Abstract:
A back pad system for use in connection with a safety harness which includes at least two spaced back straps and a connector adapted to be connected to a line or lanyard includes a back pad having passages through which the two back straps can be passed to be crossed over the connector, an attachment to which the connector can be moveably attached, and at least one member that captures the connector in an upright position upon application of force such as manual force (either directly or indirectly) to the connector to move the connector to the upright position. A back pad for use in connection with a safety harness includes at least two spaced back straps and a connector adapted to be connected to a line or lanyard. The back pad includes a base comprising passages through which the two back straps can be passed to be crossed over the connector and at least one load indicator. The load indicator includes an area of reduced strength in the base so that the area visibly distends or breaks upon the back pad being subjected for a substantial load. The substantial load can, for example, be predetermined to be at least approximately 450 pounds of force. The area of reduced strength can, for example, be an area of reduced thickness. The back pad can, for example, include a plurality of areas of reduced thickness.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims benefit of U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 60/843,187,filed Sep. 8, 2007,the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to safety harnesses, and particularly to full body safety harnesses which, for example, provide ease of attachment of, for example, a safety lanyard or self retracting lanyard to a D-ring or other connective ring attached to the safety harness and/or provide a readily detectible indication that the safety harness has been subjected to a significant force (for example, as in an impact or in a fall). 
     The following information is provided to assist the reader in understanding the invention disclosed below and the environment in which it will typically be used. The terms used herein are not intended to be limited to any particular narrow interpretation unless clearly stated otherwise in this document. References set forth herein may facilitate understanding of the present invention or the background of the present invention. The disclosure of all references cited herein are incorporated by reference. 
     Safety harnesses are commonly used as part of a fall protection system for persons subjected to the potential of a fall from a height. In the workplace, full-body safety harnesses are required when working at a height of six feet or greater. Such harnesses, which typically include both an upper torso portion (having, for example, shoulder straps) and a lower torso or seat portion (having, for example one or more leg straps and sometimes a seat strap), can be designed in many alternative manners. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an embodiment of a conventional, commercially available full-body safety harness  10  Safety harness  10  includes an upper torso portion  12  comprising first and second shoulder straps  20  and  30 , respectively, for extending over the shoulders of the user and a multi-component chest strap  40  for extending over a portion of the chest of the user. 
     A first end of each of shoulder straps  20  and  30  extends down over the back of the user to form first and second generally longitudinal back straps  22  and  32 , respectively. Longitudinal back straps  22  and  32  of shoulder straps  20  and  30  cross through and connect to a typical connector such as a D-ring  50  as known in the art. D-ring  50  includes a harness connection portion  52  and an anchor portion  54 . Harness connection portion  52  enables fastening of D-ring  50  to safety harness  10  via longitudinal back straps  22  and  32 . Anchor portion  54  is adapted to be connected to a nylon rope, a chain, webbing or other connector which may be used to anchor the person wearing safety harness  10 . Safety harness  10  includes a rear pad or back pad  56  that functions to guide the rear strap portions of the shoulder straps in a crossing fashion over the back of the user in the vicinity of D-ring  50 . 
     After crossing and passing through D-ring  50 , shoulder straps  20  and  30  are connected via a generally latitudinal back strap  60 . Latitudinal back strap  60  passes generally latitudinally over a portion of the back of the user. 
     A second end of each of shoulder straps  20  and  30  extends downward over the front of the user to from generally longitudinal first and second front straps  24  and  34 , respectively. A first chest strap portion  42  is attached to front strap  24  and a second chest strap portion  44  is attached to front strap  34 . Each of first and second chest straps  42  and  44  have cooperating fastening members  46  and  48  on the ends thereof to enable attachment of first and second chest straps  42  and  44  to form chest strap  40 . As known in the art, first and second chest straps  42  and  44 , respectively, are preferably attached via an adjustable mating friction buckle mechanism, including, for example, cooperating fastening members  46  and  48 . 
     First and second front straps  24  and  34  of shoulder straps  20  and  30 , respectively, extend further downward and preferably include adjustment members  26  and  36  (for example, adjustable friction buckles) as known in the art for adjustment of the fit of safety harness  10  on the upper torso of the user. Extending still further downward, extensions  24   a  and  34   a  of first and second front straps  24  and  34  converge and, in connection with several other components of safety harness  10  as described below, form a lower torso, seat or subpelvic portion  70 . First and second front extension straps  24   a  and  34   a  connect at section  98 , passing to the rear and under the seat of the user. 
