Patent Publication Number: US-2016220855-A1

Title: Tactical Harness with Shoulder Controlled Braking Mechanism

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 14,612,105, filed on Feb. 2, 2015, which was a perfection of Provisional Application No. 61/934,741, filed on Feb. 1, 2014, the disclosures of which are fully incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to controlled descent harnesses. More particularly, it relates to tactical harnesses for use by military and/or police personnel. 
    
    
     
       SUMMARY OF THE PHOTOS 
       Further features, objectives and advantages will be made clearer with the following detailed description made with reference to the accompanying photographs in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a front view showing one embodiment of this harness installed on a mannequin; 
         FIG. 2  is a rear view of the harness from  FIG. 1  installed on the mannequin; enlarged view of the full harness front; 
         FIG. 3  is an enlarged view of one quick release buckle for use with the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is an enlarged view of one embodiment of line feeding into an EDS Rack according to the invention; 
         FIG. 5  is an enlarged rear view focusing on the lower assembly and line bag therefor; and 
         FIG. 6  is an enlarged view showing a quick release buckle beneath the line bag. 
     
    
    
     Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments 
     Full body harness designed for Tactical Military, Police or other descending requirements. Harness allows the user/operator to rapidly descend from 20 to several hundred feet. And with a more controlled rate of descent, the user is better able to free-spool and land safely, like jumping from only 6-8 feet. Unlike with current repelling techniques and equipment that require a user to hold onto a large diameter line to control descent speed, with the Fox 1™ Tactical Harness both hands are free to deploy a weapon and defend the user all the way to the ground. The user does not have to use his hands to control descent. All line storage, brake and friction device are located on the rear of the harness and out of the way of the user so as to not obstruct his/her vision and/or interfere with weapon use. 
     Braking is accomplished using shoulder movements alone—truly hands free. By moving the shoulders forward, braking increases and a slower descent or coming to a complete stop is accomplished. By moving the shoulders backward, less pressure is applied to the brake and a faster descent is allowed. 
     The Kevlar® Delta Cross Brake is used to apply 360 degree pressure over a 3 inch area to the small diameter line. When pressure is applied to the Kevlar® Delta Cross Brake, the line not only has pressure applied in a 360 degree area but it is pulled in two directions at the same time and bent, increasing the frictional force on the line. 
     The line has additional friction applied as it transitions through the EDS Rack (Emergency Descent System). The configuration of that line going through the rack (See  FIG. 4 ) and the device as a whole can be changed to increase or decrease drag depending on the weight of the user and his/her equipment thus making it more adjustable to the individual user. 
     In combination of the Kevlar® Delta Cross Brake and the EDS Rack, a very small diameter line, ⅛ or 3/16 inch can be used. This allows for 200 feet or more of the small diameter line to be stored, and deployed, in a very small 6×8 inch Line Bag that is positioned on the lower back side of the Fox 1™ Tactical Harness. The Kevlar® Delta Cross Brake located on the rear of the harness is attached on both ends with a web strap that goes under each arm and to the front upper shoulder on each side. Both Brake Webbing Straps are adjustable for tension. 
     The Line Bag ( FIG. 5 ) is attached to the harness by a Lower Y Strap and Buckle and by an Upper Buckle. This allows for the Line Bag to be removed quickly and a new line of the same or different lengths can be attached. The Line is laid in the Line Bag in a zigzag pattern layer after layer to allow for increased storage capacity and to ensure a tangle free transition up out of the bag, through the Kevlar® Delta Cross Brake, up through the EDS Rack and to its fixed attachment point. 
     Quick Release Buckles (See  FIG. 3 ) are used on the legs, chest and shoulders, this allows the user to be able to shed the Fox 1 Tactical Harness in less than 5 seconds. The harness is very light and can be very easily and quickly put on. Adjustments on the shoulders, chest and legs straps allow for various size users. 
     The Line used is a Technora® line, that is cut, melt and burn resistant and has a very high tensile strength 3000 to 5600 pound. The line is also very light weighing approximately 1 pound per every 100 feet, and is very compactable. A typical unit uses 200 feet of line (weighing 2 lbs) though lengths of up to 1000 feet are feasible.