Patent Publication Number: US-2006005293-A1

Title: Safety harnesses

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
      The present invention claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/587,130, filed Jul. 12, 2004, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/611,438, filed Sep. 20, 2004, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention relates generally to full body safety harnesses, and particularly to safety harnesses which, for example, provide improved or enhanced range of motion, comfort, ease of donning, ease of adjustment and ease of adding accessory equipment as compared to other safety harnesses.  
      References set forth herein may facilitate understanding of the present invention or the background of the present invention. Inclusion of a reference herein, however, is not intended to and does not constitute an admission that the reference is available as prior art with respect to the present invention.  
      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.  
      Many currently available full-body safety harnesses are manufactured from relatively inelastic, woven webbing materials such as nylon or polyester. A flexible and elastic harness, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,006,700, assigned to the assignee of the present invention, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, has been introduced that greatly improves the comfort of the user during normal use of the safety harness. A safety harness with blunted edges for further increasing the comfort of the user is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,739,427, assigned to the assignee of the present invention, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.  
      Although the comfort of safety harnesses during normal use and even during a fall arrest has been greatly improved in the above-described harnesses, the underlying design of currently available safety harnesses still leads to a number of problems including, for example, range of motion problems, comfort problems, donning problems, adjustment problems and webbing wear problems.  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 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 .  
      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.  
      U.S. Pat. No. 5,957,091 discloses another design of a body harness including a pair of shoulder straps, a pair of leg straps and a pair of rigid hip plates. The shoulder straps are connected at both ends to the hip plates and pass through a back pad and through a shoulder strap retainer (preferably a front or a chest strap). Each leg strap is connected at one end to one of the same rigid hip plates to which the shoulder straps are connected and can be connected at the other end to one of the same rigid hip plates to which the shoulder straps are connected. Adjustment of the fit of the shoulder straps of the body harness of U.S. Pat. No. 5,957,091 is accomplished through the use of a set of three adjacent parallel slots in the rigid hip plates. Adjustment of the leg straps of the body harness of U.S. Pat. No. 5,957,091 is accomplished through the use of a quick fit buckle.  
      In general, it is difficult, for example, to bend forward or rearward in a harness such as harness  10  and other harnesses because of the resistance of the interconnected strapping material forming the harness. In that regard, a continuous strap or a series of interconnected strap sections from part of the upper torso portion as well as the lower seat section. Use of an elastic strapping material as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,006,700 facilitates such bending, but resistance is still present. In that regard, bending forward and/or rearward causes significant pulling (that is, tension in the strapping) on the lower torso or seat portion of the harness. Moreover, the interconnected, crossing nature of currently available harnesses such as harness  10  causes adjustment of the fit of one portion of harness  10  to affect the fit/tension in other portions of the harness. For example, adjustment of buckle  26  to adjust the length of shoulder strap  20  affect the fit/tension of one or both of leg straps  80  and  90 .  
      In addition to the above-identified problems, users of currently available safety harnesses find it very difficult to adjust the fit of the safety harness and other fall protection safety gear using friction buckles and other types of adjustment mechanisms found on such safety harnesses. Moreover, this difficulty can often be increased with the use of harness webbing material designed to increase the comfort of the user. Furthermore, it is often difficult to don currently available safety harnesses. Although efforts have been made to simplify the donning of a safety harness by, for example, fabricating the harness material so that the harness maintains its form when not worn as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,739,427 or by providing a back connector assembly sufficiently rigid to give an undonned harness some shape (see, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,253,874), problems in donning persist. For example, it is often difficult of the user of the harness to determine which side of the harness material is the outer or inner side, leading to donning of the harness in and inside-out conformation. Moreover, webbing material used in currently available safety harnesses and other fall protection safety gear is susceptible to fraying, particularly at the end thereof.  
      It is very desirable to develop improved safety harnesses 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 full body safety harness to be worn by a person including an upper torso portion and a lower seat portion. The upper torso portion is operatively connected to the lower seat portion by a first connector on a first lateral side and a second connector on a second lateral side thereof. The first connector and the second connector enable forward and rearward rotation of the upper torso portion relative to the lower seat portion (as in the case of forward and rearward bending by a user of the harness) without causing a significant increase in tension in the lower seat portion. The less tension increases in the lower torso portion during bending, the better. Such tension increases in the lower torso portion of the harnesses of the present invention upon bending can, for example, be reduced to less than 10% or even substantially eliminated.  
      In one embodiment, at least one of the first connector and the second connector includes a rotating joint. Both of the first connector and the second connector can include a rotating joint. In another embodiment, at least one of the first connector and the second connector includes a ring member about which at least one strap of the upper torso portion or the lower seat portion is slidably attached. For example, the first connector can include an upper ring member and a lower ring member, wherein at least one end of a shoulder strap of the upper torso portion is slidably attached to the upper ring member, and at least one strap of leg strap of the lower seat portion is slidably attached to the lower ring member.  
      The upper torso portion can, for example, include a first shoulder strap adapted to pass over a first shoulder of the person, wherein a first end of the first shoulder strap is adapted to extend over the front of the person to connect to the first connector and a second end of the first shoulder strap is adapted to extend over the back of the person to connect to the second connector. The upper torso portion can further include a second shoulder strap adapted to pass over a second shoulder of the person, wherein a first end of the second shoulder strap is adapted to extend over the front of the person to connect to the second connector and a second end of the second shoulder strap is adapted to extend over the back of the person to connect to the first connector. The safety harness can further include a first leg strap connected to the first connector and a second leg strap connected to the second connector. In one embodiment at least one of the first shoulder strap and the second shoulder strap includes an adjustment mechanism to adjust the length thereof and at least one of the first leg strap and the second leg strap includes an adjustment mechanism to adjust the length thereof. The first shoulder strap can include a first shoulder strap adjustment mechanism to adjust the length of the first shoulder strap, and the second shoulder strap can include a second adjustment mechanism to adjust the length of the second shoulder strap. The first leg strap can include a first leg strap adjustment mechanism to adjust the length of the first leg strap, and the second leg strap can include a second leg strap adjustment mechanism to adjust the length of the second leg strap.  
      In another aspect, the present invention provides a full body safety harness to be worn by a person including an upper torso portion and a lower seat portion, wherein the upper torso portion is operatively connected to the lower seat by a first rotating connector on a first lateral side and a second rotating connector on a second side thereof. The first rotating connector and the second rotating connector enable rotation of the upper torso portion relative to the lower seat portion (as occurs, for example, upon forward and rearward bending by the person).  