     Attached to and extending from seat portion  70  are a first and a second leg strap  80  and  90 , respectively. Each of first and second leg straps  80  and  90  pass around the upper leg of the user to be attached to the distal end of first and second longitudinal back straps  22  and  32 , respectively. The distal ends of each of first and second leg straps  80  and  90  and the distal ends of each of longitudinal back straps  22  and  32  thus preferably comprise cooperating fastening members ( 82  and  92  and  28  and  38 , respectively) such as adjusting buckle members as known in the art. 
     As in most commercially available harnesses, anchor portion  54  of D-ring  50  hangs downward as a result of the force of gravity after a harness is donned by the user. This position of D-ring  50  causes a significant amount of difficulty in attaching, for example, a snap hook (not shown) on the end of a lanyard (not shown) to D-ring  50  once harness  10  has been donned. Indeed, the wearer of a safety harness such as safety harness  10  often has to have another person connect such a snap hook (or other lanyard connector) to D-ring  50 . 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,073,627 and Published U.S. Patent Application No. US2005/0082114 disclose a spring-loaded mechanism that constantly biases or urges a D-ring to an upright (or standup) position to facilitate attachment of a snap hook or other connector to the D-ring. The spring-loaded mechanism of U.S. Pat. No. 7,073,627 and Published U.S. Patent Application No. US2005/0082114 can be somewhat costly to manufacture. Moreover, moving parts such as spring can sometime become disconnected with the remainder of the assembly or fail during use. 
     It is often desirable that a safety harness also be provided with a means of providing an indication that the safety harness has been subjected to a significant force or impact (such as occurs during an impact or a fall). In that regard, a safety harness or a lanyard that has been subjected to such a force should be taken out of service. U.S. Pat. No. 4,253,544,for example, discloses a lanyard in which stress of a fall causes breakage of stitching and the release of a flag as an indicator. U.S. Pat. No. 6,006,860 discloses a safety harness in which visible rupture of stands of fabric in a harness webbing provides an indication of a fall. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,073,627 and Published U.S. Patent Application No. US2005/0082114 disclose a dorsal pad assembly that includes a D-ring connector portion in which the D-ring is urged to an upright position as described above. The dorsal pad assembly of U.S. Pat. No. 7,073,627 and Published U.S. Patent Application No. US2005/0082114 can also include an impact indicator in the form of a clip to which D-ring is operatively connected. In the case of a fall, the D-ring snaps out of the D-ring clip/indicator by deflecting catches built into the D-ring clip/indicator, thereby indicating that a force has been applied to the D-ring. A bar portion of the D-ring can also include a colored portion or an ink cartridge that is broken that becomes exposed when the D-ring snaps out of the clip. Alternate embodiments of the dorsal pad assembly of U.S. Pat. No. 7,073,627 and Published U.S. Patent Application No. US2005/0082114 disclose impact indicators in the form of a wear pad and/or wear pad frame, or a D-ring bar engaging device, operatively connected to the D-ring. In the case of a fall, the D-ring is moved relative to the wear pad and/or wear pad frame, or the bar engaging device, thus breaking rivets, breaking an ink cartridge, exposing a colored portion of the D-ring or deflecting tabs, thereby indicating a force has been applied to the D-ring. U.S. Pat. No. 7,073,627 and Published Patent No. US2005/0082114 disclose a further alternate embodiment of an impact indicator in the form of a clip that holds the D-ring in a certain position wherein the D-ring is pulled out of the clip in the case of a fall, thereby indicating that a force has been applied to the D-ring. 
     It is also well known that all portions of the safety harness should be inspected for signs of an impact or fall. It is, for example, well know that back pads used in connection with safety harnesses can distend or otherwise change in appearance and sometimes break in the case of a fall. For example, the User Instructions provided with the Full Body Tiger Harness available from Rose Manufacturing Company, indicate that the D-ring locator pad or back pad should be inspected for a change in appearance (for example, breakage) providing evidence of a fall. 
     Although a number of fall and/or impact indicators have been provided in a number of harnesses, such indicators can increase the manufacturing time and cost involved in assembly of the harness. This problem is particularly relevant to indicators that include or are part of assemblies of multiple elements. Moreover, such multi-element assemblies can sometimes fail. 
     It is very desirable to develop improved safety harnesses and elements or components thereof that reduce or eliminate the above and other problems with currently available harnesses. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one aspect, the present invention provides a back pad system for use in connection with a safety harness. The safety harness includes at least two spaced back straps and a connector adapted to be connected to a line or lanyard. The back pad system includes a back pad including passages (for example, at least two passages) through which the two back straps can be passed to be crossed over the connector. The back pad system also includes an attachment to which the connector can be moveably attached. The back pad system further includes at least one member that captures, maintains or holds the connector in an upright position upon application of force (either directly or indirectly—for example, manual force) to the connector to move the connector to the upright position. 
