Patent Publication Number: US-2023158346-A1

Title: Suspension Trauma Relief Strap Assembly For Use With A Full Body Harness

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a suspension trauma relief strap assembly for use with a full body harness. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Orthostatic intolerance, also commonly referred to as “suspension trauma”, may include symptoms such as light-headedness, breathlessness, palpitations, tremulousness, poor concentration, fatigue, nausea, dizziness, headache, sweating, paleness, increased or unusually low heart rate, unusually low blood pressure, loss of vision, weakness, and faintness. While in a sedentary position, blood can accumulate in the veins, commonly referred to as “venous pooling,” and cause orthostatic intolerance. Venous pooling typically occurs in the legs due to gravity and a lack of movement, and an accumulation of blood in the legs reduces the amount of blood in circulation throughout the rest of the body. The body reacts by speeding up the heart rate in an attempt to maintain sufficient blood flow to the brain. If the blood supply is sufficiently reduced, this reaction will not be effective. The body will abruptly slow the heart rate and the blood pressure will diminish in the arteries. During severe venous pooling, the reduction in quantity and/or quality of oxygen content in the blood flowing to the brain will cause one or more of the above-mentioned symptoms. This reduction of oxygen in the blood can also have an effect on other vital organs such as the kidneys, which may result in renal failure. If these conditions continue, they may be fatal. 
     Orthostatic intolerance may be experienced by workers using fall protection systems including full body harnesses. After a fall, a worker is suspended by the dorsal D-ring of the full body harness, and the worker is left suspended in a relatively vertical/upright position by the fall protection system until rescued. The worker may remain suspended in the full body harness for a length of time, and the sustained immobility may lead to a state of unconsciousness and/or any of the other above-mentioned symptoms. Depending upon the length of time the suspended worker is unconscious and/or immobile and depending upon the level of venous pooling, the resulting orthostatic intolerance may possibly lead to death. While not common, such fatalities are often referred to as “harness induced pathology”. 
     Unconscious and/or immobile workers suspended in their harnesses will not be able to move their legs and will not fall into a horizontal position as they would if they were standing. While in the relatively vertical/upright position, venous pooling is more likely to occur and cause orthostatic intolerance, especially if the suspended worker is left in such a position for a length of time. If the worker is not rescued timely, in less than 30 minutes, venous pooling and orthostatic intolerance could result in serious injury or even death as the brain, the kidneys, and other organs are deprived of oxygen. Care must be taken during the rescue because moving the worker quickly into a horizontal position could cause cardiac arrest due to the abrupt increase in blood flow to the heart. 
     OSHA has suggested that footholds may be used to alleviate pressure on the workers&#39; legs and provide support for “muscle pumping” to activate the leg muscles and reduce the risk of venous pooling. Therefore, a full body harness incorporating such a foothold is desired to reduce the risk of suspension trauma. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A preferred embodiment suspension trauma relief strap assembly for use with a full body harness includes a pair of straps connectable in two configurations. Each strap has a first end, an intermediate portion, and a second end. Each first end includes a connector configured and arranged to engage the full body harness, each intermediate portion includes a plurality of closed loop arrangements, and each second end includes a hook configured and arranged to engage one of the plurality of closed loop arrangements. The first configuration is formed by engaging the hook of one strap with one of the plurality of closed loop arrangements of the other strap, and the pair of straps form a sling upon which a person donning the full body harness may stand. The second configuration is formed by engaging the hook of the one strap with one of the plurality of closed loop arrangements of the one strap and engaging the hook of the other strap with one of the plurality of closed loop arrangements of the other strap, and each strap forms a sling upon which a person donning the full body harness may stand. 
     A preferred embodiment suspension trauma relief strap assembly for use with a full body harness having a first leg strap and a second leg strap includes a first strap, a hook, a second strap, and a plurality of closed loop arrangements. The first strap has a first end and a second end. The first end includes a first connector configured and arranged to engage the full body harness proximate the first leg strap. The hook is operatively connected to the second end. The second strap has a third end, an intermediate portion, and a fourth end. The third end includes a second connector configured and arranged to engage the full body harness proximate the second leg strap. The plurality of closed loop arrangements is operatively connected to the intermediate portion of the second strap and each is configured and arranged to receive the hook of the first strap. The hook of the first strap engages one of the plurality of closed loop arrangements to connect the first strap and the second strap thereby forming a sling providing a surface upon which a worker may stand to relieve suspension trauma from pressure on the worker&#39;s body by the full body harness. 