      The first rotating connector can be positioned to rotate about a point in the vicinity of the axis of rotation of the hips of the person when worn by the person. Likewise, the second rotating connector can be positioned to rotate about a point in the vicinity of the axis of rotation of the hips of the person when worn by the person. In one embodiment, the first rotating connector (and/or the second rotating connector) includes an upper connective member and a lower connective member. The upper connective member is rotatably connected to the lower connective member. The upper connective member can, for example, be connected to the lower connective member by a shaft about which the upper connective member can rotate relative to the lower connective member. The upper connective member can include at least one attachment adapted to connect to harness strapping, and the lower connective member can include at least one attachment adapted to connect to harness strapping. In one embodiment, the upper connective member includes at least two slots formed therein for attachment of harness strapping, and the lower connective member includes at least two slots formed therein of attachment of harness strapping.  
      The rotating connectors of the present invention can further include an accessory connector attached to an outer surface thereof which is adapted to connect accessories to the full body safety harness. Likewise, the rotating connectors of the present invention can include a belt connector attached to an inner surface thereof which is adapted to connect the full body safety harness to a belt (for example, a safety positioning belt comprising an anchor attachment or a tool belt).  
      The upper torso portion of the full body safety harness can include a first shoulder strap adapted to pass over a first shoulder of the person, wherein a first end of the first shoulder strap is adapted to extend over the front of the person to connect to the first rotating connector, and a second end of the first shoulder strap is adapted to extend over the back of the person to connect to the second rotating connector. The upper torso portion can further include a second shoulder strap adapted to pass over a second shoulder of the person, wherein a first end of the second shoulder strap is adapted to extend over the front of the person to connect to the second rotating connector, and a second end of the second shoulder strap is adapted to extend over the back of the person to connect to the first rotating connector. In this embodiment, the first shoulder strap and the second shoulder strap cross over each other in the back of the full body safety harness. The lower torso portion can include a first leg strap connected to the first rotating connector and a second leg strap connected to the second rotating connector. At least one of the first shoulder strap and the second shoulder strap can include an adjustment mechanism to adjust the length thereof and at least one of the first leg strap and the second leg strap can include an adjustment mechanism to adjust the length thereof. In one embodiment, the first shoulder strap includes a first shoulder strap adjustment mechanism to adjust the length of the first shoulder strap; the second shoulder strap includes a second adjustment mechanism to adjust the length of the second shoulder strap; the first leg strap include a first leg strap adjustment mechanism to adjust the length of the first leg strap; and the second leg strap includes a second leg strap adjustment mechanism to adjust the length of the second leg strap.  
      In one embodiment, the full body safety harness of further includes a cam buckle in operative connection with at least one of strap section of the upper torso portion or the lower torso portion to adjust a fit of the strap section. The cam buckle can include a base and a locking member in moveable, operative connection with the base. The locking member can include an abutment surface moveable into and out of contact with the strap. In one embodiment, the locking member is rotatably attached to the base, and the abutment surface is biased in connection with the strap.  
      The base can include a strap support over which a strap of the safety harness passes. The abutment surface of the locking member can be biased in connection with a first surface of the strap over a section of the strap wherein a second, opposing surface of the strap contacts the support member. The locking member can include a lever arm to which force is applied to move the locking member into a release position in which the abutment surface is out of contact with the strap. The cam buckle can also include an activating mechanism that must be activated to enable the locking member to be moved to a release position.  
      In another embodiment, the safety harness includes a connector attached to at least one strap section of the upper torso portion or the lower torso portion. The connector includes a first attachment mechanism to attach the connector to the strap and a second attachment mechanism to attach an item to the connector. The connector can, for example, include a base, and the first attachment mechanism can includes a pair of slots formed in the base. The connector can further include a closure in operative connection with the base. In one embodiment, the base and the enclosure at least partially enclose at least one label (including, for example, printed information about or relative to the harness) when the closure in a closed state. In one embodiment, the closure includes a hinge about which the closure is rotatable to the closed state and to an open state. For example, the at least one label can be accessible when the closure is in an open state. The closure can further include a releasable locking mechanism to releasably cooperate with the base to hold the closure in a closed state.  
      In another embodiment, the safety harness further includes at least one strap section having an interior surface that is adjacent a wearer when the safety harness is worn and an exterior surface generally opposite the interior surface. The interior surface is perceptibly different from the exterior surface so that a wearer can distinguish the interior surface from the exterior surface. The interior surface can, for example, have a different color from the exterior surface. The interior surface can, for example, have a different texture from the exterior surface. The interior surface can, for example, be softer than the exterior surface. The exterior surface can, for example, have a greater abrasion resistance than the interior surface. In one embodiment, the interior surface and the exterior surface are formed about a generally tubular outer shell. In this embodiment, he strap section can further include a flexible inner material.  
      In a further embodiment, the safety harness further includes at least one strap section have a first end. The first end includes an end member in operative connection therewith. The end member includes a retaining member to connect the end member to the at least one strap or to another strap of the harness. The retaining member can, for example, include an extending arm to extend around the another strap. In one embodiment, the extending member is biased against the another strap when extending around the another strap.  
      In another aspect, the present invention provides a full body safety harness to be worn by a person including an upper torso portion and a lower seat portion. The upper torso portion is operatively connected to the lower seat by at least one connector adapted to enable rotation of the upper torso portion over a range of positions forward and rearward relative to the lower seat portion without causing significant tension in the lower seat portion.  
      In a further aspect, the present invention provides a full body safety harness to be worn by a person including an upper torso portion and a lower seat portion. The upper torso portion is removably connected to the lower torso or seat portion via a first connector on a first lateral side of the harness and a second connector on a second lateral side of the harness.  
      In one embodiment, the first connector includes an first upper connecting member to which at least one strap of the upper torso portion is connected and a first lower connecting member to which at least one strap of the lower torso portion is connected. The first upper connecting member and the first lower connecting member are adapted to be placed in operative connection. The second connector includes a second upper connecting member to which at least one strap of the upper torso portion is connected and a second lower connecting member to which at least one strap of the lower torso portion is connected. The second upper connecting member and the second lower connecting member are adapted to be placed in operative connection.  