     The connector attachment can include a seating adapted to seat the connector so that the connector is rotatable relative to the connector attachment to the upright position. The at least one capture member can, for example, be attached to a side of the back pad. The at least one capture member can also, for example, include a detent on a lateral side of the connector attachment that is adapted to capture the connector in the upright position. In one embodiment, the connector attachment includes a first detent on a first lateral side of the connector attachment and a second detent on a second lateral side of the connector attachment. The first detent and the second detent are adapted to capture the connector in the upright position. The connector can, for example, be a D-ring comprising a bottom bar that fits within the seating of the connector attachment. 
     The back pad can further include at least one load indicator including an area of reduced strength in the back pad so that the area visibly distends or breaks upon the safety harness being subjected to a substantial load. As clear to one skilled in the art, the load can readily be predetermined. The substantial load can, for example, be at least approximately 450 pounds of force. 
     In several embodiments back pad systems of the present invention, the connector attachment and the capture member(s) are attached to the back pad. The back pad, the connector attachment and the capture member(s) can, for example, be formed monolithically. In one such embodiment, the at least one capture member includes a detent on a lateral side of the connector attachment that is adapted to capture the connector in the upright position. In another such embodiment, the connector attachment includes a first detent on a first lateral side of the connector attachment and a second detent on a second lateral side of the connector attachment. The first detent and the second detent are adapted to capture the connector in the upright position. 
     The connector attachment and/or capture members can also be formed separately from the back pad and not be attached to the back pad. 
     In another aspect, the present invention provides a connector attachment for use in connection with a safety harness including at least two spaced back straps and a connector adapted to be connected to a line or lanyard. The connector attachment includes at least one member that captures the connector in an upright position upon application of force (either directly or indirectly) to the connector to move the connector to the upright position and a seating adapted to seat the connector so that the connector is rotatable relative to the connector attachment to the upright position. 
     The connector attachment can, for example, include a first detent on a first lateral side of the connector attachment and a second detent on a second lateral side of the connector attachment. The first detent and the second detent are adapted to capture the connector in the upright position. The connector can, for example, be a D-ring including a bottom bar that fits within the seating of the connector attachment. 
     In another aspect, the present invention provides a back pad for use in connection with a safety harness including at least two spaced back straps and a connector adapted to be connected to a line or lanyard. The back pad includes a base comprising passages through which the two back straps can be passed to be crossed over the connector. The back pad further includes at least one load indicator. The load indicator includes an area of reduced strength in the base so that the area visibly distends or breaks upon the safety harness being subjected to a substantial load. The substantial load can, for example, be predetermined to be at least approximately 450 pounds of force. The area of reduced strength can, for example, be an area of reduced thickness. The back pad can, for example, include a plurality of areas of reduced thickness. 
     In one embodiment, the pack pad includes a first upper slot, a second upper slot, a central upper slot, a central lower slot, a first lower slot and a second lower slot. The back pad can also include a first area of reduced thickness between the first upper slot and the central upper slot, a second area of reduced thickness between the second upper slot and the central upper slot, a third area of reduced thickness between the first lower slot and the central lower slot and a fourth area of reduce thickness between the second lower slot and the central lower slot. 
     In another aspect, the present invention provides a safety harness including a connector adapted to be connected to a line or lanyard, an attachment to which the connector can be moveably attached, and at least one member that captures the connector in an upright position upon application of force (either directly or indirectly) to the connector to move the connector to the upright position. 
     In a further aspect, the present invention provides a safety harness including at least two spaced back straps, a connector adapted to be connected to a line or lanyard. The safety harness further includes a back pad system including a back pad including passages (for example, at least two passages) through which the two back straps can be passed to be crossed over the connector, an attachment to which the connector can be moveably attached, and at least one member that captures the connector in an upright position upon application of manual force (either directly or indirectly) to the connector to move the connector to the upright position. 
     In another aspect, the present invention provides a safety harness including at least two spaced back straps and a connector adapted to be connected to a line or lanyard. The safety harness further includes a back pad including a base including passages through which the two back straps can be passed to be crossed over the connector and at least one load indicator. The load indicator includes an area of reduced strength in the base so that the area visibly distends or breaks upon the safety harness being subjected for a substantial load. The area of reduced strength (as compared to other portions of or the remainder of the back pad) is purposefully created (for example, during manufacture of the back pad). 