     A preferred embodiment suspension trauma relief strap assembly is used with a full body harness having shoulder straps, leg straps, a seat strap, and a dorsal D-ring. The dorsal D-ring is operatively connected to the shoulder straps proximate a rear portion of the full body harness, the seat strap interconnect the shoulder straps, and the leg straps are operatively connected to the seat strap. A worker donning the full body harness is suspended in a relatively upright position by the dorsal D-ring when a fall occurs, the dorsal D-ring pulling the full body harness upward relative to the worker and the full body harness placing pressure on the worker. The suspension trauma relief strap assembly includes a first strap, a second strap, a hook, and a plurality of closed loop arrangements. Each strap has a first end, an intermediate portion, and a second end. The first end of each strap includes a connector configured and arranged to engage one of the shoulder straps of the full body harness proximate the seat strap. The hook is operatively connected to the second end of one of the straps. The plurality of closed loop arrangements is operatively connected to the intermediate portion of another of the straps. The hook of one strap is configured and arranged to engage the plurality of closed loop arrangements of the other strap, and the engaged hook and closed loop arrangement interconnect the first strap and the second strap to form a sling upon which the worker may stand to relieve the pressure of the full body harness on the worker. 
     A preferred embodiment suspension trauma relief strap assembly for use with a full body harness includes a pair of straps capable of forming a first configuration. Each of the pair of straps has a first end, an intermediate portion, and a second end. Each first end includes a connector configured and arranged to engage the full body harness. The second end of one strap includes a first connecting member, and the intermediate portion of another strap includes a second connecting member. The first connecting member and the second connecting member are configured and arranged to engage one another. A first configuration is formed by engaging the first connecting member of the one strap and the second connecting member of the another strap to form a sling with the pair of straps upon which a person donning the full body harness may stand. 
     A preferred embodiment suspension trauma relief strap assembly for use with a full body harness includes a strap, a connector, a first connecting member, and a second connecting member. The strap has a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion. The connector is operatively connected to the first end and is configured and arranged to engage the full body harness. The first connecting member is operatively connected to the second end, and the second connecting member is operatively connected to the intermediate portion. The first connecting member and the second connecting are configured and arranged to engage one another to form a sling upon which a worker donning the full body harness may stand after a fall to relieve suspension trauma. 
     A preferred embodiment method of forming a sling upon which a worker donning a full body harness may stand after a fall to relieve suspension trauma includes releasing a first strap having a first connecting member, releasing a second strap having a second connecting member, and interconnecting the first strap and the second strap by connecting the first connecting member and the second connecting member thereby forming a sling upon which the worker donning the full body harness may stand. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a front view of a suspension trauma relief strap assembly constructed according to the principles of the present invention; 
         FIG.  2    is a side view of the suspension trauma relief strap assembly shown in  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  3    is a front view of the suspension trauma relief strap assembly shown in  FIG.  1    including a cover and a securing member; 
         FIG.  4    is a front view of a strap of the suspension trauma relief strap assembly shown in  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  5    is a side view of the strap shown in  FIG.  4   ; 
         FIG.  6    is a front view of a strap of another suspension trauma relief strap assembly constructed according to the principles of the present invention; 
         FIG.  7    is a side view of the strap shown in  FIG.  6   ; 
         FIG.  7 A  is a magnified view of a portion of the strap shown in  FIG.  7   ; 
         FIG.  8    is a front view of a strap of another suspension trauma relief strap assembly constructed according to the principles of the present invention; 
         FIG.  9    is a rear view of a full body harness including the suspension trauma relief strap assembly shown in  FIG.  1    and the suspension trauma relief strap assembly shown in  FIG.  6   ; 
         FIG.  10    is a perspective view of a worker donning a full body harness and utilizing a suspension trauma relief strap assembly suspended from a support structure; 
         FIG.  11    is a perspective view of a portion of the suspension trauma relief strap assembly shown in  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  12    is a perspective view of a portion of the suspension trauma relief strap assembly shown in  FIG.  4    connected to the suspension trauma relief strap assembly shown in  FIG.  6   ; 
         FIG.  13    is a perspective view of a portion of the suspension trauma relief strap assembly shown in  FIG.  8   ; 
         FIG.  14    is a side view of another embodiment suspension trauma relief strap assembly constructed according to the principles of the present invention; 
         FIG.  15    is a front view of the suspension trauma relief strap assembly shown in  FIG.  14   ; 
         FIG.  16    is a rear view of the suspension trauma relief strap assembly shown in  FIG.  14   ; 
         FIG.  17    is a top view of the suspension trauma relief strap assembly shown in  FIG.  14   ; 
         FIG.  18    is a front view of the suspension trauma relief strap assembly shown in  FIG.  14    with the cover opened; and 
         FIG.  19    is a front view of another suspension trauma relief strap assembly for use with the suspension trauma relief strap assembly shown in  FIG.  18   . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Preferred embodiment suspension trauma relief strap assemblies constructed according to the principles of the present invention are designated by the numerals  100 ,  200 ,  300 ,  600 , and  700  in the drawings. 