      The first upper connecting member and the first lower connecting member in one embodiment are adapted to be placed in operative connection such that the first upper connecting member is rotatable about an axis relative to the first lower connecting member. The second upper connecting member and the second lower connecting member can also be adapted to be placed in operative connection such that the second upper connecting member is rotatable about an axis relative to the second lower connecting member.  
      In still a further aspect, the present invention provides a method of fabricating a full body safety harness, including: forming an upper torso portion of the full body safety harness; forming separately from the upper torso portion a lower seat portion; and connecting the upper torso portion to the lower seat portion via a first connector on a first lateral side of the full body safety harness and a second connector on a second side of the full body safety harness. In one embodiment, the first connector includes an first upper connecting member to which at least one strap of the upper torso portion is connected and a first lower connecting member to which at least one strap of the lower seat portion is connected. The first upper connecting member and the first lower connecting member are adapted to be placed in operative connection. The second connector can also includes a second upper connecting member to which at least one strap of the upper torso portion is connected and a second lower connecting member to which at least one strap of the lower seat portion is connected. The second upper connecting member and the second lower connecting member are adapted to be placed in operative connection.  
      The method can further include: forming a plurality of upper torso portions, each have a unique configuration; and selecting one of the plurality of upper torso portions to be connected to the lower seat portion. Likewise, the method can further include: forming a plurality of lower seat portions, each have a unique configuration; and selecting one of the plurality of lower seat portions to be connected to the upper torso portion.  
      In another aspect, the present invention provides a safety harness to be worn by a person which includes at least one strap section. The strap section includes a cam buckle in operative connection therewith to adjust a fit of the strap section. The can buckle can, for example, include a base and a locking member in moveable, operative connection with the base. The locking member includes an abutment surface moveable into and out of contact with the strap. The locking member can be rotatably attached to the base. The abutment surface can be biased in connection with the strap.  
      The base can include a strap support over which the strap passes. The abutment surface of the locking member can be biased in connection with a first surface of the strap over a section of the strap wherein a second, opposing surface of the strap contacts the support member. In one embodiment, the locking member includes a lever arm to which force is applied to move the locking member into a release position in which the abutment surface is out of contact with the strap. The cam buckle can also an activating or actuating mechanism that must be activated to enable the locking member to be moved to a release position. Requiring such a dual action to cause a release of the strap section can help prevent accidental release.  
      In another aspect, the present invention provides a connector for use in connection with a strap of a safety harness. The connector includes a first attachment mechanism to attach the connector to the strap and a second attachment mechanism to attach an item to the connector. In one embodiment, the connector includes a base, and the first attachment mechanism includes a pair of slots formed in the base. In one embodiment, the connector includes a closure in operative connection with the base, and the base and the enclosure at least partially enclose at least one label when the closure in a closed state.  
      In a further aspect, the present invention provides a label pack system for use in connection with a safety harness. The label pack system includes a base having an attachment mechanism to attach the base to the strap of the safety harness and a closure in operative connection with the base. The base and the enclosure at least partially enclose at least one label (and more typically a plurality of labels) when the closure in a closed state. The labels include, for example, textual and/or graphical information about the safety harness.  
      The closure can include a hinge about which the closure is rotatable to the closed state and to an open state. The label(s) are accessible when the closure is in an open state. The closure can, for example, include a releasable locking mechanism to releasably cooperate with the base to hold the closure in a closed state.  
      In another aspect, the present invention provides a safety harness including at least one strap section having a first end; wherein the first end has an end member in operative connection therewith. The end member includes a housing having a seating therein. The end member further includes a clip member having a first extending arm and a second extending arm in between which the first end of the strap is held. The clip is seated within the seating of the housing so that the first extending arm and the second extending arm are forced into contact with first end of the strap. In one embodiment, each of the first extending arm and the second extending arm include teeth that contact the first end of the strap. The clip member can further include a locking member that cooperates with the housing to hold the clip member in operative connection with the seating of the housing. The first extending arm and the second extending arm of the clip can, for example, be formed form an integral piece of resilient material. In one embodiment, the housing includes a retaining arm to connect the end member to the strap or to another strap of the harness.  
      In still a further aspect, the present invention provides a safety harness including a strap section having an interior surface that is adjacent a wearer when the safety harness is worn and an exterior surface generally opposite the interior surface. The interior surface is perceptibly different from the exterior surface so that a wearer can distinguish the interior surface from the exterior surface. In one embodiment, the interior surface has a color different from a color of the exterior surface. The interior surface can also or alternatively have a texture different from a texture of the exterior surface. The interior surface can, for example, be softer than the exterior surface to provide comfort to the wearer. The exterior surface can be of a more durable or rugged material (for example, having greater abrasion resistance than the interior surface).  
      In one embodiment, the interior surface and the exterior surface can form or be formed about on a generally tubular outer shell. In this embodiment, the strap section can further include a flexible inner material. A wear indicator material can be placed between the outer shell and the inner material such that any opening in the outer shell causes the wear indicator material to be visible.  
      In another aspect, the present invention provides a safety harness including at least one strap section have a first end. The first end includes an end member in operative connection therewith. The end member includes a retaining member to connect the end member to the strap or to another strap of the harness. The retaining member can, for example, include an extending arm adapted to extend around strap or another strap. In one embodiment, the extending member is adapted to be biased against the strap or against the another strap when extending around the strap or the another strap. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  illustrates a commercially available full body safety harness.  
       FIG. 2A  illustrates a front perspective view of a person wearing an embodiment of a full body safety harness of the present invention, wherein the person is standing erect.  
       FIG. 2B  illustrates a rear perspective view of a person wearing the full body safety harness of  FIG. 2A , wherein the person is standing erect.  
       FIG. 2C  illustrates a side view of a person wearing the full body safety harness of  FIG. 2A , wherein the person is standing erect.  
       FIG. 2D  illustrates a side view of a person wearing the full body safety harness of  FIG. 2A , wherein the person is bending forward in a crouched position.  
       FIG. 2E  illustrates an enlarged, prospective view of an embodiment of a rotating connector of the full body safety harness of  FIG. 2A .  
       FIG. 2F  is an exploded, perspective view of connector of  FIG. 2E .  
       FIG. 2G  is a side, cross-sectional view of the connector of  FIG. 2E   
       FIG. 3A  illustrates a side view of another embodiment of a rotating connector of the present invention.  
