  123  is connected to the left shoulder strap  104  at left connection point  110  by looping a short length of strap through the buckle  123  and sewing the ends of the short length of strap to the left shoulder strap  104  at left connection point  110 . A second end of the chest strap  103  is connected to the right shoulder strap  105  at connection point  111 . The connection can be made by sewing the straps together, for example. 
     The chest pull handle  113  can be a separate component connected to the end of the chest strap  103 , or, preferably, the chest pull handle  113  is integrally formed by looping the end of the chest strap  103  back onto itself and fastening the end to a portion of the strap  103 , thus creating the pull handle. 
     The chest strap  103  can be fastened and unfastened by utilizing the chest buckle  123 . Chest buckle  123  could be chosen from any of a number of different buckle types, with preference to those that are quickly and easily fastened, but unlikely to spontaneously unfasten when the full-body harness is properly worn. Further, the chest buckle  123  preferably allows the length of the chest strap to be adjusted. The buckles chosen should allow the length of the chest strap  103  to be adjusted, and tend to stay fastened when the chest strap  103  is under tension, and also allowing a relaxing of the strap tension for the buckle to be unbuckled, making inadvertent or spontaneous unfastening unlikely. 
     The right shoulder strap  105  is further adjusted by pulling a right shoulder pull handle  114 . The right shoulder pull handle  114  can be a separate component connected to a second end of the left shoulder strap  104 , or, preferably, the right shoulder pull handle  114  is integrally formed by looping the second end of the left shoulder strap  104  back onto itself and fastening the second end to a portion of the strap  104 , thus creating the pull handle  114 . Pulling the right shoulder pull handle  114  pulls a portion of the left shoulder strap  104  through the right shoulder adjusting buckle  124 , which, when the full-body harness is worn, thereby grips and holds the left shoulder strap  104  in a tightened position, thereby adjusting the right shoulder strap  105 . 
       FIGS. 5 and 6  show one preferred design of the right shoulder buckle  124  in more detail, the operation of which can also be generally applied to the other strap adjusting buckles described herein. 
     Referring back to  FIGS. 1 &amp; 3 , the left shoulder strap  104  is adjusted in a similar manner, by pulling a left shoulder pull handle  115 . The left shoulder pull handle  115  can be a separate component connected to a second end of the right shoulder strap  105 , or, preferably, the left shoulder pull handle  115  is integrally formed by looping the second end of the right shoulder strap  105  back onto itself and fastening the second end to a portion of the strap  105 , thus creating the pull handle  115 . Pulling the left shoulder pull handle  115  pulls a portion of the right shoulder strap  105  through the left shoulder adjusting buckle  125  which, when the full-body harness is worn, thereby grips and holds the right shoulder strap  105  in a tightened position, thereby adjusting the left shoulder strap  104 . 
     The right and left shoulder adjusting buckles  124 ,  125 , are chosen such that when the corresponding shoulder strap  104 ,  105 , respectively, is pulled through it as described hereinabove, the corresponding buckle  124 ,  125  is designed to then catch the corresponding shoulder strap  104 ,  105 , such that it is maintained under tension, and will not loosen. The shoulder buckles are further designed such that they tend to increase their ability to hold onto the straps as the tension in the strap increases. Accordingly, the shoulder straps  104 ,  105  are unlikely to loosen under use when the full-body harness is properly installed and worn. The buckles used for one preferred embodiment are shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , although various other types of buckles may also be used. 
       FIGS. 1 and 3  also show a right waist strap  107  and a left waist strap  108 . Also shown are a right waist pull handle  117  connected to a first end of the right waist strap  107 , and a left waist pull handle  218  ( FIG. 2 ) connected to a first end of the left waist strap  108 . 
     The waist pull handles  117 ,  218  can be separate components connected to the first ends of the waist pull straps  107 ,  108 , respectively, or, preferably, the waist pull handles  117 ,  218  can be integrally formed with the waist pull straps  107 ,  108 , by looping the first end of the corresponding waist pull strap back onto itself and fastening the end to a portion of the corresponding waist pull strap, such as by sewing, thus creating the pull handle. 
     A second end of the right waist strap  107  is connected to a waist buckle clip assembly  141  by looping the second end of the right waist strap  107  through the waist buckle clip assembly  141 , and also through a harness ring  150  and then sewing the second end to a portion of the right waist strap  107  onto a portion of the right waist strap  107  between the harness ring  150  and the waist buckle clip assembly  141 . The harness ring  150  is loosely attached to the right waist strap  107 , but little lateral motion is allowed. The harness ring  150  is for attaching a rope or other safety device thereto to provide a safety connection. Typically, the rope or safety device would have some form of a clip assembly similar to the waist buckle clip assembly  141  for attaching the rope to the harness ring  150 . Alternative means of connecting the harness ring  150  to the full-body harness are also within the scope of the invention. 