     As shown in  FIGS.  1 - 3   , the suspension trauma relief strap assembly  100  includes a strap  101  and a housing  110 . The strap  101 , as shown in  FIGS.  4  and  5   , includes a first end  102 , an intermediate portion  104 , and a second end  105 . The first end  102  includes a connector  103 , which is preferably a loop formed in the strap  101  by folding over the end of the first end  102  and securing the end to another portion of the first end  102  by stitching  108 . The connector  103  includes an opening  103   a  between the portions of the strap  101 . Although a loop formed in the strap  101  is the preferred type of connector  103 , other suitable types of connectors known in the art such as but not limited to a hook or a buckle could be used. 
     A hook  106  is operatively connected to the second end  105 . The hook  106  includes a slot through which the end of the second end  105  is inserted, folded over, and secured to another portion of the second end  105  by stitching  107 . An optional pull tab  109  may be inserted between the end and the other portion of the second end  105  and secured therebetween by the stitching  107 . The pull tab  109  extends outward from the strap  101  to provide convenient access to the strap  101 . The pull tab  109  may have “pull to deploy” marked on it. 
     The housing  110  includes a back  111  and a side  117  preferably made of a light weight material such as but not limited to nylon. The back  111  is preferably a circular disk member, and the side  117  is operatively connected to the back  111  and includes a slot  119 . The side  117  does not completely border the circumference of the back  111  to form the slot  119  between the ends of the side  117 . The strap  101  is preferably secured to the inside surface of the side  117  of the housing  110  by stitching  123  proximate the slot  119 , and the connector  103  extends through the slot  119  and out of the housing  110  as shown in  FIG.  11   . The back  111  and the side  117  form a cavity  120  in which the strap  101  is placed and stored. The cavity  120  is sized to correspond with the size of the strap  101  when folded or wound into a compact configuration. The depth of the cavity  120  and the width of the slot  119  are preferably configured and arranged to accommodate the width of the strap  101 . The outside surface of the side  117  preferably includes a fastener  112  such as hook or loop. It is recognized that other fasteners such as but not limited to zippers, snaps, or other suitable fasteners well known in the art could also be used. 
     A cover  113  includes a front  121  and a side  118  preferably made of a light weight material such as but not limited to nylon. The front  121  is preferably a circular disk member, and the side  118  is operatively connected to the front  121  and includes a slot  122 . Like the side  117 , the side  118  does not completely border the circumference of the front  121  to form the slot  122  between the ends of the side  118 . The front  121  is configured and arranged to cover the cavity  120  and the side  118  is configured and arranged to overlap the side  117  with the slots  119  and  122  aligning to allow the connector  103  to extend therethrough. The inside surface of the side  118  preferably includes a fastener  114  such as hook or loop to mate with the fastener  112  of the housing  110 . Again, it is recognized that other fasteners such as but not limited to zippers, snaps, or other suitable fasteners well known in the art could also be used to mate with the fastener  112  of the side  117 . 