       FIG. 3B  illustrates a side view of the rotating connector of  FIG. 3A .  
       FIG. 3C  illustrates a side, cross-sectional view of the rotating connector of  FIG. 3A .  
       FIG. 3D  illustrates a perspective, exploded view of the rotating connector of  FIG. 3A .  
       FIG. 4A  illustrates another embodiment of a connector of the present invention.  
       FIG. 4B  illustrates another embodiment of a connector of the present invention.  
       FIG. 4C  illustrates another embodiment of a connector of the present invention.  
       FIG. 5  illustrates the attachment of an accessory to the rotating connector of  FIG. 2A .  
       FIG. 6A  illustrates one embodiment of a full body safety harness of the present invention including a first upper torso module and a first lower seat module.  
       FIG. 6B  illustrates another embodiment of a full body safety harness of the present invention including the first upper torso module illustrated in  FIG. 6A  and a second lower seat module, different in configuration from the first lower seat module.  
       FIG. 6C  illustrates the use of the first upper torso module of  FIG. 6A  with a tool belt and without a lower seat module.  
       FIG. 7  illustrates another embodiment of a rotating connector of the present invention adapted to enable ready disconnection of the upper torso portion or module of the harness from the lower seat portion or module of the harness.  
       FIG. 8A  illustrates a top plan view of an embodiment of a buckle of the present invention.  
       FIG. 8B  illustrates a rear view of the buckle of  FIG. 8A .  
       FIG. 8C  illustrates a side, cross-sectional view of the buckle of  FIG. 8A .  
       FIG. 8D  illustrates a side view of the buckle of  FIG. 8A .  
       FIG. 8E  illustrates a perspective exploded or disconnected view of the buckle of  FIG. 8A .  
       FIG. 8F  illustrates a side, cross-sectional view of the buckle of  FIG. 8A  in operative connection with a harness strap in which the locking member in a release state.  
       FIG. 8G  illustrates a side, cross-sectional view of the buckle of  FIG. 8A  in operative connection with a harness strap in which the locking member in a locking state.  
       FIG. 9A  of the present invention illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a connector of the present invention and a label pack system in operative connection therewith in which a closure of the label pack system is in an open state.  
       FIG. 9B  illustrates a perspective view of the connector of  FIG. 9A  in which the closure is in a closed state.  
       FIG. 9C  illustrates a perspective view of the base of the connector of  FIG. 9A .  
       FIG. 10A  illustrates a perspective view of a strap end member in an exploded or disconnected state.  
       FIG. 10B  illustrates a perspective view of the strap end member of  FIG. 10A  in a connected or assembled state.  
       FIG. 10C  illustrates a perspective view of another embodiment of a strap end member in an exploded or disconnected state.  
       FIG. 11  illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a strap section of the present invention having an interior surface and an exterior surface that are perceptibly different. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       FIGS. 2A through 2G  illustrate one embodiment of a full body safety harness  100  of the present invention. Safety harness  100  includes an upper torso section, portion or module  110  and a lower torso (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 and connect to a D-ring  150  in a manner similar to that described above in connection with D-ring  50 . After crossing and passing through D-ring  150 , back strap sections  122  and  132  of shoulder straps  120  and  130  are connected via a generally latitudinal back strap  160 , which passes generally latitudinally over a portion of the back of the user. In the illustrated embodiment, back straps  122  and  132  also cross through a back pad  166  in the region of D-ring  150  which, among, other functions can assist in maintaining a desired distance from neck of the user to D-ring  150 . Back straps  122  and  132  are attached at their respective ends to connectors  200   b  and  200   a , respectively, that operate to connect upper torso portion or module  110  to lower seat portion or module  112 . In that regard back straps  122  and  132  can, for example, be looped around slots  212   b  and  212   a  formed in upper connecting members  210   b  and  210   a  of connectors  200   b  and  200   a , respectively, (see, for example,  FIGS. 2C through 2E ) and stitched.  
      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. At least one fastening member  146  can be provide to enable opening/disconnection of chest strap  140 . One or more adjustment mechanisms  148  (for example, adjustable cam buckle mechanisms as discussed further below) can be provided to adjust the length of chest strap  140 . In an alternative embodiment, as known in the art, first and second front straps  124  and  134  can cross through a front pad, as known in the art, and chest strap  140  can be eliminated.  
      First and second front straps  124  and  134  extend further downward from chest strap  140  and can include adjustment members  126  and  136  (for example, adjustable cam buckles as discussed further below) for adjustment of the fit of safety harness  100  on the upper torso of the user. Front straps  124  and  134  are connected at the ends thereof to connectors  200   a  and  200   b , respectively. In that regard front straps  124  and  134  can, for example, be looped through slots  214   a  and  214   b  formed in upper connecting members  210   a  and  210   b  of connectors  200   a  and  200   b  (see, for example,  FIGS. 2C through 2E ) and stitched.  
      Lower torso or seat portion  112  of safety harness  100  can, for example, include leg straps  180  and  190 . Leg strap  180  is attached to connector  200   a  at a first or front end thereof via slot  222   a  formed in a lower connecting member  220   a  of connector  200   a  (see, for example,  FIGS. 2C through 2E ). A second or rearward end of leg strap  180  is attached to lower connecting member  220   a  via slot  224   a . Similarly, leg strap  190  is attached to connector  200   b  at a first or front end thereof via slot  222   b  formed in a lower connecting member  220   b  of connector  200   b . A second or rearward end of leg strap  190  is attached to lower connecting member  220   b  via slot  224   b . As illustrated, for example in  FIG. 2A , leg straps  180  and  190  can include adjustment members or mechanisms  182  and  192 , respectively, (for example, adjustable cam buckles as discussed further below) for adjustment of the fit of leg straps  180  and  190 . A seat  170  can be attached to and extends between leg straps  180  and  190 . Seat  170  can, for example, be fabricated from a mesh material or from a strapping material.  