     Similarly, a second end of the left waist strap  108  is connected to a waist buckle loop  143  by looping the second end of the left waist strap  108  through the waist buckle loop  143  and then sewing the second end to the waist strap  108 . The harness ring  150 , or an additional harness ring (not shown), could also be incorporated with the left waist strap  108  as described for the right waist strap  107  hereinabove, if desired. 
     When installing the full-body harness on a person, the preferred embodiment has the waist buckle clip assembly  141  connected, via a clip device, to the waist buckle loop  143 , thus operatively connecting the right waist strap  107  to the left waist strap  108 . Removing the harness requires that the clip of the waist buckle clip assembly  141  be unattached from the waist buckle loop  143 . The clip should preferably be some type of safety clip that cannot be inadvertently disconnected under use, but can be manually disconnected without too much difficulty. Although the preferred embodiment uses a clip assembly/loop arrangement for operatively connecting the waist straps  107 ,  108 , numerous other connecting mechanisms can also be employed without straying from the inventive concept. 
     The right waist strap  107  is moveably connected to, and loops through, a right waist adjusting buckle  126 . Further, the left waist strap  108  is moveably connected to, and loops through, a left waist adjusting buckle  226 . 
     These waist adjusting buckles  126 ,  226 , operate similarly to the shoulder adjusting buckles  124 ,  125 . The waist fitting of the full-body harness is adjusted by pulling on the left and right waist pull handles  117 ,  218 , to pull the right and left waist straps  107 ,  108  through the corresponding waist adjusting buckles  126 ,  226 . The waist adjusting buckles  126 ,  226  then grip the corresponding waist straps  107 ,  108  while the waist straps are under tension, keeping a proper adjustment. More tension on each waist strap typically will increase the grip thereon by the corresponding waist adjusting buckle, making the straps unlikely to loosen under use when the full-body harness is properly installed and worn. Reducing the tension on the waist straps allows the waist strap adjustment to be manually loosened. 
     A left leg strap  151  and a right leg strap  152  are shown in  FIGS. 1–4 . These leg straps connect at a crotch end  109 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 &amp; 3 . Preferably, the left and right leg straps  151  and  152  are comprised of a single strap which is then folded over forming a loop which traps a leg buckle clip assembly  145 , and then fixing the folded loop at crotch end  109  by sewing the overlap portion, thus forming crotch end  109 . 
     The leg buckle clip assembly  145  will preferably be similar to the waist buckle clip assembly  141 . The leg clip assembly  145  is meant to be connected to the waist buckle loop  143  when the full-body harness is put on, providing buttocks support described in more detail later below. 
     Now referring to  FIGS. 2 and 4 , the left and right leg straps  151  and  152  each form a “loop” that is used to support the buttocks of the individual  1  wearing the full-body harness  100 . A left leg strap  151  is looped through a left leg adjusting buckle  306 , while a right leg strap  152  is looped through a right leg adjusting buckle  305 . The leg adjusting buckles  305 ,  306  are preferably of a similar design and operation to the shoulder adjusting buckles  124 ,  125 , described hereinabove. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , a second end of the left leg strap  151  has a left leg pull handle  213 , while a second end of the right leg strap  152  has a right leg pull handle  212 . The left and right leg pull handles  212 ,  213  can be separate components connected to second ends of the leg straps  151 ,  152 , respectively, or, alternatively, the leg pull handles  213 ,  212  can be integrally formed with the corresponding leg strap by looping the first end of the corresponding leg strap back onto itself and fastening the end to a portion of the corresponding leg strap, thus creating the pull handles  212 ,  213 . 
       FIGS. 2 &amp; 4  further show that the shoulder straps  104 ,  105  cross over and are connected at central back connection point  315 . Further, a back loop  215  made from strap material is shown connected to the central back connection point  315 . Back loop  215  can be used for stowage purposes, for example, or for connecting to additional equipment. Also connected to the back loop  215  is a central strip  303  of strap material sewn to connection point  315 . 
     As further shown in  FIGS. 2 &amp; 4 , the right shoulder strap  105  crosses over at the central back connection point  315 , and continues on to loop through left back ring  308 , with the right shoulder strap continuing on to loop through the left shoulder adjusting buckle  125 , and finally ending at the left shoulder pull handle  115 , as described hereinabove. 