     The strap  101  is preferably wound into a spiral configuration, such as that shown in  FIG.  1    with the second end  105  proximate the center of the spiral configuration, and packed into the cavity  120  of the housing  110 . Preferably, the hook  106  should be taken from the center of the spiral configuration and placed proximate the opening into the cavity  120  opposite the back  111  so that it is readily accessible. If a pull tab  109  is used, the pull tab  109  should also be readily accessible within the cavity  120 . Once arranged in a compact configuration and placed in the cavity  120 , the cover  113  is placed on the housing  110 . 
     The connector  103  is preferably large enough to wrap around a strap of a full body harness and insert the housing  110  and the cover  113  containing the strap  101  through the opening  103   a  between the portions of the strap  101  to secure the suspension trauma relief strap assembly  100  to the full body harness. Optional securing members  115   a  and  115   b , which are preferably tabs extending outward from the housing  110 , may be operatively connected between the back  111  and the side  117  and include a first snap portion  116   a  and second snap portion  116   b,  respectively. The securing members  115   a  and  115   b  may be wrapped around the strap of the full body harness and the snap portions  116   a  and  116   b  connected to one another to further secure the suspension trauma relief strap assembly  100  to the full body harness. 
     The suspension trauma relief strap assembly  200  includes a strap  201  and a housing  210 . The strap  201 , shown in  FIGS.  6 ,  7 , and  7 A , includes a first end  202 , an intermediate portion  204 , and a second end  205 . The first end  202  includes a connector  203 , which is preferably a loop formed in the strap  201  by folding over the end of the first end  202  and securing the end to another portion of the first end  202  by stitching  208 . The connector  203  includes an opening  203   a  between the portions of the strap  201 . The intermediate portion  204  includes a plurality of closed loop arrangements  206 , which are preferably formed in the strap  201  by overlapping portions of the strap  201  into an “S” configuration and securing the overlapping portions with stitching  209 . One end of the “S” configuration forms an opening through which the prong of the hook  106  may be inserted. It is recognized that the plurality of closed loop arrangements  206  may also be separate members operatively connected to the strap  201 . The second end  205  includes a loop  207 , which is preferably formed in the strap  201  by folding over the end of the second end  205  and securing the end to another portion of the second end  205  by stitching  209 . The plurality of loops  206  and the loop  207  are configured and arranged to receive the prong of the hook  106  of the strap  101 . The prong of the hook  106  engages one of the loops  206  or  207  to connect the straps  101  and  201  to form a sling, which provides a surface upon which a worker donning a full body harness may stand to relieve suspension trauma from pressure on the worker&#39;s body by the full body harness. This is shown in  FIG.  12   . Because the hook  106  may engage any one of the plurality of loops  206  and the loop  207 , the device is adjustable to accommodate varying heights of workers. The housing  210  is preferably similarly constructed as described with regard to housing  110 . 
     The suspension trauma relief strap assembly  300  includes a strap  301  and a housing (not shown). The strap  301  includes a first end  302 , an intermediate portion  304 , and a second end  305 . The first end  302  includes a connector  303 , which is preferably a loop formed in the strap  301  by folding over the end of the first end  302  and securing the end to another portion of the first end  302  by stitching  308 . The connector  303  includes an opening between the portions of the strap  301 . The intermediate portion  304  includes a plurality of closed loop arrangements  309 , which are preferably formed in the strap  301  by overlapping portions of the strap  301  into an “S” configuration and securing the overlapping portions with stitching  311 . One end of the “S” forms an opening through which the prong of the hook  306  may be inserted. It is recognized that the plurality of closed loop arrangements  309  may also be separate members operatively connected to the strap  301 . The plurality of closed loop arrangements  309  are configured and arranged to receive the hook  306  of the strap  301 . A hook  306  is operatively connected to the second end  305 . The hook  306  includes a slot through which the end of the second end  305  is inserted, folded over, and secured to another portion of the second end  305  by stitching  307 . The prong of the hook  306  engages one of the loops  309  to form a sling, which provides a surface upon which a worker donning a full body harness may stand to relieve suspension trauma from pressure on the worker&#39;s body by the full body harness. 