      In the embodiment of  FIGS. 2A through 2G , connectors  200   a  and  200   b  are identical in design and operation. The design and operation of connectors  200   a  and  200   b  is discussed herein with reference to connector  200   a . In that regard, upper connecting member  210   a  and lower connecting member  220   a  (which can each, for example, be formed separately from an integral or monolithic piece metal such as aluminum) are rotatably or pivotably connected via a shaft  230   a  (see, for example,  FIGS. 2F and 2G ), which is maintained in operative connection with connecting members  210   a  and  220   a  via a locking pin  240   a  which seats in a seating or groove  232   a  formed in shaft  230   a . As clear to one skilled in the art, connectors  200   a  and  200   b  are preferably fabricated from materials (which can, for example, include one or more metals, high-strength polymeric materials, high-strength composite materials or combinations thereof) of sufficient strength and are preferably connected in such a manner such that connectors  200   a  and  200   b  can withstand the loads experienced in a fall. Like the strapping of safety harness  100 , the materials and construction of connectors  200   a  and  200   b  can, for example, provide an ultimate tensile load of at least 4000 pounds or at least 5000 pounds (as discussed, for example, for harness components generally in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,006,700 and 6,739,427).  
      As illustrated in a comparison of  FIGS. 2C and 2D , rearward or forward bending of the user results in a rotation of upper connecting member  210   a  relative to lower connecting member  220   a . Unlike the case of harness  10 , the relative rotation of upper connecting member  210   a  and lower connecting member  220   a  of connector  200   a  (and the relative rotation of upper connecting member  210   b  and lower connecting member  220   b  of connector  200   b ) substantially prevents tension in upper torso portion  110  and lower seat portion  112  during such bending. In that regard, connectors  200   a  and  200   b  effectively “decouple” the strains experienced in the straps of upper torso portion  110  from the strains experienced in the straps of lower seat portion  112  during forward and rearward bending of the user. The range and freedom of movement of a user of safety harness  100  is thereby substantially enhanced as compared to other safety harnesses. Moreover, connectors  200   a  and  200   b  also prevent gapping of the straps away from the body in upper torso portion  110 , which is often experienced in currently available harnesses upon forward or rearward bending. Such gapping in other safety harnesses can present a safety concern as gapped strapping can catch on objects when the safety harness is in use. Still further, connectors  200   a  and  200   b  enable the adjustment of strap length, tension and/or fit in upper torso portion  110  without substantially affecting the strap length, tension and/or fit in lower seat portion  112 , thereby enhancing the comfort of the fit of safety harness  100  as compared to other safety harnesses. Indeed, such connectors enable independent adjustment of straps in upper torso portion  110  and lower seat portion  120  using adjustment mechanisms or members in each of upper torso portion  100  and lower seat portion  120 . In that regard, tightening of shoulder strap  120  via adjustment mechanism  126  may cause some increased tension in leg strap  180  by pulling upward on connector  200   a . However, the fit of leg strap  180  can be adjusted via adjustment mechanism  182 .  
      In general, the benefits afforded by connectors  200   a  and  200   b  are realized regardless of the material chosen for the straps. In that regard, relatively inelastic, woven webbing materials such as nylon or polyester commonly used in many currently available are well suited for use in the present invention. Moreover, the material described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,006,700 and/or U.S. Pat. No. 6,739,427 can also be used. Such materials are, for example, currently used in the DURAFLEX® and the DURAFLEX PYTHON® harnesses currently available from Bacou-Dalloz Fall Protection of Franklin, Pa.  
       FIGS. 3A through 3D  illustrate another embodiment of a connector  300  for use in the present invention to operatively connect an upper torso portion of a safety harness to a lower torso or seat portion of the safety harness. Connector  300  operates similarly in many respects to connectors  200   a  and  200   b  as described above. In that regard, connector  300  includes an upper connecting member  310  and a lower connecting member  320  which are rotatably connected via a shaft  330  which projects from upper connecting member  310 . Lower connecting member  320  includes a generally circular passage  316  through which shaft  330  projects. Upper connecting member  310  and lower connecting member  320  are maintained in rotatable connection (about shaft  330 ) via a locking ring  340  which seats within a seating or groove  332  formed in shaft  330 . As illustrated in the embodiment of  FIGS. 3A through 3D , lower connecting member  320  can include abutment members  328  and  328 ′ which abut upper connecting member  310  to limit the range of relative rotation between upper connecting member  310  and lower connecting member  320  to, for example, prevent upper connecting member  310  from contacting the leg straps of the lower torso portion and causing excessive wear therein. The range of motion of upper connecting member  310  relative to lower connecting member  320  can, for example, be limited to approximately 30° to approximately 40° to prevent such wear while still providing an ample range of motion for bending of the user without causing significant tension in the straps of the lower seat portion.  
      Connector  300  further includes an inward attachment or connector  350  which includes a flange  352  on an inward projecting end of a shaft  354  thereof to which, for example, a belt such as a positioning safety belt or a tool belt can be attached to connector  300 . As clear to one skilled in the art, other attachment mechanisms as known in the art are suitable for use in attaching belts to the connectors of the present invention. As known in the art, safety positioning belts can, for example, include an anchor attachment such as a D-ring as known in the art to connect a lifeline or lanyard thereto. Attachment  350  is maintained in operative connection with upper connecting member  310  by a locking ring  360  which seats in a seating or groove  356  formed in shaft  354 . Locking ring  360  abuts a radially inward projecting, annular flange  334  formed on an inner wall of shaft  330  (see  FIG. 3C ).  
      A forward end of shaft  330  can include an attachment or connector through which any of a number of accessories can be attached to connector  300 . In the embodiment of  FIGS. 3A through 3D , connector  300  includes a seating or groove  338  formed on an outward end thereof through which such accessories can be attached to connector  300 . As clear to one skilled in the art, other attachment mechanisms as known in the art are suitable for use in attaching accessories to the connectors of the present invention. In the embodiment of  FIGS. 3A through 3E , a cap member  370  is attached to connector  300  via a radially inward projecting, annular flange  372  which forms a snap fit with seating  338 . Seating  338  (or other connection mechanism such as a flange similar to flange  352 ) can also be used in attaching accessories as discussed in connection with connector  350 .  