     Similarly, the left shoulder strap  104  crosses over at the central back connection point  315 , and continues on to loop through right back ring  307 , with the left shoulder strap continuing on to loop through the right shoulder adjusting buckle  124 , and finally ending at the right shoulder pull handle  114 , as described hereinabove. 
     Also shown in  FIGS. 2 &amp; 4 , the right and left back rings  307 ,  308  have a short length of strap material looping through them with both ends of each loop of strap material connected to an opposite end of a back strap  325  at right and left back connection points  317 ,  316 , respectively, the ends preferably being sewn together and to the back strap  325 . Also shown is a back pad  205 , which is connected to the back strap  325  by sewing ends of the back strap  325  to ends of the back pad  205 , such as at right and left back connection points  317 ,  316 , or other points nearby. 
     Further shown are the right leg adjusting buckle  305  and the left leg adjusting buckle  306 , also connected to the back strap  325  by looping a short length of strap material through them and sewing the ends together and to the back strap  325  at the corresponding right and left back connection points  317 ,  316 . Preferably, the same short strap length can be used to secure both the left/right leg adjusting buckles  306 ,  305 , and the corresponding left/right back rings  308 ,  307 , by looping and folding one end of the strap through the buckle and the other end through the corresponding ring, and sewing the ends at the corresponding back connection point, for example. 
     Although not shown in  FIGS. 2 &amp; 4 , the waist adjusting buckles  126 ,  226  (seen in  FIG. 3 ) are also preferably connected to the back pad  205  by looping ends of the back strap  325  therethrough, and folding and sewing these ends to a portion of the back strap  325  and the back pad  205 , to secure the buckles  126 ,  226  thereto at, or near, the back connection points  317 ,  316 . Alternatively, a short length of strap material could be looped through each buckle with the ends sewn together either at, or near, the back connection points  317 ,  316 . 
     Waist ring  250 , shown in  FIG. 3 , is also preferably connected to the back pad  205  by using a length of strap material that goes through the waist ring  250  with both ends sewn to the back pad  205 . It is possible to utilize the same length of strap material used for a nearby purpose, such as the length of strap used to connect the right waist adjusting buckle  126 , or by using ends of the back strap  325  looped therethrough. The connection to the back strap  325  is at, or near, the back connection point  317 . 
     Additional features shown in  FIGS. 2 &amp; 4  include left and right short back straps  326 ,  327 , with female snap portions embedded therein. Left strip  311  and right strip  312  are shown sewn to the back strap  325 . 
     The typical scenario for putting the full-body harness  100  on will now be described. Note that  FIGS. 1 &amp; 2  show front and back views, respectively, of the harness being worn by an individual. First, the full-body harness should have the waist buckle clip assembly  141  and the leg buckle clip assembly  145  clips disconnected from the waist buckle loop  143 . The chest buckle  123  should also be disconnected. Further, all straps should be manually loosened, if necessary, to easily slip on the harness. 
     The harness is then put on the individual  1  by placing the shoulder pads  101 ,  102  over each shoulder. The chest buckle  123  can then be connected. The waist buckle clip assembly clip can also be attached to the waist buckle loop  143 . Further, the leg buckle clip assembly  145  and crotch end  109  should be pulled between the legs of the individual  1 , and the leg buckle clip assembly  145  clip can be connected to the waist buckle loop  143 . 
     The individual  1  can adjust the full-body harness by pulling the chest pull handle  113  to adjust the chest strap  103 ; pulling the right and left shoulder pull handles  114 ,  115 , to adjust the right and left shoulder straps  105 ,  104 ; pulling the right and left waist pull handles  117 ,  218  to adjust the waist straps  107 ,  108 ; and pulling the right and left leg pull handles  212 ,  213  to adjust the right and left leg straps  152 ,  151 . Due to the interconnectivity of the various straps, the adjustments interact such that a better fit may be obtained by first grossly adjusting the various straps but allowing some play, and then fine-tuning the adjustment as necessary. 
     The harness can be removed by disconnecting the various buckles and clips. Some manual loosening of the various straps through the adjusting buckles may first be required in order to easily disconnect the connecting buckles. Through use of these various buckles and fasteners, the harness can be converted between class I, II, and III configurations. 
     Next, modifications for integrating a support line to a full-body harness will be described. The wearer  2  is shown in  FIG. 7  ith the embodiment of a full-body harness combined with integral support line  600  (hereinafter the full-body harness), worn in a proper fashion. 