     Preferably, two straps  301  are used and they are connectable in two configurations. In the first configuration, each strap  301  may form separate slings, a sling for supporting each foot separately. More specifically, the prong of the hook  306  engages one of the loops  309  on the same strap  301  so that there is a sling at the bottom of each strap  301  in which each foot is placed so that each foot has a separate sling and is supported separately. Alternatively, one strap  301  may be used in this first configuration for supporting one foot or both feet. This first configuration is shown in  FIGS.  10  and  13   . In the second configuration, the straps  301  may engage one another to form one sling for supporting both feet together. More specifically, the hook  306  of one strap  301  engages one of the loops  309  on the other strap  301  so that there is one sling in which both feet are placed so that both feet are supported together by one sling. This second configuration is similar to that shown in  FIG.  12   . Because the hooks  306  may engage any one of the loops  309 , the device in either of the configurations is adjustable to accommodate varying heights of workers. An optional pull tab  310  may be inserted between the end and the other portion of the second end  305  and secured thereto by the stitching  307 . 
     As shown in  FIGS.  14 - 18   , the suspension trauma relief strap assembly  600  includes a strap  601  and a housing  610 . The strap  601 , as shown in  FIG.  18   , includes a first end  602 , an intermediate portion  604 , and a second end  605 . The first end  602  includes a connector  603 , which is preferably a loop formed in the strap  601  by folding over the end of the first end  602  and securing the end to another portion of the first end  602  by stitching (not shown). The connector  603  includes an opening  603   a  between the portions of the strap  601 . Although a loop formed in the strap  601  is the preferred type of connector  603 , other suitable types of connectors known in the art such as but not limited to a hook or a buckle could be used. 
     A hook  606  is operatively connected to the second end  605 . The hook  606  includes a slot through which the end of the second end  605  is inserted, folded over, and secured to another portion of the second end  605  by stitching  607 . An optional pull tab  609  may be inserted between the end and the other portion of the second end  605  and secured therebetween by the stitching  607 . The pull tab  609  extends outward from the strap  601  to provide convenient access to the strap  601 . The pull tab  609  may have “pull to deploy” marked on it. 
     The housing  610  includes a back  611 , a cover  613 , and a side  617  preferably made of a light weight material such as but not limited to nylon. The back  611  and the cover  613  are preferably circular disk members, and the side  617  interconnects the back  611  and the cover  613 . The side  617  preferably includes a first portion  617   a  and a second portion  617   b  and includes a slot  619 . The first portion  617   a  is operatively connected to the back  611  and the second portion  617   b  is operatively connected to the cover  613 , preferably by stitching. The side  617  does not completely border the circumferences of the back  611  and the cover  613  to form the slot  619  between the two ends of the side  617 . The strap  601  is preferably secured to the inside surface of the first portion  617   a  of the side  617  of the housing  610  by stitching (not shown) proximate the slot  619 , and the connector  603  extends through the slot  619  and out of the housing  610  as shown in  FIG.  18   . 
     The back  611  and first portion  617   a  of the side  617  form a cavity  620  in which the strap  601  is placed and stored. The cavity  620  is sized to correspond with the size of the strap  601  when folded or wound into a compact configuration. The depth of the cavity  620  and the width of the slot  619  are preferably configured and arranged to accommodate the width of the strap  601 . The two portions  617   a  and  617   b  of the side  617  preferably include mating portions  614   a  and  614   b  of a fastener  614  such as a zipper. It is recognized that other fasteners such as but not limited to hook and loop, snaps, or other suitable fasteners well known in the art could also be used. The fastener  614  releasably interconnects the back  611  and the cover  613  so that the cover  613  may be opened thereby allowing access to the cavity  620 . Preferably, a majority of the back  611  and the cover  613  are interconnected by the fastener  614  so that the housing  610  resembles a clam shell with a minority of the back  611  and the cover  613  remaining interconnected when the fastener  614  is opened. 
     The strap  601  is preferably wound into a spiral configuration, such as that shown in  FIG.  18   , with the second end  605  proximate the center of the spiral configuration, and packed into the cavity  620  of the housing  610 . Preferably, the hook  606  should be taken from the center of the spiral configuration and placed proximate the opening into the cavity  620  opposite the back  611  so that it is readily accessible. If a pull tab  609  is used, the pull tab  609  should also be readily accessible within the cavity  620  proximate the cover  613 . Once arranged in a compact configuration and placed in the cavity  620 , the cover  613  is placed on the back  611  and the fastener  614  is secured. 