     In still a further aspect, the present invention provides a load indicator for use in connection with a safety harness comprising at least two spaced straps. The load indicator provides a visible indication that the safety harness has been subjected to a substantial load. The load indicator includes at least a first connector and a second connector in connection with the first connector. The first connector is adapted to connect to the first strap and the second connector is adapted to connect to the second strap. A change in force exerted on the load indicator by the first strap and the second strap when the safety harness is subjected to the substantial load causes the load indicator to change in appearance. 
     The first connector can, for example, include at least a one passage through which the first strap passes, and the second connector can include at least one passage through with the second strap passes. The change in appearance of the load indicator can, for example, be a distention or breaking of at least a potion of the load indicator. The change in force exerted on the load indicator can, for example, at least in part, be caused by relative movement between the load indicator and the first and second straps. In several embodiments, the load indicator is adapted to be positioned in proximity to an area where the first strap and the second strap cross (for example, adjacent to or spaced from a back pad through which the straps cross). The load indicator can, for example, form a back pad through which the first strap and the second strap are crossed. 
     The present invention, along with the attributes and attendant advantages thereof, will best be appreciated and understood in view of the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an embodiment of a commercially available safety harness. 
         FIG. 2A  illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a harness of the present invention in a form as donned by a user. 
         FIG. 2B  illustrates a perspective view of a portion of the safety harness of  FIG. 2A  including a back pad of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2C  illustrates a rearward view of an embodiment of a D-ring for use in connection with the harness of  FIG. 2A . 
         FIG. 2D  illustrates a rear view of the back pad portion of the harness of  FIG. 2A . 
         FIG. 3A  illustrates a rearward perspective view an embodiment of a back pad of the present invention for use in connection with the harness of  FIG. 2A  wherein the D-ring is captured in an upright position. 
         FIG. 3B  illustrates a forward perspective view the back pad of  FIG. 3A  wherein the D-ring is captured in an upright position. 
         FIG. 3C  illustrates a rearward view the back pad of  FIG. 3A  wherein the D-ring is captured in a non-upright or downward position. 
         FIG. 3D  illustrates a rearward, enlarged perspective view of a portion of the back pad of  FIG. 3A  wherein the D-ring is captured in an upright position. 
         FIG. 3E  illustrates the rearward, enlarged perspective view of  FIG. 3D  wherein the D-ring has been removed from connection with the D-ring attachment of the back pad. 
         FIG. 3F  illustrates another rearward, enlarged perspective view of the back pad of  FIG. 3A  wherein the D-ring has been removed from connection with the D-ring attachment of the back pad. 
         FIG. 3G  illustrates a perspective cutaway view of the back pad of  FIG. 3A  wherein the D-ring is in an upright position. 
         FIG. 3H  illustrates a side view of the back pad of  FIG. 3A  wherein the D-ring is in an upright position. 
         FIG. 3I  illustrates a rearward view of the back pad of  FIG. 3A  wherein the D-ring is in an upright position. 
         FIG. 3J  illustrates another rearward perspective view of the back pad of  FIG. 3A  wherein the D-ring is in an upright position. 
         FIG. 3K  illustrates a top view of the back pad of  FIG. 3A  wherein the D-ring is in an upright position. 
         FIG. 3L  illustrates another forward perspective view of the back pad of  FIG. 3A  wherein the D-ring has been removed from connection with the D-ring attachment of the back pad. 
         FIG. 3M  illustrates an enlarged, rearward perspective view of a portion of the back pad of  FIG. 3A  illustrating an area of decreased thickness in the back pad to create a stress point to provide a visual indication in the case that the safety harness in connection with which the back pad is used is subjected to a relatively large force or load as would occur in an impact or a fall. 
         FIG. 3N  illustrates another rearward perspective view of the back pad of  FIG. 3A  wherein the D-ring has been removed from connection with the D-ring attachment of the back pad. 
         FIG. 3O  illustrates a side view of the back pad of  FIG. 3A  wherein the D-ring has been removed from connection with the D-ring attachment of the back pad. 
         FIG. 3P  illustrates a top view of the back pad of  FIG. 3A  wherein the D-ring has been removed from connection with the D-ring attachment of the back pad. 
         FIG. 3Q  illustrates a rearward perspective view of the back pad of  FIG. 3A  wherein the D-ring has been removed from connection with the D-ring attachment of the back pad. 
         FIG. 3R  illustrates another rearward perspective side view of the back pad of  FIG. 3A  wherein the D-ring has been removed from connection with the D-ring attachment of the back pad. 