       FIG. 8  shows an exploded view of the embodiment of the class I harness assembly with the integral support line, without showing further attachments for modification to a class II or class III harness, which was described hereinabove. The harness assembly  660  includes a harness body portion  680  (which could be a waist strap assembly made up of one or two waist straps, for example), a support line module  710 , and a support line  700 . The support line is constructed from a durable, high strength material, such as Kevlar® tubular webbing, for example. The harness body portion  680  has a first end  720  and a second end  740 . A loop of material  770  is secured to the harness body portion first end  720 , preferably by stitching or equivalent permanent attachment means. In addition, a second loop  775  may be provided to allow for attachment to a ladder or position hook (not shown). A harness body clip  760  and adjusting buckle  765  are provided to adjust the tightness of the harness body portion and to removably secure the first and second ends  720 ,  740  together, as illustrated. 
     The support line module  710  is shaped generally as a hollow pouch or length of material, and is adapted to receive the support line  700 . More preferably, and as illustrated in  FIG. 8  the support line module  710  defines a series of elongated, hollow chambers which each receive a portion of the support line  700 . As discussed previously, because the support line is preferably shaped as a flat ribbon, several loops of the support line  700  may be received in each of the elongated chambers. 
     The support line module  710  also defines, at one side, a harness chamber  712  into which the harness body portion  680  is slidably inserted. During assembly, the harness body portion  680  is slidably inserted or threaded through the harness chamber  712 , and the first and second ends  720 ,  740  of the harness body portion  680  project from opposite ends of the harness chamber  712 . When the harness body portion is inserted into the harness chamber  712 , the support line first and second ends  820 ,  830 , with associated first and second carabiners  780 ,  800 , positioned near the harness body portion first end  720 . The second carabiner  800  is secured to the harness body loop  770 , or in the alternative, to a hook or carabiner fastened to the harness body loop  770 . 
     The support line module  710  also preferably has a securing fastener  722 , such as a strip of one gender of hook-and-loop type fasteners, attached to the outer surface of the module  710 . The securing fastener  722  cooperates with an opposite gender mating fastener (not shown) provided on the inside surface of the coat or other protective gear to removably secure the harness assembly  660  to the outer gear. 
     In the construction shown in  FIG. 8  the module  710  may be easily removed and replaced after use of the support line to provide a new support line for future use. Once the support line  700  is deployed or removed from the support line module  710 , and thus likely needs to be replaced, the harness assembly  660  may be removed from the coat or pants, and the harness body portion  680  is slidably removed from the harness body chamber  712 . The harness body portion  680  may then be slidably inserted into a harness body chamber of a new module having a fresh or new support line  700  therein, and then the original harness body portion  680  and new support line module  710  are re-installed in the coat or pants. Accordingly, this construction greatly simplifies replacement of the support line. This is considered quite important in safety harness applications wherein a support line may only be used one time before it is discarded, or where the line may often be damaged during use. 
     Referring to  FIG. 9  a further embodiment of the invention includes a sleeve  717  attached to an end of the harness chamber  712 . The sleeve  717  consists of a sheet of durable fabric designed to fold together to enclose the carabiners  780 ,  800  (shown in  FIG. 8 ) and any other support line and harness hardware. The folded ends of the sleeve  717  and the end of the harness body portion  680  are fastened together, utilizing, for example, mating hook-and-loop type fastener strips  718  to secure the sleeve in the closed condition and allow for easy access of the harness and support line hardware. 
       FIG. 10  shows a front view of the full-body harness  600  without the integral support line module  710 , whereas  FIG. 11  shows a respective class II harness embodiment, also without the integral support line module. 
     The harness further comprises a leg strap  615 , shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , a portion of which is fastened to the back portion of the harness body portion  680 , through openings in the harness chamber  712  (shown in  FIG. 8 ), by adjusting buckles  620 , which allow for adjustment of the length that the leg strap extends from the harness body portion  680 , to properly fit around the legs of the wearer. Alternately or additionally, adjusting buckles could be installed on shoulder straps  645  for the same or different purpose. A leg strap clip assembly  625  is connected to an end of the leg strap  615 , and fastens to the front portion of the harness body portion  680 , or to a suitable buckle or other fastener connected thereto, where the leg strap  615  is slipped around the groin of the wearer  2 , creating the class II harness. A leg strap pouch  618  may be fastened to the outside of the rear portion of the harness body portion  680 , or alternatively to the outside of the harness chamber  712 , and is designed to contain the leg strap  615  when it is not in use. A pull cord (not shown) or similar device may be attached to the leg strap  615  to provide for easy deployment of the leg strap  615  from the pouch  618  in the event of an emergency. 