     The connector  603  is preferably large enough to wrap around a strap of a full body harness and insert the housing  610  containing the strap  601  through the opening  603   a  between the portions of the strap  601  to secure the suspension trauma relief strap assembly  600  to the full body harness. Optional securing members  615   a  and  615   b,  which are preferably tabs operatively connected to opposing sides of the housing  610 , may be operatively connected between the back  611  and the side  617  and include a first snap portion  616   a  and second snap portion  616   b,  respectively. The securing members  615   a  and  615   b  may be wrapped around the strap of the full body harness and the snap portions  616   a  and  616   b  connected to one another to further secure the suspension trauma relief strap assembly  600  to the full body harness. 
     The suspension trauma relief strap assembly  700 , shown in  FIG.  19   , includes a strap  701  and a housing  710 . The strap  701  includes a first end  702 , an intermediate portion  704 , and a second end  705 . The first end  702  includes a connector  703 , which is preferably a loop formed in the strap  701  by folding over the end of the first end  702  and securing the end to another portion of the first end  702  by stitching (not shown). The connector  703  includes an opening  703   a  between the portions of the strap  701 . The intermediate portion  704  includes a plurality of closed loop arrangements (not shown), which are preferably formed in the strap  701  by overlapping portions of the strap  701  into an “S” configuration and securing the overlapping portions with stitching. One end of the “S” configuration forms an opening through which the prong of the hook  606  of the strap  601  may be inserted. It is recognized that the plurality of closed loop arrangements may also be separate members operatively connected to the strap  701 . The second end  705  includes a loop  707 , which is preferably formed in the strap  701  by folding over the end of the second end  705  and securing the end to another portion of the second end  705  by stitching  709 . 
     The plurality of loops and the loop  707  are configured and arranged to receive the prong of the hook  606  of the strap  601 . The prong of the hook  606  engages one of the loops  706  or  707  to connect the straps  601  and  701  to form a sling, which provides a surface upon which a worker donning a full body harness may stand to relieve suspension trauma from pressure on the worker&#39;s body by the full body harness. Because the hook  606  may engage any one of the plurality of loops and the loop  707 , the device is adjustable to accommodate varying heights of workers. The housing  710  is preferably similarly constructed as described with regard to housing  610 . 
     Full body harnesses are well known in the art, and it is recognized that the present invention may be used with many different styles of full body harnesses. A full body harness  400  that may be used with the present invention is shown in  FIG.  9    and includes shoulder straps  401   a  and  401   b,  leg straps  402   a  and  402   b,  a dorsal D-ring  403 , and a seat strap  404 . The shoulder straps  401   a  and  401   b  criss-cross in divergent fashion at a juncture proximate the rear portion of the harness  400 , and the dorsal D-ring  403  is operatively connected to the shoulder straps  401   a  and  401   b  proximate the juncture. The seat strap  404  interconnects the shoulder straps  401   a  and  401   b,  and the leg straps  402   a  and  402   b  are operatively connected to the seat strap  404 . Side D-rings  405  may also be operatively connected to the seat strap  404 . 
     For illustrative purposes, suspension trauma relief strap assemblies  100  and  200  are shown operatively connected to the full body harness  400 , and it is recognized that the other embodiments may be similarly operatively connected to full body harnesses. The connector  103  is wrapped about the shoulder strap  401   b  above the seat strap  404  and then the housing  110  and the cover  113  containing the strap  101  are inserted through the opening  103   a  between the portions of the strap  101  of the connector  103 . The strap  101  is then secured to the full body harness  400 , and the housing  110  and the cover  113  are preferably positioned proximate the seat strap  404 . The securing members  115   a  and  115   b  are then wrapped about the shoulder strap  401   b  below the seat strap  404  and the snaps  116   a  and  116   b  are fastened together to further secure the housing  110  to the full body harness  400 . The suspension trauma relief strap assembly  200  is similarly secured to the shoulder strap  401   a  of the full body harness  400 . Any suitable connector may be used to secure the assemblies  100  and  200  to the full body harness  400 . There are many different types of full body harnesses that may be used, and it is recognized that the connector of the suspension trauma relief strap assembly may also be connected to the seat strap, the side D-rings, or any other suitable location on the full body harness that alleviates pressure on the worker&#39;s body so as to not constrict the worker&#39;s body when suspended. 