         FIG. 3S  illustrates a forward view of the back pad of  FIG. 3A  wherein the D-ring has been removed from connection with the D-ring attachment of the back pad. 
         FIG. 3T  illustrates another enlarged, rearward perspective view of a portion of the back pad of  FIG. 3A  (encircled in  FIG. 3Q ) illustrating an area of decreased thickness in the back pad to create a stress point to provide a visual indication in the case that the safety harness in connection with which the back pad is used is subjected to a relatively large force or load as would occur in an impact or a fall. 
         FIG. 3U  illustrates another rearward perspective side view of the back pad of  FIG. 3A  wherein the D-ring has been removed from connection with the D-ring attachment of the back pad. 
         FIG. 4A  illustrates a rearward view of a hexagonal back pad providing an embodiment of a load indicator of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4B  illustrates a rearward view of a D-ring attachment of the present invention that can be use in connection with the back bad of  FIG. 4A . 
         FIG. 4C  illustrates a rearward view of the D-ring attachment of  FIG. 4B  in position for use with the back bad of  FIG. 4A . 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a perspective cutaway view of another embodiment of a back pad of the present invention including a D-ring attachment including a D-ring seating of noncircular cross-section. 
         FIG. 6A  illustrates a side view another embodiment a back pad of the present invention including capture members to hold a D-ring in an upright position. 
         FIG. 6B  illustrates an enlarged bottom view of one of the capture members of the back pad of  FIG. 6A . 
         FIG. 6C  illustrates a rearward view of the back pad of  FIG. 6A  with the D-ring removed from connection therewith. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a rearward view of another embodiment of a back pad of the present invention including a capture member having flexing detents to hold a D-ring in an upright position in which the D-ring is removed from connection with the back pad. 
         FIG. 8A  illustrates the safety harness of  FIG. 1  including two examples of another embodiment of a load indicator of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8B  illustrates a rear view of one of the load indicators of  FIG. 8A . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIGS. 2A and 2B  illustrate one embodiment of a full body safety harness  100  of the present invention. Various general aspects of safety harness  100  are disclosed in Published U.S. Patent Application Nos. 2006/0005293 and 2006/0102423,assigned to the assignee of the present invention. Safety harness  100  includes an upper torso section, portion or module  110  and a lower torso or seat section, portion or module  112 . Upper torso portion  110  includes a first shoulder strap  120  and a second shoulder strap  130  extending over the shoulders of the user and a multi-component chest strap  140  extending between first shoulder strap  120  and second shoulder strap  130 . First ends of each of shoulder straps  120  and  130  extend down over the back of the user to form first and second generally longitudinal back straps  122  and  132 , respectively. Back straps  122  and  132  cross through an opening  153  in D-ring  150  and thereby are connected to D-ring  150 . In the area of D-ring, back straps  122  and  132  also cross through a back pad  200  (see  FIG. 2B ) in the region of D-ring  150 . Back pad  200  is described further below. Back straps  122  and  132  are attached at their respective ends to right side and left side connectors  300 , that operate to connect upper torso portion or module  110  to lower seat portion or module  112  such that upper torso portion  110  is relatively easily rotated relative to lower seat portion  112 . Back straps  122  and  132  can, for example, be looped around slots formed in connectors  1900  and stitched. 
     As used herein terms such as “left”, “right”, “side”, “front”, “back”, “up”, “down”, “reward”, “forward”, “top”, “bottom” and similar terms when used to refer to harness  100  or any portion thereof (including a back pad or back pad system  400  as described below) refer to a direction relative to the orientation of harness  100  (or a portion thereof) when harness  100  is donned or worn by a user as illustrated in  FIG. 2A . Such designations are provided for ease of reference and are not to be construed as limiting the present invention to any particular embodiment unless specifically set forth otherwise. 
     A second end of each of shoulder straps  120  and  130  extends downward over the front of the user to form generally longitudinal first and second front straps  124  and  134 , respectively. Chest strap  140  is attached between front strap  124  and front strap  134  of shoulder straps  120  and  130 , respectively. One or more adjustable adjustment mechanism can be provided to adjust the length of chest strap  140 . 
     First and second front straps  124  and  134  extend further downward from chest strap  140  and terminate at and are attached to a cam buckle adjustment mechanisms  126  and  136 , respectively, or other adjustment mechanism for adjustment of the fit of safety harness  100  on the upper torso of the user. Lengths of connecting strapping strap  124 ′ and  134 ′ are connected at a first end thereof to cam buckles  100  and at a second end thereof to connectors  300 . In that regard, straps  124 ′ and  134 ′ can, for example, be looped through slots formed in connectors  300 . 