     This embodiment of the invention includes a back strap  635  attached to the back of the harness body portion  680 , through openings in the harness chamber  712  (seen in  FIG. 9 , but not shown in FIGS.  10 / 11 ), at two points (not shown) to the outside of the waist strap pouch  618  or harness body portion  680 . The back strap  635  may be configured and reinforced to form a loop  638  at the upper portion of the harness  600 , suitable for carrying, dragging, or supporting an incapacitated wearer of the harness. 
     Referring again to the embodiment of  FIG. 10 , attached to the sides of the back strap  635  is the shoulder strap  645 . Additionally, buckles or similar devices (not shown) may be employed to adjust the shoulder strap  645  to better fit the wearer. A shoulder strap clip assembly  655  is connected to an end of the shoulder strap  645  and fastens to the front portion of the harness body portion, or to a suitable buckle or other fastener connected thereto, when the shoulder strap  645  is slipped around the shoulders and chest of the wearer, creating the class III harness when combined with use of the leg strap  615 . A shoulder strap pouch  648  is preferably fastened to the back of the shoulder portions of the back strap  635  and is designed to contain the shoulder strap  645  when it is not in use. A pull cord (not shown) or similar device may be attached to the shoulder strap  645  to provide for easy deployment of the shoulder strap  645  from the pouch  648  in the event of an emergency. The back strap  635  or shoulder strap pouch  648  may be fastened to the inside of the wearer&#39;s turnout gear or coat in order to maintain its upright position while the shoulder strap  645  is not in use. 
     In an alternate embodiment (not shown), the back strap  635  and shoulder strap  645  may both be stored in a pouch attached to the harness assembly  660 , and a mechanism, such as a pull cord, may be used to deploy both the back strap  635  and shoulder strap  645  in case of an emergency. 
       FIG. 12  shows a housing  900  that, in an alternative embodiment, adapts the harness system for mounting of a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), including oxygen tank, commonly used by firefighters (SCBA not shown). The housing  900  is slipped over the harness body portion  680  and harness chamber  712 , shown in  FIG. 8 , and has openings provided for access by the leg strap  615  and shoulder strap  645 , shown in  FIG. 10 . The housing  900 , preferably constructed of a durable fabric, utilizes one or more straps  905  and tabs  915  to tether portions of the SCBA (not shown) to the back of the harness. 
     In first use of the harness of  FIG. 10 , the harness base assembly  660  is put on a wearer by fastening the ends  720 ,  740  of the harness body portion  680  around the waist of the wearer. The back strap  635  and back of the support line module  710  ( FIG. 8 ) are fastened to the inside fasteners of an outer coat or other outer gear to be worn by the wearer, or may be fastened to the SCBA housing  900  ( FIG. 12 ). As needed, the leg strap  615  may be deployed from the leg strap pouch  618 , pulling the strap  615  between the wearer&#39;s legs, and attaching the leg strap clip assembly  625  to the front portion of the harness body portion  680 , or to a suitable buckle or other fastener connected thereto, thereby comprising the class II harness (an embodiment of which is shown in  FIG. 11  without the shoulder straps). Further, the shoulder strap  645  (see  FIG. 10 ) may be deployed from the shoulder strap pouch  648 , pulling the strap  645  over the shoulders, head, and chest of the wearer, and attaching the shoulder strap clip assembly  655  to the front portion of the harness body portion  680 , or to a suitable buckle or fastener connected thereto, thereby comprising the class III harness. As indicated above, a pull cord or other such mechanism may be utilized for the wearer to more easily access the leg and shoulder straps  615 ,  645  while the harness  600  and outer gear is worn. 
     Note that modifications similar to those described above can be made to the full-body harness embodiments shown in  FIGS. 1–3  to adapt it for use with the integral support line and/or SCBA housing. 
     The invention has been described hereinabove using specific examples; however, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various alternatives may be used and equivalents may be substituted for components or steps described herein, or the order of steps may be changed, or substitutes for the described components provided, without deviating from the scope of the invention. Modifications may be necessary to adapt the invention to a particular situation or to particular needs without departing from the scope of the invention. It is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular implementation described herein, but that the claims be given their broadest interpretation to cover all embodiments, literal or equivalent, covered thereby.