       FIG. 4A  illustrates another embodiment of a connector  400  of the present invention. Connector  400  includes a lower connecting member  320  which is generally identical to that of connector  300 . However, rather than an upper connecting member as included in connector  300 , connector  400  includes a preferably curved connecting member such as ring or loop member  410  to which rear strap  132  and front strap  124  are slidably attached. Ring member  410  need not be rotatably attached to lower connecting member  320 . When a user wearing a safety harness of the present invention including connector  400  bends forward as illustrated in  FIGS. 2C and 2D  the strap ends of rear strap  132  and front strap  124  move (that is, slide) around the circumference of ring member  410 , thereby preventing any substantial increase in tension in the straps of lower seat portion  112 .  FIG. 4B  illustrates another embodiment of a connector  400 ′ in which two ring members  410  and  420  are connected (in a non-rotating connection by a connect  430 . As described above, rear strap  132  and front strap  124  are slidably attached to ring member  410 . In this embodiment, leg strap  180  is slidably attached at its first and second ends to ring member  420 .  FIG. 4C  illustrates another embodiment of a connector  400 ″ of the present invention including a single ring member  410 ″ to which rear strap  132 , front strap  124  and the ends of leg strap  180  are slidably attached.  
      As described above, tension in the straps of a safety harness of the present invention upon forward and rearward bending of a user can thus be reduced or generally eliminated in, for example, two general manners or combinations thereof. In that regard, one can connect in a generally fixed manner (that is, a non-sliding manner) strap ends of the upper torso portion to two upper connecting members. One can also connect in a generally fixed manner (that is, non-sliding manner) strap ends of the lower torso portion to two lower connecting members. The upper connecting member and the lower connecting member are then connected so that the upper connecting member is rotatable relative to the lower connecting member. Alternatively, one or more of the strap ends can be slidably attached to a connecting member. In one such embodiment, the connecting member includes an element (which can, for example, be a curved element) about which the a strap end is looped so that the strap end can slide along the element. In this embodiment, the connecting member need not be rotatable.  
      As also described above, various accessories can be attached to the connectors of the present invention.  FIG. 5  illustrates the attachment of a strap  500 , which can, for example, be formed into a loop and used to attached a tool belt, to connector  200   a . In that regard, connector  200   a  includes a flange  260   a  attached to the outward end of shaft  230 . A high-strength clip  600  (for example, fabricated from a polymeric material) snaps onto flange  260   a  via a slot  610  formed in clip  600 . Strap  500  can, for example, be attached to clip  600  via slots  630   a  and  630   b  formed in clip  600 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 5 , strap  500  is generally permanently attached to slot  630   b  (for example, via a sewn loop). Strap  500  can be passed through slot  630   a  to form a loop. The free end of strap  600  can, for example, include a hook-and-loop type fastening system  520  such as VELCRO®.  
       FIGS. 6A and 6B  illustrate how connectors of the present invention of the present invention including upper and lower connecting members (such as upper connecting members  210   a  and  210   b  and lower connecting member  220   a  and  220   b ) can be used to readily fabricate modular full body safety harnesses in which various upper torso portions or modules can be mixed and matched with various lower seat portions or modules to easily and inexpensively fabricate a variety of harness for different uses and for different users. For example, using 10 different upper torso modules and 10 different lower seat modules, 100 different full body safety harnesses can be assembled.  FIG. 6A  illustrates a rear view of a user wearing full body safety harness  100  including upper torso module  110  and lower seat module  112  as described above. In  FIG. 6A , the user is also wearing a tool belt  700  that is attached to safety harness  100  via looped straps  500  as described above. In  FIG. 6B , the user is wearing a full body safety harness  100 ′ including upper torso module  110  and a different lower seat module  112 ′. Lower seat module  112 ′ includes leg straps  180 ′ and  190 ′ than encircle the legs of the user as is common in European safety harnesses. As illustrated in  FIG. 6C , upper torso module  110  can be used without a lower seat module to, for example, act as suspenders to support tool belt  700 . The modularity provided by the connectors of the present invention can substantially reduce the manufacturing costs in manufacturing a wide variety of harness types as compared to current manufacturing methods.  
      The connector for connecting upper torso modules and lower seat modules of the present invention can, for example, be fabricated to be disconnectable only by the manufacturer or can be made to be more readily disconnectable so that disconnection can, for example, be made by those in the field (for example, by an authorized safety officer). In that regard,  FIG. 7  illustrates an embodiment of a connector  800  of the present invention that operates in a number of manners similarly to connector  200   a . In that regard, connector  800  includes upper connecting member  810  and lower connecting member  820  that are rotatably connected via a shaft  830 . Connector  800  also includes a release  900  operable to release upper connecting member  810  and lower connecting member  820  from connection with shaft  830  and thereby from connection with each other. Release  900  can include any of various release mechanisms known to those skilled in the art. In the embodiment of  FIG. 8 , release  900  includes release buttons  910  and  920  which are moved radially inward to cause disconnection. In one embodiment, each of buttons  910  and  920  must be actuated to cause disconnection to decrease the likelihood of accidental disconnection. A locking mechanism (for example, requiring an actuating key or other instrument) as known in the art can also be provided to ensure that disconnection is effected only by authorized personnel and that accidental disconnection does not occur.  
      In several embodiments, the harnesses of the present invention include one or more cam buckles that function as adjustment members such as adjustment members  126  and  136  to adjust the fit of the harnesses. The inventors of the present invention have discovered that such cam buckles provide a significant improvement in the ease of adjustment of the fit of one or more of the straps of the present invention as compared to adjustment mechanisms such as friction buckles previously used in safety harnesses. Moreover, the present inventors have discovered that cam buckles provide suitable locking strength such that the cam buckles do not open under loads experienced under normal conditions of use or under fall conditions.  
       FIGS. 8A through 8G  illustrate one embodiment of a cam buckle  1000  suitable for use in harnesses of the present invention and in other safety harnesses. Buckle  1000  includes a base  1010  including a first strap support  1020  and a second strap support  1030 .  FIGS. 8F and 8G  illustrate strapping sections  1100  and  1200  looped around first support  1010  and second support  1020 , respectively. If desired or required by law, base  1010  can be fabricated from high-strength materials (which, can, for example, include various metals, high-strength polymeric materials, high-strength composite materials or combinations thereof) such that base  1010  provides a relatively high ultimate tensile load (for example, of at least 4000 pounds or at least 5000 pounds).  