     The suspension trauma relief strap assembly  100  and the suspension trauma relief strap assembly  200  are preferably used together with a full body harness, one or two of the suspension trauma relief strap assemblies  300  are preferably used with a full body harness, and the suspension trauma relief strap assembly  600  and the suspension trauma relief strap assembly  700  are preferably used together with a full body harness. As discussed above, the suspension trauma relief strap assembly  100  is operatively connected to one side of the full body harness and the suspension trauma relief strap assembly  200  is operatively connected to the other side of the full body harness such as shown in  FIG.  9   . Similarly, the suspension trauma relief strap assembly  300  is operatively connected to one or each side of the full body harness such as shown in  FIG.  10   . Similarly, the suspension trauma relief strap assembly  600  is operatively connected to one side of the full body harness and the suspension trauma relief strap assembly  700  is operatively connected to the other side of the full body harness. However, it is recognized that various combinations of the features of these devices is possible and may be used interchangeably. 
     When a fall has occurred, as shown in  FIG.  10   , the worker donning the full body harness  500  is suspended in a relatively upright position from a support structure  509  by a lanyard  508  operatively connected to the dorsal D-ring  503  of the full body harness  500 . The dorsal D-ring  503  tends to pull the shoulder straps of the full body harness  500  upward relative to the worker, which places pressure on the worker&#39;s body. Pressure will likely be placed on the inner thighs of the worker by the leg straps of the full body harness  500 . When suspended by the dorsal D-ring  503 , and if rescue is not imminent, the worker (if conscious) may choose to utilize the device of the present invention to reduce the risk of suspension trauma. 
     In operation, the cover is detached from the housing to expose the strap within the cavity. If a pull tab is present, the pull tab is pulled to release the strap from the housing and from the compact configuration. If a pull tab is not present, the hook or the end of the strap is pulled to release the strap from the housing and from the compact configuration. This is performed for each device. Then, the hook is inserted through one of the loops to form a sling, which is a foothold or a support upon which the worker may “stand”. As discussed above, either one or two slings may be formed. Due to the fall, the worker is suspended by the dorsal D-ring, which pulls the shoulder straps upward and/or taut proximate the back of the worker. The sling is operatively connected to the portions of the shoulder strap being pulled by the dorsal D-ring (proximate the ends of the rear portions of the shoulder straps above the junctures with the seat strap), and when the worker “stands” on the sling, the pressure extends from the dorsal D-ring to the sling rather than to the worker. This allows for the load or the pressure to be taken off the worker&#39;s body and the other straps of the full body harness because the load is applied from the dorsal D-ring to the sling instead. As a result, the other straps of the full body harness loosen so as to not constrict the worker&#39;s body when suspended. By using the suspension relief strap assembly, the worker is able to “stand” on the provided sling to relieve the pressure from the full body harness and reduce the risk of suspension trauma. 
     The straps of the suspension trauma relief strap assemblies are preferably made of ¾ inch nylon webbing having a minimum tensile strength of 900 pounds. The hooks are preferably made of steel and the prongs of the hooks are configured and arranged to engage all of the loops, which are preferably 14 mm loops. The stitching is preferably capable of maintaining a load of 500 pounds. 
     In addition, it is recognized that rather than interconnecting the two straps of the suspension trauma relief strap assemblies with a hook engaging one of a plurality of closed loop arrangements, buckles, snaps, or other suitable connecting members could be used to interconnect the two straps. Similarly, buckles, snaps, or other suitable connecting members could be used to form a sling at the bottom of each strap individually. 
     The device of the present invention may be retrofittable to accommodate most styles of full body harnesses and is reusable on another full body harness should a fall occur and the full body harness must be discarded. The device may also be sewn directly onto the full body harness rather than used as a retrofit, reusable accessory. 
     The above specification, examples and data provide a complete description of the manufacture and use of the composition of the invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended. This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/191,633 (now allowed), which was a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/535,102 (issued as U.S. Pat. No. 11,058,905), which was a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/250,216 (issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,919,496, which was a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/184,549 (issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,061,481), which claimed priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/590,248, the disclosures of all of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety herein.