     Lower torso or seat portion  112  of safety harness  100  can, for example, include leg straps  180  and  190 . Leg strap  180  can be attached to right side connector  300  at a first or front end thereof via a slot formed therein. A second or rearward end of leg strap  180  is attached to seat strap  170 . Seat strap  170  is attached at a first end thereof to right side connector  300  via a slot formed therein. Similarly, leg strap  190  is attached to left side connector  300  at a first or front end thereof via a slot formed therein. A second or rearward end of leg strap  190  is attached to seat strap  170 . A second end of seat strap  170  is attached to left side connector  300  via a slot formed therein. Leg straps  180   a  and  190   a  can include adjustment members or mechanisms. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2B , D-ring  150  and back pad or back pad system  400  are positioned over an intermediate section of comfort pad  600  between a meshed section  620  and shield section  640  of comfort pad  600 , which are described in detail, for example, in Published U.S. Patent Application No. 2006/0102423,the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. In the illustrated embodiment, back pad  400  is not attached to comfort pad  600 . As known in the art, back pad  400  includes six slots  405   a - f  through which straps  122  and  132  cross and pass through a channel  154  (see  FIGS. 2B through 2D ) of D-ring  150 . In the illustrated embodiment, there is a first or left upper slot  405   a , a second or right upper slot  405   b , and generally central upper slot  405   c , a generally central lower slot  405   d , a first or left lower slot  405   d  and a second or right lower slot  405   e . A connector such as a snap hook (not shown) can be connected to anchor attachment portion  158  of D-ring  150 . 
     As illustrated, for example, in  FIGS. 3A through 3U , back pad  400  can include a D-ring attachment  410  in which D-ring  150  is movably (for example, rotatably or pivotably) seated or attached. Upon application of direct or indirect force (for example, manual force) to D-ring  150  to move D-ring  150  to an upright position, D-ring  150  is captured, held or maintained in the upright position. Neither attachment  410  nor any other element of back pad  400  urges or biases D-ring  150  into an upright position. However, D-ring  150  is captured, held or maintained in an upright position when D-ring is moved to that position via application of force thereto. Extra components associated with a biasing or urging mechanism (for example, springs) are thereby eliminated. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, D-ring attachment  410  includes a generally cylindrical central portion  420  including a generally cylindrical passage  422  therethrough in which a lower bar or connecting member  159  of D-ring  150  is positioned or seated. In that regard, during attachment of D-ring  150  to attachment  410 , bar  159  is first passed through an opening  440  formed in back pad  400 . Bar  159  is then aligned with an extending opening or slot  424  formed on a forward side (with respect to the orientation of back pad  400  when worn by a user) of central portion  410 . Slot  424  is in operative connection with passage  422  and extends along the entire length of central portion  420 . Once bar  159  is aligned with slot  424 , a rearward force (with respect to the orientation of back pad  400  when worn by a user) is applied to D-ring  150  so that bar  159  is snapped into place within passage  422 . 
     Bar  159  can be rotated within passage  422 . D-ring  150  is illustrated in a downward position in  FIG. 3C . When force is applied to D-ring  150  to move D-ring toward and upright position (illustrated, for example, in  FIGS. 3A and 3B ), bar  159  rotates within passage  422 . A central wall of side members  153  of D-ring  150  contact one or more capture members, abutment members, extensions or detents  430  positioned, for example, on the lateral sides of central portion  420 . Detents  430  are forced laterally inward upon contact with side members  153 . Openings or expansion slots  434  can, for example, be provided in central portion  420  to facilitate the inward flexing of detents  430 . Once side members  153  pass detents  430  (that is, once D-ring  150  is moved into the upright position), detents  430  flex laterally outward to capture D-ring  150  in the upright position. 
     Straps  122  and  132  pass over central portion  420  of D-ring attachment  410  (and thereby through channel  154  of D-ring  150 ) as illustrated, for example, in  FIGS. 2B and 2D . In general, D-ring  150  abuts the rearward or outermost strap (see, for example,  FIG. 3H ) of harness  100  after D-Ring is forced into the upright position such that D-ring is maintained within a range of angles (A) of the upright position (for example, between approximately 20° and approximately 45° with respect to a vertical orientation. 