      Buckle  1000  further includes a cam-shaped locking member  1040  that operates to lock strapping section  1100  in a desired position and to enable release of strapping section  1100  to allow adjustment of the fit of a harness by moving or sliding strapping section  1100  around or over support  1020 . Locking member  1040  includes a passage  1042  through which a rod  1050  (around which locking member  1040  is rotatable) passes. Rod  1050  includes a first end section  1052  of generally reduced radius that passes through a passage or seating  1072  in a first side member  1070  of base  1010  and is held in position therein by bearing  1056 . On the opposite end, rod  1050  includes a second end section  1054  of generally reduced radius that passes through a passage or seating  1082  in a second side member  1080  of base  1010  and is held in position by bearing  1058 . A biasing element can be used to bias locking member in a locking position in which strap  1100  is prevented from moving or sliding relative to first strap support member  1020 . In the embodiment of  FIGS. 8A through 8G , the biasing element is a spring  1060  which is positioned within passage  1042 . Second end section  1054  of rod  1050  passes through spring  1060  which closes tightly around second end section  1054  to bias locking member  1010  in a locking position as illustrated, for example, in  FIG. 8G .  
      To place locking member  1040  in a release position as illustrated in  FIG. 8F , a user applies a downward force (in the orientation of  FIGS. 8F and 8G ) to a lever arm  1044  of locking member  1040  to cause rotation of locking member  1040  around rod  1050  in a clockwise direction (once again in the orientation of  FIGS. 8F and 8G ). Rotation of locking member  1040  as illustrated in  FIG. 8F , causes an abutment surface  1046  on an end of locking member  1040  generally opposite to lever arm  1044  to rotate out of contact with strapping section  1100 , thereby releasing strap  1100  to enable adjustment thereof. Once strapping section  1100  is in adjusted to a desired position or fit, force is removed from lever arm  1044  so that locking member rotates around rod  1050  in a counterclockwise direction (in the orientation of  FIGS. 8F and 8G ) so that abutment surface  1046  rotate back into its biased position of contact with strapping section  1100 . Strapping section  1100  is held or locked in position between abutment surface  1046  of locking member  1040  and an upper abutment surface  1022  of strap support  1020 . As illustrated, for example, in  FIGS. 8F and 8G , abutment surface  1046  and/or abutment surface  1022  can include knurling or ridges to assist in holding strapping section  1100  in a locked position.  
      A dual or double action can be required to place locking member  1040  in a release position. As illustrated in  FIGS. 8F and 8G , for example, a moveable actuating, activating or abutment member  1080  can be placed in operative connection with lever arm  1044  to prevent movement of lever arm  1044  to a release position until abutment member  1080  is first moved to a release position (see  FIG. 8F ). Buckle  1000  can be fabricated in part or in whole from polymeric materials. In on embodiment base  1010  is fabricated from a polymeric material and locking member  1040  is fabricated from aluminum.  
      Under current law in the United States and other countries, a number of labels are required to be attached to safety harnesses. In currently available safety harnesses, label packs are typically sewn to the harness. Such label packs often become loose, damaged or lost.  FIGS. 9A through 9C  illustrate a connector  1300  of the present invention which can be used to attach a label pack  1400  and/or other items to safety harness  100  or to other safety harnesses. Connector  1300  can, for example, include a base  1310  which can, for example, be fabricated from a resilient polymeric material. Base  1310  includes an attachment mechanism for removable or non-removable attachment of base  1310  to harness  100 . In the embodiment illustrated, for example, in  FIGS. 9A through 9C , base  1310  includes two slots  1320   a  and  1320   b  through which harness strapping or webbing can passed to attach base  1310  to harness  100  or to another harness. As clear to one skilled in the art, many other types of attachments (either removable or non-removable) can be used. As illustrated, for example, in  FIGS. 2A, 9A  and  9 B, shoulder strap  120  of harness  100  can be passed through slots  1320   a  and  1320   b . Chest strap  140  can be looped around shoulder strap  120  in the area of shoulder strap  120  between slot  1320   a  and  1320 , and chest strap  140  can then be sewn to itself as illustrated, for example, in  FIGS. 9A and 9B .  
      Base  1310  further includes an attachment mechanism for attaching an item such as a label pack system  1400  and/or other items thereto. In the embodiment of  FIGS. 9A through 9C , the item attachment mechanism includes a lower slot  1330  (see  FIG. 9B ) and an upper slot  1340 . An item or a portion thereof to be attached to base  1310  via, for example, a snap fit with one or both of slots  1330  and  1340 . As clear to one skilled in the art many other types of attachments can be used. In the embodiment of  FIGS. 9A through 9C , label pack system  1400  includes various labels  1410  and a lid or closure  1420 . Closure  1420  can, for example, be permanently or removably attached to base  1310  via lower slot  1330  via a snap fit as known in the art. Closure  1420  can alternatively be formed integrally with base  1310  or otherwise permanently or removably attached thereto. Closure  1420  can include a hinge  1430  (for example, a live hinge as known in the art) about which closure  1420  can rotate or hinge to an open position (as illustrated in  FIG. 9A ) and to a closed position (as illustrated in  FIG. 9B ). Closure  1420  can further include a releasable locking or closing mechanism  1440  which cooperates with upper slot  1340  to hold closure  1420  in a closed position. Application of force to closing mechanism  1440  by the user can release closing mechanism  1440 . Closing mechanism, can for example, include a lever arm extending from closure  1420  with an abutment flange  1442  formed on an end thereof to abut an interior surface of upper slot  1340 . Application of, for example, a downward force (in the orientation of  FIG. 9B ) can remove abutment flange  1442  from contact with base  1310  around the perimeter of slot  1340  and enable opening of closure  1420 .  
      Labels  1410  can, for example, be permanently attached to base  1310  via stitching or via an adhesive. Labels  1410  can alternatively be attached to closure  1420 . Base  1310  and closure  1420  act together to protect labels  1410  and prevent loosening, detachment or damage of labels  1410 .  
      Connector  1300  can be used to attach other items such as a cell phone holder  1500  (see  FIG. 2A ) to harness  100  and to other harnesses. Cell phone holder  1500  can, for example, be attached to base  1310  using slots  1330  and  1340  or otherwise attached to base  1310 . Connector  1300  can be used to attach many other devices including, but not limited to, a global positioning system devices, transponders, various communication devices, and/or sensors to, among other things, detect a fall.  
      In the embodiment of  FIGS. 9A through 9C , connector  1300  further includes a lanyard attachment ring  1360 , which can be used by a wearer of harness  100  to attach a lanyard (not shown) when the lanyard is not in use for fall protection. In that regard, such a lanyard is attached to D-ring  150  at a first end and to an anchor point at a second end when the lanyard is in use for fall protection. However, attachment ring  1360  can be used to attach the second end of the lanyard when the lanyard is not in use for fall protection (for example, when the wearer is walking around on the ground or on another surface) to keep the lanyard from dragging behind the wearer.  
       FIGS. 10A and 10B  illustrate an embodiment of a harness strap end member  1600 , which can operate, for example, to prevent fraying of a harness strap end such as an end  142  of chest strap  140 . In one embodiment, end member  1600  includes a cap or housing  1610  and a clip  1650 . Housing  1610  can, for example, be fabricated from a polymeric material. Clip  1650  is in the form of an alligator clip having a first or upper lever arm  1660 , a second or lower lever arm  1670  and an intermediate hinging area  1680 . Clip  1650  can, for example, be fabricated from an integral piece of a resilient polymeric material or an integral piece of a resilient metal (for example, spring steel). Each of lever arms  1660  and  1670  including gripping teeth on an end thereof opposite hinging area  1680 .  
      Strap end  142  is first placed within clip  1650  so that, for example, strap end  142  abuts hinging area  1680 . Clip  1650 , with strap end  142  therein, is then pushed into an opening  1620  in housing  1610  which leads to a hollow portion or seating portion  1624  within housing  1610 . Opening  1620  and seating  1624  are dimensioned to force lever arms  1660  and  1670  toward each other so that strap end  142  is securely gripped by the toothed ends of lever arms  1660  and  1670 .  
      At least one of first lever arm  1660  and second lever arm  1670  can, for example, include a retaining mechanism to retain clip  1650  in operative connection with housing  1610 . In the embodiment of  FIGS. 10A and 10B , first lever arm  1660  includes abutment member  1662  and  1664  in the from of raised, resilient or flexible tabs. Tabs  1662  and  1664  are biased in an upward direction (in the orientation of  FIG. 10A ), but are forced downward as clip  1650  is pushed within seating  1624 . Housing  1610  includes slots  1612  and  1614  into which tabs  1662  and  1664 , respectively, can spring open. Once tabs  1662  and  1664  spring open or upward into slots  1612  and  1614 , tabs  1662  and  1664  cooperate with slots  1612  and  1614  to prevent movement of clip  1650  and strap end  142  out of connection with housing  1610 . Seating  1624  can include a rear abutment member or wall to facilitate positioning of tabs  1662  and  1664  in operative connection with slots  1612  and  1614 . In the embodiment of  FIGS. 10A and 10B , slots pass entirely through the wall of housing  1610 , but such slots can pass only partially therethrough.  
      Housing  1610  can further include a retaining arm  1630  that can be slipped over or around a strap to hold end member  1600  in connection with the strap (see, for example,  FIG. 2A ). Retaining arm  1630  can, for example, be formed of a resilient material and create a gap between retaining arm  1630  and the surface of housing  1610  suitably dimensioned so that a gripping or biasing force is applied to the strap.  
      In the embodiment of  FIGS. 10A and 10B , housing  1610  and clip  1650  are illustrated as separate, connectible elements. However, housing  1610  and clip  1650  can be integrated, for example comolded. Moreover, an end member or end housing such as housing  1650  can be attached to strap end  142  in manners other than using a clip such as clip  1650 . For example, such a housing can be sewn to (via a stitching section  1650   a  as illustrated in  FIG. 10C ), riveted to and/or adhered to strap end  142 . Such an end housing can also be attached via ultrasonic welding. Likewise, an end housing can be overmolded upon a strap end such as strap end  142  using overmolding techniques known in the art.  
       FIG. 11  illustrates an embodiment of harness webbing or strapping for use in harness  100  and other safety harnesses. Strap  1800  can, for example, include a generally tubular, outer shell  1804  fabricated from a flexible, high-strength material and a flexible inner member  1806  that can be a foam material as described generally in U.S. Pat. No. 6,739,427, assigned to the assignee of the present invention, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. In the embodiment of  FIG. 11 , outer shell  1804  includes a first or interior surface  1810  (that is, the surface that lays adjacent the wearer&#39;s body when the harness is worn) which is perceptibly different (for example, visibly different and/or different to the touch) from a second or outer surface  1820  thereof. Interior surface  1810  and outer surface  1820  can, for example, be of a different color, pattern and/or of a different texture. Inner surface  1810  can, for example, be woven to be of a different color from and softer than outer surface  1820  to increase the comfort of the user. Outer surface  1820  can be woven to be harder and/or more durable than inner surface  1810  to increase the wear life of the harness even in hostile environments such as experienced in welding operations. Additional or alternatively, materials, dyes or other elements can be added to at least one side of a manufactured harness strap to provide perceptibly different inner and outer surfaces of the harness strap.  
      Providing a harness including strapping sections having interior surfaces and exterior surfaces which are perceptibly different from each other facilitates donning the harness. In that regard, in currently available harnesses, it is quite difficult for a user to determine the interior and exterior surfaces of the harness, thereby making donning of the harness quite difficult. The interior surface and the exterior surface of the entire length of one or more straps (for example, the entire length of shoulder strap  120 , including back strap  122  and front strap  124 , and shoulder strap  130 , including back strap  132  and front strap  134 ) can be perceptibly different as described above. Preferably, the interior surface and the exterior surface of a strap over a substantial portion (for example, at least 50%) of the length of the strap is perceptibly different such that donning is facilitated. In one embodiment, the entire length of each shoulder strap  120  and  130  and each leg strap  180  and  190  of safety harness  100  was formed of strapping having interior surfaces and exterior surfaces which were perceptibly different.  
      In the embodiment, of  FIG. 11 , inner member or material  1806  can, for example, be surrounded by a material  1840  having a highly visibly color that is different from each of inner surface  1810  and outer surface  1820  to act as a wear indicator. In that regard, should one of inner surface  1810  or outer surface  1820  wear through or tear, wear indicator material  1840  becomes visible and the harness can be taken out of service.  
      Inner surface  1810  and outer surface  1820  can, for example, be formed/woven separately and sewn together on the lateral sides of outer shell  1804  of strap  1800 . Alternatively, inner surface  1810  and outer surface  1820  can be woven integrally using methods known in the weaving arts. In the embodiment of  FIG. 11 , strap  1800  includes spaced stitching sections  1830  that create a quilted effect and that can operate to prevent bunching or movement of inner member  1806  within outer sheath  1804 . Spaced stitching sections  1830  can also create pockets for air flow.  
      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.