     Entire back pad/back pad system  400  can, for example, be molded (for example, injection molded) monolithically from a polymeric material such as a thermoplastic polymeric material or a thermoplastic elastomer polymer/thermoplastic polymer blend (for example, a thermoplastic elastomer/polypropylene blend). Other suitable materials include flexible, semi-rigid polymeric materials such as various plastics, rubbers and polyurethanes. The are no components to assemble during manufacture or become disassembled during use. Moreover, there are no moving elements of back pad  400  to fail during use. A user can, for example, push D-ring  150  into the upright position before donning harness  100 . Once a snap hook or other connector has been attached to D-ring, the force of gravity will typically pull D-ring  150  into a non-upright, downward or natural position as, for example, illustrated in  FIG. 3C . To once again place D-ring  150  into an upright position (to, for example, remove a snap hook from connection therewith), a user or wearer of harness  100  can, for example, apply force to a line or lanyard connected to the snap hook to force D-ring  150  into an upright position. While maintaining force (for example, an upward force) on the line or the snap hook (or other connector) with one hand, the user can, for example, remove the snap hook from connection with D-ring  150  with the other hand of with the same hand. 
     Existing harnesses can be retrofitted to incorporate an upright D-ring mechanism the same as or similar to that illustrated in  FIGS. 3A through 3U . In that regard, back pads in current use in commercially available safety harnesses can, for example, be replaced by back pad  400 . Moreover, existing safety harnesses and/or back pads for use therewith can be used in connection with a standalone D-ring/connector attachment of the present invention to, for example, from a back pad system similar in operation to back pad/back pad system  400 . For example,  FIG. 4A  illustrates a hexagonal D-pad  400   a .  FIG. 4B  illustrates a separate or standalone upright D-ring attachment  410   a  of the present invention that is similar in operation to D-ring attachment  410 . D-ring attachment  410   a  includes a base  411   a  in which an opening  440   a , similar in function to opening  440 , is formed. D-ring attachment  410   a  includes a central portion  420   a  that operates in an identical manner to central portion  420 . In general, components of D-ring attachment  410   a  are numbered similarly to corresponding or like components of D-ring attachment  410  with the addition of the designation “a”. A connector attachment such as D-ring attachment  410  can be used in connection with generally any safety harness comprising a connector such as a D-ring, whether or not the safety harness includes a back pad as known in the art. 
     Other types of abutment or capture member can be used to capture D-ring  150  or another connector in an upright position to facilitate attachment of a connector such as a snap hook thereto. As illustrated, for example, in  FIG. 5 , a back pad  400   b  can include a passage  422   b  in a central portion  420   b  of a D-ring attachment  410   b  having a noncircular cross-section over at least a portion thereof or over the entirety thereof. In the illustrated embodiment, passage  422   b  has a generally hexagonal cross-section. Lower bar  159   b  of D-ring  150   b  can have a flattened surface  159   b ′ to facilitate positioning thereof in cooperation with noncircular passage  422   b . In the illustrated embodiment, D-ring  150  can be placed in various positions including an upright or connecting position upon application of force (for example, manual force) to D-ring  150   b.    
     Capture member or abutment members to capture or hold a D-ring such as D-ring  150  or other similar anchoring connector can also be positioned away from a D-ring attachment member. As illustrated in  FIGS. 6A through 6C , back pad  400   d  includes an D-ring attachment  410   d  that operates similarly to D-ring attachment  410 . D-ring attachment does not include detents  430 , however. In that regard, capture members  430   d  are provided on each side of back pad  400  to capture and hold D-ring  150  in an upright position. In the embodiment illustrated in,  FIGS. 6A and 6B , capture member  430   d  include a generally cylindrical seating  432   d  with which side member  153  of D-ring can form a snap fit upon application of force to D-ring  150  to move D-ring  150  in the upright position as illustrated in  FIG. 6A . 
     In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 7 , a back pad  400   e  can be provided with capture members  430   e  that include flexing detents  432   e  to hold D-ring  150  in an upright position upon a application of force to D-ring  150  to move D-ring  150  in the upright position. 
     In the case of application of a relatively large force to harness  10  (as, for example, in a fall), the force is transferred to straps  122  and  132  which pass over central portion  420  (or other central portion as described above) when harness  100  is assembled. Under a substantial load, straps  122  and  132  become taut, changing the force exerted upon, for example, back pad  400  (or another back pad or other load indicator of the present invention as described below). Further, back pad  400  is movable relative to straps  122  and  132 . Indeed, such movability provides users of various heights and weights with the ability to adjust the position of back pad  400  and D-ring  150  to a desirable position for each user. Friction between straps  122  and  132  and back pad  400  typically prevents relative motion between back pad  400  and straps  122  and  132  during normal use. In the case of a fall, straps  122  and  132  become taut as described above. Moreover, back pad  400  slides to a different position. For example, in a foot-first fall, back pad  400  will slide upward (in the direction of the head of the user). In a head first fall, back pad  400  moves downward with respect to the user&#39;s body. Once the fall is arrested, the users body is caused to rotate and back pad  400  is caused to slide upward, coming to rest near the head of the user. 
     Friction between back pad  400  and straps  122  and  132  during movement of back pad  400  can result in heat damage or melting those areas of back pad  400  in contact with straps  122  and  132 . Further, movement of back pad  400  in either the upward or downward direction results in movement of back pad  400  in a direction of widening in the separation between straps  122  and  132 , thereby increasing the force exerted on back pad  400  (pulling to the outside or tensioning back pad  400 ). 
     The increased force associated with increased tautness in straps  122  and  132  (whether, there is movement of back pad  400  relative to straps  122  and  132  or not) can be used to cause a change in the appearance (for example, distension or breaking) of back pad  400 . Although a change in appearance can occur in the case of a falls in back pads used in connection with some commercially available safety harnesses, in some cases the change in appearance is insubstantial and can be overlooked. In back pad  400  and other back pads of the present invention, structural stress points or weak points are built into back pad  400  to accentuate the change in appearance of back pad  400  in the case of a large force (for example, a load of at least 500 to 600 pounds of force) such that the change in appearance of back pad  400  is readily apparent in even a cursory inspection. 
     As for example illustrated in  FIGS. 3T and 3U , one or more areas  480  of decreased thickness are formed in the material of back pad  400 . These areas of decreased thickness, channels or notches  480  create stress points that cause significant distention or stretching, or, more likely, breakage in the case of application of a substantial or large load as described above to safety harness  10 . As known to, for example, those in the materials arts, the load under with such distension or breakage occurs can be readily adjusted to a particular predetermined load by, for example, choice of the material or materials of back pad  400  and/or the dimensions of areas  480 . Indicators, such as arrows  484  can be provided to further draw attention to relatively thin areas or notches  480  for inspection. In the illustrated embodiment, relatively thin areas, channels or notches  480  are formed between upper and lower slots  405   a, b, e  and  f  and generally central slots  405   c  and  d . As illustrated in, for example,  FIG. 3M , an indication of an unstressed width of channels or notches  480  (for example, ⅛ inch) can be provided as a reference to determine if distention or stressing has occurred. 
     D-ring attachment  410  (or other D-ring attachment of the present invention) will not typically be subjected to a force suitable to damage attachment  410 . 
     As, for example, illustrated by back pad  400   a    FIG. 4A , areas  480   a  can be incorporated into a back pad that does not include a D-ring attachment  410  as described above and is not used in connection with a standalone D-ring attachment  410   a  as described above. In  FIG. 4A , areas  480   a  have been incorporated into the design of a standard hexagonal back pad used in a number of commercially available safety harnesses. Existing safety harness designs are readily retrofitted to incorporate back pad  480   a  as illustrated in  FIG. 4A . Moreover, many other back pads or strap guides used in safety harnesses are readily altered to include areas of decreased strength to provide a readily observable indication that a safety harness and thereby the back pad has undergone a predetermined load. Furthermore, the indicators of the present invention can reduce or eliminate false positives associated with many other types of fall indicators (that is, false indications of a fall when there has been no fall). 
     Further, a load indicator of the present invention need not be incorporated into the back pad of the safety harness. In that regard, a load indicator of the present invention need only be connected between two spaced straps of the safety harness such that the change in force exerted upon the load indicator in the case of a fall causes a readily observable change in appearance of the load indicator. The load indicator can include a first connector that is connected to the first strap and a second connector that is connected to the second strap. 
       FIGS. 8A and 8B , for example, illustrate a load indicator  500  wherein a first connector  510  includes slots  512  and  514  through which strap  22  of harness  10  passes (see  FIG. 8A ), and a second connector  520  includes slots  522  and  524  through which strap  22  passes. Connectors  510  and  520  are connected by an intermediate member  530 . In the illustrated embodiment, the width of intermediate member decreases near the center thereof to provide a stress point as described above. Depending upon the material(s) chosen for load indicator  500 , there may be no need to create one or more stress points.  FIG. 8A  also illustrates a second load indicator  500   a  that is similar in design and operation to load indicator  500 . Load indicator  500   a  is positioned above the position of the crossing point of straps  22  and  32  and load indicator  500  is positioned below the position of the crossing point of straps  22  and  32 . 
     The foregoing description and accompanying drawings set forth preferred embodiments of the invention at the present time. Various modifications, additions and alternative designs will, of course, become apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing teachings without departing from the scope of the invention. The scope of the invention is indicated by the following claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes and variations that fall within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.